Beth Mullen’s Post

🐶💡 Welcome back to 'Did You Know'! Puppies undergo a critical period of socialization from around 3 to 14 weeks of age. This timeframe is key in shaping a puppy's future behavior and temperament. 🐾🌍 During this stage, puppies should be introduced to a wide range of experiences - different types of people, animals, environments, sounds, and textures. The goal is to ensure that they grow comfortable with the world around them. 🏞️🏙️ Positive experiences during this time can help puppies grow into confident and well-adjusted adult dogs. This process helps them learn that new experiences and changes in their environment are normal parts of life and not something to fear. 🐕🦺💪 However, it's equally important to ensure that these experiences are positive and not overwhelming. Negative experiences during this period can also have a lasting impact. It's all about balance and considering the individual puppy's comfort and pace. 🐶⚖️ Remember, raising a puppy requires time, patience, and understanding. But the rewards of having a confident, well-socialized adult dog make it worth the effort. Stay tuned with #DidYouKnow and #PetReflex for more pet-related facts and tips! #PuppySocialization #DogBehavior #PuppyDevelopment #DogFacts #PetTraining

Guidance for First-Time Puppy Owners! If you're embarking on your journey as a first-time puppy owner, fear not! While puppies require time and effort, knowing what to expect (and what NOT to expect) can make your first year together smoother and more enjoyable. Avoid common communication pitfalls with these essential tips. Check it out in our latest blog! https://lnkd.in/ebKrSwmF #barkbusters #dogtraining #dogtrainer #puppytraining

5 Critical Mistakes Parents Make with Dogs and How to Avoid Them Navigating the dynamic between children and dogs requires careful consideration. Here are the top mistakes many parents unknowingly make and the steps to prevent them: Wrong Breed Choice: -While no dog is inherently child-aggressive, certain breeds may be less tolerant of children. -Choosing the right breed for your family is crucial to ensure harmony between your dog and your kids. Lack of Boundaries: -Both children and dogs need clear boundaries. -Think of yourself as the referee, ensuring fairness and understanding on both sides to prevent conflicts. Lack of Supervision: -Most accidents between dogs and children occur when no one is watching. -Never leave a child alone with a dog, regardless of how well they get along. Dogs as Christmas Gifts: -The excitement of a new puppy can fade quickly once the holiday season ends. -A dog should be a well-considered addition to the family, not just a holiday surprise. Lack of Exercise: -An under-exercised dog is more likely to be irritable, especially if a child is poking or pulling on it. -Ensuring your dog gets enough physical activity is key to maintaining a calm and happy pet. By avoiding these common pitfalls, you can foster a safe and loving environment where both your children and dogs can thrive together. #DogTraining #ParentingTips #PetSafety #FamilyPets

I had an amazing time on Talk Pittsburgh discussing dog enrichment. We talked about the importance of adding diversity to your dog's life and I shared some simple, fun activities to keep your furry friends mentally sharp and engaged. Key takeaways from the KDKA segment: 1. Canine enrichment is essential for every dog! It adds excitement to their day, mixes up their routine, and contributes to their overall well-being, regardless of age. 2. Simple, at-home activities like the Muffin Tin Game and the Busy Box provide mental stimulation and entertainment for your dog, tapping into their natural abilities and keeping them happy and engaged. 3. Teaching your dog new tricks isn't just for puppies. Even senior dogs like Lucy (almost 12 years old!) enjoy learning and practicing tricks as a fun mental engagement activity. Tune in to the segment (link below) to learn more about how you can make the most of life with your dog and ensure they're happy and healthy. Blog post: https://lnkd.in/e6nrp6Fj #WearWagRepeat #canineEnrichment #DogWellness #PetParenting #Pittsburgh #CanineActivities #DogTricks

It's that time of year when the Holidays entail that special gift for you and/or your loved ones. And for many people that means a puppy or adult dog. But do you really know what you're getting into? Are you and/or family really ready for that pup? Find out. Answer yes/no to the following eight questions. 1) Are you ready for a baby? Are your ready for a child? A puppy is a four legged baby, a dog, a four-legged child. If you're not ready for either, then don't get a dog. 2) Does everyone want that puppy/dog? All it takes is for one family member to start complaining, become frustrated, start crying, yelling, etc. and then the puppy ownership situation spirals out of control and goes downhill fast. And the once happy family becomes torn and unhappy. And the puppy will pay the price. 3) Do you know which breed of dog is right for you? Choosing a puppy is a balancing act between your head, your heart, and your instincts. The dog breed of your dreams may not be the right dog for you at this point in your life. 4) Do you have a plan to train your puppy/dog? Ninety-six percent (96%) of dogs who are surrendered to shelters never received any obedience training from their owners. Don't be a statistic. 5) Are you willing to puppy-proof your home and make lifestyle changes? See Question #1, are you ready for a baby, a child? Puppies, dogs are curious creatures. I divide puppy proofing your home into two prevention categories: destructive chewing and item ingestion. Everything can go into their mouths, and can cost you literally thousands of dollars in repair costs or veterinary surgery bills. 6) Are you ready for the time and emotional commitment a puppy/dog takes? One of the major reasons dogs are surrendered to shelters is because people underestimate the amount of time owning a dog takes. Puppies are like teenagers and mobile phones -- they're always "on." 7) Are you ready for the maintenance and potential costly repairs? Puppies chew. In their chewing phase, puppies can chew furniture, stair risers, seat cushions, pillows, deck railing, car seat belts, just to name a few that my puppies have chewed. 8) Can you afford the expense of owning a puppy/dog? Depending on whether you choose shelter, rescue or purebred, your first year costs can be $2350/shelter, $3250/rescue or $4550 minimum/purebred. These costs cover the cost of the dog, veterinary, food and first year setup supplies. It doesn't cover the extras, e.g., day care, dog walkers, grooming. So are you ready? Yes/No. If you would like to explore these questions in more depth, you can get my book, "To Puppy or Not to Puppy" available in multiple formats here via Amazon: https://amzn.to/3DnnkRt If you are certain you'd like a puppy, but don't know where to start or don't have the time you need to search, select, and adopt a puppy, contact me to discuss your needs and expectations. I have several adoption packages available. https://lnkd.in/gbPdKh5q

Do you want this? Just curious who in my circle would like the following: • To get their puppy to stop biting them • To stop having to clean up accidents in the house • To know exactly what they need to do to have a well-behaved puppy Anyone? I hear you and I’ve been there. 5 Which is why I want to share something with you... I’m hosting a FREE CLASS to show you exactly how I turn unruly puppies into perfect family dogs AND end the puppy biting, make house training a breeze, and allow you to enjoy your puppy instead of focusing on how much work they are. A HUGE component of this is precisely what I’m teaching in my class - 5 keys to Successful Puppy Raising: How I turn unruly puppies into perfect family dogs (while still having time for everything else) I’m going to break down my step by step formula for how to raise your puppy, what to do and when in order to be sure your puppy grows up to be the well-mannered best friend you imagined. By the time the class has ended: • You’ll have CLARITY on what your GOALS are in the short term so you can be confident you are focusing on the right things at the right time. •You’ll know the 4 KEY SKILLS puppies need to learn TODAY so you can reclaim your home and sanity. • You’ll understand THE MOST important part of puppy raising so you can be sure to have a happy, confident dog. • You’ll discover how you can TALK TO YOUR PUPPY IN A WAY THEY WILL UNDERSTAND so you can quickly change their behavior and bring some harmony back to your home. If this sounds like something that could help you grow, I’d love for you to join me. It’s going to be THIS Thursday, January 18thth at 6pm EST. I’m so excited to teach this, as this is exactly what I teach my clients and have done personally with my own puppy and I am over the moon with the results I have gotten. So be sure to mark your calendars! Go ahead and at the link in the comments! I can’t wait! Hope you’re having a great start to your week!

Do you know what tomorrow is? If you guessed Wednesday you are right, but also wrong… This Wednesday is Dogs in Yellow Day, as marked out by this lovely picture of Alvin, but what exactly does this mean? Well, if you happen to come across a dog dressed like Alvin here, whether that’s tomorrow or any day of the year, this means that they are anxious, reactive, or a dog in training and you should give them space.  Dogs in Yellow Day aims to raise awareness for these special pups and their unique needs. The color yellow serves as a visual cue to give them the space they require, promoting empathy and respect among pet parents and the community. Remember, a reactive dog isn't a bad dog—it's just navigating the world in its own way. So, if you encounter a dog in yellow, be sure to give them the space and compassion they need. Let's make every day a little easier for anxious dogs worldwide. 🌟🐶 #DogsInYellowDay #GiveSpaceBeKind

You want to go watch @dogtrainerjames post about this. (Over on Instagram) He explains so factually what these collars do and how they are used. Nice one mate for how ypu explained this. I still took one look at Sasha and couldn’t imagine the damage this would do to an already nervous rescue dog. I love how James brought this to people’s attention as we need to be aware of things. So if you follow me and your dog trainer suggested one of these collars, please watch James’ post. 🐕 All you lovely dog trainers out there - this is your reminder to keep highlighting and calling out training methods that dog parents may not realise are harmful. People are watching 👀 People are listening to what you have to say. 👂 Your impact is greater than you know. 🫶 Each dog parent who realises is one you have made a positive impact on. I’m one of them. _____ Want to make more impact on dog parents online? Let’s chat about how we can work together on a premium website that brings in more lovely local dog parents that need your help. DM me IMPACT to chat more 🐕 . . #forcefreemessage #dogtrainingwithkindness #shockcollarsarecruel #ecollars #dogtrainingexpert

Embrace Understanding, Respect Anxiety We wanted to have an open and heartfelt conversation about something that's close to our hearts – our furry friends and their unique personalities. Just like us, dogs have their own fears and anxieties. And you know what? That's completely okay! It's important to remember that every dog is an individual with their own quirks and sensitivities. We know that many of you share our concern for our anxious and nervous pups. We've noticed that sometimes, well-intentioned interactions with other dogs can unintentionally make our furry companions uncomfortable. That's why we kindly ask for a little understanding and cooperation from our fellow dog owners. We totally get it – labelling can feel uncomfortable. But let's think about it differently. Our aim isn't to label any dog as "nasty" or anything negative. It's about creating a safe and comfortable environment for all our doggies to thrive in. That's why we use those yellow space awareness products – to let everyone know that our pups might need a bit more space and patience. It's all about making sure our dogs are happy and stress-free. So, let's come together as a community and show our support for one another. Let's break down the stigma and foster an atmosphere of compassion and empathy. Remember, it's not about passing judgment – it's about embracing diversity and ensuring the well-being of all our furry family members. Let's work together to make walks and outings enjoyable for everyone, including our precious pups. #dogsinyellow

When I grew up there was this rule: If it's allowed once, it has to be allowed all the time When you're in charge kids and dogs are happier and so are you. Why do you want to use your precious energy yelling at them all day long? Make sure your dog is not allowed on the furniture unless invited. If one day something is allowed and the next day something is not allowed, this makes for a very insecure dog. They start trying things out because they don't trust the boundaries. So ask yourself for example… Q.) Do I want this dog on my bed? A.) Yes, when it's clean and not when it’s smelly. Rule: Then no dog in bed unless invited (which takes training). Your dog isn't going to understand why she can't be in bed with you, just because she's in heat and is bleeding or smelly and covered with dirt from running around in the woods. Using an invitation signal and the rule no dog on the bed unless invited, will make all the difference in the world for both of you. So many people have asked me questions about their dogs, especially puppies, so I created an online course after I wrote my two books. Click here to find out more: https://lnkd.in/dQ5MyyP4 #dog signals #dogpsychology #dogtraining #puppytraining #kardohillsbasenjis