What pulled me out of it? Prozac? Zoloft? Some other wonder drug? Nope. Puppies. My first group puppy training class at Sun Meadow Farm pulled me up and out and gave me insights that will last a lifetime.

During week four, the puppies got a visitor: Gus, the cat who thinks he’s a dog. Unaware of the traditional dog/cat dynamic, Gus waltzed into the room and took up a position beside my dog (and training assistant) Balderdash. Gus calmly observed the chaos and 6 puppies jumped, barked and exuberantly expressed their predatory instincts.

Simultaneously, 6 humans displayed frustration and embarrassment: they all felt like those helpless moms in the grocery store with a two-year old sprawled in the aisle, screaming. This is what we call “a teaching moment.” I showed them how to quiet their puppy quickly by bringing them to their side and focus their intent on a chew toy instead.

Next we worked on handling skills and it seemed in the beginning that no one would be able to control their puppies. I offered the following sage advice: Nothing is in balance or pretty when you start out. You must contain your frustration and your visions of perfection. Everything in life worth anything, takes time. (And here I made a mental note to repeat this mantra to myself when the whole unpacked box thing started dragging me down.) Remember you’re communicating your vision to an animal that doesn’t speak your language. Stay calm! Stay calm!

The puppies walked around and around the perimeter of the room as I stood in the center, Gus under one arm and Balder at my feet. The puppies alternately lunged and focused as we worked on the following three concepts:

1. A pronounced reaction will be traced to the situation, not your puppy’s activity level. When their impulses sky-rocket, stay calm and direct them.
2. Whoever is in front is in charge. When a sudden and unpredictable event occurs, whether a cat, a squirrel, a sudden noise or unexpected motion, your puppy will take notice and respond! Step in immediately and direct your puppy back to your side. Use “Sit-Stay” as you’ve learned in class and the bracing technique to calm your pup.
3. Teach your puppy it’s rude to stare. Kids are taught a young age that it’s rude to stare at strangers. With dogs the same rule applies. Staring at an unfamiliar dog, cat or person leads to displaced excitement or aggression. In class the puppies were discouraged from staring at the cat and by the end of class, all the puppies (every single one) were friends with Gus.
Once again, the dogs I’m teaching end up teaching me. Suddenly I understood: things take time. Whether it’s conditioning a puppy to accept cats or setting up a new home, the beginning never matches the vision that lives in your head. But patience – and a very cool cat – can help things along.

How do you manage your dog or puppy’s impulses? Tell us in the comments.

Balder, still young enough to muster some dramatic bursts of energy, expends most of it during our early morning romps. The rest of the day is spent sprawled next to Whoopsie, patiently waiting for the relief of sunset.

I don’t envy dogs during the summer. Trapped in fur coats without the ability to produce a cooling sheen of salty sweat, dogs pant to regulate body temperature. And while I’m not a huge fan of sweating, it certainly beats panting.

Checking the weather for the next few days, it looks like another weekend of sweating, panting and frog pond dipping…temps in the 90s and plenty of scorching sun. Here are a few tips to keep your fur-clad kids safe and comfortable during a summer heatwave.

Water Water Water
Dogs have a rough time keeping their body temperature in check. To help your dog stay comfortable, have water bowls available at all times and if possible fill a small kiddie pool for your dog or puppy to wade in. Hard plastic pools are best; your dog’s nails may pop an inflatable. Look for one with a drainage hole and refill the pool each day— it will double as a giant water dish, so keep it clean!

Air Conditioning
Humans are not the only ones who love air conditioning. For those blessed with central air, you may notice little change in your dog’s energy level or mood…until you take him outside. The heat will hit your dog like a ton of bricks and he’ll hurry through his routines in order to get back to his air conditioned den.

Not very wolf-like, but there you have it. The only downside to this uniquely modern doggy lifestyle is energy management. Indoors, it feels great and your dog wants to go, go, go. Outside, it’s stifling and he wants in, in, in.

Confined, restricted and a little bit bored, your dog may start to misbehave by barking or chewing. Older dogs may revisit puppyhood issues, becoming overstimulated when people come and go. Plan a few adventures to get you and your pampered pooch out of the house. Be sure to pick a place with plenty of shade and maybe a water feature. Take walks in the early morning or evening, after the pavement has cooled. Lay your hand on the surface to check the temperature.

Two keys please
All dogs love a car ride, mine included. I love taking them with me. They always jump in the front seat while I’m gone and they always take up the same seats: Balder drives, Whoopsie rides shotgun. For the past few weeks, however, I’ve had to sneak out of the house, carefully cupping the car keys to avoid the telltale jingle that screams “CAR RIDE!!!!”

Cars heat up shockingly fast. On an 85 degree day, your car can reach 125 degrees within 30 minutes. If you must bring your dog, carry an extra set of keys so that you can leave the air conditioning running while you’re gone. But be aware that this is not an entirely safe solution; dogs have been known to press the AC button while they roam around the interior. With the windows shut tight, the consequences can be disastrous. Leave your dog home whenever possible.

For more summer tips, including tips on pool safety, you can download my newsletter online. Have fun and stay cool—no matter how many paws you walk on!

Two weeks and very little sleep later, I’m almost there. The ‘graceful supervision’ part never really materialized as I found myself sweatily hauling boxes from room to room, trying hard to entertain my kids and acclimate my dogs. But progress is everywhere. I’ve located the mango slicer and most of Bohdie’s action figures, so life continues apace…stressful but very exciting.

For some dogs, moving can be undeniably stressful. In a previous column, I discussed Balderdash’s gastrointestinally challenging reaction to packing and change. Now that we’re settled in a new and more expansive home, he’s ecstatic.

It’s a pleasure to watch him run, jump, swim and roll and I’ve never been happier to see a pile of nice, firm dog poop in my life. I even made Roman look at it. “Look! Look how solid it is!” I gushed. Roman, still in his suit after a long day at the office, nodded with modest enthusiasm. I’m pretty sure he would have preferred to gaze upon a cold bottle of beer but what can I say. He’s my husband and I wanted to share.

Sometimes, moving isn’t the problem. For some dogs, a new environment can trigger behavior problems.

A recent client called me in desperation after his move from New Jersey. John and his wife Sophie had lived in a roomy house on a large piece of property and their dogs, Rory (a Lab) and Chase (Collie) spent hours racing, running and sniffing the woods and yard. The day of the move, the dogs jumped into the car, anxious for a typical adventure. The beach? The mountains? When they arrived in South Salem and surveyed their limited yard – a fenced 1/8 acre parcel – they looked at John and Sophie. “OK,” they seemed to be saying. “When do we leave?”

When it began to become apparent that they were not, in fact, leaving, the dogs began to get a bit stir crazy and protective. There were unfamiliar street noises to contend with and John and Sophie, busy into their new routine, had little time to help Rory and Chase sort things out. So they started barking. And barking. John and Sophie love their new community; Rory and Chase not so much.

What can be done to help Rory and Chase? To begin with, they need more exercise. These are big, active dogs and their small world does not provide the stimulation and exercise they require. Next, they need directed socialization. Left to their own devices in a fenced enclosure, Rory and Chase are feeling defensive and unsure. Rather than a rigorous discipline or shock collars, these formerly fun-loving dogs need social inclusion, exercise, play and direction.

Our life changes affect our dogs, sometimes in unexpected ways. If your lifestyle veers off in a new and different direction, pause to consider your dog’s perspective. Recognize that change can cause emotional imbalance and consider introducing a training regime that guides—not threatens—your dog towards a greater level of tolerance and acceptance.

Saturday, I came up for air and realized that within days, Roman was leaving for a week-long business trip, group dog training classes at Sun Meadow Farm were starting, and the deadline for Puppies For Dummies was looming. I felt a twinge of panic.

Compounding these mild pressures are my children’s new morning routines. It pretty much involves a lot of screaming, fighting and hiding. What’s up with that? I wondered. I expected a little homesickness—maybe a bad dream or two. But this? Really?

Without thinking, I resorted to the quick fix: yelling followed by guilt.

Later in the day, I put on my dog trainer’s cap and pondered my formerly morning-friendly children. I reminded myself not to communicate “in the moment,” when they are in the throes of defiance. Think it through, I told myself. Think through the problem then around it and use positive reinforcement to prevent the downward spiral.

And then my inner-dog trainer came to the rescue: Puppies For Dummies, Chapter 3! The treat cup!

Our new routine: we choose tomorrow’s clothes before bed—that’s one thing out of the way. Then in the morning, they wash, dress and get a treat: three M&Ms in the color of their choice. These small chocolate rewards have restored peace to my household.

Many dog training solutions are similarly magical. While dogs need a full repertoire of directions to better understand our expectations, there are many simple solutions that—when well thought out and executed consistently—can change negative behavior patterns almost overnight. Here are three.

As you test these solutions, remember to avoid eye contact and physical touch until your dog has settled down or focused on a toy. This is hard to do, but it both encourages interaction and reinforces whatever behavior you are trying to address.

Wait until your dog is settled or you’ve got his full cooperation to give him your attention. Give these a try. Report back and offer any sure solutions that have worked wonders in your home. It often takes only one small change to affect a relationship permanently!

Displacement Activities
Dogs and puppies are most excited during transitions. Homecomings, visitors, new places—think ahead, place/bring a favorite toy or bone. Let your dog wear or drag a lead so that you have an easy way to interfere or direct him. Either bring your dog behind you or simply step on the leash and ignore him until he calms down. While in the throes of transitional excitement or anxiety, give your dog a bone or toy and wait until they settle to command or pet them.

The Treat Cup Remedy
Place some dog treats in a cup or empty container. Shake and reward your dog until he makes the association. Now use the cup to teach him to “Sit,” the canine equivalent of “say please.” Use the cup to encourage communication, such as when your dog wants attention or to go outside, as well as good manners during greetings, play and at the door.

Vapor Boundary
For dogs who jump or nip, a little canister of mouth spray can be a dog owner’s best friend. While you should never spray your dog directly or look at him when he’s misbehaving, you can strategically place these sprays around the house. Have one at the front door when you’re arriving: Spray a vapor boundary around your body, toss a toy down for your dog and ignore him until he calms down. If you’ve got a nipper, don’t spray the dog, spray the body part he’s got in his mouth, then direct him to a toy or encourage him to give “Kisses.” If your dog jumps while you’re on the furniture, tuck one into the couch cushions and surround yourself with vapor until he’s still at your side or chewing a toy.

If your dog is showing aggression, avoid all corrections and call a professional to help. In my experience of working with aggression, simple solutions often aggravate an already tense situation. Over the next couple of months I will devote an entire column to each of these solutions, highlighting how they help to remedy a household’s frustration as if by wizardry!

As we shared our ideas and theories—many of which are applicable whether the “kids” being discussed walk on two legs or four—I had my latest epiphany. Your dog needs to do chores.

Chores and dogs? Yes. Creative training can use dog-appropriate “chores” to improve behavior and instill good manners. Let me elaborate.

About a month ago, my daughter delegated some of her table setting responsibilities to her younger brother. Normally, my son would fling the silverware across the room as fast as my daughter could place it. But now, thrilled with responsibility and consumed with concentration, he carefully placed the forks on the table.

As is often the case, I got thinking about dog and how many “bad” behaviors are often a response to boredom and feelings of uselessness—especially in intelligent, athletic or spirited dogs. Many of the tasks our dogs are bred for—herding sheep, pulling sleds or chasing down rabbits—are rarely required today, but there are many ways pet owners can involve their dogs in daily activities to help them feel more needed, useful and appreciated.

In puppies, the big chore is teaching them the basics of everyday living—where to go to the bathroom, how to interact with others and what to chew. Like a human toddler facing the toilet bowl or trying to understand why the knife drawer is off-limits, these routines are not innate. Patient, consistent reminders are the best way to reinforce understanding in either species.

As your dog matures, employ more complex routines to stave off boredom. Basic obedience skills like “sit-stay,” “down” and “come” aren’t just words that you teach in an obedience classroom—use these skills throughout the day to direct and guide your dog.

In addition to commands, teach your dog simple words to highlight everyday routines and people. “Car,” “Upstairs,” and “Sam” let your dog know what’s happening next. This draws them into life’s flow so they don’t feel left out and anxious, wondering what could happen next. These commands give structure to the day and encourage good manners, but they don’t point to any specific chore.

I encourage you to think out of the box…what lies beyond the routines of sit-stay, come and paw? How about “shut the door,” “carry the bag” or “get the paper?” These small, stimulating chores are surprisingly easy to teach. Find ways to make your dog feel useful and you’ll have a happier, more cooperative dog.

Frustrated and hoping a small project would distract her, I told her to look up the numbers in the phone book. And just like that, we had one of those generational moments. She had no idea what a phone book was. The times they are a-changing.

Tucked amid the massive social and technological changes of the past 25 years, an evolution has taken place for dogs, too.

When I was Lindsay’s age, our dogs lived outside and slept in the mudroom. I would stand on the back porch every morning and whistle for Shawbee, my happy-go-lucky husky mix. I’d reach into a bag of dog food, scoop out a cup of who-knows-what and sit on the steps while she ate.

For the rest of the day, Shawbee would follow me around the neighborhood, unleashed and free. She was the cat-chasin’, garbage-can-tippin’ local dog and the neighbors accepted this. It’s what dogs did. Not so much anymore. Leash laws, pooper-scooper ordinances, dog park etiquette…the days of the free-wheeling neighborhood dog have gone the way of the phone book.

Dog training, too, has evolved. When I started training dogs in 1986, I was one of only two dog trainers in Westchester County. I had to travel to Manhattan to learn my craft from Job Evans, a former monk and co-author of “How To Be Your Dog’s Best Friend.”

Now, the field is crowded. Dog trainers of every ilk can be found on TV, magazine and book stands, the Internet, even in the phone book! Although many training centers offer “certifications,” there is no legal standard for the quality of the knowledge or techniques imparted by the courses offered. Franchises are available too; anyone with the capital to invest can be called a dog trainer.

I think that most people get into dog training because they love dogs, but it takes more than just a savvy marketing plan and a slick website to help people and dogs communicate effectively.

Techniques vary considerably. There are those who follow the alpha-dog methods of Cesar Millan, and others who stress positive reinforcement only. Still others use any method available to satisfy a customer’s need for a well-mannered pet, and some of these methods—shock collars and physical punishment for example–are inhumane and result in a fearful or bullying dog.

So where do you begin when searching for a dog training professional? And how can you tell if the person you’ve hired is right for you and your dog? Start by imagining your dog as a two-year-old child. Put that child in the middle of a group of grownups, all speaking a foreign language. These large people are talking, gesturing, smiling, frowning, maybe yelling. Whoa, scary stuff! What do these people want?

That’s how your dog feels: like a fur-clad two-year-old in a foreign land. A good dog trainer is like a translator, someone who will help you learn how to talk to your dog and use techniques that inspire your dog’s listening skills.

Just like children, every dog’s personality is different, but there are many creative ways to communicate with dogs. Find the person that can bridge the species divide. The exercises the trainer offers should make sense and feel natural, not abusive and disruptive.

Dog training is something you should do to communicate to your dog, not control him. Find a trainer that will step forward and speak for your dog and to your dog. Watch your dog carefully. Dog training should be fun—your dog should respond because she understands, not because she is afraid.

My philosophy? Treat your dog like family, not just a member of the pack.

Setting my coffee cup aside, I hoisted my wet, wriggly toddler in one arm and took my daughter’s hand. It was time for an early afternoon bath.

The sound of the bathtub faucet alerted Whoopsie that there was water happening. Crowding into the upstairs bathroom, she looked longingly into the tub: water and kids. The perfect combination. “Not today, girl,” I apologized, patting her head. Whoops lingered for a few minutes, making sure I was sure sure, then retired to her dog bed to contemplate this decision. “Look in the photo albums, lady!” she was probably thinking. “I’m in 90 percent of the bathtub pictures!”

And it’s true. For the first two years of her life, my daughter wouldn’t get in the tub without her. She’d scream and cry until we brought in a stack of dog towels and directed Whoosie “On In!” From 2004 to 2006, you could eat off my dog, she was so clean.

As a dog trainer, I can tell the change of season by the questions I get. Is salt safe for a dog’s paws? How long can a dog sit in a hot car? And the surest sign of spring and its many muddy joys: how can I make my dog like bathing?

This morning I met Stacy Geisinger, the voice behind the blog StacyKnows and sure enough, she hit me with water-based question about Sophie, her Wheaten Terrier. Why does Sophie love the pool but hate the bath? Dogs can be so unknowable! So mysterious! But it took me just a minute to figure out Sophie’s conundrum. It wasn’t so much a water issue as it was a…mood issue. At the pool, everyone is relaxed. Happy. Drinking iced tea and clapping when Sophie performs her best dog-dive. Standing in the tub, her feet trying grip porcelain while water cascades over her head and her mom demands that she Just Stand Still, Sophie is not feeling the love. There’s no clapping. No happy. Sophie is having way less fun.

The solution? Lighten up. Make bathtime a bit more fun. Lay a towel on the bottom of the tub—yes, it will get soaked but your dog will deeply appreciate it, and rub a little peanut butter inside the tub, just about nose level. I know—sopping towels and peanut butter! The horror! But remember: you’re trying to lighten up. Lead your dog into the bathroom and get your enthusiasm on: “On In!” Secure footing, a happy tone and an unexpected blob of peanut butter will go a long way to reducing bathtime anxiety. You might be surprised to discover you’ve created a new dilemma: how to keep your dog out of the tub.

Our Whoopsie, a lumbering Labrador Retriever, sleeps through storms as she does sunshine: blissfully unaware and comfortable in her indoor habitat. She handles all atypical noises better than I do myself. As a Mother, I used to feel a strange ancestral instinct to lay over my infants to protect them from any dangerous element, natural or man made. Ironically it is this very impulse provided a lot of insights for how dog’s relate to these sounds.

Like us, dogs have evolutionary impulses sewn into their genetic make up. As dogs are distant descended from wolves, we can garner a deeper understanding of their reactions by examining the behavior of their wild ancestors. When storms occur, wolves cluster to the safety of their den/cave to wait it out. Young cubs mirror the reaction of the adults. Barometric pressure, though hard to quantify surely comes into play as these changes can be sensed before the storm actually arrives.

Domesticated dogs, however, are not raised by wolves, and must adjust to periods of isolation and a species divide that can make communication hard to translate. A prime example is a human’s reaction to canine fear. If one leans down or coddles a fearful puppy or dog, the interpretation is not reassurance, it is reinforcement. Any form of attention will reflect a dog’s reaction and will only serve to reinforce their state of mind. If the puppy/dog is afraid, they will become more fearful, or worse, phobic.

If a puppy or dog finds themselves alone when first experiencing a storm or unusual occurrence, she may be overwhelmed and reactionary. Imagine a puppy isolated in a kitchen during her first thunderstorm. Lacking a confident adult to model this puppy may be flooded with terror, and may react by chewing a corner of the carpet or by peeing. If the puppy is disciplined both the fear of isolation and that of storms will likely escalate.
Ideally all displacement behavior should be ignored.

What to do? In short, recognize your puppy/dog’s fears are normal, whether or not you’ve reinforced them. In the future, model calmness, ignoring your dog until she’s calmed down or the storm has passed. I encourage all my clients to practice leading using my patented Teaching Lead, and then to secure their dogs to their side and walk as if nothing is happening when a storm is passing or their unnerved by loud noises. One foster I rehabilitated used to quake—I would secure him to my side, make some snacks for the both of us and read a book while the storm passed. Food cheered him, reading calmed us both. Used properly a leash gives a dog the sensation of having their hand held: feeling connected helps a dog feel more in control.

If your older dog is reactionary, help her cope by establishing a den area, preferably on the ground floor/basement and toward the inner sanctum of your living space where you can take her or leave her if you must go out. A windowless room is ideal. Many dogs like to get in a tub or shower: the surface is similar to a den or cave. Other dogs like to hide under a bed or in a closet: enable this if possible and leave your dog alone until the storm is over. Always remember to model normalcy as best you’re able (e.g. watch TV, calmly walk about or read as though nothing were upsetting you) and to avoid contact with your dog until she is reflecting your state of mind.

Pros and cons of a topical solution… sold through your veterinarian it’s very effective, but extremely toxic…after all, they kill ticks. Aside from not wanting such toxicity near my dogs, I’m an avid dog hugger (like me). My children curl up with the dogs too and as per the instructions on the box you should not touch the neck region for three days. I do not use these products.

Consider an herbal alternative. Start with a spray bottle filled with water, add 40 drops eucalyptus, 10 drops lavender, 5 drops tea tree oil. (Viles of these oils can be bought on line). Spray your pets before going outside. I use this spray on humans too!

Lawn treatments. If you’re blessed to have a yard, chemical sprays are available as well as a sand spray that is said to be affective in reducing tick populations.

Purchase a flea comb and use it during or right after your pet’s exposure. I use it on my children’s hair as well as my own! Fine toothed it lifts the ticks out of the fur before they’ve attached.

Getting in the habit of the using the Spider Crawl! Wiggle your fingers across the surface of your dog’s coat daily: keep your feelers out for anything bumpy.

Find a friend who can show you how to remove ticks. Ticks stick their head into your dog’s skin: I envision the tips of my nails as tweezers and pinch the head out. There are also special tick tweezers on the market. Either way, this will cause a pinch, so praise and treat your doggie while you do it!