Blog — Category_Dog Training

This Spot is MINE: Can We Stop a Dog From Marking His Territory?   It’s always the same: your walks with Buster result in stop to pee quickly on telephone poles, mailboxes, lampposts, whatever.  Or, Dixie is squatting and letting out small amounts of pee every few feet, it seems. You wonder: how much can this pup pee? And why is he/she doing it?   Basically, dogs are territorial: they mark surroundings with a small bit of urine to let other dogs know that they consider the spots they’re marking THEIR territory. That bit of urine tells other dogs the...

How to Introduce Your Dog To Your New Baby   Congratulations on the new baby! Parenting is a hard, yet a rewarding experience, and no better way of sharing this wonderful experience than with your dog. Before letting man’s best friend near your newborn, there are a few safety precautions you need to understand about dog and baby first encounters. According to the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, the CDC in Atlanta, Georgia, has reported that there are about 800,000 dog bites a year that need medical attention with about 334,000 cases a year that are severe enough for hospital treatment....

Stormy Day Dog Training Games Chicago certainly isn’t the only city to experience erratic weather patterns as winter releases its grip. All across the country, unexpected storms and downpours can abruptly strand your favorite pup indoors. If you live in the Windy City, canine boredom is easily remedied with a fun visit from our Sparky Steps team. But on the days you’re actually home with your pooch, don’t forget that you can also use inclement weather to your advantage. There are several easy reward-based dog training games that improve canine conduct, while strengthening your pet-human bond. Remember, a “reward” can...

Curbing Enthusiasm: Get Your Dog to Stop Jumping on Your Guests “Down!” This is a command, like “Sit” or “Stay”, that many people like to train their dogs to do. It involves having the dog go from a sitting position to a down position and is used to keep the dog relaxed and to keep him/ her in one place. Is the Down command suitable when it comes to jumping up on guests? Not so much…mainly because by then, the activity has already happened. It’s best to learn how to stop the behavior entirely, before those front paws even leave...

Six Reasons to Re-Think Retractable Leashes Here at Sparky Steps, pet safety is always our primary concern. When we walk dogs, we use standard leashes for the dependable control they provide. Pet owners sometimes ask us how we feel about retractable leashes. Actually, we don’t use them – for some very specific reasons. Do you use a retractable leash with your own pooch at home? We definitely understand their appeal! You probably know the type of leash we’re talking about: They’re typically designed with a hard plastic case that houses a thin, flexible cord. This cord unspools so roving canines...