Here's the down-low on training sessions for your dog. It's actually for YOU! Mind=blown right? If you have ever felt frustrated with your dog's behavior, chances are that it's the human that needs training, not the dog. OK, so the dog benefits from the training but the fact of the matter is, the better you are at communicating with Fido, the better Fido behaves. 

Animals do not come to us fully trained and, as pet parents, it is up to us to learn how to instill manners and obedience in our fur babies. I became aware of the misconception that humans believe that dogs are born with an intrinsic knowledge of commands while volunteering at a spay and neuter clinic at a Northern community in Manitoba. 

Most of the animals treated were un-owned dogs that our team caught and brought in for surgery. Yes, caught, as in, live outdoors, little to no human interaction at all, fend for themselves, almost wild, dogs. A nice young couple was managing a caught dog and were attempting to make him "Sit" and "Stay" and were genuinely shocked when he did not obey. I politely mentioned, guys, he probably hasn't been taught that stuff!! From their reaction, I became aware that some folks think that dogs are born not only to behave but, come fully equipped to respond to commands. 

If only that were true, life would be a whole lot easier! While some breeds are more intelligent and easier to train than others, (do your homework!) all dogs need your direction and guidance on how to behave in accordance to your family guidelines. If you are not equipped to impart this training, there are plenty of trainers and obedience schools out there to help you help your dog. Courses are usually reasonable in price and are a great investment of both your time and your money. 

According to statistics, most owner relinquishes are due to bad behavior on the part of the dog. And, maybe I'm not pointing any fingers but it's not the dog that is the problem in these situations, is it? If the proper time and consideration are put into training, rules, regulations and, obedience, the odds that an owner relinquishing their "bad" dog will taper off dramatically. 

Training considerations should automatically factor into the decision to add a dog to your household. Expect to repeat yourself a million times, lead by example, keep your cool and, blow a bit of your budget on rewarding your puppy pupil with yummy attention getting treats. If you don't know where to find a good trainer or have tried training on your own but need help, reach out to your local shelter or rescue for some advice. There are probably a few advocacy groups on the web that can point you in the direction of a reputable, force free trainer. 

Remember, while your dog may not come fully trained, Fido is geared to learn and is ready to please. Once you and your K9 companion get in the groove of what is expected in any given situation, things get MUCH easier, trust me! If you choose a stubborn breed, prepare yourself for longer training sessions. If you want an easy to train dog, get one. 

Not sure which is which? Ask someone in the know. Or try this fancy tool I heard of once called "Google"!! In all seriousness though, I advocate in favor of being able to manage in a force free manner any dog you have chosen to bring into your home. Your K-9 companion wants nothing more than to please you, so help him do just that, won't you?

Not sure what your pet's tolerance to temperatures is? The best guideline to follow is, if you are cold, (or hot), so is your pet. Every year there are stories published of how animals suffer from exposure to extreme weather due to the fact that some owners are not aware of endurance levels of their pets. 

The most notable and public cases of death by extreme weather conditions are when dogs are left in vehicles while their parents run a "quick errand". The quick errand invariably turns into a shopping marathon while poor Fido is blazing away in the enclosed sauna like conditions of a vehicle, enduring a slow torture of sky rocketing heat.  

Leaving a window cracked and a dish of water in a vehicle with an animal does not cut it either. These are band aid solutions to a potentially life threatening situation. 

If you are expecting Fido to be out of doors for some time, please ensure that you are providing access to fresh water and shelter. There are dog dishes and houses on the market designed especially to endure frostier temps and, placing a blanket in the shelter increases the warmth factor. It would be ideal if you could provide access to a barn or garage in addition to an insulated dog house. Even the heartiest dogs should be brought inside when a cold snap becomes exceptional in temperature, duration or, both. 

Keeping in mind the number of stray, lost or, feral animals that are unable to find warmth indoors, you may wish to assemble a DIY shelter to help the homeless dogs and cats in your city. There are many kind citizens that place a small warming station complete with water and kibble on their properties to provide a break to permanently outdoor animals. (thank you!)

Alternatives to having a Feral B&B in your yard are donating your time, money or, materials to a local shelter or rescue that provides this type of service in your neighborhood. Rescues that service northern communities will definitely take donated items such as doghouses, beds and blankets to help keep neglected and at large animals warm in winter. A few organizations that The Pack Project is aware of providing this service are: Canine Action Project (CAP) in Alberta & Sask, Strays that Can't Pay and Norway House Animal Rescue both of which are located in Manitoba. Please feel free to contact us for assistance in locating a rescue close to you. 

When taking Fido for a walk during winter, consider appropriate outerwear for your pooch. Dog booties come in many shapes and sizes, as do sweaters and jackets. For extremely cold sensitive dogs, you may consider a matching hat to go with that parka! If purchasing a jacket or hat is not in your budget, you can repurpose your own clothing to help keep pup warm. Check your closet for a sweater or hoody that might fit your pooch.

If doggy boots are not going to work for your dog, you might want to try a mushing cream or other protective balm. Remember to rinse off puppy paws to remove salt and other potentially dangerous substances. Chunks of ice have been known to form on unprotected paw pads so have a quick look for these as well.