😢Why it’s really bad to yell at your dog.

🐶Welcome back Power Pawrent, As adorable as they are, our pooches can test our patience at times. They also help us stay calm, which is good, because yelling at them is not, & you’ll learn why & more, in this week’s dog decoding digest.

Let’s go!

🧐FACT or FLUFF??

‘Dogs are insensitive to weather’

Dig down the page to find out…

THIS WEEK’S WOOF WISDOM

• 😢Why it’s really bad to yell at your dog.

• ⚠Is your dog’s car restraint dangerous?

• 🗣How to teach your dog your name.

• Feelgood & inspired by pawralympians!

• 🧐More to chew on…

😏OK..NOW WHAT? (your Q & A)
Why is it really bad to yell at your dog?

Yelling at your dog might feel like a quick way to get their attention, but it can actually do more harm than good.

Understanding the impact of your voice & tone is crucial for building a strong bond with your pup.

Here are seven key reasons why yelling at your dog is really bad.

1. Yelling stresses dogs: It can raise their stress levels, leading to anxiety & confusion. Scientists have found that yelling increases cortisol levels in dogs, which signals stress.

2. Yelling affects training: When you yell, your Pooch may not understand what you want them to do. They might become desensitized to your commands, making training less effective.

3. Yelling confuses & prevents emergency response: Dogs pay attention to tone more than words. If you’re always shouting, they might not respond when it really matters, like if they’re about to run into the street.

4. Yelling affects your image as a leader: Dogs want to trust & respect their pawrents. Yelling can make them feel scared instead of secure, which can hurt your relationship.

5. Yelling encourages bad behavior: Constantly shouting can create a cycle of negative reinforcement, where your pup learns that ignoring commands is okay if the result is just more yelling.

6. Yelling inhibits learning: Dogs don’t understand human emotions like anger. Instead of teaching them what you want, yelling can confuse them & hinder their ability to learn.

7. Positive reinforcement is more effective: Using treats & praise when your dog behaves well builds a better connection & encourages them to repeat those good behaviors.

In short, treating your dog with calmness & kindness will not only help them feel safe & loved but also improve their training & your relationship.

 MORE HERE

🧠🌿WOOF WELLBEING
⚠Is your dog’s car restraint dangerous?

When it comes to traveling with your dog, safety should always come first.

Unfortunately, not all restraints are created equal, & using the wrong one can be risky for both your pup & your passengers.

Here’s some important ‘need to know’ about dog car restraints.

• Improper Harnesses Can Be Deadly: Many products marketed as safe for dogs in cars may actually increase the risk of injury during an accident.

• Unapproved Products: Some harnesses & restraints have not undergone proper testing, meaning they might not hold up during a crash.

• Collars Are Not Enough: Using a collar for restraint can cause severe injuries, such as crushing the windpipe, if there's an accident.

To ensure your dog is safe in the car, check the following:

• Look for Safety Ratings: Choose harnesses & restraints that have been tested & approved for crash safety.

• Proper Fit: Make sure the harness fits your pup snugly without being too tight, allowing them to sit or lie down comfortably.

• Secure Attachment: Ensure that the restraint attaches securely to the car's seatbelt system without using extensions or clips that could fail.

By choosing the right equipment & checking these important factors, you can keep your dog safe while enjoying car rides together!

🐾Watch an eye opening short video of dog crash dummy car restraint tests HERE

🗣How to teach your dog your name.

Teaching your dog your name can be a fun & bonding experience!

It’s all about using a simple game, The Family Circle Game, that helps your pup connect your name with coming over to you.

Let’s play the Family Circle game.

1. Gather Your Team: Get at least two other people or more. Stand in a circle, making sure there's space for your pooch to move around happily.

2. Choose a Caller: Pick a person to start (the caller). They will call out your name, for example, “Where’s [Your Name]?” in an excited tone to get your dog's attention.

3. Encourage Your Dog: When the caller says your name, encourage your dog to come in a cheerful voice.

4. Reward Good Behavior: If your pup runs over to you give them lots of praise & a treat! If they go to someone else, that’s okay, be happy & try again.

5. Rotate Callers: After your dog correctly comes to one person, switch roles so everyone gets a chance to call your dog.

   This helps your dog learn different names with positive feelings & with treats.

6. Increase the Challenge: Once your dog starts getting the hang of it, you can increase the difficulty.

   Try having the callers stand farther apart or even hide behind furniture, so your dog has to find them by hearing their voices.

Using this training method not only teaches your dog your name but also keeps them engaged & active & that’s good for their mental health.

Enjoy, & watch how quickly your precious pup picks up on names!

👃🏻QUICK SNIFFS
More to chew on.

• 👩🏻‍⚕️👨🏻‍⚕️Vets Share! Their 5 things to do & not to do for safer dog walks.

• 🤲🏻Perfect match? What your personality says about what dog suits you. 

• 😲Birthrate shock! Dog strollers are outselling baby strollers in this country.

🤔PAWSE TO REMEMBER

Don’t over treat. Treats should only be used as rewards for good behavior (Hmmm😏), and make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories.

😮OH MY DOG
Feelgood & inspired by pawralympians!

The worlds love & respect for our brilliant paralympians grows more & more, games by games.

We also see uplifting “never give up” spirits in the world of disabled dogs.

Watch this heartwarming glimpse into their inspiring world❤

theunstoppabledogs

View more on Instagram

🐕TAP a TAIL TRIVIA

🧐FACT or FLUFF??...Answer.  FALSE

Dogs can literally smell weather changes due to the sensitivity & the strength of their sense of smell.

 📅DOGGO DATES

• September 13 Pet Defect Awareness Day

• September 16-22 Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet Week

• September 17 National Pet Carbon Monoxide Safety Day

• September Responsible Dog Ownership Month

• September Animal Pain Awareness Month

• September Animal Remembrance Month

• September National Pet Insurance Month

• September Pet Sitter Education Month

• September National Service Dog Month

🎨INTO THE DOGAVERSE
Actors as Dogs - Jackie Chan

We are here to please🐶…

Thanks for being part of the pack 😀

Keep yourself and your pups, happy & safe & see you next time!

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