Flexible Exercise

Have you ever had to rush to keep up with your dog on a walk? Penny's people do. So they got her a Flexi-Leash. The leash helps with walking, so she can stay a full 16 feet ahead of you. Now, Penny's people don't have to run to catch up. This leash can help you too. But make sure you look at more information to find out if this is the right fit for your dog.

There are some rules with this leash. Remember, though the Flexi-Leash is very useful for walks, especially for puppies, they must be used only with a harness. This is because when you lock the leash, it snaps on her neck and without the harness, this could hurt the dog. Also, try to refrain from using them in a crowded situation, as they might get tangled. I would recommend only using the flat leash, instead of the cord, as it might burn your hands.

The leash Penny's people bought is the flat, 16' Flexi-Leash. You can buy one too, just click here.

Blocking Accidents

Penny's people sent me a letter a bit ago about housebreaking.

Dear Lassie,

There is a place right by the door (which is glass so she can see the outside) that Penny thinks is a place to use the bathroom. This has been intervening with her housebreaking. What can we do to get her to stop using that spot?

Sincerely,

the Andersons

I replied back to them as soon as I could.

Dear the Andersons,

What you should do is first make sure to disinfect and remove the whole smell of the area, so she can't tell it has been used before. Next, try to put something over the spot, like a box. Hopefully, that will prevent her from going there. But, if she decides then that the box is her spot, you have to take matters farther. You can try blocking off  the entire area. Use a couple of boxes and align them in a row to fashion a barricade, stopping her from getting to the spot entirely. Hopefully, she will soon realize that the outside is the place to go, not the inside. Tell me how this works out!

Love,

Lassie

And just yesterday I got my reply.

Dear Lassie,

Thanks so much for the advice! It is working very well! Penny rarely has an accident and is going a lot more outside! Also, a surprising outcome has occurred. Penny is now showing a clear sign that almost always means she needs to go. Every time she needs to be taken out, she will go to the barricade and peer over to the other side. Of course, it's not as good as going to the back door to be taken out, like Cookie does, but it is progress. Thanks again!

Gratefully, 

The Andersons

So, if your puppy is having trouble with housebreaking in a particular area, try these techniques.

Walk 'Till You Drop

Cookie has been very excited that he gets to go on more walks now that the new dog is here. In fact, he sent me a letter about it.

Dear Lassie,

Hey! It's been a couple weeks and I want to tell you that things are going GREAT!!! Well, mostly great. Although Penny has been jumping up on me, my people have been working hard to fix that. Actually, Camila wants to ask you how to make Penny stop attacking me and why it is that she won't stop after I repeatedly reject her. But anyway, the reason things are great, is because Camila and Mom keep taking me on long walks. Although it's with Penny, I don't mind since she doesn't jump on me during them. It has been so much fun to go on the walks and I'm hoping they'll continue. I LOVE walks!

Your friend,
Cookie

Dear Cookie,

Hi! I'm so glad you're having fun with her! I do have a plan for you and your people to stop Penny from annoying you all the time. I'm sure you'll love the plan because it involves one of your favorite things: walks! Yes, my plan is more morning walks to tire her out. It is also a bonding exercise between you two when you are walking in the same direction. What you can do, is get your people to take you and Penny on a walk first thing in the morning, before you two are together in the house. Then, Penny can be around you, but will have to leave to get played with and tired out if she tries to play with you in the way you don't like. Sorry to say, but this is all you can do. You have to wait it out until she gets older and less frenzied. In the meantime, just tire her out.

Love,
Lassie