The Akita Dog Breed: A Comprehensive Guide. The Akita is a noble and powerful dog breed with a rich history and a strong presence in the United States. Originally from Japan, these dogs are known for their loyalty, intelligence, and striking appearance. Whether you’re considering adopting an Akita or simply want to learn more about this magnificent breed, this guide covers everything from history and adoption costs to grooming, nutrition, and why they make great family pets.

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Food Rewards Don’t Work For Dog Training. Dog owners and dog trainers unite! Let’s talk dog training and why using food isn’t good when you’re training your dog. As a dog owner, the idea of reward-based training is likely very appealing to you. After all, you love your dog and want her to be happy! When we see a dog with laser focus and attentiveness to her handler, it looks awesome, right? She takes her treat eagerly and may even offer other behaviors in the hopes of keeping the game going. What could possibly be wrong with a training system that does that?

If we, the motivational trainers, would be brutally honest with ourselves (and with you, our clients!), there are in fact several problems that have the potential to seriously impact the human-canine relationship when food is involved.

Here are my top five concerns about utilizing food in training:

1. Food = Love
The first thing that comes to mind is how rewarding with food takes over a relationship – it’s not just during “training” time, but motivational trainers rely on having food stuffed in pockets, baggies or pouches every moment we’re with the dog. “Reward behaviors you want to see again” is a solid learning principle, but in reality we’re shoveling cookies at our dogs for the most basic of responses and feeling guilty if we have to just pat them when they sat next to us because we ran out of treats. Healthy relationships aren’t about tit-for-tat, transactions, or a “what’s in it for me” attitude.

2. Food can be addictive
There are serious mental health problems associated with addictions, as well as eating disorders. Have you ever suffered from an addiction, or known someone who has? It is a profoundly unhealthy state of being… for any species. And yet, motivational trainers are carefully and deliberately making dogs actually addicted to training. Just like with gaming patterns – whether online, lottery or in casinos – in the earliest stages and lowest levels, we reward every attempt. Then we start to reward only for really good attempts, until eventually it’s more random.

Our dogs have become like the person at the slot machine, continuously pulling that lever thinking, “Next time! I’ll get my payoff next time!” Some dogs (and people!) can get addicted to food, and paired with a reward schedule designed to create addiction, and I have to wonder how ethical it is to try to turn my canine friend into an addict hoping for his next fix.

3. “Happy” vs functional
To most people, training-addicted dogs look “happy” to do their task – they’re very focused, intense, and bouncy. But are we mistaking desire, excitement and pleasure for happiness? Addiction creates desire for sure, and there is certainly excitement in anticipating the “fix.” There’s no that doubt addicts feel pleasure when they get their drug of choice. But are they fundamentally happy? Or are they living in a constant feedback loop of seeking and acquiring?

Instant Gratification

Both children and dogs of today seem to need instant gratification in order to feel “happy.” But good parenting doesn’t mean you try to make your kids (2- or 4-legged!) happy all the time! In fact, doing that would actually make you a pretty poor parent. In the end, the job of a parent – and a dog trainer – is to produce functional members of society. If we try to protect them from any stress, and never teach them how to handle situations where they don’t get what their way, we haven’t done our job.

4. That moment when…
Motivational dog training depends upon our pooches wanting what we offer them – there’s no way around that. If it’s food, our dog has to be hungry (or addicted). But even addicts get their fill, and there are moments when they may not want their drug. When those moments occur during an emergency, like a loose dog in traffic, we’re in trouble… and so are our dogs. Every rewards-based trainer, if they are honest, knows that sinking feeling in your gut when you watch a dog make the choice to refuse their reward – whether because they’re under too much stress, or because there’s something more interesting out in the world (squirrel!). And biology insists that such moments will occur – there are times when eating simply isn’t appealing, no matter how many repetitions you’ve done!

5. Time fixes everything
In short, it doesn’t. And when we allow ourselves to recognize that simple life truth, a major tenant of “positive only” training collapses. Our dogs aren’t robots, and trying to program them as such – the “you just need to practice more and they will do it out of habit” mentality – doesn’t respect the dog’s nature as a thinking, feeling being with the ability to make choices, both wise and poor ones!

The Realization

You know what I’ve realized really does work? Showing the dog the whole picture: If you make Choice A, the consequence will be X. If you make Choice B, the consequence is Y. Sometimes consequences are pleasant, and Choice A is something I like… so X is something you like. But other times, the consequence (Y) is unpleasant because I need you not to make Choice B again.

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Animal Behaviorists Can Be Booked on Petworks

It’s unreasonable and unfair to ask people to live with their dogs’ poor behavior choices for months or years, if there is a clearer, more efficient way to get the message across. It seems to me a much more well-rounded education for our dogs. PetWorks has certified dog trainers and animal behaviorists on call to help you.

About the Author:

Jennifer Pearson, MSW, MSc, is an Applied Animal Behaviorist (Master of Science, University of Edinburgh’s College of  Medicine and Veterinary Medicine), an animal-assisted clinical social worker (Master of Social Work,  University of Denver), and teaches classes in the field of the human-animal bond (University of Denver). She has over twenty years’ experience working with dogs professionally as a trainer, behaviorist, handler,  and kennel associate. Jennifer has been an adjunct faculty member for the Institute of Human-Animal Connection, Graduate  School of Social Work, University of Denver since 2008 where she has taught nearly thirty courses to date in their Animal and Human Health professional development series, and on campus in the Animal- Assisted Social Work certificate program. She has also guest lectured for a number of universities, including the University of Edinburgh and West Chester University, and presented at national and international peer-reviewed professional conferences. She can be reached at www.k9counselor.com. 

Key Points

• Over-reliance on treats can create dogs that only perform when food is present
• Poor treat-fading strategies are a real and common trainer mistake
• Food may lose effectiveness in high-distraction or high-stress situations
• The timing and schedule of rewards matters enormously

About PetWorks

In 2021, Dr. Marty Goldstein DVM joined the pet care platform PetWorks as an advisor in its Animal Nutrition care division. Dr Marty Nature’s Blend is on a mission to help your pets live their healthiest lives possible. Dr. Marty’s pet nutrition expertise and guidance has helped PetWorks evolve and become the preeminent animal and pet nutrition consultation service for pet parents in North America.

In 2022, Blue Buffalo Founder Bill Bishop Jr. joined PetWorks as Senior Advisor in our Animal Nutrition Care Division. Bill brings his extensive expertise in pet food innovation and business leadership. His guidance helps PetWorks enhance our pet nutrition service offerings, helping to ensure that pet parents throughout the world receive trusted, science-backed nutritional support for their dogs, cats, and animals.

Why Dogs Love Tennis Balls: The Science, Instincts, and Joy Behind the Obsession. If you’ve ever tossed a tennis ball across your backyard or down the hallway and watched your dog bolt after it with uncontainable enthusiasm, you’ve probably asked yourself: Why do dogs love tennis balls so much? What is it about these fuzzy yellow spheres that captivates canines of all breeds and sizes? From their irresistible texture to their exciting bounce, tennis balls seem tailor-made for tail-wagging delight. Let’s take a closer look at why these simple toys are such a hit in the dog world. (more…)

Dogs In Weddings. Your forever day is coming, and it seems like everything is coming together perfectly. The dress is fitted, the venue is chosen, and the photographer has taken the engagement photos, but then suddenly you feel like something is missing. As you sit there tapping your leg trying to figure out what is wrong, your faithful friend walks up and puts his head in your lap and looks up at you with “those” eyes. That’s it! You forgot to include your trusted companion in your big day. Oh no!

Celebrate

Having your dog in your wedding is a wonderful way to celebrate your special day together, but it does have its challenges. There are several things to consider when adding your furry four-legged friend into your festivities. Such as are they trained, what is their role going to be, and what to do with them before, during, and after the ceremony. 

Everyone thinks their dog is the most well-trained dog in the world, but are they? Many times, pet parents believe that their dog is very well trained, but the only time that training is tested is when they are at home in a very comfortable and familiar environment. How do they really act in a new environment around a lot of people they do not know? These are some of the very basic question you must first consider when thinking about starting this process.

Well Trained Dog At A Wedding

Having a well-trained dog means that they will obey their commands no matter where they are or what is going on around them. For most weddings, your dog will need to know their basic commands of sit, down, stay, and wait. These are typical training techniques taught in most obedience classes, but the key is to do the homework that your dog trainer has assigned. That homework is usually to master these commands in all different locations and with every kind of distraction you can find. If you think your pup is up to it then let us talk about their role in your wedding.

What do you want your dog to do in the wedding? Do you want them to be a ring bearer or just a cute addition for photos? The training level will play a big role in how much your pup is involved. If your dog has mastered its basic obedience skills, then maybe you can teach them something new, like being a ring bearer or flower girl. These kinds of skills can be taught, but will take several weeks, if not months, to master for such a special occasion. If your pup has a basic understanding of their obedience skills, then maybe having them present for pictures before or after the ceremony will be the best arrangement. The other factor that will determine what your dog can or cannot do is the schedule and the facilities where the wedding is being held.

A Canine Ring Bearer

So, your dog is going to be a ring bearer in the ceremony, but what do you do with them before and after the ceremony? Unfortunately, this step is often over looked by many couples. You are so excited about having your pup in the wedding that you forget to plan on what to do with them. Depending on the facility, there may be restrictions on when and where the dog may go, and if so, that will make your decision easier. Either way, you must plan for how to get the dog to the location. After arriving, who is going to take care of them while you are getting ready and who is going to handle them during the ceremony? Finally, what are you going to do with them after the ceremony? Don’t forget that during this entire process that your dog will need to have bathroom breaks, water, and possible food depending on how long the day is.

While there are challenges, it does not mean it cannot be done. There are a lot of wonderful weddings where dogs play all different types of roles. The most important thing for you is to be honest with yourself and your soon to be spouse. While having your dog in the wedding may be a great idea are you going to be able to dedicate the time to working with your dog prior to the event to make it successful? A dog trainer can help you and your dog reach your goals, but it does take time and patients to meet those goals.

Brides And Their Special Day

Brides like to plan every detail of their special day, here are a few strategies to use if your dog will be joining you on your wedding day. After all, you don’t want any doggie disasters on your special day. 

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1. Make sure you familiarize your dog with the venue. New places for dogs are  like different countries to us. For a dog to be brought to a wedding venue for the first time on the day of the wedding is a mistake. Bringing your dog to the venue several times prior to the wedding is preferable, but if that is not possible at least take them there several times the day of to help them feel comfortable in the new area.

2. Check with all parties involved that dogs are okay. Many times, we plan things out, and during that process we get focused on certain parts and do not look at the big picture. For example, you have check with the venue, photographer, and wedding party that dogs are okay, but not the limousine company. So, at the end of the wedding you and your new partner got to make a grand exit to start your lives together and there the limo driver stops you because the dog is not allowed in, not the best way to start your lives together.

3. Have a dog attendant. I had the honor of being a dog attendant at a friend’s wedding once, mainly because I was the one that could handle him other than Rover’s Dad. The idea was that they had plans for their pup to be in the wedding, but during the ceremony they did not want him to cause an issue or to roam off. So, after the groom walked him down the aisle with him, I came up and took the dog off to the side and kept him company. I made sure to keep him as quiet as possible and in case of an accident, I was there to clean up.

4. Have a plan for someone else to take care of the dog at some point. Depending on your wedding plans, the pup may spend the whole day or just a part, but in the end, there is going to be a time when you and your partner are going to need some alone time and will not be focused on the task of caring for your pooch. Petworks has certified pet sitters available. 

5. Make sure you pack for your pup. In the excitement of getting your wedding items together, do not forget about the dog. Depending on your plans, you might need to bring just simple stuff like poop bags and a water bowl, or you might have to plan for a mini excursion which means you’ll need food, bowls, treats, toys, medication, and bedding.

Dogs In Weddings

All the planning and work has paid off and it is finally time for your big day. One special thing that you have planned for is to have your wonderful furry family member in the wedding with you. Depending on how involved you want them to be, they may be there just for a cameo appearance or as a main character. One thing to make sure of no matter the amount of stage time they will get is to ensure they are up to date on shots and that you have a copy of the records with you.

About the Author:

Dan Spangler has been a certified trainer for over 15 years and operates a successful full-service dog facility called A Dog’s Dream in New Bern, North Carolina.  Dan is also the founder of the Dreamer’s Foundation, a non-profit organization that has assisted in rescue efforts and recently began working with veterans to help them keep and care for their furry friends. Dan’s passion and commitment to the local community lead him to be awarded the Community Fabric Award in 2015.

In 2021, Dr. Marty Goldstein DVM joined the pet care platform Petworks as an advisor in its Animal Nutrition care division. Dr Marty Nature’s Blend is on a mission to help your pets live their healthiest lives possible. Dr. Marty’s pet nutrition expertise and guidance has helped Petworks evolve and become the preeminent animal and pet nutrition consultation service for pet parents in North America.

In 2022, Blue Buffalo Founder Bill Bishop Jr. joined Petworks as Senior Advisor in our Animal Nutrition Care Division. Bill brings his extensive expertise in pet food innovation and business leadership. His guidance helps Petworks enhance our pet nutrition service offerings, helping to ensure that pet parents throughout the world receive trusted, science-backed nutritional support for their dogs, cats, and animals.

Local dog parks! In a perfect world, they’re such awesome places to take our Sidekicks. You can get some great off-leash training practice in; dogs are able to run free and really stretch their legs inside secure fencing (and, sometimes, parks even have agility equipment for your dog to climb around on); and the dog park provides the opportunity to meet new people and other dogs!

But, there are a few operative words at work there: “In a perfect world.” Unfortunately, we do not live in a perfect world and a wonderful trip to the dog park can turn south very quickly.

 Going to the dog park involves so many variables – more than we could ever hope to control or account for – and a lot of the concerning variables revolve around untrained, unruly, off-leash dogs and inattentive or inexperienced dog parents. The dynamics of dog play and dog interactions are sensitive and it only takes the introduction of one new dog to completely throw those dynamics into chaos.

 “But, it’s such a great place to socialize and train your dog!”

 Well…yes and no.

As I mentioned, the dog park can be a great place to meet new people and dogs, smell new stuff, experience new sights and places – this is exactly what socialization is! However, proper socialization involves slowly introducing your dog to new things and small challenges in a controlled, positive experience. Proper socialization means you’re doing everything you can to ensure your dog leaves that experience feeling successful!

Proper dog socialization is not taking your dog some place and plopping them in the middle of a new situation with new dogs and new people. We cannot wave a magic wand with a flourish and shout, “Socialize!” This method of socialization can quickly result in fear of anything and/or everything and definitely doesn’t help your Sidekick feel successful tackling new challenges.

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Suggestions

I’ve had several clients ask about dog parks, asking if they should go or not; and I’ve had several clients who haven’t had the best experiences with them. To be fair, I’ve probably had a number of clients who have had wonderful experiences at the dog park, but they weren’t noteworthy because nothing went awry.

Local Dog Parks – The Benefits

I’ve never told a client to outright avoid dog parks; they have enough benefits that the dog park experience can be very helpful and a useful tool in the dog-rearing toolbox. However, I’ve made several suggestions to each client who asks:

1. Go to the dog park during non-peak hours – when there are fewer dogs and you have more control over who your dog interacts with. Fewer dogs means fewer variables to account for in your dog’s interactions.

2. Go to the park when there are dogs you know there. There’s usually a Saturday or Sunday morning crowd, “the regulars,” or people/dogs who you can socialize with regularly and know already that your dog does well with.

3. Go when your dog can play appropriately; for instance, avoid the park if your dog is cranky from allergies or is already tired out. An irritable dog is less predictable and not as willing to hang out with other dogs.

4. Go to the park only when you can dedicate your full, undivided attention to your dog – when you can watch your dog and the other dogs, get yours out of a tight spot if needed, or prevent scuffles from happening in the first place. You’re there to monitor and intervene if necessary. (And there is absolutely no shame in needing to intervene!)

5. When at the park, try to introduce your dog to the others there one-on-one with appropriate dog greetings. If it doesn’t seem like they’ll be suitable playmates, no worries – just keep them separate. If things really won’t work out or there are too many dogs (or especially if you notice your dog getting overwhelmed or stressed out), pack up and leave. You can go back another time or wander around the park together instead!

Play It By Ear With Local Dog Parks

See how things go! And, hey, if you find someone at the park your Sidekick gets along really well with, see if the other dog parent is willing to exchange numbers and set up play dates during non-peak hours for the two to romp around safely! If you want an easy alternative, you can always hire a certified pet sitter on Petworks. Petworks has hundreds of professional pet boarders and sitters available throughout the United States.

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About the Author: