Hello, Fellow Dog Lovers!

It's that time again. An all-time favorite day for kids around the world, and a fun day for grownups to pretend they're not quite as old as they really are.

Most of us think Halloween is a pretty fun time, but if we were to ask our dogs, I'm not so sure they'd agree. From the constant stream of ringing doorbells, freakily dressed little strangers at the door, and funky sights and sounds around the usually serene neighborhood, there's plenty for our dogs to be afraid of on this spooky night.

In this edition of the newsletter, we provide some handy tips and perspectives on how to make Halloween a bit less scary for your dogs, prepping your dogs for winter weather, and the debate about using food in training.

Enjoy, and here's to a safe, fun and happy Halloween for you AND your dogs!

Positively,

P.S. Don't forget to check out the Positively website for more articles from me and our other fabulous contributors!

WHEN TRICK OR TREAT IS A TRICKY THING

Orlando-based dog trainer, VSA faculty member, and mother of a son who loves trick-or-treating, VSPDT trainer Lorena Patti shares some perspective on how dogs experience Halloween and provides a reminder about how to best prepare our dogs for the big night.

Read Here

POSITIVELY PODCASTS ARE BACK!

Have you missed them? Holly and Victoria are back for another season of Positively Podcasts, sharing the latest in dog-related news, solving listeners' pet behavior problems, and having a blast talking everything dog!

Check it out on iTunes here or listen now using the link below.

This season's Ask Victoria segment is sponsored by Zukes.

Listen to the Podcast Here

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: USING FOOD IN DOG TRAINING

There’s a lot of negative talk about using food in training. Even when people are prepared to use it in a class or at home, they often refuse to carry it when taking the training 'on the road'.

Comments include; it’s bribery; I want the dog to work for me; the dog ‘knows’ what I want; it’s inconvenient; I don’t want to rely on it.

I always carry food when I walk my dog. I don't buy processed treats. I use food she could eat as part of her normal diet plus small extras like hard cheese and boiled liver. I haven’t always carried food in the past and may not in the future, but for my current dog I have always done so and here’s why.

EXPERT TIPS ON KEEPING YOUR PETS SAFE DURING THE WINTER

If it’s cold enough for you to get frostbite, your pets can too, says Dr. Mark Russak, Berlin, CT-based past president of the American Animal Hospital Association.

Frostbite is most likely to happen on extremities, the tips of tails and ears. After all there are no “gloves” for dog tails, or canine ear muffs.

Also their paw pads can become frostbitten. Since dogs sweat some from their paw pads, and there’s ample space, little ice balls can form between the pads.

“It’s one reason why dogs sometime hop after playing in the snow, another explanation may be the cold itself, or stinging street salt,” Russak says.

Victoria shared an article about "Dogs Deserve Better" and it generated a lot of great discussion. Check it out and join the conversation on her official Facebook page.

Stop Your Dog's Pulling!

Victoria's popular Positively No-Pull Harnesses are now available to order in the Positively online store.

Check out this awesome tool designed to make walking your dog more enjoyable - on both ends of the leash!

Order your harness here.

FEATURED VSPDT

Sam Wike
Sam's Website

"The overwhelming majority of my work is with what most people refer to as 'aggressive' dogs. The reality is that numerous studies have verified that 98% of all 'aggressive'behavior is fear-based.

"I know what it’s like to have fear. I spent 6 years in the Army and 20+ years as a police officer, the last 5 as a K9 officer. The work was rewarding but left a lot of scars and it’s a daily struggle to work past those challenges. Two of my three dogs have these very same challenges and it’s because of them that I’ve chosen to devote my work to these ‘special needs dogs’. Almost all of the dogs I work with have the same issue- fear based behavior."

Need a dog behavior expert near Long Branch, NJ? Get in touch with Sam today:

EMAIL SAM

Visit Sam's Website

Find a Victoria Stilwell-licensed trainer near you!

5 Little Known Puppy Training Tips You'll Be Glad You Found

1. Teach your puppy that they don’t get to meet every person or dog they see on a walk.

2. Begin impulse control exercises early.

3. Over socializing can be just as problematic as under socializing.

4. Other dogs can be great teachers, or bad influencers.

5. Everybody has an opinion, but trust the advice of qualified professionals.

Have you signed up yet?

Register now to receive lifetime access to Victoria's new 3-hour online course, Inside Your Dog's Mind. Over 1000 people have already taken the course, and the reviews are in - it's a hit!

As a Positively newsletter subscriber, you're eligible for an exclusive 50% discount off the regular price - a $100 value!

Register for the course today.

POSITIVELY PODCASTS

Join Victoria and her co-host (and It's Me or the Dog alum) Holly Firfer as they discuss everything from the hottest dog-related topics of the day to the inside scoop from the set of It's Me or the Dog and everything in between. Listen here!

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