Are you sick and tired of waking up to find another good pair of shoes all chewed out? Do you hate having people over because you just know they’ll get slobbered all over or worse? Are the water puddles and poop mounds around the house finally getting to your nerves? If you are, then it’s time to get some dog training in your house.

In home dog training services are getting more popular these days. Pet owners, while they would like to train their dogs themselves, either don’t have the time or don’t know how to. Professional trainers are called in to do the job for them. The owners get to watch their dog’s progress in the convenience and privacy of their houses. If you are considering having your pet educated at home, here are five important things you need to ask before you call the dog trainer.

What level of obedience does your canine qualify for? If he already has a modicum of dog manners, this means you already have had some success in dog training and you may want to consider following it up yourself. However, if you correctly asses yourself incapable of teaching your pet anything, then have the professional over as soon as possible.

Where can I find good trainers? The best gauge is the work itself. Do you have neighbors and friends who’ve had transformed pets and swear by the services of a particular dog whisperer? If not, they probably know someone who does. There are also companies that specialize in dog behavior modification and obedience training you can check out. You can leaf through the yellow pages or surf in the internet to find these people that will offer you the right services at the best price.

What do I look for in a good trainer? The most important thing in a trainer is his method of teaching the dog. Any form of violence or yelling or undue force should not be tolerated under any circumstances. Ask for records or referrals you can personally inspect for yourself. While there are no official animal training government licenses, most trainers have undergone certified courses to equip them in their in home dog training profession. A CDT or CDTA certification from the International Association of Canine Professionals is one of the best qualifications they can have.

Which is better: individual or group classes? One-on-one sessions will ensure that your pet gets all the attention and teaching concentrated on him. It will probably help him learn faster. Group classes on the other hand, will help the dog further develop social skills with others of his own kind. If the trainer is good, he will be able to customize his teaching to each student’s learning curve. It will also be better economically for more people to pitch in and share the expense of their dog’s education. If you prefer group classes, form one with pet owners you know who take good care of their pets – with all the rough housing that’s bound to happen, you wouldn’t want your own infected with fleas or other kinds of infection.

What age should training begin? Right now! The optimal time to start training puppies is at 8 weeks old. However, it’s never too late to teach adult dogs basic commands and progress from there. If you are willing and your dog is present, it can be done. Through in home dog training, a safe and easy way to a well-trained dog is possible.

All dog owners know that dogs need to be trained in the house. Although the process can be lengthy, think of it as potty training for a young child. We all had to learn to use the toilet properly and your dog can learn too, as long as you never scold him.

Dog house training requires the owner to be extremely attentive and work hard. This is why it is one of the toughest types of training you’ll ever give your dog. While some dogs may bark when they need to go, you may not be lucky enough to have such a dog. Always learn to read your dog’s body language and be prepared to clean up accidents in the house.

The most important downside to dog training is how time consuming it is for the owner. On the other hand, house training dogs is quite easy as long as you follow a few simple steps. Let’s get started. You should start by putting down newspaper by the door. If you ever find your dog doing it in the house, immediately take him to the newspaper to finish his business. This will help your dog learn to do it on the newspaper the next time he needs to go, hopefully without your help.

Watch out for your dog’s body language. Most dogs that need to go will get restless and start sniffing around. This is when you should take your dog outside. For young puppies, it is recommended that you take your dog out once per hour. Once you’re out with the dog, start using the command that you want to use for training (e.g., “do your business”). After the dog completes his business, the dog owner must reward him by giving him affection or treats. Remember to wait until your dog is done or it could otherwise get messy! Such positive reinforcement will help your dog realize that he must do his business outside and he will soon ask you to take him out when he needs to go. Don’t forget to clean up after your dog!

More training techniques and routines on how to house train your dog can be found in hundreds of books available from the library, online stores or your local bookstores. You should always keep in mind that dogs must be taught to go outside, as it is not innate knowledge to them. Be ready to clean up accidents in your home and teach your dog to do his business outside. House training older dogs can also be done by using the same method.

Co-owners Andrew Kim and Mark Boonnark at Healthy Spot Costa Mesa

The question Healthy Spot has been asking the last few months is Where can you Spot us next? This Saturday marks the unveiling of their first location in Orange County, with the opening of their Costa Mesa store.

In the heart of Costa Mesa, their 2,700 square foot location- at 1880 Newport Boulevard- boasts a beautifully designed retail space as well as a full-service grooming salon and spa as well as a small dog daycare area. Along with an array of services, Healthy Spot offers premium organic and natural foods, supplies and eco-friendly toys for dogs and cats.

The inception of Healthy Spot was sparked by a massive pet recall in 2007, which really highlighted the absence of a retail partner in the market for consumers that were solely focused on the well being of four-legged family members. They began with the nutrition and then expanded to other products and services seeking to establish a new bar in the pet industry. A mainstay in the Los Angeles community, where their other three stores are located, Healthy Spot is the lifestyle brand for the modern pet parent.

Co-owners, Andrew Kim and Mark Boonnark, founded Healthy Spot on a steadfast belief that dogs and cats are entitled to healthy and safe products and uncompromising care that extends far beyond the HealthySpot stores. Healthy Spot is dedicated to fostering social awareness of better canine care practices and humane animal treatment through their constant commitment to philanthropic and community involvement. Healthy Spot hosts an array of events, from dog rescue adoptions every Sunday to dog trainings to monthly Yappy Hours for their customers and four-legged friends.

We are very excited to be opening up in Orange County and to be part of the Costa Mesa community, states Kim. We believe we have a real opportunity to make a difference and inspire healthy pet lifestyles. We look forward to seeing what we can do together with the community.

As there is a strong demand from pet parents who want the best for their furry friends, Healthy Spot has continued plans for expansion including a location later this year in the Long Beach community.

Healthy Spot will be celebrating this milestone with a Grand Opening Pawty this Saturday, January 25th from 12pm-4pm. There will be gift bags for the first one hundred dogs, food catered by Mothers Market, photo booth fun as well as lots of vendors with food and product samples. I.C.A.R.E. Dog Rescue will be hosting an adoption event as well as raffle to raise money for their organization.

About Healthy Spot

Healthy Spot is an all-in-one dog care retail company that offers customers a full range of premium, eco-friendly products along with award-winning, personalized grooming, daycare and training services. Healthy Spot is dedicated to fostering social awareness of better canine care practices and humane animal treatment through their constant commitment to philanthropic and community involvement.

“Healthy Spot, for your dog’s mind, body and bowl

Other store locations:

-Santa Monica, 1110 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica, CA, 90401 Phone: 310.458.2004 -West Hollywood, 8525 Santa Monica Blvd. West Hollywood, CA, 90069 Phone: 310.657.2400 -Marina del Rey, 4718 Lincoln Blvd. Marina del Rey, CA 90292 Phone: 310.827.8500

You want a crate that’s large enough for your dog to turn around, stand up, or lie down in comfortably when he reaches full maturity. There are all different types of crates. Some are made of wire mesh, some are cloth mesh, or there are plastic types that are most often times called airline crates. You really want to consider the ease of assembly, but also the durability. Although heavier, wire crates are usually easy to put up and take down and are very durable.

The best type of crate is one you can take with you when you travel with your dog. You might even want to get two different crates. One for the car and one for the house. Then you don’t have to be carrying it back and forth which can become a real hassle.

Now the next step is teaching your new puppy to use the crate.

Here are 7 tips to coaxing your new puppy into his crate:

1. Set up the crate and let your puppy check it out. Put a blanket or one of the special crate pads inside.

2. Come up with a command, such as “Go to Bed” or “Go to your crate.” If you’re new puppy won’t enter the crate on his own or when you call to him then physically place your puppy in the crate.

3. Close the door, praise him and give him a little treat, and then let him out.

4. Use a treat to lure him into the crate. If he doesn’t want the treat and won’t follow it in, then physically place him inside and then give him the treat.

5. Close the door, praise him while he is inside, and give him another little treat.

6. Let him out again. And just remember, the treat can be anything as long as it motivates him.

7. Continue using the command you had chosen and giving your new puppy a treat after he enters into the crate until he is going into the crate all on his own.

If your new puppy happens to be afraid of the crate, try feeding him his meal in front of the crate. Then when you feed him his next meal place it just inside of the crate. Continue feeding him this way , each time pushing his food bowl further back into the crate until your new puppy is inside and isn’t afraid to go in on his own.