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The Ranch Pet Resort & Spa

The Ranch Pet Resort

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Dog Training

What Does My Dog’s Behavior Mean?

May 19, 2023 by Michelle Bedard

Before we had dog behaviorists to analyze what our dog’s behavior meant, we may have misinterpreted what our best friends wanted to communicate with us.

Does a wagging tail really mean our dog is happy to see us? Does sitting by the food bowl and barking really signify our dogs are hungry? Could she really be manipulating us to get an extra meal, snack, or treat?

Does a dog who is whining and whimpering need medical care, exercise, love, attention, or a friend?

Are dog owners correct in imposing our feelings and sensations onto our dogs, or do does have they own form of communication?

The research team at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa sought ought these answers (no, we don’t really have a research team, just a behaviorists who are “in the know” and want to share this information with others)!

Common Dog Behaviors and What They Signify

Tail wagging: you aren’t wrong if you assumed tail wagging is a sign of happiness in a dog. According to pet experts at Pet Helpful, tail wagging also signifies that a dog wants to play, is friendly, or is being submissive. A rapidly wagging tail is indicative of a happy, carefree dog; a steady wagging tail held in a natural position suggests your pup wants to play; and a rapidly wagging tail held in a downward position means your dog is being submissive.

Digging: a digging dog, especially one that is digging in your flower bed, doesn’t mean to be naughty and bothersome! He is reacting out of a natural tendency to bury or uncover a treat or treasure, protect young, cool off, or uncover a small critter. This last behavior is especially common in dogs bred for hunting.

Yawning: A yawning dog doesn’t necessarily need a nap. She may be anxious, confused, stressed, experiencing a new situation or presence that makes her uncomfortable or threatened, or meeting a new dog. Yawning eases pressure and tension. (source).

Panting: a dog can’t sweat like a human, so it pants to cool itself and to avoid overheating. A dog may also pant if it is in pain or about to deliver a litter of puppies.

Staring: Most parents have taught their kids that staring is rude! But be aware that a dog who stares at you can either be showing aggression, love, or submissiveness, or awareness. A dog who stares with wide eyes is alert; if he shows the whites of his eyes he most likely feels threatened and may be prone to attack. A dog whose stare is intense and narrows is trying to dominate you. A polite or submissive dog will look away after staring for a brief time. Should your dog blink at you, she is showing how much she loves you, that she wants to play, or both!

Showing the belly: A dog who lays on its back feels safe and secure. This is a very vulnerable position and expresses deep comfort and relaxation and trust. He may also be signifying to you or another dog that he has accepted a more submissive role, that he is cooling himself off, or he is just more comfortable sleeping on his back. Like humans, dogs have preferred comfort positions when sleeping.

Raised hackles: Raised hackles are a result of a surge in adrenaline either from fear, curiosity, excitement, arousal, or if it’s a hunting dog, smelling prey (source).

Licking: Dogs lick, it’s what they do. The important piece of information is why dogs lick. Dogs lick themselves to groom, relieve allergies, clean a sore, and to feel calm and relaxed. If you are the lucky recipient of a dog’s lick, it means your dog loves you and wants to bond with you. Licking is a natural and instinctive action and a way for your dog to express itself (source).

Pay Attention to Your Dogs Behaviors

While this list of dog behaviors is only a short one, and we may never understand why dogs behave the ways they do, it’s more important to pay attention to your dog and the conditions under which it behaves.

The more you understand about your dog’s behaviors, the better of a relationship you have with your dog. A better-behaved dog makes for a happy dog-human relationship.

Filed Under: Dog Care, Dog News, Dog Training, Pet Care Tagged With: dog behavior, dog care, dogs

Stay and Train Dog Obedience Program at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa

March 9, 2023 by Michelle Bedard

Sammie and her dog!

The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa is excited to offer a Stay and Train dog obedience program. The 5, 10, or 15 day Stay and Train program is run by Ranch manager, Sammie Martinez, and trainers Amber P, Lance S, and Kristina D.

While every dog owner wants to believe his or her dog is extra special, smart, and well-behaved, the truth is some dogs just need a little more discipline to learn basic obedience.

Sammie, Amber, Lance and Kristina are well-versed in dog behavior and have made it their goal to not only educate the dogs, but also the owners.

“Educate an owner, and you educate an individual. Educate a dog, and you educate a community,” says Sammie, who also adds, “our goal is to create a strong foundation of confidence and leadership between the dog and their family.” 

Stay and Train Packages

Dog owners have four packages to choose from:

15 Day Package $1,995

On leash obedience with off leash introduction

  • 15 Days of training with overnight lodging
  • 2 Private lessons a day
  • One year phone support
  • Success guarantee

10 Day Package $1,495

On leash obedience with off leash introduction

  • 10 Days of training with overnight lodging
  • 2 Private lessons a day
  • One year phone support
  • Success guarantee

5 Day Package $795

On leash obedience

  • 5 Days of training with overnight lodging
  • 2 Private lessons a day
  • One year phone support

5 Day Puppy Package $695

Basic obedience training, home manners, healthy routine

  • 5 Days of training with overnight lodging
  • 2 Private lessons a day
  • One year phone support

Book Your Stay and Train Package Today

If you are interested in knowing more about the Stay and Train program, please contact Sammie by calling 925-447-1729 and press 5. Sammie, Amber, Lance, and Kristina will give you a free evaluation of your dog and help you decide which program will best suit your dog’s needs.

“One of the best parts about the program,” adds Lance, “is that we get to have fun with the dogs, too. It’s not all about training. They get to interact with other dogs or handlers in addition to their training.”

Amber added, “We also teach the parents what we taught the dogs so they can continue the obedience at home. Consistency is the key to a well-behaved dog. Once the foundation is set, the dog has some confidence and chance at success!”

My favorite part of the program, adds Kristina, “is that the dog and parents come back after a week to show off what they both accomplished at home. It’s a win-win for the owners and the dog, and a lot of fun for us!”

The books are open! Make your Stay and Train reservations today!

Filed Under: Dog Training Tagged With: dog training, obedience classes, puppy training

Dog Obedience Training at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa

February 9, 2022 by Michelle Bedard

The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa is proud to offer Dog Obedience Training. From basic obedience to advanced training, our skilled dog handlers will teach your dog the commands it needs to feel happy, confident, and obedient.

Our professional dog handlers come on site to teach basic or advanced commands, correct bad behavior, socialize your dog, and reinforce some obedience skills your dog may be lacking.

Our dog obedience trainers are very well-loved and respected for their positive reinforcement, great attitudes (there are no bad dogs, only bad behaviors that can be corrected), and results!

Take a look at the video to see for yourself just how successful dog obedience training can be with the right dog handlers and the right environment.

Obedience Training at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa

Understanding Dog Behavior and Why Obedience Training is Necessary

Dogs have no sense of right or wrong and often perform behaviors that occur “naturally” to them. Digging, chewing, and barking are all normal behaviors to dogs, but without having these issues reinforced and corrected in the appropriate manner, the dog is bound to be destructive and disappoint its owner.

Dogs whose owners fail them in their efforts to take their natural instincts and modify them appropriately are set up to fail.

These dogs can become bored, aggressive, destructive, and often times discarded. But with the right training and trainers, these dogs become the talk of the neighborhood. Everyone enjoys a well-behaved dog!

Sign Up Today for Dog Obedience Training at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa

If you are interested in learning more about the dog training services available to your dog at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa, please contact us.

Filed Under: Dog Training Tagged With: advanced dog training, basic dog training, dog obedience, dog training, happy dogs, pet training

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Address
4964 Tesla Rd.
Livermore, Ca 94550

Phone: (925) 447-1729

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