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- Leash Walking | HAPPY PAWS - PetCare ®
Leash Walking OBEDIENCE TRAINING 101 GUIDE The Expectation Leash walking is one of the more difficult skills to teach a dog. It does not come naturally to them to be tied to someone while they are walking, just as we would have a hard time walking if we were tied to the person next to us. This is a skill that takes time and patience but is well worth the training once we accomplish it. How to Teach Walking Nicely on a Leash We recommend a 4ft to 6ft leash. Retractable leashes will allow your dog to pull away from you so until they have this skill mastered we like to make it easy for them to succeed by only giving them a small area to move around in freely. Start in a distraction-free environment such as a living room or your backyard instead of taking them around the neighborhood at first. We want to practice their walking skills in an environment where they have very little to be distracted by and therefore will focus more on us. Put their leash on and begin by encouraging them to be near you. Use a happy voice to praise them when they are standing nicely next to you on the leash or giving you their attention and follow this praise up with tasty treats. Next take a step or two in any direction. Encourage them to follow you and praise and treat them when they do. Start with just a few steps at a time making sure you are telling them what a good boy or girl they are along the way. If they are happily following you, increase the amount of steps you are taking while continuing this process. If they are not following you, do not force them by pulling on the leash or speaking harshly. This will only make them freeze up more or possibly shut down completely. Dogs are masters at picking up on our body language so if we are frustrated, they will sense that. Try to be patient and take note of anything that may be making them nervous in the environment. Dogs can be sensitive to certain flooring, unfamiliar objects, and noises. Allow them time to get familiar with their surroundings, their leash, and collar. If you are unable to get very far in the walking lesson, that's ok. Remember that this is a skill you’ll want them to do well for their whole life so it’s better to take it slow and steady than to rush and create a dog who is fearful of leash walking. Once you are able to walk 10-15 steps in one direction with them following along, you can start to position them where you’d like them to walk next to you on your left or right side. We do this by giving them treats only in that area right next to your side. We call this the “sweet spot.” Rather than reaching out to treat them wherever they are, bring the treats down right next to your side. This will encourage them to stick in that spot. When your dog can walk nicely next to you for short distances in your distraction-free environment you can then move your training sessions to a realistic outside setting. When you move outside remember there are now many more things for them to be distracted by. Go back to taking only a few steps at a time. Keep the same practice of praising and treating them for staying near you and giving you attention. Important Notes If your dog becomes too overwhelmed by the environment to focus on you then give them some time to investigate their environment before starting the training. Allow them to sniff and look around for a brief time. When they’ve adjusted, use your happy voice to get their attention back on you. Be generous with your praise and treats. You will be competing for their attention with all the other smells and sights around them. You have to be the most rewarding thing for them to focus on. If your walking lessons are always full of treats and praise, your dog will grow to love walking right along next to you. Pulling Pulling should be dealt with as soon as possible. The longer the behavior goes on, the longer it will take to correct. Puppies will naturally test their boundaries when learning how to walk on a leash. Adult dogs with a history of pulling will continue pulling for as long as they’re allowed to. Whether you have a brand new puppy who pulls or a 5 year old dog who pulls, now is the best time to start the training. How to Handle Pulling Go back to basics. Start in a low distraction environment like a backyard or an empty field. Practice taking just a few steps at first and encourage them to stay near you with praise and treats. If you are having success you can gradually increase the amount of steps you take. When your dog looks like they are about to start pulling use your happy voice to grab their attention and bring them back towards you. If you’re not able to get their attention back on you, use either the “tree method” or the “this way” method, listed below. Stop Pulling Using the “Tree Method” & “This Way Method” Tree Method - When your dog starts to pull and you are unable to get their attention back, become a tree. Plant your feet and don’t allow them to move. Whether it’s towards things to sniff, people to greet, dogs passing by, or anything else, don’t allow them to do it if they are pulling. These things will become their rewards. When they relax on the leash then they can sniff and greet until their heart's content. This Way Method - When your dog looks like they’re about to start pulling, say “this way” and then walk in the opposite direction. Repeat this every time they are about to start pulling. The idea is that once we start walking unpredictably, they have to pay closer attention to the way we are going and therefore pay more attention to us. This is our opportunity to treat and praise them for giving us their attention which will encourage them to continue walking nicely next to us. Tools to Help with Pulling It’s very important that every time you take your dog for a walk you are consistent with your leash walking rules and that they are never allowed to pull. But since we don’t always have the time to turn every walk or potty break into a walking lesson there are some tools that can help reinforce these rules. We recommend using a harness or a gentle leader. Harnesses can work great to stop some dogs from pulling. For strong pullers, a gentle leader will be your best option. These work similar to the way a head halter on a horse works. They strap around the head and make pulling uncomfortable for the dog but without causing pain. These can be fantastic training tools to help your dog stick to their leash walking manners. We strongly advise staying away from any tools that cause pain including prong collars, e-collars, and choke chains. Research has proven that using these types of tools that cause the dog pain can have serious negative effects including increased aggression. Remember the most important thing is that we stick to the golden rule: they are never allowed to pull. If we are consistent with this rule, they will learn over time that it’s not even an option to pull and you will be able to enjoy a lifelong walking companion. PRINT
- Board and Train in Denver, CO | HAPPY PAWS - PetCare ®
Board and Train in Denver With our board and train service, we cover all essential obedience training in a 2 week program. We also offer pet taxis . Reserve Now What Board and Train Includes TRAINING COVERED: 24 Training Skills 2 WEEK STAY Luxury Suite Rooms PRICE: $1,549.99 Dog Training Skills Included Training Skills: • Sit • Down • Stay • Come • Drop It • Leave It • Watch me • Go to Place • Release Cue • Leash Walking • Hand Targeting • Impulse Control • Chewing • Jumping • Destruction • Socialization • Stress Signals • Potty Training • Crate Training • Nipping & Biting • Proper Handling • Attention & Focus • Preventing Anxiety • Reliable Responses Service Information Being Exceptional is Our Specialty Our luxury suites all come with TV's, radios, and webcams. Your dog will be in paradise as they're enjoying educational activities & learning how to be the best pet they can be. Trusted, Experienced Pet Caregivers Our goal is to make your experience as simple and care-free as possible. We offer pet taxis to and from your location making your life easier. Video Updates You'll receive video & text updates keeping you up to date on your dog's learning so you never have to go too long without seeing your fur baby's face. READY TO GET STARTED? The first step is to submit a Reservation Request! Reservations
- Dog Sitter | Cat Sitters | Pet Sitting in Denver | Dog Boarding
Top Rated Pet Care Book our 5 star cat sitters & dog sitters for pet sitting in Denver. For every reservation made, we donate 3 meals to local shelter animals. Book Now Services Pet Sitting Dog Sitting Cat Sitting Exotic Pet Sitting Pet Boarding Dog Boarding Cat Boarding In-Home Nail Trims About Us At Happy Paws - PetCare, all of our providers are insured and certified. We pride ourselves on our commitment to offering the highest possible quality of pet care to each and every animal. However, our mission goes even beyond this. That’s why for every reservation made with us, we donate 3 meals to local shelter animals. In the U.S. more than 6 million animals enter shelters every year. Sadly, many of them are euthanized due to limited resources. These shelters give such an invaluable public service to our communities. Our goal is to advocate for them and the animals they care for by giving endless love and support. We believe every animal deserves a loving home and we want to help make that happen! Member and Insured Through Read More How Do I Get Started? step 1: submit reservation request Submit a Reservation Request form to us detailing your service needs. step 2: wait for approval We'll email you within 48 hours to let you know if your request is approved. Step 3: Book Your Service Reserve your service and book your Meet & Greet with your caregiver. FAQs Do You Offer Pet Sitting Services Near Me? We offer our pet care services all over the Denver Metro area! To check if we service your location, visit our Serviced Areas page. What's Included In Your Pet Sitting Service? Our pet caregivers are dedicated to going the extra mile for you and your pet! We can help with meals, walks / playtime, medications, litter box cleanings, watering plants, bringing in mail, rotating lights on/off, and of course giving your fur baby all the love they want! Will I Have The Same Cat Sitter Or Dog Sitter For Each Visit? Yes, we understand how important it is to have consistency throughout your pet's care. We always send the same sitter to your home giving you and your pet(s) peace of mind. What If I Need Pet Sitting For Multiple Pets? Not a problem! Our sitters are experienced in caring for a variety of pets including: cats, dogs, ferrets, rabbits, reptiles, horses, rats, mice, fish & more. What If My Pet Has Special Care Needs Or Takes Medications? Our pet providers are thoroughly experienced in caring for pets with special needs and administering medications. What If My Pet Is Nervous Or Aggressive Around New People? Not to worry! We have providers who specialize in anxious, fearful, and aggressive pets. They are trained in reading how your pet's feeling by their body language and are able to easily adjust to keep your pet calm and comfortable. Will I Be Able To Meet My Pet Sitter Before They Care For My Pets? Absolutely ! Once your reservation is confirmed, you'll be able to book a meet and greet with your care provider. We offer both virtual and in-person meet and greet options to best fit your scheduling needs. How Experienced Will My Cat Sitter Or Dog Sitter Be? All of our pet care providers are comprehensively experienced in animal behavior, early signs of medical issues, and how to properly manage pets experiencing anxiety and aggression. Our providers are trained in pet first aid and CPR. In addition, we screen all of our care providers with an extensive process to ensure they are dedicated to consistently delivering the highest possible level of care to all of our clients, both furry and human! Do You Offer Meet and Greets? Yes we do! We offer both virtual and in-person Meet & Greets. Our virtual Meet & Greet option comes complimentary with every reservation. During your Meet & Greet, you'll be able to get to know your care provider personally and go over any questions you have or special needs your pet(s) may have. Why Should I Choose Your Company? We only hire true animal lovers who have a passion for caring for animals and are equally passionate about providing excellent customer care. We pride ourselves on our commitment to offering the highest possible quality of care to every animal and client. Have Any Other Questions? Please fill out a reservation request & we'll be happy to help! Recent Posts Kelsey Carlson Jul 10, 2023 Need a GREAT Sitter for your Exotic Pet? Sara Watson Jun 26, 2023 Are You Looking For A Sitter For Your Elderly Cat? Stephanie Wilcox Jun 12, 2023 How to Find the Right Pet Sitter for Your Anxious Dog
- Reserve | HAPPY PAWS - PetCare ®
Reservation Request Name: Select your service: Address: We're sorry! Unfortunately we're not acceting new clients in your area at this time. For current clients looking to rebook, please contact your care provider directly. Submit
- Pet Boarding for Exotic Animals | HAPPY PAWS - PetCare ®
Pet Boarding for Exotic Animals Book our 5 star luxury pet boarding in Denver, Colorado. We provide complimentary pet taxis, luxury suites, TVs & webcams. Book Now What Pet Boarding for Exotic Animals Includes LUXURY SUITES Private Accommodations MEALS & ACTIVITIES 1-3 times per day PRICE: $39.99 / Day Why Choose Us? Being Exceptional is Our Specialty Our private suites all come with TV's, radios, and webcams. Your pet will be in paradise enjoying fun activities, getting tons of personalized attention, & relaxing in their private accommodations. Trusted, Experienced Pet Caregivers Our goal is to make your experience as incredible as possible! We provide complimentary pet taxis to and from your location making your life easier. Photo Updates You'll receive text & photo updates every day so you never have to go too long without seeing your baby's face. Service Description We're TOP rated for luxury pet boarding in Denver, Colorado. Our caregivers provide our complimentary Pet Taxi Service for pick up & drop off. Each pet that stays with us is given an incredible experience! We provide luxurious accommodations including private suites with individual beds, TVs, radios, cameras, enrichment toys, and numerous daily activities to keep your pet happily entertained. We're also able to administer any medications they may need. In addition, we provide text and photo updates daily keeping you in the loop always! Multiple pets? No problem! We're also happy to take care of any other animals you have if needed. Visit our cat boarding & dog boarding pages for more details. READY TO GET STARTED? The first step is to submit a Reservation Request! Book Now
- Multi Animal Pet Sitting in Denver | HAPPY PAWS - PetCare ®
Multi - Animal Pet Sitting Local, trusted pet sitting that's top rated & highly recommended throughout Denver! Book Now What Multi - Animal Pet Sitting Includes MEALS & WATER 1-3 times per day WALKING & PLAYTIME 1-3 visits per day PRICE: $35 per 30 min. visit Why Choose Us? Trusted, Experienced Pet Caregivers Our pet caregivers go the extra mile, every time. We give each pet their own individualized care whether thats walks, playtime, cuddles, or all three! Photo Updates You'll receive text & photo updates for every visit so you never have to go too long without seeing your fur baby's faces. Being Exceptional is Our Specialty Whether you need us to water your plants, feed your fish or bring your packages inside, we've got you covered! Add-ons & Extras 1 Hour Visit $55 Additional Cat Cost $5 Additional Dog Cost $10 Meet & Greet - In-Person $30 Meet & Greet - Virtual (No Cost) Dog Park Trip During Visit - (No Cost) Administration of Medications - (No Cost) Service Description We offer pet sitting all across the Denver metro area! Our pet caregivers are loving, experienced, and can stop by up to 4 times per day if needed. You can customize your care visit to fit your pet's exact needs! Your care provider can help by providing walks, playtime, trips to a nearby park, indoor enrichment activities, cuddle time, personalized attention, or just quiet companionship. We'll also refresh their water supply, clean their litter box, and administer any medications or treatments they may need. Multiple pets? No problem! We offer an additional per dog fee of $10 and per cat fee of $5. We're also happy to take care of any other small pets in the home if needed. We provide text and photo updates every visit keeping you in the loop always! Interested in booking a Meet & Greet with your care provider? We offer 20 minute virtual Meet & Greets complementary with every reservation and in-person Meet & Greets for $30. READY TO GET STARTED? The first step is to submit a Reservation Request! Book Now
- Exotic Pet Sitting | Denver, CO | HAPPY PAWS - PetCare ®
Exotic Animal Pet Sitting We provide pet sitting for a variety of exotic animals including rabbits, ferrets, lizards, turtles, hamsters, birds, rats & more ! Book Now What Exotic Animal Pet Sitting Includes FEEDING & WATER 1-3 times per day VISIT TIMES 1-3 times per day PRICE: $35 per 30 min. visit Why Choose Us? Trusted, Experienced Pet Caregivers We're experienced in caring for numerous different species. For each visit we provide habitat cleanings & personalized care. No matter the care your pet needs, we've got you covered! Photo Updates You'll receive text & photo updates for every visit so you never have to go too long without seeing your baby's face. Being Exceptional is Our Specialty Our pet caregivers go the extra mile, every time! Animal care is never one size fits all, special requests are our specialty. Our goal is to provide our pet owners with an incredible experience! Add-ons & Extras 1 Hour Visit $55 Additional Cat Cost $5 Additional Dog Cost $10 Meet & Greet - In-Person $30 Meet & Greet - Virtual (No Cost) Administration of Medications - (No Cost) Service Description We provide pet sitting all across the Denver metro area. We care for a wide variety of exotic & farm animals including but not limited to: rabbits, ferrets, rats, hamsters, reptiles, birds, chickens, horses & fish. Check out our Dog Sitting & Cat Sitting services too! Our pet caregivers are loving, experienced, and can stop by up to 4 times per day if needed. Each visit is customized for your pet's exact needs. We'll provide habitat cleanings, one-on-one attention, or just some quiet companionship depending on what your pet needs most! We'll also refresh their water supply, clean their waste collection, and administer any medications or treatments they may need. Multiple pets? No problem! We're always happy to take care of any other pets in the home. We offer an additional exotic pet fee of $10, additional cat fee of $5, and additional dog fee of $10. We provide text and photo updates every visit keeping you in the loop always! Interested in booking a Meet & Greet with your care provider? We offer 20 minute virtual Meet & Greets complementary with every reservation and in-person Meet & Greets for $30. READY TO GET STARTED? The first step is to submit a Reservation Request! Book Now
- Testimonials | HAPPY PAWS - PetCare ®
What Our Clients Say Thousands of 5 Star Reviews & Counting Kate M. "I've had so many wonderful experiences with Happy Paws! They're the only company we'll ever use." Jessica B. "Always on time and dependable! Highly recommended them." Sharon P. "These are the only ladies I trust with my dog Bruno. They're always so sweet and Bruno LOVES them."
- Pet Boarding in Denver | HAPPY PAWS - PetCare ®
Pet Boarding We provide our top quality pet boarding service to a variety of animals including cats, dogs, & exotic animals. Book Now Multi Animal Pet Boarding Exotic Pet Boarding Dog Boarding Cat Boarding
- Reserve Our Pet Taxi in Denver | HAPPY PAWS - PetCare
Pet Taxi in Denver Book our local, trusted pet taxi service to help with transporting your pet around Denver! Reserve Now What Our Pet Taxi Service Includes MEALS & WATER Given at Drop Off POTTY BREAK / PLAYTIME 1 x 10 Minutes PRICE: $59.99 Why Choose Us? Trusted, Experienced Pet Caregivers Our pet caregivers go the extra mile, every time! We can provide meals or a longer session time if needed, administer medications, and of course shower them with lots of snuggles! Photo Updates You'll receive text & photo updates keeping you up to date on the pick up and drop off, and so you never have to go too long without seeing your fur baby's face. Being Exceptional is Our Specialty Whether you need us to feed your fish or bring your packages inside, we've got you covered! Service Description We provide our pet taxi service all across the Denver metro area. If you're booking an additional service with us you'll receive a 10% DISCOUNT on your pet taxi for a one way trip or a 25% DISCOUNT for pick up & drop off. Our pet caregivers are loving, experienced, and will always make sure your pet's given the highest quality of care. They'll get a 10 minute walk or playtime session included with their pet taxi service and you're able to upgrade to 30 minutes for a $25 fee. You'll receive text updates letting you know when your pet caregiver is on their way, what their ETA is, and a text and photo message when they've arrived at their destination. Multiple pets? No problem! We offer an additional per dog fee of $15 and per cat fee of $10. We're also happy to take care of any other small pets in the home if needed. READY TO GET STARTED? The first step is to submit a Reservation Request! Reservations
- Serviced Areas | HAPPY PAWS - PetCare ®
Serviced Areas North Denver Broomfield Thornton Westminster Henderson Commerce City East Denver Aurora Cherry Creek Park Hill Glendale Lone Tree South Denver Littleton Highlands Ranch Castle Rock Centennial Parker West Denver Arvada Golden Lakewood Morrison Ken Caryl
- Positive Reinforcement Training | HAPPY PAWS - PetCare ®
positive reinforcement training OBEDIENCE TRAINING 101 GUIDE Positive Reinforcement Training Positive reinforcement training is the practice of training your dog through praising and rewarding their good behavior. These methods of training have been thoroughly studied and scientifically proven to be the most effective. Positive reinforcement training uses classical conditioning and operant conditioning to train dogs how to perform behaviors, how to feel comfortable with their environment, how to socialize well with others, and overall how to positively interact with the world around them. Classical conditioning is practice of pairing positive associations like food with experiences like meeting new dogs. Operant conditioning is the practice of giving your dog the opportunity to work for a reward like asking for a sit and then giving a treat. Punishment Based Training Punishment based training is the practice of training your dog by punishing bad behaviors through the use of intimidation or inflicting pain. KEY POINT: Many people are unaware that dogs only have a one second learning period after they have done a behavior to learn whether it was good or bad. This is why punishment is an extremely ineffective way to train. It is very unlikely that your dog will understand what it is they are being punished for. This is also why we have to be quick with our praise and treats when we use positive reinforcement training. Punishment based methods were mainly used throughout the 80’s and 90’s until studies brought to light how significant the negative effects were. Sadly there are still some trainers who use these methods which has made it hard for the public to know which methods they should really be using to train their dog. Why Punishment Can Have Disastrous Effects If your dog fears you due to repeated punishment, you will not have a dog who is eager to work for you or do what you ask of them. You will instead have a dog who is afraid to respond to your requests because they fear punishment. In this module, we go into more depth on how to be an effective dog leader . A dog who is fearful is more likely to bite and have major aggression issues down the road. Many dogs who develop fear of humans because of repeated punishment end up in the shelter system. There is a fine line between punishment and abuse. Punishment does not have to be out of cruel intentions but it can have extreme effects. For example, if a person came home to an accident on the floor and then grabbed their dog by the collar, dragged them over to it and yelled at them, they might not mean any harm by this. They might just intend to teach their dog not to go in the house. The problem is from their dog's perspective they have already passed the time period where they can even remember why they are being punished and are now only learning to be fearful of the person. Repeated experiences like the one just described can create a dog who is afraid of human hands coming towards their face or their collar. Since dogs most commonly bite out of fear you can see how this can quickly turn into a dangerous situation. Now imagine if a child goes up to that dog and tugs on their collar, this is a recipe for a bite and it’s likely they’ll now be another dog who ends up in a shelter. Dogs who are frequently yelled at, physically restrained, or caused pain by prong collars or shocking devices, have a high chance of developing fear, anxiety, and aggression. PRINT