When you’re looking for an expert in Dog Training you need look no further than the “A”s - where you’ll find: Steve Applebaum. His success in the business of dog training since he started in 1980 is more than noteworthy. Steve’s first company was Animal Behavior and Training Associates (ABTA). That’s when Steve started training people - to be dog trainers. It grew to over 550 trainers in 44 states and was bought out in 2004. Meanwhile, in 1998 Steve had founded the Animal Behavior College for professional dog trainers. Steve is also a writer (The ABC Practical Guide to Dog Training), consultant (Business Boot Camp), speaker (he’s recorded many CDs, like: “How to Make Your Dog Obedience Classes Rock”) as well as being the Editor of Off Lead & Animal Behavior Magazine for Barkleigh Productions.

Here are some of Steve’s Dog Training Tips – check back every 2 weeks for a new tip! Or sign up to automatically get a new tip every 2 weeks.

A good dog trainer understands canine behavior, health and activities and is an example of how to take care of his/her own pet. Daily exercise is one of the requirements of good health for your own dog.

Exercising Your Dog
The amount of daily physical activity your dog needs depends on his/her age, breed, and current state of health; however, every dog requires and thrives on at least 30 minutes of vigorous daily exercise. If you are an active person with an exercise regime, try incorporating your dog in your own routine. Involving your best friend will brighten up her day. Not only will she be getting extra time to spend with you, but she will obtain added socialization, become more focused, and maintain her fitness and health.

When exercising together, there are several things to keep in mind.

1.- Make sure your dog has plenty of water during and after exercising.

2.- If walking or running on concrete or other rough surfaces, check the pads of her feet frequently for cuts and scrapes.

3.- Change the surfaces on which you walk or run. Constant exercising on concrete can be hard on a dog’s joints and bones, just like your own.

4.- Make sure to follow leash laws at all times. Allowing your dog to run off leash can not only earn you a ticket, but it could also cause him/her to dash out into the street or up to another (less friendly) dog.

5.- Finally, make sure you start off slowly and gradually build up the distance that you walk or run.

Here are some suggestions for exercising with your dog. Not all dogs will enjoy all activities, so try some different ones and find out which is best suited for both you and your dog.

• Walking or running
• Hiking
• Mountain biking
• Rollerblading
• Dog park
• Interactive fetch
• Hide-and-seek