Breed of the Month

published 12th October 2017

The Shih Tzu is quickly becoming one of the most popular small dog breeds as the number of Shih Tzu we are seeing for dog training is rapidly increasing.

When Bark Busters gets the call to train a Shih Tzu, it will be for one of several specific reasons: barking, aggression to their family, biting the groomer or playing a little too hard at the doggy-day-care center.

Apart from the barking which is inherent to the breed, most of the behavioral issues we are called upon to deal with originate in bad experiences versus breed traits.

In the world of small breeds, this is one of the cutest breeds and unlike the Yorkshire Terrier, is not usually looking for a fight. The Shih Tzu has a reputation for getting along with most dogs that it meets.

Bred to be lap dogs of Chinese Emperors, they love nothing better than snuggling with you. They will worm their way into your heart and will let you know what they want from you and when, which usually means to just be curled up on your lap in front of the fire or TV.

They are not overly demanding, but their barking can be a big issue and needs to be addressed as quickly as possible or it will drive you to distraction. At least you need to be able to turn them off.

This breed will just want to be pampered, nestled on your lap. If you do not want a lap dog, this might not be the right breed for you.

Bark Busters trainers train hundreds of this breed each year and our methods suit their sweet nature and friendly disposition.

The Shih Tzu is a highly intelligent breed and they will know what you are about to do, possibly before you do. They are very trainable and love learning new things, but they can train their owners far quicker than their owners can train them.

Before you know it, they will lead you to the pantry for a treat and then back to the couch for a cuddle, then out the door for a walk, leaving you wondering whose idea this was.

They love their daily walks and will be much loved by everyone they meet.

They will easily fraternise with other dogs, providing they have not had a bad experience as a puppy.

Bad experiences stay with Shih Tzu’s and any trauma they have incurred is carried around with them like baggage. Because they are not generally fighters, they prefer to try avoidance over engaging the perceived enemy.

Although small in stature, they can perform tasks as easily as breeds twice their size, like obedience and agility competitions. However, they don’t cope too well with the hot weather.

Despite their high level of intelligence, they do adapt to just lazing about and are happy to just be your companion, following you around.

This breed is easy to manage as they are small and generally obliging, but they need your attention and don’t like to be ignored.

If you have a Shih Tzu or are thinking of getting one, then make sure you have time to spend with them. They will want to be soaking up the love and sitting on your lap a lot, because they want the reassurance that you are there for them.

They are a great breed for the elderly and do well in small apartments.

The Shih Tzu are considered hypo-allergenic because they do not shed. However, they will need regular grooming and clipping.

Most Shih Tzu parents have them clipped in the summer to help them cope with the heat.

Their dense coat means that they will need regular flea and tick treatments, so speak to your vet for more information.

In order to establish yourself as the “Top Dog”, you will need to provide a comfortable “time-out place” if you need to go to work or out for the evening.

You will need to ensure that your Shih Tzu has regular vet checks to ensure they stay healthy.

Points of interest

Personality and Temperament

The Shih Tzu is lovable, adorable, cuddly and full of fun. They have a very stable temperament that adapts quite easily to change and different environments and circumstances.

This stability possibly stems from their breeding as a lap dog, a dog to be pampered, preened and adored, unlike other toy breeds that were bred to catch and kill other animals.

They are capable of fitting into most households and family situations, happy to. Just romp with the kids or soak up the love.

Good breeding is important to ensure your dog has the right personality and temperament to suit yours. They can be hard to find in rescues and shelters because they are one of the first breeds to be adopted!

They are a very trusting breed and generally love everyone and with some training and communication, they will make a great companion and great family dog.

The right training for your Shih Tzu

You might experience some chewing when your Shih Tzu is a young puppy, but that will soon pass. They do love to play with soft chewy toys and squeaky toys. Chewing will not be your biggest challenge — barking and refusal to come to you might be.

You might also experience some guarding issues. They tend to want to protect what is theirs, or what they consider to be theirs.

All dogs, regardless of breed, need their education and some basic training. We know that your dog is like your child and the type of education you choose has to be the very best type of education for you and your dog.

Bark Busters tailors all training to your dog’s personality and your needs.

You cannot just trust your dog’s education to just any dog trainer. They need someone who understands the breed, their personality and how to get the best from them in a gentle and kind way.

Bark Busters Trainer fixes rivalry of 2 dogs in household.:

We have a 3 yr old ShihTzu, and brought a 9 week old Rottie home in November 2016. Our home was out of sync for 9 months. The dogs could not be anywhere near each other.

Bark Busters Trainer helps with barking and jumping:

Nicole has been extremely helpful! We had tried other trainers/programs in the past with short-lived results. I feel like this is the first one with sustainable outcomes. Nicole breaks it down and explains what to do, how to do it, and why it works.

“The Shih Tzu is a sturdy, lively, alert toy dog with a long flowing double coat. Befitting his noble Chinese ancestry as a highly valued, prized companion and palace pet, the Shih Tzu is proud of its bearing, has a distinctively arrogant carriage with head well up and tail curved over the back. Although there has always been considerable size variation, the Shih Tzu must be compact, solid, carrying good weight and substance. Even though a toy dog, the Shih Tzu must be subject to the same requirements of soundness and structure prescribed for all breeds, and any deviation from the ideal described in the standard should be penalized to the extent of the deviation.”

Donna Ryan Bark Busters International Head Trainer

Shih Tzu’s are one of my favorites. Being the doggie parent of two large dogs, it is great when I have a toy breed like a Shih Tzu to train.

They are a loving breed, want to please and just be close to you, which works well for me as a trainer.

I have never found the Shih Tzu to be a pushy breed. They will stand back and allow the bigger dogs control, but then they give you that look that says, get me some loving and some lap time please and funnily enough you want to oblige.

I do counsel the parents of Shih Tzu’s on the risks involved in over-indulging them as they are so sweet that they tend to worm their way into your heart and can be spoiled.

Their coat needs regular attention and I do recommend daily brushing to keep their fur clear of any tangles. If left unattended for too long, they need expert attention from the groomer and some serious clipping to return their coat to its former glory. If you don’t like grooming or brushing regularly, you can keep your Shih Tzu clipped, but you will then need a coat for warmth during the winter. But clipping largely takes away the cuteness and cuddly factor of this breed.

This breed loves to cuddle up on your lap and be where everything happens, but do practice some separation time or you can create problems with Separation Anxiety.

If you are consistent, you will have no problem training your Shih Tzu. They love to learn new things and if you are patient, you can get the best out of them. They are people pleasers!

Donna Ryan

Carly Hates to Be Left ‘Home Alone’

Carly was rescued from a shelter at the age of 6 months by Sarah and James. They wanted a dog that would be a great family dog and good with kids as they planned to have children in the near future. Meanwhile, they wanted a dog that would be able to fit into their busy lifestyle.

Carly was a great dog and she fit right in, sleeping at the foot of their bed each night and sitting on their laps every chance she got. She was like their child, and they treated her just like their child, looking to give her everything her heart desired.

Sarah told us that Carly hated being left alone, sulking each time they left the house, but she soon settled and waited anxiously for their return.

She would then greet them wildly on their return, as if they had been gone for weeks. Apart from that, their lives together were fun and Carly was always just one step behind them, asleep on their lap or asleep in their bed. She was so loving, they saw no reason not to give her everything she wanted.

Sarah noticed that things started to change when Carly was about 12-months of age. She started barking at them as they tried to leave, even nipping their ankles as they tried to push her back with their feet. She also would bark for hours after they left for work and soon the neighbours began complaining.

Sarah and James were confused as to why she had suddenly gone from being so good, to being so bad.

They spoke to some of their friends who told them that Carly suffered from Separation Anxiety and that they should contact Bark Busters. So, they decided to give us a call.

This 12-month milestone in dogs usually coincides with reaching maturity. They hit that age of maturity, full grown, where they are now ready to work out the pecking order and to work out where they fit in the family unit, their position in the household, if you like. What they decide depends on how we behave and what we tell them via our actions and behavior.

Carly had learned, over time, through Sarah and James’s behavior around her, that she was the ‘queen bee’ and the one calling the shots. How dare they leave her behind? Didn’t they know she was in charge? This was why she was barking and biting them when they tried to leave her. She was telling them in dog language, that she was not pleased with their behavior.

The reason she took so long to get to that point was due to her lack of maturity. Until 12 months, she was not ready to act to claim her position until she reached the maturity needed to hold that position.

Sarah and James had never educated or trained Carly at all, they had not displayed any leadership qualities with her, preferring to just shower her with love and adoration. There was a position at the top vacant and Carly was now applying for the job.

Sarah and James had also made another fatal mistake of never separating from her when they were home. She slept in their bed, sat on their laps, and followed them from room to room, making the only time they left her alone was when they left for work.

This is one of the main causes of Separation Anxiety and Carly’s behavior is consistent with dogs that suffer this behavioral issue. It’s the result of lack of education and leadership and a failure to practice separation while at home.

Bark Busters showed Sarah and James how to easily fix their problems with Carly, through basic exercises that subtly changed the balance of power in a kind, gentle but effective way and it worked. Dogs like Carly are happy to fall in line once things are brought back to a proper balance.

Carly was not a bad dog. She was just confused, as her dog owners led her to believe that she was in charge. She never wanted them to leave her.

Footnote: All dogs are hard-wired at birth to fill a leadership void. If one exits, they will try and exert control. It is up to dog owners to assume the leadership role.

Every dog needs to learn to separate from its pet parents. This can be addressed by practicing separation while at home. Love alone is not enough to have a happy, well- balanced dog.

We all love our dogs, but we also want them to be happy when everyone is not together. They need to learn to cope with our absence.

In 2007 we decided to live life and not let it “live” us. We had wanted to relocate to the Southeast for many years for a warm climate near the beach. When we visited Charleston, SC we knew we had found what we were looking for. We decided to move from the Northeast to Charleston, SC.

Our next challenge was to find a career that would provide us work life balance and more intrinsic satisfaction. When we found Bark Busters we instantly knew it was right for us. It would allow us to work from home, have work life balance, a flexible schedule, still earn a good income and help others and their dogs. So, we left our lucrative and successful corporate careers to pursue that dream.

We now have owned the Charleston, SC territory with Bark Busters since 2008, have trained thousands of dogs, have been awarded National Office of the year several times and even teach the veterinary clinics about dog behavior and how to further help their clients and the community.

We love the autonomy this career allows us. We love being able to help humans better understand their dogs and in turn provide better lives for them. We’re also very grateful for Danny & Sylvia who paved the way for us to have such an AWESOME career.

Currently we have two dogs – Jack, 11 year old, Jack Russell Terrier and Roo, 7 year, old Lab Mix Rescue. Jack has significantly helped us become MUCH better trainers over the years as he has pushed and challenged us at every turn; and yes, he still tries! We are so thankful that now we understand why and know how to help him be the best behaved he can be.

Please follow us on Facebook. What we have in the end is a happy, well-behaved dog and owner.

See what pet owners have to say about Our training.

Everyday Illnesses and Injuries

Your Shih Tzu’s health concerns will change over the course of their life. A puppy might be more prone to ear infections, a 2-year-old Shih Tzu may be more likely to show signs of dental disease, and a senior Shih Tzu may be more likely to develop eye problems later in life. Shih Tzu’s also have personality and physical traits that may make them more prone to certain conditions—the adorable short snout of the Shih Tzu makes it sensitive to warm weather and prone to heat stress.

If you are ever concerned about your dog’s health, your local veterinarian is a great resource—no matter how small the question.

Genetic Health Concerns

Like many popular breeds, the Shih Tzu has its fair share of hereditary based issues, like bone and joint problems. Most reputable breeders now have their breeding stock checked and scored for these hereditary ailments by a vet. You can request proof that the puppy you are purchasing comes from parents that have been checked for these issues.

Because many other health issues are also hereditary, you should do some research on the ancestry of your puppy and any health issues of that particular breed

Many rescue organizations also check for common-ailments before making them available for adoption.

Preparing yourself

As a pet owner, you should expect to pay for basic veterinary care like vaccines, spay/neuter, and annual checkups. Many pet owners don’t consider the unexpected illnesses and injuries that can occur throughout a pet’s life, and they don’t prepare for them. Medical insurance can help a pet owner prepare.

The concept of medical insurance for pets is fairly straightforward—pay a monthly premium to be covered for eligible veterinary expenses. But every provider is different, offering varied coverage with different plans, pricing options and limitations. As you research, pay close attention to coverage, deductible options, and ease of use. To get started, learn more about insurance for your Shig Tzu at Trupanion.com.

To train a Shih Tzu, you have to establish your rules first and then stick to them. Consistency and routine is the key. Is your dog going to be allowed in your bed, or on your couch? Then once you have your ‘rules list’, set about making sure your dog knows what the rules are and be consistent.

Bark Busters believes that dogs are predisposed and hard-wired at birth, to want to belong to a social group that has a strong leader at its core. It’s what makes them feel secure, safe, and less anxious, knowing that their needs are going to be met.

This is why dogs like to form strong bonds with humans and other animals. It’s in their DNA to want to be part of a strong social group.

A dog really needs that ‘vacation mind’ and the feeling that it is always in vacation mode. You know that feeling you have when you are on vacation, you don’t have a care in the world, you don’t are free from all your woes. When on vacation, you feel like you have left all your cares behind you at home and now you can finally relax and enjoy yourself.

This is the way your dog should feel all the time. It’s the best frame of mind for all dogs, because it means you are taking care of things for them, and have their back.

There are several different types of training methods available, such as treat training or clicker training as well as other types that use force.

Their mother has educated her puppies in the way of the dog. She is not teaching them the way of the human or how humans think and react because that will come from their new human family.

Bark Busters training employs no force, no pain, only ‘communication’. We speak to dogs in a language they understand, a language they learned at birth. It’s ‘dog language’ and they respond almost immediately. We ‘train the brain’ and look for signs that the dog understands what we are communicating. We look for the dog’s cooperation and understanding that it knows what we are asking it to do.

Show and Guide

At Bark Busters, we believe that there should be no force involved in training and that hands should only be used for praise. Your dog should never fear being touched by you, they need to know that your hands mean kindness, not pain.

We teach dog parents how to show and guide their dog to make better choices. There is never any need to use force.

The use of treats as a way to train dogs has become very popular in the last 20 years and may seem like the right choice. However, many dogs either come and take the treat, then run off or they don’t care about food, and don’t respond.

Either way, the treats have their limitations and that type of training does not offer the complete answer for all dogs for all behavioral issues or training needs. Many doggie parents are happy to hear that Bark Busters training does not rely on the use of treats as they are tired of carrying pockets full of treats in order to get their dog to comply with their wishes.

Bark Busters will use treats sparingly if a case calls for it or if a dog’s personality calls for their use, but it’s not our main source of training. We only use treats when required and or when the need arises.

The main core of our training program is ‘canine communication’. This allows the dog owner to gain fast results, because this is the dog’s first language. Speaking dog is learned from their mum and litter mates.

Human language is the dog’s second language. They can learn to understand the human language, but it takes time and repetition.

Bark Busters’ training explains how to communicate with your dog in their language, ‘canine language’, since they can’t speak English, German, or French etc.

Our training is based on building trust, respect and forming a strong bond between a dog and human. By using voice tones and body language, you will have a well-trained dog in no time. Most pet parents see amazing results after the first lesson.

Come When Called

The “Recall” or “Come When Called” issue is quite often a case where the dog dislikes going to their human because their human has grabbed them with their hands when they approached, or they immediately made them sit or put them outside.

This creates a miscommunication in the dog’s mind that it will feel uncomfortable when it approaches the human, so they avoid that and stay away.

Many people think that their dog is being stubborn or cantankerous if they don’t respond to “come” or “sit”. Actually, they are just practicing avoidance of something they have long since learned caused them discomfort.

If you want your dog to come when called, then make sure that you always greet them in a nice and gentle way, give them lots of praise and don’t go straight to carrying out an action that was the reason you called them. Praise and pet them when they arrive, don’t grab them, or immediately clip a leash to them. Instead, spend some time greeting them. Also let them wander off and repeat the recall again, bringing them to you.

We have experienced cases where the human has sent the wrong messages to their dog by only calling it by its name. They generally demand that their dog return, using harsh commands, which frighten the dog or they might have previously tackled their dog out of frustration.

When commencing the ‘come when called’ (recall) exercise, you need to remember that your dog does not understand your language, but it can interpret body language. Crouch and raise your voice a few octaves and make encouraging high-pitched sounds. Never demand that your dog come. That is not the way to win him over and to make him want to approach you.

If you want your dog to “come” when called, negative reinforcement will not work. Your dog must feel that it can approach you without fear or concern.

It is probably not your intention to scare your dog, but is an unforeseen consequence of harsh tones. Your dog may think its name is “bad dog”.

When calling your dog, it must first want to be with you, then it must want to stay with you. How you react when your dog approaches will depend on whether they want to stay and spend time.

It is very important to keep the invitation to approach appealing, in a high-pitched enticing voice, and lower your height. Don’t forget to offer lots of praise when they arrive. You can then take them to the treat jar and treat them, but this must only be after they have been praised for coming when called.

Don’t grab your dog’s collar, or try to hang onto him, because this will cause your dog to try and avoid your hands.

Never chase your dog if it refuses to approach you. That will only cause your dog to run away and possibly hide, causing a bad association. It is better to move backwards and away, while lowering your height, or even lay down.

As we have said, the Shih Tzu does not have many behavioral issues like other breeds, but their barking can seem out-of-control.

The Shih Tzu is a breed prone to barking. They tend to bark at people and dogs passing the window, or off in the distance when walking. They love to bark at the front door when visitors arrive as if saying please pet me, bark.

Barking while travelling in the car can be a problem that is easily rectified. You could try adding a crate to your vehicle and popping your dog in their crate while you travel. To address barking, you must catch your dog in the act and let them know, via communication that what they are doing is wrong.

Dogs can become over-stimulated in cars as images do go flashing by.

We have seen great success with the Bark Busters style of training to stop inappropriate and unwarranted barking.

When we see a tough case where a dog has become over-stimulated to the level of fixation, we have had success with a product called a Calming Cap (available at many stores) when coupled with our training.

There are many places to acquire a puppy where you can be sure you are getting a puppy that has the proper breeding. Be sure to check out your local rescues and shelters, because they have some amazing dogs and puppies there desperate for a forever home.

Check out the local Breed Specific Rescues, animal welfare shelters, Humane Society, SPCA and RSPCA’s as they have many great dogs looking for homes, who through no fault of their own, have ended up being abandoned. These organizations test their dogs for temperament and soundness.

By adopting, you will be helping a dog in need, one that wants nothing more than to be in a loving home. Did you know that approximately 1.4 million companion animals are euthanized each year? Bark Busters encourages you to visit one today.

When you are at the shelter, try to avoid selecting the fearful or over-zealous puppy, but at the same time, consider that the dog might just be traumatised by their surroundings. All those barking dogs cause timid dogs stress and quite often you will see a different dog if you can get the staff to bring him away to a private viewing section for you. Animal Welfare and Rescues do amazing work in trying to save dogs and match breeds to the right owners, so consider that option when looking for a new puppy.

Select the Puppy that Suits your Personality and Lifestyle

Many of our Bark Busters’ trainers volunteer their services at local shelters and rescues to assist in rehabilitating dogs. Bark Busters have saved hundreds of dogs through our volunteer rescue program.

If you do decide to go to a breeder, then try to view both parents to determine the puppy’s personality and parentage.

View all interaction between the pups since this will tell you a lot about their personality. Look out for those assertive types if you want a dog that is going to be good family dog that is good with children.

Tips for Bringing A New Puppy Home

Do I Want One Dog Or Two?

We are often asked by prospective dog parents if they should get one or two puppies. We always answer the same way — only if you want two dogs!

Dogs are pack animals and they love having company, but the selection of two dogs is something that must be carefully thought through.

Two neutered males can cohabit without too many issues if their doggie parents treat them equally and do not display any favoritism. Unequal treatment is usually behind most Sibling Rivalry cases.

A male and a female of equal energy can also cohabit – this is the best match of all — providing that the female and male are equally matched in size. If they are differing sizes, its best that the male is the larger of the two. Make sure that the female is spayed or problems could occur if a large male tries to mate with a smaller female.

Two females are not always the perfect pair as females invariably want to rule the household. It won’t be long before they test each other and some females won’t back down. When you have two females in a household, they both might try to be the boss, which can lead to fights.

Toilet Training

Without a doubt, toilet training a puppy has its challenges and can try your patience. You need to be observant and begin as soon as the puppy is home with you. Bark Busters will make sure the process is not stressful for you or your puppy!

When puppies are first born, they relieve themselves in their den but their mother is there to clean them. Therefore, there is no scent of urine or feces where the puppies eat, sleep and play. As they get slightly older, they learn to imitate the mother when she goes outside. This way the puppy becomes conditioned to never eliminate in their dens. If you are crate training, you will find that puppies will avoid toileting in their crate at all cost!

Knowing when your puppy is likely to relieve themselves by reading their body language is the key to success.

Have you ever taken your puppy outside for a walk only to find him relieving himself as soon as he gets back indoors? To avoid this, walk the puppy directly to the area you have designated him to toilet. Stand still and stay with him, so the puppy no longer shows interest in you. Do not sit down as this will only encourage the pup to jump on you and forget what he is out there for. Praise him if he performs. NEVER scold or rub his nose in any mistakes as this will teach your puppy to move out of sight or wait until you are not watching!

Your puppy does not possess human logic, but will begin to form good habits through structured routines. Positive reinforcement when he does the right thing in the right place is the best and quickest toilet training method.

Food

Select the right diet for your dog, one that possesses all of your dog’s nutritional needs. You will need a diet that can provide all of the energy that an active Shih Tzu requires to keep it’s coat gleaming and in good health. Do your own research on what diet is best for your dog. Remember that top quality is always best.

Shelter

Your dog needs a place to call its own, a bed of its own or a place where it can feel safe such as a den-like crate that is warm and cozy. We do recommend crates/dens providing they are covered, as they provide the dog with a dark and quiet place to go to sleep and relax.

Safety

Your dog’s feeling of security comes from Leadership and the fact that you as its leader will make all the decisions. You need to ensure you provide education and guidance for your dog, based on patience, understanding and communication. A dog can suffer feelings of insecurity if it perceives that it has no leader.

Entertainment

Your dog needs to be entertained to reduce boredom. Toys and activities are essential to keeping your dog stimulated and busy and to ensure that your dog is less destructive. Bored dogs misbehave! Be sure to provide your Shih Tzu with some soft chewy toys.

Check out the GameChanger® by Bark Busters. This toy is a real Game Changer. Don’t let the size of the toy fool you as many Shih Tzu’s love and treasure this toy.

You have to be mindful of the games you choose to play with your Shih Tzu as you are dealing with a canine that can be easily influenced by what you are teaching it to do. For example, a game where you chase your dog is not a good game to play as this only encourages your dog to grab something and run like your shoe, a precious item or something breakable.

‘’Tug of War’ is okay and playing ball is good, provided your dog is not the type that gets fixated on the ball and refuses to stop playing when requested. Hide and seek is a great game too. These are games where you hide things from your dog: food, toys or a tennis ball and then encourage them to go find them. You can increase the degree of difficulty as your dog gets better at the game.

Hide and Seek is a game best played where you have another family member or friend to help you. Start out where your dog sees you hide the toy, then repeat over and over, ‘Go find it’ or ‘Seek’.

Start out where your dog sees you hide the item, then repeat over and over, ‘Find or Seek’ are good commands for this exercise.

Remember to give your dog praise when he finds it. These sorts of games are great entertainment and offer mind exercises for your dog that will tire them as quick as a walk. They are far better than those type of games that encourage your dog to become over-excited or possessive of its toys.

Child’s Play

Shih Tzu’s are great with kids, but don’t allow the children to turn them into babies or little fur children, as they can become frustrated with that quite easily and will want to avoid the children.

Never let your children pick the dog up by its fur as this will really hurt! A Shih Tzu is also not a doll whose hair need to be styled!

Interactive Toys

Bark Busters has the ultimate toy for all dogs that provides dogs with several options. It’s an interactive puzzle toy that delivers a treat. It’s a chew toy, that they can carry around and take to their bed. They can’t rip it apart like many “stuffed” toys. It’s a workout toy, that they flip over with their nose and scratch at with their paws. It will possibly be your dog’s favorite toy. The GameChanger® comes in four vibrant colors and will give your dog hours of fun and mental stimulation.

There is nothing more upsetting than losing your dog – the trauma is unbearable. To help lost dogs and their humans become reunited, we have created the WaggTagg™ by Bark Busters.

This pet identification tag is free to all Bark Busters clients and this brightly coloured tag cannot be missed by the finder. The finder simply needs to scan the tag, which sends a text message directly to the dog owner and several other nominated people. One of your contacts could be your vet for cases where your dog might have a medical condition. The tag will not reveal any sensitive information to the finder because it protects the dog owner’s privacy.

No renewal fees

Once your dog is registered in the WaggTagg™ data base, it is there forever and you won’t pay any renewal fees. No “chip” reader necessary!

Dogs are reunited quickly with their family

We have several success stories where dogs were reunited with their owners before their owners knew that their dog was missing.

Vets Love the WaggTagg™

We launched the tag at the Western Vet Conference in 2016 in Las Vegas and most of the vets told us that they loved the tag and that it would make their job easier. The general consensus was, that although the micro-chip was great it has some short comings.

First a scanner is required (which are not standardized), the dog has to be transported to a vet clinic or facility and the owner must be contacted. Unfortunately, dogs get lost outside the hours of operation for many vet clinics and the dog is in the midst of strangers. The vet has to stop what they are doing (they could be operating) scan the dog, and hope the microchip can be found inside the dog’s body (they slip and slide). Then the dog has to be accommodated somehow until the owner can be contacted.This could be overnight or for a few days if the owner is on vacation.

If the dog had a WaggTagg™, the dog would have already been reunited, or in the hands of family or friend!

Speak to your local Bark Busters trainer about our free WaggTagg™ that is included in all Bark Busters training.

With today’s dog owners having such busy lifestyles, more and more dog owners are turning to dog parks as a way of socializing and exercising their dogs. While this is great fun for most dogs and dog owners, not every dog will do well in this environment.

A breed like the Shih Tzu is a toy breed that needs to be socialized with dogs of similar size and energy levels or they could become fearful of other dogs, especially those larger than themselves, which could lead to ‘dog aggression’.

Some high energy large breeds have little or no regard for little shy or reserved dogs and will think nothing about bowling them over and showing them who is boss of the doggie park.

If your dog doesn’t enjoy this type of rough and tumble, or is traumatised by it, then you might have an issue the next time you try to visit the park.

The best way to prevent this behavior is to see if there is an option at your doggie-park, to match size and personality, away from the boisterous dogs. If that is not possible, try visiting the dog park in off peak hours and practice gaining focus from your dog before you allow him to run off and play.