Pet Perch: Two Most Underutilized Dog Training Tools

By Terie Hansen

A leash and a crate are the two most underutilized training tools. Whether you have a new puppy or adult dog, these two tools are the fastest way to get to a well-trained dog. Some dog owners feel bad about crating their dog/pup. Actually, crating is the best thing to keep them safe and to speed up the training process overall.

If you have or have had children, then at some point you have used a crib. When your baby needed some downtime or a nap, you put him or her in the crib. When you couldn’t supervise or interact with them, you put them in a crib or playpen to keep them safe. A crate is just a crib with a lid. It keeps your dog/pup from getting into things that could be harmful and prevents them from practicing negative behaviors when you can’t supervise.

When you have your dog out of the crate, your pet should be on a leash, even inside the house. When you have a puppy or even an adult dog that is new to you, they don’t know what the rules of your house are. It is your responsibility to teach them. Dogs don’t speak English. Training teaches your dog key words/commands which gives you verbal control of your dog. Before they have learned these commands you still need some form of control and that is what the leash gives you, physical control! This simple tool plays a major role in helping you teach your dog all the basic obedience commands.

One of the biggest mistakes dog owners make early on is giving

get this positive news out. Share a copy of this magazine with another person (in print, online, digital media, social media) – however, you want. You will find nothing but positive news, events, and encouraging happenings. Keep a “thankful mode” as we enter the new year of 2023 – a year fresh for new beginnings.

I am thankful for the Our Town Gwinnett family, friends, colleagues, staff, and partners. All the Our Town monthly magazines and End Resultz Media continue to grow rapidly. In addition, we have exciting growth plans and new offerings for 2023.

I wish you a safe and blessed holiday season and new year. I thank you for your role in our journey day by day, month by month, and year by year. We could not do it without you. So, until next year, and as always: this is my town, your town, Our Town!

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Ryan’s Remarks Continued from page 7

Health Matters Continued from page 8 formance. Take stock of what condition your habits are in. Have you slipped up on good habits and need to rebuild them, or do you need to start from scratch? Do you have to eliminate bad habits before you can build new ones? Write down your good and bad habits so you can monitor them throughout your process. 3) Make motivation part of your routine: Be sure you’ve defined your “why” – the reasons you want to build new habits. Then find ways to remind yourself of your why. Put notes on a mirror or a kitchen cabinet. Change your phone background to a photo or quote that motivates you. Find any way that reminds you why your efforts are worthwhile. 4) Start small: Setting a large goal can be intimidating and seem unachievable. Instead, break larger goals into smaller, specific steps that will work for you. You don’t need to hit the gym for an hour every day to see results. Start by finding ways to increase activity throughout the day. Take the stairs more often or park further away from the building. Small changes add up quickly. 5) Link a new habit to an existing one: The easiest way to make a new habit stick is to connect it with an ingrained one. Instead of just walking to get your mail, extend your trip and walk a few blocks. 6) Cut comparison: Comparison is your biggest enemy. No two people have the same journey, and you are sabotaging yourself by comparing your progress to others. Focus on reminding yourself how far you’ve come. 7) Make it exciting: Whether you’re trying to eat better, exercise more, or simply build healthy habits like better sleep hygiene, make it exciting for yourself by trying new things. Visit food blogs for recipe ideas. Try a new exercise like rock climbing. Build a relaxing bedtime routine you can look forward to. 8) Don’t give up too soon: It takes time to build a routine. You won’t create healthy habits by doing them once or twice. On average, it takes at least two months, sometimes up to a year, for a new habit to become routine. 9) Track your progress: To make a new habit stick, you must build accountability. Make a plan, then track your progress. Habit trackers will help you monitor your meals, build your self-care plan, and track your progress toward your healthy habit goals. You can create your own or find one to download online. 10) Find support: Create your cheering section by asking friends and family to support you. Make healthy recipes together or go for group walks. If you need even more help, coaches can be a fantastic resource for support and guidance. (BPT)

tine as long as it can be done in a safe way. • Take a step back. Parents are busy – it’s a fact. Try to take a step back every now and then to evaluate whether your actions with and around your child are promoting healthy habits and readjust as needed.

Dr. Jana also offers the following advice to encourage three very important habits for young children: toothbrushing, reading, and healthy eating. Toothbrushing

If you want your child to remember and even enjoy toothbrushing, don’t wait for teeth. Infants love putting things in their mouths and having their gums rubbed. Establish a fun routine using baby toothbrushes, which are designed specifically for an infant’s mouth, to kick-start a healthy habit before your child reaches the tumultuous stage of toddlerhood. Reading

Make reading fun before it becomes a challenge your child has to overcome. Start reading together even before your child can sit up, hold a book, and understand all the words. After all, the goal isn’t just to raise a child who knows how to read, but who loves to read. As your child ages, find ways to expand the routine or make it more fun. Eating a Healthy Diet

Don’t give up if your child turns up his or her nose at fruits or vegetables. It can take trying a food up to fifteen times for children to like it! Consider teaching your child to take a “no thank you” bite to promote trying new foods. If they try it and don’t like it, respect their preference. Getting children involved in child-friendly activities is another great way to promote trying new foods. You can also help your child establish healthy eating habits by having a consistent mealtime, which ensures that children know what to expect and are hungry for meals, and by being a good role model by eating a wide variety of foods.

Encouraging healthy habits in children is no easy task, but getting a head start, taking small steps, and looking at the bigger picture every now and then can make all the difference.

Tanisha Turner is the Owner of Primrose School at Sugarloaf Parkway. More information at www.PrimroseSugarloafParkway. com or call 770-513-0066.