One of the most sacred things you will ever teach your dog is his name. Think about it. Without a good, solid response to his name - how are you going to get his attention when you need it?
In order to keep it sacred it's very important not to over use it.
One of the first things I want to teach a new puppy is a good thing happens when you hear your name. I do this by pairing the name with treats and other good things. I don't use it if I ever need to reprimand or do something I think the puppy won't like. My goal is to teach the puppy his name is a predictor of wonderful things.
In my own home, I have many different names for each of my dogs. I save their "proper" names for recalls, good stuff and when I want their attention.
My default name for any dog is "puppy", client's dog or otherwise.
Imagine a typical day in your home. Now think how many times during the day do you say your dog's name to get him to stop doing something and then do nothing further?
This happens time and time again in many homes. It's a tough thing to change. The first step is being aware you are actually doing it! If there is more than one person in your home try an experiment. Have the person jot down every time you say your dog's name to stop a behaviour vs saying his name and following through with a reward to reinforce that response.
Your new puppy is digging in the flower bed, you say his name, he turns to look at you - you do nothing further as he's has moved away and stopped his digging.
What a lost opportunity! That beautiful response to his name netted him nothing. The same thing happens when he jumps on someone or grabs a sock or barks. You say his name - he stops - that's the end of it.
He is gradually learning there is no real need to pay attention when he hears "Fido" as there is no reinforcement for doing so. If any thing, he is learning not to respond to his name as it's usually associated with a harsh tone and punishment.
Be aware of how you use your dog's name. They learn very quickly to ignore it.
Take the time to teach him that good things happen when he hears "Fido". Have fun thinking of silly nicknames to be used any time you feel the need to reprimand or when you are not 100% sure he will respond to "Fido" the first time he hears it.

Janis Mikelberg, B.A. CPDT-KA http://www.sitstaylearn.ca
Humane and Compassionate Dog Training Methods. Visit my website at the above link for free training tips and information.

The consensus is still out on what the exact cause of kennel cough is but if your dog is suffering from it, you´re probably more interested in finding a treatment that is both fast and effective.
While some experts believe it is caused by a virus, others blame the bacteria Biordatella Bronchiseptica. Fact is, this illness is responsible for causing minor irritation of the trachea leading to that loud, hacking cough that can be so worrisome.
Luckily, the symptom is worse than the disease itself. If your beloved pet is suffering from kennel cough, you want to make sure she gets the treatment she needs. This basic information can help:

• Please be aware it is extremely contagious. This means it can spread easily from one dog to the other, so keep your pet away from other animals while she is sick.
• It can affect your dog, no matter what her age may be.
• Whether or not your dog can be affected has nothing to do with her breed - however if her immune system is weak, she could be at higher risk of getting the disease.
• Once your dog comes down with kennel cough the only way to have a peaceful home again is to get your dog the treatment she needs - and make sure she is healed completely.

Treatments
Most dog owners tend to look for home remedies when it comes to treating kennel cough. And while some people question whether these natural remedies are truly effective, often the problem lies in whether you are applying them correctly - or not.
Before you choose a treatment to use, do the proper research ahead of time to make sure you have the information you need to be able to apply the remedy successfully.

• Astragalus is an herb used to support the functioning of the lungs, stimulate the growth and regeneration of bronchial cells and enhance the immune system. It is frequently used in Chinese medicine.
• Esberitox is a fast-acting Echinacea that is known to directly attack the disease-causing agents once they are in your dog´s body.
• Oregano oil is chock full of antifungal, antiviral, antibacterial and antiseptic properties. Like Esberitox, oregano oil also directly attacks the kennel cough bacteria, helping your pet successfully fight and conquer it!
• Herbs like licorice root and marshmallow can help soothe and suppress a cough naturally, while slippery elm helps soothe sore throats.
• Raw honey can help ease the discomfort of coughing
• Vitamins C & E are both well-known for helping build up the human immune system and can do much the same thing for your dog. Together they can help your dog´s body resist kennel cough more easily if it is exposed to it.
• Nosodes is a homeopathic remedy that comes from a pathological specimen being injected to help give your dog´s immune system a boost (much like your being given a flu shot with a small dose of the bacteria that causes the flu). This way, your dog´s body is prepared to fight off kennel cough if it comes into contact with it. Kennel cough nosodes have proven to be especially effective.
• Essential oils like lavender, tea tree and eucalyptus all have antiviral and antibacterial properties; chamomile has a calming effect... all of these are great for helping a puppy with kennel cough breathe more easily.

Just check before using any natural remedies to make sure they will not negatively affect any other medication your pet may be taking.
Also keep in mind, that even if you are successful in finding a natural remedy for your dog´s cough, you may still need to use antibiotics to make sure the disease is cured completely. The fact is, if it goes untreated for too long, your pet may need anti-inflammatory medication to relieve any pain she may be suffering until the infection clears up.
And before you consider using the traditional kennel cough tablets to treat your pet, please be aware that these tablets are made of chemicals that can actually do more harm than good. Natural herbs, free of chemicals, are always a better alternative for treating the canine you love.

To get your kennel cough cheat sheet outlining the symptoms of kennel cough as well as a list of both natural and prescribed treatments, click here.
Jenny McDonnel is a dog training enthusiast and Labrador lover. Visit her website at http://LabradorTrainingStation.com for more great dog training tips and dog health advice.