I have had dogs in my life for over 35 years, and in that time, have definitely experienced all the ups and downs that go along with having a pet. Despite the challenges that have come along, there is no question in my mind that dogs are truly “man’s best friend”. It’s just that with some, we have to work a bit harder to cultivate that friendship!

My current dog in an eight year old miniature schnauzer who, while a very smart and affectionate little guy, was also a bit challenging in his behavior when he first came to live with us. Not long after his arrival, we discovered that:

1. Barked at everything and jumped/growled at anyone who came to visit us

2. Was completely and totally terrified of visiting the groomers for his monthly clipping.

What could we do? We spoke with our veterinarian and did some additional research to discover some strategies and techniques to help train him…and us as well. This article will share some of the things we learned.

1. The barking/growling/jumping issue took some time because schnauzers, like all good little terriers are territorial, and are adamant about protecting that territory. Still, we could not scare away everyone who came to visit. So we tried all kinds of reward systems, squirting water, coins in a can, newspaper, just about everything. Nothing really worked. Finally our vet suggested a remote training collar, and after a lot more research, we tried the Innotek Ultrasmart Remote Trainer. One of the first things that we liked about it was that it has 9 stimulation levels so that we could start with the very lowest one first until we found the lowest one that was effective. It also has a tone-only training option providing more versatility. And we actually got the Innotek Ultrasmart Remote Trainer, 300 yds., which has a 300 yard range, allowing us to train from a distance. The best thing about the Innotek Ultrasmart? It worked. Within a short period of time our little guy learned good manners and our friends were no longer afraid to come visit us.

2. Achieving a stress-free grooming experience each month has involved training as well…but it was training us, not our dog. We determined that by clipping him at home each month, he would be happier and more comfortable, so we decided to purchase a good set of dog clippers. We ended up choosing the Oster A5 Turbo Clipper due to the Oster reputation for lasting years, and because of the many positive product reviews stating that they worked smoothly, quickly, and quietly, all important qualities for us. And I have to say that we could not be more pleased with how well the Oster A5 Turbo Clipper has worked out for us and for our dog. Other than it getting warm at times, which we easily solved by cleaning and changing the blades, and using Oster Kool Lube, it has worked out great. It is amazing that such a simple product that is so easy to use has made such a difference in our little dog’s life, and once we learned how to get the cut right, it has been smooth sailing for us all.

It should be a joy to have a dog, and it can be, but at times it can take a little work to get there. For us, we had the help of the Innotek Ultrasmart Remote Trainer, and the Oster A5 Turbo Clipper. Making the investment and taking the time to learn to use these simple tools to make life with and for our dog have been so worthwhile. The rewarding result has been enjoying life with our merry, little schnauzer whose desire to please, intelligence and affectionate nature make him a joyous best friend indeed!

Find out how your dog can be trained to be a happy and well-mannered best friend. Read all about about the Innotek Ultrasmart Remote Trainer and the Oster A5 Turbo Clipper, read the product reviews from other happy dog owners, and see if they are what you and your dog need.