Wordless Wednesday
Posted on Jul 28, 2010Uncategorized
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Dogs…Get Off the Couch!
Posted on Jul 24, 2010Dog Humor, Dog Psychology, Dog Training
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Maybe your dogs are like mine and know the furniture is off limits. Well, unless they are invited. I can step out the door to water the plants or do laundry and return within minutes to this scene:
I, of course, look at them authoritatively as I sincerely ask them to, GET OFF THE COUCH! But, first, let me get the camera. They are so cute when they disobey!
A Labradoodle That Hoards
Posted on Jul 18, 2010Dog Park, Dog Psychology, Labradoodle
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While the disease of hoarding has been around for a very long time, it is now getting more press and there is even a documentary series. I think I caught Mac in the nick of time. This is a true story. I looked down to see the sad faces of a couple of dogs who had “lost” possession of their toys. I couldn’t believe it when I looked over at Mac. Looking somewhat bored and even a little proud, he didn’t yet realize the affect his hoarding was having on the rest of the family. It’s time for an intervention.
It’s Just A Dog
Posted on Jul 15, 2010Adopt a Shelter Dog, Dog Psychology, Dog Rescue, Learn From A Dog, Rehoming a Dog, Socialization
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From time to time, people tell me, “Lighten up, it’s just a dog,” or “That’s a lot of money for just a dog.” They don’t understand the distance traveled, the time spent or the costs involved for “just a dog.” Some of my proudest moments have come about with “just a dog.” Many hours have passed and my only company was “just a dog,” but I did not once feel slighted.
If you too think it’s “just a dog,” then you wll probably not understand phrases like “just a friend,” “just a sunrise,” or “just a promise.” “Just a dog” brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. “Just a dog” brings out the compassion and patience that makes me a better person.Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by “just a dog,” and, in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of “just a dog” gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.
Dogs Go To School
Posted on Jul 14, 2010Dalmation, Dog Training, service dog
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When you think of dog training, you may not see it quite like this. . .
Some dogs go through a lot of training to become of service to humans. Ever wonder how Dalmations become Fire Department dogs? Now you’ll know!
Is Your Dog Over Weight?
Posted on Jul 01, 2010Behavioral Modification, Dog Food, Dog Health, Dog Psychology
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No one wants to talk about over eating, yet most of us are guilty of it. We all know what excess calories can do to our bodies. I am not so sure that has translated yet to how we care for our dogs. Maybe there’s more that travels down the leash than our energy.
I’m speaking figuratively. While food doesn’t physically make its way from our hand down the leash, it can and does find its way from our hearts. If we feel sad for an animal that was once starving, we may over compensate by giving them too much food. If they are our dining buddy, we may give them food that would be better left on our plate (or in the garbage.) We “reward” them excessively because they are such good dogs!
When a dog becomes an extension of the human family, it may take on the habits and certainly the behaviors of the humans where it lives. Not all dogs can be free feeders in that if food is left out for them on a constant basis, they will overeat (a lot of humans can relate.) It’s not likely a dog living without human intervention would ever face the diseases and/or illnesses of what they experience from eating the doggy-junk food and from being over weight - even if that weight came from healthy excess calories.
Much like the Mother who tells a child to clean their plate, I witness as humans acknowledge feeling like they need to feed their dog proportions that are excessive because they feel bad that the dog was once starving. If their dog doesn’t eat what is placed in front of them, they add all sorts of goodies to entice the dog to indeed clean their plate. What if they were full? What if that particular day, they just weren’t that hungry. Of course, they will eat when tempted with what to us would be desert!
Below is an excerpt from an article about things our vets may not tell us. Why won’t the veterinarian talk with us about it? Talking about our dog being over weight is as sensitive a subject as speaking about it human to human. If you notice, there are isles in the pet stores dedicated to products that are equivalent to fast food for dogs. Unfortunately, it has the same affect on them as it does on us. Considering they age much faster than we do, the negative affects of a poor diet or excessive consumption shows up exponentially.
1. Your pet isn’t “extra-fluffy” or “big-boned.” According to Bernadine Cruz, DVM, member of the Iams Pet Wellness Council, it is estimated that 40 percent of pets in the U.S. are overweight. Obesity in pets can cause a number of health problems, from heart disease to diabetes to skin inflammation. “I wish that more pet owners monitored their pets’ weight,” says board certified veterinary nutritionist Edward Moser, DVM. To do so, Dr. Moser recommends visiting the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine website to help determine the presence or absence of body fat. Though ideal weights vary within breeds, there are general indicators of an overweight pet, including not being able to feel their ribs, seeing a pooch in their abdomen from the side, and panting and shortness of breath. After noting these factors, consult your vet to figure out if your pet needs to be put on a weight-loss plan.
If you have questions about a dog that is a picky eater or one who eats anything (and does), I am happy to assist in any way I can.
Adopt ~ Donate ~ Volunteer
Posted on Jun 24, 2010Adopt a Shelter Dog, Dog Rescue, Pit Bull
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We are all capable of doing something. Pay it forward. It works. Whether you give to a shelter, a neighbor, a stranger, a dog or a cat…it inspires others to do the same. Adopt…donate…volunteer. Make a difference.
This video was made today after my visit to the Coachella Animal Campus. If you live in the Palm Springs area and are looking for a dog to help in any way…here are a few from which to pick! You know, as I walked through talking with each of them, no one barked. I think they knew they were on camera and wanted to appear at their best - tails wagging and tongues licking!
A Debarked Yorkie Still Has Something To Say
Posted on Jun 23, 2010Adopt a Shelter Dog, Barking, Behavioral Modification, Uncategorized, Yorkie
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I am writing this post because good things can and do come in little packages. The shelters used to only be filled with large dogs. That’s no longer true. If you are interested in adopting a little dog, the shelters are full of them waiting to make your life a little bit better!
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If you have followed my blog, you know of my little Yorkie named Melody. You may not think there is a need to describe a Yorkie as little; however, she is tiny. I was volunteering at the shelter when she was brought in. Her services as a breeder at a puppy mill were no longer needed. At this age of her life (about 7 years old) had probably never known kindness from a human. She was more than willing to bite if you got too close. Not exactly a spokes-dog for the hold-me-in-your-lap Yorkie someone would be looking for when adopting.
Having enjoyed the company of large breed dogs, I had not intended on adopting Melody. I would take her home to work with her on being a little kinder to her prospective new family. Melody never even attempted to bite me. She knew she was safe. The first time I heard her bark, I did a double-take! It was obvious she had been debarked. In my opinion, it’s a terrible thing to do to a dog. There are other far less invasive tools - not to mention the benefits of training.
She has been with me two years. She may never willingly approach another human other than myself. However, to see who she is now compared to who she was is nothing short of wonderful. Here is a short video clip of Melody and her raspy little voice asking, “where’s my dinner?”
Crate Training is Cruel
Posted on Jun 19, 2010Behavioral Modification, Crate Training, Palm Springs Dog Training, Puppies
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Lately, I have heard this comment from several people. I want to ask…to whom? If you abandon a dog to a crate in some remote place in the home where it isn’t around its new family, perhaps that could be considered cruel. I sense an element of pride when someone assures me their puppy doesn’t need a crate. OK.
I may never hear the sequel to that story, but I can almost guarantee that confinement of some sort is necessary in order to provide a safe place for a puppy while house training, teaching house manners, and letting them move beyond the time of mass destruction commonly referred to as “teething.”
Do I insist on crate training? No. Do I want to do all I can to assist in a newly adopted dog staying in its new home with the least amount of stress and confusion? Yes. It doesn’t matter to me - it’s what works for you and your pup. But, a puppy given too much room, is very difficult to house train. I know some people have the time to take their dog out every hour or so for a potty break, so the need for confinement doesn’t seem necessary. However, this pup will not learn to hold it and to let you know when it needs to go out, and it will also be difficult to get it on a schedule so you can leave the dog when necessary.
Crate training a dog is neither cruel nor the only way to go. From the work I do, I can tell you it has saved many a relationship with man’s best friend.
If you need assistance with house training and/or crate training, get a copy of my ebook “The Truth About Housebreaking” and get a free copy of my crate training ebook.
Dogs Are Pack Animals…Right?
Posted on Jun 17, 2010Behavioral Modification, Dog Psychology, Socialization
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In an article by Jean Donaldson she addresses the question - are dogs pack animals? Studies show they may not be as pack oriented as we typically profess them to be. She concludes with this:
“If we are to support our contention that dogs are pack animals, we will need to account for these many populations where dogs, in the absence of the glue of human confinement and husbandry, simply do their own thing.”
Here’s the complete article: Are Dogs Pack Animals?
