Is Your Dog A Thief?

Does your dog counter surf? You know - carefully grabs things off the counter, i.e., food, or anything remotely smelling of something to eat? If you’re not there to catch them in the act, what good is the “leave it” command.

It is like they have learned the fun of getting a bit of a thrill for doing something and not getting caught in the act. They are beginning to understand the words of the trainer that says, “it’s too late to correct after the fact.” I think they like those words of advice.

So you will feel at ease, it even happens in my home. The other day, I was fixing some toast and left the kitchen for a second (maybe three) and returned not noticing that anything had mysteriously disappeared from the counter. I looked up to see Violet acting a bit weird. She was holding her head down slightly and just walking slowly around. I walked over asking if she was okay. . .well, it hit me that she was carefully holding something in her mouth that she didn’t want me to see. I said “drop it” and out came a cube of butter!

Meat I could understand, but butter? It shows you that they have no clue what they’re grabbing, but if it’s a part of food preparation, it must be eatable. Drop it came easy given what was in her mouth. If it had been a piece of meat or cheese, releasing it may have been more of a challenge.

How do you stop counter surfing? Keeping the dogs out of the kitchen is a good place to start. There are also products called “scat mats” that you can put on the counter that will either make a tone or give a static correction when touched. There are also small devices that sense the heat and movement of the dog and will make an ultrasonic sound that deters the dog.

For those of you with little dogs, you can smile at your dog because you know at least that’s one behavior you won’t have to correct.

If you need help with your dog’s manners, please send a note in the box to the right!

Another Puppy Mill Closed!

Thanks to the Humane Society and other officials in WA State, another puppy mill is closed.  Anyone need 397 dogs?  That’s how many were rescued.  I propose a moratorium on breeding for one year.  I know it’s not fair or reasonable for the reputable breeders who not only find good homes for their puppies and make a living from their dogs.  It would be punishing the responsible, while the irresponsible continue using and discarding dogs. What can we do?

Don’t act like it’s not happening. Support rescue organizations, and if you are looking to purchase a specific breed, please research (travel to) the breeder to verify they are who they say they are.  Don’t buy a puppy from a pet store!  I know it’s a well-worn subject for me. . .watch this video and maybe it will be for you.

Dogs In and Out of Service

Dogs that are trained to provide a service for someone are amazing.   Their training takes many years and some learn hundreds of commands in order to assist their human.

I have to admit that my dogs would need to wear the vest that reads “out of service.”  Actually, they all serve a purpose, even if it may change from day to day.  One of my dogs definitely provides a much-needed service.  If asked what service he provides, I can say proudly that he is a comedian.  He provides daily humor.

Another dog is in service to assist others in patience and understanding.  She is afraid of everyone other than me and needs constant reassurance that no one will hurt her (ever again.)  Some of the dogs I see walking down the street with their human, are obviously in service by promoting exercise and strong arm muscles.

In or out of service, our dogs are always contributing something to the family - even if we have to take a moment to think what that is.  What service does your dog provide?