Dogs Are Never Too Old To Crate Train

Crates aren’t just for puppies anymore!  Just because a dog is into adolescence, doesn’t mean they don’t  need to have a safe place to be when you are away.  Crate training is usually associated with housebreaking and then the crate goes out in the garage sale.

Maybe you don’t need it after the first few months; however, your dog may not be trustworthy until they are two years old.  Don’t think of confining your dog to a crate or kennel as cruel.  Think of it as their safe place.  The place where they take naps while you are away or having guests for dinner.

If you have an adult dog who has never been in a crate, they can still adapt.  Dogs are den creatures.  Usually, they can be trained to enter the crate if you place their bed in it, throw in a dog biscuit as you say “crate” or “bed,” and close the door for a brief period of time so they get used to it.

Crating can be a life saver when bringing home a shelter dog.  Until you know if they are housebroken or in a destructive mode,  crating allows you both to relax as everyone adapts.  If you are going away and need to board your dog or have them ride along in the car, prior crate training will be invaluable.

If you need additional specifics on crate training, please let me know in the box to the right.

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Dogs Just Want to Have Fun!

Along the lines of giving a dog a job to do, agility training uses their focus and energy in a very fun way! It’s not about them being corrected for something they did wrong. It’s about being rewarded and praised constantly for getting it right!

And, “right” in this case is fun (usually for everyone). It’s easy for the handler (owner usually) to get too serious and set the bar (no pun intended) too high. The dogs are dogs and they’re not very good at being robots. If they were, we could leave fun out of the equation.

If you feel like the only time you spend with your dog is in training or in telling them “no,” try adding some fun by setting up jumps or other agility-type equipment in your home. Lay a broom handle across a stack of books and have your dog jump over it. Get a kid’s play tunnel and teach your dog to run through it. You’ll be on the other side! Be creative. For a change of pace, think of ways to use their energy and focus that isn’t quite so structured.

I recently participated in an agility event at a local senior center. It was a lot of fun for the dogs and the seniors!

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Consider This Before Adopting a Dog

It’s amazing to see all of the ads for puppies who are only 12 weeks old and already being re-homed! The opportunity of time they were given wasn’t much.

I recently read an article by Warren Buffett. He said something to the effect of - if you can’t or won’t invest 10 years in something, then don’t invest 10 minutes in it. He, of course, is referring to financial investments. I think it applies to other choices we make. Like adopting a dog.

Seldom when we have the pang of wanting a puppy do we think of how life will be for 10 years. It can be an emotional decision. It’s definitely not wise to go look and touch puppies or to ogle over one outside a grocery store prior to thinking of the 10 year approach. Or, to think you’ll just walk through the shelter and not have guilt win you over. Ten minutes at home with a new dog may be enough to make you reverse that impulse when it dawns on you that you don’t have time for a dog!

So, before you invest in a new pup, ask yourself if you can do this for 10 years. If not, then don’t do it for 10 minutes and risk you’ll make a decision you regret. If your time and budget are limited but you really need to be around dogs, the shelters welcome you. You can walk a dog or two, get your dog fix, and feel good about what you’ve done!

p.s. As I’m sometimes tempted to do, I have to expand this thought outside the realm of dogs and consider what it’d be like if that’s how we approached all relationships. . .

Old Dog Grows Wings

One of my favorite animal rescue groups is Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.  Here is a great story about one of their seniors who enjoys a new ride!

Old Dog Grows Wings

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A Puppy Mill Rescue - A Rags to Riches Yorkie

Melody’s full story. . .

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Does Your Dog Want a New Home?

What if your dog gained access to the computer and saw their story and face on Craigslist in the pet section under the caption “looking for a new home.”  What if they saw you were re-homing because you were busy or you thought they needed more room?  I wonder what they would say.

This may seem a tad dramatic because many of us have fostered dogs or got them out of shelters and re-homed them or were in situations where we felt a new home was in the best interest of a dog.  However, it is worth considering if you are re-homing a dog because you think it could do better.  Remember where it came from. . .

If a dog has been in a shelter confined to a 5X5 space, being confined to a cozy home with random access to the outside is living in the lap of luxury.  If you are considering re-homing because you are busy and don’t think you are spending enough time with your dog, consider where they came from.  Chances are, if they are a rescue dog, they had minimal attention and definitely not anything compared to what it’s like in the security of a home.

I used to work 12 hour days, 7 days a week.  I would feel tremendous guilt until I returned home to my amazing dog who was so happy to see me and never scolded me for working long hours.  She had been saved!  The life she knew in a shelter for nearly a year before my finding her was good, but now she was loved and cared for in ways she had never known.

I don’t write this to contribute to guilt, as we all do what we feel is best. I just want to point out that guilt is a human experience.  So, if you are able to provide a loving home for a dog even if it’s not “perfect,” it could be much better than where they were or where they’ll be.  If only you could ask them!

Does a Dog’s Opinion Count?

This is difficult for me to share; however, a picture is worth a thousand words. This image explains how one of my dogs feels about my blog. . .

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Dog Toys

Do dogs really need toys?  What is it that makes them so appealing?  Do toys replace or fulfill the dog’s need to hunt and chase?  Do they really think the stuffed bunny is a real rabbit?  I guess the answer to that one is obvious.

What’s also obvious is that dog toys are now a huge business.  There are dog toys for each holiday!  We all know how dogs love the holidays and the new toys that are sure to be their possession.  My dogs like Easter because they like to chase rabbits.  They don’t dare chase Santa!

Let’s face it. . .the toys we choose are usually for us.  Personally, I seldom let the dogs have stuffed toys because the disemboweling makes a fine, white, fluffy mess I am left to clean up.  Unlike a real rabbit, they don’t eat these “guts” - or at least we hope they don’t!

The truth - dogs are happy being with us and while they love chewing and playing, it can be a cardboard box or plastic water bottle.  It’s similar to how a small child has to learn that what is in the box is more important (and supposedly more fun) than the box!  Dogs are much the same.  Don’t feel like your dog won’t be happy if you don’t buy expensive stuffed animals.

If all of their toys are left lying around, they are sure to get bored which will lead you to buy even more toys.  Leave out a few at a time and rotate the others.  What was once old will be new again!

Some dogs do get a bit possessive over a stuffed treasure as though they hunted and killed it themselves.  I do believe they fully know the difference between a “real” rabbit and the sherpa bunny.  In case they don’t, I won’t be the one to spoil it for them!

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Will a Dog Bite if It’s Tail is Wagging?

Most of us look at a dog’s tail to see if they are receptive to our greeting and approach.  What does the wag of a tail tell?

Some tails wag faster based on their level of enthusiasm and excitement.  Some tails don’t really wag but are more of a propeller that rotate in a circular motion.  Some tails will  wag out of nervousness and it may be positioned higher or lower than it is for a receptive greeting.  Since you may not have the time to pay attention to those details, especially if you don’t know the dog, wait before reaching to give affection.

The problem comes when we always assume a wagging tail is a sign of affection and acceptance.  It isn’t.  Unfortunately for those who have been bitten by the other end of a wagging tail, assume they must have done something wrong to make the dog change it’s mind.

A wagging tail is a sign of “joy,” and it can be sign of nervousness and excitement just prior to a lunge that says something other than “Hi, glad to meet you!”  Usually, the dogs physiology is shifting in more ways than just the wag of the tail, but more are focused on that end of the dog.

Next time you approach a dog and see it’s tail wagging, be sure to observe the rest of the dog’s body and any signs of aggression or fear.  Most likely, the dog wants your affection, but it’s good to make sure!

Dog for President Obama and Family

Dear President Obama,

Hi, our names are Zoe and Mac. We are both Labradoodles. As you can see, we have different looks. We are willing to leave our home so we can live with you and your family in the White House. This letter is difficult to type. We don’t know why racoons were given opposing thumbs and we weren’t. Maybe this is something you can answer while you are President.

Other than the fact that we are both “mixes” (something we thought you could relate to) we are also sweet, smart, and kind - which makes us a perfect addition to your family.

We would hate to leave our current home, but we have to tell you, as nice as it is, it’s not the White House! We both look good on camera and that is important given your work. We come completely housebroken, very healthy, and love children.  We are great at keeping secrets and can be guard dogs when needed; although, we admit that isn’t our favorite thing to do.  Please let us know if you are interested in meeting us.

We anxiously await your response. Congratulations! With all our love and licks. . .

Zoe and Mac

(If you would be so kind - please don’t tell our current family we wrote to you.   Our internet privileges are sure to end if they find out.)

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