It is 2012! With the start of a new year and the puppy adoptions that have happened and will happen in the coming months of spring, it feels like it is time to do a few posts on life with a puppy. I have a few suggestions, but am starting off with a video that demonstrates one of my favorite suggestions for not only how to train but also how to exhaust a puppy - use an older, well-behaved dog!
Who else can they be? I admit, along with most of my animal-friendly friends, it is easy to humanize our dogs. The more science reveals about our canine companions, it’s obvious why that is so easy to do. While I believe dogs do understand and communicate with us; unfortunately, for the dog, it isn’t fair to assume they think like we do.
I have walked by people with a dog they are less than happy with and can tell they have reached maximum frustration. Really, the dog in that moment is good at being a dog. It is up to us humans to learn what is triggering the undesired behavior. That is not the time to expect them to understand and self-correct their behavior because of our obvious embarrassment. They will do much better if we learn ways to work with them in a way they understand. That’s why I’m here!
It reminds me of times I spent with my niece when she was around the age of three to four years old. When I would start to feel impatient with her behavior, I would say, “you are acting like a four year old.” She would look at my quizzically and respond, “I am four.” I would just say, “I know, and you are good at it.” It was my way of reminding myself that she was indeed four and to expect her to act like an 8 year old wasn’t going to happen.
It’s all about acceptance and it applies to how we work with our dogs. Shelter dogs come to their new home with an unknown history. Even if we start out with basic obedience, in every situation that is new to them, they will be showing us who they are and it is up to us to take that information and find positive tools to redirect and support them as though they are what they are - dogs. That is in no way a less-than-us approach. It’s only fair to them.
Next time you are walking your dog and it does it’s who-knows-why random bark at a person or dog, it might help you to relax when you remember they are being a good dog. If you would like my assistance in better understanding your dog’s behavior, send me an email. I am happy to help!
Have you ever heard it said we show people how to treat us? It’s not much different with our dogs. From moment one, when you bring a dog into your home, they are learning from you. If you have other dogs, they are learning from them (and vice versa). If you provide no structure or “rules,” they aren’t likely to either. They will be looking to you for guidance on where they fit in and what’s considered good behavior.
I receive calls often from those who just brought a dog home and feel like it just isn’t going to work. The dog isn’t what they thought it would be. That’s normal. Ever heard of buyer’s remorse? It can happen during that first 24 hour perid when we wonder what in the heck we were thinking when we got another dog. So, how long should it take to train this new being of your affection? I wish there were a simple answer.
If you read my blog you know I feature Melody, my Yorkie. She is a perfect example of a dog from a shelter that was sure to be someone’s little cuddle dog - not even close. I knew her from the shelter so her history of biting those that reached for her would not get her into a home that was looking for that immediate cuddle gratification. How long would it take if she ever warmed up to a human’s touch?
My question to dog people is how long do you have to train your dog? You don’t train a dog to be affectionate and trusting by dicipline, you train by example and a lot of patience. After three years, she is still learning trust. She had some great teachers with the other dogs she’s been around. They showed her I was trustworthy.
Here’s an image that I love because it took Melody a couple of years to allow herself to be this vulnerable. Don’t expect to see “this Melody” if you come to our house, but someday you might, and when you do, you will see she was well worth the wait! How much time do you have to train your dog?
Some dogs or maybe that’s most dogs, will attempt to greet a human by jumping. If only our arms were connected to our knees, they wouldn’t have to jump to get a pet. It goes without saying we also contribute to this sometimes negative behavior by unintentionally rewarding the dog’s jumping by touching them in some way. Even if it’s just to push them off. Any affection in this case equals, “good dog!”
Some dogs will approach and attempt to jump until their hips no longer allow it! For (exuberant) dogs like this, don’t wait for their paws to be on you. As they approach, tell them, “no jumping.” When my hands are free, I move my forearm in a back and forth motion in front of me as I say, “no jumping.” When all four paws are on the floor (and only then) do I give affection or treat. I have had great success with ignoring the dog upon entering the home. COMPLETELY! No words, eye contact, or stopping as you enter. Walk in as if there isn’t a dog and move to an area away from the door without acknowledging the dog until they have calmed down.
I use the word, “off” in the event I’m not quick enough to step back or turn prior to the dog’s paws touching me. Off is also used for counter surfing, or being on anything they shouldn’t be even if it’s just for a time; as in, “off” the furniture.
The beauty of having a trainer work with you is they can also do a leash correction and work with the dog as it approaches you and others. They learn how to greet in a way that will get them the attention and affection they desire without leaving their imprint on someone’s blouse!
I also want to add that if the only exercise or energy focus your dog gets is when you walk in the door, jumping should be expected. Even having a favorite toy for them to run and fetch when you walk in can help use their excitement more appropriately.
I hope these tips help. Please contact me if you have any questions regarding your jumping dog.
I have clients ask if it is confusing to their dog to be told to wait some times and other times the command is to stay. There is a difference in the two and any dog can and will learn the difference. The stay command (request) is associated with a position; i.e., sit, down, or even standing. It means they do not move from that position until you return to them and give them a clear release, such as a word like okay.
Wait is very similar to what it is for us two-leggers; i.e., give me a second. It’s not attached or associated to the dog’s position. They are free to move around in the area where they are told to wait. It’s also used for entering and exiting doors or at a curb prior to crossing the street.
The most important thing to remember is that when you are teaching these requests, you need to be consistent. Don’t release your dog from a stay at a distance. In time, that may be something you choose to do; however, initially, other than the dog’s position, your returning to them for their release will differentiate the two commands (or requests as I like to call them).
Let’s say you’ve asked your dog to wait at the door as you open it. The first few times, don’t push it too long. The purpose of having them wait is so you can open the door without them rushing out AND to allow you to go first. I have corrected a dog for starting to walk through the door as they have always done and the expression on their furrowed brow as they look at me is clearly an indicator they have no clue why they just got corrected for something that was normal the last time they went through that door!
So, when you are teaching it, remember that for both “stay” and “wait” they are learning! It is so very clear to us big brains what we are expecting. It’s not so clear to our dogs. For either request, only make them stay or wait for a second. Reward! They will quickly learn what is expected and will wait or stay until given the request for them to move.
If you are having challenges in teaching either command (request), I am happy to provide assistance!
I have witnessed the aging process of many dogs. I personally had a Pitbull that was puppy for so many years that when asked how old she was, I would say, “five.” However, I had her since she was about two, and at least five years had passed. “Oh,” I corrected myself, “she’s seven or eight!” I believe that is because most of us want to deny our dogs are seniors even before they hit their early teens.
From the age of twelve to thirteen, it was evident there is truth to the concept that dogs age approximately seven years to our one. To me, it appeared she literally aged in a few months. Sure, denial played a part, but so did the fact that our dogs are proud creatures. They will rally and pull it together to please us at times when if they were human, they would be curled up in bed making certain we knew how bad they felt!
I have also learned that dog hours are very different than ours. Moby will assure me at 3:00 that it is at least 6:00 or 7:00 in dog-time. He comes to me asking for dinner, as I assure him, “it’s only 3:00 so you’ll have to wait, Bud.” Just to keep things interesting, some days, I will put the food down early. All it means to them is a full belly and nap time. When the real 6:00 rolls around and they look at me like I’m forgetting something, I remind them they already ate dinner according to human time.
It’s ok to honor dog-time. Some would encourage tough love - I say, “pick your battles.” If feeding a dog at 3:00 (actually 6:00, their time), is the most you give in to your dog, you’re doing great!
I know a lot of advocates for the raw food diet for dogs. It makes sense considering what they would eat naturally. Some buy the meat already ground, grind it themselves, or purchase the pre-packaged, pre-mixed, thaw-and-serve portions.
I now know of a much easier way to serve it. Less odor, less time, a lot less preparation. Serve it frozen! Some dogs get excited over chewing on an ice cube. What could be better than a raw meat popsicle? Not much, according to Mac.
While staying at Mac’s other home, he decided to save his human friend a little work. She had left a completely frozen roast in the sink to thaw for later preparation. She left for a short period of time, as the rock-hard frozen roast lay unguarded in the sink. Who needs preparation if you’re a dog?
Mac ate the frozen roast and all evidence was removed less a tiny square of what was the wrapper. I’m sure this particular popsicle also served as a remover of tooth decay! In more ways than one, Mac knew he was on to something. Meat Popsicles! Since he can’t speak in words, he used his own form of sign language - a demonstration of sorts - to communicate his exciting concept. Brilliant idea!
For those of you who contact me because your dog counter surfs, I say, “hmmmm? I don’t know anything about that.” =)
Here’s an interesting article about Gina, a military bomb-sniffing dog, and her experience with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Having witnessed this in many dogs, I know how long of a process it can be to help the dog be comfortable being a dog again. So, while the article is informative, I am greatly disappointed to read the dog is being rehabilitated so it can go back into service. I don’t know about you, but knowing that would be enough for me to be sure I didn’t heal completely. I wish Gina could make that choice.
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.
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?”
