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!

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?

Do Dogs Need Other Dogs?

I can’t answer this question.  I know from personal experience that having one dog for many years was wonderful.  I only had to focus on our relationship, and I was working non-stop at the time, so she received a lot of guilt-time!  The thought of another dog, just didn’t seem fair to either of them.

Dealing with dog obedience and behavior modification on a daily basis has taught me a lot.  A lot of the behavior modification training I benefit from is by observing the dogs – my dogs.  I have a pack.  There’s no way around that.  They aren’t wild.  They listen and respond to me; however, they are given a lot of opportunity to show me who they are while living together day to day.

We can take our dogs for long walks.  They love it.  We can take them on car rides and almost everywhere we go.  They love it.  We put their natural abilities to the test with agility training.  They love it.  We, however, can’t play like another dog.  Ever see a child when they see another child and they light up with a recognition that says – “hey, your a kid too!”  Dogs do that.  Try though we might (in the privacy of our home) to romp and tease like another dog.  We don’t come close.  Nor is this a goal I need to fulfill in my lifetime.

I say all of this because for all that we do, dogs love dogs.  I know that some are saying emphatically, “my dog doesn’t like other dogs!”  That may be the case now, but in the real land of dogs before they were our pets, they liked other dogs or at least worked things out with a nice compromise on who was who in the pack.

Should this be of concern to the one-dog families?  Probably not.  I just wanted to share this because it’s pure entertainment to watch dogs play.  Showing and gnashing of teeth, growling and the puppy bow. . .it’s all a part of who they are and we’ll never train it out of them.  Nor, do I want to.

What’s Next Michael Vick?

I just received the update from the Humane Socieity about the release of Michael Vick from prison.  The HSUS (and other organizations) persisted behind the scene to expose his pit bull fighting ring and to subsequently have him prosecuted and suspended by the NFL.

The only positive side to Michael Vick is that his actions (and getting caught) brought light to the fact that dog fighting is happeneing and needs to stop and those involved prosecuted.  Michael Vick says he’s a changed man and blames the abuse on his lack of respect for animals based on how he was raised as a child.

Michael Vick now has the opportunity, and I believe, obligation to give back to the community and society by assisting in the prevention of the advancement of Pit Bull fighting.

Here’s the HSUS update:  What’s Next For Michael Vick?

Puppies Behind Bars

I was fortunate to be able to view the Oprah show with Glenn Close speaking about the Puppies Behind Bars program.  It is wonderful!  Lab and Golden pups are being trained by inmates to be of service to the disabled.  Glenn talked specifically about the dogs being trained to support the veterans as they return from raq.  In one particular case, the dog serves as a lifeline or touchstone for a Sargeant returning with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

If you were or weren’t able to see it, here’s the link to their site with information and an opportunity to contribute.

To our men, women, and dogs in service – this one’s for you!

Puppies Behind Bars

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.

Dogs or Kids?

Pictures not only paint a thousand words – they stop us in a moment to capture something just prior to the thought. . .”I have a migraine because I can’t beat you!”

The real question – a tough choice. . .dogs or kids?

Happy Mother’s Day (from your dog!)

I don’t know about you, but there has been a lot of whispering and discreet glances as my dogs prepare for our version of “Mother’s Day.”  I know they are planning something for me.  I just hope it doesn’t include my pretending to eat and like kibble!

My “kids” are the four-legged version.  Whether you have the two-legged or four-legged version, may you have a wonderful day honoring yourself as a Mom.

I have some advice in honor of this day. . .much like Mom’s do with their kids, we dog-moms can get caught in the what-if’s.   What if I’m not feeding them the right food?  What if I’m not spending enough time with them?   What if I could do more?  What if. . .

I don’t think our dogs have thoughts remotely related to our constant questioning.  My advice – stop!  Enjoy them without always being concerned about what you aren’t doing.  It’s not healthy for them or you.  Dogs are adaptable to the life we provide, and we need to let that be.

I believe we have added our pets to the list of things to worry about.  It’s what Mom’s (and Dad’s) do – worry  we aren’t doing enough for those we love.   Love them in the best way you can, and if you must worry about the unknown, worry about all of the dogs left in shelters without a home.

Honor yourself as a “Mom” by relaxing today.  If you must eat a little kibble served bed-side by your loving, grateful canine family, smile and know  you are giving them something wonderful. . .your best.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

Can a Little Dog be Alpha?

Does breed or size matter in the realm of a dog’s position in the pack?  What if dog’s knew the stories that are perpetuated about their breed?  What if being big and muscular automatically made you alpha dog?

Observing dogs as they live in their world of thought and not mine, it can appear they are being courteous to another dog rather than acting out their role in the hierarchy of the pack.  For example:

The Great Dane is sometimes possessive of her food and toys.  I looked over to see her lying wait by her giant food bowl as she patiently “allowed” the tiny Yorkie to eat.  She circles away from her bowl as she eats, and I’m sure she was surprised to return to see she was unintentionally sharing her food.

While I know it’s not the case, what if she learned from me to pick her battles?  With me being present and observing, this is not one she’d win anyway.  It’s always a learning experience to sit back, relax, and watch as dogs show us who they are.  If I had jumped up startled that the Yorkie would dare eat from the Dane’s bowl, I could have contributed to a nervous response from either or both of them.

Patiently waiting, Melody moved away and the Dane went back to eating.  It could be that Melody is alpha, or that she is no threat so sharing is accepted, or maybe the Dane was just being courteous to a senior family member.

Introducing A Dog To A Cat

When introducing an existing cat to a new dog, take things slow.  As with any desensitization, plan for success.  This mean keeping the dog separate in a crate or in an area where the two can see and smell one another, but should the cat get startled and run, the dog will be restricted from chasing them.

It’s important to let them see and smell one another without contributing to a reaction based on their instincts.  Some dogs will never be good with cats.  Their prey drive is too strong.  Others may be curious and chase if the cat runs, but in a playful manner.

Supervise their interactions until you feel safe with leaving them together.  Consider putting up a baby gate or something that will physically block the dog should the cat decide it needs a quick get-away!   In some cases, the reverse may be true and the dog will need a hide-out away from the cat.

Another method, is to keep the dog on a leash as the cat roams, and correct the dog if they start to obsess over this moving toy made of real fur.  If the cat defends itself, this can quickly turn the toy into something to be feared and/or respected.  That’s not a bad thing.

In many cases, cats and dogs co-exist in peace.  If you need more guidance on cat and dog introductions, please send a note in the box to the right.