Whisper in my ear, and I’ll follow you anywhere. Well, that’s how the saying goes. I bring this up because most of us are used to raising our voices to get a point across. This can be especially true when we communicate with our dogs after they have done something we are less than pleased with. Never underestimate the power of a whisper.
The following technique doesn’t work on every dog; because like people, some seem a tad too – well, let’s just say they aren’t the sharpest knives in the drawer. If I’m feeling a bit anxious over other things that come up during the day and at the exact time, one of my beloved dogs is not paying attention, I stop, bend down, and whisper nicely in their ear. Perhaps it is the shift in my tone and posturing that really gets their attention; regardless, it calms both of us.
Let this be a reminder that it’s not our volume that truly gets our dog’s attention and respect. They pick up on our energy, tone, and posturing even more. Next time, you are feeling on edge and your dog is contributing to your negative state, stop and whisper in their ear. It will help to calm you, and they just may follow you anywhere.
Most of us have an understanding of what it means to be comfortable in our own skin. It means we are confident with ourselves. We may not be thrilled with who we are in every aspect but we don’t resist being who we are. I am finding that being comfortable in our own skin also applies to dogs.
I love working with insecure/timid dogs. I know that within each of them is a solid Being. They may never be completely comfortable in their own fur, around other people, or other dogs; but, there’s nothing like the reward of having a dog with an abusive past, demonstrate a level of comfort in Being themselves.
A low self esteem in a human leads to poor choices and co-dependency with those who give them attention. It’s not so different with dogs. Low self esteem in my Great Dane shows up as timidness, insecurity, and neediness.
I hear others say of large dogs, “they don’t know their size – they think they are little dogs.” I disagree. I think she knows very well how huge she is but doesn’t know what to do with herself. Try though she might to get into my lap, her head is the only body part that fits. I think she dreams of being little and then awakens to her giant body filled with big uncertainties.
We’re working together on her insecurities and she is becoming more independent and secure. She is learning to be more comfortable in her own skin, uh – fur.
This may not be a question you’ve contemplated – lately; however, I want to explain what I now know.
Bugs stink and they also taste bitter so they will not be eaten by dogs! Who knew! Now you do. I was observing as my dog (who will down a bird or lizard in record time), was paying close attention to something on the floor. The object of her attention was so small I almost didn’t see it.
She would bend down, sniff, attempt to lick, and then re-coil and wince as if the scent and taste of the bug was horribly bitter. It wasn’t biting her, it didn’t stand a chance at that, but it was definitely designed to be uneatable to a dog. This particular insect didn’t know enough to be still. It’s motion was far too intriguing.
I could have intervened with a “leave it.” but this had become a science project and study worthy of animal planet.
I can’t answer why it is necessary for an insect’s taste or scent to be so repulsive to a dog since they aren’t a natural predator. It would have lived a much longer life if a human hadn’t intervened.
I didn’t run a taste test, but my guess is this bug would have tasted quite nice to the cat!
As I train their dogs, I am constantly asked by the women if I train husbands or boyfriends. They laugh as they say it, but I see the look in their eyes. The glance that holds a longing for some understanding of how to get the male in their life to respond as they would like. The look that says I’ll pay anything!
Here’s an update on a couple of the fighting dogs removed from Michael Vick’s property . . they are now affectionately referred to as the “Vick”tory dogs!
You would think that if a dog is “housebroken” and potties outside most of the time, there is no concern right?
If you use a dog door to teach your dog to go potty outside, there is no guarantee that when the door is closed to the outside it won’t opt to go inside if given the chance. They don’t truly know not to go inside when the access to the outside is removed.
Dog doors are great! They serve a wonderful purpose and allow us the freedom to leave our dogs for longer period of time. However, it is best to completely housebreak your dog prior to introducing them to the dog door. Or, use the dog door in the process of housebreaking but still go outside with them to assure they are going and not just outside for a breath of fresh air!
We’ve all experienced the “what are you thinking” moment when our dog has been outside unattended for two hours (so, of course they went potty – right?!) only to have them come inside and go. Remember a puppy can be distracted by a leaf blowing and completely forget whey they are outside!
For detailed instruction on housebreaking, check out my ebook “The Truth About Housebreaking” or send me a question using the box to the right. I’m glad to assist in any way I can.
What’s in the breed of a dog – a lot. The danger comes in classifying all dogs in a breed as if they all have the same characteristics and inherent behaviors. Pit Bulls are probably misjudged more than any other breed. I know why; however, the banning of a breed does nothing to educate and eradicate the mistreatment of this sweet, clownish, spirited creature.
I used to pride myself in my love for bigger dogs. A dog that is – well, a dog. Pit Bulls have always had my heart along with Mastiffs, Dobermans, Rottweilers, etc. I will use this as a place to express that I admit to loving little dogs too.
I am not quite sure why we resist being attracted to a little dog. It does come across as resistance as we declare proudly (or at a minimum it appears in the conversation bubble above our heads) as someone walks by with their tiny yorkie – “That’s not a dog, it’s a rat!” (No, it’s just a little dog. Perhaps “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” applies here.)
I think I personally resisted this new-found affection because of the people I associated with having the pocket pups. Someone who didn’t truly want a dog but a show piece or an accessory.
I was labeling them as easily as I was labeled for having Pit Bulls.
When tiny dogs are treated as dogs, they are wonderful. They have the same personality and expression as the large breeds. (As a side note: experimental breeding of dogs – tiny or giant – needs to stop as the shelters fill with unwanted pups. Maybe that can be another thought for 2009.) Whether you are attracted to large or small dogs, they are all creatures capable and worthy of receiving our attention and care.
The New Year provides an opportunity to symbolically, if nothing else, make some shifts in our thinking. I think a life with less judgment would be a great place to start. (This doesn’t only apply to the four-legged creatures) Considering that all of the Beings we are blessed to have cross our paths, don’t judge us nearly as quickly as we do them.
Happy 2009 and a moment or two in the “no judgement zone” to all of you!
This is a legitimate question. It’s the one we whisper to someone because it is a little embarrassing to admit that our dog finds it’s poop to be a delicacy. There are ways to deter this behavior. Not to worry – here’s a page taken from my “The Truth About Housebreaking” ebook.
In this, I make light of the problem, but I do understand that it can be very frustrating. Ruling out other issues, the best thing you can do is monitor your dog, don’t give them the opportunity to eat poop, and they will mostly grow out of this behavior.
I don’t know how well received it will be to talk about wearing fur; however, this is an extremely cold winter. I have found there is nothing quite like a “live” fur to naturally ramp up the body heat. Watch the video and see if you agree with my recommendation.
