That’s Not a Dog - It’s A Rat!

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!

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Why Do Dogs Eat Their Poop?

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.

Why Dogs Eat Poop

The Humane Society Shares Good News!

The news media isn’t known for being positive and uplifting.  I think of what it would be like to have the news tell only “good” stories or stories that didn’t appear to bring anything good, but ultimately did.   Beyond or within every disaster, we hear amazing stories of strength, hope, and the willingness to help others.

It’s a great feeling, an honor, and our duty to help someone (animal or human) who can’t help themselves.  Thank you Humane Society and all those who contribute for making 2008 so memorable!  Here’s a wonderful video of the lives that were saved and changed forever through the work of the Humane Society.

Humane Society in 2008

What Happens When the Alpha Dog is Away?

We, the human in the family who earns and deserves the role of being considered “alpha” over the pack, are second in command when the dogs are together and we’re away.

I noticed an interesting dynamic in my own pack. Zoe, the calm, assertive leader of the group was on Holiday along with her buddy, Mac.  At home, Zoe leads everyone up the hill and around the property tracking scents and following nature.

The dogs follow her but it’s not because she does anything to recruit them.  She just is.  She is worthy of being followed - no questions asked.  When she was away, the other dogs decided I was next in command and stuck close to the door or anywhere to be near me.

If you have more than one dog, pay attention to who is leading who.  It can be subtle yet you can learn a lot by observing the dynamic between them in just about everything they do.

Since I like to make comparisons to the dog thought world and ours, I can’t miss this opportunity.  Are we so different?  Aren’t their people you are naturally attracted to because of who they are.  They are calm yet assertive and we feel good being around them.

I think that is Zoe’s affect on this group.  She leads, they follow and everyone feels better just knowing she’s there.  I don’t feel left out, because she feels better just knowing I’m there!

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Are Dogs Afraid of Rain?

You have a new dog and they are housebroken and using the dog door or going out to potty just as they should. One rainy day you come home to find they chose to go “inside.”

What’s different today? Rain! It doesn’t seem right they would be afraid of rain, does it? They are, after all, dogs. Setting aside that they are dogs and being afraid of rain may not make sense to us, they should be introduced to this phenomenon - some more than others.

Water-type dogs may act like someone just blessed them with water coming from the sky.  Other dogs, like my Pit, Olive, would hug the wall under the eave and find the closest place to go whether it was concrete, grass, rock, brick, etc.

Considering that some people use a spray bottle to deter their dog from barking or doing something it shouldn’t, why would they willingly walk out into the line of fire, i.e., rain!

So. . .when a storm is coming or something that your dog has not yet experienced (extreme wind, cold or hot temperatures) be prepared for a little insecurity or reservation on their part and a little more time and patience on yours.  It will help their confidence if you go out with them and let them see that it is all ok.

Everyone Loves Dogs - Right?

Here’s an article of mine I thought worth sharing on the blog.

“Everyone Loves Dogs!”

Did You Just Hit Your Dog?!

It is considered “old school” to hit your dog.  I think the new thought followed the realization that children could be corrected and taught to respect us and others without inflicting physical pain.  So, what do we do with our dogs when they DO NOT listen?

Most trainers use a form of a physical correction.  We don’t promote hitting for a number of reasons:

• It can make your dog hand-shy, and it will pull away from you when you reach to give positive affection
• It can scare the dog and contribute to submissive urination and/or aggression
• There are other options which are far more positive and effective!

While a correction with some form of a collar or a hand signal or movement is physical, it is not the same as hitting. If done correctly, it is a quick response much like another dog would do.  Your intention and presence at the moment of the correction is more important than the use of a collar.

If your dog doesn’t listen because the only relationship you have is when you are correcting them, you need to work on building a better relationship.  A relationship with your dog is no different than any other - it won’t exist or at least in the way you want, if you don’t give it time and attention.

What to do when the leash is off?  Patience and consistency with leash/collar training prior to expecting the desired response when it is off.  Until your dog is mature and responds to you, you might want to either crate or kennel/confine them when they are not being trained.

There are off-leash options for training, and I will cover those later or feel free to send me a note with your questions.

An Apple for the Teacher?

In most relationships - dog with human, human with human, someone is being a teacher and the other a student.  Even when we don’t realize it or choose not to pay attention.

In a lot of instances, the good teacher would receive a dog biscuit rather than an apple.  Our dogs are teachers.  They are constantly showing us who we are - short tempered, easily amused, unconditionally loving, unaware.  Good or bad, they are a great reflection of our emotion and mood.

On one occasion, the Great Dane was acting very unsettled as she paced back and forth from me to the living room.  My patience was running out!   I would ignore her and tell her to go as I focused on my writing.  This continued until I, the student, realized that she was letting me know there was nothing for her to lie on.  As soon as the bed was supplied, she relaxed and so did I.

The “lessons” may be brief and some uncomfortably long!  Get ready for class - recess is over and a new lesson is soon to start.  Apple or dog biscuit?

Things I Learned From A Dog Named Moby

• Get overly excited when an attentive human approaches
• Jumping on the above human is appreciated and adored
• Bark when you think you may have even remotely thought you heard something
• Jump on the furniture and wait to hear “off!” before relocating
• Don’t share
• I am all that matters

Words of wisdom from Melody (foster Yorkie).   Her coach is her “big” brother a Yorkie-mix, Moby.

If Your Name Is Not Melody - Step Away From the Food!

Oh, the dynamics of dogs and their food.  I think if dogs were allowed and capable of snacking throughout the day on whatever was in the refrigerator or pantry, they would be less overtly protective of the one (or perhaps two) meals they are allotted each day.

Melody, the little foster Yorkie in the home, learned quickly which plate is hers and when the chef (that would be me) announces who is being served and where, she promptly goes to her place.  I have been feeding her more often as she could use a little more weight.

Today, she stood up for herself.  As the declaration was made, “Melody, here’s your food” she hurried to her place as the others watched in angst as they were missing out on a small portion of softened kibble.  Try though they might to take a morsel from her plate, she let them know that if their name IS NOT Melody, step away.

I am in charge of the food and make certain that the dogs know who controls their tasty meals.  Just today I traded a small dry dog cookie for a recently killed squirrel.  The power I have amazes me.  I guess I should say - “if your name is not Melody or Gayle - step away from the food!”

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