What A Great Dog!

This post is dedicated to all of us who have dogs.  Real dogs.  All dogs are “real” dogs; however, it is easy for us humans to want to think of them as four-legged, unconditionally loving,  furry human wannabees!  They are amazingly wonderful at being dogs.

If, no - when, you have a moment or a day when your dog does nothing exactly as you would like, take a breath, find something positive, and come back later to whatever it was you were doing. If you want a robot, go to Radio Shack.  If you want a companion that will challenge you and just as quickly show their inexplicable love and loyalty, you might enjoy a dog.

For as long as women have tried to make men think like them and vice versa, it is really no different with our dogs.  They don’t think like a human.  I can guarantee you that regardless of their behavior (whether you like it or not) they are just doing what dogs do.  You might as well learn to tell them they are a good dog as you shake your head in bewilderment.  If you will notice, some of this undesired behavior is getting them high-fives from the other dogs!

Dogs and A New Year

I tried and tried to get the dogs to stay awake to help celebrate the coming of the New Year 2010.  As their heads bobbed and soft snoring could be heard around the room, I decided to join them.  This year, I would celebrate like dogs do.

They go to bed every night and wake up every morning without a care.  They sleep when it’s night (and day) and don’t complain when they wake up - whether it’s in the middle of the night or at the dawn of a day.  They don’t get anxious or worry that they didn’t do enough last year or what they will do in the coming year.

While it is not exactly how I see my life going this year, it’s a great way to start every day.  Every day is a new day and every new day makes a new year.  I looked at the dogs and said, “Thanks for that awareness.”  They replied, “What the heck are you talking about…where’s our breakfast?”  Enough said.  HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Do You Have a Guard Dog?

Not all dogs are good at being guard dogs.  A barking dog is a huge deterrent to anyone entering a place they aren’t invited to enter.  Mac, a large Labradoodle, is boisterous and can be intimidating because of his size; however, I am almost certain his bark is his way of saying, “hey, look at me…I can bark.”  End of story.  How do you know if you have a guard dog?

Where a dog chooses to lie down and rest, tells you a lot about their protective instincts.  Ever notice how they seem to pick the same area or position even when you encourage them to lie elsewhere?  Perhaps they choose the foot of the bed rather than snuggling up next to you.

I am not only referring to whether they are on the sofa or on the floor, but rather where they choose to be positioned in relationship to you.  If I’m on the computer or seated in a room working, one of my dogs will almost always have her back to me and she is facing out so she can keep a watchful eye on what is happening around us.  She instinctively will position herself as the guard.

Another dog, will always have his back to something (a wall or the couch) when lying down.  He is able to watch what’s happening around him while keeping his back protected.  He is far more concerned about his back than mine!

It is interesting to watch and learn from our dogs as they share their pack instincts with us.  They are paying a lot more attention to their positioning in relationship to us than we may know.  My lovely Chapin, a sweet Pit Bull, would have gladly told anyone who cared to break in that I was upstairs and that my purse was in the kitchen, but please don’t make her get up from the chaise lounge.

If a guard dog is all you want, maybe you should try a home security system.  If you get a dog as a deterrent because of their bark, most will do a good job of that.   They will also be a great companion and given healthy attention and guidance, be there for you whether or not they will protect you from all harm.

In this pack, I have what I refer to as the early warning system (barkers) and the backup - the ones who might do more than just bark.  I hope I never have to find out!

Dogs Expressing Emotion

It is fascinating to read the studies on the analysis of dogs and their expression of emotion.  We, of course, refer to emotion in the sense that we experience it.  Dogs; however, live in the moment so their emotion may be more raw than ours.  I don’t think they are capable of deceiving us by expressing an emotion they aren’t really feeling at the moment.   They don’t pretend as well as we do!

There are fun photographs of dogs smiling.  And they do!  Some more than others, but it still qualifies as a smile.  I also have seen more than my share of grumpy-doggy face.  The “it’s you again” look on some dogs when I (the trainer) show up for another training session can be very comical - for us humans more so than the dog.

With the cooler temperatures, the dogs seem quite content to cuddle on their beds a little longer than normal.  And, some days, I think they get up on the wrong side of their cedar-chipped, double-organic-fiber-stuffed, memory foam dog beds!  Perhaps they have bad dreams and restless nights too; so, I will cut them some slack.

Regardless, I think it’s fun to notice that much like a little child, a dog’s expression of “emotion” shifts in a nano-second.  In a flash, they go from grump-dog to tail-waggin’-ready-for-a-walk dog.  I wish it were that easy for us two-leggers!  Once again, we learn from our dogs how blessed it is to live in the moment.

Job Opening for Confident Leader

Is this an ad your dog has placed on Craig’s List or CareerBuilder?  Are they looking for someone to be in charge so they can relinquish the responsibility?  Are they acting out and resisting your instruction?

Maybe your dog isn’t yet savvy enough to post such an ad, but if you have a dog, there is the need for a confident leader…is it you?  If not, who is it?   In the words of Cesar Millan, dogs need and respect a calm, assertive leader.

My dogs need to be reminded at times that the position of leader has been filled, and it just so happens that in our home the job belongs to the only one who walks on two legs.  I thought since they need to be reminded, maybe you do to.

The primary purpose and goal of my work as a trainer/behaviorist, is to show humans who their dog is and what they are capable of learning.  Don’t wait for your dogs to fill the position of leader. Most people fill some position in their life where they lead another.  It may take practice, but put yourself in that mindset as you provide (calm, assertive) guidance for your dog.

They may resist at first, but with consistent behavioral expectations from you, they will respect you and remove the job opening!

When Dogs Take Over The Couch

Uh, Mo, we’re busted..get up, I think she wants to sit down.

Patience of a Dog

You may not have thought of a dog as having patience.  Well, they do - or at least that’s what I’m calling it.

If one of my dogs has a toy, regardless of the five other toys available, someone will want that exact toy at that exact moment.  That’s no surprise.  Of course, they want what the other one has.  Among these boys, It’s a constant dance of who dominates who.

After a couple of human-to-dog interventions, they know not to mess with one another, or everyone loses (as in I take the toy).  See, it’s my toy, and I am kind enough to let them have it.  I have also established the rules that go along with toy-play.

This morning, Mac is chewing on a toy as Moby stands patiently by looking for either a safe “in” to get the stuffed creature, or for Mac to get bored and walk away.  He will wait longingly for quite awhile before he loses interest.   He doesn’t make a sound…waiting patiently for the right moment.  I think he actually thinks he “won” if Mac relinquishes the object without care.

I like the thought of that - particularly as we enter the Holiday season.  It’s like saying, “I really want what you have, but I’ll just wait patiently while you enjoy it, and when you don’t want it any more, I’ll take it.”

Thoughts of peace and patience to you this season!

Introducing A New Dog to the Family

What is the best way to introduce a new dog to the family?

I often hear of dogs who are being re-homed after being with their new family for only a few days.  I understand the tension that can exist when you find that your beloved Prince doesn’t like the play mate you hand-picked for him.  You were certain that getting another dog was the answer to helping him calm down.

If it were only that easy!  All dogs are not created equal (in their minds)…they may want nothing to do with each other and yet separate them and they are wonderful, friendly beings.  So, maybe getting a new dog wasn’t the best idea you’ve had, but re-homing too quickly may not be either.

The new dog should be in the home for a few weeks learning and earning their place.  With you as the leader, take the introductions slowly.  In our enthusiasm, we bring the dog in, introduce it to the other dog and go about our lives expecting (hoping) they will figure it out.  Some do and some don’t.  They are the ones who end up seeing their face on a “free to good home” ad.  Taking the time to let the dog fit in more naturally may save everyone!

If you are bringing a new dog into your home and want to get off on the right track, please send a note in the My Question box to the right, and I will be happy to assist you!  (I share the box with Melody)

Don’t Have Time to Train Your Dog?

It’s a busy time for a lot of people…people who just got a puppy and perhaps forgot how much work it can be! You may be thinking they are puppies, so no big deal.  You can train them later.

Have you heard the phrase, “we show people how to treat us?”  I would like to include dogs in that!  You are training your dog how to be in the home (and elsewhere) whether you think you are or not.  The moment you bring them in and for years to come, they will be learning from you.

Please don’t misinterpret this to think I believe we should try to make dogs into good little humans.  That will never be - Thank Dog!  However, since they are so good at being dogs, we need to use “dog training” in how to adapt to life in a human family.  This is always done out of respect for who they are and their inherent behaviors.

Having said that, if your friends have excuses for why they can’t come in or you panic when there is a knock at the door, or during meals, or any other time, you have “trained” your dog.  Think of training them as providing consistent, repetitive guidance on what’s good behavior in the home and in relationship to their surroundings.

We have all walked into someone’s home and it was obvious that it was the dog’s home and he was kind enough to let the humans stay.  That’s not the fault of the dog.   I don’t necessarily think it’s healthy for the dog or humans either!

As dogs mature and go through their hormone shifts, they will have new responses and can be affectionately referred to as teenagers.  This is when consistency on your part is so important.  A consistent, positive, persistent approach will do a lot more than a raised voice and frustration.

So, as you go about your day, remember that you are training your dog…the question is how?  

Sarcasm And Dogs

Most people get it by now that dogs pick up on our energy.  We pick up on theirs as well, but most humans prefer to act like they don’t get it!  Why is that?

I was wondering if dogs understand when we are being sarcastic?  I think they do.  Why?  Because we have an energy about us that is usually playful and play is something they understand.

A few examples:

• Zoe has taught herself to open the slider door.  That’s not necessarily a bad thing except she doesn’t know or doesn’t care to know how to close it behind her.  I usually look up with a smile and say, “close the door, you’re letting the flies out.”  I swear she will turn around, look at me with her ears up and tail wagging as she gives me a big smile.  Please don’t act like you’ve never seen a dog smile.

• Mac doesn’t run, he frolicks!  However, he typically saves this spontaneous happy walk for when he has something in his mouth that isn’t his.  I say sarcastically, “good boy!”  He brings whatever it is to me and proudly hands it over!  Seriously.

If I can be a little sarcastic with them, it helps me to take things in stride, and I do think they get it.  They get my energy and intent about what I’m saying.  For me, it’s entertainment.  For them, they’re just words that make me smile and they like that.