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!”

Don’t Hurt Your Dog’s Feelings!

Attempting to live a life where you don’t feel as though you hurt your dog’s feelings is as likely as living a life where you don’t feel as though you hurt a human’s feelings!

During a training class, a dog was being a bit unruly.  I asked their human to give a quick “correction” to the dog with a tug on the leash.  My corrections are typically gentle compared to some approaches.  So, I wasn’t suggesting hanging the dog or doing anything that would emotionally traumatize the pup.

The dog’s human looked at me with concern in their face prior to taking any action.  Then, they said it – “I don’t want to hurt my dog’s feelings.”  I appreciate that and would rather that than someone being overtly rough with their dog.

I empathized for a second and responded with reassurance that they won’t hurt their dog’s feelings by providing guidance.  I think of it as just a consequence to the dog’s choice.  We wouldn’t wait a second before yelling as a child reached for a hot stove because we didn’t want to hurt their feelings by stopping their action.  Choice = consequence.  That may be a “correction” or it may be praise.

Think of correcting your dog as a means of providing positive guidance which will ultimately keep them from harm even if that harm is not as obvious as a burn from a stove.  It might be keeping them from eating something harmful, bolting away from you and getting hit by a car, or simply not respecting you because you are a weak leader.  Prior to the correction, tell them, “this will hurt me more than it hurts you.”

Dog’s Instinct Fails When Meeting a Rattlesnake

Think again if you believe that all dogs are respectful of rattlesnakes. Some dogs have an instinct that says “stay away” when they are introduced to a rattlesnake. Other dogs may learn the hard way or not at all. They need to be taught through aversion training to avoid snakes, particularly rattlesnakes.

One of my dogs was alerting me (let’s just say that’s what it was) to a rattlesnake by the door. There was a previous encounter but that snake was “rattling” at an amazing speed as a warning of his presence. This snake either didn’t feel threatened, or after a nice meal wasn’t able to muster the energy to rattle at a barking dog.

Without the rattle, the snake blended nicely with the surroundings. Fortunately, my dog’s excitement and focus let me know there was something more on the ground than I originally saw. My dog was within inches of the snake’s face and for some reason the snake didn’t strike. If it weren’t for the full moon, none of us would have seen the snake. I don’t think the dog needed to “see” it to know it was there. However, my dog didn’t have the natural instinct to just leave the snake. The other two dogs were waiting at the door for my arrival and their place of safety.

Snakes don’t want to waste their venom on something they can’t eat; however, a dog may attempt to unknowingly push that theory and they will get bitten. They can survive it depending on where they are bitten, their immune system, and how quickly they are treated. There are anti-venom shots, but don’t rely on that to save your dog.

The rattlesnakes in this area should be hybernating by now. Due to warm temperatures they are still out and probably a little tired and confused as to why they aren’t tucked away somewhere for a long winter’s nap! I personally wish they were.

My dog responded to my call to “come” and we went inside and watched as the snake made it’s way to some unknown destination. I hope that it’s being here was the result of a wrong turn. She will need to be taught to avoid snakes – I sure can’t rely on instinct!

Drop It!

Anyone who has a dog has at one point in time wished they had taught their dog two important (maybe life-saving) words – “Drop It!” This would be used when they saunter by the coffee table and remove our favorite reading glasses. They usually feel our panic and hear our voice volume increase as they head for some undisclosed location. I am referring to objects other than food.

What to do, what to do? First! Don’t chase them. Chasing makes everything a game. Your panic may even encourage them to hide the object by swallowing it. Training your dog, particularly a puppy to leave things alone that are yours can seem like a never-ending battle. You can teach them to “leave it.”

This, however, would mean that you were there to witness the theft. The dog thinks “I need to get rid of what is in my mouth because the humans are raging!” Gulp!

Try this. . .when your dog picks up something of yours (other than food), take a breath and at least attempt to lower your energy and lessen your anxiousness. Say “good boy or good girl or both!” Try saying it in a positive tone.

This has worked for me personally on numerous occasions. My experience was that if I wasn’t making a big deal about whatever was in their mouth, they drop it for a “good boy” and a little adoration.

I wonder what would happen if we tried this on humans?

No Thanks! I Have a Dog

You have a dog – as in one? Come on, that’s like being happy having one leg or eating one cookie or one tortilla chip. It can be much easier and at least a lot of fun to have more than a dog.

After I got my second dog, I knew that I would never again have just one. (We won’t talk about where that can lead or where it lead me!) Dogs play like dogs play. We are a good substitute and yes, they love our companionship. However, we are a poor substitute after watching two dogs romp while you listen to the sound of growling and gnashing of teeth.

If your concern is that by getting another dog you’ll lose the affection of the one you have now, trust me – that won’t happen. You will just be multiplying the love in your home. Not to mention that you’ll be keeping another dog out of a shelter and/or off the streets. (I hear you – you’re saying something cute like “and multiplying the poop I have to clean up” – so?) Exchanging a few extra seconds for cleanup for years of love and companionship, doesn’t sound like a bad trade to me!

If you have a good match, they will ease your guilt and feeling that you aren’t doing enough to entertain the dog you have now. They have each other and you have your human relationships. Doesn’t that sound nice? More than one dog may seem like too much for some, but for those of you who are thinking about it, I’m happy to talk with you about a potential match for your family. Please send a note. I would love to help!