Destruction of a Dog’s Spirit

Some people, trainers included, believe that dogs are just dogs.  They can be treated harshly and will be fine.  They can be left outside all of the time without being given attention, and be fine.  I guess it depends on your definition of fine.

Dogs aren’t human (duh, I know!)  They can, however, be treated in ways that destroy or, at a minimum, lessen their spirit or true nature.  This can happen if they are treated too much like a human, and it can and does happen if they are sensitive in nature and treated with excessive force.

I have been working with a sweet Doberman who was sent away for training.  She was trained alright.  She returned to her human, with her head down, ears flat, and looking as sad as a dog can look.  In just a few days, she is starting to act like a dog again.  More than that, she’s acting like who she is.  She hasn’t forgotten her commands (greatly needed as she is a service dog), but she is beginning to lift her head and receive praise rather than waiting for the force of a heavy-handed correction.

Dogs are like us!  Some are more sensitive than others, so not all techniques work the same on every dog.  It’s important to consider the breed when you are training.  A Golden Retriever or Lab can sit or lie down in an instant.  Great Danes, Dobermans, and Greyhounds are several of the breeds that sit and lie down in what may appear to be slow motion.  Harsh corrections for not responding quick enough will only serve to make them cower and work against the relationship you are hoping to establish with them.

Be open to options and varying opinions when training your dog.  There is more than one way to “train” a dog and it is certainly better to choose one that let’s your dog learn and still be the dog they are intended to be!

Pup My Ride

Best Friends Animal Society’s “Pup My Ride” Program is back in the Midwest, transporting more than 150 rescued Puppy Mill Dogs to rescue groups in New York and New Jersey.  Thank you Best Friends!

A video featuring Beatrice and Beauty

Red Zone Dogs

I have been contacted by more and more people concerned their dog is aggressive.  They may even state they have a “red zone dog.”  Here’s an article I wrote on this subject.  Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns about your dog’s behavior.

Red Zone Dogs

Michael Vick - Only Words?

Michael Vick appeared on 60 Minutes as a way of showing remorse for his contribution to the horrible animal abuse that is dog fighting. As Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, writes in his blog, “It’s about the dogs, and it always will be.”  It’s important to look to the future and not get stuck in the past.  However, it is also important to remember that this wasn’t just dog fighting.  Vick was responsible for dogs being hung, shot, and drowned.  Most of us couldn’t live with ourselves with witnessing it, let alone doing it.

Michael Vick has a lot of words about what he will do. If truly remorseful, he certainly can make a huge difference in the lives of a lot of Pits and hundreds of the children who are learning to fight them. Let’s see if he will.

Read Wayne’s Blog Post here.

HSUS Largest Dogfighting Raid

The Humane Society of the United States does it again - this time it’s huge!  They conducted the largest dog dogfighting raid ever resulting in the saving of 450 lives!   Here’s the link - donate if you can.

Eight-State Dogfighting Raid

Why Little Dogs Bark

As I’ve mentioned previously, dogs bark. That’s what they do. Some more than others, and some for reasons known only to them. If you have a little dog, particularly if it’s a recent rescue with an unclear history, think of it this way.

They have been in an environment where they weren’t exposed to any stimulus that is now a part of their every day life. What the heck is a leaf blower to a dog? Can you imagine being a five-pound pup and being expected to remain calm and still as a stranger walks toward you in possession of a creature that makes an ear-piercing sound and blows strong winds in your direction (or any direction for that matter)?

What is any of it to them. . .vacuum cleaners, bicycles, skateboards, trucks, airplanes, etc. Not to mention people. There are strange people everywhere and the dog thinks, “you want me to do what?”

As I watch my little guy announce randomly that there is a huge object moving down the road, I realize he has no clue if that street sweeper is going to all of a sudden lose control and drive through the fence and into the living room. I mean, really! What if I didn’t hear it coming (like anyone in a two-mile radius didn’t) and Moby wasn’t here to warn all of us?

The other dogs - the ones of larger stature and a few more tools in their shed, don’t bother looking up as I say, “Moby, thanks for warning us, now quiet.”

So, if you find barking annoying (and it is) first ask yourself what your dog is experiencing. As long as they stop barking when acknowledged, good dog. If they don’t and you would like assistance with excessive barking, please contact me.

Another Puppy Mill Closed!

Thanks to the Humane Society and other officials in WA State, another puppy mill is closed.  Anyone need 397 dogs?  That’s how many were rescued.  I propose a moratorium on breeding for one year.  I know it’s not fair or reasonable for the reputable breeders who not only find good homes for their puppies and make a living from their dogs.  It would be punishing the responsible, while the irresponsible continue using and discarding dogs. What can we do?

Don’t act like it’s not happening. Support rescue organizations, and if you are looking to purchase a specific breed, please research (travel to) the breeder to verify they are who they say they are.  Don’t buy a puppy from a pet store!  I know it’s a well-worn subject for me. . .watch this video and maybe it will be for you.

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?

Do Dogs Really Like Exercise?

Most dogs I know start their day off early.  They wake up, lick some water, “go,” and then head to the gym for some much-dreaded exercise.  Maybe at the end of their day they are thinking, “I can’t believe it, I didn’t make it to the gym again!”  Right?

So, do all dogs like exercise?  In the wild, dogs wouldn’t have set up a track field and directed one another to run five miles (by the way, none of them would be overweight.)  Just like us, when dogs are moving, there is usually a purpose. Or, let’s just say it takes more focus and is lot more fun if there is.   This is one reason that taking your dog to an agility class can be so rewarding for both of you.

Putting a dog out in the back yard may or may not be exercise.  Most likely not, unless, there’s a purpose - something to chase (another dog), something to get their attention.  Otherwise, they will do the same thing outside they would have done inside. . .lay down.

Dogs need to move but consider the breed of your dog and what would be appropriate and necessary for them.  Your extreme need for exercise (or lack of it) may not be the same as your dog’s.  Try different things, and see if you can give purpose to their exercise (and yours)!

Dogs Just Want to Have Fun!

Along the lines of giving a dog a job to do, agility training uses their focus and energy in a very fun way! It’s not about them being corrected for something they did wrong. It’s about being rewarded and praised constantly for getting it right!

And, “right” in this case is fun (usually for everyone). It’s easy for the handler (owner usually) to get too serious and set the bar (no pun intended) too high. The dogs are dogs and they’re not very good at being robots. If they were, we could leave fun out of the equation.

If you feel like the only time you spend with your dog is in training or in telling them “no,” try adding some fun by setting up jumps or other agility-type equipment in your home. Lay a broom handle across a stack of books and have your dog jump over it. Get a kid’s play tunnel and teach your dog to run through it. You’ll be on the other side! Be creative. For a change of pace, think of ways to use their energy and focus that isn’t quite so structured.

I recently participated in an agility event at a local senior center. It was a lot of fun for the dogs and the seniors!