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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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)!
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!
Dogs can and do obsess – some lick carpet, their feet, grout, the sofa fabric, air. Some focus intently on cars, golf carts, or other moving objects such as tennis balls.
Where does this behavior originate? Is it genetic? Is it psychological? Do they need medication? When a human has a compulsion, they are observed, counseled, and some require medication.
When dogs exhibit the behaviors mentioned above, we tend to look at it like it’s not that big of a deal. We may not try to work with the dog until what they are doing begins to annoy us or they are injuring themselves. They may lick their feet or skin until they bleed. The are so focused that nothing seems to break their trance.
Some breeds need to work. They are genetically wired to fulfill a purpose. If we don’t provide a healthy focus or something that engages their greater purpose, they may focus and eventually obsess on something else less appropriate. Once they have gone into the trance-like state, it is difficult to get their attention.
Distracting them just prior to the second they go into their obsessive behavior is key. See if it is a matter of boredom or their need to “work.” Obedience training and behavior modification go hand in hand. Some behaviors will shift automatically once the dog is given a job. That may be putting a backpack on them and going for a focused walk. It may be teaching them to do things you may not normally think of – learning to turn on lights, pick up things off the floor for you, or agility classes, etc.
When dogs have a lot of energy and a lot of intelligence, being left alone without a greater purpose, can lead to obsessive-compulsive behaviors as their focus is misplaced. If this goes on long enough, it will take a lot of time, consistency, and understanding on your part as you work with them to alter this behavior into something more positive. It’s time well spent and you and your dog will both be happier!
If you have any questions or concerns about a behavior in your dog, please send a note in the box to the right.
The video says it all. . .
