Wordless Wednesday

How Much Time Do You Have To Train Your Dog?

Have you ever heard it said we show people how to treat us?  It’s not much different with our dogs.  From moment one, when you bring a dog into your home, they are learning from you.  If you have other dogs, they are learning from them (and vice versa).  If you provide no structure or “rules,” they aren’t likely to either.  They will be looking to you for guidance on where they fit in and what’s considered good behavior.

I receive calls often from those who just brought a dog home and feel like it just isn’t going to work.  The dog isn’t what they thought it would be.  That’s normal.  Ever heard of buyer’s remorse?  It can happen during that first 24 hour perid when we wonder what in the heck we were thinking when we got another dog.  So, how long should it take to train this new being of your affection?  I wish there were a simple answer.

If you read my blog you know I feature Melody, my Yorkie.  She is a perfect example of a dog from a shelter that was sure to be someone’s little cuddle dog – not even close.  I knew her from the shelter so her history of biting those that reached for her would not get her into a home that was looking for that immediate cuddle gratification.  How long would it take if she ever warmed up to a human’s touch?  

My question to dog people is how long do you have to train your dog?  You don’t train a dog to be affectionate and trusting by dicipline, you train by example and a lot of patience.  After  three years, she is still learning trust.  She had some great teachers with the other dogs she’s been around.  They showed her I was trustworthy.

Here’s an image that I love because it took Melody a couple of years to allow herself to be this vulnerable.  Don’t expect to see “this Melody” if you come to our house, but someday you might, and when you do, you will see she was well worth the wait!   How much time do you have to train your dog?

Can A Yorkie Be A Princess?

Only if she lives in a pink castle…

Thank You Veterans!

This post is to honor my Father and all the other Veterans – this includes the canine variety.

THANK YOU!

A Debarked Yorkie Still Has Something To Say

I am writing this post because good things can and do come in little packages.  The shelters used to only be filled with large dogs.  That’s no longer true.  If you are interested in adopting a little dog, the shelters are full of them waiting to make your life a little bit better!

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If you have followed my blog, you know of my little Yorkie named Melody.  You may not think there is a need to describe a Yorkie as little; however, she is tiny.   I was volunteering at the shelter when she was brought in.   Her services as a breeder at a puppy mill were no longer needed.  At this age of her life (about 7 years old) had probably never known kindness from a human.  She was more than willing to bite if you got too close.  Not exactly a spokes-dog for the hold-me-in-your-lap Yorkie someone would be looking for when adopting.

Having enjoyed the company of large breed dogs, I had not intended on adopting Melody.  I would take her home to work with her on being a little kinder to her prospective new family.  Melody never even attempted to bite me.  She knew she was safe. The first time I heard her bark, I did a double-take! It was obvious she had been debarked.  In my opinion, it’s a terrible thing to do to a dog.  There are other far less invasive tools – not to mention the benefits of training.

She has been with me two years.  She may never willingly approach another human other than myself.  However, to see who she is now compared to who she was is nothing short of wonderful.  Here is a short video clip of Melody and her raspy little voice asking, “where’s my dinner?”