Have A “Good Day” With Your Dog!

It is common to hear dog trainers using the word of a command in the praise that follows the desired response.  For example, when a dog first learns to sit, the command is reinforced with “good sit.”  The same applies to all of the basics – down, stay, leave-it, etc.  It gets a little cumbersome to continue this when they do something like “get out of the kitchen.”  Saying good “get out of the kitchen” just doesn’t work the same!

Some days with kids, it is good to get away from constant correction and try to see what they are doing right (or what is pleasing to the ever-knowing adult).  I used to try this when my nieces and nephew were small.  It takes some practice.

I decided that dog parents should try this too.  Create a day or half day or if you have a puppy, maybe just a few hours where you don’t constantly say things like stop, no, or don’t.  I am doing it this morning and it brings an ease to living with dogs.  I have said things like “good tissue eating,” “good nervous barking,” “thank you for finding the paper in the recycle basket,” and “good finding that a dog bed is nothing but a huge, overstuffed chew toy.”

See how easy it is.  Take a moment and think of ways to use “good” and see if your dog smiles as they realize it’s going to be a GREAT day!

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.

Is Your Dog A Thief?

Does your dog counter surf? You know – carefully grabs things off the counter, i.e., food, or anything remotely smelling of something to eat? If you’re not there to catch them in the act, what good is the “leave it” command.

It is like they have learned the fun of getting a bit of a thrill for doing something and not getting caught in the act. They are beginning to understand the words of the trainer that says, “it’s too late to correct after the fact.” I think they like those words of advice.

So you will feel at ease, it even happens in my home. The other day, I was fixing some toast and left the kitchen for a second (maybe three) and returned not noticing that anything had mysteriously disappeared from the counter. I looked up to see Violet acting a bit weird. She was holding her head down slightly and just walking slowly around. I walked over asking if she was okay. . .well, it hit me that she was carefully holding something in her mouth that she didn’t want me to see. I said “drop it” and out came a cube of butter!

Meat I could understand, but butter? It shows you that they have no clue what they’re grabbing, but if it’s a part of food preparation, it must be eatable. Drop it came easy given what was in her mouth. If it had been a piece of meat or cheese, releasing it may have been more of a challenge.

How do you stop counter surfing? Keeping the dogs out of the kitchen is a good place to start. There are also products called “scat mats” that you can put on the counter that will either make a tone or give a static correction when touched. There are also small devices that sense the heat and movement of the dog and will make an ultrasonic sound that deters the dog.

For those of you with little dogs, you can smile at your dog because you know at least that’s one behavior you won’t have to correct.

If you need help with your dog’s manners, please send a note in the box to the right!

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.

Dogs In and Out of Service

Dogs that are trained to provide a service for someone are amazing.   Their training takes many years and some learn hundreds of commands in order to assist their human.

I have to admit that my dogs would need to wear the vest that reads “out of service.”  Actually, they all serve a purpose, even if it may change from day to day.  One of my dogs definitely provides a much-needed service.  If asked what service he provides, I can say proudly that he is a comedian.  He provides daily humor.

Another dog is in service to assist others in patience and understanding.  She is afraid of everyone other than me and needs constant reassurance that no one will hurt her (ever again.)  Some of the dogs I see walking down the street with their human, are obviously in service by promoting exercise and strong arm muscles.

In or out of service, our dogs are always contributing something to the family – even if we have to take a moment to think what that is.  What service does your dog provide?

Do Dogs Need Other Dogs?

I can’t answer this question.  I know from personal experience that having one dog for many years was wonderful.  I only had to focus on our relationship, and I was working non-stop at the time, so she received a lot of guilt-time!  The thought of another dog, just didn’t seem fair to either of them.

Dealing with dog obedience and behavior modification on a daily basis has taught me a lot.  A lot of the behavior modification training I benefit from is by observing the dogs – my dogs.  I have a pack.  There’s no way around that.  They aren’t wild.  They listen and respond to me; however, they are given a lot of opportunity to show me who they are while living together day to day.

We can take our dogs for long walks.  They love it.  We can take them on car rides and almost everywhere we go.  They love it.  We put their natural abilities to the test with agility training.  They love it.  We, however, can’t play like another dog.  Ever see a child when they see another child and they light up with a recognition that says – “hey, your a kid too!”  Dogs do that.  Try though we might (in the privacy of our home) to romp and tease like another dog.  We don’t come close.  Nor is this a goal I need to fulfill in my lifetime.

I say all of this because for all that we do, dogs love dogs.  I know that some are saying emphatically, “my dog doesn’t like other dogs!”  That may be the case now, but in the real land of dogs before they were our pets, they liked other dogs or at least worked things out with a nice compromise on who was who in the pack.

Should this be of concern to the one-dog families?  Probably not.  I just wanted to share this because it’s pure entertainment to watch dogs play.  Showing and gnashing of teeth, growling and the puppy bow. . .it’s all a part of who they are and we’ll never train it out of them.  Nor, do I want to.

Memorial Day For All Who Have Served

It’s Memorial Day.  The day set aside to honor those who have lost their lives while serving in the military.  Most of us know of someone who has been in the service and while it’s always the right time – this is the designated time – to remember them.

I thought it also important to honor the four-legged members of the armed service.  Some were in active duty serving along side soldiers providing unshakable support.  Some dogs were adopted and provided comfort as pets, and others supported the military in a different way – as mascots.

Here’s some fun information about K-9 History and Military Mascots.

Today, we remember and honor all of 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?

Puppies Behind Bars

I was fortunate to be able to view the Oprah show with Glenn Close speaking about the Puppies Behind Bars program.  It is wonderful!  Lab and Golden pups are being trained by inmates to be of service to the disabled.  Glenn talked specifically about the dogs being trained to support the veterans as they return from raq.  In one particular case, the dog serves as a lifeline or touchstone for a Sargeant returning with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

If you were or weren’t able to see it, here’s the link to their site with information and an opportunity to contribute.

To our men, women, and dogs in service – this one’s for you!

Puppies Behind Bars

When A Dog Eats Chocolate

It’s not news that dark chocolate can be toxic to your dog.  What to do?  If they have ingested the chocolate within an hour or two, you can induce vomiting by giving them hydrogen peroxide.  It varies by the size of the dog; however, it doesn’t take much.  For small dogs, give them a Tablespoon and follow with another Tablespoon until you get the desired result.

Recently, a Great Dane ate a lot of dark chocolate.  It could have been hours since she ate it, so they chose to wait and monitor her behavior.  This Dane inherently exhibits some of the behaviors you should watch for when a dog consumes too much chocolate – she’s already restless, exciteable, and at times pants excessively.  The point. . .it is to be taken seriously, but don’t panic and attribute their normal behavior to being a reaction to chocolate.

Since it was too late to induce vomiting, the Dane didn’t go to the vet and was monitored at home.  Fortunately, she was able to “pass” the chocolate and process the caffeine and theobromine (stimulants) that were absorbed into her system.

I don’t doubt there have been a lot of sick dogs due to chocolate prior to our knowing it’s potential harm; however, I have heard so many dog owners say quietly that they used to give their dogs oreo cookies as treats.  Some were even given chocolate kisses!  My guess is they weren’t given enough to do harm and we weren’t nervously looking for symptoms.

Information is knowledge and may save you a trip to the vet.  My best advice is to eat the dark chocolate and give the dog a dry, nearly tasteless dog biscuit.  No wonder they too love chocolate!

Go to this article for more detailed information on Why Dogs Can’t Eat Chocolate