tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16177701332211958942024-03-18T22:41:57.078-06:00DogtalkJan Manning's dog blogJan Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734503684852039870noreply@blogger.comBlogger378125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617770133221195894.post-4759663940138711962017-10-17T22:20:00.000-06:002017-10-18T16:57:35.310-06:00What your dog's "Sit" says about your leadership style<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Admit it, the first thing you probably taught your dog to do
was sit on command…or on several commands, more likely. Why did you do that???</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5Pdf8GGVKqnAyDmmrV0sXpFmrqob-gYflcYxUX9gzi2sg3VKUOp9rrlhMwc_TVPGkcgPOuKKTyS4p2TtfqlppZZ_57a3G3ohyphenhyphenwDiNd3sOTgFsGpTiqvtGB2dEo7itSg_MCnw1UrrHjjR/s1600/dog-sitting-like-human.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="341" data-original-width="400" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5Pdf8GGVKqnAyDmmrV0sXpFmrqob-gYflcYxUX9gzi2sg3VKUOp9rrlhMwc_TVPGkcgPOuKKTyS4p2TtfqlppZZ_57a3G3ohyphenhyphenwDiNd3sOTgFsGpTiqvtGB2dEo7itSg_MCnw1UrrHjjR/s320/dog-sitting-like-human.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Seriously, as a good leader there should always be a good
reason for everything you ask your subordinate to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nobody likes a leader or employer who dishes
out “busywork” just to keep his minions occupied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your dog can’t respect you, either, if you’re
constantly badgering him to do meaningless things.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The real reason you immediately taught him to sit was
because it gave you a sense of accomplishment, along with a dose of pride in
your dog who was obviously so smart! (Yes, there is sarcasm there.) It really
doesn’t take much brainwork on the dog’s part to learn how to put his butt on
the floor after you’ve asked him four times in a row. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many trainers will tell you that you can calm a hyperactive
dog by having him “sit.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To a small
extent, this may be true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, when
I ask my hyperactive dog to “sit,” I can see her trembling with anticipation of
the release—at which point she’ll burst forth with even more pent-up energy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Calmness doesn’t come from the position of a butt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It comes from the mind, which is in the
opposite end of the dog (or any other animal).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You may be able to get your dog “still” for a couple seconds by asking
her to sit, but <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">being still is not the
same as being calm.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the mind to
be calm, we must remove the agitations of outside influences, and we must focus
the dog’s energy in one direction: toward us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The best way to do that is to first develop, practice, and live a
relationship in which <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">your presence</b>
puts the dog at ease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can accomplish
that, in part, by going back to the Leadership Game when your dog is stressed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLTS43vbOz4hnUSSSMcaAZtbJN4U3o_MBV8PA5c8fkBiE-VFk1dxU7P3ReXQMuF7HM016qu5VssjJ3r8y_yaRsHcOXBcHQ9sCI7PcH9p-6uygAictGMUdjCLvJra16Q2-1V_Rx5r-hOspo/s1600/dog-having-a-glass-of-wine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="807" data-original-width="605" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLTS43vbOz4hnUSSSMcaAZtbJN4U3o_MBV8PA5c8fkBiE-VFk1dxU7P3ReXQMuF7HM016qu5VssjJ3r8y_yaRsHcOXBcHQ9sCI7PcH9p-6uygAictGMUdjCLvJra16Q2-1V_Rx5r-hOspo/s320/dog-having-a-glass-of-wine.jpg" width="239" /></a>That said, “sit” is a handy command for your dog to know,
particularly when you start adding the “stay,” which is like glue or Velcro to
the dog’s body position.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So let’s look at a way we can use “sit” to demonstrate our
leadership capabilities, rather than just as a button we push at our convenience.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Respected leaders are to be taken at their word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They only issue commands one time, and expect
compliance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They expect their
subordinates to be listening to them because they have already earned that
respect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watch any group of gregarious
animals; the leader of the pack or herd only has to “say” something once
(generally using just body language), and everyone responds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This compliance is key to the survival of the
group! When your dog runs out into the middle of traffic, you may have only one
chance to say “Come” before he’s hit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">His life depends on him taking you at your
word.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So why do we say, “Sit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sit” to our dogs?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They do NOT have hearing problems!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They DO have compliance problems because we
repeat ourselves and fail to physically enforce the commands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So they develop selective hearing and choose
to only sit if they feel like it…or if we bribe them with a cookie.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You can and should teach your dog to sit the FIRST time you
say sit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you follow through with this
principle in all your commands, you will also teach your dog to COME the first
time you call him out of the busy street.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So from here forward, your dog will sit the very first time
you say it, and you will never have to repeat the command—provided you teach
him the right response from the beginning.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How you teach it:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First decide <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">exactly</b>
where you want your dog to sit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In front
of you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At your side?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wherever he is at the moment?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you want him to sit at your left side
(which we practice in class), get him over there before you ask his butt to go
to the floor.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Next, make sure he’s paying attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will not respond if he is looking at (and
thus thinking about) the dog on the other side of the classroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To get his attention, play Leadership Game
and/or simply say his name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he
looks up at you, he is ready to listen to you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With your dog now on your left side facing forward (parallel
to you), place your right hand firmly on your dog’s upper chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bring your left hand over to the left side of
his behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Say “Sit” while pushing up
and back on the chest and down and in on the behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keep your hands there for a moment and praise
the dog. “Good sit!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then release by
standing up and saying “Okay!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Repeat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will find the dog
offering less and less resistance to your gentle assist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>DO NOT repeat the “sit” command.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He heard you the first time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What you are now teaching him is what it
means, and here’s the definition:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>“When I say sit, you must immediately lower your butt to the
floor wherever you are at that particular moment. If you do not, my hands will
go on your body and I will place you in the position.”</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiylNgRBdi1KNLReOAVpeZys_wlIP0fd-AiMAXURVW_FYD0Wsd3GEq1eyzFS2JKP3XzxN3ayQFovlBPeyv57TOylo-nOrVLzQoclotIVGV-4ROhbdkfufcepS9MykHeUVqkBxC8RC7dOdA/s1600/UpLVv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiylNgRBdi1KNLReOAVpeZys_wlIP0fd-AiMAXURVW_FYD0Wsd3GEq1eyzFS2JKP3XzxN3ayQFovlBPeyv57TOylo-nOrVLzQoclotIVGV-4ROhbdkfufcepS9MykHeUVqkBxC8RC7dOdA/s320/UpLVv.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Rules for using the “sit” command:</span></b></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Don’t ask your dog to do this unless it’s really
necessary.</li>
<li><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Don’t give this command if you can’t physically
enforce it after you have said it once.</li>
<li><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Don’t repeat the command.</li>
<li><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Make sure your dog is where you want him to end
up when you ask him to sit.</li>
<li><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Always praise.</li>
<li><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Always release.</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhpUdzUZPJZgrPHdBAj5GlxtfxFb5HqqYEBjIhx6gntUCYd5Uxk3RxRLUWxOrnXt1pe65Vd3xJ_xG_G7fd0Ib3EsX-JFRx4ussB55aKwn7CzavmJ-DKNmtS8Bg2er94chiFXOMtDpyERc/s1600/dog-sitting-beside-trainer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="691" data-original-width="800" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhpUdzUZPJZgrPHdBAj5GlxtfxFb5HqqYEBjIhx6gntUCYd5Uxk3RxRLUWxOrnXt1pe65Vd3xJ_xG_G7fd0Ib3EsX-JFRx4ussB55aKwn7CzavmJ-DKNmtS8Bg2er94chiFXOMtDpyERc/s320/dog-sitting-beside-trainer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Jan Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734503684852039870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617770133221195894.post-18113163677479102372017-10-12T23:16:00.000-06:002017-10-13T15:43:02.053-06:00The Leadership Game<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9sl3Ce3YQN3OAStqfYp5Rdx34opJei0qg-blLMXkHCeeM0nGOO2mTo5Ke5rTP29226NYOA1d5bRx22thQ0dH0rleA8Q8bFCNzgwcfIEhbFPCKqHmwan7-2nUeNbAZG8-Qf8_LCLkA5hCr/s1600/index.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9sl3Ce3YQN3OAStqfYp5Rdx34opJei0qg-blLMXkHCeeM0nGOO2mTo5Ke5rTP29226NYOA1d5bRx22thQ0dH0rleA8Q8bFCNzgwcfIEhbFPCKqHmwan7-2nUeNbAZG8-Qf8_LCLkA5hCr/s200/index.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
It's been a long time...no excuses about my lack of postings for the past year. Actually, I've been trying to "retire" from dog training for the past 10 years now, but it doesn't seem to be working. That's okay, I guess. Most people's "dog problems" are so simple to fix that I feel an obligation to help--and feel guilty if I don't.<br />
<br />
Recently I started a four-week class similar to the "Leadership Classes" I taught in Yakima for many years. As my old students will recall, everything we do in Leadership Class starts with what I call the<b> "Leadership Game." </b> I'm once again teaching that to my new students, who are witnessing the same miraculous and quick changes in their dogs' behavior and attitude. As communication improves between handler and dog, the relationship also improves. The dog almost immediately starts to pay attention, show respect, and exercise self control.<br />
<br />
I jotted down some notes for my new students on how to play the <b>"Leadership Game," </b>and then I realized I'd written probably my best explanation thus far of this amazing exercise. So I'm sharing it here.....<br />
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<br />
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How
to play “The Leadership Game”</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Stand facing your dog, who may be either sitting or
standing—it doesn’t matter, as long as he’s facing you.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Gather the six-foot leash so you are holding the
last 18” of it in your hands, held together at waist level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There should be lots of drape in the leash between
you and the dog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The drape may even drag
on the floor…that’s okay.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaNWULeif351byA29V1v2kB_lzSh4fO8lKOXvkAx8B_oSdZvCrkDuEwfzyzpwxwZlumvnZruiaVonZjVwb88UrTDg98WDDu4Q666Z_KBDTH12pt10m8xILHJ6ATmaaXE5YleSjUw8MHjw/s1600/loose+leash+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="164" data-original-width="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaNWULeif351byA29V1v2kB_lzSh4fO8lKOXvkAx8B_oSdZvCrkDuEwfzyzpwxwZlumvnZruiaVonZjVwb88UrTDg98WDDu4Q666Z_KBDTH12pt10m8xILHJ6ATmaaXE5YleSjUw8MHjw/s1600/loose+leash+2.jpeg" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Without saying any command or even the dog’s name,
step quickly backward to the end of the leash, giving the leash a HORIZONTAL
zip, snap or jerk (not a pull) as you do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
should sharply and suddenly get your dog’s attention and cause him to move
slightly in toward you. As soon as you do this, say something (not a command,
but praise instead) to your dog to bring his attention toward your eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Continue praising strongly and confidently to
keep him looking your way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Continue
moving backward, inviting your dog to keep moving in to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he wanders past or glances away, again
move quickly to the end of the leash, giving it a horizontal snap, and using
strong words of praise to bring the dog in toward you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember to keep both hands together at
waist level on the leash, so that all your physical corrections will move the
dog in toward your center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keep up this
movement and the vocal praise for several minutes each session.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_PzPeZbctM5kuebRqUrAt2gZ7jV5_u-OHx9GL0Sd5M3zaJNOxlhepRY-WQsG6TQ399hjYRl_4SsbRXZ-N5E0K91EFSgrVvZr72LtrcZRGpPxWTcasElKk2qpc6VLNQuzbA9JOXeXw_uL/s1600/loose+leash.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_PzPeZbctM5kuebRqUrAt2gZ7jV5_u-OHx9GL0Sd5M3zaJNOxlhepRY-WQsG6TQ399hjYRl_4SsbRXZ-N5E0K91EFSgrVvZr72LtrcZRGpPxWTcasElKk2qpc6VLNQuzbA9JOXeXw_uL/s1600/loose+leash.jpeg" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If your dog crowds you—comes in TOO close and tries
to step on your toes or push on your body—then bounce him backward a step or
two using your leg<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do not push or shove.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BOUNCE! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>The abruptness of this move will help get
your dog’s attention and respect without hurting either one of you, and it’s a
more natural (dog-on-dog) move—playful and spontaneous.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Note:
any bounce or snap of the leash is made relative to the size and disposition of the dog!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A big, heavy dog requires more energy. A
small dog requires only a light snap or bounce…just enough to get his attention.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The idea of the<b> "Leadership Game"</b> is to immediately establish your role as the dog’s benevolent
leader.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You should be strong, confident,
intimidating yet kind. Your ability to occasionally catch your dog “off guard”
in this exercise (and thus, get in a leash correction) will solidify this role
in your dog’s mind, as you are demonstrating to him that you are faster,
smarter, stronger and more leader like than he is (even if you don’t think you
really are!)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">While you do this, your dog should be giving you
100% of his attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In turn, he gets
100% of yours. In effect, you are taking control of your dog’s mind, almost
like hypnosis, and keeping him in a “trance” of active, submissive, compliant
mindset.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You may see your dog go through transitions during
this process.. At first he may seem happy and willing and playful, with perked
ears and inquisitive forehead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This may
change into a “Why are we doing this?” attitude, which could provoke minor
naughtiness like jumping up, pulling on the leash, or avoiding eye
contact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Getting through these
transitions is crucial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the end of
your session, whether 15 seconds or 15 minutes, your dog’s demeanor should look
relaxed, his ears down and back, submissive and listening, his forehead back
and smooth instead of furrowed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You then transition out of the exercise by releasing
with “Okay!” or another happy release word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Or invite him to jump up on you (a tension reliever).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or ask him to do something else for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pat him on the shoulders with strong hands
and exuberant praise that reinforces the idea you are leader and he is
subordinate.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Problem-solving
the Leadership Game:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlP3OL4bnEYpl2BWzF22NdJxmUf17Dlt2L92EYcIkSmKDND3CkcK5ECSTypOCe0i2MKbcppRAn0rqYV7JG7uOnx6Si1BstQbIYdKQI7dT67_qJUQ0cLjHFhsxPZ323DSZ8VPj8KdJKrgI/s1600/leash+chewing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlP3OL4bnEYpl2BWzF22NdJxmUf17Dlt2L92EYcIkSmKDND3CkcK5ECSTypOCe0i2MKbcppRAn0rqYV7JG7uOnx6Si1BstQbIYdKQI7dT67_qJUQ0cLjHFhsxPZ323DSZ8VPj8KdJKrgI/s320/leash+chewing.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If the dog grabs at the leash that’s between you and
him, it may be because you accidentally took up the slack (drape) and the leash
is right in front of his mouth (easy to grab).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If so, lengthen the leash to reestablish the drape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It could also be that you have allowed the
dog to invade your personal “bubble” without realizing it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your dog will do this on purpose, if you
allow, as a means of regaining control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This “crowding” can be corrected by YOU walking FORWARD into your dog
and forcing the DOG to BACK UP.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is
also a power move on your part, especially effective with herding dogs whose
natural inclination is to control your foot movement by crowding you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have a herding dog, YOU must show him
you’re a better herding dog than he is.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If the dog “assaults” you while doing this exercise
(i.e., comes forward into you with barking, growling, pawing, or other physical
means of interference with your movements) “assault” back with twice the
force.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other words, if he’s moving in
to you with intent to jump, move forward into him with more force and bounce
him back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dog is the Volkswagen and
you are the semi-tractor trailer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Teach
him it is his job and duty to “yield” to you.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtTlMKoQiK0N7fJpC13lMlcidsGRs066NCvZ-hao1KsNUSQNkayQ6edcQXOKEi6lCwRZDfG-eEt3x5kYVmUvjNvYvXcmmdukDH7AaXiZxjIhaemtshRio1dC6NQwSpSwiQLYUBWe3HGVg/s1600/Picture+513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="348" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtTlMKoQiK0N7fJpC13lMlcidsGRs066NCvZ-hao1KsNUSQNkayQ6edcQXOKEi6lCwRZDfG-eEt3x5kYVmUvjNvYvXcmmdukDH7AaXiZxjIhaemtshRio1dC6NQwSpSwiQLYUBWe3HGVg/s320/Picture+513.jpg" width="271" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If the dog is totally non compliant and
uncontrollable, abandon the Leadership Game and instead do the “neck massage”
to calm the dog, using firm but comfortable control with your hands on either
side of his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let the dog finish his
tantrum while you talk with strong but soothing words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you feel him start to relax, the back of
his neck will soften.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now he’s in a good
state of mind <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">(calm, submissive)</b> and
able to handle the requests from you, the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">calm,
assertive</b> leader.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What
this game does:</span></b></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Forces your dog to concentrate (pay attention to
you).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Uses natural body movements understood by the dog to
communicate strength and benevolent dominance.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Calms the dog and removes stressful distractions.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Convinces your dog you are bigger, faster, stronger
and smarter than he is (even if you are not!) and convinces him you are a
leader who should be followed and trusted with his life and welfare.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Puts your dog into a settled state of mind so he’s
able to think, listen, hear, and respond to your directions or training.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Convinces your dog the safest and calmest place for
him to be at all times is close to you.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This exercise can be done any time, anywhere for the
rest of your dog’s life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If/when you are
working with your dog and you feel you have lost his attention or respect, go
right back into this exercise until you can observe the positive change in your
dog’s demeanor.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When your dog is in the right state of mind, he is
a sponge ready to learn whatever you want to teach him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">The trainer who originally taught me this exercise was a domineering,
ego-maniacal control freak who was so "over the top" that association
with him nearly ruined my reputation as a dog trainer. I realized the
exercise needed softening and refining to make it palatable to normal
people and their sensitive dogs. There's no room for ego in dog
training. There is, however, a need for human-to-dog communication
skill improvement . So I've spent many years modifying the <b>"Leadership Game"</b>
so that the principles will work for all dogs and dispositions. The
whole concept deserves a book of its own. Maybe some day...</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><i>Note: Those of you familiar with my training and this exercise already know I believe in using a conventional, well fitting "choke chain" for this exercise. The "cha-ching and release" delivered with a quick, <u><b>horizontal </b></u>zip of the leash (toward you, the handler), communicates instantly without hurting the dog in any way. After working with some 12,000 dogs or more over the past 27 years, I still find a simple choke chain, used the right way, to be the fastest, most effective and therefore the most humane and respectful way of doing this exercise on the vast majority of dogs.</i></span></span></div>
Jan Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734503684852039870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617770133221195894.post-26267724982224243312016-05-06T11:43:00.000-06:002016-05-06T11:58:10.340-06:00My problem with "no kill" shelters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju7Ti-ZbzWqnOxIjRmoBVPBRYqGe93W5aOclP-0_P2Cl_yENo5bsXuTa8gG2MLp1Zy7BbZ9MY27Sdiar-2Eb2QThqeGIfdL8lG32Ya6U6xmfJpVfF3aNppZcvHPEOaYbGUVTl3aQnVgRA0/s1600/iotw020204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju7Ti-ZbzWqnOxIjRmoBVPBRYqGe93W5aOclP-0_P2Cl_yENo5bsXuTa8gG2MLp1Zy7BbZ9MY27Sdiar-2Eb2QThqeGIfdL8lG32Ya6U6xmfJpVfF3aNppZcvHPEOaYbGUVTl3aQnVgRA0/s320/iotw020204.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
Today I was evaluating Fancy, a lovely little Rottie mix who'd just come into a shelter in my area over the weekend. One of the kennel attendants was in the "meet and greet" room with the dog and me, and we were discussing her sweet disposition. She'd be perfect, I hoped, for an elderly friend who has asked me to help him find a companion dog to replace the boxer he'd recently lost to bone cancer.<br />
<br />
Suddenly there was a lot of commotion on the other side of a closed door to an adjacent viewing room. It was obviously a big dog hurling himself against the door in hopes of getting in to see Fancy. The kennel attendant looked nervously toward the door and said, "Oh no, I hope Cody doesn't give us any trouble." Cody was a huge, beautiful American Staffordshire terrier who was on display for the public that day. He was purportedly a real lover of people, but he apparently had a bad habit of trying to kill every other dog he ever saw.<br />
<br />
Just as I was snapping a leash onto Fancy's collar to evaluate her leash manners, the heavy metal door between Cody's viewing room and ours burst open. In an 80-pound flash of brindle muscle and frenzied snarl, Cody pounced on Fancy and locked onto her jowls. As he clamped down on her, she screamed and moaned. The attendant and I tried to pull them apart, but to no avail. She said, "Go get help," so I staggered clumsily to the door, leaned out and yelled "Help! Help! Dog fight!" No one was in the lobby at the time, but within five seconds (which seemed like an eternity) several attendants came running from various directions. They all descended upon the two fighting dogs, grabbing both and holding on. One of them stuck a spray can and air horn in Cody's face, but the spray and noise were totally ineffective. Cody wouldn't let go. The staff asked me to leave the room, so I did, feeling useless and sick.<br />
<br />
Within a minute, the noise of the fight was over, and an attendant came out to find me in the lobby. She apologized profusely for what I had "had to witness." I told her I was more familiar with the predicament than they could ever realize, and that I fully understood what had just happened. I asked how they finally got the dogs separated. She said Cody had eventually eased up in preparation to get a better bite, and that's when they pulled the dogs apart. <br />
<br />
After a few minutes of calm, they let me visit Fancy again in an outdoor kennel. She'd come through the attack amazingly well, without any lacerations or puncture wounds in her muzzle. She'd be sore and swollen, and she stunk from having expressed her anal glands, but she was okay.<br />
<br />
So here's my heartburn: I believe Cody should be euthanized rather than put up for adoption. This behavior is <b>neither normal nor acceptable in any breed,</b> and he is a huge liability for the next owner. Can his behavior be fixed? Probably not. At best, it would be a temporary fix until it was pathologically triggered again. As lovable as he may be with his people, he's psycho with other dogs. He is a time bomb, through no fault of his own. Eventually he will kill another dog, possibly injure a person in the process, and cause deep heartbreak for many people. Yet this is a no-kill shelter, so Cody could remain there until he finds a new home where he will likely inflict his damage again.<br />
<br />
In my 30 years of dog training, I've seen and experienced just about everything in the realm of dog behavior. I know which behavior modification techniques work and which do not, and I've become brutally realistic about projected outcomes. Some dogs are easily reformable while others are like the psychotic humans we commit to mental institutions....our human "no-kill shelters."<br />
<br />
The goal of this shelter (which, by the way, is the most outstanding shelter I've ever visited in terms of facilities, caliber of it workers, and dedication to continued training for its staff and volunteers) is to get all its animals adopted out to "forever homes." When I voiced my doubts about Cody getting successfully adopted, one of the attendants confidently said, "Oh, he'll get placed. There's a good home for each one of them."<br />
<br />
I beg to differ. A dog with dangerous, truly abhorrent behavior should not be saved. Nor should a dog who is critically ill and at risk of spreading its illness to others in the shelter and beyond. <b> There are WAY TOO MANY really good dogs of all breeds being euthanized all over the country in "kill shelters" due to simple overcrowding and ridiculous, indiscriminate breed ban ordinances. THIS IS HORRIBLE. But to keep a known psychopath in a shelter and try to re-home him is equally as wrong.</b><br />
<br />
Some of you who are familiar with my situation know that I chose to have my own dog euthanized due to her escalating aggressive tendencies. Lizzie was a therapy dog, a great obedience competitor, and an agility champion. Everyone loved her--most of all, me. But when I saw her senselessly attack and nearly kill an older Lab one day in our front yard, I knew she had crossed the line.The behavior was not normal, nor was it fixable. To prevent her from inflicting that kind of harm ever again, I had her euthanized that same day. That was two years ago, and the painful wound in my psyche was re-opened by today's incident.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaoA9AdhPvZ6SoOygEQJ4zgJws-wpMZJ8f7olVQwMAeXbxneDT7sjRGA1AY9bJDxrlnPr_tFcXIswbKb-MNmP9lTs38gjE3ksV0CqDTk1-UkDvylMX_1EBXZnyGcRpzVQ-wFYf5D8UfzIc/s1600/LIZ%2526MOM.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaoA9AdhPvZ6SoOygEQJ4zgJws-wpMZJ8f7olVQwMAeXbxneDT7sjRGA1AY9bJDxrlnPr_tFcXIswbKb-MNmP9lTs38gjE3ksV0CqDTk1-UkDvylMX_1EBXZnyGcRpzVQ-wFYf5D8UfzIc/s200/LIZ%2526MOM.JPG" width="200" /></a>The term "no kill shelter" may warm the hearts of the naive and beckon them to open their wallets and donate. But to me, the term sends up red flags. <b> A shelter should be a place offering temporary safe haven to animals until a responsible and permanent solution can be decided.</b> If that means one out of 200 dogs should be euthanized, then so be it. <i> I had my own dog killed, for God's sake!<b> </b></i> The memory of that day will haunt me to my death, but my only solace is knowing it was the responsible thing to do.Jan Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734503684852039870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617770133221195894.post-1519138141892292542015-11-29T21:33:00.000-07:002015-11-29T21:33:19.989-07:00"Curb"...The Most Popular Command of All!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Of all the "word commands" I've taught in my behavior improvement classes over the years, the hands-down favorite of my students has been<b> "Curb."</b> Back when I was charging semi-big bucks for my classes, I had a woman tell me that the "Curb" command was worth the whole price of the class because "it kept Puddles from climbing into the dishwasher to do the pre-wash cycle."<br />
<br />
Well. "Curb" does indeed keep your dog out of your dishwasher. More importantly, however, it will keep your dog from bolting out a door, gate or car. It will potentially save his life. It's also one of the easiest commands you could ever teach your dog.<br />
<br />
Picture this: you're about to go out the front door, and you don't want your dog to bolt out ahead of you. So you look at him and say, "Listen, Buddy, you can't see it but there's an electronic barrier built into this doorway, and if you cross this barrier without my permission, you're going to get zapped big-time. Believe me, it's not worth it."<br />
<br />
The short version of the above: simply say, <i><b>"Curb!"</b></i><br />
<br />
You should be able to teach your dog this concept in less than one minute. Here's how you do it:<br />
1. With your dog next to you on a leash, approach a closed door.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAavg4Rv59EXOhmvkS9gEcBrYIjizr6HH11mLdNpsEDwLPlN_fSXRSqqSV_1b4HLk0Im5MLOzYuDY5pwLUzhQqriY-rcw8Iuf9CNHLIq6EqLh2Oyp8dNzMtx3IqYp0XwCOq90LiwSOONf/s1600/curb+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAavg4Rv59EXOhmvkS9gEcBrYIjizr6HH11mLdNpsEDwLPlN_fSXRSqqSV_1b4HLk0Im5MLOzYuDY5pwLUzhQqriY-rcw8Iuf9CNHLIq6EqLh2Oyp8dNzMtx3IqYp0XwCOq90LiwSOONf/s320/curb+2.jpg" width="320" /></a>2. Put the leash in your left hand. Tell the dog to <b>"curb."</b> Use a stern voice. Repeat the command several times for emphasis. As you do this, swing your right hand and arm from one side of the door frame to the other, back and forth, like the pendulum on a clock. You are "showing and telling" your dog something he may not yet understand, but he soon will.<br />
3. Make sure your dog's leash is very loose...so loose that he'd be able to sneak out ahead of you if you opened the door right now.<br />
4. Repeat the "curb" command (and signal) once more, studying your dog's reaction to it. (He will probably be ignoring you because he is fixated on the door that is about to open. This is okay!)<br />
5. Holding the long, loose leash in your left hand, open the door with your right hand and proceed to walk through it. As you do this, look down at the threshold and your dog's feet. You are expecting him to move forward through the door. Let him start.<b> Do NOT hold him back!</b><br />
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6. If/when the dog's front feet cross the threshold (which is the "barrier" you were trying to show him), say <b>"NO!"</b> or "<b>AAGGH!"</b>as you jerk him back or bump him back with your legs. Quickly close the door (if there is one) and start over. Immediately repeat the command and signal using an even sterner voice. Study your dog's body language. He should look startled, somewhat bewildered, maybe even mildly alarmed.<br />
7. Now show and tell him to curb again, open the door, monitor the threshold and proceed to walk through the door. If your dog once again breaches the line with his front feet, correct him back again (with even more shock and awe), and once more repeat the command to curb. Your aim is not to hurt your dog, but rather to startle him into thinking about the gravity of that new word he's just learned.<br />
8. The third time you open the door, you should see your dog choose to stand clear of the threshold, looking submissively at you and waiting for further directions. He may even back up or glance sideways when you say the word. At this point you know your dog is thinking (instead of simply reacting) and making a conscious choice to do the safest thing, which is to remain behind the curb line you have established.<br />
9. At this point, immediately move back into the room to your dog and praise him lavishly! Tell him "Good curb!" and let him know he did the right thing.<br />
10. Now, try it again. You're simply reinforcing now, and chances are you'll have success without any correction. Your dog will stand there looking at you and waiting for your next cue. When you come back to him, you'll see his ears dip back and he'll probably do a sweet, submissive little wiggle that says, "I did it right, didn't I?" Praise him!<br />
<br />
You've just taught your dog the main concept of "Curb," which is, "Remain behind this line until I tell you to do something else." You have used the element of surprise to make your very first correction meaningful. You showed your dog that there are immediate, clear, predictable consequences for actions. Your dog will never forget this lesson because it's as indelibly etched in his brain as if he'd bumped into an electric fence.<br />
<br />
You could use the above scenario for curbing your dog inside while you momentarily step outside to retrieve a UPS package left on your front porch...or while setting a bag of garbage outside the back door. In each situation, you return across the curb line to your dog.<br />
<br />
Now, let's say you and your dog are both going out the door. He's pushy and wants to get out the door ahead of you. Here's how you handle that situation:<br />
1. Curb your dog as described in the section above.<br />
2. Leave the dog and step across the curb line.<br />
3. Once you have gotten out ahead of your dog and are ready to release him to go with you, simply give him an "Okay!" and invite him to come across the line to you. At this point, have the leash in your hand so you can give him a friendly little tug toward you if he is hesitant to cross the line. Reward as he come to you and continue on your way.<br />
<br />
This technique can also be used when you're getting your dog out of the car. If he rides in the back seat, you must first get out of the car. Next, stand outside his closed door and tell him to "Curb." Slowly and carefully open the door, grab your dog's leash, and then release him out of the car with an "Okay!"<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Some rules about the use of "curb"</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Always say "Curb" <b>BEFORE</b> you open the door or gate, or before you cross the line yourself. This puts your dog on alert and can prevent an unsafe escape.</li>
<li>Always be ready to correct sharply if your dog's toes cross the line before you release him.</li>
<li>Your dog need not be at the door when you curb him. If he's playing in the room, you can go to the door, tell him to "curb," and then just leave. He can continue playing, as long as he does not cross the curb line.</li>
<li>Only use "curb" when you are there to enforce it. Don't expect it to replace a fence or actual gate. Use it when you can keep an eye on your dog to make sure he does it right.</li>
<li>When possible, try to use a visual "line of demarcation" on the floor. A change in surface (i.e., from carpet to tile) is a good curb line, primarily because it helps you know precisely when to correct the dog. If you correct the dog too soon or too late, he will become confused and frustrated, and learning will stop.</li>
<li>Start by practicing "curb" on small doorways and passages that are easily defined by both you and the dog. Next, graduate to less specific and larger openings, like garage doors or corral fencing. As long as you indicate with a verbal command and a pendulum arm signal, your dog will have the idea that he must not cross the invisible line drawn by your hand.</li>
<li>Be as firm and consistent with your corrections whether it's a critical curb or a convenience curb. The dog must know there are always negative consequences when he breaks a curb line.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>Is this cruel or harsh training?</b><br />
It's real-life learning. Some of the most important safety lessons we ever learn are etched in our mind because of immediate negative consequences. Put your hand on a hot stove and get burned. Grab and electric fence and get shocked. Exceed the speed limit and get a big ticket. These lessons potentially save our lives too.<br />
<br />
<b>Why "curb" instead of "stay"?</b><br />
Whenever possible, give the command that is easiest for you to enforce and easiest for the dog to do. When you say "Stay," you should be asking him to freeze in his current position and not move until you release him. That's usually more restrictive than necessary. You are also obligating yourself to strictly enforcing that "stay" command once you give it. "Curb," on the other hand, simply tells him he can do whatever he wants, as long as he doesn't cross the line. Which is less restrictive to the dog? Which is easier for you to enforce? It's "curb," of course.<br />
<br />
<b>Why not say "Wait"?</b><br />
Personal preference. I prefer "curb" because it sounds a bit stronger, a bit more intimidating. But I've had many students who chose "Wait" because they'd already introduced their dogs to a similar concept with this word. Whatever you choose, be consistent. <br />
<br />
<b>Ways to use "curb" around the house:</b><br />
<br />
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<br />
<ul>
<li>At the tops and bottoms of stairs to keep your dog from tripping you.</li>
<li>Inside when you are going in and out the sliding patio door checking your barbecue grill.</li>
<li>Keeping your dog out of your immediate cooking area in the kitchen.</li>
<li>Keeping your dog from jumping into your car before you've cleared a place for him to sit.</li>
<li>Keeping your dog in the mud room until you can grab a towel to wipe his muddy feet.</li>
<li>Keeping your dog from crowding the front door when someone rings the doorbell.</li>
<li>Keeping your dog out of the kitchen while you're washing the floor.</li>
<li>Keeping your dog backed up away from the dishwasher when you're loading it! </li>
</ul>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Ways to use "curb" away from home:</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>When you and the dog are approaching the door of a commercial establishment. Seeing your dog "curb" will let everyone know your dog is trained and well behaved.</li>
<li>Getting your dog in and out of the gates at a dog park.</li>
<li>Getting off an elevator with your dog.</li>
<li>Preventing your dog from jumping out of your RV into an unsafe situation.</li>
<li>Preventing your dog from jumping from the back seat into the front seat when you are driving.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjyV1eGiZxKdoXt9BP32_FF_SL3relt7ErgHvDz54_GQ33YZXtbAIZFXm7wGKxoWFo7yEAuqKvCjuASbjsvIns7iQ7miG8YaD2xizIWiWNqhk2iuID8hzm531Giqb5yK84TY9LxXxQ7Jk/s1600/dishwasher-dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjyV1eGiZxKdoXt9BP32_FF_SL3relt7ErgHvDz54_GQ33YZXtbAIZFXm7wGKxoWFo7yEAuqKvCjuASbjsvIns7iQ7miG8YaD2xizIWiWNqhk2iuID8hzm531Giqb5yK84TY9LxXxQ7Jk/s320/dishwasher-dog.jpg" width="320" /></a><b>Use it 50 times a day whether you need to or not</b><br />
Don't wait for the "really important times" to use this command. Use it regularly, every time your dog is following you through doorways in your home. Use it every time you're getting your dog in or out of the car, his crate, or his backyard kennel.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Your dog likes it too</b><br />
The "curb" command, used frequently and responsibly, will make your dog feel secure in your presence, because he knows you're watching him. Our dogs are constantly looking for meaningful employment with us, so consider this a "job" you can give them many times a day. They'll be willing workers, finding gratitude in the mere opportunity to please you.<br />
<br />
<b>More important than "Come!"</b><br />
Even a dog who is trained to come when called may fail the exercise when he escapes out the front door and runs wildly down the street. If he is taught to respect the curb command at the door, the incident will never happen in the first place. Prevention--with the curb command--is the best medicine of all! <br />
<br />Jan Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734503684852039870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617770133221195894.post-69434253471132980452015-05-30T12:39:00.000-06:002019-02-03T12:10:47.651-07:00Old dogs lead the way for us<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtN-mw0jH5nbLUdAV4Nj3zDEDSCFkK3yv0RF9D0wXXKYgXSqzq2J3gaBoB7kgQkiTHCiCbC-8Hw8eUutvgowyK6Sl63DH1lL5xu3d9ixtzkwdMdJxK3wrB87bDQ2r388Ga1uB5Bb3HGFpb/s1600/Picture+035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtN-mw0jH5nbLUdAV4Nj3zDEDSCFkK3yv0RF9D0wXXKYgXSqzq2J3gaBoB7kgQkiTHCiCbC-8Hw8eUutvgowyK6Sl63DH1lL5xu3d9ixtzkwdMdJxK3wrB87bDQ2r388Ga1uB5Bb3HGFpb/s320/Picture+035.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's 3:15 on a warm summer morning in 2006. Something awakens me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sound of the breeze through the open
windows?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The faint bark of a small
neighbor dog down the road? Maybe just the overall peacefulness in this
room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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I'll get up for a drink of water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I listen before swinging my legs out of
bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He's down there on the floor in the
blackness, next to me, and the last thing I want to do is bump him and disturb
the peace he's finally demonstrating by his stillness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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It took him a long time to get settled tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Arthritis and the stress of aging are taking
their toll.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lots of restlessness, heavy
panting, turning in circles, groaning as he finally flops down, and then
getting up and starting the whole process over again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's the same procedure I go through when I'm
trying to get my pillows adjusted "just right."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes there simply <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i> no "just right,” and attempts to improve a situation just
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<br /></div>
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But he's quiet now, finally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can hear his deep, rhythmic breathing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I reach an arm down to gently locate his positioning and determine where
his head is and where his legs are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
hands make contact with a body that feels almost foreign to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So different from what I've felt for most of
the past 11 years with him!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I touch his
hip...or is it his shoulder?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hair
is shorter, sparser, courser these days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His body has lost so much of its muscle tone and definition that I can't
even tell which quarter of him I'm feeling!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can identify nearly every bone directly under the skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My hands slide up his body until I locate his
neck, that one area still so soft and plush and full, and I gently massage the
skin for a moment before finally getting the courage to lower my legs to the
floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know where he is now, and can
get up without disturbing him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As my
feet land and I stand up, I realize, ironically, that he is so restful at this
moment that hardly anything could disturb him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These days, when he's out, he's really out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could have stepped on him and he'd scarcely
stir.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For that, I am grateful. </div>
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<br /></div>
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He's leaving me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He's
fading away, ever so slowly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's more
than just muscle tone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's his mind,
too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While generally healthy, he's also
very elderly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His cognitive abilities
are decreasing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hears selectively, if
at all. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His priorities have
changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meals and naps are his main
interests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He must get up now, almost
every night, and be let outside to go to the bathroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Negotiating the doggy door by himself is
difficult, so we patiently get up to help him whenever he needs it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the least we can do, in exchange for
11 wonderful years of his service to us as a watchdog,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>award-winning athlete,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and companion extraordinaire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The aging process is so humbling, and yet so graceful and
natural.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our dogs teach us what to
expect for ourselves, and how to tolerate our own<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"winding down" experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They say, "Accept yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enjoy what you can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wherever you are, be all there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each day and each moment is a gift to be
relished to the fullest extent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Become childlike again.</i>"</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My old dog is still slumbering as I return to bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again, I reach down to locate him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stroke his front leg, down to a big paw
which I cradle in my hand for a moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I think about all the hundreds of miles of mountain trails and dog show
parking lots those paws have negotiated with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About all the motel rooms and travel
adventures we've shared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About all the
unusual and challenging things I've asked those paws to do for me over the
years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And about how faithful and
unwavering they have been in their devotion to me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For most of his life, I was my dog's teacher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now he teaches me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Age gracefully, and with gusto.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be proud of a life well lived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look forward to an eternity of exploring the
universe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rest well this night, my old friend. And thank you for
showing me the way.</div>
Jan Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734503684852039870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617770133221195894.post-59045608915152124492015-05-25T14:34:00.000-06:002019-02-03T12:12:44.519-07:00Safer stairs with "Puppy Treads"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXDZM9dli5RNgEQMBqT85k05EEldpGp5zYcZYWKmS1pQibJJKwx2rnWkod2x-OTkm8iHD3Z8CcCrf8i5eLI2_YEaDynu-wOkcCGjwKR0yFlHkX4L9Rj11OwjdQSFSHVkls0_J7gl-26mj4/s1600/Puppy+Tread1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXDZM9dli5RNgEQMBqT85k05EEldpGp5zYcZYWKmS1pQibJJKwx2rnWkod2x-OTkm8iHD3Z8CcCrf8i5eLI2_YEaDynu-wOkcCGjwKR0yFlHkX4L9Rj11OwjdQSFSHVkls0_J7gl-26mj4/s400/Puppy+Tread1.jpg" width="260" /></a></div>
It took only a few years for our dogs' toenails to do a number on our beautiful hardwood stairs, installed in 2007. My husband was planning to refinish them this summer.<br />
<br />
And then.....<i>and then</i>....and then <b>along came Puppy Treads, </b>a new product designed to protect stairs from wear while making them a zillion times safer for dogs and people.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8e2vDFNlLfpn2jzG5hNhzVdPOIEviqbp2v3bEvbEkh4pDtH8R0NipM9kAga-xSftw_1Nqk2KMNX7emgRrK-CcC_ijrS_O6JHNfDLK-N_8sKYMWIOjpvpWx2sgIgGtbNZdF4LIcxCUxMCB/s1600/stairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8e2vDFNlLfpn2jzG5hNhzVdPOIEviqbp2v3bEvbEkh4pDtH8R0NipM9kAga-xSftw_1Nqk2KMNX7emgRrK-CcC_ijrS_O6JHNfDLK-N_8sKYMWIOjpvpWx2sgIgGtbNZdF4LIcxCUxMCB/s320/stairs.jpg" width="239" /></a><br />
Actually, the company contacted me to see if I'd like to try the product and write an independent review on my blog. I was skeptical but said, "Sure!" and a week later I received a complementary box of 15 Puppy Treads to test on my own stairs. WOW!! Now, instead of refinishing stairs, my hubby will have time to go fishing this summer! We're both amazed at the quality of these thing!<br />
<br />
<b>Puppy Treads</b> are made by the same company that makes the folding pet ramps (which we've also used for getting infirmed or geriatric dogs in and out of our vehicles). The company is "Handi-Ramp," and they make a complete line of quality home and commercial safety products. <b> Puppy Treads</b> are apparently one of their newest products, and they are sure to catch on in a big way as people discover how great they are.<br />
<br />
Here's what a<b> Puppy Tread</b> looks like: it's 6" x 24" (although they come in other sizes as well). It's a flexible, thin type of textured vinyl with a paper backing that you peel off when you're setting them in place on your steps. The backside isn't tacky; there's no sticky residue and absolutely no mess. I don't really know what keeps them in place, but they really stay put, without marring the wood surface of the step in any way. <b>Puppy Treads</b> come in three colors: black, gray, and translucent, which is what I chose. When I first installed them, I thought the translucent ones would detract from the sheen and color of the rest of the steps, but with a few weeks of use they have blended right in. And they haven't budged since I laid them in place. (By the way, installation took me all of five minutes!)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCsUuJGTo0F_YrsG711TseEf0NqBUTyYxD5y4KbCDD7UbOYLffHllBOY8KWQFoUtsSJMIDOXZt2mHaq0vsqyrv_LJOr-gvWxzir23L_zk860RBklpHvE95FQFjhrGF0_LICwmRhvRAUfY/s1600/PuppyTreadApp1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCsUuJGTo0F_YrsG711TseEf0NqBUTyYxD5y4KbCDD7UbOYLffHllBOY8KWQFoUtsSJMIDOXZt2mHaq0vsqyrv_LJOr-gvWxzir23L_zk860RBklpHvE95FQFjhrGF0_LICwmRhvRAUfY/s320/PuppyTreadApp1.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
I haven't even tried to peel them up and have no reason or desire to do so. However, the product literature claims they will leave no stain or marks whatsoever. I placed mine on the very edges of the steps, where the dogs' nails had dug in and worn into the tread. Now I feel those steps are completely protected from the traffic of two rambunctious Labs and one bulldog.<br />
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Besides being attractive and protective "Band-aids" for our steps, they've also given us peace of mind. Our bulldog has been known to stumble and tumble down to breakfast when he first wakes up, and both our Labs have had orthopedic surgeries. So we're anxious to make our stairs safe for them. <b> Puppy Treads </b>are providing that increased safety. When I first installed them, the dogs thought they should step <i>around</i> the treads. Since then, they've discovered how comfy and secure the treads feel under their paws, so now they aim for the <b>Puppy Treads</b> as they're going up and down the stairs.<br />
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It's worth mentioning that this is a great people product too. My husband and I are both active seniors, living with the typical aches, pains and stiffness associated with aging. I love negotiating these steps and feeling the grippy <b>Puppy Treads</b> under my bare feet. I'm not going to slip on these!<br />
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Thus far, keeping them clean has been a cinch. I have used the vacuum and broom on them, and the dog hair and dust come off with ease.<br />
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<b>Puppy Treads </b>also work on vinyl and tile flooring. My mind is spinning as I'm thinking of other innovative ways I can use this handy traction footing for both the dogs and the people in our household. If you'd like to try <b>Puppy Treads</b> yourself,and get a 10% discount, contact the company at <a href="http://www.handi-ramp.com./">http://www.handi-ramp.com.</a> Enter a discount code of BLOG2015 to receive a site-wide 10% discount!<br />
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I'd like to thank the<b> Puppy Treads</b> folks for sending me this product to test. I highly recommend them. They are not cheap, but they are affordable quality. When you consider the cost of refinishing stairs, or mending a hip or other broken bone caused yb a fall on slippery steps, the cost of <b>Puppy Treads</b> is downright irresistible!Jan Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734503684852039870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617770133221195894.post-43338686011517587802015-01-22T20:47:00.000-07:002019-02-03T12:18:16.268-07:00Expand your dog's bubble!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When I get a new dog, I make an immediate and automatic commitment to begin training and keep it up for the rest of the dog's life with me. The sooner I start the basics, the sooner I'll be able to relax and enjoy my new dog, instead of wondering what she'll find next to chew up, or where she'll decide to go potty in the house.<br />
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Since I don't have huge blocks of time that I can dedicate to getting the training done, I have to incorporate it into my own daily routine of living. I get lots more training done this way than I do if I try to set aside 20 minutes a day to "drill" on obedience exercises. I'm lucky if I get five minutes to do that each day.<br />
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So my dog learns "on the go." She goes with me everywhere it's practical and safe to take her. She got her Doggy Boot Camp basics at home on a leash, and now we practice those basics (paying attention, walking nicely on a leash, sitting, lying down, staying on command, and coming when called) in the real world. It "generalizes" the behaviors she learned at home; that is, she learns that expectations for her behavior are the same wherever we are, whether it's in the house or in a strange parking lot.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtPg2fKEvT-McgRroTPEyvO0M0fSMxzGtXbg4g-R2OZImJGmlHwnxO-oqFQbWmBcQ-YJ3c5NsMoU1uxDd0QKiicA7Za_oiAvEf2SjcZguom9M1D4i3Ejq1GW9XhYRBO3IqhPG6naoxDiqH/s1600/AustralianCattleDog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtPg2fKEvT-McgRroTPEyvO0M0fSMxzGtXbg4g-R2OZImJGmlHwnxO-oqFQbWmBcQ-YJ3c5NsMoU1uxDd0QKiicA7Za_oiAvEf2SjcZguom9M1D4i3Ejq1GW9XhYRBO3IqhPG6naoxDiqH/s1600/AustralianCattleDog.jpg" width="216" /></a>Lots of people leave their dogs at home because they're difficult in public. I call these "snow globe dogs" because they live in a protected bubble and never get to experience the thrills of going to PetsMart, playing fetch at family reunions, or enjoying their human's company at a sidewalk bistro. These folks often think that bringing their dog to a group obedience class will solve the problem and improve the dog's social behavior. Granted, the social contact with new dogs and people in a new environment will help. But what will you do when the class ends?<br />
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Don't expect your dog's behavior in public to improve UNTIL YOU TAKE YOUR DOG INTO THE PUBLIC VENUE. Yes, it may feel awkward the first few times you try to walk your dog around a Costco parking lot. But each time you do, the task will become easier because your dog will be more relaxed. Everyone's excited in a new environment. Once the environment becomes familiar, the anxiety diminishes...and the experience will be much more enjoyable for both of you.<br />
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I take my dog on "educational field trips." We'll drive up to get the mail. We'll walk around the grocery store parking lot for five minutes before I do my shopping. We'll practice obedience exercises in the aisles at Lowe's, where she can be distracted by forklifts, friendly employees, and little kids. Every time I get her in and out of the car, we're practicing safety techniques. Every time a semi whizzes by us on the highway, we're desensitizing her to "the world." We're expanding her bubble.<br />
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Wherever my dog accompanies me, she's sharing my own protective bubble. It's my job to keep her there. But my bubble moves in all directions, so my lucky little Dolly gets to explore the entire world with me. I want her at my side. That's why I got her.</div>
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Expand your own dog's bubble too. Next time you're going to the dump or the feed store or the grocery store, take the dog. Practice good behavior getting in and out of the car. Always require good manners. Saunter into PetsMart and encourage your dog to be polite, even if the other dogs in there act like idiots. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: yellow;"><b>The "real world" is the best training classroom for your dog!</b></span></span></div>
<br />Jan Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734503684852039870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617770133221195894.post-76752527632471111782015-01-04T13:50:00.000-07:002019-02-03T12:23:02.882-07:00The next "best thing"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Just when you think you've already had your best adventure, best love, best meal, best dog, or best anything....another one comes along. That's the great surprise of life. It keeps getting better. The next "best anything" is right around the corner. You can't see it, but you can believe it's there, waiting.<br />
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There have been times lately, as I age, that I've felt the best is behind me. I've accomplished a lot of lifetime goals but have recently experienced this "Well, now what?" feeling of dead-endness, with no more particular goals to anticipate.<br />
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But two things recharged my life in 2014 and showed me there indeed is more ahead. One was my trip to Iceland, where I established a whole new circle of friends and a kinship with another country.<br />
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The other was the "new dog."<br />
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That's the magic of dogs. You get one, and you've just taken on a potentially 15-year project involving another heartbeat in your own house. Sometimes you have the luxury of carefully picking one you think will fit into your pack and lifestyle. Other times, they just fall out of the sky and onto your porch, and you resign yourself to "making do" with however they turn out. Either way, of course, the responsibility of how they turn out is in your hands and no one else's. And that's the part that secures your own future, as well as theirs. The new dog is going to be your work in progress; he's your reason to set goals and to dream about your future together. <br />
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Last year when I rescued Milo, my little bulldog mix, I was sure I'd finally found my "heart dog." He's my beloved Teddy reincarnated into a smaller package...Teddy was a Rottweiler.<br />
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Milo is still a dream come true, even though he turned out to not be an agility dog. Neither was Teddy. Both were too mellow. They were both designed to lower blood pressure and impart serenity to those around them. That's a very important job, but it doesn't have much to do with the sport of agility.<br />
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The new dog, however, has carved her own place in my heart in the short month I've had her. Usually it doesn't take that long, but I was resistant. After all, I'd recently lost Lizzie, my long-time agility partner, and come to terms with the fact that dear, sweet Milo was NOT going to be my next agility dog. With emotions stretched over these two issues, I started searching for a new dog to fill the gap in agility as well as in our household pack. When I found Dolly on Petfinder.com, I selected her for purely practical reasons. She fit all the criteria. Angus and Milo liked her, she was playful and friendly, and she was agile. She'd do.<br />
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Now, a month later, she's nestled at my feet under the desk. She stares up at me with calm but expectant brown eyes, telling me she's most secure when I'm within her sight and she's ready to do whatever I want her to do next. She's won my heart, not by virtue of cuteness (she's just a plain mixed-breed black dog) but with her mind. Our personalities have synched. Having this power and this effect over any other living creature is almost scary. If I am insignificant to every other person in the world, I am still everything in this dog's eyes.<br />
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The responsibility and challenge that accompanies this devotion is intimidating. This dog would do anything for me, provided she understands what it is I want. Therefore, it's up to me, totally, to teach her the right signals. She will only be as good a dog as I am a trainer. Am I up to the task? Do I deserve her? She has championship potential as an agility dog, but do I know enough to develop her that way? Can I move well enough to do her justice?<br />
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Therein lies the big-picture benefit to having a new dog. She requires me to stay fit, to exercise, to keep my weight down, to guard my health, to keep educating myself, and to continue striving. She requires me to live healthfully for at least another 14 years. Because of that, there's no telling what other pleasant life surprises will be waiting for me within that time span and beyond.<br />
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And, since she obviously isn't the "best" dog I'll ever have, I'll have to stay ready for the next one, which undoubtedly will be...until the one after that.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Get</u> a dog.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Set</u> goals.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Earn</u> what your dog wants to give you.</span></b></div>
Jan Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734503684852039870noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617770133221195894.post-29533862837582283142014-05-05T23:17:00.000-06:002019-02-03T12:25:58.045-07:00<span style="font-size: large;"><b>A "Service Dog"? Give me a break!!</b></span><br />
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No more!! No longer will I tell inquiring dog owners that, "Yes, you can call your dog a service dog and no one can challenge you about it." It's the truth, of course, because that's what our asinine "Americans With Disabilities Act" (ADA) says, but I'm all through trying to explain it to people who have every intention of abusing it so they can take their dogs anywhere or get past "No Pets" policies with their landlords.<br />
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The bitey, noisy miniature Dachshund who lives with the man at the Senior Apartments should NOT be called a service dog. Neither should the sweet little Shih Tzu who lives with the young hearing impaired lady. Neither should the Rhodesian Ridgeback that the owners can't control in public without a Gentle Leader head halter. Neither should my good friend's dog who is adorable and fun, but who hikes his leg on everything.<br />
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Don't get me wrong; I desperately want all these people to have their dogs and enjoy the emotional comfort that only a dog can deliver. But to pass them off as "service dogs" is an unintentional slap in the face of those unfortunate individuals whose dogs have been <i>extensively</i> trained to perform specific tasks for them that they cannot do for themselves.<br />
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Why my sudden rant? Last week in Yakima, Wash., a pit bull "service dog" got loose (ran out the front door of the owner's house while the owner was in the back yard). It went after a neighbor dog a block away. The neighbor and two other people got bitten in their attempt to break it up. The whole thing ended as soon as someone grabbed the dog's collar and hauled him back (without resistance from the dog) to his owner's house.<br />
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The lead in the <i>Yakima Herald Republic</i> read, "A registered pit bull service dog is under quarantine after attacking three people and a dog Thursday in Yakima." The phrase "registered pit bull service dog" is SO wrong on SO many levels that it I'd spit if my mouth weren't so dry.<br />
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A little background here: dear old Yakima, where I resided for more than 25 years and owned a thriving dog-training business for nearly 15, decided to BAN pit bulls back in 1987. Of course the ban was stupid and ineffective for many good reasons which I should not need to explain to you, "the educated choir." They came close to overturning it a couple times but unfortunately failed. However, in April of this year the city council decided to exempt pit bull "service and therapy" dogs from the ban.<br />
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Under this new and enlightened ordinance, according to the Herald, "pit bulls serving as service dogs [no mention of therapy dogs] must be kept on leashes and muzzled when out in public, and confined to pens or locked enclosures when at home." Oh yes, and their owners are supposed to go down to City Hall and "register" the dogs as service dogs. (Hence, the "registered pit bull service dog" referred to in the<i> Herald's</i> story lead.) <br />
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What???? What kind of legitimate service dog needs this type of restriction? Mention "service dog" to most people, and they think of mild-mannered, always steady, always reliable, always quiet Labs, golden retrievers and German shepherd dogs who wear harnesses and vests, move slowly and carefully, and are scarcely even noticeable. Personally I also think of "pit bulls" (a broad-based generic term for many breeds of stocky terrier types), because I've seen them numerous time fulfilling this same role. Pit bulls are extremely capable of being wonderful service dogs--in other words, performing physical tasks that an owner can't perform himself because of a disability, or detecting its owner's imminent seizure. The pit bulls who are true service dogs by no means need muzzles or pens anymore than the Labs and goldens do. Such dogs would not be "registered" as pit bulls anyway, but rather by their actual breed names, be it American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffy Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, mixed breed, or whatever. And whatever city councilperson came up with the idea to muzzle service dogs and lock them in pens has truly revealed his or her total ignorance of the entire situation! I'm actually embarrassed for that person.<br />
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Granted, there are "service dogs" who legitimately "serve" every day. Some detect seizures. Others act as "hearing aids" when the doorbell or phone rings. (Actually, mine to do the same thing, without training.) Some guard people with life-threatening sleep disorders.<br />
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However, the dog in Yakima "provided emotional support, calmed its disabled owner, channeled negative emotions away and provided a sense of security," according to the registration form the owner filed with the city.<br />
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Um... did anyone at the city read the ADA definition of a service dog? For starters, "Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a dog
has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s
disability. <b>Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional
support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA." </b><b><br /></b><br />
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Well, shucks, my dogs provide comfort and emotional support too. That'<b>s </b>why I have them. The Department of Veterans Affairs also says I'm disabled (it's okay, I'll tell you, it's from undergoing four hip replacements) so I guess that means my dogs would qualify in any number of ways. They keep me awake when I'm driving. They comfort me when I'm sad. They calm me when I'm having a tantrum. They sound the alarm when someone rings the doorbell. They lower my blood pressure when I stroke them. They can carry stuff for me in backpacks. They'll stand still and let me lean on them if I'm on the floor picking up their dog toys. They even help with housework by Hoovering up whatever crumbs I drop in the kitchen. I might add my dogs are better behaved than most children I know, making them far more pleasant in public places.<br />
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But none of these qualifications gives me the ethical right to call them service dogs, and especially not the part about providing comfort and channeling away my negative thoughts. Yes, they are therapeutic. But therapy dogs are not service dogs.<br />
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So who's to blame here for this out-of-control plethora of fake service dogs? Is it the dog owner? Is it the City Council? Is it dog trainers like me who have tried to honestly answer people's countless inquiries about whether or not their dog would "pass" as a service dog? (By the way, this is not just a Yakima problem. If you Google "fake service dog," you'll find dozens of similar predicaments all over the country.)<br />
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<b>Here's where I place the accountability: the police of political correctness. The whole ADA is designed to provide a politically correct world for disabled individuals. </b> Because of that, the ADA service dog law is short, vague, and open to interpretation (but only on the disabled person's side). Why can't a hotel manager ask for a demonstration of what the working dog does? Why can't the restaurant prohibit the dog if it's a big hairy Pyr that's going to shed in everyone's soup? Why can't a merchant ask for documentation that the dog has been legitimately and extensively trained to do its job? <b> It's because it's not PC.</b> It's not nice to question people about their disabilities. You might hurt their feelings or embarrass them. It's not nice to question the legitimacy of their dogs' training because it might insult them. It's not nice to make them sit separated from other patrons who may have allergies, because it makes them feel excluded and calls attention to them. <br />
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The current ADA service animal law is devastating, particularly to owners of legitimate service dogs. (And don't even get me started on miniature horses, which are also now legal service animals under ADA.) "Fake" service dogs have given real ones a black eye. Ironically, many disabled people with true service dogs would love to see the law tightened up and would be in favor of documentation of extensive specialized training. Of course, that opens a can of worms too, as certificates and "service dog" vests and placards can be purchased by anyone over the internet. <br />
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True confession time. While recovering from one of my four hip surgeries, I "employed" my Greater Swiss Mountain Dog as a service dog. According to ADA it was totally legal and legit. He carried things for me and helped me with mobility issues. Could I have gotten along without using him as a service dog? Of course. I could have worn my own backpack and used crutches a little longer. But it was cool to have my big, handsome, impeccably mannered dog accompanying me into Costco or coming to meet me in my hospital room following surgery. And it was nice to not have to pay the pet deposit at a motel. Now I feel guilty about it, although I did nothing wrong according to the law. But I took advantage of a bad law, primarily for my own gratification. And that's not right.<br />
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So don't call me anymore asking if your dog could pass as a service animal. If he or she could, you already know it and won't have to ask anyone's opinion.<br />
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By the way, my two angelic dogs are "pit bulls" (actually American Staffordshire Terriers). Needless to say, I have no desire to return to Yakima or any other municipality that supports breed specific bans, whether or not there are exclusions for "service dogs." That's okay. Everyone here who knows my dogs loves them.<br />
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<br />Jan Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734503684852039870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617770133221195894.post-32754848390661135342013-11-05T22:23:00.000-07:002019-02-03T12:27:04.704-07:00<b><span style="font-size: large;">Speeding tickets and shock collars</span></b><br />
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<i>You're wondering what one has to do with the other? They're closely related. Let me tell you about my speeding ticket and use it to demonstrate the way I feel about using shock collars for modifying certain behaviors in our dogs.</i><br />
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The cop nailed me as I was coasting down the hill into Lewiston a couple weeks ago. He clocked me at 72 mph in a 60mph zone and slapped me with a fine of $90. It shook me up! I'd tried so hard to stay within the speed limit for the past 200 miles. But for a few seconds I'd let down my guard on the steep grade, and I got caught.<br />
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Since then, I've been absolutely paranoid about exceeding the posted speed limit anywhere. I don't care what my peers on the road are doing, I'm going to drive like an old lady because I DON'T WANT TO PAY THE CONSEQUENCES AGAIN.<br />
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Now, of course I know that one should not exceed the speed limit anywhere. I understand the law's rationale. But that knowledge seldom stopped me from occasionally drifting over the posted limit.<br />
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I've also had a couple warning tickets in my life, and I've seen others pulled over by flashing lights. But none of those is as powerful a deterrent as getting that ticket two weeks ago. That was a <b><span style="color: blue;">painful</span> </b>lesson I won't forget.<br />
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Shock collars work the same way. They're not appropriate for all dogs and all problems. But let's say it's a self control problem with a headstrong breed. There's absolutely nothing else wrong with him, other than a lack of self control. He's strong, agile, extremely intelligent, powerful, confident. Like a human teenager, he is controlled by his impulses--or lack thereof. You can "tell" him (train him) nicely not to do certain things, but you can't explain "why." That can only be revealed by the consequences of his actions. If the consequences are unpleasant enough, he'll learn to control his impulses.<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">The photos below illustrate a dangerous situation that I corrected with a
shock collar. Lizzie was chasing the cart horse and actually jumping
up to bite his nose, which put everyone in the picture at risk of
injury. I put the collar on her, carried the transmitter, and pushed
the button when she got within jumping distance of the horse. She
immediately learned to leave him alone, but continued to gleefully run
alongside and turn to look at him without actually making physical
contact. She still loves to run with the horse but is no longer a liability. </span></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3A7qNcWaMzbZKylunUp__kegcxlPBZWKWUTrENnfB-RWs9WKsDt6yMaLyhUawQOBtVsCq7-YD_9tNum9Ni-IdJKkiB3kRapClpYoTVliAgmfKg5byRhuP9kAHVt7VKqu_eGmGW8ANl4kB/s1600/104_4161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3A7qNcWaMzbZKylunUp__kegcxlPBZWKWUTrENnfB-RWs9WKsDt6yMaLyhUawQOBtVsCq7-YD_9tNum9Ni-IdJKkiB3kRapClpYoTVliAgmfKg5byRhuP9kAHVt7VKqu_eGmGW8ANl4kB/s320/104_4161.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLAt7Gkav8FFsLUnf3ZuFi5bQmNETFC7icuKQxK4jMK6rnNtHECvsR_abA4wMHyqLoaazbvDv3-h6rpVOeJqSwILlixpAtShcC1n_tcUssn2drNP_AjL9MH1W-UKW0BXeb3EME8i7I-QrL/s1600/104_4162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLAt7Gkav8FFsLUnf3ZuFi5bQmNETFC7icuKQxK4jMK6rnNtHECvsR_abA4wMHyqLoaazbvDv3-h6rpVOeJqSwILlixpAtShcC1n_tcUssn2drNP_AjL9MH1W-UKW0BXeb3EME8i7I-QrL/s320/104_4162.JPG" width="320" /></a>Today's shock collars have adjustable settings, from a mild vibration or a static snap like you get from a carpet in winter, to a jolt you'd get if you touched an electric fence. Just about all humans experience all these "shocks" during our lives, and we live to tell about it. We also remember the bad ones. The worse the shock, the better we remember exactly what we were doing when it happened...and we mentally affirm to never repeat the same action that caused the shock.<br />
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Chasing livestock, chasing a car, or chasing another animal with intent to harm it...those behaviors are all worthy of a correction that sends the dog a clear message: <i><b> <span style="color: blue;">"Never again!"</span></b></i> The intensity of the "correction" (yes, a euphemism for "electric shock" ) depends on the size, age, breed and disposition of the dog. It simply needs to be enough to get the point across--<span style="color: blue;"><b>the first time</b></span>--that the chasing action is not worth repeating.<br />
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Many novice trainers are understandably leery of using shock collars. If you're not careful and your timing is off, you can inadvertently "correct" your dog for a benign behavior. Let's say, for example, that you want to teach your dog not to chase deer. You see deer at the edge of the yard, and you see your dog bolt in that direction. You assume he's going after the deer, but in fact he hasn't even spotted them yet. You push the button on the shock collar's remote transmitter and give the dog a correction. The dog responds with a startled "Yip" or a little jump, and backtracks. You may find it difficult to get your dog to go into that part of the yard again. It has nothing to do with deer. You've "taught" him that something nasty will happen to him if he goes into that part of the yard again. That's clearly not what you intended to teach him, right?<br />
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The time to correct is <span style="color: blue;"><b>when the dog has totally committed to whatever behavior you want to stop, but before he has the chance to actually do damage or be hurt himself. </b> </span>Example: you let the dog outside, you see him lock onto the deer and start to run toward them <b><i>with purpose. </i></b> His body language tells you he intends to catch the deer if he can, and do them harm. <b> <span style="color: blue;">Push the button when you see the dog's natural impulses take over his brain.</span> </b> He may be halfway to the deer, or he may be even closer to them, but <b><span style="color: blue;">he'll be totally focused on the deer. </span> </b>When he feels the shock, he'll assume the deer themselves are "electrified," and he'll develop an instant distaste for them. It usually only takes once. If your timing is off, it may take two episodes to convince him. That's all.<br />
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There are many who claim that shock collars are cruel and inhumane. I think it's much more inhumane to allow a dog to be kicked by a horse it was harassing, or hit by a car it was chasing, or put down because it was allowed to attack another dog. Who could argue that one static charge of electricity, strategically delivered at the right moment, is worse than injury or death?<br />
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Watch what you read on the Internet. Most of the well-intentioned souls who espouse that shock collars are bad haven't had enough experience with dogs and dog problems to know what they're talking about. Granted, they're not for every dog or every situation. But sometimes--when impulse control means life or death--there's no greater tool.<br />
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For more on shock collars, check out this older post:<br />
<a href="http://janthedogtalker.blogspot.com/2007/12/electronic-collars-should-you-get-one.html">http://janthedogtalker.blogspot.com/2007/12/electronic-collars-should-you-get-one.html </a>Jan Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734503684852039870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617770133221195894.post-23672605914210374852013-10-29T17:36:00.003-06:002019-02-03T12:28:36.433-07:00When leash walks turn chaotic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My friend Andy visited us last summer with his Irish Terrier, Risky. Andy's put a lot of time and effort into training, and the two of them have competed in rally and obedience. But Risky still had a behavior problem that was baffling Andy.<br />
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"Every time we walk past a fence that has a barking dog behind it, she just 'loses it,'" he said. "She just becomes this uncontrollable monster, seething at the end of the leash. I can't seem to stop her and show her that she should relax."<br />
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So we took a walk up our dirt road and got to the neighbor's house, where a border collie mix ran down his driveway to size us up. His tail was erect and he was growling, but he stopped when he got to the end of his driveway.<br />
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Risky, on the other hand, predictably started a barking and pulling frenzy, despite Andy's efforts to subdue her. He, too, had stopped to try to reel her in and make her sit calmly in the other dog's presence. But the more she barked, the more frantic he became in his commands, which were like kerosene on a fire.<br />
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And this was the crux of the problem!<br />
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"Andy," I yelled, though he couldn't hear me over Risky's barking. "Keep moving; keep walking. Walk her right past that dog and keep going."<br />
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Finally I stepped in and took Risky's leash so I could demonstrate. Keeping the leash fairly short, but not tight, I turned us around 180 degrees and strode briskly and confidently back past the dog at the fence, without even glancing at the border collie. Risky had no choice but to keep going with me. I turned around and dd it again. She was calmer because I was calm. We did it once more, and this time Risky didn't look at the dog either, and she didn't bark.<br />
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I had diffused her anxiety by telegraphing to her that I (her leader) was not concerned about the strange dog, so she need not be either. In fact, I had "dissed" the other dog by not even acknowledging him, and that was the only information Risky needed to determine her own reaction.<br />
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Whereas Andy had stopped and knelt down and tried to physically calm his dog in the presence of the stimulus, I had chosen to remain upright (showing confidence) and ignore it. With Andy, Risky had picked up on his anxiety, which had escalated the problem. With me, Risky picked up on a calm assertion, which meant she could relax because she knew I didn't think the situation was worth a reaction. I also used motion (I kept walking) instead of stopping. When your dog is moving, he has less time to "stew" about things.<br />
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Mind you, I had to pull a bit the first time to get Risky to go smoothly with me past the border collie. But I didn't beg, yell, reason, comfort, or jerk the leash. I just kept walking.<br />
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As a calming agent for your dog's reactivity, your own leader-like demeanor is probably better than any gimmicky training device or drug you can buy. Remember...if the leader's not worried about a situation, no one else has to worry either.<br />
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<i>(Note: this principle is only applicable to "true" leaders, not necessarily those we just elect to public offices!)</i>Jan Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734503684852039870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617770133221195894.post-86267351718446726212013-09-03T14:59:00.001-06:002019-02-03T12:30:41.788-07:00Dog ramps for higher tailgatesWhen we bought our latest Dodge half-ton truck for our Lab, Angus, we failed to take into consideration the height of the tailgate, and the leap he'd have to negotiate to get in and out of the bed, which is covered with a canopy.<br />
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Our Dodge Dakotas have been low enough that Angus could jump in and out if he had to. But this bigger truck is another matter. After a 12-week recovery from shoulder surgery, we're not letting him leap in--<b>and especially not out</b>--of anything that high anymore.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-GYRkdcFmdqS2QanJhnD3MtaONNDg4O4FA0QARcjwLGTCbf1ALLWDVROvWu7R94o4xDHwlsb-iGV2XQ5m7BQjXovFLkYW9i_S127HvPz5F70-GufYX-ZdaVXX666l_WfC29k-OobGr-r/s1600/ramps.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-GYRkdcFmdqS2QanJhnD3MtaONNDg4O4FA0QARcjwLGTCbf1ALLWDVROvWu7R94o4xDHwlsb-iGV2XQ5m7BQjXovFLkYW9i_S127HvPz5F70-GufYX-ZdaVXX666l_WfC29k-OobGr-r/s400/ramps.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Which would you find easier to negotiate? The steps, or the ramp?</b></td></tr>
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So we hauled out our old folding dog ramp and put it up to the new truck's tailgate so Angus could give it a try. He didn't even get halfway up before I called a halt to the operation and got him off. The ramp, at its steeper angle, just wasn't stable under his 80 pounds. It was bouncy and slippery. <br />
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That's when my brilliant husband retreated to the mud room and came back out with the folding stairs we use with our dog tub. (Yes, we had a professional grooming tub installed in our mud room, instead of a traditional "utility tub." We use it for everything...even bathing dogs.)<br />
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These steps fit the higher tailgate perfectly. They offer stability (necessary when you have older or handicapped dogs). They're lightweight and easier to maneuver than the folding ramp (which always pinches my fingers). And Angus has absolutely no trepidation about climbing them, because the footing is so secure.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy07btgscgJmfJZZwruR_-jaBYLvI8dv3GY35LPzhLEJPBZAtoOnFlpITKIbM8xP9jGEiUWQrrk5i8om8JcqzG3oPHeqFZM5385Vz1i7ZFwKqjzElydPlHrfcR5yNtHT5duZdgASAW8jnN/s1600/ramps2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy07btgscgJmfJZZwruR_-jaBYLvI8dv3GY35LPzhLEJPBZAtoOnFlpITKIbM8xP9jGEiUWQrrk5i8om8JcqzG3oPHeqFZM5385Vz1i7ZFwKqjzElydPlHrfcR5yNtHT5duZdgASAW8jnN/s320/ramps2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The steps can actually hook only the end of the tailgate, whereas the ramp can slide or bounce loose.</b></td></tr>
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Once the dog is loaded, you just fold the steps flat and slide them into the pickup bed. No more pinched fingers.<br />
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Only one problem now: we can't bathe the dogs until we get more steps. For some reason they're not complaining.<br />
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You can get these steps from any groomer supply catalog, at prices ranging from $100 to $125.Jan Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734503684852039870noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617770133221195894.post-90489411433740448002013-08-17T11:00:00.000-06:002019-02-03T12:32:42.777-07:00"I'm too old for this!"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Despite our best training efforts, the trail to better dog behavior can get bumpy at times. The older we are, the more the bumps can hurt. It's best to know when to change directions, accept the way things are, and learn to manage situations to minimize potential problems.<br />
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Yesterday my boisterous young Lab, Angus, pulled me right off my
feet. He saw a squirrel to chase, and I went horizontal before I went
"splat" on the gravel road. The retractable leash jerked free of my
hands and chased the dog, as I lay there yelling cuss words in the
dirt. <i>(Maybe you've seen the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RYryETylIE">HILARIOUS YouTube classic of the little old lady going horizontal behind the Great Dane</a>....it was just like that, only not as funny to me!)</i><br />
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Mind you, this is our sweet, charming, normally dependable Lab who excels in obedience competition. But yesterday was a rude reminder that he is not bombproof and never will be. Nor, perhaps, do we really want him to be. Making him bombproof would require a frontal lobotomy, and we don't want a zombie dog!<br />
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So....we deal with the facts. When 60-year-old people incur strains and bruises, they take longer to heal. We're not as strong and agile as we used to be. Their reaction time is slower, their balance is worse. <b>Bottom line: older people have to be more careful with their activities. They must adjust and modify. </b><br />
<br />
That's why I've ordered a <b>Gentle Leader</b> head halter for Angus. I don't want to quit walking him; I just want to be safer when I do it. Rather than take chances and depend on training alone, I'm going to be ready for the unexpected. The <b>Gentle Leader</b> is no substitute for training, just as a seat belt isn't a substitute for a defensive driving course. But it will help minimize chances of my getting hurt (or my dog getting away) if the surprise squirrel reappears.<br />
<br />
I have a friend and former student whose two leashed Great Danes bolted, pulling her off her feet and slamming her into a car. She spent months in a body cast. My advice to her after her accident was to always walk the Danes in Gentle Leaders, "just in case." Now I'm going to use the same advice.<br />
<br />
Training is necessary, but it's not always enough. Awareness of situations, management, and common sense are all required for responsible dog parenting, and even more so as we age!<br />
<br />
For more on Gentle Leaders, <b><a href="http://janthedogtalker.blogspot.com/2010/06/head-halters-for-difficult-to-control.html">check the post I wrote here several years ago.</a> </b> It explains the system very well.<br />
<br />
<br />Jan Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734503684852039870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617770133221195894.post-37662934158525534172013-01-28T14:10:00.003-07:002019-02-03T12:35:06.998-07:00When "Fetch" starts to hurt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Angus, our two-year-old Lab, is a maniac for "fetch." He's hard-wired for the job and, like many retrievers, would rather fetch a toy or stick than eat. He would literally fetch till he dropped.<br />
<br />
His enthusiasm is so contagious that we often don't like to stop the game either. "Okay, one more...just one more....now this is the last one...," etc. If you've had a ball-crazy dog, you know what I'm talking about.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, Angus got "too much of a good thing" a few weeks ago. After a rousing game of fetch in the snow, he followed me inside and began limping on three legs. The pain was in his right shoulder; he was avoiding putting any weight on it at all.<br />
<br />
Since he was no better the next morning, we took him to the vet. X-rays and an exam revealed nothing remarkable. The vet suggested it was either a soft-tissue injury or a chip of cartilage that had broken off and was floating around in his shoulder. We went home with anti-inflammatories and orders to keep him quiet for three weeks. If that didn't clear up the problem, he'd be facing arthroscopic surgery to the tune of about $2,000.<br />
<br />
Angus ceased limping within a day, and we were all the more concerned that it was a chip. But we finished our course of prescribed "quiet" and he's had no recurrence. We haven't started playing fetch again yet either. When we do, it'll be by a different set of rules.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>We'll require him to sit and wait until the object we throw hits the ground.</b></span></div>
<br />
When a dog takes off at full speed after a flying object, whether it's a Frisbee or a ball, he's often craning his neck to locate it. He then leaps up into the air, twisting and contorting his body to catch the object, he lands hard on the front end, and he immediately twists back to return the object to the thrower. If he's a long-legged or heavy-bodied dog, the strain and stress on ligaments, muscles and entire skeletal structure can be devastating, especially with lots of repetitions.<br />
<br />
It's dramatic and exciting to see dogs do this; Frisbee dogs are very entertaining. But when you think of the <i><b>unnatural </b></i>stress this activity puts on their bodies, you have to think twice about playing fetch this way with your own dog. You can still exercise his natural instinct and have fun doing it. Just tone it down so your dog doesn't have to jump, twist in midair, and crash to the ground. You'll probably extend his fetching days by several years.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jan Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734503684852039870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617770133221195894.post-78730397635953238432012-10-15T11:39:00.003-06:002019-02-03T12:36:40.528-07:00Stupidity kills dogs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A guy I know just "lost" his second dog in four years. He didn't really lose them; he allowed them to be killed.<br />
<br />
This man was "anti-leash." Because of that, both dogs are dead.<br />
<br />
He had his first dog for a couple years and it met a tragic end. So he got another one, same breed, which recently met a similar end.<br />
<br />
He took both through classes with me when each dog was about six months old. I'm not sure why he did that, since he refused to follow my advice, which was, "Use a leash in public" and "Don't allow your dog to run the neighborhood." These were quick, brilliant dogs, by the way, but I could tell that each of them lived in a state of mental confusion as to what was expected of them and who was in charge. During training, the man was slow to react when necessary, and he was too harsh when he finally did. Naturally the dogs gave up and quit listening most of the time, and when they did, they behaved with spastic submission. The man was not cut out for this breed of dog!<br />
<br />
The man is a jogger. I'd repeatedly see him going for his afternoon jogs in the borrow pit alongside the busy highway, his dog-of-the-day ranging way up ahead or way behind him. I'd cringe each time I saw them, but knew that stopping the car to counsel him was a waste of time. The message simply wouldn't sink in. I believe the man did, in some warped way, actually care for his dogs; he took each to work with him every day, and they were sociable with customers. That's why I can't figure out his refusal to leash his jogging partners, safely contain them at work, or keep them in a fenced yard when they were at home.<br />
<br />
The first dog died because it was running loose, unsupervised, in the guy's workplace parking lot. A forklift operator accidentally dumped a load of pallets on her. A few months later the man procured the second dog, which lived for about three years before getting hit by a car near his home. This dog had repeatedly been seen by neighbors, running loose and alone down the middle of the busy, curvy road.<br />
<br />
If these had been human children, the guy would be in jail for manslaughter or negligent parenting or something. But because they were dogs--and "expendable"--he can just go get another one. I pray that he does not!<br />
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Leashes work miracles</span></b><br />
Many of you know Lizzie, my rescued pit bull. You know how obedient and angelic she is (most of the time). She could be considered "under voice command" when we're out hiking the backroads, but I prefer to have her on a leash. It's not just for her safety either. It's for the additional bonding that happens between us, as she refreshes her memory each time about who's in control and who she should trust with her life. It's the best "attitude adjustment" exercise in the world. My dogs are always calmer, more relaxed, and happier at the end of a leashwalk than they are when they come back from running loose in the woods. <br />
<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>Leashes do more than save lives.<i> </i>They <i>GIVE</i> lives.</b></span><i> </i> A leash allows your dog to accompany you throughout your daily activities, instead of being left at home. The leash offers safety, security, serenity and reassurance. It's your dog's key to a more interesting existence...and one less likely to end in tragedy due to human negligence.Jan Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734503684852039870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617770133221195894.post-91493797345994347162012-10-15T11:39:00.002-06:002012-10-16T11:49:52.405-06:00Stupidity kills dogs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A guy I know just "lost" his second dog in four years. He didn't really lose them; he allowed them to be killed.<br />
<br />
This man was "anti-leash." Because of that, both dogs are dead.<br />
<br />
He had his first dog for a couple years and it met a tragic end. So he got another one, same breed, which recently met a similar end.<br />
<br />
He took both through classes with me when each dog was about six months old. I'm not sure why he did that, since he refused to follow my advice, which was, "Use a leash in public" and "Don't allow your dog to run the neighborhood." These were quick, brilliant dogs, by the way, but I could tell that each of them lived in a state of mental confusion as to what was expected of them and who was in charge. During training, the man was slow to react when necessary, and he was too harsh when he finally did. Naturally the dogs gave up and quit listening most of the time, and when they did, they behaved with spastic submission. The man was not cut out for this breed of dog!<br />
<br />
The man is a jogger. I'd repeatedly see him going for his afternoon jogs in the borrow pit alongside the busy highway, his dog-of-the-day ranging way up ahead or way behind him. I'd cringe each time I saw them, but knew that stopping the car to counsel him was a waste of time. The message simply wouldn't sink in. I believe the man did, in some warped way, actually care for his dogs; he took each to work with him every day, and they were sociable with customers. That's why I can't figure out his refusal to leash his jogging partners, safely contain them at work, or keep them in a fenced yard when they were at home.<br />
<br />
The first dog died because it was running loose, unsupervised, in the guy's workplace parking lot. A forklift operator accidentally dumped a load of pallets on her. A few months later the man procured the second dog, which lived for about three years before getting hit by a car near his home. This dog had repeatedly been seen by neighbors, running loose and alone down the middle of the busy, curvy road.<br />
<br />
If these had been human children, the guy would be in jail for manslaughter or negligent parenting or something. But because they were dogs--and "expendable"--he can just go get another one. I pray that he does not!<br />
<br />
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Leashes work miracles</span></b><br />
Many of you know Lizzie, my rescued pit bull. You know how obedient and angelic she is (most of the time). She could be considered "under voice command" when we're out hiking the backroads, but I prefer to have her on a leash. It's not just for her safety either. It's for the additional bonding that happens between us, as she refreshes her memory each time about who's in control and who she should trust with her life. It's the best "attitude adjustment" exercise in the world. My dogs are always calmer, more relaxed, and happier at the end of a leashwalk than they are when they come back from running loose in the woods. <br />
<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>Leashes do more than save lives.<i> </i>They <i>GIVE</i> lives.</b></span><i> </i> A leash allows your dog to accompany you throughout your daily activities, instead of being left at home. The leash offers safety, security, serenity and reassurance. It's your dog's key to a more interesting existence...and one less likely to end in tragedy due to human negligence.Jan Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734503684852039870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617770133221195894.post-17374589276067874562012-08-24T18:29:00.001-06:002012-08-24T18:32:29.359-06:00Beware the Corporate Vet!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My friend Kathryn is a veterinarian at a clinic in a small town far, far away. When I told her I was looking for a "backup" clinic for our dogs here in rural Montana, she shared some juicy "inside" information with me on the trend toward corporation-owned vet clinics.<br />
<br />
"Steer clear of the corporate clinics," she said.<br />
<br />
Oh no, I thought. I'd just established a relationship with a slick multi-vet clinic in Sandpoint, 70 miles away, primarily because they offered emergency vet services that I couldn't find locally.<br />
<br />
Kathryn grimaced when I told her. She said, "The clinics that have been bought up by major corporations are really focused on profits and quotas. They push services you might not really need." Like annual dentals and blood work for every procedure. It's marketed as "preventive medicine," with the idea that it will SAVE the pet owner money down the line (much like mammograms and colonoscopies for humans). But....<br />
<br />
"If you're a vet in one of these corporate practices, and you don't sell a certain number of dentals every week, for instance, you get called into the office and counseled."<br />
<br />
Oh! My! Mind you, I have known some independent vets who push services a la carte, and end up selling a lot more stuff to a client than they can pay for (or than they need). I've never cared for that approach. But in the corporate world, we're talking about a <i>structured strategy </i>to financially drain the pet owner for the sake of clinic profits. It makes me think of sleazy car salesmen who have to run back and forth to "the office" to get approvals for the deals they're cutting. That's now how I want to think of my wonderful vet!<br />
<br />
"They [the corporate vets] lay a guilt trip on the client," Kathryn says. "'You really need to get Fifi's teeth cleaned,' or 'You really need to have this blood panel done.'" And more clients, she says, tip over immediately because there's no limit to what they'll do (or spend) on the family dog or cat...whether it needs the procedure or not.<br />
<br />
Think of yourself (I think of myself) in a vet clinic. We're so in love with our pets that we become 100 percent vulnerable to the sales tactics of the vet clinic. We are putty in their hands. We're afraid to refuse a procedure or test because we may be labeled as uncaring and heartless. After all, if the vet says we need it, then we need it. This is a blatant misuse of the doctor/patient relationship, which should be built on trust and honesty, not on corporate profits. When was the last time you asked, beforehand, what the veterinary procedures of the day would cost? Chances are, you went into the exam room, glassy-eyed, full of love for your pet, and ready to accept whatever bill they presented you when you checked out.<br />
<br />
If you think about it, this is the same problem we have with human health costs. We trust our doctors, we trust our insurance companies, and we know the bills will get paid, by someone or another, eventually. So we accept our bills without question.<br />
<br />
We can all save money these days by educating ourselves about procedures and maladies, and becoming informed patients/clients. Corporations don't just own vet clinics; they own hospitals too. If we become more responsible for our own health and our own medical bills, and if we get estimates and explanations up front (before procedures are done), our medical costs--for humans AND pets--will probably go down... a lot!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is this the heart and soul of your veterinary clinic?</td></tr>
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<br />
Kathryn told me to look for names like "Banfield" and "VCA Antech" prefacing the names of veterinary clinics. Those are only two of the big ones; there are more. That, she said, is the indication of whether or not they are corporation owned. So, for instance, our local "Thompson Falls Veterinary Clinic" would be listed and promoted as <i>"Banfield</i> Thompson Falls Veterinary Clinic." Fortunately it is NOT. An independent vet (and independent businesswoman) owns our local clinic and thus is able to operate it the way she wants, rather than fall in lock step with a corporation edict. Same thing, apparently, with the multi-vet practice in Sandpoint (70 miles away) I use as back-up.<br />
<br />
Yakima (where many of my blog readers are) doesn't appear to have any corporation-owned clinics either, nor does Missoula (my current "big neighboring city.") But Spokane and the Tri-Cities do.<br />
<br />
These corporate clinics aren't inherently evil. They do stress preventive care, and they do have good, licensed veterinarians. They'll take care of your dog. But just beware that they will also attempt to sell you services you may not truly need, because they are required to do so by the corporation that has them in shackles.Jan Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734503684852039870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617770133221195894.post-71609195523648296392012-07-26T13:44:00.001-06:002019-02-03T12:38:43.830-07:00Proactive or Reactive: Which would YOU trust?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Reactive </b></td></tr>
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<i style="color: blue;"> Look at the two faces pictured below. Which one does your dog most frequently see in you? In which one's presence would you (or your dog) feel safer?</i><br />
<br />
"I correct Abby every time she does it, but she keeps on doing it," Linda wailed. "I hate to keep correcting her all the time!"<br />
<br />
Linda was referring to the play-biting her Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy would start whenever she wanted attention. But Linda could have also been referring to a dog that jumps up on counters, chases deer, lunges at other dogs, or grabs Kleenex out of the waste basket. While any of these undesirable behaviors can be "fixed" by various methods, the common denominator in them is the human leader.<br />
<br />
When Linda waits for Abby to do the bad deed, and then corrects her, Linda is being "reactive." She reacts to the dog's behavior. The problem with being "reactive" is that the dog quickly learns this is part of the game. Dog does "X" and owner does "Y." To him, it's just a routine.<br />
<br />
Because the dog already got his gratification by doing "X," and because the dog may not particularly mind the reprimand, the dog decides it's worth it to him to repeat the behavior at another time.<br />
<br />
Let's use a steak on a plate as an example: Your dog is hungry. He spies a steak sitting on a plate on the edge of the counter. He jumps up, grabs it, and gobbles it up as you come running over to discipline him. You're too late. The satisfaction of gulping down that juicy steak was far greater than his fear of retribution. Therefore, he'll probably do it again....if you're foolish enough to leave a steak on the edge of the countertop!<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlomL5Ls0U0kbEQ1r4yyS8xsltjhfLmOE-8Jn30_3JjkW6GbsuqY3ZK5VnFbLBjqKMu5yh4uCtmLpPNHT3DJ8nSo656t420x2BXumIeE7HRZp1YmAW0xHZBjINE6F8FKENmPJx8u31l2at/s1600/steak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlomL5Ls0U0kbEQ1r4yyS8xsltjhfLmOE-8Jn30_3JjkW6GbsuqY3ZK5VnFbLBjqKMu5yh4uCtmLpPNHT3DJ8nSo656t420x2BXumIeE7HRZp1YmAW0xHZBjINE6F8FKENmPJx8u31l2at/s1600/steak.jpg" /></a></div>
A "proactive" approach communicates far better leadership from you. Here's how you could be proactive in the same situation: the steak is on the countertop (not because you're baiting your dog but because that's just where you had to put it for the moment). You're quietly watching from the sidelines as you see your dog's nose twitch. The dog gets up and walks cautiously over toward the countertop. Ears are up, nose is still twitching. You know what he has in mind. THIS IS THE MOMENT you become a proactive leader. You step in with a swift "Leave it!" command or a sharp "Aagh!!" The dog glances at you, knowing he's busted before he even commits the deed. His ears go back submissively and he slinks back to his resting spot.<br />
<br />
NOW YOU ROBUSTLY PRAISE YOUR DOG! You have just thwarted a dog-crime.You've convinced your dog that...<br />
1. You can read his mind (and you can).<br />
2. You are watching him at all times, like the good leader you are.<br />
This message of leadership is far more effective than any "reactive" swat on the tush that may have come AFTER he'd committed the dastardly deed.<br />
<br />
In Linda's case, she's going to learn to "read" her dog more carefully. She'll see the changes in body language and demeanor that tell her Abby's mood is swinging from playful pup to bratty teenager. She'll learn to intervene and redirect the dog's thoughts and energy BEFORE she becomes bratty. Regardless of what method she might use to do this, the key ingredient is her observation of Abby and her ability to be "proactive" in her approach.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Ki4DcrglMfv7uRoc_h-X8WI6jPm2-ZkX81RUAXFbVHZsOt0m35kvW-jb7np_N5r70P0_oAAGTBrO7BDqEc4WoZur54pCVw2JWyN4wlpwB84eeyPpfMR9jI-eBAI-oU6xazvJ9I1e57BS/s1600/hero.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Ki4DcrglMfv7uRoc_h-X8WI6jPm2-ZkX81RUAXFbVHZsOt0m35kvW-jb7np_N5r70P0_oAAGTBrO7BDqEc4WoZur54pCVw2JWyN4wlpwB84eeyPpfMR9jI-eBAI-oU6xazvJ9I1e57BS/s1600/hero.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Proactive </b> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Even if you haven't served in the military, you're still aware of how important a good leader is to his troops in a combat situation. Soldiers don't want a leader who aimlessly leads them into a firefight and then reacts defensively when they get shot at. Soldiers want a leader who will keep them out of the firefight to begin with, or at least keep them on the offense. That's what a proactive leader does.<br />
<br />
Your dog wants to know you're in charge. Whether he's a Rottie or a Yorkie, he needs to have confidence in your ability to keep him safe. Without it, he has no choice but to promote himself to a rank higher than yours....and that, of course, is when you begin taking orders from him. If you wouldn't dream of putting your small children in this role, don't do it to your dog either.Jan Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734503684852039870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617770133221195894.post-16179279513625538372012-05-24T00:17:00.000-06:002019-02-03T12:40:35.469-07:00Fighting females<div style="color: blue;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_E4SBXn1lgdReGSgnrYoqMm8PNSZ9DBbaaXYnElFydNUtaIeT2RDaGsRja4uo5LlrMr9trnCE0lpNtPy_tzw1lOUgIB9NJTZz-09sSad6kmWlK3p0Tvpo5S6IM69Y89Mw0tnfKGffyKq/s1600/dog+fight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_E4SBXn1lgdReGSgnrYoqMm8PNSZ9DBbaaXYnElFydNUtaIeT2RDaGsRja4uo5LlrMr9trnCE0lpNtPy_tzw1lOUgIB9NJTZz-09sSad6kmWlK3p0Tvpo5S6IM69Y89Mw0tnfKGffyKq/s1600/dog+fight.jpg" /></a></div>
<i>Jan,</i></div>
<div style="color: blue;">
<i>I have two Australian Cattle Dogs, both females, that hate each other. One is about a year old and the other is about three. The vicious fighting started last year. They mean business, and we have incurred several large vet bills because they tear each other up. The fights seem to be over me; when I show attention to one, the other bristles up, and then they'll just explode into a violent fight. They get along okay during the day when I'm gone, but they can't be in the house together if I am there. I have to keep one in the bedroom if both are inside. I feel like I'm walking on eggshells, waiting for a time bomb to go off. What can I do?</i></div>
<div style="color: blue;">
<i>Lisa</i></div>
<br />
Lisa,<br />
I could give you a long-winded, optimistic reply about how you could modify the behavior over time and get the two to peacefully coexist. Some trainers would do that. I won't. Life is too short, and no one in your household is happy right now with all this tension. For the sake of everyone, re-home one of the females in an environment that's more suited for her. (i.e., no other females, no cats, whatever...) <br />
<br />
Your situation is not unusual. You have two strong-willed, same-breed females--tenacious "heelers," no less--and there are serious issues between the two of them. While the fights probably do start over you, the tension is always under the surface, and you're correct to liken it to a time bomb. You simply shouldn't have to tiptoe around your own home and dogs, nor should you take the chance that you can affect the behavior sufficiently to make a permanent change. Certainly there are steps you can do to postpone another violent fight, but the next one could be the worst yet, and will likely occur when you're least expecting it.<br />
<br />
Years ago I saw two red female Dobermans, littermates, try to kill each other in my class. They blew up so unexpectedly that none of us saw it coming. The two young dogs had been sitting quietly and obediently next to each other with their owners when they suddenly exploded at each other. We managed to get them apart, but not before one had torn her sister's ear and left puncture wounds on her muzzle. The owners then told me this was an ongoing issue; the dogs had hated each other since adolescence, and their fights had resulted in numerous visits to the vet. We explored various types of behavior modification, ways to mitigate, ways to better expend the dogs' energy, ways to manage them. Yet I was pessimistic about how much success they would have. Frankly, I could see the people were not up to the task. It would have been a lot of work, with no guarantees the fights would stop.<span id="goog_367483618"></span><span id="goog_367483619"></span><br />
<br />
Like your situation, each of the dogs was great without the other. Each was entitled to live a life of peace and low stress, which would not be possible if they lived together. Careful re-homing may be heartbreaking for you, but it would definitely be in the best interest of the dogs you love.Jan Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734503684852039870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617770133221195894.post-86161375996849075262012-05-23T23:36:00.000-06:002019-02-03T12:42:32.014-07:00Are you a betting person?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURyMhP4dl8e_ciR9XnWu95KiYuF8NHO-ZMYtt6jWuvQ_eZwOx46tR8RgDaud4QIG1psz9AhS9a74fiurgcyscRvFjzkAgecX8yea7WXlrNETd0dHNDO5hS4c2l4ubjSKEBKeCW47S8DyF/s1600/justice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURyMhP4dl8e_ciR9XnWu95KiYuF8NHO-ZMYtt6jWuvQ_eZwOx46tR8RgDaud4QIG1psz9AhS9a74fiurgcyscRvFjzkAgecX8yea7WXlrNETd0dHNDO5hS4c2l4ubjSKEBKeCW47S8DyF/s1600/justice.jpg" /></a></div>
So you like to let your dog run off-leash. You like to take her to the park and let her go. You figure the animal control officer will just give you a wink and a nod if she sees you do it. You're not worried. Your dog gets a little excited when she sees small kids running, and she likes to chase the geese by the pond, and she weighs enough to knock over Grandma when she jumps on her. And she doesn't come when you call her the first, second or third time, but she'll eventually come back. She's a nice dog, most of the time.<br />
<br />
Lawsuits happen. Recently I heard some of the best advice I've ever heard when it comes to responsible dog ownership. My friend Laurie (K-9 Country Club in Yakima) heard it from a presenter<span id="goog_1849994034"></span><span id="goog_1849994035"></span> at an aggressive dog seminar in Seattle. The presenter said this:<br />
<br />
<div style="color: blue;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>"Don't let your dog off the leash unless you're willing to bet your dog's life, or your home, that the dog will come back when you call him."</b></span></div>
Read it again, and think about it.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: black;">"Don't let your dog off the leash unless you're willing to bet your
dog's life, or your home, that the dog will come back when you call
him." </b></span>Jan Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734503684852039870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617770133221195894.post-40761517836487776332012-04-11T09:12:00.006-06:002019-02-03T12:44:01.747-07:00The Best Day of His Life<div class="article">
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</h1>
<h1>
The Little Things</h1>
<div class="date">
<div class="dateleft">
<span class="time"> April 9, 2012</span><br />
<span class="time">From <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1248297885">StubbyDog.org </a></span><a href="http://www.stubbydog.org/"> </a> </div>
<div class="dateright">
<span class="icomment"> <a href="http://stubbydog.org/2012/04/the-little-things/#respond"><span class="livefyre-commentcount" data-lf-article-id="15953" data-lf-site-id="1025"><br />
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<h2>
A family decides to take a shelter dog to the beach and discovers the joy of celebrating the little things in life</h2>
<i>By Kirstyn Northrop Cobb </i><br />
<img alt="" class="alignright size-full wp-image-15956" src="http://stubbydog.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/sparky2_350p.jpg" height="467" style="border: black 1px solid;" title="StubbyDog: STories - Sparky the shelter dog goes to the beach" width="350" />Sometimes, we get so wrapped up in our lives that we forget about the little things and, more importantly, how the little things aren’t so little to a shelter dog.<br />
<br />
As it was with most of us, I had a hectic weekend, and my dogs didn’t get the attention that they were used to. To make up for it, my daughter and I decided to take our dog, Gidget, for a walk. I remembered noticing that a dog named Sparky at my local shelter, where I am a volunteer, was showing signs of kennel stress. He had gone through a couple of surgeries during the past weeks due to a complication with his neuter, and so he had been kenneled a lot more than usual, and it was starting to wear on him. So, I figured that we would pick him up and take him along with us. We live along the Chesapeake Bay, so I thought that would be a good place to take the dogs out.<br />
<br />
Sparky was an inner city boy. He came from the streets of DC where he was found as a stray. Sparky had probably never been to a beach before that day. So, imagine his surprise when I got him out of the car and there it was! Water, waves, sand and so many new smells! Oh, there was so much to sniff out! Sparky found old fossilized clams and seaweed. Sparky found pieces of driftwood that had washed up! Sparky even found horseshoe crabs! And all the time, he kept looking back at me with an expression that clearly said “Woah! Do you see this?!” Not to mention, he also sniffed our dog, Gidget. Sparky might possibly be in love, I thought – sorry buddy, you’re both fixed. <br />
<img alt="" class="alignright size-full wp-image-15959" src="http://stubbydog.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/sparkyhorseshoe_350p.jpg" height="320" style="border: 1px solid black;" title="StubbyDog: Stories - Sparky the shelter dog goes to the beach" width="239" /><br />
It was a nice little reminder. Most of us down here along the bay make trips to the beach frequently. The bay is no longer new or really exciting to us. And most of us, myself included, would never be excited about the possibility of sticking our noses in a horseshoe crab and sniffing. But to Sparky, this was such a new and wonderful experience.<br />
<br />
This was quite possibly the best day of his life, and it was such a simple thing – it was just a little over an hour out of our day, and we were going anyway. But to Sparky, this was so much more than just a trip that we were going to take anyway. This was an adventure, and all the stress from multiple surgeries just melted away.<br />
<br />
So, next time you’re out, be it at the Chesapeake Bay or elsewhere around your home, remember to take a note from the book of Sparky. Remember to notice the little things, and enjoy them. Remember to stop and smell the horseshoe crabs, well, maybe not that, but don’t take the little things for granted. And if you can do so, take a shelter dog. It’s amazing how something little like that can make a shelter dog’s day. <br />
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-15962" src="http://stubbydog.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/sparky_600p.jpg" height="213" style="border: 1px solid black;" title="StubbyDog: Stories - Sparky the shelter dog goes to the beach" width="320" /><br />
<h1>
</h1>
</div>
Jan Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734503684852039870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617770133221195894.post-72455662770823099822012-03-27T17:34:00.005-06:002019-02-03T12:45:08.500-07:00Four simple steps to animal control issues<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
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<img alt="" class="alignright size-full wp-image-15360" src="http://stubbydog.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/luckyfour_350p.jpg" height="320" style="border: 1px solid black;" title="StubbyDog: Stories - Calgary model" width="225" /><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Can only four principles really save homeless animals and keep everyone safe?</b><i> </i></span><br />
<i>By Jennifer Bristol and Josh Blye, reprinted with permission from <a href="http://thattouchofpit.com/2012/03/13/lucky-number-four/" target="_blank">That Touch of Pit</a></i><br />
<br />
<br />
Recently, I was lucky enough to meet <a href="http://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/ABS/Pages/home.aspx" target="_blank">Bill Bruce</a> when he shared his <a href="http://supporthersheysbill.com/calgary-model/" target="_blank">Calgary Model</a> to some of us animal welfare folks in NYC. Bruce oversees the Animal Services for the city of Calgary and is well respected in the animal welfare community. His philosophy and principles are simple, yet so effective. The Model advocates responsible pet ownership based on the following four principles: <br />
<div style="color: blue; padding-left: 25px;">
<b>• License and provide permanent identification for pets.</b><br />
<b>• Spay or neuter pets.</b><br />
<b>• Provide training, physical care, socialization and medical attention for companion pets.</b><br />
<b>• Do not allow pets to become a threat or nuisance in the community.</b></div>
I can wax poetic about him and the model, but I think the numbers speak for themselves: <br />
<div style="padding-left: 25px;">
• Calgary population: 1.1 million<br />
• Number of pet dogs: 110,000<br />
• Reported dog bites: less than 150 (50 being in-home incidents)<br />
• 90% of dogs are licensed.</div>
And, the cherry on top of this sundae: his animal services agency is solely funded by licensing fees and other enforcement fees. What I truly love about this model is that it sets the owner up to succeed! How many times have I told dog owners that we need to set the dog up to succeed. Need a license, you can go up to any Animal Control Officer and get one on the spot. Fido leaps over the fence, if an AFO finds him and scans him, he will bring it back to your house for a nominal fee — no impoundment at all!<br />
<br />
Bruce will admit: no documentation is needed to prove your dog is altered for your license application. However, if it is discovered that you lied, you will be fined $500! If the government is asking pet owners to follow some simple rules to keep everyone safe, it is only logical that the government enforce these laws<br />
<a href="http://stubbydog.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/walking350p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="alignright size-full wp-image-15363" src="http://stubbydog.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/walking350p.jpg" height="320" style="border: 1px solid black;" title="StubbyDog: Stories - Calgary Model" width="223" /></a><br />
What’s more: all pet owners who license their pets receive an <a href="http://iheartmypet.ca/" target="_blank">I Heart My Pets</a> rewards card which offers discounts and deals from everything from pet services to travel accommodations. And, who doesn’t want a reward?<br />
<br />
Here’s a little anecdote that shows if a system like this were in place in New York City, how we could keep even just one dog out of the pound.<br />
<br />
Just this week, in my neighborhood, there was an incident of an off-leash dog attacking another dog pretty severely (while it was next to its toddler human sibling). <a href="http://www.dnainfo.com/20120312/washington-heights-inwood/vicious-dog-attack-inwood-park-prompts-criticism-of-hands-off-policing" target="_blank">The attack was covered by a writer for DNAInfo, Carla Zanoni</a>, whose column specifically addresses issues in the Inwood community, and I appreciate Carla’s piece for providing the straight facts and not sensationalizing the story.<br />
<br />
In this case, the “attacking dog” was not wearing an ID tag, nor was it microchipped. This would also lead us to believe that the owner had not obtained the necessary license, which is all contrary to Bill Bruce’s first principle (“License and provide permanent identification for pets”).<br />
Information is not given as to whether or not the “attacking dog,” who is female, is spayed or not. So let’s give the owner some credit and assume that she is indeed spayed. Check mark number one according to Bruce’s model, and the only one we’ll find throughout.<br />
<br />
Principle number three specifically addresses socialization. It’s safe to say, I think, that the “attacking dog” probably hasn’t had much in the way of socialization with other dogs. However, there are some dogs who are just predisposed to not be social with other dogs, and if that is indeed the case, you should recognize that and take additional measures to make sure everyone stays safe.<br />
<br />
And as for allowing the pet “to become a threat or nuisance in the community”? Well, I think the people of this community probably feel adequately threatened.<br />
<br />
This story has brought up many neighborhood issues including off leash dogs, which can be a very heated issue. Leash laws are important and need to be in place to keep animals and people safe. No matter what the size or temperament of the dog. So, aside from critiquing the “attacking dog’s” owner for not being thoroughly responsible, the law enforcement is also at fault in this whole situation.<br />
<br />
<b>New York City dog license laws require every dog, while in public, to always be on a leash no longer than six feet long.</b> This law is almost never enforced. The number of people we see daily walking dogs off leash, without tags, on 20 foot long retractable leashes, etc. is astounding.<br />
<br />
If the laws are enforced properly in every instance where they are not being adhered to, as is shown by Bill Bruce’s Calgary Model, the number of dogs in homes could be exponentially greater than it is now, and maybe, just maybe, our city’s animal shelters wouldn’t be quite so crowded.Jan Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734503684852039870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617770133221195894.post-16338508259294230822012-02-09T23:52:00.001-07:002019-02-03T12:47:19.778-07:00Bloody Footprints<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFtdTPew8jUKT36XNvTjCJs1qdjETYCdxBdxLwMPvaxsKDs34hkF2j8gKvB8jZoIhhOSV_mEeniiIjPXSyaFxRCp5BJa5R0FxAgV00kOkw7-NlJPkBitlkmjdF_juz-Ai6cbHQ5N54Trnn/s1600/bloody+snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFtdTPew8jUKT36XNvTjCJs1qdjETYCdxBdxLwMPvaxsKDs34hkF2j8gKvB8jZoIhhOSV_mEeniiIjPXSyaFxRCp5BJa5R0FxAgV00kOkw7-NlJPkBitlkmjdF_juz-Ai6cbHQ5N54Trnn/s1600/bloody+snow.jpg" /></a></div>
It seems to happen every year around this time. The snow gets crusty. You break through a sharp skin of ice with every step you take across the yard or field It's awkward, but at least it doesn't hurt your feet because you're wearing boots. Your dog, on the other hand, is running barefoot across the same icy snow. His toenails dig into the glass-like surface, and every so often his feet break through too. When he returns the ball you threw for him, you notice that his footprints are bloody. Like you, your dog needs boots if he's to negotiate this snow and ice without injuring his feet.<br />
<br />
This past week, both Angus and Lizzie have left bloody footprints atop the crusted snow in our yard. The bloodiness is at the base of several of their toenails, front and back. When they run to chase a thrown ball, they put everything they have into it, digging into the icy shards with their nails and abrading the tender cuticles raw. They don't even notice any discomfort till they get inside. That's when they start licking the sore toes. If left unchecked, the licking is enough to further aggravate the situation and lead to even larger sores. These, in turn, can take forever to heal because of the constant irritation and wetness caused by licking. It's a vicious cycle that need never start if we take proper precautions to begin with.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteGzCUrQcUO_3aL1ZkizsqV9nQKexZGsivZ_WNQuNneo1WqwGAdmiZZYHRbm5gGDRSYxLOmoeErO8tORIEdL4GxtZIvMMkTYk9oyP-74t9oOXkUMSIeXpUYZ-92MrC26NpjzGy4AGHwBQ/s1600/dogboots+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteGzCUrQcUO_3aL1ZkizsqV9nQKexZGsivZ_WNQuNneo1WqwGAdmiZZYHRbm5gGDRSYxLOmoeErO8tORIEdL4GxtZIvMMkTYk9oyP-74t9oOXkUMSIeXpUYZ-92MrC26NpjzGy4AGHwBQ/s1600/dogboots+1.jpg" /></a><br />
That means boots. You wear them. If your dog is primarily an indoor dweller like you, he should probably wear them too.<br />
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Dog boots are easy to find on the internet these days. Just Google the subject and you'll find dozens of links to various dog boot manufacturers. To find the boots best for your dog's breed and activity level, you can consult a vet or a doggy day care provider. (Many doggy daycares now put disposable boots on their canine clients' paws to protect them from the rigors of all-day dog play with their chums.)<br />
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Don't expect your dog to love his boots the first time you put them on him. He'll high-step like a cartoon dog whose feet are stuck to flypaper. He may even try to chew them off. But keep him diverted, get him interested in something else, and within minutes your dog will be running and playing, oblivious to the foreign objects on his feet.<br />
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The boots need not stay on all day if your dog spends most of his time indoors with you. But do boot him up if you're planning an extended romp in the snow and on the ice. Besides protecting his feet from ice cuts, the boots will also be barriers between his feet and salty snow-melt chemicals on the sidewalks and roads.<br />
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If your dog does experience some cutting/ abrading, and other minor injuries from walking barefoot in the snow and ice, get him back inside and use a warm water rinse or soak to clean the bloody areas. Next, pat dry and apply a small amount of triple antibiotic or Panalog ointment to the affected areas. Then let your dog rest somewhere in the house, within sight of you. If he should start to lick his paws. try putting socks over the sore paws--or boots, if you have them--and help him forget about his feet by giving him a loaded Kong or other goodie to occupy his mind.<br />
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Meanwhile look for ice-clear areas where you can walk or play with your dog. Contain your fetching games to parks free of snow, or to large indoor areas open for dog play. And of course, Doggy Day Care is a great boredom reliever this time of year, when weather keeps us dogwalkers inside.<br />
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If your dog has boots, on the other hand, neither of you has an excuse to not enjoy the late-winter weather. Just ask your dog, and he'll tell you how much fun you both can have with a rousing game of fetch off the ic<span id="goog_1852411510"></span><span id="goog_1852411511"></span>y snowbanks!Jan Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734503684852039870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617770133221195894.post-81592244860489570362011-12-26T14:30:00.004-07:002019-02-03T12:49:38.574-07:00Dogs don't "get even"Donna told me her dog "gets even" with her whenever she has to leave him home alone for a few hours.<br />
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"He'll run out the door as soon as I get home and then he'll go over to the woodshed and stand there and bark at me. Then he won't come in when I call him. He just barks and wags his tail and plays his keep-away game. He gets mad at me when I leave him, and that's how he gets back at me."<br />
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"Donna," I offered, "he's not doing it to <i style="color: blue;"><b>get even</b></i> with you. Dogs don't think that way."<br />
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"Mine does," she insisted. "He's always done that. He does not like it when I leave him!"<i><b> </b></i><br />
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<li><i><b>He's always done that. </b></i></li>
<li><i><b>He does not like it when I leave him!</b></i></li>
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Both statements are probably correct. But to chain them together, in a cause-and-effect way, is to create a false premise. Granted, dogs usually aren't happy when we leave them home alone. However, Donna's mistake is to connect his unhappiness with what she perceives to be a willful, vengeful, premeditated act. As human-like and intelligent as our dogs may seem to us, they simply don't think that way...which says a lot for dogs, if you really think about it. Only humans, with consciences, are spiteful enough to plan revenge. Dogs are blessed to live life "in the moment." When Donna is gone, her dog is unhappy. When Donna returns, the unhappiness is forgotten and replaced with an outburst of energy. Some dogs maul their owners upon return. Some pee. Others grab an object in their mouths and race around the room. Some will, spontaneously and without provocation, start a three-second fight with other pets in the household. Others, like Donna's, will run outside and play keep-away. All of these are simply outbursts of pent-up energy, as natural as the fizz that spurts out of a shaken soda can.<br />
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When Donna's dog does this, she probably reacts in a way that gratifies the dog for his behavior. Any attention she shows him, whether positive or negative, suits the dog, who's just glad to have her back home. Since habits develop quickly, the dog's keep-away behavior is now simply routine. It's an outburst of energy and represents no malicious thoughts of revenge on the dog's part.<br />
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Reshaping the behavior would be pretty easy. Donna could meet him at the door with a treat in her hand and ask him to sit until she got inside, closed the door behind her, and was able to offer him a follow-up treat. She could also teach the dog to "curb" at the door when she opens it. The easiest and most universally successful approach for most people in similar situations is to <i style="color: blue;"><b>simply ignore the dog for the first few minutes of their arrival home.</b></i><br />
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When dog owners misinterpret their dogs' behaviors, communication and understanding break down. Frustration ensues, and the situation often worsens. <b style="color: blue;"> "Anthropomorphism"</b> is that mouthful that means "attributing human characteristics and behaviors to animals." While the dogs who share our lives seem pretty human to all of us, we must remember that their brains process information as animals, without a sense of "yesterdays," "tomorrows," or "what ifs." <span style="color: blue;"> </span><b style="color: blue;">Without a sense of "tomorrow," there's no reason to "plan ahead" with schemes of revengeful acts. </b><span style="color: blue;"> </span><b style="color: blue;">There is only the here and now. </b><br />
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Actually, that's pretty darn intelligent thinking, isn't it!Jan Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734503684852039870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617770133221195894.post-61995666489600825622011-12-04T22:30:00.006-07:002019-02-03T12:50:48.309-07:00Re-naming your dog: Should you do it?<div style="color: blue;">
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<i>"I don't like my dog's name and I'd like to change it. Can I do that?"</i></div>
Of course you can do that; you can call your dog anything you want.<br />
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<i>"Should I do that?"</i></div>
Aha....now that's an entirely different question. The answer is a nice, safe, "It depends."<br />
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See if you can identify with any of the following scenarios.<br />
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<i>1. You just adopted a five-year-old dog from the shelter. He spent most of his time in the back yard of a busy young family. Records indicate his name has always been "Toby." You're not crazy about that name because it just doesn't suit his personality. Plus, he doesn't seem to respond well to it. You play around with some other names, bouncing various vowel/consonant combinations off him to see which make his ears perk up. If you find a name that rings your bell and his, should you change it?</i></div>
Yes...you can certainly consider it. The dog who doesn't respond much to his own name either has a bad association or not much association with it at all. Maybe it's his personality, but chances are it's the way the name has been used during his lifetime. If it doesn't turn him on, and he does respond more positively to a different name, go ahead and change it.<br />
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One of my nieces announced to her parents when she was 10 years old that she wanted to change her name from Madelaine to Cary. She was so insistent that they obliged her. Forty years later, she has no regrets. For some reason she detested the name Madelaine and simply felt it didn't fit her at all. A new name made a world of difference to her. It could be the same with your dog.<br />
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2. <i>You just adopted a five-year-old dog from the shelter. She's spent her whole life with a loving elderly couple who now live in an assisted living center that doesn't allow dogs. Records indicate her name is Sophie, but you hate that name because it reminds you of an old grouchy aunt. You'd really like to change it to Stella. The dog you adopted, however, is a sensitive girl who seems eager to please but somewhat timid. When you say "Sophie," her tail wags and her ears lay back in an expression of soft submission. Should you change her name?</i></div>
No....this dog has lost everything she ever had except her name. If she responds to it with positive body language, let her keep the name. It will be a great comfort to hear the familiar sound of her own name spoken in a friendly way here at this new home that's probably a bit scary to her. It will help her bond with you.<br />
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3. <i>You just adopted a five-year-old dog from the shelter. She's spent a happy life with a young female soldier who's being deployed and can't keep the dog. Records indicate her name is Lulu, but you'd like to change it to "Tula," because you just think it sounds better. Lulu seems to be a pretty well-adjusted dog. Should you change her name?</i></div>
You can probably swap these names fairly painlessly, since they share the same vowel and number of syllables. In other words, they sort of sound alike already. If you play name games with Lulu, sometimes alternating "Lulu" with "Tula," and then decreasing your use of "Lulu," you can change the name to "Tula" without confusing or offending the dog.<br />
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My examples have been with adult dogs. Changing a puppy's name is easy, since the old name generally has little or no history behind it. Puppies are extremely adaptable to changing conditions. Do practice saying the contemplated new name out loud, as if you're calling the dog from across a park. Is it easy for you to say when you're excited or agitated? Is it distinguishable from other command commands? "Oakley" is another great name, but it's hard to use "okay" as a release since "Oakley, okay!" sounds kind of confusing. I once knew a dog named "Ono," which made use of the common reprimand "No!" rather awkward. Other tongue twisters I recall from past students were "Epiphany," "Tinkerbelle" and "Thelonius," although the owners used "Piph," "Tink," and "Theo" as call names, which makes perfect sense. One or two syllables are best. Using a combination of contrasting vowel sounds (<u><b style="color: blue;">A</b></u>ng<u><b style="color: blue;">u</b></u>s, L<u><b style="color: blue;">i</b></u>zz<u><b style="color: blue;">ie</b></u>, etc.) makes the name even easier to distinguish outside at a distance. If you plan to do agility, herding or other performance sports where speed is required, plan to use a one-syllable name or nickname since you might not have time to spit out more than that when your dog is running full-throttle.<br />
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When you're contemplating changing your dog's name, take into consideration all of the following:<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Does the dog seem to like his old name?</b></li>
<li><b>Does the dog even care about his old name?</b></li>
<li><b>Has the dog come from a stable environment where the old name was used consistently and positively?</b></li>
</ul>
<b><span style="color: blue;">Changing your dog's name should benefit the dog, not you.</span></b><b> </b> His name should make him happy, get his attention, and give comfort. If his old name doesn't do these things, a new name could be a new start for him.Jan Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734503684852039870noreply@blogger.com1