no magic wands

Even as a trainer I think it's easy to want to tell people what to do, or to expect them to do what you recommend based on your authority. But, everybody will choose to do what they want. And it's really okay. The more I've been "in the game" the more convoluted things seem to be. We're all looking for that call from a owner of a 4 month old puppy that nips and jumps. And it seems those calls are farther and few between. I've been seeing several clients whose dogs who have anxiety issues, which almost always require medication. And it got me thinking, what percent of our dogs have now joined the pill popping nation?

Legitimately the medication IS what will make a difference for these dogs, so I don't question that as much as I wonder what would we have done with dogs that had these issues 20-50 years ago? Would they run off the farm not to be seen again?
Would we just accept that they'd rearrange our pillows and shred our garbage? I've heard several speakers say this and even a client the other day, "when I was a kid, all the dogs just ran and found a buddy in the neighborhood to run with, then they'd come home at night". Not with our fences- post and rail and underground. Our dogs stay within the confines of their rather boring back yards. Our leash laws have created a whole category of aggression too.

My friend Kevin came into town for a visit. When he's around, we make up corny songs, sign a lot, laugh while we rehash old times and eat too much. We did all that. And, he tells me about all the good music I've been missing. He's a funny character, and uprooted himself from Alexandria to move to Portland. With all of our assumed "busyness" we haven't seen each other since he moved. And that seems to be the "norm". For some it's kids to raise, geography or working. We're buried behind our laptops, blackberries and pda's- all "important" and unconnected.


When I was a kid the dogs would just roam the neighborhood and find their own dog friends. Somewhere along the way we are tethered to our own imaginary leashes.

Leave the yard.

dogs, foxes & insights

A few days ago, we heard a horrible, screeching noise in the woods- at the time I was looking for injured wildlife- but to no avail. Sweets has begun to go on her spring flings to the creek in the back, obsessing under a large rock across the creek and a newly dug burrow near a tree stump.

After a little googling, it seems that foxes seek habitats hear marshlands and wooded areas- near water- check.

They can make an array of sounds that can be mistook for birds or other wildlife- check.

And now a days, Sweets is leash walked (bummer) to the back pasture. This morning, I gave her a little leeway and she was off. Without a leash it's checkered flag for her to sprint to the back of the property and sniff around the burrow. So, plan to fence more of the back property and allow her life off leash, and the foxes, can do their thing.

On another note, I've been thinking about how this Serbian mudd puppy came into my life and how she's really become part of my identity and who I am (not to mention that there are lots of similarities between us lately), when she bulked up and I thought- I need to run her more, cut back on her food- guess who's pants were also feeling a little tight? When she wants to "eat" small puppies (how I affectionately refer to how she can over-correct and is less tolerant of young dogs), hum, I'd just have to say that I can feel her pain. Actually it was a major insight.

I introduced her to a young, obnoxious, balls to the wall, type puppy last week. With her usual lack of tolerance, she tried to eat him several times (lots of noise, snarling, NEVER any damage). By day 2, she was ignoring him. Day 3, she saddled up against me on the couch and here he comes.

I'm ready for the canine, nose wrinkling nuclear holocust....

She stiffens, growls and rah, rah, rah! Corrects him.

Then I notice something. She starts to stress yawn, whine and her teeth start to clatter as she looks at me (can you say anxiety?)


OK, so the insight.

No doubt, puppies grow on her and it takes time for her to solicit or even want to play. But here's the thing. The close proximity of annoying puppy increases the likelihood that she will "explode". Post explosion- what follows- the surley look from her mother (me) and sometimes yelling to interrupt whatever she's trying to communicate- that embarrasses me and has her look like a she's about to dine on young dogs.

In short, the proximity of annoying puppy = mom may yell. Thus- annoying puppy, stay away, to avoid the wrath.
And, there she is, anxious, conflicted- wanting to give the puppy the smack down, but afraid that her human (me) may become unpredictable.

Mind you, this is the same dog that is stress yawning when my husband is watching TV and yelling at the Eagles or the 76'ers.

She is SENSITIVE.

So, I read her cues, vowed to "let it roll" and for the past few days, sure, she's acclimated to the young male in the house AND there have been no over the top corrections.

maintaining dog-dog sociability

When is the last time your dog was able to greet a friendly dog on leash? When is the last time your dog played off leash with new/strange dogs?

Perhaps your pooch plays just fine with the dogs in your own home or near by, good enough, right? Well, “sociability” is defined by how your dog reacts when he or she meets and greets new or strange dogs. And maintaining sociability with other dogs can be tricky, especially if your interactions with dogs are far and few between. Whatever the case, her are some tips to maintain your dogs sociability and ways to identify things that may be problematic before they become chronic.

Step 1: There's a Dog, Now What?

Whether your dog is on leash or not, if you see a dog approaching, praise and reward your dog for looking at the dog and remaining quiet. If your dog has a habit of running the fence line and barking- don't let them. Leash 'em up or call them back to you to prevent this. If they bark a few times then happily sniff through the fence without further drama, then no biggie!

Step 2: On the Sidewalk and on Leash

Don’t assume all dogs want friendly interactions. In fact, asking, “is he friendly?” may be helpful, though there are many different interpretations of “friendly”. Rely on readying body language instead.

If a dog is inviting another dog to say hi, what you will see is loose, wiggly body language and the head will lower or look turn and look away. If the dog is stiff, still or at the end of the leash lunging and barking, even if the owner says, “ he wants to say hi”, the dog is very aroused. A dog that is really excited or worked up, may come on a little too strong for most dogs.

Look for dogs that appear to be easy going and loose. When in doubt, skip saying hi all together.


Trouble Shooting: My dog is barking or lunging at dogs!

Back away, don’t allow a greeting, and increase your distance and first work on rewarding calm behavior- look – good & treat – look back at you – good & treat. Then, work up to greeting known, friendly dogs.


Trouble Shooting: We had a Bad Interaction with another dog, now what?

Not to worry, you can’t avoid all bad interactions. This is damage control mode, remove your dog from the situation, good & treat- and hang loose. Work on reinforcing calm behavior at a distance and take a break for a few days.


Step 3: Where to go to Maintain Sociability?

Dog parks are great for SOCIAL dogs, but are not a place to “socialize a dog”. There is a major difference- one is like speaking French and moving to Paris- no big deal. The other is like speaking French and moving to Boise, Idaho. Big difference.

If your dog has regular off leash interaction with dogs, great, a dog park may be the place for you.

If your dog has taken to barking, lunging or you haven’t allowed them to greet dogs in a while, the dog park is not the place to start. Try highly controlled environments- training classes, play groups with dogs that are known to be friendly or even very controlled greetings at a pet store or on when out for walks.

Step 4: What to do, and do RIGHT!

When meeting and greeting- try to maintain a loose leash and walk with your dog. Use their name to try to call them away, vs pulling away and reward your dog for an appropriate, sniffing greeting, no matter how short. Don’t be afraid to get outta’ dodge if the dog doesn’t look friendly! And, don’t feel that your dog HAS to or SHOULD greet dog if they have recently seemed unpredictable around other dogs. Instead, call 888-opbarks and we can help!