Holiday Tips for a Well-Behaved Dog

As the holiday season approaches, a bit of advanced planning can go a long way to preventing your dog from devouring the turkey or other faux paws.

Here are a few suggestions to help you keep Pooch's manners under control during the holiday celebrations.

Kids and dogs should always be carefully supervised. Even if you have a child-friendly dog, visiting children might not know how to interact with your dog. Plus, your dog may not be as tolerant with kids outside your family. Watch for signs of canine stress, such as avoidance, hiding, freezing, or low growls.

Keep all trash securely out of your dog's reach-especially foods like bones, corn cobs, onions, grapes, and chocolate. We suggest lifting trash cans, securing them with lid or putting trash behind a closed door.

Crates and baby gates can be helpful in keeping pooch away from dangerous items or overwhelming social scenes.

Proper exercise and mental stimulation can go along way in shaping a well-mannered dog. So, don't skimp on the walks, playtime and long lasting chews.

Lastly, give your dog planned downtime away from the hustle and bustle. Brain breaks are a good idea even for the most social of dogs, who as the day wears on, may wear thin. A quiet room or crate with a long lasting chewie is the doggie equivalent of curling up with a good book to relax. And can be a much needed way to reboot and rest up.

Trainer Tip: Stay Put, Pooch

Photo: April Ziegler

Teaching your dog to remain in one place and position is more than just an exercise in canine academics.  The "Stay" cue can be used to increase your dog's ability to just chill-out, as well as to prevent irritating behaviors like begging at the dinner table or hovering underfoot while you cook.  Since it isn't possible to run around like a headless chicken and maintain a ten-minute "Down-Stay" simultaneously, working towards longer "Stays" can help your dog develop some downright meditative relaxation skills!  Maybe you don't especially appreciate having a dog that drools at your side while you dine, or busily scans the kitchen floor for crumbs while you cook.  Training your dog to "Stay" on his bed in the corner, for example, can allow you to enjoy a drool-free dinner party and canine-free cooking.

Step 1:  Prepare a cup full of pea-sized, soft treats.  Find a quiet place to practice. You may want to use a dog bed, mat, or carpeted area for your dog's comfort.

Step 2:  Cue your dog to lie "Down" in this area.  Wait for just two or three seconds while your dog remains in this position, then say, "Yes!" and give your dog a treat.  Repeat this five or six times, then take a break.

Step 3:  Cue your dog to lie "Down" and the tell him, "Stay" in pleasant tone of voice.  Hold out your hand briefly, stop-sign style.  Again, wait only two or three seconds, then say, "Yes!" and treat.

Step 4:  Add gradually longer increments of time...work towards 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 30 seconds, one minute!

Step 5:  Once your dog can maintain a "Stay" of 30 seconds or more, you'll shift your focus to how far away you can move.  Again, start small and meet your dog where he can be successful. Tell him to "Stay", give the hand signal, and simply see if you can take one step to your right (if this is too much at first, you might even just shift your weight to the right). Return to him, say, "Yes!" and treat him.

Step 6:  Try working toward different movement goals, like stepping to your right and to your left, stepping backwards, walking around your dog, turning your back and walking away from your dog.  Try different distances, progressing inches, then feet away from your pooch while he maintains that position.

Step 7:  When your dog can maintain a "Down-Stay" from a distance of 10 feet or more, challenge him further with a variety of distractions.  You might start by having him "Stay" while you have a family member walk by, wave your arms over you head, shuffle your feet or clap your hands.  Challenge him further by dropping a toy or treat or rolling a ball past him.

Note: Early on in this process, it may be helpful to have your dog on leash so that you can guide him back to the place you'd like him to stay, should he begin to wander.  You might also choose to tie his leash to a solid piece of furniture so that your hands are free.  If you do the latter, make certain he is tethered to something heavy and stable enough that your dog won't accidentally pull it over!

Infographic: Looking Out for Your Dog During July Fireworks

Infographic Medium Sized  Infographic Supersized 

We know the links in the graphic above aren't clickable and on some browsers even some of the text may be difficult to read. So here's the full text:

Dogs and Fireworks: Basically, they don’t mix.

With their sensitive hearing, the intense noise of fireworks can cause many pets to panic and anxious ones have an even harder time. Please keep your pets safe in the coming days because the stats are alarming.

Missing Pets Skyrocket from July 4-6

There's a 30-60% increase in lost pets July 4-6.

“ July 5 is the busiest day of the year at animal shelters, as companion animals that fled in fright the night before are found miles from their homes, disoriented and exhausted. Anxious families often find themselves searching the streets and shelters looking for a treasured family member whose fear drove him to jump a high fence or break his leash or chain.” – American Humane Association

Sources: http://www.petamberalert.com/blog/july-4th-fireworks-keeping-your-pet-safe/ and http://www.americanhumane.org/animals/adoption-pet-care/issues-information/holiday-issues.html#fireworks

Only 14% of lost pets are reunited with their owners.

Source: http://www.petamberalert.com/blog/july-4th-fireworks-keeping-your-pet-safe/ 

Make sure your dog has proper I.D.

Your pets should wear I.D. with their name and your current phone number. Also consider microchipping as a form of permanent I.D. Even if your pet loses their tag, shelters and vets can scan for a microchip and facilitate a happy reunion.

50% of dogs have a fear of loud noises.

Fireworks were reported (in 83% of those dogs) to cause fearful behaviors. This is more than any other loud noise (e.g. thunderstorms, though they are #2 on the list).

Only 4% of dogs who develop a sound phobia improve without help.

Pets can become sound sensitive even if they haven’t previously reacted to noise. Once a dog is “exposed” and develops fear, spontaneous recovery is very rare. Keep your dogs indoors on firework nights. This will limit their noise exposure—and they’ll find a safe, familiar place comforting.

sources: http://www.rspca.org.uk/ImageLocator/LocateAsset?asset=document&assetId=1232713012401&mode=prd and http://www.bsava.com/Advice/PolicyStatements/ManagementandTreatmentofFireworkPhobias/tabid/495/Default.aspx

Common anxious reactions to loud noises

• Barking
• Hiding
• Trembling/Shaking
• Seeking out People
• Escape
• Panting
• Pacing
• Destructive Behavior
• Peeing or Defecating
• Howling
• Running/Fleeing
• Whining
• Salivating

In studies, the dogs most prone to develop sound phobias:

• Older Dogs: Why? The study we reviewed didn’t provide an explanation but some theories are that older dogs may be less able to manage stress or may actually be more sound sensitive. Decreased mobility and age-related cognitive issues may also play a part.
  
• Autumn/Winter Born Dogs: The likely explanation: Unlike spring/summer borns, thunderstorms and fireworks weren’t part of their puppyhood so these events are more frightening to them.

source:  http://www.bsava.com/Advice/PolicyStatements/ManagementandTreatmentofFireworkPhobias/tabid/495/Default.aspx (note, this was a British study with fireworks for New Year’s Eve being common. We extrapolated and changed the birth seasons to fit our summer fireworks in the US) 

What you can do to help

Keep your pets indoors on fireworks nights. Do not take them to a fireworks display.

Keeping them indoors will prevent them from direct exposure to the noise and will keep them safe in case the panic and try to flee. If they seem worried, it’s ok to try to calm or distract them. Just don’t act worried about them because that will feed their anxiety.

Escape proof your home in case of a panicking pet:
• Close and lock (or close and block) pet doors
• Screens won’t hold back a pet reacting in fear and trying to escape. Close screened windows and screened doors.

Give them things they love to keep them busy during the booms (so they won’t be as worried about the noise).

Stuff and freeze a Kong, bone or consider other long lasting interactive chewies like bully sticks, or appropriately sized elk antlers or Nylabones.

NOTE: Some pets may be too nervous to eat  but perhaps you can entice them to play with you as a way of distracting them from the noise. If none of that works, don’t force them. Shutting down a little is likely their way of coping with the loud sounds.

If your dog has already displayed sound sensitivity, be proactive and consider the following things that have been proven to help:

• A Pressure Wrap* Thundershirt is the one that we recommend and have seen success with. It won’t make all anxiety disappear completely but it can certainly take the edge off for your dog.
 

• Pheromone spray* Adaptil is a synthetic copy of the natural comforting pheromone released by a mother dog to reassure her puppies. You can spray it on bedding or a bandana. We recommend it to clients and the manufacturer has research to prove that it helps. Their site even has a 5-minute fireworks fear assessment tool 
 

• Music Desensitization/counter-conditioning CDs like Through the Dog’s Ear to play while in the home (CD or download on Itunes) or Sound Therapy 4 Pets has a “Sounds Scary” (pre-fireworks therapy edition)” download on iTunes. If you have a puppy you can even try sound exposure on your own—when INDOORS play fireworks sounds at low volume for 30 sec up to 2 or 3 minutes and treat with food while listening to habituate your pup to this sound and prep the dog for future exposure.
 

• Medication Consult with your vet or a Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorist for possible medication to help during acute situations such as the 4th of July. Note: Acepromazine which is a sometimes still prescribed for sound sensitivity-actually can INCREASE your dog’s sound sensitivity. See 1:50 mark here 

*Both Thundershirt and Adaptil come with a money-back guarantee from the manufacturer.

sources: http://thundershirt.com/Docs/2011-Thundershirt-Dog-Anxiety-Survey-Final-Key-Findings-Summary-May-2011.pdf, http://doyoubelieveindog.blogspot.com/2012/12/fireworks-not-fun-for-everyone-or-every.html

It’s sad to see dogs suffer from fear, phobias and anxiety but with their humans looking out for them and getting guidance from experts, it’s possible to help them cope.

If you live in the Greater Philadelphia area, feel free to pick our brain about your dog—no charge. To find out more one-on-one training, behavior consults or group classes visit http://www.opportunity-barks.com

We hope all our readers and their dogs stay out of the fireworks fray and have a safe and happy 4th!

Trainer Tip: Successful Off-Leash Socializing

Whoo! No more Winter Hibernation! For many of us dog owners, this makes the outdoors a much more inviting place.  Our dogs must inwardly inwardly rejoice when the sun shines, knowing that trips to the park, games of fetch and walks galore are likely to get a little longer.

If the sunshine means more trips to the dog park for you and your dog, then it's important to understand some of the Dos and Don'ts of doggie socialization.

Not All Dogs Like The Dog Park 

It is not unusual for dogs to become a bit more selective about playmates as they mature. This means that some dogs will have less stressful social experiences when playing with a canine buddy or two, rather than a pack pooches.  Plenty of dogs would just as soon play with you, go for a jog or a swim than enter the canine mosh pit. 

Happy Play = Loose + Wiggly + Balanced  

You should see play bows, paw lifts, equally matched wrestling and chasing to invite and continue playtime.  You might also hear yips and snarks to let a dog know when play is too rough.  You should see dogs backing off when a buddy says, "Ouch!", and frequent breaks in the activity.  It's important to consider just how jazzed up your dog is getting.  Does he check in with you?  Can you call him or redirect his attention? 

If your pet seems tense and alert upon approaching another dog, keep it short or skip it. When you want to call your dog to you, soften your tone, kneel, and angle slightly away from her. This "invitation" is less confrontational and more likely to get the desired response. Now you and your pup are talking the same language, and better communication strengthens the human-dog relationship!

Rude, Dude
Mobbing, teasing, and bullying...a group chasing and cornering one dog, or relentless barking and nipping at a dog that clearly isn't interested.  Yes, even the sweetest pooch can engage in mob mentality! Whether your dog is playing, bullying or being bullied, frequent and calm time-outs are essential to your dog's well-being. Should you feel that your dog isn't playing well with others, then leave the park and find another activity. 

Convenience For You or Fun For Fido?

If your dog is hiding, fighting, avoiding contact with other dogs then consider why you go.  Did you skip training your dog to walk well on leash, to come when called or to play nicely with you?  Is this your time to catch up on texts and emails?  How about some positive training time with your dog, perhaps taking a class or enjoying something fun together?  Set your dog up for successful social interactions...your pooch will thank you!

Speak Dog: What's in a Wag?

What's your dog thinking? Whether or not our four-legged friends are thinking deep thoughts is anyone's guess. Luckily, reading canine body language is less of a mystery.

Check out your pooch next time you greet each other. Is Fido's tail wagging so widely that it takes his entire backside along with it? A happy tail often lies midway between sky-high and tucked low, swinging or helicopter circling. If pooch becomes tense and alert ["Do I know that dog?"] you're more likely to see a vibrating, upward pointing tail. Bet you already recognize the tightly tucked tail and rounded back of a nervous nelly.

Bottom right: What is the Italian Greyhound's tail saying?

Our own body language is sometimes at odds with doggie etiquette. Humans love to hug and kiss, but this is often overbearing, scary or downright rude in dogspeak. Humans may face one another and make eye contact. Yet, canine culture may understand this a threatening posture, responding with fear, uncertainty or aggression.

If your pet seems tense and alert upon approaching another dog, keep it short or skip it. When you want to call your dog to you, soften your tone, kneel, and angle slightly away from her. This "invitation" is less confrontational and more likely to get the desired response. Now you and your pup are talking the same language, and better communication strengthens the human-dog relationship!

Relate: The Relationship, Training Begins Here

Pet dogs are happier when you are a confident, trustworthy and safe leader...a guide worth following!  Providing structure and reasonable social “rules” help our dogs feel secure and avoid frequent conflict. A clear, kind relationship with your dog also makes it much easier to successfully motivate and reinforce training.  Here are a few tips on what it takes to be a good dog leader/handler/guide/friend:

1.  Act the Part
Good leaders are calm and confident; proactive, rather than reactive. Provide encouragement, set boundaries, model wise behavior and make corrections into “teaching moments” that show your dog a better way.  Losing your cool doesn’t advertise you as a “leader”; it makes you seem unpredictable.

2.  Initiate Interactions
Invite your dog to you by calling him to you, rather than letting him maul you for pats.  Your attention is rewarding to your dog, so provide it for behavior you like, rather than being cajoled into giving it.

3.  Teach Your Dog to Say, “Please”
Asking your dog to do something briefly before you provide attention, food, toys, play, walks, etc... not only encourages your dog to defer politely to you, but also helps strengthen canine manners.  Request that your dog “Watch”, “Sit” or “Wait” before proceeding with enjoyable activities.

4.  Set Your Dog Up For Success
It isn’t fair to expect your dog to know your “rules” unless you teach him what they are, then consistently stick to them!  Teach your rules early, regularly, and without exception. Help him make good choices through management (like a leash or gentle collar hold when greeting visitors), then practice and reward.

5.  Good Things Come From You
You buy the kibble and toys, and own the hands for belly rubbing...you’re rich with canine valuables!  Be discerning, but not stingy, in how you provide these resources.  Toss that tennis ball because your dog quickly responded to your request to “lie down”, rather than because he’s dropped it in your lap.  Be affectionate, loving and giving, and use your riches to reinforce good behavior.

6.  Get To Know Your Dog
You got a dog for companionship, right?  So, really spend some time with him.  Put away your smart phone and play with your dog...every single day.  If your dog thinks fun comes only in the shape of other dogs, you've got some relationship-building to do!  Teach him how to understand your language, but observe and learn your dog’s body language, too.  Communication is a two-way street, after all.

Enrich: Recipes for Kong Noms

It's that time of year where we at OpBarks reflect, give thanks and loosen our pants :) In the spirit of enjoying the holidays with your canine companions, here are a few recipes to keep your dogs busy and happily munching on Kongs in the midst of your travels or entertaining. Here's to a few good naps on the couch too. Kong on my friends!

Click here for full size recipe poster. 

2 FREE Puppy eBooks by Dr. Dunbar

Thinking about a pup or have a new pup?
Here are some books we stamped as "Certified Good Reads".

Dr. Ian Dunbar's
BEFORE You Get Your Puppy

Free PDF


Dr. Ian Dunbar's
AFTER You Get Your Puppy
Free PDF

In these books, you'll learn the critical aspects of choosing, raising and training puppies from Dr. Ian Dunbar, a renowned vet, behaviorist and dog trainer. The free distribution of these eBooks is part of his "Sirius Puppy's Initiative" to empower new puppy owners and to give them essential tools to help with house training, nipping, confinement training, socialization and preventing common behavioral issues like separation anxiety. Basically - these books are the "soup to nuts" on everything puppy.

Even if your dog is nearing the end of puppyhood, these books can help.
In "After you Get your Puppy", Dr. Dunbar includes information about how to prepare for the turbulence of adolescence. Learn about how behavior changes as your dog grows up, so never take your friendly pup for granted. And approaching training and socialization as an ongoing process can help you create not only a behaviorally healthy pup, but a happy and well adjusted adult dog.


Dig in, share and spread the love.
Early education, training and a good understanding of what your dog needs can go a long way to create a balanced dog. If these eBooks help owners learn the basics, then we can only hope for more happy, healthy and well adjusted dogs out there. Please share this with other puppy owners, dog owners and dog pros!

Happy training, enjoy the journey and we hope you find these Ian Dunbar books an invaluable resource to help get you started on the right foot!
- Sweets & The Opportunity Barks Team

Trainer Tip: Dinner time (teachable moments)

We're tawlkin' dinner time, because we seem to have seen a slew of well trained dogs that totally lack manners when it comes to dinner time (with the humans that is).
Take you pick! While you eat, is your dog...whining, pawing, nudging, laying against you, barking or army crawling towards you as you eat? My personal favorite- a
dog square staring at you or panting heavily in your lap, (just kidding). Well, look, there are a lot of dogs that get aroused when the food hits the table.

Here are a few sanity savers to begin with:

· Proactive management- (prevent annoyance behaviors/and ignore your dogs)
Yes, ignoring your dog works, (really). The harder part for most two footers is totally committing to IGNORING the dog (no eye contact, no talking, no touching).
Often using a short leash (or tether) can work well to empower the "ignoring" part and keep them in a spot (near a dog bed or a comfortable place to hang out).
How? Wrap a leash to a heavy piece of furniture a door knob or put an eye hook in a baseboard for the beefcakes.

· Ignore
Yep, just ignore!

· Enrich
Before your dog begins to whine, bark or otherwise try old tricks to get your attention (and maybe a piece of food)- give them something to alleviate stress and nosh on- a frozen stuffed dog bone or Kong toy is a great start.

· People food
If you want to feed a bit of something from the table- you could always do this- BY putting it in a Kong or bone before you settle in to eat. Or better yet, as you begin to build and get a
more reliable, calmer behavior at the dinner table...you can simply reward calm, cool behavior by a good ole' dinner plate licking if you'd like.

Dogs usually beg because they have been reinforced for it- hey- that means the two footer- has given them food or attention (positive or negative). So keep in mind, most dogs that
get a taste of "human food" if it's used to reward in the correct context (i.e.- "hey you're being calm and cool- here's a french fry") won't turn into human food begging monsters.
Remember folks, everything in moderation :) And those highly tuned noses won't miss a whiff.

Trainer Tip: Hiking, beaching and starting your dog off leash

This August I spent a week with my family and my dogs at Dewey Beach, DE- a beach and dog lovers paradise (second only, in my experience with San Diego's Dog Beach). I'd love to live within walking distance of the sand and be able to enjoy it year round (and off leash) with my dogs.

And, however, I live much closer to trails and parks and wooded areas where I can hike (and I relish those weeks and weekends where we are 'living' at the beach!) I think all of us want to allow our dogs to be dogs, but the reality is, that only the well trained or "reliable" ones afford these off leash freedoms. So, how do we develop or foster off leash reliability or at least work towards it?


Here we go:
1. The relationship. Sorry folks, but before you bust out the hot dogs or take off the leash, what kind of "check in" do you regularly get from your dogs? Do they look to you or watch you or hang near you?

If not...spend some time working on eye contact and name recognition.


2. If your dog has lousy name recognition. Stop, change and start again. Choose a nick name and start to reward the dog for being reliable to their nickname RIGHT in front of you- just say their name, and click or "good" and a bit of food.


3. Passive eye contact and attention. For me, this is an integral part of developing a relationship with my dogs, communicating leadership and simply using my real life to shape the behavior I'd like...
Please (voluntarily) look to met to get this door to open, this get this bone, to get off a leash (without asking). Also if I disappear or hide behind a tree (will the dog come back and find me, scent to me?) Try that around the house!

How do you get "there" from "here"?
Good question.
Start with eye contact in the house and outside of the house. Train it, wait for it voluntarily and see if you feel that your dog is more connected, simply by doing the work.

If you are the broken record calling your dog again and again as they ignore you...zip it and do a lot more relationship building work before loosening up that leash. Relationship building? Yep! More to come in later posts...

Fireworks, Stress & Sound Sensitivity

For those dogs that are noise, thunder or large car backfiring phobic, the 4th of July can be rough. For others, it's a walk in the park. Wherever your pooch may fall on the sound sensitivity continum, there are a few things you can do to help them cope, encourage confidence or to help prevent a possible firework phobia down the road.

For the sound phobic dog...
Imagine have ultra sensitive hearing, being left in charge to guard the house... and then there is an invisible invader! Yikes!
Many times a phobic dog will choose avoidance- and will hide or burrowing under a coffee table or lie in an open closet or a crate. On the other hand, folks can get into serious trouble if their dog is off leash and chooses to run away (think flight response). In this state of mind, your dog is literally in survival mode, and often finding a dog that is running scared can be a tough.

So, nobody wants to be sending out a search party for a scared, lost animal, so let's talk about what we can do to prevent drama and to sooth your dog on the 4th.

If you know your dog is sound sensitive...
• Keep walks to a minimum and make sure your collars/halters are fitted properly with identification.
• Create a safe haven where your dog can squirrel away if they'd like.
• Play a radio or white noise to provide relief in the house.
• Give your dog very high value, long lasting chewies (beef marrow bones) in their safe space.
• If you have a severely noise phobic dog that is on anxiety medication, you may want to consult with your Vet about
something for "acute" situations such as the 4th.
• A tight fitting garment on your dog may help them relax a bit as well (gentle pressure on the body can release endorphins, the "feel good" drug).

Even if your dog isn't totally stressed on the by sound, you want to keep an eye out for signs that they are stressed.
Stress signals include things like:
• Ears or tail plastered to the body
• More than normal drooling or salivation
• Pacing and panting
• A foamy beard of drool
• Whining
• Trembling or shaking
• Lots of "choppy" movement

If you see your dog displaying multiple stress signals, give 'em a break from the action. Take them inside and give them a quiet place and a good chewie! Have a safe and happy Fourth of July.

Trainer Tip: Doing Nothing...with your dog

So often with our dogs there are expectations that we are attached to. For many of us, we begin to build a relationship by using a very common tool- training. In this sense, there are a LOT of expectations. We immediately begin to operate from a "should" conversation as in, this dog "should" sit, learn to lay down, be quiet when told to be quiet and should do these things in a class with other people and other dogs or when visitors (though we rarely have them) come to our home, he "should" not jump or pester them.

Hurm..

I think for many of us we are under extreme pressure in a class, especially at week 1, or when people visit our homes- we don't want to be embarrassed, we want to look good, we want to be liked, we want people to like our dogs. Oy- all of this swirling around in our heads AND we're supposed to teach the dogs something?

I'd like to suggest that we do a little less "skills training" in our own lives and a little more of this- getting a life (and allowing our dogs to get a life too). I'd like to suggest that if you want your dog to be relaxed- find some activities that YOU enjoy and begin to enrich YOUR life. So often it's all about the dogs (and heck, that's okay too), but when do I feel best and at peace? After a good hike in the sunshine. As a trainer do I spend minutes a day training my dogs? Nope, it's just here and there and as part of the routine. When do I feel like I'm most connecting with my dogs? When I'm being goofy, when I'm playing.

Play? What's that?
Give and take with no expectations.

So, lighten up. Commit to doing some things for YOU, that you've been putting off. You'll feel better, you might even been happier and I guarantee your dogs will notice too. Better yet, find activities that you both enjoy (and have no expectations).

Lost Dogs- Prevention First

When a dog goes missing, it's hard to know what to do or where to start, especially in harsh conditions. This is the first in a series of lost dog recovery tips. First and foremost, we're starting with prevention. We have had at least 3 dogs that we know go missing in the last few weeks!

It's part of our commitment to pass along info that we feel will help you, especially when it's so practical and needed!

1. Get id tags on your dog! If you don't like the sound of clinking tags, get a tag silencer and you'll be set.

2. Microchip your dog.

3. If your dog is microchipped, make sure you register the chip.

4. . Regardless of what company your dog is chipped with, have a second registration with "Home Again"- they are the ONLY company that sends out an "Amber Alert" within 25 miles of your zip code when your dog goes missing and they provide pet insurance for your missing pet- should they be injured when out. Trust us, it's worth the $25.

5. In severe weather conditions- rain, snow- bump up your management- and keep your dog on a leash! Many
dogs wander off in the excitement of the snow and then many not have a clue as to where they are- especially
when you have 2 foot drifts!

6. Get a good picture of your dog, a close up! This is great to have on hand if you need to begin distributing
flyers or posters. Think ahead!

Stay safe and always keep your eyes open. You never know when a 'stray' may be a lost dog. If you have a sighting of a dog and the dog will not approach you (which is very common), post it to craigslist.com with a location and description- it just may reunite a lost pet with a heartbroken owner!

off topic

I notice when I'm incredibly sad or moved...I have to write! So, my apologies to anyone that has clicked and thought that this was just a dog trainer writing about trainery things. Not today. My thoughts and love goes out to the Dimmack family of Washington, PA who just lost their oldest son, Richie, husband a father of three. His death has brought together a lot of hearts and thoughts- messages posted here and there from high school and family friends and "summer" friends from the pool and such. I will remember Richie fondly as a curly headed cutie with a smile that lit up a room- every room. Peace and love to his family.

boys, dogs, scarcity and hope

I got a call today from a local mental health counselor who has a client that is a little boy, (14 years) that is hitting his dog (a pit bull). She has been working with the family for a few months and routinely asks about animals in the home to get a sense of the overall "history" and dynamic of the household. The dog is living in a fence yard and chained near a dog house. He or she is jumping, biting and likely pent up and under exercised- a recipe for avoidance because the dog is probably unpleasant to be around.

This universal "neat-o" factor is that she immediately saw an opportunity for this little guy (the boy, that is). Despite the fact that he hits his dog, he also said, "we keep the dog outside, and I wish he could sleep in my bed."

Bingo, flashing lights, and an "in".

She got on the phone and started calling local dog folks.

Perhaps I'm the only one naive enough, nah, I don't think it's naivete, because trust me I've fire and I've seen rain, as Sir James Taylor would say, especially in the realm of animal welfare.

But, the possibility that we could change something, even if it's just teaching this boy and family how to properly care for their dog, how to help him or her burn energy, to chew on something appropriate, to learn some manners, well it lit me up. It's been a long while since I've felt pulled toward something... but this grabbed me. She'll be giving them my number and we'll see!
Stay tuned.

do your homework (and trust the process)

Whew, it's been a while since I've posted, more a lurker than a writer lately, and with things a swirling around in Philadelphia- the animal welfare ups and downs, the never ending puppy mill seizures and a Mr. Vick riding into town, the dog folks have been tense. I, in the meantime, have just buttoned up and continued on with my work. More and more these days, I'm working with challenging cases (i.e.- not your run of the mill 5 mo. old puppy with a jumping problem, if you catch my drift). Lots of stress, anxiety, reactive behavior, controlling behavior and the like. And I wonder- is it the dogs, the people, a fateful combo?

I'd say both. And what I'm finding is that whatever may have "worked" in the past with other owned dogs, isn't working with the current dog. Worse are the novice dog owners with hearts bursting at the seams ready to hunker down and enjoy dogdom, and a few days into dog ownership, they have rescued a dog that isn't a good fit, is often a training project at best and seldom has been temperament tested (surprise). Grrrr....

That actual scenario has happened more than I care to remember and the latest victims in the "adopt this dog or it's going to die" game were an amazing family, with a young son that were absolutely committed to this dog in every way. Within a week of having adopted her, she needed cruciate surgery and they didn't blink. Within two weeks of adopting her, they noticed that she was scared to take walks, reactive towards people and other dogs, biting dog walkers, shadow chasing, protecting/defending the house and though she was amazing with the family, was often anxious and unpredictable around new folks in the house. She had snapped previously...then she bit. And they (understandably) we're done. They examined their options, got several opinions and ultimately decided to humanely euthanize.

The odds of her being successful in many homes, were slim, and the option to return her to the shelter (with a bite history) and place her were...dreadful.

These adopters wanted a companion. And our shelter system failed them.

And it happens again and again. While we're yelling, "ADOPT!" from the rooftops. If there is no quality control, it's no different than selling a car with no warranty that is suddenly bursts into flames when you pull it off the lot. There is no integrity and it doesn't work. And it's the people that get burned. And when they get burned, they often never adopt again (and why would they?)

"Excuse me Waitress, can I have an order of completely smitten followed by conflict, heartbreak and total devastation?"

In the wake of all the emotional roller coaster, there was a miracle.

The miracle was that this family was willing and open to adopting again.

And there was a happy ending.

They were willing for a second roll of the dice. This time on a 2 year old, temperament tested pit mix that was being fostered by Philly's finest- Portia Palko.

After her first day in the house I got an email update...


"I'm sitting on the couch with her big head in my lap. I love this dog.

Thanks so much for putting us in touch with Portia and telling us about Betty.

We've gone for a walk, destroyed a soccer ball. Met some people and been very calm, including people coming into the house, kids, people on the street. Met some very large dogs -- two St. Bernards, two big Dobermans, a Great Dane -- and did great. She kept getting up on a bench, I think to meet them eye to eye. She's been great in the car, she's nibbled my chin a bit. I am so glad she's here. We're working on sitting. She's doing very well.

Love. Her. Thanks again."


Cheers to Betty and her new life with an amazing family who's hearts are as big as her pittie head.

Cheers to the shelters and rescuers that are doing the work with integrity.

Cheers to many more happy endings.

play more

This past summer I had two amazing clients, two young girls...and their dogs. It was our first "Kids and Dogs" Camp and we tailored a program for these two gals and their pit bulls (gasp, yes pitties).

Day one we sat down and got to work. The dogs, Jed, Stella and Roxy suffered from a case of "happy tail" which could at worst leave welts on your legs! We got right to working on some "self control" or basically- rewarding the dogs for doing, well, nothing (but being calm).

Once the dog settled in, we got to talking.

I asked the girls, "do you have a favorite teacher in school?"

"Yep!"
(ok, ok, we're getting somewhere)...

"Well, why are they your favorite?"

"Well, Mrs. So and So is really nice, she doesn't yell a lot."

Note to self.

"Ok, what about a favorite Uncle or Aunt?"

Emma says, "Oh yeah, my favorite Uncle lives in Colorado."

"Why is he your favorite?"

"Well, he's a really busy guy, he has this real important job, but when I'm with him, he always makes time for me."

I waited a second while I was impressed by the sheer brilliance of what she said, so simple, right?
Making time (with your dog or your favorite Uncle).

So, thanks for Emma and company, I've been making sure I'm making time for my dogs and having more fun. The last few days we've taken swimming breaks during the day. And instead of slowly tip toeing down from the shallow end of the pool- I jump right in, (and yeah, I've done a few cannonballs). And yes, my dogs are having fun.

houston we have a ratter!

Sweets was flagging her tail by the pool fence today and at first I just blew it off, "what does she know?"
Then my sense kicked in, and I thought, well, if the tail is moving in true propeller fashion, there is something in those weeds. So I helped by pushing the Queen Anne's Lace out of the way and I saw a pounce, and then a mouse running towards the pool- drop! into the water and paddle.

Meanwhile, Sweets had missed the mouse completely. So, on borrowed time, I fished the little guy out, he heaved and was dead.
I called the dogs over- Tater runs immediately for a good sniff from the pool skimmer. Sweets is still obsessing in the weeds.
So, I let the little guy linger, she gives up and then comes over for a sniff from the skimmer.

RIP little guy!

dog dog interaction

Navigating the waters of off leash dog play can range from being easy breezy to socially awkward or embarrassing depending on your relationship with your dog.

Relationship with your dog, wha?

Yep, your relationship with your dog can in many cases influence their behavior off leash. Do you set any boundaries? Do you have clear communication or consequences (times outs or leaving the park)? How do they enter a place like a dog park- like a freight train or tail tucked having to be coaxed inside the holding area?

Dog parks have often sparked controversy. They are mostly great for very tolerant dogs, afterall, it's a never ending cocktail party, sometimes with very limited space. If the drinks aren't great, and the dogs at the party aren't your dog's cup of tea, that's fine, hit the road.

If you find yourself with a wall flower or a dog that appears to prefer the human social scene, that's okay. Scan the dog to see if the DOG is having fun or if they appear stressed. Common stress signals include: more than normal panting, pacing, sniffing the ground or body language that appears "shut down"- tail tucked, ears plastered, body hunched. No number of Cosmos is going to work with this dog, perhaps find some size appropriate play mates and an meet up at off peak times at the park.

If on the other hand, you find you have the rowdy rover at the park, that's tenderizing Bichons or "he's just trying to play", the crux of the problem is that if it doens't look relaxed- it ain't. Or, if your dog doesn't read cut off signals from other dogs (head turning, sniffing, avoidance) and still is coming at them to "play", that's when human intervention IS needed.

Really, is his just trying to play? Don't think so. Mom? Dad? Where are you?

In an ideal canine-human relationship, dogs will look to their owners to determine how to react. If you feel like you have "no signal", connection or little control with your dog, I'd take a step back and look at what you can to do cultivate a connection.
If you abide by the "let them work it out" mentality, that can work, but it depends on the other owner's idea about what's play and what's "aggressive". Trust me, it can get very sticky before your dog is even IN the park!

And sometimes, you have ultra sensitive dog owners that expect that your 80 lb dog should be able to play football or dance ballet with their very small dog. It's not that we don't like our small dogs folks, but just as the big boys need size appropriate play mates, so do the little guys. And not everybody at the party always picks on someone their own size! It's just as important for small dog owners to be aware that their dog could look like running prey and therefore larger dogs are practicing prey sequences- stalk, chase, muzzle tap. Just be aware and protect your own dog as well.

So back to navigating this dog eat dog world. Here are my words of advice: Be proactive; be sensitive and watch the body language of other dogs (and their owners); cut your losses and leave before you outstay your welcome; don't be afraid to have rules and boundaries. After all, clear communication can be the key to cultivating a connection.

find sweet meat

Alas- a rainy day, plenty of running with our house guests and one of two tired dogs...Find Sweets!