The Dog Blog

Frequently we hear that if your dog doesn't know that you are boss he will walk all over you, try to take over the household, control food or things. It is also frequently advised that if there are children in the home that the dog should be "beneath them". The idea is that if your dog knows that you are the "leader" and "in charge" then he will not challenge you and the dog will never rule your life...

In order to show your dog who is the boss we are told to do the following things:
- Never let your dog lie on you or gain height (as per the photo)!
- Eat before your dog by pretending to eat from their bowl
- Walk through doorways before your dog to show them that you are more important than them
- Don't let your dog pull you on your walks as you should lead the hunt
- Show your dog that ALL items are yours by frequently removing toys and putting your hand into the food bowl
- Stand in your dogs bed
- Scruff your dog
- Stare your dog down

My last post was entitled Being Honest About Our Dogs and told of the pact I have with my friends to call each other when we start making excuses about our dogs' behavior or issues. However, I guess I took it for granted that being honest about our dogs should go hand in hand with being honest about ourselves and examining how we may have reinforced, encouraged and/or enabled our dogs' behaviors. If we take credit for the good, then we have to at least take partial credit for the not so good, right? Granted, there certainly are behavior issues that can't be directly attributed to training, environment, or our relationship and human interaction with our dogs, such as some fears and phobias that really do seem to come out of nowhere. For example, my beloved Dalmatian Tucker developed a fear of thunder and loud noises around the age of 5. Up until that time he never exhibited any sound sensitivity and then all of a sudden, he became fearful of those two specific sounds.

Does anybody have any advice about what to do when you find a non-aggressive lost dog? With July 4th approaching and Humane Societies in the U.S. reporting that there are more lost dogs on this day than any other of the year, this would be valuable information. Late the other night, I found a wandering Beagle. I had dog food in the car and he came within inches of the food and then went roaming off. I tried to follow him but lost him. I called emergency services and they said they'd keep an eye out for him. Luckily it was a very quiet area without traffic, but I don't know how far he went and the sweet dog keeps entering my mind. He was friendly, but he was intent on following his nose and I really hope it lead him to his family. I'd like to be more prepared on July 4th, just in case it happens again. Last July 4th I found a wandering dog and fortunately I was able to put a leash on him and the story has a happy ending. Any advice would be appreciated.

"If my clients could only see me now!", I thought to myself as I laid in bed this morning. Myrtle my 27 pound cattle dog was standing on me, and my border terrier Edgar had just clawed me in the lip as he jumped over my head trying to evade Myrtle's athletic play maneuvers. I must say, though, that dogs jumping on me and blood oozing from my lip do get me out of bed much better than an alarm clock ever has! The thing is, I don't necessarily want to train my dogs first thing in the morning.... or when I get home from work. I love what I do, but when I'm at home I just want to hang out with my dogs and relax. Of course, rude awakenings aren't relaxing, so I guess we're back to that whole training thing again. Anyone know a trainer that will spend the night with me and teach my dogs some better early morning manners? Oh, well, at least I don't blame the dogs... I understand it is my responsibility to either train different behaviors or accept what I have.

I am unsure how to embed video on this blog so here is a link. As an akita owner I am HUGELY conflicted about this movie coming out. (I should say again -the original was made in Japan with english subtitles of which I have a copy) It looks like they did a beautiful job on it. I just worry that it will create a demand for them and they simply are not the dog for everyone. Akitas rescues are always full as it is. Check any of them out for yourself. The dog in the movie is stunning and I fear there will be morons out there looking to cash in on the movies popularity and begin back yard breeding ventures. (heck some probably already are sad to say) I just hope like hell they have something in the beginning of the movie stating something about the breed not being for everyone. I do TRY to be an optimist. 

July 4th is around the corner, along with the fireworks that inevitably come with this holiday. Almost all humans with canines in the United States declare this day the worst day of the year for their dogs. Veterinarians say that July 3rd is usually the most trafficked day in their offices, with clients coming in to get drugs for their dogs. Last year, I found a lost dog on the 4th of July. He was obviously a well fed, well groomed, and well behaved dog that escaped his yard when he heard the fireworks. When I called our local Humane Society, I was informed that it is the busiest time of the year for them, as more dogs are found wandering loose on July 4th than any other day of the year in the U.S.

Eight Tips for providing a safe July 4th for your Canine Household:

1. Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise earlier in the day.
2. Keep your dogs inside during fireworks, preferably with human companionship.

It seems no matter where you look on the internet there are always conversations about TV trainers to be found. We have a few trainers to chose from here in the states. Those include Cesar Millan of National Geographic Channel's "The Dog Whisperer", Victoria Stilwell of "It's Me or the Dog" on Animal Planet, Andrea Arden of "Underdog to Wonderdog" on Animal Planet as well as the various trainers on "Barking Mad", also on Animal Planet. (correct me if I have forgotten anyone)

You’ve got two picnic tables full of food, six kids running around the yard with popsicles, drumsticks and squealing laughter, grandma with her walker, your nephew with his skateboard and your brother in law with sunglasses, a beard, a hat and a few too many drinks in him. This is not the time to attempt to teach your dog, for the first time, about table manners, children, walkers, skateboards and drunk people with sunglasses, hats and beards!

The time to train is BEFORE the desired behavior is critical. It’s no different with recall, sitting, staying or walking nicely on leash. If you wait until it’s absolutely crucial that your dog behaves correctly without error, you and your dog will both be frustrated.

Today is Take Your Dog to Work Day and lots of people who don’t normally take their dog along with them to their workplace will do so today. Hopefully it will go well. A dog’s got to be well trained, socialized, and have a solid temperament in order to both enjoy the experience and serve as a model canine ambassador to help persuade more businesses to become dog-friendly year round. So please only take your dog to work with you if he or she is ready for it.

There are many benefits to dog ownership, such as mood elevation and stress reduction, most of which could also benefit people in the workplace.

The producers of the Dog Whisperer television program are now searching for new dogs to be rehabilitated by Cesar Millan—not just any dogs, but wolfdogs (a.k.a. wolf hybrids). Here is a link to the story… http://www.whittierdailynews.com/ci_12675189?source=rss