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Befuddled in Translation?

Eric Goebelbecker | Sat, 01/29/2011 - 17:27

I’m in a bit of a funk, so maybe I shouldn’t be posting, especially about this. On the other hand, submitting to the urge to rant might prevent the writer’s block I fell into last October.

There has also been an uptick of comments the past few weeks on some of my old Cesar Millan articles on Dog Spelled Forward, including a few examples of my favorite formula: “It’s only a show!” and “It’s a shame you’re so closed-minded!” — often in the same comment, which I find hilarious. Am I supposed to take the show seriously or not? Pick one!

Puppy Raising in Winter - Pros and Cons

Rachel Friedman | Fri, 01/28/2011 - 21:47

Perhaps there is a vestige pioneer spirit from my ancestral line (Siberia anyone?) that compels me to agree to puppy raise in what is arguably the most daunting time of year here in Cleveland, Ohio (and this particular winter, in many other regions as well!).

Noodling on Nutrition

Eric Goebelbecker | Sun, 01/23/2011 - 19:43

Is there a relationship between diet and behavior? Many people seem convinced that this is the case, and it's not hard to find some pretty bold assertions regarding how some diets will cure all woes, while others, or at least some ingredients, are to be avoided.

I did some searching, and the scientific evidence is sparse and rather frustrating.

Something to prove

Erica Houck Young | Sat, 01/22/2011 - 19:09

Something that always gets me during a consult, or even before, is when the owner offers to have their dog demonstrate the reason you've been called in. They want to take the dog for a walk and "find another dog" so I can see their dog's reaction to it. They want to go get a bowl of food or a bone and give it to the dog so I can see how the dog behaves when they attempt to remove it.

Puppy coming in Winter; batten down the hatches.

Rachel Friedman | Tue, 01/18/2011 - 09:54

While there have been a rasher of visiting dogs living alongside my own pair off and on, mostly on, for the past six months, all were serendipitous additions of various breed types and ages and issues and who came with no real warning. Nor were they selected by me for any characteristics -- they just came. First there was Dolly, a rescue bichon, who went to a wonderful home to provide both companionship, service and therapy roles for her new owner, Wanda. Then Kiba/Kody came along and although he didn't live under foot for long, his presence stirred up quite bit of action. Happy to report he is thriving like gangbusters in his new home in Erie, PA. Bosco the border collie, another victim of PTSD, was here for a good few months. A great training project, trauma rehab patient and video prodigy. But again, not a dog I picked. Bosco also found a wonderful well matched home with a great family.

Winter Games. The Inside Kind.

Eric Goebelbecker | Sun, 01/16/2011 - 18:00

It’s been cold this week. Really, really cold. I don’t mind snow, but when the high is in the mid-20’s, I don’t like to spend a lot of time outside, and it’s time to employ some strategies for keeping the mutts exercised and stimulated.

One of those strategies is the StarMark Everlasting Treat Ball. (Or, actually three of them.) The video below shows them in action. (I apologize for the background noise. I really should have turned off the air filter.)

Sympathy for the Devil: Softening Michael Vick’s Image

Drayton Michaels | Fri, 01/14/2011 - 09:42

Let me first state my biases right up front. I am not a football fan. I do like sports, so this blog is not about “hating on jocks”. I’m a fan of basketball and baseball.

I voted for Barak Obama out of a pure place in me based on his assertions to work towards things and get our country headed in a better place. I voted for him because I honestly think he has what it takes to make some needed changes. As for his knowledge of dogs and the ripple effects of his forgiving Michael Vick, I doubt he has really considered all there is to consider.

Making Molehills Out of Mountains

Cindy Bruckart | Thu, 01/13/2011 - 11:03

I see lots of dogs who have loud, exuberant reactions to a doorbell ringing. Many go just as crazy over doorbell sounds on the TV. It doesn’t matter. A doorbell is something to freak out about! Isn’t it interesting that we rarely hear of dogs who react this way to a telephone ringing? Why is that?

As usual, we find the answer when we look at things from the dog’s perspective. What happens when the doorbell rings? The first few times a dog experiences a doorbell, it is often followed by their owner opening the door to a stranger (to the dog) or someone the dog knows and is excited to see. If the dog is a puppy when this first happens, there is probably a lot of excitement coming his way as his owner and the guest oooh and awww all over him. Awesome!

Pilot and Sasha playing a rousing game of bitey-face

Games Dogs Play

Leah Roberts | Wed, 01/12/2011 - 10:53

When children get together in groups they often play the same standard, well-known games with each other. All children know how to play tag and hide-and-seek, for example, and it’s clear to the participants what the general rules are for each game. When dogs are together in groups, they also have their own standard games that they play together, also with clear-cut rules. And just like children, some prefer certain games over others. Listed below are the most common games that dogs play with each other.

A Year of Magic and Loss

Jennifer Merritt | Wed, 01/12/2011 - 06:41

2010 was quite an emotional roller coaster for our family. We not only added a new puppy to our household but also said goodbye to our 17 year-old canine matriarch. The latter being our one certainty at the beginning of 2010, limited time with our “heart dog” and senior citizen Big Sandy.

To say that Big Sandy was a special, life changing dog was an understatement. She was the first dog that I trained and managed entirely with reward-based methods. We started out as the dog/handler team that most needed extra help in training classes, we became the team that excelled at everything. Big Sandy was the first dog that I felt that magical connection to that only positive training allows which ushered me into a career as a dog trainer and later a Tellington TTouch Practitioner.