The Dog Blog

Here’s a story that gives new meaning to the words “Train, don’t complain.” Donna Rock’s adopted dog “Annie” is the second Doberman in the nation ever to be named an AKC champion in both agility and obedience. That’s quite a feat all by itself, and an honor for any dog and trainer. But Donna, who trained Annie for nine years to achieve that level, was born with no arms.

If you watch the video (http://www.wwltv.com/video/news-index.html?nvid=343716&shu=1) you’ll see strong dog-owner communication and camaraderie. Both look to be relaxed and enjoying the training. Of course, Donna has had to be creative in her cues. She has invented her own signals, using a leg instead of an arm, to indicate sit, come, and down. A cock of the head tells Annie to circle around her and sit by her side in heel position.

I love going out to dinner with my husband. He listens to what I’m saying with genuine interest, gives me honest, loving feedback and tells great stories. We are constantly making each other laugh. We can always think of something to talk about.

Sometimes I notice other people eating together, couples or otherwise, who don’t seem to be having such a great time. In fact, they appear to be two strangers who happened to sit at the same table. Each is looking around in the other directions, reading a paper, talking on a cell phone…everything but being engaged in conversation with the person across the table.

As sure as my yard becoming a mud pit or my sighting this morning of a cardinal is a harbinger to the coming change of season here in my neck of the woods, or city rivers of heavily Irish populations are being colored green to celebrate St. Patrick's Day signal it elsewhere, or even the looming deadline for filing income taxes in the U.S. is a spring rite for many, so too is the increase in calls from people wondering why their dog is so increasingly out of control.

All I can say is chant a mantra of calm that works for you and remember Pillar I (need I remind you it's Distractions Distractions Distractions) is the first Pillar for a reason!

As they used to say on the Monty Python show, “And now for something completely different.” I normally blog about training and behavior issues, as I’ve been a dog trainer/behavior specialist for many years. But I have also been something else for many years, something that until recently I didn’t talk about much – I am a healer.

I have done hands-on energy healing with my dogs intuitively since I was a kid, though I couldn’t have put into words at the time exactly what I was doing. Also, back then hands-on type healing modalities like Reiki and Healing Touch weren’t as widely accepted. Back then, people tended to look at you strangely if you laid your hands on a dog and he quickly fell into a deep, peaceful sleep! But things change, and more and more owners who are looking for natural, holistic ways to help their dogs are embracing “alternative healing” methods, including energy work.