Must Love Dogs

It's All About the Energy!

2011-09-02T14:39:00.000-04:00

Well hello there! It's been quite a while since I've been able to write. I'd like to say it's because I've been lounging on the beach all summer long with a margarita in my hand, but that's not quite the case. I've been busy spending my summer days with dogs (which in my opinion, is even better than the beach!)

Ah, but I've finally found a moment or two! As usual, just when I think I know as much as I can about dogs, the wonderful pups that I work with have taught me even more. And of course, my favorite thing to do is share what I've learned.

If you've got a dog and if you watch TV, then I'm sure you've watched an episode or two (or a lot!) of Cesar Millan's The Dog Whisperer. And if that's the case, you've heard of his famous suggestion to portray "calm, assertive energy" while working with a dog. And yes, he's completely right. A calm, assertive energy is going to help you handle your dog better.

However, that doesn't just apply to people. Our dogs are surrounded by other dogs. There's the neighbor's dog, the dog that you run into at the park, or the dog that you pass on the street. In the Andovers, they're everywhere! But not all of them are taking Cesar Millan's advice to stay "calm and assertive."

This became quite clear to me when our other dog trainer, Amy, and I recently worked with a Golden Retriever named Duncan. Prior to his next training session, his mom had emailed me saying that though his training has been nothing short of astounding, he's still very reactive around other dogs; lunging at the leash and barking if they pass another dog on their walk. The embarrassment and frustration had gone on long enough; she was ready to tackle the issue.

So next time we met up, I brought along my two dogs, Elsa and Reese. Amy stayed with Duncan and his mom, while I drove down the street to prepare my dogs to walk past them as they went for a walk. I started with my older girl, Elsa.

Now, as a side note - Elsa is perfect. Ok, I'm bias. Perhaps she's just a well-behaved snob. See, Elsa could care less about other dogs. She's been around them her entire life, attends daily dog walks and training sessions with me, and has more friends than I could ever imagine having. So quite frankly, a new dog means nothing to her. In addition to that, she's extremely obedient. And for those reasons, Elsa barely blinks an eye if we walk past another dog.

So as Duncan came towards us, Elsa and I walked by. Elsa kept walking, and Duncan kept walking. And not a thing happened.

You'd think Duncan's mom would be happy about the turn out, but she was not at all! Her dog had just made a liar of her! She had gone on and on about how bad he reacts to other dogs, and then Duncan walks right past Elsa as if it's nothing. So I suggested a twist. I'd bring out Reese.

Now, about Reese. Reese is a social butterfly and absolutely loves to have fun. However, just like Elsa, she's very obedient. So we could have easily walked past Duncan without a hitch. But we were there to tackle Duncan's problem, so that's not what we did. It doesn't take much to get Reese to play, so play we did! She leaped and jumped and barked as I egged her on. She had a blast! And Duncan totally wanted in. So the lunging and barking began.

See, Reese wasn't expressing the calm, assertive energy that Elsa was. Elsa was boring. But Reese was exciting and playful and quite frankly, a bit out of control at times. So Duncan reacted by pulling and barking, his go-to behavior when he walks past another dog with unstable energy. And because we were in a controlled situation, Amy was able to coach his mom on how to get Duncan to stop the bad behavior. By the end of our session, Reese was exhausted, and Duncan was comfortably walking past her distracting behavior.

So how does this relate to your dog? Well, it means you've got to give him some credit! I hear it all the time, "my dog is fine around most dogs, but he hates the neighbor's dog." That's because that particular dog isn't expressing the right energy and your dog is feeding off of it.

Now of course, there's sometimes more to it than just the other dog. Many of our dogs are conditioned to react to all dogs, no matter what their energy, because we allow them to. That's why I've literally taught my dogs to be snobs. (To learn how to do that, read Why My Dogs Are Snobs.) It could also simply be a matter of a lack of socialization. And you have to remember that if your dog is reacting inappropriately to another dog, it's not just the other dog exuding the unstable energy - it's your dog too.

I told you Elsa is a snob. However, she will make friends and play with a pup who approaches her correctly. But if there's a dog lunging at the leash, she just turns and walks the other way. Fortunately, she's learned to disregard such distractions, but not all dogs have. And it's not easy, so give your dog a break. I can assure you that your neighbor's dog who he absolutely hates is totally egging him on!

So how can you teach your dog to react better to other dogs, especially those who are not exuding the right energy?

Start by staying calm and assertive yourself. If you see another dog coming, don't tense up and tighten on the leash. Your dog is going to sense your energy and get tense himself!
Keep treats on you. When you see another dog in the distance, start getting your pup's attention by saying his name, and then giving him a treat. Teach him that when there are distractions, you have something that's even better - food!
Avoid the problem dogs. If you see your dog's nemesis approaching, turn around. Don't set your dog up for failure; begin by walking past only the dogs who are exuding the right energy and work your way up to more difficult dogs.
Plan some play dates. Talk to some friends who have well socialized dogs and arrange for your pups to play. Start by walking as a group with your dogs on a leash, and then reward their good behavior by allowing them to play.
Teach your dog to be a snob. Don't let your dog say hello and meet every dog you pass, because he's going to begin to anticipate it and pull towards every dog. Teach him that he only says hello once in a while, and it's only if he's behaving well.
Avoid having your dog face the other dog and make eye contact. That position is confrontational to dogs. Unless the dogs are already friends, they should meet by approaching each other to the side and without much eye contact. If you allow your dog to face forward, you’re setting him up to appear threatening to the other dog.
Work with a dog trainer. If you can't seem to get your dog under control no matter what you do, try getting professional help. A trainer will not only show you how to properly control your dog in those situations, but can also teach your dog how to react correctly to other dogs.
And most importantly - keep things positive and have fun! When your dog passes another dog without reacting, that's a BIG deal! Let him know how happy you are by lavishing him with praise. Just as much as you want to understand your dog, you want him to understand you - so let him know that you're most happy when he's well behaved!

The Dog Lover Theory

2011-07-25T06:59:00.004-04:00

Throughout the summer my hubby, dogs, and I are fortunate to be able to enjoy many weekends in Kennebunk, Maine, thanks to my in-laws. They own a denture business, whose office sits below a comfortable condo that often becomes our weekend home.

The fortunate thing about staying above a denturist's office are the many magazines in the waiting room that I can choose from to bring as my light reading to the beach. I'll be honest, after spending my busy weekdays running a business, on weekends I prefer to turn off my brain and indulge in mindless reading, my magazine of choice is People Magazine! However, this past weekend as I browsed the waiting room table, a magazine cover caught my eye. A National Geographic magazine pictured a fox on it's cover, headlining their feature article, "Designing the Perfect Pet."

I immediately knew the article. I posted my thoughts on it a couple months ago. However, in hopes that the actual magazine had more content on the subject than the online version that I had read, I scooped up the magazine and eagerly headed off to the beach.

For those of you who did not read my last post on this subject, I'll quickly summarize. A study about animal domestication in Siberia has raised and bred foxes for friendliness. They now have a population of foxes that greet humans and crave attention just as your yellow lab or golden retriever does. What's more, these foxes have changed in appearance; they have floppy ears, curled tails, and a piedbald coloration. The study suggests that the genes that are necessary for domestication, also correlate to changes in appearance and behavior. To read the entire article, you can click here.

In browsing the magazine, I was correct in that there was more content in the magazine than the online version. However, it wasn't where I expected to find it! As I read the Editor's Note, I was incredibly intrigued by what was said and the suggested theory. So much that after reading it, I nearly ran across the beach to where my hubby was searching for sea glass and read it out loud to him (I've said it before and I'll say it again, yes I'm a dork, I love this kind of stuff.)

And just as I hurried over to my hubby to share what I read, I hurried this morning to put together this blog to share with you the editor's note. The end of the second paragraph is the part that I found most interesting:

"In Jackson's mind there is no such thing as a good person or a bad person. There are only people he desperately wants to meet. Jackson, I should explain, is my Jack Russell terrier. When he meets someone, his short tail wags at warp speed, sending a vibration through his piedbald body right up to his floppy ears. He is exuberant, playful, affectionate - everything a dog lover could wish for. He fits the description of an animal domesticated through years of selective breeding.

In this month's issue we explore animal domestication, which began more than 15,000 years ago with dogs. As humans bred wolves to be our hunting companions and friends, changes in appearance occurred along with changes in behavior. Traits that might otherwise have been weeded out in the wild survived because they were, well, cute. Jackson, with his piebald coloring and floppy ears, is a classic example. But I think there is more to it than that. When my family went shopping for a dog, Jackson confidently trotted over and made it clear he liked us. We immediately responded by picking him up and hugging him. I have to wonder if there is something in human genes that makes our response to a puppy so immediate and positive. Are we genetically predisposed to connect with dogs? Can a case be made that dog lovers had a better chance of survival with the help of man's best friend - in a violent and uncertain world - to put food on the table and guard against threats? It makes sense to me, but cat lovers may not buy my theory."

Chris Johns

Are we predisposed to connect with dogs because our ancestors were more likely to survive if they were using domesticated wolves to hunt, for protection, and as companions? They now say that people who own a dog are healthier, happier, and perhaps live longer. Was that the case 15,000 years ago when dogs first became domesticated? Let me know what you think!

Beat the Heat With These Fun Games for Your Pup!

2011-07-22T08:17:00.005-04:00

Because of the heat wave we're currently experiencing, Facebook decided to put together a list of who they think has the worst hot weather jobs. Turns out dog walkers have made that list! Sure, it's hot out there, really hot. But I'll be honest, I've been having a blast walking dogs in this heat!

To start, I want to make it clear that "walking dogs" hasn't exactly been just that. It's just too hot to go for a brisk midday, half-hour walk. Myself and all of my walkers haven't had our pups walking for more than 10-15 minutes per visit. However, we still have lots of other fun and stimulating activities up our sleeves! And the great thing about these activities is that even wayyou can try them at home to help your pup burn some energy! They'll keep your pup busy and happy in the house, while enhancing your bond and reinforcing good behavior.

To help you get started on keeping your pup active and happy during this hot weather, I've explained two very fun games to try out:

"Find It!"

What you need: Tasty treats or a fun toy, and a crate if your dog doesn't know "stay."

Instructions: Ask your dog to "stay" or put him in his crate. Take a cookie or his favorite toy and hold it up so that he sees it in your hand. Then walk to a spot in your house where he can still see you, put the item down, then return to your dog. Say "Find It!" and release your dog from his stay, or open his crate. Watch as your pup runs to the spot and gobble up his treat or play with his toy! Next, start all over again, but this time placing the item in a slightly more difficult spot. Watch him search for the item and find it! Repeat over and over again for lots of fun!

Remember: Your dog needs to be rewarded to stay motivated. Start the game very easy to make sure he understands the goal. If things get too difficult and he looses interest, try going back to placing the item in an easy-to-find spot. Egg him on with your voice, and if he needs help, try pointing to the area that the item is hidden. Reward him once he finds it with lots of praise and clapping so he's extra proud of himself!

Why the game is so great: You're burning your pup's mental and physical energy by challenging him to find the item. You're also reinforcing the "stay" command while teaching him a new command, "find it." And the best part about it is he's got to pay attention to you and read your body language so that he knows where the toy is! It's a great way to connect with your pup, and I think at times we all wish our dog paid more attention to us!

Who enjoyed this game: Kande the Wheaton Terrier could not get enough of this game with me yesterday! She was great at staying, so I'd amp up the excitement by asking her if she was ready before telling her to "find it!" She would get so psyched, that the moment I said "find it!" she'd give me one big WOOF then sprint off into the living room, as if to say "here I go!!"

"Hide & Go Seek!"

What you need: Tasty treats or a fun toy, and someone to help you if your dog doesn't know "stay"

Instructions: Ask your dog to "stay" or have someone hold him, and show him that you have a treat or toy. Then walk into another room, stand still, and say "(dog's name) come!" If someone's holding your dog, have them let go. Then stay quiet until your pup finds you and when he does, reward him with lots of praise and a treat or some playtime with his toy! Next, repeat the game, but this time hiding in a slightly more difficult spot. If you're playing with someone else, have them hide this time. Reward your dog for finding you, and repeat over and over again for lots of fun!

Remember: Keep your dog motivated and help him understand the game by first hiding in an easy-to-find spot. Increase the difficulty based on his success. If he suddenly looses interest or can't find you, give him a hint with a whistle or by saying his name. Make it super exciting when he finds you so that he has lots of fun and stays enthusiastic about the game!

Why the game is so great: You're burning your pup's mental and physical energy by challenging him to find you. Plus, you're reinforcing both your "stay" and "come" commands. It also teaches your pup that being around you, or finding you, is a wonderful thing! That way when you're outside one day and want to call him to come, he'll be more happy to do it!

Who enjoyed this game: My two Collies, Elsa and Reese, absolutely love this game! They've become so good at it, that I'll ask them to stay in the basement, and hide all the way upstairs in the bedroom and they still manage to find me! The two flights of stairs are great exercise for them when it's too hot to go for a walk and they've learned that being called to "come" is fun and exciting!

So even though it's sometimes too hot outside for our dogs to burn a lot of energy, that's no excuse to have a bored pup! Try out these games to help your dog stay active during the hot summer days while reinforcing good behaviors, enhancing your bond, and having fun!

Spending the Day with BlueDog!

2011-07-13T08:05:00.019-04:00

I hear it over and over again, the constant exclamations of how lucky I must be to be to spend every day walking dogs. And I have to agree, my walkers and I are very lucky! And what makes it even better are the fantastic dogs that we walk. There's tall dogs and short dogs, energetic dogs and lazy dogs, cute dogs and silly dogs. The personalities are endless! And there's nothing I love more than capturing those personalities with a picture. One of BlueDog's wonderful walkers, Jenn, also has a passion and talent for photographing dogs. So we planned a BlueDog photo shoot; an entire day with an ambitious list of dogs and walkers for Jenn to meet and photograph throughout Andover and North Andover! She had a blast, our walkers had a blast, and most importantly, the lovable pups that we walk had fun showing off and smiling for the camera!

So to all of those people who tell me how lucky I am, I'd like to share a look into what it's like to be a BlueDog walker for a day.

Jenn started her day off with a 9am visit with Katie and Romeo. Romeo is BlueDog's most senior pup, he just celebrated his 14th birthday! The two of them enjoy slow, sniffy walks in beautiful downtown Andover.

I've never known dogs to get wrinkles as they age...but apparently their tongues do!

Next was Chloe, a little Havanese pup who enjoys two visits a day from her walker Katie as she learns how to be house trained (and Katie had taught her a trick or two already too!)

She likes laying in the summer sun with Katie and her best friend Chance. Chance is Katie's dog and joins her on nearly every walk. All of her pups absolutely love walking and playing with him! It also promotes socialization and all of our walkers are encouraged to bring their dogs on walks with them once I've determined they're well behaved, well socialized, and great with other dogs.

Usually we try to keep our walks structured and controlled to promote good manners, but Bella was just too excited to get her picture taken and ran ahead of her walker Meghan to smile for the camera!

There's the smile!

Then Jenn was off to North Andover for a walk with Butch and Amy. And speaking of smiles...Butch makes it clear that dogs can indeed, smile : )

He absolutely loves his walker and best friend, Amy. Amy also occasionally house sits for Butch, he always has a blast during their slumber parties!

Daisy is a rescued terrier mix who lives in a beautiful neighborhood, though her and her walker must watch out for poison ivy! I walked Daisy myself earlier this summer and ended up with a whole bunch of the itchy stuff all over my legs!

Daisy likes to have some cuddle time with Rebecca. She also enjoys it when Rebecca brings her dog, Sadie, who is also a rescue, over for a visit!

Jenn has got photographing dogs down to an art...but sometimes the pups just get too excited! Like Sarah here, who just couldn't handle her excitement about making a new friend. She just went straight up for a kiss!

And then it was on to her best friend Katie, who she absolutely smothered with kisses! Sarah is just a pup and is learning good manner's from BlueDog's trainer, Amy. Amy has also taught Katie what they've learned, so that she can be consistent with Sarah's training during their walks!

Look at that tongue! Simba is just growing up from puppy-hood, he's currently going through that awkward stage most of our dogs went through as they matured! But he's a very good boy and not only enjoys walks with Amy, but they also work on his good manners and commands.

Amy has been walking him since he was only 8 weeks old!

Next Jenn headed to the park by the library in North Andover where Lauren and Stanley were playing fetch with a tennis ball. It's his absolute favorite game and he could play for hours!

They also worked on a couple commands in between games. Look how well he stays for her!

Amy and Sadie were enjoying some cuddle time in the yard. Sadie had no problem rolling over for a belly rub, she knows Amy can't say no to that!

Jenn loved photographing Sadie, she was such a ham and totally loved the camera. Look at that face!

Amy also walks BlueDog's amazing three-legged dog, Sophie. After being diagnosed with bone cancer, Sophie's parents made the brave decision to save their girl by having her leg amputated. She has been healthy and happy ever since!

And still keeps up on her tricks!

Next up was Bruno who enjoyed a nice, shady walk with his walker Lauren.

And then on to a fun game of fetch in the yard. He's another one who could play for hours!

Tell me that isn't love! Another BlueDog senior, Sasha, still has the energy to go for long walks despite her age...and grey hairs! But her older age has also brought on some health risks, so we all know the signs to look for when she's gone far enough.

She has fun walking the fields along Spring Hill Farm and loves barking at the cows!

The last stop of the day was at 3pm with Katie, Max, and Cleo. Max is by far BlueDog's tallest dog and towers over Katie when he stands on his hind legs!

But these guys, despite their size, are as gentle and sweet as they get. They love to walk with Katie down to the North Andover town common, or play in the backyard.

We will surely be doing another BlueDog photo shoot in the future! It was absolutely impossible to take pictures of all the dogs walked by BlueDog that day, but we'll be certain to feature more pups soon. If your dog was featured today and you'd like to see more pictures, just let me know!

And I hope you were able to enjoy daydreaming about what it's like to spend a lucky day with BlueDog : )

Tips To Keep Your Dog Happy & Safe Over the 4th of July

2011-06-28T14:55:00.008-04:00

The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays. My family of nine 2-legged members and seven 4-legged members pack into my parent's cozy, little lake house for a weekend of cookouts, canoeing, swimming, and water skiing. But nothing beats The Big Event, when my hubby, brother, and brother-in-law put on their annual I-don't-even-want-to-know-how-much-money-you-spent fireworks show! Shooting right off the dock and over the lake, we're astounded every year by a remarkable display.

And while everyone fully enjoys the fun packed weekend, not every family member is happy about the fireworks show. Especially my girl Elsa! Not a fan of thunderstorms either, she becomes a very unhappy pup as soon as the sparklers are lit. And this isn't uncommon. While we oooo and ahhh over the big bangs and bright flashes created by fireworks, many dogs will hide, run, or escape in fear. Shelters and veterinarians report an increase in dogs after the holiday and owners will have found that their dog has broken through fences, screens, and even windows at the sound of a firework.

There are a couple of training methods that you can use to help teach your dog not to fear fireworks, but they require a lot of patience and time. So with the holiday approaching quickly, I've listed a couple of quick tips to help keep you dog safe and happy during the 4th of July celebrations:

Make sure your dog is wearing a properly fitted collar with an up to date license and rabies tag. Talk to your vet about having your dog micro-chipped if he hasn't already. Or simply run down to your local pet store and get a tag made with your dog's name and your phone number on it so that if he gets lost, someone can contact you quickly when he's found.
During a fireworks show, keep your dog in a safe, secure, familiar place such as a crate or a bedroom. Close all windows and doors to lessen the sound and to ensure that there are no possible ways for him to escape.
Play music, a TV, run the air conditioner, or turn on a fan on to muffle out the sound of the fireworks.
Try using a calming treatment such as Comfort Zone. Comfort Zone plugs into any outlet and releases the same pheromones that a mother dog releases to calm her puppies, and may help your dog relax.
Give your dog an article of clothing or blanket that has your scent on it. The smell of you can be soothing and comforting to him. It's one of Elsa's favorite comforts when she gets scared.
Don't leave your dog outside if you know there may be fireworks. Even if you have a fenced in yard, tether, or invisible fence, if he gets scared he may try to escape and can injure himself.
Stay calm and relaxed around your nervous dog. Your dog reacts to your mental state, so try not to get worried about him, but instead stay upbeat and positive.
Distract your dog with a game of fetch or ask him to do some tricks to keep him busy and stimulated while you can hear fireworks. Or try giving him a treat-stuffed toy to enjoy and work at.
If your dog's anxiety tends to be severe over the 4th of July, call you vet and discuss possible medications that will help calm him.
And lastly, as wonderful as it is to spend family time with your dog, avoid bringing him to a firework show. Neither of you will enjoy the show if he gets scared and it's not worth the risk of him trying to run away!

If your dog has any fear or phobia such as that of fireworks or thunderstorms, feel free to contact me at Kimberly@BlueDogPetCareMA.com to discuss how we can help him!

I Wish I Didn't Have a Job

2011-06-24T14:32:00.010-04:00

I know, it's a crazy thing to say. How could someone who spends every single day training and walking dogs ever wish she didn't have a job? I should love my job!

Well, I'll let you in on a little something. I do love my job! I love every moment of it. But I still wish I didn't have a job.

Here, let me explain myself.

I wish I didn't have a job because if I didn't have a job, it would mean that no dog ever needed training. I wish I didn't have a job because it would mean that no dog ever needed a daily walk. I wish I didn't have a job because it would mean that every dog owner had enough time, enough knowledge, and enough understanding to provide the proper exercise, companionship, structure, and training for their dog. That every dog would live a life of health, happiness, and satisfaction.

But, I have a job.

It really came into focus for me this morning when I met with a four month old puppy and his family of two parents and three siblings (I'm talking about the two-legged kind) for a training consult. This dog had had everyone on his side since the day he was born. His mother was rescued as a stray while she was pregnant with him and his littermates. He was born at a foster house and raised by a loving, caring family. At 8 weeks he was adopted by yet another wonderful family, who were thrilled to be bringing a dog into their lives for the very first time. He has since spent the past two months living with them in a warm, comfortable home. His life was seemingly perfect.

I could get into the details about what I saw when I met this puppy; the biting, the barking, the jumping. But let's just say that this puppy, despite all of the good intentions, was in serious need of training, restructure, and some stability in his life.

The thing is, the puppy had done nothing wrong. And his family had done nothing wrong either. So then, what went wrong?

It's a time like this, when I meet a dog and its family in need of training, that I take a deep breath, and remind myself; we all have good intentions for our dogs, but it just doesn't come naturally to us.

I'll use myself as an example. I'm a dog person, but I'm no car person. Say the "check engine" light was on in my car, and it was up to me to figure out what was wrong. Sure, I'd read the manual, google a couple things, maybe even call my hubby for advice. And after lifting the hood, I could possibly figure out at least where the washer fluid goes, how to recharge the battery, maybe screw around with a couple of things, but that's probably as far as I'd get. Hey, I never claimed to be a mechanic, right?

Well, it's the exact same thing when we bring a puppy home for the very first time. We read the books, we watch the shows, and sure, we've met plenty of dogs on the street. So we could possibly figure out a thing or two on how to properly raise the dog. Probably not all of it though.

And here's the catch. With a car, the check engine light turns back on, smoke comes out of the hood, or the darn thing just won't turn on. Time to head to the mechanic's.

A puppy, though, isn't as black and white. They don't have any "check engine" lights. So while an owner may take what they've learned and try all the right things, they still don't always know when they're doing something wrong. Or at least not until it really becomes a real problem. Or maybe it doesn't even become a problem, and the dog just lives his life unsure about how to connect with his owner. He doesn't know what to do, doesn't know how to act, doesn't know how to make them understand. This isn't just a car we're talking about, this is a living, breathing member of our family.

We aren't born with the ability to read our dogs' minds. All we can do is learn as we go, ask for advice, and hope for the best. It would be wonderful if we came into this world with the innate ability to communicate with 100% accuracy with our four-legged friends. How happy and satisfied they would all be!

When I see a pup like the one I met today, it makes me wish I didn't have to do this. It makes me wish that all dogs and people could just naturally figure each other out.

I would do anything to provide that for every dog out there. Happiness, completeness, understanding. But unfortunately, I'm no doggie Oprah. I'm just a small time dog trainer and walker in North Andover. So on days like today, I have to remind myself to take it one step at a time. One dog at a time. I will improve this puppy's life. Just like I've improve the lives of the dogs that I walk. My walkers and I only get a half hour each day with each dog, but we make that the very best half hour we possibly can. It's the least we can do.

So as much as I absolutely love my job, I wish I didn't have it. I wish there were no need for it. But then again, a girl's got to make a living. And even more so, she's got to be realistic. I do have a job. I do my very best at my job. And that improves the lives of the dogs that I meet. People may not be born with the innate ability to understand their dog, but I sure as heck can try to teach them!

The Invisible Leash

2011-06-14T07:03:00.007-04:00

Throughout the years, as I've worked with people and their dogs, I've found that we've become increasingly dependent on the leash. The latest and greatest collars, harnesses, and head halters are making us even more hooked on that six foot piece of fabric that connects us to our pups. I watch daily as people walk with a tight leash, pulling this way and that, without ever consulting their dog.

And it makes me wonder, have we taken away from the potential relationship we could have with our dogs by becoming so dependent on the leash?

My leash of choice is the thinnest, four foot lead I can find. The flimsier the better! Because I don't rely on my leash. Sure, it's got to be there. They keep our dogs safe and secure; no matter how reliable your dog is, he should always be on a leash. However, I like my leash to be invisible, as if it weren't even there, with every dog that I walk.

How does a leash become invisible? Well, rather than using it to direct your dog where you want to go, you simply tell your dog where you're going. If you're taking a walk with a friend, are you holding their hand, pulling and tugging them this way and that without notice? Of course not. If you decide to take a left, you tell them "let's go this way." If you want to stop, you say "wait one second." So what's the difference between your friend and your dog? There shouldn't be one!

When I walk my dogs, I tell them where I want to go. If I'm changing directions, I say "this way." Then I take a left or a right or wherever it is that I'd like to go. Originally, if I said "this way" and changed directions, my dogs would continue walking straight until they reached the end of the leash, feel a tug and realize I had changed directions, and then follow me. Within no time, they learned that when I say "this way," it meant I was changing directions, so they'd look at me to figure out where I was going to avoid being tugged by the leash.

I also tell them when I'm stopping. I say "wait," and then stop. Once ready to move forward, I say "let's go." If I want them to catch up to me or slow down, I say "with me." And of course, I always throw in an occasional "good puppy!"

Some dogs pick up on this quickly, others less so. However, if you remain consistent, talking to your dog every time you go for a walk, these commands will eventually have a meaning to him. And the key to doing this is keeping a loose leash. Because remember, it's invisible! If you can't use your leash, you'll have to use your voice. I'll admit, it isn't easy at first, but once you turn it into a habit, you'll never want to use your leash again.

To test your dependence on your leash, you can try tying it around your waist, so that you can't hold onto it. Then take your dog for a walk! You may see how often you rely on the leash, and perhaps how little direction you actually give your pup!

Consider your walks with your dog the same as a walk with a friend. You go for a walk to reconnect, chat, and enhance your relationship. If you take the same approach with your dog, your walks will be much more enjoyable for the both of you!

May Birthdays!

2011-06-03T12:19:00.006-04:00

Birthdays of the Month!

At BlueDog, your dogs are part of our family. So of course we're going to celebrate their birthdays! And for those rescued pups whose birthdays we don't know, we celebrate the day they found their forever home.

Each dog gets a special goody bag on his birthday month, so let us know your pup's birthday!

May 2011

Happy Birthday to the following wonderful BlueDog pups!

Maisy, Tula, Butchie & Bruno!

Maisy's birthday is May 3rd! Maisy's a sweet black lab who loves absolutely everyone! She enjoys playgroups with lots of doggie friends as well as long walks with her walker Katie. Her favorite thing to do is give kisses...LOTS of kisses!

Tula is a lovable little pug who celebrates her birthday at May 7th. She's a tiny girl with a big heart! She enjoys walks with her buddy Meghan and is looking forward to being a big sister in June, when her mom is due with her first baby!

Butch is all about fun fun FUN! He turned 1 year old on May 15th but still acts like a puppy! He enjoys walks with his friends Lily and Jalapeno and of course his walker Amy. He loves to run, play and wrestle, but is always up for some cuddle time too!

It's all about the game of FETCH for Bruno! The little dachshund will play all day, everyday if he had the chance. He shares him home with two BIG dogs but certainly holds his own. And once he finally stops playing fetch, he's a wonderful little cuddler!

Am I a Boring Dog Walker?

2011-06-02T16:09:00.006-04:00

On a daily basis, I have the privilege of spending time with four dogs who make up a lovely pack; Dexter, Bogart, Bruno, and Doobie. Each one of them is a sufficient watch dog, so to say there's a lot of commotion and excitement upon my arrival is an understatement! However, amongst all of the barking, there's a sound that I've just recently begun to notice. After a couple of barks, Dexter will yawn. And yawn. And yawn! At first I thought it was a fluke. But sure enough, I’m greeted daily with a whole bunch of barks and a couple of yawns.

Am I really that boring of a dog walker??

In hopes that no one else felt that way, today I decided to make note of any yawning upon my arrival. My day began with Kelsey the poodle. As usual, when I picked up her leash she acted silly, bouncing up and down. And as I patiently waited for her to settle, to my surprise, she let out a big, loud yawn! Ah-ha! Apparently Dexter isn't the only one!

And it didn't stop there. Next I visited Gracie and Petunia. As soon as I went towards Gracie's crate, she yawned. When I stopped by Solo’s house for a walk, he greeted me with a big, loud yawn. And sure enough when I returned home, my two dogs greeted me at the door. Tails wagging and mouths open wide…yawning!

Well I might as well hang up my leash now, because apparently I’m a boring dog walker!

Fortunately, that's not actually the case. Dogs don't yawn for the same reasons that we do. For dogs, yawning is referred to as a calming signal and in many cases, is used to cope with excitement. A yawn fills their lungs with air and boosts their brain with oxygen and increases their heart rate. When I walk through the door, all of these dogs are excited and anticipate a walk and a good time. To get ready for action, they yawn! So it turns out I’m not a boring dog walker after all… I’m actually quite fun!

Studies also suggest that yawning is contagious and can be used as a way to calm your dog down. In theory, you can yawn at your dog and he'll yawn back, making him more relaxed. Well, I just yawned about 15 times in front of my dog Elsa and she just stared at me as if I were crazy. So apparently my yawns aren't contagious...but at least I'm not a boring dog walker!

The Sun Has Arrived! And So Have the Poppies!

2011-05-25T21:57:00.005-04:00

Well it's nice of the sun to finally decide to show up...I was afraid we'd never see it again! And that isn't the only bright and colorful sign of spring that has arrived. The fantastic poppies that I love to see bloom every year have made their arrival, once again from the wonderful garden of Bogart, Dexter, and Bruno's yard!

So yesterday I packed up my girls and we swung by my Cockalier friends' house, Merry and Pippin, and we all made our way to our favorite yard. The pups had a wonderful time playing...or in Elsa's case, napping...while I snapped pictures!

Enjoy! : )

Beautiful flowers!

Pippin wants to check them out.

Blooming

A little something else I found

Bruno waiting patiently for me to take a picture of him before throwing his ball

Cutie!

Merry & Pippin

Reese is so weird. She isn't digging. Just standing in a hole. Weirdo.

Sniffing

Spoiled dogs!

Isn't life tough?

Happy dog!

Kisses

Waiting for me to throw the ball

Pippin

Bruno!

April Showers Bring May Flowers

2011-05-17T21:00:00.018-04:00

Ok, so I know rain isn't the best subject right now. But let's remember - rain means green grass and blooming flowers! And after probably the longest dog-walking-winter I've yet to experience, I'll take the rain if it results in more signs of spring!

And my favorite sign of spring (ok, besides cute little puppies) are blooming flowers! Growing up as the daughter of the owner of Desmond Landscape, I've learned to appreciate everything from the first bulb to pop through the earth to the last leaf to fall from a tree.

However, I currently reside in a townhouse. Which simply means no opportunity to exercise my green thumb...besides my fast growing collection of indoor spider plants. So I must instead appreciate the gardens of my fortunate clients who are able to contribute more to their yards than just a condo fee.

And the yard that I anticipate the most each spring is that of my four friends Bruno, Bogart, Dexter, and Doobie. The humble yard boasts no fertilized gardens or manicured shrubs. Instead, it has a flower scattered here, an interesting plant there. It's slow to bloom and you need to search hard to find all that it has to offer. But it has a lot to offer! Most especially the rose bush, which has yet to bloom this year. But I swear when those pink petals finally make their appearance, I can smell them the moment I step out of my car.

This year, I wanted to share this yard with all of you, so last week I brought my camera along with me. Mind you, I'm no photographer, but I do enjoy at least pretending I can be! Of course, I couldn't resist snapping a couple shots of Doobie, he's such a ham. And Elsa always manages to convince me to include a picture of her. I hope you enjoy : )

Doobie greets me at the gate

Doobie insisted I took a picture of him

My girl Elsa, always poised and proper...and ready for the camera

So please, join me in appreciating this rain...or at least putting up with it. For it's only going to help make our yards that much more pretty to enjoy when it all finally stops!

7 Tips to Teach a Dog to Heel

2011-05-17T08:27:00.009-04:00

Many of you know what it's like. It's a beautiful spring day (you'll have to use your imagination!) The birds are singing, children are playing, people are out for a jog. You decide to enjoy the nice weather like everyone else, and why not bring along your lovable pup! So you go to grab his leash to get ready to head out for a walk.

But as soon as you pick up the leash, your dog knows. He starts to race around the house and jump on you. You struggle to clip the leash on, then once attached, he dashes for the door, nearly throwing you off your feet in the process. Out you go, desperately trying to keep on with your eager dog. He chases a squirrel, drags you across the street to say hello to a friend, and has a new smell to sniff nearly every 2 feet. Suddenly your leisurely walk on a beautiful day is not what you had hoped for.

And you're not the only one who isn't enjoying such a walk. Believe it or not, your dog wants structure. Rather than feeling the need to sniff every smell, pee on every tree, evaluate every dog, and protect you from this crazy, over stimulating world, he wants to enjoy himself! So it's up to you to show him how to do that.

As a dog walker, I know what it's like to walk such a dog. But I've learned a thing or two about how to make our walks much more enjoyable, for both me and the pup. So before you head off to the local pet store to try yet another "no-pull" apparatus, why don't you try some of these tips first:

Start Calm: The way you start your walk can make a huge difference. Don't put his leash on or walk outside until he's sitting quietly. Be patient; if he doesn't sit immediately, walk away until he calms down. It might take what seems like eternity to actually leave the house, but eventually he'll learn that he goes nowhere unless he's calm.

Loose Leash: You always want a loose leash. Resistance will naturally make him pull. Think if someone was facing you, put there hands on your shoulders, and gently pushed. You're automatically going to push back, right? Same goes with a dog. You pull, he'll pull. So make sure that leash is loose.

Change Directions: Change directions frequently to teach your dog he should always be paying attention to you. Walk ten steps, then say your dog's name and turn around. Walk another ten feet and then do it again. Make it sporadic and spontaneous. And remember to always tell your dog you're changing directions to give him a chance to follow you.

Praise Your Dog: Dogs love to be talked to. But we tend to only talk to our dogs when he's doing something wrong. If he's walking nicely on the leash, tell him! Let him know that you're happy that he's by your side. And better yet, if you see a distraction up ahead, talk to your dog to direct his attention to you. It will give you better control as you approach the distraction.

Stop if He Pulls: On a walk, your dog clearly wants to keep going. So if he gets too far ahead, simply stop. Then wait for him to turn around, and begin your walk again. Be patient and consistent; it'll probably take you a long time to get even 20 feet, but once he learns that you won't move unless he's by your side, he'll stop pulling.

You Decide When to Stop: Remember, dogs are gamblers. If they win once, they'll try again. So if you allow your pup to say hello to another dog, or let your dog stop to sniff a mailbox, he'll try to do it every time. So teach your dog that those are rewards for good behavior, not something he can do every time. If he's been walking very nicely by your side for 5 minutes, tell him good boy and then allow him to sniff a tree for a couple minutes, or say hello to a dog. Then you decide when he's finished, and start your walk again.

Bring Treats: There's nothing wrong with having a pocket full of treats when you go for a walk! Use them to reward him when he's walking nicely by your side. Or if you see a distraction up ahead, say your dog's name, if he looks at you, give him a treat. Continue to do this while you walk past the distraction. He'll soon learn to look at you rather than a distraction so he can get a tasty treat.

Remember, every dog is different. Some of these tips may work for your dog, and others may not. But be patient in trying each one. In no time, you'll be able to enjoy those nice spring days (if we ever get any!) with your pup, and you two will have a much better relationship.

An Utterly Great Walk

2011-05-13T14:41:00.033-04:00

So I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Just to warn you, this is total proof of what a geek I am. But I'll tell you anyways.

I really like cows.

I think they're awesome. I don't know if it's their gentle disposition, their quirky curiosity, or the fact that I grew up listening to stories from my mom about how she grew up on a cow farm. Either way, I have a soft spot for them. (Ok, maybe I even have frequent daydreams about the day I own a cow farm.)

And fortunately, I get my cow-fix every spring through fall when I walk the little spaniel pup (who I totally LOVE), Sasha. See, she lives near Spring Hill Farm and our walk-of-choice is down a dirt road that follows along the cow field. Come spring, the field becomes the home of a herd of cows who Sasha, Elsa, Reese, and I love to visit. The pups learn to look for the cows, the cows learn to enjoy our company, and within no time I literally have cows running (yes, cows run!) to keep up with us on our walk!

So in celebration of the arrival of a new herd, and to prove my true geek-ness to you all, I'd like to share some pictures that I took of our most recent visit with my cows.

Sasha's got a smile on her face as we make our way towards our hoofed friends

Time to speed up, we see them!

And our cows catch sight of us

Reesie with her friends

Saying hello

Trying to get a closer look of the Collie

Got anything for us to eat?

Ok maybe I bribed them to like me by feeding them some of the tasty grass on our side of the fence

Following the pups

And saying hello

Reese likes to believe she's a herding dog

We began to head back and the cows gladly followed

Running to keep up with us!

How can you not love that face??

Yum

Getting a scratch

And trying a taste of a tree branch

Friends

Happy dog!

And more happy dogs!

Reese decided to run out to the cows one last time to say goodbye.

Four Legged Gamblers

2011-05-06T07:40:00.014-04:00

If there was a slot machine that never had a winner, would you play it? How about one that always had a winner? And what about those slot machines on which you occasionally win. Which would you pick? Sounds like an easy decision, right? Well our dogs certainly think so!

Let me explain...

Occasionally, there comes a time when my two dogs, Elsa and Reese, get bored. So I always have a collection of interactive toys ready to be filled up with tasty kibble to keep them busy. And my clever dogs know that I have a tendency to rush when I'm filling up their toys, and occasionally I'll drop a piece of kibble or two! So as I fill up their toys, they patiently watch the ground, ready to grab any piece that I may drop.

However, right next to them, as they desperately search the ground for dropped pieces of kibble, is the entire bin of food! Open and available. It would be too easy for them to just reach in and get mouthfuls of food! So why don't they??

Well, it's because dogs are gamblers! That's the slot machine that never has a winner. I have never, ever allowed them to eat from the bin. So why would they even try? However, when I drop a piece of kibble, I allow them to pick it up. Ah ha, the occasional winning slot machine! Sometimes you win, sometimes you don't...but it's worth playing!

OK, here's another example. Dinner time. As soon as my hubby, Chris, and I sit down to eat, Elsa and Reese take their places. Elsa lays on the mat against the door. Reese sprawls out on the kitchen floor. And they both fall fast asleep.

Yup, that's right...my dogs don't beg!

And the reason? It's because we have never, ever fed them from the kitchen table. Ever! There's that losing slot machine. Why play if you've never won? Why beg if you've never received food?

And no, I don't have super dogs who just don't care about table scraps. They love them. And better yet, Chris loves to spoil them. So every night we have a collection of scraps to give to our dogs. As soon as Chris stands up to put his dishes away, Elsa and Reese snap out of their slumber and rush over to him. Winner!!! That's the slot machine from which they always get a reward!

So why is this important to know? Well, clearly it helps with training! If you don't want your dog to do something, never let him do it. If you don't mind if he does something, it's OK to reward him. If you want him to do something, always reward him!

OK, I'll admit, sometimes it's easier said than done. There's plenty more for me to tell you about training your dog! But for now, let's keep that slot machine in mind. Because we're all living with four legged gamblers!

BlueDog Bootcamp!

2011-05-03T08:54:00.016-04:00

I'm so excited to announce that we will soon be offering a bootcamp class for you and your pup! Working out isn't fun...but we learned on Friday, it can be LOTS of fun if it's with your dog!

The goal of the class is to help you get in shape, while providing an opportunity to socialize and train your dog. Both you and your pup will be burning calories! Our personal trainer, Amy S., will run a class to help you get ready for bikini season, while either myself or our certified dog trainer, Amy K., will help you train your dog!

On Friday, some of our BlueDog walkers put on their workout clothes and we tried out our first class! We all had a blast...but it's clear the dogs had even more fun!

Katie and Chance in a running exercise...a great way to get your pup to burn extra energy while you burn extra calories!

While owners ran in place, dogs had to sit patiently, as one by one we'd run around each other with our dogs. A wonderful way to teach a dog to stay with the distraction of other dogs.

Plenty of time to stop for a drink of water!

Amy has been a personal trainer for over a year and a half with lots of experience teaching bootcamp classes. In addition, she just had a baby 6 months ago...wouldn't you like to look like that?!? And clearly she knows how to train a dog, look how patiently her pup Laney is waiting.

Dogs had to practice a "down stay" while we worked out. The running workouts helped the dogs burn their energy at the beginning, so they were more likely to succeed when we asked them to "stay."

Now that's a tired dog!

We had so much fun! It was a great way to socialize with other dog owners...while our dogs got to socialize too! Oh and did I mention you burn LOTS of calories??

Levi gives it two paws up : )

More info will follow soon, including a free class to try out! Email me if you'd like more information now!

A Dog Training a Dog?

2011-04-22T14:52:00.009-04:00

Apparently my dogs are training each other. To misbehave.

Today I saw the proof. I watched Elsa train Reese. It sounds crazy, I know. And the worst of it was, she was training her to bark!

Let me explain.

I'll begin by saying, I'm not a morning person. And this morning I was exceptionally groggy. So as I put together my hubby's lunch, I accidentally dropped a baby carrot. No big deal though, I've got dogs...food doesn't last very long on the floor. Sure enough Reese grabbed the carrot and as she usually does when she finds a tasty treat, she trotted into the living room to eat it. However, while trotting past Elsa, she accidentally dropped the carrot, right in front of her sister.

A side note...Elsa's the boss. And even if Elsa could care less if something's near her...if it's near her, Reese won't take it. Whether it's food, a Kong, or a toy. And though I've never seen Elsa prevent Reese from taking an object from her, apparently Elsa is scary. And you should never, ever take something from her.

So Reese was in a tough situation. She wanted that baby carrot really badly. But she was afraid to take it from Elsa. So what did she do? Well, she did what she does best. She barked! And apparently Elsa has not read my blog, because instead of ignoring Reese's bark, she got up, walked away, and let Reese take the carrot. She totally reinforced the behavior with a reward!

So now Reese has learned that if she barks, Elsa will move, and she'll get a treat. Or perhaps, if she barks, Elsa will move. Or if she barks, she will get a treat. The doors of possibility that Elsa has just opened for Reese seem endless!

Now, do I think Elsa intentionally trained Reese? Of course not. She's not a morning person either! Being barked at is irritating, so she moved. However, that move was a positive reinforcement for Reese...a behavior followed by a reward.

So we do have to keep in mind that our dogs can absolutely learn from each other. Whether it's intentional or not. And even we can unintentionally reinforce a behavior, just like Elsa did.

However...ultimately, I think the moral of the story is simply this. From now on I'll just have to have my cup of coffee before I pack lunch.

The Perfect Dog?

2011-04-21T07:23:00.032-04:00

I was going to avoid this subject. It's been on my "to-blog-about" list for a long time but I skip over it every time. I just didn't want to offend any of you who owns a designer dog! Those who have what I secretly enjoy calling "Poos" (I guess the secret's out!) That is, any dog that is a mix between two purebreds...shih-poos, cockapoos, labradoodles, goldendoodles, shorkies, puggles...the list goes on.

Now, for those of you who have one...please, your dog is wonderful! I walk two little cockaliers (Cocker Spaniel/Cavelier King Charles Spaniel mix) who I absolutely love! (You know who you are Merry and Pippin!)

So it's not so much the dogs that bother me, it's the concept. And I've kept my opinions to myself until I watched Diane Sawyer's World News Tonight last night titled "Making Your Best Friend." I've posted the video below. Please watch it.

The video is based on a Wall Street Journal article called When a Pug and a Beagle Fall in Love, it's Called a Puggle.

The media has been driving me crazy lately. First that "guilty dog" video. And I can't stomach those commercials about dog foods (don't worry, I'll be sure to write about those later.) Now this. It's creating a giant misunderstanding about dogs! And my poor husband must listen to me rant every time I watch something about dogs on the news. I guess I'll give him a break and rant to you instead...don't you feel lucky!

So let's start with the most obvious. You cannot "make" your dog perfect. No dog comes home perfect. YOU HAVE TO WORK AT IT! Ok, so you're just looking for a better disposition or not shedding. Yes, you can breed for that. But it seems everyone claims that these hybrid dogs are taking the BEST traits of each breed, to make the perfect dog. Why not the worst trait of each breed? Do you think the breeders get to decide which traits show up in their puppies? It's just like hoping for a child who's got blue eyes, or is smart or athletic. Sure, it could happen. But it also may not.

And now that we're on the subject of breeders...let's talk about them. Why are they breeding these dogs? TO MAKE MONEY. There's nothing else behind it. The article says it...to register a hybrid dog, the parents must be purebreds. So it's the same two dogs, being bred over and over again. As opposed to taking the most healthy puppies from the litter with the best traits and temperament, and keeping them to breed with other hybrids with appropriate traits. That would be improving the "breed" and working towards a "perfect" dog. As opposed to saying simply yes, if you breed a Poodle and a Pekingese, you'll get the perfect mix of their best traits. Ta-da! Like magic!

And of course, hybrid dog breeders know that designer breeds are popular and consumers will pay a hefty price tag for that "perfect dog," so they charge a lot of money for them. It can actually be quite the profitable business. Which is why pet stores are not only jumping on the bandwagon, they've been riding along for quite a time now.

I'm totally ranting, I'm sorry! But while we're on the subject of pet stores, I have one more complaint. It'll be the last one, I promise. This one is directly towards the media (ehem World News Tonight.) During the video, they interviewed a pet store owner. UGH! Why are we promoting pet stores?! Those puppies are arriving from puppy mills! Now people at home are watching that they can walk down to the local pet store and buy their "perfect" hybrid dog. I could go on...but I'm going to stop there. It's a tough subject for me.

Enough of the negative, let's talk about what I like about designer breeds. Well, the most popular and original designer breed is the Labradoodle, a cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle. The breeding began in hopes to find a hypoallergenic (non-shedding) dog to act as a seeing eye dog for those people who are allergic to dogs. Labs were found to be the best seeing eye dogs, but shed. So non-shedding, intelligent Poodles were bred to them to create a dog that's easily trained for assistance, but didn't cause allergies. They then took the Labradoodles with the most suitable traits....healthy, smart but non-shedding...and bred those together, bettering the breed. So Labradoodle was bred to Labradoodle and...the rest is history!

When it really comes down to it...I can complain about this all day long, but like I said, I know many wonderful hybrid dogs. Any dog...whether a hybrid, purebred, or mutt...can be wonderful family members. And though we can select breeds that best meet our lifestyle, ultimately it's your relationship with your dog, your understanding of him, and how you can use that to properly train him that will make the "perfect" dog.

Like they say, money can buy you a nice dog, but it can't buy the wag of it's tail!

The Power of Touch

2011-04-18T12:43:00.017-04:00

It seems that our relationship with dogs is based a lot on voice, just like our relationship with other people. We are a very social species. And though body language can be analyzed and determined as a huge part of any conversation, we're rarely aware of it.

So when we try to get our dogs' attention, we go to what we're most aware of and comfortable with...our voice!

However, dogs aren't humans and they have different ways of socializing. When you see two dogs properly meet and play, do they bark and whine at each other the entire time, as if having a conversation? Nope. Most dogs will approach each other, sniff, then initiate play. They don't have a bark-based conversation. It's based a lot more on body language. Such as below, when Elsa and Reese met two dogs on the beach. Not a single "word" was uttered, but they all had the same intentions and understood...let's say hello, then let's go play!

So when we work with our dogs, why not try other means of conversing with them? How many times do you yell "Rover COME!" with no results? Or have your dog drag you across the street to another dog while you shout "No, Fluffy NO!" In those cases, your voice is very little help in getting your dog's attention.

But ah, the power of touch. It's like when you're trying to get a friend's attention by repeating their name over and over again, but they're too involved in another conversation to even notice you. However, you put your hand on their shoulder, and suddenly you have their full attention.

So, why not try that with our dogs? I'm using touch constantly while walking dogs and training my two. It gives me so much more control than just using my voice!

So today I set up my camera on continuous mode to see if I could catch the effectiveness of using touch to get Elsa's attention:

I began by having Elsa's attention. I held a cookie in my hand and she watched me in hopes that I would give it to her (silly girl should know she has to work for a cookie!)

I next told her to stay, and tossed the cookie onto the ground, which immediately took her attention away from me, and towards the cookie. Her head was down and ears faced forward, toward the cookie.

As she stared at the cookie, I raised my foot towards her.

I touched her side with my foot, and you can already see her ear moving toward me and her head raising.

As she became more aware of the touch, her head raises more, and once again her ear continues to turn back.

Her head lifts and now I have her attention away from the cookie and towards me. Both ears are now raised toward me.

I have her full attention, with just a small touch from my foot!

All it took was a small touch, and I was able to draw Elsa's attention away from the cookie and at me (I promise I didn't use any other cues or voice commands!) And it doesn't just work on Elsa, I use touch while on many walks with many dogs. If I suddenly lose their attention to a distraction, a simple tap on the hip can get them to become aware of me again. Sometimes, that's all it takes. Other times, after the tap, I only get a quick glance, or their ears move back so I must give them a second command to regain full attention.

And let me tell you, it takes practice...walking a distracted dog and giving them a little tap on the hip it's always the easiest! But well worth learning.

And even better, you can put this on cue. If you really want to use a tap as a way to get your dog's attention, you can give him a treat every time you tap him. Practice at home with no distractions, tap then give him a treat, then tap again and give him a treat. Slowly increase the distractions...try it when you're out in the yard with him, then at the park. That way, he'll learn that every time you tap him, he gets a treat...so why not look up when he feels your touch?!

So next time you're out walking your dog, try giving him a little tap and see how he reacts. My guess is he'll turn to look at you, as if he's saying "yes? what do you want?" Attention! One of the best things we can learn to get from our dogs!

2011-04-14T16:12:00.004-04:00

It is scarcely possible to doubt that the love of man has become instinctive in the dog.

~ Charles Darwin

Playtime in Kennebunk!

2011-04-11T10:10:00.034-04:00

This morning I wanted to share some pictures from the beautiful weekend that my girls and I had up in Kennebunk, Maine. We had perfect weather for walking along the beach...or in their case, running along the beach! They had such a wonderful time...the proof was this Monday morning, when they both decided to sleep in to recover from their fun filled weekend!

On our way to the beach...they knew we were getting close!

As soon as we got onto the beach Reese was running!
Happy girl

Reese trying to get Elsa to play

It doesn't take much convincing!

A little break

I swear Elsa poses for the camera
She's got trouble maker written all over her!

Play bow
Tag, you're it!
New friends

Exploring the tidal pools

Collie smile!

Followed with a bark!
Best friends : )

Are We in Denial About Our Dogs?

2011-04-06T08:18:00.011-04:00

Today on Good Morning America, a mother was interviewed about her son who was pepper sprayed in school for misbehaving. Of course, in my opinion, using pepper spray on a child is inappropriate. However, throughout the interview, it's learned that the school has had issues in the past with the boy, which they have approached the mother about. Upon being asked, the mother said that "he never has issues at home, it's only at school." She claimed the there was absolutely nothing she could do about it, because her son behaves perfectly well when he's with her.

For the video, click here. A FaceBook post about the interview on GMA's page is currently filled with comments by viewers who all agree that the mother is in denial about her son. And that perhaps if she had listened to his teachers, she could had avoided the extreme measure they took.

I couldn't had watched this at a better time. Just yesterday I was wondering to myself, are we in denial about our dogs? Just as some parents may be in denial about their children?

It's something I've been noticing ever since I began my business three years ago. It comes across that, as a dog walker, I am sometimes walking a completely different dog than what the owner seems to believe they own. Is the dog acting differently with me than it does with its owner? Just as a child may act differently at school than it does at home. Or do we know the same dog, and simply interpret it's behaviors in a different way? And is there an emotional aspect that affects the way a dog owner sees their dog.

This creates quite the fine line that us dog walkers must walk. When I run into an issue with a dog...he reacts aggressively to other dogs, pulls uncontrollably on his flat buckle collar, has too much energy to be pent up in a crate all day, or has poop that represents a poor diet...do I say something? Or do I keep it to myself? How will the owner react? Will they agree with me and ask for help? Or will they become defensive about their dog and get annoyed that I'm pointing such things out. Or perhaps get too concerned, taking my suggestion the wrong way and convince themselves that they're a bad owner for not seeing such things.

Sometimes, clients take what I say with an open mind and we work out the issue together, and it's wonderful for the dog. And other times, unfortunately, it seems the client is in denial. They tell me the dog isn't that way at home. Or they acknowledge what I tell them, but never do anything about it.

Perhaps I am guilty of being in denial too. It takes a couple comments from my family to point out that Elsa has gained weight, and I'll admit I still sneak her treats. And I think I'm the only one who puts up with Reese's talking (aka barking.) And because I find it cute that she's talkative, while everyone else is annoyed, it's led to no change in the behavior. She still barks just as much as she always had. I could only imagine what would happen if I brought her to a dog daycare and they told me she could not return because she was too loud...I'm sure I would be annoyed with the daycare, perhaps instead of with myself for not training her otherwise.

I'd like to think that I am more than just a dog walker. I am a part of a dog's life, therefore, I care for that dog and want to help it achieve a healthy, happy life. Just as a passionate teacher feels about the children they teach. However, it's not always easy to intervene. With some clients, I know that we only have a half hour a day to make that dog's life better. With other clients, I find myself to be a true member of that dog's family and a large impact on that dog's life. And though I have this relationship with only some of my clients and would love to have it with more, it certainly makes me realize what a truly wonderful job I have : )

A Guilty Dog, or Are We Humanizing Our Pets?

2011-03-25T09:51:00.009-04:00

I watched this video on Good Morning America yesterday and could not wait to write about it. Here, an owner comes home to find a bag of cat treats ripped open and consumed. Of his two dogs, the yellow lab shows a "guilty" face, while the golden retriever simply lays there as if nothing had happened. As it appears, the yellow lab is guilty as charged!

You can watch the video here: In The Doghouse: Guilty Dog

So the question is...is this dog truly guilty of her actions? Or are we simply expressing human emotions onto our dogs?

This has been a much talked about debate with very little research to support either opinion. However, most dog trainers and behaviorists agree that a dog does not feel guilt. He's simply reacting to the situation.

So let's think about this. The owner is talking to the dog as if it's done something wrong. He's holding the empty bag of cat treats in the dog's face. He's clearly unhappy. Isn't it obvious the dog would react this way, regardless of whether or not it did something wrong?

Oh and consider too, he's got that video camera right in front of the dog this whole time too. I don't know about your pups, but if I try to take a close up picture of my two, they clearly get uncomfortable! "Mom I don't know what you're doing but please stop!" Oops...I just put words in their mouths, looks like I'm guilty of humanizing too!

It's happened to my girls too, this "guilt" thing. I can actually "make" them feel guilty (it's unfair though, I don't do it often, though it's just too cute!) If I say "who did this??" in an upset voice, both sets of ears go back immediate, tails droop, and I've got the two guiltiest looking Collies you could imagine. But are they really guilty, or just reacting to my behavior? Obviously neither of them did anything wrong, so what do they have to be guilty about? But my tone is clearly something that would upset them, hence the reaction.

It's been said over and over again that dogs don't have a good memory. That's why they say in house training, unless you catch the dog in the act, do not punish it for an accident. So if a dog can't make the association between a puddle of pee from 5 minutes ago and the fact that he did it, how can he be guilty about it??

There was a study performed testing people and their ability to detect "guilt" in a dog. They had a room full of treats, asked the owners to tell their dog to leave the treats alone, and then leave the room. The researchers would then remove the treats (unknown by the owners) and then ask them to return. Most owners saw a "guilty look" on the dogs, even though they did nothing wrong. Suggesting that we are expressing these behaviors onto our dogs.

And who wouldn't?! An entire piece was on Good Morning America yesterday which totally depicted that dogs can be guilty! With little proof besides this man's video. It's still up to debate, but we can't say for sure that our dogs feel guilty. It may be us, instead, who are guilty of anthropomorphism...the attribution of human characteristics onto an animal. And I'll admit, at times I'm just as guilty as the rest of you!

Oh and you want my opinion? The golden retriever ate the cat treats. She's got the dogs-have-no-guilt thing down perfectly : )

If you want to read more about a dog's short term memory and how to test is, read my article How's Your Dog's Short-Term Memory?

Learn How to Talk Puppy

2011-03-23T07:24:00.005-04:00

Out of all of the many things I have learned about working with dogs, one of most helpful was learning how to talk puppy. Sounds crazy, I know....so let me explain!

What I mean by "talking puppy" is to talk enthusiastically to your dog. Sounds simple enough. I've told clients who have issues with their dog pulling on the leash that they should try praising their dog. They tell me they do that and the dog doesn't respond. Then you're not "talking puppy!"

When I first began training dogs, I struggled continually with this concept. I'm generally a very quiet person and quite shy. Basically...I don't like to make a fool out of myself in front of people! So when I was in training class and was told to talk enthusiastically to my dog Elsa, I whispered some "good girl's" to her, with no results.

It was when I began competing with her in Rally-Obedience when I found my true "voice." In Rally-Obedience, your dog must stay by your side while you walk through an obstacle course. The wonderful thing about the sport is that you can talk to your dog throughout the entire thing, however, you can't use treats. Now, if you didn't know before, you know now...I am very competitive.

So Elsa and I didn't compete in Rally-O just for fun, we competed to win! At our first show, I watched our competitors in the show ring and I watched their owners walk through the course like zombies...as if their dogs weren't even there, paying attention only to what they were doing, not to their dogs. And their dogs just weren't interested at all! So I wanted to make Elsa interested. I put all shyness aside, and I talked to her, A LOT. I told her she was beautiful, I told her she was wonderful...and she took in every single word! I made Elsa feel on top of the world! And she enthusiastically stayed by my side, rocked the course, and won a blue ribbon!

I took what I learned from that experience with the dogs that I walk. What a difference it made! No longer was I pulled along all day long, I had dogs that not only stayed by my side, but enjoyed staying by my side! They loved being told how wonderful they are...who wouldn't?!

And in addition to telling them praise, you can also learn to get their attention with certain phrases. For example, whenever I'm about to bring my dogs for a walk, or throw a toy, or give them a treat...in an enthusiastic voice I ask them "are you ready!?" All of those things...a walk, toy, or treat are rewards. So now they here "are you ready!?" and they know they're getting a reward! We also play "up here!" I hold a treat up high and tell them "up here!" and they jump up to get the treat. It didn't take long to teach them what "up here!" means and they absolutely LOVE the game. So now, if I really need to get their attention, I'll enthusiastically say "are you ready!?" or "up here!" and it's a guarantee I'll get them to look my way.

Sounds easy enough, and I'm sure some of you are thinking "well I already talk puppy!" Try talking puppy to your dog when you're outside walking and you see another dog ahead of you. If you're dog ignores your talking and only wants to meet the other dog, you're not talking puppy!

You need to talk to that dog as if he's the greatest thing in the world! Make your voice higher pitched, loud, and as enthusiastically as possible. And you should practice. Yes, practice talking puppy. Your dog will love it. Start without distractions, wait until your pup is dozing or busy chewing a toy, and start telling him how wonderful he is as enthusiastically as you possibly can. No doubt you'll get a wiggly, happy pup bounding up to you to hear more! Then try the same thing when you let him outside to go to the bathroom, and then on a walk...increasing distractions as he learns.

And believe me, your dog will let you know whether or not you are properly talking puppy! It's not an easy as it sounds, but once you learn, it'll be one of your best tools in training your dog!

Good dog!

Dog Loyalty

2011-03-17T06:53:00.002-04:00

A true testament of dog loyalty. Fortunately both dogs were rescued after this was filmed.

Video

How Studies on Animal Domestication Can Help Us Understand Our Dogs

2011-03-11T06:58:00.005-05:00

I recently read a very interesting National Geographic article about animal domestication. It's a subject I've been very interested in since college...simply because our dogs are the very best example of domestication!

A study, which this article features, has been performed on silver foxes, begun by Dmitri Belyaev more than half a century ago. In short, researchers selectively bred for tame foxes, which has led to a group of foxes that greet people like dogs, crave human attention, and have changed in physical appearance with droopy ears, curled tails, and piebald coloring.

To read the article, Click Here.

Though this study is very interesting, there's one point in particular that I found the most intriguing...which can directly effect the way we understand and train our dogs. I've copied this bit below.

"I'd like to draw your attention to this fox," says Trut, pointing to one snarling creature nearby. "You can see how aggressive she is. She was born to an aggressive mother but brought up by a tame mother." The switch, the result of the aggressive mother being unable to feed its kit, serendipitously proved a point: The foxes' response to humans is more nature than it is nurture. "Here," she says, "it's the genetics that change."

Identifying the precise genetic footprint involved in tameness, however, is proving extremely tricky science. First the researchers need to find the genes responsible for creating friendly and aggressive behaviors. Such general behavior traits, however, are actually amalgamations of more specific ones—fear, boldness, passivity, curiosity—that must be teased apart, measured, and traced to individual genes or sets of genes working in combination. Once those genes are identified, the researchers can test whether the ones influencing behavior are also behind the floppy ears and piebald coats and other features that characterize domesticated species. One theory among the scientists in Novosibirsk is that the genes guiding the animals' behavior do so by altering chemicals in their brains. Changes to those neurochemicals, in turn, have "downstream" impacts on the animals' physical appearance.

It makes me consider what our dog breeds were originally selectively bred for. Many were used for hunting, guarding, and fighting. What this study denotes, is that even though a fox is raised by a tame mother, if she was bred to be aggressive, she will grow up aggressive. Therefore, her genetic makeup has a large impact on her temperament than her upbringing.

Now, keep in mind, this is an extreme case. The aggressive foxes in this study have been selectively bred for aggressiveness over generations.

However, we must consider our selectively bred, domestic dog breeds. Like I said, each one was bred for specific traits, and in some cases that included strength, stubbornness, or combativeness. And what this study is saying, is that despite how an animal is raised, his genetic makeup will likely effect his temperament. That's why it's very important that we consider what each breed was bred for when we choose a new dog. And as trainers, we will have to consider the same with every dog we work with and customize how that dog is trained based on his current temperament, as well as the traits of his breed. As for those of you who have "mystery breeds," well you can't consider their predisposed breed traits and have to just wait and see what they will be like!

However, we are fortunate in that our dogs have been so well domesticated and our culture has allowed for many options to improve our dogs' temperament and make them a happy part of our family. And though some breeders still breed for sport, in most cases a dog's main "job" now is simply to be a companion to humans, and we can hope that most breeders are simply breeding their dogs to be healthy, even-tempered, and happy companions : )

It is scarcely possible to doubt that the love of man has become instinctive in the dog.

Charles Darwin