Naughty Dog's Day

Another Rescue

Well, my posts have been a little sporadic this week because it has been busy, busy, busy!!  I'm very excited because tomorrow I'm going to meet a rescue dog I will be picking up on Saturday. She's a 10 month old Leonberger.  For those of you not familiar with the breed (they're fairly uncommon) I'll start by telling you that as far as dogs go, they're pretty much perfect.  OK, I admit to a small amount of bias here, since they've been my breed of choice for 20 years, and assuming you consider a large dog who sheds and leaves a drip trail as they walk away from the water bowl "perfect", they're pretty darn close.  They're a sweet, gentle working breed.  You won't find a more generous spirit or amenable disposition. 

The dog I'm going to pick up is named "Muffet", I kid you not.  This will be changed as soon as I meet her and can come up with a better name.  I think I mentioned in an earlier post that I firmly believe in re-naming rescue dogs.  She was dumped by a family with 8 foster children, who are leaving for Ethiopia at the end of the month to pick up three more kids.  Why, I don't know, because as far as I'm concerned, if you can't take care of a dog, how can you be trusted with one child, let alone eleven?

It's obvious this dog was not loved or taken care of.  When her current foster picked her up yesterday, her former owner carried her from one car to the other and uncerimoniously dumped her in the backseat without  a backward glance.  She is shy and withdrawn, and in obvious physical pain from either a hip or back problem.  I will be taking her on Monday for a veterinary evaluation.  My fear is that such severe pain at such a young age does not bode well for this girl.  We shall see.

In the meantime, she'll spend the weekend eating treats, hanging with the family, and, hopefully, going for some short walks.  At this point what the immediate future holds for this girl is unknown.  Until we can make some plans, I intend to pamper and coddle her, and hopefully bring a smile to her lovely leonberger face. 

I'll post again tomorrow after we meet.   

On-Leash Dogs

Off leash play is great.  Killian, Bruce, and Zachary love hanging out together.  Even though it looks ferocious, these guys are having a great time.  Never a bad moment is had by any of them.  If you look closely you can see that none of them is wearing a collar.  I firmly believe that dogs should play "naked".  Dogs have died from broken necks while playing with collars on, even with their owner's present.  All it takes is a moment for one dog's canine tooth to get caught on another dog's collar, one wrong move, especially if one dog is much larger than the other, and a life can be lost. 

On leash play is not so great.  I realize that most people aren't as steeped in dogs as I am.  I'm sure there's a small segment of the Ann Arbor population who thinks I'm just not a very nice person.  Why?  Because I don't let my dog's greet other dogs while we're on walks. Here's why.  Until very recently, when I was walking my personal dog's there were three of them. Fable, an elderly Leonberger with spinal cancer who has since gone on ahead , Tug, a pit bull/bull mastiff mix, and Whimsy, a pit bull mix I rescued last summer who is recovering from a host of health problems.  Here are two examples of recent incidents.  I'm walking my on-leash dogs around Elbel Field.  Coming towards us is a guy walking his dog, which I realize is off-leash.  I ask him to call his dog, please.  Too late.  The guy's comment, as his dog runs over, leaping onto my sick, old dog, knocking her down and making her scream in pain (spinal cancer, remember?), which causes Tug, who can be leash aggressive and was very bonded to Fable, to immediately go on the attack and attempt to eat the loose dog was "Oh, he's friendly!".  Meanwhile, previously abused, neglected, sick Whimsy is cowering on the end of her leash threatening to back out into the traffic on Hill St.  "Oh, he's friendly".  I've had people say that to me before, and really, it ranks right up there on the "dumbest comments ever" list.  So your dog is friendly.  So what.  Maybe mine isn't.  Tug doesn't like every dog he meets, especially when he's on leash.  But if he does like your dog the first thing he does is turn into a 110 lb. play bowing, whirling dervish, which immediately makes me picture leash entangled broken legs or worse.

One other day, approaching the park parking lot after a walk with Tug and Whimsy, a gentleman, being walked by a large Golden Retriever who was tugging at the leash, panting and slobbering,  seemed to be coming right at us.  As he gasped "He just wants to say"Hi!", I realized that yes, he WAS coming right at us.  I said, "Sorry, these guys are working on their CGC (Canine Good Citizen Award - a test of manners in companion dogs), they're not allowed to say "Hi" on leash.  Which is true.  When testing for the CGC, your dog is required to allow another person walking a dog to approach and shake your hand while remaining seated at your side.  It's also a great defense.  Because that dog was obviously completely out of control.

Call me jaded.  Call me worse.  I'm tough, I can take it.  Because my first concern is my dogs.  My second concern is for both you and your dog.    Dogs should behave on leash.  They should be able to walk right by another on-leash, or even loose, dog without blinking an eye (OK, maybe they'll give them the eye, but they'll keep walking politely).  It's called having manners.  It makes you and your dog look cool.  It makes it easy to walk down a crowded street.  It keeps everybody safe and healthy, because you can't assume that the dog you're so eagerly approaching doesn't have something brewing (like parvo), or isn't loaded with worms.  And it makes everybody happy.  Walking down the street, having a little sniff and greet is easy if you're walking one dog.  Try it when you're walking 2.  Try it when you're walking 5, like I frequently do. Not so much fun now, is it?

The bottom line is that dog's need contact with other dogs.  They're social beings and can't live a life without it anymore than you could live a life without the contact of other humans.  But give them that connection by finding them a buddy.  Taking them to daycare.  Going to a dog park, if you feel comfortable doing that.  While it's easiest to just say "Oh, he's so friendly, he's just got to say "Hi" to every dog he meets", it just isn't true.  So put some effort into it.  Teach your dog to walk nicely on a leash, to respect both you and everyone around him by being an upstanding member of canine society.  It'll be good for both of you, keep everybody safe, and really strengthen the bond you have with your dog.      

The Evolution of Training Methods

When I first started training dogs back in the dark ages, one of the most popular, well known trainers advocated such things as "hanging" dogs (lifting their front feet off the ground and letting them dangle from their choke chain, the de rigueur training collar at that time), and brutal "corrections", yanking the dog off its feet to correct it for pulling.  This was the trainer for the Disney movies.  Eee gads.  One day I found a book by Martha Covington Thorne, who long ago met her beloved dogs at the bridge.  Suddenly I felt like I was doing things correctly when I tried to make my dogs happy while working with them.  Then came Carol Lea Benjamin, Barbara Woodhouse, Brian Kilcommons, Karen Pryor, and many others.  To this day, Carol Lea Benjamin, is, to me, the epitome of a dog trainer.  More about that later.

Modern dog training, for the most part, is all about making your dog happy.  There are, of course, still some of the old-time jerk, twist, and tie them in knots type out there, so if you're looking for a trainer, make sure you observe them in action prior to either signing up for a class or placing your pet in their hands.

There are so many methods for training dogs:  "NILIF" training, where nothing in life is free, advocates giving no attention or treats without making your dog work for it (sit, stay, come, or whatever).  Clicker training (operant conditioning and behavioral modification are other names for this method) uses a clicker to give your dog a marker, a sound that tells your dog "you did that just right!".  The click is a promise to your dog.  Once your dog knows a behavior, you don't t have to click every time, and can eventually phase the click out completely, but if you click, you have to treat. Teaching how to clicker train would take this whole post, or more.  It's elegant, easy (once you know how to do it), and effective.  There are "positive only" methods where bad behavior is ignored and good behavior is rewarded.  There are pack driven, wear your dog out and he'll be too tired to misbehave methods.  There's "natural training" which emulates real life - sometimes you're good, sometimes you're bad, and you're "rewarded" accordingly.  This is the style of Carol Lea Benjamin, Brian Kilcommons, Barbara Woodhouse, and other popular trainers. It's a common sense approach which most closely emulates the way we humans interact with each other.

I'm what "pure" clicker trainers would disparagingly call a "cross-over" trainer, or "a trainer with a clicker".  I've been training a long time, and I just don't think a single training method best fits every situation.  I use all the above methods, other than the old-time, heavy handed approach, depending on the dog and what behavior(s) I'm working on.    For Bruce, who needs to learn a specific set of behaviors for an employee training video, I've been doing a lot of clicker work.   It's the most expedient method of getting him from point A to point B in this situation. In general, I follow a more natural training approach.  The way I see it, in real life, whether you're human, wolf, or dog, there are limits that need to be respected.  If I've walked, played with, fed, and watered my dog.  Made sure he's had a fulfilling day, and he still insists on sitting in the doorway, chewing the molding, he's going to go into his crate for 15-20 minutes.   If he's heading down the bad-dog road, he'll spend some time learning that NILIF.  When I want him to learn how to turn on a light, I'll probably teach him to "target", and use a clicker.

The bottom line of all this is that while there is no one right way to train a dog, there's definitely a wrong way.  Your dog is your buddy, your pal, your friend.  She depends on you for so many things, not the least of which are to keep her safe and fulfilled. Dog's love to have a job, overcome obstacles, and succeed.  Learning basic commands is a good way to start.  So find a trainer you like and trust.  Someone your dog likes as well, although this may take a little time, since good trainer's are, by nature, "alpha", and tend to radiate that in their bearing around dogs.  Find someone who is kind, but firm, and hasn't lost their joy in dogs.  This may not be easy.  You may need to talk to several trainers.  If possible, set up a private lesson before you commit yourself to a 6 or 8 week class.  It's worth the effort.  You'll be happy, your dog will be happy, and soon, with a little work, you'll have your very own socially acceptable dog.   

 

Our Multilingual Dogs

Our dogs are far more amazing than we frequently realize.  If we could read them just half as well as they read us, training would be so much easier! 

First, of course, they can hear us.  But for a dog, hearing is just a very small part of the dialogue.  Their noses put ours to shame. Picture a postage stamp sitting on a bandana.  That's the difference in the area a person's olfactory cells cover (the stamp) compared to the area a dog's cover (the bandana).  An experiment conducted by researchers at Duke University found that a fox terrier, selected at random from a group,  could, after three weeks, detect the scent of a fingerprint on a glass slide when compared to four unused slides.  When the researchers placed the slides outside, exposed to rain, wind, and dust, the dog was still able to pick out the slide with the fingerprint after it weathered for 24 hours.  Our dogs smell everywhere we've been, and every emotion we feel.  That's pretty amazing.

Then there's body language.  Not only do dogs communicate amongst themselves in incredibly subtle ways, they learn at an early age the body language of humans.  Whatever you're feeling is expressed in the way you move and hold your body.  And your dog knows exactly what's going on in that head of yours.

And that's where we, as dog lover's, often fail, and why I think some people just seem to have a natural knack for training dogs.  When you get right down to the basics of training dogs, it's pretty cut and dried.  One of my biggest challenges in training people to train their dogs is in getting them to put their whole body into it. Everybody seems to know that you should praise your dog in a happy voice.  But we're not fooling our dogs, they really couldn't care less about a squeaky voiced sound of approval, although for many of our dogs, that's as good as it gets.  I've also had people who only wanted to use "positive methods" to train their dog tell me that when their dog does something wrong, they cross their arms and turn their back.  Wow.  That's a pretty big slap in the face to a dog, and not what I would call only using positive methods. Not that I think there's anything wrong with doing that, I find it very effective for jumping and certain other problem behaviors, I just think it's interesting that someone who feels saying "bad dog" is wrong doesn't look at this as a "punishment", when, in my opinion, most dogs will take a "bad dog" over a turned back any day of the week.

So don't leave your dog feeling unfulfilled and always hoping for more.  When you call her and she comes to you, make happy eye contact, smile,  open your arms wide, and  tell her how wonderful she is in your best "good girl" voice.  Let your praise radiate from your whole body.   If she finally sat or stayed or downed the first time you asked, make it a party.  Conversely, if you've fought to get compliance from a dog who knows exactly what you're asking for and just doesn't feel like it, you still need that whole body praise, even if it comes from your victory in winning the battle, but minimize it, and save the horns and confetti for the really good behavior.  If your dog is an excitable sort, especially if you're working on stays, you'll have to tone this down, of course, but still, your dog will know whether you really care about that perfect sit or not, so don't her down, make your praise come from the heart.   

26 Words Your Dog Should Know: 1) Name & 2) Wait

You'd think the first would be a given.  Doesn't every dog know it's name?  Surprisingly, no.  Or at least they don't admit it anymore.  Lets face it, it's easy to wear out your dog's name.  If you're one of those people whose conversations with their dog's go something like this:  "Buddy.  BBuudddyyy.  Hey, Buddy.  Buddy, come, Buddy, come here right now!", you've probably got a dog with a worn out name.  What do you do?  Well, you try to fix it.  Maybe you can't, and though this sounds extreme, if you go through the steps below and your dog still doesn't respond, it's time for a new name, at least around the house.  I wouldn't change it on vet records, etc., and if someone asks you how "Buddy" is, and you've changed his name to Rex, you can just smile and say "He's great".

First things first.  Enough already.  It's time to be quiet.  For a couple of days, do everything you can to avoid using your dog's name.  As a matter of fact, going for a day or two, not talking at all to your dog will get him wondering what's up and starting to look to you for answers.  This is a very good thing.  This doesn't mean you ignore your dog, give him lots of attention, take him for his walks.  Just be quiet about it. 

After a couple of days, say his name, and follow it immediately with a treat.  Don't use his name for anything but treat time.  And don't give him any treats without saying his name.  Use a small treat, so you can repeat this 10 or 15 times.  If you say "Buddy" and your dog looks up at you, you've achieved your goal.  He's admitting he knows his name. 

Now it's time to start working.  This part is all on you.  You say "Buddy (Buddy looks at you, now you know you have his attention), Sit".  If he doesn't comply, you go to him and physically help him sit (gently), repeating the command.  You should never use a command more than once without going to your dog to make him comply. Don't give your dog a command unless you have his attention.  This is a surefire way to wear out his name.

If you have just adopted a dog, I always advise changing the name, and doing it as soon as possible.  Your dog is in a new home, with new expectations.  Additionally, if your dog had it rough in the old home, the current name may not be associated with good things.  Dogs learn a name change quickly.  Just follow the directions above.  That way you know you're starting fresh.

Once your dog knows it's name, introduce "Watch".   This is an excellent command all dogs should know, since it can bring a dog who's intently focused elsewhere back to you.  Since my dog's are good about responding to their name, I generally use the Watch command when I'm introducing a new behavior I want them to learn.  Teach your dog this command by saying his name.  When he turns, hold a treat or toy up by your face, say "Watch", or "Watch Me".  When you make eye contact smile and say "Good dog!!".  Then give your dog the treat or toss the toy as a reward.  As your dog shows you he's learned the command by responding every time, gradually drop the physical reward and simply tell him he's good.  If you're walking your dog and he sees another dog or squirrel, use his name and the watch command to break the spell.  Once he's looking at you, give another command, such as "Let's go", and walk away.  Watch is a bridge you give your dog to let him know something is up and he better be prepared.   

Walking the Dogs

My daycare dogs go for a walk 3 times a day, and I gotta tell you, some walks are just more fun than others.  This is largely dependent on the weather (everybody, please, I'm begging you...shovel your sidewalks!), and what dog's I have here for the day.  Today was cold, but dry.  Just the kind of weather that revs all the dogs up.  And I had Whimsy, Olive, Bruce, Zachary, and Hannah.  All under a year old, except Hannah, who's a year and a half, and all between 35 and 70 lbs.  Having this many boisterous dogs in hand at one time makes for some interesting moments.  Whimsy or Olive grabbing a stick, then wrestling each other for it.  Zachary bounding along, trying to interest someone, anyone, in saying "Hi!" as we pass.  Hannah focused on the trees, looking for squirrels.  And handsome Bruce, the rock star, trotting along beside me, loose leash,  like teacher's pet.  When I can spare a hand to pat him on the head I'm rewarded with a big tail wag and some bouncy steps. 

One of our favorite walks is through downtown Ann Arbor.  There are low walls to hop up on and walk along, lots of people to greet, the scent of asian, italian, and greek cuisine, and, best of all, alleys.  All the dogs pause, noses lifted, when we pass by the alley that runs between Liberty and Williams.  Eyeing each other, they frequently try to make a break and follow their noses to the canine nirvana of day old alley pate.  We weave, wobble, and bounce our way along, and it generally sounds something like this:  "Whimsy! Olive! Girls, stop that!  Hannah, honey, quit pulling.  Zach, stay on this side, don't say "Hi".  Good boy, Bruce!".  Glances our way range from amused to horrified.  One day as we passed by the downtown post office there was a dog tied up to the railing.  I gave it a quick "hello" as we passed.  We hadn't made it to the end of the block when a guy ran up to me, and in all seriousness said "Hey!  You forgot one!".  He didn't look quite convinced when I explained it wasn't "mine".

The dogs love their outings, and for the most part, so do I.  Ann Arbor is a great town to walk around, and I love my little daycare buddies.  But I'm no saint.  By the time we're heading down the last block toward home, I'm more than ready to take everybody's leash off, fill up the water bowls, and pass out treats.  It's just about this time that, as I have all the dog's waiting to cross the street ("wait" is the one thing they all do to perfection) someone walks by and says "Wow, what good dogs!  Wish my dog behaved like that!".  And I think, "Oh, you little angels!". 

Collars and leashes

A quick stroll through the collar and leash aisle at your local pet megamart will show you just a small sampling of the collars and leashes available out there.  How to know which is just the right one for your dog can leave just about anyone scratching their head.  Here's a basic rundown on collar types and uses.  We'll cover head collars (Gentle Leader or Halti) and leashes another day.

Collars:

• Flat buckle or quick release collar:  These are the most basic collars.  They are the safest option for a dog who wears a collar all the time.  Wider is better if you are going to be using them for training, as they give you the most control over your dog.  If you have a large dog who is young or untrained, I recommend the buckle type.  While the quick release is handy, a large exuberant dog can occasionally pop the release, leaving you standing with an empty collar while Fido races down the street.  This is the collar I use in 90% of my training.
• Choke Collar:  A long time trainer's favorite, they seem to be slowly losing their popularity.  I'm glad of this.  Choke collars are one of my least favorite types of collar. I never use them.  Even when put on correctly,  they have a tendency to remain in the "choke" position, not loosening when you take pressure off the leash.  Additionally, using them correctly takes finesse, and again, I find that when training, a wide collar gives the best control over any dog.  I've seen dogs with collapsed tracheas caused by the narrow, crushing effect a choke collar can have when used incorrectly or on a very exuberant dog.  No dog should ever, EVER, be left alone with a choke collar on.  The name alone will tell you why.
• Pinch or prong collars:  Personally, for a certain type of canine character, I think pinch collars are perfect, and far kinder than a choke collar.  "Huh?" you ask.  Here's the thing:  pinch collars provide even pressure.  Think bed of nails.   If there was only one prong, that would hurt.  But there's not. There is a double row of many prongs. Additionally, pinch collars only tighten to a certain degree.  They don't keep tightening, putting pressure on a narrow area of the trachea.  Correct use of a pinch collar is dependent on having slack in the leash and using short, sharp corrections.  Otherwise the dog just leans into it and is relatively comfortable.
• Martingale:  This is my favorite type of collar, and the one my own dogs wear.  Easy to use but hard to describe.  Essentially it is shaped like a figure 8, it is wide enough to give a solid feeling correction, but has limited ability to tighten, is easy to use, and fairly safe as an all around collar.
• Shock or electronic collars:  For very limited applications, these collars are indispensable, if all other options have been exhausted.  They are a "last chance" option.  I used one on my pit bull/bull mastiff mix.  Bossy and bright, despite working up from a 6' lead, to a long line, to off lead recalls in an enclosed area, at 2 years old, Tug still did not have a solid recall when in a large area.  Since, in my world, this is not an option, I broke down and purchased a shock collar for him.  It solved my problem.  Unfortunately, shock collars have become the easy answer for the inexperienced or lazy trainer.  In these type of hands they can cause more problems than they solve, including increasing aggression in some dogs.  In a perfect world, they would be available by prescription only.  Since this isn't a perfect world, if you are considering using one of these, please work with a trainer while doing so.  They may not be the easy answer they seem to your dog's problems.

As indispensable as they are, collars also pose a hazard to dogs.  No dog should be crated with any type of collar on.  Dogs have died in their crates when tags or rings became caught.  No dog should ever be left alone, even loose in the house, with a choke, prong, or shock collar on.  If you are using a shock collar on your dog, always take it off at night, and check frequently to make sure it is not irritating the skin.  And lastly, be kind to your vet. No matter what type of collar you are using, when you go to the vet clinic (or the groomer), put your dog in a flat or martingale type collar.

Cutest Ugly Girl Ever

This is Whimsy.  Also known as the "cutest ugly girl ever", Piglet, and Pinky, Whimsy is a pit bull.  She is one great dog.  I worry every day about how long she'll be with me, even though she's only nine months old. 

Whimsy came to me Aug. 4, 2007.  She was four months old and in very sorry shape.  I had known her as "Princess".  She came into a veterinary clinic I was working at in June.  I took one look and fell in love with this poor little puppy.  Itchy, covered with sores, she still had a happy face, pathetic though she was.  We started treatment for sarcoptic mange, dispensed antibiotics, and sent her home with instructions to come back the following week.  They did.  That was the last we heard of her until the clinic received a call from the Humane Society of Huron Valley in July, after her owner was reported due to her poor condition.  Had the HSHV taken her, she would have been euthanized.  Despite the awesome work they do there, they would have had no choice, since she had a difficult to treat, contagious infection that could have spread to the entire shelter, affecting both dogs and cats.  Silly me, I just couldn't let that happen.  I talked to the investigator on the case, a great guy named Matt.  He was willing to work with me to try to save this poor pup.  I didn't want another dog.  I really, really didn't want another dog.  After talking to her owner's and believing them when they said they really loved her, it was just that they had no money, I agreed to drive to their house on the south side of Ypsilanti on a weekly basis to treat her, if her owner would just give her the antibiotics that had been prescribed. My goal was to keep her in her home. 

Well, after two weeks of trying to treat her in their home, I received a call from her owner saying he "didn't know if she had been poisoned or what, she just wasn't moving much anymore.  Would I come get her?"  I went that night to pick her up. Pulling into their driveway, there she was, 30' from Grove Rd., loose in the driveway.  She walked slowly to me, wagging her tail.  At this point she was covered with weeping sores from head to toe.  She was missing most of her hair.  Her belly and the insides of her legs were covered with hundreds of small pustules.  All her lymph nodes were enlarged ("puppy strangles").  Her eyes were running.  In addition to the sarcoptes, her overwhelmed immune system had allowed demodex, a mite all dogs have naturally, to take over. And she stunk.  Boy, did she stink.  Her owner handed me the antibiotics I'd brought for her.  In 2 weeks, they'd given her a total of 3 of them. Sitting in a crate beside me on the way home, I told her over and over that I would help her while she gazed at me with intense brown eyes set in an "elephant man" head. 

It's been 5 months since I brought Whimsy home. I can't remember why I didn't want another dog, because she is my "Mary Poppins" dog - practically perfect in every way. She is much improved, although she'll never be 100%.  She'll always be our black and white and pink girl, since I think she has about 1 hair for every 5 a normal dog has.  Her skin, especially on her face, is thickened and wrinkly, and always will be.  The scarring has partially blocked her tear ducts, so she needs artificial tears. Although she is healing, her immune system is still compromised, and any little scratch or scrape seems to turn into an infection. Injections, twice weekly baths, eye meds, so many pills that when she saw me coming with one she'd yawn, so you could pop it right down, through it all she was a trooper.  She's a good, good girl, who, since I live on a corner with a lot of pedestrian traffic, instantly found herself with a large group of supporters who've cheered every improvement she's had, and commiserated with every setback.  Who knows, with all her problems, how long she'll be with me?  I don't care.  I'm just determined that for as long as she is, her life will be the best I can give her.  Playing here with her best friend, Olive, she seems happy, don't you think?

There are so many "Whimsy's" out there.  And there are so many ways to help. Even if you don't have room for one in your home, maybe there's room for one in your heart.  Call your local shelter.  They always need volunteers. If you don't want to volunteer, ask them what's on their  "wish list" of items they need and go shopping. Whatever it is you can do, just do it.  Every little bit helps.

    

Lucky Puppy Bake Sale

How lucky is your dog?  She has a warm bed, enough food, medical care, a person who loves her, at the very least.  So many dogs don't.  So many are waiting for homes.  Watching people come and go,  maybe hoping that today will be their day. Even worse are the ones who sit chained to dog houses in all kinds of weather, hungry, maybe physically abused in addition to the neglect, the one's who wander the streets, or die trying to survive.  The ones who have given up hope.  Lucky you, you can help! 

We're hosting a bake sale with a twist at the Naughty Dog Cafe.  We're baking up a mountain of fresh, healthy, all-natural treats for dogs, cats, horses, wild and cage birds, and we'll even have a few treats for people, too.   We're donating all...100%!...of the proceeds from this sale to our local shelter, the Humane Society of Huron Valley!  So, not only will you feel good because you're making life a little bit better for a not-so-lucky puppy, your dog (cat, bird, or horse) will feel VERY lucky, having delicious treats to snack on.

Check out the link to the right under "Upcoming Events" for all the details, and then tell all your friends so they can come too. 

Crate Training

Whether you realize it or not, crates are a dog’s (and dog owner’s) best friend.  A crate gives your dog a place to call his own.  A quiet place to recharge his battery, chew a bone, or get some relief from your brother’s rowdy kids.  It keeps him safe when you’re not around and speeds the housebreaking process.  If he ever goes to the groomer or needs to spend the day with his veterinarian, having your dog already crate trained will reduce his stress tremendously.  If you find yourself shuddering and thinking “I could never put MY dog in a cage”, think again.  Every dog yearns for a place to call his own.  And, unless your dog is the size of a small horse (as mine are), a crate is easy enough to move around, so it can be in your bedroom at night, and the living area of your house during the day.  A crate also makes traveling with your dog almost effortless, as he always has “his place” whether you’re staying in a hotel or visiting your in-laws. 

  If you have an older dog, maybe one who’s never been completely housebroken or is destroying the house when left alone, crate training will be worth the extra effort it takes.

  Whether you choose a wire crate or plastic type is up to you.  Keep it clean, make it cozy with a blanket and some chew toys (because of the choking hazard, dogs and rawhide bones should never be left alone together).  Dogs are pack animals.  They thrive best when they are close to you. If at all possible move the crate to your bedroom at night. So now that you have your crate ready, gently but firmly place your dog inside with a kind word and a treat, close both the door and your ears to the soulful cries and plaintive whining and pawing.   Just like your first day at camp, he feels like he’s lost everything he previously held dear.  A little lost sleep won’t kill you, and every night will be a little better.  When your puppy cries, take him outside, praise him if he relieves himself, and put him back in his crate.  Three a.m. isn't the time for playing, treats, or snuggles, so be quiet and matter-of-fact.  Don’t take him to bed with you!  Doing this once will make it a habit.  We’ll discuss dogs in bed at a later time.  If you’re training an older dog, and you know he doesn’t need to go outside, ignore his pleas.  The less they’re rewarded, the sooner they’ll disappear. 

  During the day, the crate is where your dog should be if you’re away from the house or unable to keep an eye on your little bundle of joy.  But you do have to crate fairly.  Putting a naughty puppy who has been told to quit chewing grandma’s oriental rug three times into his crate to think things over for 15 or 20 minutes is fair. It may not make him happy, but a well loved and reared puppy understands.  Crating your dog while you’re at work is fair, especially if you have someone come by during the day to give him a potty break. Leaving your dog for long periods of time, bored, uncomfortable (if he needs to go out) and lonely, isn’t fair.  Don’t use the crate as a handy babysitter because you had a long day at work and don’t feel like dealing with your dog’s needs. Your dog’s crate is a tool, not a prison.

  Keep the door open and toss an occasional treat inside when your dog is on free time.  When you bring a new toy home, toss it in the crate for him to check out.  Once your dog is accustomed to his crate, you’ll both wonder how you ever lived without it.