Is getting another dog helpful for a fearful dog?
It's not uncommon for people who are living with a dog who is afraid of people or new environments to wonder if getting another dog would be helpful. It's a generous thought I'll give it that, but there are many potential pitfalls to take into consideration before making that leap. Being around others that a ...
Creating well behaved monsters
Years ago I suggested my sister let her two min pins off leash as we headed off for a walk in the woods near her home. Ooops, my bad. I'd been walking dogs off leash since I was kid. It never occurred to me that someone's dogs would not just go for a short walkabout ...
Can I touch you there?
It’s no secret that people like to touch dogs. We touch dogs who we don’t know and we touch dogs who don’t want to be touched. Sometimes we touch dogs and they touch us back with their teeth. …
The problem with packs
Of all of the misconceptions about dog behavior we are faced with, the idea that dogs are 'pack' animals is among the 'stickiest'. Yes dogs are closely related to the Grey Wolf, a species which does form cohesive and lasting 'packs' when in the wild, packs which function to ensure the continuation of the genes ...
Keeping track of dogs
I wish I had a dollar for every recently adopted or foster dog who goes missing. If I did I'd spend it on one of the new GPS tracking devices available to pet owners. A day doesn't go by without seeing notices of these lost dogs on my Facebook or twitter feeds. I've had it ...
Helping fearful dogs workshop
Join me in Bow New Hampshire January 21, 2012* and learn about the most effective and humane ways to work with fearful, shy, anxious and aggressive dogs. Pet owners, trainers, shelter and vet staff, foster care providers will gain valuable information to improve their fearful dog handling skills. The 1/2 day session will include: Why ...
Catch the feeling
My 4 dogs and I had just entered the area of the trail that led up the mountain through the forest when a sound stopped me dead in my tracks. It had originated directly above me, though I was not aware of this immediately. It trailed off behind me and I turned around, there was ...
Raising the criteria for sacred cows
In dog training the way you get the behavior you want, really want, is by constantly raising the criteria. This means that you stop rewarding the behavior that is 'almost' what you want and ask for more or better from the dog. When you get it, you reward it. If you want your dog to ...
Sh*t happens
It's true, sh*t happens and when it does it's good to know about it. It's like those fast food restaurants with the sign in the bathroom that says 'Please let us know if this restroom does not meet our high standards for cleanliness'. If sh*t happens and you don't know about it, how can you ...
