Tossing dogs into the deep end
In any population of dogs there are going to be some, who for whatever reason; a genetic predisposition, prior experience, health and vitality, will be tolerant of and successful with whatever we or the environment throw at them. Some animals seem to thrive despite what happens to them, life gives them lemons and they make ...
Fearful dog update-guest blogger
Recently Jack, co-caretaker of Mollie, wrote to share what has been unfolding with Mollie, his fearful dog. Too often the information we get regarding changing dog behavior comes in the form of programming for television in which all the hard work, set-backs, struggles, frustrations and failures, are left on the editing room floor. Between commercials ...
Don’t make me beg (don’t make me bite)
Dogs try. You have to give them at least that much. They try to figure us out, try to do what we want them to do, and most do a darn good job of it even when we don't make it easy for them. It's harder for fearful, shy or anxious dogs to sort us ...
Saving island dogs
In my 'other' life I organize active, outdoor & cultural adventures. Years ago a teacher approached me and asked about organizing a trip for her students to Puerto Rico where they could be immersed in a Spanish speaking culture. My partner and I decided to visit the islands of Puerto Rico, Culebra and Vieques to ...
Fearful dogs & trauma & abuse
Early on in my search for information to help me understand my fearful dog someone sent me a paper on the effects of abuse and trauma on children. I would thank her and share the paper if I remembered who it was and hadn't given my only copy of it away. Sorry. This was a ...
Actually, it IS all that bad!
A common misconception among dog handlers and pet owners is that simply exposing a dog to something they don't like or fear, and having nothing bad happen, the dog will learn that it's 'ok'. If we can just lure the dog over to us with a piece of cheese the dog is going to realize ...
Fearful Dogs’ Blog-A Retrospective
Thanks to Amy Burkert of GoPetFriendly.com & Edie Jarolim of Will My Dog Hate Me for giving me the opportunity for a bit of New Year's reflection. Without further ado- 1. When d id you begin your blog? I wrote the first blog post in December of 2008. OMG. 2008. 2. What was your original ...
Shaping happy
Every dog is different. There is no way anyone can know the progress their fearful dog can make. There may be indications that point to the star they're following; A dog that slithers over, meekly wagging after a few minutes of baby talk and an offer of cheese, is likely to progress faster or further ...
Encouraging naughty
In the fall I met with a couple from the Boston area to talk about their fearful dog, a young Shiba Inu named Kaiju. Friends of mine have a Shiba, an engaging and attentive little dog, so I had an image of the potential that existed for their dog. I realize this doesn't ...
