MERRY CHRISTMAS

FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS!

Leave it!

I've been working with the boys for almost two years now.  In all honesty, they are so smart they have succeeded despite my attempts.  Punishment and force as training tools (no, I've never beaten my dogs) was how I was raised ~ old school.  When we started our first class I didn't know how well this old dog was gonna learn new tricks, mainly because this old dog wasn't convinced positive reinforcement "worked".  I'm here to tell you "It does!"

Clicker training is actually really cool, especially when shaping, but I prefer to use "yes" as my marker.  In other words, I immediately say "yes!" when the behavior I'm asking for is performed, followed by a reward.  Rewards start out as edible treats.  Since treats aren't always available in your pocket 24 /7 they are phased out and replaced with play, hugs, or simply a scratch of the ear or pat on the head.  "Yes!" always lets the boys know they've done well.

Now, on to "leave it".

This can be one of the most important commands you can teach your dog to recognize.  Do you really want them cleaning up after you drop the whole bag of chocolate chips that will lead to a visit to the vet?  How about the baby's pacifier?  Can they reach the 20 pills you just knocked off the counter from an open bottle before you do?  Squirrel, rabbit, cat, or skunk (much more difficult with some dogs)?  This command can be used in any instance that you want the dog to leave something alone, including people, other dogs, or even trash left behind on the path you walk daily.

It's quite simple and you'll be surprised at how quickly it is learned.  You will need to regularly reinforce the wanted behavior so they don't get lazy and pretend not to know what you're talking about 6 months after the last time they heard it.

Take your time.  Be patient.  Keep training sessions short.  Always end on a positive note (a command performed correctly).  Repeat 1-3 times a day increasing your demands daily.

Once each step is mastered end the session.  Start the next session with a few repeats of the last lesson learned for reinforcement and as a stepping stone to the next level up.

Step 1 ~
While in a sitting position, allow her to watch you place a treat in your hand.  As she goes for your hand (to get the treat) close your hand saying, "leave it" at the same time.  (It doesn't have to be loud, or harsh, but in a firm commanding voice.)  The moment she backs off, or preferably looks at you, say "yes!" and give her a treat from the other hand.  Repeat this until the action is performed without hesitation and she's staying in a sit.  Then you're ready to move on.

Step 2 ~
Now that she is getting the idea of "leave it" the temptation is bumped up.  (You'll need her on leash and able to stop her short of reaching the treat.)  While she is sitting, place the treat on the floor saying "leave it" as you're doing so.  If she goes for it, cover the treat with your hand or foot preventing access to it.  Yes, she'll get a few until you get faster and are able to protect the treat.  A hand on her collar can help too.  Ultimately you want to be able to place the treat on the floor within her reach, have her leave it, and treat with "her treat" in your hand.  The idea is ~ if you drop something on the floor you should be able to say "leave it", pick it up and reward her with her own treat.

Step 3 ~
Once you feel she is able to consistently "leave it" start tossing down a treat as you are walking using the command.  Her response should be to look at you.  She's looking to you for affirmation and this is a very good thing.  Let her know she has done a good job and reward her.  Always reward!

Continue using "leave it" on a regular basis.  Find things to "leave" ~ drop things on purpose, tell her to  "leave it" with cats, people as you're walking by, etc.  I use it when my dogs go to the front to bark at kids, trucks, or whatever is going on outside.  With regular use "leave it" can help you control your dog's desire to smell everything it passes and possibly save her life one day.

Before you are tempted...

So, I'm gonna rant a bit this morning.  What about?  Being a pet owner.

If you are not willing or financially able to...

• take them to a good vet for preventative care
• feed them quality food, not too much, and healthy treats but no junk
• clean up after them
• keep them clean, brushed, and trim their nails
• provide them proper shelter indoors
• room to run outdoors (not cats)
• make them feel safe and loved
• give them heart worm medicine (cats too)
• socialize them to be around people, children, and other animals
• teach them good behavior
• neuter and spay them
• learn how to best deal with their personalities and quirks
• realize "tough love" doesn't work with animals ~ they only want to please you
• realize training is for you 
• keep them for their whole lives, not until it's no longer convenient or they are too much trouble
• seek out and ask for help/advice from your vet
• give them exercise both physically and mentally (yes, they love to learn!)
• give them the care and attention they need as they get older because... it will happen
• commit to them as you would a child because they depend on you for that relationship
• be prepared for emergency care 
• spend time giving them the attention they thrive on
• allow them to be themselves

among other things...

... then you need to seriously think about NOT having a pet.

{{ Yes, there are situations we can't control and "things happen" but those are the exceptions and we should be prepared for them. }}

Obesity

Short and simple this morning.  I want to dig deeper into this subject but that's not happening today.  Maybe soon.

Check the following charts to see if your dog and/or cat is overweight.

If so, do something about it.  Look at their food and treats for calorie content and lower it.  Take them for a walk.  Or two.  They'll live longer and happier at a healthy weight.  Their joints won't have to carry extra pounds and their hearts work harder and they'll feel better all round. 

I've been following Obie on FaceBook as his new mom has done a wonderful job with this precious boy helping him lose weight.  He is a standard dachshund that reached the weight of 77 lbs.!  He is currently 56.14 lbs. and dropping.  Here's a link to his FaceBook page:  Obie

Thanksgiving De-stressing Tips

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday!  I love having a house full of family, food, and fun.  Since our pets are a part of our family I make sure they are happy and comfortably enjoying the festivities too.

As pet owners we need to be more aware of our dog's sensitivities during the hectic times when schedules are thrown to the wind, people are coming and going, and there are lots of new smells and noises, etc.  Here are some things you can keep in mind to help your pets (both dogs and cats) feel more at ease.

• No table scraps ~ Really, I can't emphasize this enough.  Let your guests know, especially children, that the dogs will receive their own special holiday treat at feeding time.  So many things can upset their tummies.  I inform my family they can feed from the table as long as they plan to stay through the night to make the many trips outside as a result of a messed up digestive system AND clean it up....
• Keep things normal ~ Routine is comforting to your dog and cat and can help them feel more secure while everything is chaos around them.  Take that daily walk rather than skipping it because you're too busy.  It'll give you time to organize your day while exercising with your dog.  Feeding at the regular times avoids accidents.  Give them an interactive toy to keep them entertained if you're not able to play with them as much.
• Introduce your guests to your pets ~ You should have socialized your pets at a young age by getting them out around different noises, places, situations, other animals, people of all ages.  If you missed out on this, it's not too late, just takes longer.  This is important for when they are around others even in their own home.  Make sure the children understand how to act around your dogs and cats.  Always supervise your pets with the children.
• Provide a safe haven ~ If your pet has not been socialized or is normally skittish, have a quiet place away from noise and activity where they can safely relax, get away from it all, and not be bothered or upset by humans.
• Up to date information ~ Nervous animals and even those not likely to escape can get out and not be missed if there is a house full of people and activity.  Make sure they have secure collars with ID tags on.  Check to make sure their microchip information is correct.  

Better to be safe than sorry and enjoy your turkey!

Pumpkin Pies

While out shopping for your Thanksgiving dinner, or anytime of the year, grab some extra cans of pumpkin.  NOT the pie filling with all the goodies in it, just pumpkin.

See my post from last year to find out why:

November 2011 Prescription Pumpkin

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

How A Dog's Brain Works

Dog Coprophagia (eating feces)

Ewwww...  really?!  Yes, unfortunately many dogs do this, so we’re going to look at this nasty habit a bit closer....

There is a lot of speculation as to why a dog eats their own, other dog’s, or cat poop.  Generally, it’s either a behavioral problem or an underlying medical problem.  

If you think your dog’s behavior is possibly caused by a medical problem please visit the vet for an examination to eliminate any serious issues.  Make sure they are up to date on vaccinations and worming treatments. Various diseases, including internal parasites, can be passed along through coprophagia.

Reading various articles on this subject I ran across lists of ideas, some reasonable, others not so much.  I've listed some of the more common ones here:

• It tastes good.  (yuck!)
• Could be anxiety, stress, or boredom.
• Vitamin or mineral deficiency.
• Misinterpretation of punishment received for eliminating in the house so he hides the evidence.
• May be cleaning up his living area (because you haven’t...?)
• Some think they copy this behavior after seeing their owners pick it up.... (I don't know about this one)
• Overfeeding may cause the food to pass through not completely digested so it smells and tastes like dinner.  (I have no idea if this is correct but I don't advocate overfeeding animals so I added it.)
• Scavenging for food because they’re being fed once a day and they’re hungry.  
• Side effect of certain medicines or antibiotics.  Check with your vet.

And, here are some ideas for hopefully stopping this undesirable behavior.  You should try one method or combine a few until the habit is broken.

• Feed well balanced nutritional meals.
• Keep their living area clean inside and out, especially if they have a specific area they eliminate.
• Exercise and stimulate your dog physically and mentally.  I can't stress this enough!
• Teach your dog the basic obedience command "leave it".  As long as you have established yourself as the leader of the pack in your relationship this command will work. 
• Always reward desired behavior.
• As soon as you see your dog in the act of pooping provide a distraction. Maybe run off or call him over to you - then praise or reward him. This may be sufficient to break this nasty habit, but you must be consistent.
• Remember that unnecessary punishment or getting angry with your dog does not work - for this or any other dog behavior problem.

Whichever method you try with your dog be sure to be consistent. You must enforce your strategy every time in order to stop dogs eating dog poop. The longer you let this habit establish itself, the harder it will be to break.

Grass

Looking for a simple subject to write a quick post on I came up with "why dogs eat grass".  Well, apparently nobody seems to agree on why.  So, in summation of what I found and my experience here's what you get today:

Dogs aren't as carnivorous as cats ~ Well, I know they are omnivores... Ours are fed veggies and a bit of fruit all the time.  I still think this is a weird statement to make.  I've seen many dogs grab a mouthful for no apparent reason on a regular basis with no problems. Maybe they need fiber (?).  Can't be nutrition as grass has zero nutritional value and dogs don't digest it because they lack the necessary enzymes to do so.  Your little friend might just like it.  Here are some things you need to be mindful of if he is a regular grass grazer:

• Fertilizers and pesticides ~ These can be toxic to your buddy so be careful where you allow them to eat grass especially when away from home.
• Parasites ~ All those nasty creatures that can cause harm to our furry friends live there.  Make sure you're up to date on their vaccinations and are regularly administering heart worm preventative (I prefer one that treats for many of the common parasites, worms, as well as ticks and fleas).

Knowing they need to eat grass for an upset tummy is apparently beyond a canine's intelligence according to some.  I don't agree with this because my dogs are smarter than some people I know, and sometimes me.  

When a dog is getting really antsy and appears as if they're trying to swallow or tickle their throat (best I can describe it) they seem to appreciate being let out to grab a few mouthfuls of grass which ends up coming right back up within moments. Ever felt nauseous and when done you feel oh so much better?  Well, the dogs do too.

I think it is very natural to munch on some grass and/or gobble some up to induce vomiting. IF your dog does this several times in a short amount of time and is lethargic or doesn't settle down PLEASE get them to the vet.  

Something very important to remember:

Dogs can be very sick before they ever show signs of pain or discomfort.

In the beginning... (a year later)

The blog bug started pestering me again and I'm finally getting to it.  Can't say how it'll go at this point as you never know what life has planned for you.  I found this draft typed up on December 1st of 2011 that was never posted.  So, here it is followed by a short update:

I was born into a home where we raised and showed Chow Chows.  My sister continued in these shoes changing breeds over the years, while I chose to enjoy my dogs as companions.

I was 19 when given my first cat and met my wonderful husband that tolerates my love of anything that breathes.  Since then we've moved 17 times and owned so many dogs, cats, and numerous other critters that I've lost count although several stand out as my favorites.  We are currently living with 4 dogs and 4 cats.  In previous years that number was so much larger due to numerous other species.  I've raised and hand fed baby birds, lizards, rabbits, squirrels, kittens, and I'd love to be a legitimate rehabber but there's a limit to what I'll ask of my husband's patience.  My kids have inherited my love for nature and have been a big help over the years but I handle the majority because they are mine.

We added two puppies to our family almost two years ago, both large breeds, and I've been questioned many times if I was a glutton for punishment.  May be....  We've certainly had our fair share of interesting moments.  One time they shared a tennis ball.  Another one ate some clothing which resulted in surgery.  A week later the other, feeling left out I guess, ate a huge amount of plastic.  When that came up the end of a Nylabone from months before was with it.  They've been loads of fun to work with as well as challenging.  Some times more so than others.

Recently somebody asked which was the more dominant.  While trying to decide my answer my daughter said, "Mom is the dominant dog!"  As it should be, otherwise there's no telling who would be in charge :)

UPDATE:

All 8 critters are still kicking although I'm really not sure Xena will make it another year.  Of course,  I've been saying that for 2 years now....

The pups enjoyed learning so much we continued training with various sports finally settling on rally.  We discovered Merlin has hip dysplasia which was causing him pain after workouts so he took a break and recently rejoined us in class as he has greatly improved due to diet, low weight, and exercise.  He and Tucker continually amaze me.  They are both so smart!  Tucker and I attended our first trial competition in September and qualified for our first "leg".  (I may share that story some day).  Merlin will join us for the next trial and I'm hoping we'll be the talk of the town.  I think they're that good!  I'm not but the dogs definitely are :)

Oliver started training with Rachel in agility and loves running the courses.  Tucker attends class and loves it but we won't be competing.  It's just for fun.  Not sure what Rachel and Oliver will do.  Time will tell.

No Anesthesia?!

Do you brush your dog's teeth every day?  At least twice a week?  Even if you do, you should have them cleaned regularly.  There are so many signs that we, as owners, don't know to look for that could be symptoms of an underlying health issue.  (I won't go into details right now but this is yet another reason your dog should be visiting the vet regularly.)

It's important for your dog's health to keep their teeth clean but don't fall for gimmicks, low cost, or other alternatives without checking into it first.  Just in case this is in your area....

Yes, anesthesia can be harmful or even fatal if administered improperly or to an unhealthy dog, cat, or human but we are beyond the age of surgery without sedation.  Anesthetizing animals has come a long way in the past few decades.  Dogs and cats don't die under heavy doses of sedation like they used to because methods and procedures have come a long way.  Your pet should have a full blood workup and check up done prior to any surgical procedure.  You should also have the option to choose human grade drugs (why wouldn't you?).  It's easier on the animal, they have fewer side effects, and they wake up a lot faster.  

They are depending on you to give them the best of care.  Be informed.  Choose wisely.