A nip in air

Yesterday was glorious; we made our way down to the beach at sunset to capture some big surf images. It wasn't as big as I had hoped but it was heaven walking in the cold air and ocean breeze. I was surprised to see so many dogs; there were more dogs there than I've ever seen. We came across two standards which if I hadn't been in such a hurry to get to the beach I would have talked to. Both were beautiful reds; a color I love. But there was everything enjoying the chilly sunset from tiny chihuahuas dressed in their little coats, medium mixed breeds and the big guys like Shepherds and mastiffs.

By the time I had finished shooting it had pretty much cleared out; making me think that this is the time I'm planning another trip down with the dogs. The poodles love the nip in the air; it's nice to go for a walk when you don't break out in a sweat. And being that it gets so cool at night now it's hard to take off more of their coat. They need a short coat in the day and longer at night which is obviously impossible so it's either they get warm in the day and perfect at night or perfect in the day and cold at night. Right now they are in a little bit of longer coat so they are comfortable at night.

It was obvious that the dogs and their guardians (oh, there's that terminology again) were enjoying the nip in the air. Even if you are a native of southern California; a chill is nice once in a while eh? Once we returned home we got our customary excited greeting and it was time to eat and snuggle. I prepared our dinner which we ate watching Elf and generously shared with the pooches. They had their dinner and it was snuggle time; something all enjoy. ;)

Three muskateers

I love having three dogs; I'd like to have five, five has always been my goal. I'm working on that but for now I love having three. My pack is not a touchy feely one; they mostly sleep apart except when in the kitchen as I only have one bed in there. The floor is hard and Tilley is the only one that will lay on the tile floor in the kitchen.

Lastnight with the threat of rain we brought the big double lounge cushion in; so that's where they all decided to lay this morning. How cute? I love when they all lay together; probably because it doesn't happen very often. Although where I go the whole pack goes; but once at our destination they usually split up.

Also shown above is my pack in my xterra; this was taken yesterday at the end of our walk. The park is literally 5 min. away and a spot we frequent alot. Luke has a very expressive face; you can always tell his mood just by looking at him. Obviously here he's pretty happy. I try very hard to make sure everyone get's their own time; I think it builds a much stronger bond when you aren't always a pack. This may be why they all rely on me and only rely on one another if I am nowhere to be had.

Having a pack is a great thing; but you have to work hard to keep them mannerly and individual. All dogs are different and each has their own special needs. If a pack is always a pack then individuals tend to melt into the pack and not become all that they can be. That is unless you make sure to spend one on one with each member. Some dogs do not do well in a pack and as odd as it seems; do better alone as an only dog or one of two dogs. Although I think most dogs do well in a pack if their individual needs are met; if not they simply become a number, which is sad.

Black Friday this and that

Good Black Friday morning; I'm sure the stores are packed by now but I will not be one of the hoards visiting the malls. I don't do crowds; I hate them and do my best to get out and hit the stores before the rest of the people. What I have found to be great this time of year is online shopping; even for your pooches. There are many deals to be had but unfortunately there are bad deals as well.

When looking up deals for dogs I found some disturbing ads. Many of the puppy millers use today to sell a pile of dogs; so please beware. STAY OUT OF PET STORES THAT SELL ANIMALS AND DON'T BUY ONLINE DOGS; where you pick and choose from an image. Like I've said so often; good breeders don't sell their dogs to pet stores and they don't sell their puppies from an image online.

So as far as good deals? There are deals to be had everywhere right now and not just today; with a little time and effort you can spend alot less money than had anticipated. When I find great deals I will post them. Have a great day today and if you aren't hitting the malls then have a great day with your dog.

Owner vs. Guardian

In the past years I have switched from using the term owner to guardian. I have never in all my years of writing been questioned about my terminology use but feel that perhaps an explanation is required. Why do I use the term guardian in lieu of owner? There is no legal reason; there is no deep seeded subliminal message, the reason is simple. First; let's look at the definition of both terms.

Owner: a person who owns; possessor; proprietor.

Guardian: a person who guards, protects, or preserves. A person who is entrusted by law with the care of the person or property, or both, of another, as a minor or someone legally incapable of managing his or her own affairs.

Now that you have read both definitions; which would you fit into? Do you only own your dog? Yes I know you paid for your dog and you pay the bills but is that as far as it goes? If so; I'm sad for you as you are missing out on so much. But if you are like most people who would read a blog about dogs; you love your dog and maybe all dogs. I for one love just about all dogs; size, shape or color makes no difference to me.

And as far as my dogs are concerned I am there guardian. I chose to add them to our family; and it is my chosen duty to care for them. I will do the best I can to ensure their health, safety and happiness. I am far more than an owner in my opinion and frankly; I am very proud to be considered my dogs guardian. I take the role very seriously.

Terminology is a funny thing; I like to use words that are descriptive and usually veer away from generic type terminology. I think as we have evolved into wonderful canine caretakers so should our title. The term Owner is such a simplistic meaning that it essentially negates the true meaning of living with, nurturing and bonding with our dogs. I would use Mom but that has already been taken by my furless children. ;)

But in the end it is a word and that is all it is. Actions speaks volumes more than words.

You know you're a doggoner when!

Doggoner? Dog - a domesticated canid, Canis familiaris, bred in many varieties.

Goner - One that is ruined or doomed.

So if you are a Doggoner; then you have been sucked into the canine vortex, never to return to a dogless life. You know you are a Doggoner when:

- you head right to the meat counter at the grocers and you are a vegetarian.

- you need to go shopping for a new dog toy box.

- the topic of poop is a regular day conversation.

- you save every old towel; now deemed dog towels.

- you want to slap people in the head who throw out leftovers.

- you ask for an actual "doggie bag," at the restaurant.

- you have a larger selection of collars and leashes than your own clothes.

- your car was chosen around your dogs travelling comfort.

Oh there are many more; this is just the tip of the iceberg. If any of these pertain to your life; congratulations. ;)

New York New York

As the temperatures rise here in Southern California my thoughts are heading North East. How I long for a nip in the air and some snow; well......I can dream. My body may be in SoCal but I can shop in New York, sort of. The New York Dog Shop is an online shopping spot for those looking for something special for their pooch. If you love to shop for your dog; this is the place. I LOVE the little playpen for dogs on the People and Home page and the Mardi Gras collar is a must for anyone who loves some bling for their dog; especially for the Holiday season.

When in New York check out the Westminster Kennel Club; the big show is only 82 days away. Held in February this show will mark the 134th Annual show for the Kennel Club. And this year they add 3 new breeds; the Irish Red and White Setter, which I have had the honor of photographing. The Norwegian Buhund and the Pyrenean Shepherd; both of which I have yet to meet. You've all heard of the Westminster dog show; even non dog people have heard of it, it's a biggy. So mark your calendars; February 15-16 at Madison Square Garden.

So pour yourself a nice cup of hot tea or maybe a holiday coffee and take a trip to New York this afternoon. That's where I'm headed. ;)

Intelligence

Intelligence - capacity for learning, reasoning, understanding, and similar forms of mental activity; aptitude in grasping truths, relationships, facts, meanings, etc.

Intelligence in canines is a fascinating subject; firstly here is a compilation done by Dr. Stanley Coren listing in order dog breeds of intelligence.

Rank Breed

1. Border Collies
2. Poodle
3. German Shepherd
4. Golden Retriever
5. Doberman Pincher
6. Shetland Sheepdog
7. Labrador Retriever
8. Papillon
9. Rottwieler
10. Australian Cattle Dog
11. Pembrook Welsh Corgi
12. Miniature Schnauzer


At the low end of the intelligence rankings are:

106. Borzoi
107. Chow Chow
108. Bull dog
109. Basenji
110. Afghan Hound

Intelligence is a very complicated subject; for me no dog is stupid but what they have been given with regards to interacting or working for humans may be lacking somewhat. That said; by no means should everyone have a very intelligent dog. Often when I am working with a new client I will see a dog outsmarting their new guardian. This is when I will tell them that the easy dogs are usually not the sharpest. The really smart dogs can easily manipulate their owners and the humans don't even know whats going on.

Being that I work with all breeds and mixes of dogs I see a big variation in intelligence. But; often when a breed is labeled as stupid, guardians of this breed never give them a fair shake. The English Bulldog is one such breed; almost everyone I've worked with the guardian has said "well they are a bulldog." Bulldogs are extremely intelligent, so much so that they have convinced most owners that they just can't do this obedience stuff. The breed makes me smile. They may be at the bottom of the intelligence list but it is not because they aren't intelligent. These dogs simply do not have the desire to jump hoops for us.

At the top of the list is my breed and the Border Collie. For years there has been a serious competition between the two, but there is a big difference between a Border Collie and a Standard poodle. So much so that I really don't think you can compare them. Border collies need very little human intervention; sort of like people who blurt out "I know, I know," the minute you try to tell them something. Border Collies are over achievers and often have no "off" switch. If you like a dog constantly on the go; one you constantly need to sharpen your gray matter to work with daily then this is the dog for you.

But for me the poodle is tops; they are great home dogs and one of the most utility dogs there is out there. I know what some of you are thinking "oh those foofoo dogs." Think again my friend; the foo foo image they have is completely man made.
I agree with the list mostly but what this little snippet of a list doesn't include is the guardians. Once again a dog can be all that they can be or they can simply be the dog at home. When you work with dogs; I mean really work with them, teaching them as much as you can it is amazing how smart they all are.

For me there are no dumb dogs; yes there is a huge range of motivating a dog, their natural desire to work and the teacher. Comparing dogs is like comparing people; some are driven to succeed some are not. Knowing how much drive a breed has is a good indication of what you will deal with living with a certain breed Choose accordingly or you will not have an easy time of it. For even the most difficult dog there is a motivator; the secret motivation switch that you just have to find.

The veterinarian

Good Sunday morning; it's chilly here in SoCal. All three dogs are covered up and sound asleep at 7:30. They've all been up; had a snack and are now back under their covers with no thoughts of moving anytime soon. I've been asked to blog about finding a good vet; so just how do you go about finding a good one? That's a loaded question and one that you really have to go with your gut on.

I have had dogs for 30 years; my first dog was an Airedale named Mandy (Ivywin's Mandeline.) Unfortunately for Mandy I was not as experienced guardian like I am today. I'm a big believer of making mistakes; without mistakes we often don't learn the things we need to for the future. So I made many mistakes; so let's talk about vets. Over the years I've been through a few; infact it was not until last year that I found a vet that I actually like and trust. I've jumped from vet to vet; leaving each vet dismayed and frustrated, that is until now.

With my first dog Mandy; I clearly remember asking the vet what to feed her. Should I buy the better food or is the generic stuff as good. "Oh; they're all the same, doesn't make a difference at all." Hmmmm. Another vet was a large animals vet; looking back now it was not the best choice for my dogs. He handled them like they were cattle and they didn't like it. Another was a newbie; oh ya gotta love the enthusiasm of a newbie. I went in with Tilley at the age of 12 weeks sure that she had a bladder infection; hey I'm a Mom, I know these things. I left with a hefty 450.00 vet bill after numerous tests and an xray. I was told it could be a liver shunt, complications from her tail being docked or a heart problem. Hmmmmmm, when my regular vet returned the following day she called to tell me that Tilley had a bladder infection and gave me the 12.00 prescription.

My first vet trip here in Southern California was horrific and a HUGE learning experience. It was this seemingly innocent trip to the vet that transformed me forever. The woman vet that I visited was very distant; she gave off no actual concern for Tilley and was going through her routine. Tilley had an ear problem and they wanted to flush her ears; to make a long story short they took Tilley back into the back, handed her over to a tech and he let her run away. After I threatened everyone with their life basically; I frantically searched for her. Amazingly she found her way home after only being here 2 weeks. So to this day; unless for some reason like surgery my dogs do not leave me.

One thing I don't like about visiting a new vet is that I have to go through Tilley's story; explaining why I must hold my dogs and why they can't take my dog in the back. But it is not just my story that causes my concern; why send my dog to the back, away from me for some stranger to wrap their arms around them and give them a shot or do some procedure? It makes no sense; especially if you understand canine behavior. If an owner is willing or wanting to do the holding, they should. I know my dogs are not comfortable with hugs from strangers as most dogs are not. The tighter they are held the more they panic; the more they panic the tighter they are held. It's a pretty simplistic problem with a simple solution.

I have been told by vets that Luke has a dominance problem. When they tried to turn him onto his back for an xray he baulked; "wow, really?" No s*&t!! I think it should be mandatory for people who work with animals to take behavior courses. Not all dogs are like Tilley; she basically shuts off and anyone can do anything to her, Luke not so much. So what is the biggest issue for finding a good vet? It really depends on what type of guardian you are. Do you just want someone to tell you what to do; putting blind faith in whatever they say? Then picking a vet will be easy.

There are people who are experienced dog owners but still really don't have an opinion with regards to health issues on their dog. These people will have an easy job finding a vet as well. But; if you are experienced and educated with regards to health and nutrition you will find it much more difficult to find a vet you like. I have strong opinions on canine issues "bet you'd never have guessed that." I have often told vets; "no, that's not what I found out when I researched." Or "no, I don't do that." How many times have I had to support my opinion on feeding "real food.?"

I think the most important thing is to first; ask around. For myself; I wanted a vet who believes in alternative as well as western medicine. A vet who believes in feeding real food and minimal vaccinations. One that I don't have to argue with each and every time I want to stay in the room with my dog. Many vets are accustom to dealing with guardians who pretty much come in and hand their dogs over. I think this can cause the "pushy" attitude that some have. They are use to just doing and not discussing with guardians.

How a vet deals with guardians makes a big difference as well. Do they listen???????????????????????????????????? That's a biggy for me; if a vet does not listen well then they are not the vet for me. Most guardians know their dogs; at at least a little so a vet should listen to a guardian. I know what is the norm and not in my dogs; maybe not all dogs but definitely my own. If a vet does not listen to what I have to say and brushes everything off with a smirkish grin; ya, I won't be returning.

Don't think that you have to stay in your neighborhood. These days there is a Veterinarians office on every corner; much like Starbucks. My vet is over 30 min. away and well worth the drive. Convenient in no way equals "a good vet." You might luck out and get a great vet only minutes away from you but don't be afraid to drive to find one.

And finally ask questions; this is your dog, you have complete control of what happens to your dog. Do not be intimidated; this is a common effect with vets and guardians. Many guardians really don't know what to ask; so they don't. Get educated and ask a billion questions. If you feel unsure about anything; say "hold up a minute." If you don't agree with something; THAT IS YOUR RIGHT. I have been given very bad advise from many vets; in fact one vet not too long ago wanted to amputate Tilley's tail. I disagreed whole heartedly and I am happy to say that she still has it and it works just fine. Yes it took months of nursing around the clock but I saved it.

Before I go off to the vet for a specific reason I read, research and do it some more. If I am given a new medication; my dogs do not get it until I read and read some more on possible side effects. Go with your gut instinct; do you feel good about a decision being made with regards to your dog or dogs? If not; DON'T DO IT. You can always go back but once something is done you cannot undo it. There are all sorts of vets; just like there are all sorts of Doctors. I have found a vet I really like; I'm still looking for a dr. that I like, don't know if I'll ever find that.

Here are a few links:

AHVMA (American Hollistic Veterinary Medical Association)

Shirley's Wellness Cafe

Natural Rearing

Puppies and the big world-the beginning

I had a shoot yesterday with a young puppy; a 14 week old adorable pup. She is just starting her big world experiences but has been out and about in her neighborhood for a while. She did amazing for her first trip out to such a public place and it was a great place to take her. There are so many dog lovers there that just about everyone wants to touch; great socializing. We were at the Montage in Laguna Beach; a place I frequent often with the dogs. The scenery is spectacular and getting a bad photo is almost impossible.

So we meandered down the pathways letting the little one get a feel for the place; she had a few anxious moments near the construction and the ocean was pretty scarey. At one spot along the pathway where you can walk down to the beach the ocean crashes loudly on the rocks; this was much too loud and frightening spot for her introduction to the beach. So we headed back to the open beach area where the rocks were further away creating a much more calm introduction. She immediately knew she was on a different surface when she hit the sand; it was very cute watching her. She look at the sand for a while then moved onto digging it; she was quick to discover the joy of sand.

Next was the ocean; she had a look, got a bit closer and as the waves came in her tail dropped and she backed up a bit. She only moved away a bit; then came back for another look. When you consider that the ocean makes a huge growly sound it must be a little unnerving when you have never seen nor heard this before. All in all she did amazing and I got some adorable shots; the best were on the beach where she seemed much more relaxed. So what made this trip such a good one and not a frightening one? Her brain stimulation and socializing from birth.

I happen to know that this particular puppy received Early neurological stimulation from birth. Many breeders are now implementing this with their litters and are seeing the benefits. Of course it helps when you are dealing with good genes but bettering your odds for having better puppies is never a bad idea. Along with these stimulation steps there should be toys, noises, activities and scenery changes at the breeders home.

Once they have left the breeders home to live with their new family the socializing must continue. Gentle and slow is the best way to go always watching for reactions signals. And the way that each human reacts to situations will definitely impact on the puppies reaction.

So you are left with the same recommendation after this blog; do your research.

Stress

Stress; not good for humans, not good for dogs or anything for that matter.

The below definition was taken from Wikipedia.

Stress is a biological term for the consequences of the failure of a human or animal to respond appropriately to emotional or physical threats to the organism, whether actual or imagined.[1] It includes a state of alarm and adrenaline production, short-term resistance as a coping mechanism, and exhaustion. Common stress symptoms include irritability, muscular tension, inability to concentrate and a variety of physical reactions, such as headaches and elevated heart rate.[2]

So what stresses out a dog? Anything and everything can stress a dog; just like in humans, they are all different. Dogs all react to external stimuli very differently so what may stress out the dog next door is probably entirely different from what stresses your pooch out. With regards to training and modifying behavior; it is of extreme importance to watch a dogs reaction. The slightest bad reaction can snowball into something very large requiring more modification.

Some dogs are much more prone to stress than others. My two females are not the type to stress; my boy on the other hand is a stress monkey. It doesn't take much to have him worried and stressing. Stress can be caused by something fearful; confusion, excitement and even anticipation. Even really great situations or animate objects can cause stress. If your dog is triggered into bouts of over excitement they can easily cross a functioning/nonfunctioning line. Again Luke can cross that line easily so I watch his excitement level alot.

I've heard guardians often telling their dog to stop being silly when they show fear towards some object. It may be something like a troll on someones front lawn. But for some reason your dog does not understand that it is simply a plastic lawn ornament and is coming unglued the closer you get to it. Fear is the cause of the behavior; but the behavior is a stressful reaction to the fear. Stress is what happens to the body when we or your dog are not equipped to deal with an external stimuli.

Often a dog will exhibit a fearful response to a normal daily activity. You may have no idea what caused this odd fear and you may never know. The important thing is that you deal with the reaction, no matter what the cause is or was. It is nice to understand why your dog may be afraid of a certain cupboard in the kitchen or your ice dispencer but if you don't know why you can still help them get over it which then gets rid of the stress related response to the initiating factor.

Counter conditioning is used to create a different response when stress is the default application. Let's say your dog is afraid of the ice dispenser (I actually had a case like this,) your job is to create a positive association to the ice dispenser. Creating an entirely different association to a fearful trigger takes alot of patience and baby steps. You must look at the smallest of achievements as success; never moving on further until each step is achieved.

Stress is a very real internal response and it can be mild to extremely dangerous. Learning to see the signs in your dog takes time and takes close visual supervision. Just recently we were out at a park when a young child approached. Both dogs were fine at the approach but as the child came closer Tilley got uncomfortable; the child came up to her at the side and Tilley pulled away. But before the child was even 5 feet away from my dogs I was down and right there. I know toddlers and toddlers like to hug; which my dogs do not like to do with strangers. So as Tilley started ever so slightly to lean away I put my hand out stopping the child. The child was so involved with all the dogs around she didn't even realize I had moved her away, neither did Mom unfortunately.

**As a side note it is never a good idea to let children or anyone hug your dog. Even if you think it is a good idea and that your dog will be fine; a bite to the face cannot be undone.

No matter what the cause to a stressful reaction is; you must work to help your dog learn to deal with it. Typically stress grows on it's own but it doesn't go away on it's own. No body or dog wants to live day to day with stress; it is no way to live. So figuring out what is causing the stress is the first step; then working at creating another entirely different mental reaction to the trigger is the next step until it is gone.

One step at a time.

Leash etiquette

Good morning; what a great cool morning, love it. We all had toast for breakfast this morning; Luke and Jessie were on the bed with me and Tilley was still on her bed. I am perfecting my toast toss so that Tilley doesn't have to move from her bed to get it. At almost 13 it's getting tougher to get up so when I made a bad toss this morning I watched and laughed at her commando crawling across her bed and out onto the carpet. Obviously a much easier means of maneuvering.

Well onto leash etiquette. I'm a stickler for the proper use of a leash and when and where certain types of leashes are appropriate. I have tons of leashes but the ones I use almost all the time are my 8' 5/8s" cotton web leashes. They are long enough to give the dogs some distance and thin enough to wrap in my hand easily. I do not like the big thick 1" nylon leashes nor do I like nylon leashes in general as they can slide through your hand injuring you. I like the bungee cord type leashes; mostly when used with body harnesses though. And I like a nice short 6"-8" leash for walking through crowds.

Then there is the extension leash; most either hate or love them. I have one for Jessie and it is used ONLY when we are at the park and not around other people. If other people come around she is reigned into 5' length and locked in. Extension leashes can be dangerous and cause all sorts of problems; like cutting your leg. I've had my leg cut twice by the thin ones, clients let their dog out to the end to see me and then tried to haul them back while they were wrapped around my leg, smart. Dogs getting wrapped up in someone else's extension leash can be very dangerous indeed; fights start that way. When dogs feel trapped they swing into the fight of flight mode and being that they cannot move away they resort to aggression to get them out of the situation.

No matter what leash your dog is on when you meet someone else with a dog; do not allow them to become tangled. If they are becoming excited either move away and keep on your walk or drop your leash. But even if you drop your leash watch for tangled feet. If you have a dog that tends to be aggressive on leash, stay calm when you meet others with dogs and keep walking. Get a bit of distance by stepping off the path and calmly moving away but do not change your stride, do not have your dog stop and sit. When you do have to reel your leash in do it in a calm and smooth manner. Do not panic; the more calm you remain the calmer your dog will be.

Do not allow your dog to wander up to others without asking. Extension leashes are horrible for this although people do it on shorter leashes as well. When I walk Jessie I send clear messages that we do not want to meet with others. I get distance, step off the path and continue my walk. Sometimes the other people are so anxious to have their dog meet my dog that they don't register our message so then I must tell them that she is not social. But had they been paying attention they would already know that.

When walking with your dog on a leash have a look down at what is going on when you are walking. Does the clasp hit your dog in the face? Does the leash keep swinging and catching their ear? I see these type things all the time as the dog struggles to get away from the annoyance. Does your leash hang down to far and keep tangling your dogs feet? Is it too short so that your dog cannot do their much needed sniffing? These are all things to watch for.

No matter what leash you use; watch how you use it and hopefully it is not connected to a chain.

The "In" virus

Okay; I'm sure you are all up to your eyeballs with the talk of viruses but here's one you may not have heard of. I actually got wind of it about a month ago when someone on my one of my lists asked if anyone was getting the vaccine for their dogs. From there I did my research about this information that was new to me. Then this morning I got this great newsletter written by my veterinarian on the subject. Please read it.

I believe that with all the new information coming out about over vaccinating our dogs; the big pharmaceutical companies are scrambling. What can they produce that every dog owner will need? Well I think that this one; the H3N8 is the new hope for these companies. And what better time to introduce it than now when everyone is freaking out about the H1N1 virus? My dogs will not be getting it.

Luckily there are people for the dogs and not just people for the money. These are some great links to have a look at as well with regards to vaccinations.

The Rabies Challenge Fund

Is your Vet still over vaccinating?

As a trainer I am a big believer of educating our canines but first off; educate yourself. Your dog is worth it.

Musings on a Tuesday

Well; I'm off to Costco this morning, and I'm hoping to get a new dog bed. The favorite bed of the poodles is the couch type I got a couple years ago. It has now seen better days after suffering from the wrath of Luke's comfort driven digging. There is a big hole in one side and pills all over it; so it is time for a new one. Unfortunately every time I go they don't have them; maybe now that it is the season they will have them, I can hope right?

But first things first; walk time, but before that is gym time. When I get home from the gym in the morning the dogs are all still asleep on my bed or theirs. They know the routine; which is very loose. I don't like routine myself and try to not do the same ole all the time. Dogs learn routine very quickly and depending on the dog; can have difficultly veering from it or not. Tilley is very flexible with regards to routine; she doesn't care what we do and goes with the flow. Jessie can get stuck on routine sometimes like being the first one to go on a walk in the morning; so again, I try to switch it up.

But then there's Luke; the routine meister, that boy can get so stuck that he is unable to go left or right. He likes what he likes and he does not like change. He is by far the most complicated dog we have ever had; in a good way. If I am on the computer Luke is either on my bed or behind me on the floor. When I am in the kitchen he is on his lounge outside where he has the best seat for viewing me. And his most routine of routines is in the evening; after dinner he likes to go downstairs and watch tv. It's not so much the tv as it is the fact that we are stationary and he likes that.

Luke will wait at the kitchen door; watching me as I clean up the dishes and their meal. He waits patiently; watching my every move, he is waiting for the slightest sign that tells him I'm done and going downstairs. When that time comes and I head towards the door he starts wagging; he then charges ahead of me to the top of the stairs. With a big goofy face that says "we're goin down right Mom?" all over it his glance darts from me to downstairs and back again. And if that happens to be where I am going he runs down and proceeds to spin with excitement. He patiently waits to see where I will sit. Once I'm down he does his ritualistic 12 circles and lays at my feet, very content.

If it happens that I am not going downstairs and am going up instead; he charges up ahead and watches. He wants to know my every move; where I'm going and when. Luke is a foot watcher; many dogs are but it is done so subtly that you don't notice. Again with Luke; not subtle.

Have a good one.

Its nice to be missed

I went down to San Diego yesterday early in the morning; spent the day with my daughters. The drive down was sweet; 55 min from door to door. Now coming back was a different story; 2 hours crawling home. One thing you can be assured of traveling back and forth to San Diego; at some point you'll be snagged in traffic. I made a quick pit stop at the grocers to pick up some beef for the pooches and headed home. I always miss the dogs when I'm away for the day and I was looking forward to a nice greeting.

Well; I got it. I got crying, spinning, jumping, head sniffing and kisses. What's not to love about an over exuberant greeting. During dinner my husband and son told me that little Jessie had been looking for me all day. She sat at the top of the stairs crying; that's so sad. I feel so bad for her these days because she is loosing her sight and when she can't find me; her sniffer fails her as well. I'm sure she thinks that she just can't find me; not that I may not be there. But at least she has her canine buddies to keep her company.

The dogs had taken up position at the front door but I came in through the garage. There they were all facing the door barking; I watched for a few seconds and then announced myself. Everyone pounced; even Jessie but then she made her exit to do the usual routine, grab a toy and charge around with it. Luke and Tilley followed me into the kitchen continuing with their "welcome home Mom."

Being that everyone was a little excited I walked out into the cool evening air and chilled. Looking up to the stars the dogs started to relax and sat just looking at me; much calmer. Once calm we went in and had dinner; a raw beef quickie and everyone enjoyed it immensely. I had planned on kibble for dinner but the guilt of feeding them kibble for breakfast took over. Even though their kibble is a good one; Orijen, and I keep it on hand for days like this was I still wanted them to have fresh food. So I opted for fresh raw beef instead of kibble.

Once everyone ate it was then downstairs for a bit of National Geographic. The evenings are getting cooler and I was tired from the day; I curled up in my favorite chair with my big wolf blanket. Jessie jumped into my lap and curled up immediately; Luke lay at my feet in a big blanket and Tilley joined my son on the couch. With full stomachs and the boss safely home they were all happy; me too.

Got a secret

Got a secret? Tell a dog. How many times have you had a secret soooo good that you had to tell someone. In your excitement to share with another you impulsively spill the beans; to the wrong person. I know I've told many things to people; specifically asking "please do not tell anyone," only to find out within less than a day the news was out. Basically if you have a secret that you really don't want getting out; you tell your dog.

Isn't that one of the many fabulous things about dogs? Dogs can keep our secrets very well; forever in fact. If you are a very private person and do not like to share with others; a dog is often a great one to talk to. But not everything can be kept secret; even by dogs. Personally my dogs have let me in on several things that were very important that I find out. They can speak volumes with their actions but you must be watching; often signals are easily missed if you are not paying attention.

Dogs communicate far better than we do; a simply glance can have alot of meaning but if you miss that glance you've missed the whole story. Perhaps your spouse has brought home a special something; hiding it behind a couch. I know my guys would let me know right away; no bag comes into this house without the dogs knowing about it. And if they feel like it is a gift? They are all over it. If a cat has been in the backyard or someone who shouldn't have been; they let me know that as well.

Often things cannot be hidden from others if the dog knows about it but you can be pretty sure that if you tell your dog a secret; your secret is safe. ;)

Friends and the poodle herd

Yesterday we met a few of the regulars from our local poodle group. It is always so much fun catching up and seeing our friends and it's not just the humans that enjoy meeting up with friends. We met at the Montage; one of our favorite places to walk, it truly is like walking through a postcard. The grounds are landscaped to perfection and it is very dog friendly; along the pathways are water fountains with dog bowls attached at the bottom. And the view from where ever you are standing is simply spectacular.

But even before we get there the whining commences; as Luke inhales a nose full of sea breeze he knows where we are headed. Well he knows that we are headed to one of the beach spots that we frequent. So 10 minutes from our destination he is pacing back and forth, whining. As I pull down the ramp and into the parking spot the whining gets louder and once parked he's pretty wound. I get out; pay and put my stub on the dash while the dogs are still in the car. If I do take them out for this process Luke baulks at returning to the car so I do that part alone and then they get out of the car.

He can barely contain himself and is speed scanning for his pals; it is on a rare occasion that we don't meet up with friends here and he knows that. At the first sight of a few of his buds he's a spinning, whining fool and all of this makes me smile at how happy he is to see his friends. Luke being a reactive dog makes it very easy to read him and when he does not know a dog it is clear. All of this crazy behavior is strictly reserved for his buds.

Then comes the biggest greeting of all; his friend from our regular park. She is by far his favorite and I'm sure it's because he sees her the most often. One glimpse and he's chomping at the bit to connect. We have our huge greeting; poodles everywhere sniffing, wagging and spinning all with huge grins on their faces. Then we walk; everyone calms and is happy to share the time walking with their poodle friends. It is a great gang of people and dogs.

Seeing this many poodles together always causes a sensation; from stares to people who need to touch. And let's face it; who doesn't love to talk about their dog to others?

Friday again

Yes; I love Fridays, as most do. Time to reflect on the week; good week this one albeit a bit strange with having my hubby home midway, this always throws me off a bit. We had no dog issues; everyone is doing great and seeming even younger than the week before, this is a great sign that everyone is pretty darned healthy. The weather is dropping a tad which makes both the dogs and I very happy and we will enjoy it to the fullest.

Today we will head down to the beach to enjoy the overcast cooler weather. YES, I get to wear a long sleeve shirt. I've been dying to get out the sweaters but when it's in the high 80s and 90 a sweater just doesn't seem so great. I will bring my camera, at least my small one but perhaps the big one if I'm feeling like hauling it around. I love the beach when we are having weather other than blue skies and high temps, it has so much more personality.

The dogs are all snuggled in at the moment but it will be breakfast shortly. Raw beef, green beans, egg shells, cranberries, with a side of sardines.....mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, sounds great doesn't it?

Oh ya; my newest cover just out. Dogs USA annual, I'm pretty excited about it.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Chewing and not

Dogs chew right? No; not all dogs chew, there is a huge range of chewers versus non chewers and everything in between. With the whole swing towards feed raw bones I have had a very close look at the chewing in my own dogs as well as others. With the specific research that I have done; I have opted not to feed raw bones. Instead I offer large raw bones for chewing and this is why. I have a Jack Russell Terrier; she is voracious in her eating habits and consequently does no chewing once so ever. If I give her a chicken leg she will commence with swallowing the leg, not one chew.

My cooking for dogs blog; about not chewing today.

But if I give her a cow leg; much too large for her to swallow, she will chew. Both of my poodles will chew; Luke chews quite abnormally for a dog. He likes small pieces of food and will use his front teeth to break food pieces down into minuscule sized pieces and then eat. Dogs in general do not chew their food like we do, they do not need to chew their food as their stomach can digest huge pieces of food. Our digestion compared to a dogs digestion is very different. I'm not going to on about it; just read the article below which is very thorough.

A wonderful article on canine digestion

It is important however for our dogs to gnaw; they must chew something to clean their back teeth. In the wild a wolf gnaws on large skeletal bones; and just watch a dog work a big leg bone, they use their back molars and that's where the worst dental issues arise. Dogs do love to chew; I've read several articles claiming that wolves don't chew but the evidence is there. Bones of large prey animals have the tell tale signs of being chewed and gnawed on. Dogs naturally want to chew; I know I've never taught them to chew sticks or bones, they figure that out all on their own.

Below is a great canine dental anatomy page.

Canine dental anatomy.

The not so dog friendly

Okay; one of my dogs is not so dog friendly. She is by no means a crazed attack dog but it is of the utmost importance to her that everydog know her status. And that status would be the supreme; queen, top dog, alpha and Her Majesty. Today we met another of our poodle group members in the park. My hubby had taken the day off so we were walking together; nice change. We ran into a brown boy from our poodle group and I made the appropriate introductions albeit Jessie who they had previously met. My husband stood back with Jessie while the poodles mingled and we chatted.

At one point both boy poodles were getting sort of silly and started bounding around. Well; that was the last straw and Jessie hurled herself to he end of her leash "that will be enough of the horse play." Jessie simply wants other dogs to know, understand and comply with her status. She really doesn't want to hurt anyone; she simply is one of the bossiest beasts around. She has on occasion come away from a first meeting with a mouth full of hair; of course this really depends on the coat type of the dog who she is meeting. ;)

To know Jack Russells you really must understand what makes them tick. Food and status; that's pretty much it. No; they are not standard poodles, they are terriers and probably one of the finest examples of terrier personality. Jessie is head strong, loveable, devoted beyond belief, tough, bossy and just plain adorable. Now in her 14th year she has softened somewhat; not completely mind you. She still hurls her little body full force at Luke's face if he steps out of line and is more than willing to tackle anyone in the mood for a rumble.

Oh no, you do not mess with a Jack Russell but they are wonderful to share one of the best snuggles ever.

The startle

Not too many people like it when they are startled; I got a good one yesterday while I was searching the cupboard for the elusive bag of chocolate chips. My son entered the kitchen like a ghost and blurted out the beginning of his statement. I bashed my head on the shelf in the cupboard. Thus; our present discussion, the art of a good startle. I use the startle in my behavior modification; it is a very effect way to get some quick results. That said you must be very very careful how you deliver, who you deliver to and your timing. The wrong dog, bad timing and poor delivery can wreak havoc. Not good for anyone.

We have alot startling going on in our house these days; being that Jessie is loosing her sight and a good deal of her hearing she startles often. Tilley has never been a dog to startle and at almost 13 she is still rock solid. Luke on the other hand is at the opposite end of the spectrum than Tilley and startles at just about everything. He hates to be startled and displayed this quite clearly at a young age.

It was on my walk this morning that I was actually thinking about the fact that a startle out of a deep sleep has the guaranteed effect of causing a seizure in Luke; and the fact that he startles so easily. Is his hair trigger larger than life reaction to being startled linked to the same reaction that causes his seizures? Interesting; I had not put the two together before.

So obviously I rarely use a startle tactic for a dog like Luke unless it is very tiny in magnitude. Almost all the behaviors which benefit from a startle are the ones that go on behind your back. Your dog thinks you are preoccupied and that they can do as they please. But little do they know you have cameras all over the house and a great set of eyes in the back of your head BAM,caught in the act.

The startle: The startle reaction, also called the startle response, startle reflex or alarm reaction, is the response of mind and body to a sudden unexpected stimulus, such as a flash of light, a loud noise (acoustic startle reflex), or a quick movement near the face. In human beings, the reaction includes physical movement away from the stimulus, a contraction of the muscles of the arms and legs, and often blinking. It also includes blood pressure, respiration, and breathing changes. The muscle reactions generally resolve themselves in a matter of seconds. The other responses take somewhat longer.

It's pretty much the same in dogs although flight is often the response to a startle. Flight is what you want to avoid; if you plan on using startle tactics it must be well thought out first. You do not want to cause fear; it must be delivered swiftly and precise, there is no room for error. Offer up a startle that causes fear and you now must undo what you have done.

Example of a good startle: Jack Russell with it's head in the recycle bag for the zillionth time. Walk in silent as a mouse and clap; shoosh away and move on. Dog is left with the "what the heck?" face. And you must then go on about your business, there is no holding a grudge. Grudges don't work with dogs; it is confusing and confidence sapping.

Now; when a startle is caused naturally and was not meant as any form of modification it is very important to act appropriately as well. As I always say; your dog is watching you and your response will direct theirs. If you and your dog get a startle; Oscar time. Instantaneously swing in to your "chill routine." Loose as a goose and nothing phases you; no you are one cool cookie. It is amazing what you dog will get from your cool routine. Now stop the cool routine; you're not that cool. ;)