A photo shoot

I've been wanting some photos of me and the dogs; of course I'm never in any pics, I'm the photographer. So as a shoot was cancelled yesterday I thought I'd give my timer a try. I got out my tripod and my camera; got everything set up. Then I called the dogs and got everyone situated on the couch; making sure to leave room in the corner for me. I set up Luke first; he is the easiest to adjust so I get him set. Next is Tilley; once set she is difficult to move around, especially now with her whole crooked state. And then I plunk the boss in; being only 15 pounds she fits into the mix nicely. But like Tilley once she is placed she doesn't like to move.

I fussed with the focus; got all the settings right for my photo and pushed the shutter button. I flew across the livingroom and jumped onto the couch; trying to look calm and natural. I'm not sure how many times I did this but I'll tell you I felt like I got a good workout. The dogs were great sports; they watched me intently as I fussed around. Being that Jessie was placed on a pillow on the couch she took advantage of her comfy spot and fell asleep. Tilley was the most awake out of the bunch and watched as I moved about. Several times through the shoot I decided to change outfits; the dogs even stayed in position for that.

I wish I had a remote; I'll be looking into getting one of those fairly soon. For each photo I had to wiggle out from the dog pack and go focus and push the shutter again. The dogs were amazing; I thought my up and down might get Luke fired up, he is easily charged but he just watched. He's a pro at having his photo taken now; after 8 years on constant photo shoots he should be. Tilley sat like a statue and Jessie just fell asleep. Keeping her awake was a job it itself; being nearly deaf I was yelling just to get her to hear a little. Running, jumping, yelling and setting up, geeesh.

I got one half decent shot of me and the gang. I've decided to do this all again but with my daughter as my photographer. She has taken the best shots of me and the dogs over the years so hopefully we can do that in the next couple of weeks. After my shoot I removed the difficult part of the shoot (me) and got some shots just with my guys. They are so good; shows how easy a shoot can be if the dogs are well trained and use to being close. It wasn't always as easy as it is now; many dogs don't like to sit quite so close and my guys are no exception. It's been alot of repetition, that paired with a calm state from me and now they are use to the touchy feely shoots.

It takes a relaxed state to get a good shot of dogs; you have to know how to spot stress. Even though it is not asking alot of a dog to just sit there; many dogs who are not accustom to being asked to do anything have a difficult time with it. Many dogs becomes quickly stressed when asked to just sit and stay in a certain position. They immediately think something is up "Mom has never asked me to do this before." So; obviously the more different situations you put your dog into and the ore you ask of them the more at ease they are each time. But throw a human into the mix and again you need a bucket of patience.

The seniors

I was watching a rescue video the other day; these videos do the job that they were meant to, they pull on your heart strings. Images of dogs who are in need of a forever home set to great music. At the end of video they had a section saved for the seniors; senior dogs looking for a home. This is especially hard to see; old dogs who have spent their young lives with someone only to be dumped in their golden years. When you see a senior dog in a cage; their eyes longingly looking through the chain link, it is simply heart wrenching.

I always wonder about the lives of these old dogs; where did they spend their early years? Did they have a happy carefree life spent with children? Or was it a lonely life from the start? As a dog grows into their senior years they often require more care; and sadly sometimes the people who are meant to do the caring are not willing. How can you not care for your dog? I just don't get it. A dog gives us so much and the golden years are our turn to really give back.

As I watch my two old girls sleeping; soaking up the warmth of a sunbeam, leisurely rolling around in the grass of the backyard or snuggled up tightly on the couch with the family I just cannot imagine old dogs who are void of a family. To see my girls with such a sense of security and contentment; they haven't a care in the world and that is how it should be. I've heard many a story of a family getting a new puppy; the resident old dog has some complaints about a young'n coming into the mix and the family "gets rid" of the senior dog. What????????????? Sometimes a mix doesn't work; sometimes a new puppy just doesn't fit; BUT YOU DON'T GET RID OF YOUR OLD DOG. You either call a professional who can help work through the small issues or you find a great home for the puppy. A puppy has their whole life ahead of them; a change in the very beginning of it is not catastrophic but for an old dog it surely is.

Imagine living with someone your whole life and just when you need to rest your head; the time when you most need someone to step up and give you a little extra care, they ship you off. Now in your senior years; you are vulnerable and tired, learning a new is possible but not desirable. Old dogs deserve our best; this is the time when we humans need to shine. Of course dogs deserve our best all the time; right from birth they have earned out commitment of care.

Think about adopting a senior dog; it can be a life altering decision. Taking on a dog at the end of their life takes a strong heart. You already know that a senior will not be with you for long; but the impact on your life may be tenfold. I do know of a woman in our area who scoops the old ones from the shelter; simply to give them a home in their last years. For many people this is just too difficult; and I completely understand, it can be extremely sad. But by looking past our needs and only to theirs; we grow as a person. Often the requirements for adopting a senior dog is a soft bed, a bucket of patience and a gentle hand; the rest falls into place on its own.

Dogs are a giving creature; they don't ask a lot of us. Food, shelter and companionship is meager compared to what they give us. And what does a dog give us? Everything they've got.

Its over for another 4 years

Well; the Olympics are over, and boy did it end with a bang. A great bang I have to add; being that I am Canadian. It has left me thinking of all the mess that now has to be cleaned up by someone, oh well glad it's not me. Anyway; this has lead me to ponder on the world of competitive games with our dogs. You name it; it's out there to compete for gold. There is agility, obedience, frisbee, dock diving, hunting, go to ground, lure coursing, skijoring, which I have done with two of my standard poodles back in Canada, what a blast. There is surfing, weight pulling, sledding, and if you don't have snow there is urban mushing. I had the opportunity to photograph some Urban Mushing dogs in action; very cool. There is water work and drafting events; there are the extreme obedience events like shutzhund. There is something for everyone and every dog.

But not all dogs that were bred to a specific type activity like the Border Collie, the husky type dogs or the beefy bully breeds will want to or thrive at their designated activity. Most breeds do have tendencies towards certain things like retrieving, herding or water but it isn't always a sure thing. Many new golden retriever or labrador owners have complained that their dogs don't like the water or don't retrieve, oh well. All dogs love to do something specific and if it's not what you think they would normally enjoy you just have to give several things a try.

If you are looking to get into a specific sport like mushing or frisbee then you need to get a dog which has been bred for that. Or who displays those type of traits; high drive for example, or strong retrieving instincts. Many breeders of particular breeds start training very early; pretty much as soon as the pups can walk. The training is not official but they start to instill a sense of work ethic and drive towards that specific activity.

For me personally; I don't care what my dog wants to do. I've done many activites and find it difficult to commit to one; I tend to get bored with too much repetition. (sound familiar?) But I do love to learn, watch and shoot all sorts of activities. And with a little trial and error you too can find out what your dog would love to do in regards to a sport activity. If you are game; most dogs will give just about anything a go. Although there are those few that are happy as a clam on the couch with a good movie. Like the old saying goes; you can lead a horse to water................

Photo subjects

I love shooting dogs; they are my very favorite subject to capture. But recently I've had the opportunity to photograph dogs and their kids; and it is quickly becoming my choice focus (pardon the pun). I really enjoy the time of the shoot; especially when it is one where there is a natural connection; canine and human child. There is nothing more pleasing than watching a child who loves their dog. Vise versa; the option of possibilities for something to make you smile is void compared to a dog that loves their kid. Seeing the love coming from both; directed to the other is simply magical.

Many things can display a connection; although interaction is a must. Interaction can be seen in many ways; a simple ear or paw placement, a facial expression or even the slightest change in mouth position. A true connection can be seen.
I have to admit that after a dog and their kid shoot is complete; I cannot make it home fast enough. There I download the images and process as quickly as I can. When the images are converted to viewing files I commence the scrutinizing that only a photographer has for their own work. I am often mesmerized by the images; even when I was the one there, the one taking the shots. The images on my computer are spectacular; the natural connection between the two can only make me smile and smile is what I do. My gosh there is nothing cuter than a dog and their kid.

I feel so lucky to have a private viewing for many of these images. So many expressions; so many small canine human connections that can not be seen by the naked eye, except when captured digitally forever. Dogs and humans of any age connecting make for amazing images. Is there anything better than the canine human connection?

Saturday morning

Good rainy morning; I awoke this morning to thunderus rain coming down, nice. I love weather. It is 9:00 and we are all still in bed; none of the dogs are thinking about getting up anytime soon. Is there anything better than snuggling and listening to the rain? Nope. Yesterday I got the dogs out nice and early; I wanted to make sure that they all had their walks incase it started raining earlier than anticipated. But it did not and the rain held off until early this morning.

During our walk yesterday I was wondering how I can better communicate with Jessie other than touch. Her hearing is really bad and her vision is not far off; so when we are on our walks I tug on her harness to get her attention. At home she can be seen running here and there through the house in a panic looking for me. She runs right by and I yell out her name; if I yell loud enough she will stop and look around. But her hearing is not good enough to pinpoint my location and I literally have to come out into her path waving her down so that she sees me. It is difficult; especially because this is all new, she has never had to rely on other senses. And I have always relied on hand signaling as my dogs get older; but it doesn't work with Jessie.

Poor little girl; she is constantly startled now that her hearing is so bad. She was never a nervous type dog; solid as a rock like Tilley but now she is much more nervous as people and dogs seem to pop out of nowhere at her. I think I'm going to visit a few websites on training deaf and blind dogs; I should be able to get a few tips from them. I have worked with several deaf dogs; once you teach them to pay close attention the rest is fairly easy. But blind too?

Yesterday afternoon I had a photo shoot; fabulous Great Dane. I got some amazing shots and he could not have been more studly looking. After we wrapped up his photo shoot I grabbed a few shots of his little girl and him; this is quickly becoming my favorite subject to photograph. A kid and their dog; not much cuter.

What dogs love

Good Friday morning; here I am still in bed watching an amazing sunrise with my three in the bed. This is one of my favorite things; dogs in the bed, hot cup of coffee in hand and blogging. I know that this peaceful time is one of their favorite things as well. It is easy to tell by the lack of movement or signs of impending movement. This made me think about what dogs really love to do. Most dogs love to just chill with their person; some need to be pretty much on top of you while others are happy as long as you are in the same room or visible. So no matter what you are doing; most are happy to do it along with you.

Yesterday I was plucking dandelions from my lawn; the dogs love it when I work outside. Tilley was enjoying the sun; rolling around on the grass and collecting enough of the dead winter grass in her coat to look a complete wreck. Jessie can almost always be found on the patio; soaking up the sun on both sides. The heat coming from the concrete is much like those hot rocks they put on you at the fancy spas I would imagine. And no doubt if feels very soothing on her old little body. Luke is my gardening assistant and as usual; what I'm doing he wants to do. "Ah; we are digging today?" I caught him just in time; watching closely for the first dig attempt I shout out "stop." As much as I love having an assistant I don't want my yard dug up by his power shoveling paws. He has to be satisfied with simply sniffing the newly turned dirt.

Being pack animals; dogs love to hang with the pack. How excited do your dogs get when they realize that they are going to accompany you in the car? They don't care where you are going; they are ecstatic to be along for the ride. Dogs love to go out with us so much that many become crazed over the mere mention of a leash. Leash crazies is probably one of the most common problems that I've had to deal with as a trainer. Desensitizing the leash is actually quite easy and worth the effort. But if by chance they can't accompany you on your trip; then you are greeted with open arms on your return. Dogs love to be with us. But they love other things as well; they love retrieving, running, pulling, digging, chewing and exploring. The list goes on and on.

Tilley was an obsessive retriever; she loved nothing more than to chase. So much so that it turned into a very big problem. With training work her obsession was turned to balls and then the frisbee; making her an amazing frisbee dog. Jessie loves to dig; being a terrier she was bred to go to ground and get the critters. Throughout the years I have pulled her out of several holes; good thing she has a tail. We often head down to the open canyon where she is in digging heaven; critter holes abound. You can see the pure joy on her face when she is in full dig.

Luke loves a lot of things; he is a funny guy about many of these things as well. His absolute favorite thing in life is the after dinner family room time. Yes as odd as it seems; it is a time and the association in time that he cannot live without. Immediately after he eats he heads down to the family room. He does not want to be down there alone; he wants everyone down there. If I head up to the computer instead; he will stand staring at me. He runs to the door and then comes back again; this continues until I finally go with him. He keeps a close eye on me making sure that I am still coming as he frantically runs to the family room. Once I set foot into the room he spins with happiness; circles and lays down with a huge sigh of relief. Why does Luke love this room and this time of day so much? It has an association; one that means we are all together, resting as a pack, stationary for a good amount of time. Luke is an extreme follower so this means that he can just chill for a while with his peeps.

When I see a dog indulging in something that makes them so happy; whether that is playing with pals at the park, soaking up the sun, destroying a stick or whatever I cannot help but smile. It feels good to give back; dogs give us so much, making them happy is the least we can do.

Your dog

Your dog; you know them like the back of your hand right? Well not everyone does; I've often been asked when I tell a certain story to others "how did you know what they wanted?" Or "how did you know they wanted something?" I watch; I watch very closely, and I'm always writing about watching your dogs, correct? Dogs use mostly body language to communicate; and typically if that is not enough, then they get into the vocal communications. Although some dogs and breeds are much more apt to use vocalizations more quickly; the husky breeds are notorious talkers.

People who have dogs that live outside? No; they will never know their dog, never know the amazingly wonderful personality that they could if they actually "lived" with their dog. Once you've gotten to know a dog; I mean really connected, the kind of connection that gives you that very exclusive insight to your dog, you can never go back. It can be achieved in an instant; perhaps one day you have an ahha moment as Oprah would say. Or it can simply sneak up on you when you aren't paying attention; a slow culmination over months and years until one day you realize just how connected you really are.

Luke had a strange behavior the other night; one that I've just put in the "he's a nervous kind of guy drawer." My husband was going for a quick errand and I said "take Luke." So he called Luke and off they went; in a moment they were back, Luke was visually stressed. He ran downstairs to where I was; made 12 or so circles and lay down. He apparently had jumped into the car; then immediately darted out like a madman and when asked to come back became unglued. He ran to the front door and barked like crazy. This was very strange indeed; he loves going for outings with Dad. But on this night it was very windy; something that causes slamming doors and something that Luke hates. The more my husband pressed to come back the more he got stressed; until he simply needed Mom.

After my husband got home I put the pieces together. He is an extremely complex dog but I know him well. I figured it all out and shook my head; what a nervous ninny. It is so important to really know your dog; it can be the difference between helping your dog to overcome issues and not. Luke has a lot of issues but we've done amazingly well with them and he is a one in a million dog. I will often be heard saying "what is she/he doing?" The smallest changes in any of my dogs behavior always has be pondering. What's going on in that head?

But remember; as important as it is to watch your dog and get to know their every subtle behavior, they too are watching you. So even when you don't realize it; you are molding your dog, assisting in the creation of one of the worlds most amazing things. The canine/human connection.

Was she abused?

I was asked yesterday if my Jack Russell had been abused. A woman walking her dog in the park and hearing that Miss Jessie was not friendly she asked how old she was and if I'd had her from puppyhood. Upon hearing that she'd been with me since 12 weeks of age the woman said "oh; so she wasn't abused?" I must have cocked my head like a dog for this one; then quickly told the woman that being abused does not make a dog; dog aggressive. She seemed shocked by this statement; but said that this was good to know. I don't know how many people have stated "oh that dog must have been abused" when they see a shy, fearful or aggressive dog.

Dogs are resilient; if a dog is truly abused they tend to recover if rescued and placed into a great home. Many have lasting effects but many hold no grudge towards humans; amazingly. Of course there are degrees of abuse; as there are huge variations in recovery but as a whole dogs have an irrepressible zest for life. I have worked with many rescue dogs who have some behavior issues; fear is probably the most common. So if all these dogs that people think are abused are not; then what's wrong with them?

There are several reasons for dogs who display degrees of fearful or aggressive behavior. First off; they can be born that way. Genetic predisposition has a huge impact on future generations; in fact it is the most influential with regards to behaviors. I remember years ago speaking with a woman who had a very aggressive boxer; I mean as aggressive as they come. I met this dog at the age of 8 weeks old and knew then that something was up with this pup. The day that I was speaking to this woman about her dog; I believe that it was 2 years old and had just horribly attacked one of my dogs. She told me that when she went to buy this puppy that they were not allowed to see either the Mother or Father. That they were very aggressive and out back in the yard. Hmmmmmmm.

I know many lines of certain breeds which have been tainted by a few "bad seeds." Breeders now are trying very hard to eliminate certain bad traits that pop up every now and again. With the lack of genetic diversity in breed dogs it can be a difficult task to eradicate an unwanted behavior trait. Even with the most expert and dedicated breeding plan it will probably pop up every couple of generations. But with good breeding over time the bad trait may be seen less and less. Genetics is a huge factor in behavior; so having a look at Mom and Dad is a good idea to judge temperament in puppies, but not a complete one.

Another reason a dog will show unwanted behavior is lack of socialization and stimulus from birth. Puppies that are raised in a sheltered area; given no chance to socialize, climb, play, hear strange sounds, see and smell strange things, these puppies will be compromised mentally. I have seen alot of litters over the years; I've seen some of the best batches of puppies to some of the worst with regards to how they were raised. There is a huge difference in puppies who have extensive life experience; they are given the best opportunity to suceed in life.

Typically a dog that has been undersocialized as a puppy are the ones that everyone thinks must have been abused. They are not capable of dealing with everyday life situations, they cringe and dart away from things that may be quite normal for other dogs. Puppies need to be socialized well; handled and given the opportunity to explore. They must be introduced to many objects; noises, scents and surfaces. And they should be allowed to do it at their own time; never pushed into a situation that they are not comfortable with. Too much or too little socializing can be detrimental. Life at the breeders is extremely influential.

But these fearful and aggressive behaviors can and do happen to many dogs even after they are placed with a new family. The puppies who are well socialized can regress if the socializing does not continue. The whole vaccine/socializing debate is sadly the cause for many puppies lack of environmental confidence. (More on that in a later blog) When a puppy enters a new home; that in itself is a great learning experience but it must continue and puppies should be introduced to many people; animals, material objects, sounds, scents etc if they are to be ready for their life in their world.

These behaviors can also be caused by our human reactions to situations. Our dogs are constantly watching us; and when we freak out about something or react in a negative manner we can instill fear or aggression. "Calm as a cucumber" is what I always tell people. If your dog is overreacting to a situation then you need to "chill." No coddling; for fearful or aggressive behaviors. Just get on with it; keep moving and lead by example. One of the worst things you can do in an less than solid situation is to touch or pet your dog. Hands off and save the petting for relaxed and confident times; even if it is a split second of relaxation.

Often these undesirable behaviors can be worked through; but as you see with the variance of causes, so are the degrees of rehabilitation. Many dogs can be easily "fixed." But often when a behavior is caused by dna; management is the only means of controlling an unwanted behavior. Rehabilitating any dog that has undesirable responses takes time and patience and a head on approach. New owners who are faced with either fear or aggressive reactions from a puppy may tend to stay home. Yep, it is easier to just stay home but that doesn't fix anything; infact it makes matters much worse.

So when you see a dog who either pulls back from your touch; lunges at you or seems very uncomfortable in a certain situation, it is more likely caused by a lack of socialization at some point in their early life or genetics rather than abuse.

Flexibility

Flexibility is one of the most essential ingredients when working with dogs. No two dogs are alike; and although you may see a common response to behavior work there are always subtle differences and occasionally a huge difference in reaction. I remember when I took Tilley for her CGC like 10 years ago; it was with one of the areas biggest trainers. She passed everything with flying colors of course; until we got to the: Accepting a friendly stranger. Having done alot of tests the very large guy was sitting on a chair and wanted the dogs brought to him; not good already. She didn't want to go see this guy sitting on a chair; he definitely didn't give off a friendly aura. Okay this guy is suppose to be a longtime trainer; and he's says to me "what's wrong with your dog?" Anyone who is suppose to be experienced with dogs; supposed to be up on canine behavior and then asks the owner this stupid question? Time to hang up the leash dude.

So; not all dogs react the sameway. I've been given some reactions over the years that really threw me. I then sit back and think; this is the big difference between conventional training and positive training. Okay so the dog has offered a strange new behavior to whatever we are doing; I consider the response, and try something new. There is a reason for everything; and if you only have one way of working with dogs; with no wiggle room then you are going to become frustrated along with the dogs you are working with very quickly.

Often with a little experimentation; trying different way of delivery you will given a little more insight into a response. Many times I have an; as Oprah would say "ah ha moment." The dog finally gets the message across to me clearly and it can be something very strange like the way I am moving my arm; the fact that we are standing near a food dish or there is a distracting toy in the room. I love these moments.

And being flexible means exactly that; you cannot get caught up in "this always works." Well I can guarantee that it's not always going to work; it can't. To start with; like I said dogs are all different. Then you have the life background; their reactions and their owners reaction which inturn makes the dogs that we are currently working with at any one time. I've had to do some many switch up things in my training years; from a simple change of leash, removal of certain collar, be as calm as a cucumber (a dead cucumber), be a social butterfly with a high pitch voice, lay on the floor or never look at a dog while speaking to them. It just goes with the territory; switching it up becomes a way of life. And many times a good safety measure.

It's fat time

Okay; I've decided to make it my mission in life to pudge up the skinny boy. With his recent haircut it's a bit shocking. He has always been a picky eater and it just seems to be getting worse and worse as time goes on. I don't want him to be heavy by any means; the older a dog gets the more important it is that they are very lean. It is amazing how a couple of extra pounds can make such a difference. Just recently with having to haul Tilley up and down the stairs; I realized how alot of extra weight feels on your joints. She is 45 lbs; and when I have to carry her downstairs I really feel it in my knees.

So onto skinny; I will be off tomorrow morning to the grocers to pick up the ingredients for these Satin Balls. I plan to start with the Betty Lewis satin ball recipe first and work my way through several of them. I think if I can get a couple of these into him a day in addition to the meager amount of food he eats he might just gain a pound or two. Oh how I would love Luke's problem of not easily gaining weight; honestly how wonderful would that be. The fact that he's not a big food lover boggles my mind; I love food.

It is great that he does not carry extra weight; because being heavy can damage their joints leading to early arthritis. But he needs a few extra pounds for those "just in case" days. A while back he had a horrible nose issue; he had to be at the vets several times and was really under the weather. His picky eater quickly turned to no eating; so these are times you'd like a little extra meat on that skinny body.

So there you have my agenda for the next while; fatten up the skinny boy.

Light Sunday

The last few days have seen pretty controversial and intense blogs. I have strong opinions on dogs; breeding dogs, training and basically living with dogs. Being that this is my blog these ideas and thoughts are all mine. I try to always keep an open mind and continue in my education; life is about learning, always learning more and better ways.

So moving onto a lighter blog today; a quick update on my pooches. First the amazing and beautiful girl Tilley. She is doing well; with no recent physical improvement with her Vestibular disease she is learning to deal each day. Life for her is a constant "off kilter" so she struggles to simply stand somedays. She goes from amazingly good to scarey bad daily. Her energy level seems to have a huge impact on her stability and mood plays a part as well. Most mornings are good; once she is up and warmed up her movement seems much more fluid. When she's down for a long while in a deep sleep and then arises; she has a difficult time walking in a straight line. Her left head tilt is a constant burden and leads her into many walls and areas she doesn't want to be in. She is in great spirits; eating like a champ and a wagging fool, all great news.

Luke; the man is starting to show signs of his age. He is in amazing shape; resembling an olympic athlete, but as athletes age so do our dogs and when Luke rests after a big run he is starting to limp. So as we have done with all our dogs; we will start to cut back on the length and intensity of his run. Free runs are the best solution to these type issues.

Jessie is contantly amazing me; she runs around the house like a young'n. Charging down the stairs; leaping into the air, she seems to have boundless energy. At nearly 14 she does sleep sound; so sound now that she rarely hears anything going on. Her sight and her hearing are slipping away from her but if the state of her body is any way to examine her health as she moves into her advanced senior years; she is doing amazing and no doubt be around for many many more years.

Life with dogs is an amazing one; at each step they teach us new things. Every stage is a learning curve for them and as they learn we learn. From puppyhood to becoming a well educated adult; dogs constantly enlighten the human mind. Watching them move on from adulthood into their senior years is just another stage of learning; it is a gentle and majestic time, a time spent at a slower pace. Take each stage as a gift; notice the small things each has to offer and stop to smell the roses.

Don't group the bad with the good

There is a big turn around these days for rescuing dogs. It is wonderful to see so many people rescuing, fostering and adopting second hand dogs. What I don't like is the turn against breeders; all breeders. Many people are uneducated about the whole breeding process grouping the millers and the good breeders into one group. That is a horrible thing to do; there is a huge difference between a good ethical breeder and a miller and never should the two be made as one. Millers are horrible people; they have no concern once so ever for the dogs they breed. They don't care about the people that they are selling dogs to; they care only for themselves and the almighty dollar.

Whereas a good breeder is concerned with health, temperament, happiness of all their dogs and the puppies that they breed. It is difficult to get a puppy from a good breeder; they only want whats best for their dog's offspring and if anything should ever go wrong their puppies are always welcome back home. A good breeder spares no expense when caring for their dogs and do all the extensive research to ensure good genes are passed down to their puppies. These are the people who should be supported for all of their hard work and in no way should they be protested against because they breed dogs.

Many groups these days shun a person for wanting a specific breed or going to a breeder at all. I was at a shelter when I overheard a volunteer telling someone who was looking at the dogs that they didn't deserve a dog. This after hearing that the person was looking for a specific breed. I was appalled by this; how dare this woman tell another that they didn't deserve a dog. There are many wonderful dog loving people who only give the best to their dogs who are purebreds. Just because you rescue a dog does not make you a better dog guardian. No matter what is on the end of your leash, in your bed or on your couch; if you love it, care for it and make it a part of your family then you are a great canine guardian.

"I love dogs." That is a blanket statement; I love the species as a whole from the tiniest to the giants. Whether they are purebred, designer dogs, street dogs, rescued dogs.........whatever, I love dogs. I have often walked into a new training session only to discover that the dog I'm going to be working with over the next 7 weeks is from a Petstore. Should I turn away and not help this person because they bought their dog from a place that I am trying to close down? No; it's not the dogs fault, but what I will do is to gently educate the guardian. Often to my amazement; the person is an innocent victim, they had no idea and vow to never give their money to these places again. If the person did know but purchased from a petstore anyway then my educating is not so gentle.

I spread the word when I can; educating people about the whole Puppy Mill issue. From the ones who pump out puppies, never giving proper health care and feeling nothing for the animals who bring in their profits. The subject of shelters, rescue groups and foster homes is a complicated one. I have fostered dogs myself and the dogs went onto wonderful families. If you feel strongly about rescuing a dog then do so, it is a wonderful thing to do. And as we all know there are many dogs in need. But if you are like some people who have a specific breed in mind; you know yourself and your family and know what you would like in regards to a new family member if you've done your research and found a great breeder who is willing to place a puppy with you, then that is a wonderful thing as well.

Do not judge people because they want a certain breed of dog. The shelters are not filling up with unwanted puppies from great breeders. A great breeder takes back puppies when it doesn't work out. The shelter is filling up with dogs from Puppy Mills; the one that you buy in a petstoreor online. And petstores rely on the "awwwww" factor, hoping that even when you weren't thinking of getting a puppy that an impulse buy is not far off. These are the dogs that fill the shelters; and the puppies who are born and offered off free for the taking.

It is a sad state for dogs these days; great dog guardians are a good thing. Don't shun the ones who love dogs just because they don't have the same ideology as you do.

Aggression fuels aggression

A clear message from Tilley; don't touch my ball.

Aggression fuels aggression. This phrase has been forever ingrained in my brain.

Aggression: the action of a state in violating by force the rights of another state.

We've all heard the term "dog aggression." But many confuse or intermingled the terms aggression and dominance. Simply; dominance is a state of mind, aggression is an act. Often a dog may be very dominant but not aggressive at all; as well as a very aggressive dog may be a very submissive dog so I am talking about aggression here, not dominance.

Several years back I was in a sticky situation; I was on a business trip with my husband up in British Columbia. While he was at a work meeting; I took my camera and went off to explore. The scenery was spectacular and I was snapping images like crazy. I ended up on a beautiful beach; there was no one around, just me and the great outdoors. That is until a black chow mix charged down the beach after me. This was sheer aggression; I was obviously on this dogs beach and he didn't like it. I tried ignoring the dog and he charged to within a foot from me; I turned to defend myself. The only thing I had on me was my camera and it was new so I had no intention of using it as a weapon. I quickly scanned the beach; of course no sticks, this place was immaculately clean.

Our whole interaction took probably 5 min. it was like a choreographed dance. He would charge; I would face him down and he'd back off. As soon as I turned to walk away he was on me again. He was a very menacing looking beast; large, black and displaying everyone of his pearly whites to me. My mind was racing; charging this dog could really be a bad thing although he had shown some signs that he was not confident enough to follow through with a bite. When I turned to face him he backed off; but not much. There I was stuck in a game of cat and mouse. Standing there watching this dog spitting and growling with his eyes fixed on me; every bit of his hair raised on his back and his tail held high with just the tip wagging, not good.

After what seemed like an eternity his owner road by on her bike; she called to him and he went running. I had a few choice words for her and let her know that I saw this dog bite a jogger who was up further. She yelled and swung at the dog but did not put a leash on him. There are so many types of aggression that you can never simply look at teeth, or a growl, it is the whole picture that tells you what is going on and how to diffuse it if possible.

The problem with using aggressive techniques to "fix" an aggressive dog is that you the human may end up on the loosing side. A dog that has a real aggression problem will not simply give in. This is where positive behavior work is so important. We humans are (allegedly) much smarter than dogs; with the correct use of our gray matter we can outsmart the dog. On the other hand; those who use physical aggression against an aggressive dog risk the possibility of a battle that they may not win.

One of the worst case scenarios is a conventional trainer subduing a dog with the use of violence which puts the dog in a further state of stress. This stress can then reappear to an innocent bystander; perhaps a child. Example; a food guarding dog is violently shown that they are not allowed to growl around the food bowl, with either alpha rolls or scruffing. The dog learns that growling is a no go with this one very dominant aggressive human. This is a stressful situation for the dog; a dog who naturally wants to guard his food is now blocked with aggression against him. Then one day one of the kids in the family walks too close to the bowl; the dogs sees that it is not the dominant one and has an aggressive outburst far worse than any warning had been before. There may be irreparable damage done to the child and most likely the dog will be euthanized.

The same case could be completely turned around by teaching the dog that humans around the food bowl is a great and beneficial event. By using food rewards and positive association you can create a dog who is safe with whoever walks by the bowl. Humans = good stuff. Aggression from a dog towards a human is a message; this lets you know how a dog is feeling about a certain situation. By taking this information and changing a dogs perspective on it; you can rehabilitate a dog safely and positively. It is not a quick fix but it is also not an aggressive attack on the dogs causing a more "on edge" dog.

Of course there are going to be times when we must use physical force; humans always have a natural response. But when it comes to rehabilitation; aggression is never the answer. Aggression fuels aggression.

Children and Dogs

"She's going to bite you." "If you keep doing that he's going to bite you." How often have I heard these words and shuddered. I just finished reading about two dog attacks on children so I feel the need to discuss the whole children and dogs issue. Shooting (photographing) children and dogs is my specialty; there is nothing more adorable than the connection between a dog and a child. It is as pure and natural as it gets; and when I see a dog that loves their kid it makes me smile.

But not all dog/child interactions are great ones. Often a lack of supervision and guidance can cause some serious issues regarding child safety. Let me say here "DOGS AND CHILDREN SHOULD NEVER BE LEFT UNATTENDED." I am a Mother; and as a Mother my warning comes from the instinctive maternal hovering. Okay; so what does never leave your child alone with your dog really mean? It means that every interaction is supervised; yes every interaction. So if you have to run upstairs to get something, you either bring the dog or the child with you.

I remember two such cases that I was called on to help "fix." One of these visits was strictly to repair the child/dog issue; the other I was just there to work with a newly rescued dog in the family. The first case I sat watching the interactions; I like to see how life goes on in a family before I step in and offer solutions. As I sat watching a very large dog relax on the floor the baby crawled towards the dog. The dog remained calm until the baby laid a hand on him; immediately his ears went back and his face tensed. As I watched I assumed Mom was going to step in; nope. The baby crawled further onto the dog and the sound of a deep warning came from within the dog; I stood up and stepped in immediately moving the baby away. It amazes me when people don't see warnings; especially towards their children.

I sat down and laid it on the table for the couple; all while keeping a close eye on the baby and the dog. I don't pull any punches in situations like this; at a time when the possibility is a child being bitten is no time to be subtle. Often; the tears come when the realization hits a parent. It is so important for parents to understand the magnitude of a dog bite. If a child is bitten; it means that someone wasn't doing their job, bottom line.

The second case with a child and dog gone wrong was for a new member dog; a rescue dog that came from a rescue group that I think is appauling. Anyhow; they wanted the dog trained, it was a big dog; a "Gentle Giant" so to speak. I sat with Mom at the kitchen table discussing issues that she wanted covered when I heard the unmistakable warning growl. I turned to see the toddler crawling over top of this new "giant" dog. And the dog was growling; I jumped out of my seat and had the child back at the table in the blink of an eye. I'd scared the child but forced Mom to see how bad things can happen in an instant. She hadn't heard the growl.

Dogs are dogs; they are not humans and therefore do not act like humans. If they feel threatened they will protect themselves. There are huge variances in dogs; there are dogs that will allow a child to crawl all over them without batting a eye. Then there are dogs who love their kids; they just don't want them all over them and the dogs who want nothing to do with children. It is your job to know where your dog falls; and you must be in control of interactions always.

I was at a vets a while back and one of the assistants there was telling me how she didn't believe in this "supervision" thing with dogs and kids. She said that if she couldn't trust her dog to be alone with her child; she wouldn't have the dog. That's all well and good to say but bad things can happen in an instant and let's be honest; children don't always do the smartest things. A child can trustingly try to take a dogs toy away just to see what it is; or have a look at that big tongue hanging out or any number of strange things.

As a parent it is your job to protect your child and protect your dog. It is extremely important to let your dog know that you will protect them. This is the biggest and most common problem with dogs and children; allowing the dog to discipline the child. If you do not set boundaries and teach your child what is appropriate behavior and not appropriate behavior then your dog will be forced to teach your child. Having a dog teach a child is never an option you want. Dogs teach using dog methods, growling, nipping and if forced; biting. A dog wants to know that you are controlling that little crawling human.

Many dogs are fine with babies until they start to crawl around; all of a sudden they are something the dog has to live with. This is typically when I get the call. Dogs and children can live together quite happily; I've always had dogs and children together; but I also had a lot of baby gates in my house. Until your child is of age that you know sure that they are mature enough to understand how to treat a dog; what to do and not to do then it just isn't worth the risk, even with the best of dogs.

The beginning

I have often talked about where it all started; this dog life of mine. My clearest memory is of Jake; the amazing red Doberman that I walked into the show ring with on that fateful day. But in actuality it had started much before that day or most likely that one day probably would have never happened. I have other dog memories; some good, some bad but it is hindsight that helps me to see that it started way, way back when I was just a young'n.

I'm sure most of you remember the movie "Big Red?" Coincidently the movie came out the year I was born; but I don't remember how old I was the first time I saw it. The Disney movie about a boy and his life taking care of a beautiful Irish Setter; the dog was a big show dog and I clearly remember every Sunday evening while my Mother was in the kitchen making dinner; I was watching Disney. After seeing Big Red for the first time I wished each Sunday that it would be on again. I was smitten by the canine species way back then; but I didn't know it at the time.

Then there came "Where the red fern grows;" remember that one? Again the movie was about a young boy and his dogs; dogs that he saved for and the life that they had together. Unfortunately this movie had a sad ending but that didn't stop me from watching it every time it came on. I would sit glued to the television; imagining that boy was me and those were my dogs. The movie came out in 1974 which means that I was 12 the first time I saw it.

I'm sure that many children saw these movies; they watched them, were entertained and that was that. There was no "that was that" for me; I was transfixed, these movies held me and pulled me into them, deep into them. After watching one the effects lasted sometime, I was good for several months of dog obsessing after the fact. Often it would be off to the books to stare and dream.

Even long before these movies; I'd already purchased my "Know your Doberman." Followed shortly by "Know your Saluki." What kid even knows what the heck a Saluki is unless their parents are into showing dogs? These books were mere copies of one another with a few changes made per breed but it was all I could afford and I would stare at them for hours. My poor parents would be tormented by my longings until they finally gave in. After the begging and pleading from 5 children they could take no more, we got our one and only family dog. With the arrival of our dog; a toy poodle named Strawberry, I remember feeling a sense of relief like "okay I'm good now."

And once I met Jake I was again in the needing more mode. One of my most fond memories was that of sitting watching The Doberman gang; surrounded by a gang of Dobermans the night before a big show. I sat there alone; completely amazed by the movie and the turn my life had taken, sitting amongst all these dogs and Dobermans at that. I was in a good place; one that felt like home. And here I sit today; surrounded by dogs, not Dobermans but dogs. It's all about the dogs; it always has been.

A shower

It is actually a shower right? Not too many dogs take a bath anymore; I mean honestly can you imagine soaking your dog in the tub? Having two poodles I cannot imagine it; they are like giant sponges and they get the squeegee routine before being allowed to exit. Of course the squeegee is my hands; not a real squeegee (weird word eh?). Always starting at the top; the first run is down the back, then down the sides, each leg gets the squeeze and finally the feet. After squishing all the water out of their body and legs it is amazing how much remains in their feet. After all of this they are allowed out; which is out the side door to the outdoors. This is where they do their shaking and sprinting around; then they get towel dried.

Yesterday I gave Jessie and Tilley a shower; for Tilley it was the first since she was struck by Vestibular disease. I thought it was going to a rough go; she is still so unstable on her feet; but she did great. After her shower she went outside (it was over 80 here) and did her shaking. Her shaking started off shaky to say the least; not a great thing to do when you are in a continual state of crooked. But soon she got the hang of it and did short shakes; not like the normal full body shakes that dogs do after a bath but it did the trick.

Typically the dogs dive onto the lawn and flop around like a fish out of water; this didn't happen with Tilley yesterday. But she did hit one of the dog beds that are outside and flipped around rolling all over. She then had a burst; you know the burst that all dogs get after they have a bath? She looked like she was going to have a run and she did; albeit sized down, but she did. It was great to see her so happy; she even did a couple of spins and came out nicely at the end of them. She looked so great that I ran and got the video camera; so I will try to get some of the videos up here soon.

Then the big decision was to blow dry her or let her drip dry. It was plenty warm enough to drip dry; the big difference in the two is for a future groom or not. If I blow her out she is all fluffy, straight hair, and soft. If she drips dry she is covered with tight curls; still soft. I opted for the drip dry; poodles don't get matted when they drip dry into tight curls and she was loving her time out in the warm sun.

Shower time can be a great time for bonding; it can be used as a time to build trust. It is also a time when you can go over your dog's body really closely. It is important that you make sure everything is feeling and looking good on your dog and many are so coated that you simply can't see them properly unless they are wet. I've also discovered that using my forced air dryer is a great chance to have a look at their skin. Any other time it's nearly impossible to see it all.

I try to make shower time as enjoyable as possible; heck who wouldn't want a full body massage while warm water pours over you? Hmmmmmmmmm.

Collars

Yep; I'm talking about collars again, I just have to. But before I get down to the information on different collars and neck damage; a few words about collar usage in general. Please do no leave any collar on your dog when not on a walk. Many dogs have died getting snagged up on their collar. If you feel a loss of control when your dog does not have a collar on; time to train. Okay onward.

I think about dogs and the fallout of using different collars on them. These are my views; I've done alot of research on the subject although it is not easy to find facts on neck damage caused by collars. First off you have to consider the anatomy of a dog's neck; most breeds have a substantially long neck, much longer than ours. Like ours the dogs spine runs from their body through their neck into their head. The most sensitive area of a dogs neck is where the spine connects to the brain. This sadly is the area that many trainers and owners use to place their collars. By placing a collar at this exact position; directly behind a dogs ears it is easy to control them.

A dogs neck is made up of 7 vertebrae; the function of the vertebrae is to stabilize and protect the spinal cord, along with other muscles and tendons. When you place a collar around a dog's neck and yank or the dog itself pulls and tugs there can be damage. Not all damage is caused by choke collars; but much of the damage to the canine neck is caused by choke collar training and the whole philosopy that surround it.

Damage can be caused to many different parts within a dogs neck not only the spinal cord. All collars can damage if used incorrectly; the thin collars that tighten when pulled are the worst. But even flat buckle type collars can severely damage a dogs neck if tugged on; resulting in whiplash type injuries. And head collars; even though they are a good option must be used with great care. The owner must not jerk on it or allow the dog to flail around while on a head collar. So what is the best thing to attach to your dog?

Okay; let's talk about choke collars and pinch or prong collars. Choke collars belong in the dark ages and the history books alone. Slip collars; the same as a choke collar but made of a different material are the same. They are softer and may not inflict the same harsh correction but they still tighten on a dogs neck. Pinch or prong collars; are most definitely better than a choke but they can deliver severe fallout behaviors because they work by inflicting pain. Just the other day I saw a woman walking her lab mix on a pinch; each time it lunged at another dog she gave a harsh correction which in turn caused the dog to lash back at her with an open mouth. She actually seemed oblivious to what was going on.

I see people walking dogs on choke collars all the time; even puppies who have very little muscle strength in their neck. The damage can be most severe to a young dog. So no choke chains, if you have one toss it.

So what about flat collars? They are okay if your dog doesn't pull or tug and you should NEVER, EVER yank or tug on them either. If you are going to use a buckle type collar the wider the better. These rolled type leather or 1/2" collars put alot of pressure on a small area of the neck. Best to get a 1 1/2" or 2" width to spread out the pressure on the neck.

The head halter is good but as I said already; great care must be taken when using them. No yanking or tugging on them; you have complete control of your dogs neck when using these so calm controlled walking is a must. And NEVER EVER use an extension leash with these. Now speaking of extension leashes; I do like them but only when you are not in a public crowded area. They can give your dog the sense of being "off leash" when they are on leash. Many people hook them up to choke, slip or flat collars and yank away. It doesn't seem as bad because your dog is so far away; these should be used sparingly and please only when there is no one else around to become entangled with.

The body harness; although they are not invincible, I believe they are the best option. You can still damage a dogs neck on a body harness, although it is more difficult but yanking a dog around on anything can be damaging. There are many type of body harnesses and some of the best are the non pull type like the Easy Walker by Premier which is what I use. Using a body harness keeps your dogs neck free of damaging collars which is good.

So there you have it; my opinion on collars and harnesses. All this said; dogs must be taught how to walk nicely on a leash, no one piece of equipment is going to do it all. Time, patience and understanding is needed. But most importantly "do no harm," a saying that many professions pledge toward their charges, we should do the same.

A very good read on collars and neck damage.

A quick overview from the UK Apdt

Happy Valentines day

To all my dog loving readers; Happy Valentines Day. Although this is very much a human celebration; many will be spending it with their significant canines. As I was shopping yesterday I noted all the heart stuff you can buy for your pooch and from the look of the meager amount left on the shelf; there are alot of dogs getting a new heart collar, coat or bowl today. Cute. It's a typical day here at our house; Luke is gone on his run with Dad and the oldies are still in bed with me. We will be up and at it shortly.

Speaking of hearts; there is a common phrase in the dogworld "heart dog." What exactly does heart dog mean? In my opinion; the term heart dog explains a dog who has made an intense impact on your life. One who would be best described as the canine version of a sole mate. Many dogs may come and go; passing through your life, each leaving an impression of their own. But there are some dogs who just stand out; who leave a deep trench upon your heart. These are the heart dogs.

I often find it difficult to say one or two of my past dogs were heart dogs and not all of them. It is that human "guilt" issue that we have. But just like with humans; there is a difference in us all. I most definitely loved each dog deeply but differently. The relationship you have with one dog is never the same with another. This is one of the reasons that we humans should never compare dogs. Dogs are individuals; each fills your life with their own individualism. My own three could not be more different; and this is one reason that they are such a wonderful pack.

I've had a couple of heart dogs in my life; and they are heart dogs for very different reasons. My first heart dog was Jake; the doberman who was never mine, he was the dog that started it all. He was the catalyst to my life in dogs. Jake has a special place in my heart that no other dog will ever replace; it cannot be done. With each stage of our human life; our dogs fit into their own little compartment in our heart. There are lots of compartments and lots of room for more. If you love dogs; there is always room for more.

A dog is

Just pondering; A dog is.


Canis lupus familiaris – our dog. History has put us together; kindred hearts keep us there. The dog has the unique opportunity to educate humans; not all humans will open up to this exclusive event; this loss is theirs alone. But for those who are willing; those who allow another species to participate in their constant evolution, these are the humans who will be forever changed. The culmination of canine and human creates a more compassionate human when the human truly connects with the dog concerned.

The canine life starts quickly; at the early age of 8-12 weeks they are whisked away from their litter and placed into a new and strange environment. There is a lot of pressure on us as guardians to get it right; it’s not always easy but we find a way to make it work. Those tiny minds come to us looking for guidance, leadership, trust, companionship and patience. It often boggles my mind as I work with a new puppy; just how much that fresh new mind can absorb. We take an animal of an entirely different species and we mold it to fit into our human world; pretty amazing when you think about it. They quickly learn life lessons; how to reside in a home, how to get along with humans and how to basically behave appropriately in a human world. I will often sit back and think to myself as I am working with a new puppy “man this dog has only be alive for 2 months or 3 months.” How can such a young creature learn so much in such a short time frame?

Dogs pretty much fit it anywhere they are needed or wanted. You have the high performance competitors; the therapy dogs that have guardians who want to help others and people who cannot see who rely on a canine. There are dogs work long hard days keeping other animals in line for their guardians, dogs who fight alongside with police and military personnel, dogs that help people with their day to day life. Whether it is a seizure alert dog, a hearing dog, a Seeing Eye dog or a service dog; they are always there to help.

We go back along way with our dogs. Since the very beginning of man and dog, man has been manipulating the genetic make-up of the Canis lupus familiaris to better suit their needs. Breeding specific dogs in the beginning to enhance certain behavior traits, dogs that showed superior hunting abilities, dogs that were more human friendly etc. But the manipulation quickly changed to one of exterior as well as interior; and there arose the different “breeds” fledge. Many of today’s biggest fans are on a constant quest to find perfection. Humans delve in the mystery of the visually perfect canine; the never ending manipulation of genetic DNA; trying to perfect perfection itself. Many are now at a point of repair.

From the humble beginnings; our dogs are the direct ancestor of the gray wolf. Very few resemble the amazingly beautiful wolf now; all but a few have been transformed and mutated into dogs that have no similar appearance to the wolf from where they once came. Desirable traits were pulled and these dogs bred to create more suitable dogs to live with. With different classes of humans came the vast varieties of desirable canine traits both behavioral and aesthetically. And so with human intervention we are left with some dogs that are smaller than cats; dogs that have pushed in faces who have respiratory problems, dogs with so many wrinkles that they have skin health issues, long dogs with back problems, stout dogs who can barely move, huge dogs with short life spans and dogs who can barely reproduce themselves.

It is sad to see the state of some breeds now; perhaps we should look to the ancestor of our canines for guidance.

The reward system

I first started volunteering at the shelter back in 1998; it didn't take long to become disenchanted. Before I moved to California I was already very into positive reinforcement training; it was the new wave, the way things were heading in the training world. What a difference and long overdue; no more yanking, no more yelling, no more anger. Sadly not everyone has evolved; many are still in the dark ages and even more of the "average Joe" types are stuck there too. After much research about training and shelter dogs I discovered that most shelters had taken on the "positive reinforcement" training ONLY. These modern facilities were keeping up with the times and moving forwards.

Not where I was volunteering; nope, they were die-hard choke collar people and were not about to change for any newbie. It didn't take long to be known as the "cookie lady." Funny because I had actually been the cookie lady back in Canada where I baked cookies for humans. But as the longtime volunteers saw it; I wasn't a real trainer, I didn't use brute force, I didn't yank on anyone so I was one of those new cookie trainers they'd heard about.

So where did this cookie training come from and why has it changed everything for the ones who use the philosophy? Let's take a look at some wild animals for a second; take the Killer whale, an amazing creature but very wild. In their man made homes at aquariums they are taught many different behaviors; are the trainers using force? Are they using some sort of physical punishment if they do not do as asked? No. Can you imagine trying to choke a Killer whale? Not wise I would think. The trainers who work with whales, dolphins and seals use positive reinforcement. They mark the behavior they like and reward the animal with a fish for doing it. The animals soon learn that it is a good thing to do these tricks; and very rewarding.

I saw a guy walking his Great Dane mix yesterday at the park. When the dog stopped to smell something the guy gave him an almighty yank; a two handed yank to get him to get moving. I shuddered as I watched; and this was from the other side of the park. I thought to myself; "why not teach the dog the "let's go" command?" This is teaching a dog to come along with you by rewarding them for stopping doing what they want to do and doing what you want them to do; very simple.

Reward training takes more gray matter; you have to think about what you are doing. Timing is important if you want to make it as clear as possible for the dog but it is scarily simple in concept. Take my old gal Jessie who will be 14 in May this year; she has adapted to a change in rules for mealtime and she has caught on very quickly. I have her go to a certain area after she eats; I did this by treating her for going there. This goes against everything in her bones as she likes to hover and try to take the other dogs food. After guiding her to the spot and treating her I have now raised the bar by only rewarding her if she goes there on her own. If I have to ask her to go there she is only praised. And remarkably she is going there on her own now. It makes me smile to see her finish up her meal; have a look around then head to the spot. She sits there with her ears up awaiting her reward.

Treating a dog for a job well done is the fastest way to the brain; much like ours. Once a dog really "gets" a behavior you then wean off the treats and replace with praise. I always praise my dogs when they do good things; even now with them all being seniors. Just yesterday I told Luke to "leave it" as we passed a Labrador who was giving him the stink eye. Once we passed Luke received the mushy stuff; "oh you are so good, what a gooooooooooooooooooood boy." And he loves it; he beams when you get mushy with him. And hey; what human doesn't like a reward or praise for the job well done?