Association AGAIN

I talk and write often about association; when you understand how dogs learn you cannot skip association.

  Associate:  to connect or bring into relation, as thought, feeling, memory, etc.:

Dogs associate; they associate often and quickly.  Yesterday I had a plumber at my house; we had a backed up kitchen drain, charming.  His work involved going outside; the dogs were outside.  It was very clear by his body language that he was not okay with the dogs being outside.  He hovered around the back door without actually opening it.  I took that as my cue to get the dogs into the house and into the family room; nice and secure.  My body language immediately caused concern amongst the pack; I was rushing.  Tilley wondered what was up; poor Jessie stood at the wrong door convinced that is where I was calling her from and Luke stressed.  As soon as I got them in the house; Luke was out of the house again.  (I forgot to close the dog door; duh!!)

I went out with a more serious tone; the guy was waiting to get outside and unblock my drain.  I asked him to come in; he ignored me, he was stressed.  I knew right away that he was associating my behavior with my recent bath time behavior.  He assumed that this serious behavior meant that he was having a bath; he's had several in the last couple of weeks so when I got serious, he thought I had my shower face on.  I smiled; told him he was a huge goof and to sit stay, which is what he did.  Once I get behind him he rushed back into the dog door with his ears flat back in worry.  I told him he was a major goof; roughed up his coat and he was wagging again.  He had jump to conclusions that something was up immediately; and the location of entry made him think "bath."

Luke is a worrier; he is also a reactive dog so if there is going to be a reaction in my house, it's likely going to be Luke.  Once I let the plumber know that the coast was clear I went back downstairs to talk to the dogs.  Luke was wagging his speedy stress wag; then seeing that there was no bathing equipment in my hands he relaxed as he figured that there was no looming bathtime.  He then quickly lightened up and laughed it off.  Association is huge for dogs; often we cannot figure out an association.  But many times you can put the puzzle together piece by piece if you just sit and think for a while.

Odd behaviors can arise from an unknown association; a dog can associate something without us even knowing about it.  Jessie has created an association to dinner time.  She associates going out the kitchen door to getting her food somehow, someway.  For the life of me I cannot figure it out.  If I go into the kitchen to make dinner; only dinner she will stand at the kitchen door wanting out.  When I let her out she quickly turns around and stares in the door.  She will stand there a minute or two and then go down the stairs and in the dog door; into the kitchen and wait to be let out again.  At first I thought that this was caused by her age; perhaps loosing a few marbles, but it is like clockwork.

Running shoes are a very common learned association.  Put on your runners and your dog comes unglued; pull on your work boots or dress shoes and they lay there, nothing.  But they pick up even smaller things; shorts vs. work out pants, grabbing a work out towel or not.  When I walk my guys I often toss their harnesses to the front door; each dog knows immediately if their harness is there or not and they usually go lay down knowing they are not going anywhere.  They are amazing; and the art of association is amazing, you can teach dogs unlimited behaviors by applying it correctly.  Timing is essential with association; one missed moment and you may teach a completely different association. 

It can be a challenge to be faster than your dog; they're quick learners.

A new harness

I stumbled into a pet store in San Francisco at Ghiradelli Square; I love finding new places to shop for the pooches. This was not your regular pet store; no this was Yap Wrap.  I went in and started to look around; they  have lots of great stuff but then I found the harnesses, I was very curious.  The manager was in the store and was very helpful; he educated me on their very special harnesses, they looked so comfortable.  All I could think is that this Wrap harness would be wonderful for my little Jessie (a Jack Russell Terrier.)  I definitely wanted to try it out; so I brought home a red one with a strap as well.  They make straps that hook onto the harness and right into the seat belt buckle of the car.  A great safety feature.

Once home from our trip I unpacked the harness and gave it a test run; just a fitting to see if we'd gotten the right size.  Looked great and I still thought it looked very comfortable.  Not only did it fit but Jessie looks quite smashing in it.  I let her wander around for a while with it on so she could get use to it before we tried a walk. 

Today was our true test; I hooked Jessie up in the car.  I put her into the back seat; and snapped the strap into the buckle, very cool.  I love the idea of being able to snap the strap right into the seat belt buckle.

  Now to try a walk while Jessie sports her new Yap Wrap.   Jessie went on about her walk like business as usual.  She seemed very comfortable and I was able to guide her along with a gentle tug every once in a while.  She is nearly deaf so calling her no longer works; I like that when I tug on her that her neck does not take any pressure.  There is a handle on top of the Wrap; you can grab this if you need to grab a hold of your dog in a pinch.  I used it to pull Jessie out of several bushes. 

As we walked along I thought how wonderful this harness would be for my girl Tilley.  With her Vestibular disease she is often off balance; I could have definitely used this several months ago.  And even now; the handle on top would be a wonderful way to steady her, especially in the evening when she is at her worst.  Jessie and I finished our walk; I hooked her back into the seat belt buckle and off we went.  The Wrap is attached by velcro in two areas making on and off a breeze. 

I love it; and I think Jessie likes it as well, she sure looks snazzy in my red Xterra.

Put on a happy face

On our recent trip to San Francisco; the first stop was a beautiful Marina where we walked the misty coastline.  We ran into our first dogs there as well; the above pictures are of them.  Two beautiful brown labrador boys; with their Dad, were out enjoying the damp early evening air.  As soon as I sat down they came running over to me; both with big grins on their faces seeming to know that I was drawn to them, I was already missing my guys badly.  We chatted a while as I photographed their smiling faces.  They were definitely two very happy boys.  As I watched them interact with their Dad; their shared admiration for one another was obvious. 

Lots of dogs smile; there are a couple of different type of smiles.   The smiles on the boys above are not actually smiles; not like our smiles.  Their whole body exudes relaxation and contentment.   Body posture low; ears back in a relaxed position, eyes lightly closed and mouth relaxed with slightly pulled back lips causing the appearance of a smile.  It is the whole picture rather than simply the mouth position that creates such a joyous air about them.  Even without their mouth being held in what looks to be a smile; they would be smiling with their eyes, ears and body. 

When a dog is subordinate or has a submissive temperament they may smile more often.  This is because a submissive dog will signal their acceptance as a lower member by pulling back their lips.  There are times when they are pulled back to display the front teeth in what may appear to be a smile.  Tilley is a smiling dog; I love when she smiles and many of the Dobermans that I have known over the years were smiling dogs.  A dog that is smiling usually also has a lower body posture as well.  For Tilley; a return home was usually the cause for big smiles, especially if it was her Dad or her boy (my son.)

Many dogs who are extremely submissive will go through the whole process of signaling their status; body so low that they can barely walk, eyes squinting to tiny slits and low wagging tail. The smile is usually the final signal; one which is often missed by humans as the dog is so low with their head slung down that we cannot see it. One of Luke's poodles pals is quite submissive; although she typically reserves the smiles for him as a dominant male. Once they have their greeting; she will start to come back to normal position. But she will still stay lower than normal in his presence.

I loved watching these boys and their big smiles.  When you see a smiling dog; you can't help but smile back.

A dog's gotta run

A dogs gotta run; some run and run and run, while others prefer the couch.  I spent several days in San Francisco; and one evening we stumbled upon a beach where there were many dogs running for the love of running itself.  In the wild; dogs run specifically for hunting, they have bursts of speed and may need to run for several miles at a time.  Other than hunting they don't do alot of full out running; saving energy for when they need it.  Our dogs of today have no need to hunt; their food is delivered to them daily so most enjoy a good run when they can get it.

I feel very strongly that dogs need to get an off leash run at least 3-4 times a week.  For many of us this is not an easy task.  With all the leash laws it can be very tough to find a place to let Spot have a rip.  Of course; the first task at hand is to be sure that your dog comes when called.  You must be 100% sure that your dog will not run off.  Second; you only allow your dog off leash in a very safe and secure area.  Once these are both checked then you need to find a spot.  If you are lucky and live in the country then you probably have a spot not far from you.  If you live closer to the suburbs or in the city then you may need to visit a dog park or get in the car and travel a bit.

There is nothing more glorious to watch than a dog enjoying a great stretched out run.  Luke is a dog that loves to run just for the love of running.  When he was younger; he would run for a solid 20 minutes before slowing.  I taught him that he must wait for a release before running off.  I didn't want the act of unhooking the leash to be mean that he was released; he had to wait for his "okay."   He sits patiently; almost spring loaded waiting for the word.  As soon as he hears his release; he sprints off running for the pure love of it, and I feel honored to witness the joy.

If you can; find a place where your dog can run.  It's a great way to drop a few pounds should your dog need to loose a bit of weight.  If they are very heavy; then take it very slow and build.  Most dogs love to run; finding a place or event for them to run is well worth it. 

Running fun

Lure coursing

Bicycle ride

Tough little packages

Does size really matter? Well; maybe in humans but not so much in dogs. I love watching dogs interact with one another; the interactions at dog parks are very different from regular pack behavior so there is alot of angles and dimensions to experience. Entering the park dogless is a little tricky; automatically the dogs gravitate to the gate when they hear the latch close. I draw quite a bit of attention because to them; it looks like I have a small black dog in my arms which is typically fair game.


Anytime you pick a dog up while in a pack of dogs; all attention goes to the elevated one. Not good attention normally; the dog has lost their control and the other dogs tend to take advantage. So I try my best to sneak in unnoticed but it doesn't often work. At one of the parks yesterday there was a pile of puppies playing together, great entertainment. They were 3, 5 and 6 months old; and would eventually reach about the same size at maturity. It was the 3 month old that was running the show; she was controlling what the other puppies did. This very confident and bold puppy was clearly a leader; she will definitely be giving her guardian a run for their money in the near future. The three month old showed the other two puppies how exactly to dig a whole and get as dirty as possible. She was playing rough, much rougher than the other two. And for her age; she had boundless amounts of energy. This was a very different puppy; usually at the age of 3 mos they tire quickly.

Then a small terrier came into the park; up until that point the park had been filled with big dogs and big breed puppies. But in typical terrier style he came in and claimed the place. Size is definitely not everything; attitude can be though. I have regularly seen small dogs put very large dogs in their place. Watching a tiny dog submit a big burly dog is very interesting; a dog either has it or they don't. But with small dogs comes the extra sense of protection from a safety perspective. I feel much more protective over my little JRT versus my standards. Even though Jessie is a much tougher dog; it is this toughness that can get her into trouble.

When she meets a dog; she has an immediate sense urgency to educate the other dog. She wants them to know right off; she is the boss unquestionably. There is no waiting around for small talk; she swings into action. And if the other dog isn't impressed by her "boss of the world" attitude; she can get into trouble. So I watch her body language very closely and I also watch the other dog's body as well.

There are times when being bigger works; if a fight breaks out and you have 50 lbs on the other dog; the odds are going to be on your side. But in regular canine meetings; it is all attitude. Dogs speak to each other way before they actually touch; if infact they ever do touch is a factor having to do with the initial greeting. No one touches Jessie, fact.

There was a big and burly Bouvier at the park the other day; he was a very confident and calm male who slowly did the perimeter of the fence. As I watched; a much more inexperienced and status seeking male attempted to mount the Bouvier. The confident Bouvier would have nothing to do with it and in a quick spin and freeze motion the younger dog got the clear message. Within minutes a tiny mixed breed came in; he approached the Bouvier stiffly; hair raised and walking on his toes. The Bouvier immediately averted his eyes; and made a huge circle around to the back of the small dog. The small one turned to greet the large furry guy; still stiff he gave the big bouvier a hard stare. The Bouvier lowered his postured and moved away slowly.

Attitude is everything.

San Fran

What does dog friendly mean?  To me; it means that dogs are allowed.  Not only small dogs; or two dogs, DOGS.    San Francisco is a very dog friendly place; most hotels take dogs.  Some take small or medium dogs, which is nice if that is what your family consists of.  Size shouldn't matter; a small dog can make a huge mess; a large dog can be the best canine guest and visa versa.  A few hotels take them all; big or little and however many dogs you happen to have in your family.  The Argonaut in San Francisco is one that takes the whole family as is the Monaco.

The Argonaut is in a great location with lots of places to walk and a park right across the street.  They are situated in the heart of the Fisherman's Wharf.  Touring around San Fran you notice water bowls everywhere; I love a dog friendly town.   Taking your dog on a trip with you can be great; if they are prepared.  There are a lot of things out of the ordinary day to day when you go on a vacation.  Has your dog been in an elevator?  Would they mind all the hustle and bustle that can come with a trip?  What about being left alone in a strange hotel room?  I know my guys would not like this one bit; they would feel abandoned and more than likely bark their heads off until we returned. 

If you have prepared your dog to accompany you on a trip then having them join you is wonderful.  But you must consider how your dog would deal with all the different things that might arise.  If you think that they might be upset or not be able to handle the change then the best thing may be to leave them at home.  We have a sitter come into our home or have one of our children stay with the dogs.  We have found a wonderful dog sitter who just moves in; she's our replacement while we are gone.  The dogs retain their routine; they are in their own home as well.  Of course they miss us when we are gone but that is the only thing different for them to deal with. 

I miss the dogs the second I'm out of the house; I find myself searching for dogs to talk to on my trips.  The Golden in the image is the resident dog at the Hotel Monaco in San Fran.  What a hunk of a boy; Oliver and as sweet as they come.  The most important thing is that your dogs be comfortable and relaxed.  So that may  mean that they join you on your trip or they stay home where they feel at home.  And just think; absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Outdoor dogs?

Its Wednesday morning and I'm going to get serious, I have always been and will always be completely against keeping a dog outdoors. Outdoors meaning that a dog lives outside of the home, not inside with the rest of the family. Wow it even has more impact to me when put like that "outside of your home." I don't mean dogs that are outside for the afternoon or the ones who are put outside while you are off doing your running around for a couple of hours. I'm talking about the dogs that live in a backyard, never coming in, never joining the pack and living a very sad and lonely life.

Some backyard dogs are dealt a double blow by being a tied dog as well. These dogs are left sitting alone, tied to some inanimate object so that they cannot wander off in search of a better life. There are also fenced dogs, those who are fenced into a backyard and those that live in a tiny "dog run." The term "dog run" is such a hugely incorrect use of the word. A dog that lives in a dog run will not be doing much running at all and if they are running it would be correctly labelled as an obsessive before like crazed pacing. Most are about 4x6, some of the luckier dogs live in an expansive 4x8 or even 4x10 woohoo. So it is about these tied or fenced dogs that I am talking about.

In all of my years of training I have only been asked to work with about a dozen or so outdoor dogs and out of these I only agreed to work with a few. One was a rescue which should not have been placed with this family as they had no intention of living with the dog as a family member. I only agreed to work with these people because they were utterly clueless, they had never had a dog before and didn't know the first thing to do with this newly acquired item. So when I could I did my best song and dance for this dog, I tried my hardest to work him into the home and family that he deserved and where he belonged.

The others were people who seemed to have a softspot that I could work on; there was something in our discussion that told me I could work this dog into the house. And out of the the few outside dogs that I did work with; they all became indoor/outdoor dogs which I call a success.

The way people think about dogs; those who have an outdoor dog is completely foreign and different from those of us who consider our dogs as family members. For most people who have an outside dog; a dog is a dog and dogs belong outdoors. Believe me, I've talked to alot of people who have outside dogs and they are just different. Some tell me "she loves being out there, she never wants to come in." Other have said "I can't imagine her inside, all the hair and my poor house." And I'm not shy about telling people that I do not believe in having dogs live outside which obviously puts a stick into our conversation. But I've planted a seed that will hopefully grow with time. Just maybe; that one tiny seed will persuade the "owner" to look at their dog differently.

I mean honestly, what is the point of getting a dog if you plan on throwing it into the backyard? I just don't get it? What is the satisfaction in that? Is it the pressure from society thinking that everyone should have a dog? If that is the case then shame on those people who give into pressure and do not hold up their end of the bargain. The backyard is no place for a dog to live out their life and I don't care what breed they are. So many breeders or breed fanciers will say "this is not a breed you can just put in the backyard." There is NO BREED OR MIX; regardless of size, coat or structure that should be sentenced to a backyard life.

I want all of you dog lovers to spread the word, do what you can for those who are less fortunate than your dogs. If you know of someone who wants a dog and is planning on having them live outside, speak up. I have told many people to spend the money that they have put aside for a dog on a beautiful new patio set instead. It takes self control, tact and alot of calm explaining to try to enlighten the people on adding a dog to the family correctly. And I always tell people that if they don't want the hair, don't want the chewing, peeing and pooping then don't get a dog. And the most important thing I can tell someone who feels this way? Is that it's okay to feel this way, it is a good thing to know that you don't want a dog. Just don't feel this way and then go ahead and get the dog that you really don't want.

One of the greatest moments in a puppy's life can be when they join their new family and start life as a member of the family. Yet one of the saddest moments in a puppy's life can be when they leave the caring and loving environment with their Mother and siblings to be placed in a yard to live out their life alone, all alone. Let's all do what we can do to make sure that doesn't happen quite so often.

Fleas

Nobody likes fleas; especially our dogs.   On occassion I pick a random flea off of one of the dogs.  Luke is the easiest to locate fleas on; then Jessie and lastly Tilley.  When they are a random flea it's usually on Luke anyhow; he is Mr. Social and tends to wander over to other dogs just to say hi.  He is long enough and typically close enough for a flea to jump ship; they do jump from dog to dog.  I've had fleas jump on me too; and they run, they head for the hills when you are after them.  Fleas are not an easy catch; I'm sure I've looked like a complete idiot as I chase around the floor hopping after the jumping flea that is trying to elude my grasp. 

But when they are more than random; you must be proactive before your problem grows.  First is to pick up all dog beds and throw them in the wash.  Make sure they go in the dryer as this is where the fleas will die if they hang on for dear life in the washer.  Next; a bath, any shampoo will do, it does not need to be the chemical type.  Fleas drown; so the goal in the tub is to drown some fleas.  First you put shampoo all around your dogs tail area, a good thick layer.  Next a complete collar around the neck; thick gobs of shampoo, then add water to both areas and lather up.  The reason you do this before adding any water elsewhere is because the fleas run for cover; both in the dogs ears and anus.  So if they head either North or South they must go through the thick shampoo; and drown.

Then you suds up the entire dog; the whole body.  Make sure it is good and thick; down the legs, between the toes, chest, private areas, head, ears everything.  Leave it for 5-7 minutes and you will see black dots start to rise to the surface; gasping for life, but alas they drown.   Rinse your dog well; you should see fleas swirling down the drain; a wonderful sight.  I always use conditioner; and with this application you might just get a few fleas that made it through the shampoo process.  Poor it on thick; let it sit and rinse it off well.  Not only will your dog be flea free; they'll look and smell fabulous. 

Sometimes fleas drop off here are there in the house; vacuum, vacuum, vacuum.  Every nook and cranny; especially around your dogs sleeping areas.  Vacuum beds; furniture, everything.  Although if you have an infestation; you might need to look at some sprays or powders.  There are natural ones that help; they smell strong but at least they are not composed of harsh chemicals.   The first visual symptom of fleas it normally scratching; if I see a scratch I grab my glasses, go to the itchy spot and search.  Sometimes there is a flea in there; I grab it pinching it as hard as I can until I get to the sink and run the water to hot.  Being careful to put the flea into the water before opening your fingers and then happily watch it swirl down the drain.  Sometimes that's it; just one that someone picked up somewhere. 

I remember one of my clients at a group obedience class a couple of years back telling me very non challantly that their dog was indeed infested with fleas.  I'm sure my eyes grew as she described them hopping around her house.  And here she was with the flea bag and all her fleas at class; very generously sharing them with anyone who wanted to say hello.  Maybe for some; fleas are not a big deal but once you've been infested they quickly become a big deal.  And when you see one of those tiny suckers on your dog; you go into kill mode.  Fleas can lead to anemia if they are not controlled.  It is sad to see a dog infested with fleas; they simply cannot stop itching.  They can also cause flea bite dermatitis; which is basically an allergy to the saliva of the flea.  It causes red and swollen skin that itches like crazy.  My Jack Russell is sensitive to this and goes insane itching.  So at the first sign of itching; I'm all over it. 

Mother Earth News article on fleas

Hot dogs

The dogs were sluggish today; lots of laying around.  They are all slowed down by the dog days of summer.  I use to get regular comments from new dog owners on their dogs energy level being low.  Many worried about their dog which is a good thing of course but when I let them know that it was quite common for dogs  to lay low in the heat; they let were quite happy to have this information.  Most dogs know to conserve their energy in the high temperatures of the summer.  Cooling their body takes a lot of energy itself so staying in the shade and limiting movement helps to conserve energy.

When dogs are active in the heat their core temperature rises; causing their body to go into cooling mode.  Panting is the first action that starts the cooling process; if the panting does not work to cool the body then heat stroke occurs.  Both wolves and our dogs naturally seek out cool locations to lower their body temperatures.  Many dogs dig holes in the ground; knowing that the ground beneath the surface is a cool place to lay.  They also fully understand the effects on temperatures in shaded areas.  Even the youngest of puppies can be seen seeking out a shady spot in a yard.

Wolves are less active when the temperatures rise; they are built for the cold.  Wolf packs tend to rest during the hottest time of the summer days and do most of their hunting and activities before dawn and after dusk.  And like wolves; our dogs naturally rest when it is hot.  When new owners worry about this sluggish behavior; I tell them to enjoy it, it will pass.  And as the temperatures cool; your dogs energy level will rise.  Families with senior dogs need to take extra care to keep them cool; they can become disoriented and not get to the cool spots where they may need to be. 

Fresh clean water is a must on hot days; like wolves our dogs know what is drinkable and what is not.  Luke likes fresh water; really fresh and often is at the water cooler trying to figure out how we get the water out of it.  Bacteria can grow in our dog's water bowls; especially when you have more than one dog drinking from it.  Many dogs will not drink old water; wise, as water can contain harmful bacteria if it is not changed regularly.

So on the hot days; let your dog chill and pour them a fresh one.

The social life

My husband and I spent several hours at the County Fair yesterday; County, not Country.  As we wandered around; the difference between country and county we're vast.  Crowds are not my thing so I was more than happy that we made our visit early and the crowds held off until later.  There were only two dogs that we saw as we wandered through the rides, displays and vendors.  Both dogs were "official" working dogs.  One was a Seeing eye dog in the making; the other a therapy dog.  Being able to wander around a place like a Fair is a wonderful way to socialize a dog.  There is such a huge variety of people, sounds, sights and sensations.

Unfortunately; unless your dog is an "official" working dog, holding a bona fide certificate then you are out of luck at these very social places.  But you can get your socializing done in lots of other places.  Parks, outdoor cafes, friends houses, outdoor malls, many shops allow dogs and all pet stores do and changing the time you visit each gives you a whole different array of both people and other dogs.  So just how important is socializing; getting your pup out into the world to experience it all?  Socialization is one of the most important things to do with new puppies, new dogs or inexperienced dogs.  The more variety things that your dog is introduced to which produces a positive association; the easier life becomes.   Positive experience equals a less stressful life.  Keeping a dog sheltered in a home or backyard handicaps their social skills and their ability to deal with day to day life.

Through life experience; interactions and changes in environmental stimulus a dog grows and so does their capacity to experience more.   Once a dog is well socialized and seasoned; a situation which may have previously caused a fearful or aggressive reaction will no longer motivate the same response.  Just the other day Luke and I were at the park; a woman walked by us wearing a very large hat and walking sort of crooked with her arms held out in front of her.  I thought how this would have surely made Luke stop and growl when he was young but now he is such a seasoned guy that he doesn't see this as something to fear any longer.

When a dog reacts in an undesirable manner we can only teach through example.  We cannot explain that these things are nothing to worry about; we must show them.  And the best way to display a "no big deal" attitude is to chill.    

Fear and our reaction

I spent a good part of yesterday in the kitchen; which means that the dogs did as well.   I took the old gals out for a big walk in the morning and then Luke and I hit the park for some power walking.  We all had a good workout; then it was into the kitchen.  Tilley spent most of the day snorfling; she has not always been so into food but her senior years have brought on a serious need to continually search for something to eat.  It is easy to see why older dogs can put on weight if you are not careful.

Luke was an occasional visitor to the kitchen; he came in and out often, he wanted to lay on the big bed but Jessie had taken it.  So he would come in; look at the bed and then leave and lay in the living room.  On one of his visits he came to my side and rubbed his head on my leg; he needed a snuggle.  As we were snuggling the broom slid down the wall and hit the floor.  He startled; immediately his ears went up as he watched it intently on the floor.   Luke does not like when inanimate objects move on their own.  He turned to get some reassurance from me; his ears back fearfully.  I quickly stood up and continued baking; watching him out of the corner of my eye, but otherwise ignoring him..  He looked at the broom and back to me several times before letting it go.  I let him know through my actions that the moving broom was a non-issue.

It is so very important to lead by example; your dog is constantly watching you and your reactions.   We have startle reflexes just like dogs; but if we are startled by something along with our dog we need to keep it in check.  I have readjusted my own behavior many times so as not create a fearful situation.   Fearful behaviors can quickly be ingrained by our own reactions.  Dogs can pick up the smallest signal from us that we are fearful, nervous, stressful or angry.  Acting plays a huge part in living with and educating our dogs.

If you happen to have a nervous type of dog like my Luke; then your acting career will be put to the test often.  But even steady dogs; the type who rarely flinch and take everything in stride will have their moments.  And it can be the ones who rarely need an oscar performance who are the toughest.  With dogs like Luke; the nervous type you are always sort of ready to act.   The unflappable dogs may catch you off guard when something arises and they have a fearful or aggressive reaction.   Giving off a calm and confident image can be one of the most influential lessons you can give your dog.

We display behaviors on a day to day basis; our dogs are constantly watching.   What  messages are you sending your dog's way?

We're skyping

Ah; we have entered into the technology age, we had our first Skype yesterday.  And by we; I mean the dogs and I.  My sister got her Skype up and running; I've had mine for over a year but with no one to Skype it has sat dormant, that is until yesterday.  This is the greatest thing ever; with my immediate family in Southern California and the rest of our family back in Canada it can be lonely at times.  Plus; need I say our dogs have never had a chance to meet, at least not Luke anyway.  When we moved here from Canada we already had Jessie and Tilley; Luke is our SoCal boy.

So with a push of a button I was chatting with my sis back home; nice.  And there sat Miss Ruby; her Toller (Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever) who I have had the honor of shooting many times.  She even had her own four page spread in Dog World dedicated to her and her alone.  I will say they were some gorgeous shots of her in the water doing her Tolling thing.  So there she sat in her chair beside her Mom; my sister.  I talked to her and her ears picked up, she's a smartie.  No one there on Skype has met Luke so I propped my laptop up in front of my boy and made the introductions. 

Within seconds Ruby was going off; how dare this intruder invade her office, her home.  Luke's ears went up; he watched intently for a few seconds and realized that this dog was barking at him.  This whole behavior scenario was amazing to see unfold.  Luke has seen hundreds of dog videos; he only slightly raises his head if there happens to be a toy squeaking noise or some sort of big commotion.  But this was different; he somehow knew that this dog was barking at him.  Luke is a very aware dog; he watches t.v., I mean really watches.  Of course the show must involve some sort of animal or he's not interested; just like his Mom.  He will watch an entire documentary with us and he loves to watch dog shows. 

What was it about this dog in the computer that made him realize there was a difference.  He's seen dozens of dogs barking in videos; I show him all the time and he ignores both me and the computer.  But when Ruby started barking at him; I swear he clearly understood "hey; curly blonde boy, get out of my house."  Luke stood up on the bed; smeared nose prints all over my laptop screen while trying his hardest to sniff this grouchy girl out.  This went on for about a minute or two; Ruby barking at Luke and Luke watching her.  Then Luke simply lay down and watched her intently.   He quickly realized that nothing was to come of this and was happy to simply watch.

I took my laptop around to Jessie and Tilley; they've changed alot in 12 years.  When we left to come hear; both the girls were just over a year old.  Man how time flies and with it comes new and improved ways of communicating; this is a human communication and I love it.  I am wondering with time if Ruby will grow accustom to having Luke in her office; in her territory.  Only time will tell. 

Vanished

As I head out the door for a quick dinner with my husband; I did the three dog head count.  I yelled up to my son to watch the dogs.  In all honesty there isn't much to watch; they typically watch me exit and find a spot to sleep until I get back.  On return I got a very exuberant greeting from the poodles at the front door.  I assumed Jessie was deep asleep; most likely up in my room.  Many days she doesn't  realize I've been out; she is asleep when I leave and still sleeping when I get home.  So I quickly meld into the day to day and she is none the wiser.

After my greeting I headed to the kitchen; preparing the dogs food usually brings her out of even the deepest sleep.  No Jessie?   I stopped cutting and went to find her; as I checked on all of her favorite spots I started to worry.  If she wasn't on any of these comfy spots and she wasn't in the kitchen; where was she?  I could feel my adrenaline running as I check all of her choice spots; each glaringly empty.  I yelled to my son and husband "I can't find Jessie."  We scoured the house; the yard, every nook and cranny we could think of, no Jessie.  Then my son yelled "the screen is ajar."  We have two patio doors in the front of the house; one in a room which is empty at the moment and the screen was pushed out.  Scratching my head; we checked the tiny pseudo-deck, nothing.  We then ran frantically down the stairs and out in front of the house.  If she had not gone back into the house the only other way down was off the deck; a good ten foot drop.

We were all frantic; how does a dog simply disappear?  If she had gone off the balcony; surely she would be injured.  Yes she is a Jack Russell but a fourteen year old Jack Russell.  The idea that she came off the deck just didn't seem right.  I ran back into the house and screamed for her as loud as I could; she is now nearly deaf, almost blind and her sense of smell isn't great.  The thought of her wandering around the neighborhood was terrifying.  She had to be in the house somewhere.   My husband was still searching the surrounding yard; I was scouring the house and my son ran down the streets.   This is every canine guardians worst nightmare.  Normally she would have just stood at the front door and waited for us to come out and get her; all my dogs are like velcro to the house.  So where was she?

Moments later; which of course seemed like hours I heard my sons voice out the front "I've got her."   Music to my ears; I sped down the stairs and out the front to see Jessie in my sons arms.  She wagged her little tail like crazy as I spoke to her.  My son filled me in; she was around the corner on someones yard.  A woman was trying to catch her and was then going to put out signs.  We all breathed a huge sigh of relief and went inside.  Jessie seemed to be fine; no signs of injury from her little adventure.  She tore around the house and grabbed the first toy she could find; shaking the living daylights out of it.  She ran to me again; whining her happy whine and shook her toy some more.

This story has a happy ending; it could have been much different.  We still are very perplexed to how she got out and why.  She is not a runner; at fourteen she is a home body and rarely ventures further than one step onto the grass to pee.  The only thing I can think of that may have caused this is my absence.  She has become very needy in her old age; she was always a girl who liked to know where I was, not a typical needy shadow dog like Luke.  But in the last couple of years she has become my shadow; and with her diminishing vision, hearing and smell, she seems to be in need of knowing my location.  She becomes fraught when she cannot find me and I often have to go to her; pick her up and reassure her that I am there.  I think last nights scenario unraveled as such.  She was looking out the front window for me; she may have pushed too hard on the screen door which is very old and it gave way, allowing her to go out onto the balcony.  Once there she could not find her way back; the opening was small.  Given that the only way down was off the balcony and not being able to see how far down she leaped.  Perhaps shaken she became disoriented; easy when you cannot see or hear well.

Even at fourteen; she is one tough cookie who is at the moment curled up on top of my feet.

  

Eye contact

Eye contact is a touchy situation in dogs.  It is a huge communication source for dogs; that along with the rest of their body.  Dogs use it all but much is said with eyes alone.  As a photographer I love to catch "a look" during a shoot.  Having watched dogs intently now for 35 years (yikes!) there is much to be said for communicating through body language.  Often an emotion or mood can be seen in the eyes well before any other communications are made.  But not all dogs speak loudly with their eyes; my Luke speaks volumes with his eyes.  In fact he probably has the most expressive eyes of any dog I have met.

Reading eyes takes some practice; but many canine guardians know their dogs looks and the meaning behind them very well.  Positioning of the eye and the size of the pupil can mean so many different things for different dogs.

Reaction:  action in response to some influence, event, etc.

A dogs actions are directly related to their experience or lack of experience to a stimulus.  So what one dog may consider to be frightening another may view as nothing.  This will largely effect eye movement, positioning, size of eyeball and pupil.  One common eye message in dogs which is not a commonly understood one is the squint.  When I meet a new dog I am very careful to watch body language and eye communications.  As a dog approaches me in a lowered stance; this tells me the dog is submissive but this along with squinted eyes says VERY submissive and a lack of confidence.  Most owners have no idea that their dog squints as it is typically saved for strangers.  Something to watch for.    Squinting can also signal pain in dogs.

Attitude eyes or  "whale eye" as they are commonly known, can mean trouble.  This is when a dog does not turn their head but only uses their eyes giving you a display of the whites of their eye.  Many dogs will display this eye while guarding or as a clear threat that should be adhered to.  Luke has a lot of attitude and tends to give me this eye when he is in a mood.  Of course it can simply mean that a dog is too feeling a head motion and just moves their eyes.  My little Jessie uses her eyes a lot; and most dogs listen when she speaks with her eyes.  I call it her laser beam look and it conveys a clear message.  Much of our dog's communications are lost on us as we go about our verbal days.  Dogs watch; so to fully communicate with them we must watch.  I can constantly be heard saying "did you see that?" As I watch both my own dogs and others.  A simply look can be a WOW moment in a dog's world.

A direct stare is a threat in dog language; so you should never stare at a dog.  This is something that I wish was common knowledge in children as it is typically children who stare at dogs.  Many of our dogs learn that a stare or gaze from an owner or family member is different than a typical stare.  I can stare at Luke and he gives me googly eyes.  If I stare at Tilley she is good for a few seconds and then grows uncomfortable.  If a stranger stares at Luke; he regards it as a challenge immediately and reacts.  If you have ever seen a dog fight in the beginning stages; there is much said before any physical contact is made.

As all of you regular readers know; I am a fiend for watching dogs behavior and that too encompasses eye communications.  Dogs are constantly watching us; if you aren't watching back you are missing much of the canine day to day.

Accidents happen

I have to admit that I'm one of those Mom's that is always thinking about safety.  As my kids were growing up they constantly complained as I hovered; I'm protective, perhaps over protective.  But allowing something to happen because I wasn't watching was not something that I was okay with.  My dogs are also encompassed by my zone of safety; I try to stay as vigilant as possible and foresee accidents before they happen.  That said accidents still happen; even to the most cautious of us and when I hear about weird accidents I like to share them with others so that this information may just save others in the future.

So here are a few things that have happened to me; Miss Cautious.  The first that comes to mind is the day that my little Jessie got her face stuck in the car window.  I had Jessie in the front passenger seat; she was harnessed in but able to stand to see out the window.  Paying close attention to the road I heard a small yipe; as I quickly glanced in Jessie's direction the problem unfolded.  She had been standing on the doors armrest looking out the window with her nose out the small crack I'd left open when she inadvertently stepped onto the window remote.  This caused the window to close on her face; she was standing on the control so it was trying to close as she struggled.  Her yipes got louder and I panicked; I wanted to help her instantly  but had to pull over so we didn't both end up dead in a car accident.  I pulled over and parked in about 10 seconds and quickly removed her foot from the control which was locking and clamping her face.  Once free she had a few big stress sighs but seemed to be okay albeit being left with a nice indent in her face.  Luckily that was all that happened in the freak accident.    What a horrible stressful event.  The windows have been locked from that day on.

Another accident which could have definitely been avoided was caused by collars.  Collars can be very dangerous and should never be left on when dogs are together or left alone.  Years ago I had two males; they loved to play rough and tumble outside as I gardened.  One day I heard a commotion; as I looked up to see what what was going on, it looked like my boys were fighting.  I  quickly ran to the scene; I could see that they were stuck; one was stuck in the others collar.  One of the boys had got his mouth snagged in the others collar; both were panicking and struggling to free themselves.  It was not a good situation; I screamed their names which stopped them long enough for me to get in and untangle them.  From that day on no dog wears a collar in this house; they are strictly as a walking tool.

Sadly I have heard many stories of dogs hanging to death by their collar.  Choke collars are by far the worst because they cannot slip off if caught and continue to tighten.  I believe all choke type collars belong in the garbage.  But even a flat collar can kill.

Another incident also occurred years ago; with my very first dog Mandy.  We were out tossing a stick for her and on the last toss of the day the stick landed vertically sticking into the soft ground as she ran full speed to retrieve it.  It went into her mouth and up through her soft palate; she screamed in pain and we rushed her to the ER.  Luckily soft palates heal quite quickly and after being on pain meds and antibiotics she was fine within a week.  A simple game of tossing the stick for my girl had ended very badly; take great care when throwing sticks.
  
We had the same sort of thing happen to Luke but it was not caused by a tossed stick.  We were in the canyon for a walk one day when he stuck his head into the bushes and yelped.  I immediately thought "rattlesnake;" and contemplated the distance to the car.  He rubbed his face with his foot and on the ground which made me think it was indeed a snake that had nailed him.  I opened his mouth to have a look and he again yelped.  But when I looked into his mouth I saw what looked like a stick at the back of his throat; off to the ER again.

Once at the vets; she had a look into his throat.  Not an easy task with a nervous boy.  The vet had to hold his mouth open as wide as it would go as Luke struggled.  She said it looked to have pierced his soft palate but it was now gone.  She put him on a course of antibiotics and said he should heal up nicely.  A week later Luke was not fine and each time I opened his mouth to check he yelped loudly.  We went back to the vet to see what was going on and they put him out to have a really good look.  After much probing around they found the cause of the pain; a two inch piece of hard reed that had stuck up into his soft palate which had then covered over the opening.  He had this thing in his mouth for a week; I cannot imagine the pain.

So even when you take the greatest of care; accidents can happen to the best of us and our dogs.  These are just a very few of my own accidents.  Even when you are playing; you can never forget about safety.  I hear about canine related accidents all the time; and it enforces the hovering behavior that my kids use to complain about.

The gene pool of life

I watched And Man Created Dog last night on Nat Geo; I was skeptical but it was pretty good.  It covered a lot of ground; and they discussed a topic which I am very passionate about, gene pools.   For as long as I can remember; many breeders have been inbreeding and line breeding.  The difference between the two is a fine line; one used by many to steer clear of the stigma attached to inbreeding.  Inbreeding is described as breeding two closely related dogs; brother/sister, son/Mother, daughter/Father, Aunts, Uncles and first cousins.  Line breeding is the mating of more distant related dogs.   But the fact remains that genes are being duplicated; which can and does cause health issues like low birth rates and shorter life spans.

Everyone has heard the phrase "mutts are healthier;" right?  The typical understanding of the terminology is that nature has taken over and no one is controlling the genetic make-up of the dogs.  Genetic diversity is good when the genes in the mix are good.  That means that if you breed bad genes with good; there is a good chance you will produce just that, the good with the bad.  What happens when breeders in or line breed is that they take away genetic diversity.  So if there are bad genes in the mix they will be multiplied having no new genes to draw on.  Many pedigrees read as a duplication in lines; the same dogs can be seen behind both the Dam and the Sire.

When new healthy genes are brought into a breeding line it can add genetic vigor; but the important factor is health.  Healthy dogs bred to healthy dogs raise the percentage of healthy puppies.  Of course there are always unforeseen issues that can arise; there are no genetically immaculate dogs, they all carry something undesirable.  But with research we can lower those undesirable traits or diseases.  Zoos have long known the result of inbreeding and  now put many hours into ensuring that only healthy and genetically diverse animals are used for breeding purposes. Some breeders are now doing the same and these are the ones leading the way of the future.

Sadly; many unscrupulous breeders have jumped on the bandwagon boasting that "designer dogs" and "mixes" are healthier.  This is simply not true; yes they may have more genetic diversity but it is healthy diversity that counts.  Breeding bad dogs to bad dogs only produces more bad dogs no matter how many mixes are put together.  And unfortunately many of the breeders of these designer dogs and mixes are what I would call bad breeders.  They care little about the dogs who make them their almighty buck.  No; they are not concerned with providing you with a healthy dog; they have no interest in doing genetic health screening.  They want their money and will spend little to get it.

There are good "designer dog" and  "mixed breed" breeders out there.  And the research to find them is well worth it.  Sadly there are more bad than good.  But just like with purebred breeders; you must look to find the good ones.  There are lots of bad purebred breeders out there as well.

No dogs should ever be bred without health screening.  Breeding without screening for health issues is like breeding blind; you have no idea what you are passing onto the future puppies and their new families.  A dog may seem like an amazingly healthy specimen with a wonderful temperament; but was his Father, brother or relatives as wonderful?  A dog is a dog so whether a breeder is breeding purebreds, mixes or the newly fashionable term used for today's mixes, the designer dog, they should all be health tested.  If you contact a breeder and they are not health testing; hang up and call someone else.

All in all genetics is very fascinating; at least it is for me. Some breeders are doing it all right; some are just now having a look at this whole genetic diversity thing and there are still some caught in the dark ages with the mindset that line or inbreeding is the only way. Hopefully somewhere along the way they will see the light; if only for the good of our dogs.  Our dogs deserve to be the healthiest they can be.

Not so pleasantly plump

A happy healthy active pooch

I love when I have a request for a blog; I often sit and ponder for quite a while before deciding upon a topic.  So as per request; chubby is the topic for today.  Is your dog fat?  How do you know if your dog is fat?  I see alot of fat dogs around; and it always seems like the owner is the last to know.  How can your dog be fat and you not know?  I believe that many people don't really know what they are feeling; what is your dog suppose to feel like if they are in good shape.  It's really tough to explain but I shall do my best.

Neoprene is a thin synthetic rubber substance which they use for wet suits, pouches, wine coolers etc.  My weight lifting gloves are made of neoprene.  Your dog should have a nice layer of neoprene over their ribs.   You should be able to feel ribs; but with the smallest layer of sponge over them.   For us; a neoprene layer on Luke is a goal.  He is the pickiest eater we've ever had; so he is often missing the neoprene.  Although as he ages; his lack of extra pounds will serve him well.  Any extra weight that a dog carries is just that; extra.  In January Tilley was hit by Vestibular disease which made it a neccessity for her to be carried both up and down all the steps in the house.  This was like a giant ah ah moment for me as I had to lug her up and down the stairs.  Tilley weighs in at around 45 lbs right now and I felt it in my knees.  The impact of extra weight on my body was immediately obvious. 

Keeping your dog on the lean side is so important for their health and joints; especially as they age.  I have seen young dogs crippled by weight; a dog carrying a lot of extra weight can appear to be years older than they actually are.  They are often sidelined; although they'd probably love to be in the middle of the action, these dogs may have to just watch the fun.  I recently saw a hugely overweight dog at a park; the owner was obviously in denial about their dog, they just didn't see the dog as having any extra pounds on them.  This is sad because other than some sort of health issue; a dog carrying extra weight is the owners fault.  Overweight dogs are at risk of  suffering from obesity health issues and a shortened life.  These dogs have a higher chance of joint problems which can lead to severe arthritis.  They can suffer from heart problems, gastrointestinal problems, respitory issues and even diabetes. With all of these health problems; there is also the sad reality that heavy dogs simply cannot enjoy life like they should.


Often particular breeds are expected to carry extra weight; Bulldogs, Labradors, Bassett Hounds, French Bulldogs, Dachshunds etc.  No dog should be fat; they should have a wasteline and you should be able to feel their ribs, even the stockiest of breeds.  It is a sad thing for a dog to carry extra weight; they simply do not have the ability to function as they should be able to.   Having a heavy dog has a snowball effect; the heavier they are the less they move causing them to carry even more weight. 

If you cannot feel your dog's ribs; then your dog is overweight. The only way to drop weight on a dog is to lower their calorie intake and get them moving.  They must move; of course you must start moving them slowly to start.  Just like with humans; a dog that is out of shape cannot be expected to run a marathon, it is extremely dangerous.  So start by cutting calories and get out for a short walk.  Unless your dogs has a health issue that is causing obesity; it is fairly easy to to get weight off of them. 

It is all under your control; think lean.   There is nothing kind about over feeding your dog; even though they may act as though they are starving.  They give you those big puppy dog eyes and you cave.  It is up to us to say "NO; I want you to live a long and healthy life."  Loosing weight is typically much harder on an owner than a dog; but you must  do it for your dog.  You will never see a wild dog, fox, coyote or wolf that is chubby let alone obese.  The problem is us; humans, we are the over feeders and under exercisers.  If your dog is carrying extra weight; time to step it up and drop that fat.  It's easy; you just have to do it. 

Sand between your toes

Sand between your toes; the wind in your hair and your tongue hanging out the side of your mouth.  What could be better?  The other day I had Luke at the park; for some reason there was sand put down in random areas which looked like maybe the low spots in the field.  For the life of me I could not figure out why they would fill these crevices with sand.  Anyhow; we walked by several mounds when Luke decided to check out one of the sand piles.  I didn't take much  notice until he walked onto the second one.  He very purposely stepped onto the sand and sort of stomped around; hmmmm.   The next pile we came to; he made a b-line to it, threw his head back, his ears flat back and he did some serious stomping.  Of course this made me smile; he was enjoying the feel of the sand between his toes.  We left that pile and went onto the next one where he did the exact same thing again. 

Did this trigger a positive association for him?  After all we go to the beach often; and he loves it.  Miles before we get there he starts the whining and the closer we get to the beach the louder the whining becomes.  So was it the feel of the soft sand squishing through his toes or did it cause a happy reaction due to an association?  Many dogs are very aware when the surface under foot changes; Luke definitely is.  Watching a canine take their first steps onto grass, snow, sand or mud is very interesting.  There is a fleeting recognition; adjustment for a few seconds and they are good to go.  Seeing a dog who does not have the luxury of grass in their own yard; his the grass with their feet is a wonderful thing.  Many tear around like maniacs; the extra traction makes running glorious although many opt for the dive and flip.  They bolt head first onto the grass and wriggle around enjoying every bit of the grass that they can. 

Snow was always a biggy for my pooches; an inch of snow changes everything.  It makes your toes spread; but just enough to trigger an exciting change of surface underfoot and more than likely a zoom around.   Bounding through really deep snow is also a favorite of many; with the added benefit of supercharged exercise dogs can bound around endlessly enjoying the new snow.  Shallow water has it's own particular stimulus as a dog feels the sand, the surf and the cool all at once.  Even dogs that are not into swimming typically enjoy a good surf run and the cooling effects are not lost either.   Our dogs know only too well that running in the water keeps you cool. 

As your dog takes note of surface change; are you noticing them notice?  Being a huge fan of "watching"; you must be constantly aware of  the subtle changes or they may be missed.  It truly is the little things in life that bring the most joy; like sand between your toes.

Where should they sleep?

I took this picture of Tilley last night.  I was getting ready for bed which involves tucking everyone in and perhaps covering; depending on the weather and coat length.  Tilley just got her hair cut; she is old and gets chilly so she's got her cute pink t-shirt on and her covers.  I walked by her and could not help but smile seeing her so comfortable; and of course grab my camera.  This is how all dogs should look when they are sleeping; she looked as about as compfy as you can get.  Comfort is definitely a must; our dogs need to have an agreeable place to lay their head.  But along with comfort comes location; just where should our dogs sleep?

The absolute best place for our dogs to sleep is in your room; with you, or someone.  Dogs are pack animals and to be segregated from the pack is unnatural and disconcerting for a dog.  Of course they will grow accustom to where ever you designate them to sleep but the best most optimum spot is with you.  It does not need to be in your bed; it can be but it doesn't have to be.  I have strict rules about bed sleeping; any growling for being pushed or asked to move and your off for at least 6 mos. (the dog that is).  Prime real estate is a valuable comodity; not only to us but for our dogs as well.  If they are not willing to hand over  the best spot to it's rightful owner then there are behavior issues that must be dealt with.  But if your dog imoves when asked and gets off when told to do so; you're fine. 

My dogs sleep on their own beds; we did buy a kingsize bed when it was time to purchase a new one but now that the girls are older it is not safe to be on our bed.  We put them up there in the morning when we can supervise and then lift them down.  Luke jumps up usually in the middle of the night at some point.  But he has his ritual of being on the bed as we get ready for bed; when my husband comes to be bed he jumps off and goes to his own bed.  Then joins us later and sleeps there till morning; sometimes late morning. 

There are people who do not want their dog in their room for some reason or other.  I have discussed this with many owners; the dog may snore, toss and turn and keep someone awake.  Other reasons I've heard are that the dog is not allowed upstairs...........hmmmmmmmmmm, not a big fan of this reason.  You can always set boundaries; no upstairs during the day, only bedtime.  So if they are not joining you in your room to sleep you need to find the next best place; either an older childs room or somewhere nice and comfy where they can get a good night sleep.    More often than not; after having a discussion with me the dog wriggles it's way into the room and then the bed.

I have three dogs; if I go outside and lay on the lawn, so do they.  If I go into the family room and lay on the ground; so do they.  If I'm on the couch; so are they.  Dogs do what the rest of the pack does.  So when you head to the bedroom at night to get a good night sleep; your dog should be heading towards their bedroom as well, by your side.  One big happy pack.

 

A big splash

Bombs away; "just toss'm in, they know how to swim." Many people figure that dogs are natural born swimmers; but that is not always the case and how you approach swimming and the water can make or break a great swimmer. I remember an incident years and years ago; a guy who had just added an adorable 6 week old Airedale puppy to his family tossed her off a raft. She immediately sunk and then came up splashing and panicking. He had to eventually scoop her up to save her and when she got her paws on the sand she ran for the hills. I can't say that I blame her; what an idiotic thing to do, honestly.


Most dogs of course can swim; but many need help. They are by far much better than us at adapting quickly but if they are not introduced to swimming at a young age and in a gentle manner; things can go very wrong. I have made numerous attempts at teaching Luke to swim; not an easy task. He is a very nervous type so he tightens up and stresses. Unfortunately we don't have a lake here to practice in; we only have the southern California coast which has fairly big and ominous waves. These waves will pick you up and toss you upside down so teaching a dog to swim in them is out of the question; unless they are fearless, a lab or golden.

I've seen many dogs charge into the water without ever being in it before. They dive in head first; spit and sputter and eventually get it. while nearly drowning in the process. But they find their way and become official water dogs. But for a great majority of dogs; they need our assistance, water can be very confusing. Walking in the water is great; lots of dogs love it. But take the ground away and they panic; they reach down hoping to catch a toe on a piece of ground beneath them. As they reach further and further down they become vertical; not a great position to swim in. Then comes the frantic splashing; of course they will panic, they're sinking.

Turns out that I eventually ended up with that Airedale who was tossed into the water at 6 weeks of age. And I had to teach her to swim; being an Airedale she was a natural water dog but had no idea how to swim. She never found her way on her own and would simply sink as she was reaching for the ground. You must take great care when you are around any dog in the water; even the best of swimmers will try to use you as a floatation device at times and you can get injured as they attempt to climb you. So; in water deep enough to swim in you must hold up their rear end; it is not an easy task. With my Airedale gal I simply held her tail; she was very buoyant so this was all it took to keep her afloat. Their legs are naturally swimming so once they start to propel themselves; they pretty much take over. The trick is to create a calm atmosphere; otherwise they cannot even think. Mandy (the Airedale) actually turned into one of the most amazing swimmers I've ever met. She would go into the water and come back in an hour; she loved it and would dive deep under the water to pull out boulder sized rocks, she was an amazing dog.

Other dogs need a bit more; a lift from beneath, something to stop them from sinking in the rear. Often just barely holding them under the chest and lightly moving them about to get them moving on their own. Many people use life vests for dogs. This of course is a great thing to use when on boats with your dog and a must for many of the shorter legged dogs. But using it to teach swimming can be both good and bad. If you use it for just the introduction it may be good; a few days of floating and then take it off. Unfortunately many dogs will end up back at square one once you take it off. You have given them a false sense of swimming and now they think it is easy peasy when the realization "sinks" in.

Tilley had the luxury of learning to swim in lakes; she did it herself mostly. A couple of helping lifts and she was on her way. She loves to swim; dive and go under. My son and I use to get out our masks and watch Tilley go under water for her toys that had sunk to the bottom of the pool. How I wish I had an underwater camera back then. Watching her teach herself to hold her breath was amazing. Luke has done the same; albeit from the safety of land. He puts his head underwater to get his toys from his kiddie pool. It took him a couple of tries before realizing that you cannot smell the toys under the water. Watching the process of the breath holding is amazing; it is done fairly quickly. From water up the nose to whole head submersion in a matter of minutes.

Be safe around water; dogs do drown.  If you have a dog that has shorter legs take extra precautions.  Many cannot swim at all and simply sink.  Pools are very dangerous with dogs; even the best swimmer can drown if they cannot get out of the pool.  Teach your dog how to exit the pool "in case" there should ever be a need.  And always supervise swimming activities. 

Patience is the best line of attack for teaching your dog to swim; make it fun. Never push; pushing causes all sorts of issues; one is pushing back.  The harder you push the harder your dog pushes back. You want your dog to trust you; trust is all important with dogs. And if they simply are not interested after all your fun attempts to get them into the water; maybe they'll love Frisbee, flyball, agility or going for a bike ride.