A day at the beach

   
    Scanning the beach, where to first?  Elsa and I drove down to San Diego yesterday so that we could beach it with my daughter Nicole and Penny.  We went to Fiesta Island where there is tons of room to run.  The whole island is designated "off leash" fun for dogs and at this time of year, there are no crowds to battle with.  Enjoy, I sure did.

    Elsa chased the ball; Penny chased Elsa, chasing the ball. 

    They ran and ran and ran some more.

     Penny was having a ton of fun.

   
    Elsa retrieved her ball and everyone else's; work to do on ball stealing.

    The floating retrieve.

    On this retrieve, Penny stopped halfway and waited for Elsa to return.  So much running.

 

 

    Love this.

    Penny is truly amazing with other dogs.  She just loves everyone. 

    Just having fun.

   
    Super, flying Bull Terrier.

  
     Ahhhh, a water retrieve; so great to see Elsa in the water again.

    Wading through the seaweed; Penny loves the stuff. 

    I cannot believe how high she was.

    Penny wants to know everything that Elsa is doing.

   
    Dog pile. 

After we got back to Nicole's house; the girls were not done with their fun.  They continued to brawl until the moment that Elsa and I left.  Penny and Elsa are the best of friends and it is such a joy to watch them loving their together time. 

 

Tail amputation

Oh those beautiful tails.  Elsa dropped her ball in this shot and needed to do a very fast maneuver to recover it.  You can see the tails part in the move.  

I am a non docking advocate.  Elsa is our first non docked dog; my first dog was an Airedale (docked), we have had several other poodles and a Jack Russell (all docked) until Elsa.  Elsa has changed everything.  

When I talk to people about docking; many just want to know "why?"

Some "reasons" for docking include; balance, injury risk and standard (conformation show ring) requirements.  Common sense and ethical treatment of dogs should outweigh any of the so called "reasons," in my opinion.  Just because something has been done in the past; does not mean that we should continue the procedure without question.  Many customs performed ritualistically throughout history have since been modified or completely eradicated.  Often owners of docked dog breeds do not even realize that their dog's tails has been amputated; it has been going on that long.  People just think that they come out with short tails; that it is just how they look.

The term "docking" itself, may be a part of the problem.  Doesn't docking just sound like a harmless word?  Call it what it is, amputation of the tail and you get some attention.  Amputation?  Yes, docking means to amputate a portion of tail.  Depending on the breed specification or current fashion will factor in on how much is amputated.  Anything from the tip to the whole tail can be removed.

There are those of you out there reading this blog and shaking your head at all the fuss being made over the simple docking of tails.  I have read many articles from docking advocates promoting the procedure as nothing; a simple procedure that doesn't even hurt.  Times are changing, things are moving to more ethical treatment of animals and that my friends should also include our dogs.  We should not be chopping tails off for fashion.  The only reason that tails are amputated is so that the dog looks like what the book says.  There is absolutely no reason to remove tails, in fact it is barbaric in my opinion.

As a dog trainer who specializes in behavior I can say that dogs need their tails.  Having had docked dogs before Elsa has opened my eyes.  I never liked the fact that my dogs were docked but I had no choice; they had been done way before I met them all.  Now that I have had a dog with a full tail; I will never have another without.  (Unless of course I rescue one with a docked tail.)  Elsa moves her tail completely different from any of our dogs before her.  Her tail is gloriously fluid. 

I am much more aware of tails than I have ever been.  I have seen huge "mixed messages" from dogs who have little or no tail to communicate with.  Witnessing a mis-communication due to a lack of tail is just sad.  What a mess we've made for these poor dogs.  Humans have convinced other humans that it is best to chop them off.  But we have gone through the breeds and singled out who loses their tail and who gets to keep them with no rhyme or reason.  Sad, just sad.

Wolves have long tails and wolves live in the forest.  They hunt, kill and fight without damage to their tails.  How could we possibly use the "working dog" card to support chopping tails off?   Dogs are much more capable of hunting maneuvers when they have  their tail for balance.  Many of the new "hunting line" breeders are leaving tails intact because they understand the physical need for the tail.   They breed for structure and workability, not fashion.   But shouldn't the fact that dogs are born with tails be enough of an argument for them to keep them?  You would think right?

I am seeing a shift, it is slow but it is happening.  Elsa has actually helped.   She has educated many on the attributes of having a tail.  She not only is perfectly normal with an intact tail but shines even brighter with it.  Watching her use her tail as another appendage is truly fascinating.  Plus her athletic ability is no doubt far superior because she has the use of her full tail.

If you get nothing other than something to ponder from this blog then I have at least offered that.  If we keep going through our life just doing and never thinking; then nothing will ever change. Change requires actions, which requires thought.  Some people had no idea dogs had their tails amputated; others know and turn a blind eye.  But there are many people who just never think about it, time to stop and think.  Dogs are born with tails for a reason; who are we to amputate them as unnessesary?  


When I decided to do a blog about tail amputation I contacted a Veterinarian who I follow and respect, Dr. Karen Becker.  I asked if she would offer a statement with regards to canine tail amputation.  The following paragraph is her statement.   Thank you Dr. Becker.

The only time I believe any body part should be cut off is if it's causing an animal's quality of life to be impinged. Removing parts because they may be a problem in the future is presumptuous, in my opinion. Removing ears and tails means we are cutting off part of the dog's sensory input system unnecessarily, in the name of vanity, to meet a "breed standard." All vets have seen animals have anesthetic complications, infections and long term neuropathic pain associated with these procedures. It's a matter of whether we're willing to acknowledge the importance of our profession spearheading an ethical reform on the issue, or not.

This shot is a bit tough to figure out.  It is shot from behind Luke with Elsa in front of him.  Her tail is still around his neck as she moves away.  

Constant physical contact is achieved with a full tail.  Even as Elsa moves away from Luke she is still touching him.  

The following interviews are from breeders who do not dock tails.  

One of Helen's dogs (Pankins) using her tail for some intense herding.  

Helen Grinnell King - author, agility competitor and structure specialist.

Helen's website, Recipe to win.  

When did you decide to stop amputating tails?

In the 1970s I bred harlequin Great Danes. I hated the ear cropping. Not only did I hate the blood bath and what we did to those puppies, we lost several very nice puppies due to the anesthetic. I hated that. It was then that I decided mutilating puppies for the sake of a ribbon or fashion was selfish and barbaric. I am so proud to say that my last harlequin Dane stud dog produced the first uncropped AKC breed champion harlequin Great Dane. I did not breed him but am still very proud of the decision of the breeder to not crop.

Fast forward to 2000. I bought my first Poodle as a pet. She was docked. After watching how limited her tail was, I decided that I never wanted another docked or mutilated dog again. I inherited two docked standards when a good friend died. Their tails were docked and dew claws had been removed. I vowed my next Poodle would have all of her body parts. In 2004 we purchased a Poodle that was indeed blessed to have all her body parts in place. The difference was incredible.

I also attended a seminar by Dr. Chris Zink in 2002 or 2003. She showed videos of dogs landing over jumps and explained how harmful it was to remove dew claws. I became a believer. It just made sense. I also hated the idea of putting little puppies through having their body parts amputated and the pain they must feel.

So, when I bred my own litter of standard Poodles in 2009, there was no question when it came to leaving on all their body parts. I am so glad I did. The owners LOVE the full tails and so do the dogs. I will never own another mutilated dog again! They USE their body parts and need them! I find it disgusting to remove their tails or dew claws to make buyers happy, win ribbons or for fashion.

What sort of response have you received from prospective puppy buyers?

I only sell to people who really want a dog with all of its body parts. I am afraid to sell to somebody who might try to dock when the dog is older because they like the look.

Have you shared your experiences with other breeders in an attempt to stop others from amputating?

Ad nauseam.I am happy and proud to say I have turned some away from docking and removing dew claws, but others refuse to budge in their practice of mutilating puppies.

What major differences have you seen in docked vs. intact tails?

Wagging is very different. The docked tails wag faster. I have three undocked dogs and I have never had an issue of them hitting their tails on anything. Poodle tails are very high so they don’t whack things when they wag. They use their tails as rudders in agility, running free and swimming. I also find that one of mine is actually afraid of docked dogs (the shorter the tail the more she fears them). Without a tail, it is difficult for other dogs to read their body language.

Is there any information you would like to pass on to others that might change their mind about amputating?

Full tails are not only functional, they are beautiful! There is new evidence that docking tails, cropping ears and removing dew claws sets up an immune response that can cause autoimmune issues as the dogs gets older. That alone should be enough to stop people from removing body parts on puppies!

Any comments you’d like to add? 

PLEASE give your puppies a break and STOP THE MUTILATIONS!!!! They deserve their body parts!

Both tails are very active in this shot but Elsa's is very obvious.  She is trying to catch Penny on a run by; her tail is helping to do a sharp turn.  

Laura Bernier 

When did you decide to stop amputating tails?
We stopped docking tails and removing dew claws 6 years ago.

Why did you decide to leave tails on your puppies?

One time, when I was at the vet have a litter docked, I heard the babies crying. It was terrible. It was at that time I noticed that it took them a few hours and a couple of feedings in order to get their vigor back. Around this time I was reading articles about docking and watching videos on how dogs used their tails. I was amazed at how much the tail was a participant in their locomotion. I came to the conclusion that the poodle community couldn't give me a valid reason why docking was done. The lore is that dogs were docked for hunting, so their tales didn't tangle in the reeds. I came to the conclusion that the risk of reed tangle was small and the need for the tail was immense.

What sort of response have you received from prospective puppy buyers?

I have found buyers are very accepting of natural tails. It's a changing world, all natural, organic, unaltered. Most of my pup buyers are working dog people or agility folks, they prefer a natural tail.

Have you shared your experiences with other breeders in an attempt to stop others from amputating?

Some breeders say only backyard breeders leave tails natural. They have tried to convince me to continue to dock, but I decided the dog world is changing and I believe a natural tail is better for the dog. When a body is insulted, whether by vaccine, amputation or injury, there is an immune system response. No one can convince me that is a good thing.

What major differences have you seen in docked vs. intact tails?

Puppies suffer from no human induced stress. They walk earlier and enjoy steady locomotion at an earlier age. The natural tails are so expressive.

Is there any information you would like to pass on to others that might change their mind about amputating?

Yes, why amputate something that is so lovely. For every reason one can give about the benefits of docking, there are 5 reasons not to. One of my pups just received his Thai championship. He has a natural tail. Docking for the conformation ring is old school. It's time the community comes full circle to see the whole dog.

Rebecca Buchanan 

When did you decide to stop amputating tails?

A better question is why did I ever amputate tails, and the answer is, I didn't.  I fostered dogs for a breeder who did.  If he finds people he likes and trusts, he allows them to foster his breeders for him.  The dogs get to live in a family, rather than a kennel, and when the time comes for them to retire, they remain in the home free of charge.  The first 3 litters are his, the 4th, we split, and the last, if I wish to breed again, is mine.  He knew I was opposed to tail docking from the beginning, but the puppies were his, and I had no say in the matter.  I did make him come personally and take the puppies to the vet because I refused.  We discussed the matter several times, but he is old-school, and adamant, and has never changed.  Of course, once I had a choice, I did not get it done.

Why did you decide to leave tails on your puppies?

I admit, my initial objection to docking was primarily emotional.  I knew that the process was painful and unnecessary, and I suspected it had consequences, but really couldn't present a coherent argument for my case, so I started researching the matter.  I read statements from a lot of veterinarians who were opposed to it.  Usually, they spoke of issues with urinary and fecal incontinence, or of problems communicating with other dogs, or of diminished physical ability.  Oddly enough, the communication problem was not one that I observed to be an issue.  Communication in dogs is full-body language, and the tail is only one part.  I never observed intent misunderstood between my Rotties and other dogs.  

Typically, the method used to dock tails is to cut, without anesthesia, through muscle, bone and spinal cord (which extends further down the tail in a neonatal puppy, and recedes as they mature).  Also, the immature nervous system of a neonatal puppy is lacking some of the protections that are acquired as the puppy grows and matures, so that if anything, a neonatal puppy feels more pain than an older dog, not less. 

What sort of response have you received from prospective puppy buyers?

The response I have received from puppy buyers is overwhelmingly, "Why do they do that anyway?  Fashion?  That's stupid.  I like her tail!  I think cutting it is cruel and unnecessary."  I do write into the contract an agreement that the tail will never be cut, and I provide information on why it is not beneficial to the dog.  

Have you shared your experiences with other breeders in an attempt to stop others from amputating?

 I have tried.  Those who are not open to change shut me down without actually listening.  Mostly I concentrate on educating the general populace, and giving the information to anyone who will listen.  I believe that tail docking is a barbaric practice, and will eventually be abolished.  I find that veterinarians are increasingly reluctant to carry out the operation, and my own vet was thoroughly delighted to see an entire litter of Rotties with tails intact.  I believe that the veterinary community is most qualified and has the most influence to make the change, so I have concentrated my efforts there.

What major differences have you seen in docked vs. intact tails?

Wow.  Advocates of tail docking tell you that puppies are not affected by it.  They cry, and then go back to normal living almost immediately.  What I have experienced is that when you pick up a neonatal puppy, they wriggle and fuss and want mamma.  This is normal behavior.  If they are awake, they crawl toward mamma and milk.  But puppies who have had their tails docked react very differently.  When picked up, they panic and scream in terror.  My friend who docks tails views this as normal, but I can tell you it is NOT normal.  It does not normally occur in undocked puppies.  My question is, if they are not affected by it, and if they don't remember it, why do they panic when picked up by a human?  They do not react that way to being touched by their mother, or each other, only when being handled by humans.  I am sick to death of teaching neonatal puppies that it is OK to be picked up by a human.  
    

Is there any information you would like to pass on to others that might change their mind about amputating?

Please consider the benefits of not amputating!  Once the operation is done, it cannot be undone, and the benefits of a tail and the lack of trauma cannot be overstated.  To remove a tail has no benefit, and many negative affects.  Incidentally, I do not even remove dewclaws.  Some puppies do not have them at all.  For some they are the same as other breeds, closely connected to the leg and not a problem.  If they must be removed, they can be removed later as needed.  In my opinion, there is no good to be achieved, and no need to traumatize a three day old puppy, even for that.

Any comments you’d like to add? 

Overwhelmingly, the arguments I have seen in defense of tail-docking come in the form of assertions that have no documentation to back them up, and most of which I have, in my own observation, seen to be false or groundless, for example:  "Docking the tail gives them better balance and agility."  Well, no.  Medical science says otherwise, and the experience of other breeders and myself indicates the opposite.  

"If a Rottie wags its tail around a toddler that club will knock the child right over!  Have you ever seen a child knocked down by a Rottweiler tail?"  My answer:  No, but I've seen them knocked down by collie tails and lab tails, and Great Dane tails, and I don't see those being cut.  My toddlers fell on their butts, got back up (sometimes using collie fur as a handhold) and went on with life.  A Rottie tail is no more dangerous than a Dane tail.  And Bella's is less dangerous than our German Shepherds' tails.

"What about working dogs, who might be injured in the course of searching through rubble for earthquake victims?"  Well, legs and paws also can be injured, but we don't cut those off as preventative measures.  The purpose of the tail is to balance and stabilize the back.  I take my dogs into the back country.  We climb mountains, navigate rushing rivers, climbing rocks and deadfalls.  In fifty years, I've never seen a debilitating injury to the tail as a result, but I have seen the difference a tail can make in situations where strength and balance are paramount.  Personally, I will give my working dog the benefit of the improved balance, strength and agility that a tail affords.

Those who argue against tail-docking overwhelmingly either come from the veterinary community or have documented research to back their position.  I will take documented medical and scientific research over un-proven and easily refutable assertions any day.
    

In my opinion, the sooner this barbaric practice is a thing of the past, the better!  I believe future generations will look back on this one and be appalled at the cruelty we have perpetrated in the name of fashion.  May eyes be opened to see and hearts be drawn to compassion toward all these creatures that we are responsible for!

Jasmine Hale

When did you decide to stop amputating tails?

The first time I realized how painful and life changing tail docking is was when I bred my first litter of Corgis. 3 of the new owners had requested the tails to be docked. The other 3 asked if theirs could be left natural.  I took the puppies to the vet at 5 days old and assisted the vet in the procedure. The vet shaved the fur of the tail, sterilized the area, and cut the tail off with scissors.  All the while as the puppy was screaming and trying to escape the pain. No anesthetic is used. The pup can feel everything.  Depending on the vet they may or may not stitch up the tail. The vet then placed the bleeding puppy in a box and it stopped screaming.  It just lay there shivering and bleeding, going into shock. Whoever tells you that the puppy can't feel anything is obviously lying.  As the weeks went on and the puppies started walking.  The 3 with docked tails were weak and could barely stand.  While the ones left naturally were running and playing already. The docked puppies fell over often from loss of balance and grew slower as well; their bodies having to use extra energy to mend their mutilated tails. All the while I felt terrible for allowing this to happen. After seeing and experiencing all of this I swore never to let my puppy's tails be docked.

What sort of response have you received from prospective puppy buyers?

After I explain to people what the process is they are normally very happy to leave the tail on. However there are always a few that refuse to purchase a puppy because it is not "cute" with out a mutilated tail.
 
Have you shared your experiences with other breeders in an attempt to stop others from amputating?

I have shared my experience with other breeders.  Though most are scared to change because they think they won't be able to find the pups homes. A few have switched over and it is growing and they are very happy they have stopped docking. 

_____________________________________________

The following links are articles on the subject of tail docking.

Top Two Painful Procedures Your Puppy Should Never Have To Endure - Healthy Pets with Dr. Karen Becker. 

Cutting off a dog's tail can lead to aggression.  - Canada.com

Welfare complications of tail docking dogs - AVMA 

Concerning tail docking - RSPCA

Canine tail docking - AVMA

The link below is for the Council of docked breeds; I didn't even know of it's existence until I started researching for this blog. 

Council of docked breeds

Taken from Dog Language by Roger Abrantes.

Dogs with docked tails find it more difficult to maintain balance under speed and they are obviously inhibited in their tail expression.  A German Shepherd or Siberian Husky with a full length tail finds it easier to perform tight turns at high speed than, for example, breeds with are traditionally docked, such as the Rottweiller or Old English Sheepdog, which appear clumsy.
______________________________________

In conclusion, I leave you with this.  I am not trying to ban docking; stopping it at the top will not stop the procedure from being done by those who are determined.  Change is required to save our dog's tail.  A wave of change is coming; will you be on that wave?

Comfort

This is Luke and Elsa's office bed.  It was the bed that they traveled or OR on and where they spent their napping time while there.  They pretty much love it.  I can't say that Luke's butt is very comfortable but Elsa seems to like it.  

As I sit here blogging, I have to smile.  Elsa is dreaming at my side; Luke is snuggled up between two pillows and covered with his blanket.  Yes they are comfortable, and they should be.  Over the years I've heard people say "geesh, spoiled much?"  This statement implies that a person is offering a dog something that they do not deserve, more than they warrant as a mere dog.  First let's clear up something that really bothers me with the term "spoiled."  

Spoiled - to impair, damage, or harm the character or nature of (someone) by unwise treatment, excessive indulgence, etc.

Spoiled has never meant something good to me.  I consider spoiling to be a bad thing.  To spoil a dog in my opinion would be to create a monster by over indulgence as the meaning above says.  So, with that cleared up I can move on to the rest of the blog. 

Comfort.

Comfortable - more than adequate or sufficient.  I love this definition.  Yes the floor would suffice but it surely would not be comfortable for Luke to sleep on.  

As our dogs age, like us they need more comfort.  What is comfortable for Elsa may not be comfortable at all for Luke.  He has little meat on him now and when he lays down on a hard surface, you hear it.  He will often lay down outside on the concrete patio by choice but he is only there for a moment before realizing that it is very uncomfortable.  When he goes down you hear his hip bones hit the ground; it freaks me out.  But it is not just old dogs that need comfort; young dogs enjoy it just as much.  If I put a bed down in a room, both Elsa and Luke will use it.  It takes no coaxing for them to utilize comfort.  Am I spoiling my dogs by offering them comfort, NO.  

Dogs require very little from us other than our loyalty, love, guidance and affection.  They need very little as far as material things.  But a good soft bed is a requirement as far as I am concerned.  I hate to see dogs laying on the cold ground of course unless it is their choice.  When I go "new bed" shopping I have high standards.  Not just any bed is good enough for my guys; most gimmicky type beds get left on the shelf.  I want a bed that has substance; a bed that does not just squish to the ground when any weight is put upon it.  I take the bed off the shelf and test it; I push my hands in to see if it can stand up to Luke and Elsa.  The last bed I bought for Luke consists of foam pieces jammed into the bed.  It is wonderful and he uses it every night.  I know that even when he lays on it; he is still 5 or 6 inches off the ground.  So his old bones are nice and comfy.  Elsa uses the carpet often or the other bed which is actually two beds on top of one another.  The whole bed situation is pretty darned comfy in their room.  

During the daytime they spend much of their time on the couch.  Luke has now taken to using a bed that I placed by the couch for those days when he can't quite make it up to the couch.  It is his choice entirely.  The office has a great foam slab bed that they use all the time.  During this colder time of year I have a down comforter on top, pretty nice.  

No, comfort and spoiling are nothing in the same.  One has nothing to do with the other.  In this house "spoiling" is a bad thing; not something you strive for.  On the other hand, treating dogs the way that they should be treated by offering comfort; well that's a great thing.  

2nd Anniversary, PBJ and me.

Wow, I cannot believe that it has been two years.  Two years since my son Brad and I headed out across the country with our four dogs.  Jessie, who was almost 16, Tilley at 15, Luke 11 and little Miss Elsa who was only 4.5 months old.  Honestly, what was I thinking?  Both Jessie and Tilley were incontinent; they had been for some time.  Jessie was suffering from dementia which had gotten so much worse in the months prior to our trip.  Tilley was still feeling the effects from her Vestibular but was doing pretty good.  Luke was fine, much younger than he is now and Elsa, well she was just amazing.  

The day we left started early and we were off on our big adventure.  Little did I know at the time that we would arrive at our destination with only three dogs.  Only a few weeks after that we would also lose Tilley from an inoperable mass on her spleen.  It was a time of great sadness and much turmoil in my life.  A time that I look back on and see only darkness; although like everything else in life it has contributed to who I am today.  In a matter of four short weeks; so many lessons were learned.  Life lessons that, if given a choice to experience; you would opt out of.  No thank you, no one wants these type of life experiences.  But we all must go through them, it is life itself. 

There was a light, a glimmer that was Elsa; our little ray of sunshine in all the darkness of that time.  To this day I believe that she could not have arrived at a more perfect point in our life; she helped us all through a lot at such a young age.  Life goes on and I had a very young pup that needed my attention; that in itself was a great help for me.  Luke needed her more than he would ever know and the rest of the family needed her crazy antics that only a puppy can deliver.  

Thinking back to the trip we made and the experiences that we dealt with, leaves me shaking my head.  I do think about it often; it was a monumental time in my life, very much a turning point.  In the beginning, as the trip started to form into a plan; it seemed like an adventure.  Surely it would be tough but we could do it; we would just do it, get'r done as they say.  I was not flying my dogs so it was the only option and Brad would be with me to live through it all, and that he did.  He was my pillar to lean on; solid and strong.  He gave me strength when I thought that it all might just beat me. 

Aside from the many things that I learned in the beginning, during and at the completion of the trip; I feel lucky to have done it in some way.  I would never choose to drive across the country with four dogs; two who were well beyond their golden years.  We were sort of forced to do it; so by the pure need, we experienced something that not too many people do.  A trip across the country; Mother and son with four dogs and a crazy amount of emotional crap along with it. 

We don't talk about the trip very often; but every once in a while I'll ask "remember when?"  We will share a moment of head shaking and then move on quickly to a better time.  Life is all about learning; if you don't learn from walking through it, there's not much point.   What started out as a necessity was going to be a photography book in the making.  Things changed and it turned into a novel (PBJ and me) with another on the way.  It was also the beginning idea for a Traveling with Your Dog book.   Life can suck, it can be glorious but without walking through it all; experiencing the good, the bad and the ugly, we'll never grow. 

"Let me see."

                     Elsa listening intently to what I am saying.  She is an amazing listener.

 
"Let Mommy see," I tell Elsa as she steps aside for me to have a look.  She'd been doing her best to tell me that there was something under my night table she needed.  After my first look, I found nothing and got to my feet.  Once again she assumed her position; with her front legs stretched out as far as she could, trying to reach whatever it was she thought was under there.  Looking up to me to see if I was getting the message, she waited.  "Let Mommy see," I said again and gave it another look.  "Ahhhhhh, here it is," I declared as she lit up; she knew I'd found what she was looking for.  I pulled out the treat that had fallen behind the leg of the table and delivered it to the finder.  Finders, keepers as they say. 

Standing stiff at the office window; Elsa's tail starts to move like a flag in a gentle wind.  "Let me see," I tell her and she moves over for me to have a look see.   Ahhhh, a cat again.  "It's just a cat, we don't care about cats out there," I tell her and walk away.  She looks over her shoulder as if to say "really Mom?  It's a cat."  With my calm demeanor she decides to watch the cat outside in silence.  Nice. 

Do you communicate with your dog?  Our dogs are master body language communicators but when dealing with us they often have to rely on our verbal communication for guidance.  The more words or phrases that you teach your dog, the better you can speak and be heard.   Luke has always been a nervous type; not skittish but nervous in the worry sort of way.  If I have something in my hand and call to him; he will fret about what I'm going to do.  Fear of the unknown can be very powerful.  Being that I often  have to do something to him I started using "let Momma see," to calm him.  Immediately he relaxes because he knows that I want to check something on him and he trusts me immensely.  The trust that I have created over the years ends all the worry for him. 

Both Luke and Elsa decided one morning that there must be a monster coming into our yard as they heard a tree trimmer in the yard behind ours; loudly munching trees down.  They set up quite a display to scare it away and warned of impending doom until I showed up.  I immediately told them "let me see," and they quieted for a moment.  They watched with intense anticipation; waiting for the final word about the monster's progress.  "It's nothing, we don't care about that," I told them in a very calm and nonchalant manner.  One last warning from Luke and they both happily followed me into the house. 

Taking the step to be the one, the leader who is in charge is so very important.  Not only does it take responsibility off of your dogs; who can spin out of control if left in charge.  A small phrase like "let me see," can have a huge impact if associated properly.  After all, are we not here to scare away the monsters?  Reach the unreachable toy? Or see who is behind the door when the doorbell rings?  We sure are. 

I often check the front door when Elsa thinks that there is a stranger behind it.  Doing this often when I know that no one is there really helps to diffuse the door.  Someone may have dropped a flyer off so she alarm barks that there is someone at the door.  I will very calmly go to the door and say "let me see."  She backs up ever so slightly; allowing me room to open the door and check.  "Nothing, no one,"  I tell her and show her that there is no one out there.  I checked, I took control and I told her ahead of time that I would be there for her so she does not have to be in charge.  I am in charge; I am here for both Luke and Elsa and they know that. 

Control, under control.

           
                                                       Only under control.

"Heel, ahhhhh, NO, I said heel," was what I heard coming up behind us.  After having a quick look over my shoulder and noticing that there was a woman walking a Dalmatian, I heard this commotion.  I looked again to judge their distance and speed.  We had a few minutes so I calmly  moved Luke over to my right side.  Luke and I were just finishing up our walk when we were subjected to this ridiculous display of training gone wrong.  She continued with her useless words which obviously meant nothing to her dog.  Did she think that all the words made it look like her dog was trained?  Perhaps. 

When I am out in public with Luke; I am uber cautious.  He is old and frail and it doesn't take a whole lot to knock him over.  So the sight of an unleashed dog sends me into my protective Mother Grizzly mode; it is my job and I take it very seriously.  I certainly do not want to hear someone's measly attempts at getting control of their unleashed dog coming up from behind us.  But, there we were with exactly this happening; and I was growing angrier by the moment.  The owner of this poor dog continued to bellow orders which he clearly did not understand.  He most definitely was not heeling; I'm not sure if she even understood what the word meant. 

I talk about leash/off-leash a lot and this was most definitely one of those leash  moments.  The woman had no control over her dog.   They got close enough that Luke could now hear the woman yelling and he looked around to see what was going on.  He stopped for a moment when he saw the dog; but I coaxed him along so we could finish our walk.  I could literally feel my own posture changing as they got close enough to touch us.  Honestly, if you have no control over your dog KEEP IT ON A LEASH.  Bottom line, really easy to understand.  As they passed us her dog wandered closer and closer requiring a laser beam stare from me directed at the owner.  She brushed it off saying "I know you want to say hi to that dog, HEEL, AHHHHHHH, NOOO, HEEEEEEL."  Really?

They passed us and moved on towards the street.  Yep, she was crossing the street off-leash as well.  Her dog started smelling the ground as she headed across the street yelling "heel."  The dog finally lifted it's head and followed her across the street and onto the path on the other side.  Endangering your dog's life like this is just stupid.  I am never a fan of off leash on or nearby a street. 

When I was in Oregon recently I noted that many of the parks and beaches state that dogs must be on-leash or  under direct control, which means within sight and responsive to commands.  When we were at the beach I saw both on-leash and off-leash dogs under control, nice.  Off-leash does not always mean that your dog should be running around willy nilly, doing whatever they please and not listening.  Off-leash should mean under control unless they are contained securely in your own yard.  If your dog is not reliable off-leash then they should NEVER be off. 

If they are in training, then get the training accomplished before taking off the leash. 

Say what?

"You know, poodles don't shed," he said; filling me in on a wonderful thing about my breed.  He then continued to tell me their history and standard.  I smiled, laughing inside as he was getting it wrong but humored him as long as I politely could.  Funny isn't it, when people feel the need to educate you?  Listening is a great thing and I try very hard to be a good listener.  But when someone has the bizarre need to spew incorrect facts at someone; it can be difficult to listen.  Depending on who is doing the talking it may just be better to move on rather than try to correct anything.  If you do intend on doing any correction or interaction you may need a bucket load of tact.

Tact - a keen sense of what to say or do to avoid giving offense; skill in dealing with difficult or delicate situations.

Discussion, debate and the general back and forth can be great.  It can also be very one sided and get ugly.  Let's face it, dogs are a sensitive subject.  No matter the subject, raw vs. dog food, grooming, sleeping arrangements, good number of dogs to have or training, interactions can become heated.  As a long time blogger, I know all too well about heat.  I am often sent very aggressive comments on my opinion.  The person may feel that I'm wrong and that it is there destiny to make me see the light, their light. 

I try to listen, but when someone gets rude, I shut them down.  Forcing, jamming or stuffing your opinion on someone else does nothing but turn them off.  People who jump on the rude and forceful wagon to deliver their message have yet to learn the art of sharing.  Sharing information is wonderful; but that is all it is, sharing.  You cannot make someone join in with your opinion.  People need to hear, assess, ponder and make their own opinions. 

Thankfully I have only dealt with a handful of very rude and obnoxious folks with regards to my blog.  In all of my years of training I only met one very obnoxious know it all; pretty good stats I think.  In my photography, I have never met any rude opinionated people yet.  Interactions and the sharing of learned information is wonderful; but it must be delivered in sharing format.  Once you get an accusing tone in your delivery; people tend to shut you off. 

Sometimes less is more; people will always ask for more if they want it.  But try to jam a ton of unrequested information at them and it will often backfire.  When asked I will always share what I can; but if no one asks, I will keep it to myself.  That is except for my blog and you have the option to just not read if you don't want to know. 

Have a great day. 

A few travel tips

                       
                               Meeting a friend on our trip; Luke and Elsa sit patiently in the back.
                                 

With the Holiday season upon us, many of you will be traveling more often and bringing your dog along too.  I've travelled with my dogs a lot and through it I've learned a few very important things to consider.  There are many things that you can do to make the travelling process go more smooth.  I think that these are a few of the most important ones.

                           
 1.  Train your dog to stay in the car until told otherwise.  Having Luke and Elsa trained not to jump out of the car is one of the most important things that I've taught them.  In fact when we were traveling just over a week ago I commented on how great it was while opening the back of the Xterra at a very busy rest stop.  It could save your dog's life.

2.  Keep a collar on.  As you all know, Luke and Elsa wear body harnesses to walk on.  But, while traveling it is imperative that they have a collar on for those "in case" moments.  Having a collar to grab in a pinch is important; so they wore beautifully soft collars made by Poodleit. Keep ID tags attached to the collars as well, you just never know.

3.  KEEP A LEASH ON.  Even if your dog is trained beyond belief and never wanders.  KEEP A LEASH ON.  I cannot say this enough.  On our recent trip I noted a dog playing fetch at a rest stop.  It was the busiest stop that we had made and right on the edge of the freeway.  I was driven to some major head shaking and shoulder shrugging as I watched this dog run around.  Not only was the location very close to the dangerous road but there were cars and trucks everywhere.  Keep a leash on your dog at all times when stopping on a trip.  It takes a minute to snap it on and that one snap could be the difference between a long and very short life for your dog.  Of course if you find a VERY SECURE and SAFE area that is fenced and far from the road; then that might be the time for a romp. 

4.  Water.  Bring water and a bowl with you.  On our trips we offer small amounts of water constantly.  Even if the weather is cool, traveling can really dehydrate you and your dogs.  Depending on the amount of time between stops, you may want to offer it every time or every second time.  Make sure to keep your dog hydrated. 

5.  Teach your dog to "go" on command.  Boy is this one of the most useful things when travelling.  I've always taught my dogs to "go" on my "hurry up" verbal cue but when travelling it really comes in handy.  When every new place you stop holds completely new smells; smelling can take over and they forget to "go."

These are just a very few tips for travelling with your dog but some that come to mind with a fresh travel behind us. 

 

Holiday time

The holidays are now upon us; that means that there will be more hustle, bustle and changes.  Decorations will go up, you will be out shopping, friends may be over and time may be at a premium.  This time of year can be tough on dogs so it is important to make them a major priority.  Dogs don't understand the holidays; they just know that things are different.  There are many dogs who just go with the flow; change doesn't bother them.  But there are those who are upset by just one change, let alone a whole pile.  So depending on who your dog is will factor in on how much extra you must take to assure their comfort in the whole holiday season.

Exercise is one of the most essential ingredients for a happy dog.  Take that away and you can have a dog with too much pent up energy.  It is important for a dog who is accustom to a great deal of energy outlet to continue to get that same amount.  This will eliminate the stress of energy build up and keep their bodies feeling the same as always.

Along with not enough exercise is too much stimulation.  Like us, dogs need their sleep and if they don't get enough; things can go very wrong.  Your dog can display fall out behaviors from not enough sleep.  Lack of sleep can cause all sorts of issues so make sure that your gets enough sleep and rest.  Especially if they are use to a lot of it. 

There will be all of that extra food that is around as well.  Some will be dangerous for your dog; make sure all the goodies are up and out of reach.  Things can get left out when you are super busy or have a houseful of people; so keep an extra thought to the goodies.  Check, double check and check again that everything is picked up.  Children are notorious for leaving things around; make sure that there is no chocolate of other things laying around that your dog can get into.

If you will be away or traveling; make sure to consider your dog is comfy and safe.  Spending the Holidays with our dogs is just the best.  Pre training and pre holiday planning are the best tips. 

This is my absolute favorite time of year; I love it.  Enjoy it with a dog by your side. 

Let the Holidays begin.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.  I am so very thankful to have met so many wonderful friends and colleagues; simply through our love of dogs.  Have a wonderful day today, sharing just being together.  Thanksgiving is for the dogs in our lives as well.   I am so happy to have Luke and Elsa in my life and that I can share the two of them with you all. 

Be happy and thankful today; it's a great day. 

Back home

                                                                  
                                                                      Snug as a bug in a rug.  :)

Back home and in my favorite blog spot; my bed surrounded by poodles.   We got in last night from a two day drive and we are all very tired.  While I was away, lots of issues arose and I saw many things to blog about.  So I have a good supply of blog topics for a while.  I also decided to start my Traveling With Your Dogs book.  It was an idea before but now after another big trip I've got lots of material; so stay tuned for that coming next year.

As we got closer and closer to the house, both Luke and Elsa stood up in the car for the rest of the trip.  With their noses held high in the air they took in what smelled to them, like home.  After pulling into the driveway and entering the house Luke and Elsa spotted Brad.  Luke spun and Elsa dove on Brad.  They both bounded around; so happy to be home.  No one could miss the joy that they felt being home.  As nice as it was for us to be home; it was even better watching Luke and Elsa so happy to be home.   

The first thing to get done once we got home was to get Luke into bed.  But before that he had a good dinner and a tiny bit of television watching.  As most of you know Luke loves to lay and watch t.v. at night.  It is one of his favorite things in life.  It is not the actual t.v. watching but the fact that we too are sitting on the couch for an good amount of time.  Each night he stands tapping his toe in the kitchen doorway; once he has eaten and we have had dinner he wants the next step to be, us heading downstairs.  So as tired as I was last night I headd down with a spinning Luke by my side.  He charged to his spot on the couch and dove up so fast he landed on his head.  His old legs don't work like they use to anymore.  But I helped him to get straightened out and situation just right and we sat and took a moment. 

Next was bedtime, it took but a moment to get him to his feet and he charged up the stairs and plopped immediately on his bed.  He got his night time treats and a drink of water.  So there he lays, in his bed, at home and happy as a clam.  Ahhhhhh, Home Sweet Home. 

Separation Anxiety

Constantly checking in on Mom for reassurance.

 

     Elsa has been an imperative essential for Luke in dealing with the loss of his lifelong companions. 

Well, I thought that I was going to be writing about dog washes this morning but it turns out that I'll be addressing separation anxiety.  I'd researched dog washes in the area; finding a good one and was about to head out with Elsa to give it a try when things changed.  We got to the bottom of the stairs and I was tying up my shoes when I heard it.  At first I wasn't sure if what I was hearing was in fact what I thought I was hearing.  A tiny whimper squeak sound; then a louder one as I listened closely.  It quickly turned into a heart wrenching, soulful howl.  I stopped mid shoe tie and looked at Elsa.  She was head turning at the sound and quite concerned.   I told her "we can't go, let's go see Luke." 

I unhooked her and we went back up the steps to the living room.  By the time we were at the top of the stairs Luke was full on howling; he was most definitely upset.  So, given this information from him I decided that it was best for him to stay home.  I had suspected that something like this might happen but I was still shocked by the immediacy of it.  We hadn't even left the door; Elsa and I were just at the bottom of the stairs but as far as Luke was concerned, we were gone.  We'd passed the baby gate which has been in place so that he does not fall down the stairs.  Once past there, we were gone in his head. 

The only other time that Luke has displayed this type of behavior was in Connecticut; after the loss of his lifelong companions.  Back then it was very sad indeed; as it was directly attributed to his sense of aloneness.  At that time Elsa was still in her ex-pen when we went anywhere so that quickly changed.  If she was out he was okay, not great but not suffering.  Then once we moved back to California he had a brief period of grieving; when he did not find Jessie or Tilley in the house on our return.  Since then he has been fine.  He is not happy when Elsa and I go out without him but he is fine.  He lays down in his spot and goes to sleep.  It is his house and he is comfortable there.  Where we are now is not home, not for Luke. 

As I ascended the steps to where my howling boy was; I quickly considered by approach.  I pushed the gate open and walked past him and into the kitchen.  He followed me quickly; pushing his muzzle against my leg over and over again.  He wanted eye contact but I did not give it to him.  I was doing my best job at making the moment a "non issue."  When a dog offers information like this; you must address where it comes from.  "Don't shoot the messenger," as they say.  The message is delivered via canine behavior display; take from that the information you need to work where the issue comes from.  For Luke it is aloneness is a strange place; sad, yes.  But I cannot relay that fact to him.

If he was a young dog, I would be addressing the situation in a much different manner.  Luke is now over thirteen and becoming more and more attached and needy.  It can happen as a natural aging process.  I have always been there for him and as time passes he needs me even more; he often just wants to know that I am there.  That said I will not indulge or fuel this anxiety by coddling him.  If he was younger, Elsa and I would have left and quickly returned.  We would have done it several times, showing him that we were not leaving forever. 

Separation anxiety is very real and needs to be addressed.  Creating a non issue about your leaving and returning is the first step to helping your dog.  If every time you return home; you create a welcome home party celebration because your dog is soooo happy to see you, you are fueling the fire.  Many times when I come home; I walk right past Luke and Elsa and into the kitchen where I precede to putter around. 

When dealing with separation anxiety you must repeat, over and over again.  Depending on the severity, tiny baby steps may need to be broken down into more baby steps.  In really bad cases, progress must be measured in the lack of getting worse.  Creating a 'no big deal' sense of your leaving is an absolute must.  This can often be enough to change it all for the better.

When a dog displays a behavior, we must look at that behavior as a message into how your dog is feeling and dealing.  Like I said before "don't shoot the messenger;" it brings us the information needed to help our dogs. 

A gift of time, giving yourself.

Yesterday Luke, Elsa and I hit a favorite park of mine here in OR.  It is very rural and quiet; and sits on the edge of the Willamette River.  As I pulled in and glanced toward "our spot," I noticed a car.  "Nuts."  There is a great open space to run the dogs there but it was already taken.  I pulled into a parking spot to wait it out.  After several antsy minutes of checking my rear view mirror I realized that it was going to be a while.  I pulled out of my spot and headed for a more treed area; not the greatest for the chuck it, but doable.  As we passed by the prime grass spot I had a better look at the dog who had taken up "our spot."  He was old, his face grizzled by time and his body degraded by many years.  His owner, who was an elderly man; sat in a small truck beside the dog.  He was sunning his old dog. 

I drove at a snails pace past the two and could not help but "awwwwwwww" to myself.  This man was giving his very old dog time; just time to spend soaking up the glorious sun that had appeared on a very chilly morning.  We pulled up to our destination which was not so far from the old dog and his man.  I kept a close eye on the dog as we were going off leash.  The old dog did notice us and seemed to have some great interest.  He struggled to his feet and positioned himself where he could watch Elsa and her antics.  After watching him move to a better place I realized that he was not going to be coming any closer.  It seemed to take everything he had just to turn around so he could watch us. 

I watched him watching us for a long while.  Both Luke and Elsa had noticed him but gave him no mind as he just lay there.  Elsa was too interested in her ball and Luke himself, is in that glorious "golden years" stage; when all he cares about are the good things in life.  The old dog that lay watching Luke and Elsa seemed to be maybe a hunting type mix.  He was mostly white with black splotches; perhaps he had been much darker in his younger years.  I thought about those younger years; him spending hours there at the park running, maybe swimming and chasing a ball.  But now the years had caught up with him and he had only enough energy to switch positions a couple of times. 

Not long after we started our fun in the forest; I saw the dog get up and move towards the truck that sat literally three feet away.  He moved slower than I've seen a dog move in a long time.  The man got out of the truck and stroked his dog's head and they shared a moment.  Seeing that they were leaving, I called to Luke and Elsa that we were moving on.  As I hoisted Luke into the car I watch the man and his old dog pull away.  He was rubbing his dog's head as if to say "there you go, how was that?"  The bond between the two was quite obvious and without ever speaking to him I could tell how much he loved his dog.  He was there for his dog; not for himself, no, just his dog.  But in giving this sunning moment to his dog; he most definitely gave to himself.  He awarded himself with the very special gift of giving.  Giving to someone else for the very selfless act of just giving. 

I had my camera with me and wanted so badly to go and talk to the man and his dog.  But I knew if I went over that I would be interrupting a very special moment.  Witnessing their time spent together from afar was enough and surely made me smile.  It truly is the little things, isn't it?  At this time of year, giving is the general theme.  It is so heartwarming to see people give of themselves; not a material gift, not money or anything that cost money; a gift of time itself, their time.  Not only did that man share a gift with his dog; but it was unknowingly shared with me as well.  A very nice gift indeed. 

Talking to dogs

Do you talk to your dogs?  I do, all the time.  All day long I talk to them and they listen very well; better than most humans I might add.  There are times when I just chat away knowing full well that they are only picking out a few specific words that mean something to them.  Then there are times when there is great meaning in my words.  When dogs understand a wide range of words or verbal cues, they tend to listen more.  I have always taught my dogs the meaning of many words and try to teach them new ones all the time. 

Over the years I have seen dogs that have a blank stare when they are talked to.  Nothing except the rare "cookie" or "walk" word means anything to them.  No one talks to them; at least not like they are expected to understand.  Repetition is the key to teaching new words.  I am in the process right now of teaching Elsa the names of her stuffed toys.  I say their name over and over and over again.  Why?  For the same reason that we teach children, it makes them smart and capable of learning more. 

Elsa has recently learned the joy of not destroying her stuffed animals.  For a while nothing was lasting more than a few fleeting moments.  Once Luke got a hold of the softy, made a hole and started to de-stuff; then Elsa would finish it off covering the entire living room in fluff.  Hmmmmmmm.  But after the arrival of Jeffrey, things changed, Elsa loves Jeffrey.  I have to make sure that Luke does not get a hold of them though and create the initial hole.  Elsa fully enjoys her stuffed guys now and is learning who is who. 

Along with teaching more words, switching the words up and using them in new ways helps the learning process.  Having been away from home for a while now; everything we are doing is new.  New, in that the environment is new.  We are still walking, sleeping and eating but the surrounding environment is entirely different from what they are use to.  Being able to communicate with Luke and Elsa with words that they understand really helps them to acclimate to it all very easily. 

We have a lot of steps here in OR which is a challenge with Luke.  Many times when I take them out to pee; it is easier to take one at a time.  So after taking Speedy Gonzalez Elsa out, it is Luke's turn.  I tell Elsa at the top of the stairs "just Luke," and her ears drop.  She clearly knows what that means.  She is not happy about it but waits patiently for us to return.   Once we get back into the house she gives Luke his greeting and all is good again. 

Elsa is an intense listener; Luke was also but his hearing is bad now and he misses a lot of what I say.  This is why signal communication is so important (past blog).  In his younger days, Luke was an amazing listener.  As you all know he is a fussy pants when it comes to eating.  But one word alone would get those giant ears of his up and interested.  That word is "butter,"  oh yes, he loves him some butter as does his Mom.  :)  He would turn his nose up at his meal until I said "do you want some butter on it?"  He would immediately change his tune "okay, I'll eat it if there is butter on it."  What a guy.

I am constantly searching for new words to teach Elsa.  It is all about repetition and association.  Association must be there for a dog to "get it."  That is our job; create the association that our dogs will understand.  The association must be meaningful and useful for a dog.  Elsa's favorite stuffed guy right now is Jeffrey, she adores him; although I started the naming with her pink monkey which was her favorite before Jeffrey arrived.  I would cheer each time she had her pink "monkey" in her mouth; repeating "monkey" over and over.  Before too long I could say "go find monkey" and she would. 

"Find" is another word that is very useful.  It is a word I used with Tilley all the time.  Being an intensely driven retriever; we often lost whatever it was she was retrieving.  She may have missed the throw or it landed somewhere that it shouldn't have.  I would tell her to "find" it and her whole body changed.  She would put her nose to the ground and begin the "finding" process.  Elsa has now learned what "find" means as well.  I love it.  The other day we were out doing some retrieving and she missed the throw because she was watching some dogs in the distance.  I told Luke to find the ball as he had been watching and he ran and got it; much to Elsa's displeasure.  She had begin to look for it as well but Luke already knew where it was when I asked.

Talking to your dogs is never a waste of time.  Not only is it nice as far as having a great listening companion but they learn.  Sometimes it may seem that they are not getting it; but if you watch closely you will see some signal letting you know that they understand.  Of course there are times when they will simply ignore; just like we tend to do.  I love those sideways eyes they give us that let you know they are actually listening.  Luke is the King of sideways eyes.  Talk, teach and use verbal cues; the more the merrier.   

Poop bags

This is the sign and dispenser just outside my door.  Obviously not enough.  

Poop, crap, feces, dung, excrement or shit; no matter what you call it, it's poop.  Frankly I'm sick of it; tired of it laying on the ground that is.  Left by the inconsiderate idiots who don't pick up after their dogs.  I have written about these humans before and I'm sure that I will write about them many times into the future.  I just don't get it; I truly don't.  I understand that some people have a difficult time with it but if you have a dog and walk them in public places; then you pick up poop, bottom line.  Luke, Elsa and I are in OR for a couple of weeks.  We are staying at a very nice townhome in a nice development.  The place is surrounded by green space and it is very dog friendly.  BUT, and this is a big BUT; it is very shitty, in that there is shit everywhere.  Not cool, not cool at all.

I'm appalled by all the people who turn a blind eye to their pooping dogs.  They let them poop and then walk away as if nothing just happened.  What I don't get is that they will be returning to the very same spot, day after day after day.  So, this means that their dog will very likely step in their own poop from the previous days; then track it into their home, nice right?  When we first looked at this place; the green space in close proximity was something I saw as a bonus.  Now I'm not so sure.  We can't use it, that is unless we want to walk through shit. 

All dogs crap, fact.  If you live with dogs you must pick up crap; it is as simple as that.  Of course you might have hired a service to pick it up at your home but if you go anywhere in public with your dog you are going to have to pick it up at some point.  Don't want to?   Well, no one wants to pick up poop.  After all the bags are thin and you can feel that shit right through the bag but it has to be done.  Fact.  Get the drift of this blog?  Pick up after your dog.

Hey, you people who don't pick up after your dog; think you are too busy?  Think you're too important to stoop and scoop, wrongo.  You got a dog?  Then you scoop.  What is so hard to understand about that?   This is not an exclusive club; no these non scoopers are everywhere, everywhere I've been anyway.  Anywhere there are dogs; there are not scoopers.  But for every non scooper, there are scoopers.  But we need to spread the word and call out those non picker uppers.

Here in OR, it rains; much more so than Southern California.  The great thing about that is that rain washes stuff away.  Of course it can only wash so much away; it cannot wash a full sized dog crap away.  No, the rain just turns a firm poop into a pile of mush.  If the poops are picked up as soon as they drop then the rain can do it's job and wash away the residue.  Residue is easy to get rid of; a bit of rain and it's gone and forgotten about.  But leave a big old crap on the ground and it just gets worse.  What are these non scoopers thinking?  Other than not thinking; maybe they are under the assumption that a magical poop fairy will appear and pick up after their dog?  The only poop fairy I know is named Sherri; and she only picks up after other dogs when she's about to fling it at someone.

The whole idea of it being bad to leave poop on the ground is not the only issue here.  Those non scoopers give us scoopers a bad name.  They ruin it for many of us when they fail to clean up after their dog.  Many events and facilities do not allow dogs at all because of this very reason.  I don't care who you are, where you live or what you do; if you have a dog, you pick up after them.

Having bags available everywhere is wonderful.  The fact that cities and facilities need to posts signs telling people to pick up after their dog is surprising.  Imagine having the bags right there in front of your face not being enough?  No, they need to ask us "please pick up after your dog."  Then those non scoopers don't.  Imagine.  They walk around the signs, around the bag dispenser and simply walk away.  Idiots.  Harsh?  Yep, and sad.  Honestly!!!!!

In search of the green

I remember when I first moved to California; that was a longtime ago now.  Way back then, there wasn't google maps like there is now.  I remember opening my Thomas Guide map book to find some green; green as in green space.  First I look for the green, then I look for the park symbol.  Well, that's what I'm doing now but with Google maps.  Each morning and afternoon I google my location and look for the green. 

As most of you know I'm not a big 'dog park' fan.  Too many dogs in too small an area; added with dogs that should not be there in the first place.  But I have to say that the dog parks here in OR seem to be much better than the ones in CA.  Many are larger which is always a bonus; but I still don't trust humans enough to supervise accordingly and know when they shouldn't be at the dog park.  That and the fact that Luke is old now; he cannot take a hit, not even a small one.  So we search for the elusive private green space.  Of course here in OR, there is a whole lot more green than there is in CA.  Not only in color but quantity. 

Over the last week Luke, Elsa and I have hit a great number of parks.  We have a wonderful open field right behind the townhouse here; but, I've also discovered that many of the dogs here are very unfriendly.  (more on that topic in another blog)  So we search, drive, explore and discover.  Getting out and about is essential; no matter where you are located.  It has been a tad difficult with Luke having a hard time with distance and Elsa needing a great deal of exercise.  It is nice when we are home in CA for that reason alone.  We can leave Luke in the comfort of his own couch and head out for some intense exercise.  But here we all go together so the search is on.

We met a very nice woman and her adorable Golden Retriever (Penny) the other day.  Elsa and her just wanted to tear it up while Luke was happy to just hang with Mom.  Reading body language is so important when you want to find the friendly dogs to play with.  As soon as I spot the signs I call out, friendly?  We then make a b-line to the owner and their friendly dog.  Looking over our shoulder we can then unhook and let the fun begin.  It doesn't have to be long and drawn out; a short rip with a new friend brings a plethora of good things with it.

Over the weekend we found some wonderful places to take Luke and Elsa.  Having Dad with us sure makes the whole age difference thing much easier.  We also found a great farm/feed store called Wilco, where Luke and Elsa tried on a bunch of very cool raincoats.  Sadly I forgot my cell phone in the car so no pics but Luke looked smashing in the camo design.  We may go back today just to enjoy wandering around in the store and maybe get a raincoat or two.

So the search continues; where will we be today?  Not sure but I do know it will be green and it will be an open space.  Of course being in the middle of wine country; it could be a vineyard which is never a bad thing. 

Luke and Elsa hit the Wineries

 

Yesterday Luke, Elsa and I headed out to sight see.  We drove south to the next town and wandered around looking for a great park.  I actually found a park but didn't want to make yet another U turn so we kept going onto the next town.  What we did come across was a favorite winery of mine.  On my visit back in the summer we hit a lot of wineries (dogless).  Duck Pond had left an impression with me as a warm and friendly place and I wondered as I pulled off the main road if Luke and Elsa would be welcome. 

I remembered seeing some really great dog items in their store and photos of dogs in the entrance so I thought that they might be.  Sure enough, they were more than welcome on the patio.    With my wine tucked away in the car I leashed up Luke and Elsa.  The walk to the entrance is beautiful with the vines hanging through the trellis from above.  Along with the few lingering fall leaves; it looked much like a postcard.  Being that it is not exactly prime outdoor weather; the place was quiet and we had outside to ourselves.

There is something amazing about being in a vineyard.  There was a chill in the air; hinting of the colder and wetter weather to come.  The rows of grape vines made me think just how much fun Elsa would have charging up and down them.  Oh how I would have loved to bring my chuck it along and entertain her in the vineyard, while Luke watched the Koi in the pond.  As soon as we approached the pond Luke spotted the fish, but not Elsa.  I don't know if it was the glare or what but she did not see them as they all charged over with their mouth open wide.  Luke surely did and I think he would have loved to go into the pond for a while with them, imagine. 

 

After touring the grounds we head back to the car while Elsa took in the sights of the vines overhead. 

 

Being in OR we are thoroughly enjoying the green.  Lots and lots of green, even in November.

 

 

Back home, time for a nap and a glass.  If you're ever in the area, check out Duck Pond Cellars and tell them Luke and Elsa sent you.  :)

 

National Adopt A Senior Month

November is National Adopt A Senior Month.  Would you consider adopting a senior?  Honestly, how sad is the fact that senior dogs need adopting?   There are many different ways that a senior dog can end up in need of a new home. 

1.  Owner has died and no family member steps up to give the senior a home.

- This is extremely sad.  Of course just because we want a dog or dogs; does not mean that any of our family members want them.  Yes, it is amazing when a family member steps up to give a family members dog a home but it does not always happen.  I have heard of many stories where family members have told an owner that they would take their dog if anything happened; but when the times comes, they do not.  That my friends is one of the saddest acts. 

2.  Owner decides that a senior is too much work.  I cannot imagine this; my mind just cannot grasp the idea.  Dogs give us so much throughout their lives and as they start to slow and need more care we dump them?  Yes there is more to caring for an old dog but when you love a dog, it is not work but the loving act of care. 

3.  Medical costs.  This is a sad one.  Many people when faced with a big vet bill of an old dog; opt to rehome a dog.  There are options and ways to pay for the high cost of medical treatment.

4.  Moving...sometimes people move and feel that they cannot take their old dog with them.  Of course this happens with young dogs as well.  Look harder and find a place that will take your canine family member. 

Old dogs have a very difficult time being rehomed.  There are not many people that want to take on the task of caring for a dog in their senior years.  Having lost two very old girls a year and a half ago, I know all too well how much extra care they need.  But never for a moment did I consider it to be work; it was just what you do when they need you.  Now Luke needs more care; his body is slowing down and he needs time, an extra hoist now and again and patience. 

Patience, this is what old dogs need.  There is nothing more important than understanding when an old dog is slowing down and incapable of doing what they use to do.  Old dogs are easy in the sense that they don't need a ton of exercise or training.  They simply need a comfy spot to rest their head and body (very important, just try lying on the floor for a night), good food and a loving caregiver. 

Caring for an older dog, whether it is your older dog or a newly adopted one is all about giving back.  I remember watching Tilley sleep so soundly that I could come and go unnoticed.  It made me happy that she felt comfortable and safe enough to do this with no concern. 

Some great senior links below.

Sanctuary for Seniors

Old dog haven

The senior dog project

Of course there needs to be care when placing an old dog.  If a perspective adopter has other dogs, they must be matched for everyone to be happy.  Most old dogs mellow with age, I know all of my dogs have. 

Consider opening your home and heart to a forgotten senior?

Communicating with old dogs - signals

There is no end to how much dogs communicate with each other.  Likewise their communication with us is as much, if not more.  When they communicate with one another; their signals are noticed much more quickly.  We on the other hand can take forever to "get" a message; even miss them completely.  But if you take the time to learn how your dog communicates with you; the whole world of canine communication will open up. 

Communications between dogs and humans is done through vocal sounds, words, body posture and signals.  Signals are very easy for dogs to learn; this is because they are all about visual body language.  Implementing hand or body signals when your dog is young will prepare them for their senior years.  Almost all dogs loose their keen sense of hearing to some degree as they age.  Some lose it early, others may keep their hearing long into their old years.  When a dog starts to lose their hearing; signals are a wonderful option to be able to fall back on.  I'm there with Luke right now. 

I remember signaling to my old boy Clyde (the man in my life before Luke) like it was yesterday.  When his hearing got so bad that I could no longer use sounds or words I resorted to hand signals.  They quickly learn to adapt and look to you for signals, rather than listen.  Just this morning Luke and Elsa were out with their Dad.  I leaned over the balcony to say hi and Elsa wagged like crazy at the sight of Mom.  Luke on the other hand had no idea I was even there.  I whistled and he did hear that but could not locate it's origin.  Then I clapped which he also heard but it was my waving arms that told him where I was. 

Signaling can be difficult if you don't already use it at least partially.  If you start teaching hand signals when your dog is young and has their hearing; the transition as they age is much easier.  You can use whatever signal that you'd like, just keep it consistent.  I use a lot of signaling when my guys are young so that move to more and more signals is easy.  It is also much more pleasant than yelling; I hate yelling but often there is no option.  Teach signals and you won't have to yell quite as much. 

Physical boundaries

                                                 Greeting Mom after a grocery shopping trip.  

      As I go back and forth from the car to get the groceries, Luke and Elsa wait calmly and patiently. 

Boundary training is one of the best things that you can ever teach your dog.  No matter where the boundaries are, you can use them to help teach more.  Once a dog "gets" the idea of not crossing an invisible boundary; their capacity to learn other boundaries goes us.  This type of boundary training that I am talking about is about not going into certain rooms, going out doors and gates or whole areas. 

Teaching a boundary like the door above will NEVER, EVER be a waste of time.  Once your dog is solid on a door boundary it is very easy to move to other doors.  Many dogs generalize well and will hesitate before going out any door.  Some need a tiny reminder of an error marker; a simple ahhhh as they consider going through. 

Door boundaries can take time to teach; especially if you have a guaranteed bolter.  But by simple rewarding them for NOT going out the door the learning curve can be achieved quickly.  When you start teaching a boundary you must leash your dog, in case. 

Learning boundaries does not mean that your dog will never be able to go a particular area but that they must wait for a release word.  Your release word can be anything; something that comes to mind, you can remember and is saved for that specific reason.  You can use the same release for feeding, stay and many other things where a release is needed.

Just yesterday, I needed to use a boundary as we have come to a new house for a couple of weeks.  Elsa quickly realized that running out is not an option and she must wait until told that she can.  I only needed one ahhh for her to understand that this too was a boundary. 

You will NEVER, EVER regret boundary training.