Tucked away for later, silver fur.

As I reached to the very top of my closest; I suddenly had the contents of the top shelf on my head.  I'm short, 5' 1" and reaching for something out of reach typically ends with something on top of me.  This time it was all of my purses, except for the one I wanted of course.  Standing on my tip toes and using another purse as a tool; I finally got what I'd been reaching for.  I wanted to switch purses; I'm bored with the one I'm using now so I needed a change.  Changing bags is always a great time to clean out all the garbage.  I sat on the floor under a bright light and dumped the contents of the main compartment onto the carpet.  After  tossing all the garbage from the bottom of my purse; I was left with very little to switch over.  It always amazes me how much garbage can accumulate in a purse. 

I was going from brown to black.  I grabbed the black one to check that it had nothing left in it from the last use before switching over.  As I unzipped the outside pocket to check for anything left behind, I gasped.  "No way," I said as Elsa moved in closer to see.  Quickly but carefully I removed the contents; a beautiful mound of silver fur.  Elsa was going crazy as she stuffed her whole muzzle down deep into the pocket.  She sniffed around forever; then moved to the counter top where I'd placed the fur.  It was Tilley's and I had no idea it was in my black purse at that moment. 

Memories flooded my thoughts as I watched Elsa trying to get a read on the fur.  I swear that she was going through the exact same thing that I was.  She couldn't get enough of the scent; and as I let her continue trying to get enough; my thoughts went back to my beautiful Tilley.  How can it be two years already?  Elsa stopped sniffing and stared at me; I wanted to ask her if she knew that it was Tilley's hair.  Knowing Elsa like I do; she knew exactly who's curly hair was in the purse.  I looked at her wondering what she was going through at that moment.  Was she remembering with a flood of memories as I was?  Or was she just hit with familiarity by scent?  Whatever it was, something was happening.

Once again she dug her muzzle down into the pocket of the purse and sniffed deeply.  I wished that I could understand what she was feeling, remembering or even thinking.   There is no way to know, but as she sniffed and stopped to look at me over and over again; I knew that this was no normal scenting for her.  We sat quietly for sometime; my thoughts wandering off to my Tilley.  I remembered the day that I got that little mound of fur.  It was from her very last grooming; before I knew that I would not have the chance to brush that beautiful grey coat of hers again.  I'd put it all into a bag after her groom and then found it about a week after she was gone.  I was never so happy to have not cleaned up after myself.  I could have very easily brought that bag of hair to the garbage and never seen it again.  But I hadn't, I'd left it there beside the grooming table.  I took a handful and gently tucked it away. 

When we left Connecticut, it was one of the first things that I secured.  I clearly remembering putting it in my purse for safe keeping.  The movers had arrived and chaos surrounded us once again; but it was not going to get lost in the shuffle.  This purse has sat in my closet since being unpacked.  But there was the hair; safe where I had stored it, nearly two years ago.  A lot has happened in the two years since our Tilley left us; it seems unbelievable that it has been two years.  But, she is in my thoughts constantly; memories keep her very much a part of me.  Sometimes a trigger like this, a little mound of fur brings with it a flood of recollection; the good old days rush in all at once.  My memories of Tilley are tucked away safely in my heart. Safe, like the tiny mound of fur that made it hidden away, across the country.  Timing was perfect, the decision to switch purses could not have come at a better time.  Elsa and I sat and had a moment and made a new memory. 

Stress

I clearly remember this Bassett puppy, it was not enjoying any type of interaction at the park.  This would have caused quite a bit of stress.


Dealing with stress can be a day to day thing for humans; it can also be something that dogs have to deal with.  Depending on the dog and what their life looks like; they might have to deal with none, a little or a lot.  Like us, dogs are all different.  What one can handle, another may not be able to cope with.  Even with great socializing and life experience, some dogs have a difficult time dealing with certain things.  Take some dogs who are placed into the life of a show dog.  Many love it and do just fine; but there are others who just can't cope.  Lots of dogs are removed from the life of a show dog just because they hate it.  Many dogs are put through a great deal of stress; just because their of their owners desires. 

Is your dog happy?  Are they coping well with their life?  Do you think if they had the choice that they would live the life that they do?  I have always gone the way of "my dog's desire."  Meaning that what my dog shows me to be something that they love to do, we do or at least a version of.  That does not mean that our life revolves around that one activity but I try to incorporate it into our lives at least a couple of times a week.  Not having an outlet can cause stress as can forcing an unwanted behavior.

Was your dream to always have a Flyball dog?  Do you drag your dog to the event every week and just can't understand why they act off?  Do you have to go above and beyond to get through the learning curve?  Are you growing frustrated?  Well, it might all be due to stress.  Maybe your dog is stressed about having to go to Flyball and they would rather just not be there.  I've seen dogs in all sorts of performance venues who do not want to be there.  Many dogs can adjust and learn to deal but it could still be causing stress.  Stress is bad for us and bad for our dogs.  Stress is one of the worst things for our body. 

Whole Dog Journal - Easing Stress article. 

Stress can cause a dog to do all sorts of things that under calm and relaxed conditions, they might not.  I know that when I am highly stressed, it takes a toll on me and by the evening I'm spent.  Just imagine a dog who has to live through stress day in and day out.  Is your dog stressed?  What can you do to help stress?   If you are determined to participate in the activity that causes stress then you must help your dog out.  Small doses at a time and making it "all good."  That or figure out something to do other than the stressful trigger activity.  There are lots of things that you can do with your dog and there might be other things that are not stressful to them at all.  Stress is fairly easy to see but not easy to live with so ask yourself; are you stressing your dog out?

Rage and revenge.

 

 

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                                               Tell others!


"I want them to pay," the email says.  The folks who lost their dog due to horrific conditions of a puppy mill are enraged and rightly so.  They've contacted me and want help.  How can they make these people pay?  How can they shut them down?  I get requests from people needing the same sort of assistance all the time.  They've been duped by a bad breeder and now they want them to pay. 

The company never shipped their goods; they paid good money and now have nothing to show for it.  Another private message comes in to me explaining how the sender was to receive a fat check for directing referrals to a business; that check never came.  It truly is mind boggling, how many dubious people are out there these days.  Private or corporate wrong doings; there are lying, cheating humans behind it.  No matter what, who or how; when you've been wronged you may want revenge, or simply justice.   All of the complaints that I hear about are dog related.  Within the world of dogs; there are many people looking to take your money.  Companies or individuals that will promise things that they never intend to honor; of course this can happen in any business, not just the business of dogs.

There are people out there who talk a good talk; but when it comes down to money, everything changes.  These are the dubious ones.  Dishonest and greedy. 

Revenge:  to exact punishment or expiation for a wrong on behalf of.

Sort of the same, but different.  Justice is all most people really need. 

Justice:  the administering of deserved punishment or reward.

There are steps to getting justice.  Of course you can report anyone to the BBB (Better business bureau).  You can report to a number of websites that are specially for complaints about scams.  Then there is the Media, spread the word.  Media loves a story and if you have a good one about ripped off then they will likely grab hold and run with it.  It sometimes feels like we can do nothing after being wronged; but there is always something to be done.  Even one person can bring about change and shine a light on these wrong doers.

Tell people, that above anything else is the direction to take.  Let people know what these people have done.  Don't inflate the reality, tell only facts.  Word of mouth is one of the best ways to advertise something good; it is also a great way to warn people.  The internet has made our big world much smaller.  It is very easy to get a story out and if you feel that you have been wronged; tell it, but tell it honestly. 

When you find something great, share.  If you run into dubious humans, share. 

Luke and Penny

Penny came for a visit yesterday.  I thought I'd post a couple of Luke and Penny shots.  

Here Luke is quite relaxed but waiting to see how excited Penny is going to get.  Even though she is very determined, she exhibits really great body language.  Note her flat ears here.  

Penny is getting a bit excited; she adores Luke and has a hard time controlling herself around him.  A small lip curl from Luke.

Penny is determined and doesn't let lip curls or growls deter her.  She's learned that he is all noise too.

Penny continues to lick Luke's face, teeth and inside his mouth in a submissive appeasement.  

Luke actually likes Penny, if she can remain calm; which is a real struggle for her.  

The more he growls the faster her tail gets.  

We've slid down the popularity pole.

 

Bull Terriers are #52

Not number one?  What?  To be perfectly honest with you, I'm very happy about it.  You know what happens when a dog becomes popular?  The "in" thing to have?  Doom, that's what happens.  All the no good, greedy breeders hop on the band wagon to turn a quick buck.  It happened to the Dalmatian after the Disney 101 Dalmatian movie.  It happened to the Jack Russells after the Wishbone television show, My Dog Skip movie and Eddie appearing on the Frasier show.  It happened to the Beagle after the Shiloh movie and it will happen again and again and again.  Humans are a funny thing.  So I am not unhappy that the poodle is slipping in popularity.

So let's have a look at the "popular" breeds in the US. 

The list is of registration stats from the AKC.

Top 10

1. Labrador Retriever
2. German Shepherd Dog
3. Golden Retriever
4. Beagle
5. Bulldog
6. Yorkshire Terrier
7. Boxer
8. Poodle
9. Rottweiler
10. Dachshund

These statistics are taken from the number of dogs registered with the AKC; which in all honesty does not give a clear look at who is out there.  Lots of dogs are not registered; even some purebred dogs are not registered.  Luke is not registered with the AKC; I never had it done as I saw no point in it.  He was not competing in anything, not going to be bred; he was just going to be my companion.  Although his litter was registered, it was left to the new owners to get each dog individually registered and I chose not to.  Elsa is, because I may want to compete with her at some point and she has to be registered to do that. 

What I see out in the parks, fields and beaches are mixed breed dogs.  Yep, I'd say that the most popular dog right now are mixes.  I do see a lot of Labradors, they have always been a popular breed along with the Golden Retrievers.  I see a lot of Springer Spaniels, Shetland Sheepdogs, Pit Bulls and Corgis of late.  Several years ago King Charles Cavaliers were the big ones; but they seem to be declining with that fad.  Doodles, doodles and more doodles.  They are everywhere, every size and color.  A doodle to me is anything mix with a poodle. They are advertised as wonder dogs, the best of everything.  But people forget that they are still dogs; who poop, pee, bark, jump, scratch and destroy.  Yep, they are just a dog and they do dog things; and when they do they are thrown out with the trash.    I asked a lady the other day if her dog was a Doodle and she answered "no, she is a Labradoodle."  Funny. 

I say, let's stop following popularity fads and just like what we like.  Fads and promoting rarity is always a bad thing when it involves living creatures.  New colors that are being introduced to many breeds are seeing numbers grow; of course this is do to the "rare" advertising.  Some genetically rare colors are also breeding health issues for our dogs.  Stay away from all that is new when it comes to dogs.  Dogs have been around a very long time so anything new is typically been done out of greed. 

I for one am happy to see my breed slipping. 

Feeding time, change it up

 

Bone all clean, time for the rest of breakfast.

After bones on Saturday morning, Luke and Elsa had their breakfast from a fork.  They'd both had a good amount of meat off of their raw meaty bones and just needed a little something else.  I grabbed a fork and a can of dog food that I keep on hand.   It is normal for Luke to not want food after he has a meaty bone; sort of like when we eat too many appetizers and then don't want dinner.  He has his hunger quenched and doesn't see any reason to eat further.  So I thought I'd switch it up.  Changing things is good with dogs; too much same ole can really get you into trouble.  But Luke sometimes doesn't like change.  He likes his things in place and on time; so he needs to have it changed up even more so. 

Elsa is good with change; as long as I am clear about the rules of change she always "gets it."  Luke is a fussy pants so it can take some work to make him feel comfortable enough to accept change.  I brought the can out and sat on the double lounge.  Elsa was there in a flash and more than happy to eat out of a can.  Luke, not so much.  He turned his head when I tried to offer him some food.  "I've eaten, what is this?" his body language said.  I continued to feed Elsa and offered some to Luke between her bites.  Luke also likes baby bites, at least to start with.  If you offer him a big chunk of anything; there is no way you'll get him to eat it.  Along with tiny pieces, it also helps if you tell him it is a "baby bite."  Yep, he likes to hear about it first; then if he hears that it is a baby bite, he will try. 

Once you finally get that first "baby bite," into him he's good to go.  But it is that first initial piece that is the toughest.  He is very clear on how he will and will not accept change.  He is the funniest guy; when he is done eating he simply leaves.  He turns on a dime and walks out of the room.  I have explained to his sitter that the normal coaxing to eat type methods will NEVER work for him.  He is who is he and that is Luke.  So being that he likes what he likes, where he likes it; it is essentially  important to do different with him and all dogs for that matter. 

Luke and Elsa eat inside and they eat outside.  Sometimes they have treats midday on the grass; sometimes it's in the evening downstairs on the couch.  Changing where and when you feed your dog is really a great thing to implement.  If you have a fussy dog that is hard to feed under normal situations; imagine trying to get him to eat on a road trip?  If you had to stay at someone else's home for several days; what if your dog wouldn't eat? 

I am easily bored by routine, I like to switch things up.  So switching up feeding times is easy for me to implement.  I think it is good for everyone involved to change it up.  Change not only goes for time and place; it should also be about what you are feeding.  Do you pour the same old food in the same bowl every day?  Variety, more about that in another blog. 

The act of hiding cues

 

She is always listening, not a word or action gets by this one. 

Stepping off the path, I was laying the ground work for getting some needed distance.  When Luke was a little man, he had an occurring problem with running to greet people and dogs.  If new people and/or dogs arrived at the park; he felt the need to run to say hi.  Not everyone wanted to say "hi" in return so I got in the habit of leashing him when I saw someone coming.  It wasn't long until Luke realized that the "leash" word meant that new folks had arrived.  Upon seeing this response from him I realized that I had to work on the "no cue" giveaway.  To this day, if I say "leash" to Luke he looks around to see who's coming.

There are many things in our life with dogs that need to have hidden cues.  That means that you don't want to tip your dog off to something.  Let's face it, our dogs are far smarter than we think they are.  So when I do something, I always think to myself  "will Luke and Elsa figure this out?"  The answer is usually yes so I need to implement the action with a day to day association.  If you associate an action to a reaction it can become a cue. 

Cue:  anything said or done, that is followed by a specific action.  A sensory signal used to identify experiences, facilitate memory. 

You know how when you put on a specific pair of shoes; your dog already knows you are going for a walk?  Or when you get out a certain towel, it is bath time?  Cues, they are all cues and it doesn't take much for our dogs to "get" them.  One cue that I am continually working on is distance.  When I am out walking Luke and Elsa and see a dog up ahead of us that I do not want to interact with I get distance.  The act of getting distance can tip them off if it is a cue; so I get distance often and switch it up.   Sometimes distance is just a step off the path for no reason.  Other times we step off and then back on again to say "hi" to a dog.  Mixing it up keeps it from becoming a cue. 

During your day to day, pay attention to the cues that you are creating.  If you've accidentally created cue; you can undo it if you work hard and consistently.  But once a cue is very set in, it can be difficult to get rid of it entirely.  Different dogs will learn cues at different rates.  Elsa is a fast cue learner.  She is a watcher, this girl never misses a thing; so it takes a great deal of work on my part not to set cues.  It is a constant work in progress to try to not let my actions become cues. 

Does picking up my grey running shoes mean a walk?  Elsa might think that it does so I put them in the yard.  Touching a leash can send your dogs into a frenzy; so pick it up and move it somewhere often.  Opening a particular cabinet cues a reward, so change it.  Change the meaning of your actions if you want to get rid of a cue or desensitize a behavior.  Association is everything for dogs; if you think in those terms it is much easier to understand them.  Pay attention to your actions and your dog's reactions.  We create cues on a daily basis without ever knowing it.  By watching your dog's reactions we can discover our own actions. 

Celebration time.

The face of The Standard Poodle FB, the one and only 'Luke.'  :)


I don't normally blog on Sundays; but when I do, it is for a very good reason.  Today is a special day.  Yes I know the Super Bowl is today but this is even more special; well at least to me it is.  My 'The Standard Poodle' Facebook group hit the 10,000 mark.  I started the group back on May 26, 2009 and never imagined in less than 5 years it would grow to this number of Standard Poodle  (or spoo) lovers.  I  never had a goal as far as numbers when I started; it was just a place where I thought that lovers of the breed could come together.  Well, come together we have and our members come from all around the world.

Via social media I have met so many people who I now call friends.  Some of these wonderful people I have got to meet in person, which is amazing.  Through this group of 10,000, people can share, learn and help others.  People love to talk about what they love; and on this group it is all about our spoos.   You know that I love all dogs; but I have lived with Standard Poodles for 30 years.  They hold a special place in my heart.  The commonality of the group is our spoos.  Just imagine being able to share a common interest with people in Africa, Australia, Ireland and everywhere else in the world.  I never imagined I'd be able to talk to and get to know all of these people and their amazing dogs.

We have a lot of happy moments and some very, very sad ones on the group.  But we all come together to help when we can.  Some of my proudest moments have been when the group comes together to find a home for a spoo in need; or help raise funds for an owner in need.  Having the ability to share with so many people with common interests is pretty great.  Sure social media has it's problems but is has it's greatness as well.  It has made the world a much smaller and more accessible place. 

I have one simple rule for the group and that is to be kind.  Any rude or mean people get the boot; and it has worked well over the years.  There have been less than a handful of people removed which is pretty amazing.   Everyone shares photos, their stories, experience and life with the other spoo lovers.

So, here is to The Standard Poodle FB group; you are an amazing bunch of folks and I for one am proud to say that I know you all.  I have loved getting to know you, your spoos and your family.  When you are celebrating the 'big game' today; raise a glass for yourself and our 'big group.' 

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING A PART OF IT ALL. 

A different kind of workout

My gardens went from yelling to frantically screaming at me.  Here in SoCal, we get a little blooming in the winter but the weeds continue to grow.  Between my workouts, Luke and Elsa's workouts and work my gardens had been neglected.  So, Friday was the day.  We stayed home and all had a gardening workout.  Two birds with one stone as they say.

 

I got out a new toy for Elsa.  I have been using it strictly for temperament testing but after a couple of times it goes to my guys.  So Elsa was thrilled, a tennis ball dumbbell.  I gave it to her in my office where she left it as we headed out to garden.  When she came out empty mouthed I told "go get your toy," and she did.  She got a couple of tosses before I got into my gardening and she was hooked.

I spent most of my time in my garden that is situated on the other side of the yard.  This made for perfect tossing and running for Elsa.  The only rule for garden retrieving is that the ball be returned where I can pick it up.  Elsa is great at this but sometimes will try putting it somewhere else.  To maintain excellence in retrieving it is essential to only pick up and toss the item when it is where it is suppose to be.   

Luke is happy to stand and watch me for hours.  If I get to far from the fence he gets a bit anxious so we have to have a snuggle and he's good again.  Gardening with Luke and Elsa is something I really, really enjoy.  Even though Elsa loves retrieving more than pretty much anything in her life she loves to follow me around while I garden as well.  She will even dropped her ball to follow me to a new garden.  So the two stand watch over me while I garden; nothing much better than that in my books. 

Gardening is a big stress reliever for me; throw in two amazing dogs and add some exercise.  A perfect way to start off the day.  We gardened for about 3.5 hours; had breakfast and then it was off to office for a poodle nap and some writing.  Have a great weekend. 

Some people just don't get it.

I was watching the Colbert Report last night.  I think Stephen Colbert is great; he is very funny, knows how to get a message across and really talented.   That said, I was really angry as I watched one of his pieces on the Super Bowl, where he is demoted basically to the Puppy Bowl.  Most dog lovers know about the Puppy Bowl that is an Animal Planet Production.  The Puppy Bowl is a bunch of puppies hanging out in an area made to look like a football field.  Cute, but hokie, like most of Animal Planet television shows, in my opinion.  Anyhow back to Stephen Colbert. 

Stephen Colbert spent time with the puppies on the "field" which was fine.  He was rolling around having fun but then they were in an area that looked like a locker room.  There is where the problem was.  I was uncomfortable just watching the interaction.  He was banging around, yelling and basically acting like an idiot.  The puppies were reacting to this scary interaction.  They signaled their fear, but of course he (Stephen Colbert) was oblivious to their communications.  It was just a room of puppies to him; he had no idea that they were sending him so much information.  One puppy in particular was quite worried about the whole thing and as I sat watching I said to my son "if one of those puppies were mine."  Well, you get the idea.

Just found the episode - It is long so go to 5:36 part to see the Puppy Bowl part.  Tell me what you think.

Puppies and dogs can and will go through life surprises, startles and even big scares; but it is how we deal with the information given from it that is important.  If a puppy gets scared enough, it can leave a lasting impression.  What will scare one may not scare another.  I can guarantee that the puppies were already over stimulated which can be a very bad scenario.  Puppies need environmental stimulation, but not too much.  The idea of a little being good then a lot is better does not apply to stimulation and socialization.  Too much can be a very bad thing. 

Dogs signal to us constantly; but often it is not until they have to resort to a huge "in your face" signal that we notice.  They may have been telling their human for a half hour before they had to scream.  People just don't get it and watching the Colbert Report only proved that point.  Puppies will react to the stimulus around them; we need to see and deal with those reactions.  Not by coddling but by manipulating the environment as we can and guiding by example.   When the only leader around is the one producing the problem, that is a big problem.  The puppy has no where to turn, no where to go for reassurance. 

The point I'm trying to make is that no one saw a problem with what Stephen Colbert was doing.  That is the problem.  No one said "the puppies are scared, let's tone it down."  We choose to live with another species yet we don't take the time to know them.  How do they communicate?  How can we best communicate with them and how can we coexist in a harmonious way?   Puppies are brand new dogs, who are just starting out on their journey with humans.  It is up to us to get it right.

The big picture may have looked good to the writers and directors; but was anyone listening to what the puppies were saying?  No.  A big thumbs down for both the Colbert Report and Animal Planet from me.

What's going on?

Standing staring, it was one of those "where do I start" moments.   I had a huge task before me and wasn't quite sure where to begin.  Not so very long ago my husband and I had put a new fence up in the backyard.  It was a fence to keep the dogs from falling down a pretty steep hill out back.  It looked great, and it did the job.  But it had rusted out long before it's time; basically it was a piece of crap fence.  So, I had to take it all down yesterday as Elsa supervised.  Behind the fence has always been off limits to her; it was there when she came to live with us.  As the first panel came down she very hesitantly poked her head through.  Looking at me for the okay to move further she was stretched out forwards but ready to bolt backwards if needed.  To her, this was the place where only Mom was allowed. 

I didn't want to banish her from the area; so I allowed her to mosey around as I dismantled the fence in it's entirety.  Many of the pieces had fused together with rust; and pulling the spikes from the ground that were now grown over with roots was a huge struggle.  I kept one eye on my job and the other on Elsa.  As I got into the task I realized that Luke was not with us and was surprised that he hadn't joined us; he's so nosey typically.  But he was on his spot on the couch inside and watching from there.  Elsa was fascinated by the whole thing; she was sniffing every inch of this new forbidden land.

A new fence will be going up today; a much smaller and less containing one.  As such I wanted the rule to remain, no going behind the fence.  So as much as I let Elsa sniff around and explore; I still kept the regulations intact.  I control the area, even though no fence exists.  What she really wanted behind the fence was the fresh long grass.  We allow it to grow wild back there and the long grass is always just out of reach.  So she indulged in some pre-dinner salad.  That is when Luke joined us; perhaps he smelled Miss Elsa chomping back on the grass.  He loves grass and the two were soon side by side like a pair of cows. 

After I got everything put away and cleaned up I watched as both Luke and Elsa investigated the area.  Funny the fence had been put in mostly for Tilley's safety a few years back; but now I was worried about Luke falling down.  He had been there as the fence was erected; a much younger and agile man back then.  As I headed into the house I turned to see Luke just standing, looking.  I smiled seeing him take it all in.  Such a deep thinking guy he is.  Walking through the kitchen door; I was flanked by both Luke and Elsa.  Even though the new no fence thing was interesting; they are still more concerned about where I am and what I am doing.  So with the two close behind I got out an exercise pen to block off access to the now accessible steep hill; until I can get the other fence in place. 

I'm sure today will also bring much curiosity with the change.  New plants will be put in but the old perimeter will be back in place.  No doubt, I will have two poodles helping me. 

Pillow talk

Good morning!!  I cannot believe that I slept through the night; first time in a long time.  As usual, Elsa is curled up tightly to me and Luke is dreaming and twitching away on his bed.  I feel different having had a solid nights sleep; but it took some work getting here.  Hopefully it will now continue.  Why have I not been sleeping?  The main reason is Miss Elsa.  We had a great thing going for a while but since the Holidays, that all changed.  I had worked at keeping her off the bed until I got up in the morning.  The reason I didn't and don't want Elsa on the bed is that she wakes me up to get on.  Plus she is a very heavy sleeper, in the very physical sense; feeling very much like an elephant in the bed. 

If Elsa thinks that at some point in the night she can jump up and join us in bed; then she tries all night until such time.  Not good.  She sits and stares at the bed, flaps her ears and pokes the bed itself with her nose.  If I don't want her on the bed; I could literally be woken up 12 times throughout the night.  Not good.  All that had changed before the Holidays; we were in a good routine.  She went to bed with Luke and stayed there until morning.  Very clear, no testing during the night; it was the way.  But, someone (not mentioning any names, but their name rhymes with leave) changed all that.  By allowing Elsa to sleep with us during the night; the whole pursuit of sleeping on the bed began again.

In the beginning of the pursuit; it started at 4:45am when she heard Brad (my son) get up for work.  The next few days it started earlier, maybe 3:30 am.  Then it's 2:00 am and it got earlier and earlier until most recently she wanted up at 10:30pm.  She has to start the night on the floor with Luke; otherwise he gets upset and is restless.  He likes to know that he is not alone on the floor.  But midway he doesn't seem to mind.    Nonetheless I mind, because until I invite the 600 lb. elephant up; then she wakes me up with her continual pursuit of being up.

So being sleep deprived I began to implement the previous rules of nighttime.  It took several days for them to be established in Elsa's head. She has to be invited onto the bed so the quest continues; she tried and she tried and she tried.  Which meant I didn't sleep and didn't sleep and so on.  Elsa is very good with black and white, like most dogs are; it is the gray area that they don't do well with.  If there was a chance for her to be on the bed then she was going to take it.  She would continue her pursuit until such time; that she was snuggled up close to me.  I am very happy to say that it only took two very tough nights to get back to the old routine. 

It is a tough call between snuggling with the elephant and not.  But for my own sanity and Mr. Luke's not wanting to be left out; she is designated to the dog bed.  Which I might add is like a double king sized bed for them with pillows.  I have joined Luke many times down there and it is crazy comfortable; I'd sleep there if I had to.  We all need sleep, even Elsa, who was not getting enough sleep with her constant awake time trying to get on the bed.  It didn't take long to implement the "no bed until morning" rule initially.  Hopefully we are already there once again.  She's a smart cookie, but also a very determined and driven snuggler.   

Do you hang out with your dog?

 

My sister hanging out with her Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, at the cottage.

 

Do you hang out with your dog?  I mean choose to spend time with them; not just walk the dog and get on with your day?  Dogs are amazing company; they do whatever you want to do and they listen better than most humans.  They are happy to just sit and watch television; actually watching t.v. is one of Luke's all time favorite things to do.  He loves it so much that I will watch an hour of whatever in the evening just to give him his time doing t.v. watching.  Funny guy he is.  Even if he falls asleep watching t.v., I still have a sense of shared time together, hanging out.

Hanging out with your dog is easy to accomplish.  Thing is, you have to want to do it to get it done.  If your dog is one of those who gets their mandatory "dog walk" each day; which is their allotment of your time then try adding something more.  Like I said, dogs like to do anything we like to do, pretty much.  Of course there are things that we might like to do or simply have to do that our dogs would not enjoy.  But, for the most part; our dogs are happy doing whatever we want to do as long as they are by our side.

"Come on guys, it's garden day," I call out to Luke and Elsa.  They both head out with me; Luke takes up the double lounge and Elsa is my shadow.  We are gardening.  Luke watches from his perch for a bit then decides that he is not close enough to the action.  Then I have two shadows; we are all gardening together.  When I have to go to the other side of the ornamental fence; they both follow along as I move foot by foot, weeding the whole thing.  They like when I pass them grass weeds (non fertilized) through the fence.  I pull the roots off and shake off the dirt before passing it through the bars.  They wait patiently, taking it with their front teeth and chomping it down.  Yep, we're hang'n.

Spending time just hanging with your dog; just chill'n helps to connect you.  It can be those nothing moments that you learn the most about your dog.   Many people complain about a dog being clingy.  "Geesh, they want to be with me all the time," I often hear.  Yep, that's because they like to hang with us.  They shadow us around during our day waiting to do whatever it is that we are going to do. 

Doing things that they like to do; other than the daily walk is a great way to hang out as well.  At 13.5 years old, Luke likes when I sit somewhere.  A place that means that I'll be there a while.  He loves to lay by my side.  Elsa loves to retrieve, anything.  But I have taught her that I am  not throwing her ball, toy or other unless she brings it to me.  Just because we're doing what she wants does not mean that it is all on her terms.  She must bring me the item so that I can toss it.  Even when I'm gardening she will find a ball and drop it into my weed bucket to be tossed again.  She's young and got bucket loads of energy. 

Hanging gives you the opportunity to connect; much more so than just sharing a space in your home together.  I have very busy days like anyone else when I cannot take the time to stop and hang with the dogs.  Even though we have probably been in the same room all day; we have not connected and I miss that.  Almost everyone has a dog, but not everyone hangs out with their dog. 

Incorrect use of markers

I often see people who misuse reinforcement markers.  A reinforcement marker can be a clicker, a particular word or sound.  An association between the marker and a reward is the first thing that is taught.  Once the dog understands that the click, word (many people use "yes") or other sound means a reward; then you can use it to mark correct behaviors.  There is a great deal to know about marking behaviors, timing and delivery take patience to master.  Using markers is very commonly done wrong; which can leave a dog in a state of confusion. 

A reinforcement marker must be understood fully before it can be used correctly.  Often owners who have heard about it may give it a try without having any sound knowledge of what they are doing.  I have seen trainers, attempt to use and teach it without any real knowledge of what they are doing.  When someone misuses a behavior marker; it can cause a great deal of frustration in a dog.  You may end up with a situation similar to "the blind leading the blind." 

The marker means a reward is coming.  The marker has great power because of it's association to the delivery of a reward.  Each and every time the marker is used, a reward MUST follow.   If the trainer does not deliver a reward when the marker is used; then the marker will have diminished power.  It will no longer be a marker in the capacity that it is meant to be. 

Like I said, a marker can be anything; a sound, a word or even a flash of light.  People who work with deaf dogs often use flashlights as their behavior markers.   When a dog is learning a new behavior; the marker speeds things along once the dog has a clear understanding of it.  Timing is of the utmost importance and needs to be practiced to get it just right.   I use a clicker and the word "yes."  If I am out somewhere and Elsa offers me a new behavior; I like to be able to mark it, even if I do not have my clicker on me. 

A marker gives you the ability to work away from your dog.  You can be clear across the room and still mark a behavior.  By creating an association between a desired behavior and reward; we give our dogs very fast information that has pinpoint precision.  The dog quickly learns what particular behavior is getting them the reward. They then think about how to do it again and you get a repetition of desired behaviors.  Once a behavior is solid and proofed you can then wean off the rewards by variable intervals.  You can use time or random delivery to work your way to complete elimination of rewards.  BUT, when you are weaning off of a reward; you implement verbal praise.  Different words other than your marker word must be used; because if you use your marker word it MUST be followed by a reward.

A marker is not used as a bribe; it is not a reward in itself.  It is a marker, in the simplest form.   But before the marker can do it's thing; it must be associated to a reward.  That reward can be food, a ball, tug toy or anything else that your dog would consider a reward.  Never click, say "yes" or use your marker without rewarding it.  A behavior must be offered to be marked; once marked a reward MUST follow.  If you don't understand about the use of a behavior marker; read up on it and ask a trainer who is well experienced in the use and misuse of a behavior marker. 

A tiny hunter

Wolves at the California Wolf Center that we visited several years ago.


Yesterday, Elsa and I were at the harbor.  It is truly a beautiful place; but, it is filled with squirrels. Not tree squirrels like the type with big fluffy tails, these are ground squirrels.  They look more like prairie dogs than the squirrels that you see in the forest or treed areas.  Anyway, back to the harbor. When Elsa and I arrived we saw a tiny white toy poodle standing frozen at the edge of the rocks where the squirrels live.  I smiled looking at her fancy haircut and small stature.  The man on the other end of the leash was talking to her; trying to coax her away from the little rodents, but she was not budging.  "Can't take the hunter out of the poodle," I said, smiling.  She didn't look like a hunting dog but she most definitely thought that she was and in fact she was.

    This little guy may not look much like his ancestor, the wolf.  But the drive to hunt is still in there. 

The man told me that she had caught one, I was shocked.  The squirrels were not that much smaller than she was; and I imagined her with one in her mouth doing a victory dance.  The squirrels are bold; not scared of dogs because most are kept on a short leash.  But they obviously got too confident on the day that this little white toy poodle was hunting.  I love seeing dogs that still have an ancestral drive in them and humans that give them an outlet for it.  Especially when it is not a dog that you would think would have that sort of drive.

Dogs are dogs and when we give our dogs an outlet to be a dog, it can be truly wonderful.  Seeing the man with the little white toy poodle at the harbor; standing patiently as she got her fill of "the hunt," was amazing.  I know a lot of people who freak out if their dog caught a squirrel, killed a rabbit or chased a neighborhood cat.  In fact I've had many calls from very upset dog owners who's dog had chased down and nearly killed a cat.  Dogs are dogs and whether we like it or not; they descend from wolves.  Yes even the little white toy poodle, yorkie and other very non wolf looking dogs.  They can all have that inner desire to chase and hunt.  But not all hunters are alike.

All of my dogs except for Mandy (my first dog), have been hunters; but not all have been killers.  Jessie loved to hunt and killed without a second thought.  She would sit at the top of varmint holes and wait patiently for them to come out.  One day at the park she caught one off guard and swallowed it down whole, before I could do anything about it.  Ahhh, Jack Russells.  :)  Tilley on the other hand was all about the chase.  She would slink down low when in the presence of the harbor squirrels; and there she remained until we left.  Every step was methodical and nothing else existed around her.  The hunt was the exciting part for her; I know this because she once caught a rabbit and brought it to us.  She hadn't killed it, although it died of fright in her mouth.  Rabbits are extremely fearful which makes them very hard to rescue and rehabilitate.  They die very easily, but of course I guess being in a dogs mouth is a very scary place to be.   Tilley had loved every second of the chase and finally catch, but not the kill. 

So  many people think that their dogs are far, far removed from the hunters they once were.  Some are but most are not.  That drive to hunt or chase is still very much alive; sitting just beneath that genetically modified coat.  You can take the dog out of the forest but you cannot take the hunt out of the dog. 

A typical day

Break time.

I was immersed in work yesterday.  But before I got myself deep into the thick of it; I head out to the park with Elsa.  We were there earlier than normal; it was my day off from the gym, my body needed a rest.  Funny how you see different people when you switch things up.  The traffic was lighter and the air cooler, very nice for a walk.  There were no dogs at the park, strange; so Elsa got a big heap of exercise in.  As we speed walked around the park I realized how slow Luke walks now; the difference between Elsa and him is getting larger by the day.  He's doing great but when you are out and about doing things that require endurance you can really notice the difference.  We were in an out in a flash; hopped into the Xterra and headed for home. 

Luke was waiting for us when we arrived.  I heard the all too familiar thumping of his tail as he propped his head up and over the back of the couch.  He was in his spot, it is usually where he is.  Even when we moved the couch to Connecticut; turned it around and put it into a new house, the spot remained the same.   The boy loves his spot on the couch and if someone happens to sit there he will stand and stare at them until I ask that person or dog to kindly move out of Luke's spot.  What a funny guy he is.  No sooner was I home and it was time to go again.   Elsa thought that it was time to eat as she ran into the kitchen; turning and looking over her shoulder to see if I was coming, she stopped in her tracks.  She stared as I told Luke that it was walk time.  "What?" was all over her face "we aren't eating?"  I told her that it was "just Luke," and her body slumped as the realization sunk in.   Fully understanding that she was not coming with Luke and I she stood at the top of the stairs, watching us go out the door.  But I immediately heard her thunderous feet run up the stairs and into my office.  She has to watch us drive away from the office window.  The same window she will be at as we pull back into the driveway.   

Luke and I hit a different park; it is closer to home and there are less off leash dogs there.  I am beyond careful with Luke when around off leash dogs; it would take the slightest of bumps to knock him to the ground and be injured.  I also like that I have a really great visual in this particular park; I can see anyone coming for a very far distance.  We made our way around the park, listening to the crows and parrots (there are colonies of green parrots in Southern California) compete for squawking rights.   He sniffed, sniffed and sniffed some more.  These Luke walks are all about stopping and smelling the roses.  With the fast pace of life today an old dog can make you stop; slow down and enjoy the moment.  There is nothing like walking an old dog; watching him go from bush to bush makes me smile.  When he sees another dog across the park he stops; watches quietly and then we move on. 

As we pull into the driveway, Elsa watches.  Then before we can get into the house she is downat the door waiting.  She gives Luke the royal greeting that he has gotten use to.  She sniffs every inch of him as she figures out where we've been and who we've seen.  Now it is time for breakfast, with Elsa leading the way she turns once again glancing over her shoulder to make sure I'm coming.  She waits patiently as I cut up their meat and then it's outside for breakfast in the sun.  Of course Luke takes forever to get started; it is what he does.  I get the butter out and add some on top of his food; he likes when he is fussed over, he is a true Momma's boy.  Once they've eaten it's time for my breakfast and off to work. 

Where I go, Luke and Elsa go.  They sleep the day away in my office and if I should get up for any reason, they come along.  By late afternoon, my neck throbbed from sitting in the same position too long; I felt a nudge under my left arm.  Without looking, I knew who it was immediately; she always lets me know when it is time to take a break.  I spun around in my chair and scooped her up like she weighed 10 lbs.  Even though Elsa weighs only a few pounds more than Luke she feels a good 100 pounds heavier.  She spilled over the edge of the chair and we had a quick snuggle.  It was time to head outside and toss the ball.  Of course Elsa led the way. 

It's much more than obedience training

Having a harmonious relationship with your dog is about more than just obedience training.  I've seen many amazingly trained dogs who act like crazy dogs at home when they aren't in "training" mode.  The problem with training is that owners often think that there is a training time and a non training time; when in fact training time starts from the moment you add a new dog to your home until everything runs smooth.  This can be anywhere from a year, year and a half or more.  Even then you still need to be there for day to day guidance.  Rules and regulations to live by need to be instilled in your dog.  Not only those obedience commands; sit, stay, come and down.  Our dogs need to learn how to behave everyday; what is and is not acceptable behavior.

Do we dive all over visitors when they come to see us?   Well, that all depends who the visitor is (just kidding).   If our dogs have not been taught that this is not okay, they probably will.  Dogs will counter surf, sniff crotches and basically act like cave dogs if you don't teach them not to.  That means on a moment to moment basis.  You must always be in "training/educating" mode.  Seems like an arduous task? Maybe, but it is more than worth the effort in the long run.  I have seen five year old dogs who know nothing, driving their owners crazy, daily.  Had anyone ever taught the dog anything?  I'm thinking no.

I've met people standing in the park while their dog runs everywhere but back to them when called.  The owner shrugs and says "she never comes."  The dog is off doing everything but what the owner is asking.  By letting things slide the owner is teaching the dog that they can basically do whatever they want.  Just because running off leash is wonderful does not mean that all dogs should be partaking in the activity.  A owner who allows a dog to run free when they have no control over that dog is making many big mistakes.  First, it is dangerous for the dog itself.  Second, other people don't want to deal with a dog off leash.  Third, the owner is teaching the dog that they don't have to listen at all; they can do whatever they like without consequence.

I don't enjoy rude people and I certainly don't enjoy rude dogs.  Rude dogs are rude because their owner allows them to be.  I hate hearing "he doesn't come when called," as we watch a dog running all around the park and skirting the owner.  Much like when an owner complains about a dog counter surfing as they stand and watch it happen, while doing nothing.  The dog may do a mean "leave it" exercise while in training but forget about the real life situation.  The owner has dropped the ball in that department; but then complains that their dog ate their dinner off of the coffee table.

Guidance is a constant thing when you have a dog; especially when you have a new dog that has no sense of life in a human world.   They don't know that $2,000 beautiful piece of driftwood in the living room isn't just a stick like any other.  Dogs don't understand that they shouldn't dig in the house plants when they are allowed to dig in them outside.  Or that they are not allowed to dive and run all over the couch when visitors come over.  That is not unless someone has educated them on all of these life rules. 

Dogs are crazy smart; that is a fact.  If you don't educate them on living in your human world; they will live by their rules; because you have given them nothing else to go by.  This is when things go very wrong.  The human fails to teach the dog but blames the dog for being a dog.  Hmmmmmm......   Dogs need information, they need it on a day to day basis.  Just imagine, they come to us with a clan slate; most only know how to be a dog, the rest is up to us.    You need to teach them, they do not come uploaded with this information.

Come back, please come back.

Recall training should start very early.  This photo is of Elsa around the age of 3.5 months old; she already knows that it is a good thing to come when called. 


Yesterday I had Luke and Elsa at the park.  We'd done our round and were back at the Xterra getting in when I saw a little rough coated Jack Russell heading our way.  I closed the back hatch and moved around to get into my vehicle while glancing around for an owner.  I'd seen this dog before, I was sure of it; but I couldn't for the life of me remember who he was attached to last time.  Thinking and thinking, I said "hi, where's your Mom?"  He ran right over and jumped on me whimpering; so I stood up and scanned the park, there she was.  Now I remembered. 

Elsa and I had run into this woman and her dog months ago.  She had him off leash and he was no where near her.  He'd come around a blind corner and startled us;  I looked around, but there was no person in sight.  He followed Elsa and I on our walk until a woman appeared; but the woman didn't act like it was her dog.  She didn't call him, signal or even really give other than a quick glance.  So I shouted "this your dog?"  She nodded and then called to him which he totally ignored and she continued to walk.  It is a strange arrangement they have and one that is very likely to get the little dog into trouble. 

This of course made me ponder on the whole idea of the canine recall.  You know, calling your dog and having them come to you.  For some folks this is just never going to happen; they may be fine with it while others panic as soon as their dog doesn't immediately come running.  Having your dog come to you when you call does not just happen.  I have seen many dogs basically give their owner the finger when they call; young, old and everything in between, nope not coming.  It happens to everyone now and again; your dog is off sniffing or greeting someone very interesting when you call.  They might ponder on the idea for a moment or two; coming to their final decision of not coming.  That is when you must kick it into gear; that is if you have already trained your dog to come.  So many dogs have no idea what come means; they have never been "officially" taught and their owner is not consistent about any part of it.

Teaching your dog to come when called takes time and a great deal of thought on our part.  If you link anything negative to coming then you are creating a pause or thought otherwise about returning to you.  Dogs are highly intelligent creatures; and as such they have a mind of their own.  No that doesn't mean that they are a stubborn beast; it just means that you have to learn how to work with them.  What makes them tick?  Usually it is food that you link to a recall from the beginning; of course it can be a ball, a stick, a tug toy or anything else but they must love it. 

Along with many other words I have taught Elsa "leash" which means just that.  It is of course a negative sometimes because it often means that we are leaving.  I did not want to associate this action with her recall words so it is a very neutral word that just is what it is.  If and when I do use "leash" I give her a treat for coming.  Rewarding her for coming to get her leash on lessens the negative part by adding a positive to it.  I do the same when she gives up her ball after the final throw when we are out.  Giving up the ball is a big negative so when she does it I lessen the blow with food. 

Dogs are not little robots; they do not come preprogrammed with certain behaviors.  We must take the time and learn how to teach them the things that we would like them to do.  Coming to us when called is a big one and sadly it is also on of the most undertrained and overused. 

Words vs. body language

"I told her no" he said walking away with his dog continually jumping on him.  "But, that is not what you said with your face or body," I told him.  "She only sees action right now, she is not listening to your words," I explained as I have done so many times before.  Our dogs watch us far more than they listen to us.  Just the other day I was outside with Luke and Elsa when Miss Elsa lifted her leg and almost peed on Luke.  Yep, she is a marker and on this day she could not wait for him to finish before marking over his pee.  I yelled as she lifted her leg which stopped her short of hitting him on the leg.  I was postured adding to the disapproval in my voice which had great effect.  She very quickly ran over and sat in front of me with just the very tip of her tail wagging from under her rear end.  She understood very clearly that it is not okay to pee on Luke.  Honestly. 

What you say and what you do are two completely separate things.  You can say one thing but if you do not follow up with actions your words may be lost.  Of course, this is with regards to feedback and not well trained verbal cues.  It also depends on the individual dog, your relationship and training.  If you want to be very clear you will make good use of your body as well as your voice when trying to get a message across to your dogs.  You might say "stop, stop, stop, STOP," but it is not until you get up or stand tall that they listen.  Young dogs are often the culprit of this "I can't hear you," scenario.  They may be at the push stage and giving things a try.  But add some body language in with your vocal feedback and you will then be speaking dog. 

Using your body, facial expression and vocal or verbal are all options.  You can use only body language on all it's own to deliver a message.  Eye contact works well on it's own with a dog who is use to looking for it.  But vocal or verbal does not always work on it's own.  If you have a well trained dog who knows when you speak that you mean business then yes it will work wonderfully.  But if you have a young dog or a dog who is never given feedback or expected to follow orders at all then you may have a difficult time. 

Elsa is a body language dog, she is constantly watching and perfecting it.  If she is mooching at the table for scraps, I simply have to freeze and look at her to send her flying away from the table.  If I stare at her she gets very uncomfortable as she tries to figure out what she is doing wrong.  For these type of dogs it does not take a lot to get a message across.  Others may need more practice for their reading skills and some need new lessons altogether.  Most dogs come to us with a clear understanding of body language; it is important to keep it up so that they don't lose it.  It is also the easiest way to communicate with them. 

Watching a fine tuned canine/human team work together is amazing.  That doesn't mean that they have to be doing agility, flyball or other sport.  It can be simply how they interact on a day to day basis.  Anyone can have it, with just a bit of work.  But that work will pay off tenfold. 

Pulled in all directions

I was reading about a new product for dogs.  It, like many others was claiming to be the greatest thing ever!  Touted as the newest and most innovative product around.  Hmmmmmm, then I looked further.  Ahhhh... a pyramid product, no thank you.  I just cannot look further when I find out that it is a pyramid product.  The people selling it are so passionate about their product; oddly passionate until you find out what drives them.  Money, money, money.  Of course everyone wants to make money; I am no different, but I cannot push something that I am truly not passionate about.  But that's me.

There are so many products available today for our dogs; no matter what the need, you can find a product to fix it.  Food, supplements, grooming products, gear and the list goes on and on.  I like to see it all; I am a need to know type of person.  When a new study comes out with regard to the health for our dogs, I'm all over it.  This is where our opinion lies, I look at it; weigh out the information and make an opinion.  My opinion.  But I always want to know more.

Food and feeding our dogs is mind boggling isn't it?  Between the big dog food companies advertising on television with their fancy schmancy advertisements to the people promoting vegan diets for dogs and everything in between.  Kibble, cooked, raw or a combination, what the heck are you to do.  You are to do what you feel right about doing.  Of course I think that everyone should read and research but lots of people just like to go with what their Veterinarian says, the lady at the pet food store or their dog loving neighbor down the street.

If the whole food thing isn't confusing enough; now the world of supplements has ventured into our best friends lives.  Been to a health food store recently?  Talk about confusion as you walk into the supplement isle.  Plastic bottles filled with health, or are they?  How much good can you pack into a processed substance that is shoved into a tiny capsule?  Well the health folks think that it is a great idea.  But where do you draw the line at supplements?

I am a pretty simple person and as such I like to look at things in the simplest form.  I like to picture us and our dogs eating the way that we are meant to eat.  Before all the huge companies came along to assist us with processing everything good and putting it into a package of some sort.  Eat real good food and be healthy.  Imagine a wolf standing in the woods eating a meal; what are they eating?  Meat, maybe some grass or berries or weeds.

This is all getting too confusing, no wonder people just grab a bag of dog food and call it good.  Who has time to learn it all and feel good about a choice other than what the big guys are saying about their dog food?  I say keep it simple and real.  There are supplements that I use like salmon oil, because I don't have a good line on fresh salmon for my dogs.  But no matter what you decide, you need to feel good about it.  We do our best and make our decisions, it is all we can do.  But I say keep it simple, nothing more simple than that, right?