Being a Politically Correct Responsible Dog Trainer Has a Price: Humiliation

What a lovely weekend it's been here in Ventura. Just got home from an ocean swim with my friends Terri and Mary, along with the other great folks of the Rincon Tri Club. Nice way to start a Sunday...I thought it would be even more fun if Nolan and Poncho came down so we could practice some loose leash walking along the promenade together. Unfortunately it ended with a stranger, poor communication, and me being the target of unintended hurt feelings. 

I know my dog. I know Poncho; what triggers cause which effects. Trucks = increase predatory drive. Loud noises (e.g. fireworks) = barking. Even with the socialization exercises I've done with him, just like the ones I have my private dog training clients and puppy and adult dog training class students do, it seems sometimes tall men wearing hats and sunglasses approaching head on or "sneaking" in from behind to steal a quick pet can sometimes result in a redirected snark... But hey, if someone did this to me, I'd snark too! 

So here I was, with Poncho, standing on the bike path. Poncho was doing his doggy thing, sniffing around some grass and pole. A gentleman wearing sunglasses and a hat came walking by to cross the street and asked "Is that a Chihuahua?" "Yes, he is part Chihuahua." This stranger then started to reach out to touch Poncho, without asking first, while Poncho was still sniffing. 

Poncho didn't see this person, or at least didn't take notice of him. I mentioned that sometimes Poncho will turn around and snark if he isn't expecting it, and doesn't know the person. "So, please don't touch him. I wouldn't want you to get bitten." To me I was being very responsible, concerned with the welfare of the public, and politically correct. I even apologized for not allowing him to pet him. I certainly didn't mean to insult him. 

So off we went, while this other person went on his way. Well, the next thing you know this stranger is driving by, and yells out a phrase that was quite rude, insulting, and too offensive to post in this G-rated family friendly dog training blog. Needless to say, I was quite exasperated and downright hurt. 

By this time I've gotten over it. I do understand it's not me, but the other person. Insecurity? Poor coping skills? Would I have done anything differently? Hmm, maybe would have managed my environment by walking faster - but I didn't want to ruin Poncho's sniffing time! Obviously this person hadn't learned to ask before doing. This is one reason I include the following statement in my class policies at the inquisitive canine dog training studio:

• Approaching and petting dogs: Some dogs are not friendly toward or comfortable around people they do not know. Please do not approach or pet any other dogs in class. If your child wants to meet another dog, they may do so after obtaining permission from the dog's owner and only during non-classroom teaching time.

I always ask dog guardians if I may pet their dog BEFORE actually doing it! Not while I'm reaching out. It's always best to ask first. You never know what might trigger a dog. It's also important to read a dogs body language, and what they might be communicating. They may be "saying" please don't touch me, or "Yes, please come say hello to me." 

Dogs are living breathing creatures that have their own likes and dislikes. As individuals we don't like strangers coming up to us and touching us without asking...and even if they do ask, we might not want them to. Parents of human children don't allow strangers to just reach out and touch their kids, why do we treat our dogs differently? Is it just because they're dogs they should like it? I think not. 

Situational awareness, being politically correct, respecting the safety and welfare of the public, and respecting the safety and welfare of your own dog all add up to being a responsible pet guardian! Too bad there are those times when it doesn't go over well...but that's human behavior for ya. 

Dog's Celebrating the 4th of July Can Create An Explosive Situation

I remember when I was very young going to Echo Park every 4th of July for the fireworks show. I also recall hiding under my pink blanket, tensing up, whimpering a little, all out of fear. My parents were very cautious, keeping me and my brother safe. But it didn't matter. I guess the sound of the explosives, the crowd, and all the smoke were way too much for me. 

As I got older I certainly understood the whole concept of the celebration of this festive summertime holiday, but it doesn't mean I'm any less fearful. I've been known to enjoy watching the various shows from afar...but I'll be honest, I still get a little twinge of anxiety whenever I hear the loud explosions. Maybe it's because these "bombs" can cause damage and harm to all animals, and the environment. Especially when alcohol is involved.

Okay, my intention isn't to be a party-pooper...I'm looking forward to going out and celebrating as well...spending time with friends and whatnot. But, as a certified professional dog trainer, and dedicated dog mom to Poncho, it's my priority to keep him safe and out of harms way. 

I'm sure you're planning on protecting your pets as well, but I'd like to pass along a few safety tips for keeping dogs (and kitties) safe this holiday:

• Manage your environment! If you're having a party, or going to be bringing your dog to a party, it might be best to have them confined to a specific out-of-harms-way area with proper enrichment such as chew bones or a stuffed food toy, or tethered to you with a leash. I've said it before and I'll say it again: If something is within reach (including jumping up or climbing on tables to get it), it’s going to be investigated! Please keep any and all food items out of our reach. This includes closing the barbeque cover. Jumping up on a hot grill isn’t very smart, but some dogs haven’t learned that yet - like when kids touch a hot stove. 

• Food items: Although some dogs have a rock-gut stomach, many others do not. Please make sure you you stick with your dogs regular diet. And ask all of the other humans to refrain from handing out snacks, no matter how much your dog begs. Some foods aren’t good for dogs and they might not know it. You can always post a reminder sign in plain view for everyone to see. 

• BBQ Accessories: Lighter fluid, charcoal, matches, lighters: All of these items used for the barbeque are often placed in areas where many dogs like to sniff around. Please be aware of where they are placed, and to keep them out of reach from the top dog CSI's. 

• Alcoholic beverages: Alcohol can be poisonous to dogs so please keep all beverage containers (except our fresh water) out of reach. 

• Decorations: Candles, tiki torches, oil lamps, and other decorative products like this can be fun to investigate. Unfortunately they can cause harm if they fall over on dogs, or are eaten. So again, if your dog is running around the house, keep these items in a safe place or put away altogether.

Fireworks: First and foremost, keep them away from all pets! Exposure can cause burns and other injuries. Plus they’re very scary to most animals. To play it safe:

• Keep all pets inside your home where it is safe. Sometimes the explosions scare us and we like to run away. 
  
• ID and License: Make sure your dog (and kitties too) are wearing a collar with license and ID tag. Just in case they take off, the authorities will have a better chance of finding you.
  
• Stay home or have a pet sitter: Leave your dog at home. Fireworks shows are fun for all of you humans, but for many of us dogs they’re too overwhelming. If you aren’t able to stay home with them, consider hiring a professional pet sitter or have a friend come over to hang out and comfort your pets.
  
• Medications: If the anxiety is too much for your dog or cat to handle, contact your veterinarian about the various medication options for helping to reduce noise phobia anxiety. 
  

Another step you’ll want to take is having phone numbers and other contact information handy.

• Animal Poison Control: If your dog or cat ingests something they shouldn’t have, you can contact the animal poison control center 24/7
• Pet Emergency Clinic: Know in advance where the nearest 24-hour pet emergency clinic is and the fastest way to get there. This is something I was reminded of in the Pet First Aid & CPR course I just took with Denise Fleck. The day that we had to rush Poncho to our own pet emergency clinic, VMSG, we had to think very hard of how the best way to get there was. The clinic had recently relocated, and we ended up going the wrong way - this was our own fault for not planning ahead! It's also doubly important if you are traveling with your dog and are unfamiliar with the area you're in. 

I’m not a party-pooper. Trust me, I love a barbeque and a party as much as anyone. But whatever you end up doing this weekend, please make sure you take those extra steps in keeping your pets safe so you can enjoy celebrating more holidays together! 

Dressing Dogs Up: Borderline animal abuse? Not if you make it fun!

I just read a question posted to a reporter news feed about wanting opinions from animal professionals on the topic of dressing dogs up... Okay, so this just happened to fall on the birthday of my beautiful, handsome, lovely, love of my life, baby boy Poncho! Of ALL days! Why today??? Today is one of those days I'm going wear my "dog mom" hat - not my professional certified pet dog trainer, dog behavior counselor hat! 

What's my opinion? Hmm, my usual m.o. is to change up his collar...I admit, Poncho the dog has quite a few to choose from. I switch his license and ID tag to whichever he ends up wearing. As I tell my dog training class and private dog training clients, one key element in being a responsible pet owner: "Your dogs collar is similar to our wallet. It's used for carrying ID and license. Other than that it can be used for a fashion statement, personality statement, or to match your outfit." It shouldn't be used for "training" (like those nasty aversive training methods using collar correction). 

As for other "outfits"? Yes, Poncho has various sweaters, t-shirts, a couple of vests/jackets... and the ever popular lobster costume he wears at Halloween, the hawaiian lei I have him wear many times throughout the year...we do live in Ventura, which is a beach town. Besides the annual Halloween event, all of his clothes are more about function...if it's cold out. Oops, wait a minute...some of his t-shirts are more about statements I want to make...like when he goes to races with me. Poncho is one of my running partners, and he likes to brag about that. 

This specific reporter asked the question: "Other than essential winter coats, do dogs generally hate having to wear people clothes, and is it cruel to dress dogs up?"

My answer to that: I have no idea what they're thinking. Therefore I'm not sure if they hate it or not. I know that when I dress Poncho in clothing that he's not used to, like his fuzzy green birthday hat, or lobster costume, I head down the "creating pleasant associations" path, and feed him little bits of yummy high-value treats while he's wearing them. This way, he'll learn to love the outfits! Classical conditioning is a wonderful thing! 

As for the latter part of the question, "Is it cruel?" That all depends upon the motivation of whomever is dressing the dog up. If the person is intending to hurt, humiliate (intentionally), bully, coerce, or intimidate the dog in question, then "yes" I do think it's cruel. If the person is doing it to have fun, provide love, attention, and steak for their dog, then why not? Just like when my parents dressed me in striped pants and paisley shirts - they weren't cruel, it was the 70's. 

Out and About at the Beach: Dog behavior and proper etiquette

I received a request from a writer for the AKC regarding "tips for taking your dog to the beach". I applaud them for publishing such great information. I say, the more responsible dog guardians are, the more places we will be allowed to bring our beloved four legged friends - We have so many wonderful beaches here in Ventura, Oxnard, Santa Barbara, Summerland, Carpinteria etc... it would be great to keep those places dog friendly!

Some general guidelines that can help promote a safe and happy time with your dog out at a beach or park are:

• Use leashes if they are required, and it is stated as such. If it’s an off-leash place, keep your dog off-leash as well. Leashes can cause frustration, fear responses, and even fights. If you aren’t able to take your dog off leash, don’t bring them – Unless you’re sitting stationary “camped” in one place and you’re managing their environment. 
• Clean up after your pet. Carry proper elimination bags with you. 
• Bring your dog to public places if they are healthy. If your dog is sick or injured, ask your vet what the best form of exercise should be.
• Monitor your dog and their behavior. Getting caught up socializing with friends can result in your dog wandering off on their own, or getting into an altercation. 
• Spay or neuter your dog. Unaltered dogs tend to wander more, listen less, and are often targeted more often by other dogs. Plus, they don’t have much common sense when it comes to reproducing. The last thing you want is to come home with a pregnant dog, or be the owner of the expectant father. 
• Learn to recognize dog play versus bully behavior. Is your dog being asked to play? Targeted by a bully? Is your own dog wanting to play? Or being a bully themselves? 
• Be careful of humans wanting to say hello to your dog, or your dog wanting to go say hello to others. This goes double for younger kids. Not all dogs do well with kids – either afraid, or wanting to play. 
• Bring dog friendly snacks and plenty of water to fulfill those doggy biological needs. 
• Make sure your dog is up to date on all legally required vaccinations, and that they are licensed.
• Make sure you and your dog are up to speed with those much needed behaviors you learned in your manners classes. This includes: coming when called, "leave it", loose leash walking, greeting politely, and dropping things when asked to (rocks are fun to pick up and chew on). If you need help with those, you can attend one of our classes where we teach all of these behaviors. 
• If your dog enjoys going in the water, make sure they know how to swim. 

Again, I'd like to emphasize, the more responsible dog guardians are, the more places we will be allowed to bring them. Please don't be that one person that ruins it for the rest of us! 

For additional information on training services for you and your dog, please contact us. 

Pet First Aid & CPR Course Coming March 8th

Ninety-two percent of dogs and cats will experience an emergency during their life-time. Do you know what to do to help your four-legged friend? My friend Denise Fleck of Sunny-Dog INK knows what to do, and she wants to share it with you!

Her PET FIRST-AID & CPR CLASS will be offered at Veterinary Medical & Surgical Group (2199 Sperry Avenue – Ventura 93003) on Sunday, March 8th, 2009 from 10:00am – 3:00pm. 

Cost is $55 per person with a portion of the proceeds benefitting The Humane Society of Ventura County. Fee includes class tuition, handbook, certificate and wallet card for each student. 

Skills are taught through lecture, demonstration and hands-on practice. 

Techniques include:

• Muzzling and Safe Approach of a sick or injured animal
  
• How to Find Your Pet’s Pulse, Respiration, Capillary Refill Time & Hydration
  
• Rescue Breathing & CPR
  
• Bandaging & Splinting Techniques
• How to handle Snake Bites, Bee Stings, Tick Removal
• How to Administer Medications 
• Using the items in your Pet First-Aid Kit
  

Conditions covered include:

• Bloat
  
• Burns
  
• Choking
  
• Constipation
  
• Diarrhea
  
• Drowning
  
• Electric Shock
  
• Frostbite
  
• Heat Stroke
  
• Poisoning
  
• Seizures
  

Denise will also cover such topics as:

• The importance of developing a GOOD RELATIONSHIP with your VETERINARIAN
• How to take a more active role in your dog or cat's health & care
• Ten Situations that require IMMEDIATE Veterinary Care
• An Introduction to Disaster Preparedness

Hopefully you'll never need to use these fine skills, but it will be great to have them handy, just in case!!! Be prepared! 

Dog Behavior and Exercise: a look at before and after

My friend Emilia just emailed me a great photo of her dog Nellie. They were in my Manners Class this last Autumn, along with Nellie's dad Nick. Nellie is an absolute sweetheart! Friendly as can be, totally outgoing, motivated to learn, pays attention in class! Her mom and dad have always said she has lots of energy, and that sometimes it's hard to deal with, as you can see from this picture... You can also check out her energy level on my "chewing illegal items" post. 

Well they went on a little getaway where Nellie was able to run like the wind forever and a day... and when she got home she could barely chew her dinner let alone get into mischief. This is living proof why our domestic dogs need more exercise than they often receive. As I often say in my classes and privates: A tired dog is a happy dog, and a happier owner! A picture's worth a thousand words... and proof of how good a run-around session really is!  

The Obama's Narrow Down Their Decision: which puppy is right for them?

First of all, I think it sets a great example for the public that the Obamas are looking to adopt their dog from a shelter. Dogs are the products of their environment, and if a dog is raised in a loving home with loving hands, that dog can be a healthy, happy and loving member of their family, regardless of pedigree.

And it's also great that the President-elect has been doing his homework. However, it is important for Obama to keep in mind that breed descriptions and terms used by the AKC are all very subjective. Yes, many dogs are bred for specific traits and for carrying out certain tasks and activities. Their breed specifics will make that DNA a little stronger in some areas than other. But a dog's breed won't dictate personality - just like how you wouldn't say a person is friendly, reserved or aggressive based on their nationality or ethnic background.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I'm not breed biased. First and foremost their doggy DNA makes them dogs. And I know that you can train and teach a dog to love or hate almost anything. In fact, you can train any animal to do anything they are physically and mentally capable of doing.

So the most important thing for the Obamas to consider is how the dog will fit in with their lifestyle. While they must be able to provide the dog with legal outlets for the innate behaviors that it was bred for, they must also remember that dogs are living breathing creatures that have individual personalities! They're NOT inanimate objects like furniture, cars and computers that you can shop for through a catalog. I am a strong believer that dogs should be adopted based on personality, behavior, and demeanor. How a dog reacts at your first meeting is a better indicator of how it will fit into your lifestyle than the history of how the dog was bred. It's best to pay attention to what the dog is doing, not what you think it should or might do based upon breed alone. 

And if they are considering adopting a puppy, they need to think about proper socialization and dog training focused on preventing behavioral issues. It's just like when the Obamas had their children, they had to think about consistency in parenting and all the various responsibilities associated with taking care of another life in the long term. They had to baby proof their home, among other things. And with a puppy, they will have to puppy proof their home and know how to manage the responsibilities of raising a healthy and happy puppy. 

From what I’ve seen, the Obamas seem like a real traditional family that’s big on responsibility (Malia and Sasha will be making their own beds in the White House!) and they will remain focused on instilling values in their children to encourage them to be productive. Kudos to them for being such responsible parents! 

So they need to think about the dog's needs - Will the girls be brushing and grooming the dog regularly? Will Barack Obama run with the dog 5 miles or have the Secret Service pulling doggy exercising duties?

And finally, they have to think about taking care of the dog's needs in the long run. The dog will likely outlive Obama's presidential administration, even if he serves two terms. So the dog will be with them long after they leave the White House. And if the kids leave for college, Barack and Michelle will have an adult dog to take care of even though their daughters have moved away. So it's important for them to consider their immediate lifestyle as well as what their future holds.

Defining a subjective term.

I hear the words quite often...But what do they all mean? What exactly is being described? What is the message being sent? It's difficult for me, the dog trainer that comes from the "academic" "science-based" philosophy camp, to judge or determine why a dog is doing what they're doing based on these subjective terms that owners share with me. What words am  I speaking of? Allow me to share: 

• My dog is being dominant.
• My dog is being alpha.
• My dog is being controlling. 
• My dog is being aggressive.
• My dog has learned to be submissive with me. 

First off, let's see what some of the true definitions are, shall we?

• Dominant: commanding, controlling, or prevailing over all others.
• Alpha: something that is first.
• Controlling: inclined to control others' behavior : domineering.
• Aggressive: tending toward or exhibiting aggression. 
• Aggression: a forceful action or procedure (as an unprovoked attack) especially when intended to dominate or master
• Submissive (submission): to yield oneself to the authority or will of another

Wow. I find all of these terms pretty interesting - and confusing, and frankly quite negative in describing a loved one, including our pets. I think we all understand what they mean, and how they would pertain to describing another human. But describing our dogs? Really? Okay, I'll give you "aggression". That one I've used myself when describing dogs that would fit into my Feisty Fido class - one with dog-dog issues, or dog-stranger issues. But even a word like "aggression" can be very subjective. What's "aggressive" to one person, might not fit that same picture to another. Geez, you should see me on the road sometimes, I can be pretty "aggressive" ;-) I've been known to bark more than my own dog Poncho... at times. 

As for these catchy and popular terms... well, humans can use them all they want to describe their dogs behavior... but what it comes down to, and what I will ask right outta the gate when working with clients is, "what is your dog doing? Paint me a picture." Why? A few reasons are: 

1. Subjective terms don't tell me anything substantial to correctly evaluate a situation. 
2. The descriptions could be more about an owners own frustrations with their dogs behavior, vs the actual behavior of their dog. 
3. Acts of "dominance" to one person could mean something completely different to someone else. 
4. There is no exact scientific measure, standard protocol etc... of these descriptive terms. 

What are dogs really doing when people use the above descriptive terms? Is your dog bolting out the door before you? Uh, hello? Is that being "dominant" or are they just being a bit more impulsive? After all, they are dogs, right? Impulse control is usually not in their behavior repertoire. How about jumping up to greet when you get home? Is this "aggression" or just the normal greeting behavior or dogs? I believe the latter. As for "submission", well, I ask you what the underlying motivation is there when animals "submit" to us humans. Usually "fear". They don't want to "get in trouble" (yikes, dare I use this phrase...) so they provide their innate body language of "I'm no threat to you." 

Regardless if you use these terms or not, it's probably more important to pay attention to what your dog is doing and not try to figure out what they're thinking... I'm not clairvoyant, but I'm a good history taker and can observe your dogs behavior, the details, triggers, and of course how and or why a behavior is being reinforced - by you and/or the environment. Which brings me to this important question for you to take with you today: if you think your dog is controlling you, what are YOU doing that is reinforcing the behaviors you don't like? Ouch, there's the word of the day: "accountability". 

"Is a New Pet the Right Gift for the Holidays? What to Consider Before Getting One."

This is such a hot topic right now, don't you think? I hear it every day, "I'm going to get the kids a puppy for Christmas. What do you think?" Hmm... I'm thinking SO many things, I don't know where to begin. Instead of bursting anyones "Hallmark moment" bubble, I just smile, giggle, and agree that having a puppy (or adult dog, or cat, etc...) is magical - there really isn't anything like the love and joy of a furry friend...trust me!

I get it! I'm sitting here right now with mine, Poncho, on a Friday night, playing training games, kissy face, and fighting for the computer...instead of out with my hubby at one of his holiday office parties... but when it comes to buying one for someone else, even if it's within the same household, I encourage people to really think hard about this type of "purchase", for both the giver and the recipient(s). 

The following are questions posted by a journalist through a friend of mine: 

1. Is a new pet a good gift to a child or loved one for the holidays? This is a "yes" and "no" question. If the person on the receiving end is an adult who is expecting one, then I would say it would be a great gift. If it's been discussed and planned out then yes. If it's for a child in the family, then I would want the entire family to agree to welcoming the new pet, and realize that everyone will be involved, one way or another. 
2. Should the giver ruin the surprise by asking if the recipient wants that pet and breed before giving it? Definitely yes! Because the recipient not wanting such a "gift" could be a bigger surprise! An alternative would be to give someone items related to the pet they intend to give: books, pictures, toys, etc... along with a "gift certificate" good for "shopping" together. This way if the person really wants this pet, it can be a shared experience, which can be more meaningful. 
3. What are the dangers/risks/drawbacks of giving an animal as a present? The biggest one is the person doesn't want it, and the innocent animal has to be returned. It can be very traumatic for all involved. The person may want it, but then doesn't realize the responsibility that's involved with owning an animal. It's the pet that ends up suffering the most if it ends up in a neglectful home, even if unintentional. It can also damage the relationship between the giver and recipient if one feels imposed upon or slighted, and neither feels comfortable talking about it. 
4. What is a more appropriate vs. a less appropriate pet gift to give a child? It really depends upon the child, how involved they intend to be, and how responsible they are. It also depends upon what the parents expectations of the child are. Parents should investigate different types of animals that can be kept as pets, and the needs of that particular animal. Then match it to what the child can do to participate in its care. There are also many toys and virtual games that help build responsibility in pet care. 
5. Are there any special things the gift giver should do or consider before giving the pet as a present (i.e., they should ensure that the pet has all its vaccinations, is microchipped, etc.)? Assuming that it is a welcomed gift, taking care of the initial health care needs and requirements is always nice. The gift giver may also want to include a items including: a carrier, crate, bedding, proper collars, leashes, car seat-belt, walking harness, food, treats, elimination box if necessary, elimination bags, ID tags, licensing fee's, a gift certificate for a veterinarian wellness visit, training class if it's a dog, a few toys, books or other information about the specific pet. 
6. Where should a gift-giver try to get an appropriate pet (i.e., a reputable breeder or shelter)? What sources should the giver avoid? When it comes to adopting a pet or buying a pet, it's really up to the individual. There are reputable Web sites that can help the decision making process. With millions of shelter animals being killed every year because of irresponsible breeding, irresponsible ownership, etc... shelters are certainly a good choice. However there are responsible breeders as well, and should be considered if that is the persons desire. The American Kennel Club has information on helping people choose a breeder. 
7. Is it a good idea to research and suggest a reputable veterinarian/animal hospital in the recipient's area at the time you give the pet gift? Yes. This would be a nice gesture for the new pet owners. I would investigate, then provide a list of a few names, allowing the recipient to make the final choice. They might also want to provide a "gift certificate" for a wellness exam. 
8. Any special tips in terms of how to actually present the gift? Any creative ideas that won't threaten the animal's safety? A client of mine gave their son a puppy last Christmas. She placed the puppy in a large stocking for the presentation. Very cute. Attaching a fabric bow to the collar is sweet, and shouldn't endanger the animal. A large basket on the floor with the animal nestled in can be cute, but it may jump out, so you need to be careful. You can also gift-wrap all of the accompanying goodies. 
9. What are some good alternative gifts to giving a pet animal (i.e., membership to the zoo, donation to an animal-friendly cause or shelter, virtual reality pet game, etc.)? All of these ideas are good. If possible, the person can get involved with the local shelters. They always need volunteers. This way they can get the "pet fix" without the responsibility at home. 
10. Any other thoughts or recommendations on this topic? Pets are an absolute joy to have as part of any family. Unfortunately, they are still considered property. With that, folks sometimes treat them like inanimate objects, and not like the living, breathing, individual beings that they are. If they don't want it, they can't just stick it in the back closet and ignore it. It's also very difficult to return. Giving someone a pet as a gift is like giving someone a baby. It needs constant care and attention, and not just for a year or two. Adopting a puppy means having a dog for around ten years or more. Parents buying a puppy for their pre-teen kids means the parents will still be taking care of the dog once their child heads off to college...unless the child continues to live at home. There is also a financial responsibility. I'd say before buying someone a pet as a gift, make sure the recipient really wants it, and knows the responsibilities that go with it. 

So, is a pet a good gift? Again, it is if the recipient not only wants it, but is responsible enough to take care of it, for the lifetime of the pet. 

Hail to the CHIEF!

I can't tell you how excited I am about our new president elect Barack Obama! Like many, I cried tears of joy November 5th while looking at the front page of the newspaper. Now, I'm not going to use my dog training blog for political opinions beyond my excitement about change etc... but I would like to voice my sentiments regarding the ever popular "new puppy". 

I think it's wonderful that the Obama's are planning to adopt a new puppy once they move into their new home. What a perfect situation: loving family, huge fenced yard, staff to help keep puppy occupied while the kids are at school and mom and dad are at work, private plane so they can take their dog with them and not have to board them somewhere or stick 'em in cargo, financially secure to buy everything from food, toys, clothing, and health care. And hey, all those folks wearing dark sunglasses and wires in their ears are great for proper puppy socialization! 

This is what I'm a little "concerned" "conflicted" "confused" about: their daughter Malia is "allergic" to dogs yet they're going to bring one into the home because she "wants" one. Now, if she were allergic to peanuts would they give her peanut butter because she wants it? I think not. So why the dog? Here are a few questions I have for Mr. and Mrs. Obama:

1. Is Malia really and truly "allergic" to dogs? Anaphylactic reaction: throat closes, can't breathe, heart races etc... If so, what are you thinking!!!? 
2. Or is she "sensitive" to dogs? Doesn't have the breathing/heart rate issues, but if she plays with them (dogs) for prolonged periods her eyes itch, throat is scratchy, stuffy nose etc...maybe skin irritation. 
3. Is it the actual dog? OR is it everything the dog rolls and plays in!!! This is probably more common. I have this issue myself. My dog Poncho rolls in grass etc... then I go play with him which results in symptoms of sensitivities. Solution: give him a bath. 
4. Have you had your daughter allergy tested? If so, and she truly is allergic to dogs, then getting a "hypoallergenic" dog might end up creating a false sense of security, especially if she has environmental allergies too. 

My first suggestion: have your daughter tested! (if you haven't done so already). If she isn't allergic to dogs, but pollens, grasses, and other environmental triggers, then you might have more options on which type of dog to get. Also, sensitivities change as we get older. She may become more or less sensitive to certain triggers. 

Another sentiment I'd like to express is in regards to which dog to adopt: dogs are living breathing creatures that have individual personalities! They're NOT inanimate objects like furniture, cars and computers. I am NOT breed biased. I am a strong believer that dogs should be adopted based on personality- behavior and demeanor etc... when you first meet them. Not shopping through a "catalog" picking out the one you think is best because of their history of how they were bred. 

Remember, you can train/teach a dog to love or hate almost anything (I say almost because I doubt I could train Poncho to hate lamb - and why would I want to?). You can also train any animal to do anything they are physically and mentally capable of doing - unless there is a true mental issue. 

YES, dogs were bred for specific traits. So, along with their doggy DNA making them dogs, breed specifics will make that DNA a little stronger in some areas than others - terriers vs hounds vs Cavaliers etc... But, remember, they're still dogs! 

So, to the Obama family I say: if you are going to get a dog, please properly investigate which dog is best for all of you based on your needs and desired goals, not on what everyone else says to get.  Meet lots of different dogs. Keep in ming there are no guarantee's how any dog will behave under certain circumstances, after all we all have triggers and thresholds. 

Also remember that just like raising human children, raising a happy and healthy dog both mentally and physically (including the prevention of behavioral issues), is based on proper education and socialization! Educate yourselves first! 

Oh, and BTW, I vote that the pups name be "Chief" - "Hail to the Chief", get it??? ;-) 

Puppy and Dog Problem Behaviors: Whose "PROBLEM" is it?

A friend and colleague writes: "I need pet experts to offer me their top tips on treating the common problems of cats and dogs at home for a chapter in a 'pet problems' book being revised. Care to submit something?" Well shoot! Of course I do... I'm always willing to offer up my opinion, especially if it can help others.

The following are some of the more common issues that come my way, regarding dog behavior:

• House-training: Dogs come with a pre-wired, instinctual set of elimination behaviors. It's up to us to teach them where and when to go in our human world. A few key things are:

1. Consistency! Teaching them to "go potty" in a multitude of areas can be confusing. Stick with one general place (outside) and reward them for it!
2. Timing! Reward them when they go it the desired place!
3. Refrain from punishment of any kind. This doesn't teach your dog what you want - it only teaches them to be afraid of you and to not eliminate in front of you. Or if it's after the fact, then they don't put it together. You may end up punishing something completely unrelated - like coming to you.

• "My dog is afraid of ": Socialization is key. Whatever you want your dog doing as an adult, begin to get them used to it as a puppy - small, baby steps. New smells, sights, sounds, textures, and situations. This doesn't mean you should be taking them to places that could cause harm, but you can still get them used to, and exposed to "novel" things when they're young.
• Note: Dogs learn the same way we learn. So for adult dogs, even if you've missed the prime socialization period (6 - 13 weeks), you can still teach them to love or hate almost anything. Pairing something they already love (or hate) with anything else, will teach (condition) them to love or hate the "anything" else. Think Pavlov.

• "My dog chews up/destroys anything and everything." Let's recap what dogs are: predators, omnivores, scavengers. They chew for a variety of reasons. They're also "individuals" in that they have their particulars about what they like to chew. Experiment with different "legal" chew items. Determine which one(s) your dog likes the best. Then, when s/he makes the right choice, reward extra for making that choice!

• "My dog barks all the time!" Okay, first off they're dogs. Remember "Old MacDonald"? Dogs bark for a variety of reasons, just like we humans talk/yell/scream (dare I say whisper) for a variety of reasons... First determine "why" your dog is barking, then figure out what to do about it. Fear and separation anxiety is a completely different path of learning than play or attention seeking, as well as alert/predatory/play/territory barking. In a very tiny nutshell:

1. Fear-based: longer process to teach your dog that being alone is "fun", and that they can trust it's going to be okay. Be boring coming and going, short absences working up to longer periods, exercise beforehand so they're tired and want to rest, pet sitters, day care, play-dates, enrichment.
2. Boredom: Enrichment! Give them something to do! Exercise them so they're tired.
3. Attention seeking: Ask them to do something else. Interactive games (enrichment). Reward when they're quiet! Time-out if necessary.
4. Alert!: If there is a burglar on the premises you better thank them for doing their job! If it's a friend visiting, or the delivery person, thank your dog for letting you know, then ask them for another behavior (instead of continuous barking). Reward for quiet, time-out for making the wrong choice.

I think one of the more important steps any dog guardian should take is learning what they can about dogs in general. Know your animal! What makes them dogs? Why do they do what they do? Understanding them better can help set yourself and the dog up for success, while avoiding those "problems" people complain about.

My vet approves this message!

Attention all puppy owners! And to those who know people with puppies and friends and family of puppies: Dr. Shelly Wilson (one rockin' vet and owner of The Animal Doctor here in Ventura) has written to me that she agrees with the position statement the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior has released on early puppy socialization, and how such steps can really help with the development of a healthy and happy dog, a happy household, and prevention of behavioral issues that dogs often develop without the proper steps. 

You can always contact Dr. Wilson, DVM, one of the other doctors, or her staff if you'd like additional information, or to have your dog seen for a check-up! You can also access the story by clicking here.

Just like us humans, the earlier we begin learning, enrichment, developing coping skills, and proper social skills, the better adjusted we are as adults. There is no reason why we shouldn't be doing this with our domestic puppies - as long as it's done in a safe way that refrains from causing any physical or emotional harm... Check out some of the services I offer at my studio that fills this need. 

Parade of Poochies!

Today was our annual Pooch Parade here in Ventura. What a grand event it was! Loose Leash walking everywhere! It's put on by our local private rescue group The Canine Adoption and Rescue League - a great group of folks that help dogs in need. The parade and post-party is always a good time to be had - by canines and humans alike. Plus, the weather was perfect! Not too hot, not overcast by much... all in all a very pleasant day.

We started with a nice warm-up stretch with the lady that owns and runs the fabulous Oaks of Ojai (talk about motivation and rewards for humans), then we took to the path for our 5K walk... Poncho, my hubby and I all walked together - had a great time. I'm so proud of Poncho (my hubby too)... We kept up the pace - Poncho said hello to other dogs and people very politely (what a good boy he is) ;-) Then we headed back and walked about greeting others, and "window shopping" at the various vendor booths. A perfect opportunity to practice all the lovely good manners skills I teach him, and the students in my classes over at the Inquisitive Canine studio. 

There were so many great dogs! And responsible owners too! I saw everyone monitoring their own dogs behavior - cleaning up after them, rewarding generously for desired behaviors. Makes my heart sing when I see such great canine-human relationships. 

I saw some of my own students who are enrolled in my Puppy Manners Class there too! Of course they were also doing a fabulous job with their dogs - just like in class... I'm so proud of them!

So, if anyone missed the Pooch Parade this year, there is always next year! Come on out, bring your dogs, or adopt a new one, or just come to be amongst all the happy wagging tails! 

Trip to Venice Beach proved shocking...

Went on a road trip over the weekend to visit my brother who was in town for business... We met up in Venice Beach...a place he and I used to frequent while growing up. Hasn't changed too much - great place for people watching. What caught my attention wasn't the humans themselves, but the dogs... Why? One reason was they were all so darn cute.. this of course made me miss my little boy Poncho (hubby and I decided to "manage" and left Poncho with lots of interactive toys before we left...made sure we exercised him too so he was sleepy and wanted to nap)... 

Anyway, the other "things" that caught my eye were all the intact male dogs... yep, it seems that neutering is not a common activity in the Venice Beach area...at least all the male dogs I saw. Big dogs, small dogs, purebreds, mixed breeds....you name it, they had their "knick-knacks" intact. Now, being a critical thinker we can't assume all of the dogs and their humans were residents of Venice Beach...maybe they were all tourists? Maybe lived in neighboring communities? Maybe they were planning on taking their dogs to get neutered? Could be many different reasons, so I won't jump to conclusions... As for the female dogs, I couldn't tell if they had been spayed or not...and I wasn't about to start asking. 

I do know this. Spaying and neutering is important. For a variety of reasons. Dogs don't have the "common sense" gene that says "I shouldn't breed because there are so many unwanted pets anyway, and I know it's better not to contribute to the problem." Nope, they don't think that way... So it's a shame when we as humans continue to think "my dog would never do that" "they know better." Just takes a split second, and before you know it you're a new puppy parent! 

Unless you're a responsible, professional breeder, then having your pet spayed or neutered is the sensible thing to do. Does it make your dog any less "tough"? Heck no! Just ask my own dog Poncho... He's one rockin' tough little guy - still marks, raises his leg, growls and hunts, will attack any stranger that comes to the door that I don't want there... Being intact doesn't = macho... having the common sense and being a responsible pet owner is! 

This years theme for our annual Pooch Parade here in Ventura put on by our local rescue group The Canine Adoption and Rescue League is "Spay & Neuter"! For additional info on spaying and neutering your pets, check out these informative websites: Humane Society, ASPCA, The American Kennel Club, The American Veterinary Medical Association. 

Joan

Therapy dogs and reading...

Let's give a BIG shout-out to the Ventura County H.P. Wright Library! Why? Because of their "Paws for Reading" program. How wonderful it was to find out they offer such a delightful program to the children of our community - and to the many Canine Good Citizens and their humans too. Improving reading skills, as well as building self-confidence (for both the children and the dogs, right?) Plus, it's just downright fun! 

For additional information on the library program, or to schedule an appointment contact Star Soto, Children's Librarian. For more information on how your dog can become a Canine Good Citizen you can contact me. 

Dogs and Cats Riding in Cars: Please Think Safety First!

Definition of: safety |ˈsāftē|noun
1) the condition of being protected from or unlikely to cause danger, risk, or injury.

I remember the first auto-restraint system I was exposed to during my youth... It was my mothers arm hurling across my chest at lightening speed pressing me back towards my seat while she yelled “hold on!” Yep, those were the good ol’ days - no seat-belt laws, no fancy car seats for us kids - just fun times bouncy around playing with the radio, reaching behind or climbing over the seat, doing whatever we wanted to do without a care in the world... Well, that all changed, didn’t it? Thank goodness... It’s just a shame we as a society had to learn the hard way - by too many statistics.

As a certified professional dog trainer, and dog mom to Poncho the dog I continue to be dumbfounded, shocked, and completely confused at the sight of seeing pet guardians traveling in cars with their dogs (and cats) riding in the car, jumping around aimlessly as I did as a child. Not that I'm perfect mind you, or want to brag, but I've been using car-safety restraints since we first brought Poncho home from the shelter. It just made sense. I also make it a point to go over this topic with the students in my dog training classes and private dog training clients. (BTW, dog harnesses and seat-belts are the only non-training items I sell at the Inquisitive Canine studio. This picture shows Poncho riding in his car seat, harnessed in. He is able to sit up and move around easily, but only within the area of his seat. (He's napping after a romp at the beach.)

Is it me or is history repeating itself??? Do we need more horrific statistics to make some changes happen? Come on folks, our dogs (and cats) don’t live in some magical plastic safety bubble! Right? Sure, I don’t blame pet guardians for wanting to show their dogs or cats a good time... But please, ask yourself these questions the next time you ride with your beloved furry friend:

• “Would this be safe for a human?
• Would I do this with a human child?”

If you have answered “no” to either or both, then it’s probably not safe for a non-human animal either.

Let’s take a look at what could happen under the current circumstances:

• If air bags go off, brakes get slammed on, person driving hits something, or another cars hit them - there are problems! Animals being catapulted into oblivion, airbags exploding out and breaking necks - Hello?!!! There is a reason why human children aren’t allowed - by law - to ride in seats where there are airbags until they are a specific weight &/or age, right? Does the transportation department do this for fun or because they want to save lives? Well, what about the lives of our pets? They’re not extraterrestrial beings that can somehow avoid harm.
• They don’t think like us humans. Our pets don’t have - aren’t born with nor develop - the section of brain that covers “common sense” - (heck we humans are supposed to have it, and how many of us still fail to use it sometimes?) - Our pets don’t have the mental capability to request their safety be addressed, so it’s up to us to take this responsibility seriously...

I would venture to guess that most pet parents would want to keep their loved ones safe while still being comfortable. I know there are some folks using crates or backseat barriers to enclose their pets while driving. (I will too under certain circumstances, however I do not like to - I am a hypocrite is this respect). I ask, what happens if you should need to slam on the brakes? The dog or cat still hits the inside of the crate or barrier at whatever speed you were going... Bruising, breaking, or dislocating body parts. Doesn’t sound too safe, does it? How about hanging out the window? Uh, hello? They could fall out, get scared by a noise and jump out, something could slam into them, or fly into their eye. They can also trigger the automatic window button and get their head caught. Am I really painting a safe picture here?

Is there a perfect solution? IMHO “no”, not yet... But there are some good choices:

• Car-seats for smaller dogs and cats like the one Poncho has, and for larger dogs harnesses where seat-belts can slip through and attach or where the attachment strap connects directly into the car connection. And if I’m not mistaken, there are automobile manufactures that have added “pet features” to some of their cars....(if I’m wrong, then I say its a shame...) With these proper restraint systems dogs and cats still get some freedom, but are kept safe while enjoying the breeze and scenery.

I admit, I enjoyed riding in my mom's lap too...again, the good ol’ days...hey some of my best driving skills were formed when I was riding in our Buick, sitting in her lap, helping her steer... No seat-belts, but lots of giggles...and luck because I’m still here today, getting to write about it and hopefully encouraging others to keep their pets safe while out and about...

Too bad our pets haven't figured out how to drive - it would free up owners to use cell phones safely, plus they could be official designated drivers...guess I should work on that training plan. Happy motoring! Some day I’ll tell you about dad letting me shift gears from the passenger seat.

Self awareness...what a beautiful thing.

HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone! Wow! And what a beautiful first day of the year it is. Windy like all get-out here in Ventura, but fortunately the SBAA was holding their annual Resolution Run today - in gorgeous Santa Barbara - with zero wind! I decided to head up this morning... Ran both the 5K & 10K...plus got a nice new t-shirt...saw some folks I hadn’t seen in awhile... So, why am I bringing this up? Well, just as I was rounding the final 10th of a mile of the 10K into the chute of the finish area, I was passed by an awesome strong runner (wahoo!) then he and I were both cut off by a lovely non-race woman walking her very well-behaved Australian Shepherd - right in the middle of the path of the finish line chute!

I’m sorry, but what was she thinking??? And, what were the event people thinking? The poor guy that passed me was really quick on his feet - literally! He hurdled himself over the poor dog - brushing the top of the dogs head with his foot - then she swerved to the other side just in time for me to slam into her - ugh. It was like one big Sig-alert! I felt badly for her and the dog - I know they weren’t there intentionally - I’m sure the tree the dog was sniffing was quite appealing - but come on folks, a little self-awareness goes a long way... Please, when you’re out and about with your pooches - be aware of your surroundings...especially when your dog can get injured or scared... Hopefully it’s the worst things that happens to all of us this year... And of course, it could have been much worse... But we all finished with a smile - including the dog... Happy New Year to all! May you have a safe, injury free, positively reinforcing 2008!