My excuses for not blogging

I have been super busy on all fronts. The vet clinic has been busy which means I come home exhausted and I am seeing clients left and right on top of that. (I saw my first ever Keeshond pup in the flesh this week! Cute!) I am also getting ready for the local shelters Fur and Foliage dog walk and hope to attend Woofstock  in Damariscotta this week as well. Last weekend was the local AKC dog show in Union to check out and I got to have lunch with Jen of Inu-Baka blog. (I even met Buckley!) If she lived closer we'd totally be BFF's. Squeeze in me attempting to get some knitting projects finished in my "spare time" before winter hits. (That makes me laugh just typing it!) ~sigh~

There needs to be more hours in the day for me, seriously. I promise I will post something of substance soon. I have a new leash to show off, news about the K-9 Corrections program, (Look for one of my handlers letters in the recent issue of Bark magazine!) and will be participating in a 7 blog post challenge. I just need a little more time to get some of that written up. One would think having a 4 day weekend for labor day would have helped. Nope! Those hours got sucked away in a vortex of "what happened to my day off ?" whirlwind of chores. I do post more on my facebook page for those that like to keep up with my outings and such. Using FB is much less time consuming than blogging. (at least for me)

Thanks for your patience and stay tuned!

Wordless Wednesday ~ From The Vault

Don't Be Scared, Be A Dog! (A Tale From The Trenches With A New Scared Pup)

We just introduced a new member to our Calm Energy pack: a little senior Italian Greyhound named "Arthur"!

Arthur was locked in a cage for the first nine years of his life, fed in his cage and never walked. Obviously, he is a bundle of deprivation issues, fears, and generalized anxiety. We feel honored to have the challenge of teaching him to relax and trust, and nothing is more heartwarming than to introduce him to all of the little wonders, pleasures, and comforts of the world.

Every day we've seen him progress in leaps and bounds, as we've instilled consistent rules, boundaries, and rewards for a calm, trusting mindset. Below is a list of some of Arthur's behaviors that have already changed for the better, along with some others we hope to see soon. If your dog has fear/anxiety or trust issues, you might recognize many of these from your own situation.

1. Eating/drinking. A dog in the highest state of fear won't eat or drink. Arthur displayed this only for the first day. Make sure your dog will seek food and water with you right next to the bowl as well as when you're out of the room. 
2. Peeing/pooping. This activity puts the dog in a vulnerable state, which means he has to trust that his environment is safe. (That's why you see some dogs running behind bushes to poop, as if embarassed.) Arthur now goes in the yard but not yet on walks through the busy city.
3. Lying down/relaxing. Left to his own devices Arthur spins in circles, filled with anxiety and not knowing where to channel the energy. Although he cuddled up the first night on our comforter in bed (and shook like a leaf when we started to get up in the morning), it took two days and lots of consistent discipline and calming exercises until he lay in his little bed on his own and shut his eyes.
   

   

   "But the little guy isn't using it!"
4. Sniffing/exploring. Arthur didn't sniff another dog (even ours) for the first two days, and still hasn't sniffed a tree or bush. Smell is the most primal way dogs get information about their environment; even sighthounds need to sniff their surroundings. If your dog isn't sniffing your environment, things you pass on your walks, and other dogs and people, he just isn't being his full doggie self.



Traffic jam at the doggie-door!

5. Calm loose-leash walking. Arthur pulled and spun like crazy on leash at the beginning, but since we already have a calm obedient pack he learned quickly by the others' example. If your dog pulls on the leash it means he doesn't see you as the source of all the good things in his life - and although that might sound selfish, it is essential in treating fear/anxiety as well as other problems like hyperactivity and aggression. Remember to always keep the leash loose, and make sure you're always in your dog's peripheral vision. Walk through busy streets, parks, night, day, rain ... the more variety of experiences you lead your dog through, the more he'll trust, respect, and love you for showing him the world!

   

   "I dunno about all this rainy stuff...
   I hope Daddy knows what he's doing!"

6. Coming to you. Recall is of course an essential safety command to teach any dog. But even before that your dog has to feel comfortable being near you of his own accord. To do this always be a calm, confident, and welcoming guest when your dog comes near; applaud, use high-pitched verbal praise (we've been cheering "Yay!" so much the neighbors must wonder what sporting event we're hosting over here). Pull him close - Arthur would initially maintain a good six food radius from anyone who reached for him. It is your job to show him that coming right next to you is safe, fun, and not an end to his freedom - so instantly release him to go free. Practice indoors and out; Arthur made huge trust and obedience progress when we practiced recall yesterday at the park on a 40-foot leash.

   

   Watching his cousins relax in Prospect Park

7. Being alone. A self-confident dog should feel comfortable staying in a room while you leave and come back (without being told to "Stay"), and if you have a yard or garden should enjoy going out on his own and sniffing and exploring. We introduced Arthur to the yard by leading him through it and all around on leash, then made use of his need to pee by not going out with him, so he gained confidence that he could take care of business on his own.
8. Barking. Not all, but most, dogs do it - and Arthur just started barking today! He's "gained his voice" in a literal and metaphorical sense, feeling more at home, bolder in his skin, and more a part of a pack it's his duty (he thinks) to protect. His favorite activity is now letting everyone who walks past the window know they better keep on movin'!
    



New guard post. With official-looking cigar.

9. Playing. Dogs are playful creatures, but only do play when relaxed and happy. Just yesterday Arthur played with what the shelter told us is his favorite yellow squeaky slipper, chasing it and going crazy with tug-o-war! And today he chewed a Bully stick all day long.

"I'm little but I'm tough!" 

"Mine."

I love working with fear/anxiety cases because unlike humans, dogs let go of their fears so quickly and easily if given the opportunity. It takes consistent, calm leadership and discipline, with a gentle touch and lots of subtle psychological rewards and reinforcement. But seeing a dog come out of his shell and truly become a dog in all of its glory is worth it every time.

Smell-o-vision

John Bradshaw

Most owners wish their dogs would walk calmly and obediently on leash, following their lead and not pulling, lunging, or dragging. But there's a common misconception that it is cruel to do anything that keeps your dog from pulling you to sniff wherever and whenever he wants.

The author of a recent, very well-received book on dog behavior, for instance, says that if you don't let your dog sniff when and where he wants, your dog will get upset -

“Just like how we would get upset if they came in the room and turned off the television.”

This view is incredibly common, and lots of owners use something like it as an excuse for having ill-behaved dogs who pull and lunge like crazy on leash. Of course the owners are stressed and exhausted - and in fact the dogs aren't as happy as they could be, either.

The problem with the idea that an obedient leashed walk is cruel is that it sees the two alternatives as incompatible:  EITHER your dog can't be taught to calmly and obediently follow and heal on a leashed walk, OR you have to deny your dog sniffing and going where he wants. But that dichotomy isn't true, and it upsets me to see it spread so prevalently. At least in dog training, you CAN have your cake and eat it too.

The solution is to give your dog what he wants as a REWARD for being obedient. You're walking your dog and he starts to pull toward a delicious-smelling bush. You say "Heel" and he obediently joins your side, following you calmly and happily. He's just given you respect; so now reward him but turning around and saying "Ok, go sniff!", releasing him toward the bush! You can almost hear Rufus thinking "Thank you!" as he runs over and finishes his business!

It's a win-win situation. You have an obedient dog, whom you control yet whom you've denied nothing. He gets what he wants, and so do you.

Will it confuse poor Rufus, your first telling him not to sniff, then telling him it's ok? Not at all - even if you first use a command like "Leave it", then reward him by giving it to him. All he knows is that you've asked him for obedience, he's done it, and he gets what he wants as a result.

But is that being cruel, to ask your dog to follow and heel before rewarding him with a sniff, or a pee, or play? Imagine the same question with respect to parenting: is it cruel to tell your child that he can only watch TV once he's finished his homework? Ridiculous. That's good parenting. He follows the rules, puts in the work, and gets the reward.

The result: not only obedience, but contentment, respect, and trust at the same time.
Try it!

The Virtual Agility League

I am a member of the APDT. (Association of Pet Dog Trainers) One of the benefits of that is I receive a subscription to The APDT Chronicle of the Dog. It is a nice magazine with lots of dog behavior and training articles. They also have ads for different dog related prducts and info about dog related sports and trials. In the latest issue there was a small ad for something that I thought I had to share. It is an agility skills recognition program called The Valor Project. Basicly it is a way for people to participate in agility trials that might not be able to otherwise. It is a virtual agility league.

From the website, what it is:

· An opportunity for reactive, or highly distracted dogs to demonstrate their agility skills

· An organization that welcomes all dogs, regardless of breed or mix of breeds

· An organization that welcomes dogs with disabilities, including deaf dogs, vision-impaired (but not completely blind) dogs, and dogs with three limbs

· An organization that places emphasis on skills and achievement recognition, rather than on speed and competition

· A possible starting point for dogs who may one day progress far enough to enter sanctioned agility trials with more training

· A possible option for people experiencing public appearance anxiety

· A possible option for people who live long a long distance away from trial sites

And what it isn't:

· A substitute or replacement for traditional agility competitions or sanctioning organizations

· An organization that offers placements within a class based on speed

· An organization that “labels” a dog! The virtual Agility League is not mutually exclusive with other agility organizations. You and your dog can compete in the Virtual Agility League without any particular reason for doing so, and also be simultaneously competing in sanctioned agility events, if you choose!

As soon as I read it I thought it was a fabulous idea. What a great way for people with dogs who might not be able to do something in a public venue to still participate!! This can be for many reasons. In this economy traveling to a trial isn't an option for some people who live far away from them. Or maybe public performing isn't your thing, or you have a dog that doesn't do well with a crowd around. Or maybe your dog isn't welcome in a regular trial for some reason. Disabled dogs and ALL breeds are welcome! You still need to get some training from a professional or at least find one with the equipment you can use for your video. But what a fantastic idea. I couldn't wait to help get the word out. If you go to youtube and type in Virtual Agility League you can see some participants. (when I tried linking, blogger wouldn't save the post for some reason)

What so you think? Is this something you would consider doing with your dogs? Why or why not?

K-9 Corrections ~ The rest of the story

Well the story has hit the papers already. On the front page of the weekend edition no less! Here is the link to the online version complete with video:

http://bangordailynews.com/2011/08/19/news/state/k-9-corrections-program-helps-inmates-dogs-learn-to-get-along/

I'm going to be a little nit-picky and add my corrections to the article:

While we are using marker training (both clicker and verbal) we also use the lure and reward method. It depends on the skill we are teaching in some cases. Asking Andy Pratt to help with Scuppers bell training was just about that specific demo for the reporter because he was more familiar with that exercise. I teach the "ring the bell" trick as a way to show the handlers how marker training works, step by step. It is also a great cue to teach the dog to ask to go outside for a potty break. Teaching this to the dog varies in the amount of time based on the individual dog and handler. I am unsure where the "It only takes 30 minutes to get it." quote came from. Perhaps that was the amount of time his dog Sadie learned it. The way it was described was also slightly wrong. When the dog looked at the bell first there was a click (or a verbal yes!) and then the treat was given. This way the dog understands what it was exactly that earned them the reward. (because we mark the behavior with a sound ~ hence the term marker training) They learn what they get "paid for" and what they don't.

I did not suspect Scupper of being a lab/rottie/boxer mix. That is what his paperwork from the shelter said he was. I would have just said lab mix if I were attempting to identify his breed with no other info. If he ever grows into his ears we are in trouble because they look like Great Dane ears to me!

But overall I am very pleased with how the article turned out. It certainly helps to have good press to get the word out for support. There are so many negative dog stories out there in the media so the good ones are always welcome.

For anyone wondering the videos and books we use on the program include the following.
Books: The thinking dog ~ Crossover to clicker training by Gail Tamases Fisher, How to teach a new dog old tricks by Ian Dunbar, Click your way to Rally Obedience by Pamela Dennison
Videos: The power of marker training by Leerburg, The language of dogs by Sarah Kalnajas, Ready to Rally by Clarrisa Bergeman
There are more but those are the major ones I can think of for now.

I'm also very pleased with how well the handlers conducted themselves with the reporters and how well they handled the pressure. Public speaking doesn't phase me anymore but I know it can be hard for other people. Especially those in the public eye in a potentially negative way. I thank them and all the previous handlers for their hard work on the program. I am only one spoke in the wheel towards our success. We have to work together to get the job done properly.

Boatyard Dog Trial fun

On Sunday I went with a friend (Prudence's mom) to watch a couple other friends and their dogs compete in the Boatyard Dog Trials at the Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors show in Rockland. I was fortunate enough to have been a part of the trials a few years ago. Being part of it is nerve wracking, it was much more relaxing to cheer other people on. The contest has rules like: cheating is not only tolerated it is encouraged, and bribery will get you everywhere. The only "real" rule is that at least one of the team, dog or handler, MUST get completely wet. There is even an obstacle of getting in and then out of a tippy dingy to help make that happen.

The exciting part was that one of my friends won this year! Joel and Fenway, a rescue dog from our own local shelter, walked away with this years Pup Cup. Or swam was more like it. Here is the official news release here. And here is a super cute video showing a few of the participants. You can see more video and pics of their performance on their Loyal Biscuit facebook page. Or check out Fenways page. She is now even more of a local celebrity than before!

It was very exciting and it is one of those events that is always fun to watch. Congrats to Fenway and all the partcipants for putting on a great show.

(The above photo is Fenway with the rest of her family. Left to right: Buffy, Izzy, Chuck and Fenway. Aren't they a great looking crew?)