Sunday, February 12, 2012
Meet Toby, a rescue dog with a negative reaction to men.
Working with a mix breed dog is, as Forrest Gump would say, like a box of chocolates -- you never know what you’re going to get. So when Jessie Piermont from Norwalk called with her dire story about Toby, I was quick to react. Toby was showing signs of aggression and even though he was about the size of a large house cat, his behavior was unacceptable in polite society. Jessie called me, frantic. She had adopted Toby about three weeks earlier. Billed as Lhasa Apso/Poodle mix, Toby was affectionate, playful and loving as long as you were a woman. Men? Men were not Toby’s cup of tea. If a man came to the door or approached during a walk, this little spitfire launched into full attack mode, barking ferociously as he lunged at the door or …
Monday, December 26, 2011
Southern Rescue Dogs find haven in many northern rescue centers and, hopefully, a new home for this holiday season.
When I look back on this year, there is much I am grateful for: my family, my wonderful collage of pets, our home where we gather friends like wildflowers—it all colors my life. I have finished the 3rd edition of Puppies for Dummies and continue to work with clients of the two- and four-footed variety. One of the best things about being a professional dog trainer is that my work brings me in contact with so many dog-loving people. This year I had the fortune of connecting with one of the many dog groups rescuing dogs and puppies from high kill shelters in the south. Ruff Start Rescue is a group devoted to the rescue, transport and adoption of dogs from high-kill shelters in the southern US. They house their dogs at Northwind Kennels in …
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Should you give a pet for a present?
Last week, I wrote about December’s holiday upheavals from your pet’s perspective. Frantic activity, changing schedules, trees, candles, bows, parties, music … yikes! Now we’ll look at another holiday dog issue: The Gift Pet. Combine over-the-top cuteness with the unstoppable persuasive powers of children or grown-ups (who are still children at heart) and it’s no wonder that puppies, kittens and other young creatures top many holiday gift lists. Experts caution against it, but the irresistible allure of a bow-collared puppy romping with over-stimulated, pajama-clad children is just too much to resist. But the joy can be short lived. Unlike toys, pets require more than love to survive. Pets, like people, thrive on routine schedules and …
Sunday, December 11, 2011
What you can do to minimize confusion for your dog during the holiday season.
Trees, candles, company, travel. Can you guess what month we’re in? December represents a spectrum of human emotions and activities. From decorating and entertaining to travel and vacation time, it is a month to enjoy the pleasure of traditions, family and friends. For dogs and other pets, holidays are exciting but a bit confusing. Trees—normally perfectly good places to pee near—are brought indoors. Soft, colorful ornaments dangle temptingly. Visitors come and go, kids are wound up and the daily routines get shaken up like a snow globe. It’s enough to make even the most laid back dog wonder what all the fuss is about. What to do? Take a moment to extend some holiday compassion your pet’s way. Let’s look at how the holiday chaos looks from…
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Expect your pets to be taken aback...
Editor's note: Ask the Dog Trainer was delayed due to Sunday's snowstorm—but we're posting today, in advance of rescheduled Halloween celebrations. Halloween—the irresistible combination of costumes, candy and an extended bedtime has created almost uncontrollable anticipation in my kids but the dogs are getting concerned. Amplified pre-holiday behavior always worries the four-footers and by the time the doorbell starts ringing on the big day, they’re agitated and a bit unnerved. It’s important to consider the holiday from your dog’s perspective. Your home is their den and the front door is the entrance. This is the spot from which your dog investigates all newcomers. However your dog normally reacts to visitors—protective, friendly or …
Monday, September 12, 2011
Back to school doesn't have to be just for the kids!
Autumn is all about change. Leaves, schedules, activities…you name it, fall changes it. All summer long, most dogs enjoy a looser schedule with plenty of outside time. Now, days are shorter, temperatures are cooler and kids are busier, so isolation increases. Frantic back-to-school activity can ratchet up the overall household anxiety level, so dogs may start to act out, hoping for attention in their own dog-like way. If you’re raising dogs and kids together and find yourself in this boat, follow this advice: The basics. Don’t forget to feed your dog, let him out to potty and to check the water bowl. Newly busy and highly scheduled kids can forget these tasks, even if they were great at it all summer. Exercise, exercise, exercise. A tired…
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Graduation day at dog training school—the learning never ends.
When I hand out the diplomas at my group dog training graduations, I always feel a mix of pride and melancholy. Over the years, I’ve shared joy and frustration with hundreds of clients and watched as their puppies and dogs learned to be calm, well-behaved members of the family. Many of my clients return to continue their dog’s education or to take agility training or pet therapy, but after I hand out the final certificate and watch the last dog jump into the back of the family car, I get a little wistful. Just wait until my kids leave for college. Oh boy. This season’s commencement speech included lessons for all dog lovers, and I’ll share the high points with you. Think of your dog like a child in a fur suit. Like children, dogs are …
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Everything Takes Time...
I’m a bit of a perfectionist. When I recently moved, I gave myself about a week to get set up, restain the outdoor furniture and organize my training space. With several boxes still unpacked after almost 2 weeks, I sunk deeper and deeper into a state of sleep-deprived anxiety. What pulled me out of it? Prozac? Zoloft? Some other wonder drug? Nope. Puppies. My first group puppy training class at Sun Meadow Farm pulled me up and out and gave me insights that will last a lifetime. During week four, the puppies got a visitor: Gus, the cat who thinks he’s a dog. Unaware of the traditional dog/cat dynamic, Gus waltzed into the room and took up a position beside my dog (and training assistant) Balderdash. Gus calmly observed the chaos and 6…
hildee
9:52 am on Monday, February 13, 2012
I, too, adopted a shelter dog just like Toby about 8 years ago. He spent the day with me and several neighborhood children so well behaved and incredible but, by the end of the day, tried to attack(ferociously) 3 separate men that came within 20 feet of us. I assumed he must have been mistreated and abused or trained to protect a woman. My fear of what he might do to grandpa or if he got loose … more ›