This is a throwback article, one that I originally wrote in August of 2008. I thought of it today because I've been going back and reading what I wrote about Willie when he was Maggie's age. It's been invaluable--so many things I forgot about Willie's early years that I wouldn't have remembered if I hadn't written it down. A word to the wise: If you are serious about training, I do hope you keep some kind of record of your work with your dogs; I'm lucky that I have the blog. I also try to add to it by jotting notes about training sessions and a dog's progress, sometimes sketching out what I want to focus on during the next session. But, forgive me, I'm burying the lead. The question this blog asked is if working dogs distinguish between "real work" and a "practice session". I wrote this Read More
Archives for November 2014
DVDs on Sale!
If you are a regular reader you know that I avoid marketing on this blog, but readers have asked me to alert them when there is a sale--all the world not being on Facebook all the time. So here you go: All of our DVDs are on sale at 25% off today and tomorrow, Nov 19th and 20th. The scientist in me couldn't just leave it at that, so here are the five DVDs that are the most popular this year so far: Treating Dog-Dog Reactivity A half-day seminar, including on-stage case studies, of dogs who are reactive to other dogs when on leash. Lassie Come! This is a great video, in my humble opinion, to get dogs started coming when called. It was invaluable for my clients. It does not, however, cover the advanced stages of calling dogs to come when highly distracted. Lost in Read More
Making Leash Manners Fun for Your Dog
Maggie, all 35 exuberant pounds of her, has lousy leash manners. That is because 1) she is a dog and walking beside me, shoulder to shoulder, makes no sense to her. And 2) because I couldn't resist working her on sheep when we have training time together. Not to mention teaching her to come when called EVERY TIME and stop when told EVERY TIME, which is critical to dogs who live in the country and are off leash most of their lives. Leash manners are not critical, but that doesn't mean they are not important, because of course Maggie needs to be on leash when we go to town or the vet clinic. I've put leash manners in the "I'll deal with that when the weather turns," and given that it was 4 degrees Fahrenheit this morning, I think our time has come. We'll still work sheep until the snow gets Read More
The Beauty of Fall
Jim and I are suffused with oxytocin, having just returned from visiting grand babies (7 years and 4 months) in Eugene, Oregon. Interesting to note that along with increasing social bonding, oxytocin is able to make your bones melt. That's how I felt holding the newest addition to the pack. Before visiting Eugene we stopped in Portland and toured the Japanese Gardens just a few minutes from downtown. Oh my. The fall colors are long gone in Wisconsin, which is currently being blasted with arctic air, but the trees put on an amazing show in Portland. Besides being overwhelmed with the beauty of the gardens, we were struck by the number of serious photographers there. I've never seen so many tripods in one place in my life. And no wonder; here's what I was able to capture with just an Read More
Doggy Day Care –Fun for Fido or Not?
When I was five or six years old my mother took me to kindergarten. I am told I cried the entire day, sitting in the corner and sobbing hysterically. Nothing anyone did assuaged me. When my mother returned to pick me up, I reportedly ran screaming across the room, grabbed onto her legs and wouldn't let go. Oh my. I thought of that somewhat embarrassing story when a friend asked if they should put their dog into a local Doggy Care. If you've been following my blog you know my answer: "It depends." A bad doggy day care is no less than abusive and dangerous. A really good one can be a wonderful option for some dogs, but not others. I can relate to the "not others". If I'd been a dog when I was young, I would have hunkered in a corner, big-eyed and silent, or growling and snarling under a Read More