Well, this is a hard one to write. Wisconsin Public Radio has cancelled production of Calling All Pets. They will still play repeats for several months in Wisconsin, and stations around the country have the option of offering the show until next summer. I've been doing the show with Larry Meiller for fourteen years, and it's hard to imagine not doing it anymore. It's tough timing too in that the show had taken off last year, thanks to a lot of work from Larry, me and a new producer and executive producer. The show was even picked up in Washington DC, Dallas and Seattle. However, I have to admit that I won't miss getting up early in the morning to do the show, and working seven weekends a year on pledge drives and fund raising events. But here's what I will miss: Working with Larry Read More
Dogs of Sweden and Norway
I'm still thinking about all the wonderful dogs I met in Sweden and Norway (not to mention their humans!). I paid a lot of attention to breeds--it seems that the mix of breeds here in the states is changing, although that's just a perception, not a fact. I have seen so many 'rare' breeds lately, it seems it's in fashion to get a dog that no one has ever heard of (or can pronounce the name of). People in Sweden told me that the most popular breed by far was the German Shepherd, followed by the Labrador Retriever. My 10 days in Scandanavia were hardly an accurate sample, but what struck me most was that I saw a little bit of so many breeds in the two countries we visited. Here's a breakdown, from my notes: GSD 1 Labrador Retriever, 3 Corgi 1 Swedish Valhund 1 (the Swedes were very Read More
Visual Signals Don’t Have to be Big if they are Relevant
I got back recently from doing a seminar in Ann Arbor, Michigan for the Ann Arbor Dog Training Club. What a wonderful audience; we had a fantastic time together. At least, I did, so thanks to Tammy and everyone at the club for having me. One of my favorite parts of this seminar (Both Ends of the Leash) is its focus on signals, or cues. The question we looked at in depth was: what sound or movement is actually the one that is salient to your dog? You may say "Sit," and think your dog is responding to it, but so often it's the tightening of the leash or the nod of the head to which your dog is responding. (okay, "to which" is grammatically correct, but good grief it sounds awkward!) We had a great example of that in Ann Arbor. A lovely Golden (perhaps the most perfect example of "Life Read More
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