Dog Proofing Your House

Jacque Must be Watched Carefully

While Playing with his Toys

I know. I know. You're probably thinking, "Is she crazy?" I have a Chihuahua and my neighbor has a Great Dane. How can she possibly tell us both how to dog proof in one short post? Okay, you're right. It probably won't be that short. Here goes:

Dog Proofing for your Small to Medium Sized Dog

Anything from a teacup Yorkie to a Cocker Spaniel may not appear to be tall enough to get something dangerous off of your kitchen counter, right? Think again. Dogs are smart. I've seen my Papillon jump from a chair seat to a table top and from the bed to a dresser top. So keep in mind that if something appeals to your dog's nose, he'll often figure out how to get to it.

Now that you know where I'm coming from, I'll share some of the things I've done to protect both the dogs and our possessions from danger:

1. Start with the area of your home that your dog(s) is allowed to spend time in and be sure it is as secure as possible. Can he jump your baby gate or open it ? Has he mastered opening doors or getting over or around furniture you thought was a deterrant? Tanner can open Oliver's crate and our child-guard latched baby gate. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it myself. We've renamed him Houdini. Check out my post on the other amazing slips he's performed.


2. Now start with this area that your dog calls his own. By this I mean whatever part of your home your dog has full access to. Starting at floor level, check all cords and cables. They should be slid under furniture and rugs or between tables and couches. In other words, not accessible to anyone other than a teacup pup that can go most anywhere a cockroach would travel. If your tiny one likes to go after things under the couch or other low pieces of furniture, you'll have to take extra evasive action. Duct tape the cords to something that is not of interest to your dog's chewing instincts, or use PVC piping for a conduit. The latter is your best bet for cords under a bed, couch or other low furniture.


3. Now check your under the bed storage. Assure that all containers are made of hard plastic, not cardboard, and their lids snap on securely. Do not store food in these, no matter how secure they may seem. A family I once knew lost a dog when it found their chocolate stash under the bed, all wrapped up for the holidays.


4. Next check your wallpapered areas for tears. One little corner pulled up is like a giant invitation for a chew-fest.


5. Do the same thing with mop boards and wood trim along cabinets. Secure them and fill in holes that might encourage chewing.


6. Inspect your dog's toy box or basket regularly for chewing evidence. When one area tears, this will lead to larger pieces coming off. This is a safety hazard, as is a chunk out of a toy. Check the toys as well, ensuring they are all safe for continued play.


7. Check your carpets and rugs for snags, pulls, loose fibers, etc. Some will require snipping to keep the pup's interest at bay. Others may need to be stitched down or pulled through to the bottom. Be particularly diligent in watching rubber-backed rugs for chewing. If the rug is rumpled when you come into the room, turn it over and inspect it for damage. You'll know if Fido is finding this rubber backing interesting.


8. Anything stuffed can spell digestive system blockage if your dog chews it open and ingests the stuffing. This means pillows, toys, chair cushions and children's stuffed animals and dolls. Until your dog is past his interest in such things, these should be placed well out of reach. Stuffed dog toys should not be left out except when you are supervising, at least until you know your dog's tendency to destroy or simply carry these toys. Every dog is different.


9. Every desktop, counter top, table and other surface will contain a plethora of potentially dangerous "toys", in your dog's eyes. Common items such as pens, pencils, clothespins, hair clips, jewelry, razors (Wow!), flatware, matchbooks, computer supplies such as flash drives and camera chips, batteries, medications, knick-knacks, candles, houseplants, flower arrangements (live, silk, or dried), headphones....okay, that's enough. You get the idea. Place all these smaller items in containers, boxes, baskets or jars--out of reach. *** NOTE: Last weekend Oliver pulled a quickie on my family when we looked the other way for a few moments. He quickly devoured a bowl full of cherry pits that we were eating--cyanide filled cherry pits that can kill a dog. Long story short, we spent the afternoon inducing vomiting and then running to the emergency vet when that didn't work. Keep a close eye on your snacks!

Here's some more anecdotal evidence of the danger I'm concerned about. A few years ago when my daughter was preparing for a Homecoming Dance, she had just shaved and laid down the razor. She was right there, so what's the harm? Tanner came out of nowhere and grabbed it; by the time we caught up with him, he had a bloody mouth. The razor was nowhere to be found. We assumed he swallowed it and rushed him to the hospital. During the X-rays, the razor was found under a chair in a corner of the house. Dogs know when they're not supposed to have something, so they tend to hide it from us while they play and investigate our neat stuff. Beware!

Now let's continue with your dog proofing expedition, moving on to the concerns for the bigger dogs with access to more areas:

1. Food. I'm sure you know, but your kids may forget. No food should ever be left anywhere but the refrigerator or the pantry, which should always be closed. I lost an entire plate of thawing chicken breasts (thankfully, boneless!) to Tanner's nose, despite having surrounded them on the counter by larger, heavier items--a barricade of sorts. It didn't work. Now I use the oven or microwave if something needs to sit out for a while.
2. Laundry areas and laundry baskets may or may not be accessible to your dogs. If they are, your clothing is at risk, as well as the dog. Intestinal blockage is serious business, often requiring surgery. If your dog likes clothing, get a covered hamper.
3. Trash is another thing that needs to be secure. Indoor trash cans with click open lids or releases you can tap with your foot are ideal.This is important in all areas of your home, not just the kitchen. Bathroom discards can be deadly for a dog, as can many items in an office or play area.
4. Children's toys are extremely appealing to dogs. If your kids are messy like mine were as youngsters, you'll need to be diligent about closing their bedroom doors and play areas off. Your only alternative to neatness or closed doors is plenty of secure storage space in your kids' rooms. Good luck getting them to use it.
5. Now let's talk about your big dog's toys. You probably already know that it isn't safe for him to play with your toy dog's balls or small toys. These items are a choking hazard for a larger dog. If you have large and small dogs in one home, you'll have to devise a system for keeping your big dog out of the little dog's toys, at least until he learns the rules. Extremely small toys that are appealing to your big dog should be kept out of his reach except when your toy dog is playing with them. Supervise this play carefully, for the benefit of your bigger dog, and offer him some exciting "big dog" toys to keep his attention. It's sometimes a juggling act, but very important.
6. If you have a dog who is protective of your home, you'll need to have an area that he can be safely and happily secured in when visitors come. Crate training is the ideal, since your pup will know this is his down time. Offering a special filled kong toy or other safe treat will keep him busy while you visit with your company.
7. A quick aside here: Some visitors may find your dogs annoying or even frightening, especially if they are jumpers. Your guests' comfort level with your dogs is important if you'd like them to visit again, so consider this along with the safety issues. Enforcing rules like "off the furniture" or "no jumping" is something that requires much time and practice to master. I speak from experience on that one.
8. The garage can be an exceptionally dangerous place for your dog to explore. Keeping him out when you're working in the yard or on your car may be challenging, if you enjoy allowing your dog to join you outside. Many dog owners do. If your garage is like the typical American version, it is a storage area. It's all that storage that you'll need to review. Cleaning solutions, yard chemicals, car products, sharp tools, trash, plastic trash bags, extension cords that are plugged in, recycle bins, and much more can all be hazardous to your dog. Inexpensive plastic shelving units can be purchased at most hardware stores. These are stackable and secure for heavy items, so you can place all your potentially hazardous stuff in bins on shelves out of reach. If you have a Great Dane, out of reach will be much higher up than it will be for your Chihuahua, but that's the price you pay for a 175 pound couch potato. Tanner's best friend at his doggie daycare is a beautiful harlequin Great Dane, and I'm a huge fan. But I know that Zeus can put his paws on my shoulders and give me a kiss on my forehead with no problem. That's no easy task for most dogs, as I am 5' 10" tall. Moral of the story: store according to your dogs' ability to reach; then add 6 more inches for good measure.

With this post, I hope to have accomplished one thing--make you aware of some of the household dangers to your dog that you may have not previously considered. There are probably plenty more. Send me your tips and I'll post them in an addendum. Your thoughts are often helpful to me. Keep those comments and emails coming. I love hearing from you.

Rescues Available

Daisy, the Best Puppy in the World

Her foster mom describes her as an angel. She'll go fast, so don't waste any time. Look at that face and tell me you don't want to love her.

Moving on to a couple of Chow Chow mixes:

The economy is hitting everyone hard these days, and pups are not immune. Many families are giving up their dogs for adoption, when job loss or pay cuts make it impossible for them to feed their pets. Central Florida Animal Pantry is trying to help with this problem, by collecting and distributing pet food and other essentials to families in need. Bravo for this wonderful group.






Speaking of homeless dogs, these adorable chow-mix dogs were found by the roadside near Fort Christmas, apparently abandoned. Fortunately, they are healthy and happily being cared for by a helpful dog lover. They are available for adoption immediately, having had a health check by a vet. Both dogs are male, and both are up to date on vaccinations. They are both friendly and doing well.


If you, or someone you know is interested in meeting these pups for a possible adoption, you may email me at Letsadoptadogpark@gmail.com and I'll be happy to put you in touch with their foster parents.

Today I saw a wonderful quote that went something like this: If every dog had a home, every home would have a dog. What's better than that?

Over my door, I have a sign that says: Home is where you dog is. I guess you could say that's my motto. I hope to hear from you. These darling dogs are looking for a loving family to have some fun with. Wouldn't you love to play with them?

There's more:

Dee Dee

This is Dee Dee, a 13 pound Sheltie that is looking for a performance oriented home. If you'd like to train her for agility, she is READY! Energetic and a great age to start, she'd be a perfect agility dog. I hope to hear from you.

Help for Toy Challenged Dogs

Have you got a dog who would rather play with you than a toy--24/7? Or perhaps your pup is the first to greet every human that enters the park? And then there is the doorbell. Of course, that human out there is here to see the dog. Right?



That's Oliver. While he does occasionally take an interest in his toys, it is not often enough for me. I have to grab the camera quickly when he becomes playful near the toy basket. More often than not, his preference is to play with me or Tanner's ears and tail. Fortunately, Tanner rather enjoys the attention and is extremely easy going about Oliver's enthusiasm.


So what's the problem, you ask? There are those times when a toy is preferable to Oliver wanting to play with me. Despite what you see on this blog, I do have other activities to fit into my days, not to mention another blog to attend to.

Even at agility classes, I am learning that Oliver will need to eventually enjoy a toy for his reward, rather than a treat. Treats are not allowed on the competition agility courses. Oh dear! If there's one thing that Oliver definitely is, it is FOOD MOTIVATED. Treat training works really well for him, even though the treats are itsy bitsy, teeny weeny. They have to be or he'd be 20 pounds by now and looking more like a bull dog. Then we'd be headed for the canine version of the gym and Doggie Weight Watchers.

This morning when we went to the dog park, we were the solitary visitors--first time ever. I discovered quickly that Oliver has no use for the dog park when there are no dogs or people to greet. I played fetch with Tanner for nearly 45 minutes, while Oliver spent most of that time lounging in the grassy shade of an enormous oak tree near the gate. Yes, you heard me right. He laid near the gate, just waiting to go home. I was shocked!


When I finally approached with his leash, he jumped up on the gate and gave clear indication he was READY to go. It was as if he was saying, "I'm no outdoorsman mom. I wanted to socialize. Where is everyone?"

So, what is my plan? Use the treats that he so dearly loves, to motivate him to play with toys and explore the outdoors. The treat pouch is back on my shorts, and I'm in training mode once more. It's time to get this boy to play with toys. I'm going to dig out the dog game book and teach him some ways to enjoy his toys. Hurray. I found this book on Amazon and have placed a photo link to it right here, so you can order it too, if you like.

What's Oliver doing right now? Standing at my computer chair, imploring me to allow him on my lap. Maybe he's really a cat...hmmm?

Here's your opportunity to chime in. I could use the advice today. What would you do to encourage your toy dog to play with toys and explore your yard? Ideas? Hit the comment link next to the envelope icon and shoot me some thoughts. Thanks!


Look! It's a Papillon activity book; just what I need. I'm going to order this one.

One last note: I have a guest post on Ecodater, helping green singles with doggie date ideas. Stop in and check it out. Then go have some fun with your dogs....and your date.

Woof! Woof! Come see us at Twitter...

My bad! It seems that I have neglected to fill you guys in on how to find me at Twitter. My woof woof didn't translate into Tweet Tweet! I hope to find you all on Twitter, just tweeting away, after you read on. I'll be there most days with a comment or preview of a post. Look me up at this link: Learnin2Bgreen.

At Twitter, I have to multi-task. With two blogs, I'm like a juggler, dog thing while balancing the green and organic thing at Organic Journey Online. Of course, my dogs lean to the green side also, so it's all good.

I am learning to live greener and eat organic. I love my dogs and enjoy training them and learning to be a better pack leader for them. For me, that's what it's all about. Hope you'll join me on my update page at Learning2Bgreen, where you'll get a splash of each along with whatever else is on my mind. See you there.

Need help with Twitter? Try this:

I Need a Forever Home

Waylan is a 3 year old Blue heeler/Australian Shepherd that was rescued from a kill shelter. He was surrendered by his owners due to lost jobs. He is absolutely wonderful, loves other animals, is extremely obedient(could easily do agility or Frisbee), and he is good around horses. Waylan is housebroken, crate trained and just an all round good dog. He likes the water too. He is neutered, up to date on vaccines and heart worm negative. Wouldn't you like to give Waylan a chance?

Drop me an e-mail if you think you are interested. I'll put you in touch with his foster family, where he is getting temporary loving care. Thank YOU for caring.

Do Dogs Have Male Bonding?

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Oliver, My Daughter's Papillon

© photo copyright 2009 Carrie Boyko

Jacque, My Mom's Papillon

This post is a short and sweet, very unscientific opinion on a timely and highly contested topic. Do male dogs experience male bonding the way men do?

In mid-November, 2008, my mother adopted Jacque, a Papillon, from an owner who was unable to keep him. He was about 13 weeks old. His first night or two was spent at my home, where he received some of his first lessons, meals, walks and introductions to his fellow pack members.

After all, dogs who belong to your extended family and will see each other often, are also a member of your pack. Training should include socializing them together from an early age. My theory is that male bonding with other male dogs in the pack will help to reduce future male-focused aggression.

Each time I meet a new neighbor with a dog who will only be friendly to female dogs, I am surprised to hear this. I have always felt that if the dog were trained to accept other male dogs from an early age, the dog would follow this leadership. So, Oliver and Jacque are my guinea pigs...or research assistants? You pick. I don't care what we call them.

© photo copyright 2009 Carrie Boyko

Jacque and Oliver Wrestle and Play

Until they Collapse, Exhausted

This past weekend Jacque and Oliver had another visit. They have spent quite a few days together, playing while my mother and I catch up. Once, I kept Jacque for a few days while my mother was away, and they got a good dose of bonding during that visit.

Even Tanner has enjoyed playing with his "cousin" Jacque, although Oliver has hogged most of his little companion's time. Each time Jacque and Oliver meet the scene is the same--instant Tumbleweed action. The picture below is what I call the tumbleweed; it's rather hard to tell which part of the ball of fur is Oliver and which is Jacque. They're wrestling so intensely that you can hardly tell where one dog ends and the other begins. It is this adorable, unending enthusiasm for playing with one another that has me leaning toward a conclusion to my theory. I believe male bonding does occur in dogs.

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko 2009

Oliver and Jacque Do the Tumbleweed

Their Signature Play-Dance

Now that I think of it, Tanner's favorite playmates, both at the dog park and his doggie daycare where he plays when I'm gone all day, are mostly (if not all) males. Perhaps there is a message in there. I'd like to study this a little further. Comments?

Save Your Pool Filter from Death by Dog Fur

© photo copyright 2009 Alan Boyko

Even Oliver would Miss his Occasional Swims

I have a friend whose husband has put his foot down to their dog swimming in their pool. His concern is certainly not unwarranted, but nevertheless, there is a cure. Dog fur needn't be the death of your pool filter, nor the end of your family's fun times swimming with your dog.

Try my cure: Whether you have a cartridge filter or a DE filter, you have a small skimmer basket near your pool filter. This catches all the goodies that come through the pipes, like dog fur, pine needles, leaves and the like. Sand and dirt particles are meant to escape this basket through the small holes, then lodging in your filter. Dog fur probably was not a consideration when pool filters were designed. While some will pass through to the filter without my little trick, this sneaky pet solution will solve all your furry worries....and save your filter.

© photo copyright 2009 Carrie Boyko

Pool Fetch is Tanner's Favorite Game

When I forget to use this nifty cure, it is rather a pain to clean out the basket. Wet fur presses into all the cracks and crevices, making it tough to remove. When my pool repairman told me about this solution, it seemed so simple, yet brilliant. Simply take a knee sock pantyhose and place the toe end into the small skimmer basket. Roll the opening over the top of the basket and viola', you have a Super Duper Dog Fur Collector. I change it out about every week or so.



Do you think I could market this idea? Hmm?

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko 2008

Tanner Enjoys Pool Floats and Fetch Toys

Bo's Blog Helps You Keep Up with Obama's Dog

Thanks to Dogtime, Obama's dog has his own blog. Bo's Blog will help you keep tabs on this growing pup and his famous family. From my perspective, perhaps Bo will become a bit more famous that his family....who knows?

I haven't searched, but I'm relatively certain that Bo will have more than one blog--many of which will not be official. After all, the CIA isn't likely to be watching out for multiple photos of Bo showing up on webpages...do ya think?!! Hmmm? Maybe I better be careful. Do I look like a terrorist? Perhaps if I put on a Hawaian lei, like Bo?

Have a great day. Check in tomorrow for more bow wow fun and games. Woof!

Memories...Tanner as a Puppy!

© photo copyright Brent Boyko

Tanner's Second Day with Us

When I mentioned wishing I had digital photos of Tanner from his arrival here, my wish was granted. My son's camera held these photos of our new baby. Fresh after his first bath, he donned a cute bandanna and was getting acquainted with his new home.

Looking at these pictures, I can see that he was destined to become the tall, lanky retriever that he is now. He's certainly not the pudgy, more stout breed standard that the AKC folks would be looking for, despite the fact that he is AKC. I guess that's why he was clearance priced, just like Marley was. If you haven't read that book, you've got to pick up a copy. The movie is hysterical, but the book takes the story so much further. Either way, try to find time for this great entertainment. It's a wonderful story of dog ownership and the bonding that occurs when you bring a puppy into your home.

© photo copyright Brent Boyko 2006

Puppies: What's Not to Love?!

Tanner arrived in our home, curious and happy-go-lucky, the ideal temperament for our family. His activity level, confidence and playfulness were higher than his littermates, yet he showed a comfortable level of submission with us--not fear--just allowing us to lead him. Cesar Millan would be proud of this choice, even if he isn't the calmest dog around. He is submissive and that's the most important of the two qualities we were looking for. Energy is easier drained than dominance. He's a good boy, despite his Eveready Bunny energy.

Sit. Stay. Play with Me!

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Oliver Graduating from

Puppy Preschool in Spring, 2008

I would dearly love to embed this adorable website right here for you, but alas, I could not. Click this link, though, and you'll find an adorable Yorkie, just waiting to do tricks for you: I Do Dog Tricks!





Realistic animation is certainly baffling to me, but I can stand it when it is this much fun. I asked this little fella to do everything including roll over and he performed amazingly. Yet, he's not a cartoon animation. You have simply got to take a minute and play with this little guy. It's just plain fun. You'll get a good laugh and that's great for your mental health. Enjoy!

Juliet-Jet Slows Down for a Moment of Online Fame

Juliet is a 10 month old Yorkie, weighing in at 4.3 lbs., and owned by a reader of my blogs. I was pleased to learn that this reader found All Things Dog Blog via my other blog, Organic Journey Online. Juliet eats organic food, as does her family, and her healthy coat certainly shows off her good nutrition.



Her owner wrote a delightful letter with conerns, questions and comments on her delightful companion. I learned a lot by finding answers for her, so keep those letters coming, folks. You guys teach me as much as all the reading I'm doing about dogs.

Still a puppy, Juliet has lots of energy to burn. Here you can see her playing with her ball. After a long play session, she enjoys a swim in her kiddie pool.


The photos below shows Juliet in a kitchen bowl. She's a tiny little thing, for sure.

During a recent vacation, Juliet's owners discovered the Lori Wilson Dog Park in Cocoa Beach, and kindly shared the website address at the link. Juliet's family really enjoyed this dog park, so if you're looking for one on the east coast, check it out. Your comments are welcome below and photos of your pup will gladly be shared if you'll email them to LetsAdoptaDogPark@gmail.com . Hope to hear from you soon.

Assuring that Your Puppy Does Not Claim the House, or Worse--You!

© photo copyright 2009 Carrie Boyko

Oliver is King of Toni

He's cute; I know. But is it a good idea to allow your puppy to sit on top of you like this? Although not all experts agree, many say that allowing your dog to be on top of you, at his choice of time, encourages him to claim you. This can turn very bad if it continues. When a little dog claims his human, he often can become possessive and protective, growling at anyone who attempts to pet him or pick him up while atop his owner.


Am I suggesting you never let your pup sit on our lap? Of course not. But I would advise that YOU choose when and for how long. As long as you are in charge of this affection that is being shared, your dog will understand who is in charge.

© photo copyright 2008 Carrie Boyko

Xena and Tanner Wrestle on My Bed

As with many other doggie games, wrestling is not appropriate for my bed. Of course that didn't stop me from capturing this image of my two big guys having a romp. It was cute. Thank goodness they rarely choose my bed to play. All I had to do was let them know the bed was off limits for playtime, and they dispersed to the floor, where they continued their game with renewed vigor--and more safety. I don't want anybody falling off the bed and getting hurt.

NO MORE MONKEYS JUMPING ON THE BED!

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko 2008

Watch, But Don't Beg!

When you are eating, keep in mind that dog manners are all about respecting who the food belongs to. When we take to the table for a meal, the dogs often lay at our feet, enjoying the smell of whatever is wafting from the table. That's just fine, as long as they aren't table surfing or begging. I don't allow that, and fortunately have never had to deal with it.

Begging is a behavior that is best prevented early. Set boundaries for where your dog may sit or lay during a meal. Any barking or whining and the dog goes out of the room; no questions asked. Finally, table scraps fed to your dog from the table will only encourage begging. If you wish to share a small scrap of lean chicken occasionally, wait until the meal is over. Place the scrap in your dog's dish. Ask him to wait until given permission to eat it. This will establish YOU as the owner of the food. That's your goal.

© photo copyright 2009 Carrie Boyko

Encourage Your Dog to Love His Crate

Every dog should have a refuge, a place all his own where he can find relief from rambunctious family members, guests that make him uneasy, or just to rest uninterrupted. That's exactly what a crate is for, once he is house trained.

Even when your dog is completely housebroken and respectful, she may enjoy quiet, down time in her crate when the family is playing a boisterous game or she just generally wants some time to rest. I've known a few families who have packed up the crate when their pup was house-trained, only to decide later that it was still needed--yet unwanted by the dog.

We learned the hard way that moving a dog's crate is serious business. Xena's crate was originally located in our laundry room. It was perfect--no windows or access to noisy family activity--for her quiet time needs. When we renovated the room, we decided to move it. That's when we learned that she was absolutely not going to use a crate that was near a window. It took 3 more moves to find the spot that worked for her--my quiet, windowless walk-in closet. Cesar Millan would not have approved, but then he wasn't even a blip on the map back then. I was going it alone.

Here in Central Florida, the thunderstorm capital of the world, Xena has much need for her crate during lightning storms. Even at 12 1/2, a girl likes a cozy space to hunker down during a storm.

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko 2009

Off, Oliver!

© photo copyright 2009 Carrie Boyko

Here We Go Again. Off Oliver!

No. Oliver is not perfect. As you can see from the 2 photos above, he is on the top of the couch. Granted, this is the "dog couch"--the one they are allowed to lay on. Well, I should clarify this; they are allowed to lay on this couch IF and only IF no one else wants to sit there. BUT...they are not allowed on top of it.

I'll admit that Oliver does not do this often. He's watching Tanner in the pool, through the French doors. This is his way of telling me he isn't in the mood to swim--by keeping his distance and watching his waterlogged brother hang 10 on the raft. Entertaining, but not always Oliver's choice of activity.

So, did you get the point of this post? It's all about taking control of where your dog is allowed to be--and when. If you set these guidelines early, enforce them regularly, and don't give him any wiggle room, he'll learn to abide by your rules--eventually.

Biking with Your Dog: Fun and Fitness for Both of You

Tanner Gets His Exercise

More Quickly with the Bike

Summer is a time when people all over my area get outdoors a lot in the evening. Afternoons swelter near 100 degrees, but early mornings are a wonderful time to bike with Tanner and Oliver.

Tanner and Oliver Concentrate Well

on the Bike's Direction

Until recently, I biked them both separately, but recently have found that they run very nicely together. The two dogs appear to enjoy the camaraderie of running alongside one another. Surprisingly, Oliver seems to think it is a race, and most often is in the lead. I guess youth is at his advantage.

Two Miles Means I Get a Good Workout Also,

Especially When I Bike Them Separately

Did you know that Tanner will soon be 3 years old? Ahh! My old man. It seems like just yesterday we brought him home. I really need to dig up those 35 mm. photos and scan them to share on this blog. One day.

Biking with Xena has ceased in recent months. I think, at her age, it is best not to encourage such an active form of exercise for long periods of time. She runs at the dog park, in short sprints. That's fine. But long rides might not be the best thing for her. I'm regretting now not getting photos of her when she biked with my kids years ago.

Biking your dog is really easy. I can give you a few tips, though, to help the dog adjust to this new form of exercise.

Oliver Thinks he's a Sled Dog

1. Give him plenty of opportunities to be around the bike, before you use it WITH him. He'll need to be comfortable with its look and smell.
2. Ride up and down your street on a few occasions, while he watches you. Be sure to put on your best air of confidence and authority. No silliness here. Your dog needs to feel confident that you know what you are doing.
3. Use a harness on your dog, so that any pulling that might occur, is around his torso and shoulders.
4. Before you take him out with the bike, make sure he has a good walk to tire his mind. He'll be less stressed by this new adventure if he is tired.
5. When you're ready to try him out, harness him up with a 6 foot leash and walk him alongside the bike for a while, ignoring any anxiety that he expresses about being near rolling wheels. When you have done this long enough, he'll begin to trust that you have control of this contraption, and it is safe for him to be near it. You'll be able to tell when he relaxes and relinques control to you. He'll stop pulling away from the bike and just watch the tire for movement. That's normal. They have to know when to turn with the bike.
6. When turning left, slow down a bit to allow your dog to keep up.
7. When turning right, speed up to get ahead of him, so that after the turn he will end up beside you again.
8. Finally, this may seem odd, but riding faster will engage your dog's concentration more thoroughly. This will keep him from thinking about any concerns he has--nerves, squirrels, other dogs that you pass. I have found with 3 dogs, that starting them at a fairly fast ride actually makes it easier for them to acclimate.

Tanner Slows Down as We Near the End:

Time for a Long Nap

If your dog is young enough and healthy enough for this activity, you will find it to be enjoyable for both of you. Ask your veterinarian for advice, if you have any concerns about age and health issues.

I recommend you ride inside a neighborhood, away from loud and busy traffic areas. One last bit of advice. Absolutely do not wrap the leash around your hand or wrist, if you are biking a mid to large sized dog. Hold it with your fingertips, so that if Fido darts, you can easily release the leash and collect him at his destination.

Has this been a problem for me? No. Tanner is about 60 pounds, and he has only darted once. He ran about 15 feet or so to greet a friend. After this, I began to scan ahead as we rode. When I see a dog, I begin using the "Leave It" command immediately and I speed up the ride to encourage more concentration. The extra focus and my commands seem to do the trick. It has never happened again, even this morning when we passed 3 of his favorite playmates walking together. I was proud of him!

I'd love to hear from you after you experiment with biking your dog. Comments? Hit the link under the post. I'll expect someone to tell me about a bike helmet, right? Yeah, I know. I just hate hat hair and sweat in this heat. Lousy excuse, right? You're right.

*************************************

Wednesday's post is on a topic of interest to all who own small dogs. Sometimes they tend to take over our houses, claiming every inch of everything we own. While big dogs can do this more easily, we're suckers for the little guys. "Look honey, he's so cute on top of the kitchen table!" If this is an issue at your home, join me for a few tips on how to gradually reduce your dog's ownership of YOUR house, or prevent it altogether if you're working with a young puppy.

Off Leash Parks ARE Independence Day for our Dogs

Imagine trying to work a party while tethered to your wife or husband? Doesn't sound like much fun, huh? That's probably how our dogs feel when they cannot have some off leash time with their friends.

Weekends at the dog park are so empowering for me. Watching the dogs play in such a purely innocent way is delightful. That doesn't mean there isn't an occasional disagreement. There would be at a human park, as well. Diligent owners stay within sight of their pups and ready to intervene in case of a problem.

Intervene, how, you ask? The safest way to break up a scuffle between two or more dogs is to grab your dog by his hips and back him out of it. Most of us can overpower our dogs when we have control over their hind quarters.

This method of intervention prevents dog bites, because your hands are not in the thick of the action. During a doggie disagreement, dogs lose their composure. They don't know who or what they are snapping at once they lose it. So your own dog could be the culprit in a bite to your hand if your hand is in the mix.

This rule includes steering clear of trying to grab them by their collar. During a fight, a dog's movements are erratic and quick. Trying to grab a collar could easily end in a wounded hand, as well.

If your dog is not involved, you can help out safely by grabbing a bucket of water and plopping it squarely on the faces of the involved pups. This often will scatter the group, giving the owners time to claim and calm their charges.

If your own dog is involved, assure that he is relaxed and ready to play before releasing him. If his energy is still assertive or aggressive, perhaps its time to call it a day. You can finish him off with walk at home, allowing the rest of the park visitors to resume play without worry.

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko 2009

Tanner Fetches, Oliver Chases

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko 2009

Marmaduke, the Great Dane Puppy

Happily Mingles with the Adults

Marmaduke is a new addition to our regular weekend dog park group. He's going to be quite a big boy, so his owner is doing the right thing--socializing him early to assure he is friendly with both humans and other dogs.

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko 2009

Oliver and Tanner Play Tag with Cooper

While Oliver can rarely keep pace with Tanner in the long stretch, his sprint is quite impressive. This tag game has been going on for a few minutes, so poor Oliver is being left behind. I'm glad to see he hasn't given up. It's so good for him to run, and I'm glad he's confident to run with the big boys. Tag is a great game for dogs of all kinds, and it requires no props to play. My pack and I wish you a very happy Independence Day and a great romp at the park.

Backpacks aren't Just for Students and Hikers...

Tanner Transports 4 Bottles

of Water in his Backpack

Every time I walk Tanner with his backpack on, I get an assortment of comments, stares, questions or laughs. Clearly, everyone does not watch the Dog Whisperer.

So, what exactly is the purpose of a backpack on a dog? The simple answer would be to carry something, but that answer does not even begin to address the underlying reason. That's what this post is all about.

If you own a large or active breed of dog, you already know how challenging it can be to drain his energy. Sometimes even a long walk does not do the trick. This is when you have to get more creative. Adding a job can help to wear out Fido more quickly, while keeping him focused on his task at hand--a mental job, as well.

Adding a mental challenge to your dog's job of walking with you, helps him to concentrate and work harder, both physically and mentally. The end result is a calmer, more relaxed dog at the end of the exercise session.

While there are plenty of other ways to drain excess energy, not the least of which are running, biking, swimming, obstacle courses, and fetch, walking with his leader/pet parent is the most bonding of these activities. Adding an additional job to the walk makes it that much more challenging and bonding for your dog, and you will both benefit.

Backpacks are widely available at most dog supply stores now, so shop around and find one you feel fits your dog well and seems relatively comfortable to him, even as he will appear confused by this new contraption. Be sure to ignore this and keep this "fitting" all business.

Now that Tanner is a seasoned backpacker, here are some tips I can share from what we have learned together:

• Start by walking with the backpack empty, so your dog can adjust to the idea of wearing something more than a collar or harness.
• After proper fitting, tuck in any extra lengths of strapping, leash him up and head out as if nothing is different. The idea is to exude confidence about this walk, just as if it were any other day. Don't make a big fuss. Your dog needs to absorb confident energy from you, so act self-assured and allow him to adjust to his new job without a lot of attention.
• By the end of a long walk, your dog will have gotten used to being a packhorse and will be ready for lesson #2.
• This is when the game gets interesting. Adding weight is what will give your dog a greater physical workout, along with a tougher mental challenge. This combination will assure a calmer pup when the walk is done. Start with something small on each side, perhaps a bag of rice or an ice pack in the summer. He will be asking himself why this new "jacket" is swaying suddenly.
• Tanner took 2-3 walks before he got proficient at swaying with the natural movement of the weights in the backpack. When he finally realized that he could compensate for the swinging of the weight, his whole demeanor changed. He became more relaxed and appeared confident and proud that he was doing a job. Until this occurs, don't add any additional weight.
• Once your dog is walking like a pro, you can add up to 10% of his weight (1/2 on each side) to the backpack, increasing gradually. Judge the amount based on your dog's bone structure and energy level. Just like cub scouts on a hike, dogs will be calmer and more focused on their job when carrying a load that seems to take on its own movement if the dog does not stay in rhythm. Have you ever tried to run with a backpack on? It bounces all over the place, making you very uncomfortable. You'll see him figuring this all out as the mental processes work through this new challenge.
• When you reach your goal, your dog will wait patiently while you "dress" him (that's a great command to teach for leashing, harnessing, etc.) and walk beside you with a more focused and determined attitude. His view of you as the pack leader/pet parent will be changing as you walk. This is a very good thing.
• Now Tanner carries our cold water bottles when he wears the backpack. Water bottles do sway quite noticeably, but Tanner has adjusted to their movement by limiting his own upper body movement. He stays focused and steady as he follows my lead.

Tanner Concentrates on His Walks

Better with a Backpack to Carry

Having any problems with this? I'll field questions if you'd like to write to me. You can reach me at LetsAdoptaDogPark@gmail.com. Happy hiking!

If you're in search of a backpack for your dog, check out this and Amazon's other offerings for an assortment of various styles. Consider whether you might want to have Fido carry a picnic lunch or other delicate package when you select the style. Most have soft pouches, but some do feature shaped saddlebags for carrying more delicate items. Good luck!

Monday I'm still on dog exercise activities. Besides swimming, my favorite way to exercise the dogs in the summer is biking, and I'll be sharing my tips on this fun and fit activity--for both of you. Hope to see you then.

Thunderstorms and Fireworks: Helping Your Dog Cope

One of the most common dog issues I run into is that of fear of thunder and fireworks. "First Alert Xena" is my thunderstorm alarm dog. She must feel the vibrations in the ground, because she can alert us to a storm coming far before tour weather alert radio sounds its annoying alarm. They should hire her!

As soon as Xena begins to show anxiety, I know what's coming. She only has this one phobia, so it's easy to read her. Here are the steps we take at my house to calm the crazy beast BEFORE she destroys the house:

• First and foremost, if I know there are storms coming, I try to get her out for a long walk before she gets tense. She won't go outside, if the sky is gray, so I have to beat her to the punch.
• Tiring her out goes a long way to helping her stay calmer. Not CALM, mind you, but less anxious. There's a fine line there.
• In the wild, dogs who are anxious about thunder, burrow into the ground, digging a den to hunker down in till the storm passes. We have created a sanctuary much like this with a crate in a dark room. We learned long ago, that windows don't cut it for Xena. She needs darkness and the crate to settle herself.
• Turning on music, fairly loud, is a strategy we have used in the past. It may help some, but because she seems to sense the storm from the ground, it isn't as helpful for Xena as it might seem. Try it with your dog. If it helps, that's great.
• Finally, the attitude with which we handle the situation is an important component. No affection or soothing "poor baby" stuff. That would just encourage the behavior. We matter-of-factly take her to her crate and close the gate. Departing without affection is part of how we show Xena that this stormy noise is nothing to worry about. It's sort of like leading by example.
• Knowing she is contained helps her to calm herself, and she'll settle into a corner of the crate and wait it out. Food, water, toys and chewies are all forms of affection that have no place in this scenario. Xena will ignore them anyway. Some dogs might take them, and assume (of course, this assumes that a dog can assume) this is encouragement of their anxious behavior. Not a good idea.

Good luck getting through the Independence Day weekend. I hope these tips help you and your dog to manage the fear factor. If you'd like to learn more techniques, you might check out this book. I've heard good things...