Dog Dilemmas, Photo Thank Yous and More

Pounce Herds

Herd, Pound, Herd!

Go Pounce Go!

Let me start today's post by sending a great big thank you to Kim and Nancy for sending photos of their pups. Kim's Border Collie, Pounce, is seen doing his "job" of herding in the photo above. Isn't that just a perfect name for a herding dog?!! Wish our school kids could concentrate that well!

Last week I got a big surprise when Tanner and I received word that he is being "promoted" to the next level of Agility classes. We're so excited! I'm sure I'll make a complete fool of myself next week at the first class, but then, I can laugh it off. After you hit my age, these embarrassments aren't such a big deal any longer.

Oliver, my younger dog, will remain at level 2, still having a long way to go to catch his big brother. That's good though, as trying to train them both in the same level was a tougher challenge than I had anticipated.

I'm giving myself permission to digress a bit today. As you may have noticed, I added advertising to this blog. It was quite a dilemma deciding whether I should jump in or not, yet. In the end, I wanted the blog to offer opportunities for dog lovers to shop for things they can't find at their local pet supply shop. For instance, my mother lives in a small town where there is just one small shop. You either buy it there or drive a long way to find it.

I have found better buys online and often do my shopping that way now. So, I guess that's the reason I took the plunge. I supplied a search box for Amazon in the sidebar, to make it easy to find things. I hope you find some of this helpful, and will offer your thoughts via comments or email at LetsAdoptaDogPark@gmail.com .

Speaking of Adopt a Dog Park, National Clean Dog Park Awareness Week is coming up soon. Feel free to pass this info along to other dog lovers. I welcome park adoptions from anywhere, and would love to receive photos of your dogs at your favorite park. When you write to me to adopt a park, I will gladly display your dog(s) photo on the website.

I'll be here Wednesday talking a bit about discipline and food aggression. This is a topic that has been requested, so I will take a stab, offering what I know on the subject. These are times when I wish Cesar Millan were here to help me through. It's okay, though, my guys are really good examples of this skill. Thank goodness! Although I am no expert, my 3 are well mannered dinnertime companions who know how to wait for permission and "take it" when given that permission. Join me Wednesday for some photos of dinnertime in action at my house. Also on Woofing Wednesday at Organic Journey Online, Oliver will make an appearance in a photo with my mom and her organic orchids. They are spectacular!

Guidelines for First Time Dog Park Visits

Dog Park Visits are Great Times to

Play with "The Gang"

Dog Parks have become all the rage throughout the United States. Particularly for those of us in urban or suburban areas where there are precious few places a dog can get a good romp off-leash. It's good for them to be able to socialize with other dogs and run unencumbered by restraints--fences, walls, leashes; they need to be free to run occasionally.

The reality is that this freedom comes with a risk and a price. Even dog parks have fences, placed to protect their visitors from running into the street or disappearing altogether. The difference is that the park is a larger area for running, and the opportunity to socialize with other dogs is available. This is a necessary component to their lifestyle, as dogs in the wild are historically social pack animals.

When I arrive at the dog park, my dogs now know where we are going, well before we pull into the parking lot. Their excitement is palpable, with their heavier breathing, whining to get out of the car, and growing activity level in the back of the car. When I get out, I wait until everyone is calmly waiting in the car. Sometimes it takes a few minutes, but it is safer this way and they get the message: "You don't get to go to the park until you calm down."

When I open the door to leash everyone up, I have 3 eager faces looking out. The calmest dog is leashed and allowed to hop out first. That's his reward for controlling his excitement. And so it goes with the other two.

Tanner and Me at the West Orange Dog Park 

Walking to the gate should be an exercise of discipline. If it takes 30 minutes to get to the gate, they will remember that next time and manage their excitement better. When your dog(s) shows signs of excitement, have him sit until he calms down. Then proceed. Using this procedure will soon teach your pup that he doesn't get to go inside until he can exhibit proper manners. You should be leading him inside, not the other way around. If Fido is pulling you, you're letting him be in charge. That attitude will eventually trickle into everything else that involves your dog. You don't want that. So make sure he knows you are in charge.



At the gate, have your dog sit and calm himself, before entering. If your dog has never been to a dog park, keep the leash on for a while and gauge his readiness for friendly behavior. Your dog should be willing to allow others to sniff his backside. This is a friendly hello, which should be accepted with no concern. Likewise, your dog should be interested in exchanging hellos with others. One of my dog park acquaintances calls this "exchanging business cards"! Another calls it "shaking hands". You get the point. It is the good doggie manners way to greet and be greeted.

When Fido is accepting hellos and giving them without any signs of anxiety, fear or agression, you can consider removing the leash. Stay close and watch his body language. It is your job to stop any escalation of aggressive or dominant behavior BEFORE it gets out of hand. This means correcting your dog, and in more significant cases, can mean your dog needs to submit. Down, lay, stay...until you give permission. Permission is granted when your dog's body language and behavior is completely relaxed and he is paying no attention to other dogs around him. Then he is ready to get up and practice some more. Some dogs need lots of this practice before they are ready to shake hands with others nicely.

Most dogs have few, if any, problems with social interaction of this basic sort. It is usually the anxious, fearful, or shy dogs that may exhibit trouble with socialization. Often leadership is lacking and this brings on the problems. 

A few tips on what NOT to bring to a dog park, for all you first timers:

1. Never bring food into the dog park. You could create problems, as other dogs will smell it on you.
2. Bring in toys at your own risk. Some dogs may steal your toy, others may destroy it.
3. Keep in mind that the dog park is also for socialization. Encourage this activity and use the toys for those days when the park is meagerly populated.
4. Poop bags and water for your dog may be needed if you are not visiting a park that provides these. It is essential that you keep an eye on your pups and pick up after them immediately. This will keep everyone cleaner and healthier.
5. Leave your stilletos at home. Dress for the occasion. Many dogs like to jump up and put their paws on visitors, so plan on getting a few paw print hellos.
6. Handbags, beverages and other things you need to hold or keep track of may become problematic. If you set them down, they're likely to get picked up by a playful pup who sees them as fair game.

Finally, What do you take to the dog park with you? Not much, but there are a few aids that can make the first trip go smoother.

• If your dog is large and you need help getting him in and out of the car, a ramp is helpful.
• Boots couldn't hurt, as you might step in something a bit messy, if you don't keep an eye out. My favorite dog park boots are on sale at Amazon right now, so I've included them in the link below. They clean up really easy and are amazingly comfortable.
• If you have more than one dog, a leash coupler makes things a bit easier. You'll only have one handle to deal with for every two dogs. I have 3 dogs, so I'm speaking from experience.
• If you go at a time when there aren't likely to be many visitors, like daytime during the week, you might want to bring a ball, Frisbee or "chucker" ( a ball throwing tool for those of us who throw like girls).
• Make sure there is a towel in the car for cleaning up dirty paws.
• If you're going to an off-leash area that doesn't have dog park amenities like poop bags and water fountains, then consider this in your preparation.

I hope these tips will help you venture into the world of dog park fun. It is good for your dog and you'll enjoy the people you meet there. I'll be back soon with info on how to locate a dog park near you.

Exercising Fido: Good for Both of You

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Tanner Loves to Catch the Frisbee

We've all read at least one article on losing weight that recommends getting a dog. The author invariably tells you that when you have the responsibility for walking a dog, you will get your exercise also. Good advice, as long as you take it. I just feel for the poor dog who was adopted and then left in the house all day every day to hardly see the light of day.

So, what are your options, if walking turns out to be the activity you just cannot get yourself to do? Try some of these:

• Running...not likely, if you can't get yourself out for the walk.
• Biking--faster and more exercise for you and the dog, in less time.
• Roller blading: While this is Cesar Milan's first choice, it isn't the safest choice for many of us. His roller blades are more stable, but keep in mind your abilities and the size of your dog, before venturing out to try this.
• The dog park: This is my dogs' favorite outdoor activity. There is nothing like off-leash running to get a dog well-exercised. Tanner is particularly fond of the socialization and the running. Did I mention that Tanner likes to run? Tanner will run for an hour and a half, until I tell him time's up. He knows he better come when I call, and he does. But, what about you? You can get exercise at the dog park too: (1) Walk the perimeter, keeping your eyes on your dog for that inevitable plop!, (2) Grab a few bags or a shovel and use your time to pick up missed doggie-piles and trash. I call this Adopt a Dog Park. Check out the link for more info.
• Agility classes provide great discipline along with a dose of exercise. It is a wonderful way to bond with your dog, and you'll probably get more exercise than he does, once you get past the beginner level.
• Swimming is Tanner's favorite thing to "beg" for. Although he doesn't truly beg, he stands by the French doors and gives me a "please can I go swimming" look that can melt me sometimes. He doesn't seem to tire of it, even though Xena and Oliver will be in and out in a flash. Tanner will swim for an hour and then collapse on the porch for a nice nap in the sun--every day, year round. There are some exceptions. When we had our 7 nights of freezing temperatures recently, I didn't let him swim much. Poor guy. He gazed at the pool as if it were his long lost love and he couldn't give her a hug and kiss.
• The treadmill is a great tool, but you need to learn how to do this the right way. I recommend checking out one of Cesar Milan's books for instruction.
• Playing Fetch or Frisbee for 20-30 minutes is a great workout for both of you. You can also turn this into a good training session for the fetch and drop it commands. There have been more than a few instances when I was glad Tanner knows drop it. Have you ever tried to pry open the jaws of a 57 pound dog? It's nearly impossible.

There are a number of devices out there that are aids for biking with your dog. I just hold the leash and go, but some people find that their dogs pull a bit too much. You can check out the possibilities for some of these gadgets that attach to the frame of your bike, and with a stretchy attachment, won't pull you over.

Whatever you do to exercise your dog, remember who is in charge (YOU!) and make sure you are both having fun. Finally, keep in mind that you start the exercise, and YOU decide when to end it. No discussions on his with Fido! You're the boss.

The Importance of Exercising Your Dog--Mentally and Physically

The Pack Leader at Work

At the risk of sounding like the Dog Whisperer, I will repeat his mantra: Exercise, Discipline, Affection--in this order. He is so right.

My first experience at beginning to understand this came with Xena, when she was little miss hyperactive at dog training classes. When the instructor decided to allow "recess" or playtime in the beginning of class, she calmed right down after a vigorous play, and was ready to focus and learn. Wow! Such a revelation, and that was before we even knew about Cesar Milan.

Now, exercise before discipline is my own rule. Before obedience classes with Tanner and Oliver, I always found time, somehow, to fit in a long walk, bike ride, dog park run or a good fetch game in the pool. Once or twice, during long downpours, I actually took my long walk inside of Petsmart. Thank goodness they allowed that.

With obedience classes behind us, we are now venturing into a new challenge: Agility training. Running an agility course definitely involves both exercise and discipline; however, in my humble opinion, it is more discipline than exercise. Tanner can easily outrun me, and when he does he finds himself with confusion as to where he is supposed to go next. At first, he would just pick his favorite and have a blast, but now I see him beginning to stay with me and keep his attention on me more. That is the goal, so I guess we are making progress in discipline.

I do have to work at it, though. Each day that we have class, I take Tanner to a doggie play date. He runs for hours with a group of fun dog friends, and comes home good and worn out. Then we go to Agility class. Without that play date, Tanner would be a hyperactive nutcase. Well, maybe that is a bit harsh. Just hyperactive.

In my next few posts, I'll write a little about some of various ways I assure these pups get their exercise. I'd love to hear about your creative methods also. Feel free to COMMENT at the link below. Have a great weekend, and don't forget to walk the dog.