Weekly Wag #19: Rejoice in Reunions

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© All Things Dog Blog
Proof that Training Works!

This is one of those Weekly Wags that I imagine will bring shaking heads from trainers. Don't tell Michael about it, okay? ;)


I secretly love it when my dogs are happy to see me when I arrive wherever they are.  Whether they are at home waiting on me, at doggie daycare running in the play yards, at my mother's home enjoying some 'family time' with Jacque, or after a Winter bath at their beloved groomer's, Miss Bonnie. I am thrilled that they are happy to see me when I return. That unconditional love thing gets me every time.


Conversely, I work hard to train the boys to greet our callers with gentlemanly calmness. I know this must be confusing them. Bad pet parenting! It's a work in progress to be sure. I am generally able to get a nice Sit when regular visitors come to call. But unexpected salespeople or neighborhood kids evoke a whole different level of enthusiastic announcement from both boys. 

© All Things Dog Blog
Oliver Missed Toni :)

Am I terrible to focus on Tanner's excessive excitement first? I guess it's a necessary step in protecting smaller kids or frail elderly from his friendly, albeit full frontal kisses. While he does jump slightly at times like this, when he believes it is necessary (?), he has finally learned not to jump ON the person of interest. Progress! His kisses are now bestowed without much bodily contact, making him a bit safer and me less embarrassed. The training goes on.


So what is the message of bonding today? Maybe I'm trying to soothe my own angst about not completely following through on this important bit of our training. But still, I love being greeted by the boys with their signature "I missed you mom" ways. Oliver dances on hind feet while Tanner slathers me with kisses that I completely revel in. Am I awful? 


Your comments on this at the original Weekly Wag post will enter you in a quarterly giveaway. Simply click the badge to take you there. I hope you enjoy your reunions with your dogs, even if you just walked out to the mailbox.

This post is part of the Saturday Pet Blogger Hop hosted by Life with Dogs, Two Little Cavaliers, and Confessions of the Plume. You are welcome to link up here, or visit any of their sites for their rules of participation and another opportunity to link up. Happy hopping! 

Dog Greetings--Safety First!

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

Thanks to Tracie Hotchner for this short, educational video on greeting a dog. So many of us do not know the right way to greet. These few guidelines are also excellent to teach children, as some are eager to go toward a new dog with hands flailing and instinctually want to pat a dog right on top of its head. While this behavior may not bother some friendly, happy-go-lucky dogs, others will be threatened by this and may react. Better to folllow Tracie's advice and ask first, then following her steps to success. Happy tails!


Be sure to listen to Tracie's radio show, Dog Talk, for more helpful tips.

Ask the Dog Trainer, with Terry Lynn Cuyler: Teaching Kids Proper Dog Greetings

by Terry Lynn Cuyler, CPDT-KA

Dear Terry,

I have 3 young children. We often visit families with dogs. I would like to hear from a trainer what the best way is to teach my kids to greet the dogs properly. Can you tell me what behavior is normal from the dogs so I can teach my children what to expect and what is acceptable. They need to know how to greet and be greeted without fear, but I do not know how to teach this. Help!

Lily C.

---------------------------------------------------------

Dear Lily:


Kids and dogs are wonderful but you are wise to follow steps to ensure the safety of your children.


First, ASK the human holding the leash if it is OK to pet their dog and how it likes to be petted. Then, stand still and have the back of your hand out for the dog to sniff. Let the dog come to you so it is comfortable. Fearful dogs are more likely to try to defend themselves. Then pet the dog under the chin instead of on the head, unless the handler instructs differently. Do not hug the dog. If the dog is OFF leash stand still as a tree and let the dog sniff you.


Most counties have programs bringing dogs and info into the schools to teach about safe dog greetings. Perhaps you could contact your county to come into your school and teach dog safety. A good website is Colleen Pelar’s - KidsandDogs.com which has many useful tips. Her very brief videos help to show some of the greeting methods that dogs do not appreciate; this is excellent material and well worth the few seconds to watch each of the 3 short clips. I also love the pictorial of  dog body language that helps us understand what certain signals mean. Canine Stress Signals is a set of laminated bookmarks this is a great teaching tool or family reference; you can purchase at this link. 


PawsProf

Our ASK THE DOG TRAINER Column can be reached atLetsAdoptaDogPark@gmail.com. For more information on Terry Lynn Cuyler and her training, you may find her at Paws Prof. A personal appointment with a trainer will likely provide more specific information on your dog's issues and your questions. You can read more of Terry Lynn Cuyler's training questions at her Archives page.

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Ask the Dog Trainer, with Mike Shamp: Stopping Your Counter Surfer

by Mike Shamp, Master Dog Behavior Therapist and Trainer

© courtesy R.B., reader copyright on file
Meet Orly

Dear Mike:


1.  How can I break my 3 1/2 year old Dalmatian from counter surfing?

2.  My Dalmatian gets so excited when we have company.  She trains well with greeting until real people arrive, then she reverts to her old crazy self.

3.  How can I keep my dog from chasing the cat?

Thanks, Frankie
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

G’day Frankie,

Counter surfing can be a worrisome behavior with a larger dog such as a Dalmatian and presents a unique training situation. The easiest and most direct course of action is of course eliminating the opportunity by making sure that food items are not within Molly Pepper’s reach. This works well when you’re not cooking or away from home.  However, looking at this from a practical standpoint this can be difficult when distractions take you away from the kitchen during your cooking sessions or your children or husband forget and leave food on the counter.

The next step is to look at motive. To most dogs food item that is good enough for us is great for them. Bitter Apple spray provides an effective method for removing motive. Start by giving your dog a good sample of Bitter Apple on her tongue. Depending on the size of the dog it may be as little as a dripping finger rubbed on the dog’s tongue or a quarter teaspoon poured on the tongue. Next, saturate a piece of food such as a slice of bread with the spray and make it available for stealing. Most dogs are quickly discouraged when the booty is no longer tasty. It also helps to be nearby to anticipate the theft and give a sharp hand clap, say NO in a deep growl voice tone or squirt her with a water bottle to distract the dog from its task and quickly in a light and happy voice call the dog to you. Repeat until Molly Pepper is no longer tempted to heist food from the counter.

The same technique can be applied to cat chasing minus the Bitter Apple. Kitty may not appreciate cologne that smells like sour apple. Begin by making sure that your dog comes every time you call her. Start with a peaceful, low stress environment. Crouch low be playful and call her in happy voice tones to encourage her to come to you. Begin praising as soon as she looks at you. Give a command such as sit when she arrives to keep the focus on you and praise again. Once your dog is responding, introduce a toy that she enjoys or use treats. Playfully throw the toy and allow her to fetch and come back to you. Command her to sit at your side and give a stay command. She should remain at your side until released to fetch the toy. Move up to tossing the toy and allowing her to run after the toy but call her back to you before she reaches the toy. When she does this reliably you should have more control and the ability to get her attention when the cat gives her the “let’s play” signal.

Building on the skills above it is time to talk about door manners. A well behaved dog should be expected to sit in view of the door when a guest arrives. I prefer to provide a distance of 6 to 10 feet between the dog and the door to allow a party of 4 or 5 people to come into your house. Keep her in a sit/stay position until the door is closed and release her by calling her to you. It is very important that you are looking at the dog to be ready to correct her if she moves. Dogs are very much like children in a class room, If the teacher turns her back the kids pass notes and shoot spit wads. The focus is now on you and not on your guests and Molly Pepper will have more self control when guests arrive. For the best and fastest results have your guests call before they ring the doorbell so that you can be ready and only your dog is surprised.

Good luck with your training.


Mike

© courtesy M.S.

Our ASK THE DOG TRAINER staff can be reached at LetsAdoptaDogPark@gmail.com. For more information on Mike Shamp and his training, you may find him at Bark Busters of Central Florida. You can also visit Bark Busters' Training Tips Page for help. A personal appointment with a trainer will likely provide more specific information on your dog's issues and your questions.

Related Reading:

Who Owns the Dog Food at Your House?

Discipling Your Dogs Through Feeding (a bit more detail)

Sharing Human Food with Your Dog. What is Safe and Nutritious?
Socializing Your Cat to a New Dog or Puppy

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© Carrie Boyko, all rights reserved

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Celebrating Memorial Day with Your Dog

by Carrie Boyko

(c) Carrie Boyko

We're Ready, Mom

Xena is Napping

Like many dog owners, I enjoy including my pack in whatever celebration I am having. Whether it be a costume on Halloween or a special bandanna or shirt, my dogs seem to get the message that something extra special is happening. I know, they sense it from my excitement, but that's all good when we have something special going on in our lives, even if only a long weekend.


Memorial Day was set aside on this day to commemorate U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. A patriotic holiday requires a red, white and blue theme at my house--just for fun. But what else can you do to  participate with your pups in this remembrance of these special service men and women? Here's a few ideas:

• Take your dog with you to the parade! Like many of the ideas below, it's FREE and he will enjoy the walk, the activity, and passersby will enjoy saying hello. This is a great time to practice friendly, calm greetings with your dog, so remember to bring a few training treats in your pocket, and praise him when he behaves properly. Canine manners are important when you are out in public, so be ready.
• Visit your closest veteran's cemetery for a walk, and time to contemplate the ultimate sacrifice that these special folks have made to help us keep our freedom.
• Wherever you go on this special day, take Fido with you, wearing his or her red, white and blue. You too! Don't have a bandanna? Just tie a ribbon around Spot's neck; this will do the trick.
• If your community is sponsoring a commemorative event, join in with Rover in tow. Likely it will be an outdoor gala, complete with flags, speeches and local performers. Your dog is sure to love the excitement and attention he will get, even if only wearing a ribbon around his neck. This will surely be a good opportunity to socialize your dog--good for his manners.
• Whenever you take your large or younger dog into a public setting, there is one thing you should do to assure safety and a calmer dog; take your pup on a long walk before you go. This may seem redundant, but it will help to drain his energy and make him a calmer companion during your outing.
• Today is the perfect day to consider a dog park visit. While you're at it, perhaps you might want to Adopt a Dog Park. What a great way to show your dedication to your dog as well as helping out the government with a little dog park clean up now and then.You can visit Adopt a Dog Park for more information.
• One last idea for finding patriotic bandannas and other accessories: In addition to pet stores, I have located them at places like dollar stores, craft shops, and discount stores. At this time of year, there is usually stock at most of these places, with Memorial Day, July 4th and then Labor Day, all lined up to take their place in our patriotic celebrations. Now go have some fun with your dog!

Xena, Tanner and Oliver plan a day with their favorite girl this year. We're ready to celebrate her homecoming along with Memorial Day. Maybe just a cookout at home? Here's a plan you might enjoy, complete with a bunch of yummy recipes for your own cookout:  Kicking Back with the Dogs on Memorial Day.

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