Pet Bonding Inspiration: Where Do You Find It?

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
iBark. Do you?

Things at the All Things Dog Blog household are a little out of sync this week. With a family member in the hospital, we're caring for another dog. Add an additional pet to the household and suddenly all H breaks out. Well, maybe that's an exaggeration, but it's not far off.

Oliver is confused by the sudden and unexpected addition to our family and he's been quite vocal as a result. The photo at left is perfect for today's post, don't you think?

It's on days like this when everyone is trying to figure out where they fit in that I find myself wondering how I might bond with the group, and help them bond further with one another.

It's funny. They seem to have already figured out that they can work together as a team to alert me to events. When neighborhood dogs go by or a delivery arrives, I get an alert from the two little guys, which is followed up by a confirmation from Tanner. His voice may be deeper, but the two small ones make far more noise.

Today, in an effort to get a few minutes of quiet to work on an article, I sat down on the floor with all the dogs joining me to see what was up. Obviously not me. Oddly enough, this had an unexpected effect; they all calmed a bit and seemed to become a group. No longer were they 3 dogs who each had their own agenda. We were a family unit--including our added guest--if only for a brief time. 

Even as our guest, Jacque, had spent much of the day prodding our 15 year old senior kitty, Patches, to play with him, he finally gave that effort a rest and allowed her to join us for a few minutes of group QUIET. I quickly took note and decided that I will use this approach to bonding more often. What a joy it was to lie on the floor and have all 3 dogs and our kitty each languishing near me in relaxation mode without any effort to get anything from one another. No play, no pestering, nada. Try it, and report in. I'd love to hear how your furry family responds.

Before I close this edition of the Weekly Wag, I'd like to leave you with last week's link, in case you missed it due to the Easter holiday: Dog BFF's--Helping Your Pups Bond.

Join us each week for the Weekly Wag bonding series, held during the Saturday Pet Blogger Hop. The hop is

hosted by Life with Dogs, Two Little Cavaliers, and Confessions of the Plume. You are welcome to link up here, or check any of their sites for their rules of participation. Happy hopping! 

Dog BFF's: Helping Your Pups Bond

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Unlikely Pals Watch Each Other's Back

When choosing a second pup to join your pack, it's always a good idea to get the assistance of a behavior specialist or dog trainer to aid in matching the energy levels of your dogs appropriately. This can be a huge factor in making the relationship get off to a good start and is particularly important if your current dog or dogs have any--yes ANY--behavior issues that concern you, even the tiniest bit. Please protect your new pup by addressing these worries before you adopt another pet.

Introducing your new addition to your established best friend is always a precarious activity. I hope you'll realize this and take the time to set up their first meeting with forethought. Introduce them on neutral ground off your property. Take a walk with them, even if the new member of the family is not up to a long walk. Many young puppies can only last for a brief outing before they collapse in need of a nap. Fortunately you'll be able to carry the youngster home, while the rest of your furry family gains an added understanding that this new pup will be joining you all for the long haul.

Beyond this first meeting and the personality traits of your dogs, what else can you do? My first piece of advice would be to get your dogs out walking together regularly. Walking with you sends a message of unity, that "we're all in this together" sort of feeling that helps bring housemates together on the same ground. The more you walk together, the more your dogs will see themselves as a unit, working together to maintain a happy, harmonious household.

Be aware of any jealousy that may be signaled by your first family members, offering them some one-on-one time to make sure they understand that you still view them as extremely important. Praise them when they behave well with their new housemate and encourage all of your pets to build an amicable relationship that demonstrates teamwork. From alerting you to strangers to maintaining the household rules, you'll soon find each dog takes a special interest in the job that best suits him, balancing the workload to give you peace of mind. Watch for opportunities to build on these acceptable behaviors with praise, affection and treats.

Finally, a note of extreme importance. Dogs that live together can be dangerous to themselves and family members if they develop food aggression or resource guarding. The latter can refer to anything that a dog refuses to give up when asked by you--toys, treats, and even your favorite chair. To assure that these problems do not begin, and never become a problem, please train for this from day one.

Teach your dogs to wait at their bowls until you signal permission to eat. This sends an unspoken message of ownership of the food, helping to make sure the dogs do not ever attempt to take over another's chow. Toys may be dispensed in the same manner. Ask for proper manners and offer the toy as a reward. Be sure to include "Drop it" in your list of skills to train for, to allow you to retrieve items of value or danger before your dog consumes them.

These and many more new companion strategies will help your dogs bond with one another, while building your bond with them as a team.

Happy bonding,

Join us each week for the Weekly Wag bonding series, held during the Saturday Pet Blogger Hop. The hop is

hosted by Life with Dogs, Two Little Cavaliers, and Confessions of the Plume. You are welcome to link up here, or check any of their sites for their rules of participation. Happy hopping! 

Dog Training vs. Leadership: A Fine Line?

Guest Post by Michael Baugh 

  © Robyn Arouty
Stella

I was looking at my dog, Stella, this morning and wondering to myself, does she really want me to be her leader?  It was obvious by the look on her face that she was definitely interested in my poached egg.  She was sitting obediently across the room, wagging fiercely and staring adoringly.  Egg?  Absolutely.  Leader?  I don’t know.

A lot of trainers, even some respected reward-based trainers, are still big on the idea of establishing yourself as a pack leader and garnering your dog’s respect.  You have to admit, that’s a pretty heavy burden for a lot of people.  The evidence is in on social hierarchy in dogs.  They don’t form packs with alphas like wild wolves.  Add to that, I’m not a dog.  And anyway, where am I leading her to?

Here’s the real deal.  I have a well developed cerebral cortex (if I do say so myself).  I have a car, and credit cards, and a groovy smart phone.  I can also, on a whim, buy eggs and poach them for breakfast.  I’m a human being with opposable thumbs.  By definition I am the dominant species in the room.  So what’s up with this leadership stuff and all the hang ups about respect?  I already feel pretty good about myself, and Stella’s a cool dog.  I’m okay with both.

I do worry some about the other dogs and their people.  Folks who bully themselves into leadership roles and demand respect often get nasty (think middle management).  The dogs suffer, and honestly I think the people do too.  Training is never about who is in charge.  It’s about how you and your dog are communicating.  Is your dog getting what she wants from you?  Are you getting what you want from your dog?

I love it when Stella looks at me like that.  She loves this little morning routine.  I dip a tiny piece of crust in the egg yolk and toss it her way.  It’s training blasphemy to feed from the table and that makes me love it even more.  She and I have been at this for 18 months now and I’m hoping for about 15 more years of it.  We’re learning to understand each other.  I’ve got all her stuff, the car, the smart phone and the thumbs.  She’s got all the tricks, the impeccable manners, the face of an angel.  We trade freely.  The more I get what I want, the more she gets what she wants.  That’s training.  I’m not much worried about who’s leading whom.  I doubt she is either.

Perhaps one night I will find her at my laptop with a headset and a microphone on, like those dogs in the movies trying to take over the world.  I guess then I’ll really have egg on my face, won’t I?

 © Roby Narouty
Michael, with Stella

Michael Baugh CPDT-KA, CDBC is a science-driven, reward-based, dog trainer in Houston, TX.  He’s the director of training and behavior at Rover Oaks Pet Resort.





A NOTE FROM CARRIE: Just for fun, folks, we're trying out a few new blog hops to see who's out there looking for information on how to make life with dogs a little easier. Today we'll check in with Mommying on the Fly to find out if there are moms out there that need help with their furry kids. Welcome to our new visitors, and be sure to leave a comment.

© copyright Carrie Boyko, all rights reserved

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Date Me? Date my Dog

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

Enjoy an Activity Together

Absolutely. Isn't this a parallel to dating someone with children? You better be sure you're ready to take on the whole package, or you're most certainly wasting your time. Here's a few tips for choosing your dates carefully. These are intuitive little ideas I've gleaned from my days as a dog owner, dog lover and aficionado. They are of course, intended for a like-minded person to use when getting acquainted with a potential significant other.


First of all, if you find yourself interested in someone that absolutely hates dogs, reverse course and say "Adios!" Trust me. The effort needed to turn this person around will outlive the dog that is the reason for it. Life's too short. Move on.


When your new friend comes to your home for the first time, watch for any uncomfortable or awkward behavior with regard to your dog or his things. Does your guest brush the fur off the couch before sitting or push the dog away when he approaches to get acquainted? These behaviors are perfectly acceptable most anywhere--church, an office, the bank. However, when your friend visits your home, you'll want to see a comfort level that you can at least work with--a willingness to learn why this animal behaves as it does, and how they should return it's affection without going overboard just to impress you.


Be keenly aware of how your date dresses when knowing that the dog will be joining you for an outing. I once witnessed a young woman who visited the dog park with her date for the first time. She was wearing stillettos and a sundress made of silk. The pawprints on her chest were probably not what she had in mind when she left, scraping the mud from her heels on the fence. Doubtful this relationship lasted much longer.


Don't get me wrong. Many of my visitors don't understand that dogs need to sniff them. They may find it appalling, if not grotesque. If you understand that this is how a dog gets acquainted, it does not seem quite so unacceptable.  Try to be a patient educator if your student is an interested one.


Some guests may be willing to learn, others not so much. If they are open to getting an education, great! Go for it. This is your chance to show this potential new friend another side of the world; take them for a walk on the canine side, while sharing some of the nuances of doggie communication and handler leadership that are so crucial to a successful relationship with a dog--and you.


Let's face it, if your new girlfriend or boyfriend lets the dog walk all over him or her, or exhibits ownership over you when in the presence of the dog, it's going to be Game Over very quickly. If you like this new friend, give him or her a fighting chance. Offer them a copy of Be the Pack Leader, or another similar book and let them know by your actions that this dog is the center of your world. If they care enough, they will attempt to enter with understanding and a modicum of effort.


A couple of final thoughts. If things are just going along okay, but you think there could be a bit more spark, perhaps you need to help Fido and your new friend bond. Based on what you know your new friend enjoys, choose some activities that will be fun and easy to enjoy together. 


Perhaps your girlfriend would like to learn to give commands to your Rottweiler--great! Or maybe the new guy in your life wants to try out his softer side by dressing up your Chihuahua. Go shopping and let him pick out something HE likes. Remember, the name of the game is for your date to get some excitement--a sense of fun--out of your dog. That's what it's all about; now go Fetch yourself a really good date, one that you and Fido can both enjoy. In the long run, it is best to find someone that can enjoy your first best friend along with you. Happy tails!

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Puppies and Senior Citizens. Are they a Good Match?

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

With age comes changes in our approach to life. Some of us mellow and become 'soft touches'. Others become more outspoken and opinionated. I have no psychology training, yet in observing all the senior citizens that have been in my life, I have seen a clear change as they age--one direction or the other.

The point of this article is simply to help you, or a senior in your life, look candidly at their current temperament and consider this when deciding between a mature dog or a bouncy, young puppy, as a new companion.

It seems there are pros and cons to each choice. I'd like to offer a few things to consider to those of you who may be thinking about a dog as an addition to the household of a senior or senior couple.

• First and foremost, consider the prospective owner's current, not past, energy, health and exercise needs. Does she enjoy a couple of daily, brisk walks or prefer a slow amble around the cul-de-sac?
• Are the rigors of potty training a new puppy likely to be a fun challenge for this new owner, or perhaps a bit more trouble than they need?
• Does the prospective owner have the physical ability to pick up and/or restrain the dog being considered?
• Is this potential owner a confident and ardent taskmaster with a take-charge attitude, or more of a follow-the-leader type of personality?
• Will this owner have strong opinions about the rules his dog is to follow, or does he plan to baby the pup and take an 'anything goes' sort of approach?
• Are the prospective owner's finances in good shape to provide a healthy diet, regular medical care, and training classes or sessions to assist with teaching the dog proper manners?
• Is the new owner able to access areas that are dog-friendly for potty breaks, within close proximity to her front door during inclement weather? 
• Does the owner have sufficient area for an indoor romp, laser tag game, or other indoor play, when the weather turns bad for days at a time?
• Is the owner able to drive, or does she have access to dog-friendly transportation to pick up pet supplies, make grooming trips and vet visits?
• Will the owner be able to adequately socialize the dog during neighborhood walks, pet store visits, dog park trips or other dog-friendly activities?

I'm sure you get the idea by now. A retired adult or senior citizen may find himself lonely and in need an active companion to get him out to have some fun and see the neighbors. The flip side of this is that a lonely widow or widower may simply want a companion to keep him or her company in the home. This, unfortunately, is no life for a young dog. Even a mature dog requires a daily walk with an opportunity for using his nose to explore the world.

Dogs need outdoor play, a chance to take in the sights and sounds of the area, and just as importantly, they need socialization with people and other dogs. Being stuck inside most days will often turn a sweet dog into one with issues, anxieties or even physical health problems, the result of lack of exercise.

Dogs come from thousands of years of history living in packs where one leader runs the show. That leader needs to be its owner. If the dog senses an ongoing weakness in its owner, it may decide to take matters into its own paws. This is when trouble starts.

Before adopting a dog, consider the dog's needs as well as that of the owner. If the energy and ability to train and care for a dog are less than vigorous, consider adopting an adult dog that is already trained, socialized and has learned proper manners. The obvious advantages of this approach are that your only jobs will be to establish yourself as the leader and enjoy the bonding process.


Choosing a medium to small breed with a history of less activity and more submissive behavior would likely be the most successful match.  There are many available through rescues and Humane Societies. Try Petfinder and AdoptaPet online, where you can search breeds, size, sex, age, location and other criteria that will help you find the right companion. Take your time to be sure, and don't ever adopt a dog sight unseen. Visit more than once, if possible, to assess the dog's energy and behavior among other humans and dogs.

Most of all, realize that adopting a dog is akin to taking in a new family member. You wouldn't send back an adopted child if he misbehaved, would you? Of course not! You would seek professional help to correct the problem. Keep this in mind when Fido has a rough day now and then. And if one rough day turns into many, be sure to act quickly and get professional assistance to turn your dog's bad-boy attitude around. 


Let's use this post to assess how many readers out there have a senior in their life that might enjoy a new companion--or perhaps they themselves are the senior. Comments on this post or at my Facebook page, will be entered in a drawing for a "New Dog Kit": a small dog carrier, 2 bowls, a guidebook to Caring for your Dog, a bottle of enzyme carpet cleaner for "oopsies", sample dog food, 1 Greenie, a starter kit of Toki Poki trading cards (just for fun!), a lanyard key chain for your dog walks, and a dog whistle. Sorry; the Scruffy doggie stays here! He's just our spokesDog for today.

(c) Carrie Boyko

Almost Ready for that New

Family Member?

Good luck with your new best friend, and remember, it's all worth it. Oliver will be sure to have a few thoughts on this topic. Drop in at 5 Minutes for Fido to hear his opinions. Finally, don't miss the opportunity to win big doggie and dog-lover gifts in my MANKINDdog raffle at this link. Happy tails!

Visit Adopt a Dog Park

Help protect our precious dog parks

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