Today, DNA testing for breed is a common place and easy thing to do. There are many companies that offer testing at very reasonable prices that are more and more correct. I have even DNA tested my pure bred dog for breeding purposes to ensure identity.
Our hearts go out to the dog that is shy or even fearful about life. We are drawn to the dog in the back of the kennel at the shelter that appears to have had a rough life and is afraid to even come visit you. We instinctually want to nurture this dog back to a happy dog. Or we are drawn to the puppy that crawls into your lap seeking shelter from the other puppies. As humans, we have big hearts and want nothing more than to help!
We all remember that kid in school with a gang behind him that bullied someone who was a bookworm, or wore glasses, or even just didn’t have the cool clothes. The bully had to prove he or she was stronger, cooler, or just wanted a good laugh. We are all aware of the cyber bullying going on in schools now with the proliferation of cell phones resulting in the emotional devastation to the victims. Well, in the dog world things are not much different. With the proliferation of over permissive dog “parenting,” excessive off leash opportunities and lack of knowledge about what aggression really is, more and more dogs and puppies are being victimized by dogs who are bullies or as I would call it “pre-aggressive.”
Not all dogs want to be friends with other dogs! And it is a horrible myth that all dogs need to play with other dogs! What is most important to any dog is the relationship they have with you. There are genetic predispositions to a dog’s temperament that lets them be interested in other dog friends. For instance, Labradors and Goldens have a high desire to be with other dogs. Many of the herding breeds and guardian breeds may not. They can be offended by other dogs that are pushy and can get into a tussle if pushed too far with an obnoxious greeter.
Never has there been a more highly debated conflict in opinion among dog trainers in the history of time. Either one purports the “Dominance Myth” or you are just wrong. How difficult does this make finding a dog trainer for the everyday dog owner?
If you have ever visited my website, you will find a page called “No Bones About It” which is my two bits of free advice and how I arrived at this newspaper column title. This is where I tell it like it is without any sugar coating. I talk about having two puppies, especially from the same litter: “Two puppies (especially siblings) are not better than one, unless you don't want to have any
A while back, a flight attendant was bitten by an Emotional Support Dog (ESA) and required 5 stitches. This is a travesty for all dogs, service dogs, the flight attendant, as well as the general public. Being exposed to - with nowhere to escape inside a plane – an aggressive dog is a horrible experience. Yet, consistently, people claim their pet dog to be an ESA by buying a doctor’s prescription online, and a vest. Anyone who does this is not only being fraudulent, but they are endangering themselves to legal liabilities from anyone bitten as well as the airlines. Yes, just because you call your dog an ESA does not relieve you from responsibility for damage your dog does.
It’s not just obedience. Essential dog training is teaching a dog the essentials of life and how to live in a family. Very few dogs I work with are professional dogs that live in kennels only to come out to work. Most of my dog clients are all integrated into the family and are treated like family members. The very basics every dog should have aside from sit, down, stay and come, include teaching puppies to
A question I am always asked is, “what should my dog be trained to do?” There are minimum safety behaviors any dog should learn. This is my list of should do’s and don’ts.
An energetic puppy sure can be hard to live with! A smart puppy is inquisitive and busy. Much of her energy can be enjoyable as we watch her explore and learn about life every day. It can wear us out just as fast as your pup can make it from one end of the house to the other!
AFTER AN EXTENDED MEDICAL LEAVE, I WILL BE RETURNING TO WORK MARCH 1st!
