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    • Party, Party, PARTY!

    Party, Party, PARTY!

    November 23, 2024 Fran Jewell
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    Weekly Sun Mentor-Z

    It’s that time of year again when the 4th of July celebrations are right around the corner.  We look forward to the cookouts and parties with friends.  We look forward to traveling and fireworks. While we are having fun, it can be incredibly stressful for our dogs.  We know that the noise of fireworks can be horribly traumatic for them.  But, we forget about how taking them to big parties at strange places with people they don’t know, or other dogs that might not be friendly can affect them.

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    Pain Insane

    Pain Insane

    November 23, 2024 Fran Jewell
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    Weekly Sun Mentor-Z

    Pain? What does that have to do with dog training?  Plenty.  First, dogs are by nature very stoic. They will not tell you when they are in pain so many of us miss this critical element in dog behavior.  Why? Because when a dog shows pain it makes them weaker to other dogs and it risks potential attack by another dog seeking higher status. 

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    Pack Hierarchy and Social Rank

    Pack Hierarchy and Social Rank

    November 23, 2024 Fran Jewell
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    Weekly Sun Mentor-Z

    I can remember in 7th grade learning about the Caste system in India and being appalled at the social rank people accepted. I grew up in a household where my sisters and I were encouraged to follow our dreams and we treated all races and genders equally.  Now as a Certified Behavior Consultant, I spend every day, all day observing and living with dog behavior.  But, of course I watch bird behavior and any other animal I can get a glimpse of because animals are my passion.

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    Our Dogs, Ourselves

    Our Dogs, Ourselves

    November 23, 2024 Fran Jewell
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    Weekly Sun Mentor-Z

    Last week, I shared an article describing how a dog feels going to the dog park with the hopes of helping dog owners to understand the dog’s point of view. What I did not focus on is how what happens to our dogs, which we love enormously, affects our relationships and us as human beings.  As a dog behavior consultant, this topic brings up too many, many issues far beyond obedience.

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    When Opportunity Knocks!

    When Opportunity Knocks!

    November 23, 2024 Fran Jewell
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    Weekly Sun Mentor-Z

    Opportunism is a big word with big consequences, both good and bad!  How many times have you called your dog to come to you, he then looks at you and runs off to play with other dogs?  At that very moment, your dog thought to himself, “I can either go back to my owner, OR go play with the other dogs!  What is the better deal? No brainer!  Go play!”  Or how about, “No one is watching and there is cheese on the counter! FREE TREAT!”

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    Canine Opportunism

    Canine Opportunism

    November 23, 2024 Fran Jewell
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    Weekly Sun Mentor-Z

    Opportunism is a big word with big consequences, both good and bad!  How many times have you called your dog to come to you, he then looks at you and runs off to play with other dogs?  At that very moment, your dog thought to himself, “I can either go back to my owner, OR go play with the other dogs!  What is the better deal? No brainer!  Go play!”  Or how about, “No one is watching and there is cheese on the counter! FREE TREAT!”

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    DON’T OPEN THE DOOR!  The Gateway to TROUBLE!

    DON’T OPEN THE DOOR!  The Gateway to TROUBLE!

    November 23, 2024 Fran Jewell
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    Weekly Sun Mentor-Z

    There are so many open doors we allow our dogs to walk through that will eventually create enormous problems for us ahead such as separation anxiety, aggression, and resource guarding and a plethora of others behavior abnormalities.  If you want to enjoy your life with your dog and for your dog to enjoy HIS life, it is imperative to focus on PREVENTION.

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    Old Dogs, New Tricks

    Old Dogs, New Tricks

    November 23, 2024 Fran Jewell
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    Weekly Sun Mentor-Z

    The age of a dog can sneak up on us and many times we start seeing behaviors we have never seen before, or we only saw when our beloved friend was a puppy.  The aging dog can come on suddenly when we are in the midst of our everyday lives.  We don’t often notice subtle changes until they become pretty big or inconvenient changes.

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    Is Your Dog an Obnoxious Greeter?

    Is Your Dog an Obnoxious Greeter?

    November 23, 2024 Fran Jewell
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    Weekly Sun Mentor-Z

    “He’s Friendly!” is the common chant among those who do not seem to recognize that their dog is about to offend another dog. All dogs have the need for personal space just like people do. Some need more space than others.  That can be driven by breed or the individual dog.  Goldens and Labradors, often have no concern at all for anyone’s personal space – dog or human.  On the other hand, many of the herding breeds DO have concern, especially Border Collies and German Shepherds.

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    Not All Dogs are CAPABLE of Being a Service Dog

    Not All Dogs are CAPABLE of Being a Service Dog

    November 23, 2024 Fran Jewell
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    Weekly Sun Mentor-Z

    Every website, every internet page I am on, I see ads:  “Take Your Dog ANYWHERE!” looking to sell you a real “National Service Dog Registration,” or an “Official” vest so you can take your dog into any pubic place.  Or, you say you have a note from your doctor which automatically makes your dog a “Service Dog.”

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