From the category archives:

Dog Behavior

POWER-SAPPERS: Part III – Accommodation

October 24, 2010

In our human lives and roles as wives, girlfriends and mothers, many of us have come to equate accommodation with love. We clear the sofa for our husband when he needs to sit down; we change our schedule around so that we can attend our child’s recital or softball tournament.  It’s what we do.  All [...]

Click for More...

POWER SAPPERS: Part II – Emotional Extremes

October 10, 2010

FRUSTRATION & ANGER vs. SMOTHERING LOVE Frustration and Anger Have you ever been so frustrated with your dog that you yell at him? It’s what most people do when they are at a loss on how to control, command or even just get their dog’s attention.  When your dog fails to respond, your anger and [...]

Click for More...

POWER SAPPERS: Part I – Fidgeting

September 19, 2010

Your dog is looking for a leader. A powerful figure, with quiet confidence, in whom he can put his trust and safely follow.  When you become that kind of leader in your dog’s eyes, he will listen to you, follow you and obey you. Powerful “alpha” dogs are quiet and direct.  So are powerful people.  [...]

Click for More...

October is National Pet Health Month: EARLY WARNING SIGNS OF CANINE EMERGENCIES

September 12, 2010

Running a boarding kennel, my whole world revolves around knowing and teaching staff about the early warning signs of dog health issues. My colleagues in the business do the same. Some dog owners, however, prefer to let their dogs stay in their home while they travel, and ask a friend or relative to watch their [...]

Click for More...

UNDERSTANDING YOUR DOG – NOT YOUR WOLF: The Social Group Contract

September 5, 2010

Although there is much ado made by some people about how understanding wolves helps us understand dogs – I disagree (sort of). It’s not our dog’s great-great-great-great-great…grandparents that hold the key to understanding him now.  Do YOU bear much resemblance to your ancient ancestors?  I doubt it. Neither does your dog. What IS key in [...]

Click for More...

FISH & OTHER DOGS: Sometimes They Just Don’t Like Them

August 29, 2010

My husband hates fish.  I wish he liked fish.  I like fish. Don’t all normal, healthy people like fish?  Maybe if I put fish on his plate every night for dinner, fed him MORE fish, got him used to fish, surrounded him with fish…he’d learn to like fish.  He just needs more exposure to fish… [...]

Click for More...

HEADWATERS OF THE DOG TRAINING DEBATE: The Myth of Aggression-Based Dominance

August 15, 2010

 Unless you’ve been under a rock for the last 20 years, you know that the dog training world is deeply divided on training philosophy and methodology.  I’ve been thinking a lot about this schism over the past couple of weeks, and I HAVE FOUND THE HEADWATERS! If I’m not mistaken, the entire rift can be traced [...]

Click for More...

Many Are Chosen. FEW COME WHEN THEY ARE CALLED. Canines 3:17

August 8, 2010

You can’t argue with the Word of Dog. But I’ll give you some tips to help get your dog’s recall on the fast track to salvation. THE PROBLEM: If there is one command that gives owners grief, it is the “Come” command.  They scream, they threaten, they beg, they chase, they bribe and cajole – [...]

Click for More...

DOGS 101: A Primer

August 3, 2010

1. First and foremost, dogs are animals that just happen to live with humans. We domesticated the dog, not because we wanted a companion, but because we needed their skills of hunting, killing and defense to help us humans survive and prosper. 2. Selective breeding has changed the “wrapping”, but not the contents. Domesticated dogs [...]

Click for More...

TO BE LOVED or TO LEAD: What’s Your Goal?

July 18, 2010

I’m starting to notice a trend in my consultations with women coming to me for help with their dogs.  When we come to the inevitable subject of discipline, most women start to shy away.  They want better control, but they don’t want to discipline their dogs as a means of getting that control.  As I [...]

Click for More...

← Previous Entries

Next Entries →