Deuce and I are at our weekly sheepherding lesson, something we have done for the past five years. Yes, it has been five years and we are still learning, getting frustrated and reassessing (okay, I am re-assessing) how to make improvements. Sheepherding is a lot like signing in that having talent really makes things easier…
Author: Almudena Ortiz Cue
Does your dog bark, lunge at other dogs while on leash? Here are some tips
Unfortunately, leashes and other barriers such as windows in homes and cars, fences have contributed greatly to dogs feeling frustrated about seeing other dogs and not being able to interact with them. When this frustration becomes too much to bare, dogs can begin to exhibit what is called barrier frustration. Most dogs when frustrated because…
Our dogs are super chill
There is something called “learned irrelevance” and if you live with dogs you have experienced this my friends. You have also experienced the opposite: your dog realizing that what is happening at the moment is frankly quite relevant to them. Learned irrelevance refers to our dogs becoming keen observers of circumstance that mean nothing relevant from…
How does our “love” translate to our pets?
I have a beef with rescue organizations when they equate a good home for a dog just purely based on love. Yes, really. So, my rumination begs the question: How does our love translate in our daily life with our pets? Let me explain my position above. Not long ago I had a client who…
Behavior modification for “real” life
I am busy Wednesday morning trying to get Deuce ready to go sheepherding. I know that if I do not leave in a few minutes I will be late. I have Deuce on a leash as we step outside the front door. He puts on the breaks. Darn! The car issue is becoming worse. For…
Jolly Routine
I have been working with Mocha and her “mom” in helping Mocha feel more comfortable around large dogs in her home. We have done quite a few sessions with four dogs that vary in size, color, and personality. However, all these dogs are dog savvy and dog friendly which is important in order to keep…
Expensive behaviors in dogs (or, I’ll give you up to $10,000 for your seat).
The world watched in disbelief on social media the video of a man being dragged off a flight when he refused to surrender his seat once being boarded on a flight home. The injuries he sustained were quite salient and the uproar that the event caused has given way to some airlines now offering up…
Do’s and don’ts of dog & dog interactions.
Ah, the world-wide web and even books are a lovely thing. However, like all things in life there are also some sore spots about both of these venues. Ask any professional on pretty much any field how they feel about the advice promulgated on the web or in “how to books” and you will get…
Should you muzzle your dog?
While dogs that wear muzzles often carry the stigma of being “bad” or “dangerous” and while that is really unfortunate, muzzles indeed are tools that can often not only keep people and other animals safe, but they can also – believe it or not, improve the life of the dog wearing it. ANY dog – and I…
Are you paying attention?
I am not much of a sport fan which means I do not watch the Super Bowl so I miss out on all the flashy ads and the mid-point entertainment. However, one of my brothers did send me a jaw-dropping performance of Border collies doing a disc (Frisbee) routine. Wow, I thought, how can they…