I am working with a smallish dog that is apparently afraid of other dogs, especially dogs that are bigger than her. I designed a set of training plans so that she can be exposed to different large friendly dogs that and in the process help gain some confidence. Our second goal is for her to learn how to…
Author: Almudena Ortiz Cue
Slowing down and its benefits: Your dog will thank you.
Slowing down has many benefits. It permits us to enjoy what is in front of us- begging for our undivided attention. It allows us to make better decisions, it calms frail nerves and it splendidly reminds us that while the clock is ticking we can choose to show up to live our lives. So, what…
With the speed of lightning
I am stretching on my yoga mat, and when I do, I really have to work hard at not interacting with my dogs. Perhaps it’s that they can access me in a different manner as I am now more at their eye level or it might be that I am doing downward dog and they…
Have a mental picture
I am at my client’s and she is telling me that her little dog did not want to go for a walk last week. She cannot understand why her dog refuses to walk on lead and basically popped her bottom on the ground in protest. I am not very familiar with this dog as I…
Rethinking the use of crates
People choose to put their dogs in crates for a myriad of reasons. First there is the thinking that dogs “like dens” and as such they must like crates. Second, people crate their dogs as a lifestyle instead of managing their dog and teaching the dog how to “behave” in their home. Others have chosen…
How much exercise is too much?
We have had a lot of commotion these past few weeks with a very lengthy board & train, followed by a very short break in action to then me leaving town and having again more commotion with a friend staying at my home with her pup. Back from my trip and now resuming our routines,…
Three different strategies
I am behind closed doors taking some quiet time in. My rambunctious board & train just realized that I am in my bedroom and she is adamant to get in. I do my best to ignore her barking at the door. I begin counting: 1,2,3,… I manage to not acknowledge her barking. She stops the barking, but begins to whine….
Your dog’s impulse control and my customer service
I have had a cutie of a pup staying with us for B&T for a couple of weeks now. This pup, while young, has one of the most wonderful temperaments I have so far encountered. She is friendly to people and dogs, very respectful of her adult dog companions, yet full of zest and confidence….
Shifting
I just had a major change in my life that threw me for a loop. I had been part of a women’s exercise group for the past 3 or 4 years. We worked out really hard 3 times a week at yep 6 am. From Spring to Fall our workouts were outside, once the temperatures…
Drives
I am sure that if you hang out with “dog people” – especially folks that are interested in dog sports you have heard the term “drive” and its derivatives such as: “high-drive”, “low-drive” etc. used ad nauseam. But what is “drive”, really? The answer(s), of course, depends on whom you ask. Drive has been described…