Head halters are quite useful tools. It helps with dogs that are large and strong that pull on leash. But most importantly head-halters are a must for those dogs that for whatever reason lunge and pull towards other dogs or people. I am amazed to see how, when used correctly, head-halters can become the difference…
Category: Solutions at home
Oh my, thunder!
It is the rainy season here in New Mexico (yes, we do get rain in the high desert) and with rain often comes thunder. Deuce has always been afraid of noises such as thunder, gun shots, fireworks and the like. This is actually very typical especially for working breeds. The reason is frankly not really…
Is your dog a barker?
A dog barking is one of the most (normal) dog behaviors for most people. Part of it is because of how stressful noise is in general and in part frankly because we fail to understand what barking is all about. Barking is not simply just noise coming from our dogs or embedded with one significance….
Should your dog attend doggy daycare
The rave these days is for dogs to have about the same amount of extra-curriculum activities as kids of affluent families. Don’t get me wrong, providing engagement to our dog is a very good thing. However, this is where one size does not fit all. I am discussing with some folks their dog’s daily schedule. …
Dog centric training
I am working with a soft-spoken gentleman and his spunky over-the-top Border collie mix. I am called because his dog is chasing the chickens when they are let out of their fancy coop to meander and peck here and there. When I ask him, he in informs me that he wants the dog to stop…
Living with dogs raises consciousness (or it can!)
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…
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…
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….
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…