One of the most difficult cases to resolve in my experience are cases that involved at home dog / dog conflicts. The motivation(s) behind the conflicts or fights can at times be difficult to parcel out. In addition, these kinds of situations require constant and competent supervision by those living with the dogs. One (still)…
Category: Solutions at home
Stocking Stuffers, Part 2
One of the things I like most about living with dogs is seeing them play. Let’s define play first. Most experts will agree that play is an activity which the sole purpose is to have fun. Play can have rules or not and, of course, it covers a wide range of activities. However, the fun as the…
Stocking stuffers for your pup
Yes indeed folks the time of gift-giving is among us. And what do you have planned for the pooch in your life? Since I turned to a vegan eating lifestyle, I have had to experiment more in the kitchen. So as a bonus, I now have the confidence to know that I can satisfy my…
Should your dog attend day care?
Doggie daycares are the rave these days. As with any service, the quality of the establishment can vary to very good (really hard to pull off) to terrible. Personally I do not see doggie daycares as the solution to dog home alone. I think some dogs can benefit from attending a *reputable* daycare perhaps once…
Give them what they want!
As part my training services, I offer board & train. For many folks this is a very interesting option because they can either travel or just take a break from their pup while I work with them. Because the pup is going to be staying at my home, I do have certain requirements such as…
Who wins? Who Looses?
Life is really an ongoing set of evaluations and negotiations affecting those that are part of our lives, be it a child, friend, parent, and even our pets. If reaching a consensus where all parties get something they want or need is difficult, imagine when there is one silent partner “sitting at the negotiation table.”…
Allergies and Dogs
When a member of the family develops allergies to dogs their doctor most often recommends the following measures: Containment of the dog – preferably by keeping the dog outside at all times Bathing and brushing the dog often (sometimes too often!) Removing carpets and replacing furnishings with fabrics (such as sofas) for non-fabric ones Preventing…
101 Negotiations
I have written in the past why the model of Dominance or the idea that dogs are pack animals in search of a “pack leader” (the owner) is not only an erroneous construct, but really bad news for all dogs. There is so much to say about this construct, but today I want to focus…
DOG T.I.P. – A Volunteer Training Program
My colleague Erica Beckwith (also a graduate of Jean Donaldson’s Academy) and I have been very busy getting ready for our pilot program for Dog T.I.P. at the Stray Hearts Animal Shelter in Taos. While the program has been designed we are marching full speed with all our presentation materials, and finalizing the weekend-long training….
I Can’t Believe You Did That!
While taking a break from playing with the whippet, I spot Rio peeing on the toy. The coffee cup that I am holding in my other hand prevents me from reaching towards it in an effort to stop her from continuing peeing on it because at some point during the game I am going to…