What Do Dogs Think?

Oh how I wish I could answer that. We observe, we study, we listen, we assume, and sometimes we cry or laugh until tears are running down our cheeks.

I was training a black lab, Maxi-B, who was having issues with being timid. She seemed to be hardwired this way. She was adopted as a pup and had no known traumas. She was in a very playful mood this particular day and heeling nicely but with a bit of a spring in her four-pawed step.

The visual I’d like you to get is that there was nothing smooth or simultaneous about her gait. I think that goofy is a good word for her enthusiasm.

I was thrilled because she seemed to be making progress with briefly letting go of her timid nature. If a dog can express being pleased with herself - she was pleased.

Labs in particular are good at maintaining a semblance of control and somehow staying in a perfect heel while their body wiggles with motion (and perhaps emotion).

I stopped and she sat but with a bit of an extra twist of the hips. Then, I said “down” and she looked up at me and began to move and wiggle like she was dying to let me in on some secret but wasn’t supposed to say anything!

Have you ever told a child to do something and they know they are supposed to do it and will do it but they say “okay, but I want to show you something first?” It’s an obvious diversion for a child.

Could that be the case for a dog? I think so. I think that she was feeling so good and so confident that the girl would rather just have danced a bit. So, I let her and then like a good trainer made sure that she followed through with the command.

She made me laugh, and I think that on this particular day, Maxi-B laughed too.

-- Keep Your Dog Healthy Today --

New And “Improved?” Dog Breeds

I’d like to introduce you to the newest member of my family. Zoe is her name. She is a Labradoodle. That is a Labrador mixed with a Poodle. They are very popular and if lucky, you can get one that has inherited Poodle hair rather than the shedding version.

Zoe is definitely more Poodle than Lab, so maybe she’d be more of a Poodlabrador? It’s all so confusing. To complicate things, Zoe’s Dad is a Rottweiler. So, I’m left deciding on an appropriate breed name.

I could call her a Rottilabradoodle or a Rottioodlab or even a Labradoodlweiler. I know that she doesn’t care, but I know what it’s like growing up with an unidentifiable heritage.

Come to think of it, her brother (not genetically) is a Yorkie/Maltese/Shitzu blend. hmmm. . . I definitely live in a multicultural or maybe that’s multibreedural environment.

-- Make Your Dog Healthier Now --

Does Your Dog Understand “No”

Shortly after bringing home a new dog, I often hear clients say that they tell their dog “no” and it doesn’t listen. I think this is more of a communication barrier than a lack of intelligence on the part of the dog.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if by raising our voice we could say anything to anyone whether they speak our language or not and they would instantly understand?! So, when you feel the need to yell “NO!” Ask yourself if the dog really knows what you’re expecting.

Once they do get it, try following the correction with something that is positive for the pup. None of us like to be yelled at all the time!

-- Make Your Dog Healthier Now --

Should Dogs Be Allowed On The Furniture?

My answer to that question - it depends. I don’t allow my dogs on the furniture because there would be no room left for a human. If you have dogs with aggressive or dominant tendencies, I would suggest that they not be allowed on the furniture.

If through training and behavior modification they have a change of attitude, then you may allow them on the furniture but by invitation only. This also applies to allowing them to sleep with you. It’s YOUR bed and you might allow them on it and you might not.

Consistency is extremely important while your dog is being trained. It is also important to give them a place (bed or crate) where they can be a part of the family. Remember, when a new puppy or adult dog comes into your home, they need to be shown that they are living with you and that there are rules and guidelines that they must abide by.

You won’t hurt their feelings. It’s quite the opposite. By expecting and demonstrating mutual respect, you can share your home with your canine companion and maintain peace in the kingdom.

-- Make Your Dog Healthier --