Back to School, Misc. and Etc.

8:00 P.M.

(Roman doing what he usually does inside...at least until 8:00 P.M.)

Just about every night, at approximately 8:00 P.M., Roman gets the 'heebee jeebees' on our bed. It seems he likes a good roll in the hay after dinner. I found him doing this in Lake Tahoe, too, so he is not partial to a particular bed...but it's always at 8:00 P.M. or so. I haven't been able to get a photo of him, since he stops once he sees me...but if I quietly sneak up on him, I catch him digging in the blanket and rolling on the pillows, interspersed with spins, yips and play bows.

I guess he is in touch with his inner puppy.

Beagles CAN be Trained!

Sid is a one year old beagle who is sweet as can be. His owner contacted me this summer because she was having trouble with him running away from her at the beach and jumping on the coffee and dining room table. "Oh, and he also pulls really hard on the leash." I further discovered during our consult. "I just want him to come when I call him...I don't care about the other stuff. He's a beagle, they can't be trained. I will be surprised if you can do anything with him." First of all, I had to convince her that yes, beagles can be trained. All dogs can. While beagles may be a little more independent due to their original breeding purposes, they are still smart dogs that can learn.

Because I take a holistic approach to training dogs, I can't just teach a dog to come or walk on a loose leash, while ignoring everything else that is going on in his environment. Basic obedience commands ("sit", "down", etc.) are useful and necessary, but are really only one means to an end. My goal for my clients is a dog who is well behaved in and out of the house. Sid pretty much had the upper hand in his family and most of what his owners were doing with him was reactionary. Sid gets in the garbage, "NO SID!", Sid runs away at the beach, "Sid, come, come, come here now! No Sid!" Sid jumps on the dining room table, "No Sid, get off!"

What Sid needed to learn was what TO do in a positive and motivating way. I believe dog training is really about communication. Once Sid's family was able to have better communication with their young beagle, Sid calmed down since it was clear what was expected of him.

I am happy to report that Sid now comes when called, walks on a loose leash and no longer runs amok in the house. His family now has the tools to handle him in all situations and Sid has a lot more freedom.

Walking at Ft. Funston in San Francisco...again

Meli is up for adoption

What Dogs Need

How many of us have gotten a dog, filled with romantic notions of long walks in the woods, Rover gracefully bounding ahead but always coming when called? His loyalty and enduring friendship is evident in his loving gaze as he heels by your side, greeting everything life has to offer with equanimity.

How many of us have had that romantic notion thrown back into our face when our dog wees on the new carpet, chews our coffee table, refuses to come when called, has separation anxiety, aggression issues, is afraid of inanimate objects, is afraid of animate objects, is hyperactive...well...the list goes on.

Living with a dog should be a joy...and, it is...but that joy is not a given. There is some groundwork involved on the road of Life With Dogs. After all, they are a living being with their own genetic makeup and temperament. Anytime we merge our life with another living being, adjustments have to be made.

Training your dog should be a simple task, no? You show him what to do, reward him, and voila, he's trained. Sadly, not so simple. Otherwise, I do not believe thousands of dogs would be given up each year to shelters and rescue groups. In fact, many people never train their dogs and expect them to just behave. When they act, well...like dogs...the frustrated owner can't or won't deal with the issue. "I thought if I loved him enough," has been said quite often.

Parents know that love is not enough to raise a child; partners know that love is not enough to keep a relationship strong. So, it's really no surprise that love is actually the last thing a dog...especially a rescue dog...needs. In fact, loving a dog too much is usually what leads to behavior problems. What?!

So, what does a dog need?

There are so many theories and methods regarding dog training and behavior out there, it will make one's head spin.

"You should only train using positive only techniques! They are based on science!"
"You must be the alpha and dominate your dog-be his pack leader, or he will dominate you!"
"There is no such thing as an alpha wolf/dog/pack leader."
"Correct your dog each time he does not obey."
"Never correct your dog. If he does something wrong, ignore it."
"Clicker train your dog, it's how they train whales and dolphins!"
"Crate train your dog; he'll feel safe since he is a den animal."
"Crate training is cruel!"
"If you become more prey like, your dog will do anything for you, since he only has a prey drive."

...and on it goes.

It's amazing to me that any new dog owner is able to navigate this mine field of information. No wonder so many give up, and either live with the bad behavior or get rid of the dog.

So...back to what a dog needs.
Besides the obvious - good food, daily, structured exercise, medical care - a dog needs to trust his guardian and have consistency in his life. You get this trust and consistency through training and structure. I don't train my dogs because I want little robots who will obey my every command. I train them in order to communicate with them. When I am able to communicate with them, I am better able to provide for their needs and they have more freedom (for example, since Roman has a solid recall, he is able to run off leash with other dogs-getting much needed exercise and socialization). When a dog's needs are fulfilled, he rarely gets into trouble. The structure is obtained with a daily routine (new dogs are always introduced to a crate and not allowed on furniture or have free run of the house for several months-Tikka was an exception to this rule as illustrated in the photos :).

Another thing many dogs need is to be loved less. This means less affection (again, Tikka is an exception to this rule, but it applies to every other dog). I know! It's so hard! But, by giving your dog free love all the time (without the consistency, structure, etc.), you are actually hurting, not helping your relationship. Dogs actually do better in an environment where they are not simply given free run and affection all the time. I've spent a lot of time ignoring my dogs on purpose. Dogs also appreciate silence. We humans simply talk too much. Try simply being with your dog and not speaking.

Of course, all of this is really more important at the beginning of the relationship. Once the dog is reliably trained and has a respectful, balanced relationship with his people and environment (he looks to you for everything, instead of taking things into his own paws), things can loosen up a bit. Personally, I do not mind my dogs on the furniture and I like having them sleep in my bed - but, the rule is that they have to be invited and they have to get off when I tell them. 

Now, you can finally have that romantic walk in the woods with secure knowledge that Rover will always come when called.

Canis Latrans Makes an Appearance

I've been visiting Lake Tahoe for decades and I've only seen a coyote once. In fact, I've seen more coyotes in San Francisco (granted, I live there year round) than I've ever seen in the Sierra. I figured this was because the coyotes were naturally wary of people in the mountains but have learned to live and survive among us in the city, where we continue to encroach upon their habitat.

Yesterday, at about sunset, the dogs went ballistic on the deck of the cabin (we are staying in South Lake Tahoe, but the cabin is right up next to a national forest). Figuring a dog was out there, I looked over and saw a young coyote under the neighbor's deck. I had never heard Roman bark and growl so deeply. Tikka was charging the fence and least she become a coyote crunchie, I ushered both dogs inside. When I came back out, the coyote looked at me as if to sigh, "Thank you"...visibly more relaxed, and obviously not scared of this human above him, he slowly disappeared among the trees.

Excited to be so close to a wild creature, I silently wished him well.

The Coyote's role in Native American culture is one of the trickster; his lesson is trust and seeing through illusion. Like Wolf, he is a teacher spirit but his lessons are taught with humor; wisdom is found within folly.

River Dog

Yesterday, we went on a Russian River Adventure.

All involved survived fairly well intact physically, not so much mentally. We are, after all, simple city folk and not used to full days of clear, sunny skies, lush foliage, cool river water with no sign of civilization in sight for six hours. I barely managed to escape with a sunburn (despite frequent applications of sunscreen... I was so stupid not to bring a long sleeved shirt) and bug bite on my foot.

Roman had the best time (Tikka had to stay at home due to her recent surgery) and discovered he could swim.

He wants to go again. I agreed to go again if the end of the day involves a hot tub and nice, local cab.