Patience is a virtue
Let’s start with an uplifting story about a man who was reunited with his dog after two years.
On the other hand, a few weeks ago the Wall Street Journal had story about a Marine service dog suffering from PTSD. The more we learn, the more the similarities between people and animals become apparent.
On that note, a panel assembled by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) discussed dolphins and how their intelligence (at least according to some research) may rival those of humans and what sort of ethical challenges that may present. Unfortunately the full version of the article is only available to subscribers. Here are some dolphin facts though:
- Dolphins can recognize themselves in mirrors.
- Dolphins have larger brains than us, and while they are also larger than humans, they still have a greater brain-to-body-weight ratio than great apes.
- Dolphins have a neocortex, the part of the brain responsible for self-awareness and solving problems, that is quite complex. This could indicate a very sophisticated level of intelligence.
- Researchers have found neurons in dolphins that have been linked to emotions, social cognition, and theory of mind.
So, maybe we should be treating them better?
Research has a dark side too, and the source of animals for research can be very controversial. Some research is supported by “Class B” dealers that have a sordid history of misconduct. Fortunately, this may be coming to an end.
There’s been some great news on the Breed Specific Legislation front. Elgin IL has passed a dangerous dog bill that does not include any breed specific language. One city at a time, folks.
Weekend Update March 12, 2010 is a post from: Dog Spelled Forward
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- Weekend Update January 15, 2010
- Weekend Update February 19, 2010
- Weekend Update: January 1, 2010 (!)
Digging is a common complaint for dog owners. The problem is, digging comes very natural for many dogs. As a matter of fact terriers are named for Terra, as in Latin for “earth.” They are literally called “earth dogs” — and it’s not because they are environmentally friendly. Digging is frequently a “hard-wired” behavior in dogs and stopping it is literally trying to stop a dog’s natural tendencies. So….
Instead of Fighting the Instinct to Dig, Harness It!
One of the most effective ways to deal with instinctual dog behavior like digging is to give a dog a way to do it that is not disruptive. My favorite is to set up a “digging pit” somewhere and then convince the dog that digging there is more rewarding than around the petunias.
Either purchase a sandbox or dig a hole and fill it with sand. (Sand is a lot easier to clean up than soil.) If you decide to go with a hole, it may be helpful to line it with plastic sheeting. Then, hide some toys in the sand and show your dog his new place to dig!
Start out making the hidden goodies easy to find and then work your way up to making it more and more difficult. Make it a game, and be sure to spend some time with your dog. Which is a nice segway to the next point…..
Idle Paws are the Devil’s Digger!
In detective fiction we frequently read or hear about “motive and opportunity.” We covered motive for digging, now you need to deal with the opportunity! Are you leaving a “known offender” alone in your yard? Leaving your dog alone outside is not a good idea for a lot of reasons, but leaving a bonafide digger alone is just asking for it.
Left to their own devices, dogs may not choose the recreation activities we would prefer. Trying playing with your dog instead of leaving him alone. Trying using toys and games to exercise his mind and redirect his desire to dig.
Training Can Help
Even when you are with your dog, his eyes may wander over to those petunias. This is a prime opportunity to train him to leave things alone on cue. That, along with some work on impulse control, will make it easier to redirect your dog’s attention to more productive pursuits.
Digging can be a big nuisance, but it’s not an insurmountable problem. Try these steps and remember: enjoy your time with your dog. That why’s you got him!
How can I stop my dog from digging up my yard? is a post from: Dog Spelled Forward
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Ready for Cold Walkies!
Now the news…..
Over at Pawcurious, Dr. V wrote a nice series of articles on dental health this week. It starts with how to perform a visual inspection yourself and continues with dental care at home. Dental care for dogs and cats is getting a lot of attention lately, and it’s a good thing. Very useful stuff from a great vet!
I’m a huge fan of Animal Behavior Associates. Dr. Hetts and Dr. Estep are experienced professionals and they publish some of the best behavior information you can find online. I’m a happy member of their Behavior Education Network. Here’s a great blog post from Dr. Hetts on how to have a better behaved pet.
Looking for a way to combine your love of your pets with saving the earth? Sponsor a memorial tree for your pet, or give it to someone as a gift. This is a very worthy cause that is helping replenish trees in our national forests.
Despite the cold and record snows, it’s time to start planning travel. Dog Jaunt has a great list of dog-friendly places ready for you, based on reader feedback. Pop in and tell everyone about your favorite spots.
If you are in my neck of the woods, GoPetFriendly.com has put together a guide on Northward Hound’s Escapes from New York. (No eye patch or life sentence required.)
Last, great news on the puppy mill front from Dancing Dog Blog. West Hollywood has banned sales of puppies and kittens! Can I get a “woo-hoo?”
Update: I just got word of a great contest that wraps up next week: Do you know of a dog that has changed someone’s life?
Weekend Update February 19, 2010 is a post from: Dog Spelled Forward
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The life these puppies deserve....
For the most part the puppies brought in from these situations are fearful. Coming from a mill, they tend to be poorly socialized in terms of both people and places.
The video I took is rough. I was trying to help and not just stand there with the camera the whole time, and we were working in a room that wasn’t really good in terms of light and space.
For Reggie and Jackson we were doing a “puppy-ality” evaluation, which is not so much a test of behavior but an attempt to get a idea of the puppy’s personality to help match the puppy with the right person.
Puppies and puppy mills have been in the news regularly the past few months. One development I have seen recently are things like this effort to take on sales of puppies at stores covered over at the always informative Animal Law Coalition blog.
On the rescue of-a-different-type front, Dancing Dog Blog has a great article about rescue efforts in Haiti.
Puppy Mill Puppies is a post from: Dog Spelled Forward
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- Puppy Diaries: puppies are hard work and dogs are too!
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- St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center Takes in 100+ Puppy Mill Rescues
Caffeine is ready to go go go!
A few weeks ago I discussed using “wait” to teach your dog impulse control and get her to calm down. But sometimes you might want your dog to actually lie down and relax. This is something that can helped with some training and practice too.
Settle means lie on your side and stay there. In the old days we used to call it “play dead,” but at some point someone decided that wasn’t politically correct. Will practicing this lower your dog’s activity level? Probably not. But you can’t quite ask your dog to calm down and relax if you don’t show her what it means, can you? And while it may not make your dog calm down, it is sometimes possible to get the mind to follow the body.
Settle is also an invaluable behavior to have when you need to check for ticks after a hike, trim your dog’s nails, or even brush her teeth.
We train settle using a lure, using “yes” to mark the position we want. Then we add the command and some duration. Finally we add the “OK” release to make the position have an implicit “stay.”
First, use a treat right on your dog’s nose and lure him to the ground in a “down” position. (On his belly.) Hopefully, your dog will lie on one hip or the other. Move the treat in the opposite direction so he lies flat. In the video, Buddha favors his right hip. So Dagmar takes the treat and moves it toward his left side so he lies flat.
Say “yes” and let him have the treat. If your dog will not lie on a hip, you can still use the treat to shift his body oe way or the other. Play around a bit and find his “favorite” hip.
When this is working well, start to say “settle” before luring so he can learn the command.
Next, add some duration to the settle by delaying the treat for a few seconds after he lies down. Also add “OK” at the end to introduce the idea of being released from the position. This duration is also where you can hope that the mind will start to calm down, following the body.
When you have some more success. Get rid of the lure and only reward for completing the behavior. From there it’s a matter of standing up (if you aren’t already) and rewarding your dog a random. Note that Caffeine does not get a treat every time! (Also note that she’s a total ham.)
In the interest of time, this video compresses 2 or 3 training sessions into less than a minute and a half.
How can I get my dog to calm down? Continued….. is a post from: Dog Spelled Forward
