In the September/October 2011 issue of Bark magazine, Karen London writes about fun tricks to teach your dog in “Practical Fun: 8 Useful Tricks to Teach Your Dog.”
As the title implies, these cute tricks have applications in everyday life. For example, the “shake” trick can be used when you trim a dog’s nails or need to check the pads of the dog’s feet.
I had already been working with Gracie on the “up” trick mentioned in the article. My variation is “hop, hop.” I use it when I want her to jump into my arms. I also use it when I want her to jump onto her favorite chair so I can remove her harness. It is great at the pet store too when I see a large dog heading our way. It gives her an opportunity to remove herself, with a little bit of doggy dignity, from a potential confrontation.
I would love to give you a link to the article, but it has not been posted yet. I did find a link to a similar article, though, by the same author. Here’s a link to the article if you are interested: http://www.thebark.com/content/eight-basic-training-cues-teach-your-dog
When you are working with your buddy, you will find that a lot of basic tricks can have a practical application in everyday settings. Be patient, and enjoy spending time with your buddy.
Rescue Mommy
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Monday, October 31, 2011
Tricks, not Human Treats
Just a quick reminder, keep a close eye on your pets this evening. Halloween may be a sweet treat for us humans, but it can spell disaster for our beloved pets.
We know chocolate is toxic. Don’t forget that raisins, grapes, and artificial sweeteners (such as the kind in sugar-free candy) are also dangerous.
If you are burning spooky candles, watch out for swishing cat tails and wax spills. You don’t want to chase a flaming cat through your house!
My last warning involves visitors. We know to keep our little furry friends in a separate room if visitors are too much. My warning is about the treat bags.
When my nephews and niece visited last year, I took lots of pictures. I was surprised at two things when I uploaded the pictures to the computer. First, those kids are growing up too fast! Second, in one of the pictures, the kids were posing – and Gracie had her head stuffed down one of their treat bags, looking for a goodie. I did not notice it when they were here. Fortunately, she did not grab anything, but she easily could have.
Here’s to a safe Halloween!
Rescue Mommy
We know chocolate is toxic. Don’t forget that raisins, grapes, and artificial sweeteners (such as the kind in sugar-free candy) are also dangerous.
If you are burning spooky candles, watch out for swishing cat tails and wax spills. You don’t want to chase a flaming cat through your house!
My last warning involves visitors. We know to keep our little furry friends in a separate room if visitors are too much. My warning is about the treat bags.
When my nephews and niece visited last year, I took lots of pictures. I was surprised at two things when I uploaded the pictures to the computer. First, those kids are growing up too fast! Second, in one of the pictures, the kids were posing – and Gracie had her head stuffed down one of their treat bags, looking for a goodie. I did not notice it when they were here. Fortunately, she did not grab anything, but she easily could have.
Here’s to a safe Halloween!
Rescue Mommy
Friday, October 28, 2011
Prestige Subaru Howl'Oween Adoptathon
The local Subaru dealership sponsors two monster adoption fairs each year. These events are huge.
The latest event is happening this weekend – Saturday and Sunday, October 29 and 30, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 803 Fairview Street in Asheville. The event is across the street from Animal Compassion Network’s store, in the lower parking lot of Province 620, off of Hendersonville Road.
Rescue groups from all over the area, including Animal Compassion and Brother Wolf, will be at the event with animals available for adoption. If your pet needs vaccinations, Appalachian Animal Hospital will offer low-cost shots and micro-chipping.
Dress for Halloween, and you and/or your buddy might win one of the many costume contests they are having. Winners will be entered into a raffle for prizes such as a year’s worth of free pet food.
The event is always a lot of fun for you and your buddy. If you would like more information, visit Animal Compassion Network’s website at http://www.animalcompassionnetwork.org/or call 828-274-3647.
Rescue Mommy
The latest event is happening this weekend – Saturday and Sunday, October 29 and 30, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 803 Fairview Street in Asheville. The event is across the street from Animal Compassion Network’s store, in the lower parking lot of Province 620, off of Hendersonville Road.
Rescue groups from all over the area, including Animal Compassion and Brother Wolf, will be at the event with animals available for adoption. If your pet needs vaccinations, Appalachian Animal Hospital will offer low-cost shots and micro-chipping.
Dress for Halloween, and you and/or your buddy might win one of the many costume contests they are having. Winners will be entered into a raffle for prizes such as a year’s worth of free pet food.
The event is always a lot of fun for you and your buddy. If you would like more information, visit Animal Compassion Network’s website at http://www.animalcompassionnetwork.org/or call 828-274-3647.
Rescue Mommy
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
People Food Hazards
Halloween is Monday, and the holidays are just around the corner. We all know that chocolate is highly toxic to pets. Did you know that these foods are toxic too?
If your pet eats any of these or other toxic items, call your vet immediately. You can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435. They charge a consulting fee for the call, though.
Stay calm. Be sure to note what and how much your pet has consumed. If you are not sure what it is, grab whatever is left and take it with you when you head to the vet’s office.
Rescue Mommy
- Coffee
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Avocado
- Macadamia Nuts
- Grapes and Raisins
- Yeast Dough
- Raw/Undercooked Meat, Eggs, and Bones
- Xylitol (artificial sweetener)
- Onions, Garlic, Chives
- Milk
- Salt
If your pet eats any of these or other toxic items, call your vet immediately. You can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435. They charge a consulting fee for the call, though.
Stay calm. Be sure to note what and how much your pet has consumed. If you are not sure what it is, grab whatever is left and take it with you when you head to the vet’s office.
Rescue Mommy
Monday, October 24, 2011
Dominance Theory
In the September/October 2011 edition of Bark magazine, Patricia McConnell wrote an interesting article about dominance training entitled Action/Re-Action: The Temptation of the Dominance Fallacy. The practice of establishing dominance over your dog used to be viewed as good training technique. In recent years, though, more animal behaviorists are turning their backs on the approach, favoring positive reinforcement instead.
I have been a dog owner, guardian, companion – whatever term you want to use – for over 20 years. When Perdy came into my life, achieving dominance was something you were supposed to do. Positive reinforcement really was not something I recall as a topic of discussion.
Don’t worry. I am not about to tell you that I beat her into submission because I followed the dominance training techniques. Anyone who has ever had a Dalmatian knows they are happy-go-lucky, albeit stubborn dogs. Both Dino and she would do just about anything for affection. Dino would give me his best used car salesperson look as if to say, “What’s it gonna take to close the deal?” Then, he would go through his whole repertoire of tricks (all 3 of them) to get the treat.
The same thing goes with Gracie. She wants belly rubs and treats. Since she is an anxious, fearful dog, I know that she would shut down with harsh discipline. It has taken two years to gain her trust. Why would I do anything to jeopardize that?
I admit that, at first, I thought the whole backlash against dominance theory meant we were supposed to let dogs run free, do whatever it is they want to do, and never say “no” to the dog. As you have probably gathered from reading my blog, I believe in structure and boundaries.
You still have rules with positive reinforcement. You define them, teach them to the dog, and reward the dog when he/she succeeds, not roll the dog onto its back and say, “Bad dog!! I am the Queen; do my bidding!!” (Well, Kiki still favors that method, but that’s another story.)
The article is definitely worth a read. It is time we all open our minds to a better approach to training. Here is a link to the article, if you are interested: http://www.thebark.com/content/down-dominance
Rescue Mommy
I have been a dog owner, guardian, companion – whatever term you want to use – for over 20 years. When Perdy came into my life, achieving dominance was something you were supposed to do. Positive reinforcement really was not something I recall as a topic of discussion.
Don’t worry. I am not about to tell you that I beat her into submission because I followed the dominance training techniques. Anyone who has ever had a Dalmatian knows they are happy-go-lucky, albeit stubborn dogs. Both Dino and she would do just about anything for affection. Dino would give me his best used car salesperson look as if to say, “What’s it gonna take to close the deal?” Then, he would go through his whole repertoire of tricks (all 3 of them) to get the treat.
The same thing goes with Gracie. She wants belly rubs and treats. Since she is an anxious, fearful dog, I know that she would shut down with harsh discipline. It has taken two years to gain her trust. Why would I do anything to jeopardize that?
I admit that, at first, I thought the whole backlash against dominance theory meant we were supposed to let dogs run free, do whatever it is they want to do, and never say “no” to the dog. As you have probably gathered from reading my blog, I believe in structure and boundaries.
You still have rules with positive reinforcement. You define them, teach them to the dog, and reward the dog when he/she succeeds, not roll the dog onto its back and say, “Bad dog!! I am the Queen; do my bidding!!” (Well, Kiki still favors that method, but that’s another story.)
The article is definitely worth a read. It is time we all open our minds to a better approach to training. Here is a link to the article, if you are interested: http://www.thebark.com/content/down-dominance
Rescue Mommy
Friday, October 21, 2011
Dog-O-Ween at Brother Wolf
On Sunday, October 23, Brother Wolf Animal Rescue is having a Halloween party at their adoption center at 31 Glendale Avenue in Asheville. The event is from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m.
They will have treats, games, and a haunted house. Come dressed in your Halloween costume. Maybe you will win the contest.
For more information, visit Brother Wolf’s site at http://www.bwar.org/.
Rescue Mommy and Daddy
They will have treats, games, and a haunted house. Come dressed in your Halloween costume. Maybe you will win the contest.
For more information, visit Brother Wolf’s site at http://www.bwar.org/.
Rescue Mommy and Daddy
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Free Excessive Barking Class
Is your little buddy a bit “talkative?” If your buddy has a lot to say, you might want to check out a class offered by the Asheville Humane Society (AHS).
On Saturday, October 22, AHS is offering a class titled “Woof! Understanding and Preventing Excessive Barking.” The class is from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. at their campus at 14 Forever Friend Lane. The class is free.
For more information, call 828-707-0644 or visit http://www.petbehavioraid.org/.
Rescue Mommy
On Saturday, October 22, AHS is offering a class titled “Woof! Understanding and Preventing Excessive Barking.” The class is from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. at their campus at 14 Forever Friend Lane. The class is free.
For more information, call 828-707-0644 or visit http://www.petbehavioraid.org/.
Rescue Mommy
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