Finnley, a bouncing chocolate labradoodle puppy, attended my puppy level group sessions with his owner Kim and her two little kids. Finnley, as puppies do, was mouthing, nipping, and jumping (among other things) and especially around her small kids. His progression in class was normal, but not solved by the end of our sessions. Some months later I got a frazzled e-mail saying that even now, at 10months old, Kim couldn’t even sit down on her own couch for 5 minutes without being mauled by an excited over-sized puppy. Finnley was stealing forbidden items, eating food off the dining room table, and still treating the kids as play toys which led him to many time-outs in his play pen or backyard.

We set up a date for some one-on-one time where I would come to Kim’s home, observe the behavior and offer suggestions for tactics to try out. After 20 minutes with Finnley even I was frustrated and exhausted. The guy just didn’t know any boundaries or patience! He was doing what he wanted, when he wanted, and poor Kim was left feeling helpless. I offered what I could in verbal advice and then it was up to Kim.

Two days later I got this e-mail:

“I am happy to report, yesterday I sat in the kitchen and drank an entire cup of tea!  Earlier in the day I sat and did the “in his space”  thing about 5 times in a row.  He seemed to get the hint.  Then I had my tea and that was followed by a friend coming by for a visit.  I had to do the interference thing a few times again, then he went and lied down in the kitchen on his own.  I didn’t have to put him in his pen or outside or anything!

I am shocked that the tactics are working so fast.  I will continue with this one for a few more days, then I am going to tackle for leash one this weekend.

So thank you so much. 

A happy, and sitting, Kim “

Well, as you can imagine, that letter made my day! What I do want you, the reader, to get out of this is that I feel there is only so much that can be done in a classroom. Kim could have attended 6 months worth of training, but perhaps one hour (yes that’s all I was there for) of one-on-0ne attention was all she needed. Now, personally I think Kim is a fast learner. Not all results are that immediate. It truly takes the owner to “get it” before the dog will!

 I wish them the best of luck, and I’m always there if they need me again. If you, or someone you know,  has a dog with behavioral problems, consider investing in someone like myself who will come to your home and tackle the issue from a psychological perspective rather than just ‘obedience’ training.

Desiree McLean

It’s that time of year again…  I thought I would get a head start in 2010. I’ve officially signed up for my 4th year to support the BCSPCA in their Paws for a Cause walk for the animals. I would be delighted for you to join me in person for the walk or to support me by donating online. $5, $10, $20 or even just your spare change, it all helps!

Merlin and I will be attending the Surrey walk again this September and hope to raise at least $400! Please help us reach that goal.

Please make a small donation by clicking here: http://support.spca.bc.ca/site/TR/PawsforaCause/General?px=1130681&pg=personal&fr_id=1143

Here is a quick photo of us from last years walk. I still wear my t-shirt! Merlin was thrilled with his “goody bag”. Its sooo much fun and for a great cause.

If you don’t know much about the food you are feeding your dog you are not alone. I have some thought provoking questions for you and a little on my opinion about dog food.

Do you know how to read the ingredients label? or do you buy based on fancy packaging, cute commercials or what the guy at the pet store said was ok? Are you aware how common food allergies are in dogs? and would you know if your dog had food allergies? How does your dogs skin and coat look? (Yes I mean their fur, not doggy clothing!) Is it clean and shiny? Soft? Is there lots of dandruff? Red spots? A rash? Is your dog frequently itchy? Does he lick his feet a lot? These are some questions you need to ask when choosing your next bag of food. 

Now I wont even get into the kibble vs canned vs cooked vs raw debate. I could go on about food for pages. All I want is for you to know what you are putting in your dogs mouth. What we (and your dogs) eat plays a HUGE role in health, and the quality and longevity of our lives. I’ve recently stumbled upon a brand called TLC. Now there are LOTS of good pet foods on the market… this is only one, and I’m not claiming its THE best, but its passed my test and its what my own dogs currently eat.

Here are some quick tips:

Look for real meats as the first ingredient/s (not by-products, but “meal” is ok). Stay away from wheat and corn and opt for foods that contain barley, oatmeal, brown rice or potato instead. Know your dogs specific needs: is your dog extra active? a big couch potato? does he have trouble with too high protein diets? known allergies or skin conditions? Talk to your vet about switching foods if you are unsure and remember to do it gradually. Never abruptly change foods. Mix food for several days- a week, slowly increasing the amount of new food daily until change is complete.

Sorry I cant offer further details in this short blog, but feel free to ask me questions and/or speak with your vet.

(To read more about TLC go to www.tlcpet.com/28481 and get $5.00 off your first bag by entering the promo code 1025)

I’m incredibly excited to announce after attending his seminar in Seattle in 2007, my husband and myself will be seeing Cesar Millan once again, but this time in ”in our own backyard”. Ok, not OUR backyard, but yes, he’s coming to Canada! You might know him as National Geographics’ “The Dog Whisperer” http://www.cesarsway.com/ 

We look forward to attending his October Seminar – well actually pre-sale tickets go on sale Thursday… but nothing could keep me away! Although, like with any topic, there is controversy on his methods, my view is this: His non-aggressive approach to dog training combined with never ending patience inspires me daily to continue studying canine history, behavior and psychology and to truly respect them for the animals they are. I don’t use all his methods. I think for myself. For example I don’t “pin” dogs. I don’t feel comfortable with it nor have I found a need to do it. However, as I mentioned before, I do use his teachings of calmness and patience which brought me my slogan that I am so proud of “calm and consistent, patient and persistent”.

Nothing has improved my skills as a dog trainer more than simply keeping an open mind. I see too many trainers stuck in their “box”. Whether they choose to train by “choke” chains or by ”positive reinforcement”. They are SURE they are correct in their methods. We, as dog trainers, all (or at least most of us) truly have your dogs best interest at heart and are doing what we know how to do to achieve your goals with your dog. We just have different means of getting there. I have  studied under trainers from every spectrum… from using e-collars (“shock” collars”), to choke chains, to food based training, I’ve tried to learn it all with an open mind so that I can offer you all the information and experience I can.

Having a reliable recall can potentially save your dog’s life! Do you trust your dog off leash? Will he come when called? Of course there are levels of distraction: it might be easy to come when nothing is happening, but dog parks present a challenge. Although I have met numerous dogs that don’t come to their owners no matter what.

The first step is to determine if your dog doesn’t understand, or is purposely ignoring you. If it’s as simple as he doesn’t know what to do- we retrain the command using specific steps. However, if he is choosing to ignore you, we have a different issue. It’s not longer about coming when called, it is now about improving your relationship with your dog. He doesn’t see you as pack leader!

Either way I can help! Until then enjoy these DO’s and DON’TS.

DO

• Always make recalls rewarding during training – we can fade the food out later!
• Use yummy treats! (not boring ones)
• Be happy and exciting, but firm. Come is a command not an option.
• If you don’t have a reward handy, make a big production by praise and petting
• Start indoors, then backyard, then quiet park, etc. Add distraction slowly
• Come means close enough that you can touch your dog/grab their collar without moving your feet

DON’T

• NEVER punish a recall, even if your dog just ate the couch or took 10 min. to get to you
• Don’t even call her for something she doesn’t like, just go and get her
• Don’t call your dog when she isn’t going to respond. Yelling “Missy, come!” over and over as she runs around ignoring you only weakens your cue.

For more information on training a reliable recall, contact us today!