The Vet's Are Finally Pitching Their Tents in My Camp!

Great news everyone! The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior has released an official position statement on their view of Dominance Theory and how it relates to training us domestic dogs...and the fact that it doesn't work - at least it doesn't really work as far as educating us on the behaviors you want. It just bullies us into stopping a specific behavior, but only temporarily - and makes us scared. 

A few key points the article makes are:

1. Definition of dominance: a relationship between individual animals that is established by force/aggression and submission, to determine who has priority access to multiple resources such as food, preferred resting spots, and mates. Uh, hello??? You determine what, when, and how much we eat; where we sleep, and if we're allowed to breed at all! So who is really being the "dominant" one?
2. Types of trainers the AVSAB recommends: those that follow the scientifically based guidelines of positive reinforcement, operant conditioning, classical conditioning, desensitization, and counter conditioning. Rock on for my mom the dog trainer!!! 
3. Myths about wolves versus dogs and behavior: Ugh! We're dogs we're not wolves! You humans descended from apes... need I say more? 

Yep, my own mom is this exact type of trainer. All of her dog training classes, workshops, private training plans, and even her doggy socials are based on these types of training methods. Not the old fashioned stuff that drives us dogs nuts! 

I wonder if any of those great veterinarians out there are ever going to make an official statement about car safety for pets? Hmm, something for this car-seat riding inquisitive canine to ponder. 

This Dog Agrees With You Humans: "It's not you, it's me."

I don't get it, really, I don't. "What" you ask? I'm talking about the whole "breaking up with your dog" situation. I've heard that old song, "Breaking up is hard to do." But I guess when it comes to many of you human-folk deciding you don't want a dog any longer, you just decide to end the relationship and "break up" with us... And when you say "It's me, it's not you." I believe it! And, I completely agree... it is you! 

Before a person decides to bring home a dog or cat, or any pet for that matter (or having a child), or making other type of long term commitment, please allow me a moment to ask you a few questions. These were similar "before you adopt" questions my dad and my mom the dog trainer asked before bringing me home: 

• Do you honestly have the time? It takes more than a couple of ten minute walks around the neighborhood...especially if we're young and energetic. 
• Are you willing to rearrange your current schedule and lifestyle to make the time for a pet?
• Are you financially able to take care of the most basic needs of a pet? This includes food, health care, shelter, collar, bed, license, legally required vaccinations? Multiply these items by days/months/years, depending upon the item/service and lifetime of the pet. Remember, this doesn't even include the "fun stuff" like training classes, toys, treats, an extra bed, crate, car seat, etc... 
• Are you able to adapt to any other changes that might occur throughout the lifetime of your pet? What if you have to move? Change jobs? Get married, divorced, have human kids, take a vacation? 

My mom has received a few phone calls and emails about people having to re-home their pets because they can't seem to handle them any longer - they basically want to "break up" with them. Don't they realize that us domestic animals aren't creatures they can just kick to the curb? We're not furniture that can be stored in the garage either... 

Please, for the sake of humane treatment, think about the responsibilities before bringing a pet home... and once you make that commitment, stick with it. If you're frustrated with the situation, do all you can to educate yourself about solving problems, before you end up creating even more. 

I wonder how humans would feel if us dogs "dumped" them? Hmm, something for this inquisitive canine to ponder... 

Fun-Filled Action Packed Dog Training Weekend Coming to Ventura

I'm SO excited!!! Two of my very favorite Dog Training Aunties are comin' to town May 2nd and 3rd!!! My own dog training mom is helping out and co-hosting with the Puppyworks folks for this very educational and positively rewarding dog training weekend! Who are these fabulous ladies? Well, none other than Ms. Jean Donaldson and Ms. Janis Bradley! 

Miss. Jean and Miss. Janis were two of the great mentors and teachers mom had when she was at school at the San Francisco SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers. Mom spent a long time up there learning all about her craft. I missed her terribly, but was fortunate enough to visit once in awhile with dad.

Miss. Jean is also the one responsible for writing the best book ever! It's called the Culture Clash. This is one of moms most favorite books ever! Mom calls it her "bible". Miss. Jean has written lots of other great books too - mom loves all of them. But the CC is still her favorite. 

Miss. Janis has written a wonderful book too, called "Dogs Bite, but Balloons and Slippers Are More Dangerous". Mom recommends this book also - it really gives a new perspective about the issues of us dogs biting and causing harm.

It's going to be a full weekend with the conference going all day both Saturday and Sunday. In addition to that, mom and I are going to host a special "Meet and Greet" and book signing Saturday evening after the conference over at our Inquisitive Canine dog training studio. 

For additional information on the conference or to register, you can go to the Puppyworks website, or you can contact mom...she can help answer questions too. 

I wonder if Miss. Jean and Miss. Janis will need my assistance at the conference? I wonder if they'll want me to show them around town? Hmm, something for this inquisitive canine to ponder... 

My Dog Trainer mom is in the Abilene News!

Mom got a call the other day from a really cool columnist Brian Bethel. He writes for the Abilene online news site called "reporternews". He was covering a story about a new local library program called "Read to a Dog Day". It's where dog guardians can bring their canine good citizens to the library, and have children read to them. 

It's great because both dog and children become better socialized around each other, plus it helps kids build their confidence and improve their reading skills. We have a similar program here in Ventura at Ventura County H.P. Wright Library. Mom posted something about it awhile back about therapy dogs and reading. 

I wonder if mom would like me to read her a story? Hmm, something for this inquisitive canine to ponder. 

My Ventura Dog Trainer Mom Makes the Best Running Partner!

I'm turning into a "runner"... Yep, me, the dog that's always been energetic, but more of the "grab-shake-kill" kinda athlete vs the herding type... My mom, the rockin' dog trainer here in Ventura, is also a runner - she's the one who is training and coaching me. And she's doing it in a way that's really fun. She wrote about it the other day too...something about taking her own advice about training your dog.

You see, I've always done whatever I wanted while on leash...I just always get to be a dog! Especially when I'm out with dad...(mom sometimes refers to him as "Disneyland Dad"). I just get to sniff, go tinkles and #2, leave my "pee-mail" for my doggy friends, check others pee-mail, roll in stuff, and take my time...unless my nemesis is around (mail trucks!) because then it's on! I've never really "run", especially for any type of distance. 

Well, mom decided running together would be fun. After a couple of practice sessions she realized I never did "run" because I've never been taught to. Duh. Sure I can run - much faster than her! But running next to her while on leash for an extended period of time is something completely different for me! This is an actual "behavior" that I'm not used to - so she got really smart, took her own advice and lucky me has his own private dog trainer. And I must say, it's been really fun! 

She knows that like all new training plans you need to start easy, and work your way up. We started with walking, mixed in with moments of easy jogging. We didn't start out too far too fast. Mom say's if you do you can risk injury, and she's all about safety and health, and loves me...she would never want me to get hurt. 

After a week of that routine she increased the amount of jogging compared to the walking segments. And now, about six weeks later, we're up to two times around at the Kimball Park path here in Ventura, and with a "fast finish"! 

How did she do it? Simple... We use my breakfast (or lunch) while we're out training. She doesn't give me a lot (trust me, I could eat the entire bag of whatever she has) - she gives enough to keep me focused, while avoiding the chance of getting me sick - don't want to eat too much. Instead of eating at home, we take it on the road. Mom knows she needs to be careful about overfeeding me, so she's using my meals to her advantage. 

The times she rewards me varies...but I'm figuring it out. For walking nicely next to her I get rewarded with kibble. For the actual running part I get something much more yummy - usually baked chicken, grilled steak, roasted pork tenderloin, or lamb baby food....yep, baby food - just a lick or two out of the jar. 

She also happens to positively reinforce me whenever we pass by another dog or person, a cyclist, stroller, rollerblader, and anything else I'd like to say hi to or run after. She knows to keep me motivated to run with her instead of wanting to do all of those other things. She is one clever trainer because it works! Check out the video that dad took of us. 

I feel really bad for the other dogs out there...it seems they their moms and dads often yell at them whenever they want to say hi or run with us. I wouldn't like that at all! No fun doing it that way. Moms way rocks it!

Mom made mention of me running a race...maybe a 5K or a doggy specific race. I wonder when we're going to do that? I think the Santa Barbara Athletic Association has some official races for dogs to enter....I wonder if I'll get to wear a number like mom does at her races? Hmm, something for this inquisitive canine to ponder. 

A Doggy Jungle-Gym: Dog Agility at Freedom Park

My mom the dog trainer here in Ventura got to be a student today! She, dad and I had SO much fun! We went to Freedom Park in Camarillo for Canine Agility... We hadn't done that in a long time... Mom said I did really well...I remembered almost everything I was supposed to do...she said it's like "riding a bicycle". I'm not sure what that means, because agility is nothing like riding a bike....except it takes coordination, stamina, and it's really fun! 

I think I remembered more than mom when it came to running the course. She couldn't figure out which was her right side...it was funny. Margie, the teacher, is really great. She was helping mom out the whole time. Mom said my biggest "issue" is that I'm too excited! 

I keep wanting to run from one piece of equipment to another without waiting for my cue - mom calls that "impulse control". She said it's all about "waiting" - just like other "impulsive" behaviors like wanting to say *hi* to people, wanting to pull towards something, wanting to get through the door before her... Us dogs don't want to take over the world (that's just silliness), we're just impulsive...just like you humans and wanting to get your coffee in the morning or the last parking place in front of Trader Joes. Anyway, mom and I worked on my impulsiveness... just like she teaches her students in her dog training classes. 

Check out the video - dad filmed it and mom edited it...we work well as a team. 

I wonder if we'll go again next Thursday at 3:00 PM - that's when the beginners course is. Something for this agile and inquisitive canine to ponder...