Dog behavior and size: It's not about me, it's about getting in my face!

Okay folks, enough of the "small dog syndrome" label, please. I know I'm short, but if I'm snarking at your dog, it's not because I'm small, it's because you're pooch is getting up in my face! You don't hear me asking Mastiff's "Hey, how's the weather up there?" Do you? 

Anthropomorphism: an ugly word when it comes to us pet dogs. Let me say it again, "pet dog"! I'm not a human. Yes, my mom the rockin' dog trainer even knows that I am a dog, not a human. And yes, my dog trainer mom, is in fact a "dog mom" too. She coddles me like a baby, and gets all giggly with me, but she does know I'm a dog. 

Why do I bring all of this up? I'll tell you. Mom and I were out loose leash walking with friends the other day. A new friend and her dog joined us. Well, this new dog, who shall remain nameless, got all up in my face...for a bit too long. I was nice, let it go for a few seconds, but he really pushed it. So, I did what any normal, well socialized dog would do, I snarked at him! "Dude! You're hangin' in my face wayyyy tooo long! Back off! Maybe where you come from this is okay, but in normal doggy greeting world, that's totally inappropriate!" 

As soon as I sent him my "back off" signal, he did, which was totally cool. I communicated, he listened, all was right with the world. What irritates me was the humans response: "Gee, Poncho, what's the big deal? Little dog syndrome, huh?" I think this is where mom rolled her eyes... 

Let me be clear: size doesn't matter much when it comes to dogs communicating with one another. Whether it be a Great Dane or Teacup Chihuahua, if either gets in my face too long, I'm gonna snark. Just like dogs who snark at me if I myself don't mind my good manners.

I understand that the whole "little man syndrome" is part of your silly, looking for an excuse, human world, reason for my dog behavior. But let me tell you, in dog world, it ain't! I can almost bet my favorite bully stick that if some stranger got all up in your face you wouldn't be real keen either. I wonder if you might even snark too! Hmm, something for this inquisitive canine to ponder. 

Dog Laws: We Don't Need No Stinkin' Badges... Uhh, Yes We Doo-Doo

As a law abiding canine, I'd like to send a BIG click-treat to all you law-abiding humans. My mom the rockin' dog trainer and I were out and about, training for my upcoming 5K, and I had to you know what...(#2, do my business, etc.) Anyway, this really nice lady complimented my mom for cleaning up after me. 

Wasn't that nice? She and I both don't understand why, considering it's a law! Yep, just like littering is against the law, so is not cleaning up after us doggies. I can't believe there has to be laws for this - I would think common sense would dictate that you humans wouldn't want dog doody left all over the place... I guess some people just don't care. What a shame. 

Well, in honor of us dogs, you humans have created an annual holiday from April 20 - 26, called "National Scoop the Poop Week"! You can read more about it on the Association of Professional Animal Waste Specialists (APAWS) website - they're the ones who came up with it. I say, not such a bad idea. 

Speaking of dog laws, there are a few others I'd like to bring up. Why? Because, as a dog, I like to be kept out of harms way. These laws were created to protect us poochies, not to make you humans nuts: 

• Collars with ID's: Mom says she still doesn't understand why many dog guardians don't have collars and ID tags for their dogs. Humans always carry their own ID and wallet on them. They also have special ID tags just for human children. So why not help protect us dogs?

Mom, being a great dog trainer and responsible dog mom, likes to explain to her dog training class students and private dog training clients that dog collars are like wallets, and that they should only be used to carry ID (doggy license) - they can also be used to match an outfit, but carrying a license and name tag with phone number are the main reasons. All dogs are required to have one in California. 

• Leashes: ugh, as much as I hate them, I know they're a law in our town of Ventura. Unless it's specifically written for all to see, us dogs need to be on leash when off of our own property. It doesn't matter if your dog is well-mannered, it's a law! Even if you can drive really well while under the influence, it's still illegal to drive drunk! 

You should probably check out your own local dog laws so you can remain a law abiding citizen. This is one resource mom uses for our laws: Dog Law. They have some great information on everything from leashes, tags, and for when we bark too much. 

And finally, requiring dogs to be restrained with seat-belts, with or without car seats! Oh wait, that's not a law! How silly! 

Hmm, I wonder when they're going to create that law? Something for this properly-secured-in-his-car-seat inquisitive canine to ponder. 

Dog Training Steps For First Dog: SOCIALIZATION!

Congratulations to Bo Obama! From what my mom the dog trainer said, he found his way into the First Family via Senator Edward Kennedy - got him from a family that was having trouble caring for him... that's questionable, but I won't comment - mom did that for me.

Okay, remember what happened with Barney Bush and nipping the (lack of common sense) reporter? Boy, Barney was called all sorts of names: dominant-aggressive, evil, annoyed - just to name a few, from many folks. The reported said Barney "wasn't in the mood to be pet." Well I've never met Barney, but from what I saw on the Barney Youtube video, it seems like he was behaving more like a dog, and the reporter was behaving more like a human - and unfortunately, the greeting skills of each species just didn't mix well. Oh, and yes, maybe he just wasn't in the mood to be touched by a stranger!

As for me, Poncho the dog, I don't appreciate someone I don't know just coming up to me, reaching over me, and touching my head! You humans don't like people just coming up to you and touching you, do you? Or strangers approaching your human kids and touching them? Even if you know the person, sometimes it isn't appropriate or acceptable - why the heck do you think us dogs enjoy it?

Remember, you all have your own weird way of greeting. That hugging and shaking hands stuff is kinda strange to us. We dogs never said we liked being hovered over and touched on top of the head. That is your silly interpretation. Sure, we get used to it, especially if you follow it up with something wonderful, like a treat, or that goofy baby-talk, or a belly rub - but it takes awhile for us to get to know you and make these associations. Please don't assume just because we're dogs that we like everything and everyone - you don't, do you?

Okay, so what's my point in all of this? Let's hope that the Obama's take the time to socialize Bo to all of the people that they'll want him to like, all the places they'll want him to enjoy going to. They need to help Bo create those pleasant associations with all of those things. Maybe a field-trip or two to different places - the girls schools with all of those kids. Mr. Obama's office? Or to a press conference to get used to those pesky reporters...

Mom teaches her students about the importance of socializing their dogs...she says "Anything you want your dog to like or do as an adult, it's best to get them used to it when they're young." She says not to force them to like something, but to "pair" the person or place or situation with something that the dog loves, then they'll begin to love that person, place, or situation, because they associate one thing with something good. The following is a partial list of what mom recommends for good socialization:

• People: different ages, races, sizes, shapes.
• Places: cars, outside to potty in the rain, vet's office (just a drop-in to say hi), outdoor cafe, walk the perimeter of a shopping mall - cars, people, sounds and smells.
• Sounds: loud noises, cars, trucks, buses, sirens, thunder and lightening, fireworks, wind. 

Hopefully the First Family will take the right steps in taking Bo to a dog training class, or working with a private dog trainer, to help them properly socialize him - especially to being handled by reporters. 

Us dogs are a pretty good judge of character. I wonder if Barney was actually dialed in on this reporter and his true personality? Hmm, something for this intuitive, and inquisitive canine to ponder. 

Giving This Dog Treats: "liking you" versus TRUSTING you

Sometimes when mom and I are out in public, and I want to say hello to someone, she will often hand them some of my treats for them to give to me. Sometimes people will say "Oh, you want your dog to like me?" Ugh, if I could talk in human language, this is what I'd say: "It's about trusting you, not "liking" you!"

I've learned from overhearing human conversations, that you "don't take candy from strangers". Well I agree - if some random person just walked up and handed me food without my mom the dog trainers permission, it might not be a good idea for me to take it. She and my dad are always watching out for me, so this sort of thing doesn't usually happen. If someone wants to give me a treat, they ask permission first. 

But let me make it clear, food to us dogs is one way that you humans can help build trust between us. That's what it's all about! Goodness gracious, "liking you"? No no, it's more about, can I trust you to take care of me? Provide good things for me? Care for me? Keep me safe and out of harms way? It's all about "nurturing"! And food is definitely nurturing...to every animal. 

Once we trust you, we can begin to associate you with wonderful things...and that's what our goal is. You're not much different ya know. Your entire human world revolves around food...in every culture. You bring meals to others because you care, not because you want someone to like you, right? Mom posted something about the human world food culture in one of her blog posts....

So the next time you're out and about, and someone wants to give your dog a treat, go ahead and let them... building trust in the human race! 

Hmm, I wonder when mom and I are going out again? I wonder if she'll have other give me treats? Something for this inquisitive canine to ponder... 

This Dog Has Developed His Own Triathlon: Why enrichment is still important for your dog

Yep, me, Poncho-the-dog has now officially created his own triathlon! Not being a breed specific water dog, or a animal that can ride a bicycle, I've had to develop my own "course". So here it is:

1. Running with my mom the dog trainer 
2. Retrieving my favorite toy du jour 
3. Barking at trucks, big and small, especially diesel.

You'd think, just like my mom thought, that after getting me to my race distance goal of 3.11 miles today (yippee mom! I'm ready for my 5K), that I would have been tired enough not to do anything but nap... that was her goal after all, since she has to go to one of her private dog training sessions and wanted to leave me nice and tired so I'd take nappies instead of practicing event #3. But nope! I wanted to practice the other two events as well. 

Lucky for mom she went to plan B...giving me my lunch when she walked out the door, and managing the home environment: access to area outside to potty, but not the full yard to run amok in. Hmm, clever girl she is. 

This is how mom plans her days and works my meals and activities into her own schedule, to make it work to her advantage. You can do this with your own dogs too. Mom says instead of giving meals away for free, you humans should use them when you need them! 

For instance, if you're going to leave your dog alone, provide some enrichment for them. It's similar to leaving human kids at home with games, movies to watch, books to read, and snacks. 

You can leave interactive foods toys stuffed with your dogs meals. Or a "kibble hunt" - sort of like a scavenger hunt. Hide food items in safe areas of the house - inside or outside. 

You can't expect us highly active animals to entertain ourselves all day

long without some sort of guidance? Cuz ya know many of us dogs will find our own entertainment - sometimes you humans don't like the choices we make, so it's up to you to help us make the right decisions. Look what happened with my friend Nellie. Her mom learned very quickly, and Nellie hasn't done any redecorating since! 

I wonder when mom and I are going running again? I wonder if mom is ever going to organize a real custom triathlon event for me? Hmm, something for this inquisitive canine to ponder...