Socialization For Dogs: Great No Matter Our Age

If you know this 10-pound mutt, and my mom the rockin' certified professional ventura dog trainer, then you know we're all about proper puppy socialization! But what does dog and puppy socialization really mean? Well, I'm here to tell you...

Similar to taking young children out into the world when they're young, just so they can adapt more easily to their environment, and just like enrolling children  in tons of activities like music lessons, sports activities, arts and crafts, reading programs, after school programs, day care, pre-school etc...it's important to take us dogs out when we're young. Whether it be to dog training classes, dog social play groups, or friends houses.

This doesn't mean to endanger us in any way... mom and I would never suggest that! But taking

 us in the car to different places. Or taking us to places where we can sit in our humans lap and be exposed to the environment - different smells, sights, sounds, even getting to say hello to all types of people is a great way to teach us how to adapt to the industrial revolution. After all, if you want us dogs to conform to your human world as adults, it's much easier to do so if you start us out young... but then again, it's never too late - as long as you make it fun! 

Mom has been working with lots of puppies in her private dog training sessions as well as her dog training classes and dog training workshops for new puppies. She keeps stressing the importance of the above mentioned steps - fortunately, her savvy clients have been on top of their game and following her suggestions. Oh boy are those poochies going to be some easy going dogs - they'll probably get to go to lots of places when they're older since they're starting out now! What great moms and dads they have... Just like mine. 

Just today dad took me to one of my favorite places - I got to meet a new canine pal - it was great! I got to play, make friends, and socialize. Even though I'm older, I still like doing new things...as long as it's fun and not forced and not scary.  

I wonder when we're going back? I wonder if I'll get to see my new friend again? I wonder if next time dad can ask if we can get together for a play-date? Hmm, something for this inquisitive canine to ponder. 

This Dog in Training Thinks "It Games" Are Fun!

My mom the savvy Ventura dog trainer has been practicing a lot of the "it" dog training games with yours truly - and I mean a lot!!!

I had a severe "tap into my predatory drive" moment the other day with the UPS truck. Mom, who is usually very prepared and on top of it, had a lapse in management - needless to say it wasn't a good moment for mom. Me? Yes. Mom, who wanted to relinquish her CPDT title? Not so much. 

This just goes to show you: my mom is human too. Just like she teaches her own dog training class students and private dog training clients, no animal is perfect, including humans, and you just never know when that one moment of despair can occur. 

Since that time, about a week ago, mom and I have been practice lots of "Leave it!!!" This is a behavior she teaches in her dog training classes and dog training workshops as well. Her definition of "Leave it!" is "Stop what you're doing and get over here!!!" 

Whether I'm about to go after something, like my favorite prey E.J. Harrison, UPS, and FedEX, or my nemesis the USPS mail trucks, mom will use "Leave it!" - she uses a more stern voice, I come running, then we trot off to the fridge or dads cookie jar for a snack. Yep, I get leftovers from mom and dad...but more motivating than my usual. 

Just a little tidbit - but I tell you, it's been a lot more fun than going after the trucks. I can see why - pieces of ginger cookie or blueberry coffee cake are much more appealing - especially if I don't listen to mom. If I ignore her I end up in the bathroom or closet for a time out - trust me, leaving the trucks and having snackies is much more fun!

As for the other "it" game - called "Find it!"? That's an easy and fun one. Mom (or dad) toss a piece of food on the ground and then says "Find it!" I go in search of food with my highly skilled canine nose...I do like to hunt ya know. 

Mom uses that to either distract me - like when we're walking by loud trucks, or dogs and people I'd rather say hi to (and we don't have time), when she wants me to get out of bed to potty before she goes to sleep, and when she's too lazy to clean something off the floor she dropped while cooking! Doesn't matter to me - I'm always rewarded with something fun...

Hmm, the mailman has already been by...I wonder when she's going to cook again? Something for this inquisitive canine to ponder. 

Dog Birthdays: More excuses for humans to humiliate us dogs

Well, today is my birthday! At least that's what my mom the ventura dog trainer says... It was actually anniversary of the day she and my dad adopted me from the animal shelter. I'll never forget it...They were so cute, sitting there in the yard of the facility, concerned looks on their faces because they weren't sure if they were going to find a cute dog like yours truly here...

Once I bounded out of the house with the tennis ball in my mouth, that

all changed! Both my mom and dad got these smiles on their faces that were wider than the UPS truck is long! And they were giggling - having fun...they immediately said "We'll take him!" And here I am. That was Father's Day, 2003...That was the smartest move they've ever made - mine too. 

We started the day with playing Garbage Truck Monday - not moms favorite activity, but I sure enjoyed myself - until she locked me in the closet to manage the situation. It's not that she was mad at me, she just doesn't want me running amok, getting upset, jumping up and down on things...I could easily hurt myself. Mom knows, and teachers her own dog training class

students and private dog training students that if you don't have time to train, manage the situation - which she did. It wasn't a time-out! I got my Tricky Treat Ball and played with it while in the closet...not too bad for this older and wiser dog. 

Anyway, we later mom and I took a road trip to met up with some of my pooch pals over at Kimball Park for walkies...Chief, Ferris, and Gutterball were there...along with their humans. We strolled around the park, meeting and greeting others, eating chicken and other tasty tid-bids. Mom's friend Miss. Kathy brought a birthday meat cup-cake... It was yummy...we all shared although I would have liked to guard it. 

After walkies Mom, Miss. Lisa and Ferris met dad over at Portola Starbucks for snackies. Ferris and I practiced our down-stays while chewing on our bully sticks. Mom was smart to teach this behavior in her Manners Class - so us dogs knew what to do when we were out in public. We were behaving so well - got lots of compliments from other humans around. 

We then spent most of the afternoon working on our dog behavior advice column, then went for an evening stroll with dad, and finally a nice birthday dinner. I had my birthday broccoli, Tricky Treat Ball (with my candle that Miss. Kathy gave me as a reminder of how older I am), and finally some vanilla pudding - that I had to share with dad. YUM! 

As you can see from the pictures, mom had me wearing this silly hat - at least every time I had it on my head she gave me yummy high value treats - mostly chicken and pork tenderloin. I love my

 little green hat...And I love that mom and dad made this day very special for me. I had a great celebration.

I wonder if mom is going to have broccoli on her birthday? Hmm, something for this inquisitive canine to ponder. 

Finding A Responsible Pet Sitter: Who's Going To Take Care of This Dog?

I admit, I'm one lucky dog! I get to keep busy doing lots of things, like working with my mom the dog trainer. Including going to the inquisitive canine studio where she teaches her dog training classes and workshops when she uses me as her demo dog. Other times she brings me along to help with paperwork and inventory, or work at the computer - like now with my blog or sending a tweet on twitter. 

I'm fortunate that she works her own schedule. This means she doesn't have to leave me home by myself very often. And if she does, it's usually for just a few hours. But what about those times when she and dad are gone all day? Or if mom goes to a dog training workshop out of town and dad is at work all day? What about me? Like many dogs I don't enjoy being alone. I don't destroy things like some dogs, and I don't get scared enough to want to escape. It's just being a canine, I am very social - I like to be out and about, or have people home with me. 

Thankfully, my mom the savvy dog trainer knows this...and has found the perfect solution for those times when she and dad need to leave me for longer periods: a professional, qualified, responsible pet sitter! Her name is Angel, of Angel Eyes Pet Sitting. She's here right in our own town of Ventura! 

Mom asked me what I would like to see in a professional pet sitter, and I told her. She asked that I share it with my readers since you might be looking for such a person yourself. What is my "wish list" for finding a professional pet sitter? Simple. Someone who:

• really cares about me and my safety.
• will take care of my needs, just as my mom and dad would. 
• knows what to do in case something bad should happen. 
• understands my dogginess and doggy behaviors.
• my mom and dad can trust to be in our home when they aren't here. 
• is going to respect the needs and requests of my mom and dad. 
• has a good reputation and who is willing to share references. 
• shows professionalism and responsibility. 
• tells you what is included in their duties, and what my mom and dad can expect. 
• shows initiative, and asks my mom and dad questions about what he or she needs from us. 

Angel is certainly all of these things. She's worked with animals professionally for a very long time. She understands my doggy quirkiness and allows me to be a dog. She spends our time together making it about me! She respects my mom and dad, asking all the right questions to make sure I am safe. Including my:

• medical history: I have an old neck injury and can't get too crazy with the whole "grab and shake" activity. 
• behavior history (keep me away from trucks and other large prey)
  
• feeding schedule: food during training or in my toys only - no bowls, unless it's my veggies. 

Angel also shows up on time and keeps in contact with reports on how I'm doing. How great is that? If you want to have Angel look after your pets, or to find out more, check out her Angel Eyes Pets Sitting website. 

I wonder when mom and dad are going to be gone all day again? I wonder when I'll get to see Angel again? Hmm, something for this inquisitive canine to ponder.