Dog Behavior Myths: Social Butterflies Versus Packs

Being a true inquisitive canine, I must ask the humans out there "Who came up with this whole 'pack' mentality mumbo jumbo?" Is it because we have descended from wolves? Wolves travel in packs because they have to hunt large prey - the large, fast (and delicious) beasts require more than the lone wolf to take it down...hence, the reason wolves form packs - it cuz they're hungry and gotta get the job done. 

As for us domestic canines, well, you don't see stray dogs forming packs do you? Nope - they're either found, end up in a shelter, become feral, or die. But they certainly don't roam the neighborhoods forming packs. I believe you humans do that more than us dogs. I've heard about the "gang" "clique" and special groups such as "yahoo" and "google" phenomenon. 

My mom the rockin' Ventura dog trainer clears up this kind of stuff in her dog training classes and dog training workshops. Allow me to continue to clear up the muddy myth waters of us canines right here in this dog training blog: 

• We're SOCIAL animals! 
• We enjoy being with our family - whether it be one person, or an entire mob.
• We don't enjoy being left alone, especially if we're not used to it.
• When left alone, sometimes we get bored (that results in finding our own entertainment), or scared (try to escape, don't eat, howl for help). 

A very aware dog mom wrote in to our Noozhawk dog behavior advice column about her own dog being left alone, and some concerns she had. Allow me to elaborate on some of the issues I mention above:

• Sometimes we get bored - and then find our own means of entertainment - which are often activities you humans don't appreciate. (Check out my friend Nellie - she used to redecorate her mom and dad's condo - they didn't appreciate it, but have since given her new and fun activities). 

• Sometimes we get scared. Yours truly here doesn't like certain noises. One time the smoke detector batteries died, and the little device was making all sorts of weird noises. When mom and dad came home, I was all trembly and scared. Just wanted to get outta here! 

As mom says again and again in her dog training classes and with her private dog training clients: "Don't wait to train a behavior when you need that behavior." In this case, it's best to crate train and condition your dog to be left alone before you're having to head out the door, rushed, for a long period of time. It's best to do lots of "dress rehearsals" so your dog gets used to being left alone, and actually begins to enjoy it. 

So, speaking of descending from other animals, I've heard you humans have descended from apes. Well I wonder, do you live in tree's flinging poo at each other? Hmm, something for this inquisitive canine to ponder. 

I'm No Crash Test Dummy Dog, And Neither is My Ventura Dog Trainer Mom

Gone are the days when children would ride in their parents laps while driving, helping them steer the car. Yep, my own mom the rockin' dog trainer here in Ventura, got to do that with her mom in the family Buick. No seat belts...just giggling and having fun.

Well, times have changed -a lot! One of mom's motto's is "safety first!" Check out some of her dog training tips in her blog. This safety issue includes yours truly riding in style (and safely), no matter where I'm headed! I don't get to sit in laps (while we're driving). 

Nope, as mom says: "If it's not safe for a human child, how could it be safe for our pets?" I think this is what she's talking about. Check out this great dog car safety video that mom and I found on Youtube. 

Even before mom became a professional pet dog trainer here in Ventura, teaching her dog manners classes and working with her private dog training clients, she always knew that keeping any animal in a proper car restraint was the right thing to do, and that it makes for being a responsible pet guardian.  

I remember when we were driving home from the shelter where I came from, mom made the comment to dad that they were going to have to find some sort of seatbelt or car seat for me. Neither of them wanted me flying out of the car, becoming some sort of projectile and getting hurt. 

I'm fortunate enough to have a car seat in both mom and dads car's - plus I have a separate seatbelt for traveling - like when we fly to San Francisco or Colorado - this way no matter whose car I'm in, I can be kept safe.

Mom and I also like to help keep our doggy friends safe too, so she offers the Guardian Gear Safety Car Harness at her studio - and tomorrow she's taking a whole bunch over to our vendor booth at Canine Adoption Rescue Leagues 12th annual Pooch Parade Fundraising Event & Pet Expo. 

It's All Fun & Games For This Lucky Dog

Well it's official! My mom the rockin' Ventura dog trainer and I have developed the bee's knee's of dog training games! It's called "Out of the Box Dog Training Game." And as mom says on the box itself, it's a Pawsitive Training Solution For You and Your Dog! Yes, mom developed it, but I was her inspiration... 

This game consists of 56 cards - all with little bite-size pieces of training activities that you can do with your dog! Since mom is always teaching her dog training class students, and her private dog training students that the simplest way to train your dog is to just fit little pieces of training into your daily routines. It's not necessary to set aside lots of time - that's just not very realistic. Mom totally understands how busy people are nowadays. So, she has made it easy for you to get the behaviors you want from your dog! 

With the cards you'll also get a nice little Instruction Guide to help you play the game. From figuring out the best way to motivate your dog, to techniques that will help you teach your dog the basic behaviors - all of which you can use throughout the entire time you play! 

You just need at least one human and one dog. You can certainly have more, but it's not necessary. You can also adapt the exercises to different skill levels. How great is that??? Plus, it's only $17.95 (plus the ol' tax)

Mom and I will be unveiling this brand new game this weekend at The Canine Adoption and Rescue Leagues 12th Annual Pooch Parade Fundraising Event and Pet Expo here in Ventura! We'll have a booth there, along with many only vendors! Come join the fun, come by and say hello to us, check out the Box Game, and have fun! 

I wonder when dad and I are going to play again? Hmm, something for this inquisitive canine to ponder...

Dog Training Demo Dog: How I'm spending my Sunday

Well, I'm off to bed...this top dog has gotta get his rest because my mom the rockin' Ventura dog trainer is starting her brand new Canine Circuit Training class tomorrow! I'm SO excited! She wants yours truly to come and demo some of the behavior stations. Dad will bring me, plus he is going to lend a hand too...

She has some of her graduates from her Inquisitive Canine good manners classes , and others from her Canine College at Ventura College Community Education. There are a few dogs that are new to the studio - I'm sure they're going to have fun too. 

Tomorrows class is FULL! But you can still register for upcoming classes - mom is offering this fun and rewarding class again July 26th and in August. You just need to check the inquisitive canine calendar. 

I wonder if I'll get to take the class too? Hmm, something for this inquisitive canine to ponder.