“Awe the trash can… so many wonderful things that could be further enjoyed but for some reason my human throws them away. I try to retrieve them, but my human scolds me and tells me NO.” Sound familiar, I remember my mother and father constantly scolding the dogs for getting into the trash. They never really tried to train our dogs that the trash can was off-limits, it was always an angry reaction when the used tissues were shredded throughout the house or last night’s leftovers were smeared on the kitchen floor.

Granted, you can train your dog to not get into the trash can, but I believe that removing the temptation saves everyone frustration and stress. Can you imagine your dog sitting by the trash can all day long thinking to himself “I know she trained me to stay out of the trash, but the aromas are calling to me!”

At our house all trash cans and diaper pails have lids. We have 4 dogs and we never have issues with dumpster diving. Plus, the house stays fresh because the trash is covered! You can get covered trash cans in a variety of sizes and styles. Personally, I like the SimpleHuman brand. Keep it simple, stop Dumpster Diving by putting a lid on it!

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Cesar admits to being a dog psychologist, not a dog trainer. In one episode he tells his clients that using “good dog” is for training, not what he was doing with their dog. Not to say training isn’t an answer for psychological problems. I have seen Victoria Stilwell solve similar issues with her training methods many times.

I agree with these aspects of Cesar’s philosophy:

dogs need “discipline, exercise, and affection”

“high-energy working dogs . . . can develop issues when the basic needs of their breed are not addressed.”  –Harley, Annabelle, and Memphis” episode of Dog Whisperer

treat your dog like a dog, not a human

Cesar has a place with some dogs, few and far between. I do not think his methods should be used casually or regularly in any home. Use positive dog training methods and consult a trainer if you need help (make sure to interview the trainer about their methods).

I believe in the following:

• dogs need leadership
• dogs need jobs
• dogs are dogs, not humans
• dogs need communication they understand (more…)

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While at our son’s Halloween party, I overheard another parent explaining how her daughter got a scratch on her face… her daughter had been chasing after the dog and pulling on the dog’s face.   Understandably, the dog became irritated by the little girl’s behavior and nipped at her face.  Consequently, the family immediately found a new home for their dog:(

Needless to say, I was extremely saddened by this story as it was a totally avoidable outcome.   The little girl should never have been allowed to chase and torment the dog.  Despite the unfortunate outcome, the family should be commended for finding the dog a new home rather than dropping the him at the pound.

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I love this article!

Carl Zimmer takes a close look at the social intelligence of dogs in “The Secrets Inside Your Dog’s Mind,” and what science has to say about it. He explains a simple experiment that demonstrates how a dog can understand the gesture of a pointing hand, and how this is an indication of a strong cross-species bond between human and canine.

If you live near universities such as Duke or Harvard, your dog may have the opportunity to participate in intelligence tests to explore the abilities of the canine mind. Additionally, scientists are exploring the meaning of canine behavior, like kisses and guilty behaviors.

This article explains the close bond dogs have with humans, and why they respond so well to our positive training techniques. It is a fun glimpse into the mind, and the evolution, of our best friend.

Here are a few links to some related web sites: (more…)

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The 4th of July – a time for picnics, family gatherings, and fireworks. At our household, the 4th of July had turned from a fun summer holiday to worries about what Kelvin, our adopted 10-year old Golden Retriever, was going to destroy this year. We adopted Kelvin when he was 2-years old and after the first 4th of July, we quickly realized that Kelvin had a deep fear of loud noises so much so that he pants, drools, digs holes in the carpet, and eats dog beds. As this is a fairly common fear and the 4th of July just around the corner, I thought I would share a few tips that we have learned over the past 8 years.

1. State of Mind — remember that your dog is responding (i.e. destroying things) to a fear and it’s your job to help alleviate the situation. If you respond by getting upset you will only reinforce that fireworks cause bad things to happen (i.e. mom yells at me).
2. Plan, Plan, Plan — Make sure you have a plan for the 4th of July as well as the week leading up to the 4th
   • As the 4th of July approaches you will likely hear bottle rockets and other fireworks throughout the neighborhood, use this as an opportunity to desensitize — keep your dog’s favorite treats or toys handy and reward your dog for remaining calm when he/she hears a firework.
   • On the 4th of July, keep your dog inside with the TV or radio volume high enough to drown out firework noises and close the curtains if your dog has associated the lights with fireworks.
   • If you are home reward, reward, reward for calm behavior.
   • If you won’t be at home, keep your dog in a confined and safe place like a crate or kennel.

Start thinking about next year — try desensitizing your dog to loud noises through increased exposure with rewards. For example, you could purchase a CD with firework noises, play it softly and reward for a calm response. Gradually increase the volume and reward until your dog is confident.

Safety Tip — Even if your dog is not afraid of fireworks, it is a good practice to keep your dog away from firework shows to prevent damage to their hearing.

For additional tips surrounding this holiday and it’s festivities, see ASPCA’s Fourth of July Safety Tips.

Have a Happy and Safe 4th of July!

behavior, desensitizing, Dog Training Tips, dogs, fear, Holidays Hide