Dog Behavior

25Sep 2020 by Marilyn No Comments

3 Ways You Hired Your Dog as the CEO

If you hired your dog as the CEO of everything, then what's your job? Look at it this way. When the family dog is given the job of "Canine Executive Officer"...CEO... does it mean that the humans are now the dog's...what?...employees? Scary thought, indeed! Not exactly what most people have in mind when they get a dog. So picture this. If you've ever wondered why the dog doesn't "listen" when you tell him to stop whatever, or why he doesn't come back when you call him, or why he leaves you "surprises" on your favorite carpet, then you just might have hired your dog as the CEO! Not on purpose, of course. But there it is. So how does that happen? How did it come to this? That you hire…

17Sep 2020 by Marilyn No Comments

Responsible Dog Ownership Day. One-size-fits-all?

Dog Behavior

In case you missed it, yesterday was Responsible Dog Ownership Day. At least it was according to the American Kennel Club. What does responsible ownership mean? If you're reading this, I'm pretty sure you are someone who strives every day to take responsibility for your dog's welfare. I respect and thank you for that. Dogs deserve the best from us mere humans. However, you should know that I've spent nearly my entire life surrounded by dog people. And when I see how people engage with their dogs, it's definitely not one-size-fits-all! As you might expect, they don't share cookie-cutter opinions about what's involved in responsible dog ownership. As a matter of fact, a whole lot of people with dogs view their role as more the parent instead of the owner. But that's a discussion for…

14May 2020 by Marilyn No Comments

Misunderstanding Your Dog Will Make You Crazy

Dog Behavior

If you're like most dog owners, misunderstanding your dog happens a lot. Ever wonder why the dog picks your stuff out of the laundry or your shoe from the closet? And leaves everyone else's stuff alone? I bet you thought he was trying to get even for some imagined offense. Imagined by you, that is, - not by your dog. Here's an example of what I'm talking about. Maybe you felt guilty about paying too little attention to your dog when you were busy. And then you figured that because of it your dog must have been so mad at you that he decided to plot a little bit of revenge. So he sniffs out one of your favorite belongings and trashes it. Except for the part about sniffing, that entire scene is just a fantasy. Yet so many…

07May 2020 by Marilyn No Comments

The Little Game With Your Dog That Fixes Big Problems

Dog Behavior, Training Games

Did you ever wish for a magic wand to get your dog to stop pulling on the leash, quit jumping on you and other people, give up barking at whatever, come back when you called even if he's rolling in bunny poop, stop chasing bunnies, birds, squirrels? I can't offer you a fantasy magic wand, but what I can give you is even better than magic. And you don't have to be a magician or perform any fancy tricks. What if you could play a simple little game and zero in on the reason behind all the naughty stuff you wish a magic wand could fix? So, why do dogs ignore you and do those things? What do all the things on that list have in common? And what missing ingredient could you add to change…

01Apr 2020 by Marilyn No Comments

Dogs Stuck at Home Want to Play

Dog Behavior, Stay Home Survival Kit, Training Games

The coronavirus is an invisible enemy. I hope you and your family, including the animals who share your life, are all doing OK. And as you struggle to get everything right and keep hoping you've not missed any important precaution, another invisible enemy - anxiety - keeps trying to crash the party! But remember one thing - dogs stuck at home just want to play! Let me be clear - I don't have any medical training. So heed the advice of the pros for that. But because I have spent my entire life learning about dogs, here's what I have discovered. Dogs have the mysterious power to comfort, calm, and restore an anxious soul. Yes, of course, you feel good when you pet your dog. That's for normal times. These are NOT normal times. …

04Mar 2020 by Marilyn No Comments

Your Over-Aroused Dog Can Calm Down

Dog Behavior, Puppy Training

Have you ever tried to talk your excited and over-aroused dog into calming down? How did that work for you? Not too well, I'm guessing! When your puppy or your grown-up dog is all wired up and bouncing around like a kid on a trampoline, words just don't make much of an impression. Unless you talk louder and gesture a lot - then your dog figures you're excited too! And that fires up his excitement even more! It's a feedback loop - your excitement feeds your dog's excitement, and so on... There are better ways to help an over-aroused dog to calm down and all of them involve you modeling calmness so your dog can mirror your actions. We know that our dogs tune-in to our emotions. So take a deep breath and be…

20Feb 2020 by Marilyn No Comments

A Playdate Checklist for Dogs and Puppies

Dog Behavior

A playdate can be a lot of fun for dogs and puppies. However, don't rush into it without a playdate checklist for essential precautions. Just like humans, some dogs just don't get along with each other. An experience meant to be fun can become scary when dogs aren't a good match for each other. Let me tell you about one of my dogs. Because I think it's a lesson for us all. One day, when my now 12-year-old Papillon, Junior, was training in Agility, I took him to a group class. He was about 2 years old at the time. Dogs of various breeds and sizes were there. But my 5-pound Junior was the smallest dog - and also one of the fastest. Fortunately for us both, he ran the fastest... As…

09Dec 2019 by Marilyn No Comments

Dog Treats Made From Scratch

Dog Behavior

Homemade Gifts Send a Special Message Dog treats made from scratch will make any dog wag his tail with happiness. Remember the hand made gifts you've received in the past? Crafts that kids bring home from school? Or a gift that a friend created from scratch with you in mind? Did you feel the special message meant just for you in that small kind gesture? You can do the same thing for your dog! Homemade Gifts for your dog can have a special message. Yes, I'm talking about treats made from scratch. Even if baking isn't your jam, there's an unmistakable satisfaction for you, too when you see your dog devour your homemade-with-love goodies. This is a recipe for dog treats made from scratch that's so easy and so yummy- it's…

13Nov 2019 by Marilyn No Comments

How Full Is Your Dog’s Emotional Bucket?

Dog Behavior

Your Dog's Emotional Bucket Each of us has our own personal emotional bucket. And so do our dogs. How full is your dog's emotional bucket? When your bucket is full, you feel positive, confident, and productive. But when your bucket is empty, you feel drained and negative. So it is also with your dog. In How Full Is Your Bucket? by Tom Rath and Don Clifton, the authors explain that we all have the choice either to fill or to empty our own emotional buckets. We also can fill or empty those of others. You can fill up your dog's emotional bucket and make him stronger, healthier, and happier. When you do that, you fill your own bucket, too. But you can also dip into his bucket with negativity and drain it drop…

06Nov 2019 by Marilyn No Comments

How Safe Is Your Dog During a Car Ride?

Dog Behavior

Most dogs love a car ride. Maybe it's because car rides mean that they get to be with you instead of staying home alone! Yes, it's true that some dogs have trouble with a car ride - even a short one. However, the solution to that problem is a topic or a different day. Today, it's all about planning a safe road trip with your dog - whether you're driving hundreds of miles or just making a quick trip to pick up the kids from school. How safe is your dog during a car ride? Although seat belts are the law for people, and you wouldn't ever dream of holding a child in your lap while driving or letting a toddler ride unrestrained in the front passenger seat while leaning out the open window, there is a disconnect when it…