Dogs

SPAM

2011-04-22T19:54:00Z

Seems that there is no getting away from SPAM. I have several idiots that seem to think I will publish their garbage, wrong. I have disabled track backs, comments and other interaction on this blog. Anyone that wishes to make a comment should do so via the contact form, I will sort those and reply to all that are trying to make REAL comments.
Sorry.

Cruelty to animals

2011-04-22T19:52:00Z

Dan Hunter, in Copperas Coves, Texas said that "You need to smack them around once in a while" when I confronted him about hitting a Black Labrador Retriever.

What is this waste of skin thinking? If you would like to contact him personally just visit his myspace account at:

http://www.Myspace.Com/Dan_E_Boy3030

Parked the Truck

2011-04-22T19:51:00Z

Finally.

We managed to get a small house in Copperas Cove, Texas. Really cute, three bedroom, and a yard for the dogs. Coco and Bailey both seem to know that this is their den now and have began to settle in; something that I wish I could do. Next month we should see our things (it has been seven (7) months) and get our lives put together again. Found a job at a kennel doing training, like the place and the people. Carolyn is also employed there doing Nature Walks and (soon) Canine Massages!

Finally. Finally home.

Birthday Bash!

2011-04-22T19:50:00Z

"Happy Birthday!” came screaming out of the phone. CERTAIN that the individual had made an error in dialing I hung up. Several moments later the phone rang again, the person at the other end of the line was persistent enough to convince me that it WAS my birthday and that both my wife and I had simply forgotten about it. I apologized to the person on the other end. My daughter accepted the apology.

This is the reaction that people are accustomed to; my birthday is just a day that means that my drivers’ license will expire sooner; we just do not celebrate it, never have, never planed to. This year may be different.

Most of you do not know me. I am a co-worker, a person that trained you dog or fixed your computer. The truth is that I enjoy many different activities, fishing (salt and fresh), S.C.U.B.A. diving (did you know that I actually TAUGHT S.C.U.B.A. diving?), astronomy, photography (yes, including underwater), anyone want to go for a ride in an airplane? (I do fly, and I do have a license (somewhere)). I could post pages of things that I enjoy and/ or have done, but that would take up a lot of server space, a lot of your precious time and that is not what this is about. This post relates specifically to one of my interests, astronomy.

I KNOW that this blog is about dogs, I remember (just cannot seem to get the birthday part down pat), but this kind of opportunity comes once in a lifetime, if at all. You can delete this message if you do not want to read about anything but DOGS (that would be my choice), you can call my number and yell “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” (and receive the obligatory hang up) or you can read on, your choice…

A couple of headlines…

LOS ANGELES TIMES: Asteroid on track for possible Mars hit.
Researchers say the object, about 160 feet across, has an unusually good chance of plowing into the planet Jan. 30.
Researchers attached to NASA's Near-Earth Objects Program
Jet Propulsion Laboratory put the chances that it will hit the Red Planet on Jan. 30 / 31 at about 1 in 75.

1 in 75 odds, much better odds than the lottery that most of us play.

Steve Chesley, an astronomer with the Near Earth Object Program at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory said, “If the asteroid does smash into Mars, it will probably hit near the equator close to where the rover Opportunity has been exploring the Martian plains since 2004. The robot is not in danger because it lies outside the impact zone. Speeding at 8 miles a second, a collision would carve a hole the size of the famed Meteor Crater in Arizona.”

You can bet that telescopes worldwide will be focusing on the event. NASA has the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter over Mars right now and, if the impact is in the right place, we could get a view of the event from space. The still functioning rover Opportunity is also nearby and may be able to provide us with a first hand look at the damage from the ground.

The asteroid, known as 2007 WD5, was discovered in late November and is similar in size to an object that hit remote central Siberia in 1908, unleashing energy equivalent to a 15-megaton nuclear bomb and wiping out 60 million trees.

This could give us an unprecedented view of what really happens when an object this size hits a planet, this is very exciting. Make an effort to follow this event; this is more exciting than the Jupiter impacts of a few years ago. Do not miss this (1 in 75 chance) BIRTHDAY BASH! (This event does not endanger the earth in any way, just sit back, and enjoy the show)

-=Wayne

Packaged Death for the Holidays - URGENT READ

2010-12-20T05:24:00Z

Kroger Foods announced a recall of some of their pet foods, they can KILL your pet.
PET PRIDE CAT FOOD, 18 LB , PET PRIDE TASTY BLEND POULTRY &SEAFOOD CAT FOOD, 3.5 LB , PET PRIDE CAT FOOD, 3.5 LB , PET PRIDE KITTEN FORMULA FOOD, 3.5 LB , KROGER VALUE CAT FOOD, 3 LB , KROGER VALUE CHUNK DOG FOOD, 50 LB , OLD YELLER CHUNK DOG FOOD, 50 LB , PET PRIDE TASTY BLEND POULTRY &SEAFOOD, 18 LB , KROGER VALUE CHUNK DOG FOOD, 15 LB , OLD YELLER CHUNK DOG FOOD, 22 LB

Affected in Kroger stores located in Indiana (except SW IN, -Evansville-), Illinois, Eastern Missouri, Greater Cincinnati, including Northern Kentucky, Dayton, OH and South Eastern Indiana, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Knoxville, Tennessee, Greater Memphis, TN, Arkansas, Mississippi and Western Kentucky, Michigan, Central and Northwest Ohio and N. West Virginia panhandle, Greater Louisville (including Indiana), Lexington, and Nashville, TN, North Carolina, Virginia, Eastern WV, Eastern Kentucky, SE Ohio, Texas and Louisiana; Dillons, Jay C, Food 4 Less, FoodsCo, Baker's, Gerbes, and Food4Less Fremont stores.

Reason: The products may be contaminated with aflatoxin which can cause serious illness and even death to pets if consumed. Press Release

http://www.kroger.com/services/Pages/recall_information.aspx

Please look at what you are feeding your animals, they do not deserve to be poisoned.

Round and Round She Goes

2010-08-06T21:21:00Z

Another day, another dollar wasted.

Another round of recalls, this one has dangerous repercussions for people. On August 5th the Rhode Island Department of Health issued an advisory stating that IAMS and EUKANUBA pet foods may be contaminated with Salmonella. DUH!

My records indicate that the issue was discovered on June 18 when (NaturalBalance Pet Foods, Inc. announces a voluntary recall of Natural BalanceSweet Potato & Chicken Dry Dog Food Due to a Possible Health Risk) Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Chicken Dry Dog Food was recalled for the same reason. It was followed by a long string of recalls including:

Why does it take so long to address the health hazards of the foods we feed our pets?

Time Flies

2010-04-20T23:29:00Z

I don’t know why it went by so fast. Seems like a few months at the most. It couldn’t possibly be six years. Coco is getting some grey around her snout, Bailey has some too, but it doesn’t show on her. I just don’t believe that it is really GREY, must be an illusion.

I don’t know how to make it better for them; I have mixed feelings. I know that they are having good lives, they are happy, healthy (within reason), and well adjusted. They have jobs, Bailey goes to work with me on Monday, Wednesday and Friday where she shows everyone just who’s boss and Coco goes on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, where she shows everyone how obedience is done. But they never get a break.

I don’t know how they put up with their grueling schedule. Their day starts at 6:00 AM and doesn’t end until late in the evening. Naps are interrupted by games and play times, play times are interrupted with attention, attention is interrupted by another nap. Seven days a week, too many hours each day to count they work, play and have fun. It just doesn’t seem to end, no rest for the wicked, or for my dogs.

The only thing that I do know; time flies, especially when your having fun.

Everything nature does

2010-03-18T20:26:00Z

I received an email yesterday that started out:

"When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does, is done with perfection..."

There is a ring of something interesting there, something that I witnessed first hand.

About 3 1/2. months ago I notices a lump near one of Coco's nipples. I had her checked by my vet and sure enough she had some kind of a tumor. I scheduled surgery and had the lump removed.

Because of my background (Vet Assistant (and a few other things)) the vet, and everyone else, felt that I should take her home right after surgery and care for her there, I agreed.

What woke up at my house was not Coco. It had her body, her breeding, her temperament and her instincts but did not have her experiences. It was a fully grown, 5 1/2 year old Labrador Retriever, but without any of the life experiences that makes our dogs what they are. One of the effects of the anesthesia causes amnesia, and that part had not yet worn off. I took the opportunity to observe a DOG, without all of the things they learn during their lives. It was a VERY interesting creature. Within a few hours my old Coco was on her way back but I will never forget the animal that is such a huge part of her.

BTW: Coco is back to being Coco, enough said...

-=Wayne

FDA Food Release

2009-11-09T14:26:00Z

FDA NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 5, 2009

Media Inquiries: Rita Chappelle, 301-796-4672, rita.chappelle@fda.hhs.gov
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA

FDA Health Alert for Certain Pet Treats Made by Pet Carousel
Products may be contaminated with Salmonella

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is issuing this health alert to warn consumers not to use Pig Ears and Beef Hooves pet treats manufactured by Pet Carousel because the products may be contaminated with Salmonella. The products were distributed nationwide in both bulk and retail packaging for sale in pet food and retail chain stores. Pet Carousel is based in Sanger, Calif.

The products were manufactured under conditions that facilitate cross-contamination within batches or lots. Although no illnesses associated with these products have been reported, the FDA is advising consumers in possession of these products to not handle or feed them to their pets.

The affected pig ear products were packaged under the brand names Doggie Delight and Pet Carousel. The affected beef hooves were packaged under the brand names Choo Hooves, Dentley’s, Doggie Delight, and Pet Carousel. All sizes and all lots of these products made by Pet Carousel are included in this alert.

During September 2009, the FDA conducted routine testing of pig ears made by Pet Carousel. The test results detected a positive reading for Salmonella. This prompted an FDA inspection of Pet Carousel’s manufacturing facilities. During the inspection, the agency collected additional pet treat samples. Further analysis found Salmonella present in beef hooves, pig ears and in the manufacturing environment.

Salmonella can affect both humans and animals. People handling dry pet food and/or pet treats can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the treats or any surfaces exposed to these products. Consumers should dispose of these products in a safe manner by securing them in a covered trash receptacle.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella may experience some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Although rare, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments including arterial infections, endocarditis (inflammation of the lining of the heart), arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their health care provider immediately.

Pets with Salmonella infections may become lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets may only experience a decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected, but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed any of the affected products or is experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.

The FDA will continue to investigate this matter to determine the source of the Salmonella contamination and offer updates as appropriate.

Consumers can report complaints about FDA-regulated pet food and pet treat products by calling the consumer complaint coordinator in their area. You can locate the nearest consumer complaint coordinator at:
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/ReportaProblem/ConsumerComplaintCoordinators/default.htm

Uh duh.

2009-11-05T22:03:00Z

A few days ago I was working at a Spay/ Neuter clinic. One of the things that we do in the morningis answer the phone, you never know when an appointment is going to becancelled (dang it) or someone that really needs to get there on time gets lostand desperately needs directions

One call involved a man that had recently adopted apuppy. He went to a local store (startswith a W ends with something like mart (think I have mentioned them before)) toget his new friend a toy. Shortlythereafter the puppy was crying in agony. Seems that this toy contained a fishhook. Upon inspection the man found out that the toy was made in China(I have a memory of mentioning that place before too). Long story short he has paid the Veterinarybill and made an oath to NEVER buy toys at the place that starts with a W andto read all labels to make sure they do not mention China. BTW: the puppy is fine.

-=Wayne

Nutro Cat Food

2009-05-22T01:03:00Z

Nutro has announced a recall for some Nutro Natural Choice cat foods. A link to their site containing the information is:

http://www.nutroproducts.com/press-recall/press-faq.html

Looks like Nutro is doing the right thing.

-=Wayne

Mars, again

2008-09-15T00:00:00Z

Mars pet foods does it again, here are the links for the FDA release and some other press information.

http://news.google.com/news?q=mars&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-Address&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7SUNA&um=1&hl=en&ncl=1245673723&sa=X&oi=news_result&resnum=4&ct=more-results&cd=1

-=Wayne

More Food Issues with Mars, August 2008

2008-08-17T01:15:00Z

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- FRANKLIN, Tenn. – August 08, 2008 – Mars Petcare US today announced a voluntary recall of limited bags of PEDIGREE® Complete Nutrition Small Crunchy Bites sold in Albertsons stores in Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. The pet food is being voluntarily recalled because of potential contamination with Salmonella. There have been no complaints or reports of injury resulting from consumption or handling of the recalled product.

For complete information see the FDA website at: http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/marspetcare08_08.html

Good Luck.

Training Methods

2008-01-21T21:43:00Z

Operant Conditioning

This entry was created primarily to assist students gain an understanding of our methodology, but it may have value for all of our readers.

The trainers at Pawsitive Methods use several techniques to help your dog understand which behaviors are desirable, and which are not. These techniques have names like "Positive Reinforcement" and "Extinction". Positive Methods only uses methods that we consider effective AND humane, methods that strictly adhere to our Code of Ethics; references to other methods are included on this page for informational purposes only. This page will help you understand the methods we employ, and why we use them. All of our training methods center on the principles of Operant Conditioning and Leadership.

Operant conditioning

Operant conditioning is the use of consequences to modify the occurrence and form of behavior. Operant conditioning is distinguished from Pavlovian conditioning in that operant conditioning deals with the modification of "voluntary behavior" through the use of consequences, while Pavlovian conditioning deals with the conditioning of behavior so that it occurs under new antecedent conditions. Reinforcement, Punishment and Extinction are at the core of operant conditioning.

Reinforcement, punishment, and extinction

Reinforcement and punishment, the core tools of operant conditioning, are either positive (delivered following a response), or negative (withdrawn following a response). This creates a total of four basic consequences, with the addition of a fifth procedure known as extinction (i.e. no change in consequences following a response).

It's important to note that it is the response that is reinforced, punished, or extinguished, not the animal. Additionally, reinforcement, punishment, and extinction are not terms whose uses are restricted to training.

Naturally occurring consequences can also be said to reinforce, punish, or extinguish behavior and are not always delivered by people.

Reinforcement is a consequence that causes a behavior to occur with greater frequency.

Punishment is a consequence that causes a behavior to occur with less frequency.

Extinction is the lack of any consequence following a response, increasing the likelihood that it will occur with less frequency.

It is interesting to note that Extinction techniques can cause what is called an "extinction burst", causing the behavior to occur MORE frequently for a short period of time, much like a child throwing a temper tantrum. This outburst is generally very short lived.

Positive and Negative

When speaking of operant conditioning the terms "positive" and "negative" are not used in their popular sense, but rather: "positive" refers to addition, and "negative" refers to subtraction. What is added or subtracted may be either reinforcement or punishment. Hence positive punishment is sometimes a confusing term, as it denotes the addition of punishment (such as hitting or yelling), a context that may seem very negative in the lay sense.

The addition of positive and negative to our basic set of tools provides us with five processes. Positive Reinforcement, Negative Punishment, Negative Reinforcement, Positive Punishment, and Extinction.

Techniques we use

Positive reinforcement

Positive reinforcement occurs when a behavior (response) is followed by a favorable stimulus (commonly seen as pleasant) that increases the frequency of that behavior. Hence, a treat or other desirable reward, offered after a behavior will tend to increase the frequency of that behavior.
For Example: If your dog stops barking, and that silence is rewarded, the dog will tend to decrease the frequency of barking.
(Rewarding by Providing Something the Dog Wants for performing a desirable behavior)

Negative punishment

Negative punishment occurs when a behavior (response) is followed by the removal of a favorable stimulus, such as taking away a child's toy following an undesired behavior, resulting in a decrease in that behavior.
Example: If your dog starts barking when you are giving it attention, cessation of the attention would tend to decrease the frequency of the barking.
(Punishing by taking away something the Dog Wants (Your Attention) for performing an undesired behavior)

Extinction

Extinction is the withholding of reinforcement for a previously reinforced behavior in order to eliminate that behavior. For example, a dog jumps on an owners lap to gain attention and is ignored until the attention-seeking behavior no longer occurs.
(No Response to the Dog, making the behavior unrewarding)

Techniques we DO NOT NORMALLY use

Negative reinforcement

Negative reinforcement occurs when a behavior (response) is followed by the removal of an aversive stimulus (commonly seen as unpleasant) thereby increasing that behavior's frequency. Negative reinforcement can be a loud noise continuously sounding inside the dog's kennel until it engages in the target behavior, such as sitting politely, upon which the loud noise is removed.

Techniques we NEVER use

Positive punishment

Positive punishment occurs when a behavior (response) is followed by an aversive stimulus, such as introducing a shock or loud noise, resulting in a decrease in that behavior. We do not consider this method in compliance with our Code of Ethics and therefore do not employ it in our training.

Anyone that has suffered through this document may also wish to read the previous publications on leadership.

COMING UP:
Mar 2008, BRIBERY AND PAYOFFS
Apr 2008, You are getting VERY SLEEPY

Pawsitive Methods wishes to extend thanks to Wikipedia for their valuable contributions to this document.

Canine Leadership

2008-01-16T16:49:00Z

Hello Everyone,

I have had a recent experience that left me certain that there is a lot of confusion out there about my views on leadership, and about leadership in general. My impression was that some trainers, and hence their students, just don’t get it. A few months ago I wrote an instructional article on the subject, it is one of my handouts for my Basic Companion course. Although this blog does not contain the complete handout it does contains most of the more important sections. I hope that it provides each of you with some insight into my views on the subject and some ways that you can use leadership to deal with most of the common behavioral issues by simply changing the way you interact with your dog.

Everything here is NATURAL for the dog, it is part of their pack behavior. It comes built into their being, they only need assistance understanding that you are their leader and that you are now playing by their rules!

I am sure that EVERYONE reading this has heard someone say “DOES YOUR DOG (or PUPPY) KNOWS IT’S PLACE IN THE PACK?”

I think that is the wrong question. My question is a lot closer to “DO YOU KNOW YOUR PLACE WITHIN THE PACK?”

There is a huge difference. Read on.

Basic Canine Leadership, an Introduction.

One canine alpha, one canine leader
Each member of the pack will have a natural specific position, or ranking, within that pack. It is important to us, the leader, to acknowledge that order. You may notice one of your dogs that always seems to be in charge, one that always seems to get the best of everything, one that is in front, one that goes first, ONE that is always at the top of the hill. In a wild pack this dog would be referred to as the “alpha.” All of the other dogs will fall into line behind this “alpha”, we want to acknowledge this dogs’ position within the pack, but we also want to assume the leaders roll. This implies that there will still be an “alpha” DOG, but that WE will be the “leader” of the pack.

Acknowledge the Order
When interacting with your pack it is important to acknowledge each members position. Once you have determined the position, or rank, of pack members it is important to reinforce it.

Always give the more dominate animal the first everything. The more dominate animal should get the first food, the first toys, the first attention, the first everything. Continue to acknowledge each pack member in order, the second, the third, etc., until all members have been addressed; then, as a final gesture, do one final acknowledgement of the “alpha”. This will help the pack to understand that you are in charge and that you acknowledge the order of the animals that are below you, increasing the stability of the pack.

Being in charge
Pack leaders decide if, where and when. Pack leaders control access to EVERYTHING; the activities, the toys, the food, where members sleep, everything.

Activities
Never allow your dog to determine when an activity begins or ends. Pack leaders always start and stop all games and other interactions. Dogs may bark, beg, paw, jump or perform other behaviors in their demand for service. Most of us eventually give up and give the dog what it is after. This simply reinforces the undesirable behavior. It is important that you, the pack leader, do not respond to these demands for service. Do not acknowledge these advances, ignore them.

Toys
Dogs lose interest in things fairly quickly, you can see this when you take your dog for a walk. The first time you pass a certain spot your dog will literally drag you to it so they can smell, see, touch, lick, etc. it. Five minutes later you can’t get your dog interested in the same spot. This is very much like the kid at Christmas, lots of toys, but nothing to play with.

Pick up all of your dogs toys and put them away. Depending on how much time your dog spends chewing choose a select FEW toys for your dog. The object here is to have just enough toys to keep your dog busy, I suggest that you start with one or two, then adjust it as necessary after you start this part of the leadership program. Make the toy(s) as special as possible by stuffing them with favorite treats, smearing with peanut butter, or anything else you can do to get them interested. Remembering to acknowledge pack order, give the dog(s) the toys. As often as possible, but NOT ON A SCHEDULE, switch the toys out. This will help to keep the dog interest in the toys, (help prevent the “my dog has a lot of toys but he doesn’t play with any of them’ syndrome), provides some excitement (“WOW! HAVEN’T SEEN THAT IN A WHILE!”), provide mental stimulation (“WONDER IF, WHAT, WHEN…?”), keep your house cleaner, and, more importantly, it lets your dog see just who it is that controls the toys.

THE BEST OF EVERYTHING

Meals
Pack leaders eat first and they get the best parts. Pack leaders control when other pack members eat and when their turn is over.

Eating First
When preparing your dogs meals take a moment or two to let them see you eat something, even if it is just a crust of bread. This also implies that a good time to feed your dog is after the family meal. Your, and all of the other members of your family (the Pack Leaders), eat first; other pack members eat next.

The best parts
Food from the table is good for people, not dogs. Never give your dog table scraps. This can cause a lot of unwanted issues. You may find your dog no longer “likes” their food. The “good stuff” from the table is for the pack leaders (you), not for the dogs.

When to start
Unless your veterinarian suggests otherwise, the general recommendation of Pawsitive Methods is to serve two meals per day, at regular intervals, with about 1/3 of the food provided in the first feeding, and the remaining 2/3 in at the second meal. This will help to maintain even blood sugar, help prevent bloat, and provide your dog with more interaction than “free feeding”. Since canines tend to potty at intervals determined by when they eat, this method can also greatly benefit your efforts at housetraining. From the leadership aspect a dog that is slightly hungry will most likely have better focus during the daylight hours and may sleep better at night with a full stomach.

When to Stop
Each meal is ten (10) minutes long. After that the bowls are picked up and put away. Walking away from the bowl, other than to get a drink, or if called away by a pack leader, is also the end of the meal.

Places to sit, rest and sleep
Dogs are not allowed on furniture or, to put it another way, DOGS ARE NOT ALLOWED ON FURNITURE!

The truth is that each one of us will most likely, at some point, break this rule. Before we get to that point the dog must have an understanding the being allowed on furniture is by INVITATION ONLY. In the natural pack environment the pack leaders always assume a position on the high ground. This allows them to get a better view of their world and to take whatever actions are necessary for the preservation of the pack. It is critical to the pack that one member is in charge and that each of the pack members do things that improve or preserve the packs well being. We need to be in that leader’s position.

Resting and Sleeping Places
Provide your dog with a special place to rest. Almost anything will work as long as the place is reserved for the dog and is LOWER THAN THE PLACES YOU NORMALLY OCCUPY. Placing an old towel on the floor will suffice. Take some actions to make the spot more desirable for the dog. An example would be placing a towel about half way down in your laundry basket for a few days. It will take on the smells of your entire household, making the dogs spot special.

Being in Front

Leaders Go First
Pack leaders go first. Pack leaders go through doorways and gates first, pack leaders are the first into the pool; pack leaders are the first to get/see/eat/smell/enjoy everything. Teach your dog that you are the one that always goes first. Leaders don’t follow, leaders lead.

Leaders Decide Where To Go
Use any opportunity that presents itself to change directions. When walking through an area with trees weave between them, changing directions frequently. This will add to the excitement of the walk, increase focus, AND help confirm your status as the leader. Try walking between poles at a shopping center, periodically using different routes.

Parting of the Pack
Pack members MOVE OUT OF THE WAY of pack leaders. Teach your dog that the den (your house), and everything in it, belongs to you, the pack leader. This includes the floor. When a pack leader crosses the room the pack members move out of the way.

Being the Leader
All pack members have jobs.

Using Sit, Come and Down to improve your position
Asking your dog for a behavior is a great way to improve your position within the pack. Dogs should be asked to provide a desirable behavior before there is any interaction on our part. Asking for a Sit, Come or Down before giving attention or other treats are all great ways to accomplish this.

No Free Lunch
One HOT method for improving your position within the pack, and to get more desirable behaviors is called “NO FREE LUNCH”. One of the best ways to start a “NO FREE LUNCH” policy for your dogs is to ask for a behavior before meals. This help the dog to understand that it needs to work for a living and that helps you to become a strong leader. Working can be something as simple as doing a sit before getting a treat, or standing calmly beside the door before your put on the leash. It does not need to be anything complicated or difficult; it just needs to be something the dog does to earn the reward.

Exercise
Most people do not make the mistake of underestimating the importance of exercise for successful companion animal training, but exercise makes an important contribution to leadership as well. Make taking the walk, playing ball and other fun things your dog love part of your leadership exercises.

If your dog loves to play “FETCH”, use it. Simply asking your canine companion for a sit before tossing the ball again will suffice. Take advantage of the leadership opportunities that are presented.

General
Get your dog into a Basic Companion course. Locate a trainer that provides training using positive reinforcement, avoid trainer that advocate punishment, or negative reinforcement methods. Training can be rewarding, fun and help to build a stronger bond between you and your canine companions. Basic Companion, Fungility, and other canine (human) courses are time well spent.

It should be clear to anyone that has read this that canine behavior is complex, but that we can begin to communicate with our canine companions by simply changing some of the ways that we interact with them. Do you know your position within the pack?

COMING UP:
Feb 2008, DIFFERENCES BETWEEN TRAINING METHODS
Mar 2008, BRIBERY AND PAYOFFS

It's Not "Rocket Surgery"

2007-12-01T23:51:00Z

A couple of months ago I managed to get a free subscription to Pet Age, a magazine targeted towards pet retailers. I assume that I was approved because I sell pet related products and services on my website. Anyone that wants a bit of information about what is going on in the retail pet industry should give this magazine a look, I like it.

What is bothering me is this month’s cover story. The magazine looks at what retailers can do to help make sure that their products are safe.

Lets' consider the following:

EVERYONE on the planet knows about the huge pet food recalls that we had earlier this year. I personally have a list of OVER 1,100 products (1,174 of them for those that do not like rounded numbers), my source is the FDA. Certainly not an agency that instills a lot of trust in you, but you can trust ME, I worked for the government, I KNOW. They can make lists; I am sure I am on one or two of them somewhere.

It was not very long until we discovered that the contamination was in the human food chain as well. NOW, I thought, we have everyone’s attention; so what if more than 3900 pets died, you start messing with MY FOOD and, well, you do not want to go there seemed to be the attitude.

I was wrong. What is next? A huge toy recall! Seems there are some undesirable compounds in the paint, compounds that are a danger to us, and our children. The source is the same as the one involved in the pet food “recall.” I wonder if anything else uses(d) paint from this source.

Because we never made the connection we have endangered our pets again. A laboratory in Texas has detected elevated levels of lead, cadmium and chromium in dog toys from a well-known retailer (starts with a W, think it ends with mart). Of course, that retailer denies the findings. Contamination in dog toys that were purchased from the same source that brought us pet food recalls, human food recalls, and human toy recalls? RIDICULOUS!

My question this month is this: If a series of products are being recalled because of contamination; AND those products (or their components) are coming from a single source; AND the products being recalled are for both humans and canines, wouldn't it follow that other products from that same source, both canine and human, should be looked at very closely?

I think that most of us should be able to fire up enough neurons to come to a logical conclusion about this, it’s not rocket surgery.

-=W=-

Oh, almost forgot. The name of the cover story is "the China syndrome." (-=W=-)

Bailey!

2007-09-10T03:14:00Z

Today someone said, “The golden one is the bad one, the brown one is nice. I told the golden one it was a bad dog.”

They were speaking about my Yellow and Chocolate Labrador Retrievers. Each of the dogs have their own personality, each of them react differently to the stimulus they receive each day. I had never considered either one of them good or bad; I have always considered them different.

Perhaps that is where I made my mistake; they are, after all, just dogs - aren’t they?

Springtime in Chandler Arizona is beautiful. Warm days and cool evenings: there are flowers, birds, and puppies everywhere. Bailey was born first of her litter. A LARGE fluffy yellow dog that was so fat she grunted when you touched her. There wasn’t any doubt that she was coming home with us, Coco, born a few minutes later, wasn’t the runt of the litter but she could have been mistaken for one. She was simply the most active of them all and I wanted a dog that would go places and see things with me. We agreed that we NEEDED two dogs and had their owner put collars on them so they would stand out from the rest. One fat, one active, sounded like the perfect pair.

Over the next few weeks, we visited as often as possible and grew to understand that, even then, our dogs were going to be so dissimilar that most people would swear they were from different litters. Bailey started out so much larger it was natural for her to assume the more dominate position; Coco learned her place in the pack and flourished as the underdog; the mild mannered, calm one that everyone loved. Bailey, well she flourished too.

I am not going to spend your time (or mine for that matter) giving you a life history of these magnificent creatures, but I will take a few paragraphs to tell you about how I see them today.

For those that don’t know me, I became a certified dog trainer and Coco has worked for the last few years as a demonstration dog. She suffered an injury recently and is now semi-retired. During the few years of her career she performed her duties at six humane societies, and six different pet stores! She continues to perform her duties doing her part of the AKC Good Citizens tests to this day. Her manners, willingness to perform, and exceptional tolerance of everything has gained her a place in the hearts of hundreds of students, and their dogs. She showed every one of them, and me, how it should be done.

(Sit Bailey…Coco sits)

Bailey? She is currently working with me helping bully breeds become more friendly, and more social than they could have achieved on their own. My wife and I have also considered getting Bailey into therapy; she just loves being touched and will gladly allow children to pull, scratch, poke at and generally abuse any part of her body. If Bailey is in a place with children you can bet they will be laughing and she will be at the bottom of the pile. She seems to have a built in instinct that tells her they are friends and should be allowed to do anything they desire with/to/around her, Coco, although she tolerates it, doesn’t like to be touched by children, she doesn’t care too much for adults either.

(Bailey SIT!…Coco sits)

To the untrained eye, it may appear that Bailey is the “bad” dog. She listens, but doesn’t pay too much attention to you, Coco on the other hand will listen AND obey. Catch my dogs together and say “SIT!” and you will see Coco drop, Bailey might look at you but not much else, yet her house manners are far beyond anything that you could reasonably expect. She ALWAYS moves to the side when the pack leader walks through, lets you go through the doors first, waits without begging for her food, and just about anything else you could want from a dog. Around children she would convince you that she was the best dog on the planet. Just don’t ask her to “SIT!” and you would swear she was the “good” one.

(SIT BAILEY!...Coco sits)

Different? You bet. Bad? You be the judge.

(BAILEY!!...Yep, Coco sits)

Mutt 'n' Jeff, Red Flannel, Gravy, and Chicken Jerky

2007-08-22T22:16:00Z

When written Mutt 'n' Jeff this has the meaning of deaf, in my context I will use it for a deaf vendor(s).

The opening line on the Mars About Us page reads:

"To millions of people around the world, Mars is a name synonymous with quality, value and enjoyment."

To your dog it could mean trouble, or worse.

Mars is recalling their 50# bags of "Red Flannel" dog food because of Salmonella contamination, of course Mars issued a vague warning about their dog AND cat foods on August 14th. Why did it take them nine (9) days to issue this official warning about dog foods and did I miss the information about the CAT foods or do I need to wait another nine (9) days?

Another Mars product, Krasdale Gravy Dry Dog Food 5lb Bags, has also been recalled for the same reason.

The company also makes PEDIGREE, CESAR, WHISKAS, SHEBA, KITEKAT, TRILL, AQUARIAN and WINERGY, petcare products. Keep your eyes and ears OPEN! Here is a link to the original FDA WARNING and to the list on Mars Petcare.

Meanwhile at Wal-Mart:
Chicken Jerky Strips, and Chicken Jerky have tested positive for melamine. The same thing that tragically killed all of those innocent animals earlier this year. Guess where Wal-Mart buys this? (If you guess CHINA, you would be right, any other guesses don't count.)

We should all try to purchase the highest quality products we can for our pets, and made in the USA doesn't mean safe anymore.

KEEP YOUR EYES AND EARS OPEN; Mutt 'n' Jeff won't do it for you.

I'll keep you posted,

-=Wayne

Pet (DOG) Food Recall

2007-03-20T15:12:00Z

Menu foods began hearing that their foods caused pets to become ill in mid February. Then, on about February 27, 2007 they began a “Taste Test” involving approximately 40 - 50 animals. Of the 10 animals that have died in relation to this issue, seven died in the taste test.

Why did Menu Foods subject more defenseless animals to a product that was suspect?
Is this the method Menu Foods uses to find out if their food KILLS?
Why did it take Menu Foods so long to notify the public about this issue? Animals DID die, didn’t they?