by Lorine of The Dog Team
Barley doesn't know how to play. I bought her toys. She ran, terrified, the first time I put one in her bed with her. I bought her a sqeaky toy. She cowered the first time it made it noise, then began running frantically in circles.
I bought a ball. Several balls. Barley sat and watched this silly display while the balls disappeared in the woods and long grass at the back of the house.
I bought a frisbee. She sat at my feet and watched me throw. I got a lot of exercise retrieving that frisbee.....
Continue reading Fetch! Run human run!!
Friday, August 24, 2007
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Separation Anxiety in Dogs
Separation Anxiety in dogs manifests as dogs who are attached or dependent on family members in the extreme. These dogs become anxious and exhibit distress behaviours such as barking, destruction, soiling, apathy and self-injury. The greater the separation (in distance) the more anxious the dog becomes.
Owners of dogs suffering from separation anxiety may notice their dog follows them from room to room. They may crave constant physical attention, and are very demanding, often pushing or nosing their owners, pawing at them, to gain attention and petting.
During or just before separation dogs may began to pant and drool, salivating excessively. They can become destructive and vocal or witdraw and become very apathetic.
Read tips for dealing with Separation anxiety in What to do when a Dog suffers from Separation Anxiety
Owners of dogs suffering from separation anxiety may notice their dog follows them from room to room. They may crave constant physical attention, and are very demanding, often pushing or nosing their owners, pawing at them, to gain attention and petting.
During or just before separation dogs may began to pant and drool, salivating excessively. They can become destructive and vocal or witdraw and become very apathetic.
Read tips for dealing with Separation anxiety in What to do when a Dog suffers from Separation Anxiety
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Alpha, Beta... Who's in Charge? Training Barley
Alpha, Beta... Who's in Charge? Training Barley
by Lorine of The Dog Team
When I leave the room Barley follows, stepping on the back of my slippers. When my husband takes her off the leash to go with him to do farm chores, or have a run, she refuses to leave the back deck by my office door. The only way to make her go with him is to leash her and she spends the whole time frantically lunging back towards the house, or staring at the back deck.
So I began a regime of training her in small doses to be separated from me. I wanted her to stay in one room while I moved a few feet away to another (still within sight). She simply leapt over the gate and joined me. I put up a higher gate. She leapt it with ease.
I tried a room with a door (she could still see me through the door window). She leapt at the door, throwing herself at it repeatedly - thump, whap, thump.
Contine Reading Alpha, Beta... Who's in Charge?
by Lorine of The Dog Team
When I leave the room Barley follows, stepping on the back of my slippers. When my husband takes her off the leash to go with him to do farm chores, or have a run, she refuses to leave the back deck by my office door. The only way to make her go with him is to leash her and she spends the whole time frantically lunging back towards the house, or staring at the back deck.
So I began a regime of training her in small doses to be separated from me. I wanted her to stay in one room while I moved a few feet away to another (still within sight). She simply leapt over the gate and joined me. I put up a higher gate. She leapt it with ease.
I tried a room with a door (she could still see me through the door window). She leapt at the door, throwing herself at it repeatedly - thump, whap, thump.
Contine Reading Alpha, Beta... Who's in Charge?
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Assistance Dog Quinn Missing
After car crash, disabled man wants dog back
By Linda Goldston
Mercury News
A Los Gatos man is offering $5,000 for the return of his assistance dog, Quinn.
The dog, a 15-month-old golden retriever, darted off after Richard Gambord was involved in a one-car crash Sunday at the Interstate 280/880 freeway interchange in San Jose.
Quinn should be easy to spot. When he was last seen, he was wearing a purple cape with the logo for Assistance Dog Institute and a rabies tag. The institute, based in Santa Rosa, starts training future assistance dogs when they're about three weeks old, and most are ready to be placed when they're 1 1/2 to 2 years old.
Continue reading
By Linda Goldston
Mercury News
A Los Gatos man is offering $5,000 for the return of his assistance dog, Quinn.
The dog, a 15-month-old golden retriever, darted off after Richard Gambord was involved in a one-car crash Sunday at the Interstate 280/880 freeway interchange in San Jose.
Quinn should be easy to spot. When he was last seen, he was wearing a purple cape with the logo for Assistance Dog Institute and a rabies tag. The institute, based in Santa Rosa, starts training future assistance dogs when they're about three weeks old, and most are ready to be placed when they're 1 1/2 to 2 years old.
Continue reading
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
New Dog on the Farm
by Lorine of The Dog Team
It's been over 5 years since my old dog Suki had to be put down. Suki was a Benji lookalike, very sweet but terrified of everything. We got her from a shelter when she was about one year old. In her past home she'd suffered physical abuse and any sudden movement or noise terrified her.
She was a great dog but after she died I wasn't ready for another one. Until now.
In May I started looking seriously for a dog that would fit our lifestyle. We live on a hobby farm and I wanted a dog that was good with our animals (donkey, sheep, birds) and that might help my husband with farm chores. I had a Suki clone in mind of course.
The shelter brought out a scruffy, terrified, skinny dog with wolf-eyes (nothing like my little Suki!) and that was it. I told my husband she was so ugly that no one would ever adopt her so we had to! Besides she had lived on a farm, was used to animals and best of all was a herding dog! I figured she could help hubby when the sheep got out.
Continue reading New Dog on the Farm, the first in a series: Tails of Barley The Psycho Dog & Webley
It's been over 5 years since my old dog Suki had to be put down. Suki was a Benji lookalike, very sweet but terrified of everything. We got her from a shelter when she was about one year old. In her past home she'd suffered physical abuse and any sudden movement or noise terrified her.
She was a great dog but after she died I wasn't ready for another one. Until now.
In May I started looking seriously for a dog that would fit our lifestyle. We live on a hobby farm and I wanted a dog that was good with our animals (donkey, sheep, birds) and that might help my husband with farm chores. I had a Suki clone in mind of course.
The shelter brought out a scruffy, terrified, skinny dog with wolf-eyes (nothing like my little Suki!) and that was it. I told my husband she was so ugly that no one would ever adopt her so we had to! Besides she had lived on a farm, was used to animals and best of all was a herding dog! I figured she could help hubby when the sheep got out.
Continue reading New Dog on the Farm, the first in a series: Tails of Barley The Psycho Dog & Webley
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Tails of Maggie & Katie: Anchors Aweigh!
by B. A. Brown
Directly behind my yard lives Vicky - a nice little b & w dog. ABout the size of a pug, maybe a tad larger - but not with the pushed-in face. Very cute.
Katie & Maggie love to go out (when called by Vicky - "Vicky needs our help NOW!") and run along the fence line, back and forth, barking like idiots.
This goes on until Vicky gets tired, and goes to sit on her patio.
Vicky is very overwieght, and does not have much stamina. Once she gives up, Katie & Maggie get bored, and wander aimlessly about the yard until they decide to come in.
Next door to Vicky lives The Bad Dog. We do not know The Bad Dog's name.
The Bad Dog is a pit bull. Apparently, when we first moved in, TBD made some uncomplimentary comments about Katie's easterner accent, or maybe she made fun of petey, or its a black/white thing, or - who knows. It was instant hatred on both sides of the fence.
Fortunately, there is only a limited span of fence which the properties have in common. Fortunately, TBD's owner has her on a pretty strict schedule: out at 8:40 am, again just after 5 PM, then again at 11 PM.
I do not let my dogs out at these times.
Occasionally, he lets TBD out off-schedule. I can tell right away because of the sounds: Katie & TBD both with deep-throated menacing growls and barks, Maggie [safely] behind katie, barking very loudly and earnestly ("Get her katie! Kill her!").
Accompanying the to-the-death sounds are the thumps of katie flinging her body against the fence, scrambling, scrabbling, nails digging in,trying to vault the fence, or knock it over by sheer will power.
I would really prefer that Katie not succeed in meeting TBD personally.
I run (jog...ok, walk fast) out to the backyard and start grabbing tails.
Evidently, when engaged in such important pugilistic activity, dogs become deaf. Therefore, I need to be present and in the immediate vicinity before I can get their attention.
Continue Reading Anchors Aweigh!
Directly behind my yard lives Vicky - a nice little b & w dog. ABout the size of a pug, maybe a tad larger - but not with the pushed-in face. Very cute.
Katie & Maggie love to go out (when called by Vicky - "Vicky needs our help NOW!") and run along the fence line, back and forth, barking like idiots.
This goes on until Vicky gets tired, and goes to sit on her patio.
Vicky is very overwieght, and does not have much stamina. Once she gives up, Katie & Maggie get bored, and wander aimlessly about the yard until they decide to come in.
Next door to Vicky lives The Bad Dog. We do not know The Bad Dog's name.
The Bad Dog is a pit bull. Apparently, when we first moved in, TBD made some uncomplimentary comments about Katie's easterner accent, or maybe she made fun of petey, or its a black/white thing, or - who knows. It was instant hatred on both sides of the fence.
Fortunately, there is only a limited span of fence which the properties have in common. Fortunately, TBD's owner has her on a pretty strict schedule: out at 8:40 am, again just after 5 PM, then again at 11 PM.
I do not let my dogs out at these times.
Occasionally, he lets TBD out off-schedule. I can tell right away because of the sounds: Katie & TBD both with deep-throated menacing growls and barks, Maggie [safely] behind katie, barking very loudly and earnestly ("Get her katie! Kill her!").
Accompanying the to-the-death sounds are the thumps of katie flinging her body against the fence, scrambling, scrabbling, nails digging in,trying to vault the fence, or knock it over by sheer will power.
I would really prefer that Katie not succeed in meeting TBD personally.
I run (jog...ok, walk fast) out to the backyard and start grabbing tails.
Evidently, when engaged in such important pugilistic activity, dogs become deaf. Therefore, I need to be present and in the immediate vicinity before I can get their attention.
Continue Reading Anchors Aweigh!
Monday, August 13, 2007
Protecting Your Dog from Fleas
Fleas are the most common parasite affecting dogs. They are almost impossible to see. Fleas love warm humid conditions and are attracted to pets by their body heat.
Once your pet has been infected, fleas can spread anywhere your dog goes, including your home!
Contine reading about fleas and how to protect your puppy or dog
Once your pet has been infected, fleas can spread anywhere your dog goes, including your home!
Contine reading about fleas and how to protect your puppy or dog
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Maggie the Musician
by B. A. Brown
Katie is sprawled across the bed; I am at the computer. Maggie is quiet
somewhere.
I hear toenail clicks. Adagio. They pass from the living room into the
spare bedroom and back. Silence
Again, toenail clicks. Moderato. From living room to spare room and
back. Silence
Silence is brief. Toe nail clicks, allegro. Living room, spare room and
back.
OK. Now I am getting interested. I get up, yawn, stretch, go look.
Maggie is standing in the living room. Just standing there. I make a
move toward the back door, thinking that perhaps she needs to go out.
She is disinterested
I stand at the doorway from kitchen to living room.
I watch Maggie trot into the spare room, presto. She returns, also presto.
She stands in the living room.
A moment later, she trots into the spare room, prestissimo.
Continue reading Maggie the Musician
Katie is sprawled across the bed; I am at the computer. Maggie is quiet
somewhere.
I hear toenail clicks. Adagio. They pass from the living room into the
spare bedroom and back. Silence
Again, toenail clicks. Moderato. From living room to spare room and
back. Silence
Silence is brief. Toe nail clicks, allegro. Living room, spare room and
back.
OK. Now I am getting interested. I get up, yawn, stretch, go look.
Maggie is standing in the living room. Just standing there. I make a
move toward the back door, thinking that perhaps she needs to go out.
She is disinterested
I stand at the doorway from kitchen to living room.
I watch Maggie trot into the spare room, presto. She returns, also presto.
She stands in the living room.
A moment later, she trots into the spare room, prestissimo.
Continue reading Maggie the Musician
Friday, August 10, 2007
Firehouse Dog
Insidetoronto.com readers are invited to win one of two copies of Firehouse Dog.
The movie is about Rex, Hollywood's hottest canine action hero, who finds himself lost and alone in an unfamiliar city after an aerial movie stunt goes wrong.
To enter the Firehouse Dog contest, people must send in their names,complete addresses, daytime telephone numbers and the answer to this skill-testing question: Who plays the rebellious 12-year-old? via e-mail to contests@insidetoronto.com by 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 19.
Winners, who must live in one of the communities in which Toronto Community News distributes, will be chosen by a random draw by a TCN representative after 8:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 20
The movie is about Rex, Hollywood's hottest canine action hero, who finds himself lost and alone in an unfamiliar city after an aerial movie stunt goes wrong.
To enter the Firehouse Dog contest, people must send in their names,complete addresses, daytime telephone numbers and the answer to this skill-testing question: Who plays the rebellious 12-year-old? via e-mail to contests@insidetoronto.com by 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 19.
Winners, who must live in one of the communities in which Toronto Community News distributes, will be chosen by a random draw by a TCN representative after 8:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 20
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Tails of Maggie and Katie: I really gotta get a life
by B. A. Brown
I was chuckling merrily over my own little cleverness.I then realized that I was talking to Katie, making a joke.
And obviously expected her to understand and join in the mirth.
I was opening a new bag of kibble. 40 pounds, Costco's best Lamb & Ricemeal. I used a scissors because those damned easy-open string thingsnever work for me.
Katie kept sticking her snout in where I was about to cut.I remonstrated: "Get your face outta there! You're going to get cut andthen you'll have a damned bloody nose."
I started giggling at the picture that evoked.
"You'll have to lie supine on the couch, ice bag behind your neck, andwith your paws holding a bunch of kleenex to your nose."
And that started me laughing rather than giggling."
... continue reading "Tails of Maggie and Katie: I really gotta get a life"
I was chuckling merrily over my own little cleverness.I then realized that I was talking to Katie, making a joke.
And obviously expected her to understand and join in the mirth.
I was opening a new bag of kibble. 40 pounds, Costco's best Lamb & Ricemeal. I used a scissors because those damned easy-open string thingsnever work for me.
Katie kept sticking her snout in where I was about to cut.I remonstrated: "Get your face outta there! You're going to get cut andthen you'll have a damned bloody nose."
I started giggling at the picture that evoked.
"You'll have to lie supine on the couch, ice bag behind your neck, andwith your paws holding a bunch of kleenex to your nose."
And that started me laughing rather than giggling."
... continue reading "Tails of Maggie and Katie: I really gotta get a life"
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Tails of Maggie & Katie: Maggie is on a Diet
by B. A. Brown published with permission on DogDoogle
Maggie is on a diet. A strict one. Has been for two months.
She has not lost an ounce.
Katie weighs 122 pounds, Maggie weighs 94 and should be 80 pounds. Vet says Katie is lovely. Big and lovely and sleek. No diet required.
Yes, they are sisters. Both black with tan points. And the similarity ends there. Different coats, different body structures ( For horse people, Katie is a Trakehner, Maggie is a Quarterhorse). And Maggie now has hip problems which are exacerbated by excess weight.
Katie being the larger gets more dinner. Lots more.
Katie gets two large biscuits in the morning. Maggie gets two "small dog" biscuits. If I could find "toy dog" biscuits she would get those instead.
No plates to lick, no pots to clean, no hand-feeding. (It has been a very difficult few weeks for Mom!)
.... continue reading Maggie is on a Diet
Maggie is on a diet. A strict one. Has been for two months.
She has not lost an ounce.
Katie weighs 122 pounds, Maggie weighs 94 and should be 80 pounds. Vet says Katie is lovely. Big and lovely and sleek. No diet required.
Yes, they are sisters. Both black with tan points. And the similarity ends there. Different coats, different body structures ( For horse people, Katie is a Trakehner, Maggie is a Quarterhorse). And Maggie now has hip problems which are exacerbated by excess weight.
Katie being the larger gets more dinner. Lots more.
Katie gets two large biscuits in the morning. Maggie gets two "small dog" biscuits. If I could find "toy dog" biscuits she would get those instead.
No plates to lick, no pots to clean, no hand-feeding. (It has been a very difficult few weeks for Mom!)
.... continue reading Maggie is on a Diet
McGruff the Crime Dog
National Night Out is on August 7, 2007
McGruff the Crime Dog, icon of the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC), appears at more than 300 National Night Out events this month.
Visit McGruff's Blog!
McGruff the Crime Dog, icon of the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC), appears at more than 300 National Night Out events this month.
Visit McGruff's Blog!
Monday, August 6, 2007
The Tail of Maggie & Katie
Author: B.A. Brown, published on DogDoogle with permission
Introducing Maggie & Katie.......
Maggie :
7 years old, born in New York of mixed working class parentage; lives with her sister Katie and her human mom on the West Coast. A tad overweight at 92 pounds (not her fault, she has to eat what is put before her); uneducated - missed school due to family moves; older than Katie by several moments and, as the elder sister has many responsibilities. Very attractive, black with brown points and a unique ear placement. Single. Hobbies: napping, snacking, grooming Katie, collecting French Impressionists.
(That last one is a lie, but her Studio Publicist said she had to include something cultural).
Katie:
7 years old, born in New York of working class parents. Self-educated,has read the Harvard Five Foot Shelf Classics. Single. Lives on the West Coast with her sister Maggie and her Human. Hobbies: Napping, snacking, bird-watching, moth hunting. Very attractive. Has a sweet tooth. Black with tan points, svelte, naturally standy-up ears.
Tomorrow I'll tell you about Katie's diet and share some great tips with you!
Introducing Maggie & Katie.......
Maggie :
7 years old, born in New York of mixed working class parentage; lives with her sister Katie and her human mom on the West Coast. A tad overweight at 92 pounds (not her fault, she has to eat what is put before her); uneducated - missed school due to family moves; older than Katie by several moments and, as the elder sister has many responsibilities. Very attractive, black with brown points and a unique ear placement. Single. Hobbies: napping, snacking, grooming Katie, collecting French Impressionists.
(That last one is a lie, but her Studio Publicist said she had to include something cultural).
Katie:
7 years old, born in New York of working class parents. Self-educated,has read the Harvard Five Foot Shelf Classics. Single. Lives on the West Coast with her sister Maggie and her Human. Hobbies: Napping, snacking, bird-watching, moth hunting. Very attractive. Has a sweet tooth. Black with tan points, svelte, naturally standy-up ears.
Tomorrow I'll tell you about Katie's diet and share some great tips with you!
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Signs of Separation Anxiety in Dogs
Dogs with the disorder separation anxiety exhibit panic and anxious behaviour when separated from their owner(s). They may engage in destructive behaviours such as chewing and digging, soiling, excessiv barking, salivating, panting, drooling and pacing. Dogs suffering from separation anxiety may also suffer confinement anxiety so be cautious in the use of crates.
Read more on separation anxiety and tips for dealing with it in your dog
Read more on separation anxiety and tips for dealing with it in your dog
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Ride 'n Walk Car Harness & Barley
I just bought the Ride 'n Walk Car & Walking Harness for my Australian Shepherd. I was pretty excited about getting it, as Barley is 5 years old and was rescued from a shelter just a few months ago.
She doesn't sit still in the car, anxiously pacing and jumping from seat to seat while we're driving. So I thought the Car Harness would be the perfect solution.
Sadly it isn't. Yes it restrains her. Does it keep her safe? No.
The first time we used it she managed to twist her legs and body so much that her front leg got caught in the car seat strap. Then when we rounded a corner she lost her balance. If my husband had not stopped the car quickly, she might have broken her leg.
I haven't figured out if we are harnessing her incorrectly or if it simply can't cope with such an active dog as Barley!
She doesn't sit still in the car, anxiously pacing and jumping from seat to seat while we're driving. So I thought the Car Harness would be the perfect solution.
Sadly it isn't. Yes it restrains her. Does it keep her safe? No.
The first time we used it she managed to twist her legs and body so much that her front leg got caught in the car seat strap. Then when we rounded a corner she lost her balance. If my husband had not stopped the car quickly, she might have broken her leg.
I haven't figured out if we are harnessing her incorrectly or if it simply can't cope with such an active dog as Barley!
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