Blog | Page 19 of 49 | Canines In Action, Inc.

Bitework doesn’t reduce bite inhibition — how annoying!

Have you ever tried to train against a taboo?

There are some who oppose all forms of trained protection sport and protection work, citing variously that the training is inherently abusive (it’s not), or that the dogs dislike it (obviously untrue!). Occasionally a protester will suggest that biting a person in a sleeve or suit must of course reduce a dog’s bite inhibition, making it more likely that the dog will mouth or bite a person not in protective gear.

I’ve argued logically against this before, but now I have empirical proof — I can’t even pay my dogs to bite!

Laura on ground laughing as Laev rolls on back

Laev Throws Me a Bone

I was sorely tempted to skip Schutzhund practice tonight, after my last post, but I went. And it was a good thing I did.

(Long post, so here’s the summary — 300 Peck rocks, Laev nearly breaks my neck, and I am happy about it all.)

Have You Seen My Blog?

This is a Laev-specific blog, for the most part; I occasionally post other topics here but I try to limit such. I have a newish blog at http://blog.caninesinaction.com where we publish general training tips, soapboxes,…

Laev Throws Me a Bone

I was sorely tempted to skip Schutzhund practice tonight, after my last post, but I went. And it was a good thing I did. (Long post, so here’s the summary — 300 Peck rocks, Laev…

Preparing Your Dog for Veterinary Visits

I learned a few days ago that Spica, my lovable-but-not-too-bright younger Doberman, has damaged her ACL. This isn’t really a surprise; Spica is a career runner who chases squirrels up and down the fenceline and spins in circles barking at them for about six hours each day, so her legs are under constant strain. In addition to the dog’s confinement and treatment (and her owner’s possible loss of sanity, living with a dog who isn’t allowed to run for six weeks!), this injury means that we’re likely to be seeing more of our veterinarian than usual.

Disappointment, and Reevaluating the Dream

It’s been coming on gradually, but this weekend I finally said it aloud — I’m not sure I’m ever going to title Laev in Schutzhund.

This is really rough for me. I bought Laev (the first dog I’ve ever purchased, as opposed to adopted from a shelter or rescue group or off the street) specifically for her genetics, developed specifically for this sport. We started sport-training at 8 weeks old and have never stopped, except for the occasional time off for a minor injury or such. I’ve worked hard on this, sacrificed other activities to make training time, etc.

But we’re just not beating this gunfire thing, and without that, nothing else matters.

Disappointment, and Reevaluating the Dream

It’s been coming on gradually, but this weekend I finally said it aloud — I’m not sure I’m ever going to title Laev in Schutzhund. This is really rough for me. I bought Laev (the…

For want of a nail, the shoe was lost…. Foundation Behaviors.

So, a few years ago a man hurried through a simple, routine task which no one would ever see, and last week a backhoe came through the living room window. Cause and effect.

Nosework, or, Why Isn’t There More Time In My Week?

A year ago, I heard from Steve White of a new sport which could title dogs for identifying odors in scent boxes — very basic detection work. It sounded too good to be true.

Then this week, Laurie Luck posted about her trip to a seminar on that same sport. Now I am getting seriously jealous.

Shaping Games for a Rainy (or Cold, or Hot) Day

My breed of choice, as most people know, is the Doberman. Like most working breeds, Dobermans are high-energy dogs who like having a job to perform, and bore easily if left with nothing to do.