There’s a fabulous cartoon series on how to get a cat to swallow a pill, in which the feckless humans tried to plead with the cat, ratchet the defiant jaws open, disguise the pill in delicious food, etc., all without success.* I have to give the dogs pills occasionally, and… Continue reading
I have a confession to make. Brace yourselves. I am a professional trainer, and my dogs aren’t perfect. Continue reading
Part 1 covered Inky’s uncertain backstory and roller coaster of health issues. Today, we’ll talk about how we’ve trained through blindness, and what we’ve learned about obedience, perception, trust, and control. Continue reading
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… Continue reading
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.) Continue reading
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… Continue reading
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. … Continue reading