In case none of you have seen this, here is a link to Heidi playing piano and singing. It’s a quick, unedited video but I think you’ll enjoy it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtP0Hu0IX7g
Heidi is onstage once again at the Omaha Community Playhouse in the production of “Cheaper by the Dozen”. The show started January 22 and runs through February 14. She is having a blast as she always does, and thinks you should all come and check her out!
As many of you know, I have been busy with the Omaha Community Playhouse rehearsing for the upcoming production of “Gypsy”. Ferris, my 7 year old Papillon, and Pogo, my 1 year old Blue Crowned Conure both have parts in the play and are doing a terrific job. To say that I am proud of them both is an understatement, as they have both been so very well behaved throughout the long rehearsals they have participated in. The best part is that they both seem to enjoy it, as they are receiving non-stop attention from several cast members and it has been an overall pleasant experience for them both. Pogo even gets to keep his normal bedtime since he is taken back and forth to the show in his sleeping cage. Once 9:15 rolls around, he climbs into his bed and sleeps all the way home.
The people at the Omaha Community Playhouse are always so much fun to work with, they we thoroughly enjoy every opportunity we get to spend with them. The production kicks off Friday May 29 and runs through June 28th. For more information, please check out the the Omaha Community Playhouse’s website.
We don’t think much of white man’s elections. Whoever wins, we Indians always lose. Well, we have a little story about elections…
Once a long time ago, the dogs were trying to elect a president. So one of them got up in the dog convention and said: “I nominate the bulldog for president. He’s strong. He can fight.”
“But he can’t run,” said another dog. “What good is a fighter who can’t run?
But the other dogs cried: “Naw, he can run all right, but he can’t fight. When he catches up with somebody, what happens then? He gets the hell beaten out of him, that’s what! So all he’s good for is running away.”
Then an ugly little mutt jumped up and said: “I nominate that dog for president who smells good underneath his tail.”
And immediatley an equally ugly mutt jumped up and said: “I second the motion.”
At once all the dogs started sniffing underneath each other’s tails. A big chorus went up:
“Phew, he doesn’t smell good under his tail.”
“No, neither does this one.”
“He’s no presidential timber!”
“No, he no good, either.”
“This one sure isn’t the people’s choice.”
“Wow, this ain’t my candidate!”
When you go for a walk, just watch the dogs. They’re still sniffing underneath each other’s tails. They’re looking for a good leader, and they still haven’t found him.
–Told by Lame Deer of the Sioux,
Rosebud Indian Reservation, South Dakota, 1969.
Recorded by Richard Erdoes
According to the results of a recent study in the Department of Psychology at the University of Michigan, when puppies play, the males allow the females to dominate and win.
Four different breeds of pups from the ages of three to 40 weeks were observed with pups of the same sex, as well as pups of the opposite sex. What Dr. Ward and her colleagues found was that when the male puppies were engaged in play with the females, they would often use vulnerable positions in order to allow the female to dominate and keep the play going as long as possible. It is believed that this leads to easier mating of dogs later in life.
The study also revealed that although females will engage play with other female puppies that this was not as popular among the male pups. Female to female aggression is often more intense than aggression towards male dogs, so the study leads us to believe that play among female puppies is a way they practice appeasement behaviors. This is yet another argument in favor of not removing a pup from a litter prior to eight weeks of age, and continuing socialization with other dogs and puppies throughout a dog’s lifetime.
Good job to Dr. Ward and her colleagues at the University of Michigan.
In working with dogs, a question that frequently comes up is “what is the difference between a dog trainer and a behaviorist”? Working as both a dog trainer and a behaviorist, when I am contacted by a dog owner I first need to take a look at what the dog owner is hoping to accomplish with their dog(s). Oftentimes, the training will fall into a management and obedience category. However, once in awhile I will see a dog who is really having a problem adjusting to life in the human world. That is where I put on my behaviorist hat and really put my in-depth knowledge of dogs and their behaviors to work.
First, let’s take a look at what a dog trainer is. A dog trainer is typically an obedience instructor that you will find at the head of your basic dog training classes. Dog trainers work with manageable behaviors such as: pulling on the leash, coming when called, sitting, laying down, basic housetraining, jumping on people, etc. Most of these problems can be solved with obedience training. Basic obedience training will open a line of communication between canine and human, thus helping you build a deeper relationship between the two of you. Credentials should always be looked at before working with a dog trainer, and the trainer should have had years of hands-on training of the basic commands. Unfortunately, there are several “schools” out there that do not include hands-on instruction, or very limited hands-on instruction when handing out their “certifications”. Dog training is not regulated, and although there are many wonderful organizations out there, it is always best to look at the amount of experience a dog trainer has had before handing over your hard earned money.
Now let’s take a look at what a dog behaviorist is. A behaviorist steps in where basic obedience training fails to solve a behavior issue. Typically, a trainer is looking to make a behavior happen whereas the behaviorist will be attempting to make a certain behavior go away. You would call a behaviorist if your dog is having any aggression problems, anxiety issues, fear related behaviors, or any other behavior you may consider “abnormal”. It takes years of in-depth knowledge and training to even consider being called a behaviorist. Unfortunately again, this is unregulated and there are many people out there who will be more than willing to take your money and “fix” your dog. As a dog owner, you should also be aware that most obedience instructors do not have the in depth training of a behaviorist and could actually do further damage to your dog’s abnormal behavior by trying to solve it themselves.
If you are having problems with your dog, and you feel that you need professional help then by all means seek it out! By searching for credentials and experience, you are sure to find a great trainer or behaviorist. And remember to give that dog a chance before giving up on him!
Copyright 2008. Sandi Hansen. Sandi’s K9 Management. All Rights Reserved.
In working with dogs and their owners, I am always surprised to find out that people don’t know how to build a bond between themselves and their dog. Sadly, many dogs are turned into shelters simply because their owners didn’t understand how to go about living peacefully with them. Here is a list of simple and easy ways to establish that never-ending friendship between the two of you:
Spay or neuter. This really should go without saying, but if you are not in the show-ring with your dog, then do him a favor by taking care of any unnecessary urges he will encounter while intact. A dog that is fixed lives a longer and healthier life, is less likely to wander away from home, and is all-around a calmer and more relaxed dog.
Identify. Microchipping is one of the greatest things you can do for a dog. If your dog is found, any vet or shelter will be able to use a scanner to get a number that is traced back to you! About $50, this is so worth the money. In addition, it is also an excellent idea to keep your phone number and address on a tag on your dog’s collar. I usually put my cell phone on the number because I figure if the dog is missing, then I am out looking for him and not at home sitting by the telephone!
Communication. Learning to read your dog helps in establishing an excellent line of communication between the two of you. Turid Rugaas has done some excellent work with what she refers to as “calming signals”. I will include a link to her work at the end of this article. Interpreting your dog’s body language helps you to learn to adjust your own body language in order to effectively “speak” to your dog.
Management. Proper management is staying one step ahead of your dog. Setting him up to succeed, and not giving him the chance to practice bad behaviors are what it is all about. Proper management includes: use of a crate, fenced in yard, properly fitted collar, supervision, etc.
Training Fun. Did you know that teaching your dog can and should be a fun thing to do? So many people don’t know how to make training fun! Keeping it fun keeps the dog working for you and with you, and helps to strengthen that tie between the two of you. Train with an upbeat attitude, with plenty of praise and rewards. Mix training with a game of fetch or a tug with his favorite tug toy!
Schedule. Keeping to a set schedule helps a dog feel secure, knowing when he can expect that next meal or a trip outside. Although it isn’t possible for any of us to keep the same set schedule 100% of the time, try to keep a set schedule for most days.
Socialize. Dogs are social creatures. They are pack animals. They like to be with their own. Providing your dog with other canine friends at a dog park, playgroup, or dog daycare is one of the best gifts you can give to him!
Exercise. Exercise helps to relieve pent up energy and also helps to avoid boredom behaviors such as excessive barking or digging! Not only will it contribute to his healthy lifestyle, it is a great way for the two of you to spend quality time together. Not a jogger? Take a nice fast-paced stroll through the neighborhood, or teach him how to play a great game of Frisbee!
Hopefully these tips will get you on your way to a lifelong companionship between the two of you!
Heidi asked me to get on here and let you all know about her favorite treats called Zuke’s Mini Naturals. She takes them on every job she gets, and I usually keep them in my training bag. After working with dogs throughout my entire life, I can tell you that these treats are by far the easiest and most palatable of any I have encountered so far. Their small size makes them a quick bite for a learning situation while their healthy ingredients and lack of unwanted fats and preservatives makes them a healthy alternative to most treats on the market today. Not to mention, they are made right here in the USA! They can be kind of hard to locate, so I have listed some on Ebay so you can try them out (or rather, your dog can try them out!). Unfortunately, I don’t have many to sell … BUT my prices are very competitive. Take a look…
Finding the best dog trainer for you and your dog can be as challenging as training the dog himself. These tips will help to ease the frustration of finding the right trainer:
1. Get a referral from a friend who has taken a class or worked in private training sessions with the trainer. Get a referral from a veterinarian. Ask for references from past clients.
2. Don’t assume that just because a trainer belongs to an organization or graduated from a dog training college that they can help you with your dog. There are unfortunately, several organizations and training schools out there that are not up to date on the newest methods of training. Find a trainer who uses a positive approach and keeps up to date on current training techniques. Ask how many different breeds the trainer has experience living with and working with. Steer clear of those who have only ever lived with one or two different breeds.
3. Look for treats and toys being used as rewards during the training. Avoid trainers who refuse to use food as a training reward. Food is a powerful positive training tool that works with most dogs. It also makes training and learning fun. With that said, make sure that the trainer shows you how to get away from using food rewards once the dog has learned a new command.
4. Beware of the trainer who offers a guarantee. That is a red flag that the trainer doesn’t understand the complexities of a dog’s behavior and individual needs. Each individual dog has a different learning style and a different rate of learning. Look instead for a trainer who is willing to work a little bit extra with you if you or your dog are not quite getting the hang of things. Don’t work with a trainer who you are afraid to ask for extra help from.
5. Stay away from trainers who insist you use a choke chain or prong collar or a head collar. There are still many “positive trainers” out there who believe that a head collar is a positive training tool, when in fact it is no less cruel than the chains or prongs/pinches. Shock collars should be avoided at all costs. Most trainers out there unfortunately do not understand how to properly use a training tool. Sadly, they then show you how to use the tool but not how to transition to not using it. Hence, you are stuck using an inhumane device on your dog for his lifetime, leaving both of you uncomfortable.
There are great trainers out there… you just need to know how to find them and what to look for!
All rights reserved. Sandi’s K9 Management. Sandi Hansen. 2008
Sandi's K9 Management 