Back to School

It's been far too long since I've posted and summer has sadly vanished leaving fall in it's place. I learned on the news recently that it's not really fall, it's more like cut off -- there's apparently some biochemical reaction in each and every leaf on each and every tree that dispenses its colorful leaves upon the ground that literally cuts the leaf off and sends it on its way.

I have sent on their way my 3 daughters off to school. One, a 2nd grader, brought home a poem that I thought worthy of posting. It's called THE DOG ATE MY HOMEWORK by Sara Holbrook.

The Dog Ate My Homework

The dog ate my homework
You're heard that before?
This one at the table,
then chewed through the door.

Broke into the living room
with his munch mouth,
snacked on some carpet
lunched on the couch.

He chewed up some albums,
then swallowed the mail,
even ate pretzels,
though they were stale.

He garbaged down everything
left in his path
and still wasn't full
when he found my math.

He chewed tops off bottles,
then drank all the pop,
as far as I know,
he still hasn't stopped.

If you don't believe me,
then give Mom a call,
if she still has a kitchen,
or phone on the wall.

She'll answer and tell you
my story is true.
The dog ate my homework.
What could I do?


Now I was suitably impressed that my 7 1/2 year old could read the poem and with feeling and proper inflection but being the behaviorist and nag I am we then had to have a chat about how poorly managed and anxious this poor dog was, homework or no! We also had to define what albums were and discuss the history of phones that aren't cordless, but that's beside the point.

I certainly am seeing an influx of anxious and poorly managed dogs lately. Perhaps it's the changing of the seasons exacerbating things or the change from a more lax summer schedule to fall without actually helping the dog understand. But before winter hits with even more restriction it's a good idea to figure out some things the dog can do with pride than wait for the dog to do things that are less than acceptable! We'll have to come up with some ideas in a future blog entry. Here's one you can try now.

Garden Redux • Measuring Change

Exactly two months have passed since the garden was planted and things are certainly blooming under hot, sunny, and watery conditions. The corn is as high as an elephant's eye and the teepee is producing zucchini, beans, peas and shade. The squash, peppers, corn,tomatoes and other stuff are coming soon.

I always have trouble remembering that if you plant something it grows. I do know the plant needs water and sunshine. I know because I have often had what I affectionately referred to as "the curse of the black thumb". Fortunately I know how to care for dogs.

Speaking of dogs, and our society's "want it now" attitude, I use my own burgeoning knowledge that yes, plants do grow (as evidenced by pictures taken over time) and apply it to measuring change in my dogs' or client's dogs' ability to learn, over time and with practice, improved behaviors.

If you create a goal, figure out the way to achieve the steps towards that goal, and factor in the time element, you can come up with new things to teach your dog for fun (i.e.,dancing) and function (i.e.,coming when called).

Family Reunions

Extended family get togethers are often fraught with highs and lows and can revolve around events (weddings, funerals, graduations, anniversaries) or just time to visit the hometown for the far flung. When out of towners bring their dogs in tow it's always hoped there is a welcome place for the canines to visit too. Prepare your dog for visiting or being visited upon by socializing your dog as often as possible. You might notice your dog is more protective of its home turf, even if only for a few moments, than it might be when going somewhere else. Reinforce what you like with praise, treats, belly rubs and other positives, and manage where it seems to be needed. There's nothing like an unwelcome growl to put a damper on an ol' family reunion. And just like hooking up with adult siblings or cousins, don't assume from one visit or opportunity that might not have gone smoothly, that it's necessarily destiny to be repeated.

Excess Dog Hair Options

Many people desire non shedding or short coated dogs to minimize the trauma of grooming or vacuuming. I have short coated dogs and one dog that requires some grooming. One of my dogs is black with white, one white with black and the other liver and white. I sweep my floors quite regularly (it's very therapeutic) and the color of the hair swept up is always gray. I haven't figured that out yet. But I just had to share an alternative use for all that excess dog hair and some creative uses for the end result.

Enjoy!

Dogs Days of Summer

Although at least in my neck of the woods it's been unseasonably cool and wet, we are now, by the calendar at least, fully immersed in summer. In fact, there are 79 days until autumn! Fireworks are behind us, and although we can't control for those pesky thunderstorms, we can start thinking of those lazy summer nights, watching for fireflies, sipping lemonade and bantering with neighbors who suddenly seem to be out in force! And of course, just chillin'!

There are more active fun things to do with your dog, too. Daytime activities could include:

Is it Thunder or Is It Practice Fireworks? Does it Matter?

It's that time of year again. Celebration of this country's independence with bbq's, picnics, reunions, parades and yes, fireworks. Not to mention, well, I have already in previous posts, the plethora of thunderstorms and accompanying weather conditions in at least parts of this country in this still very young summer season.

Now there may be those for whom this time of year evokes warm fuzzy memories or not such great ones but the activity of living through another Independence Day Holiday may be:

Do I or don't I

go to the parade
go to the picnic
go see fireworks
remember to take along my umbrella
remember to take along my bug spray
Other ________

There are those dogs for whom this is no big deal and the biggest thought bubble is whether or not that errant hot dog or even hot dog bun might make it near my oral cavity.

But then there are those dogs for whom this holiday evokes terror, horror, anxiety, dread and massive discomfort. It is for those very dogs this entry exists.

And for those with those dogs I say:
Leave them home. If you can stay with them, and be calm, do so. If you need or want to go out, put them in a quiet place, draw curtains, keep space safe (if your dog is comforted by a crate, crate your dog.) Play soothing music or the tv -- perhaps Animal Planet, maybe Cartoon Network or C-Span. Whatever most comforts the dog.

And be safe, have fun and take stock in the freedom this holiday represents. And don't forget to give your dog a thanks for the interplay of dependence and independence (s)he gives you.

Art Takes Many Forms -- Here's one

I went to a lovely dinner party the other night and, as is often the case, the hosts were former clients of mine. Their two dogs, a most serene yellow lab named Boomer and an irrepressible bichon bolognese named Gracie, were delighted that in lieu of wine or salad I brought dog chews.

Gracie had settled in after arriving into their lives several months earlier and was fulfilling their desire to be a soft lap dog with the panache to work the dog door, eliminate in the right place, and help entertain Boomer.

She also had developed alter egos in the form of a paper mache creation and a soft purse that if you weren't looking carefully could be thought of as a real dog! But the real pleasure other than great food and company is seeing how an awkward unmannered dog can integrate into a home and not only be a delightful companion for her people, but to be a charming hostess as well for company coming into the home.