Today's question-you ain't gonna believe this one
Photo Randy Tepper (lifted off the showtime site-used without permission)
Hi Nancy-
Last night I was watching "Weeds" on Showtime and Kevin Nealon's character brought home a stray dog that bit off a man's toes after the juice from a burger fell on his bare feet. The dog, affectionately named "Sweater", latched on and wouldn't let go. The characters started yelling that someone needed to put their finger up the dogs butt to get him to release. One of the characters did this and the dog let go.
Is that true?
Signed,
Say It Ain't Ao
Dear Say it Ain't So,
Say what!
I watched the same episode last night. Funny show!
When dogs bite or fight, anything that interrupts their behavior could potentially stop the unwanted aggression. BUTT (pun most defiantly intended), sticking your finger in a dog's rear while they are aggressing could transfer aggression onto you and your face would be right there in the dog's sight line, so no, DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME.
The show is hilarious, but it is meant for entertainment purposes. Getting dog training tips from a comedy about growing marijuana in the suburbs would be like watching Seinfeld to learn how to raise a child.
Try throwing a blanket over a dog fight or biter, it interupts and disorients.
Paws in the Park and dog show at Riverton School
Charlee gives safety hints to the kids...did you guess never touch a dog that is sleeping?
Paws in the Park, the Animal Refuge League's annual fund raiser and dog walk at Deering Oaks Park, is this Sunday and it is not too late register.
Look for Charlee and I on the stage before the start of the walk at 10:15 doing our brief Safe Kids/Safe Dogs Demonstration. This is a fun interactive program aimed at helping children learn how to be safe around dogs. Charlee I are available to visit schools and qualifying groups at no charge for this very important service.
Saturday and Sunday stop by Riverton School in Portland to watch AKC sanctioned Obedience and Rally trials.
The Answer to the body posture quiz
Last week I posted a picture of dogs at play and asked you all to read their body language.
Here is another shot taken just seconds after the first photo. In this photo, tensions have lessoned a bit, but Charlee is still "putting on the heat" as my pup's breeder likes to say.
I had my kids look at the pictures and tell me what the dogs were saying and my son put it best, when he exclaimed "Charlee is 5.0" (that is street talk for cop).
The two young dogs were getting rowdy, and the Play Police (Charlee) came by to remind them to use a little self control.
The darker dog, Emmet, was not sure at first if he wanted to listen to the old gal, but he did indeed back down and chill out. Finney just waited the whole thing over so he could play again. What is interesting to note, is that Charlee did it all by body language and attitude. I chose these pictures because I thought she was extremely clear in what she was telling the young dogs. She told the young boys "you live in my house, play by my rules".
Notice that she "split" them. Splitting is a doggie diffuser.
My kids were playing on the swing set nearby, and that could have led to her increased need for stricter rules of play.
For all of you who left comments-Thanks! You were all basically right. For those of you who had no idea what the dogs were saying, you need to get out more and observe dogs playing. Watching the Turid Rugass video CALMING SIGNALS: WHAT YOUR DOG TELLS YOU on Dvd might not be a bad idea. Click here to order and/or view a brief clip.
Word
My training clients have come up with some truly choice tidbits these last few weeks that I think are worth sharing.
Enjoy!
On paying the cost of private sessions
We will find the money somehow, I need to do whatever it takes to keep my kid's dog. Besides, I rather pay you a few hundred dollars now, than pay his therapy bill in a few years, all because I got rid of his dog.
A divorce attorney costs a hell of a lot more than you and that is next person I am calling if we don't get this dog some training.
Can I pay you in advance? I have to pay you from our home equity line and there is minimum check amount. (really!)
Actual phone message
We need help, my dog is out of control! We thought we knew what we were doing, but apparently not!
In class
But my dog is distracted by distractions.
And then there is always one unusual training problem that comes up every now and then. This one made my day...
How do I get my dog to stop pulling my kid's pants down?
Akc getting in bed with Pet Stores?
This is sickening!
And from our freinds at Dogster- a Scathing article complete with links of who to complain to.
Pop-quiz- Can you read the body langage of these three dogs?
Dog people and trainer types like myself LOVE to watch dogs play and interact, and try to interpret what they are saying to each other with their canine body language. This weekend I am getting a large dose of this in the privacy of my own home after I finally finished fencing the front part of my yard. It is only a temporary solution and needs much fortifying, but it will suffice for times when I am out there with them.
The fence came not a moment to soon, as I am watching my friends two Collies for the weekend while they attend the Fly-In at Moosehead Lake.
All four dogs have been running and playing pretty much non stop, and I captured this shot of my dog Charlee on the left, and new pup Finney on the right, and in the middle is Emmett, Finn's littermate. Both the collies are just about 7 months old and Charlee turned 7 years old this summer.
Can you read what all three are saying?
I look forward to reading your comments in the comment section.
Best Time wasting surf site in a while-dog tricks
cute site-See how many tricks you can get the Yorkie to perform.
Don't forget to ask for a kiss.
Health warning-Gorilla Glue-(who knew!)
This afternoon I was shopping at Loews for fence material (more on the fence soon), and I bought Gorilla Glue to try to fix the crack in my xtra large plastic crate. Replacing the crate would be very expensive, and my impulse purchase of Gorilla Glue is worth a shot. My Dad says you can fix anything with the stuff.
I happened to mention Gorilla Glue in training class tonight, and was informed of a dog who swallowed glue and nearly died. Apparently when Gorilla Glue comes in contact with liquid it expands and the poor dog had glue the size of a basketball in his belly.
First thing tomorrow I am going to try to fix the crate, and then throw the stuff away before I end up in the ER with the kids or the dogs, or with my luck, both.
You can fetch the whole story here.
Meet Max, awesome puppy of the month
For the most part anyone who brings a puppy to a good positive trainer is off to a great start. Owners who seek outside help have invested not only money, but the pledge of their time to teach the puppies how to live in our world.
I have had dogs all my life and never took a dog to class until about 10 years ago and it was eye opening. Sometimes, as my pups breeder recently reminded me, we are just too close to the situation and need an educated eye to guide us. My own new addition will be attending classes starting next week.
Meet Max, a 16 week old Golden Retriever.
Max lives with a retired couple who have always had a wonderful dog to share their lives with. I have just completed four private sessions in their home to get Max started on the right paw and he is coming to group classes in just a few weeks. Why? It is important to them that Max be a part of their everyday life and be a part of the family. He goes everywhere with them, and they have young grandchildren. Both the husband and wife are power walkers and they want a well behaved walking buddy who will not pull them over.
The majority of privates I teach are with dogs who have serious behavior issues and it is a joy a work with a puppy of good breeding and sound temperament, and great owners.
What is that saying again...oh yea...life is good.
Where's Charlee # 10 (Cuz-these scallop and lobster rolls are for you)
Where's Charlee # 10 is dedicated to my cousin in Florida who misses good Maine seafood.
As always the first person to post a comment in the comment section wins a MaineToday.com Frisbee.
Today Where's Charlee photos were taken when I met my parents for lunch to pick up my middle daughter who had been visiting them all week.
Good food, good company, and good dogs!
We were not the only folks with dogs having lunch (mmm by the way!) and I took this picture of two labs I met, Roan and Luna.
The little girl was just walking by, but she sure is cute.
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