Ann King comment-79069 2013-01-31T17:35:57Z 2013-01-31T17:35:57Z Thanks Blake! So true about having to balance ignoring with disagreeing ("corrections"). I like the idea of the sign being from the viewpoint of the dog. That's cute. Your set-up in NYC looks amazing. Cheers from the other coast! Ann King 2013-01-31T17:35:57Z RPH comment-79001 2013-01-30T05:59:36Z 2013-01-30T05:59:36Z For more of the author's articles, click the green "storyline" tab to the right of the text area. RPH 2013-01-30T05:59:36Z DreamComeTrueK9 comment-78979 2013-01-30T02:02:36Z 2013-01-30T02:02:36Z Great Read! I like the concept of the sign. I have also found that if you post a sign like this but write it as if it is being said by the dog him/herself, friends will be more eager to want to help. Saying that i am in training and you can help me by..... will go a long way. I do find that there needs to be a healthy balance for both ignoring and also disagreeing with..especially for the dogs really struggling. Often when the bad habit has been allowed by the human for so long, simply ignoring isn't enough as the dog will get even more intense and really begin to reveal it's anxiety.excitement struggles. Love the article. Do you have others out? -Blake Rodriguez http://www.dctk9.com/ https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dream-Come-True-K9Blake-Rodriguez/168524309848413?ref=ts&fref=ts https://www.youtube.com/user/dreamcometruek9 DreamComeTrueK9 2013-01-30T02:02:36Z Kathy0128 comment-75291 2012-10-30T18:33:39Z 2012-10-30T18:33:39Z I've used the "go on" command for years, who knew I was training!? Springers love to be as close as possible to you, 2 of my girls understand the "go on" command, the 2 year old not so much. However, I never thought about the eye contact, I do know my agility trainer tells me I give her too much eye contact. She mentioned that for Collette my eye contact is like winning the lottery. In class I do my best to watch myself, I will start in other areas. Thanks! Kathy0128 2012-10-30T18:33:39Z Ann King comment-69649 2012-06-17T16:42:12Z 2012-06-17T16:42:12Z Make sure you work with a trainer who addresses leadership and lifestyle, not just obedience training. In my 20 years of working with this breed and in the professional training community it's the #1 thing a lot of trainers miss. Ann King 2012-06-17T16:42:12Z tamara duarte comment-68990 2012-06-05T19:25:33Z 2012-06-05T19:25:33Z i l ove the Chako organization. i just rescued a 1 yr old female pit bull. i was in the same boat & was lucky enough to work w/ Laura Tijan w/ ALL Dog Behavior Training. literally had my Lucy behaving better in the 1st session. i thought she was great & didn't have this super guideline on how to choose. The people that i got Lucy from had already been working w/this gal. i'm just sharing that as an inexperienced pit owner i was quite impressed w/her & she raised my own comfort level w/ my dog quite a bit. Laura Tijan A.L.L Dog Training www.allbehaviors.com (916) 798-8222 Good luck & congratulations to you! tamara duarte 2012-06-05T19:25:33Z JAT comment-68954 2012-06-05T16:36:54Z 2012-06-05T16:36:54Z Kudos for adopting a pit, and for understanding the need for training. Definitely get involved with Chako too. JAT 2012-06-05T16:36:54Z pdperry comment-67606 2012-05-09T16:23:04Z 2012-05-09T16:23:04Z Blue Buffalo kibble, pureed carrots & spinach, and a dollop of low-fat plain yogurt twice a day with a sprinkle of wheat germ and a glucosamine pill with the morning bowl. Mix it up with some leftover chicken occasionally and you have a happy dog. And after you exercise him a while, he's healthy too... pdperry 2012-05-09T16:23:04Z HealthyGOO comment-67372 2012-05-04T15:14:29Z 2012-05-04T15:14:29Z While a Nutritious DIET is the Fuel for your Animal's Engine .. And FOOD Rotation is Always Suggested to Make FOOD Interesting for your Animal AND to reduce incidence of Food InTolerance.. When you look at the Data, you find ( Especially the Retriever Breeds) that 85% of our Paw Chewing, Hyper, Itchy, Skin & Ear DOGs are ALLERGIC to the Same Pollens, Dust Mites & Molds that > We Are. ALLERGY is a Mis-Wired Immune System that can ONLY be brought into Re-Alignment via Injection or Sublingual ImmunoTherapy. To address this Suffering Canine population and to give Pet Parents an ALLERGY Solution > DVM Dermatologist Dr. Kristin has Formulated Doggy GOO > Which Sublingually builds Immune Tolerance to 15 Enviro ALLERGY Trouble Makers. ALLERGY is a Progressive, Cumulative Chronic Inflammatory Disease > Which continues UnAbated > Until You Begin Sublingual Doggy GOO. HealthyGOO 2012-05-04T15:14:29Z Ann King comment-67371 2012-05-04T14:11:09Z 2012-05-04T14:11:09Z Super info! Thanks so much! Ann King 2012-05-04T14:11:09Z Ann King comment-67370 2012-05-04T14:09:48Z 2012-05-04T14:09:48Z Thank you for the tip. I am willing to try anything at this point. Not everyone has the sense of humor of a 10-year-old boy, and it ceases to be funny after awhile :) Ann King 2012-05-04T14:09:48Z Laura Good comment-67366 2012-05-04T00:21:38Z 2012-05-04T00:21:38Z I've been feeding my dogs a home prepared, mostly raw meat, mostly grain free diets for nearly 15 years. The proof is in the pudding as they say -- I have a 14 year old Lab who has very little arthritis and can still take an hour walk with me on hilly terrain. I am constantly asked if he "just had a bath" (no) because his coat is gorgeous. People can't believe he is 14 years old. The only health issues he's had over the years are related to his gregariousness -- a broken toe, a run-in with a barbed wire fence. He needed his first ever teeth cleaning at age 13. His breath is sweet, not doggy. I could go on FORVER about the benefits of a home prepared diet for my dogs. This whole thing about "my dog never eats people food, never gets table scraps" stuff drives me NUTS! Kibble is just of product of the last 100 years -- when food processing companies were trying to find out how to make money off of all the food waste! Please don't be afraid to investigate REAL FOOD diets for your pets (dogs or cats). There is some excellent information out there. I have three big dogs, ranging in weight from 50-90 lbs, and I believe this diet is cost effective. It's not much more than a premium corn-free, high quality protein source commercial pet food and any additional cost is offset by a longer, better quality life (less vet bills!) for your pet. For a great education, google "What's Really In Pet Food" for a report from Born Free (http://www.bornfreeusa.org/facts.php?more=1&p=359). My favorite book on the "how to" of raw feeding, once you've done your research and convinced yourself this is the way to go, is "Raw Dog Food: Make It Easy for You and Your Dog" by Carina Beth MacDonald -- only $10 on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Raw-Dog-Food-Make-Easy/dp/1929242093 Laura Good 2012-05-04T00:21:38Z ILuvMyDogs comment-67336 2012-05-03T18:13:19Z 2012-05-03T18:13:19Z I'd advise the writer to try a raw meat diet for your bulldog gas. Check out this website to get you started on learning about the benefits to dogs on a raw diet. I've over 60, but still willing to learn new things, and believe me, this was enlightening! My dogs now eat raw, and are doing very well. There are some "rules," so be sure and do your research before doing it (such as amounts of meat, bone and organ meat needed for dogs to be healthy). Contrary to popular believe, dogs are carnivores and were eating birds, fish and small animals for thousands of years before we came along with kibble.....Jane Anderson is an expert on the subject. http://www.rawlearning.com/ ILuvMyDogs 2012-05-03T18:13:19Z Baryo Dee comment-67330 2012-05-03T16:15:16Z 2012-05-03T16:15:16Z Great article! Very informative for dog lovers. Baryo Dee 2012-05-03T16:15:16Z Ann King comment-66931 2012-04-24T21:33:25Z 2012-04-24T21:33:25Z No tool in dog training is a must-have or an absolute. True--some people can't imagine using a crate. Their choice. No judgment. Didn't mean to imply anything about misuse, either. Apologies if my sentence was poorly written. Thanks for your comment. Ann King 2012-04-24T21:33:25Z Ann King comment-66930 2012-04-24T21:25:08Z 2012-04-24T21:25:08Z Thanks for your question. To clarify, I don't mean to imply that you should crate your dog 24/7. Clearly dogs need exercise, freedom, etc. I just meant the crate is a great tool for containing your dog when he can't be supervised IF you think your dog's safety or well-being could be compromised, such as in the case of destructive chewing behaviors (dangerous) or as a tool to help with separation anxiety (well being). Ann King 2012-04-24T21:25:08Z Tony Sheppard comment-66060 2012-04-05T08:12:16Z 2012-04-05T08:12:16Z "Dog owners who properly use the crate can’t imagine life without it." And, presumably, many who don't use a crate can't imagine doing so. The sentence is also loaded as it is written to imply that a circumstance in which it doesn't work is the fault of improper use rather than any other cause. Tony Sheppard 2012-04-05T08:12:16Z Dale Kooyman comment-66030 2012-04-04T20:35:22Z 2012-04-04T20:35:22Z As a former dog owner, are you talking about crating 24/7 past house training? Reads like it. Dogs may like a place to rest and sleep and they may crawl into a crate for those purposes but dogs like to run FREE, bound about for exercise, smell the world around them and take their job of guarding your house seriously. Some are not even crazy about being tied to a stake in the yard, which limits defense and mobility. Surely you're not advocating jailing your dog day after day after and night after night--inside and outside your house or apartment. Please clarify. Dale Kooyman 2012-04-04T20:35:22Z JAT comment-66007 2012-04-04T15:28:42Z 2012-04-04T15:28:42Z Many dogs do very well with crates. Our smallest dog (elderly) has a wire crate for night and when we're gone, as he has accidents in the house. He has a dish of water and a big cushy bed, and often chooses to go in there when we are at home. They key is to introduce it as a positive thing in their lives and not punishment. JAT 2012-04-04T15:28:42Z Craisp comment-65977 2012-04-04T04:27:12Z 2012-04-04T04:27:12Z I never used a crate with any of my previous dogs and after a long period of no dogs at home, I started my new puppy with a crate. She was housetrained in less than six weeks, she uses it for her naps, and it works wonderfully well. I use a wire crate and not the plastic travel crate which she much prefers. A blanket over the top keeps it nice and cozy. At bed time it's let's go night-night and she runs for bed. Crates are great. Craisp 2012-04-04T04:27:12Z Phillip Kampel comment-64990 2012-03-13T20:13:25Z 2012-03-13T20:13:25Z Great article. As someone who has worked with rescue groups, fostered and adopted several dogs, I think all this information is helpful. I encourage people to be as certain as possible that they are selecting a dog for a forever home, not just a temporary situation. Phillip Kampel 2012-03-13T20:13:25Z JAT comment-64955 2012-03-13T16:45:48Z 2012-03-13T16:45:48Z Excellent advice! JAT 2012-03-13T16:45:48Z Ann King comment-63202 2012-02-03T15:55:23Z 2012-02-03T15:55:23Z Wow...I've never even thought of that. Thanks for the advice! I'll pass it along to my DIY clients. Ann King 2012-02-03T15:55:23Z cometsmama comment-63086 2012-02-01T22:53:02Z 2012-02-01T22:53:02Z Another great option for a dog treadmill if you cannot find one at a thrift store or from a neighbor is to build one from plans. Do a search under dog treadmill plans or dog treadmill blueprints. cometsmama 2012-02-01T22:53:02Z Ann King comment-61941 2012-01-06T00:01:37Z 2012-01-06T00:01:37Z I so often see exactly what you're talking about. Owners of small dogs think that because their dog is OK with big dogs, it's all good. When I'm out with my dogs or client dogs and this happens (people bring smalls into the bigs) I usually put on the fall-on-my-sword face and say "Oh, you know what, I'm concerned that my big dog is going to accidentally hurt your little dog. He doesn't really have experience around little dogs which is why we stay here on the big dog side. I'd hate for anything to happen." Ann King 2012-01-06T00:01:37Z Ann King comment-61940 2012-01-05T23:55:42Z 2012-01-05T23:55:42Z I agree re: trying different parks. SO TRUE about different parks having different owner-driven cultures. Ann King 2012-01-05T23:55:42Z Coral Henning comment-61929 2012-01-05T19:33:07Z 2012-01-05T19:33:07Z Thanks for these tips on navigating the dog park. I appreciate the segregated dog parks by size, but am disappointed when people bring their little dogs in the big dog side. My dogs are BIG as a result i have kinda given up on dog parks. Coral Henning 2012-01-05T19:33:07Z Jennifer Reuther comment-61926 2012-01-05T16:45:45Z 2012-01-05T16:45:45Z This is all excellent advice. I would add that trying different dog parks is also a good idea. There are certain parks where dog leaders take ownership of the park, including poop karma, and other parks that attract dog servants and dogs who are both unsocial and in need of etiquette lessons. Jennifer Reuther 2012-01-05T16:45:45Z Craisp comment-61906 2012-01-04T20:31:07Z 2012-01-04T20:31:07Z Great advice as I have had one bad experience at the dog park, the "bad" dog left, and she continued to play after the trauma. My girl (9 months) just loves the opportunity to run and play with other dogs, so I will take heed of your recommendations. I do watch her constantly and correct inappropriate behavior immediately. Most owners are responsible, which makes it easier. The exercise is the greatest reward for both of us. Craisp 2012-01-04T20:31:07Z Randy Balzarano comment-61020 2011-12-07T16:26:35Z 2011-12-07T16:26:35Z Great Article. I can say first hand that this practice works and the time you and your dog spend together is much more enjoyable. Randy Balzarano 2011-12-07T16:26:35Z Michael Lamberth comment-60360 2011-11-17T22:11:40Z 2011-11-17T22:11:40Z Its great to see a column where someone can ask a question and get an answer. Other than watching Cesar Milan or paying a high-priced pet store for obedience training, this will be a way to reach out to pet owners for questions they have. Michael Lamberth 2011-11-17T22:11:40Z Dina Neils comment-60329 2011-11-17T18:48:15Z 2011-11-17T18:48:15Z I'm so excited for this! I've been having a barking issue with my shorkie, Barbie, and need some advice. Submitting my question asap. Dina Neils 2011-11-17T18:48:15Z Melissa Corker comment-60314 2011-11-17T16:01:46Z 2011-11-17T16:01:46Z Welcome to The Sacramento Press, Ann! I look forward to reading your valuable advice on all things canine. Melissa Corker 2011-11-17T16:01:46Z