Last night, Rodrigo bit me.  It was my fault.  He was focused on a bowl of ice cream Johan was holding and I tried to sneak around him and he reacted and bit me in the face.  It wasn’t hard and I’m not hurt, but did three things immediately…

• I backed away, but not too quickly, because I didn’t want to startle him again.
• I made eye contact with Johan and shook my head, because I didn’t want him to punish Rodrigo.
• I stood up and walked out of the room.

I have no idea if that was the right or wrong thing to do, but I had to remove myself from the situation to get a hold of myself, because I was having a human moment, when all I could think was “My baby bit me!” and then I just cried, but only for a moment.  I pulled myself together and became pack leader again.

When I returned to the room, Rodrigo was so nervous and wouldn’t look me in the eye.  It broke my heart, but at least he didn’t take my place as pack leader while I was pulling myself together. I hugged him and told him it was okay, he licked my face and then we all turned in for the night.

When Your Dog Bites You

What really disturbed me about getting bit by my dog is that I was able to quickly assess the situation.  I understood what happened; my boyfriend did too.  My heart breaks for dogs who were kicked out of the house, abused, or surrendered to the shelter, because of a similar situation.  In fact, someone I know encouraged a friend to have her dog put down, because he was nipping at her.  Why not call a dog trainer first?

I did a little Google research and found that there are 5 reasons dogs bite…

1. Possessiveness – guarding property, toys, and food can be common with some dogs.  Rodrigo has shown possessiveness with toys, which is why we taught him “leave it.”  This simple command prevents him from stealing toys, bones and chews from Sydney and Blue.
2. Fear – if a dog is afraid, he’s going to lash out to protect himself.  This is a perfect reason why we should take care when approaching a dog we don’t know, because we’re unfamiliar with their history or their triggers.  Rodrigo is afraid of loud noises and tends to come crawling in my lap when a loud boom happens.
3. Pain – I’ve actually heard of this happening and I’ve been nipped at before.  Sydney has done it when I clipped her nails (never use a guillotine style nail clipper on your dog) and Rodrigo did it to me when I found a bur lodged into his skin and was trying to get it out.
4. Maternal – I’ve never experienced this, but I’ve heard of people being warned not to approach a dog when she’s with her litter, because she’s very protective.  All of our dogs are altered so the other maternal instinct going on was Rodrigo looking to give birth to an ice cream baby.
5. Prey Drive – Since I wasn’t moving quickly, I doubt that Rodrigo’s prey drive was triggered.  This is usually what happens when cyclists and joggers go by, which is why our dogs are back on the leash.  They wouldn’t hurt anyone, but their prey drive is strong and I wouldn’t want someone to be scared or hurt, because our dogs couldn’t help but give chase.

Looking back, it’s obvious that Rodrigo was resource guarding and nipped at me to keep me from getting the ice cream that he claimed as his own.  He didn’t get any ice cream, but he did get a tub of forgiveness, understanding and love.

Dog Bite Warnings

Yes, there were warnings.  Rodrigo bared his teeth to his sister.  Looking back, I should have removed him from the room in that moment, but I didn’t see him doing it.  I’ll pay closer attention next time.

Other warnings (that we didn’t experience) that dog parents should look for are ears back against the head, hackles (hair along the back, rear and/or spine) raised, excessive yawning, and intense eye contact.

How to Prevent Dog Bites

• Know your dog’s body language so that you can ward off aggression or stress before it gets that far.
• Train your dog commands like “leave it” so that they know that whatever their want isn’t for them.
• If your dog tends towards regular aggression, you might want to curb aggressive games like tug-of-war.
• Don’t put your dog in stressful situations – I will only walk the dogs on trails first thing in the morning so that we encounter fewer cyclists and joggers.  I no longer take our dogs to the dog park.
• Socialize socialize socialize – and not just with other dogs; we need to socialize our pups with people too so that they understand what is expected of them and can learn not to fear people outside the family (postal carrier, veterinarian).
• Keep your dog close to the family; as the dogs have gotten older and more comfortable, we’ve had to stop allowing them outside in the main yard (unfenced) alone, because they’ll run to a neighbor’s house or along the Centennial Trail, and are at a risk of being in situations that may lead to aggression.

My chin hurts, but I’m over being bitten by my dog.  I hope that it never happens again.  And I hope someone who was just bitten reads this and instead of taking their dog to the shelter, takes a step back and learns more about dog behavior.

If you’re having a difficult time with your dog, reach out to a professional dog trainer for help.

Have you been bitten by your dog?  What advice do you have for someone who was bitten and confused on the next steps?

The post Rodrigo Bit Me | What To Do When Your Dog Bites You appeared first on Keep the Tail Wagging, An Online Magazine for Dog Lovers.

I received a free t-shirt in exchange for this review.

I’ve vented about my frustration with other people and our dogs – I think there was something about how NOT to get your head bitten off.  If you’re unfamiliar with my rant, here are the highlights…

• It bugs me when people label our dogs as aggressive when I’m hesitant to let them (or their kids) rush us.  I’m trying to manage three dogs – give me a second to get them situated.
• It bugs me when people allow their dog to rush our dogs – you can scream “he’s friendly” all you want, all we see is someone rushing at us at top speed.  How would you feel if I ran straight at you, stopping inches from your face to smell you?

Anyway, too many encounters with people who aren’t dog people changed up our fitness routine and we now take full advantage of living on 5 acres that border a lot more land (owned by dog loving neighbors) to explore and get exercise.

Recently, a really cool graphic  by The Yellow Dog Project was being shared on Facebook proposing that we put a yellow ribbon on our dog’s leash to let others know not to approach our dog.

This works great for everyone who knows the meaning of the yellow ribbon.  Dress United gave me an opportunity to make it clear that ‘now isn’t a great time’ for a meet and greet.  I went to their site and created a t-shirt for free so that I can show you a new option.

The Dress United site is easy to use, I was able to create and order my design in 15 minutes, which is saying something, because I usually get stuck on choosing a font.  It helps that it wasn’t complicated and I loved the number of pet related graphics they had – it was tough choosing between the Keep the Tail Wagging logo and a huge paw print.

To keep in with the theme, I chose a yellow shirt and made sure “Dog In Training” stood out.  The process was easy and fast, for this simple design, the t-shirts are affordable (oh and you can choose t-shirt style or go for a hoodie or sweatshirt), and I’m happy to be able to return to our normal walking trails with our “warning” blazing on my shirt.  The t-shirt I ordered is going to be perfect for the summer.  The material is light weight without feeling thin or cheap.

I’m hoping that this picks up and more people design yellow shirts and pullovers that’ll help the Dog & Dog and Dog & Human interactions go better when we’re out on our walks.  What are your thoughts?  Would you rock a “Dog in Training” shirt?

Disclosure:  I received a t-shirt + design free of charge from Dress United in exchange for an honest product review.  My thoughts on the Dress United ordering process and the t-shirt I received are my ow.

The post Dress United | My Spin on The Yellow Dog Project @dressunited appeared first on Keep the Tail Wagging, An Online Magazine for Dog Lovers.

One of the easiest ways to potty train a puppy is to simply pay attention and watch for signals. Make sure your puppy is always where you can see him when he is loose in the house. You may need to use baby gates or close doors to keep your puppy from wandering off and going potty in the house. When you notice the puppy sniffing around or if you see him start to squat, quickly scoop him up and take him outside. If you are having trouble keeping track of the puppy while he is loose in the house, or you get distracted like me, keep him on a leash while he is out and about in the house with you.

Boone (as a puppy), A Mastiff Blog

After the puppy eats or drinks, take him outside to go potty immediately. A puppy will always need to go to the potty shortly after eating or drinking. Control when the puppy eats, as well. He does not require a full bowl of food available at all times. He should be fed on a consistent schedule. This will help get him on a potty schedule too.

When you take the puppy outside after eating or drinking, do not use this time to play. Simply stand or sit off to the side and wait until he finally goes. When he does what he is supposed to and potties outside make a HUGE deal out of it.  Praise, treats, excitement, make sure he knows he did a wonderful thing. Additionally, every time the puppy goes potty or when you are waiting for him to go, use the word you want to associate with training him to go. For example, you might repeat, “Go potty, good boy! Good potty!” This will train him to understand what you want him to do, which is go potty in the designated spot.

 Crate training is also imperative in house training a puppy, as well as teaching your dog that a crate is a good thing.  There is nothing worse than trying to put a large dog in a crate that has never been in one before.  Choose a crate that is large enough for the puppy to stand and turn around in; never use the crate as punishment, such as a “time out” corner. It

should be a place where the puppy feels safe and comfortable. Take the puppy outside to go potty before putting him in his crate. He can be safely crated for three to four hours; puppies rarely use the crate as a potty and will learn to hold it while in the crate. Take him outside to potty as soon as you let him out of the crate. While you may feel like you are imprisoning him, puppies that are crate trained begin to appreciate the safety and security of their crate, and it becomes a safe place for them.  I always give a tiny treat when my dogs go in their crates and eventually turned it into a command the dog knows.  When I say crate, the dog goes in the crate.  It becomes quite handy.

Repetition and consistency are two key factors that will help your puppy learn to let you know he needs to go potty. Whenever you take the puppy outside to go potty, always take him through the same door and to the same area of your yard. This will help to train him to go to that door when he needs to go potty. I have also had luck in making the puppy sit before he goes through any door, anywhere.  This teaches the puppy two important things: not to pull you through a door or run out of a door and secondly, to go sit down in front of a door when he wants to go outside.  I prefer this to the bell on the door knob methods because some dogs learn to ring the bell incessantly just to go out and play, which can get annoying pretty fast.

If while training the puppy, he does have an accident inside, NEVER punish or scold the puppy unless you catch him in the act.  Dogs don’t generalize and if you punish them after the fact they really don’t know what they are in trouble for.  Other unacceptable behaviors that have been popular in the past are hitting the dog with a newspaper or rubbing his nose in the accident. These are not productive training methods and in my personal opinion would be considered abusive.

On a side note if you have a dog that has been potty trained for a time and all of a sudden starts having accidents inside, the first step is a vet visit.  The dog could be suffering from a urinary tract or kidney infection and not be able to control their bodily functions.

The key to all of this is patience.  Remember, a puppy is a baby animal.  Losing your cool isn’t going to help the situation.  If you keep your cool and stay consistent your new family member will be potty trained in no time.

~ Amanda, The Mastiff Blog‘

What tips worked for you when house training your puppy?

The post A Mastiff Blog | Tips and Methods to House Training Your Puppy appeared first on Keep the Tail Wagging, An Online Magazine for Dog Lovers.

photo: In Paris Texas

To learn more about Bark for Life / Relay for Life – Click Here

Why Join A Walkathon? 

Look around.  I bet that you have something you feel strongly about.  If you are reading this blog, I imagine you have furbabies and that you probably feel strongly about: rescues, a particular breed, the humane society, perhaps even a service animal organization.  Well, guess what?  They need money and they probably have an annual fundraising walkathon that helps them bring in the operating cash that they need to stay alive.

Importance Of Joining a Walkathon

I don’t know if walkathons were ever child’s play, but I do know that today, they are major fundraising events that may be the cornerstone of the group’s entire year’s budget. Southeastern Guide Dog’s 2013 Walkathons (there were three held in March) brought in over $500,000!

Before you poo-poo the idea as too much work, no fun.  Why should I do that all by myself?  Let me let you in on a little secret: You don’t have to do it by yourself!  That’s the key. Here are some tips to make participating in a walkathon with your furbaby fun and exciting.

Ways to make the Walkathon more fun

BEFORE THE WALKATHON

Get a Group Together:  It’s more fun if you do it with friends!  Plus, if your furbabies like each other, so much the better!

Set Fundraising Goals: If the organization doesn’t ask you to set a goal for yourself or your team, make sure you set one for your team.  Then, as you reach certain milestones, celebrate and give yourselves some some small rewards: coffee out as a group, dinner together at someone’s house, etc. How about the really important goal of everyone getting a Kong?

Team T-shirts: This is a must have!  Nothing says we have conquered this fundraising goal like a team t-shirt.

Destination: Make a plan on where and when you will meet that morning of the walkathon.  Make sure everyone has each other’s cell phone numbers.  Walkathons are chaotic and nothing is more annoying than being there at the start and not knowing where your group is.

Pick an Alpha Dog: Pick a group leader who will handle all your registration.  It would be nice to have a second in command to go with that person to collect all the swag as well (t-shirts, water bottles, etc.).  Make sure you bring a big backpack to carry it in or have the alpha dog come early and then run the swag to someone’s car so you don’t have to carry it around all day!

ON THE DAY OF THE WALKATHON

Breakfast and Pit Stops: Make sure that you and your furbaby have had plenty to eat and drink and had an opportunity to potty.  I would suggest the group find a breakfast place that lets you eat outside with your furbabies so you can start the fun at breakfast!  But, that might not be possible depending on the time of year, location or temperament of your pups.

Water and Water: Bring water for you and for your furbaby.  Make sure you have a collapsible bowl or some other device for them to drink out of.  If you are at a dog friendly walkathon, they will probably have water in strategic places, but why take the chance if they don’t?

Pay Attention: What is the weather like?  

Hot?  Watch for signs that you pup may need to rest or may need to be pulled out of the walkathon altogether.  Last year, our guide dog pup Jam would get overexcited and his little engine would rev up.  So about 1/4 of the way into the walkathon, he threw up.  Game over for us.  We sat down on the grass and and waved to everyone as they walked by.  People we knew would stop and say hello and chat a bit and then walk off.  After about 45 minutes of resting we crossed over to the finish line and “finshed” the walkathon.  That’s what Jam could do at that time.  Know your dog’s limits and be prepared to stop.

Cold? Maybe your pup needs a sweater? Or perhaps he has tender feet and needs those special booties.  Only you know what your baby needs.  If it is too cold your teacup chihuahua, perhaps the best call is for him to stay home.

Bottom Line: Keep an eye on the weather in case you need to do something special for your pup.

Pay Attention: Where’s Your Dog?  

Keep Your Dog within a Two Foot Radius:  You hear it all the time, the danger is not going to come from you or your friends.  It is going to come from a stranger and their misbehaving dog.  If you make sure that your baby is within the zone, you can scoop them up or snatch them out of harm very quickly.  You will also be able to quickly see if something is coming up on them.  It may mean the occasional trip up, but better that than a bite or worse from some aggressive passing dog.

Make Plans to Meet for Lunch After:  If you weren’t able to meet for breakfast, perhaps, meeting for lunch will work out better.  At our Southeastern walkathon there is always a big group that meets for lunch later. It has grown to about 35 strong now!

Take Lots of Photos:  Capture the memories!  This walkathon should be a fun event.  You’ve done something worthwhile.  You and your friends have raised money for a great organization and now you are out exercising with your furbabies for a cause you believe in.  And you all have matching t-shirts.

Did I mention how fabulous you look?  Well done!

~ Cheryl Mclean, The McLean Puppy Chronicles

The post Shake Up Your Dog Walks with a Walkathon #BarkForLife appeared first on Keep the Tail Wagging, An Online Magazine for Dog Lovers.

———

When we were doing our homework about adopting a dog my entire focus was on long walks, dog parks, and puppy kisses.  Although I knew adopting a dog was a lot of responsibility, I was entirely focused on the fun stuff and not a lot on dog care.  I still am most of the time.  The other day, I read an article that listed 50 things the author wish he knew when he was younger.  That article inspired this one of 50 things I wish I knew about dog care when we adopted dogs.

Dogs and Their Personality

• It takes a while for two people to come up with a dog name they’re happy with; it took us a couple of hours to name Blue (his name was Edgar Frog) and two days to name Sydney (I wanted to name her Princess or Ava).
• Yawning doesn’t always mean “I’m sleepy.”  Dogs have so many ways of telling us how they feel and what they’re thinking.  We just have to pay attention.
• Dogs will steal your heart in seconds.  I fell in love with Riley on the way home from picking her up.  We were fostering her, but I couldn’t let her go.  I love watching videos of her playing with Rodrigo and Sydney even though I cry every time.
• Dogs bark.  Sometimes for a very good reason.  Sometimes just for fun.  And it’s loud.
• Dogs don’t know what coyotes or skunks are; so it’s up to use to keep them safe.
• Dogs hate baths and think they smell just perfectly; it’s the humans who think they stink.
• No matter how big a dog is, they can always be a lap dog.
• Dogs read our energy; if we’re stressed, they’re stressed.  If we’re comfy and happy, so are they.  If you make “night night time” fun, they’ll be excited.  And sometimes they’ll put themselves to bed.
• Dogs will cringe away from you as if you abuse them in front of strangers.  Blue!  The UPS guy thinks I beat you now!  Stop barking at him.  I’m just trying to leash up your harness.
• You will laugh every single day.
• Crunches, sit ups, lunges, and jumping jacks look like a fun game to dogs.  Work out when they’re outside.  You can also do lunges and squats while walking the dogs.  When they stop to smell something; knocked out a set of 15.
• Taking pictures with dogs is like trying to collect raindrops in your hands.
• Not all dogs like other dogs.
• Every package that comes into the house is something for them; carry it high.
• Dogs are smarter than you think; one of your dogs will know how to open doors.
• Get used to poo and muddy paw prints and don’t become too attached to those shoes.

Dog Training

• Confidence and consistency is key.  If you freak out, you’re just giving your dog the cue that he or she needs to step up, because the human is out of control; plus it’s scary.
• Even our dog trainer’s dog sometimes doesn’t come when he’s call, so it’s pointless to get frustrated when our dogs misbehave.  I choose to go with the 90%/10% rule – if our dogs are well behaved 90% of the time, then I’m winning!
• Dogs don’t understand English, they understand some words and they mostly read our body language and energy.  Check all of the negative emotions at the door and bask in the love of all things canine when you get home.
• Cesar Milan is evil.  It doesn’t matter what he’s done for dog rescue or rehabilitating un-adoptable dogs, he’s evil and if you plan to say anything positive about him, prepare for the attack.  I have been attacked many times for saying something positive about Cesar Milan.
• People will judge you harshly for the smallest mistake or for simply doing something that they wouldn’t do.  For some, crate training is imperative, while others think it’s abusive.
• Some dogs aren’t able to greet one another on a leash; it can be stressful and a play session can quickly morph into a fight.

Dog Health

• I will call the vet at least once a month or two.  Something is always going on and we’ve learned that if the dogs aren’t displaying a drastic change in personality or crying out in pain, we need to give it a day so that we know what we’re calling the vet about.  Having three dogs gives us 3x the opportunity for an injury or allergy.
• Everything is dangerous – their food, their environment, the dog park, other dogs.  After reading some blogs and following Dr. Becker, sometimes I wonder if I should put my babies in a bubble.  Dog parents have to educate themselves about dog care.
• There are old school veterinarians and new age veterinarians and vets who have a foot in both worlds.  If your vet makes you feel like an idiot for asking a question or doing your own homework, run and find a new vet!
• You can use social media to connect with holistic veterinarians across the country who will make dog parenting a lot easier and open your eyes to new dog care methods.
• Pet insurance isn’t cheap and researching for the best pet insurance carrier pretty much sucks.  Oh and they don’t offer discounts; if you come across one that does; run.
• Dogs get car sick; pumpkin and frozen yogurt (for dogs) is great for car sickness.
• Hiding pills in peanut butter doesn’t work forever; shake it up and use marshmallows or turkey hot dogs.
• Just like with humans, stress exhausts dogs.  Prepare for thunderstorms and fireworks with long walks and play sessions before the noise starts.
• You’ll need a first aid kit for the house and each car.

Dog Food

• There is a dog food recall every single month and even the premium brands can experience a dog food recall.  The FDA may not act fast enough so (once again) dog parents need to be educated.  And don’t toss the packaging; you’ll need to be able to match up the UPC code should a recall be announced.
• Premium kibble isn’t enough.  Grain free isn’t enough.   Even a raw food diet may not be enough.  There are so many options and everyone is only too happy to tell you what’s best.
• Cooking for your dogs is fun, but time consuming.  You will not keep it up even though you have the best of intentions.  And buying the food in bulk at Costco doesn’t save any money.
• Dogs can be allergic to chicken; but that doesn’t mean they’re allergic to turkey – go figure.
• Many pet food companies will talk to you about nutrition and their food; especially if you’re a blogger with a big mouth who can help them promote their product.

Dog People

• Unsolicited advice will fly at you regularly.  Everyone means well.  They’re advising you based on their experience with dogs and other dog parents.  There will be days when you want to scream, but pause, count to ten, take a deep breath, smile and say thank you.  By the way, if you do this in front of someone, they’ll notice.
• If someone touches your dog (or acts like they plan to), flip the hell out; show people how you and your dogs expect to be treated.
• If someone makes a false claim about your dog (they’re aggressive, violent, have caused injury), flip the hell out, but politely.  There’s nothing more satisfying than throwing logic back into the face of a liar.  Especially when they threaten to call the police and you can point to your boyfriend and say “he can take your report, the’s a deputy.”  Booo-yow!
• Not everyone is a dog lover.
• Not everyone wants to look at new pictures of the puppies or hear new, cute stories about their antics. Shocking, I know.
• Not everyone thinks walking dogs off leash is a great idea and loads of fun.
• Not everyone thinks it’s adorable with your dogs bark and lunge at them.  They’re on the leash.

Dog Rescue

• Dog breeders are greedy, selfish, evil animal abusers.  If you even hint that there is such a thing as a “reputable breeder” then prepared to be called several not so nice names from people who have only interacted with people who run puppy mills.  I’ve been personally attacked for believing reputable breeders exist.
• Dog rescue workers are a very passionate group of people, it’s fantastic to support dog rescue, but set boundaries on what you’ll take into your experience.  If you can’t handle the pictures, don’t allow someone to make you feel like you’re not really as supporter.
• You can set up a recurring donation to your favorite dog rescue group.

Dogs and Finances

• Two dogs are way more than twice the work and twice the expense; three dogs are expensive.
• If you’re dog parents, then recognize that raising dogs is a partnership and you’re not alone.  Talk about finances, training, chores, nutrition, and health regularly.  Make sure everyone is on the same page.
• Sick time doesn’t cover when you stay home with a sick dog.
• Vacation plans include the dogs; either you take them with or you hire a pet sitter.

Now it’s your turn – what are a few things you wish you would have known before you adopted a dog (or two, or three).

The post 50 Things I Wish I Knew About Dog Care When We Adopted Our Dogs appeared first on Keep the Tail Wagging, An Online Magazine for Dog Lovers.

Monday, I shared Gayle’s list of tips 1 through 5 about living with a blind dog; below are tips 6 through 10.

photo: ~ggvic~

6.  Consider using a flowing fountain for your dog’s water bowl. The sound of running water will help your blind dog find its drinking dish, and the sound can be appealing to both people and pets in the house. Circulating water maintains its freshness longer as well, offering greater appeal than a stagnant pool.

7.  Various toys that stimulate your blind dog’s other, more acute, senses engage it in play.  Squeaky toys or products that you can put treats inside positively impact playtime. KONG© makes a variety of toys into which biscuits and other treats can be placed; these offer aromas that a blind dog can “seek and find” and be rewarded.

Some blind dogs may react negatively to squeaky toys because their sense of hearing becomes much more acute when blindness sets in; that was the case with Sage, so we substituted toys with fragrance for toys that squeak. She also enjoyed tug-of-war, and that engaged us, as Sage’s owners, in her playtime.

8.  Stay connected with your blind dog through voice and touch. Dogs enjoy gentle strokes and pats on the head; many dogs also respond positively to belly rubs and massage. Dogs also love to hear their human’s voice. All this is especially true for blind dogs.  Affectionate voice and tender touch are calming and provide the sense of security your blind pet needs.  Sage was a very tactile dog – she enjoyed gentle, massaging touch, and she often curled near my feet, reassured of where she was … near me.

9.  Sense of security is important, and having a quiet place at which your blind dog can spend time is also beneficial. A peaceful room, such as a corner of your bedroom or home office, can serve as that special place.  An indoor dog kennel, with the door opened so that your blind dog can come and go as it pleases, can also serve as the “safe spot”.  If your household is busy with children, parties, and/or other dogs, your blind dog will need that safe, quiet place to which it can retreat.

When Sage first became blind, she used a large crate that we purchased and set up in the spare bedroom.  As she adjusted to her blindness, she simply retreated to the room and either lay on the floor or in the crate. As time passed, she stopped using the crate but still occasionally retreated to the bedroom

10.  Consider a second dog if you don’t already have one. Some blind dogs do well with others of their kind, and some sighted canines actually become “seeing eye dogs” for blind ones (don’t expect your sighted dog to be your blind dog’s guide, but don’t be surprised if that takes place). Dogs are social creatures, and a another dog can be a very good companion for a blind one, especially in a household in which both adults are absent for many hours.

Putting these ideas into practice and continuing to encourage, train and spend time with your blind dog will help both of you live more effectively with the disability of blindness.  Remember that blindness is not fatal; this fact will help you cope better with the news and therefore, assist you in helping your beloved dog.  Although Sage and I did not expect the journey of blindness, we accepted and faced the challenges. We enjoyed 11 years of blessed companionship, including traveling, and exploring. You and your blind dog can also create and share a rewarding life together – using the tips provided above, I believe you will!

Gayle M. Irwin is a Wyoming author, writer and speaker. She has published three children’s books and an adult nonfiction with her dogs as main characters. Her latest work, Walking In Trust : Lessons Learned with my Blind Dog, is a devotional-style book that that parallels lessons learned from her blind dog Sage with her faith walk with God.  Mrs. Irwin is also a contributing writer to four Chicken Soup for the Soul compilations and has produced an ebook for blind dog owners. A former conservation and humane educator, she volunteers for various animal welfare
organizations. Learn more at www.gaylemirwin.com.

• Chicken Soup for the Soul: I Can’t Believe My Dog Did That!: 101 Stories about the Crazy Antics of Our Canine Companions
• Chicken Soup for the Soul: What I Learned from the Dog: 101 Stories about Life, Love, and Lessons

If you’re living with a blind dog or a deaf dog, I’d love to learn more about what tips you have for me!

The post 10 Tips for Dog Parents About Living with a Blind Dog, Part Two appeared first on Keep the Tail Wagging, An Online Magazine for Dog Lovers.

When Keep the Tail Wagging is a full time gig, I would love to adopt a blind or deaf dog.    When Gayle Irwin contacted me and offered to share what she knows about living with a blind dog, I was so excited, because it is such a great compliment to an earlier article about living with a deaf dog.

photo: Andrew Morrell Photography

When my husband and I heard the startling words from our veterinarian, “I have bad news – your dog is going blind”, we truly did not know what to do… or what to expect. Sharing nearly 12 years with our Springer Spaniel, Sage, taught us how to cope with her disability and also how to help her adjust. Sage became blind before she was three years old due to a genetic disease called Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA); there is no cure for PRA. She lived more than nine years without sight, yet she lived with joy and courage.

Tips for Blind Dog Owners

There are many important ways to adjust to the disability of canine blindness; consistency, creativity and courage are three important keys for you and your blind dog to live happily, successfully, and safely together.

1.  Acknowledge your feelings of shock and sorrow at the news your dog is going blind. It’s okay to grieve – you and your dog are experiencing a loss – but don’t get stuck there. Blindness is a disability, and disabilities can be compensated for, especially in dogs. Remember that disability is NOT inability – dogs can and do acclimate, and so can you.

2.  Teach your dog additional commands to the standard “sit”, “stay”, “come”. We taught Sage “step-up”, “step-down” and “stop”, all very useful for navigating stairs and taking walks. Training not only keeps your dog’s mind alert, but also provides extra security for you and your blind friend. Giving the command to “stop” when you come to a street corner, for example, keeps your dog from stepping out into traffic, providing you the time to ensure it’s safe to cross the street.  Some dog owners implement clicker training, using a small, simple device that creates a distinct metallic sound, pairing the clicker with treats while saying the command.

3.  Don’t move the household furniture. Blind dogs learn quickly where items are placed, and they use that memory to get around.  “Cognitive mapping” refers to the mental representation a dog has of its physical environment as a result of repetition and spatial learning.  Therefore, by keeping the recliner, sofa and end tables in the same place, your dog will learn and remember where that furniture is located.

On the other hand, having the sofa in one spot for several months and then relocating it to another will cause confusion; the dog will bump into that piece of furniture more readily after it’s moved.  The same concept applies for taking walks outdoors: repeating the route over and over again will help your dog better navigate the neighborhood because of its “cognitive mapping”. We witnessed this with Sage, and though we may have gotten bored walking the same route, we chose a location which included a park – that place stimulated her sense of smell, for squirrels, birds, and other creatures used the park, and she could smell and hear these animals during our walks. Those creatures delighted our days, too!

4.  Accentuating your blind dog’s more acute senses, like hearing and smell, keeps your furry friend engaged. Therefore, not only try to include a park or woodland on your daily stroll, but also use bells when you walk so your blind dog can hear and follow your footsteps. Also, place jingling tags on your other pets so your blind dog is not startled when those companions come near. You can also use wind chimes in the backyard to help your blind dog navigate outside.

5.  Texture is also helpful for a blind dog’s navigation. We placed wood chips along fence lines in our backyard to help Sage understand she was near the metal fence; that helped prevent collisions. Throw rugs were used in our living and dining rooms near the recliners and table chairs to let Sage know she was near those furniture pieces. She also used those rugs for naps.

Stay tuned for part two, that is sharing tips 6 through 10 abut living with a blind dog…

Gayle M. Irwin is a Wyoming author, writer and speaker. She has published three children’s books and an adult nonfiction with her dogs as main characters. Her latest work, Walking In Trust : Lessons Learned with my Blind Dog, is a devotional-style book that that parallels lessons learned from her blind dog Sage with her faith walk with God.  Mrs. Irwin is also a contributing writer to four Chicken Soup for the Soul compilations and has produced an ebook for blind dog owners. A former conservation and humane educator, she volunteers for various animal welfare
organizations. Learn more at www.gaylemirwin.com.

• Chicken Soup for the Soul: I Can’t Believe My Dog Did That!: 101 Stories about the Crazy Antics of Our Canine Companions
• Chicken Soup for the Soul: What I Learned from the Dog: 101 Stories about Life, Love, and Lessons

If you’re living with a blind dog or a deaf dog, I’d love to learn more about what tips you have for me!

The post 10 Tips for Dog Parents About Living with a Blind Dog, Part One appeared first on Keep the Tail Wagging, An Online Magazine for Dog Lovers.

Author and Dog Parent | Alycia Neighbours

We recently completed a home improvement project of increasing our home by four feet. Four really big fuzzy feet belonging to a 10 month old English Mastiff. When you are an animal person this is the best home improvement project ever, but it can have some very tense moments.

First I would like to thank Kimberly Gauthier for walking me through some of the early moments and Joan Mayer, of Inquisitive Canine, for invaluable advice to help us during the transition period.

photo: ocean yamaha

Considering your new kid

The very first thing my family did when considering the new kid was to look at the breed. Yes, I know that we can’t judge a dog by the breed alone, but it helps to know some of the inherent qualities and personality traits. I will usually avoid dogs in the hunter class and the pastoral class. For my personality they tend to be a little more high maintenance. Mastiffs are a perfect fit for my family because the only “job” they will do is to be a guard/companion.

Secondly, I was very honest with the original owner about our family (both human and fur children) and its weaknesses. I made her aware that I had a large fenced yard and other animals. It would have been very unfair to the dog to bring her into a living situation that was not honest. I told her that I have a moderately aggressive lead male and a hyper second-in-command. She was also aware that I have many small children (which can quickly translate to negative stimuli for an unprepared dog.) The owner felt it was a good fit (since she is the one who knows the new kid), so it was settled.

Introducing the kids

I waited to pick up the dog until all the children were in school. This gives me time to get the house prepared and allows for less stimulation for the new dog. I put the other dogs outside in their normal routine. I removed all toys, food/water bowls and closed off my bedroom (which is the choice sleeping and retreat place for our lead dog)

We came in the front door so the other dogs wouldn’t see her and I gave her time to explore the house so she could be familiar with the layout. Then came time for the great meet and greet event.

I went outside and put the leash on my lead dog. This is his sign for my need for him to be on his best behavior. I had plenty of treats in my pocket and gave him a couple. I also put on his training collar which emits an audible beep controlled by a remote. He knows that if he hears the beep he is to heel immediately (Please consult your vet or trainer before using a training collar in any fashion).

I allowed the meet to happen in the back yard because it is more of a neutral ground for our dogs. Immediately seeing the new kid, our dogs went into investigation and protection mode. This can be stressful to watch, but it is normal behavior for dogs. I made it clear in my posture that I was going to protect the new kid, but I also have to let the dogs be dogs.

I then brought my lead dog inside and gave him a food bowl. This sends a message to him that his position is not being threatened by the new kid. After he finished eating, I brought in the new kid and this is where the real games begin.

Lead dog felt the need to establish his position immediately and in no time postured and growled until she lay down in submission. Second-in-command began to be a problem as he wasn’t content with her submission and began to pick on the new kid. This is where I cried out for help, because it’s hard to speak in doggy language and I hated seeing the submission game carried out to where the new kid was being picked on.

I received wonderful advice and began implementing it…

• Multi-dog Household
• How to Play Mutt Matchmaker
• Sibling Rivalry

Now almost a week later, we have a workable three dog household. The boundaries have been established between the three dogs and our home improvement project is a success. They understand they don’t have to fight for resources and are content in their sibling type relationship. We still monitor interactions, just as we have to with our human children and continue to enforce and reward acceptable behavior.

How many dogs do you live with?  Any tips you can share about adding a third dog to a home?

The post Being Neighbours-ly | New Kid on the Block, Adding a Third Dog appeared first on Keep the Tail Wagging, An Online Magazine for Dog Lovers.

One of the things that I love about living in the Pacific Northwest are how pet friendly most events are; as the summer months approach (yes, they’ll be here before you know it), I’ll be planning which street fairs and dog festivals I’ll be attending with our dogs.

Cheryl, a librarian and dog lover, shared street fair etiquette for dog parents who will be attending dog friendly fairs and festivals.  For more etiquette posts, check out my article about dog park etiquette.

Most street fair attendees are only thinking of the curly fries and the fabulous handmade early Christmas presents they can score, but responsible pet owners know there is more to attending a street fair than shopping and eating.

Dog Distractions

Street fairs are a great exposure for my Southeastern guide dog puppy in training.  Because I know I will be walking a working dog through the fair, I try to pick smaller fairs that won’t overwhelm my puppy.  Smaller fairs will attract a smaller crowd, resulting in fewer dogs to meet.  Here are some things pet parents might want to keep in mind when you are taking your pet to a street fair:

1. Pay Attention.  It’s not ok to forget the you have your pet with you.  Keep them by your side, with a loose leash, ready to pull them back harm if something or someone approaches.  If you are attracted by jewelry or baked goods, settle your furbaby into a down stay in front of you, and then lean over them to inspect the goods.  That way they are taken care of, you can take your time looking and no one gets a stray nose in the crotch.
2. Not everyone is as thoughtful as you. There is always one person whose dog is on a leash that extends 90 feet as he is looking at some hideous art in wonderment.  Of course that dog will be coming over and bothering your furbaby.  Of course that man will not notice or be concerned about it.  These people tend to stick out in the crowd.  They are huge annoyances and are best avoided. Do not engage them.  Smile and go around them.
3. Trouble comes from behind. Yep.  Always be aware of what is coming up from the rear because it might be a big doberman.  I speak from experience here. Just as you teach your child to look both ways before crossing the street, teach yourself to check all compass points for what is coming your way.

Food Distractions

While it may seem that people and their pets are the biggest worry you will have at the street fair, it isn’t.  You will also need to be aware of where you are walking and what is on the ground.

1. Food Court.  The dining area is always a danger area for several reasons: overflowing trashcans, picnic tables laden with food and people eating, people walking to and fro carrying food and the inevitable spills.  If your furbaby is a lunger, be especially careful around this area or avoid it completely.  You might want to get something to go and eat someplace else.
2. Dropped Food.  Many people will order food and eat on the run as they peruse the stands.  That means that there will be lots of dropped food on the ground for your dog to gobble up along the way.  If your dog has a sensitive stomach, you might want to reconsider bringing him to the street fair.  One of our pups would get explosive diarrhea at the slightest bite of any people food.  Any street fair exposure was fraught with nervousness and hyper-vigilance.
3. Smells.  Your pet may be less inclined to behave the nearer you get to Indian Fry Bread stand.  I know I have a hard time keeping it together around fry bread!  Be aware of where you are and adjust your expectations.  You may want to walk quickly past the booth to a less smelly area.

Bring a friend

Street fairs are fun.  There are lots of things to see, eat and do.  Taking along a friend will ensure that you will be better able to navigate the fair.  Your pet will have a better time if you and your friend are able to tag team and share the responsibilities of shopping and watching out for dog and food distractions.
Good luck!

Cheryl Mclean’s Bio: I am a high school librarian.  I thought raising guide dog puppies for Southeastern Guide Dogs for the blind would fill that empty place when having children was not an option.  Having a guide dog puppy with us at all times changed our lives. When we got our first puppy I started the blog The McLean Puppy Chronicles, which tells the story of how sometimes when you start a project where you think you will be giving back, you end up receiving so much more in return. 

Do you attend dog friendly street fairs and festivals?  Which ones do you attend in your town and do you bring your dog?

The post How to Have Fun When Attending Dog Friendly Fairs and Festivals appeared first on Keep the Tail Wagging, An Online Magazine for Dog Lovers.

Dear Inquisitive Canine,

Our dog Tyler loves going to the dog park. But since he learned to fetch, all he wants to do is play with a ball.  He doesn’t play chase and run with the other dogs, and in fact rarely even sniffs hello. 

We’ve tried not taking our ball flinger, but the park is covered with abandoned balls and somehow Tyler always convinces someone to throw the ball for him.  How can we get him back to playing with other dogs at the dog park?

Do you or Poncho have any advice?

~ Kevin S., Northern California

photo: Bob Haarmans

Dear Kevin,

We’d be more than happy to give you pointers for getting Tyler more engaged in dog play with other dogs at the park. The following dog training tips should help make these adventures fun for you, while still making it rewarding for Tyler.

First and foremost, determine what your main goal is. To me it sounds like it would be for Tyler to engage in dog play with various dogs during these outings. You’re correct in taking the ball play out of the picture during park visits. Bringing toys to a dog park is similar to a child bringing his/her Nintendo DS to another child’s birthday party at Great America. If there are no other dogs around to play with, then fetch is fine. But if you want your dog to play with other dogs, then yes, do away with the superfluous distractions.

• Interacting with other dogs: Reward! Reward! Reward!
• Ignoring balls: Reward!
• If another ball is found, ask Tyler to do something else, like walk nicely next to you, get rid of the ball, and reward him for staying with you.
• If Tyler continues to be ball obsessive, you can always put him on leash for 20 seconds as a “time out,” while ignoring him. Then take him off leash and reward him again for desired behaviors.
• Other humans and their behavior: Ask for help if necessary. Let others know that you are teaching Tyler to play with other dogs, and that “fetch time” is played elsewhere. You can thank them for helping you out. If they want to give a “Good boy!” to Tyler whenever he shows interest in their own dog, that would be even better, and much appreciated! (If they continue to throw the ball for Tyler, you can always walk away, giving them a “time-out.” However, punishing humans can cause negativity and that’s no fun.)

• Every time another dog walks near him, or walks by him.
• Every time another dog shows interest in him, wanting to greet.
• Every time Tyler looks at another dog!
• Every time Tyler approaches another dog.
• Every time Tyler and another dog perform their doggy-sniffing-greeting ritual.
• Every time Tyler and another dog show interest in playing: for one second, two seconds, then three seconds, etc. until they’re wanting to hang out and play together.
• Periodically during play time to reward Tyler for playing with other dogs.

To really emphasize how fun playing with other dogs is, stop the steak party once you leave the dog park. With time and consistency, Tyler will start to associate other dogs with fabulous steak-parties, and then he’ll want to keep playing. After a few rounds of play, and steak hors d’oeuvres, Tyler won’t want to leave, so be careful what you wish for.

Now it’s Your turn! How did you get your dog to start playing at the dog park?  Or was s/he a natural?

Dear Inquisitive Canine is written by Joan Mayer and her trusty sidekick, Poncho the dog. Joan is a certified professional dog trainer and dog behavior coach. Poncho is a 10-pound mutt who knows a lot about canine and human behavior. Their column is known for its simple, commonsense approach to dog training and behavior, as well as its entertaining insight into implementing proven techniques that reward both owner and dog.

Joan is also the founder of the Inquisitive Canine and developer of the Out of the Box Dog Training Game, where her love-of-dog training approach highlights the importance of understanding canine behavior. If you or your dog have questions about behavior, training or life with each other, please email them directly.

The post Inquisitive Canine | How to Get a Dog More Engaged in Dog Play appeared first on Keep the Tail Wagging, An Online Magazine for Dog Lovers.