Being Your Dog's Advocate

Advocate: one that supports or promotes the interests of another.
(definition #3 according to the merriam-webster dictionary)

I advise my clients to be their dog's advocate. I recommend they become an educated consumer and question what they watch on tv, read in books, and hear me say. I tell them to listen to their gut and if anyone ever tells them (including me) to do something to their dog they feel uncomfortable about they should question it and / or not do it.

I try hard to be my pets' advocate, but it is not always easy. Sometimes the heart gets into conflict with the mind, but if you listen closely the answers are there. I'd like to share with you what happened to me during the last couple of weeks.

I agreed to foster a puppy. Now, let me tell you, this is no ordinary puppy. This puppy is an extremely cute puppy and one of my top favorite kinds: big head, floppy ears, short velvet soft coat, smart as a whip, and a rescue. My world is bliss with this pup and Harley, one of my dogs, is in love. The husband loves her, but not everyone does.

Right off the bat one of my cats, Nemo, hated her! After some training with the pup and Nemo, he became tolerant of her. Gizmo, our very own personal "fun police",  wasn't happy either.  He yelled at her and made it clear she should keep some distance in the same way he did in the beginning with Harley. Chloe on the other hand was not having luck with the pup. Normally, she loves puppies and becomes very playful herself, but not this time.

A little history on Chloe: I adopted her about six years ago (she's now about 11 years old) at the city shelter and she was quite a mess. I couldn't get near her for the first couple of days and not because she would bite me, but because she would shut down (not something I wanted her going through). Her confidence was shot and she was fearful of going through doorways, going outdoors, and had separation anxiety (still slight SA but very manageable) among other issues. A couple of family members even questioned why I had even gotten her, saying she wasn't a pet, but more like a wild little animal. Those family members took those words back a few months later. Chloe is my girl. She's my Girly Whirl, she's happy and she trusts me. Still not quick to trust those that push themselves on her, but if you give her a chance she warms up nicely. When I adopted Harley, she didn't love him at first, kept her distance, and in her well versed doggie language let him know to stay away, which he did. Little by little she came closer to him and let him come closer to her. Now, they snuggle together and she comes over and licks him, she is totally comfortable around him. Not with this foster pup.

She told the pup several times to stay away, but it didn't work and I saw her withdraw. She wasn't happy. I worked with the pup and both little dogs. Chloe did what I asked, but she was sad and stressed(not something I want). Gizmo on the other hand was more like, "okay this pup is just another food opportunity, but if she gets too close I WILL yell at her, deal?!".

So I was conflicted. What should I do? What should I do?! Harley loves this pup. I love the pup, the husband (who I thought would be the problem) was sold and in love. She is really smart and has already learned so much. I could train her to back off Chloe and eventually Chloe will be okay just like with Harley. I was close to sealing the adoption deal, but something just didn't feel right.

A friend once told me, "where there is a doubt, there is no doubt" and this thought came to mind during this time. I asked the rescue group (which has been responsible, supportive, and very understanding throughout the whole process) for more time to decide. Then two nights ago I had all my guys hanging out in the living room and the pup was in her crate. I was watching tv and all my dogs were napping on the sofa next to me. At some point I turned to look at them and there was Chloe snuggled really close to Harley and Gizmo right behind her, but under the covers. All three snuggling peacefully. Chloe completed relaxed and safe - that, right there, was my answer. This pup is a great puppy, has great potential, and we will continue to foster her until she find the best match,  but she is not the best match for us.

Chloe snuggling with Harley & Gizmo behind her under the throw.

I cannot take that "safe haven" away from Chloe. I don't need to. I want the best for her, for all my guys, and for this foster. I love the foster and wish I could keep her, but also know she will find a forever home where she could also be the best she can be. Its only fair to her too, she doesn't need to be in this home.

Having this pup has reignited something I had been missing lately and served to show me areas in my own dogs I need to work on. It also let me appreciate my own guys even more -  how far each one has come, and how much more we can do - as long as the whole crew feels safe and happy, including us humans :).

Somewhere I read "good things fall apart so better things can fall together" and I believe things happen for a reason. Fostering has been a great experience and something my husband has also enjoyed and we both want to continue doing. So even though its not always the easiest thing, try your best to be your dog's advocate and do what is best for everyone. Consider their quality of life, remember having a pet is a commitment for that pet's life span and that's in sickness and in health. For everything they give us, we owe it to them.

Repeat after me, "Dogs ARE Individuals".

Something's been bugging me for the last couple of weeks. While speaking with a friend the other day the issue came up again. After the conversation I had more time to play with it and figure out what it was, specifically, that bothered me so much about it. By now you're probably thinking, "Okay! Out with it already, what's bugging you?!"

First, I want to say I really love and support organizations that present the concept that "dogs are individuals" because this really, in my opinion, is what needs to be stressed in today's society. Having said, I feel sometimes well meaning advocates of particular dog breeds, whether it be greyhounds, chihuahuas or "pit bull" type dogs,  may actually be unintentionally hurting these dogs. Not because it is their intention, but because of the big love they feel for these dogs the concept that "dogs are individuals" gets muddied and turns into an illusion that "these dogs are perfect" or "perfect dogs for joggers" or "perfect couch potato dogs". "Dogs are individuals". I hate to be redundant, but when the message goes from that to something like "all these dogs are great exercise buddies" or "all these dogs are great couch potatoes" then you have unknowing people going out and getting these "exercise dogs" or "couch potato dogs" just to find out that their specific dog is not their "exercise buddy" or "couch potato".

I think the focus should be more on educating people and putting out the message, like crazy, that...guess what? "Dogs are individuals" not all chihuahuas are yappy, not all "pit bulls" were fighters or bait dogs. We need to see each dog individually and while we're at it we should promote realistic expectations. Rescue groups need to also type up more accurate descriptions of their dogs...a dog that is reactive towards other dogs is not a dog that loves everybody and everything! What's the use of adopting that dog out to then have it returned. Forget the fact that now that adopter has had a negative experience with that breed type AND rescue group.

So what's bugging me is that some of the same people advocating for dogs are hurting their very image and have gone from one end of the spectrum to the other.

Great Dog-pectations: Setting Realistic Expectations for Yourself and Your Dog.

A friend and her dog visited yesterday and we decided to take her dog and Harley for a long walk on a trail nearby. When we got there I hooked Harley's collar to a longer leash and my friend let her dog off leash.

We walked in and I started practicing some recalls with Harley and he was doing really well. I gave him lots of praise and sometimes treats. After a few great recalls I let him drag the leash and continued to call him back to me a few times and he did wonderful. I was happy and regaining confidence in his recall, which has been lacking lately.  We walked all the way to the pond and then headed back after hearing some thunder.

On the way back to the car he did a couple of recalls and then we came up to a fork on the trail. Harley ran ahead towards the right but we were going left. I called him and continued a few steps into the left path. Assuming, I guess, he would run back to the beginning of the fork, take the left path and catch up to me. Pretty complicated, now that I think about it. Well, he didn't get my memo on that. He looked at me and headed through the wooded area in between the paths to get to me on the other side.

That's when it happened, a scent, A very gooood SCENT and he followed it - "Elvis has left the building." I called again and this time he was further into the woods, but I could hear his tags. My friend and her dog went to the other side of the fork, I returned to the left side, but then I stopped hearing the tags. I couldn't hear or see him anymore and I felt the panic. I told my friend, "Okay, 'C' I am starting to panic...I am officially panicking".  I think she told me not to worry and continued to track him. At that point I headed into the woods after him as a million thoughts rushed through my head. From "what was I thinking he was not ready for off leash!" to "what if he heads for the road?" and then looked down to search for his tracks so I could follow him (we've had rain so the ground was wet). After a while, what seemed like hours to me, I heard the tags again. I called him, I made kissy sounds, and then my friend called out that she saw him. I caught  glimpse of him and then I could see him running towards me...I started praising. "YAY!!! What a good boy, yaaaaay!!! Good job!" Grabbed his collar, took a hold of the leash and I totally cursed him out in a VERY happy tone, let out a sigh of relief and we continued our walk to the car and then home.

Harley had a blast yesterday and he was pooped! I learned where our training needs work, but how well his recall also is. See, I don't think he was a bad dog, stupid or stubborn. He was just not ready for that scenario, it was too hard for him. Also, if you think about it he did come back, he just took a detour to check out the scent first! I would prefer he doesn't detour in the future, but that means I need to continue to work and proof the recall. Break it down for him and set him up for success. There were a few things I could have done to avoid him going too far ahead and heading right instead of left at the fork in the path, but even though I am a great dog trainer I make mistakes too. Everyone does and my dogs are not perfect. They are among my most valued teachers.


Moral of the story: Set realistic expectations for your dog. Let your dog set the pace and set him up for success. Break behaviors down into small steps, if that's too hard, break it down even more.

New Services, Some Changes, and Updates

An Additional Phone Number:
Dot's Dog Training & Pet Services now has an additional number for Putnam & Dutchess County clients. It is 845-206-WOOF (9663). 

Now Serving Putnam & parts of Dutchess County:
I am now serving the following areas: Patterson, Brewster, Carmel, Mahopac, Pawling, Dover, Fishkill and Wappingers.

Next Scheduled Group Classes: 
Pup Scouts for dogs 8-18 weeks of age starts on Sunday, August 14th at 7pm at Furry Rascals (164th St. & B'way).

Dog Scouts 1 for dogs 5 months or older starts on Sunday, August 14th at 8:15pm at Furry Rascals (164th St. & B'way). 

Spots are limited so please sign up as soon as possible to safe your spot. You can sign up and pay online by visiting: http://www.dotsdogtraining.com/services/new-group-classes

 

We're Now On YouTube

Check out the "Modern Day Love Story" video I uploaded on YouTube. Starring Harley Wagalot and his new friend, Ivy. They are reminding us that friendship should not be limited by color, size, or breed.

Check us out here: Dot's Dog Training YouTube Channel

Recent Changes

As some of you may already know The Giz Crew and I moved out of New York City. We are now living in Patterson, NY which is in Putnum County (north of Westchester County). Its been an interesting journey with bittersweet moments as we do miss our friends, family, and clients in NYC. Nonetheless, I am still commuting into the city for private dog training sessions and group classes. I have limited my coverage area to: Inwood, Washington Heights, Upper West Side, Upper East Side, and Midtown. I am available to all my current clients and also to new clients within this coverage area.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have and I appreciate your continuous support. 

Free Events for 2011