News Archives - Page 22 of 62 - Smart Dog University

Accepted: Challenge for Pet Bloggers

January 11, 2011

I started writing this blog a million years ago. December 22, 2007, to be exact. That was 484 posts ago. Here's part of that first entry:

So this is the blog. Welcome. I'm not a blogger. Not really all that good with technology and all. But I'll get there. And you're welcome to come along for the ride.

What I do know is dogs, and dog behavior. So, if you can put up with my blogging learning curve, I'll try to give you some tips and insights that'll help you understand and teach your dog.

I feel just as passionately today about dogs and behavior as I did three years ago when I started this blog. Blogging is now part of what I do, who I am. I am crazy. Smart Dog U, Smart Dog U is me. I wanted to reach more people, I wanted to help more dogs — that's really why I started writing.

There was too much frustration between dogs and their owners- and too many people using harsh, outdated methods to "fix" problems. This blog was going to help me keep my sanity get dog-friendly solutions out to as many people as would listen. I wanted all dogs to be companions, not comPAINions.

I found many readers were interested in the service dogs I raised and trained. A little dog named Talos came along and made service dog training a bigger part of my blog. He was little in the beginning, at least. By the time he had completed his training with me, Talos was about 160 pounds of Great Dane-ness. Huge and handsome. His training was documented in this blog. And tearfully, so was turn-in. At which point I lost my mind.

I would like to think that I've raised awareness of the many things service dogs have to experience to become a working service dog. I tried to emphasize the important role that the public plays in a service dog's training.

I blog when the spirit moves me. Or more truthfully: I blog when I have time. Between running a dog-training business, training a service puppy, working with my own three dogs, and spending some time with my husband, there isn't always a lot of time left over. Reader comments are like candy to me – I love interacting with those who read the blog. So sometimes I'm up late writing a post at 1:00a because that's the only time during the day I can collect my thoughts and put them on paper in the blogosphere.

I do worry sometimes that my blogging might be a bit dysfunctional disorganized. My 2011 resolution is to develop an outline of topics and stick to it. That makes me laugh.

I haven't monetized my blog. Mainly because I don't know what that means how to do it. Would I like to? Sure, money is good, it helps buy the dog food pay the bills.

The thing I like the most about blogging is that I'm anonymous I get to talk with other dog-lovers just like me. My family sometimes looks at me like I'm a little too crazy about my dogs. But here in blogger-land, I'm just as normal as the next crazy dog person.

The things that really chap my @$* re: blogging are those lunatics fans of a certain tv personality. Their ravings comments about how wrong I am ruin my day. But I have ultimate control: I can delete their comments if they really steam me! (Is that evil?)

So there you have it. The Smart Dog Blog through the ages. Let's hope I don't run out of doggie things to talk about. Otherwise you'll have to hear about my grocery list, my laundry list, and what I'm watching on tv.

Not Tango’s Fault, Handler Error

December 4, 2010

Tango and I have been practicing Nose Work. It's a relatively new sport, and for the first time on the East Coast, the Odor Recognition Trial (ORT) was offered.

This was a little bit of a big deal. First time it's been offered waaaay over here on the East coast. It's been a West coast sport for a couple years and is finally drifting over to us.

The trial is relatively easy: there are 12 boxes and Tango just needs to indicate the box that contains the scent (birch). He'd been rippin' it up at home — finding the correct box every single time. He was good! We were ready!

Yeah, except I wasn't ready. We approached the start line and I gave Tango the "Find it" cue. Except he wasn't looking at me. Being the happy Labrador that he is, he was quite enamored with the judges. Oh, and the spectators, he liked them quite a bit as well. The boxes that might or might not contain the odor – yeah, not so interested in those. Which was NOT a good thing.

The leash got tight. Not a good thing. Tango sniffed the boxes, he sniffed the floor. He went completely off course. He wagged at the spectators. He sniffed the boxes again.

I panicked.

He paused at a box. I alerted. Once you alert, you're done. If your alert is correct, you "win." You get your ORT. If your alert is wrong, you're done. Finished. No second chance.

Well, Tango was wrong. Or, should I say, I was wrong. I thought I was right, but one day later (tonight), Tango proved how good his nose was. And with that proof, it was really easy for me to shift the blame from him TO me.

Here's how it went down: it was dark and I was throwing Tango's tennis ball in the back yard. He typically chases it, somehow locating it in the dark, and always brings it back to me. I throw like a girl (go figure) and I must have tossed it into the lilac bush. The lilac bush, for the record, was pretty far away. I should get points just for getting it TO the bush. Never mind the fact that I threw it into the bushes; we'll just ignore that for now, ok?

Except that I thought it went into the grass. I prompted Tango to "find it." That's the same cue we use in Nose Work. It was pitch black outside. I thought the ball rolled through the Hostas and came to rest in the Lilac Bed. Tango kept looking up into the lilac bushes.

I knew quite well that the ball was not in the lilac bush. I distinctly heard it roll through the hostas! I cued "find it" again. Still, this crazy dog is looking upward! What is his problem?!

Finally, in frustration, I turned the back flood lights on. Guess what I saw? About eye level (to me) in the stupid lilac bush?

That stupid tennis ball.

So clearly, the fact that Tango blew the ORT on Friday was on me. Not on him. He knew where his tennis ball was in the dark in the tree! Ok, so I was more than humbled.

I was a bit embarrassed. Not to mention I was crushed that *I* was the reason Tango didn't pass his ORT. It wasn't Tango. It was ME! Talk about humbled…

So. I'm not sure when our next chance at the ORT will be, but you better believe I'll train hard. I'll work my you-know-what off so I can be the handler Tango needs so he can pass the ORT. I have my marching orders: TRUST YOUR DOG!

The “Great” Dilemma

December 3, 2010

Last weekend, I was this close to having a permanent Great Dane in my house.

This close! It’s no secret that I’m in love with the giant breed. Over Thanksgiving weekend, my husband and I attended an AKC dog show. It was the first time I’d been around Danes since turning Talos in. I was a little taken aback at the sting that came from just seeing a harlequin (the spotted ones) Dane. I thought I’d recovered enough from Talos’ turn-in that I could handle it. After momentary panic, I collected myself and stepped into the middle of about six Danes.

One Dane in particular, though, really drew me in.

She looked nothing like Talos, so it surprised me a little at how much I liked her and how quickly it all happened. Her name is Macy and she’s a mantle (black and white) Great Dane. She is quite a bit smaller than Talos, but (1) she’s a female and (2) she’s only 11 months old.

We spent a little time with Macy, talking with her owner (who couldn’t have been any nicer!).

Compared to the other Danes at the show, Macy was very laid-back and very personable. Her tail wasn’t tucked. She didn’t appear stressed or scared or flighty. She was cool as a cucumber. And really, really silly. I’m a sucker for silly.

Talos had this habit of putting his head over my shoulder and sort of wrapping his head around mine.

I loved it. I lived for it. I knelt down to see Macy eye-to-eye and guess what she did — head over the shoulder and wrapped it around my kneck. I was in love!

Talos was a big lap-sitter, too.

Even if there wasn’t a lap to sit in, he’d still try to fit his 160 pound self into some semblance of a lap. After Macy wrapped her head around my neck, she also tried to sit in my non-existent lap. Oh dear, that was it! I was a lost cause.

Then, Macy’s owner mentioned that she was looking for a good home for Macy.

But would still need access to her to get her to shows and to potentially breed Macy (as long as she cleared all the health checks). Was this a dream? A Dane? For me? Are you kidding?!

There were a lot of things I liked about this breeder.

Health and temperament were very important to her. She’s also very interested in genetics (not all breeders are, believe it or not). She’s involved with the pups she breeds, even after they are in their new homes. She’s big into training and knew about the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (another biggie for me). It couldn’t be any more perfect!

So where’s the dilemma, you ask?

Here it is: we have four dogs in the house. Tango’s my main main – and I don’t want that position to change. He’s my favorite, I love spending time with him, and he’s the one who gets all the special treatment. Then there’s the service pup in-training. Right now, it’s Ike. But after Ike goes back to Hero Dogs, we’ll get another service pup to raise. Lily and Nemo aren’t chopped liver, either – they need time and attention and love, too.

If a Great Dane came into the house, I’m worried that all the other dogs would suffer because of it.

I want to be able to focus on the Dane, without leaving anyone else out. Right now, with four dogs, that’s not possible. Bringing in another dog would mean that all the dogs would get less attention, even the Dane.

The decision’s not final, I’m still vacillating.

But I was really happy to know that some of the characteristics I loved in Talos can be found in other Danes. They’re “Dane things,” not just “Talos things.” And speaking of Talos, I’m planning to visit the big lug in just a couple of weeks! It’ll be the first time I’ve seen him since the turn-in day. Here’s hoping I don’t break down in tears…

The Christmas Tree (The Dogs Picked It)

December 1, 2010

As is standard tradition, we took dogs with us to pick out our christmas tree. I honestly can't remember a dog-free christmas tree farm visit. It just wouldn't be the same without the pups!

This year it was just Tango and Nemo. Lily and little Ike stayed at home – it was gray and drizzly, and besides, we didn't want to leave just one dog at home. So Dana chose Nemo and I (of course) chose Tango.

The dogs love to run through the fields (on leash, of course) sniffing and snuffling to see what scents they can uncover. I only wish I had their sense of smell for just one day! I would love to know what complex smells they can latch onto and recognize.

The folks who own the christmas tree farm are dog-friendly and even let the dogs into the barn where they have fresh wreaths and other christmastime goodies for sale. The dogs get a good whiff of all the good smells there, too. We usually run across a few families who want to come over and pet the dogs. The dogs are all too happy to oblige – there's no such thing as too much love from the dog's perspective!

Going to the christmas tree farm is one of our traditions we share with the dogs – what are your traditions involving dogs?

Ike’s Television Debut

November 5, 2010

This just in: Ike will be part of the morning broadcast of FOX5 news this Monday, November 8. Please tell me that doesn't make me a stage-mom. I don't think I can pull it off.

I do have to get my butt out of bed and have Ike to Hero Dogs by 6:30a on Monday. I hope I don't oversleep, that would be awfully embarrassing, wouldn't it?

Holly Morris does a live morning broadcast on the local FOX station and she'll be interviewing Hero Dogs and showing off some of the dogs and their training next Monday. Ike is scheduled for the 8:40a segment, but it's live television, so who knows what will really happen!

This is a great way to get to know a little bit more about the Hero Dogs organization, service dogs, and how they are trained. All the pups will be there. Attention Teddy fans: Teddy is also scheduled to be on the air, too! We're scheduled to show off the pups and what they can do. It's live tv – it's going to be exciting, to say the least!

If you're in the Washington D.C. metro area, set your DVR for FOX5 on Monday starting at 6:00a!

A Quick Talos News Brief

October 21, 2010

It's been a long, hard twelve weeks since I turned Talos in. I can't believe it's only been twelve weeks, if I'm being honest. It feels like FOREVER ago. I miss him as badly today as I did the day we turned him in.

The good news is I don't cry every day. But it took me a long, long time to even be able to look at pictures of him. Just looking at this picture here is a little difficult still.

I got a nice "Talos Update" from Service Dogs of Virginia. He's sleeping in bed with the Training Director (yay!), he's learning to retrieve, and he's doing well on his footwork behaviors.

Brace dogs need to be flexible. I don't mean the bend-y kind of flexible, but more like able to do a lot of different things with their feet. His job is going to be to help someone keep their balance. So if his person needs him to move closer, he's got to be able to figure out – quickly – how to get closer to matter which direction he's facing, where his hind end is, etc.

He's got to be able to pivot, to turn in tight quarters. That's not an easy thing for a dog as big as Talos to do! Big T is taller than me when he's on his hind legs – he's no shrimp! So I'm doubly impressed that the big lug is learning how to be so light on his feet.

I'm hoping to get his tribute video together soon — seeing as I can now finally stand to look at his picture without dissolving in tears. (One or two still slide down my face, but they're at least controllable now.)

And maybe, just maybe, I'll be able to drive down for a visit in November. My birthday present to myself. I think I can handle it. Actually I think I'd enjoy it – and be able to control my urge to run for the border with him.

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