Victoria Stilwell Positively

Pet parents are now aware of the necessity of providing dog/dog socialization opportunities for their puppies. Nevertheless, when and how to do it is still misunderstood largely because many veterinarians, as well as breeders and pet-store owners, advise new pet parents to avoid socializing their new puppy with other dogs until the age of four to six months in order to avoid exposure to illnesses that vaccines protect against.

"I'm a Social Butterfly!" Photo Courtesy of Macchi and Kathy Hopper

Veterinarian experts in animal behavior, however, caution that the risk of developing behavioral problems—especially aggression—outweighs the risk of developing disease in otherwise healthy puppies. As early as 2004, renowned veterinarian, RK Anderson, proclaimed this in an open letter to his veterinary colleagues; Puppy Vaccination and Early Socialization Should Go Together!

Dr. Lynn Honeckman, DVM, tells us, “There is a very small window of opportunity during which it is our job to teach our puppies that the world is a safe place.”  So, exactly how do you plan for the “lifetime of happiness” approach to puppy-raising?

When Should You Socialize Your Puppy?

Dr. Ian Dunbar, veterinarian and Animal Behavior PhD, a pioneer in puppy training, tells us that safe socialization during the first few weeks at home is of “extreme urgency.” Indeed, Dunbar has launched the Puppy Raising Initiative explaining socialization imperatives for puppies in the short “critical period” of social development—between four and twelve weeks of age. This applies to socialization with people too. “Puppies must be safely socialized to people; otherwise, during adolescence they will likely become wary and fearful and may be aggressive towards people.”

How to Socialize and Protect Your Puppy

Dr. Lee Harris, a San Diegan veterinarian who studies canine behavior, wisely counsels, “Some common sense needs to be exerted about providing well-chosen socialization.” The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior Position Statement on Puppy Socialization advises that socialization in the first three months of life, before puppies are fully vaccinated, should be the standard of care. The organization Operation Socialization: Just Add Puppy offers easy to follow socialization safety guidelines when socializing your puppy. The American Veterinary Medical Association website provides guidance as well. It states that, “Puppies need socialization with other dogs, but those dogs must be well vaccinated and healthy.” Socializing with litter-mates or in-house dogs is not sufficient.

What Happens to Dogs who are Not Socialized Early?

"Jack" Photo Courtesy of Rebecca Kronenberg

After the 4 to 12 week “critical period” window closes, the friendly socializing puppy that was open to accepting the wide and wonderful world, enters into a fear-acquiring developmental period. So… unless you and your dog plan to live in the woods and need to protect yourselves from other dogs, preparing your pup to live in a domesticated, dog-filled environment makes better sense!

Failure to properly socialize early often results in aggression that is resistant to treatment, dogfights, embarrassing and stressful barking/lunging walks, heartache and pet abandonment.

Education is the Key

Dr. Karen Overall, Veterinarian, Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behavior (ACVB) PhD, CAAB, explains, “Worldwide, it’s exceptional that

veterinary specialists in behavior are on faculty at veterinary schools, and yet the single biggest killer of pet dogs is behavior problems. People need to realize that vets don’t know that much about problematic behavior, or maybe even normal behavior. The single biggest reason people relinquish animals to a shelter is a behavioral problem.”

Work closely with your veterinarian to keep your puppy current on her vaccinations, or better yet, titer testing, but be proactive about your puppy’s socialization requirements. Discuss the current scientific literature and work out a medically safe but early socialization plan with your vet and a private trainer or puppy class instructor, or ask your positive reinforcement behavioral consultant for a veterinary referral.

Originally published in the Natural Awakenings Pet Magazine, San Diego Edition.

Linda Michaels, "Dog Psychologist" and Victoria Stilwell-licensed Trainer and speaker may be reached at 858.259.WOOF (9663) or by email: LindaMichaelsPositively@gmail.com for private obedience instruction and behavioral consultations. Visit us at www.WholisticDogTraining.com.

If Your Dog Could Talk, What Would She Tell You? Photo Courtesy of Cindy Staszak

There's a raging controversy in the field of dog training centered around dog training collars and methods--Reinforcement vs Correction and Treats vs No Treats. What's a pet parent to do? If your dog could talk, your dog would surely ask you to listen to the experts in animal behavior. As it turns out, it’s scientifically sound advice to be nice to your dog.

In a consensus article, Good Trainers: How to Identity One, the Journal of Veterinary Behavior (2006) states quite clearly; shock, prong, and choke collars should be avoided “because they increase fear and anxiety.” It specifically suggests, “no pop and jerk”. You can Google it to read the full article. These esteemed veterinarians-- experts in behavior-- outline the behavioral and psychological drawbacks of punitive methods and equipment: “There are many pitfalls of punishment: it ruins relationships, inhibits desirable learning, doesn’t tell the pet what to do, and increases aggression and arousal.” They recommend, “bite-sized treats, harnesses and praise” and name these as superior training tools.

Scores of animal behavior experts in the scientific community and humane organizations have spoken out on the Reward vs Punishment debate. Behaviorists from The American Humane Association to the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists concur that using intimidation and pain-based methods to prevent or manage behavior can actually WORSEN existing behavior.

So, why is punishment-oriented training so widespread and popular? Well, there’s a charismatic TV trainer whose sensation-driven show warns viewers, “Don’t try this at home”. Additionally, shock, prong and choke collars are marketed in every big box store assuring buyers that they’re safe, acceptable and “won’t hurt your dog.” The language of “stimulation” and “tickle” can mislead innocent pet parents. Shock collar training is still legal in the US and there’s a great deal of money to be made. It works in the moment, but doesn't create lasting change or address the underlying problems.

Shock collars were recently banned for dog training in Wales and are illegal in Italy, Denmark, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, and many parts of Australia. States, such as Connecticut, have banned their use by private trainers and severely restricted their use by facilities.

If you think of your pet as member of your family, think of your dog as "a two-year old for life." That's the truth of it. Reward-based learning is what we ought to use with our children and with our companion animals as well, if we want relationships built on trust and love rather than on dominance and fear.

Originally published in the Natural Awakenings Pet Magazine, San Diego.

Linda Michaels, "Dog Psychologist" and Victoria Stilwell-Licensed Trainer and speaker may be reached at 858.259.WOOF (9663) or by email: LindaMichaelsPositively@gmail.com for private obedience instruction and behavioral consultations. Please visit us at www.WholisticDogTraining.com.

Your dog will be ecstatic about your resolution! Photo Courtesy of Cindy Staszak

New Year's Dog Diet Resolution: "I resolve that my dog will eat better in the new year!" Why not get on the “green dog bandwagon” and give your dog the new year’s gift that will last a lifetime? Your dog will be ecstatic about this resolution!

If you're having trouble sifting through all of the dog nutrition information and want to know what's good for your dog to eat and what's not--what's  essential and what's not--this article is written for you.

Veterinary nutritionist agree, a poor diet is the biggest obstacle to achieving canine health...from the ingredients, to the additives, to the processing. Buy food from companies that don’t cut corners but rather strive to provide the best quality food using ingredients produced and regulated in the U.S. Experts do not agree 100% about nutrition, however, an excellent holistic resource that investigates and reviews dry and canned food each year may be found at www.WholeDogJournal.com

Here're some tips to help you select dog foods that are both healthful and convenient.

The urban legend instructing pet parents to avoid feeding "people food" to dogs is only true if what you eat is not good for you! If you choose to home-cook, start with trustworthy recipes or prepare a healthy meal for yourself and cook a little extra for your dog. Be informed however, that raisins, grapes, macadamia nuts, chocolate, xylitol and even onions are considered toxic to dogs, as are the pits of fruits. Home-cooked meals can be great for your dog... but not every good pet parent wants to cook for the dog.

If you choose to feed kibble, feed an organic super-premium quality kibble and rotate between specifically named meats within and between brands. A balanced diet requires variety. Feeding the same food continuously may create allergies and nutritional deficiencies. There are some excellent dehydrated and freeze-dried foods as well.

Transition from one brand or protein source to the next over the course of a week or two.  Always add water or a scoop of wet food to the kibble. Producing enough saliva to swallow dry kibble is hard on your dog’s digestive system. Chewing kibble does not clean the teeth.

FAQ's

Q. What’s best on the ingredients list?

A.  TV ads and food bags that proclaim “complete and balanced” may be misleading.
Look for a specifically named meat (or fish) as the first ingredient and as many named meat sources in the first three ingredients as possible. Unfortunately, you can’t determine the quality of the meat from the label. Look for natural preservatives, such as vitamin C, vitamin e, citric acid and rosemary.

Nikko, carrot connoisseur, tells us that carrots are not only a yummy treat, but nutritionally ideal for dogs. Photo Courtesy of Cindy Staszak

A more natural diet would include raw meat, ground and large raw bones, shredded fruits and vegetables, and organ meat. Most vegetables and some fruits can and should be a part of your dog’s diet. Add a human food-quality bone meal as a calcium source to balance the high phosphorus in meats if you’re not providing bones. Conveniently frozen raw meals of meat, bone and veggies are now available.

Q. What about protein vs carbohydrates in the nutritional analysis?

A. High-protein diets are generally linked to high performance and high simple carbohydrate diets are linked to obesity in dogs. Choose a food with a small percentage of whole grains, if any. Doug Knueven, DVM, renowned veterinary lecturer on dog nutrition and author of The Holistic Health Guide: Natural Care for the Whole Dog (2008) also warns, “High carbohydrate foods predispose dogs to cancer.” Canines have little dietary requirements for carbohydrates, however, up to 90% grains may be used in commercial dog food because they are an inexpensive way to increase calories.

Q. What ingredients should I avoid?

A. Corn gluten, wheat, soy, unspecified meats, by-products of all kind, and any ingredient ending in -ose, corn syrup and sugar.

Q. What are red flags in my dog's food and treats?

A. Artificial flavors, colors and preservatives, especially BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin which have been linked to a variety of diseases.

Q. What about the processing?

A. High-temperature dog food processing can destroy nutrients including vitamins,
enzymes and amino acids. Stay as close to natural and organic as feasible.

Q. Do I really need to add supplements?

A. No matter what type of diet you choose, supplements are important.  Be sure your supplement producer is a member of the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) which commits to stringent quality controls.

Supplements listed in order of relative importance:

A balanced multivitamin/mineral derived from whole food sources.
Fish oil. DHA and EPA are omega-3 fatty acids naturally found in fish oil and are important for brain function. A 2004 study showed that a measure of canine intelligence was more than doubled for a group with DHA supplement than a control group of puppies 9 -13 weeks of age. DHA is “cooked out” of heat-processed (kibble) foods.
Glucosamine/chrondroitin. Especially important for high-activity or performing dogs and to prevent and treat arthritis.
Probiotics--“good bacteria”. Provide at the change of the seasons, high-stress, and during and after any medication treatment, especially antibiotics.

Many illnesses, skin, and behavioral problems are directly affected by diet, so keep your Fifi and Bowser physically and temperamentally fit by meeting their canine nutritional needs. Consult your holistically-minded veterinarian or certified canine nutritional expert for more details.

Originally published in the Carmel Valley News. CA

Linda Michaels, "Dog Psychologist" and Victoria Stilwell-licensed Trainer and speaker may be reached at 858.259.WOOF (9663) or by email: LindaMichaelsPositively@gmail.com for private obedience instruction and behavioral consultations. Visit us at www.WholisticDogTraining.com.

Victoria Stilwell, Otis, and Linda Michaels on the KUSI TV Studio Lot

In my recently published interview, Victoria Stilwell discusses the major differences in dog training methods... and explains why "methods matter" to all pet parents and to every dog. Victoria goes directly to the heart of a "hot" issue in dog training that is too often misrepresented to people searching for help with their beloved pup. Victoria lays out the facts, clearly and  beautifully, in an easy-to-read manner. Please share it!

Animal Planet's Victoria Stilwell, the "Dog Training Diva", is the new heroine of dog lovers everywhere. Stilwell’s smash hit show, It's Me or the Dog, airs in more than 50 countries. Anyone who's seen her show knows she means business...and everyone recognizes the signature boots she wears. Importantly, professional animal behaviorists and progressive veterinarians applaud her affirmation that it's "scientifically sound advice to be nice to your dog."

Welcome Victoria! You’re considered a dynamo in dog training with an exploding and devoted fan-base.

Q. What’s your “mission”?
A. I’m a passionate cheerleader for positive training that’s based on mutual trust, respect and love, rather than fear, punishment, and intimidation. Our mission is to turn the tide of public awareness away from the traditional punishment and dominance-based methods which have been so popular in the past.

Q. Many people may not yet be aware of the differences in dog training methods, although they are quite dissimilar in important ways.
A. You’re right. To the casual observer, all dog training looks the same. But it’s not. Dominance trainers believe that most behavior problems stem from a dog trying to ‘dominate,’ while positive trainers know that the root cause in the majority of cases is lack of confidence. Two trainers on opposite ends of the spectrum can look at the same aggressive dog and see two totally different things. There’s still a lot of debate about which side is correct, but it’s really all moot because science has spoken.

Dominance trainers believe that they must impose their will on the dog in order to earn ‘respect’. This is very dangerous, as the dog has not fundamentally changed, and will still act out, sometimes aggressively, when it’s safe to do so.

Q. So, what’s wrong with the “alpha” and “pack leader” theories?
A. The “alpha” and  ‘pack leader” theories are based on 40-year old research that is now, admittedly, inherently flawed. Scientists studied wild, unrelated, captive wolves and translated the findings to domesticated dogs. We now know that a wolf pack is a mother, father and their offspring, and the “alphas” are the breeding pair.

A Conversation with Dog-Training Diva Victoria Stilwell. Cover "Natural Awakenings Pet" Magazine, San Diego.

Q. What about the need for leadership?
A. The most powerful and effective leaders lead without the use of force. Positive trainers believe that leadership should be used as constructive guidance rather than a punitive imposition of will. It’s similar to the way we raise children these days: build up their confidence and give them the tools to make the right choices.

Q. There’s a proliferation of shock, prong and choke collar equipment training. What type of leash-walking equipment do you recommend?
A. For “serial pullers”, a chest-led harness helps work through the behavior problem. For smaller dogs, I recommend a mesh harness.

Q. I understand your network of expert trainers now reaches from Athens, Greece to San Diego. Tell us a bit about your new project of networking trainers and what you hope to accomplish.
A. I founded Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Training (VSPDT) – to provide the public with a ‘name brand’ you can trust to use the latest science-based, reward-based training methods.

Since last year, I’ve been enlisting the most accomplished, professional positive reinforcement dog trainers into my global network.  The idea is that if someone is hunting for a dog trainer, they’ll recognize that the trainer is aligned personally and professionally with me, they’ll recognize the type of training I do on my TV show and say, “I want that.”

We’ve got fantastic VSDPT members in the San Diego area, including Linda Michaels and Julie Schmitt.

Q. Please tell us, what's next on your agenda?
A. I’ll be continuing work on my new product line, developing new and innovative solutions to canine problems. We’re focused on promoting healthy, balanced relationships to make the world a better place for us and our dogs.

Thank you! Find us at www.Positively.com

Linda Michaels, "Dog Psychologist" and Victoria Stilwell-licensed Trainer and speaker may be reached at 858.259.WOOF (9663) or by email: LindaMichaelsPositively@gmail.com for private obedience instruction and behavioral consultations. Visit us at www.WholisticDogTraining.com.

Was your first baby a fur-baby? Many dogs accept a new baby without any problems. However, some don’t and some will need a lot of help adjusting to the presence of an infant. Here’re some Tiny Tot ABC’s to help you prevent common problems.

1. Prepare your beloved dog months in advance. Assess, ultra-socialize, train and desensitize before you bring your baby home. Encourage independence and slowly transition primary care-taking duties of your pup to your partner if helpful. Visit your veterinarian to get a wellness exam for your spayed or neutered dog.

2. Never leave a baby or child alone with a dog. Sufficiently provoked, any dog will bite. No dog should be trusted with a small child and no child should be trusted with a dog. The American Veterinary Medical Association has a must-read online brochure: What You Should Know About Dog Bite Prevention (www.avma.org). Your dog may not recognize your newborn as a human member of the family. The best rule may be not to allow the dog into the nursery. Secure it.

Get your FREE DOWNLOAD here and enter the Sweepstakes to win free prizes from Animal Planet star, Victoria Stilwell, by sharing your thoughts and your experience.

3. Personality profile. Assess your dog’s behavior toward infants, toddlers, strangers, as well as reactions to novel items, smells and situations. What’s your dog’s history? Does your dog have small-animal predatory tendencies, guarding behaviors, startle phobia or fear responses? If so, call a professional canine behavioral consultant for an assessment.

4. Address training and behavior issues before the baby arrives. Obedience requirements are: sit, down, stay, come, leave it, and calm leash-walking. Practice using voice-alone instructions with your dog. Train out the behaviors you don’t want. Private, distraction-free training and practice in your home can provide the best results. Don’t play aggressive games with your dog.

5. Learn to read your dog’s body language so you can tell if your dog is experiencing stress  around your baby. Watch for avoidance or fixation, listen for vocalizations and notice how you dog looks when she’s happy. Be sure to provide lots of aerobic exercise. Employ a dog walker if your dog needs more fun!

6. Habituate and desensitize your dog to new baby sounds, gadgets, smells, and various baby routines by role-playing activities such as diaper changing and stroller walks with a doll. Dogs love routines. Check out Preparing Fido, a CD of crying, grunting, bathing, and giggling baby sounds www.preparingfido.com  by the Humane Society of the United States. Everything associated with the baby should become the new normal. You don’t want your dog to be surprised or anxious about having a baby join the family.

7. Socialization to infants and children. Take your people-friendly dog to observe children at play. Encourage friends with infants to visit in order to accustom your dog the presence of babies in the home. Reward your dog with treats and soft praise for remaining calm in order to develop positive associations between them.

8. Create a "Dog Zone" sanctuary and a "Baby Zone". Enclose gated areas to keep them safely separated so both you and your dog can relax and your baby is safe.

9. Introduce your dog to your baby in a slow, gradual fashion. When coming home from the hospital, have Mommy come into the house alone and calmly greet the dog. Then put the dog on a leash and ask for a sit or down. Have your partner come in with the baby and either retreat to another room and save introductions for later, or if your dog looks relaxed, walk your dog calmly and slowly toward the baby and let him sniff the baby’s toes---not the face. Make it a non-event. Ideally, your dog will not be overly interested in the baby. Help your dog experience the arrival of the baby as a good thing.

Photo Courtesy of Cara Shannon, Dog Bite Expert, Mom, and Victoria Stilwell-licensed Trainer

According to renowned veterinarian Dr. Nicholas Dodman, “Share your attention with the dog when the baby is around.” This will help endear your baby to your dog and prevent “sibling” rivalry.

10. Seek professional help anytime you have concerns about interactions between your dog and family members, displays of aggressive, or guarding behaviors of items or people, sudden changes in your dog’s behavior, or conflict between dogs in the home. These problems need immediate intervention.

Ideally, parents ought to add a dog to the family after the children have reached the age of five but often that’s not the way life unfolds. Achieving harmony through proper preparation should have your fur-baby as happy as a lark to go for a stroller walk with you and your new baby!

Resources: Renowned dog and baby specialist, Colleen Pelar’s, Living with Kids and Dogs may be found at: www.livingwithkidsanddogs.com/. Her website is filled with helpful articles, an advice column and more. Attend a Dogs and Babies seminar or arrange for a private consultation in your home. And don’t forget www.DogsandStorks.com.

Linda Michaels, "Dog Psychologist" and Victoria Stilwell-licensed Trainer and speaker may be reached at 858.259.WOOF (9663) or by email: LindaMichaelsPositively@gmail.com for private obedience instruction and behavioral consultations. Visit us at www.WholisticDogTraining.com.

Dog/dog Aggression: There’s nothing pet parents like better than socializing with their dog in the summer sun. There are, however, two important questions to ask: “Is it safe?” and “Is my dog really having fun?” Your dog speaks to you through body language--ear and tail carriage, stance, behavior and vocalizations. Perhaps your dog is telling you she is experiencing an overload of stress when confronted with other dogs. If so, avoid any potentially dangerous situations while you begin a science-based behavior modification program.

Photo Courtesy of Cindy Staszak

Displays of aggression between members of the same species are common in animals. Conflicts over resources, such as, food, territory, and access to others are well-supported in animal behavior literature. Still, we often expect our dogs to play-nice with “stranger dogs” in group situations and out on neighborhood strolls. Rules of appropriate behavior in dog society are quite different than human manners. You may need to reexamine your expectations and goals for your pup. If your dog exhibits generalized dog/dog aggression, it’s unlikely he’ll turn into a social butterfly.

Genetics, early socialization or the lack of exposure during the critical period of social development, and traumatic experiences, shape how your dog interacts with other dogs. Play between dogs should be a 2-way street. They should take turns chasing each other--neither dog being a bully or a target.

Dog/dog aggression can be a dangerous problem for you, your dog, other dogs, and anyone who tries to break up a dog fight. If your dog has an aggression issue of any kind, get a wellness check from your veterinarian to rule out any underlying organic causes that may be affecting behavior.

If your dog has bitten another dog or been in a number of dog fights, engage a certified behavioral consultant to help you work toward changing your dog’s underlying drives and motivation. A complete intake evaluation should be given in order to develop a plan of treatment based on your dog’s history. It’s a complex problem and each case requires an individual approach to assess on-leash aggression, off-leash aggression, territorial aggression, fear-based aggression, fence-barrier aggression, resource guarding aggression, bite hierarchies, ameliorating factors and context.

The amount of time it takes to see improvement varies depending on the severity of the reactivity, your dog’s responsiveness to training, and the amount of time you devote to practicing behavior modification protocols.

Behavior modification techniques that include: desensitization, behavior adjustment therapy (BAT), functional rewards, Feisty Fido and clicker training will help you and your pup have a safe and happy summer together. Avoid harsh methods or collars that cause pain as they increase fear and anxiety and may cause aggression (Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 2006).

A realistic goal for you and your dog may be taking your dog for a pleasant walk in the neighborhood without any barking and lunging incidents. If your dog shows signs of anxiety with “stranger dogs”, it’s all right to skip the group activities and play at home The booklet Play Together, Stay Together by Dr’s. Patricia B. McConnell and Karen London is packed with great games for the two of you. Supervised play-dates with doggies friends may be another alternative. Stay safe this summer and have fun with your dog!

Linda Michaels MA, CPDT, Dog Psychologist and Victoria Stilwell-licensed Trainer may be reached at 858.259.WOOF (9663) or by email: LindaMichaelsPositively@gmail.com for private obedience instruction and behavioral consultations. Please visit us at www.WholisticDogTraining.com to receive our FREE training newsletter.  Originally published by San Diego Pets Magazine. Publisher Casey Dean. All rights reserved.

Does your dog bark while running in circles, bay at the moon, bark at bugs, or scare your visitors out of their boots?

Dogs bark to repel intruders, for attention, during play, as an outlet for energy, or in separation distress. Barking is as natural a vocalization for dogs as speaking is for humans. Basic barking is normal, but incessant barking may indicate an unhappy dog that has developed a behavior problem. Here’re some non-aversive training tips to help bring some peace and quiet to your home.

First, identify why your dog is barking. Then address each trigger separately. Either remove or modify the trigger, teach your dog to do something other than bark when triggered, or decrease your dog’s sensitivity to the trigger in order to decrease the frequency and intensity of barking. Teach your dog early that barking is not rewarded. If you have a multiple-dog household there is often an instigator, so train each dog separately starting with “you know who”.

Remember this important Learning Principle: Behaviors that are rewarded increase in frequency, so reward your dog with attention, affection or treats only when she is calm.

Photo Courtesy of Cindy Staszak

Alarm Barking
Desensitize so that the doorbell no longer warns “scary stranger is here” but proclaims “cookie-friend is here". Have visitors carry treats. Mount a treat bag on your doorknob that reads, “Please feed the animal”. If you’re home, interrupt and redirect your dog to another location. For example, call your dog and ask for a quiet “sit” in front of the refrigerator, give a treat for a “down/stay” in the dog bed, or easiest of all, throw treats out in to the backyard where your pup will focus his energy on grazing rather than barking.

Alternatively, put your dog in a time-out until she calms herself down. Again, calm behavior gets the attention and treats, whereas barking doesn’t. Please see see Dr. Sophia Yin’s video on Counter-conditioning to change emotional response on her YouTube page or website.

For outdoor noises try an audio blocker such as background TV or stereo and desensitize by pairing treats with the trigger sound. If dogs passing by or squirrels out in the yard set your dog off, rearrange and manage your dog’s location so there's a visual blocker rather than a “guard station” where your dog stalks, sits or lies in wait. Provide your dog with novel stimuli to replace guarding activities and plenty of exercise to relieve pent-up energy.

Demand Barking
Never give in to: “I want treat, I want you, I want outside” barking. If you provide the desired item or any reinforcement you’re teaching your dog to repeat the behavior over and over again. Reward for quiet and well-mannered behavior, but turn away or walk away in response to barking.

Photo Courtesy of Cindy Staszak

What Not to Do
The use of citronella collars, spray bottles, shouting or shaking cans of marbles near delicate ear structures have undesirable side-effects. Punishment may incite yourdog to aggress, become fearful, damage your relationship, and nurture a negative association/relationship with whatever or whoever your dog is barking at. We want your dog to calm down, not totter on the brink of aggression, or to shut down. Never punish her for barking--next time she may forego the bark and just bite.

Your dog is smart and will learn what you “teach” her. Learning how to communicate in a language your dog can understand is the key to the wonderful relationship you’ve always dreamed of with your dog.

Linda Michaels, "Dog Psychologist" and Victoria Stilwell Trainer may be reached at 858.259.WOOF (9663) or by email: LindaMichaelsPositively@gmail.com for private obedience instruction and behavioral consultations. Please visit us at www.WholisticDogTraining.com.  Originally published San Diego Pets Magazine, Casey Dean, Publisher. All rights reserved.

All living things thrive on positive feedback – people, dolphins and very importantly, your dog! Positive training for companion animals is fast becoming the preferred method of dog training. One of non-aversive dog training's most prominent advocates, The Journal of Veterinary Behavior (2006) in their article, "Good Trainers: How to Identify One",  recommends dog-friendly dog training because it is effective, humane and leads to the lasting behavior you’ve been working so hard to achieve with your dog. To get started, reward the behaviors you would like to see repeated, and ignore, prevent or manage the behaviors you’d rather not have repeated. In addition to short training sessions, pay close attention to your dog’s behavior and actively identify and reward the behaviors you like that she already does on her own, such as Sit or Down. Behavior can be "captured" in this way.

Positive does not mean permissive, however, so remember to set some household rules, draw boundaries, establish routines and make it all doable for your dog by being consistent.

How are you being a "Good Trainer" with your dog? We'd love to hear from you!

Linda Michaels, MA, CPDT, Dog Psychologist and Victoria Stilwell Trainer may be reached at 858.259.WOOF (9663) or by email: LindaMichaelsPositively@gmail.com for private obedience instruction and behavioral consultations. Please visit us at www.WholisticDogTraining.com. All rights reserved.

Victoria and her show were honored by Hollywood at the recent Genesis Awards. The awards air on Animal Planet Saturday night with an encore on Sunday. It took place on March 19, 2011, in Beverly Hills on the Avenue of the Stars... and I was there with Victoria Stilwell, star of Animal Planet’s It’s Me or the Dog! The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) event honors outstanding individuals who have made a significant contribution through major media to raise public consciousness of animal protection issues. The event included a gourmet vegan dinner, a silent-auction, and an up-close look at celebs decked out in their glamorous best.

Nominee Victoria Stilwell with Dog Psychologist and VSPDT Trainer, Linda Michaels

Victoria’s show, It’s Me or the Dog, was nominated in the competitive Best Reality Series category. I watched excitedly as Victoria walked down the “red carpet” and gave me a little wave. Press, TV, radio and on-line interviewers rushed to get their interviews, quotes and footage to further to promote the celebrities who are using their voices as animal welfare advocates. Victoria said: “This award is special because it recognizes the contribution It’s Me or the Dog is making in helping people build more positive relationships with their pets, as well as addressing issues such as pet overpopulation and the importance of spay and neuter.”

This was my first red carpet event and although I didn’t walk it, I did have my photo taken on it during the reception! I could not have been more proud to schmooze with the producers of Animal Planet, gab with Shorty the Pit Bull Boss and discuss dogs with veteran veterinarian, Marc Abraham, author or the new runaway best seller, Vet on Call. Attendees and presenters included: Betty White, Valerie Bertinelli, Ed Asner, James Cromwell (Secretariat), Leona Lewis, Renee Russo, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (of Los Angeles), Charlotte Ross (Glee) and Dusty the Dog (True Blood).

Stunning film clips from the highly anticipated release of the IMAX “Born to Be Wild” 3D documentary which follows scientists and rescue teams returning orphaned elephants and orangutans back to the wild were shown. Filmed in the rain-forests of Borneo and the Kenyan savanna this stunning expose debuts in theaters on April 8th. Other clips highlighting animal maltreatment brought tears to my eyes on at least three separate occasions during the ceremonies.

Victoria speaks out about puppy mills on the red carpet.

Kristin Davis (Sex and the City) was chosen for the prestigious Wyler Award, “in recognition of the attention she has brought to the plight of orphaned African elephants impacted by the increase in elephant poaching for their ivory tusks.” said the HSUS.

Other winners:

* How To Train Your Dragon for Outstanding Feature Film for its inspiring message about tolerance and respect for all living creatures.
* Comedy Central's The Colbert Report for satirizing bullfighters.
* HBO's True Blood for a dogfighting episode.
* The Oprah Winfrey Show for two animal-themed shows spotlighting dolphin netting, elephant poaching for ivory, and pet overpopulation.
* Last Chance Highway, Animal Planet, for a look at rescuing, re-socializing and finding loving homes for dogs.

The honor of being nominated and being part of a group of creative individuals who are passionate about exposing and stopping animal cruelty was reward in itself for us. What a night!

Victoria with the Pit Boss and Hercules. After-party.

HSUS advocates for better laws, investigates animal cruelty, encourages corporations to adopt animal-friendly policies, conducts animal rescue and emergency responses, and provides direct care to thousands of animals at it’s sanctuaries, shelters, wildlife rehabilitation centers and mobile veterinary clinics across the country.

The Genesis Awards one-hour special will air on Animal Planet on April 30 at 7pm ET/PT and encore May 1 at 9am ET/PT.

Linda Michaels, MA, CPDT, Dog Psychologist and Victoria Stilwell Trainer may be reached at 858.259.WOOF (9663) or by email: LindaMichaelsPositively@gmail.com for private obedience instruction and behavioral consultations. Please visit us at www.WholisticDogTraining.com.

Originally published by San Diego Pets Magazine. All rights reserved.

Wildfire season is upon us so we want to be sure that your Fifi or Bowser happily hops into the car if you need to evacuate. Although the desensitization techniques highlighted in this article are applied to overcoming the fear of riding in a car - the same principles can be applied to any fear, hyperactivity and even to other-dog aggression behaviors that may be troubling your dog.

You’re all set to take your dog out on an exciting adventure or to spend some quality time together running errands, but when you say, “Let’s Go for a Ride” your pup turns tail, slinks away and goes into hiding. In the car, perhaps your puppy howls, shakes uncontrollably, cries or tries to escape, then crawls into your arms holding on tenaciously with his nails while you are trying to drive…making you feel just terrible too. He’s scared and nothing you do seems to help.

“Bella”, a rescue, was not about to get into the SUV – no way!  Taking a ride in the SUV required her to hoist herself up about a foot and one-half and then enter a narrow closed-in space, commonly referred to as the back seat.  How could she be motivated to overcome her deep-seated fear and get into the car?

As her trainer, I began by teaching her to walk up a wide, low-sloped ramp with much clicking and treating to propel her along a trail of yummy treats. Then I put the ramp on the SUV’s running board.  Next, with both back doors to the SUV open and “Bella’s” pet mom on one side and me at the other, we enthusiastically and painstakingly lured her onto the back seat. I clearly remember the instant when she decided to hop off the ramp and into the car to get to her pet mom who had the sausage! We then began to desensitize her to the noises and movement of the car, one baby-step at a time.

Once on the road, we took a slow ride directly to the nearest fast-food drive-through to buy a double bacon cheeseburger she devoured in the back seat! This is an excellent illustration of a behavior modification plan that associates a positive experience with riding in the car, that is, we pair a positive thing with a feared thing in order to overcome a fear.

“Frankie”, a purebred puppy of 4 months who had been allowed to ride on the pet parent’s lap was one of my challenging recent cases. He was quickly growing into a good size dog, so for many reasons, this method was not going to work for long. Socialization training was of paramount importance at this stage of his development and riding in the car from day one was imperative. It took dear “Frankie” 3 weeks of daily trips before he finally began, out of curiosity to sniff, albeit gingerly, out the window.

A hopeful adoptee from a humane society was afraid of….everything.  Poor “Arty”– he weighed eighty pounds and it required two people to hoist him into the car for an overnight behavioral evaluation at my home.

So, let’s try to look at it from your dog’s point of view.

Cars are ginormous, noisy, rattling devices replete with engines that roar, doors that slam, perhaps loud music and mysterious wipers that crawl across the windshield as well as having all manner of odd and novel features your puppy or dog may never have acclimated to in daily life at home. Then the whole world full of people, dogs and other cars races by at a speed simply unimaginable to your dog.

As if that’s not enough for a scardy-dog, safety-conscious pet parents may want their dog to wear a harness or to be crated to protect both of you in case you need to slam on the brakes or you get hit by another vehicle. The down-side for your dog is confinement. If confined your dog cannot run away if frightened - a behavior that is adaptive and survival-wise in the wild.

Desensitize your pup to each of the above triggers and then address the movement of the car itself that may be causing the puppy-tummy to turn upside-down. Riding in the car or engaging in any feared activity can, become a great joy or at the very least, a less stressful part of life for you both.

The two main principles of a fear- desensitization plan can be used to treat any fear your dog may have…

1. Present the feared activity at an intensity that your dog can comfortably tolerate, then

2. Increase the intensity of the activity by baby-steps - as long as your dog continues to remain calm.

If your dog's behavior, body language or vocalization are stressed, you need to go back to where your dog can comfortably tolerate the intensity of the stimuli. It may take some time to complete these steps depending on your dog’s history and willingness to play the training game.

Here are some steps to help you and your dog get on the road:

1. Lure your dog into the car with food or a favorite toy. This technique may work best when your dog is hungry, so train before breakfast and before dinner if possible. You want your dog to “walk through” her fear of the car and to have the food win out. Things go more smoothly for everyone when it is her decision to get into the car.

2. Close the door while you are inside of the car with a big smile on your face. Provide some happy words of encouragement as you give your dog a treat at the same time. Open and close the door a number of times reinforcing your dog enthusiastically each time.

3. Start the engine but don’t go anywhere. Just sit talking happily to your pup in the car for a while. At this juncture, you may want to add some doggie massage to comfort your pup. Desensitize your dog to all of the noises and gadgets in the car.

4. Drive very slowly at first on quiet streets before picking up speed

5. Block some of the windows with a screen or put a cover over the crate if your dog appears stressed in order to shelter her from the onslaught of novel stimuli. It will calm her, just as it does a bird!

6. Make the ride itself reinforcing. Open the window a bit to let the smell of the great outdoors capture your dog’s interest. A nice, slow ride in the country with trees and natural landscapes can help to make first-time adventures reinforcing for your pup so that you can more easily move on to more intense environments. Keep a favorite chew item or plush toy in your car that your dog is just crazy and save it just for rides.

7. Head out on the Highway as your dog gives you the “I’m OK Now…Let’s Go for a Ride”.

The payoff for your patience and efforts will be a lifetime of happy joyriding with your beloved pup who is now more than happy to be your traveling companion.  A great bonus is that now you can use “Let’s Go for a Ride” as a reward!

In the event of an evacuation emergency, have your dog’s disaster preparedness pack ready to go – you may need to make a hasty departure. If you won't be staying with relatives or friends, call your favorite dog-friendly hotel well in advance to secure a reservation for comfy accommodations for you and your precious pup. To confine your dog inside the car with you, a padded crate with tie downs or a car harness is best but a laundry basket or a box for a small pup will do in a pinch. Bring bedding, wet and dry food, plenty of bottled water, medications, first aid kit, supplements, leash, harness, collar, ID and rabies tags, poop bags, plus chew and other toys to keep your pup busy while you make a great escape with Fifi and Bowser safely in tow. Be sure to provide your pup with frequent potty breaks, stretch breaks, water breaks and as we all know, never leave your dog alone in the car on a warm day.

Linda Michaels, MA, CPDT, Dog Psychologist and Victoria Stilwell Trainer may be reached at 858.259.WOOF (9663) or by email: LindaMichaelsPositively@gmail.com for private obedience instruction and behavioral consultations. Please visit us at www.WholisticDogTraining.com. Originally published RanchCoastNews, Lorine Wright, Executive Editor.  All rights reserved.

After falling in love with a dog that melted your heart at the local  shelter or carefully selecting  a puppy from the breed-specific rescue, you’re now faced with some very real challenges at home. What’s the quickest path to making your new bundle of joy a member of the family with whom it’s a joy to live? Your pup will be developing habits each and every day, so begin on day one to train the behaviors listed below.

1. Housetraining – From day one, the key words are containment, both short-term and long-term, and reward opportunities. Confinement in a crate for night-time and in a small area during the day with an indoor sod tray or puppy pad is essential for errorless housetraining until your pup earns more space in your house. Ample opportunities for elimination with food rewards will have your dog looking forward to getting onto the leash to go to the chosen spot in your yard to eliminate and get a yummy treat.

2. Handling and Good Manners at the Veterinarian and Groomer – Your pup should be handled often, starting at 4 weeks of age if that is possible. Visit your puppy frequently and get a head start on the human-animal bonding process with all the members of your family. If your puppy comes home at 8 weeks or later, handle, massage every inch of your puppy, and hold your puppy often. In addition to regular snuggling, pretend you and your pup are at the groomer or vet and practice puppy calmness while you examine toes, ears and mouth with your puppy standing safely on a raised surface.

3. No Bite! - Start on day one to let your pup know in a dog-friendly way that puppy biting is not OK with you. Discontinue playing or handling your pup each and every time you feel teeth on your skin - draw away from your pup or put him on the floor immediately as you make a disappointed sound with your voice. Wait for five seconds, and then resume calm play and handling as if nothing had happened. Your dog will learn that everything, especially fun, stops if he bites!

4. Socialization – Expose your dog to anything and everything you think he may experience later in life - 100 New Things in the First 100 days! Learning to be a social butterfly is the most important thing your dog will ever learn.  Socialize early and frequently to all types of people, other dogs and moving objects. Ultra-socialize your puppy to children of all ages, men and strangers and with lots of other dogs of all shapes and sizes. Socialize to skateboards, bicycles and joggers and to all types of situations too.

5. Appropriate Chew Toy Training – Chew items are your friends. Provide a nice variety of safe chew and food toys to help stop puppy biting, to save your furniture, and to teach your puppy self-calming and how to be happy on his own. Up to five months of age and perhaps for a lifetime, your dog will be hunting about for things to chew. Chewing dulls the pain of teething, keeps a pup busy and very importantly, it relieves stress. If you don’t give your puppy something to do, you can be certain, he will find something to do!

6. Preventing Separation Anxiety – Dogs who develop too strong an attachment to their family, may quickly become insecure and possibly destructive when left alone. Leaving your puppy alone on a regular basis with a safe, yummy chew toy for short periods of time is necessary so that you will be able to leave your pup alone when you want to go out. The number one thing you can do to help your pup build confidence is to greet your dog in a very calm manner. It may be hard for you to save your effusive greetings until your pup calms herself down after an arrival home, but it will be well worth it in the long run.

7. Insurance Against Resource and Food Guarding for Puppies – Hand feeding and training with treats helps develop positive associations with people and their hands.  Showing your puppy that hands deliver good treats to eat, and that they don’t take away good things will help keep the hands/food association happy and strong. When you do need to take something from your puppy, it’s best to trade it for something better. If your adolescent or adult dog is already guarding objects, you may need the help of a professional.

8. A Healthy Diet for Your Dog – Independent dog nutritionists agree that feeding a super-premium quality dog food on a rotating schedule will best provide your dog with what he needs to grow up happy and strong. Unfortunately, a high grade dog food may not be available at the typical grocery store no matter how healthy the name of the food sounds. Look for a meat that is named as the first ingredient and avoid by-products, fillers, sugar, artificial preservatives and coloring. You may want to add Vitamin, Mineral, Omega and probiotic supplements to strengthen the immune system. Rotate within and between super-premium brands, transitioning from one type to another and feed at least a little wet food each day if you choose a kibble diet. Feed your puppy 3x day until 4 months of age, then twice a day. Bison, duck, fish, venison and lamb are some new favorites!

9. Wearing a Leash and Harness – The most puppy and dog-friendly leash-walking gear generally includes a flat collar and a harness. If your dog pulls, or barks and lunges at anything at all, a harness will distribute the force of the pull or lunge across the torso and protect delicate cervical vertebrae as well as tracheal, esophageal and other throat structures. Leash-walking training may then begin.

10. Obedience Training - Formal training for you and your dog is recommended if you want to make the most productive use of your time and you want to be sure to get your puppy or new dog off on the right paw. Group or private training is available. The most highly respected dog  professionals and veterinarians strongly advocate the use of the positive reinforcement method of training alone.

Linda Michaels, Dog Psychologist and Victoria Stilwell Trainer may be reached at 858.259.WOOF (9663) or by email: LindaMichaelsPositively@gmail.com for private obedience instruction and behavioral consultations. Please visit us at www.WholisticDogTraining.com. Originally published RanchCoastNews, Lorine Wright, Executive Editor.  All rights reserved.

“Lilly” certainly was little. She measured just up to the high end of my ankle and it made me shiver to think of what it was like to live down there with all the giant humans and bigger dogs tramping all over the place. Nevertheless, I’ve seen many confident, even overly-confident toy breed pups that aren’t the least bit troubled with their small stature - but this was different. The little fawn-coated Chihuahau/doxie seemed to have every fear-laden issue in the dog diagnostics book.

Adoptee and rescue dogs almost always have a mysterious past that new pet parents can never truly know. Reading their body language and behavior may give us an idea of what their past lives may have wrought, although their prior and formative experiences may well remain a secret forever.

“Lilly” was adopted at the age of approximately a year and one half and was living with a wonderful and doting pet parent for 6 months when I received a call to help. “Lilly” was now in a safe and loving environment replete with a wonderful garden of a yard in Del Mar but she was still a scardy-cat.

Confidence-building was the overarching goal of “Lilly’s” treatment and training. If we could build confidence, everything else would come along easily when compared to the task of dispelling her fears. Fears are quickly learned because they are adaptive to survival but, therein, also resistant to change. Teaching obedience behaviors using yummy treats as rewards would serve to help “Lilly” develop a positive association with humans rather than the fear-based association that was so apparent.

One of “Lilly’s” most disarming behaviors was what is termed submissive/excitement urination. The first thing Lilly would do when a new person approached was to urinate wherever she was standing. Loss of control of the bladder is a common symptom of fear. We can easily imagine the degree of fear a dog must be experiencing for this to occur.

Since I appeared and sounded friendly, “Lilly” curled her body up in a tight little ball, and crawled on her side over to me, head to the ground and she began licking my toes incessantly in a classic submissive/appeasement display.

Her little body shivered with fear all the while. This is the behavior of a dog who is in conflict - experiencing fear of people, yet wanting to receive affection. Her ears were held flat and back, she would not make eye-contact, everything about her spelled fear. She was not, however, fear- aggressive as many fearful dogs may become.

“Lilly” was afraid of me approaching her, afraid of hands and afraid of the clicker which I often use in training fearful dogs in order to speed desensitization. Training would be a slow and delicate operation and I would be ever watchful for the slightest landmark improvement that could be built upon.

We used the distancing technique as a starting point for desensitization training. We began with “Lilly” standing and looking at me from a considerable distance where she did not show any body language or fear behaviors while her pet mom talked confidently to her at close range and fed her treats. As long as “Lilly” continued to behave in a normal fashion, her mom approached closer toward me, one step at a time, using the same confidence-building techniques.

Desensitizing “Lilly” to the clicker took a couple of weeks. I started by making a soft, muffled clicking sound with my mouth and graduated to using the real thing held behind my back, in my pocket and then out in the open. If “Lilly” was a bit hungry, she would work to overcome her fear of the noise because she wanted the treat! I would click and treat for head held high and for high ear carriage too. We graduated to gentle handling and massage to help “Lilly” overcome her fear of hands. We then worked on not rewarding appeasement or fearful behaviors - so if “Lilly” appeasement licked or put her ears back, she would not get petted but if she acted brave she would get a pet and a treat!

There is a psychological theory called the James-Lange theory that suggests that if, for instance, you smile, you will feel happier. Thus, using rewards for confident body language in a dog may predict the development of confidence in the dog.

Training toy and small dogs in basic behaviors, such as sit, may be most easily accomplished by placing the dog on the couch next to you and working in close proximity to your dog. Once you get the sit, you can then increase the difficulty by placing your dog on the floor. This is how I taught “Lilly” and many small breed dogs to sit.

Lying down is a vulnerable body posture for a fearful dog, however, and Lilly did not want to give up what little height she had by standing. Fortunately for us, her favorite treats finally won out when I had her sit underneath a chair and placed the treat on the floor outside of the chair. She crawled under the horizontal bar that runs parallel to the floor to get the treat and thus, we had a successful method to train the down!

I remember the first time I arrived on “Lilly’s” doorstep and she neither urinated nor crawled over to me but walked up to me just as natural as can be… and smiled. I later had the pleasure of pet sitting Lilly and some of her family dogs. She was just the sweetest thing. I got her an extra, extra small doggie life-jacket just in case she got accidentally pushed into the pool by the larger dogs. She looked hilarious wearing it – but practically so.

The last I heard of “Lilly”, she was happily chasing butterflies in her backyard and taking daily walks along the ocean, being widely admired and loving every minute of it. Good Brave Happy Girl “Lilly”!

Names have been changed to protect the innocents and the rascals as well as their very devoted pet parents.

Linda Michaels, MA "Dog Psychologist" and Victoria Stilwell Trainer may be reached at 858.259.WOOF or by email: WholisticDogTraining@san.rr.com for private instruction and behavioral consultations. See
http://www.WholisticDogTraining.com. Originally published RanchCoastNews, Lorine Wright, Executive Editor.  All rights reserved.

Exercise! Courtesy of SurfDogRicochet.com

The lingering aroma of hot cider, eggnog, and evergreen, sparkling lights that brightened each night, and my great hope for a wonderful new year, stir me to share a list of “gifts” that can enhance the quality of every dog’s life. Your thoughtful choices make a big difference-- from adoption to the twilight days.

1. Adoption
Consider adoption as a first-choice. There’s a wide array of deserving dogs that need families. You may find an already house-trained, obedience-trained, and socialized dog that fits in easily in your home.

2. Veterinary Care
Be pro-active about your dog’s health and ask questions. Personal recommendations from a trusted friend or professional are best. Consider integrative care that combines both standard and holistic treatment, and importantly, look for a vet that practices gentle handling. Check out pet health insurance, and don’t forget to take care of those pearly whites.

3. Spay/Neuter
Help stop the over-population problem by choosing to spay or neuter early and don’t breed except with excellent reason and planning. Reliable research tells us that spay/neuter prevents or decreases many behavior problems and has some medical benefits as well.

4. Training
Begin training at 8 weeks or as soon thereafter as possible. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior advises: "Training should be based on positive reinforcement with frequent rewards, praise, petting, play and/or treats. Positive and consistent training is associated with fewer behavior problems and greater obedience than methods that involve punishment and/or encourage human dominance" (2008). Socialize, socialize, socialize!

5. Nutrition
Be careful about what you put into your dog. Read the ingredients list. Feed a super-premium grade food with a specifically named meat as the first ingredient and avoid, fillers, by-products, artificial flavoring, preservatives, coloring and sugar. Rotate between meats and brands to achieve variety. Provide supplements of Vitamin/mineral and Omega 3/6 and feed at least a little wet food each day or soften kibble with broth or water.

6. Exercise
Provide your dog with sufficient exercise for her size, breed and activity level. Most medium, large and giant breeds need to run. The health and behavioral benefits of a happy, well-exercised dog are priceless.

7. Grooming
Please search out a gentle groomer.

8. Environmental Enhancement
Your dog needs and enjoys novel scenery, sounds, objects and activities just as people do. Provide a toy box, food-toys, chew items, a window with a view, and activities that will keep your hound stimulated and out of trouble. Consider re-landscaping a dog-friendly yard for your Bowser.

9. Twilight Days
In-home end of life procedures provided by a mobile veterinarian are often the kindest choice for an aged or sickly beloved pet.

10. Love...infuse all of the above with a big dose of your love!

Dogs are our closest, most beloved animal companions, so it behooves us to consider every aspect of their care and well-being carefully.

Linda Michaels, Dog Psychologist and Victoria Stilwell Trainer may be reached at 858.259.WOOF (9663) or by email: LindaMichaelsPositively@gmail.com for private obedience instruction and behavioral consultations. Please visit us at www.WholisticDogTraining.com. Originally published RanchCoastNews, Lorine Wright, Executive Editor.  All rights reserved.

Part II

If your thoughts of gratitude this Holiday Season include your precious pup who faithfully brings so much joy and unconditional love all year long - show your appreciation by including your dog in the festivities of the season.  Please help us to find new ways to say "Thank You"!

6. Grooming

A trip to the groomer for a new hair-do or even a spa treatment, blueberry facial and massage can be a fun yet practical holiday choice. Grooming is not only aesthetically pleasing but hygienically prescribed. Bathing and brushing removes bacteria and may uncover tumorous growth or dermatologic conditions that need veterinary attention.The groomer files toenails to prevent painful walking. Extra gentle handling and kind attention from a carefully chosen, knowledgeable groomer will help your dog enjoy the visit. 

7. The Gentle Dental

Polish those gorgeous pearly whites! While an anesthesia-free gentle dental procedure cannot match a complete, deep cleaning and oral exam given under anesthesia by your skilled vet tech or speciality veterinarian, neither does it pose the inherent dangers of anesthesia. Experienced practitioners work closely with veterinarians.

8. Environmental Enhancement

Indoors and out, your dog needs both mental and physical stimulation in order to thrive. From interactive toys to re-landscaping your yard in order to create a more natural dog-friendly space where your dog can run, jump, dodge, and perhaps even dig, there are a great variety of options that can provide novelty in your dog's environment and make life more interesting and enjoyable for her. Check out "Landscaping for Dogs" at www.hgtv.com.

9. Chewing. Most dogs love to chew. It's a natural canine behavior. Satisfy your dog's craving to chew with a safe (100% edible or 100% indestructible) chew item or food toy. A safe chew toy or bone can keep your dog happy, contented and stress-free for a long while and free you up to take care of the guests.

Don't forget that cooked turkey or other meat bones splinter and can get caught in the throat or tear the stomach and intestinal linings.

10. Sanctuary. During the bustling Holiday Season, be sure to provide an adequate sanctuary for your dog that is quiet and safe. Too much excitement can lead to unwanted behavior and accidents. You dog will fare much better if she has a designated spot to get away from it all and de-stress. A nice "nook and cranny" type open door crate with a blanket thrown over the top side with a decent view in the corner of the living room, for example, will allow your dog to relax and nap when needed and still feel like part of the family. The dogs are, after all, depending on you to make the wise choices for them.

For those dogs less fortunate than your own, you may want to give a donation or help an orphaned dog through a local breed-specific rescue group or shelter. We urge you to adopt for the holidays, foster or give to the more unfortunate dogs in whatever way you can this season.

Giving is inherently rewarding, so you can you feel good about finding some special way to say "Thanks Buddy" to your year-round best friend while at the same time contributing to his overall well-being and happiness. What's on your dog's wish list?

We'd love you to share your favorite "Thank You" story, comedy or idea right here. Please do!
Warmest Woofs,
Linda

Linda Michaels, Dog Psychologist and Victoria Stilwell Trainer may be reached at 858.259.WOOF (9663) or by email: LindaMichaelsPositively@gmail.com for private obedience instruction and behavioral consultations. Please visit us at www.WholisticDogTraining.com. Originally published RanchCoastNews, Lorine Wright, Executive Editor.  All rights reserved.

Actress Pauley Perrette, of the TV show, "NCIS", awarded the Linda Michaels/Victoria Stilwell gift package to the Halloween costume contest winner at a recent Amanda Foundation event on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.

Adopt for the Holidays!  Wherever I travel, I visit the dogs. I’ve toured numerous humane societies, shelter facilities, and wolf rescue sanctuaries. In Beverly Hills, Rancho Santa Fe, and online worldwide, dog adoption is becoming not only the humanitarian but also the fashionable thing to do. Celebrities often have “pet projects”.

Why not start a new holiday family tradition sharing the joy with a rescue group? It’s the perfect opportunity for pet lovers to give back to the animals-- adopt, foster, volunteer, or donate skills, equipment or money...whatever you can do is appreciated. You'll not only provide a much needed service to our community, but it will fill your heart to overflowing.

My education as a dog trainer began as a local shelter volunteer while researching my master’s thesis. I cleaned kennels, trained hard-to-adopt dogs, and appeared in TV spots with ready-to-go dogs, showing off their innate ability to melt hearts. I fell in love again and again and again and again, and sometimes my heart got broken. The shelter experience shaped the development of my non-aversive training method and I promised to speak out for those who can't speak for themselves.

Animal Planet's smash hit show, It's Me or the Dog star, Victoria Stilwell (exciting new season airs in January) is an outspoken advocate for the adoption of shelter dogs as a first-choice. Dogs are often relinquished, orphaned and abandoned when pet parents find their adolescent dog’s behavior unacceptable as a result of insufficient socialization and solid basic obedience training.

Today there are more dogs than ever in need of help with as many as 8 million deserving, orphaned pets looking for a family to love, and nearly 1/2 of those are euthanized each year due to shelter overcrowding.

Rancho Santa Fe's Helen Woodward Animal Center (HWAC) has one of the world's most successful holiday pet adoption drives, Home 4 the Holidays. They partner with over 3,500 animal organizations in 21 countries with a goal this year to place at least 1.5 million pets into homes from October 1, 2010 - January 4, 2011. HWAC created a variety of fun, interactive online features for pet lovers’ websites and blogs. Visit Facebook.com/Iams for ways to help a shelter in your area.

The Helen Woodward Animal Center also provides free, 3-day seminars that teach shelter workers and animal lovers more effective ways to increase adoptions and lower euthanasia.

Animal Planet’s Petfinders.com, is the #1 facilitator for pet adoption posts ads for 13,574 animal shelters and rescue groups across North America. They have 176,936 adoptable dogs online to date. You can search for any breed or animal welfare group by zip code.

More than 25% of dogs at rescues are purebreds. You’ll find Bedlington Terriers, Borzoi, Bull Terriers et al. There are 31 breeds to choose from that start with the letter B! Petfinders.com also provides spot-on, non-aversive training articles from the likes of Pat Miller, editor of the Whole Dog Journal, and the ASPCA.

Very importantly, plan to look for the right dog to fit your family. Please see a previous edition of my column available on my website on the My Articles page for tips.

Linda Michaels, Dog Psychologist and Victoria Stilwell Trainer may be reached at 858.259.WOOF (9663) or by email: LindaMichaelsPositively@gmail.com for private obedience instruction and behavioral consultations. Please visit us at www.WholisticDogTraining.com. Originally published RanchCoastNews, Lorine Wright, Executive Editor.  All rights reserved.

How do you say "Thank You" to your dog? If your gratitude this Holiday Season includes your precious pup who faithfully brings so much joy and unconditional love all year long-- show your appreciation by including your dog in the festivities. Say "Thank You" to your kindred canine and make your dog smile. Here are some of my ideas, please feel free to add yours to the Wish List.

1. Hang Out with Your Dog

Photo Courtesy of Chihuahua Rescue San Diego

One of the best gifts you can give your dog is your time, energy and affection, and quite likely, no one is more gleefully pleased with your attention than your dog. If you have a well-socialized dog, take her with you to run some errands or spend some quality time together. Take a long ride up the coast or just about anywhere out in nature and walk along the beach, visit some of our beautiful little beach or small towns along your way. Dogs love country.

2. Veterinary Care

Be pro-active about the health care of your dog all year round just as you are about the health of other family members. Why not schedule a trip to your vet for a complete check up? Choose a veterinarian that both you and your dog genuinely like and trust. Some top-notch integrative-care veterinarians combine both allopathic and holistic approaches to the health and well-being of your dog to provide optimal dog-friendly medical care.

Practice calming desensitization techniques in order to better prepare your dog for the onslaught of stimuli she will likely encounter at the clinic. If your dog has been "dreaming of an orthopedic bed", this could be a good time to make that purchase.

3. Train Your Dog

Say "Thank You" by practicing Positive Reinforcement techniques. Positive training for companion animals is fast becoming a preferred method of dog training. One of its most prominent advocates, The Journal of Veterinary Behavior (2006) in their article, "Good Trainers, How to Identify One"… recommends dog-friendly dog training because it is effective, humane and leads to lasting behavior. Enroll in a class or get a private behavioral consultation to target those little or big behavior problems that have cropped up during the year.

To get started at home, reward behaviors you would like to see repeated. Ignore, prevent or manage the behaviors you’d rather not see repeated. Remember to set some household rules, draw boundaries, establish routines and make it all doable for your dog by being consistent.

4. Food!

Tasty food ranks very high on the list of things your dog loves. Why not prepare holiday feasts for the entire family and provide a special meal for your dog? If you feed your dog healthy, organic food and avoid ingredients that are toxic to dogs, a homemade meal may be just what Doggy Santa ordered. Super-premium dog food is also a good choice. Who can resist Merrick™ "Venison Holiday Stew"! Hopefully your dog is already accustomed to eating a wide variety of foods in a balanced diet so a new dish will not upset the tummy.

Don't encourage begging by feeding directly from the table but feed in your dog's bowl or by hand, away from your dining area.

Whether it's foods that people love that may be toxic to your dog, cooked bones, chocolate, or poinsettia plants, be sure to educate yourself for your pet’s sake about the season's dangerous substances. The Humane Society of the United States (www.hsus.org) has a complete list of foods that are potentially poisonous to pets. If you think your dog may have ingested a toxic substance you may call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888.426.4435). For a fee, you will receive an immediate consultation.

5. Exercise.

Get your dog out for a nice long run if possible. There are many unique trails, parks, beach areas and neighborhoods to explore. If you prefer to watch rather than run, arrange for a "Play Date" with another friendly dog, or head out to a Dog Beach or one of our leash-free dog parks. Remember, however, to bring only dog-friendly dogs to the dog park and be aware that there is little legal recourse should your dog have an encounter with a dog that is not dog-friendly in a leash-free area.

Consider enrolling your dog in a dog sport class or joining a local group for agility training, fly-ball, or dog dancing. Behaviorally, a tired dog is a well-behaved dog, so don’t underestimate the benefits for both of you that come from aerobic and non-aerobic exercise as well.

What about gear? Many dog trainers recommend a dog-friendly front-clip harness for both walking and running in order to distribute the stress of on-leash pulling across the dog's chest and body, rather than around the neck and throat structures.
(To be continued...)

We'd love you to share your favorite "Thank You" story, comedy or idea right here. Please do!

Warmest Woofs,
Linda

Linda Michaels, Dog Psychologist and Victoria Stilwell Trainer may be reached at 858.259.WOOF (9663) or by email: LindaMichaelsPositively@gmail.com for private obedience instruction and behavioral consultations. Please visit us at www.WholisticDogTraining.com. Originally published RanchCoastNews, Lorine Wright, Executive Editor.  All rights reserved.

Q. What are some of the benefits of training my dog?          

A. Training the dog you love is one of the best ways to develop a great relationship with your dog that will last a lifetime. Additionally, training makes home life more manageable and fun for you both!

Some dogs grow up to be angels and behave as if they were just born that way. Others take a great deal of encouragement and training in order to become well-mannered members of the home and community. The problem is we never know which dog may need training and which one may not. For this reason, we recommend that all puppies and dogs be trained. Dogs need structure and boundaries and it's our job as responsible pet owners to teach them how to fit into the family.

Q. When should I begin training?

A. Many dog professionals today feel your puppy’s need to acquire socialization skills as soon as possible is paramount. Early socialization to all types of people, other dogs and moving objects, may largely determine whether you have an enjoyable, or a stressful life with your adolescent and adult dog. Your puppy's critical period of development is between the ages of 3 weeks and 4 months. Whether or not she learns how to fit in with the family may depend in part on what age you decide to begin training.

Q. What do the experts and the latest research recommend about puppy training?

A. The Father of Puppy Socialization, Ian Dunbar, DVM and PhD, was one of the first veterinarians to recognize the critical importance of early puppy socialization and to widely promote early puppy training in his classic puppy training book, "Before and After Getting Your Puppy: The Positive Approach to Raising a Happy, Healthy and Well-Behaved Dog" (2004).

In addition, an article in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior suggests that puppies should graduate puppy socialization class by 16 weeks of age. The article also recommends that positive training be encouraged (Brammeier et al., 2006).

Q. What exactly is Positive Training?

A. Positive Training is an effective dog-friendly and powerful method of training your Fifi or Bowser. In a nutshell, Positive Training uses rewards of all kinds, removal of rewards, management and affection to train your dog. Just as humans work for rewards, so do dogs, dolphins, chimpanzees, and all living things. This was first demonstrated in research by B.F. Skinner and presented in his renowned treatise, "The Behavior of Organisms" (Skinner, 1938). Positive Reinforcement Training is based on the principle that dogs and all animals will repeat behaviors that have benefited them in the past. It works and dogs love it!

Q. I don't really have the time to train my dog. Is there a short-cut?

A. Not really, however you may want to employ a private trainer for obedience lessons, practice sessions and socialization experience. Ideally, training is most readily achieved with just three or four practice sessions per day at home of 5-10 minutes each.

Once your dog gets it, you may start using the newly learned behaviors in everyday life. Most people find that a lifetime of good, family-friendly behavior is the greatest pay off they can imagine and well worth the time invested in training. Lasting good behavior becomes a habit and an automatic response so once early training is accomplished, life gets easier for everyone.

Q. If my puppy comes home at 8 weeks, how important is it that my puppy learns socialization skills within the most critical period of socialization that ends at 16 weeks?

A. Next to basic health care, it’s the most important thing you can do for your puppy. It’s not uncommon to see dogs as young as 16 weeks arriving in class who already have behavioral problems. It is widely known to humane and rescue organizations that the most prevalent reason that pet parents give up on dogs less than two years of age is because of behavioral issues.

We can now largely avoid these sad situations for both pet parents and dogs with proper remedial puppy training. Don’t miss out on the critical socialization period in your puppy’s life even if you don’t care to take lessons or go to a formal class. Begin your own program of socialization with children, friendly strangers and healthy dogs in order to help your dog become the social butterfly she was born to be!

References

Brammeier, S., Brennan, J., Brown, S., Bryant, D., Calnon, D., Stenson, T.D., et al. (July 2006). Good trainers: How to identify one and why this is important to your practice of veterinary medicine. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research. Vol. 1, Issue 1, Pages 47-52.

Dunbar, I. (2004). Before and after getting your puppy: The positive approach to raising a happy, healthy & well-behaved dog. Novato, CA: New World Library.

Skinner, B.F., (1938). The behavior of organisms: An experimental analysis. New York: D. Appleton-Century Company, Inc.

Linda Michaels, Dog Psychologist and Victoria Stilwell Trainer may be reached at 858.259.WOOF (9663) or by email: LindaMichaelsPositively@gmail.com for private obedience instruction and behavioral consultations. Please visit us at www.WholisticDogTraining.com. Originally published RanchCoastNews, Lorine Wright, Executive Editor.  All rights reserved.

Celebrity Row--Strut Your Mutt LA, Best Friends Animal Society's (BFAS) first Coast to Coast dog walk-a-thon was a big success, raising more than $200,00 for homeless pets. I decided to attend just for the fun of it, to network, and to let Hollywood know that Victoria Stilwell dog trainers are "in the (dog) house" and support fund-raising and awareness for homeless animal adoptions. It was exciting to be at a "first annual" event, and to informally debut Positively Victoria non-aversive training presence in the LA area.

I left before dawn driving up the coast, and arrived at the Santa Monica Pier starting line to join the John Garcia pack. John is just the nicest, most unpretentious guy and was pleased to have a Positively Victoria behavioral consultant and trainer walk for the BFAS event.

The excitement was "positively" infectious as groups of fund-raising organizations and their faithful mutt ambassadors and pure-bred supporters prepared, just after sunrise, for the one-mile promenade along the gorgeous beach boardwalk.

So many dogs to pet, so many people to talk to. John looks just like he does on TV and I was struck by how positively both he and Victoria relate to the average person and to professionals as well. They're virtual magnets to our cause. I met a former dominance trainer who bumped into Victoria in the bathroom at an airport who now raves about how warm and wonderful Victoria was to her at the brief chance meeting!

The dogs were very well behaved and I didn't see any scuffles. Some feathers got ruffled, to be sure, but not one dog got out of line. Each time I attend a festival gathering of dogs and people, I am once again in awe of the well-socialized dogs and people who attend.

Many of my behavioral consultations revolve around other-dog aggression and reactivity, so observing, and taking note of dog body language and on-leash behavior in crowded areas fascinates me, as do all learning experiences that involve dogs. It's essential to socialize our dogs early in life, frequently and regularly if we want them to be dog-friendly. It's very likely that because the attendees take their dogs to so many of these events from as early age as possible, that they can take their dogs to these events.

As the first-line of paraders turned the corner on the home-stretch, the second-line starters could be seen four blocks away. It made my heart leap to see so many dog-lovers show up to walk for the homeless dogs. We also had doggie strollers, carts, wagons, back-packs and hand-helds.

The event was well attended with much to do following the walk at the mutt festival including: doggy massages, a doga yoga class led onstage from the very talented, charming and calming Ursula Vari, training tips from John Garcia, ask the veterinarian, Dr. Annie Harvilicz of the Animal Wellness Centers, paw-print painting, gentle dentals, pooch spa featuring blow-outs and nail trims, boutique, Canine Cafe, a wide array of vendors, onstage doggie first-aid demonstration, look-a-like, fastest tail wag, best kisser and best trick contests, plus special guest celebrity appearances such as, Joanna Krupa (above right) with four of her dogs. Photo courtesy of Best Friends Animal Society.

We did it all and had a ball. I talked to so many wonderful pet parents and was very well received, although I did note a host of prong and choke collars. I gently discussed the advantages and control achievable with a harness or head collar to any pet parent willing to listen and consider an alternative leash-walking concept, based on the design used to lead horses. I've demonstrated the beauty of these harnesses onstage at our Ugly Dog Contest and the First Annual Doggies Street Festival in San Diego and received a warm reception.

In Best Friends own words, "At the very core of all the work of BFAS is the dream that one day kindness will replace cruelty, and animals will no longer be destroyed because they are unwanted or imperfect. Spaying and neutering will become commonplace, and adoption will be the first choice for everyone. Shelters will have the knowledge and resources to help rehabilitate special-needs animals and find the right family for every animal. Making this dream a reality is the mission we call No More Homeless Pets®." (BFAS, 2010).

We are all ambassadors, yet it was the fur-faces that were, as always, the best advertisement for why they too deserve to have a forever home. They are heart-warmers--what joy, what love! What a hoot! Next stop New York City, September 26, 2010!

Wags Galore,
Linda

Linda Michaels, Dog Psychologist and Victoria Stilwell Trainer may be reached at 858.259.WOOF (9663) or by email: LindaMichaelsPositively@gmail.com for private obedience instruction and behavioral consultations. Please visit us at www.WholisticDogTraining.com. Originally published RanchCoastNews, Lorine Wright, Executive Editor.  All rights reserved.

If you adopted a pound-puppy or an all-grown-up dog, brought a puppy home from the breeder, or have a family dog you'd like to get on the training bandwagon, be sure to consider positive method dog training. It's not only dog-friendly, but also the most effective method for training behaviors that last a lifetime, if properly applied.

Here's what some highly respected experts in the field of behavior have to say about your dog and positive reinforcement training.

The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) recommends that trainers focus on reinforcing desirable behaviors and avoid reinforcing undesirable behaviors. For example, if your dog wants to get petted, teach your dog to sit in order to receive the reinforcement of petting. If your dog jumps up on you, turn around and walk away.

You get the behavior you want from your dog because you manipulate the resources your dog wants: You control the distribution of treats, food, affection, praise, walks, tennis balls — all the goodies and all the toys!

The AVSAB "is concerned with the recent re-emergence of dominance theory and forcing dogs and other animals into submission as a means of preventing and correcting behavior problems" (Position Statement at http://www.AVSABonline.org).

It Works? Says Who?

Dolphin and killer whale trainers use their skills creatively to train the largest animals on the planet without the use of force, intimidation, or positive punishment. Positive reinforcement principles were first demonstrated in research by B.F. Skinner (1938) but it wasn't until the early 1990s, with the popularity of clicker training, that the method came into our living rooms to help us train our companion animals in a scientifically sound as well as loving manner.

How to Identify a Good Trainer

In the July 2006 issue of the Journal of Veterinary Behavior (JVB), entitled, Good Trainers: How to Identify One", the consensus of veterinary authors recommend that when searching for a good training class or private lesson, you ask, "Are the dogs happy" and "Are the clients participating and happy?" The method a good trainer uses to stop unwanted behavior "should never include physical punishment. Punishment makes animals more reactive, so it increases aggression and arousal". Good training tools to use are listed as: "treats, harnesses, head collars, praise and toys".  The JVB asks it's veterinarians to examine a trainer's credentials, experience and education in learning theory, as well as participation in programs of continuing education.

Addressing the Arguments Against Positive Reinforcement Training

The main argument  advanced against positive reinforcement training is that training with food rewards is bad and makes a dog's good behavior contingent upon receipt of a food reward.

All living things repeat behaviors that are rewarded, and because food is a powerful reward to your dog, it is a highly effective training tool and speeds learning. Preventing treat dependence is part of a positive training program. After initial learning has been achieved, use the following methods to supplement the occasional food reward:

• Substitute food with affection or toys

• Provide real life reinforcements

• Link behaviors in a "chain/sequence" using just one reward after the last link in the chain.

• Reinforcement randomly

Another misconception regarding positive reinforcement training is that positive means permissive. Not so. Positive method training relies upon teaching well-mannered self-control and boundaries to your pup and good management skills to you.

Our dogs bring us so much joy and unconditional love — we can learn to train them with a method that is fun and promises to enhance the relationship we want to have with them. Start training as early as possible for the best outcome with the least effort!

Linda Michaels, Dog Psychologist and Victoria Stilwell Trainer may be reached at 858.259.WOOF (9663) or by email: LindaMichaelsPositively@gmail.com for private obedience instruction and behavioral consultations. Please visit us at www.WholisticDogTraining.com. Originally published RanchCoastNews, Lorine Wright, Executive Editor.  All rights reserved.

Is your dog low on the “social butterfly” scale?

If you’re wondering why your dog is not more playful with you, other people or dogs and what you can do, take heart. Most dogs can learn to be more playful and affectionate. Sometimes we have to train a water-shy Labrador to swim and socialize. Try to be realistic about your expectations for your dog and remember that Lassie was, in reality, a long line of actor-dogs raised by an animal trainer. Chances are, you have a real dog.

Sociability in dogs is believed to be driven by three things: genetics, early developmental experience, and the triggering details of an event. Fear is adaptive to survival and thus, easily acquired and difficult to dislodge as it is deep-seated in the brain. Many frightened dogs will run away or hide if possible. Others have an active defense reflex and will go after what scares them. If this is your dog, please seek professional help.

Early Development and Early Exposure. A dog’s fear of strangers may be inherited. but some studies show that the experiences in early development and socialization can trump the effect of genes. Neglectful or aggressive mothering, and relationships between siblings can have an effect on your dog’s later psychological development. The critical period of social imprinting occurs within the 3 -12 week window, although the ideal age to transition a puppy into a forever home is 7-9 weeks.

What happens during the critical period may dramatically affect your adolescent and adult dog. Expose your puppy or rescue dog to 100 new things in the first 100 days, enrich the environment with gradual, gentle exposure to new people, places, things, other friendly dogs, and moving objects. Encourage early chew-toy training, task training, and housetraining. Take your dog with you every other time you go out and make sure that your dog’s socialization is a series of positive experiences. Dogs often behave one way with their family and household pets, and differently with strangers.

You can watch some amazing early puppy training videos at Puppy Prodigies on YouTube. To set your dog and your family up for success, check out a free resource, Before You Get Your Puppy by “puppy guru”, Dr. Ian Dunbar, available at www.DogStarDaily.com .

Event Triggering. Negative associations from the past or unfamiliar stimuli can be triggers that generalize from one specific trigger, to wider and wider categories of events. Some fears can produce a state of hyper-arousal and chronic stress in your dog.

In regard to training, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior advises, “Training should be based on positive reinforcement with frequent rewards, praise, petting, play and/or treats. Positive and consistent training is associated with fewer behavioral problems and greater obedience than methods that involve punishment and/or encourage human dominance.” 2008. Whatever the source of your dog’s fears, the treatment is the same--desensitization and positive associations using slow, incremental exposure. Over-exposure to a feared stimuli, aka flooding, often further traumatizes a dog.

Insure the safety of all dogs and people, and remember that every good treatment plan begins with management. First, avoid getting the old response in order to make room for the new response and create new positive associations by linking a mild version of the fear with something your dog adores Work to get the right amount of exposure and stimulation balanced with a sense of security and safety. Your best guide is body language. Learn to read your dog’s body language, so you can recognize fear: mouth clamped shut, ears pinned back, tail between the legs, attempts to hide, run away, growling if trapped, or air snaps.

Food can be the initial bridge to change your dog’s response from one of fear to one of positive experience. For more help see, The Cautious Canine: How to help dogs conquer their fears, by Patricia McConnell, PhD. For great online information check out www.FearfulDogs.com

Take it slow and think of Ricochet-- trained to become a service dog from the moment she was born, but who had a penchant for chasing birds. Ricochet’s new-found talent for surfing has made her Del Mar’s most loved surfdog-fundraiser who will be appearing at our upcoming Surf Dog Surf-a-thon www.surfdog.kintera.org. She has a video gone viral on YouTube.

If your dog has people-aggression or severe separation anxiety fear-based issues, please consult a behavioral consultant for professional help.

Linda Michaels, Dog Psychologist and Victoria Stilwell Trainer may be reached at 858.259.WOOF (9663) or by email: LindaMichaelsPositively@gmail.com for private obedience instruction and behavioral consultations. Please visit us at www.WholisticDogTraining.com.

Originally published in sdPets Magazine. Aug/Sept 2010 Copyright 2010. Linda Michaels, MA Psych, CPDT-KA. All rights reserved.