The short answer to whether my passion for positive reinforcement applies to my work with my human clients is ‘yes – of course.’ Like all dogs and almost all other animals, we humans respond better to encouragement and praise than we do to fear of punishment and pain. Just look at how we’ve developed as a society in terms of how most of us raise our kids. When I was going to school, I still remember getting the switch (British version of the paddle) when I was naughty or got something really wrong. Nowadays, thank goodness we’ve evolved and our children are built up and encouraged to try, fail, try again and eventually aim to succeed – all with a positive spirit. That’s why I say that the way we raise our kids is very similar to the way positive trainers work with dogs. It’s very much the same.

The only caveat to the whole ‘positive trainers should only use positive reinforcement with the owners too’ concept is that there’s a big difference between a mature, world-wise, emotionally complex and intelligently aware human adult and both dogs and most kids. Some people argue that positive reinforcement dog trainers should only ever practice positive reinforcement with their human clients as well, and that it’s a double standard if they don’t.  And while that’s a noble goal that is almost always the preferred and first choice for how to approach a situation with a client or friend regardless of dog training techniques, the comparison breaks down a bit when you try to ascribe the same level of expectation and communication techniques to dogs and sentient, intelligent human adults.

Think about it for a minute. Say you and a grownup friend both want the only glass of cold water in the room after you return from a long run. You’re both thirsty and are dying for a drink. Now say your grown friend acted like a selfish, petulant baby by slamming the glass of water down, breaking the glass and saying ‘If I can’t have all of it, no one will have any of it!’ If that exchange happened with a 3 year old, you’d have different expectations and handle the situation quite differently than if it were an 8 year old, an 18 year old, or a 48 year old. We quite rightly expect more mature people to better understand the consequences of their actions on others, exhibit more restraint, and generally behave better than a toddler.

Now apply this to dogs. Keep in mind that most dogs have the emotional maturity and intelligence level of an average 2 year old human child. You can’t reason with them to the same extent you would a teenager or an adversary across a boardroom table. You can’t expect the dog and toddler to be able to understand the complex nature of what you may be planning like an adult should. More specifically, you don’t expect a mature adult to consciously make as many potentially dangerous, ego-centric choices, and your ability to withstand such immaturity from someone who should know better is understandably much less.

Over the course of 110-plus episodes of It’s Me or the Dog, I’ve developed a bit of a reputation for not being particularly restrained when it comes to expressing my opinion and letting people know what I really think in a given situation. (Did I put that fairly?) Obviously a portion of that is due to the fact that while it’s a dog training show, the networks need a bit of a story to be told and a bit of slight dramatics never hurt in that cause. But I never put anything on for the camera. If I acted shocked, disgusted or dumbfounded by something the owners or dogs did on a show, it was because I was genuinely shocked, disgusted or dumbfounded.

Some people who are not the biggest fans of positive training in general and me in particular have occasionally reached for the argument that I’m ‘not nice’ to people I work with on the show, and that that shows a certain hypocrisy in my methods since I preach so vehemently for positive, enriching relationship-building in my dog training methods. I respectfully disagree.

If someone is being a jerk, I’ll tell them they’re being a jerk and will not back down from it. If they’re acting like a bully or endangering those around them – especially children – I’ll let them know that I completely disapprove. I hold humanity in high regard, and expect a certain level of empathy, awareness, compassion and generally good, safe behavior from grown adults who should know better. When people don’t act that way – whether it’s my husband, someone on my TV show, or a work colleague – I have no problem calling things like I see it and labeling their words, actions or behavior as unintelligent, ignorant, or uninformed. I also fully expect everyone who interacts with me to hold me to the exact same standards (if not higher, given the added responsibility I’ve been blessed with due to my increased public profile).

But I wouldn’t treat a dog or a young kid like with the same level of expectation. And I also wouldn’t insult a grown adult by assuming they have the same level of awareness and inter-relational insight skills as a dog or a two year old toddler.

Sometimes dog training clients can be rude. Sometimes they can willfully make your life miserable. Sometimes they can get combative regarding suggested techniques just to spite you. In this day and age, there’s no excuse for not being respectful of others and having an open mind regarding new ways to approach things, especially with an expert in their field. Turning the other cheek is great and something we should all do when we run into nasty people, but when supposedly mature people who should know better display ignorance or a superior attitude that just peeves you off, it’s not always possible (or even advised) to look for an opportunity to ignore or redirect the bad and reward the good the way we do with young kids and dogs as positive trainers.

So where does that leave us?

While positive training has been proven by modern behavioral science to be the most effective and long-lasting approach to building solid, trusting relationships with our pet dogs (and other animals), it’s also generally a good guide to live your life by in your interactions with others. Sadly, however, there is ignorance, mischief and even malice in our human world among those with whom we sometimes live, work or play, and that malignancy comes from a different plane of consciousness than the more simple, beautiful mind and hearts of dogs and young children. With dogs, you never need a heavy hand – they don’t understand why they’re suffering it and it doesn’t help them to learn deeper or faster. Plus it’s not as fun and it breaks down the relationship. With mature human beings, though, very occasionally you may need to get in someone’s face to make a real difference in the world – but only if there are no other options and you’re sure that as sentient, rational beings they’re fully able to comprehend the complexity and nuance of both yours and their own behavior and the impact it has on the world.

So do I use positive reinforcement when working with dogs? Yes, 100%. Do I use positive reinforcement on young children and those without an adult sense of maturity? Yes. Do I employ positive reinforcement concepts 100% of the time with grown people? No, not always when I’m dealing with those who should know better.

How to Know When a Dog is About to Bite

Introducing Pets to Babies

Dog Bite Prevention: Part 1

Dog Bite Prevention: Part 2

May is Pet Cancer Awareness Month, so I want to emphasize the concept that making healthy lifestyle choices can provide a better state of overall wellness and potentially reduce the likelihood that cancer may occur. Although there is no fail proof cancer preventive tactic, here are my top five tips to help keep your pet cancer free.

1. Physical Examination — Take a DIY approach paired with your veterinarian’s evaluation

Owners can take a proactive, holistic approach to their pets’ health by placing their hands on their canine or feline companions on a daily basis to perform a DIY (Do It Yourself) version of a physical exam. Frequent, tactile examination of a pet’s body permits pet owners to detect areas of discomfort, heat or swelling, skin lesions or masses, or other abnormalities that can then be brought to a veterinarian’s attention.

All pets should have a physical examination by a veterinarian at least every 12 months (more frequently for juvenile, geriatric, and sick pets). During the exam, all organ systems can be evaluated through the veterinarian’s scrutinizing perspective. The eyes, ears, nose, mouth, heart, lungs, digestive tract, lymph nodes, skin, neurologic function, and urogenital (urinary and reproductive parts) and musculoskeletal systems must operate normally to achieve whole body health. Body weight and temperature should also be assessed during teach visit.

2. Vaccinations — To vaccinate or not to vaccinate? That is the question

Have you considered the necessity of updating a vaccination just because the recommended time to booster has arrived? Will getting all of your pet’s vaccinations “up to date” really make your pet healthier? Is your pet even healthy enough to be vaccinated? You should be asking yourself and your veterinarian all these questions before your pet is “given its shot.”

As an individual and public health preventive tactic, humans vaccinate pets against certain organisms that could cause severe illness or death. Companion canines and felines should be vaccinated under state-mandated guidelines and the discretion of the attending veterinarian.

Vaccinations should only be given to a pet that is in the utmost state of health. Animals showing any signs of illness (lethargy, decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.) or having known diseases (cancer, immune mediated disease, etc.) that could be worsened by a vaccine-induced immune system response should not be vaccinated; at least at that time.

Blood testing for antibodies (immune system proteins involved in managing infectious organisms that attempt to enter the body) can determine if the patient already has mounted an adequate immune response from a previous vaccination.

3. Focus on whole food instead of processed food

The foods our pets eat and the liquids they drink are the building blocks of body tissues and the foundation of overall health. Without consuming appropriate quantities of protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water, organs ultimately suffer and ailments emerge.

Before feeding your pet a particular commercially available food or treat, look closely at the ingredients and ask yourself if you would consume it. Many people who feed their pets conventional dry or canned foods may resist the idea of eating the types of diets made for our canine or feline companions. I completely understand this perspective, as most pet foods are made with feed-grade ingredients. (See Are You Poisoning Your Companion Animal by Feeding 'Feed-Grade' Foods?)

Why should we feed our pets nutrients that we would not eat ourselves? Do they deserve to eat less than the highest quality meats, vegetables, and grains? When we feed our pets food that has been significantly modified from the way nature intended and that potentially contains ingredients that are poorer quality and have higher allowable levels of toxins (some of which are carcinogenic, like mycotoxin) than the foods we eat, we are doing a disservice to our pets’ health.

Instead of processed pet foods, consider a commercially available or home prepared diet formulated from whole-food based ingredients.Home prepared recipes that are balanced and complete can be scientifically formulated via the UC Davis Veterinary Medicine Nutrition Support Service or companies like BalanceIT.

4. Reduce Calories and Keep Body Condition Slim

In ever growing numbers, pets show the significant health consequences of being overfed by their caretakers. Diseases of the heart, kidney, liver, pancreas (diabetes), musculoskeletal (arthritis, disk disease) system, urinary tract, skin, and cancer are all associated with being overweight or obese.

The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) estimates that 54 percent of pets in the United States are overweight or obese (an astounding 89 million cats and dogs). Excess weight increases the body’s overall level of inflammation, which promotes cancer cell growth. Being overweight or obese has a well documented correlation with canine bladder and mammary cancer.

Always feed your pet a quantity at the lower end (or less) of the recommended guidelines according to the food’s manufacturer (or home prepared recipe). Minimize extra calories from pet treats and only give human foods that are high in fiber and low in caloric density (vegetables, etc.).

Make time every day to engage in calorie-burning activities with your canine or feline companion. Dogs can be taken for longer or more intense walks or hikes. Cats can chase a feather toy or laser pointer, eat from elevated surfaces, or be required to retrieve portions of their food from puzzle-style toys.

5.  Reduce Day to Day Exposure to Toxins

Toxic exposure can initiate a variety of negative internal organ system changes in your pet. Air, water, soil, food, plants, and other substances all hold the potential to create short or long term toxicity in companion animals. Some chemicals commonly used as herbicides are associated with bladder cancer (Transitional Cell Carcinoma = TCC) in Scottish Terriers.

Strive to reduce your pet’s exposure to toxins in your home or yard by:

• Not allowing your pet outside unless under control of a responsible adult

• Walking your pet on a short lead

• Pet proofing your home and yard to remove appealing substances that may be inappropriately ingested (trash, feces, plants, still water, etc.)

• Using only pet-safe cleaning products and cleaning all chemical residues from the surfaces your pet’s body comes into contact with (as self-grooming can lead to ingestion of chemicals)

• Reading all food and treat labels and only feeding your pets products that are free from meat and grain meals and by-products, rendered fat, animal digest, carrageenans, food dyes, meat and bone meal, and chemical preservatives (BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin, etc.)

The five tips I’ve presented here merely scratch the surface of the means by which pet owners can help maintain or improve an overall state of health and wellness in pets of all ages.

What steps do you take to reduce your pet’s chances of developing cancer?

Click here to learn more. 

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Fun stuff....

In the feature entitled, “It's Me or the Dog's Victoria Stilwell on Why Breed-Specific Legislation Is Bad” Victoria highlighted her new book Train Your Dog Positively and provided her expert advice on breed-specific legislation and how relationships are affected by pets, and dogs as eternal optimists. Victoria stated, “Any dog with any behavior issue, if you've got a little puppy with house training issues or a dog with severe aggression you can use positive reinforcement methods. That's the biggest thing people can give to their dogs.”

Read the article here.

Watch the segments:

Check local listings for Anderson Live.

Read the article here. 

In the 20 minute segment Victoria discussed her first dog, dog training tips, the importance of using positive reinforcement and her new book Train Your Dog Positively. Victoria stated, “I really wanted people to really truly understand their dog, their dog’s mind, how they think, how their dogs feel, how they problem solve, it is a book that I wanted to write to for a person to
pick up and be successful with an animal and truly understand their animal.”

Listen here: 

First, let’s get some background on the multitude of issues that have stemmed from people electing to feed pet food to their canine and feline companions.

In 2007, an international pet food crisis caused dogs and cats to suffer kidney failure and even death after eating foods containing wheat gluten contaminated with melamine. The foods had been produced in China. This tragedy prompted U.S. pet owners to finally become more observant of the ingredients and nutritional value of commercial foods they had been so faithfully feeding to their companion animals. After all, if meals are built on the foundations of being cheaply produced and containing less than bioavailable ingredients, how will your pet’s physiologic needs be met?

Contained in most commercially available dog and cat foods are a plethora of feed-grade ingredients. Dr. Janice Elenbaas, founder of Lucky Dog Cuisine, clarifies the meaning of feed-grade as being "any ingredient not fit for human consumption, including moldy grains and 'allowable' levels of plastic and Styrofoam. These are not acceptable in my (human) food, so why should they be acceptable in dog’s diet?  It’s no wonder that one in two dogs is being diagnosed with cancer."

Additionally, the ingredients in feed-grade foods include parts from animals that are dead (not from being slaughtered onsite), diseased, dying, and disabled (the "4Ds").

In Buyer Beware: The Crimes, Lies and Truth About Pet Food, Susan Thixton shares text from the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act (FD&C Act), Section 402. Adulterated Food:

A food shall be deemed to be adulterated — (a) Poisonous, unsanitary, or deleterious ingredients … (5) if it is, in whole or in part, the product of a diseased animal or of an animal which has died otherwise than by slaughter.

This makes it sound like our pets’ safety as pertains to consumable foods is strictly overseen by the FDA, but that’s not the case. According to the FDA Compliance Policy CPG Sec. 675.400 Rendered Animal Feed Ingredients:

No regulatory action will be considered for animal feed ingredients resulting from the ordinary rendering process of industry, including those animals which have died otherwise than by slaughter, provided they are not otherwise in violation of the law.

These laws sound contradictory, and Thixton concurs in stating that "the FDA Compliance Policy is a direct violation of The Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act." As a result, companies putting 4D animals into foods do not incur any regulatory or legal repercussion. Such policies do not bode well for the overall health of millions of pets (and some people) eating non-human grade ingredients.

What about the toxic effects of moldy grains?  According to Toxvet.com’s John Tegzes, VMD, Diplomate ABVT (toxicology):

“Aflatoxin is a mycotoxin most commonly associated with corn-based pet foods. Even very small amounts of aflatoxin can cause serious illness in dogs, often progressing to death. Aflatoxin primarily affects the cells within the liver and results in overwhelming liver failure. If the dose ingested is very high, pets may also develop sudden kidney failure. Even with treatment, most of these dogs will die. Chronic, low-dose exposures to aflatoxin can suppress the immune system and cause cancer.

Although it is impossible to see mycotoxins in grains, laboratory tests can identify their presence before the grain is incorporated into feeds. The FDA established specific guidelines about the amount of aflatoxin that can be detected in grains and still be used in either animal feeds or human food products. The allowable amounts in animal feeds are consistently higher than that for human-grade foods, therefore using only human-grade grains in pet foods will help reduce the incidence of poisonings in our pets”.

With such potential for pet foods to create a toxic effect, why do companion animal owners feel these are the best available nutritional options? Fortunately, companies that produce pet foods made with human-grade ingredients are emerging to satisfy the demands of consumers seeking options similar to home prepared food.

The standards for nutritional content as dictated by Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) create a challenge for pet owners who are interested in feeding home prepared foods.  Unfortunately, society has been misled to believe that our pets will suffer detrimental health effects if protein, fat, carbohydrate, fiber, vitamin, and mineral ratios are not specifically commensurate with industry standards. In extreme cases (100 % meat/bone diets, etc.) or with pets already dealing with illness, this has some validity. Otherwise, feeding a home prepared diet has many nutritional advantages over commercially available feed-grade sources even if the home prepared version is not 100 percent "complete and balanced."

I would rather feed my dog a combination of moist, human-grade, muscle meat protein, whole grains, and fresh vegetable and fruit options having a somewhat varying or unknown cumulative nutrient content rather than any commercially available dry or canned option made with feed-grade ingredients. This perspective is controversial in the veterinary profession, but my beliefs are based on ongoing clinical experience and common sense.

In my practice, if a client seeks to feed home prepared foods, I suggest a diet specific to my patient’s needs is formulated by veterinary nutritionists at the UC Davis Veterinary Medicine Nutrition Support Service.  Alternatively, I recommend using a reputable service like Balance IT.  I prefer these guidelines, as the truly give the client an excellent foundation for ingredient options, portion control, and food preparation and safety.

As any regular readers of this website and/or my social media feeds knows, I am a vocal and proud supporter of the worldwide efforts to overturn breed-specific legislation (BSL) like that which is currently on the books in Miami. But far from shunning such municipalities, I feel it is even more crucial that those of us armed with the statistics, knowledge and common sense about the inefficiencies and unfairness of BSL to attack the issue in such cities' back yards.

Miami is not alone in its decision to restrict ownership of certain breeds in an effort to reduce dog bites. Indeed, the proliferation of BSL in communities is global and widespread. What the generally well-meaning proponents of these laws don't know or don't make public, however, is that we've yet to find any municipality which has instituted BSL and seen the number of dog bites decrease. In fact, bites in the UK have risen steadily since the introduction of the BSL-laden Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991 - a trend mirrored worldwide.

Big, strong bully breeds have continually been demonized as 'killer dogs' and correspondingly decreased in number, only to see the tragic news of more serious maulings and deaths of young children become more and more frequent.

Such tragedies are the inspiration for the creation of the Dog Bite Prevention Task Force and the global Dog Bite Prevention Conferences like the one we're holding in Miami on April 26th. These dire and fatal attacks must stop, and they can if we continue to educate everyone - not just dog owners, and not just people who have certain types of dogs. Every parent, every child, every educator, mail carrier, aunt, uncle and nanny needs to understand more about dog body language, what are warning signs from potentially dangerous dogs, and that any breed of dog can bite, just as any breed of dog can make a good family pet.

The Dog Bite Conferences are igniting a conversation about that need for education. We don't want to preach to the choir - we need teachers, doctors, lawyers, animal control officers, parents, and dog owners all to come together to begin to understand what does (and what does not) constitute a dangerous dog in order to stop these heartwrenching tragedies from occurring.

The next Dog Bite Conference is on April 26th in Miami, and I encourage everyone to spread the word to everyone they know so that we can begin to turn the tide in this fight against ignorance and dangerously misplaced warning systems.

Register for the conference here.

Register for the free webinar here.

Like I said, thank the good Lord for my pups. I've had a lot of dogs over the years, each very different and special. Topping the list is my deceased K9 partner Sanders who was my partner, my best friend, my boy. Next up are my current pups Joey and Rufus. Both are 'special needs' behavioral dogs, each with a complex set of fear issues but each who teach me so much every minute of every day about enjoying who they are and the world they live in.

Joey's big brother was Sanders. Sanders taught Joey everything from house-training to socializing with other dogs, good manners and that streams can be so much fun. Sander's sudden passing in 2010 left him devastated and changed certain aspects of his personality forever. Rufus was born and raised in 3 shelters before finding safety at the Best Friends Animal Society sanctuary at Dogtown. When we adopted him at 6 years of age, ours was the first human home he'd ever been in. Though he continues to have occasional heartbreaking events he has come such a long way.

The reason for the short history was to give you a quick look inside who my pups are, as I see them, an admitted failing on my part.  As far as they're concerned, they don't let many obstacles get in the way of enjoying every waking, and sleeping, moment, which is what makes our dogs so very, very special. They love to sleep; Joey on his back, Rufus on his side, snoring loud enough to wake the dead. Play hard, sleep hard:) They wake up looking at me with the childlike wonderment of what each new day will bring. They find the simplest pleasure in venturing outside each morning, understanding that the night brought lots of other mammals through our yard and new smells from the skies just for them to sniff. Noses and tails high, they drink in the air, whether sun, rain, snow; hot or cold, but always with delight. For two years we watched Joey muzzle punch Rufus' flanks and pull his tail trying to get him to play and then one day, voila!, Rufus 'bootybumped' Joey, chased him and rolled onto his back so Joey could climb on- I don't know who was happiest, them or us! It was unbelievably exhilarating because Rufus finally found within himself the freedom to be a puppy.

Whether it's trail walking with them off lead, looking deep into their eyes as I rub their muzzles, Joey rooting through toys in the toy box, Rufus chasing deer, Joey jumping through my newspaper as I try to read it, both of them sleeping on the couch while my wife and I watch TV or Joey dancing on hind legs when he gets excited (which he does about anything and everything), I get to see them being dogs in their way, the way enjoyable to them, telling me in such simple terms what the truth about life is as they see it, not understanding why I don't see it like they do: rewarding, fascinating and fun.

When you look at your pups, forget what you see, see what they see and LIVE in the moment, SHARE in the moment and ENJOY the moment, for that moment will never come your way again. Don't miss out on the fun.

TEACH   TRUST   CHANGE   ENJOY- DO NO HARM

To read some of my other interesting views on things dog and human, please visit my website at www.samwike.com or check out my Facebook page, The Inner Dog.

Read the article here.

In the segment, Victoria discusses and demonstrates her success with using positive reinforcement to train dogs. Victoria stated, "I don’t believe you need to dominate your dog into submission, you just have to motivate your dog and encourage your dog to be a confident member of society; you do that with love kindness, and education. You link simple words to action and the dogs get it.”

Watch the segment.

New York News | NYC Breaking News

In the segment Victoria discussed her training tips, highlighting the importance of using positive reinforcement and her new book, Train Your Dog Positively. Victoria stated, “Aggressive methods are not the right ones because it damages the relationship between you and your dog, plus the fact that it’s really not an effective method to get your dog to really think and learn.”

Listen here. 

Listen here. 

To Hear Journey Howl and Watch Him in Action, Click on Photo.
Courtesy of Wolf Creek Ranch

When he wags his tail, bobs his head and starts to wriggle, he’s saying, “Pet me!” People are joyfully surprised they can pet him. (To hear Journey howl click here or visit Linda Michaels YouTube Channel.)

Journey loves people, traveling and new challenges. His public appearances help to debunk the Big Bad Wolf myth and to raise awareness of our precious, endangered wolves in the wild, as well as those in rescues and sanctuaries.

Approaching his second birthday, Journey weighs in at 90 pounds and can stand at 5 feet, 9 inches. He eats species-appropriate raw food, peppered with a variety of wholistic supplements.

Journey lives at Wolf Creek Ranch with his pet parent Julie. He loves the family cats, running his acre pasture, and watching goats and llamas grazing.

Journey is also a “poster pup” for dog-walking harnesses.

“It’s a matter of mutual respect,” Julie tells us.

At four weeks of age Journey was “placed in a shopping cart and into the store he went,” says Julie. They went to busy public places each day for the first year of his life. Now he strives to meet as many people as possible. Journey was raised with and adores children.

Journey’s been seen locally at the Balboa Park Powwow, Del Mar and Lowes Surf-Dog-a-Thons, Thanksgiving Dog Day, Bates Nut Farm Kennel Club Dog Show, and the Del Mar Pet Expo.

Wolfdog ownership requires a serious lifelong commitment, thorough research, appropriate housing and acreage, early ultra-socialization, and training the Positive Reinforcement way. Just looking at and petting Journey is a bucket-list dream come true.

Linda Michaels, “Dog Psychologist,” MA, and Victoria Stilwell-licensed Del Mar dog trainer and speaker may be reached at 858.259.WOOF (9663) or by email:LindaMichaelsPositively@gmail.com for private obedience instruction and behavioral consultations near Del Mar and the San Diego Coast. Please visit us at DogPsychologistOnCall.com

Originally published in the U~T San Diego, Scratch n’ Sniff. Chris Ross, Editor.

Endnotes:  I wrote this article knowing it to be a controversial subject, however, I've never run from controversy if I feel there is an injustice when it concerns animals.  The literature on wolfdogs suggests that each animal should be judged individually....just as any dog ought to be as well, but even more so in the case of wolf-dogs. There is no way to make accurate statements about them as a group from what I  understand.

I did my due diligence researching statistics on bites comparing wolfdogs to domesticated breeds. Reported bites from wolfdogs are not as prevalent as some other domesticated dog breeds. BSL (breed specific legislation) is proposed for a number of breeds, including wolfdogs.  I believe that socialization and behavior modification are key, and that training trumps genetics in most cases of domesticated and wolfdogs. It's absolutely true that wolfdogs require very, very early ultra-socialization and continued frequent and regular socialization and training throughout their lives if they are to interact with the public.

If one examines the relevant research, that notably includes the fox studies in Russia, we see that selectively breeding for friendliness to human is indeed possible and may be accomplished in just a few generations...much to the surprised of the lead investigating scientists, I may add. This information is now widely available and accessible, such as here on Wikipedia, as well as documented in peer-reviewed scholarly journals.

Here's an except about the conclusions drawn: "The result is that Russian scientists now have a number of domesticated foxes that are fundamentally different in temperament and behavior from their wild forebearers."

There will always be individual stories that stray from the norm. However, I stand with Nicole Wilde who wrote, "Living with Wolfdogs", and "Wolfdogs A-Z". On the first page she thanks Dr. Ian Dunbar, Animal Behavior Ph.D, renowned canine expert, and Veterinarian for his encouragement.

I hope everyone understands, I'm not advocating for breeding or having these animals for the average pet owner. This animal and others I've worked with are being used to help educate the public in order to try to save our wolves in the wild. I find that a worthy cause.

The San Diego Zoo uses wolfdogs not only in their behind the scene shows but also parades them around the grounds for people to observe and enjoy. Wolfdogs can be used to help rehabilitate the Big Bad Wolf image so people CAN get close which was a thrill of a lifetime for me.

My personal experience with wolfdogs was mostly a great surprise, as I arrived with my own bias. They are extremely intelligent... wolves having brains 30% larger than the domesticated dog on average, they learn quickly.

Breeding laws vary from state to state, so it's a complicated mix of possible actual wolf-content that may be legal in your state. In California, for example, breeding wolves with dogs ended in about 1976 and since that time the lines are wolfdog to wolfdog offspring, with the content weakening across time as people mix in more domesticated dog. The idea is to LOOK like a wolf, not behave like one... although wolves in wild are generally fearful, not aggressive toward people which is largely misunderstood.

I expect the controversy will rage on!

Read the story on CNN.com.

Victoria during her Finland training seminar

Victoria is very excited to announce an all-new two-day seminar -  DogSmarts - Unleash Your Dog's Intelligence - to be held in Shrewsbury, England on November 9-10, 2013.

Delve deep into the dog’s mind and learn how you can enhance your dog’s learning and cognitive abilities using the latest discoveries made by modern science. This seminar by It’s Me or the Dog creator Victoria Stilwell will give you a deeper understanding of your dog’s skills, abilities and intelligence as well as enhancing your own teaching skills. Whether you are a dog lover, trainer, shelter worker, veterinarian, or other animal care professional, this fascinating two day seminar is not to be missed. Topics include:

•  The Intricacies of Canine Language
• The Emotional Life of Dogs
• Brain Games – Measuring Canine Intelligence
• Sensory Education – Teaching through the Senses

Take advantage of this unique opportunity to meet Victoria in person, learn about cutting-edge training concepts and techniques, and share in Victoria's passion for promoting safe, balanced, relationship-building with dogs based on mutual trust, respect and love.

DogSmarts Seminar Ticket Information:

• Early-bird discount  (book before Aug 20, 2013):  £105
• Price includes tea and coffee on arrival, buffet lunch and tea, coffee and biscuits at break.  This event is also sponsored by Kong.
• Held at Hawkstone Park, Weston-Under-Redcastle, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY4 5UY http://www.hawkstone.co.uk/

Click Here to Buy Tickets

Accommodation suggestions:

• Hawkstone Park (seminar venue) special rate available for seminar delegates. Limited spaces
• The Inn at Grinshill, High Street, Grinshill, Shropshire - 10-15 minutes
• Saracens, Shrewsbury Road, Hadnall, Shropshire - 10-15 minutes
• Travelodge, Battlafield, Shrewsbury - 15 minutes

For more information email info@schoolforpaws.co.uk

Click here to purchase tickets. 

Join Victoria and other special guests at Rock Me Home Paw Jam 2013! The event will be at Verizon Amphitheatre in Alpharetta, GA and features live music, a cash bar, appetizers, a raffle, and a silent auction. Auction items include several books signed by Victoria and autographed guitars by Bon Jovi and Styx.

Live music will feature Bo Bice from American Idol and Chris Cauley from The Voice.

The event helps raise money for Atlanta-based animal rescue group Angels Among Us Pet Rescue. Save money by buying your tickets in advance for this incredible event!

Join us at:
Books & Books
265 Aragon Avenue
Coral Gables, FL 33134

In the segment entitled, “Dog Training Tips”, Victoria discussed special dog training tips from her new book Train Your Dog Positively and highlighted her success with using positive reinforcement to train dogs. Victoria stated, “I do use discipline to guide but never to instill fear. Again it is important to pay attention to each of them and giving the education to really listen to you and take direction from you.”

Watch the segment.

Victoria was featured in a live segment on Better Mornings Atlanta CBS, which aired on March 26, 2013.

In the three-minute segment Victoria discussed her new book, Train Your Dog Positively as well as her tips for positively training a new puppy. Victoria stated, "You can have a much better relationship with your dog if you use positive reinforcement methods and it doesn't matter what kind of dog you have or what sort of drive your dog has, it works. And it works for all kinds of different behavior issues too."

View the segment here.

CBS Atlanta 46

I'm really excited about this latest design, entitled 'Be A Positive Reflection' - a stylish, brand-new blue ladies' tee shirt featuring a subtle reflected image of man's best friend.

Having a healthy, balanced relationship with your dog based on mutual trust, respect and love is only the beginning. It’s also important to share that ideal and ‘pay it forward’ in our lives with dogs and beyond our pets. That’s the concept behind this new design we created in collaboration with our friends at Dog is Good as part of our exclusive Victoria Stilwell Collection – Be a Positive Reflection. It’s tough to argue with the idea that we should take our positive relationships with our beloved 4-legged friends and amplify that spirit outward so that everyone can see and benefit from the power of Positive.

Buy the new 'Be A Positive Reflection' top here!

About the Victoria Stilwell Collection:
This exclusive line of custom apparel combines the parallel passions of renowned dog trainer Victoria Stilwell and Dog is Good for celebrating and achieving the most rewarding relationships with our dogs based on mutual trust, respect and love... Positively.

Listen to the show here. 

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In the feature entitled, “Get Outside! How to Work with Your Dog” Victoria highlighted different exercises you can perform with your dog that will help both of you get in shape. Victoria stated, "A lot of people have the best intentions when they take their dogs running. The dogs may still be fit, but they haven't built up the stamina in their dog. You have to give your dog time to build up its stamina and fitness level too."

Read the article.

Wild parrots scream, too. They scream at sunrise to start their day and to search for breakfast. They scream at dusk as the flock gathers to eat dinner. But what is a natural behavior for wild parrots is an annoyance to many pet parrot owners, especially those that live in small homes with close by neighbors who don’t share their love for these very vocal pets. So, what do parrot owners do when their pets scream? Often, they start to scream back, only perpetuating the cycle of screaming.

Pet parrots scream for other reasons. The main reason they scream is to get their owners’ attention. They scream, and their owners respond (even if just to run to the cage to yell back at them to stop screaming). Positive reinforcement of the screaming behavior starts. The parrot screams, the owner comes. So the parrot will continue to scream, so that the owner will continue to come, and the cycle of positive reinforcement of an undesirable behavior is established.

Screaming is not the only behavior that bird owners inadvertently reinforce. The same occurs with biting. When bird owners want their birds to come to them, they generally hold out their hands in front of their birds and say, “Step up.”  However, sometimes birds are occupied with other activities (eating, playing with toys, etc.) and don’t want to step up at that moment. So, they express their lack of cooperation by biting their owners’ hands. Consequently, owners may scream (unwittingly positively reinforcing the biting behavior by responding to it with attention) and remove their hands (also positively reinforcing the biting, because now the birds have achieved what they wanted - not having to step up). Thus, another cycle of positive reinforcement of an undesirable behavior is established.

What can parrot (or dog, or cat, or any pet) owners do if their animals scream and bite and drive them crazy? Unfortunately, owners in these situations often end up ignoring their pets completely or relinquishing them to others who are more tolerant of these behaviors. With birds, this happens particularly after a few years, when the birds reach sexual maturity and are hormonally driven to scream and bite more. What these bird owners don’t know is that with just a few minutes of training each day, many of these pet-owner relationships can be saved, and owners can learn to enjoy their pets again.

As I am frequently reminded by my mentor, Dr. Susan Friedman, and other behavior specialists, behavior doesn’t occur in a vacuum. Behavior is learned, in part, either to achieve something good (such as attention from an owner) or to avoid something bad (such as having to step up on a hand when you don’t want to). This same is true for all behaviors performed by both animals and people. Behavior is repeated because it accomplishes something for the performer. If you think about it, why else would a behavior be repeated if it didn’t?

I teach parrot owners who bring their parrots with behavior problems to me that they can use the principle of positive reinforcement to help solve these behavior issues. Positive reinforcement training involves rewarding an animal’s behavior with something valuable to that specific animal (i.e. a food treat, verbal praise, a head scratch, etc.). For this training to work, the reward must be something very valuable to that particular animal, and what is rewarding to one pet might not be to another. For example, I may love pepperoni pizza and be willing to do anything for it, while you may hate it and ignore any request to perform a behavior that rewards you with pepperoni pizza. The same is true for animals that have likes and dislikes. Thus, it is critical that an owner trying to modify behavior with positive reinforcement training determine what makes his individual pet happy. The best way to do this is to watch the pet as it plays and eats to see what food and objects the animal seeks out. Once the owner figures out what is most rewarding to his pet, he can use this information in a training program to modify undesirable behavior.

In trying to eliminate problem behavior, an owner can start by positively reinforcing a more desirable behavior that the pet already knows (i.e. for a bird, tapping the beak on the cage) to accomplish the same end for the pet (i.e. getting the owner’s attention or signaling to the owner an unwillingness to step up). Ultimately, the animal will no longer have to perform the undesirable behavior (screaming or biting) to accomplish the same end. Eventually, the undesirable behavior will go away, because if it is no longer positively reinforced, as now the beak tapping is, the undesirable behavior is no longer as rewarding to the pet as is the more desirable behavior of beak tapping.

Pet owners also can teach animals new behaviors (for a bird, for example, ringing a bell) by positively reinforcing these new behaviors initially when they occur accidentally or unpredictably. With repeated positive reinforcement of these new behaviors (i.e. giving the bird attention or a food treat every time it rings the bell), these newly learned behaviors may ultimately be used to help replace problem behaviors if these new behaviors can be positively reinforced in the situations that usually elicit the problem behavior. For example, if a bird screams every time an owner leaves the room, the owner should wait to come back into the room until the bird is no longer screaming but is ringing the bell. By going to the bird then and praising it or giving it a treat, the ringing behavior becomes much more rewarding to the bird than the screaming (which ultimately should go away because it is no longer rewarded). Simple, right?

So, if you own a bird or other pet with a problem behavior, and you are willing to work at it, problems behaviors can be eliminated, and the pet-owner bond can be re-established. All it takes is some patience and a few minutes every day. Remember, however, that animals aren’t machines; like us, they have good days and bad days, and when you are teaching them a new behavior, they may take a few steps forward and an occasional step back. There is no magic solution or quick fix to solving problem behaviors, and behavior takes ongoing practice to be maintained. However, with a little daily practice and long term dedication, you and your pet can live harmoniously together once again.

For help with problem parrots or any other issues related to the health and behavior of birds or other exotic pets, Dr. Hess can be reached through her websites, www.LaurieHessDVM.com and www.avianexoticsvet.com.

Want new training articles? More videos from Victoria? Easier-to-find tips?  Let us know!

Complete the form below to put in your request. (Oh, and before you ask, yes, we'll be changing the background and text color so that it's much easier to read!)

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Read the article.

Ask Victoria questions include:

• How long is it ok to crate a dog, and how do you know what size crate to use? Should you put food and water in the crate?
• A one year old cavachon eats everything, from cookies, to paper, to even socks. How do you stop dogs from eating inappropriate things?
• Two 5 month old Golden Retriever siblings fight when walked together. How do you stop them from redirecting aggression on each other?
• A 2 year old Pug has a habit of licking carpets and eating hair off the carpets. How do you break such a bad habit?

Watch Video of Victoria Skiing:

Read the article here.

Most of the dogs we teach at Canine Assistants are Goldens.  Maybe that’s why people wanted to know my take on the study.  Perhaps I was an easy way to access the opinion of my veterinarian husband, Kent Bruner, whose practice at Canine Assistants consists primarily of Goldens.  Regardless of the reason, I was enthusiastic to review the findings of this research…until, that is, I actually studied the study.

The researchers obtained data on nearly 800 Goldens Retrievers, an enormous number for this type of project.  It is extremely rare to see a study on dogs as a species, let alone on a single breed, with such a large sample size.  But, while the amount of data collected is impressive, the source of the data concerns me deeply.  The dogs were all patients at the Veterinary Medical Hospital, University of California, Davis.

UC Davis is a fantastic veterinary teaching hospital, offering cutting edge care for those breeders and pet parents who want the very best for their animals.  It’s the type of place you turn when your beloved dog needs specialized treatment for major problems such as hip dysplasia, cruciate ligament tears, cancer, and infertility.  All the data collected came from a very small population of dogs---those seen at UC Davis.  That one fact makes any conclusions drawn from the data suspect.

Consider the finding that Goldens neutered before one year of age are more likely to develop hip dysplasia or have cruciate ligament tears than those left intact or neutered after a year of age.  At a vet school, most of the intact dogs seen belong to breeders who have retained those specific animals for breeding, at least in part, because they have good hips and conformation that makes cruciate ligament tears less likely.  It makes sense then that few of the intact Goldens seen at a vet school would have hip dysplasia or cruciate ligament tears.  At the same time, those pet guardians who would take their dogs to a vet school for treatment of hip dysplasia or ligament tears most likely neutered their pets early as part of their commitment to responsible care.

Likewise, committed pet guardians, those who usually neuter early, are the individuals most likely to take their dogs to a veterinary school or specialty center for cancer treatment.  Good breeders, especially Golden breeders, are very committed to breeding only dogs whose bloodline shows no evidence of early cancers.  So, much like with orthopedic issues, the dogs most likely to be seen at a veterinary teaching hospital with cancer are those belonging to guardians who probably, responsibly, neutered them early.

So are the findings of this study valid in any way?  I have absolutely no idea.  There isn’t any way to know for certain unless the same large amount of data can be collected from sources less likely to produce skew the results---meaning a cross-section of all Goldens not just those taken to specialty hospitals.  Previous studies with smaller sample sizes have reported inconsistent results.  So, for now at least, my pet dogs will continue to be spayed or neutered before one-year of age.

PS-Below is a link to the article for those of you who want to read it.

http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0055937

Victoria with Dr. Marty Becker at the 2013 Global Pet Expo.

Dr. Marty Becker calls the Positively Hotline to discuss his Fear Free vet visit protocol, which includes making the pet carrier part of the household fun furniture, the use of pheromones to create positive associations with the carrier, the use of certain green, organic petraceuticals, the use of Through A Dog's Ear music, specialized 'wait management', placement of pet carrier, clipnosis, Thundershirts and much more. Dr. Becker also talks about how he has time for all of his work as an author, web personality, TV personality, and how he ended up as America's Vet on Good Morning America and resident vet expert on Dr. Oz.

Show Notes:

• After the Rapture website
• Thundershirt
• vetstreet.com
• drmartybecker.com

But I thought you might like to see a little clip of my daughter Alex and me snowshoeing yesterday. Our host and guide was once again Louisa (her business is called Skijor N More), and this time she brought two of her lovely dogs who were used to hitting the snowshoe and cross country ski trails in their skijor harnesses. So this was a great opportunity to spend some time working with them to stop pulling as if they were doing their usual jobs, but still pull us just enough to help keep us moving up the mountain.

Here's a video we shot yesterday on the trail:

Victoria recently spoke with BridalGuide.com to discuss things you must consider if you're planning on pets in your wedding.

Read Victoria's tips for incorporating pets into wedding ceremonies here.

Read the article.

The Positively Hotline interview is with Channing Seideman, who has been paired with a Canine Assistants epilepsy seizure response dog.

Ask Victoria questions include:

• A shelter volunteer in Chicago who is directed to her local VSPDT trainer, Sara McLoudrey of Root Dog Training.
• A German Shepherd puppy who attacks an older dog when she passes near and is also difficult to control in public.
• A foster dog that digs big holes in Australia.
• A disabled dog owner whose dog will not pee or poo while on walks, but waits to do the business at home.
• When does a puppy become an adult, and is a puppy a good choice to add to a household with 3 cats.

Victoria on CBS Early Show - Barking

Victoria on The Today Show - 5 Tips For Every Dog Owner

Victoria on Headline News - Dog Attacks

Victoria on Nightline - DogTV

Victoria on Regis & Kelly

Victoria on The Today Show - Kathy Lee's Shoe-Chewer

Victoria on Martha Stewart - Puppies

It's Me or the Dog Showreel

Victoria on MSNBC - Pet Obesity

Victoria on HLN discussing Miami's pit bull ban with Jane Velez-Mitchell

Victoria on The Today Show - Positive Reinforcement

Victoria on Martha Stewart - Training Martha's Dogs

Victoria on ABC News

Victoria on The Today Show - Dog Body Language

For this set of outdoor exercises, you will simultaneously work on the down-stay exercise for your dog or playing fetch, or alternating between the two. For instance, you can have your dog lying down while you exercise and reward him frequently enough so he stays in a down-stay, or you can play fetch and get as many repetitions in while he's running. In some exercises, you'll even build up distance while your dog is in a down-stay and then practice a come when called.

One benefit to incorporating your exercise into your dog's training is that you turn the most boring dog-training exercise ever -- the down-stay -- into a fun routine. Let's face it, having your dog lie down while you stand around and watch the clock to make sure he can stay lying down long enough is more irritating than standing in line to return holiday presents.

Practicing a down-stay at a distance is even worse. You have to have your dog lie down, walk away to whatever distance you're practicing (such as 5-30 feet), and then come back and reward him while he's still lying down. You can't just call him to come to you, because then you're rewarding him for a come when called, not a down-stay. Now, if you can exercise during the segments where you'd just be waiting around or if you can exercise on your way out and back from your dog's lying spot, suddenly you're making good use of that time.
You'll also be playing fetch with your dog during your rest period between high intensity intervals.

This workout is simple. You'll just need your dog's 6-foot leash, a safe area for your dog to play fetch or be off leash, and your dog's treats. I use my dog's daily allotment of kibble for treats. That way his diet is still balanced and he stays trim.

The General Approach

This workout will be high intensity, so you should warm up first and stretch while you work on an easier set of down-stay exercises with your dog. (See: "Working Out With Your Dog: Quick Outdoor Warm-Up Exercises for You and Your Dog"). For each exercise, you'll start with your dog in a down-stay; make sure you get treats to him frequently enough so he remains lying down. Get the reward to him quickly and low enough so that you don't accidentally lure him to stand.

The first exercises are a set of four speed and agility exercise that involve your dog's leash, which will be lying on the ground. You'll perform three sets of five repetitions per exercise with 30, 45, and 60 seconds of rest in between each set. Take the rest time to play fetch with your dog.

The final two exercises will be even higher intensity. You'll perform three sets of three repetitions per exercise with 30 seconds of rest during the first break, 60 seconds during the second, and 90 seconds between exercises one and two. Rest sessions are your dog's chance to play fetch. You'll also work a come when called into these exercises.

Ask Victoria questions include:

• How to stop indoor scent marking from an otherwise housetrained dog
• 8 year old dog snippy behavior when tired or near bedtime
• Is it silly to eat from the dog's bowl before them to teach them who's in charge?
• Poodle/terrier cross jumps up on, follows and gets in strangers' cars

Show Notes

Podcast signed book contest email address: podcasts@positively.com
Dognition
'Stay Cue' YouTube clips

Cold weather tips:

• http://positively.com/2012/12/04/get-ready-for-severe-winter-weather
• http://positively.com/2011/01/18/cold-weather-safety-in-dogs-and-cats/

One of the most important decisions you will make in paving a path to happiness with your pet is choosing a competent and kind dog trainer. The absence of standard credentials required by law, or established professional ethics, makes it problematic for pet parents to find a great trainer in an unregulated field.

However, science and culture are moving away from punishment/pain-based methods. Behavioral scientists resoundingly endorse dominance-free, reward-based training as the most effective, long-lasting and safest method, particularly for aggressive dogs who may bite if underlying issues are not adequately addressed.

Use of a front-clip harness or head collar is recommended for hard pullers — a step-in harness for puppies and small breeds. Medical injuries caused by collars constricting the airway passages are well-documented.

Journey, wolfdog ambassador of WolfCreekRanch, admiring his harness.

The Pet Professionals Guild adheres to the “do no harm” ethic and a strict code of conduct for trainers, holding pet welfare as the top priority. It’s the right thing to do for those who cannot speak for themselves. Search www.PetProfessionalsGuild.com for a trainer near you. Victoria Stilwell-licensed trainers, hand-picked by Victoria, may be found on this website. These trainers use non-aversive leash-walking equipment and behavior-change protocols available. They suggest that you:

• Find a trainer both you and your dog like.

• Reward behaviors you want repeated.

• Manage environments to prevent the opportunity for unwanted behavior.

• Remove reinforcement to stop or decrease a behavior.

• Teach alternative behaviors for behaviors you want to change.

Talented trainers can manipulate the resources we control in order to get the behavior we want. They don’t resort to force or pain-based methods.

Killer whales, dolphins, wild animals at progressive zoos world-wide, and wolfdogs trained with purely positive reinforcement methods are powerful examples of the effectiveness of purely positive methods. It can work for your dog, too.

Linda Michaels, “Dog Psychologist,” MA, and Victoria Stilwell-licensed Del Mar dog trainer and speaker may be reached at 858.259.WOOF (9663) or by email:LindaMichaelsPositively@gmail.com for private obedience instruction and behavioral consultations near Del Mar and the San Diego Coast. Please visit us atDogPsychologistOnCall.com

Originally published in the U~T San Diego, Scratch n’ Sniff. Chris Ross, Editor.

The 'Snoop Dog' coffee mug Holly gave her husband on Valentine's Day.

Victoria and Holly discuss appropriate Valentine's Day gifts for long-married couples, Victoria recaps her recent trip to film in Ireland, the Pope's resignation, snowstorm Nemo in the Northeast US, Punxatawney Phil's prognostication, thoughts on the Westminster Kennel Club dog show, Tonik, the human-looking dog. The winner of the big dog photo contest is announced, and the new small dog photo contest is revealed. Also: Victoria's upcoming appearances from Florida to Sweden and beyond, the exciting launch of Dognition - described as a Myers-Briggs personality test for dogs with ongoing training and lifestyle support.

Victoria introduces a new regular segment of the podcast called 'Cue of the Week' and talks about the importance of recall (or the 'come cue'). Holly tries to stump Victoria with a new Animal Academy quiz.

Show Links:

• Dognition
• Send a funny photo of your small dog to podcasts@positively.com to enter the contest to win a personalized copy of Victoria's new book, Train Your Dog Positively.
• Find a Victoria Stilwell-licensed dog trainer.

Ehow Pets Recall Videos:

*Offer valid through June 30, 2013*

I receive a lot of calls, emails and letters from companies and people asking for my opinion or endorsement of their new product or service. Very often, the idea behind what’s being pitched is quite interesting, and in many cases the product is actually pretty good. But I take very seriously the responsibility that I’ve been given as a public figure in the pet industry, and I feel it’s really important  to ensure that I’m very selective about those individuals and companies with whom I’m associated, even if it’s a somewhat tangential connection.

In a field as fast-growing and complex as the pet industry, it’s pretty tough to distinguish yourself with something truly novel and noteworthy which also aligns with my relatively precise requirements to promote positive training. Every now and then, however, something comes along that makes a real difference in our ability to better communicate with and live alongside man’s best friend. DogTV was one such idea, and I remain quite honored to be involved as a consultant as its footprint continues to grow around the world. The groundbreaking Canine Noise Phobia Series I developed in partnership with Through A Dog’s Ear to address noise sensitivity desensitization and prevention is another. That brings me to what I honestly believe will serve as another breakthrough in our ability to better understand our canine companions and to help build truly healthy, balanced relationships with our pets:

Dognition.

The brainchild of the esteemed Dr. Brian Hare, assistant professor of evolutionary anthropology at Duke University and the driving force behind the Duke Canine Cognition Center, Dognition is a user-friendly, scientifically-based online tool designed to identify key personality traits in individual pet dogs while providing users ongoing support specifically tailored to their dog’s unique strong suits. Basically, think of it as a Myers-Briggs personality test for dogs with a custom-designed followup plan to help you communicate better using an enhanced understanding of what exactly makes your dog go (as well as what doesn’t.)

There are two primary components of Dognition which made my decision to join its expert panel a no brainer.

First, this is more than a cute little concept designed to help you pass some quality time with your dog. Yes, it’s fun, but there’s also real, serious science behind the Canine Assessment Toolkit (CAT) which is at the heart of Dognition. This test which serves as the entry point for a user’s experience with Dognition is the result of years of study and work by Dr. Hare and his team of behavioral scientists. It’s not for the faint of heart, as it takes a couple of hours of concerted effort, but it’s also a rewarding and enriching experience in its own right.

The second unique factor is the fact that Dognition does not simply email you a report and wish you luck. Instead, contributors such as myself have agreed to work with the Dognition team to provide a high-level followup process that includes training articles, games and suggested tools which are customized for your dog based on the results of the CAT test.

Dr. Brian Hare, Duke University behavioral scientist and co-founder of Dognition

As a leading proponent of science-based positive dog training methods, my team knows that I will not even consider partnering in any way with an entity that doesn’t fully comprehend and help to promote positive training at the expense of dominance and punishment-based ideologies. It’s an uphill battle, to be sure, so extra care must be taken to make sure that no part of anything that associated with myself and the Positively movement can even be seen to tacitly endorse methods and philosophies against which I’ve campaigned so vocally for years.

Regular readers of this website or fans of my TV shows have no doubt heard me talk about how modern behavioral science has proven to us that positive reinforcement is a more effective, longer-lasting and safer method of training than using pain, fear and intimidation. I often quote those drivers of scientific thought who have revealed some of our most dangerous and damaging misconceptions about pack leadership, misguided comparisons between dogs and wolves, dominance and punishment in dog training. Well, Dr. Hare is one of those scientists who are helping lead the way out of the darkness in terms of our understanding of our dogs and how we should treat them. That’s why I’m so excited to be working with him and the Dognition team to bring this valuable new tool to the dog-owning public.

Check out Dognition at www.dognition.com and see for yourself. I’m pretty sure your dog will thank you as well.

SPECIAL LIMITED-TIME OFFER EXCLUSIVELY FOR POSITIVELY BLOG READERS!

*Offer valid through June 30, 2013*

Tampa-based VSPDT trainer Amy Weeks of Amy's Canine Kindergarten calls the Positively hotline to discuss reasons behind the spike in severe aggression behavior issues, and to help answer this week's Ask Victoria questions including:

• A 3-male dog household where two of the three are neutered, and all three have begun fighting with each other
• A 10-month old Cocker Spaniel with a weak bladder, who pees minutes after she's just gone potty outside
• A husband who is threatening to put a nine-year old Beagle mix because he has started nipping
• A 2-year old Shih Tzu/Maltese/Yorkie mix who growls whenever he hears anyone else making sounds.

Show Notes:
amyscaninekindergarten.com
Family Paws Parent Education
VSPDT Trainer Search
Miami Dog Bite Prevention Conference (April 26)

Contest to win personalized copy of Victoria's new book:

• Contest link (Big dogs)
• Email a photo of your big dog to podcast@positively.com

Pet photography provides the impossible: a lifetime with your pet

Photography is everywhere. We are faced with millions of images every day, most of them selling us something, implying who we should be, how we should look or what we should buy.

Anyone with an iPhone and Instagram is an artist: capable of creating a digital masterpiece instantly and sharing it just as quickly on Pinterest, Twitter, Flik-r and Facebook simultaneously. The medium of photography is evolving even faster than the technology supporting it and the definitions of art are more fluid than ever.

In the midst of all the images marketers choose to attract us and all the cover photos we select to define us, it’s easy to forget just how powerful a single photograph can be.

As a professional pet photographer I admit I take my job granted; the flexible hours, the travel perks, my dogs at my feet while I edit and of course the fact that I get paid to spend hours rolling around on the floor with the most irresistible creatures on earth. But there is one irrefutable fact that I never, ever forget: I am too-often reminded of just how a perfectly captured portrait of a pet transcends art to become the most precious possession a person can own.

PHOTOGRAPHS CAPTURED ARE MOMENTS SAVED FOREVER

photo by: J.Nichole Smith, www.dane-dane.com

Last week I was designing an album for clients with three charming dogs: Jasmine, Willow and T-Rex. T-Rex, the eldest, started life in New York City, chained up outside in a cage, but fate managed to deliver him all the way to Terri & Michael in Seattle, which is where I met and photographed him many years later.

Our shoot was on a hot day in August and I remember T-Rex as a smiley, wise old German Shepard who quite willingly followed us around the vast lakeside park. But only months later, on a cold day in January, T-Rex passed away.

As I edited his images and pieced together pages of the album, I found myself feeling quite weepy. I glanced down at the notes written by his mom…

“T-Rex's nickname was "Dunderhead" and he was a cheese bandit. He was in love with our boy cat Asher and they slept together on the couch. T-Rex could put whirling dervishes to shame when he was ready for a walk…”

As I considered where to include these details within the album I re-read her most recent email and saw the lines…

“Sadly, our boy just passed away. He was in such great spirits that day and we really want to remember him that way.”

photo by: J.Nichole Smith, www.dane-dane.com

These honest words struck a chord with me and despite my best efforts the lump in my throat choked-out objectivity and tears began spilling over my cheeks. I was crying for their loss, crying for my 8 yr. old Dane who is starting to show her age, crying for the memory of T-Rex as a sweet, happy boy and the knowledge that he no longer joins his family for walks in the park. I blubbered like a baby all over my keyboard.

Then I recovered, struck once again by the warm, honorable reality of my job: the most precious gift photographers offer the world is tangible proof of perfect memories. Pet photographers in particular, have the ability to capture poignant moments with the pets we love so desperately. The stark reality is that these companions just don’t stay with us long enough, but the timeless gift of a portrait, is that it will be a meaningful part of our life long after the dog hair, stinky breath and the tap, tap, tap of their tails has vanished.

In a world of fleeting and fake, there are few jobs so meaningful and lasting.

JOY SESSIONS

One pet photographer in Minnesota was so impacted by the power of this role that she designated a whole portion of her business to offering “end-of-life” sessions for aging and terminally ill pets. Her name is Sarah Ernhart and she has lovingly defined these shoots as “Joy Sessions”.

photo by: Sarah Beth Photography, www.joysessions.com

Sarah was inspired to offer these sessions after she had the opportunity to create portraits of a particularly special relationship between a labarador named “Joy” and her owner, Joan.

Since 2010 the demand for these shoots has risen to the point where Sarah recently created a whole website dedicated to matching up pet owners in need of “Joy Sessions” and pet photographers who offer this tender service:  www.joysession.com

As pet photographers we regularly receive overwhelmingly emotional words of thanks for the images we captured with our clients. Thanks because their puppy is grown and they had forgotten just how small he once was, or because like T-Rex’s family, their dear friend is gone but they have beautiful images to remember him by. This is the greatest honor bestowed upon artists – the ability to transform an intangible, powerful bond, into proof of your love you can see, touch and cherish.

If you haven’t yet, or if it’s been years since you have, I urge you to document the relationship you have with your pet(s). Whether you snap cell phone videos and photos for your desktop wallpaper or Facebook, or you hire a professional to produce a work of art for your mantelpiece or coffee table – do it now. If not, you will desperately wish you had.

When we lose a pet, no words can soothe the grief. No amount of busy can distract from the daily routine that is suddenly gone. No sound on earth can ease the silence their absence leaves behind. There is no remedy for the loss of a loved one.

As time passes the ache does dull, but so too the memories will blur and fade. But like your love, the gift of photography is forever; moments as crisply rendered a decade from now, as they were that sunny day in August when you took a walk in the park… one of a million moments shared, saved forever.

If you’d like a referral for a fantastic pet photographer, check out Pet Anthology’s Guide to Inspirational Pet Photographers Part I  and Part II.

In memory of T-Rex February 1997 – January 2012

… and all the animals we love so much who leave too soon.

But what about the pets that are left behind? Ever wonder what happens to all those pets whose owners are deployed overseas for extend periods of time with the military?

Shawn & Alisa Johnson, co-founders of Dogs on Deployment and Military Spouse of the Year 2013 nominee.

All members of our US military go above and beyond in their service to our country, but I was told recently about someone extraordinary who extends that service to the well-being of military pets as well. Through her organization, Dogs on Deployment (DoD), Alisa Johnson matches military pet families with foster families needing homes.

According to its website, "Dogs On Deployment is a 501(c)(3) national non-profit which provides a central online database for service members to search for individuals or families who are willing to welcome a Dog On Deployment into their home for the length of their owner's deployment." Having placed animals with over 200 families, Alisa and DoD also rescue animals and assist with medical issues and spay/neuter costs.

Alisa is currently training in Texas to fly C130 planes, while her husband, Shawn, is on active duty in the US Navy. Although they are separated physically, that doesn't stop Alisa from finding ways to connect. "Despite our physical separation, we are connected to each other through our passion in helping improve the military community, specifically in the aspect of pet ownership," states Alisa.

In honor of her work with DoD on behalf of military pets, Alisa has been nominated for the Military Spouse of the Year award. We encourage you to vote for her before the end of the day today, February 5th, when voting closes.

You can find out more information about Alisa's nomination and vote for Alisa today only here.

DoD is also working to standardize military pet policies with breed neutrality in private housing, access to pet education on military bases, stronger consequences for military pet cruelty/abandonment and to have the military create an overarching pet policy. Check out their Change.org petition to the Department of Defense.

Too often, we take for granted both the large and the small sacrifices made by those serving in our armed forces. While we must always strive to celebrate those who put their lives on the line for our safety, we must always be aware of the toll that sacrifice takes on our four-legged companions as well.

Victoria will share stories and invaluable dog training advice to guests. This posh event is part of the American Humane Association and Lois Pope LIFE Foundation “Be Humane Conversation Series,” a series of exclusive talks with noted experts for animal lovers and thought leaders interested in protecting our most vulnerable.

“We are deeply honored to partner with the Lois Pope LIFE Foundation to bring together the country’s top experts, celebrities, and newsmakers in the animal world in intimate settings to share their knowledge and have an open dialogue with those who care most about these topics,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane Association.

For more information and reservations for this unique event, please call 561-398-1252 or visit the event website.

Story link

The experts do not agree about nutrition, however, Dr. Doug Knueven, veterinary lecturer on dog nutrition, tells us that poor diet is the biggest obstacle to achieving canine health: Many illnesses, skin, and behavioral problems are directly affected by diet. Here’re some “greendog” guidelines:

Poor diet is the biggest obstacle to canine health.
Photo Courtesy of Archie Chippendale

• Diets. Home cooking is great if you eat healthy, and you avoid foods that are toxic to dogs. Alternatively, choose a super-premium quality dehydrated, freeze-dried or kibble feed. A more natural diet includes raw meat, organ meat, raw bones, vegetables, and fruits. An excellent resource that investigates and reviews food may be found at http://www.WholeDogJournal.com
• Ingredients. Read the labels. Look for a specifically named meat or fish as the first ingredient and natural preservatives. Avoid by-products, sugars, artificial colorings and flavorings.
• Protein and Carbohydrates. High-protein diets are often linked to high performance, and high simple carbohydrate diets to obesity. Dr. Lynn Honeckman, DVM, tells us, “Medical problems that result from obesity include diabetes, hip dysplasia, cancer, degenerative joint, respiratory, skin and autoimmune diseases.” Monitor intake.
• Rotation. Rotate between and within brands. Transition gradually. A balanced diet requires variety.
• Processing. High-temperature processing destroys essential nutrients. Stay as close to natural and organic as feasible.
• Supplements. Err on the safe side and provide a daily multivitamin/mineral supplement, fish oil, and a probiotic.

In case of illness, always consult your trusted, nutrition-savvy veterinarian.

Linda Michaels, “Dog Psychologist” M.A. and Victoria Stilwell-licensed Del Mar dog trainer and speaker, can be reached at (858) 259-9663 or email: LindaMichaelsPositively@gmail.com  for private obedience instruction and behavioral consultations in or near Del Mar or the San Diego Coast. Visit us at DogPsychologistOnCall.com

Originally published UT San Diego, Scratch ‘n Sniff. Chris Ross, Editor

Ask Victoria questions include:

• An otherwise healthy dog who has begun peeing in the house despite the only change in the environment being a new bathroom remodeling
• A 7 year old min-pin who wakes up 3-4 times per night to eat
• The fallacies of the concept of 'calm submission' and supposedly 'calm submissive states'

Also, contest details about how to Win a personalized copy of Victoria's new book, Train Your Dog Positively. Email a photo of your big dog to podcast@positively.com to enter.

Show Links:

• Podcast contest: Listen to the podcast and check out this page to see dogs who don't realize how big they really are, then to enter for a chance to win a signed copy of Victoria's new book, Train Your Dog Positively, email a photo of your big dog to: podcast@positively.com
• Doggone Safe
• Family Paws Parent Education
• Dog & Baby Support Hotline:  (877) 247-3407
• Miami Dog Bite Prevention Conference (April 26)
• Pre-order Victoria's new book

My resolution for 2013 will be to play whatever role I can in reversing this alarming trend.

Just two of many examples of preventive illness which are on the rise are flea infestation and heartworm disease, according to the Banfield Pet Hospital State of Pet Health 2011 Report.

Flea infestation and heartworm are far more expensive to treat than to prevent. As flea infestations have risen, so have reports of flea allergy. Also, fleas can also spread disease to people. The treatment for heartworm -- which can be fatal -- is grueling. For cats, no treatment even exists. Obviously, if pets had a choice, they'd clearly pick prevention over crazily itching from flea allergies or suffering the effects, even succumbing, to heartworm.

According to a study conducted by Bayer Animal Health, a quarter of all pet owners don't understand the importance of preventive care for pets. The percent of households making no trip at all to a veterinarian in the course of a year went up by eight percent for dogs, and a confounding 24 percent for cats compared to five years ago, according to the 2012 American Veterinary Medical Association U.S. Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook.

One viable explanation is that many pet owners have never been educated about the value of preventive pet care, as well as what veterinarians do doing during annual exams.

For example, most pet owners don't know that the exam begins as the pet walks into a clinician's room. The veterinarian checks the pet's gait for arthritis, even neurological problems. By simply petting a dog or cat, the veterinarian is feeling for lumps, even noting coat quality, an indicator for all sorts of issues.

The answers to seemingly benign questions, like "how much does your pet drink?" offer clues to potential kidney disease or diabetes. Or is your dog barking when you leave the house? The answer may reveal separation distress, a behavioral issue which dogs are sometimes given up as a result – but pet owners often don’t volunteer this information to veterinarians. Solving a behavior problem can save a life as much as solving a heart problem.

Some pet owners believe they would know if their pet was sick. However, this is often false, especially for cats, masters at masking illness. A veterinarian may detect problems an owner can't, unless the owner has learned to run blood work in their home or knows how to listen for a heart murmur, for example, with a stethoscope. Others (as many as 15 percent, according to one survey) feel they can "Google" anything their veterinarian can do.

I don't deny that in some cases veterinarians are to blame for not communicating the value of visits, pushing clients away with excessive fees, or "nickel and diming" them. Overall, however, veterinary medicine remains a relative bargain. The cost of similar care and identical testing and drugs for pets is far less than the cost of the same for people.

Regardless of the explanations, the decline in veterinary visits is entirely contradictory to what's in the best interest of our pets.

I welcome your comments and ideas on all sides of the fence on this issue.

Email: steve@stevedale.tv.

On the Positively Hotline, Minneapolis-based VSPDT trainer Amy Sandmann talks about her work with Pet Partners (previously called the Delta Society) as she and her giant therapy mastiff, Howie, make the rounds at Twin Cities children's hospitals.

Ask Victoria questions include:

• What to do if you suspect or know someone is running a puppy mill or involved with animal cruelty
• A 4 month old shelter rescue Chow/Lab mix won't back down and shows a lot of defensive behavior
• A 3-year old Chihuahua with multiple health issues whose medication might be causing various behavior issues
• A dog with anxiety issues who is ruining the house and is not re-homable
• A 3 1/2 year old yellow lab with impulse control issues who crosses dangerous roads in order to scavenge from nearby food sources.

Show Notes:

Funny Talkin' Animals YouTube Clip

Pet Partners

VSPDT Trainer Amy Sandmann

MN-based VSPDT Trainer Amy Sandmann with her therapy dog, Howie.

I have never been comfortable with having dogs that just fit into my day.  I fully admit that there are some times when I don’t want to take them for a walk or play with them – there are so many other things I need to get done and it would be a lot easier if I had those extra hours each day to do them.  However, I just don’t feel right until my dogs have had daily exercise and all their needs have been attended to.  I personally cannot concentrate until I know they are fulfilled, which means  I make sure a certain portion of the day is set aside just for them.  I am responsible for making my dogs’ lives the best they can be and I encourage all my clients to try and do the same with theirs – making time for the animals in your life is essential for their physical and mental health.

Almost all of the dogs I work with that demonstrate negative behaviour, do so because they have little to no daily outlet.  Many people bring dogs into their lives for selfish reasons and don’t make the time to fulfill their dogs’ needs.  Consequently, these dogs spend long hours by themselves with nothing to do, forcing them to find their own ways to cope with boredom. All too often, this means chewing on household items, barking uncontrollably, or becoming reactive and anxious.  Ultimately the prescription for problem behaviours like these is an easy one – a simple modification protocol that includes more physical and mental enrichment.  Advising my clients to utilize the tools I give them is the easy part, but the follow through can be a lot harder.

If you’ve watched my show, you will, on many occasions, have seen me shake my head in despair, when after advising a family on the importance of enrichment and having given them a plethora of ideas, I return to a myriad of excuses as to why they couldn’t follow the plan.  This is sometimes coupled with an irritation that their dog is still behaving badly, as if it is somehow my fault.  I’m sure there will be many trainers and other animal professionals reading this who have had similar experiences.  And when I think I’ve heard every excuse, another one always comes along that is more far-fetched than the last.

Why am I writing this now? Because just the other day I had a client tell me they did not want to give their border collie too much exercise because she would only build up more strength and stamina and then require more exercise if they did.  I suppose they had a point, but I had been called in because this was a dog that was already climbing the walls in her urban household, and without more outlets for her boundless energy and super canine intelligence, the poor thing would go out of her mind and become even more of an irritant for her lazy owners.

If you and your family were interviewed by your dog before she came into your home, how would you have convinced her that you were the right home and family to spend the rest of her life with?  Would you have passed the interview process? Could you offer her everything she needed? How do you think you measure up now to the promises you made then and her expectations of you? I love asking my clients these questions because it really makes them think about what they have to offer and what they could improve.  I know many dogs that could have avoided lives of interminable boredom if they had had the chance to interview a family before going to live with them.   If my dogs sat me down and told me how they felt about me I’m sure they would fail me in certain areas, but I know they would also give me a high score for trying.   They would tell me that they love their walks, but not the way I stop them from indulging in their favourite pastime, rolling in fox or coyote poo.  They would probably ask if I could spend a little less time on my computer and more time curling up with them.  My lab Sadie would definitely demand more food and both would appreciate a standing invitation to the dinner table.  Jasmine would tell me how much she loves playing with the chase it toy and both would thank me for loving them as much as I do and for giving them a safe and comfortable home.

Enrichment positively changes lives.  Walking, playing and socializing.  Problem solving, chewing and eating.  Team activities, games and quiet together time.  Finding the right balance can help modify or in some cases completely eliminate problem behaviour, dramatically changing a dog and a person’s life for the better.  And the beauty of enrichment is that it can be so simple and easy to do, it just requires a little thought and good management of your time.

So throughout a busy workday my dogs get a morning and afternoon walk, or one long walk a day if I can’t get to both.  They have quiet time to recharge and then game time, which might involve vigorous play or problem solving exercises like hide and go find.  They have a daily activity/chew toy that is filled with part of their daily food allowance and the rest of their food is fed at mealtimes through a different and more complex puzzle/activity toy.   In the evening they enjoy the simple yet much loved pleasure of just being close and cuddling up together.

I’m lucky, because in my household there is always someone around who can make sure that my dogs get what they need if I’m not there, but even if your dogs spend more time by themselves, there are still ways to give them appropriate outlets throughout the day.  Dog walkers, day care, durable chew toys, calming music, (and in America, a new and wonderful invention called DogTV) to mention but a few.  For those of you who work out of the house all day, getting up a little earlier in the morning to exercise your dog and then hiding toys and treats around the house for your dog to hunt for while you are at work is part of the prescription.  (Care should be taken with the hunt and go find it game if you have a multi dog household that has disagreements over resources such as food and toys).  A combination of these two activities can tire a dog out for hours and is a lot cheaper than hiring a dog walker or dropping a dog off at day care.

I am not a very organized person but I work hard at being the kind of person I think my dogs want and need me to be.  I certainly seem to be on the right track, as my dogs appear very happy and content.   I know I don’t always hit the mark for them, but where enrichment is concerned, I do my best to make sure they have as many outlets as they need.  That is why I waited so long before I had dogs of my own, because I wanted to give them the best life possible.  Sure, my dogs complete me and make my life better, but I work as hard as I can to do the same for them.

Dr. Martin Luther King

Today we celebrate a great leader. We all know about how he helped advance civil rights and effect change around the world. We teach our children about the value of sticking to your core beliefs and allowing strong but understated confidence in the power of justice run its course like he did. But perhaps the most defining characteristic of the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. is his unwavering commitment to advancing his cause through the use of nonviolence.We continue to learn much from MLK, but the impact he continues to have on us as a society today applies not only to our human relationships.

The most effective and powerful leaders are able to change the behavior of others without imposing their will through the use of physical force. I wish we could all take this to heart as it relates to our relationships with our pets as well.

Despite the significant advances we've made as a culture over the past several decades in our understanding of animal behavior, there remains a virulent and undiminished undercurrent of resistance to the concepts of building relationships with our pets that are based on mutual trust, respect and love rather than pain, fear and intimidation. Despite the successes of my various TV shows and other projects, I'm continually confronted by those who believe that positive training is nothing more than a cute little sideshow that's helpful for naughty chihuahuas and earnest soccer moms.

Like Dr. King's, the battle to change people's perceptions of how we should interact with our dogs is an uphill fight. But as the evidence from the scientific community continues to mount and our collective willingness to allow others to treat pets more like livestock than cherished family members erodes, it becomes clearer and clearer that there is no alternative in sight but to win the fight.

Though the sentiment is obviously on a far different plane than the struggle over civil rights for all humans, we positive trainers, too, have a dream. We dream of a world where it is commonly understood that punishment and pain have no place in dog training. Where forced cooperation and submission through the use of intimidation and fear are universally recognized as outdated and less effective. Where positive reinforcement is celebrated as the most humane, long-lasting tool to combat unwanted behavior in all dogs - whether it's for common housetraining issues or severe aggression. Where we don't have to counteract and undo the damage inflicted on those whose owners are susceptible to the zen psychobabble of popular media culture.

On this Martin Luther King day, we celebrate the legacy of a great leader who harnessed the power of nonviolence and gentle, persistent persuasion. Let's try to do his memory justice not only by how we interact with our fellow humans, but also our four-legged companions.

This month I am honored to be a judge for the first month of their year-long contest called If "You've Got Dog, You've Got Dogvergnügen."   Photographs need to be of you and your dog(s) and must depict "dogvergnügen."  This month's winner will get a $50 gift certificate to the Dog is Good webstore, an "I Like Big Mutts" tote bag (which I love), and a special gift from me.  The winner will also be entered in the annual contest.

Please enter by going to facebook.com/dogisgood, like their page, and then click on the contest banner near the top of the page.  You will need to act fast, the contest ends Jan 27th!

Cruiser wakes in New York City, sometimes making house calls as early as 9:30 a.m. In Tulsa, Oklahoma, Liberty's work often requires her to travel to different cities for her clients, while Gracie in Derby, Connecticut has inspected everything from college dorms to apartment buildings.

According to the National Pest Management Association, "one out of five Americans has had a bed bug infestation in their home or knows someone who has encountered bed bugs at home or in a hotel."

Earning An Education

Like any traditionally promising career, the dogs start at school. According to the Associated Press, Gracie, a Cavalier King Charles spaniel, graduated from the Florida Canine Academy in Tampa while Liberty, a tan and white beagle, and Cruiser, a puggle, attended J&K Canine Academy also in Florida, according to the New York Times. There are only 150 dogs in the nation certified to sniff out bed bugs. Training and certifications are gained through the National Entomology Scent Detection Canine Association.

According to the Association's website, members of NESDCA evaluate dogs critically as handlers hide bed bugs and are given 20 minutes with their dog to end the search, with strict alert and room size requirements. Only dogs affiliated with NESDCA credited dog schools can be certified, so schools that offer training programs and raise dogs in-house sell for an upwards of $10,000.

Working the Grind

Once certifications are given, the dogs are quickly sent out to their handlers to begin work.

"She loves to go to work. When I say, 'Let's go to work,' she gets excited," William Steeves said to the AP about the enjoyment Gracie has as a bed bug inspector.

Bugs can sometimes hide from the eyes of exterminators, but they don't stand a chance against the nose of a dog. Steeves said a dog trained to find bed bugs is accurate 97 percent of the time.

As Liberty's handler, Glen Collymore expressed to Tulsa World that, "Beagles have one of the best senses of smell of any dog." Unlike Gracie, Liberty is known to be a bit more 'energetic,' although at times she can be hard to handle. The used-to-be show dog has impeccable accuracy in work with the K-9 Special Force Bedbug Detection Specialists in Norman, and is the state's only detection dog.

How could a dog not enjoy their job of travel and constant interaction with people and treats? To keep their noses sharp, the dogs are constantly being trained and rewarded of their findings with treats.

Daily Duties

Cruiser starts his day on the job with a whiff of bed bugs from his handler Jeremy Ecker, of Bed Bug Inspectors. To keep dogs training up, handlers are required to own living bed bugs; most store the insects in small glass jars, hidden from the dogs.

The dogs travel to businesses, hotels, residencies, schools and virtually any type of facility with furniture and people. They need minimal distractions to focus and work. Typically when they detect an infestation, they pause, and paw at the infestation location.

Although there are lots of 'ick' in their daily jobs, handlers can earn between $200 to 400 per hour for their services. Ecker, who had been in the business six years before trading his co workers for dogs, told the New York Times, “it’s very rewarding work. We get to walk dogs for a living and we help people get peace of mind.”

Read the article.

Ask Victoria question include:

• The role of 'dog psychology' in training, as well as dominance and pack theory versus positive reinforcement training.
• How to help a dog who is grieving and changing behavior due to changes in living partners.
• 5-month old housebroken Great Dane who continues to have occasional accidents in his crate.

Show Notes:

• Pia Silvani  -  Vice President of Training & Behavior, St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center

Holly's dinner creation to celebrate husband Shawn's birthday.

Reward your dog for all the joy and love you get all year! Say "Thank You" you with gifts that keep on giving.  Some of these may make you smile — all of them will make your dog smile.

Linda Michaels and Oka. "If non-aversive methods work for wolfdogs, killer whales and wild animals at the zoo, it can work for your dog too." Photo Courtesy of the WolfEducationProject.org and Colleen's Custom Pet Photography.

 Linda Michaels, “Dog Psychologist” M.A. and Victoria Stilwell-licensed Del Mar dog trainer , canine behavioral consultant and speaker, can be reached at (858) 259-9663 or email: LindaMichaelsPositively@gmail.com  for private obedience instruction and behavioral consultations in or near Del Mar or the San Diego Coast. Visit us at DogPsychologistOnCall.com   All rights reserved.

Originally published UT San Diego, Scratch ‘n Sniff. Chris Ross, Editor

On the Monday after the shootings (December 17), primary school-aged children, including many who survived the Sandy Hook attack, attended events held at a local activities center. The dogs greeted people walking into the building. Perhaps it's no surprise that the presence of the dogs attracted children. And they weren't alone.

Hetzner says, "One lady came up to the dogs. She sat down, looking directly at them, and began to speak with the dogs, not the handlers. Of course, the handlers could hear."

The woman spoke quietly and was crying as she explained, "Five people were killed on my block. I have five funerals to go to. I don't know what to do. What can I possibly say to their families?"

As she cried, one dog curled up into her lap. She hugged the dog, looked at the handler and no further words needed be spoken.

"We met parents (of slain children). Of course, they're numb," says Hetzner. They want everything to return to how it was, though of course it can't. Some are angry; their emotions range. At the high school, one young man came to pet a dog. He said that his dad was a first responder. And ever since it (the shooting) happened, when he comes home at night, he doesn't talk to anyone. He asked, 'Can I bring my dad to pet one of your dogs?"'

Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dogs are all Golden Retrievers. The dogs’ resume includes visiting New York City and New Jersey following Hurricane Sandy, and Joplin. MO, following killer tornados there.

"It's never been like this." Hetzner says he says that he’s seen homes ripped apart, but never so many hearts. The most emotional moment for him came at Newtown High School. Hetzner and his volunteers walked into the school auditorium, where they were greeted by thunderous applause. The principal was at the microphone, but he just couldn't get any words out. Finally, he asked the students to stand and hold hands, which they did. Everyone cried, Hetzner included. "I'm the father of four children myself," he says.

On two days, the dogs "attended high school," available in two different classrooms for students or faculty to pet.

Lutheran Church Charities is national ministry which offers a legion of volunteers from around the country as first responders following disasters. The ministry trains its volunteers using a FEMA-approved program.

When responding to disasters, Hetzner had observed how people are attracted to dogs, even neighborhood pets out for a walk. In 2008, Lutheran Church Charities initiated K-9 Parish Comfort Dog Program. All the dogs in the program begin their training as puppies. Their training protocol is similar to that used for service dogs, except these dogs' only job is to listen to people in their time of need.

"They're really just furry counselors; they keep whatever they're told confidential, and they don't even take notes," Hetzner says.

What the dogs do is indeed work for them, and can take an emotional toll. Of course, no one really knows what the dogs understand, but Hetzner, and most experts, believe that somehow dogs are emotional sponges.

"The Goldens never work for more than an hour to two and a half hours, depending on the dog,” he says. “Then the vest comes off. The dogs get a chance to be dogs, maybe play with a ball."

Though they make no bones about being a Christian ministry, the group doesn't proselytize. "We don't hide who we are," says Hetzner. "But we're not there to convert anyone. We are there to offer comfort at a time when people may need it the most."

Perhaps it takes a person of special commitment to faith to believe good can come from evil like that seen in Newtown, CT.

"What I've seen is that the worst of all events has brought out the best in people. And that is beautiful," Hetzner says.

Ask Victoria questions include a one-eye-blind Lab who has started barking at people and other dogs, a supposedly untrainable beagle mix whose sense of smell overtakes his willingness to listen to his owners, and more.

Show Links:

• Paula's book 'Why Does He Do That? Why Does She Do That?'
• Morrison's Christmas Commercial

A typical Christmas pudding.

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Victoria also discusses the Behavior Adjustment Training (BAT) method with its creator, Grisha Stewart.

Ask Victoria questions include:

• Adopted Maltese/Yorkie mix who redirects onto her Westie friend by biting her legs whenever guests come through the door
• a Gordon Setter who has started growling at things he doesn't like after previously being well-adjusted
• and more...

Show Links:

• Noah's Ark
• Peter Emily Veterinary Dental Foundation
• Reindog Parade Photo Gallery (via Atlanta Botanical Gardens' Facebook page)

I’m not going to pretend the journey has been easy because however much I do, there is still so much that needs to be done to guide people towards a better way of teaching their dogs and improve the well being of animals around the world.  This is one of the reasons I formed Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Training (VSPDT).  The VSPDT network is comprised of some of the best positive reinforcement trainers in the country dedicated to spreading awareness of humane methods to the dog loving public.  If you are a trainer and are interested in joining VSPDT go to www.vspdt.com or if you are looking for a qualified trainer to teach you and your dog, please go to: www.positively.com/trainers

I still find it hard to comprehend how anyone can justify teaching a dog through pain, force and fear, when decades of research and a mountain of scientific and observational evidence continues to prove how destructive these methods can be.  Teaching people to train their dogs in a humane way is not just a moral issue; it has become an issue of public health and safety.  Punitive training methods are having a profound affect on our canine companions, making them more insecure, unable to communicate and more aggressive as a result.  Mankind is destroying what was a beautiful relationship and putting their dogs, themselves and their children at risk as a result. There are approximately 10.5 million dogs in the UK and 78.2 million dogs in the US, and while education and humane training is not going to solve all canine problems, it will certainly go a long way to make things a lot better for our dogs and for ourselves.

While punitive trainers vehemently defend their use of forceful techniques, they are finding it harder to discredit the insurmountable evidence supporting the fact that hitting, poking, kicking, restraining, hanging, jerking and using electric shock to teach dogs causes pain, fear, anxiety, distrust, shyness, insecurity, increased likelihood of aggression, irritability, frustration, learned helplessness and in many cases, complete shutdown. And that’s just for starters.  I can’t see how any sane person can validate using techniques that have such a high potential to cause harm.

Following extensive discussions with a number of notable human behavior experts on why people use force or feel the need to dominate other beings, I learned the following:  The general feeling among these professionals is that some people use force and punishment because they need to be in charge and fear losing control.  This might be because they have been or are being dominated themselves by a family member or friend, or because the tendency to dominate others is inherent within them.  Other people simply don’t have the time or the desire to investigate what training methods are best and grab whatever is most available, even if they instinctively know the techniques they are using are inhumane.  Whatever works to fix a dog’s behavior as quickly and as easy as possible is preferred and validated.  Dog training is an unregulated profession, which means there are too many people advertising themselves as trainers that simply don’t have the qualifications and use force because they don’t know or don’t want to know any better.  Because there is an ever-increasing amount of bad press about punitive training techniques in the media, some trainers use the ‘positive reinforcement’ buzzwords to sell their services to prospective clients even though these trainers still employ punitive methods in practice.   Some trainers use positive reinforcement techniques to teach dogs what to do, but lack the knowledge and/or skills to use humane techniques to curb unwanted behavior.  It is relatively easy to use positive reinforcement methods to teach a dog to do something, but it takes advanced knowledge and skill to stop a dog from doing something negative WITHOUT using punitive techniques. Viewers might be impressed by what looks like a heroic battle to ‘rehabilitate’ a deranged, aggressive animal on some television shows and copy what they see, but in reality what they are viewing is just an act of violence from a human to a dog, designed to suppress negative behavior through dominant control.  The great tragedy in all of this is that when the dog finally submits to this force, his submission is labeled a ‘success’ even though he is not submitting calmly at all, but has been BULLIED and FORCED into submitting.  A submissive dog’s stillness is often mistaken for calm, when in reality the dog’s body and mind have reached such a state of distress that the dog shuts down, ceasing all movement in an effort to avoid further violence.  This state of stress, often mislabeled as a dog being ‘calm submissive,’ gives people a false impression of what the dog is actually feeling, including a belief that the methods employed to get him to that point, worked.  This is not only desperately sad for the dog but very upsetting for those of us who really know what is going on in the dog’s mind.

I must make something clear at this point.  I do agree that harsh punishment curbs negative behavior at the moment it is used, (unless the dog fights back, which is often the case and is why so many punitive trainers and their clients get bitten when they use domination), but here again is the reality:  When you use pain, punishment and intimidation to teach dogs to ‘behave’ you are likely to see a difference in behavior very quickly and this will positively reinforce that what you did to get that difference did indeed work.  This will make you feel good, even though you might feel slightly guilty that you used combative methods to get the desired result. But be aware, just because you might see an improvement in behavior, this does not mean that the behavior has been CHANGED.  You might think your dog is behaving better, but this is only because your dog has been intimidated or dominated by you or your trainer into submission, and he is now ‘behaving’ out of fear of repeated force.  He still feels the same inside, even though the outward expression of how he feels has been suppressed… for now! This improvement in behavior is labeled, by those who don’t know any better, as a success, a great rehabilitation; the dog is fixed or cured!  But again, shut down, suppression and learned helplessness is NOT CHANGED BEHAVIOR.  If anything, your dog is now even more insecure because of the treatment he experienced and worse still, by using punishment, you haven’t taught him anything useful.  You haven’t given him a new skill or shown him that he can ‘be’ and ‘feel’ another way, which will help him behave in a more positive way in the future. That’s the beauty of humane training. Instead of putting the emphasis on punishment, positive trainers put the emphasis on teaching dogs new behaviors and new ways to cope in different situations, and yes, it even works with the aggressive ‘red zone’ dogs or dogs with high drive.  It’s not about just stuffing a treat in a dog’s face, it’s about finding each dog’s individual drive and using that to help him learn and overcome any behavioral issues he might have.

If you use punitive techniques, be warned that your dog will associate you with negative experiences and distrust you as a result, even if it looks like he is still your best friend. Dogs are very forgiving!  Forcing submission on your dog won’t change the way he feels inside and increases the likelihood that he will revert back to his former behavior at some point, and when he does, it will be much worse than it was before.  This is especially true for aggressive dogs.  After punitive handling, their aggressive response might be suppressed for a time, but when the stress becomes too much, the aggression will resurface again with a lot more intensity.  If you fight fire with fire, you will get burned.

I can write numerous columns, books, produce videos, film TV shows, or do seminars all day on this subject, but that won’t help change things unless people are willing to learn, discover and change for themselves.  We are creatures of habit and it’s hard to change our behavioral patterns.  But I think it is time to ask the question:  am I truly doing everything possible to ensure my dog is happy, trusts me, and is pain free and secure?  Am I someone who my dog truly wants to be with or does he only follow me because he’s scared of what will happen to him if he doesn’t?

If what I write annoys or angers you and you think I’m wrong or are sick of being preached at by the British girl who trains dogs on TV, then I encourage you to read the numerous books and articles written by some of the brightest animal behavior minds in the business: Dr. Patricia McConnell, Suzanne Clothier, John Bradshaw, Karen Pryor, Dr. Sophia Yin, Jean Donaldson, James O’Heare, Alexandra Horowitz, Dr. Nicholas Dodman, Nicole Wilde, Turid Rugaas, Dr. Ian Dunbar, to name but a few.

My biggest challenge is to continue promoting positive change, even though this sometimes makes me the target of ridicule by those who are threatened by what I say.  I understand that it takes courage to change, but the more humane you are towards your dog, the better your lives will be. The right kind of knowledge is very powerful.  As more and more people make the switch to gentler teaching methods, the canine and human nation will be safer and more stable because of it.

Victoria during her Finland training seminar

Victoria is very excited to announce The Power of Positive Training - a rare, two-day training seminar to be held in Manchester, England on April 6-7, 2013.

Attendees to this limited-capacity, intimate event will learn about how to apply Victoria's proven, science-based, force-free training techniques to their relationships with their pets by emphasizing ways to help the dog learn more effectively and humanely. Specific behavioral issues will be addressed by Victoria while she takes the audience on a journey behind the scenes of It's Me or the Dog, providing a unique look at how her hit TV show is filmed.

The second day of the seminar will focus on aggression issues and how to use the power of positive training to address even the most severe behavioral cases without the use of pain, fear and intimidation.

Take advantage of this unique opportunity to meet Victoria in person, learn about cutting-edge training concepts and techniques, and share in Victoria's passion for promoting safe, balanced, relationship-building with dogs based on mutual trust, respect and love.

The Power of Positive Training Seminar Ticket Information:

• Early-bird discount for two-day admission (book before Jan 15, 2013):  £105
• Standard two-day admission (after Jan 15, 2013): £105
• One-day admission:  £75

Click Here to Buy Tickets

For more information or to book tickets by phone call 01257-423-726 (in the UK).

Produced in partnership with VSPDT trainer Jo Pay and Standish Dog Trainer.

Ask Victoria questions include how to help a Pharaoh Hound who has started showing aggressive behavior since being attacked twice by other dogs in a dog park, a male Australian Shepherd originally trained using aversive methods who now sneaks out of the house at every opportunity, and an 8-year old Beagle rescue suffering from separation anxiety.

Show Notes:

Dogs Today subscription link

The Pharaoh Hound

Winter weather can be hazardous for you and your dog, especially if you aren’t prepared. I recently spoke with the director of Georgia’s emergency management agency to get some tips for pet owners on weathering winter storms and other disasters.

Victoria: Charley, let’s start with the basics of emergency preparedness.  Why is it important to prepare, and where do we begin?

Charley: Anyone can get ready in three basic steps – prepare, plan and stay informed. Prepare by assembling a Ready kit filled with all the emergency supplies you would need to survive for three days without assistance.  Make a plan for communicating and reconnecting with family members. And stay informed by educating yourself on how best to respond to various disasters. Taking these three steps can save your life.

Victoria: What should we dog-lovers do to prepare? Are there specific items we should include in a pet-friendly Ready kit, especially as the winter months set in?

Charley: For those that are unable to help themselves, such as our pets, it’s critical that we make time to prepare on their behalf. During winter months, a blizzard or ice storm can often strike without much warning and you could be stuck at home for several days. You don’t want to get caught short on dog food or any medications your pet takes on a regular basis, so go ahead and stock those in your Ready kit now. Also make sure that you have a warm, dry place for your dog to take shelter during extremely cold weather.

Your Ready kit should also include copies of important documents such as proof of vaccinations, identification tags, blankets to keep your pet warm and a photo of you and your pet together, in case you were to get separated in a disaster. Our online pet resource page lists these and many other necessary items. It also features more information on how to protect your pet in emergency situations.

Victoria: That covers the Ready kit, but what should we do to include our dogs and other pets in our emergency plans?

Charley:  I’m glad you asked, because this is step is incredibly important. People often assume that they’ll be able to take their pet with them in case of an emergency, but most shelters do not allow pets due to health reasons. If you had to evacuate your family due to a disaster, you would need to know where to go immediately, so I suggest keeping a list of pet-friendly hotels in your Ready kit or making arrangements with family or friends in advance. NEVER leave your pet chained outside. Another good tip is to talk to your neighbors and set up a buddy system so you can check on one another’s animals if you happen not to be home.

Victoria: Charley, thank you so much for sharing this vital information. For those us who love our dogs like family, it’s so important to know what to do in the event of an emergency.

Charley: I’m happy to spread the word, Victoria. I hope every pet owner takes the time to prepare their pets for severe winter weather and any other emergency.

For more information or to download a free mobile app to help you get ready, please visit www.ready.ga.gov. For the Ready Georgia pet resource page, visit www.ready.ga.gov/Prepare/Georgia-Pets .

Read the interview.

Read the article.

VSPDT trainer Sam Wike of The Inner Dog in Long Branch, NJ calls the Positively hotline to discuss how Hurricane Sandy affected people and their pets after the storm, including the amazing work being done by local and national shelter groups, airlines and other organizations. Also discussed, pet abandonment, Sam's history as a canine police officer and work in the military, the rarity of being a male positive reinforcement trainer, the disadvantages faced by female positive trainers, his crazy upcoming training session with a 220-pound dog.

Ask Victoria questions (featuring guest trainer Sam Wike) include a Pomeranian who bullies other dogs in the household and barks at the other dogs outside, one year old Collie who plays rough in the snow with the 5 and 7 year old kids in the house, how pharmacological tools may help a fostered one year-old Terrier mix who is terrified of everything, and how to help an 18-month old Beagle having trouble with housetraining.

Photo Courtesy of Cindy Staszak

Why not start a holiday tradition and share the joy of the season with your local animal rescue group? It’s the perfect time of year for pet lovers to give back to the animals. This holiday season, there are more dogs than ever in need of help.

You can foster, volunteer, adopt, or donate skills, equipment or money. You'll not only provide a much-needed service to our community, but it will fill your heart to overflowing. That’s a promise. Your local 501c3 rescue groups-- often shelters of last resort, need help. Volunteering and working with animals is a great learning opportunity for the kids.

Six-month old “miracle puppy”, Daniel, American Humane Society’s Emerging Hero Dog Award winner, survived seventeen minutes in an Alabama euthanasia gas chamber and became the new “poster puppy” for dog adoption. An estimated seven million animals are brought to shelters every year, and ½ of those are euthanized due to overcrowding.

Please visit http://www.Petfinders.com, the #1 facilitator for 13,772 animal shelters and rescue groups across North America.

You can search for any breed or animal welfare group by zip code. Today, more than 25% of dogs in rescues are purebreds. For example, you can find 31 breeds to choose from that start with the letter “B” including, Bedlington Terriers, Borzoi, Boston Terriers, Boxers, Bull Terriers et al. Petfinders.com has hundreds of thousands of beautiful adoptable dogs at this very moment.

"Daniel". Survived 17 minutes in a euthanasia gas chamber. American Humane Association Emerging Hero Dog Award Winner.

The Helen Woodward Animal Center (HWAC) has one of the world’s most successful holiday pet adoption drives. In California alone they partner with 262 shelters They also provide free 3-day seminars that teach animal lovers and shelter workers more effective ways to increase adoptions and lower euthanasia.

Dogs are often relinquished, orphaned and abandoned when pet parents find their dog’s behavior unacceptable simply because of insufficient socialization or basic training. Non-aversive training for every dog at the earliest possible time avoids problems. Positive Reinforcement, force-free dog training is effective, safe, fast and truly dog-friendly.

There are good dogs languishing in shelters and there are great dogs languishing in shelters. Help make adoption a first-choice in your community.

Linda Michaels, “Dog Psychologist” M.A. and Victoria Stilwell-licensed Del Mar dog trainer  and speaker, can be reached at (858) 259-9663 or email: LindaMichaelsPositively@gmail.com  for private obedience instruction and behavioral consultations near Del Mar and up the SoCal Coastline. Visit us at DogPsychologistOnCall.com   All rights reserved.

Originally published UT San Diego, Scratch ‘n Sniff. Chris Ross, Editor.

Save on Victoria's training desensitization CDs, Thundershirts, Positively apparel, training and behavior books, the recently-launched Victoria Stilwell Collection by Dog is Good line of premium tops, and the brand-new 'Do No Harm' ladies and unisex tees!

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No promo code or coupon is needed. Just visit the Positively Store starting on Black Friday and be sure to get yourself and your loved ones the gift of living Positively this holiday season! 

So I thought this would be a good time to let you all know how very much you all mean to me.

I am extraordinarily blessed with a wonderful family, dear friends and an amazing team to work with, but I wanted to take the time as we begin a new holiday season to thank you for all you’ve done to allow me to live my dream every day. I won’t call you ‘fans’ because you’re much more than that. My daughter is a ‘fan’ of Taylor Swift, but however much she may love Taylor and however hard Taylor tries to engage and reach out to her millions of adoring fans around the world, it’s still pretty much a one-way relationship.

To me, you’re more than fans because of the passion you all share for making the world a better place for our animals. As a music fan, you can’t really do more than sing along with latest pop song on the charts on the way to school, but all of you do infinitely more than that in your daily lives. From spending extra quality time on a long walk with your pup to cuddling with kitty while watching TV, to volunteering at the local shelter to attending your local doggie meet up in the park, you are truly making a difference in the lives of animals, and I thank you for that.

As we continue the journey of raising awareness about the dangers of compulsion training and the beautiful power of animal-human relationships built on positive training ideals, it can sometimes be hard sledding to face the headwinds of several decades’ worth of misinformation. But the fact that you all engage in the discussion every day and work to change the world one person at a time gives me strength as well. Together we are making a difference in the lives of our beloved animals, and the momentum behind the movement towards positive training is undeniable.

So thank you. Thanks for watching the TV shows. Thanks for reading the books. Thanks for being involved on Positively.com. Thank you for trusting your local VSPDT trainer. Thanks for coming to see me at local appearances.

But most of all, thank you for your passion for promoting healthy, happy relationships with your own pets. Thank you for your dedication to searching for and committing to truly humane, force-free, effective and long-lasting methods, for communicating with your dogs and building relationships based on mutual trust, respect and love instead of pain, fear and intimidation. Together, we’re moving the needle, and now a world where we collectively understand what our dogs need to thrive and flourish, is within sight.

Positively.

Ask Victoria questions include:

• helping Holly find a way to stop her dogs from digging in the backyard, especially when next-door neighbor Cavalier King Charles Winnie instigates the hole-digging fun
• how to get a 3-year old German Shepherd farm dog to stop aggressing at other dogs on the farm and refusing to listen to the owners
• why a 4-year old Australian Shepherd continues semi-rough behavior after rough-housing with the father of the family
• what books Victoria has available about dog training
• and more....

Show Links:

• Liam J. Perk Foundation
• How to join VSPDT
• Find a VSPDT trainer
• Sue Sternberg Official Website
• American Humane Association

Victoria talks dangerous dogs on BBC Breakfast.

Victoria discussing dangerous dogs on The Wright Stuff.

Victoria talks about canine obesity on BBC News24.

Victoria discusses her book Fat Dog Slim on The Wright Stuff.

Victoria discusses how to avoid dog attacks on ITV1's Newsround.

Victoria talks about pet funerals on Richard & Judy.

Ask Victoria questions include:

• how to stop a pup who's started nipping during play
• how to help an older cat who has started peeing outside the litter box
• how to stop a dog from chasing cars and biting tires
• why tethering your dog is a bad idea
• the dangers and pitfalls of electric fences
• how to help an unneutered male crossbreed exhibiting signs of aggression and marking behavior
• why Victoria likes when dogs growl
• how to help previously traumatized dogs overcome fear of men.

Show Links:
The Denver Dog Bite Prevention & Awareness Conference will be held on November 2nd, 2012.
The Hero Dog Awards will be broadcast on November 8th, 2012 at 8pm ET/PT on the Hallmark Channel.

Make recall fun and rewarding. Photo Courtesy of Patton Marshall

"Come!" Make recall fun and rewarding, one baby-step at a time.  If you bounce back and forth between a sugary-sweet, sing-songy, “Come Blinky” and a frustrated, commanding, “Blinky, Come!” — try these recall tips instead. 

Always reward for “coming”

Living things perform best on the reward system. Each time your dog “Comes” to you, reward her with a yummy treat. To start, substitute meal calories for training calories, using food to help your dog learn quickly. You can transition to affection or a “Good Girl, Go Play” later.

Start with easy “Comes”

Start inside your home and progress slowly, week by week, to more difficult environments. From just 3 feet away, use a big hand signal, saying, “Come” as your dog runs toward you. Reward. Increase distance, vary distractions and locations step by baby step. Later, work outdoors in an enclosed area or with a 50-foot leash until recall is reliable. Always reward when your dog comes back to you without being called.

Never punish for “coming”

Don’t clip nails, medicate, leave the dog park, or scold your dog for being slow to “Come.” If necessary, reward first, wait a minute and then do what your dog dislikes. Otherwise, she’ll learn that “Come” means that something unhappy may happen and she’ll run the other way.

Practice regularly and frequently

Get the whole family on the same training page. Play “Come” Round Robin. It’s fun! Repeat “Come” and reward in four 3-minute sessions per day. Regular routines and predictable outcomes speed training and reliability. Once learned, use recall throughout the day to cement it. Remember to have realistic expectations for your dog. Some breeds seem to naturally stick closer than others. If you train your dog to “Come” to the sound of “Blinky, Come” paired with a whistle for dinner, your dog’s ears will perk up when she hears those words in other contexts too! It’s easy.

Linda Michaels, “Dog Psychologist,” MA, and Victoria Stilwell-licensed Del Mar dog trainer and speaker may be reached at 858.259.WOOF (9663) or by email: LindaMichaelsPositively@gmail.com for private obedience instruction and behavioral consultations near Del Mar and the San Diego Coast. Please visit us at DogPsychologistOnCall.com

Originally published in the U~T San Diego, Scratch n' Sniff. Chris Ross, Editor, 2012.

When working with animals you cannot have an “ego” of any kind.  Animals know, they can feel the kind of love and energy your putting off and when ego gets involved nothing will go right.  Why you ask?  Because ego is all about self and teaching and guiding your dog is about the dog not you.

Positive Reinforcement training is training that is respectful and is based in science and best of all is kind, the lines of communication stay open and loving, this is how we all learn the best.

Stop and think about it, how great would you be at your job if someone was always yelling and telling you” NO, NO that is not how you do it how can you be so stupid” but they never stopped and took the time to show you what they wanted. My guess is you would quit that job and probably have a few choice words for your boss.  Just because you’re a human and you think differently than your dog, does not give you the right to DOMINATE, or INTIMIDATE or BULLY your pet into doing what you want. This includes prong collars, choke collars, shocking devices, hitting and verbally abusing.  When knowledge ends aversive techniques begin.  This world wants everything NOW and given the technology we have everything is at a touch of a button and happens fast!!  We are used to getting what we want when we want it.  We must remember dogs are gifts, they feel, they love, and they hurt just like we do.

SLOW DOWN PEOPLE!  If you are blessed enough to live with animals as I am we need to realize that dogs and humans alike thrive on love and kindness and consistency.  Don’t get caught in the” EGO trap” instead why don’t you pause for a moment, look at your dog and actually try and figure out WHY the behavior is happening in the first place. There is always a reason for everything a dog does you just may not understand their language and it frustrates you.    It means you have to take your EGO out of it and really try to understand you pet.  Read about dog behavior call a professional force free trainer to help you get on the right track.

Our dogs our the most wonderful loving creatures who shower us with unconditional love each day and I feel its only fair we give them more of our time. They cannot be an after thought they cannot be last on the list of things in the family order.  Be grateful for your pets and show them that you are grateful by spending time with them and educating yourself about their world and what makes them who they are.

Involve the entire family in continuing your education about your canine family member and read about what makes a dog tick.  Remember, when communicating with your dog speak with your heart, be a kind, be educated and the learning will astound you.

Amy Sandmann  vspdt

Top Ten Halloween Safety Tips:

1. Keep the candy bowl away from your pets. Candy is never a good idea for any pet, and chocolate in particular can be very dangerous for dogs and cats thanks to a toxic chemical called theobromide. Put the candy bowl where your pets can’t reach it and be sure to lock the cupboard door so they can’t do some scary scavenging.
2. Careful with the costumes.  We may love dressing ourselves up, but I’m pretty sure that if we asked our dogs and cats, they’d agree that they’d just as soon not wear that canine superman outfit you think is so cute. If you absolutely must dress your pet up, consider a simple themed bandanna, or at least make sure the outfit is not constricting, uncomfortable or harmful to the animal. Dog costumes often cover so much of the body that their ability to express important canine body language signals to us or other dogs is compromised, which can lead to unnecessary, avoidable instances of aggression or bites.
3. Don’t take your dogs trick or treating with you, even if you’re confident that your dog will be able to handle it. There are too many unknown factors on a night like Halloween, and even if your dog is well-adjusted, some others you encounter may not be.  Plus, seeing a bunch of four-foot tall Yodas and goblins can unnerve even the most placid dogs.
4. Keep your dogs away from the door during trick or treating hours. Again, even if your dog is a good, well-mannered greeter, your smaller guests are not always prepared to see dogs bounding down the hallway or sniffing their candy bags. Just play it safe and keep your dogs and cats locked away in another part of the house for those couple of hours.
5. Make sure any electric cords for holiday decorations are out of reach of your pets, especially if they’re chewers. Nibbling on a hot wire won’t turn out well for anyone.
6. Be sure your jack-o-lanterns with live flame inside them are also kept out of reach. They can get easily bumped or knocked over, leading to fire hazards.
7. Halloween is a great excuse to make sure your dog or cat is microchipped. Given all the crazy sights and sounds of the evening, many pets end up running away each year.
8. Keep your pets indoors on Halloween and in the days surrounding it. There are just too many jerks around sometimes, so play it safe and don’t tempt fate.
9. Head out for your afternoon or evening walk with your dogs well before trick or treaters start hitting the neighborhood. No reason to risk a frightful encounter with Buzz Lightyear and his noisy, flashing guns and jetpacks.
10. Desensitize ahead of time. Be aware of how stressful the repeated ringing of the doorbell can be for dogs. If you haven’t already, take some time to desensitize your dogs to the sound of the doorbell or knocking in the weeks leading up to the big night so that they’re prepared.

Between my filming schedule, the Hero Dog Awards in LA, my trip to Savannah for a school and jail dog program visit, a cat training session in Denver for the winner of the InFURvention contest, the APDT conference, ongoing development of new projects, my work with VSPDT, and of course being a wife and mom, it’s been a pretty full few weeks.

I’m not one of those people who is very good at sitting still, so I was very glad to have a full plate, but it’s also great to be home for a few days as we gear up for Halloween with my daughter and a visit from my mother.

Victoria Stilwell with dog bite victim Javon Roberson at his Savannah, GA school.

To start the month off, I was honored to have been asked to go to beautiful Savannah, Georgia to speak to an entire school full of kids eager to learn about dogs and how to be safe around them. You may have heard me discuss the case of Javon Roberson, a sweet, courageous young boy who was the unfortunate victim of a vicious dog attack over a year ago. The incident left him severely scarred on his face and psyche, and I had the privilege of meeting him during our first National Dog Bite Prevention and Awareness Conference in Atlanta last May. His advocate, Cheryl Labon, brought him to Atlanta to discuss the importance of dog bite prevention education, and I was struck by his bravery as he opened himself and his story up so that other kids might not have to go through the same ordeal. I had the unique opportunity of talking about dog safety to Javon’s school, and had a great time talking dog with some truly wonderful kids.

Aside from the obviously powerful narrative that Javon provides, one of the most enriching aspects of my recent visit to Savannah, however, was in witnessing the evolution his advocate, Ms. Labon, underwent regarding her position on dog safety issues. While I am a firm opponent of Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL) due to its inefficiencies and tendency to focus on the wrong end of the leash, I am aware that many still do not share my views. After witnessing the effect Javon’s attack had on him, she developed an all-too-common conclusion that the specific breed of dog that attacked him (pit bulls) should be limited, controlled and reduced in an effort to lower the likelihood of dog attacks in the future.

As we now know, such BSL does not actually reduce dog bite statistics – they’ve actually risen in almost every municipality where BSL has been introduced. To Ms. Labon’s credit, after over a year of concerted effort to institute and lobby for BSL in and around Savannah in Javon’s name, she showed tremendous courage and gained an admirer in me when she announced during my school visit that she had changed her mind and would immediately stop efforts to institute BSL on a local level. This type of willingness to listen to, appreciate and ultimately respect an alternative point of view on such an emotional and contentious issue is exactly what’s needed in the fight against BSL all over the world.

While I was in Savannah, I also had the opportunity to tour the fantastic jail dog program for Chatham County, Operation New Hope. Along with my excellent Savannah-based VSPDT trainer Kevin Ray, I was treated to a fascinating tour of the program at the jail by the lovely Sgt. Brooks, and came away very impressed by the work being done both by the correctional staff and the inmates with the dogs.

Victoria's daughter gets a big hug from Betty White on the red carpet at the 2012 Hero Dog Awards.

Later that week I headed off to Los Angeles with my family to attend the 2^nd annual Hero Dog Awards presented by the American Humane Association. This is one of my favorite events of the year, as the honorees of the gala event held at the Beverly Hilton are truly the dogs who have made such a difference in the lives of others. I was honored to join an all-star roster of human supporters such as Betty White, Kristen Chenoweth, NCIS’ Pauley Perrette, Jewel, True Blood’s Michelle Forbes and many more in presenting awards and tributes throughout the evening. I even got to hold a real Olympic gold medal courtesy of my co-presenter, swimmer Ricky Berens. The human highlight of the night, however, was in being able to share such a moving and beautiful experience with my 8-year old daughter who joined me on the red carpet for interviews and photos before the awards show started. The Hero Dog Awards will be broadcast on November 8 at 8pm ET/PT on the Hallmark Channel – be sure to tune in and watch the amazing stories. Check out my photo album from the Hero Dog Awards.

While I was in LA I also had the chance to attend the kickoff event for Fido Friendly magazine’s Get Your Licks on Route 66 event. This nationwide initiative works with shelters all over the country to encourage adoption, and I am honored to serve as the official spokesperson for this year’s tour. It’s always great to connect with those on the front lines of animal rescue and adoption, and Jan and the team at the LA Animal Services East Valley Shelter were wonderful hosts to me, Susan Sims (Fido Friendly) and everyone who attended the daylong event.

After LA it was off to Denver to work with the winner of Banfield’s InFURvention campaign to help encourage cat owners to get their pets to the vets for regular checkups. A big deterrent for many cat owners is the battle royale that sometimes ensues when trying to coerce kitty into the carrier, so I helped a lovely family find positive solutions to getting their furry friend into the cat carrier.

Victoria with friend and APDT founder Dr. Ian Dunbar and VSPDT team members.

Finally, I just returned from Cincinnati where I attended the annual Association of Pet Dog Trainers conference on behalf of Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Training (VSPDT). I love going to this conference, in part because it’s so great seeing so many respected peers and colleagues in the pet behavior industry, but also because I learn so much every year. Behavioral science is always evolving, and we’re constantly figuring out new ways of more effectively communicating with our dogs and promoting positive training ideas at the expense of traditional, punitive training methods. So I sit in on lecture and seminars from some of the world’s leading trainers and behavioral scientists and soak up as much as I can. FYI, any trainer who claims to have it all figured out and says they don’t need to learn any more is someone to avoid at all costs – we all always have more to learn, and I love it. Check out my APDT Conference photo album.

APDT is also a great chance for me to hang out with my amazing team of VSPDT trainers from all over the world. These people are truly the cream of the crop, and some of the best trainers you’ll find anywhere. We get to share ideas, connect on future projects, and generally have an awesome time building what I truly believe is the most welcoming, engaging, supportive and inspirational group of dog trainers in the world. They’re the best, and to find one near you, visit www.positively.com/trainers. For more info on how you can become a VSPDT, visit www.vspdt.com.

Ricky and I had one of those special relationships – he could look at me and know what I was thinking. I believe if my name happened to be Timmy, and if I feel into a well – he would have been there to rescue me.

Most people might bet that Ricky would have been a Collie, or perhaps a German Shepherd dog or even a Poodle. Ricky was a Devon Rex cat.

That’s right – a cat.  He was no ordinary cat, aside from our close bond, he was talented. Ricky could jump through a Hoola hoop, over dogs (or young children) on a down stay – and did I mention that he played the piano?

One of our dogs, named Lucy, did animal assisted therapy work. My wife asked me to teach her something new, so I thought I’d show Lucy how to play a little kids piano I’m not sure why I thought this.

I closed the door in our practice room so I could begin our first clicker training piano lesson. I began to shape Lucy’s behavior. Well, I apparently hadn’t closed the door securely, and in walked Ricky the cat. Instantly, he looked up at me, and then looked at the piano, lifted a paw, and “ping,” “ping,” he began to play the piano. I had a virtuoso!

I thought, ‘What am I fooling around with this dog for?’ And continued the piano lessons with Ricky. I had long wanted to demonstrate that a cat can be taught to do anything a dog can do, and maybe even do it better. So in no time, Ricky had an entire regiment of behaviors.

But what good is a circus act for just me and my wife?

Ricky was social, and leash and harness trained. Knowing he wouldn’t mind public scrutiny, I let the cat out of the bag and unleashed Ricky on the America public. If only YouTube were around, Ricky would have gone viral many times over.

Ricky, thought nothing of appearing in recitals at Petco or PETsMART. TV crews regularly paraded into our home, as Ricky appeared on several Animal Planet shows, National Geographic Explorer and PBS. Ricky made in studio radio and TV appearances in Chicago. He seemed to relish the extra attention being a star brings.

Even when he wasn’t performing Ricky would accompany my wife, the dogs and myself on errands, to the pet store or to the dry cleaner.

In the summer of 1999, during a routine veterinary visit, my best friend was diagnosed with feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) – a common heart disease of cats.

Some cats with this disease (an abnormal thickening of the left ventricle of the heart) live for many years, dying of old age related illness. However, often that is not the case – either cats throw clots and have repeated painful stroke-like episodes, until finally the family is too taxed emotionally and /or financially to deal with it, or cats with HCM die suddenly. HCM is the most common cause of sudden death in cats. In fact, HCM may account for more deaths of indoor cats from about three years to eight years than any other disease.

Ricky was easily trained to jump on my shoulder to take his heart medication  (of course, it was Ricky). At best the medication only slowed the disease progression, offering little – but it was the best veterinary medicine could do.

Ricky was only 8-years old when died suddenly in June of 2002. A little of my heart was lost forever that day. Ricky gave me so much, and taught so many about what a cat can do – I felt I needed to stop heart disease in cats, or at least try.

I began a fund with the Winn Feline Foundation named for my pal, hoping to raise enough money for researchers to help find an effective treatment. We’ve raised over $100,000, which in feline health is significant. And, in fact, as a result, a genetic test (using a simple cheek swab) can now be done for Maine Coons and Ragdolls to determine if the gene defect for HCM exists. The test is not perfect, but this beginning – and at least has begun to diminish the disease in these two breeds.

Still, there’s much to do – to somehow find a treatment for all cats with HCM. What’s frustrating is that when it comes to cat health every dollar is a struggle  to raise. For reasons I don’t quite understand, it’s far easier to raise money for canine health studies. Meanwhile, cats are the most popular pet in America – and too many are dying of heart disease.

We don’t know how many cats succumb to HCM, many suffering for months or even years prior to their deaths – something must be done. Please help.

• Ricky Fund http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/RickyFund.html
• Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/Health/HCM.html
• Winn Feline Foundation www.winnfelinehealth.org

For information about Victoria's upcoming Dog Bite Prevention & Awareness Conference in Denver on November 2, 2012, click here.

Register for the conference at www.denverdogbiteseminar.com.

There are scientific studies (though limited in number) which do support the positive affects of dogs paired with veterans diagnosed with PTSD, not to mention  literally thousands of real-life anecdotal instances.

“I couldn’t handle it any more; I was pushing away people I loved,” says Ray Galmiche, a Vietnam War vet with PTSD in Navarre, FL. “I don’t know what would have happened to me if it wasn’t for Dazzle (a German Shepherd Dog).” He added that is not too melodramatic to say that his service dog saved his life.

A few years ago Congress mandated additional scientific study conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on the impact of service dogs paired with PTSD vets. The study was to follow 230 PTSD vets and their service dogs, and to track them and their families through 2014. In June 2011, a study was finally begun.

After enrolling only fewer than two dozen dogs, the VA just announced they’ve suspended the study. What’s more the VA indicated they will no longer support service dogs paired with veterans diagnosed with PTSD (and instead only support dogs partnered with veterans with visible disabilities).

This sudden move apparently even took Congress by surprise. U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) was so affronted; he quickly held a press conference and issued a press release. Schumer replied to a request for further comment via email.  “It’s of the utmost importance that we provide our vets with every option available to treat service related ailments.  For some vets who suffer from PTSD and other mental illnesses, this means service dogs.  Especially as the wars are winding down, and more and more soldiers are returning home with mental trauma, the VA must continue to allow their doctors and mental health professionals to provide benefits to veterans who need mental health service dogs.”

Indeed never before are so many veterans being diagnosed with PTSD. According to the VA, there are about 400,000 ex-soldiers currently in treatment for PTSD, and among that population, rates of divorce, substance abuse and unemployment exceeds those in the general population. Suicide rate is off the map with 32 to 39 suicide attempts daily with about half that many succeeding.

The non-profit Paws for Purple Hearts is one of several groups which provides certified therapy dogs for PTSD patients. The organization began in 2008 with PTSD patient veterans helping to train dogs for veterans with physical disabilities. “We immediately learned that the dogs benefited the ‘trainers’ with PTSD as much the disabled veterans they were eventually paired with,” says Robert Porter, CEO/executive director.

In each and every instance Porter says medical professionals at their partner VA Palo Alto, CA Health Care System witnessed dramatic changes among PTSD veterans paired with dogs, which includes fewer medications (sometimes all together eliminating them), and an improved quality of life, including fewer flashbacks and nightmares.

“One hallmark of PTSD is avoidance (of going outdoors and socializing with others),” says Porter. “That’s hard to do with a 60 lb. dog who just wants to go out and play.”

Guardian Angels Medical Services of Williston, FL was one of the three groups involved in the VA study (the other two were New Horizons Service Dogs of Orange City, FL and Freedom Service Dogs of Englewood, CO).

According to printed reports, the explanation for halting the VA study were concerns of dogs biting children; dirty, cramped living conditions that caused animals to suffer illnesses such as worms and diarrhea; and faulty record-keeping.

That “explanation” leaves Carol Borden, executive director and founder of Guardian Angels perplexed. The majority of the dogs enrolled in the limited study, she says, were from her organization, and there were no biting incidents. Providing dozens of service dogs paired with veterans over the years, Borden says she’s never received a single complaint relating to a dog’s temperament. As for veterinary care, it was paid for as a part of the study.

Borden says that in her organization’s history, in each and every instance, the veteran (with PTSD) has benefited by having a dog. Many go from 12 or more meds daily to half that to even no meds at all. We’ve not experienced a single suicide attempt as far as we know,” Borden pauses and takes a breath “I have letters from wives thanking us because the (personality of their) husband has returned, and it all happens because of a dog who provides unconditional love.”

Instead of the veterans depending on government subsidies, many PTSD vets with dogs find jobs.

“It (the VA’s directive) doesn’t make sense,” she says. She even intimated that since vets paired with dogs require fewer meds, pharmaceutical companies may have lobbied for the VA’s new position. Another possibility is that the VA was told to cut budget, period. And even if the decision will cost taxpayers more dollars, at least their department isn’t paying.

“I understand the need for further published scientific evidence, but the overwhelming anecdotal personal stories of veterans who say they’ve gotten their lives back as a result of a service dog should matter,” says Amy McCullough, national director of animal assisted therapy of the Washington D.C. based American Humane Association. “With all the returning veterans with PTSD, we don’t have the luxury to say ‘let’s think it over’ when we could be saving lives.”

(Next week: More with Ray Galmiche, Vietnam War Veteran diagnosed with PTSD, and how his service dog works daily. “I know my dog has my back,” he says. “I never thought a dog could do this. My life has changed.”)         

In 2010 alone, over 4.5 million people were bitten by dogs in the U.S., 800,000 of which required medical attention, while thirty-one people died from dog attacks. Through September 2012, twenty-four people have been killed by dogs, sixteen of whom were children. The tragedy is that in most of these cases and others, such bites and fatalities are preventable. 

In response to the reports of dog bites and attacks which continue to drive news cycles in cities across the country, celebrity dog trainer, TV personality and best-selling author Victoria Stilwell (It’s Me or the Dog, Animal Planet) founded the Dog Bite Prevention Task force in 2012 with other leaders in the fields of animal behavior, forensics and legislation.  Comprised of canine behavior experts, lawyers, pediatric surgeons, rescue coordinators, educators and dog bite victims’ families, the Task Force tours the country presenting the Dog Bite Awareness and Prevention Conference in a dedicated effort to finding practical and workable solutions to this universal problem through education and heightened awareness among those on the front lines of this epidemic.

“I am devastated each time I hear about children being bitten, mauled or killed, especially when most of these incidences could have been prevented,” Stilwell states. “Education is key, not just for parents and kids, but for professionals and educators who must all work together to spread awareness and encourage responsible pet ownership.”

The National Dog Bite Awareness and Prevention Conference, presented by VSPDT-certified Wag & Train Animal Behavior Specialists and Good Family Dog Training, is designed for and open to all animal industry professionals, child educators, shelter workers, attorneys, medical professionals, first responders, animal control officers, delivery personnel, trainers and dog lovers.

The one-day seminar features dynamic presentations from Stilwell, Crosby, Wilkins and other leading canine behavioral experts. Topics include: understanding aggression, recognizing and interpreting canine body language, the effect of punitive training methods on dogs, safe-handling of aggressive dogs, what to do after a dog bites, how to investigate a bite incident, victims’ rights, the inadequacies and inefficiencies inherent in breed-specific legislation (BSL) and tips on keeping you and your family safe around dogs.  Find out how which breeds and age groups are most bite-prone and how bites can be prevented through education, awareness and humane training techniques.

Space is limited and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Early-bird registration is open until Oct. 5, 2012 and is $85 ($125 for a personalized copy of Victoria's book as well). To register or for more event details, visit www.denverdogbiteseminar.com. Group and shelter worker discounts are available: please contact event organizer YellowDog Creative at yellowdogdenver@gmail.com for details.

Proceeds from the Conference benefit the Victoria Stilwell Foundation.

Downloadable Press Release (PDF)

Ask Victoria topics include: How to get dogs to stop digging up and eating plants in the garden, helping a previously abused dog too skittish to cope with sudden noises and changes in routine, When is the ideal time to enroll puppies in puppy classes, how to help a young dog who is sharing a household with kids that have multiple medical condition develop impulse control for, and how to get labs to settle down now that there are two new parakeets in the same house.

Show Links:

Denver National Dog Bite Awareness & Prevention Conference
www.denverdogbiteseminar.com

Episode Links:
www.detroitdogrescue.com
www.Facebook.com/detroitdogrescue

My mother had recently moved from the house in Wimbledon where she’d spent the previous 45+ years – the house I lived in since I was born. I grew up there and it had remained a constant touchstone throughout the various stages of my life until this year, so it was somewhat sad to know that it would no longer be where I’d return ‘home’ during visits from the US. I had some truly wonderful experiences and memories centered around that house, many of which revolved around (what else?) Wimbledon tennis.

The fence at the end of our back garden led directly into the practice court area on the grounds of the All England Lawn Tennis Club where the Wimbledon tennis tournament is held every June and July. The popping sound of tennis balls from those practice courts was the soundtrack of life for our family, and while the seemingly endless rounds of major construction work being done to improve the grounds year after year was a sometimes significant annoyance for my mother, the fact that we were a part of the Wimbledon tennis experience for so many years was something my tennis-mad late father had always craved and truly loved.

My mother’s new house is lovely, and we spent a few days recharging (and doing some much-needed laundry) there before heading off to Dublin for what would be an eventful and sometimes exhausting week. I was excited that my mother was able to join us during this trip, as it provided an opportunity for her and my daughter to have some cherished grandmother/granddaughter time together.

Victoria with Lupanast Dog Training's Canine Agility Club members onstage at her weekend seminar.

We arrived in Dublin in time for me to make the rounds on the Irish morning news circuit in support of my training seminar in County Donegal over the weekend and of course, Lennox. The seminar was presented by a dynamic dog trainer called Clare Boyle of Lupanast Dog Training Centre. Clare is passionate about the promotion of positive training techniques, especially in the more remote (and truly stunningly beautiful) areas of Ireland like Donegal.

We were treated to a wonderful weekend of dogdom, from Clare's lovely countryside training location to the chance to spend time with her talented group of agility club members. It was also a chance for my daughter to make some new young Irish friends during my seminar and over the long weekend of activities. Another highlight was an inspiring trip to see the great work being done by Rainbow Rescue shelter - a group to which I was honored to be able to present a donation made possible by the fundraising work of Clare and her team.

The purpose of my trip was also to spend some time with Lennox’s family and try and set up a meeting with the Belfast City Council (BCC).  For those of you who don’t know the story, Lennox was an American Bulldog/ Labrador mix, who was the victim of antiquated and ineffective Breed Specific Legislation in Northern Ireland (mixed with what I and many others feel was a healthy dose of bias and questionable tactics on the part of the BCC).

The case of Lennox garnered worldwide attention, in large part because of how close to home it was for many dog owners and dog lovers all over the world. Lennox was a loving family pet, serving as an unregistered therapy dog to an 11 year old girl with chronic asthma and an integral part of a imminently responsible pet-owning Belfast family of three. He was microchipped, licensed, and well-behaved, with no reports or history of aggression. One day in 2010, Lennox was confiscated based solely on his bodily measurements. While the current Northern Irish version of the UK’s Dangerous Dogs Act does indeed restrict the ownership of dogs deemed to be of ‘pit bull type’ (there’s no such thing as an actual ‘pit bull’ – it’s an amalgamation of several different types of recognized breeds) based on such measurements, the spirit of this outdated and ineffective law (dog bite statistics have actually risen throughout the UK since its introduction) was twisted for what can only be assumed to be personal or political reasons. Lennox was confiscated for two years, during which time his family was restricted from ever seeing him, inspecting his living quarters (a few alleged photos of Lennox in situ showed relatively abysmal kennel conditions), or tending to his various medical conditions. He was evaluated by two qualified, professional canine behavior experts as well as a former police dog handler hired by the prosecution solely to corroborate his bodily dimensions and measurements. The two qualified experts deemed the dog to be no danger to the family or the public, while the police dog handler graphically described him as one of the most dangerous dogs he’d ever met. The judge in the case apparently put more stock in the prosecution’s ex-police dog handler who possesses no verifiable professional canine behavioral assessment certifications rather than the two behavioral experts and ruled that Lennox should be euthanized. After a lengthy appeals process and repeated pleas for the court system to allow me to personally remove the dog to a safe haven in the US at my own expense, on July 11^th the BCC announced that Lennox had been destroyed. You can read more about the details of the Lennox case and why BSL is such a flawed concept in theory and practice by clicking the links below.

Sarah Fisher’s Lennox Statement
Jim Crosby’s Lennox Statement
Victoria’s Blog statements

During the tumultuous final days of the Lennox case, I continued to speak out publicly and loudly about the injustices and incomprehensible decision-making of the Belfast City Council as it related to Lennox. Working in tandem with Lennox’s family and the legal team while on the ground in Ireland, I repeatedly attempted to contact those with the power to reverse the fate they had so desperately fought to achieve. I offered them face-saving alternatives and the opportunity to make right what had gone so horribly wrong for two full years, but they refused, apparently set on waiting out the clock so that they could kill Lennox and try to move on. But those of us invested in his case as well as the cause of fighting BSL and discrimination of family pets based solely on the way they look, will not let them move on. We have continued to lobby for changes to the law on a large scale and investigate the myriad inconsistencies and suspicious claims and events in the BCC’s specific case.

For example, although the BCC could not help but be aware of the extreme pain and sensitivity the loss of Lennox would cause the Barnes family, they have since shown either a propensity towards total incompetence or a complete lack of common decency on numerous occasions since Lennox’s destruction. The day Lennox’s death was announced, I received a call from a reporter asking if I had any comment now that the BCC had successfully killed the dog. Assuming that the family must have already been notified, I called and left a message for them letting them know how sorry I was to hear the news. Only later did I learn that I was in fact the first person to have notified them that Lennox was gone – the BCC had not even given them the courtesy of a phone call! Since then, the Barnes family has lobbied constantly to be given Lennox’s collar as a keepsake for their distraught daughter, Brooke, and for Lennox’s ashes to be returned to them to be used as a memorial. The collar has still not surfaced, and after much cajoling, the Barnes family was the subject of one final indignity from the BCC: a paper-wrapped parcel containing some ashes (supposedly of Lennox, though DNA proof is not available with ashes) in a plastic grocery bag. Given that neither the family nor any 3^rd party representative was allowed to be with Lennox during his euthanasia, see his body after the euthanasia or be given his collar, there are legitimate suspicions that Lennox died months prior to the date his death was officially announced, and that the primary factor behind the BCC’s complete resistance to letting my rehome him in a safe and secure sanctuary in the United States, allow myself or Jim Crosby to see him, or return any of his belongings to the Barnes family, was some form of coverup of the truth regarding his well-being. These of course are just rumors, but I join many thousands of observers around the world who have been given no reason by the BCC not to wonder if these rumors are true.

There are two levels to this story. On the one hand, the fight endured by the Barnes family represents the larger issue of the inadequacies, ineffectiveness and unjustness of BSL around the world. Many thousands of innocent, well-behaved dogs have been the victims of local municipalities’ efforts to try and do the right thing in keeping the public ‘safe’. These local governments are often enforcing laws put upon them by higher entities or, as was the case in the UK in 1991, bowing to knee-jerk reactions to some truly tragic dog bite incident. In both cases, BSL doesn’t work. It doesn’t reduce the number of bites, doesn’t make the public safer, and it targets often responsible dog owners who happen to have larger, more powerful, but well mannered/non-aggressive dogs.

The second issue in Lennox’s case in particular is what I and many others perceive to be poor governance, shoddy interpretation of already flawed legislation, possible political or personal motivations and the result of unbridled defense of both political and professional ego. During my trip to Ireland, I was fortunate that after a year of speaking on the phone and trading e-mails I finally had the chance to meet and spend an afternoon with the Barnes family in their home. I met their other dogs, talked with them about their ordeal and generally got a feel for the type of people they are. They also told me some of the internal indignities they’ve suffered privately at the hands of their local government, and I must say I was disgusted to hear of the way they’ve been treated by those who were put in office to serve them and the citizens of Belfast. I won’t go into more detail about their plight, but suffice it to say that if even half of what they described to me was true, it would be enough to warrant those members of the council being replaced in their government positions.

Following the final verdict on Lennox, there has been a lot of discussion about boycotting Northern Ireland and Belfast in general. Everyone is entitled to their opinions and reactions (provided they’re within the law), but I personally don’t feel that boycotting a country or city is the solution to BSL worldwide or governmental mismanagement in Belfast. Too many innocent bystanders can be detrimentally affected by such boycotts in my opinion. But that’s not to say that we should let this case lie. There are far too many suspicious and inconsistent decisions that have been made regarding Lennox by the BCC to allow it to be swept away, and we must all remain diligent in our efforts to help shine a bright light on what happened to him so that we can avoid this type of tragedy elsewhere in the future.

The Barnes family may have lost the battle for Lennox’s life, but I remain in contact with them and while they continue in their quest for answers from the BCC, they have also redoubled their resolve to fight BSL worldwide so that others need not suffer as they and Lennox did. I and countless others will be there alongside them all the way.

Throughout my European trip I met some amazing individuals, witnessed the powerful work being done by great organizations and spent time expanding my horizons with my family. Being in Ireland fighting for Lennox was exhausting, but even though we lost the battle for his life, collectively I would hope that we’ve shined a bit more light on the subject of how to keep people safe from truly dangerous dogs without demonizing entire breeds based on the way they look. As always, there is a mountain of work yet to be done, but those several weeks in Europe helped reignite my belief that together we can indeed make the world a better place for dogs and their people.

Read Part I of this blog here.

Chew This, Not That! Dogs need “occupational therapy.” So says Dr. Ian Dunbar, DVM, animal behaviorist and puppy guru. If you don’t give your dog something to do, your dog will find something to do.

If you don't give your dog something to do, your dog will find something to do! Photo Courtesy of Rebecca Kronenberg and "Bailey".

Although dogs are genetically hard-wired to chew, some dogs like to chew more than others. You can help encourage your dog to be a happy, busy, lifelong chewer who enjoys chewing appropriate items rather than your stuff. Habits develop early and quickly, so start your training on the first day home regardless of your dog’s age.

The joy of chewing

Chewing is a natural canine activity that relieves stress and teething pain and is a great outlet for pent-up energy. Lucky for you, your dog can exhaust herself chewing on a great bone. Favorite chew-toys act as pacifiers. Chewing also helps distract your dog from engaging in other, unwanted, activities.

Chew-toy training

A. Puppy-proof your home. Remove access to valuable items.

B. Design a Dog Zone using an x-pen and crate, or baby-gated area so you can run errands and sleep.

C. Use Bitter Apple, a nontoxic taste aversive, for items that cannot be protected.

D. Supervise and redirect your puppy to her own chew toys if she gets off track. Praise her for playing with her own chew toys.

E. Provide a Doggie Toy Box and rotate three or four favorite chew items every other day.

What to chew

Safe chewies should be as close to 100 percent digestible or 100 percent indestructible as you can find. Provide chew-toys stuffed with high-value foods. You may feed all food from chew toys, until the dog is chew-toy trained. Long-lasting chewables include “bully sticks,” marrow and soup bones. Newly popular on the chew scene are antlers, the adorable PlanetDog.com tuff chewies, Caviar Buffalo Jerky, duck, pork or chicken air-dried strips. Choose Made in the USA labels for higher-quality-control standards.

Linda Michaels, “Dog Psychologist,” MA, and Victoria Stilwell-licensed Del Mar dog trainer and speaker may be reached at 858.259.WOOF (9663) or by email: LindaMichaelsPositively@gmail.com for private obedience instruction and behavioral consultations near Del Mar and the San Diego Coast. Please visit us at DogPsychologistOnCall.com

Originally published in the U~T San Diego, Scratch n' Sniff. Chris Ross, Editor, 2012.

In the video, PAL hires Jupiter and Kona to help devise a plan to encourage owners to adopt more than just one pet. Their idea is just brilliant, because it gives your pets the opportunity to be the new star of PAL’s next Talking Animals video! So, here’s your chance to make your pet a star! Whip out your camera and capture your pet “talking” on film for a shot at starring in PAL’s next video. Submit here!

I hope to see YOUR pet pal in the next video, and I encourage you to share Jupiter and Kona’s contest as well! Be sure to also follow PAL on twitter and Facebook for more hilarious videos, updates and news.

Ask Victoria questions include:

• How to stop a dog from nipping (resource guarding).
• How to encourage a non-play-driven dog to play more.
• How to get unfamiliar cats to coexist peacefully.

Show Links:

Katrene Johnson (Morgan), Sirius K-9 Solutions
www.siriusk9solutions.net

Dr. Cynthia Otto, Executive Director of the Penn Vet Working Dog Center
www.pennvetwdc.org

Marc Abraham, founder of Pup Aid and Where's Mum, is featured on the Positively Hotline to discuss the worldwide efforts to ban puppy farming (puppy mills).

Included in the Ask Victoria segment:

• How to get a dog to stop eating grain-based bird feed, and why grains are not good for dogs.
• How to get one dog to stop pottying where the other dog in the house potties.
• How, when and where should you get a new dog that's ok with cats and kids.
• How to get a sofa-loving dog off the sofa.

Show Links:

• Pup Aid official site
• Where's Mum? official site
• Marc Abraham official site