1.   A desire to have the dog ‘work’ for his food simply because it’s what we want, and given that we’re smarter, stronger and in charge, that should be enough,
or
2.   An unnecessary and unfounded fear that once the food stops flowing, the unwanted behaviors will return.

As for the first point, there’s not much we can do with someone who feels the need to dominate such an eager-to-please species, so we’ll leave that one for their human psychologists.  And while the second point above is a more understandable concern, this frequently-repeated myth not only completely disregards the scientific fact that food literally alters an animal’s brain chemistry, but also suggests a fundamental lack of understanding regarding the basic scientific principles of how reward-based training (conditioning) works.

To truly comprehend why food is so powerful, you must first understand the influence it has on the dog’s brain. Food has the power to not only enhance a dog’s ability to learn but  also helps a dog overcome fear or anxiety by raising the levels of dopamine in the brain and stimulating the desire to seek or move towards the food reward. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a major role in reward-driven learning and helps regulate movement and emotional responses. If a dog is presented with food before he reaches a high stress level in the presence of a stimulus that scares him, a positive emotional response occurs. There are circuits in the dog’s brain that encourage seeking or hunting behavior and circuits that elicit the fear response. When you present food to your dog you turn on his seeker system, effectively turning off the fear. This is one reason why using food for activities such as scent work is so valuable for fearful/aggressive dogs. Turning on the thinking brain deactivates the emotional brain, enhancing a dog’s attentiveness with positive motivation and allowing him to move into a calmer state where learning can take place. Therefore, because food is incompatible with fear, using food treats for teaching is incredibly valuable, especially when it comes to modifying a dog’s anxiety and stress.

The food that is used to motivate your dog to learn must be of high value to him until he is responding reliably. Once this has been achieved, the high-value food should only be used intermittently, meaning that your dog doesn’t always get rewarded with food every time he responds to a cue, but with an alternate reward that might be of lesser value to him, such as praise. Because the dog never knows when a treat is coming he will continue to respond in anticipation that food will appear again in the future.

Such intermittent reinforcement actually makes your dog respond faster and more reliably because this learning is based on the same concept that makes a casino slot machine so addictive. It would be wonderful if a slot machine gave out money every time you played it, but unfortunately that doesn’t happen. The potential, however, that you could win the jackpot with the very next pull of the lever makes you want to play even more.

Imagine you arrived at work tomorrow and were called into your boss’ office. You like your job (pretend if you have to), and are generally quite good at it. Your boss praises you for your good work and tells you how glad he is to have you on the team, and then informs you that as of that moment, you’d no longer be receiving any salary. When you ask why, he simply states that you should be glad to work for him because he’s in charge and you’re not, and that that should be enough for you. I don’t know anyone who would put up with those terms, and yet that’s the dynamic that opponents of reward-based training suggest we employ with our dogs.  Nuts.

Finally, while food should certainly be used as a reward for a dog that is food motivated, rewards such as toys, praise and play can be just as powerful if a dog happens to be motivated by them.  You can enhance your dog’s ability to learn by using whatever motivates him the most first and then varying the rewards you use as your dog becomes proficient at the particular cue or action you are teaching him.   Any reward which motivates a dog to learn is a great training tool because learning not only makes a dog more confident and able to live successfully in a domestic environment, it also encourages mutual understanding that increases the human/animal bond.  This is not bribery.

Bottom line: if a dog sees that there are pleasurable consequences for a behavior then he is more likely to repeat the behavior because doing so makes him feel good.  When a person is attached to that good feeling there is more likelihood of the dog listening and responding to whatever that person asks of him.  That is why I have never understood why people choose to train their dogs using force and punishment or who belittle the power of rewards in training. I want my dogs to do the things I want them to do because they want to, not because I have made them do it through force.

Stay tuned here to watch this episode, which will air in late May or early June.

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

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

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

When Should You Socialize Your Puppy?

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

How to Socialize and Protect Your Puppy

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

What Happens to Dogs who are Not Socialized Early?

"Jack" Photo Courtesy of Rebecca Kronenberg

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

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

Education is the Key

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

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

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

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

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

"I'm thrilled to be able to visit Europe and continue the public discussion about the safest, most effective and humane ways to build relationships with dogs," Victoria states.  "Several countries in  Europe have long been considered leaders in the move away from punishment and dominance-based training ideologies, but as in the US, there is also still much work to be done as well."

Beginning with a live tour event in Helsinki's Finlandia Hall on June 16th, Victoria will demonstrate the power of positive training in entertaining yet educational multimedia presentations featuring never-before seen video, descriptions of real-world case studies, and sometimes even live dog training demonstrations.

During four exclusive appearances at full-day seminars in both Rome and Milan, Victoria will work closely with attendees of her Italian dates, which will also feature two members of Victoria's international VSPDT roster of world-class trainers: Greendogs' Daniela Cardillo and Il Cane Norma's Giorgio Guglielminotti Garmot. Victoria will also be making several appearances throughout Italy in support of the soon-to-be-released Italian version of of her bestselling book, It's Me or the Dog (Basta! Io o il Cane).

Finally, Victoria will conduct a one-day seminar in Donegal, Ireland in association with Lupanast Dog Training.

To check tour dates and for more information, also visit Victoria's Appearances page on the Positively site.

Jessica in Somerset, England

Victoria's Answer:

The 2012 Georgia Legislature, guided by Representative Gene Maddox, has resoundingly passed House Bill 685, with a 157 to 0 vote, on their last night in session; the Georgia Responsible Dog Owner Bill. It awaits Governor Nathan Deal’s signature. This progressive bill addresses deficits in Georgia’s antiquated Dangerous Dog laws, which have been piecemealed since 1989. Representative Maddox’ efforts were spurred by the death of little 5-year old Cheyenne Peppers in Thomasville in 2010. The two and half years of hard work by Maddox, his co-sponsors, and supporters (like Georgia Animal Control Association), places the responsibilities for dangerous dog behavior squarely on the reckless human owner. Holding humans responsible for their dogs’ actions is key to reducing the number of dog bites and aggressive incidents in Georgia, and the rest of the US.

This new chapter in Georgia Legislation will be greeted by the (First) National Dog Bite Investigation, Treatment and Prevention Conference to be held May 4th in Atlanta. Hosted by the Georgia Bar/Institute for Continuing Legal Education, and sponsored by Children’s Health Care of Atlanta and the Georgia Veterinary Medical Association, this conference gathers experts in Animal Control, Dog Training, Surgery, Disease Control and Canine Aggression who will provide information and strategies to address the growing problem of dog related injuries and how to enforce new laws.

Keynote Speaker Victoria Stilwell, host of the television show “It’s Me Or The Dog” brings her perspective on dog behavior, and joins victims of serious dog related injuries in this multi-disciplinary approach to helping make our communities safer. Legal Experts including Atlanta’s own Claudine Wilkins, who help draft HB 685, and DeKalb Solicitor General Sherry Boston, Jessica Rock and Kim Schwartz will discuss prosecution and legislation. Dr. Mark Wulkan, Surgeon-in-Chief of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta will address treatment issues for the injured, and Canine Aggression Expert Jim Crosby will discuss investigating “The Worst of the Worst”; fatalities and life threatening bite cases.

Please thank your Georgia Legislators for advancing our State’s laws regarding Responsible Pet Ownership and join us kicking off 2012’s focus on safe families and communities by attending the National Dog Bite Investigation, Treatment and Prevention Conference.

To learn more or register visit www.georgiaanimallaw.org.

Today  I want to  relay another Devil Dog story to allow y’all to share in my pain. Yesterday I loaded all four dogs into my truck for a afternoon of running at the farm. As I drove out of the driveway it started to rain, but I had brought towels for the ride home I was prepared.   As I turned into the gate at the farm I heard all this growling, barking, screaming and weird noises from the dogs -  the noise sounded like a busload of first graders stopping at the Dairy Queen for free blizzards -- they were excited.

I opened the door to the truck, Star took off running, Lucille found a hole to dig and Maggie ran to gather the cows. I being the smart one had DD on a leash.  I walked around my new barn looking at the new electrical plugs that were installed today. I wondered what kind of lights to use in the barn. I walked DD around the fence line; checking for holes, loose wire, and picking up sticks.  Rain had started by now and all dogs were double wet as they had taken turns jumping into the cows' water tub.

After an hour or so  I spread towels in the seat of truck, loaded up Star in the front seat and Maggie and Lucille in the back. As I loaded DD into the back seat a cow walked by the door of the truck. DD jumped from the seat, jerking me to the ground. While on my way to “kiss the dirt”  I hit my ‘good ‘ knee on the corner of the truck door, laying in cow poop, water, and sheep poop;  I looked under the truck to see DD chasing the cows. Once before she had chased the cows into the barn thru a fence and over me, causing me to ram my head into the doorway of the small barn. Visions of that bloody incident  came flooding back, but I some how managed to get up on my feet.

DD  was running as fast as the wind after the cows, thank heaven the cows were in the open and not headed for a fence.  DD is flying over the pasture  but right on her back end was Buddy the Llama, who has in past KILLED dogs that have attacked livestock. Now in my younger years I was a pretty good athlete, able to run with the best, sprint with the wind, and turn on a dime. But somewhere along the way ’LIFE’ has taken me to a different athletic realm. I struggled to get up then realized my knee would not work with out me screaming multiple cuss words. I ran behind Buddy who was chasing DD  who was chasing the cows, only if some one could have videoed this from the road where cars were passing and honking. I was yelling (cuss words) lay down! But DD kept on running the cows straight at the new barn and new fence I had spent the past two weeks building. Buddy making weird Llama sounds right in behind and the two goats and one ram sheep  are now running wildly around me and Buddy.

Can you say “CIRCUS”! with lots of yelling and cussing.

Finally DD sees me as she turns the cows into the newly fenced pasture I have a stick, leash in my hands and covered in sheep and cow poop. What I looked like must have scared the dickens out of her as she ran an jumped into the cow trailer. GOT YA! I  screamed as I  slammed the end gate   But no, that was just a shortcut to the cows on the other side. Buddy now was right behind me spitting growling and stomping his feet.

The cows were now approaching the new barn and  new fence; they were about to stop running; when DD comes from under the truck and dive bombs into them biting and barking, THRU the new fence the cows  go. AND DD then runs to the truck gets in the back seat , sits there with this look on her face of ‘My job is finished here’.

I, on the other hand, was out of breath, smelled like sheep, cow, and llama crap, wet, jeans torn where I had hit my good knee on the bottom edge of truck door, blood running down from my knee into my shoe, leash wrapped around my neck, and a llama over my shoulder  I thought to my self…. Dog training is tough and some times you just got to laugh to keep from crying. I managed to limp to the truck driver's side and slid behind steering wheel  and think to my self. This adventure is becoming a comedy.

While there is still much work to be done about this issue, safe greetings (or avoidances) are on the rise and progress is being made thanks to an ongoing and persistent effort to educate parents and kids.

I just returned from my morning walk with Jasmine and Sadie, and our path today took us by a popular neighborhood playground full of toddlers and young preschoolers. As we filled up the dog bowl at the park water fountain (it's almost 80 degrees here today!), two very young girls approached and asked that all-important question:  "May I pet your dogs?"

Since Jasmine was pretty wired after having been in a particularly engaged squirrel-chasing mode immediately prior to this encounter, I replied that they certainly could pet the larger brown dog, Sadie, but that I'd prefer they not touch little Jasmine.  Jasmine is our work in progress and can still be somewhat reactive in certain situations after a hellish start to life, while Sadie is our bombproof, child-loving, wannabe therapy dog in situations like this.

Problem is, the little girls were predictably both enamored of darling little Jasmine (no bigger than a large ferret), and kept insisting that they should pet her, too.  It took some serious leash wrangling and persistent maneuvering to keep them from crowding Jasmine - something that wouldn't have been good for any party involved - but they eventually got the message and focused on loving Sadie before returning to their rock climbing wall.

This brief episode highlights a crucially important point:  just because someone starts the process correctly by asking the question, 'May I pet your dog' doesn't mean that they will follow through with good results or even listen to the answer.  I think it's vital that we not only teach our kids to ask first before petting (and then only if they know the dog handler, ensure that it isn't a stranger, and still have the parent/guardian nearby), but also that we encourage them to listen to and respect the answer that the dog's owner provides.

So next time you're working with your kids on dog safety and etiquette, be sure they know how to make the entire encounter a safe one, and not just pay lip service to what they think we want them to say.

Victoria on Anderson

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

Victoria on Nightline - DogTV

Victoria on Regis & Kelly

Victoria on Martha Stewart - Training Martha's Dogs

Victoria on MSNBC - Pet Obesity

Victoria on CBS Early Show - Barking

Victoria on Headline News - Dog Attacks

Victoria on The Today Show - Positive Reinforcement

Victoria on The Today Show - Dog Body Language

Victoria on E! News

Victoria on Martha Stewart - Puppies

Victoria on ABC's 20/20 - Naughty Pets

Victoria on ABC News

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

It's Me or the Dog TV Promo

It's Me or the Dog UK Episodes Showreel

When the inevitable time occurs, owned pets are euthanized by injection. Animal euthanasia comes from the Greek, literally meaning a good death without fear, stress or pain.

“Death by gas (really carbon monoxide is used) is a death horrible enough to be banned (in most states) for criminals,” says activist and dog trainer Joseph Dwyer of Nutley, NJ. “These shelter animals are not criminals – their only crime is that they can’t find a home.”

According to Dwyer’s count, 30 states still allow for killing in carbon monoxide chambers. ”It’s unnecessary, heartless,” he says.

Dwyer became involved when he learned about a Beagle named Daniel. The little dog made national news back last fall when he and 17 other dogs were placed together in a carbon monoxide chamber in Florence, AL. Sixteen dogs died that day. When a shelter worker opened the chamber door, a wagging tail was on the other side. The amazed shelter worker thought the pup would still die overnight, but the dog refused to succumb.

The shelter didn’t have the heart to put down the plucky dog, who made national news for his resilience.

Dwyer heard about the dog, and adopted him through a non-profit called Eleventh Hour Rescue. Dwyer not only adopted Daniel – named for the Biblical figure who survived the lion’s den – he adopted a personal mission to advocate for euthanasia by injection, and end carbon monoxide killings forever.

When Pennsylvania State Senator Andy Dinniman (D) heard about the hardy Beagle, he learned his state was among those, “still in the dark ages,” as he says. “I feel our great state must do better.”

Indeed, they’re about to do just that. This month (in March) a Pennsylvania bill to end carbon monoxide killing of animals should sail through the state Senate Appropriations Committee, and then onto the full Senate for what one Dinniman hopes and expects to be a bipartisan vote of approval.

Dinniman noted that public response to the proposal has been overwhelmingly in favor. “In my district (the 19^th Senatorial district), 400 people showed up at a rally with their dogs,” he says.

“I’m not sure what the opposition could possibly say,” adds Dwyer. “I’m convinced that most people don’t realize gas chambers exist – and likely in the state they live in.”

Some contend euthanasia by injection – one animal at a time – will be more costly. It turns out that isn’t true, according to a 2009 study by the American Humane Association. In fact, euthanasia by injection can potentially be less expensive

Perhaps, the carbon monoxide chambers are so rarely reported on because it is, after all, hard to stomach. Despite guidelines which suggest otherwise, for the sake of expediency, the animals put to death in these chambers are often rounded up. So, big dogs are crammed together with small dogs, and cats are put to death with dogs – it doesn’t matter. Temperatures in these chambers may reach over 100 degrees. Technicians report hearing animals scream.

“That’s right, it’s inhumane,” says Dwyer. “But also don’t all animals deserve to die with some dignity?” As pet owners are aware euthanasia by injection, allows for respect for individual lives; many pet owners use words such as “beautiful,” “spiritual” and “peaceful.”

Dwyer – is working to support Dinniman efforts in Pennsylvania, and hopes that the state’s high profile passage of a bill banning euthanasia by carbon monoxide will spread to other states. And Dinniman is hoping for the same. “The way which we treat our animals reflects the way which we treat ourselves.”

The series is also set to receive an honorable mention for another episode, Rocky Road, in which Victoria helps apathetic pet owners stop the finger pointing and start taking responsibility for their dangerously neurotic dog.  Both episodes originally aired on Animal Planet during the long-running show's 7th season.

Every year, The Genesis Awards pays tribute to the major news and entertainment media for producing outstanding works that raise public awareness of animal issues.  The awards have honored such well-known personalities as Anderson Cooper, Peter Gabriel, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi, Jane Goodall, David E. Kelley, Sir Paul McCartney, Arthur Miller and Prince as well as journalists, film and documentary writers and producers, print and broadcast news outlets in the United States.

The 26th Genesis Awards will be Saturday, March 24, 2012, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, CA and will be broadcast on Animal Planet in May.

Read the Hollywood Reporter article about the nominations.

Subscribe to the (free) eHow Pets YouTube channel here.

The new eHow Pets channel is one of several that were awarded to Demand Media by Google (which owns YouTube).  Best known for its high-traffic online properties such as eHow.com, Cracked.com and Livestrong.com (a joint venture with cyclist Lance Armstrong), Demand Media has already launched 2 new channels as part of YouTube's new effort to harness the power of the popular video-sharing site among online consumers.  eHow Home and Livestrong Woman both feature well-known experts in their respective fields (PBS star P. Allen Smith and celebrity yoga instructor Tara Stiles), and were launched earlier this year as part of YouTube's larger rollout of up to 100 new channels of professionally-produced content.

Asked about why she chose to partner with eHow Pets, Victoria says, "I've been looking for another online platform through which I can not only share my passion for helping dogs and owners positively build healthier relationships, but also help to shine a light on the countless untold stories I encounter every day in the dog world.  There are so many amazing heroes, both human and canine, who deserve to be recognized, and eHow Pets will be a dynamic vehicle I can use to help tell those stories."

Victoria has been filming for the new channel over the past several weeks, including stops at Westminster Dog Show in New York as well as various organizations throughout the country.  While much of the content for the new channel (which will be available globally) will feature Victoria's training tips in the form of how-to videos and training segments, she is also planning a few surprises.  "We've all seen the outrageously funny and heartwarming pet videos on YouTube, and I'm really excited to be able to partner with Demand Media to help celebrate the lighthearted side of the joys and trials associated with the pets we love.

"I'm really excited about using this new YouTube platform to more closely engage with my fans and dog lovers all over the world, and we're already asking people to provide their feedback about the type of content they'd like to see on the new channel.  Although the channel doesn't officially launch until April, users can already go to the channel homepage and leave their comments.  Between Demand Media's expertise at producing dynamic web content and my continuing desire to make the world a better place for animals and their people, we'll be sure to read (or watch) every comment and incorporate it into what I think is the future of interactive video."

Subscribe to the channel and leave your comment here.

Punitive training techniques that center on gaining control of your dog by dominating her into obeying can damage the human/animal bond and cause your dog to mistrust you and essentially switch off.  You want to ‘matter’ to her by being the source of good things in her life, so that whenever you need her attention, she will give it to you.

For so long people have been putting the emphasis on their dog’s need to be ‘obedient’ rather than ‘cooperative.’  We issue ‘commands’ rather than focusing on teaching the dog ‘cues’ by attaching these cues to actions or behaviors that we want.

Motivating your dog to learn these cues by using rewards that make her feel good, will go a long way to getting the response you desire, even in the most distracting of environments.  Any reward that is used to motivate your dog to learn should be of high value until she is responding reliably.  When this has been achieved the high value reward can then be used intermittently.

Even though food treats are a really effective training tool, some dogs are motivated by other rewards such as toys, play, praise, or simply being touched.  I have trained many dogs using many different types of rewards:  a game of tug, a kind word, or a ‘life reward’ such as asking the dog to sit before opening the door and then rewarding her for complying by going for a walk.

I also like to vary rewards so that the dog never knows what is coming next or use what I call ‘multi- motivators’ such as a food/ toy/praise combination for the desired response.

Whatever you decide to do, a reward is going to make learning fun for your dog, improve her confidence and build up a strong bond between you.   Remember the key to cooperation and compliance is trust and motivation and the more exciting and valued you are to your dog, the more she will listen to you in every situation.

Sam from Colorado

Victoria's Answer:

This disastrous turn is, of course, mitigated somewhat by the utter and profound joy that she and her housemate – Chihuahua mix Jasmine – exude upon my inevitable return.  As someone who has devoted my life to studying the behavior of dogs, I am nonetheless always amazed (and, let’s face it - pleased) when I witness the manic scene of happiness and euphoria that occurs every time I return home, even if I’ve only been out to pick up a few groceries.

These moments of dread followed by glory are repeated millions of times a day around the world by pet owners who must go about their daily lives away from home, and while the cumulative result of this ritual is often nothing more than a temporary sadness, our repeated absences can also sometimes lead to acute separation anxiety, destructive boredom or other difficult-to-manage canine behaviors.

A recent study revealed that over two-thirds of all American pet owners have left their TVs or radios on for their pets.   The problem is that the television channels our pets end up watching or listening to often do more harm than good, because constant talk becomes an overpowering irritant, or the programming contains loud music or sounds interspersed with louder commercials, meaning the dog never receives an auditory break.

So I was intrigued when I was asked to join the dynamic creative team behind DogTV – the first television channel specifically and scientifically designed to be watched by dogs.  There have been several previous, relatively ill-fated attempts at creating video content for dogs, while companies like Through A Dog’s Ear have successfully incorporated the concept of bio and psychoacoustics into audio-only products (I recently partnered with Through A Dog’s Ear to create the groundbreaking new Canine Noise Phobia Series).

What makes DogTV different, however, is its steadfast commitment to providing both an aural and visual environment which is tailored specifically to the needs of today’s domesticated dog.  The colors and frequencies of the visual and audio content on the channel are specially designed to resonate positively with our canine companions.  Contrary to popular belief, dogs don’t just see in black and white - yellows and blues can be easily distinguished unlike the colors green and red, which appear gray (part of the reason a dog can’t always find that red rubber toy when it’s laying on green grass).  DogTV accounts for this and has recalibrated its video feed to suit dogs’ primary visual capabilities.

Another aspect of DogTV that helps break new ground is the fact that unlike other dog-targeted content, it does not simply attempt to calm the dog which might otherwise suffer from anxiety.  Those of us in the field of animal behavior who are involved with DogTV (joining me on DogTV’s advisory board is Dr. Nicholas Dodman,  Veterinary Behaviorist and Program Head of the Animal Behavior Department of Clinical Sciences, Tuft’s School of Veterinary Medicine, Boston) have helped to make sure that the channel’s 24/7 content follows certain timing rhythms.

For example, instead of simply playing calming music and showing pictures of lulling oceans, DogTV’s content also slowly introduces and alternates between more stimulating scenes from the dog’s point of view.  This ensures that throughout the several hours a lonely dog is home with DogTV on in the background, there are periods of subtly increased motion and tempo, resulting in a dog that is periodically and almost imperceptibly stimulated, helping to minimize the boredom which can often result in destructive behavior. This content is also interspersed with periods of ‘exposure’ where dogs might hear, for example, the distant sound of a vacuum cleaner played at very low levels, providing gradual exposure which effectively desensitizes dogs to everyday domestic environmental sounds, preventing noise sensitivities and phobias from ever occurring.

Several early, anecdotal reviews from its recent launch in San Diego have mentioned that after turning DogTV on for a few minutes, the reviewer’s dogs didn’t seem interested in the channel and wandered off, apparently unimpressed.  Unfortunately, this is another example of why the imposition of our human sensibilities on our dogs does not always translate successfully.  DogTV is not designed to be ‘must see TV’ for our dogs, and it’s perfectly ok for dogs not to want to become couch ‘pet’atoes once it’s switched on.  To the contrary, the real value in DogTV can be found in those long hours when we are not around and our dogs are otherwise either completely understimulated or suffering from separation distress.  As I’ve stated on several news outlets following the channel’s initial launch, DogTV should be viewed only as one (very valuable) tool in our arsenal to help enrich our dogs’ overall domestic experience and should not replace a dog’s daily need for exercise.

If used correctly, I believe DogTV will be a valuable tool to help ease our dogs’ loneliness and provide comfort on separation.  We advise that all pet parents, before they leave their dogs alone with DogTV,  take time to watch the content with their dog for short periods over a couple of days or have the channel on in the background when they are home with their dogs.  This will ensure that every dog’s reaction to the content can be gauged.  It is not DogTV’s aim to produce a nation of dogs that bark at the television when their owners are away.  Moreover introducing the channel to a dog when an owner is present will help provide a positive association between the content and the comfort that the person’s presence provides, making it easier for a dog to cope when their owner leaves.

DogTV is currently only available on TimeWarner and Cox Cable in the San Diego area, but a full, nationwide launch is expected soon, followed by other countries including the UK and beyond.  For more information go to www.dogtv.com.

Watch an interview I did about DogTV on Nightline.

I think part of the problem with many dogs today is that they don’t get to really play enough.    Having a dog in your life should be more about having a friend and companion and less about obeying and commands (I don’t care for either of those words - they sound so controlling).

When I am with my own dogs I feel a sense of wonder because I get to share my life with such amazing animals.  Don’t get me wrong - I want everyone to have well-behaved canines, and one very important step to that is learning to play fun games with your dog and get them outside.  In addition to exercise (which is a key component to having a well balanced, healthy dog), the mental stimulation that your dog gets from the exercise is crucial.  Just like us, dogs get bored with the same smells, the same backyard, etc.  Change it up for them, bring them joy from your human world just like they bring you joy from the simple act of being a canine.

I believe that walking a dog should be about the dog.  Remember, you're taking them so that they can use one of their most important senses - their noses - and because they probably have been locked in all day waiting for you to return.  Smelling new smells and exploring makes their minds happy.  Next time you take your dog for a walk make the walk all about them.  Try and forget how busy or how tired you are, how long your dog is sniffing the same darn spot and wishing he would just hurry up.

Our dogs are not here for very long and I think sometimes we all tend to forget that.  When it is time to go for that walk and you're tired, just remember, you’re the stars and the moon to your dog.  Let us all try and strive to be just that…   The STARS and the MOON.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Our Dog Destroys Our House When We’re Away…HELP!

Does your dog chew walls, dig holes in the mattress, jump over barricades to trash the kitchen cabinets, tear apart pillows and shoes, or eat through furniture? Are you afraid to leave your home for fear of what might be ripped apart next?

ABC's 20/20 is looking for two or three different pet owners whose dogs  are little angels when their families are at home, but then destroy their apartments or houses when the owners leave! We want to know: is this canine mayhem a result of separation anxiety? Boredom? Perhaps something else? 20/20 will help find a solution for families desperate to restore paw-and-order in their homes!

20/20 will install hidden cameras to catch the furry rascals in the act! ABC News will then interview the pet owners about what their lives have been like with their lovable but destructive dogs and what these families have already tried to do to save their belongings from ruin. Renowned dog expert Victoria Stilwell will offer her expertise as to why this bad doggie behavior is happening, and how to correct it.

20/20 is ideally looking for families living in the New York area, but the production team can also travel out of state if need be. Photos and video already shot are welcome and very helpful, but not necessary.  Please be sure to include your city and state

Send entries ASAP using the form below (do not post entries in the comment form below):

[contact-form]

JK from Florissant, Missouri

Victoria's Answer:

First of all it is important to find out why your dog is barking. As with all training, you cannot successfully address the issue until you understand why the behavior is happening.

If your dog is barking at you for attention or because she wants something, ignore her until she stops.  This might be hard to begin with as she might bark longer and harder in an attempt to get your attention, but be patient.  Wait for 5 seconds of quiet and then reward that quiet with attention.   Repeat this as necessary.  Your dog will learn that barking gets her nothing but quiet gets her the attention she desires.

Dogs bark with excitement just as we humans like to vocalize when we are in exciting situations.   This barking normally occurs before going for a walk or being fed, which can be hard to work with because humans usually have a fixed pattern of pre-departure and pre-feeding cues which are highly ritualized.   Dogs pick up on these cues and bark in excitement for what is about to come.   The first thing to do is to change your cues as much as you can and stop what you are doing when the barking starts.    If your dog barks when you go to get her lead, for example, put the lead back where it was and go and sit down.  If you manage to successfully attach the lead when she is quiet and then the barking starts again as she goes outside, immediately came back in and wait for quiet before going out again.  This technique requires patience, but your diligence will pay off as your dog learns that being quiet is the only way she gets to go on a walk or be fed.  All of these training techniques require no verbal communication with your dog whatsoever.  In situations like these, body language speaks volumes and as dogs are so good at watching our every movement, it is a language they quickly understand.

Each dog needs an outlet that is specifically designed to motivate them and serve their particular needs.   Find an activity or sport that your dog really enjoys doing, taking into account what your dog’s breed or mix of breeds is.  Enrich your dog’s life inside the home by hiding her toys or food around the house and encouraging her to seek them out using her canine senses to find them.  Instead of feeding your dog from a bowl for every meal, try feeding her through activity toys at meal times instead so that she has to work to get her food.  Working for her meals will stimulate her brain and tire her out.

Some dogs do not do well by themselves and suffer anxiety upon separation.  Vocalizing this distress is a way of easing that anxiety as well as a way of trying to re-establish contact.   If your dog suffers from separation anxiety, you need to enlist the help of a qualified positive reinforcement trainer to help you with a modification plan.  Separation anxiety can be a hard behavior to modify and time is needed for success.

In a new campaign to be featured on ITV's Daybreak programme, Victoria will scour the UK looking for the dogs and owners most in need of her help.  Victoria made a live satellite appearance during Daybreak on January 26th where she announced the campaign.  Through February 1st, UK dog owners can submit their dogs for consideration, with four of the rowdiest pups from all over the country destined for a visit with Victoria.  Then, each morning on Daybreak from February 6 through February 9th, Victoria will provide live reports on the dogs she's found and begin the process of helping them and their owners restore harmony.

Following Victoria's visit, each of the four winners will also be entitled to free consultations with Victoria's hand-picked dog trainers.  Several members of her exclusive Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Training (VSPDT) network of world-class positive reinforcement trainers will provide followup support with each dog to ensure that they are back on the path to avoid the title 'Britain's Naughtiest Dog.'

Submit your application to win a visit from Victoria and her team of trainers here.

Visit the Daybreak website for more information about the campaign and be sure to tune in during the week of February 6 to see if Victoria can handle the worst Britain can throw her way.

Find a VSPDT trainer near you by clicking here.

• How to get a dog to stop sleeping in your bed without worsening his anxiety
• Dogs' obsessions with 'love toys'
• Dogs that don't like children
• Traumatized backyard breeder victim overcoming his anxiousness
• Chewing and swallowing toys
• and more

Listen here:

Victoria was also joined by Homeless Pet Club founder and area vet Dr. Michael Good on January 20th, 2012 as they discussed her partnership with HPC and the Homeless Pets Foundation on KICKS 101.5.  During multiple segments, Victoria, Dr. Good and hosts Cadillac and Dallas covered her background as a trainer, Homeless Pet of the week Denali, It's Me or the Dog, puppy mills and the most common issues she sees as a dog trainer.  She also answered listeners' phone calls regarding behavior issues.

Listen here: 

Listen here: 

APGAW is an all-party group made up of MPs, Peers and associate animal welfare organisations or groups. According to its mission statement, “The aim of the group is to promote and further the case of animal welfare by all means available to the Parliaments at Westminster and in Europe. APGAW seeks to influence the development and introduction of effective wide-ranging legislation to improve welfare and also acts as a discussion forum of politicians and welfare experts to looks at areas of concern.”

Now, if you have ever watched a parliamentary debate you will know that British politicians get pretty feisty with each other. Before the meeting, I had a chance to witness a debate about the future of the British economy and what steps were being taken to revive a struggling situation.  As you can imagine, the debate got very heated with both political parties throwing scorn and derision at each other – very entertaining to watch even if it was on such a serious topic.  The public gallery looks right over the great room with a bullet proof glass window separating the public from the politicians.  All bags and any electronics are removed from your person before being seated in the gallery.  The public is also made to sign a piece of paper stating that they will not cause any disruption while in the gallery.  I dared not make a sound!

The Houses of Parliament and the House of Lords fascinated me, but the part that impressed me most was Westminster Hall, once a royal palace and the seat of government for hundreds of years.  It was remarkable to think that I was walking in the footsteps of kings, queens and prime ministers who had come before me.  The hall itself, which is the oldest part of the Parliament estate, was built in 1097 and is spectacular by its sheer size, with an enormous wooden vaulted ceiling that soars high above you.

Victoria and Mark Abraham

The Houses of Parliament is like a rabbit warren, containing hundreds of smaller meeting rooms as well as numerous rooms where daily receptions are held.  APGAW had invited the main players in the dog world to hear what progress had been made in the three years since the airing of Pedigree Dogs Exposed, a hard hitting documentary by Jemima Harrison of Passionate Productions.  PDE ‘lifted the lid on the extent of health and welfare problems in pedigree dogs,’ and provided a general overview about what was being done to improve breeding practices and standards in the UK.

The major institutions were in attendance including The Dogs Trust and the RSPCA, but the Kennel Club was noticeably absent.  Since the meeting was being filmed by Jemima Harrison for Pedigree Dogs Exposed 2 , the KC had refused to attend because it did not trust Passionate Productions ‘to provide an unbiased account of proceedings.’   The meeting was civil and positive, but it was clear that even though a lot of progress had been made, including work by the Kennel Club itself, they had to be more aggressive with implementing the changes.  If you haven’t yet seen Pedigree Dogs Exposed, you should take time to watch it.  The issues addressed in the documentary don’t only affect dogs in Britain.  The American Kennel Club is just as guilty for setting breed standards that sometimes compromise the health and well- being of many breeds of dogs.  It seems ‘beauty’ has taken over from common sense and the way a dog looks is more important than how it feels.  Take a look at the film and judge for yourself.

As this is a very sensitive issue for many people, I have gotten a few emails and questions from proponents of purebred dogs who are convinced that because I support campaigns like the RSPCA’s Born to Suffer, I must therefore also be against dog shows and the purebred culture.  I am not, and I dismiss those who suggest that wanting the best for our canine companions’ mental and physical health is necessarily at odds with the breeding of purebred dogs.  I have a purebred Chocolate Lab (although she was a rescue) as well as a mutt (Chihuahua/Terrier mix).  While I personally am not into showing dogs, I have no problem with those that love it, provided that they maintain a healthy balance between their own desire to show and their dogs’ happiness and health.  All I ask is that we all take a second look at what some of the current breed standards set by the ‘governing bodies’ are doing to our dogs and take action to reverse any of the negative effects.  I really can’t see how anyone could argue against that.

After all, are dogs only here for our sake, or should we think of what’s best for them as well?

Josephine from Alicante, Spain

Victoria's Answer:

I’ve contributed to a couple of books, with Dr. Robin Ganzert, president/CEO of the American Humane Association I wrote the Foreword to “Animals and the Kids Who Love Them,” by Allen and Linda Anderson; and contributed to “Raising My Furry Children,” by Tracy Ahrens.

Best of all was contributing to “The Cat: Clinical Medicine and Management,” edited by the amazing Dr. Susan Little, and written by a long list of the most noted feline veterinarians on the planet. It was humbling to have been asked to contribute, and included among this extraordinary group. And this book is ginormous – it’s 1,400 pages. You don’t need to join a health club, just carry this around for a workout.

I am also busy assisting with a very important book – having to do specifically with dog behavior – but I am not yet allowed to say much about it. I can tell you – and I am telling you first – I haven’t even mentioned this on my radio shows or anywhere, except to my wife and my mom. So, you are right there with mom in getting the scoop.

I will apparently be honored in February at the Dog Writer’s Association of America awards banquet, inducted into the DWAA Hall of Fame. I will be the youngest inductee ever. Really, I’m not sure this happened or how do deserve this – and I have so much else to achieve.  So, I’m not sure I’m ready. Although in three interviews in the past three weeks, I’ve been called “legendary.” I swear – I AM NOT THAT OLD, or legendary.

And this is also crazy, came back to a meeting with my newspaper syndicator of 17 years, Tribune Media Services. They expressed interest in publishing ebooks. I am their great experiment to determine if this works, not only if there is interest in the pet genre, but is this financially viable? It’s like I have a Great Dane on my shoulders, lots of pressure on my back.

VS:  Tell us about “Good Dog!” and “Good Cat!” – what kind of info can our readers expect to find in them?
Yes, those are the two ebooks. We decided to take a sort of best of my newspaper Q & A columns from the past three or four years, one book features questions about dogs, and a second book is all about cats. They are commonly asked and answered behavior questions/answers, and some which are totally fun – real questions that you won’t believe. For example, a cat who paws at the TV whenever and only when Justin Beiber is on.

I answer, “This cat has a new illness: Cat scratch Beiber.”

Sometimes I answer the questions. Sometimes, I seek out experts like – well, Victoria Stilwell, for example. Lots and lots of veterinary behaviorists, some certified applied animal behaviorists, IAABC certified dog and cat behavior consultants answer questions and so do some of the top dog trainers, all are APDT. I am proud that truly I have a large contingent of world renown experts who are quoted here.

Can you imagine? For 17 years, I’ve had the same terrific editor at TMS (Stacy Deibler) and for nearly that long, each and every column I write I have a veterinarian review to be certain of medical accuracy. Dr. Sheldon Rubin’s eyes must be tired – but who better to write the introduction for both books?

VS:      How did you get Betty White to write the Prologue – I’m thinking she’s pretty busy.
SD:      I believe if you combine my schedule and yours – we don’t equal Betty White’s. She’s always been very kind to me. And I adore her….I’m thinkin’ I’m not alone there. She really does walk the walk when it comes to animal welfare. And I’ve known her for some time. Years ago, she served on the Board of Directors of the American Humane Association, where for the past several years I’ve served. She has been a Trustee with the Morris Animal Foundation for nearly 50 years. Can you believe a half a Century? She’s an amazing lady. And she knows I care about Morris, and serve on one of their advisory committees, and whenever they call on me – I say ‘yes.” So she said, ‘yes.’

But I am equally as thrilled to have my old friend Pam Johnson-Bennett write the foreword to “Good Cat!” She’s the you of the cat world. And then, to have you write the foreword of the dog book, I am still howling with joy.

You should know, the first time I saw you on TV I thought, ‘WOW!’ Not only do we need this approach, we need it now! Too many were then and may still be joining the aversive or let’s be dominant bandwagon. Thank you for your contribution to this book, and for dogs, in general.

VS:      Are these books designed for experienced pet owners, are they ideal for new pet parents, or everyone in between?
SD:      Everyone, from granny to little kids. The names of these books are no accident. I actually didn’t come up with them – but the story is very cool. After reading through the content Sarah Bright at Tribune Media Services said, “Your books are all about the positive, encouraging pets.” And she thought of the titles “Good Dog!” and “Good Cat!”

VS:      If there is one message from the books, what might that be?
SD:      Don’t assume the problem is behavior – especially if it’s new. So if you have say a dog who you know is house trained and then begins to have accidents – see the veterinarian! The problem might well be medical – so no amount of behavior modification will help.

VS:      “Good Dog!” is dedicated to Lucy – tell us about her.
SD:      I had the pleasure, honor of knowing Lucille Ball some. Lucy, our miniature Australian Shepherd was named for her. It turned out that – except for the red hair – our Lucy lived up to her namesake. Actually more than her namesake. Lucy was dog was very funny – which I will tell you about. Lucy, the actress, in person, was a very serious and task minded person. She loved her craft. Of course, she helped to create it  There’s so much Lucy trivia.

Here’s an example, and I bet most people don’t know this….Lucille Ball once told me that watching other sitcoms was kind of bittersweet for her. It’s because she’d hear her mother’s laugh.  Her mom never missed an “I Love Lucy” taping. “I Love Lucy” was taped in front of a live audience, long before canned laughter or “sweetening” sitcoms with laughs ever existed. Beginning in 1970’s, most TV sitcoms began to depend on laugh tracks or at least “sweetening” them with taped laughs. Those taped laughs are actually lifted from “I Love Lucy.”

So for many years before she passed on, Lucy would turn on a sitcom at home and hear her mother’s unmistakable laugh.

VS:      How would you ever get to meet Lucille Ball? And what other celebrities have you met?
SD:      I started off as a radio deejay, but also writing for newspapers, USA Today and and People magazine – and I often was the guy interviewing celebrities. I’d ask celebrities about their pets of course. I was the first to write about Oprah’s dogs in People magazine. As for the other celebrities, really the list is far too long. But I will say, Oprah really cares about animals – and you and I should be on her show together, I think. I was once her show – that was a career highlight. Oh, other celebs- too many to list, and it was so long ago. I was in awe of many, Jimmy Stewart, who would be? We actually spoke about his trips to Africa, and elephant poaching. And I interviewed both of the Darren Stevens from “Bewitched.” I don’t know - too long a list. I’ve met Benji and Lassie (though not the originals).

VS:      About Lucy the dog?
SD:      Ahhh yes. She was amazing. For most dogs – her included – animal assisted therapy is work. She went to the famous Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, and saw clients ranging from children with severe burns to teenage gun shot victims to older people rehabbing from strokes. She made everyone smile, no matter it was.

Each week as soon as walked into the room, Lucy would go “Whahooo!” And everyone would laugh. I was always embarrassed – but we were there to make people laugh, and I admit it was cute. But she wasn’t supposed to do that. What could I do? I suppose I could have trained an alternative behavior – but people so loved it.

Then after meeting in this large room, we were always paired with someone. There are so many stories – and anyone who does animal assisted therapy has so many stories.

There was this one man – apparently suffered brain damage in some sort of accident. He just spoke gibberish. His family mostly didn’t understand. He was paired off with Lucy because the therapist was simply hoping for him to laugh, and our dog would often find a way to make that happen with previous clients.

On this occasion, much more occurred. I don’t know why – and it really might have backfired. I asked him to ask Lucy to “sit.” He looked at me like, ‘Really, you’ve gotta be kidding.” He hesitated, but decided to give it a try. He said something – but it didn’t sound like the word sit or any word. Lucy instantly sat.

I have no idea how that happened. He didn’t offer any hand movements. Maybe Lucy heard me say the word. We did often play this game where I’d ask little kids – very young kids – to ask Lucy “sit.” I’d then offer a hand signal to insure compliance. The little kids would never see the hand signal. And they loved it, of course. So, maybe Lucy just did it this time without the hand signal. Or maybe in within his gibberish, Lucy somehow made out the word.

It doesn’t matter how she did it, This man’s family walked off – and began to hug one another, all in tears. They didn’t want the man in the wheelchair to see. But he did, and he too began to well up with tears. He then said “Thank you” to Lucy. We all understood. His first speakable words since his injury were to Lucy.

If only she could have known the difference she made in so many lives. When she passed away in 2011, we began a fund with the American Humane Association’s Hero Dog Awards to support animal assisted therapy.

VS:      Who else did you dedicate the cat book to?
SD:      I had a dog named Chaser, who changed my life. And Lucy and I were definitely close – but it’s Ricky who I miss the most. His impact on cats in life and death, undeniable.

Here’s the story. Seeking to find some new and different routines for Lucy to do in animal assisted therapy, my wife, Robin, asked me to train her to do something out of the ordinary. Don’t ask my why – but I thought I’d train Lucy to play a little kids piano. After all, that is out of the ordinary.  I closed of the door to the room I was training her in – or thought I did – so other pets wouldn’t walk into our training session.

However, just a few minutes into the piano class, Ricky, our Devon Rex cat pushed the door open.  Ricky looked at me, and then looked at the piano. He instantly lifted his front left paw, and gently tapped the keyboard. And he did it again, and again. By gosh – he was playing a tune. Clearly I had a musical prodigy. Already well socialized, Ricky was happy going places with us, often hanging out on my shoulder on a leash and harness. We’d visit the pet store, a neighborhood video store - in those days, they still existed, the bank or the dry cleaner.

I had always wanted to demonstrate that cats can learn. And Ricky was such an apt pupil, I knew I had my opportunity. I also taught Ricky lots of other behaviors – including jumping over our dogs - when they were on a ‘down/stay’ - , jumping over little kids (also on a ‘down/stay’ -, and jumping through a Hoola hoop.

At one point in her life, she was trained to jump on to my shoulder to “ask” for his heart medication. It’s too bad that this was all before the days of YouTube. Ricky most certainly would have gone viral many times. Still he was a TV and radio attraction, appearing on several national TV shows including programs on Animal Planet as well as “National Geographic Explorer,” and lots of Chicago TV and radio show. He even performed recitals at local pet stores.

Ricky and I worked together to reach millions to dispel myths about cats.

Training cats has lots of benefits, aside from impressing friends with YouTube videos. When you work closely with an animal, your bond might be intensified. Today more cats are given up to shelters than dogs. It seems when dogs have behavior problems people are more willing to go the extra mile. Maybe with people interacting more often with their cats, this will change.

Also, the more you know an individual animal, the more you pay attention to what’s “normal.” Cats are such great actors; they’re incredibly adept at masking illness. So, perhaps people who have that more intense relationship with more quickly notice their cat isn’t quite right. And then, actually do something about it with a veterinary visit.

We know that people and dogs who learn throughout life might be less at risk for suffering cognitive problems in their Golden years – and it’s presumed the same is true for cats.

And a lifetime of learning new things might allow cats – who by nature are typically entrenched in routines - to become a bit more pliable and open to inevitable changes.

VS:      How did Ricky pass away?
SD:      Yes, at about 3 years of age or so, Ricky, who seemed perfectly healthy – was diagnosed with feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). This heart disease is probably the most common cause of death of indoor cats from post kitten until about 9 or 10 years when diseases of older cats become more prominent. Sometimes cats with HCM live out normal lives, and never have an idea they are supposed to be sick.

However, mostly these cats either throw several clots before finally dying or being euthanized, or like Ricky – one day – just drop. There is currently no effective treatment.

I am proud that shortly after Ricky’s death in 2002, I began the Ricky Fund – so more might me learned about HCM in cats, even hopefully to find a treatment. And in fact, as a direct result of the money we raised – at this point over $100,000 - for two breeds – the Maine Coon and Ragdoll – there is now a genetic test to determine if the gene defect for HCM is carried by individual cats. The hope is that breeders won’t breed those individuals. While the test is making a difference for those breeds, we need to do more to help all cats. Learn more at http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/rickyfund.html.

VS:      Is that what you’re most proud of?
SD:      Well, I don’t know – everything from defeating public officials seeking breed bans to being a part of the story of creating dog friendly areas or dog parks in Chicago – and there’s so much more….but I guess right now the answer is Mary and Honey.

VS:      Who are Mary and Honey?
SD:      Many wrote me about her cat Honey missing the litter box. I was able to help via my newspaper column, though sometimes it’s listeners to the radio show or when I do TV. And knowing I helped a cat and a family. It’s the emails and letters and phone calls on the radio indicating my advice saved a life that really matters.

VS:      Is that the greatest compliment?
SD:      Could be – or that I’m responsible for sending more pets to the veterinary clinic than anyone America. Because I know in at least some of those visits, the veterinarian saved a life. I know Victoria Stilwell, now that’s a nice compliment too!

VS:      Where can people buy the ebooks?
SD:      Wherever ebooks are sold. The ebooks are $2.99, except for the enhanced version of “Good Dog!” available for the IPad through Itunes, that’s $4.99. The enhanced version contains imbedded videos, so not only do I write about how to solve some behavior problems, I show people how to do it. It’s kind of like what you do – but I don’t wear the high boots and my accent is form Chicago.

The World Society for the Protection of Animals’ (WSPA) new campaign, Collars Not Cruelty, is not only calling attention to this horrific issue, but also providing a solution: mass vaccination. According to the organization, widespread dog vaccination is the only scientifically-proven way to end rabies, long-term – and they’ve already demonstrated this in Bali and Sri Lanka, among other places.

Now, WSPA needs your help in bringing the Collars Not Cruelty message to other governments and communities around the world.

Please sign up today for the organization’s first-ever virtual dog march – simply click here, pick a dog, give it a virtual collar and watch it “march” across the Internet on Jan. 24, along with hundreds of thousands of other dogs.

Thanks for your help – together, we can make an incredible difference for millions of dogs, worldwide!

Listen here.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FAQ's

Q. What’s best on the ingredients list?

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

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

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

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

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

Q. What ingredients should I avoid?

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

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

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

Q. What about the processing?

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

Q. Do I really need to add supplements?

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

Supplements listed in order of relative importance:

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

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

Originally published in the Carmel Valley News. CA

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

A few hours later, Peggy called me and she could barely laughed contain her laughter, “I knew you’d appreciate the irony,” she says.

Irony, in part, because her husband, Jim, 64, had been a Chicago police officer for 32 years (on the other end of those parking tickers). He’s also a Vietnam veteran. Clearly, the man is hero.

In 2008, Jim suffered a stroke. He depends on Snickers his service dog, to help enhance his independence.

In November, Jim and Peggy moved back to her home town of Aurelia, IA to help care for her ailing 87-year old mother. A hero and a good guy.

Jim Sack with his recently-returned therapy dog Pit Bull-type dog, Snickers.

Snickers happens to be part Pit Bull. And the city of Aurelia banned Pit Bulls and “bully breeds” several years ago. Well, maybe Snickers is a Pit Bull, but who knows. A certain look doesn’t necessarily correlate with what really is genetically in a dog. Peggy recalls, “We took in this 10-week old something dog – we really don’t know what Snickers is. Maybe part Lab, part Boxer and he does have broad shoulder of a Pit Bull, but we don’t know.”

Never mind that this dog had done nothing wrong, and is by all accounts is very friendly and is well trained. After two council meetings, Jim and Peggy were told to get their dog out of town, or else.

Never mind the dog issue  - disability experts were astounded.

“The ADA (American for Disabilities Act) Guidelines are very clear on this issue,” says Rebecca Huss, a law professor at Valparaiso University, an expert on service dog related issues. “The breed or mix is irrelevant when it comes to service dogs. The ADA isn’t about dogs, it’s about giving people with disabilities access and enhancing independence.”

Sometimes Jim’s leg begins to shake, and 85-lb. Snickers will push him up against a wall so he doesn’t fall. When Jim falls, he is able to get up by grasping on to Snickers. “I have a very hard time getting Jim back to his feet, but he and Snickers have it worked out,” Peggy says. Certified as a therapy dog, it’s difficult to argue that Snickers doesn’t assist Sak.

Also, a petition supporting giving up the dog was passed through the town of about 1,100, which 38 people signed.

Snickers future was discussed in both council meetings, before the decision was made. Snickers even attended the first of the two meetings. “I wanted to show everyone how friendly he is,” Peggy says.

Snickers was perfect, friendly and as well behaved as can be. Eerily, though, Snickers whimpered whenever his name was mentioned. It’s as if somehow this innocent dog knew he was a target. Maybe Snickers knew what was to come, or somehow felt unadulterated hate by at least a few in the room.

By a three to two vote, it was determined that Snickers would have to be removed from town. One of those votes to jettison the dog came from Cindy Nelson, a city council member. When reached by phoned, and asked to comment, she said “no comment” and hung up

George Wittgraf, an attorney representing Aurelia said he will stand by the comments he made to a Chicago newspaper reporter. He said, Aurelia is “simply exercising its authority to protect and preserve the rights and property of its residents — whether or not that’s trumped by” federal law.

Huss says, “Ugh, no. You can’t have local actions or laws which are contradictory to Federal Law.” And while this seems to be common sense which most high school students enrolled in a rudimentary civics class understand, the public servants of Aurelia chose another course.

Snickers spent several days in a kennel just outside town, and then moved into a foster home.

Jim Sack and Snickers were recently reunited after he was removed due to local breed-specific laws.

“Snickers gives Jim a feeling of independence, but the relationship is so much more,” says Peggy. “Here’s this tough ex-cop – and I am here to tell you Jim is tough. This dog makes Jimmy happy in way I can’t even explain. This dog is Jim’s heart. Snickers is like an anti-depressant drug. And then to be told when we explained Snickers is a service dog, to just get another (service dog).”

Of course Snickers isn’t like an old chair that can just be replaced.

Breed bans (almost always banning Pit Bull-looking dogs, and sometimes other breeds) have been passed in various cities and counties sporadically across the country. The wave of those bans began to wane around the time Michael Vick was convicted of dog fighting. In fact, it was Huss who was given responsibility by a court in 2007 for recommending the disposition of Vick dogs.

Huss agrees one lesson from the Vick story is that the dogs are merely victims of deplorable human behavior. “A type of look doesn’t make a dog dangerous,” she says. “But there’s a greater legal issue at stake.”

To that end Sak and Leifer have sued Aurelia for damages and costs associated with their ordeal (which the Animal Farm Foundation stepped up to pay for). “I’m not a litigious person,” says Leifer. “But we hope our case will prevent this from every happening again.”

In fairness, most people in town appear sympathetic, not to mention an outpouring of understanding emails from around the world – since the story has hit the Internet. In fact, several people who signed the original local petition in support of forcing Snickers to leave town have apologized, pointing out the petition never indicated Snickers is s service dog. Peggy said she heard someone in town was selling ‘Save Snickers’ t-shirts.

Still, when Snickers was removed from his home - the stress clearly took a toll. Though he was well cared for, Snickers still broke into hives and a rash, which was deemed stress related. Peggy rushed her husband to the doctor for elevated blood pressure.

The good news is that December 28, 2001; after several hours in court, the judge reunited Saks with his best friend by court order. And certainly national attention has been directed to the value of service dogs – and bred doesn’t matter is a message which the public seemed to understand.

While city officials voted for Snicker’s removal, they clearly didn’t speak for the town, and certainly don’t speak for the country.

“Listen, I take no pleasure that the media has painted the whole town as ignorant because of the ignorant actions of a few,” says Peggy “Many citizens came out of the woodwork to help us. Complete strangers helping us move in, bringing food, installing needed things in our home to assist Jim and the many, many offers of help we have received.”

It’s really like the Pit Bull issue isn’t it? All may get blamed for what a few do.

“Oh, you’ve got it,” she adds, and laughs. “We felt it was important to stand up for Snickers.”

“Snickers has given me so much – we wouldn’t even consider giving up on him,” says Jim. “My hope is that what happened here is an example, so no one else with a service dog has to go through what we did. “

Jim adds, “When I came back from Vietnam in ’68, they called me names and jeered at me. It felt like it was happening all over again. What did I do? What did Snickers do to do deserve this?”

"We must stop dominance-based and punitive training methods. There’s no science there, and dogs don’t learn anything except to fear us. Positive training techniques work; not to mention they are more humane, enhancing the relationship with your dog instead of destroying it. If dogs are our best friends, they deserve our kindness and respect. I won’t rest until science-based positive training is the norm.”

Read the full article and other notables' pet peeves.

Holly with the Grinch

Victoria opens this holiday episode by singing Silent Night and discussing how her holiday preparations are progressing, including recent mischievous acts by her daughter's elf. Holly puts in her requests for holiday gifts. Victoria's mother makes a very special guest appearance in studio and discusses what Victoria was like as a child, her mother's love of dogs, her history as a ballerina, and much more.  Victoria tries to stump her mother and Holly with her holiday trivia-themed quiz while Victoria's daughter provides some Christmas background music.

Back to Podcast Homepage

"I have nothing against dog showing and nothing against responsible breeders," says Stilwell. "But what I do have something against is breeding animals just for the way we want them to look, even though that animal is compromised both physically and, a lot of the time, mentally. So we have to change. Why are we destroying these animals just because we like the way they look?"

Listen to Victoria discussing the issue on a recent episode of her Positively Podcast.

Watch Victoria's statement regarding the issue:

Read an article about the issue.

Sadie & Jasmine waiting patiently for the podcast recording to finish.

Victoria and Holly recap their appearance at this year's Reindog Parade at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, which also included HGTV's Vern Yip, Victoria's mother, daughter and several other notable celebrity judges. Holly describes her experience covering the Penn State child molestation case in State College, PA. Victoria talks about her recent talk to several schools' Homeless Pets Club members and why the program is so important to her.

This week's special Positively Hotline guest is filmmaker Jemima Harrison of Passionate Productions, creator of the powerful documentary Pedigree Dogs Exposed. They discuss the current issues surrounding the current unhealthy breed standards as well as her work promoting awareness of physical and mental factors involved with the propagation many popular breeds in the UK, US and beyond.

Ask Victoria questions include Victoria's recommendation for flying with small dogs as hand luggage, how she handled flying with Jasmine, and how to control excited dogs who run around in your car.

Yanez recalls how even going out to dinner as a family was impossible until Midas came along because Zach wouldn't sit still and would create a "scene" in the restaurant. Now, the dog serves as Zach's "emotional anchor" and "built-in sensory regulator," Yanez writes in "Animals and the Kids Who Love Them," a collection of inspiring stories compiled by Allen and Linda Anderson (New World Library, Novato, CA, 2011; $14.99).

The Andersons, a married couple, have authored a long list of inspirational books, including "Angel Dogs with a Mission," "Angel Animals: Book of Inspiration" and "Dogs and the Women Who Love Them."

Linda notes, "In her story (about Zach and Midas), Julie wrote what it was like to lose her child to autism, like a candle snuffer dropped on him and shut out his bright light. It wasn't until a dog, Midas, entered his life that the candle was lit again. I don't know that people realize the impact these animals can have."

“We received stories like this from all over the country," says Linda. "It (the book) was inspired by the American Humane Association, which protects animals and children. We put the concept together and today we have a book.”

Allen chimes in, “Don’t forget, when we were in your radio studio talking about the book ‘Dogs and the Women Who Love Them,’ you gave us the idea to directly connect children and kids in this unique way. This (book) tops them all when it comes to goose bumps."

"Animals and the Kids Who Love Them" is filled with touching tales, including one from Barbara Babikan, of Sugar Loaf, NY.

Babikan enrolled her Shetland Sheepdog, Lille, in Angel on a Leash, an organization administering animal-assisted therapy programs. One of many clients who petted Lille happened to be a little girl in the hospital for surgery on her leg. Lille and the girl seemed to bond. After the visit, Barbara left with her dog, assuming she'd never see the girl again.

About a year later, at the same hospital, Babikan encountered the same child's mom. Nearly in tears, she explained that her daughter had endured another surgery and had been asking for Lille. What a reunion it was. Babikan still had no idea of the Lilie’s impact on this little girl, until she bumped into her mother many years later. "You don't know what those visits meant to my daughter," the mom said, holding Babikan's arm.

While most of the stories in the Andersons' book feature dogs and cats, a wide assortment of other unlikely animals who made a difference in a child's life are also featured, including a rabbit, a llama, and a turkey who might have been dinner. Instead, the bird, named Chloe, landed at the Gentle Barn in Santa Clarita, CA.

The mission of the Gentle Barn – featured on TV’s Ellen (with Ellen DeGeneres) - is to rescue, rehabilitate and give sanctuary to abused animals, and to help kids who themselves have been abused and/or have a disability.

Julia was born to sing. She warbled and twirled like a ballerina from the time she could walk, though she was blind from birth. An earthquake rocked Julia's world when she was 6 years old, so profoundly that the child was traumatized. Julia stopped talking and began to act out violently.

It was advised that she visit the Gentle Barn, where she seemed to bond with a chicken named Bonnie, stroking the bird for hours, and being gentle. Julia treated the hen like a precious china doll.

Periodically, the Gentle Barn would sometimes take animals to fairs, where there was live music. As one such event, a country band began to play, and people began to dance. The dance floor began to part and it was clear that something unusual was happening, as people moved from the center of the floor to reveal a single dancer: Chloe the turkey, moving in time to the music.

Learning this bird was a music lover, the staff at the Gentle Barn began to play music for Chloe. The turkey always responded the same way, and soon Ellie Laks, founder of the Gentle Barn, began to sing to the turkey with Julia at their side. One day, Julia began to hum along.

Laks thought Julia might again find her voice through the bird. It worked, and soon Julia was singing to the turkey (who loved it), and began to talk again. What's more, her violent tendencies vanished.

"I do think animals and children can have a special connection," says Allen. "Explaining that connection is challenging, but understanding the connection as you read is heartfelt."

If you’re considering adding a pet to your life over the holidays, please make sure you’re not just caught up in the festivities and optimism that comes with the holiday season and the impending new year.  But for those who are intent on bringing a new furry friend into the fold, I thought now would be a good time to discuss this age old question:  When is the right time to add a new pet to the family?

My beautiful, brown Sadie.

Dogs are pack animals and don’t do well in social isolation so I often wondered when I got my Labrador Sadie if she was happy being an only dog.   I knew that she loved being with my family and me and thrived on the attention we gave her but she always looked so sad when we left her at home by herself that I worried about her being lonely.  She was not highly social with other dogs but once she got to know them she seemed happy enough in their company.   When I introduced Sadie into the home we also had a cat, Angelica, and even though the two tolerated each other, it wasn’t exactly a match made in heaven.

I was often asked if I thought it was alright to have just one dog and would always answer that as long as the only dog was given plenty of human attention and stimulation and not left on their own for long hours during the day, it was ok.  I still believe this is the case, but the question always made me wonder if I was doing the right thing.  If I did bring another dog into the home I wanted to make sure that I was doing it for the right reasons and not because I felt guilty.   I also knew that introducing a dog into the household had been a little stressful for my cat to begin with, and even though she relaxed pretty quickly in Sadie’s presence, I didn’t want to put her through any more stress by adding another dog into the mix.

My work introduces me to a lot of families that have multi-dog households so that their dogs have playmates.  I also meet a lot of people that ‘collect’ dogs and cats because they crave the attention their animals give them.  As a responsible pet owner I cautioned that though we may feel the need to love and care for every animal that comes along, it may not always result in what is best for the pet.  Of course a lot of these types of situations involved people who volunteered at rescue shelters and saw the immense need for more forever homes, but even then it was not always in the best interest of the animals they adopted.  Existing dogs and cats are not able to choose their new ‘brothers and sisters’ and sometimes the stress these animals experienced trying to get along with each other did not make for a happy or calm environment.

Angelica

When Angelica passed away we started thinking about getting a second dog and I knew that whoever we added, Sadie also had to have a say.  If we were going to get another dog, should it be a male or female?  Inter-bitch aggression is very common, as are fights between competing males, and while dogs of the same sex can co-habit peacefully, it is often better to mix the sexes up.  It is also advisable that the second dog is either close in age or temperament to the existing dog, making sure their energy levels match.  If a puppy is brought into a home with an established older dog, every effort must be made to keep the puppy’s desire to play with the older dog to a minimum.  In some cases a younger dog will breathe new life into an older one, but age gaps can also be the cause of major irritations.

At the end of the day, the decision was made for us when my daughter and I spied Jasmine in our local rescue shelter.  The tiny six month old Chihuahua mix was perhaps not the best physical match for a 75 pound chocolate Labrador but the two hit it off almost immediately. Initial introductions were made on neutral territory with both dogs on loose leashes, so that they had the ability to interact without the frustration of being held too tightly and once the initial meeting went well, both dogs were allowed to interact off leash in a safe area, giving them freedom to form a relationship.

Jasmine sitting on Sadie

Established dogs can become jealous when too much attention is given to the new addition so I made sure that both dogs got equal attention as well as having quality one-on-one time with us.  Feeding the dogs separately for the first couple of weeks ensured that there were no fights over food bowls, and high value chews or toys were given to the dogs in separate rooms so that there was no fighting over valuable resources.  We rewarded Sadie when she behaved well around Jasmine and walked both dogs together to help the bonding process.

Now, of course, I can’t remember what life was like with just one dog.  Jasmine has made all our lives so much richer, including Sadie’s.  The two play, eat, and hang out with each other, sharing their toys and sleeping close together.  Jasmine loves to rest on Sadie’s back and Sadie loves the closeness of having her near.  I have noticed a pep in Sadie’s step since Jasmine came and the eight year age difference does not seem to bother either of them.   It might have taken a little while to get this point but adding a second dog was the best decision our family ever made.

I’m often asked ‘how many dogs is it OK to own?’  The short answer is that it depends on your specific situation, but I am a firm believer that adding additional pets to an only-pet household can often create far more net benefits than problems, provided you do it responsibly and take care to keep all of the animals’ best interests at heart.  You can find a lot of great information about adding more pets to your household responsibly via my friends at Pets Add Life (www.petsaddlife.org).

Mary M. from Niles

Victoria's Answer:

TIS THE SEASON, for rushing around, rushing to shop, rushing to visit relatives, rushing to various parties trying to fit it all in.  How do you all feel after the holidays?  Many people are left feeling exhausted and they are glad it is all over.   If we would just re-condition ourselves to slow down the outcome would be different.  Remember, over the years you have done the same thing when holiday time comes, so now you've conditioned yourself to act that way.  Now it is time to change, take it one holiday season at a time, give up one or two things that have been making you crazy over the years and replace with what you really would like to do.  Over time, your holidays will take on a “New Normal”

You can use this same idea when working with your dog, give him or her a “new normal”

Replace a behavior you do not like with one you do but you must show your dog what you would like them to do instead.  Condition them to behave the way you would like.

Conditioning,  whether classical and operant, is in your world now so why not put it to work in your dogs world as well.  Positive Reinforcement training is all about classical and operant conditioning and when applied to dog training the results are amazing.  Train with your heart so that the lines of communication stay open and loving,  add patience and consistency and you have a winning training method.

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," but 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 that does not give us the right to dominate, or intimidate or RUSH your pet into doing what we  want.   This world wants everything now and given the technology we have everything is at a touch of a button, we have been conditioned to get everything quickly.  Think about it though:  this conditioning took time, and is still developing everyday. We got hooked on fast technology, but only over time were we CONDITIONED to having information at our fingertips.    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 "I want it right now trap," or, you're going to do what I say right now.  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.  Again, this takes time, it means you have to take your ego out of it and really try to understand you pet.  It seems most pet owners can articulate what they don’t want their pets to do, but I want people to take it one more step and ask themselves “what do I want my dogs' “New Normal”  to be  instead.  The next step is to teach that alternate behavior or find a qualified positive reinforcement trainer to help you do just that.

Our dogs are 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 afterthought; 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 really getting to know their world it is fascinating.

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 Positive, and the learning will astound you.

Amy Sandmann

Watch the interview:

Visit Unleash Magazine (original link).

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Victoria:  Perfect Puppy in 7 Days really focuses a lot on early learning and socialization. In fact, John Bradshaw, author of Dog Sense, says “Worth buying for the socialization advice and checklist alone.”  Can you explain to our blog readers Why is socialization so important?

Sophia:  People frequently have dogs who are fearful and later aggressive out of fear to unfamiliar people and dogs. They tend to think their dog must have been abused, when a much more likely scenario is that the puppy was not fully socialized starting at a young age. When puppies are between 3 weeks and 3 months of age, they are primed to be curious, and to bond to animals in their environment. But as they get older their default setting is to be fearful of all the things that they were not introduced to early on. This is a survival mechanism. It’s why wild animals don’t come out and visit and try to make friends with people all the time. It’s also how wild animals stay alive. If they approach everything without fear, they are likely to get eaten.

The implication with puppies is that we need to give them many positive experiences. with friendly, well-behaved dogs, unfamiliar people, new objects and  different environments during their sensitive period for socialization and continuing into their adulthood. My rule of thumb is that they need 100 positive experiences with 100 different people in 100 days. And they need to have positive experiences with new dogs on a weekly basis.

This means that as with children, owners will have to set up play dates and make an effort to get their dog into new environments at least 2-4x a week. In Perfect Puppy in a Week, you’ll see that during that first week Lucy, the Australian Cattle Dog puppy who was the subject of much of the book, had many positive experiences with visitors as well as appropriate doggie playmates. She also learned how to be polite around cats and kids.

VS:  What’s the biggest problem you see with how people socialize puppies currently?

SY:  Besides just not getting their puppy out enough, the biggest problem is that people when they do get them out, they don’t realize the puppy must have positive experiences, not neutral or negative experiences. That means they need to be able to read their puppy’s body language so they can recognize fear and anxiety. That’s why Perfect Puppy in 7 Days has sections on reading body language.

A second issue is that people don’t realize the amount of things they need to socialize the pet to—sounds, surfaces, people, other species, new environments. And they don’t realized that the socialization should start with the breeder. Socialization is so important that I cover it in two chapters in the book and show pictures of the various situations and items the puppy must be socialized to. The early chapter shows how puppies develop their senses and how this coincides with what they should be socialized to starting before 8 weeks of age.

VS:  A week or two really does make a difference in socialization, doesn't it?

SY:  For a puppy, a week or two is the equivalent of months for a child. For instance, I document the progress of a litter of young puppies and show that one puppy is very reactive to handling at 4 weeks of age but with several minutes of handling a day, after a week, the puppy can even have clippers near him and remains calm. Similarly puppies can also learn unwanted behaviors as quickly. For instance, one puppy in the litter highlighted in chapter 1 of the book was adopted and would struggle when the owner held him wheras previously he’d been very tolerant with us. The new owner would release him as soon as he struggled and by day 2 he was learning to growl when held. After the owner realized her mistake, switched to picking him up and giving him treats and then letting him down when he was relaxed. She’d try to put him down before he started struggling. But even when he did struggle a little, because he’d been given treats in the handling situation, he didn’t struggle as much and so she didn’t let go. Within a week he was back to allowing people to pick him up and place him in different positions. So behavior can change quickly in puppies.

VS:  Tell people about the advantage of training puppies as young as 8 weeks of age.

SY:  Besides letting them learn the rules before they have a chance to learn to break them, when they are young they are less coordinated and this gives us a huge advantage. We don’t have to be as quick to get the food reward or other reward to them. They physically can’t jump on us as quickly or nip or grab as quickly as an older puppy. So it’s easier to remove our attention or remove the reward for jumping before they have a chance. Training is about rewarding exactly as the correct behaviors occur and removing rewards for unwanted behavior such as jumping to grab a toy, before they can perform them. When puppies are really young, it’s easier for the humans to be faster and thus have better timing than if they wait several weeks.

VS:  You talk about leadership in the book, but make it clear that it’s not the same as being the boss? What’s the difference?

SY:  One definition of leadership is the ability to influence an individual to perform behavior he would not otherwise perform. By that definition, pet owners do need to develop leadership skills. However we have a choice of leadership style. We can lead by force like a dictator such as Muammar Qaddafi or by providing rewards that the followers want, such as Mahatma Ghandi. Schools of marketing and leadership recommend against the dictatorial, coercive style of leadership and encourage methods of leading that motivate humans through positive methods.

A similar approach should be used with animals. Instead of using coercion we can learn to lead like a leader in a dance. When partners dance as a couple, one leads and the other follows. The leader's job is to decide ahead of time which steps to perform and then guide his partner in a clear manner so that the partner CAN follow. Partners who have to shout out the steps or who yank their follower around don't make the cut. With animals the approach is similar. If we set rules and have a clear picture of what we want, then we can consistently convey this information to the puppy through our body language and perfectly timed rewards. To see this concept in action,  watch the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVVBGJi5v9s&feature=related

VS:  Marty Becker, veterinarian on Good Morning America has said it’s not just about teaching your puppy manners, it's a step-by-step recipe for bonding with your puppy, learning to communicate with him, and preparing you pup for life!  Can you explain how your book shows a step by step recipe for bonding?

SY:  One aspect of the book is my version of the Learn to Earn Program where the puppy learns that the way he gets what he wants —praise, petting, to go outside, to come inside, to get bits of his meal, to play fetch—is to sit politely and ask you. It’s not about forcing him to sit, it’s about rewarding him over and over throughout the day. If you’ve read the “Compass of Pleasure” by David Levin, you know that a high rate of reinforcement can have an almost addicting affect. For instance, the reason cigarettes are much more addicting than heroin, which is much more potent is that smokers get many many little rewards on a daily basis. Similarly with puppies, if they are working for their entire meal and everything they like, they are also getting probably 200 rewards a day for good behavior and they are learning that unwanted behavior does not work. Through this process they learn that you are consistent and you are able to communicate what you want in a clear manner (with good timing). As a result, they learn they can depend on you. It’s much easier to trust someone who always does what they say they will do and who communicates in a language you can understand.

I also use the Learn to Earn Program to quickly build a bond with any new dog I take in, as a first step for training anxious dogs they can look to their owners for guidance or help in scary situations, and for helping dogs who have lost their family members to guide them into a more structured situation.

VS:  In the testimonials people say over and over that the book is fun. One trainer says “ I own tons of dog training books and none of them are as much to read as this one. Was it your intention to make the reading enjoyable?

SY:  Yes, both people and dogs learn best if the learning is fun. And for me, I’m more interested in writing books that will also be fun for me to read.  Just having a wide array of photos that depict every type of situation you might meet make the book engaging and documenting the progress of both the litter of puppies as well as of Lucy, the main main character/puppy depicted on the front of the book, made the process enjoyable. I love watching puppies and noticing how they develop and how minor events shape their behavior and personality. So it was just natural to document these things so that everyone else could see.

Because of the fun and clear instructions, many puppy class instructors have told me they are going to use it for their classes, and at least one large puppy program will be revising their classes to follow the Perfect Puppy program.

VS:  Any last messages you want to send?

SY:  Yes. Blog readers, please feel free to visit my web site (www.drsophiayin.com) and Facebook fan page (www.facebook.com/sophiayin.dvm).  I have lots of free downoadable posters on topics ranging from body language in dogs, how to appropriately greet a dog, how kids and dogs should interact, as well as many article and videos on behavior.  In fact I was voted one of Bark Magazine’s 100 Best and Brightest because of the website.

VS:  Sophia, thanks so much for all the great info.  It really is a great book, and I wish you lots of success with it.  I'll see you at the APDT conference in San Diego!

Note: This book will be available on amazon.com in September 2011 and on Amazon kindle, B&N Nook and ibooks by August 1, 2011.  You can preorder the book at a big discount now or download the free puppy socialization check list from www.drsophiayin.com/perfectpuppy. 

“At the taping, there wasn’t a dry in the house,” says Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of the American Humane Association. “Many of those tears were tears of joy, it’s emotional, incredible what these dogs have done.”

During a nationwide six-month search for hero dogs, hundreds of canines from 50 states were nominated in eight categories. Then over 400,000 votes were cast on a Hero Dog website culminating in the selection of eight finalists. That’s where an panel of celebrity and expert judges took over including Whoopi Goldberg, Orlando Brown, Kristin Chenoweth, Susan Orlean (author of “RIN TIN TIN: The Life and the Legend), all overseen by Victoria Stilwell (who better?).

Each of the eight winning dogs walked the red carpet in Hollywood with dozens of paparazzi shooting photos and video. “I felt like a Hollywood celebrity,” said Dione Luper of Des Plaines, IL.

While many Hollywood celebs turned up for the event, and appear in the TV broadcast, from legends like Betty White and Mickey Rooney to TV’s Pauley Perrette of “NCIS: Los Angeles” to Michael Vartan, of “Alias” to Julianne Hough of “Footloose” and “Dancing with the Stars.”  Carson Kressley was the emcee. Victoria was among the presenters.

However, the real stars of the show were people like Luper.           

In 2004 Zurich, a Labrador Retriever trained by Canine Companions for Independence, was partnered as a service dog with Dione’s wife Patricia Kennedy, who had been diagnosed with a degenerative and fatal brain-stem disease called OPCA (Olivopontocerebellar atrophy).  Today, Patty is dependent on a wheelchair and is unable to speak – the disease has many similarities to Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS).

“When we first got Zurich, I went to work and Patti was comfortable staying home because of Zurich, who was able to help her to get the phone or open the refrigerator. That was hugely helpful, and gave Patti more confidence. Today, it’s Zurich that makes it possible for her to cope. And in ways, I don’t understand, Zurich somehow understands her.”

Luper goes even further – saying his wife would not likely still be alive today if it wasn’t for Zurich.

Still, appearing on a website for thousands to see, and then at a TV taping – which millions will eventually watch – wasn’t an easy decision. “In the end, we just felt we wanted to tell our story, and also Zurich’s. He’s been amazing.”

When Dione first posted his wife’s story – he never thought about what he would be a top vote getter in the Service Dog category. After all, Patty isn’t even able to leave the house often, let alone travel half way around the country. “We thought going to Hollywood would be impossible, but the American Humane Association and their partners made the overwhelming possible,” he says. “It was a dream to be on the stage and talking from my heart about Zurich.”

Dione says he hopes the camera picked up on Patti’s tears. “They were definitely tears of joy,” he adds.

Among the eight categories is Military Working Dog. “We are especially pleased to honor military dogs on Veteran’s Day 11-11-11,” Ganzert says.

Debbie Kandoll of Atlanta, GA makes a point of saying Bino C152 is one of many military working dogs who easily could be honored. “Each military working dog is credited with saving a minimum of 150 people in a career,” she said

Bino, a Duch Shepherd, served the U.S. Army’s 35^th Military Police Dog Detachment at Ft. Gordon, GA as a Narcotics Detection/Patrol K-9 for nearly 11 years. He was also deployed in Iraq for over a year and served as a U.S. Border Patrol Dog.

Kandoll is working on a proposal to finally offer attention long overdo to military working dogs. Currently, it’s very costly to pay for an adoption of any retired military dog transported from overseas military bases when actually there is available space on cargo and military planes. So, the cost is, in reality, is negligible. This high cost charged though, deters potential adopters.

Currently, individuals award heroic dogs – but there is no formal award from the military for meritorious canine service (which would be subsidized by private citizens, and still the military – to date – refuses).

Also, Kandoll is hoping veterinary care for these retired military dogs would be made available by military veterinarians at cost. “Why not?” she says. “It wouldn’t cost the government, it’s just the right thing to do.”

Kandoll adds that currently when these dogs retire, they’re pretty much considered excess equipment. The good news is that those dogs who make it back to the U.S. are increasingly successfully adopted from military bases

Other dogs were honored in six additional categories, Law Enforcement/Arson Dog, Therapy Dog, Guide Dog, Search and Rescue Dog, Hearing Dog and Emerging Hero Dog.

“This is a tribute to what dogs can do – it’s really quite astounding and inspiring,” Ganzert says.

TV star Perrette, said, “There was only one problem with this event – we needed more tissue.”

Behind-the-scenes tidbit and images. 
A promotional sizzle reel of the upcoming Hero Dog Awards show on the Hallmark Channel.

Now it's time to take these amazing dogs to prime time!

The Hero Dog Awards will premiere on US television this Friday, November 11th at 8pm ET on the Hallmark Channel.  Tune in to see these amazing dogs in action as well as the wonderful supporters who made the evening such a special night:  Betty White, Carson Kressley, Pauley Perrette, Peter Fonda and many more.

Check out my photos from the event!

This was such a special event, and I'm so glad it can be shared with the TV audience as well.  Be sure to tune in this Friday night!

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My answer, of course, is that like most good dog trainers I know, I’m like a sponge trying to soak in as much knowledge and learn as many novel approaches to dealing with both dogs and their humans as I can.   Most people know that I’m a fierce opponent of aversive, punitive methods based on human dominance/animal submission methodologies, but as long as one approaches the field of dog behavior from a starting point of working with the dog to build mutual trust and respect, science has shown us that there are countless valuable, effective and humane ways to train dogs.

As is the case in most professions, however, it’s not very often that we’re able to come up with a truly novel approach or tool that makes a real difference in how we solve a particular problem.  That’s why I’m so excited to announce the official launch of what I believe will be a real game-changer in how we deal with the problem of anxiety in dogs – the Canine Noise Phobia Series.

The Canine Noise Phobia^TM Series (CNP) is a groundbreaking new desensitization tool I developed in an exclusive partnership with my friends from the well-known Through A Dog’s Ear canine music series.  The concepts we’ve worked with while creating CNP have never been used in this combination before, making this a first-of-its-kind tool to make our dogs’ lives better (not to mention our own!)  The first three volumes include Fireworks, Thunderstorms and City Sounds – all of which are specially designed to help dogs overcome their fear of those particular sounds.  A fourth volume – Calming – is also available to reduce general dog anxiety.

Here’s how it works.  We first build a positive association for the dog with some of the beautiful psychoacoustic music from Through A Dog’s Ear.  Once the dog is in a relatively calm state, a different music track begins to play while softly introducing the offending sound (thunder, for example) underneath the music.  During this time, the owner is providing a positive environment for the dog using favorite treats, play, praise, etc.  When the dog is suitably nonplussed by the faint thunder sounds, they graduate to the later tracks which feature progressively more intense sound effects alongside the calming music.  The combination of psychoacoustic calming music with positive reinforcement protocols that are introduced while the offending sounds are playing, results in a dog that can eventually experience much lower levels of anxiety during thunderstorms, fireworks or city noise.

From left: Lisa Spector, Victoria Stilwell, and Joshua Leeds: co-creators of the Canine Noise Phobia Series.

There are a lot of noise desensitization recordings available in the market, but until now none of them has utilized the power of specially-designed psychoacoustic music while initiating the desensitization process.  That’s what makes CNP so special.  And what makes it even more unique is that this is the first desensitization tool that is actually designed not only to treat existing noise phobias but to also help prevent them from ever occurring in otherwise non-noise-sensitive dogs.

I met Lisa Spector (the Juilliard-trained concert pianist and co-founder of Through A Dog’s Ear) almost a year ago at the Clicker Expo where we started discussing ways we could work together to bring my training philosophies and her canine music experience together.  Along with her Through A Dog’s Ear co-founder and psychoacoustician sound researcher Joshua Leeds, we spent the better part of the summer working together to develop the Canine Noise Phobia Series.  I am amazed at the wealth of fascinating information I’ve learned from both of them, after hearing Joshua speak during the recent APDT conference about how dogs experience the world aurally, I’m even more excited to get started on the next phase of the CNP series.

For now, though, I’m thrilled to announce that the Canine Noise Phobia Series is now available to purchase on the Positively website.  The feedback we’ve already received from trainers who got their copies at the APDT conference has been fantastic, and we’re sure that CNP will help all those whose dogs suffer from anxiety from noise triggers as well as the stresses of everyday life.  Please give us feedback about your experience using CNP by visiting www.CanineNoisePhobia.com – we welcome your thoughts!

The series is available to purchase as individual CDs or as a complete, discounted 4-CD set.

Buy your copy here.

The Canine Noise Phobia Series homepage.

I love your show! I have two mini Australian shepherds. My female Alice was rescued from a puppy mill. She is very territorial when it comes to men. The second a man comes near her she begins barking non-stop. I’ve tried my command leave it, ignoring her, giving men treats to entice her, but nothing has worked! How do I get her to be more comfortable around men? Any advice would be much appreciated! Thank you!

Thank you,
Lauren
Hamden, CT

Many of Victoria's most-watched episodes can be found on this set, including  The Unadoptables, Weathering the Storm, Bully Breeds, the Puppy Special and many more.

Buy the 2nd Season of It's Me or the Dog here.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thank you! Find us at www.Positively.com

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

I think these videos from Pets Add Life really hit the nail on the head. Of course, I'm pretty partial to the dogs, but they're all super-cute.  Check 'em out!

You can check them all out at the Pets Add Life YouTube channel, and get more info about PAL by following them on Facebook and Twitter.

She is quoted as saying, “I think, first of all, the decision to basically ask people to get rid of their dogs is an absolute disgrace. It is like asking someone to get rid of their children. Dogs are like people’s family members.”

Read the article.

Watch the video here:

Over the last few months I have watched the case of Lennox, a dog seized for having the “wrong” looks, as it has unfolded in Belfast, Ireland.  Lennox was seized, not for behavior, but because he has a particular physical structure.  He looks like what Ireland terms a ‘restricted breed’.  He is neutered, has obedience training, is properly vaccinated and was legally licensed-yet he was summarily seized and has been condemned to die.  As I have watched Lennox’s case, and his impending death sentence, several things have sparked my attention. Not only does the issue of destroying this animal solely based on his looks appall me, but I am particularly concerned by the "evaluations" of Lennox that the Council and Court are depending on to make a determination of his level of threat to society.

To begin, Lennox has been held for over a year in a shelter facility.  He has been deprived of his normal social contacts-his family, has had limited exercise and interaction outside his kennel, and has even been medicated with amitriptyline.

Two dog behaviorists have evaluated the dog to date.  I understand both have weighed in that Lennox is not a dangerous dog.  The videos and evaluations have shown Lennox to have substantial control of his behavior, that he is a sociable and pleasant animal despite his long isolation and confinement away from his home, and that he showed clear restraint when one evaluator pushed him into a trapped area in a threatening manner.  At that crisis point Lennox did the only thing that makes sense to a dog; he lunged, with no contact, in order to communicate clearly that he was frightened and felt threatened when he had no where else to retreat.  He did the equivalent to a human raising their voice when other means of communication fail.

This speaks volumes for this individual dog.  Despite everything that has happened to him he still shows restraint in his behavior and a desire for human social contact.  He still displays clear bite inhibition.  He still responds appropriately to social cues.  This is also despite the conduct of these evaluations in a restricted shelter environment.

The third evaluation was conducted by a police dog handler.  As a retired police Lieutenant I have known a number of canine handlers-and the trainers that prepare the dogs before police get them.  I have participated in the testing and evaluation of police dogs before their training.  And I can say this-police canine handlers and trainers are special, valued and talented persons-but they are not behaviorists.

A police dog is a special animal.  Only about ten percent of the candidates are chosen.  They need terrific drive, huge levels of trainability, and a great desire to work in tandem with a human handler.  They must be brave enough to go in where no person or animal reasonably should, yet must be able to instantly disengage when ordered to, despite inertia and provocation.  They must not be aggressive, as anger would interfere with the ability to disengage at need.  They must also be able to use nearly human levels of discrimination to understand when they must self-deploy to protect their handler, yet must recognize the difference between a violent suspect and the approach of an innocent child.  We ask so much of them-and they give it all willingly, sometimes to the death.

Police dog handlers and trainers must be highly skilled to get this level or performance.  But that skill is limited to the task at hand.  Police handlers do not address behavior problems of other animals-they are focused on the training, maintenance and development of their special charges.  These handlers conduct obedience work with their dogs as part of the control mechanism, but do not diagnose or treat problems that range from house training to nuisance barking.  They do not treat, or particularly evaluate, aggression issues.  If a dog exhibits aggression in training it is eliminated as unsuitable.  An aggressive or "mean" dog is a risk to the Department, the handler, and the public.

Even Animal Control Officers may be deficient when evaluating what is a "dangerous" dog.  They encounter animals that are often not at their best, often threatened or injured, and frankly do not get the behavioral training necessary to make the decision between treatment of repairable behavior and that which is clearly dangerous.  They can say whether a dog's behavior, in a specific incident, meets the legal definition of "dangerous" in their jurisdiction, but often fall far short of being able to diagnose whether this was truly dangerous aggression or was a storm brought about by a collection of predictable, reasonable animal behavior and human failing.  In the case of Lennox the dog warden's job was in some ways too easy; did Lennox look like one of the "usual suspects"?  He did, so the case was closed, even though Lennox never had a chance to speak.

Assessing dog aggression, and evaluating whether a dog is "dangerous", even when presented with clear criteria (which do not exist in this case) is a job best left to those familiar with more than just whether a dog is physically able to bite.  Any dog can bite-they have teeth.  A competent evaluator must understand the psychological issues behind the multiple behaviors we lump together as aggression.  Is the dog territorial?  Is the dog a resource guarder? Is the dog fearful? Can the dog adapt to novel and potentially scary situation while maintaining an acceptable level of composure? Is the dog responsive to human signals, and is the dog able to signal its own intentions clearly?  Does the dog have the inter-species social skills needed to peacefully coexist in a multi-species social environment?  Those are the questions that need to be asked before determining if a dog's behavior is "dangerous".

Having a police dog handler evaluate Lennox for his suitability as a patrol or detection dog would be appropriate; it would be having a skilled technician and trainer choosing whether Lennox would make the cut as a working dog.  We would not ask the police trainer to evaluated Fire Department equipment, even though he might like the red suspenders.  To have the police handler evaluating Lennox as a behaviorist is a disservice to the dog-and the handler.

And the worst part of this?  The case is no longer about Lennox.  It is about rules, it is about discrimination, and finally about egos.  Problem is, the bruised egos will heal-but when Lennox is dead, he is dead.

Jim Crosby      http://canineaggression.blogspot.com

Sarah Fisher is one of the nation’s leading experts in the field of canine behavior as well as being a TTouch practitioner.  She has spent seventeen years teaching, lecturing, filming, writing and working with a wide variety of dog breeds in the UK, South Africa and other European countries.  She works with shelter dogs, assistance dogs, working dogs, competition dogs and family dogs and specializes in working with animals who suffer from health and/or behavior problems and those in need of training.   Because of her additional experience in canine physiology she notices structural abnormalities in dogs that others miss and more compelling evidence comes out from her evaluation of Lennox that this is a dog that does not deserve to be in the position that he has found himself in.  This has happened to him because of highly flawed, knee-jerk legislation, developed from human fear and ignorance.

Sarah has asked that I post the following statement from her, and we encourage you to share it and re-post as widely as possible:

Statement on Lennox by Sarah Fisher

It has been brought to my attention that a small clip of my assessment of Lennox has been put on the internet.  This clip has been taken completely out of context and whilst I have remained relatively quiet on this case since I spoke in court, I feel that I am now forced to make a statement to clarify what actually happened during the time I was with Lennox.

Wrongly or rightly many documents and details about this case have been passed onto different parties. I do not feel it is appropriate for me at this moment to discuss in detail everything that has been said to me, nor to put forward my own ideas regarding all the statements made, as everyone is entitled to their own opinion and beliefs.  What I am qualified to do however is to discuss behaviour. My assessments, statements and videos of those assessments have been accepted in other court cases at Magistrates, County and Crown Courts here in the UK so the field of assessment in cases such as this is not unknown to me.

I do not care if I am to be criticized by members of the public or even other professional bodies as I have a wealth of experience handling and working with many breeds of dogs, large and small and I also work with horses with behavioural issues so do not need to defend the claims that I have little or no experience of working with powerful animals such as Pit Bull Types. I would however like to clarify that a Pit Bull Type is often a mix of dogs.  Nothing extraordinary happens to the psyche of a dog when it conforms to certain measurements.

I do care however that Lennox is being portrayed in a poor light through this video clip as my experience of handling Lennox was thoroughly enjoyable and I now feel the need to explain in greater detail the truth, as I see it, about my assessment.  I know that Victoria Stilwell has been what I would consider to be a sane voice amidst the madness that surrounds this case and she has seen full video footage of the assessments carried out by myself and David Ryan plus other documentation.

When the door to the van was first opened Lennox barked.  He barked at me three times when I approached.  As I said in my report this is not uncommon behaviour in any dog that is in a confined situation in a crate, kennel or in a car.  He was also shaking like a leaf but this does not come over in the video that my assistant took of this assessment.  He was clearly frightened as he could not have known what was going to happen to him and again this is not an uncommon behaviour in the dogs that come to me for help. No one has ever disputed that Lennox can be anxious around some strangers but I believe the key word some has sadly been overlooked.

I asked for someone that Lennox knew to take him out of the crate to keep his stress levels low. Entry and exit points can be a source of conflict for any dog. I was told I had to handle Lennox on my own for the entire assessment and that he had bitten the last person that came to see him.  This is the clip that has been released.  Had I had any concerns for my safety or those around me given that I was to be fully and wholly responsible for a dog that I do not know and that I had been told has bitten, I would not have continued with the assessment if I believed that dog to be a danger either to myself or those who were standing in the car park. Lennox gave me a lot of information about his temperament whilst in the crate.  In court however, and therefore under oath, Ms Lightfoot the Dog Warden stated that in fact Lennox had not bitten anyone so I have to assume on the evidence placed before the court that the statement made to me at the start of my assessment was untrue.  Given the publicity surrounding this case I am also confident that had Lennox actually bitten anyone whilst in the care of his family as has been suggested someone would have come forward by now.

I spent approx 15 minutes with Lennox prior to being taken from the crate, working with a clicker and some treats to see if, even in the environment that was causing him some anxiety, he could still learn and take direction from a stranger. He could. His eyes were soft and he was friendly. At this point I would also like to clarify the meaning of the word friendly.  It does not mean confident.  Was Lennox anxious? Yes.  Hostile?  No.

I believe that Lennox would have been totally at ease had I indeed taken him out myself but I also believe I have a duty of care to reduce stress where possible when handling any animal in a situation that is causing them distress.  No doubt this statement will also be taken out of context by those who wish to discredit me and to discredit my belief that Lennox is not a danger to the public based on my experience with him and also based on the video assessment carried out by David Ryan which I have also seen.

I use food in an assessment to monitor the dogs stress levels and emotions at all times. It is not a bribe. A habitually aggressive dog will generally seek out conflict in my experience but even these dogs can often be rehabilitated. No amount of food can disguise this behaviour and giving food to a dog with aggression issues can be extremely dangerous. The dog may be lured to a person by the promise of food but once it has taken the food it may panic as the offering of the food has now brought that dog into close proximity with the threat i.e. a stranger. I have worked with dogs with aggression issues and whilst some may well take the food, the person delivering the food may not be able to move once the food has gone as the movement of the person, even the smallest movement of their arm, may trigger the dog to lunge and bite. I would not hand feed a dog that I deem to be aggressive. The delivery of the treat must come from the person that the dog knows and trusts - not the stranger. The dog can learn to approach a threat and then turn back to the person that the dog trusts for the reward if the approach to the person is appropriate.  I use food throughout an assessment to monitor what is happening with the dog on an emotional and physical level not to make him my best friend.

Lennox was so gentle with the taking of the food both in the crate and also later in the car park.  He was also appropriate in his behaviour with the games we played. He was also gentle when he jumped up at me to see if he was allowed the food that I was withholding in my hand. When he realised it wasn't forthcoming he politely backed off. This would suggest to me that he has been around a family. Not chained up in a yard as has also been claimed by people who do not know the family or the dog.

Lennox showed excellent impulse control at all times and at no point did he grab me or my own clothing which many dogs do when getting excited by a game.  I have worked with some truly challenging dogs and some will become increasingly aroused by lead ragging or games with toys and start seriously mouthing or biting the handler’s arms or clothing. This can quickly flip over to more overt aggression and these dogs can be dangerous particularly if they are being handled by just one person.  It is imperative that dogs with this behaviour are taught a more appropriate way of interacting with people and responding to the leash and also greater self control. There are many ways to help dogs that have been encouraged, through mishandling and misunderstanding, to behave in such a manner.  Kicking and beating them is certainly not the answer.

Lennox does rag on the lead but it is very self controlled. He did not exhibit any of the behaviours that I have mentioned above. Regardless of what some uneducated people may wish to think, it is possible to glean a lot of information about a dog through games and food as many behaviour counsellors and trainers will confirm.

I wrote a fifteen page report on my experience with Lennox and my thoughts about the David Ryan assessment. In this report I state that I have concerns about the appearance of Lennox’s neck. In the video I explain this too.  His ears are unlevel and there was a change in the lay of his coat over the Atlas in line with the nuchal ligament that is present between T1 and C2 vertebrae.  Coat changes often occur in dogs, cats and horses that have suffered injury or those that are unwell. I have studied this over seventeen years of handling many animals. In all cases where I referred an animal back to a vet, whether it was in the care of a shelter, owned by my private clients or students that I teach changes to the soft tissue or skeleton were noted on further detailed investigation.  When I see this around the neck in a dog I know that it is likely to give the dog cause for concern when someone unknown to that dog attempts to handle the collar or put on or take off a lead.  Coat changes may well be present where deep bruising has also occurred. Pain and pain memory is a key factor in many behavioural problems.

Lennox was quite rightly put on Amitriptyline. I do not believe that the Council have failed in their duty to care for Lennox when it comes to the stress that he has been under and I understand that this drug is used to treat anxiety and depression.  It was with interest, though, that I discovered that this drug is also used to treat chronic pain in dogs. Again this was mentioned in my written report.  This may explain in part why my experience with Lennox seems to fly in the face of other evidence presented before the courts. He was not on Amitriptyline when he was assessed by David Ryan.

I would absolutely move on to touch an animal all over its body in any assessment that I do.  I may or may not choose to muzzle a dog that is unknown to me to do this if I have concerns about the body language that I have seen prior to this part of my assessment.  I elected not to stroke Lennox all over because of my concerns about his neck, the newly forming scabs that were present on his flanks and the blood that was present around the nail beds around his right hind foot. This decision was made based on the physical evidence before me not because I felt I would be in danger.  I talked about this in court which was open to the public and at the end of my assessment which is also on film I explained this to a representative from the BCC Dog Warden team and asked if there was anything else that she would like me to do with Lennox.  She said no.

I cannot comment on what happened when Lennox was seized or measured by Peter Tallack because I wasn't there. I can explain behaviour though and any frightened animal can be intimidating. I have recently been in Romania working with traumatised horses and two stallions had not been mucked out for months as the staff (men) were too scared to go in with them. They called them 'pitbulls' such is the misguided impression of this type of dog.  Hay had been simply thrown over the stable doors and their water buckets were hanging crushed against the stable wall.  I went in with them, not because I have any desire to be a hero, but because I can read an animal well and within minutes they were quiet, standing at the end of their stables albeit it pressed up against the walls. I was calm with them and we took out all the filthy bedding and fetched new water buckets for them too. They didn't attack anyone. They were simply terrified and they were not provoked. I spent time with one of them on my own, hand feeding him and was finally able to touch his face. This process probably took less than half an hour. I was totally absorbed in what I was doing and when I turned to walk out I realised that one of the Romanian men had been watching me. He raised his eyebrows, gave me the thumbs up and walked away. Other people could then go in with this magnificent horse too and hand feed him the fresh sweet grass that we had picked from the surrounding fields so it isn’t simply that I am quiet in my handling of animals nor possess some extraordinary skill that can make even the most savage lion behave like a lamb when in my company.

I can perhaps, help an animal that is struggling, gain trust in human beings as many people can.  I can perhaps work with a difficult animal and make it look as though that animal is calm but all the time I am reading that animal. Every second of the way. I am looking at the eyes if it is safe to do so, I am watching the respiration, I am studying the movement, the set of the ears and the tail and so on and my opinions about an animal are based on many years of working in this way.  One case that will always stand out in my mind was a large member of the Bull Breed family.  I believe she was two years old.  I won’t go into the details here but I will say that when I worked with her she appeared to be very good to the member of kennel staff that was watching.  At the end of my assessment the member of staff asked me what I thought.  I sadly had to say that I thought the dog should be put to sleep. The member of staff was horrified and I remember her saying ‘but she’s been so good with you’.  But I had noticed some worrying signs.  The shelter ignored my advice and rehomed the dog who savaged the new owner so badly the owner ended up in the ICU. Of course the dog was immediately destroyed.

I knew what I was walking into when I agreed to go and assess Lennox for the family.  To have to defend Lennox outside of the court has, however, come as a surprise.  I have made this statement to shed a little more light on what is a distressing case for all those involved,  knowing full well that I will no doubt be subject to further scrutiny and criticism. So be it. I am not afraid. If nothing else this case has highlighted some important issues about the fears and prejudice concerning dogs, their breed types and their behaviour. Certainly it highlights the sad truth as Xenephon said so wisely in 400 BC. ‘Where knowledge ends, violence begins.’

Sarah Fisher

Also discussed, Victoria's upcoming trip to San Diego for a dog training conference and pet expo, her upcoming live tour dates, Holly's work as a correspondent for CNN, and the new podcast sponsor, Pets Add Life.

Ask Victoria featured questions about why it took so long for the new podcast season to start, how to puppy proof your home, whether neutering will stop bullying behavior and more.

The hot topic was the case of Lennox, a pit bull type dog in Belfast who is scheduled to be euthanized due to Northern Ireland's antiquated breed specific legislation (BSL).

In my official report I stated:  ‘Lennox showed a number of deference behaviours including turning his head away, licking his lips, turning his body and walking away, in response to David Ryan’s attempts to frustrate him.   This is an impressive trait in any dog and shows a dog using submissive behaviour rather than offensive behaviour to cope in what is a relatively stressful situation.’

At one point Lennox lunged at David Ryan, the piece of video that has been released in a sad attempt, by those against Lennox and the campaign to free him, to show what a dangerous dog he is.  This has in actual fact back-fired, because now it gives me no choice but to comment, as an expert with fifteen years experience of canine behavior and ten years of working with all breeds including pit bull types in the United States, on that particular reaction, that I included in my statement to the courts.

My report continued:  ‘If a dog, that would rather practice avoidance and take himself away from threat, is unable to do so and the threat comes closer and does not allow the dog any chance to escape, the dog has no other choice but to respond defensively.  Lennox reacted defensively when David Ryan approached him and Lennox was stuck between two chairs and the wall with nowhere to go to.  He tried to get away but when this failed he lunged defensively at David Ryan.  Even though this was a defensive gesture, Lennox still showed incredible impulse control and bite inhibition.  A dog is faster than the fastest Olympic athlete when it comes to response time.  If Lennox intended to harm David Ryan he could have easily bitten him while he lunged, before Mr. Ryan had time to react, but Lennox chose to warn him (a complete stranger) out of his space instead, rather than inflict harm, and this was impressive to see…… Lennox showed impressive restraint and lunged at David Ryan with the intent to warn him to go away from him, without harming him. ‘

You see, this is essentially what people do not understand.  Behind every growl, snap, lunge etc is a dog signalling its intent.  The intent is to warn someone or something out of its space.  Aggression serves an important function, to increase distance, to get the threat to move away.  Some dogs, especially those that have been dominated, suppressed or abused by a human, learn by that mishandling to not give these warning signals and suppress these signals, going straight to bite.  These dogs are made dangerous because of what humans teach them in their attempt to curb unwanted behavior.  The dogs that warn instead of going to bite are less dangerous because they are signaling their intent first.  If this warning is not heeded, they will lunge or try another way of getting that someone to move away from them, still without intent to harm.  This is what Lennox had no choice but to do.  Believe me, he could have inflicted a lot of harm on David if he was truly the dangerous dog that some people believe he is and instead Lennox chose not to bite, maul, attack or inflict damage in any way, shape or form.  He lunged and barked at David instead.   When that was done, Lennox continued to show many appeasement and pacification signals as well as signaling his stress, such as lip licking and turning his head and body away.

I also witnessed Sarah Fisher’s assessment on Lennox and, again, most of her assessment won’t be shown because the world would then see how impressive Lennox was with yet another complete stranger handling him.  At one point Lennox started playing with the leash, something that many bored dogs do, regardless of breed.  At no point did he threaten Sarah, try to bite her or become aggressively aroused when she pulled the leash away from him and he  released the leash when he was asked to.  The  prosecution’s ‘expert’, Peter Tallack, a police dog handler, was apparently dismissive of the majority of Fisher’s report, saying that she did not ‘challenge’ the dog enough and was more focused on building a rapport with the dog.  In his ruling, the judge in this case showed yet another flaw in the execution of BSL, in that he clearly is not aware of the basics of dog behavior and basically decided to believe that Tallack’s confrontational approach rather than Fisher’s experienced and scientificially-based methodology was more influential in his decision-making.

The judge basically had a choice to make:  do I believe the police dog handler, or a learned and internationally respected dog behaviorist with extensive experience regarding dog aggression.  He apparently fixated on the fact that due to Britain’s BSL laws, she had little experience working with actual pit bull type dogs, finding that to be a major flaw in her credibility and authority. Yet again, this shows an ignorance at the heart of the problems with BSL:  to conduct a behavioral assessment of a pit bull type dog does not require any special training or experience other than what would be required for any other breed of dog.   Yes, they are a strong breed, but I have no doubt that Fisher has worked with countless larger dogs, including other bully breeds types, capable of inflicting as much or more harm than the strongest pit bull could.

The judge based his decision that Lennox was a threat to society on stereotypes, misleading ‘expert’ reports, and his own apparent distrust of strong dogs.   In his ruling, Judge Rodgers repeatedly refers to an episode where Lennox jumped up on and knocked back the dog warden who came to confiscate him.  Court records indicate that two other animal control employees witnessed this.  Even though the actual behavioral cause and effect  of such an action can almost always be successfully and appropriately explained, the main point here is that a person such as Judge Rodgers, who is unqualified to analyze dog behavior, can easily and mistakenly draw incorrect conclusions regarding the severity, motivation for and circumstances surrounding such behavior.  If all dogs who jump up on strangers in their house were guilty of being dangerous dogs, there would not be many dogs left in homes.  To fixate on this occurrence and point to it as further proof of Lennox’s dangerousness is reckless and misguided.

Every person can form and will form an opinion on a snapshot of behaviour they see, taken out of context and misunderstood by ignorance.  Both David Ryan and Sarah Fisher have stated that Lennox is not a dangerous dog and I will stand by their cumulative years of expertise in the field of canine behavior, rather than listen to those who, through no fault of their own, cannot read or misunderstand canine ‘language.’

In the 18 months since Lennox was taken from his family and put in a stressful environment and situation away from those he trusted and loved most, he has been a pawn in a political game that serves to take a flawed piece of legislation, such as BSL, to an all time disgraceful level.  BSL makes innocent dogs the criminals because of how they look, regardless of their actual temperament.  Your money, taxpayers’ money, is being spent by councils  to seek out and confiscate these breed types, taking innocent family members away from their families, rather than tackling the real issue of  dangerous dogs.  If Belfast City Council and other governments like it really want to keep a community safe, go after the irresponsible owners who either raise their dogs in a violent manner, do not socialize them or integrate them into society in any way, allow their dogs to wander off leash and do not heed any warning signs or make any attempt to curb aggressive behavior.  Seek to penalize them to the full extent of the law, and protect your citizens by addressing the issue of dangerous dogs of all breeds, not spending your tax payers’ money on taking innocent dogs away from their families because of the way they look.

There are two sides to any story and there are always things that are said out of sadness, anger, frustration and pain.   I do not condone violence or threatening behavior of any sort to any persons involved in this case.  But whatever continues in the human battle over this issue, my frustration lies with the fact that regardless what has been said, the true experts’ opinions in Lennox’s case have been thrown over for behavioral opinions that were given by the prosecution’s expert Peter Tallack, even though he stated himself that he was not brought on to do a ‘behavioural test or assessment’ of Lennox, but to assess only whether Lennox was of pit bull type or not.  He himself admitted that the ‘circumstances in which Lennox is being examined are not ideal’ and in this he was absolutely right.  Even if he was brought onto do a behavioral assessment, you cannot do a proper assessment or get a true picture of behavior of any dog in or around the vicinity of the kennel where that dog is being confined and where it is experiencing fear, stress and confusion.  To get a true picture of behavior tests should be done in all different environments and situations including confined spaces, the home environment, and other indoor and outdoor locations, on and off leash and different times of the day.   As he stated, his examination was ‘90% physical conformation and only 10% behavioural’ and therefore his findings were, ‘based on how Lennox looks and not how he behaves,’ yet his statements on Lennox’s behavior under thephysical examination he was supposed to be conducting, were upheld and championed as key components of the judge’s decision to euthanize Lennox.   I agree with those who say that you cannot predict future behavior in any animal just as you cannot predict it in any human.  The judge also fixated on the concept that the dog is unpredictable.  What dog isn’t?  What animal isn’t unpredictable?  If a dog is truly dangerous then I want that dog off the streets as much as the next person, but Lennox has been so unfairly treated in this case because of the situation that he was taken, the stress he has had to endure since his confinement and now the cruelty of those who seek to destroy him and his family with malicious particularly over social media, that someone needs to highlight the fact that from the start, Lennox was never given a fair chance.  This case was decided the day Lennox was taken from his family in May 2010.

I myself have been threatened in different ways by supporting Lennox and his family, but that is what fear does.  In order to hide the truth and serve a purpose, people will use intimidation tactics to scare others away, in an attempt to stop the truth from coming out.  To the few that use threats against me and others, there are millions of people around the world singing with one voice.  I am not alone, but am supported by those millions that are sick of seeing these witch hunts take place, when the real issue of dangerous dogs is not being addressed and people are still getting hurt or losing their lives to dog attacks because of irresponsible ownership.  BSL tackles the wrong end of the leash and we should be putting our efforts into stopping future attacks by actual dangerous dogs, rather than putting the focus on taking animals away from their families because of the way they look.

Lennox is scheduled to be euthanized in a few days.  Chances for overturning the verdict are slim, and having read the judge’s official opinion in the case, I hold very little hope that he will recognize he has let his personal feelings about this issue cloud his decision-making process.  He has chosen to rely on people unqualified to correctly assess and describe the true nature of certain events relating to dog behavior.  We will campaign for justice throughout Lennox’s life and beyond.  We must learn from this and make Lennox and his family’s struggle a rallying cry for change.

And I agree with all of that.  I've said much of it myself in interviews on national press many times.  And yet still, these tragic incidents keep happening.  And that's even not to mention the millions of dog bites that go unreported and don't require professional medical attention.  In the US alone, there are over 4.5 million reported dog bites each year, 800,000 of which require a trip to the doctor.

What we're doing is not working.

That's why I've dedicated myself and my company's resources to try and make a difference and reduce the number of dog bites that happen each year.  I'm in the process of setting up the first ever Dog Bite Prevention Task Force, which is charged with determining what the root causes of the problem are and how to effectively address them once and for all.  Comprised of trainers, behaviorists, legal professionals, legislators, animal control specialists, pediatric surgeons and reconstructive surgeons around the country, we will be bringing together the best and brightest minds to figure out how and why dog bites happen, what precedes them,  how they are investigated, who should be held responsible, and most importantly, how to stop them from occurring.

For example, by digging into the data from some of the most high profile cases involving canine homicides (the term used when a dog kills a human), we've found one fascinating common thread in almost all scenarios:  one component of the scenario is unnatural.  That means that in every case, either the child is being looked after by grandparents, the dog is being house-sat by an uncle, the whole family (including the dog) are visiting relatives in a different house, etc.  There's almost always one part of the equation that is not the everyday norm for either the dog, child, caregivers, or environment.  This important revelation can help us determine how to most effectively educate dog owners and parents of children about what to look out for in an otherwise seemingly normal situation.  If we can stop just one beautiful little child from losing his or her life, it will be worth it.

But my goal is even larger than that.

Ashlynn Dawn Anderson

Last year, I had the opportunity to meet with the lovely Anderson family.  Just over a year ago, they lost their beautiful daughter, Ashlynn, in a fatal dog attack.  I met the family when I was in Oregon, and I was struck by their determination to do everything they can to help other families avoid a similar tragedy.  They have set up a non-profit organization called Dads Against Dangerous Dogs, and though they lost their little treasure to dogs, one of the most remarkable things about them is that they have not jumped to the most obvious target.  They do not blame any specific breed for Ashlynn's death, rather they are focused on increasing awareness about the fact that any dog - any breed, any size, etc - can be a danger to little ones if not properly managed.

Obviously, education is the key to stopping this from happening.  We all know that.  But we've known it for a long time, and yet the message isn't effective enough to make a significant difference.  As a society, we must figure out a more successful way to get the message across.

Download your free copy of Pet Meets Baby here!

That's why I've decided to support the American Humane Association's safe handling initiative - Pet Meets Baby.  This is an easy-to-read, comprehensive free booklet that can help dog owners and parents of children without pets by making them aware of how to safely and effectively introduce pets to new babies and vice versa.  By widely distributing this information in maternity wards, pediatricians' offices and beyond, we hope that this will make a difference.  It's important to note that even parents of children without pets should read Pet Meets Baby, since all kids end up interacting with animals at some point, whether at grandma's house, on playdates or walking in the park.

I've donated some great prizes (Positively t-shirts, signed books, It's Me or the Dog DVDs, etc) to a free contest anyone can enter by providing some brief feedback about Pet Meets Baby.  Plus, one lucky winner will win the grand prize - a 30 minute phone consultation with me where we can talk about your dog and anything else you can think of!

Enter the contest by visiting the Pet Meets Baby homepage!

More info about the Pet Meets Baby contest.

Read my Safety Guide for Children and Dogs.

As in several other countries, states and territories, Northern Ireland has unfortunately continued to adhere to outdated and misguided thinking that assumes that a dog’s behavior can be determined based on the way it looks.  Such breed-specific legislation (BSL) has been repeatedly shown to be ineffective in reducing the number of dog bites (its advocates’ usual rationale), primarily because it focuses on the wrong end of the leash.  I’ve railed against BSL extensively in the past in previous articles and posts – you can read them here.

The Belfast City Council and the judge in charge of Lennox’s case watched and heard expert testimony by some very accomplished behaviorists such as the wonderful Sarah Fisher, but they ultimately appear to have chosen to put more stock in what they heard from a dog handler named Peter Tallack and some of the dog wardens that took him from the family's home.  All three wardens were found to have lied under oath, but even this did not stop the judge from reaching his decision.  That decision was a travesty and a tragedy.  I watched video footage  of two extensive evaluations of Lennox by Sarah Fisher and another accomplished expert, David Ryan.  Suffice to say, anyone with even a rudimentary understanding of dog behavior would agree that though poor Lennox was a fearful dog, he showed amazing impulse control and trust in the strangers that were handling him.  The overwhelming majority of video evidence I saw supports the family’s claim that despite the incredibly challenging conditions he’s been forced to live in for the past year, Lennox remains an innocent dog.  Part of Tallack's testimony apparently highlighted the fact that a dog should not respond defensively even when being mishandled, including being hit, pushed around, poked in the eye and shouted at.  If a dog reacts aggressively while being treated in this manner it is a dangerous dog.   He obviously sets very high standards for these animals but I'm sure if he was pushed around and feared for his life, he would react accordingly in order to defend himself.  Obviously in his mind, dogs should not do that.

Like the family and Lennox’s many supporters, I have been heartened and overwhelmed by the huge response since the verdict came down last Friday.  The only good news is that there is a 14-day window before Lennox’s scheduled euthanasia, but this is primarily a procedural technicality and does not offer much hope of the judge reversing his unfortunate decision.

What this may do, however, is provide a glimmer of hope that we may appeal to some heretofore unseen shred of humanity in the legal decision-makers of this case to spare Lennox’s life by allowing him to be relocated to a jurisdiction that does not practice such draconian methods.  We are exploring many options and I’ll certainly keep you updated, and you can check out the official Save Lennox page here.

I don’t agree with BSL.  But when its failings as a concept and its cruelty in practice are publicly exposed as they have been in the case of Lennox, it truly sickens me.  As supposedly civilized societies, we must begin to realize that we have a responsibility to do what’s right not just for us, but also for the animals that we’ve chosen to domesticate over the past several thousand years.  As a passionate advocate for responsible dog ownership, I am more than aware of the need to find an answer to the issue of increasingly dangerous and common dog bites, especially on children.  (Check out my dog/child safety tips and American Humane’s Pet Meets Baby campaign for more info.)  However we must recognize that human education and awareness are the keys to solving this problem, not banning certain types of dogs.  Any breed of dog can bite, and any breed of dog can be a great family pet.

Hopefully we’ll be able to save Lennox.   Either way, though, his case has helped highlight what’s wrong with BSL and we must make sure that his story has not been told in vain.

My yorkie-chihuahua won’t let me look at her teeth. She barks when someone comes to the door. I was sitting on the couch watching TV and she cried at the gate we have up. She also licks her bottom nonstop. She wont let me brush her teeth either. What should I do - can you help me?

Annaleigh,
Alabama

Victoria:  There are a lot of puppy books already out there. What made you decide to write this book?

Sophia:  I wrote this book because I needed a resource that would provide my dog-owning clients. I wanted to provide them with step-by-step, photo-illustrated solutions to their most common puppy and adult dog problems.  You can tell owners and then show them what to do and how to do it but they do best when they also have photo-illustrated instructions where each step is documented visually in pictures so they can see what the steps look like any time they want.

Even more important, I’ve found from the research projects I carried out on training protocols and handling procedures, that people also need to see what it looks like when they are performing the techniques incorrectly otherwise they think they are doing the right thing when in fact they are making mistakes.  Overall, three factors:

1. seeing photos of the training steps
2. having enough training steps so that there are no gaps in the sequences, and
3. seeing what can go wrong, greatly improve the rate of success.

VS:  In this book, you personalize the book by focusing on the training of your fathers’ Australian Cattle Dog puppy, Lucy. How did you make that choice?

SY:  Well, my dad declared one summer that he wanted a new puppy because my parents had recently lost their 13-year old Scottie to cancer. He knew exactly what he wanted—an Australian Cattle dog that looked just like his past cattle dog Rudy, and he wanted it ASAP.

Apart from the obvious concern that no matter how much the puppy looked like his old dog, it would not act like his old dog, I was concerned about how the puppy would eventually turn out. My dad has a history of raising dogs that turn out to be aggressive in some situations. Their 13-year old Scottie never showed signs because I had owned her first. But their first Boxer was an unneutered male who was aggressive to dogs and wandered the neighborhood. The second Boxer was a neutered male who was aggressive to some people. His most recent Australian Cattle dog, Rudy—who was otherwise a great dog—was fear aggressive if unfamiliar dogs got in his face. I already have a wonderful Jack Russell Terrier, Jonesy, with fear and arousal issues who keeps me on my toes, I really didn’t need to inherit an aggressive Australian Cattle dog down the road. And as you probably know, Australian Cattle Dogs can have a tendency towards aggression if not socialized appropriately.

So I decided that I would keep the puppy for a week as soon as I got her and then train her as much as possible before giving her to my dad. I knew that she could form great habits and be well on her way to being a perfect pup in just that one week if I ran her through my Learn to Earn Program and started her socialization, so I decided to document her training in pictures (and video) so that my clients as well as other dog owners could benefit from my task.

The great thing about using this puppy, Lucy as an example within the book is that I can specifically tell people how long it took for her to learn habits such as automatically sitting to go through doors, to get petted and to play fetch. The information is not just vague. It’s very specific and it gives people and idea of what can go write and the little glitches along the way.

VS:  It’s called Perfect Puppy in a Week. Can you actually get a perfect puppy in a week?

SY:  With the Learn to Earn program where you focus on teaching the puppy to say please by sitting for everything she wants and you are aware of your every interaction with your puppy, yes, you can form good habits in just a week. Each exercise only takes 5-10 minutes for the puppy to learn and we train the puppy that it’s fun. Probably the coolest thing for owners is that they get to see the puppy make the choice to behave in a desired way.

But what really makes the program unique is that owners learn how to make the good behaviors a habit, rather than just a trick performed for treats. It’s not just about training puppies to sit or come. It’s about training them to sit or come every time you want them to do so in all the appropriate instances. The key is to make it fun and use all of the dog’s motivators—food, petting, praise, getting the leash on, going outside—to your advantage and to make sure you don’t accidentally reward them for the unwanted behaviors. That combination is what makes the training so fast.

That being said, because readers will just be learning the exercises, and trying to teach their dog at the same time, it will take longer for them. And once the dog knows the exercises, it’s about being consistent enough to make the polite behaviors a habit. For Lucy, I didn’t expect that she’d be good for my parents until they also learned how to reward the good behaviors and make sure she didn’t get rewarded for unwanted ones. But she was pretty perfect for me, my assistants, and the visitors who visited.

VS:  What do you think are the biggest misconceptions people have about training puppies?

SY:  People think you should wait until the puppy is older to start training and as a result, they spend the first weeks inadvertently rewarding unwanted behaviors or instead of controlling the environment and immediately setting up the situation for success.

For instance, puppies are really energetic and love to nip and jump. People think that because it’s a puppy these behaviors are ok, but once they start getting scratches and wounds from the nipping that they have accidentally rewarded, or when the puppy is larger and knocking people down, it can be much harder to break these habits and form new desired ones. So a behavior that could be fixed in just a few days with a puppy might take weeks or months once the puppy is older.

VS:  Will starting young ruin your puppy?

SY:  Back when most people were training using force-based methods, yes starting puppies young could ruin them. The puppies just learned that whatever they did, they’d get a correction that might scare them or that might hurt. So, you can imagine that dogs that were bred as working dogs would not have a high drive to hunt or do protection work if they learned as a puppy that the world was a place where humans give lots of scary or painful corrections. So these trainers would say you had to wait until the dogs was mature enough. What they meant was mature enough to handle the force-based corrections without crumbling.

This whole situation is akin to taking young children and putting him into a school program where he is mostly corrected for doing things wrong rather than being shown in a step-by-step manner how to do things right, being rewarded for good behaviors frequently. I think everyone has had some type of incident when they were young and someone told them “you’re no good at that—you’re a bad drawer, or singer, or bad at math” and those negative words at that young age have stuck with the kids for a long time. Similarly for puppies, training based on punishing unwanted behaviors rather than setting them up for success can ruin them or at minimum produce a very different dog that what you would get otherwise.

VS:  How does your training differ from the correction-based training?

SY:  Similar to your approach on Its Me or the Dog, science-based training is about rewarding the behaviors we want and removing the rewards for unwanted behaviors. And it really focuses on making good behavior fun so that the puppy will want to be good. Many people don’t realize this, but in order to reward only the desired behaviors the humans have to be aware of all of their interactions with the dog. For instance, if they would like their puppy to greet them politely by sitting instead of jumping on them to get them to interact or give attention, they must clearly remove their attention, when the puppy starts to jump. Generally that means, standing still and looking away. Then as soon as the puppy sits they can reward with a sequence of treats—the first for sitting and the rest for remaining seated— and later with praise and petting, once the puppy can sit for food.

It also means that during other times during the day when the dog solicits attention but may not be as excited, they also must remove their attention until the dog sits. That is, in the most exciting situations, the dog will jump, but in less exciting situations the dog may just push against the owner, or climb into the owners lap. If the humans reward the pushy attention behavior in the low excitement situations, then they dog will definitely continue to perform the pushy behavior in the high excitement situations too. Hence it may take forever for the puppy to learn to greet politely.

VS:  This book really focuses on breaking the exercises down into steps and on the postures and movement of the owner.

SY:  Yes. The most difficult thing for owners is to realize that dogs care what you do now what you say. They don’t understand English or other language, but they do naturally understand and read your body language. So in order to communicate clearly with dogs, we have to be aware of how we’re standing, how we deliver rewards, and how we move around the dog. For instance if you lean over the puppy to give him a treat, he’ll have a tendency to jump because it looks like you are soliciting attention. That’s why for treat delivery I focus on standing up straight and bending your knees while delivery the treat with an outstretched arm. Similarly if you hold the food reward too high, you’ll train the dog to jump to get it. It doesn’t matter if you’re telling him “no,” he’s going to pay attention more to what your body language says, “Jump up to get the treat I’m extending out to you.” So it’s important foe people to know what their body language is telling the dog so that they can up a communicate clearly.

Part II of this interview will be posted shortly...  Stay tuned!

Atlanta, GA., Sept 16, 2011 – Atlanta Underdog Initiative, a pit bull and mastiff advocacy and outreach organization, has partnered with Atlanta Pit Bull Parents, a support and educational group for pit bull owners, to host the Georgia premiere of the documentary film Beyond the Myth on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Plaza Theater in Atlanta, GA.  The film—which has been screening across the U.S. to rave reviews and high praise—aims to educate the public about the discrimination unfairly placed on Pit Bull-type dogs, as well as underscore the ineffectiveness and harmful impact of breed specific laws.

Beyond the Myth explores the contributing factors behind the public’s generalized fear of Pit Bull-type dogs and examines the conflict existing between advocates and opponents of breed-discriminatory laws and asks the question “Exactly what is a pit-bull”.  Several Georgia municipalities including College Park, Lawrenceville, and Floyd County have enacted legislation discriminating against dogs deemed to have Pit Bull-like characteristics, despite the fact that there is no one breed of dog known as the “pit bull”, or evidence showing that targeting dogs with certain physical characteristics reduces dog bites.

Filmmaker and former producer for Home and Garden Television, Libby Sherrill was first motivated to create the film as a graduate student at the University of Tennessee and three years later her theme has been honed to reveal stories in four U.S. cities where Breed Specific Legislation focusing on "pit bulls" has profoundly impacted people and animals: Denver, Miami, Cincinnati, and San Francisco. Denver’s ordinance has led to the killing of more than 4,000 dogs since 1989.

Sherrill has poured energy into a film she hopes will bring about awareness to both the cruelty and ineffectiveness of Breed Specific Legislation, as well as debunk the myth that pit bulls are inherently more dangerous than other dogs. “I along with every major animal organization in this country who know something about dog behavior believe every dog, like every person, should be treated as an individual and given a legitimate chance for a great life with a responsible human”, says Sherrill.

Victoria announcing the Legacy Award at the 1st annual Hero Dog Awards.

What a amazing night!

I knew it would be powerful, I knew I would shed some tears, and I knew it would be emotional.  But I don’t think any of us who attended the American Humane Association’s first annual Hero Dog Awards were prepared for just how special this event would be.

The Hero Dog Awards were created to celebrate the unbelievable work being done by dogs that regularly go above and beyond for their owners or others.  Nominations were open to the public for several months, followed by a period where both the general public as well as a list of celebrity judges  voted on winners from each of the eight categories.  Those eight finalists and their people came to Los Angeles this past weekend for a magical couple of days, and they led the procession down the red carpet on Saturday night, wowing both the media assembled at the event and those of us lucky enough to meet them in person during the awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton.

Victoria with lovely Hero Dog nominee Ricochet, the surfing therapy superstar.

As a National Ambassador for American Humane and one of the celebrity judges for the awards, I had read all of their amazing stories and was well aware of what made them heroes for all of us.  But to see these wonderful dogs in person was something I’ll always treasure.  From Ricochet, the dog who surfs with disabled people, to Bino, a retired military dog responsible for training entire generations of other hero dogs, every animal there deserved to win the grand prize – the title of American Hero Dog and a $10,000 donation to the charity of their owner’s choice.

With Michael Hingson, whose late guide dog Roselle helped him escape from the collapsing World Trade Center on 9/11.

Last year I created the Victoria Stilwell Foundation, a charitable entity dedicated to providing support for canine assistance organizations.  The inspiration for my foundation was watching the amazing work being done by therapy dogs in the family assistance center after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York.  The motto for the foundation is “Helping dogs help people”, so while each dog there was equally deserving,  I was thrilled when Roselle ended up winning the award.

Roselle, who passed away earlier this year, was a guide dog for a blind man named Michael Hingson.  At work in the World Trade Center on the 78^th floor of Tower One that fateful morning, Roselle calmly led Michael owner down 1463 stairs and through the streets of New York while debris from the falling towers fell all around them.  I had the honor of meeting Michael this weekend, as well as most of the other nominees.  To see their filmed stories and watch them work with their owners in person was truly an honor, and as I mentioned while presenting the Legacy Award to the legendary Rin Tin Tin, the whole evening made me want to hurry home and hug my own two hero dogs.

I know I’m not alone in thinking that all of our dogs are hero dogs in their own way.  So while this weekend was truly special and one that I won’t ever forget, I couldn't wait to get home to Jasmine and Sadie, give them big hugs and thank them for all they do for our family.

Be sure to tune in to the national broadcast of last night’s ceremony on the Hallmark Channel on November 11.

Check out my photo gallery from the Hero Dog Awards here.

Is there such a thing??? I mean really folks, canine unemployment? Yes, Yes, yes!  That’s what I say.  Our shelters are filled to the brims and dogs are being tossed aside like yesterday’s news.  It’s because the unemployment rate for dogs is too high!

Dogs are faithful companions, but what are we really doing for them???  We feed them, water them, and pat them on the head and if they are lucky they may get a walk for 15 min.  Now I am not saying that every dog in America is treated this way but a high percentage are and then these unexercised un-stimulated dogs start exhibiting behaviors that are not house or people friendly and off to the shelter they go.

Your dog needs a job, it is only fair, and after all you have one.  Our pets are crying out for something to do and its time owners started listening.

Each breed of dog has a history, where they came from, what they were used for etc.  If you tap into your dog’s history and give him his old job back or one that maybe mimics his old job you will see the canine version of extreme bliss.

The husky for instance loves to run and pull so teach him to do that!  Give him his old job back.  Teaching a dog to pull a lightweight sled is easier than you think and these sleds are available along with the proper pulling harnesses to the general public you just have to know where to look.  Pulling is just not for the Iditarod dogs your yellow lab can do it too and he will have a blast and so will you and the kids.  I know, I got strange looks when my yellow lab Beezer and I would tool around our subdivision on our small kick sled but what a wonderful way to share time with your best buddy.  Beezer would see the racing harness come out and he would start to scream with excitement just as if he was at the starting line of the Iditarod.   Think outside the box when it comes to exercise with your dog.  There is a huge world out there for dogs and their owners to find new and exciting jobs they can do together.   I challenge each and every one of you to get your dog’s old job back for him or her.  Experience the joy of something new and exciting you can do together. Let’s end CANINE UNEMPLOYMENT!

The new show features the popular CNN host and premiered earlier this week.

In the upcoming segment, Victoria will be giving Anderson tips on how to brush his dog's teeth and watch as he attempts to reduce his canine companion's bad breath.  Also involved in the piece will be comedienne and Curb Your Enthusiasm alum Susie Essman, with whom Victoria appeared on several episodes of Curb: The Discussions.

The new show is in syndication, meaning the specific channel and air time are determined locally.

To check local listings in your area, use the "When It's On" link on the Anderson Cooper homepage here:  www.andersoncooper.com.

On that bright September morning ten years ago when the world changed before our eyes, our collective experience was etched into our personal histories in the way that only those truly transformative historical occasions can imprint us:  Pearl Harbor, JFK, 9/11.

Having moved to Manhattan the year before the attacks, I had been going through a not entirely smooth transition from the leafy suburbs of London.  I had been used to driving where I needed to go, having family nearby, and regularly escaping into the vast swaths of greenspace that are scattered throughout the city where I had lived all my life.  Moving to New York City with my husband at the beginning of the millennium had been rewarding in many ways, but I still harbored deep longing for my hometown while somehow slightly resenting New York for not being London.

We were living in a one-bedroom apartment on the 4^th floor of an old building in Hell’s Kitchen in September, 2001.  I was working as a dog trainer in and around Manhattan, cutting my teeth in one of the world’s most unique environments for dogs with some of the most colorful clients you could imagine.  The events of 9/11 changed all of us in ways large and small, and for me, one of those small changes was that I truly became a New Yorker.  In the spirit of JFK’s “Ich bin ein Berliner” moment, I believe that peaceful, loving, selfless citizens all over the world became New Yorkers that day.  Just as we all also became Londoners on 7/7 after the train attacks, Indonesians and Japanese after the tsunamis, and Haitians after the earthquake.

Certain events pull us all together and lead us in new and more fruitful directions, sometimes even out of the smoke and rubble of tragedies like those endured at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.  For me, in addition to my newfound sense of ownership and pride in my adopted city, those tragic events also provided me a backdrop from which I would build an even greater appreciation of the power and grace of man’s best friend.

Pier 94 on Manhattan's west side served as the Family Assistance Center for victims' loved ones.

In the days and weeks following the attacks on the World Trade Center, the West Side Highway along the Hudson River near where we lived became a sort of pipeline for those working through the carnage downtown.  Countless times each hour, a fire truck or bus filled with search and rescue teams hurtled back and forth from Ground Zero down a road lined on both sides with well wishers and those of us who felt compelled to do something – anything.  Many of us who lived nearby felt a constant sense of helplessness – we wanted to be a part of the effort somehow.  Part of our city, country and way of life had been threatened and disrupted, and we needed to help support those who were literally doing the heavy lifting both emotionally and physically.

I was working as a volunteer adoption counselor at New York’s ASPCA during this time, and after investigating what options were available to those of looking to help during those dark days, I ended up at Pier 94 on the Hudson River.  FEMA, the Red Cross, and other organizations set up areas within the massive pier to organize the search for missing persons, and the ASPCA began the task of rehoming animals whose owners had died in the tragedy, as well as coordinating the large number of therapy dogs that came to provide comfort for the victims’ families.  My job was to organize which dogs would accompany the families on the boats making daily trips from the pier down the Hudson River to Ground Zero.  It was a chance for the families to remember their loved ones and to throw flowers and wreaths into the river in their memory.

Photo credit Patrick Schneider - Charlotte Observer

I had been aware of and even worked with a few therapy dogs before 9/11, but the days I spent witnessing the immense power of these dogs as they poured themselves out for the bereaved was truly amazing, and served as the inspiration for what eventually became my charitable foundation.

Therapy dogs bring comfort and companionship to people in all kinds of situations, helping the elderly, the sick and the disabled, relieving their pain and anxiety.  A therapy dog must be calm, confident, patient and enjoy meeting and being touched by strangers.   It is well documented that dogs improve a person’s health by lowering blood pressure, relieving anxiety and boosting immunity.  Playing with a dog can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine, nerve transmitters that promote pleasure and calm.  According to several studies, heart attack patients that have pets survive longer than those without and male pet owners in particular have lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels, two key components of heart disease.  But even beyond the physiological chemistry of how it all works, to watch a therapy dog bring the first smile to the face of a boy who had lost his father in the towers was witness to a heartwarming mini-miracle.

Photo Credit Andrea Booher, FEMA

The dogs who served during and after 9/11 were shining examples of what has become known as hero dogs.  Along with Whoopi Goldberg, I am co-hosting a tribute evening on behalf of American Humane Association in honor of the search and rescue, therapy, and support dogs who gave of themselves so bravely 10 years ago.  The event in New York on September 8^th will help kick off American Humane Association’s Hero Dog month as we lead up to the official Hero Dog Awards in L.A. on October 1^st.  Click here to find out more about this special event.

There are many of us around the world who are dedicated to helping dogs who can’t help themselves, but I wanted to find a way to help support the extraordinary work being done by organizations that helped dogs who help people, too.  That’s why I created the Victoria Stilwell Foundation, whose mission is to provide behavior advice and financial assistance to canine assistance organizations around the world.  Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to the Foundation and helping us make the world a better place not just for dogs, but also for the people who rely on them for help.

As we reflect on the loss we suffered ten years ago and how it changed the world we live in, I think it’s also important to look forward and try to identify whatever positives we can glean from the wreckage.  I’m currently filming the 8^th season of It’s Me or the Dog in New York City, and I feel honored to be back in my adopted city as this important anniversary draws near.  We will never forget what happened that day, nor those who gave their lives then and in the years that have followed so that we can live in freedom.

“Humans need to think about what the cat needs and then give him an appropriate outlet for that need,” she said. “In the beginning, it may be necessary to close off certain parts of the house until the cat has learned to scratch on the appropriate item. Covering items with tinfoil, though not my favorite, also works because cats won’t like the feel of it on their claws.”

Read the full article.

Clockwise from bottom left: Nicole Wilde, Cathy Bruce, Amber Burkhalter, Victoria Stilwell

I love Nicole Wilde.  She is such a lovely woman and a true powerhouse in our collective quest to promote positive training at the expense of dominance and fear-based methods.  I first met her several years ago when she stopped by our house in Atlanta for some dinner while she was in town for one of her popular dog training seminars, and we instantly hit it off.

I recently caught up with Nicole to discuss her latest book, ‘Don’t Leave Me!’ – a fantastic resource for those who have dogs struggling with separation anxiety.  I love this book, and recommend you buy it today if you don’t already have it!

Victoria Stilwell:  What made you decide to write “Don’t Leave Me!”?

Nicole Wilde:  Well, actually, I wasn’t intending to write a book about separation anxiety! But a year after our dogs had crossed over, I found myself searching the shelters for a new family member. I eventually found a wonderful female husky-keeshond mix. When I went to sign the adoption papers, I learned that she’d been impounded four times previously. I now believe that was probably due to a combination of separation anxiety and being a consummate escape artist. After the first year living with Sierra and her separation issues, I realized that a comprehensive book on the subject was warranted. That’s our girl Sierra on the cover!

VS:      What sorts of things did you learn by living full-time with a dog who has separation issues, as opposed to what you already knew as a professional behavior specialist?

NW:    Living with Sierra has given me a much deeper understanding of what owners of dogs with this issue go through. Although I had helped many clients to address separation anxiety over the years, I hadn’t really understood the extent of the emotional turmoil it caused to both dog and owner and the upheaval to one’s lifestyle.

It became important for me to come up with creative management solutions even beyond those I had previously used in my professional practice. Overall, my experiences with Sierra caused me to search beyond the traditional recommendations for addressing the issue, to get creative with solutions, and to become very organized in my approach.

VS:      The book appears to be partly a workbook. Can you talk about that?

NW:    Because the problem of separation anxiety can seem so overwhelming, and because so much of the available information is very general, I wanted to give owners a way to formulate a plan for their own individual dog. The book begins by guiding the reader through a few simple exercises to determine whether their dog has true separation anxiety, is simply acting out of boredom, or has “isolation distress,” meaning they are fine as long as there is another warm body present. In subsequent chapters, owners are assisted in brainstorming management solutions and in creating an appropriate  “Alone Zone” for their dog, and are given step-by-step assistance to formulate a customized treatment plan. Getting it all down on paper helps owners to feel less helpless and overwhelmed, and empowers them by creating a solid plan of action.

VS:      Along with useful exercises such as desensitizing the dog to departure cues, you offer a few different behavior modification protocols. Why not just one?

NW:   Because every dog is starting at a different point along the anxiety continuum. Some dogs become distressed when separated from their owner physically or visually—these are often the “Velcro dogs” who don’t want to let the owner out of their sight, even for a minute! Then there are those who are fine so long as the owner is at home, but become anxious as soon as the owner prepares to leave. Other dogs don’t become upset until the owner is actually gone. So there are different protocols to follow, depending on the particular dog.

VS:      You also discuss complementary tools and therapies that may help. Can you discuss one or two?

NW:    Leaving calming music playing when you are gone is one of the easiest ways to help your dog to relax. This goes beyond the old advice to leave a radio or television playing. Studies have shown that classical music, played with sparse instrumentation at a specific tempo, can have a calming effect on dogs. I recommend the Through a Dog’s Ear CDs, which are psycho-acoustically designed specifically for this purpose—but the chapter also discusses how you can use classical music you have on hand.

Another helpful modality is DAP, or Dog Appeasing Pheromone. This product chemically mimics the pheromones that are given off by a lactating female dog. In addition to being calming to puppies, it is also calming to adult dogs. The product looks like a plug-in air freshener, and you place it in your dog’s main resting area. I’ve had good success with DAP with some of my clients’ dogs. All of the things mentioned in this section, including the natural alternatives to pharmacological drugs, may help and won’t cause harm. They are definitely worth trying, and should be done in conjunction with behavior modification.

VS:      In addition to helping owners, do you feel this book would be particularly helpful to shelters or rescue groups?

NW:    Absolutely! It’s an unfortunate fact that some dogs who are rehomed will have separation issues. I offer deep discounts to shelters and rescue groups. Some organizations hand the books out to adopters of dogs with known separation issues, while others sell them, for example, in on-site humane society gift shops. This is an issue that is very close to my heart, and I want to do whatever I can to help. My hope is that the book will help dogs and their owners, and by doing so, keep dogs in their forever homes.

VS:      Fantastic stuff – thanks so much, Nicole, and I’ll see you in a couple of months!

Purchase “Don’t Leave Me!” and “Help For Your Fearful Dog" in the Positively store.

On September 8th, 2011, Victoria will commemorate the 10th anniversary of their extraordinary service by helping to kick off American Humane's Hero Dog Awards at this very special event to honor the heroism of the 9/11 animal first responders.

To buy tickets, click here.

To see the full invitation, click here.

Search and rescue dogs, military dogs, guide dogs, hearing dogs, law enforcement and arson dogs, service dogs, therapy dogs, and family dogs that perform acts of kindness and comfort…
celebrating that wonderful unique relationship between people and dogs that can change lives, save lives, and touch our hearts.

First and foremost get new ID tags BEFORE YOU MOVE and attach them to your pets collar right away. Get to know the veterinarians in your new area and pick one ahead of time if you can.

I feel it is best to board your dog at a familiar kennel for a few days while the packing is underway and the house is getting torn apart.  Think about it, think about what your dog is seeing and he cannot use the human language to tell you of his confusion and fright.  Always put yourself in your dog’s paws and try and see things from his point of view it’s a real eye opener.   What if someone came into your home started pulling things off the walls, putting your belongings into crates and boxes WITH NO EXPLANATION TO YOU? There is no doubt you would be very frightened and freaked out by the overwhelming process that was taking place. That’s how your pet can feel when they are being moved out of their familiar home into a new home.

My next suggestion is plan on boarding your dog on the other end of the move as well until you can get at least two rooms in some kind of order. Your pet needs to have some type of safe area in the new home one that is not full of boxes.  Keep a favorite toy or bed with them at all times.

Remember, even the best-behaved pet may turn into a bit of a door dasher in an unfamiliar house so keep a sharp eye when going in and out until the house becomes “home” to them.  Every dog is different so adjustment time will vary with each dog.

If there is a fenced yard you must walk the perimeter and do a fence check to make sure there are no gaps or holes where your dog could get out.  Making sure your new backyard is secure for your pet is a must.  Do not take it for granted that the yard and fence are secure and safe you must check it. It is best not to leave your dog outside for extended periods of time in a strange yard unsupervised they may try and dig or jump out.  Sometimes owners just assume a yard is a yard and if the dog stays outside at home for extended periods its no different in the new yard.  Don’t make that mistake, your dog does not know where he is yet, this is not “home” he may try and escape if he is feeling overwhelmed.   As each day passes and things settle down so will everyone in the family and soon the strange smelling, funny looking new place will become “home” to everyone.

Our 2 yr old golden doodle has been diagnosed w/ OCD because she chases shadows constantly. She did not start this behavior until she was about a year old. We’ve tried medications that have not worked, but what we really want is to know if this is something that training would help. She is very intelligent, but I don’t know how to train her. We just do not have trainers available in Mississippi. We are desperate. When she is in ”shadow zone” she’s like a zombie. Please help.

Thank you,
Jamie P., Madison, MS

 Leggi in italiano

Victoria:  How long have you been training dogs, and have you always used positive reinforcement
methods?

Giorgio:  Are almost ten years now that I train dogs and I always used positive reinforcement methods; this is because my first formation was with the first dog trainer that used this method here in Italy: Carlo Marzoli. Of course I was already sure that we could approach dogs with different methods from those used so far.

VS:  How prevalent are dominance-based, aversive training techniques and philosophies in Italy?   Can you tell a difference in how progressive certain European countries are in their attitudes towards dogs compared to one another?

GG:  In these recent years things are changing in Italy. There are many dog trainers class formation that reject dominance-based and aversive training techniques using positive reinforcement methods so the new trainer have a canine culture based on respect and on relationship with dogs. Unfortunately, there is still a culture based on old conception and on traditional knowledge that produce bad works with dog and no respect of the dog. In Europe I think we have great differences between certain countries: UK, France, and Nordic country (Sweden, Finland and Denmark) are maybe the best country about dog training with positive methods. I don’t know a lot about Germany but the news I have are not so clear. Italy, Spain and Greece are growing up and maybe the majority problems we have are about the facilities for dogs like hospitality in Hotel, bar, restaurants, shops and public transport even if, during a my recent holidays in Spain, I had not problem to find many hotels that accept dogs.

VS:  What made you decide to become a Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Trainer, and how do you feel it sets you apart from other dog trainers in your area?

GG:  The decision to become a VSPDT member was a sort of challenge with myself.  After many years working I wanted to understand if my working methods could be at the same level of other international dog trainers.  Of course have a better chance to disclose a good canine culture and be a member of an important association like this convinced me to try this experience.  Many dog trainers in Italy know Victoria Stilwell and the “It’s Me or the Dog” TV show and they are often surprised when I tell them about the VSPDT and my membership.  They believe that it’s too much difficult to reach, but I think that if we work in the right way we can reach great results.

VS:  Tell us about your facility outside Rome, Il Cane a Norma.  It’s named after your own dog, right?  What types of services do you offer and what message are you trying to convey to the local dog-owning public?

GG:   Yes, Il cane a Norma is sort of pun for my dog training center. My dog (Norma) changed my life and gave to me a job and a future many years ago so she deserved to give the name for my business. We offer base education and advanced training as obedience, rally-o, agility dog, nose works and discdog. More we help our customers to solve behavior problem of their dogs. We try to inform our public that there new methods to educate and train the dogs and that is better to begin immediately, with puppies, without waiting to have problems. Life with our dogs is long and it’s should be a good life for both. Moreover we have class formation for new dog trainer and during the year we plan seminars and courses about specific dog activities.

VS:  What is The Dog Trainers Company?

GG:   The Dog Trainers Company is a new company I have founded with the aim to provide professional service for the dog trainers in Italy. Seminars, events, technical equipments, workshops are the first goals for the DTC.

VS:  You’re hosting renowned ethologist Roger Abrantes at your facility this September.  Tell us a bit about him, why you decided to invite him to your first seminar, and what ethology is all about.

GG:   Yes, our first guest will be Roger Abrantes, one of the most important person that studies animal behavior. PhD in Evolutionary Biology and Ethology, and BA in Philosophy, DHC, DF, MAPBC, born in Portugal in 1951, has lived most of his life in Denmark.He is the author to 17 books in English, German, Spanish, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Italian, and Czech, and innumerous articles on behavior. He is probably one of the most versatile ethologists in the world. He has written popular books with sound advice to pet owners as well as theoretical scientific dissertations. He teaches ethology, anthropology, and epistemology (theory of knowledge), besides his practical work with dogs and horses.

He is a popular guest in TV and radio programs in his home countries and in the US. His English books Dog Language–An Encyclopedia of Canine Behavior and The Evolution Of Canine Social Behavior became hits the moment they reached the US bookshelves. He lectures often in the US.

Dr. Abrantes is especially known for his views on social behavior and its applications to the daily understanding of pet behavior; and for his no-nonsense working methods, a practical and thorough application of Ethology and Learning Theory, teaching the animal the new patterns patiently and efficiently step by step. In our seminar in Rome he will speak about SMAF (signal, meaning and form) his traning method and the second day he will present his last work about the dog behavior problems. Why Roger Abrantes? Because we think that Italy is ready to hear international experts and it’s ready to learn from them.  Download a PDF about Roger’s Seminar at Il Cane Norma here.

VS:  Giorgio, thanks so much for taking the time to chat with us today.  I look forward to getting over to Italy very soon and joining forces with you in person to help spread the word that there’s a better way to train… Positively – and that the concept of treating animals with the love, respect and trust that they deserve is a common language that we all share, regardless of nationality.

For more information about Giorgio, Il Cane Norma, dog training in Italy or the Dog Training Company and its upcoming seminars, please visit:

www.thedogtc.com

http://www.ilcaneanorma.com/semiabrantes.asp

ITALIAN VERSION

Leggi in inglese.

Victoria: Da quanto tempo ti occupi di educazione e addestramento del cane, e hai sempre usato il rinforzo positivo come metodo di apprendimento?

Giorgio: Sono ormai quasi dieci anni che lavoro con i cani e ho sempre usato metodi positivi con loro; questo perché la mia formazione fu con una persona che molto probabilmente per prima in Italia aveva iniziato a proporsi al cane in modo positivo: Carlo Marzoli. Naturalmente decisi di seguire questa metodologia perché fin dall’epoca ero sicuro che potevamo insegnare al cane ciò che ci interessava con metodi diversi da quelli utilizzati in Italia sino a quel momento.

VS: Quanto sono presenti in Italia metodi di addestramento basati sulla dominanza e su tecniche di coercizione? Puoi dirci qualcosa sulle differenze che si riscontrano nei diversi paesi in Europa e sui loro modi di proporsi al cane?

GG: In questi ultimi anni le cose in Italia stanno sicuramente cambiando. Ci sono molte scuole di formazione per istruttori cinofili che rifiutano categoricamente metodi coercitivi e l’utilizzo della dominanza, questo fa si che tutti i nuovi professionisti divulghino una corretta cultura cinofila basata sul rispetto e sulla costruzione di una buona relazione col cane. Purtroppo esistono ancora realtà dove l’utilizzo della violenza e della costrizione sul cane sono la normalità. Credo che molto dipenda da vecchie conoscenze legate in qualche modo ad una tradizione e concezione antica del cane e ad una poca volontà di aggiornarsi e cambiare il proprio modo di lavoro. In Europa ritengo che esistono grandi differenze tra vari paesi su come viene inteso il cane e il suo rapporto con l’uomo. Gran Bretagna, Francia, e Paesi Nordici (Svezia, Finlandia e Danimarca) sono forse tra i migliori paesi in Europa riguardo l’utilizzo del metodo positivo per l’addestramento del cane. Non so molto per quello che riguarda la Germania ma le poche esperienze avute in quel paese e le notizie che arrivano sono spesso contrastanti. Italia, Spagna e Grecia stanno crescendo e stanno migliorando la loro posizione e forse il maggiore problema che si riscontra è nei servizi offerti ai cani. Risulta molto difficile trovare Hotel, bar, ristoranti, negozi e mezzi di trasporto che accettano cani, anche se, durante una mia recente vacanza in Spagna con i miei cani, non ho avuto grossi problemi nel trovare strutture che li accettassero.

VS: Cosa ti ha fatto decidere di diventare un membro della VSPDT e cosa pensano i tuoi colleghi di lavoro in Italia?

GG: E’ stata una specie di sfida con me stesso. Dopo molti anni di lavoro volevo capire se la mia preparazione poteva essere messa in confronto con istruttori internazionali di alto livello. Naturalmente avere la possibilità di divulgare nel miglior modo una corretta cultura cinofila ed essere membro di una associazione così importante mi hanno spinto a provare questa esperienza. Molti istruttori cinofili in Italia conoscono Victoria Stilwell e il suo programma televisivo “Basta, o io o il cane” e spesso sono rimangono molto stupiti quando racconto la mia esperienza con la VSPDT. Questo perché pensano che sia troppo difficile da intraprendere ma io sono convinto che quando si lavora bene qualsiasi risultato è raggiungibile.

VS: Raccontaci qualcosa sul tuo centro cinofilo, prende il nome dal tuo cane vero? Che tipo di servizi offri e qual’ è il messaggio che vuoi portare ai tuoi clienti?

GG: Si, esatto. Il cane a Norma è un gioco di parole creato col nome del mio cane. Norma ha cambiato la mia vita, mi ha dato un lavoro e un futuro e il minimo che potessi fare era dedicargli il centro cinofilo. Come prima cosa ci occupiamo di educazione di base e di addestramento avanzato come obedience, rally-o, agility dog, lavori olfattivi e discdog. Aiutiamo inoltre i nostri clienti a risolvere i problemi comportamentali dei loro cani. Ciò che proviamo a fare è specialmente far capire ai proprietari che esistono nuovi metodi per educare i cani e per insegnare loro i diversi esercizi e che naturalmente è meglio iniziare il prima possibile….. con il cucciolo, senza aspettare di avere problemi. La vita insieme al nostro cane è lunga e dovrebbe essere vissuta nel miglior modo per tutti.

Infine presso il nostro centro ci occupiamo di formazione con corsi per chi vuole intraprendere questa professione e durante l’anno organizziamo seminari e stages su attività specifiche con i cani.

Che cos’è la Dog Trainers Company? La Dog Trainers Company è una nuova società che ho fondato insieme ad alcuni amici e colleghi che ha lo scopo di proporre servizi professionali agli istruttori cinofili. Eventi, stages, seminari, materiale tecnico e altre iniziative sono i primi obiettivi che la DTC si propone.

VS: Ospiterete l’etologo di fama mondiale mondiale nel seminario di Settembre: raccontaci qualcosa su di lui e perché avete deciso di invitarlo al vostro primo evento.

GG: Si, il nostro primo ospite sarà Roger Abrantes, uno dei maggiori studiosi del comportamento animale. Etologo e laureato biologia dell’evoluzione è nato in Portogallo e ha vissuto gran parte della sua vita in Danimarca. E’ autore di 17 libri in diverse lingue quali inglese, tedesco, spagnolo, danese, svedese, norvegese, italiano e ceco e ha pubblicato diversi articoli sul comportamento animale. Insegna etologia, antropologia e teoria dell’apprendimento, il tutto correlato dal lavoro pratico con cani e cavalli. E’ un ospite popolare in programmi televisivi e radiofonici. Il suo libro più importante, “il linguaggio del cane”, è sicuramente un testo che non può mancare nella formazione di un istruttore cinofilo. E’ particolarmente conosciuto per il suo pensiero sul comportamento sociale e per il suo metodo di apprendimento sviluppato negli anni conosciuto come SMAF (signal, meaning and form). Nel nostro seminario parlerà proprio dello SMAF e nel secondo giorno presenterà il suo ultimo lavoro sui problemi comportamentali del cane. Perché abbiamo invitato proprio lui? Perché pensiamo che l’Italia adesso è pronta per ascoltare esperti internazionali ed è pronta ad imparare da loro. E’ solo il primo, ne seguiranno altri e tutti molto importanti.

VS:  Giorgio, grazie per aver parlato con noi oggi. Mi sto preparando per venire in Italia molto presto e unire le mie forze con le tue per dire al mondo che c’è un modo migliore per addestrare……. Il metodo Positivo - e che l’idea di trattare gli animali con amore, rispetto e fiducia è un linguaggio comune che tutti dovrebbero condividere indipendentemente dalla nazionalità.

Per maggiori informazioni:
www.thedogtc.com

http://www.ilcaneanorma.com/semiabrantes.asp

Last week Lowes had the post on sale for $11.50 each I hustled to the store to purchase the 8 that I needed plus all the other supplies such as 2x4s, nails, and cement.

As it was raining I covered the cement with a tarp for the trip to the farm.  When I arrived at the farm. I then took all the supplies to the area I where I was planning to build the barn; but the cement I took to my small shed where  I had some tools stored. With eighty pounds of cement on my shoulder I placed each bag in the shed in an area that was dry and covered with a tarp.

On Saturday the rain had stopped some so I took off to the farm with the dogs. I started to build  the barn, First set the 2x4s in a perfect square ; then staked up everything so it would be  square and level.

Now I started to dig the post holes. Wow didn’t know that I  had clay that close to the surface of the ground. My arms were just about to break off after 3 holes, the rain had started so I called it a day.

Sunday morning the rain had stopped and it appeared that there would be sunshine even with 25 degrees for the high that day. I took a couple of Advil to help the sore arms and shoulders. Then loaded up the dogs for our day at the farm.

I began to dig the remaining holes with some strong arms, but after the second hole I started to take longer breaks between holes.  Finally I got to the last hole! I must admit I did try to dig that one faster and with out stopping to breath.

Now to cement the poles in the ground, I found I had to walk up hill about 75 yards to the small shed to get an 80 pound sack of cement then tote it back to the area of the new barn. At first I thought “you big stupid” but then some where the mucho man inside of  me said “ this will get you in shape”. So I began to tote each bag to the new barn site , fill the poles holes and level and straighten.

On the fourth or fifth trip to the shed, I might mention that the  shed doorway is 5 foot, I picked up a bag of cement slung it over my shoulder as I had done before, but this time  I stumbled slipped and staggered out the doorway. Did I mention that I am 5 feet 11 inches tall?  I began to fall forward and to gain my balance I stood up. BAM I hit the top to the door way with my head. Down to the ground I went , HARD!   I lay there for a long time hoping that some one would come take the 80 pound sack of cement off me. Or some one would just come see if they could see my brain  as I just knew I had a gapping hole in my head.

Maggie Lucille and Star were to busy searching for some critter so they were no help.  Laying there in the water that had turned to ICE, I realized that I had my cell phone. Help would be on the way soon.  I called my son Bryan who lives only 5-6 miles away, ‘no answer’. I called my wife; who was in town shopping, ‘no answer’  I called my daughter who lives about 38 miles away, ‘no answer’. I called my son who lives in Florida, ’no answer” !!!

The ice was sticking to me by this time, I had  to get the sack of cement off me. I did not want to be found with  80 pounds of cement on me while I was face down in the rain and ice.  What would people think. I rolled and rolled on the ground. Now the dogs come ; they think this is some kind of new training that I am teaching them. A new game, they are now jumping on my back and splashing ice water on me. Why is ‘leave me alone not a command”? I will teach them this command if I can just get this sack of cement off of me I thought as I struggled.

Finally I rolled the sack of cement  off my body. I started to stand, bells, stars, black spots in my eyes, and rain made me stay on the ground.  I sat on  my knees till I could see the truck over there. I could not stand I was just to dang dizzy. So I crawled toward the truck, dang dogs think this is another new game , ( a reminder to self teach “ leave me alone next week”).

With all the strength I had in my sore arms and hands I could gather I reached for the door handle on the truck. Locked! The keys were ’way’ over there by the shed that I had just crawled from.  I crawled back to the shed; dogs jumping on me ( this aint funny you animals). I got the keys; crawled back to the truck (NOT Jumping on a crawling person is also  being taught next week).

I unlocked the truck crawled inside turned on the heater. I sat there for a very long time letting the ice melt from my clothes an face.  When I got to feeling better I found some dry clothes in the truck, I began to towel off the rain from my face to find that it was not rain but BLOOD. ! My blood!  I was bleeding and since it was my blood I was thinking this is very serious.

After adjusting the mirror in two different angles I found I had a huge cut on my head. Still somewhat dizzy and not thinking real well because of the blow to the head and  nearly freezing  I thought I will rip off some of this “duct tape” and plaster on my bleeding head.  First aid on the job site --- I missed that class!

I sat in the truck for an hour or more   before I felt that I could drive home.  I called the dogs ; they piled into the back seat of my truck. Each one of them saw the big splat of duct tape on my bleeding head . Each one of them had to smell or lick my head. I will teach that class next week also.

I drove to the main highway and headed home. I  called my Mom and Dad who might give me some pity. Dad answered the phone on the first ring. I said “ I’m okay”. Dad said “well I am glad to hear that “ he hung up.

So today I am home with a large lump on my head, very large bandage on the top of my head, bruised forehead and burns on my  head where I had to pull the ‘duct tape’ off last night. That removed some the hair on head also. Like I needed less hair.

So the training of ‘leave me alone’ has started and  just so you know “I’m Okay”

Bill McFarlin

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Well guess what:  there's a new prequel out in stores now:  Marley & Me: The Puppy Years went on sale this week, and I have a few copies to give away to fans who share their stories about life with their puppies.

The adorable sequel to the original hit movie follows the adventures of Marley as a puppy, and features some wonderful scenes of agility training. Agility is a great way for dogs (especially puppies) to socialize, build confidence and develop while having fun with their people!

What's great about this movie is that it reinforces the belief that exposing your young puppy to a wide range of novel cues -- new people, places, sounds and smells -- in a safe, happy, positive environment is the secret to a wonderfully well-adjusted dog.

Did you take your puppy to agility classes?  This is your chance to tell the world about all the craziness that ensued when you brought home your first puppy.

To enter for a chance to win a free DVD of the movie, just comment to this post telling us about your experience and 'Like' this page by clicking the Facebook button below.

For more information about how to win free merchandise from Victoria in the Pet Meets Baby sweepstakes, click here.

Listen to the interview:

Now what on earth does this have to do with dog training you may ask?  Hear me out.  So after cleaning my face, swallowing my frustration that while I was reaching in to feed my rabbits their beloved pellet breakfast, Smokey decided to spray me in the face, I decided to do some research.  My first question was “why” and my second question was “why then?”  Turns out that male rabbits can develop a tendency to spray urine to mark territory or if they feel threatened.   That somewhat answered my “why” question and the more I thought about it I realized my ritual of moving around food bowls and refilling water in the morning could absolutely lead Smokey to feel threatened OR territorial.

So where am I going with this?  I’d like to talk about empathy for a moment as it relates to our pets, namely our dogs.  Showing empathy is identifying with another’s feelings or emotionally putting yourself in the place of another.  Once I started thinking about why my rabbit Smokey might be spraying me (regardless of whether it was territorial or fear based) I started having empathy for him and I was not as frustrated.

One of the most fulfilling components of my job working with dogs and owners is helping them answer some of the possible “whys” of the dog’s behavior they might be frustrated about.  The owner can then put themselves in the dog’s shoes and try to look at the reality from the dog’s perspective.  I think empathy is a must in any good relationship and this point was driven home to me recently with a young client I was working with.  She could not empathize with the fear her young dog was experiencing and the behaviors that were associated with that fear.  In her words, the dog should just “get over it.”  Wow.  If someone were to put me in a room with a snake and deal with my fear by telling me to just “get over it” I would probably have some choice words for them!  I wonder how many times our dogs have some choice words they would like to say to us when we refuse to empathize with where they are coming from.

If you Google “empathy towards dogs” what you come up with is a long list of articles and essays on whether or not dogs are empathetic towards humans.  There is great research being done on this topic, but what surprised me was the lack of articles on what I was actually looking for which was writings on “human” empathy towards dogs.  It is an important element, not to be overlooked in the relationship between dog and owner.  It is sometimes easiest to walk into a shelter and feel empathic for the dog without a home, but when we turn our thoughts onto that unwanted behavior that our OWN dog displays at home, are we
able to afford them the same empathy?  I hope it is something we all strive to do, but it involves us sometimes having to put our own feelings of frustration or aggravation aside and trying to see things from the dog’s perspective.  At the end of the day this will lend itself to a greater understanding and better relationship with the wonderful canine companions we share our lives with.

Lauren from Norman, OK

“Wha hoo” says Lucy, our miniature Australian Shepherd, as walked into the large gymnasium-sized room at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.  Lucy spent eight years at the direction of medical professionals to help stroke, spinal cord injury and burn injury victims as a part of an animal assisted therapy program.

When Lucy walked into a room – everyone knew it, as she announced her entrance.  I was embarrassed and worked to correct this attention-seeking behavior.  But it was an effort in futility.  Lucy’s “Wha-hoo” sparked laugher.  What could I do?   And really, why would I?  A part of her function turned out to be simply to help people to laugh, who might not have had a reason to for a long time.

Once our animal assisted therapy assignment was to help a little boy – about 12 years old – to better use his voice by calling to Lucy from the other side of the large gymnasium-sized room.  Thing is, the boy was afraid of dogs.  Why would he ever want to call a dog who he was afraid of?

I tried telling a few jokes, and told the boy Lucy likes jokes and will laugh:

Q: What do you call a joking duck?

A:  wise-quacker!

Each time I told a joke, Lucy, would howl “Wha hoo.”

The jokes didn’t make the boy laugh, but Lucy did. And within 10 minutes, Lucy somehow broke the ice…and the boy quietly began to ask Lucy to “sit” or “roll over.” He was amazed that she listened to him. Lucy knew over a dozen little tricks, from “playing dead” to jumping through hoops.

Lucy visited the Rehab Institute weekly, and each week the boy seemed to gain more confidence and have more fun. We were told, he had two photos in his room, one was Michael Jordan, then with the Chicago Bulls and another was of Lucy.

In four weeks the boy achieved the assigned goal from the medical professionals – which was to call Lucy from other side of the room.  The following week, the boy called her so often – we had to stop him; he was exhausting poor Lucy.

The week after that, the little boy wasn’t there.  My wife Robin and I were worried because sometimes, in truth, the stories don’t always have happy endings.  One of the physical therapists came up to us in tears.

We thought, ‘Oh no.”

The therapist walked right by Robin and me, and went straight to Lucy with a cookie, and said “thank you.”  She then hugged us, and tearfully told us the little boy went home much sooner than expected, She credited Lucy.

The wonders of animal assisted therapy are mind boggling but definitive. No one knows how dogs like Lucy wiggle their way into the hearts of people – adults and kids - and somehow achieve success when medical professionals cannot.

Lucy wasn’t a dog who liked to snuggle, except for when she was working– and her job was to sit next to sick child – which she would do as long as asked.

Sometimes Lucy’s animal assisted therapy successes were dramatic, sometimes more subtle.  No doubt there are families who still tell stories of the little dog who made them smile, or helped them on their way to recovery.

Lucy came to us as an 8-week-old blue-merle puppy.  Lucy was – named for Lucille Ball – so, no wonder she made people laugh.  I can’t count how many times with a group of children, I’d ask them to holler the name of a language, any language – German, Swahili, whatever…  My contention was that Lucy could speak them all.  And somehow, without any discernable cue from me, Lucy would “Wha-hoo” as they’d offer up a language.

So one child may offer Japanese, and Lucy would “Wha-hoo”.

Then another, say Australian, and Lucy would reply “Wha-hoo.”

I am telling you – I am sure I was giving her some cue, but honestly, after a time I had no idea what that was.  Lucy just knew it was time to play this game.

Lucy was euthanized May 2, just a few weeks shy of her 16^th birthday.  Our veterinarian commented, “She was lucky to have you and Robin.”  Actually, we were lucky to have the little funny dog who made people laugh.

To honor our dog, the American Humane Association has created the Lucy Fund, to provide recognition and assistance to animal assisted therapy dog dogs.  American Humane is also naming an award in Lucy’s honor at the Hero Dog Awards. Please consider contributing to help all dogs who do this important work:   www.americanhumane.org/lucy.

I recently had the chance to catch up with my friend and dog training guru Dr. Patricia McConnell to chat about her latest book, Love Has No Age Limit.  Love this woman and what she does!

Victoria With Dr. Patricia McConnell

Victoria Stilwell:   Hi Patricia!  So glad you could find a few minutes to talk to me about your new book (which I love, by the way.)  As you know, you have been a huge influence on me as a dog trainer and I’m honored to be able to talk dog with you!

Patricia McConnell:  The honor is all mine, Victoria, it’s a joy to talk to someone who has done so much to promote humane (and effective!) dog training.

VS:  Why did you and your co-author, Karen London, decide to write Love Has No Age Limit?

PM:  We wrote the book to both encourage adoptions and, as importantly, to increase the percentage of successful ones. We’ve both had many clients over the years who adopted dogs from shelters and rescues who needed some guidance about how to transition their adopted dog from “new dog” to “best dog ever.”

VS:  Have you found that dogs from shelters or rescue groups have a special set of problems that need to be addressed?

PM:  In some ways, no. We’ve met (and adopted!) so many adolescent and adult dogs who were great dogs, really fantastic ones. However, it IS a bit different bringing home a dog who is not a puppy anymore, and it helps to have one’s expectations aligned with reality.

VS:  What have you found are the primary differences between bringing home a young puppy versus adopting a dog who is a bit older?

PM:  One important thing to keep in mind is that a dog who is “house trained” in one home doesn’t necessarily transfer that behavior to your home. Even well-trained, older dogs need to be watched carefully for the first few days so that they understand where to find the restroom. Take them out often and give them treats for relieving themselves outside so that they catch on before they establish a bad habit.

Another important tip is to remember that once a dog is no longer a puppy he or she doesn’t have an automatic “following” response. Too often adopters bring home a dog and expect it to jump out of the car and follow them into the house. We advise being

extremely cautious at first when you bring home a new dog: be sure the leash is on and in your hand before the dog leaves the car, and don’t assume that, if you have one,  your backyard fence is “dog-proof” without doing a careful check before you let the dog loose in it.

And overwhelmingly, the most important attribute to making an adoption work is to be patient! Just as puppies need months or years to learn the rules of the house, remember that your new dog needs time to get to know you and to settle in and feel at home. He or she also needs the humane and effective kind of training that you role model Victoria, to be a polite member of the family. Just because a dog isn’t a puppy doesn’t mean it doesn’t need to learn what you expect of it.

VS:  Some people have told me that they are resistant to adopting a dog from a shelter or humane society because the dog must have something wrong with it. Do dogs from shelters have more behavioral problems than other dogs?

PM:  Absolutely not. That doesn’t mean that every dog who needs a home is perfect, but there are so many wonderful dogs out there looking for homes. It’s true that they’ll need training and guidance to learn to fit into your household, but one of my best dogs ever came from a shelter, the one I renamed Lassie because she was the dog everyone wants but doesn’t deserve!

VS:  It certainly is a fantastic book, but I know that most shelters and rescue groups are strapped for money. Can they afford to give it out to adopters?

PM:  We worked very hard to create a book that is priced far, far below the usual retail cost for a book its size, so that shelters and rescue groups could afford to give it out with every dog they adopt. That’s been super successful --- a Golden Retriever rescue group (GRIN) in Ohio bought 500, and we’ve heard from lots of people who are buying multiple copies and donating them to their shelter. We want to do all that we can to help find homeless dogs their forever homes!

VS:  Fantastic.  Thanks so much, Patricia, and best of luck with the new book – it certainly is a valuable addition to your terrific catalog.  See you soon!

For more information about Dr. McConnell, go to www.patriciamcconnell.com

CLICK HERE to visit the Positively Store where you can buy Love Has No Age Limit and Dr. McConnell's other bestseller (and one of my favorite dog books - The Other End of the Leash.

Certified Humane

By Lisa Spector, Canine Music Expert, Juilliard Graduate, and co-creator of Through a Dog’s Ear.

I noticed the top of the Brown Cow yogurt I recently purchased. It read "We're Certified Humane". I continued to read, "Our farmers have always treated their cows with kindness. But, now that we're certified humane, you can be certain the ladies enjoy ample space, shelter, gentle handling, healthy food, clean water, and a safe living environment."

I reflected on those words and wondered if that phrase could also be used with dog trainers. Just imagine, if a trainer uses science based, positive-reinforcement training, everything associated them would say, "I'm certified humane." A further expanded explanation could read, "My dogs and the dogs in my training classes and lessons have always been treated with kindness. But, now that we're certified humane, you can be certain that they are treated gently, are encouraged to make good choices and are rewarded well for those choices, are not seen as something to dominate,  are taught very patiently, while their people are supported in building bonding relationships with their dogs."

Of course, if you are a Victoria Stilwell licensed trainer (VSPDT), you will likely have the Positively sign to the right (or something similar) on your website, so it will be obvious. Otherwise, it's not always so clear. I try and be very selective in who I follow on Twitter, and often can't tell what training methods a professional trainer uses by looking at their website. Trainers who use dominate based training methods often use deceptive words that could misguide potential clients. And dog lovers in search of a trainer may not know what science based/ reward based/positive reinforcement training really is all about. And the initials KPA, CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP, CDBC, CDAC might as well be in Greek to some of them.

What do you think? What words could be used to make it clear what kind of training method a trainer uses? Should a trainer that uses dominate based training methods be required to say so? And should there be a certification that would allow trainers to post a sign that says "We're Certified Humane", if they use positive reinforcement training? If you are a trainer, I'd love to hear what words you use to describe your training methods. Thanks for sharing your comments below.

As co-founder of Through a Dog’s Ear, I am offering my readers a free download from our latest release, Music to Calm your Canine Companion, Vol. 3. Simply click here and enter your email address and a link to the free download will be delivered to your inbox for you and your canine household to enjoy.

Over the past 6 years, It's Me or the Dog has become the definitive television destination for dog lovers and enthusiasts around the world due to Victoria's combination of unique wit, British charm and uncanny ability to turn any badly-behaved dog into a balanced, loving, well-heeled member of the family.  From the fiercest, most seemingly out-of-control bully breeds to the overpampered, faux-children handbag dogs of Manhattan's Upper East Side, Victoria has seen it all... and conquered every one.

Now Canadians have the opportunity to witness Victoria's amazing touch with dogs as well as her no-nonsense, straight-talking approach with their owners as she brings order into the most chaotic households.  Premiering on Tuesday, August 2nd at 7pm ET, It's Me or the Dog will be aired twice daily on Animal Planet Canada.

Click here for specific show times and listings.

I'll be c0-judging the awards along with Whoopi Goldberg, Betty White and others at the Hero Dog Awards ceremony in Los Angeles on October 1st, and I can tell you from looking through the nominated entries that it is not easy to choose.  We all know about the wonderful work being done by people to help animals, but this is a chance to celebrate the amazing things our animals do for us as well.

They are all such wonderful, heartwarming and heroic stories.

Have you voted for your Hero Dog yet?  Do it here:

You see, Treasure is a therapy dog. She is now loved and cherished for the role she has both in her own family, and in the hearts of others. Treasure visits people who are hoping for a friend. She shows no judgment. She loves to be touched and is just the right size to snuggle into a lap. Treasure visits people who can relate to her. When one woman living at an assisted living facility found out that Treasure couldn't see or hear her, she stated cheerfully, "Well, that's ok. I can't always see or hear that well myself." Her focus was not on what Treasure couldn't do, but on what they had in common and how that made them each special.

Treasure has a way of inspiring all those who meet her, but what she does best is to provide a welcome friend in a sometimes lonely world. To many, she is a hero every day.

Voting is now open for the Hero Dog Awards!

You can vote for Treasure here, or any of the other amazing hero dogs.

Leggi in italiano

Victoria:  How long have you been training dogs, and have you always used positive reinforcement methods?

Daniela:  I was a teenager when I had my first own dog and I immediately felt the need to buy my first training book in 1983 “complete guide for German Sheppard training“ . But I learned and used for the first time the positive reinforcement method in San Francisco CA in 1991, training a rescued greyhound.  I was teaching the dog to “come when called” and I used food as the positive reinforcer. After only a few days, I decided not to use food anymore because the dog had learned how to come back to me… and I lost the dog for one hour.  In Golden Gate Park!  This is a common mistake that almost every person makes when first using positive reinforcement method.  My clients also make this mistake within the 5^th lesson.  Then I tell them that positive reinforcement is used for two goals: teaching the behavior and MOTIVATING the behavior!  My Greyhound knew how to come back when called…but simply didn’t want to do it for nothing (no motivation). She had something nicer to do, somewhere else in the Park, that better called for her attention!!

VS:  How prevalent are dominance-based, aversive training techniques and philosophies in Italy?

DC:  In Italy is prohibited to use electric/shock collars but I still see and hear about aversive training and dominance-based techniques.  For example many “dog trainers” still use choke chains to teach the dog not to pull on leash and tie the dog till he can’t even breath.  The first thing I do with my customers that use choke chains is to remove it and take a harness from my bag.  Just to start.  I work to promote more science-based dog-learning, dog-language, positive reinforcement training.  For this reason I am also organizing a FIDO FESTIVAL called “QUA LA ZAMPA” in Barzio (Lecco – Italy) the 14th of August. It’s a full-day DOG festival with many scheduled events of culture and education throughout the day. We will talk about conscious adoption of dogs, slaughter in the “perreras" (Spain’s kennels),  how to recognize heatstroke and how to handle it, the best dog-equipment to use when training and for everyday life, we will have a group training of exercises using positive reinforcement methods and lastly we will have a dog parade!  (More details on www.daniela.cardillo.positively.com )

VS:  Can you tell a difference in how progressive certain European countries are in their attitudes towards dogs compared to one another?

DC:  Looking at Europe from the Italian point of view, it seems that England is the guideline for dog training in real life and dogs are really welcome everywhere also in the tourist reception.   In some countries like Spain, the law allows terrifying things: dogs that are in shelters are killed after 10 days if not requested from old owners or from a new family. When they are put in the dead-list, no food, no water, no care a all is given to them and then they are killed with NO regulations… i.e. in the incinerator still alive! And many many other terrifying things like this. I’m personally involved to help those dogs in the “perreras” and the FIDO FESTIVAL “QUA LA ZAMPA” is to economically support these dogs.

VS:  What made you decide to become a Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Trainer, and how do you feel it sets you apart from other dog trainers in your area?

DC:  I decided to become a Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Trainer because I share the philosophy of positive reinforcement method and I want to share with you, Victoria, and your worldwide team, the goal of offering the best (ethically and technically) for family dogs, rescued dogs, shelter dogs… and their lives.  I’m proud to be part of your Team and I’m ready to help dogs and their families with positive reinforcement training… for a better (dog)world.

VS:  Tell us about your facility outside Milan, Greendogs.  How did you come up with that name, what types of services do you offer and what message are you trying to convey to the local dog-owning public?

DC:  The name “Greendogs” comes from the traffic light! Red you stop, Green you go!

My goal is to let dogs be: be free to be dogs, good dogs with no problem, safe dogs, friendly dogs, happy dogs, so…GREENDOGS are dogs that can go everywhere with no problem at all!  I work in the Lecco, Brianza and Milano area exactly as you do in your TV program: I work in the house of the families, understand the problem from the human point of view and then from the dogs’ point of view. Then I make a schedule of number and type of sessions to do, write the goals end start with new rules and training exercises.

The families I work with, are mostly “distressed” for the problems directly and indirectly caused by their dogs… and too many times I’m the last chance for these dogs… So, an important job in my opinion!  I also work for puppy training, as a prevention to dog’s behavior problems… and a good education of the owners! if I don’t see my puppy-customers anymore…it means that I have done a great job with them!!  The message I want to give to the local dog-owning public is knowledge about the dogs, organizing the Fido Festival, training, seminars for learning dogs’ language, for a growing dog-culture.

Important appointment scheduled with Giorgio Guglielminotti (VSPDT) is a scientific seminar that will be held in Rome the 17th – 18th September 2011 with Roger Abrantes. This seminar is designed for dog trainers (www.greendogs.it for details).

VS:  Daniela, thanks so much for taking the time to chat with us today.  I look forward to getting over to Italy very soon and joining forces with you and Giorgio in person to help spread the word that there’s a better way to train… Positively – and that the concept of treating animals with the love, respect and trust that they deserve is a common language that we all share, regardless of nationality.

For more information, please visit:
www.greendogs.it
www.daniela.cardillo.positively.com

ITALIAN VERSION