WoofGang LLC

08/23/2024

08/22/2024

There are two skills that I think are essential for a dog to be safely off-leash: a recall and "wait". In this pic, we are practicing the latter skill. "Wait" means to stop where she is and not move any farther away from me. This is one skill we have really worked on and perfected. She just about skids to a stop when cued!

"Wait" and "stay" are NOT the same. "Stay" means to remain in the position that she's currently in, like staying in a "down". I use this when, for instance, I need to leave her in a spot while I move away from her. I used it today while in a outdoor cafe when I needed to leave the table to flag down the server.

But "stay" would not lend itself well in an off-leash situation like this. While I could ask her to do a "(stand) stay" here, it would be harder for her than a simple "wait". In a "wait", she is actually allowed to move back towards me or to remain where she is, as long as she gets no farther away. She can even stand there and pass the time with some sniffing if she'd like. That gives her something to occupy herself with while she waits for release, making it far easier for her to achieve than a "(stand) stay".

My dog is a companion, not an obedience competitor. Her training enriches her life (and mine!) by allowing her to have so many meaningful experiences -- accompanying our family in all that we do and having the freedom to enjoy off-leash experiences. She is a true companion

08/21/2024

When Tilly has the luxury of being off-leash, we take the opportunity to practice long-distance recall. One way to spark a more crisp response, especially with a breed like a shepherd, is to be out of sight when calling her.

Understanding a dog's breed is an essential component to dog training (though being aware of a dog's individual nature is necessary as well). In shepherds and other breeds bred to work and bond closely with their handlers, being out of sight will elicit her to seek her bonded handler with fervor. This would NOT work with a hound, a breed driven by scent or sight, nor would it work with a terrier, who is motivated by the pursuit of little scurrying animals. So it can be a challenge to harness a dog's innate tendencies for the purpose of training, and to assess potential limitations when necessary... for instance, some dogs should not be off-leash unless in a secure enclosure.

Having a strong recall like this means that Tilly and I can enjoy off-leash adventures safely, and it very definitely enriches her life.

08/20/2024

Tilly is truly in her element when she's off-leash. It gives her autonomy to experience the world at her own pace while I can experience the world at mine. In essence, we are both off-leash! I like to walk at a constant rate, while she likes to stop and sniff and investigate.

Of course, the freedom from the leash means that we both need to remain tethered to one another psychically. Without a leash to connect us, we both must be responsible for staying aware of the location of the other; she must keep track of me just as I must keep track of her. When she was younger, she was more likely to get consumed with her own activities and forget to attend to my location. So shaping this kind of awareness in her required training.

08/19/2024

So this is NEVER the right way to take your dog to an off-leash dog park. There are a host of reasons why people keep a leash on their dog... If the dog does not have a recall yet and cannot be counted to return to his owner, then he should not be there. If he shows inappropriate play behavior with other dogs, which might cause frustration or even aggression from another dog, then he should not be there. If he shows inconsistent behavior with dogs and can be unfriendly with some, then he should not be there. And, as is likely in this case, if he's a young puppy, inexperienced with other dogs, he should not be there! So there is no good reason to keep a leash on a dog in an off-leash dog park, and it is dangerous to him as well as to other dogs.

A leashed dog, surrounded by other unleashed dogs, does not have the autonomy to move as he might wish -- to get closer for further investigation or to escape when scared. Further, as in this picture, this puppy's leash is constantly tight, another reminder to him that he is hog-tied by his owner. Thus the leash can cause defensive behavior, meaning he may lash out at another dog to drive him away.

So what to do in those situations when tempted to leash? Without a recall, a dog needs more training before he can have the freedom of an off-leash experience. If he shows inconsistent or inappropriate behavior with other dogs, then he should be limited to playdates with playmates who he likes or is respectful of. Other dogs should not be exposed to his inappropriate play or his potential aggression. And for young puppies, a dog park is never the right choice because of the unfortunate possibility that someone else is trying to "socialize" their potentially aggressive dog, leaving him at risk of a behaviorally (and of course physically) damaging interaction.

For a dog-friendly dog, training is the best way to develop communication with a dog so that off-leash experiences are possible. Further, it is essential for forging relationship with a young dog. WoofGang can help! Contact us at (646) 345-5116 to set up a session. Like this for daily posts about all things dog! And sign up for the WoofGang emailing list... with tips, tricks, special offers and Mutt Morsels -- training tips that solve everyday problems. Simply click on http://eepurl.com/gQDqLX to subscribe and join! (You can unsubscribe at any time.)

08/15/2024

Look at Steffi! She's playing with the Catit Food Tree like an seasoned gambler plays multiple slot machines! She's got two paws going!

It helps to assess a pet's proficiencies and preferences when matching them up with puzzle toys. As Steffi is particularly pawsy, giving her toys like the Food Tree or the PetSafe Fish Bowl are great ways to play to her strengths. In fact, it helps me with portion control because I can put food in these toys for her that the other two kitties (who need to watch their weight) can't get to, as they're not as pawsy and therefore haven't cracked the code for these toys,

So, for instance, pets who like to play with balls may really enjoy playing with food distribution toys that roll. For cats, this is the PetSafe SlimCat toy; for dogs, it's the Omega Paw Tricky Treat Ball. For dogs who, like Steffi, are pawsy or nose-y, using toys like the Kong Wobbler or puzzles like the Nina Ottosson Brick might be really satisfying and fun. Further, with some pets who are finicky about eating, putting food in a toy can suddenly make mealtime more fun and interesting!

For more information on puzzle toys for dogs, check out the WoofGang handout Kongs Fit for a King (https://mywoofgang.com/handouts/KongStuffingRecipes.pdf).

08/14/2024

Henry is Tilly's first new acquaintance on our vacay. I wonder how long it will take for them to become friends. If Tilly has her way, it will be soon. She's pulling all of her most beguiling moves and Henry is clearly curious. He follows her all around the house and is getting ever closer but he still pulls his angry cat stance when she gets too close or invasive. He stays higher than Tilly when he has vertical options and follows above her, taking the occasional playful swipe.

Just for clarity, we started with Tilly on leash but she is so respectful of the sharp ends of a cat -- and Henry was clearly not hunting her down with evil intentions -- that we were able to take it off fairly soon.

It's been fun to watch their budding relationship!

08/13/2024

These pics were taken 8 years apart but there's no question it's the same dog! Tilly had the same single minded intensity about figuring out how to earn her food and treats when she was 6 months old as she has now, at 9 years old. And that exercise that Tilly's dad (my husband) was working on with her all those years ago, evidenced in this puppy pic, has shaped her into the perfect companion that she is today.

Our beloved pets age right along with us, as inherently themselves as we are ourselves. Training doesn't change who they are, only how they act. So when we invest the time to train them, they can spend that lifetime at our sides, as our devoted and adored companions, sharing with us as many of life's adventures as they are allowed.

08/12/2024

Tilly had been chewing a nylabone but was resting a bit when Bo came to lie down near her. His closeness made her uncomfortable -- she doesn't want to lose it -- and so she puts her mouth on it again with renewed interest. That's a sign of guarding.

Resource guarding needn't be as blatant as growling, freezing, or a hard eye. Even this subtle a gesture of grabbing something that, until then, hadn't been of interest should be recognized for what it is.

Bo was curious about what Tilly had -- hence why he lay down where he did. He might have decided to simply use this spatial pressure to see if she would relinquish it to him. He could also have more actively gone for it and then the question would be how much Tilly cared about it. Would she leave it willing or would she insist on keeping it? Ultimately distracting Bo had worked a charm. He didn't want the nylabone that much and was more interested in some fun alternative that we humans might have in mind.

When dogs express discomfort in their interactions, it's a delicate balance as to when to intervene and when to let them conduct their own negotiations. Tilly usually relinquishes things to Bo. He's bigger and she's respectful of that, and Bo doesn't mind using the heft of his presence to get what he wants. But Tilly shouldn't always have to give things up to keep the peace and Bo is amenable to alternatives, so intervention was preferable here. If relationship between doggie “siblings” has some challenges, WoofGang can help! Contact us at (646) 345-5116 to set up a session. Like this for daily posts about all things dog! And sign up for the WoofGang emailing list... with tips, tricks, special offers and Mutt Morsels -- training tips that solve everyday problems. Simply click on http://eepurl.com/gQDqLX to subscribe and join! (You can unsubscribe at any time.)

08/09/2024

So much more than cookie pushing...

08/08/2024

Tilly and I are setting out for our annual trek to the sand, sun, and sky of Lake Michigan. This gal is my perfect travel buddy... she's restful in the car, she's a polite companion everywhere we go, and she's game for every new adventure! Here she is with some water and a chewy to entertain herself... and she's a thoroughly happy camper!

We will chronicle our adventures in the coming weeks on this page... we'll be doing some training, some hiking, some beaching, boating, and wave running, and no doubt LOTS of lovely outings to restaurants and dog-friendly establishments, so stay tuned!

08/07/2024

Sweet Zeus, the Cavalier King Charles, is afraid of strangers and, in this case, me. It's not hard to see that here in his noticeable discomfort. In the first pic, you can see his worried eyebrow ridges, stiff body, and the beginnings of a woof parting his lips. He has relaxed slightly in the second pic, actually able to sit down, but his face still shows the signs of his concern. That he is able to look away from me and back to his mom is also testament to his lessening stress. There's still a ways to go tho... we want him having nothing but good feelings when he sees strangers! All in due time, little man

08/06/2024

We talked about over-arousal yesterday when we met Aspen. This beauty is Remy and she also gets over-aroused, which she expresses through jumping and mouthing. She has a "tell" though. Just before she gets over-excited, her eyes get wider and you can see more of her eye whites. Then she gets the zoomies and starts mouthing.

When training, it is always better to be proactive rather than reactive. Reactive would mean that once Remy starts mouthing, we react to it, by giving her a time-out, for instance. But because she has a "tell", that allows us to anticipate what's about to happen -- her change of gear, so to speak -- and deal with it beforehand. When you're proactive, the dog is not repeating and rehearsing the troublesome behavior yet one more time. Instead, you are side-stepping the behavior and charting a different, better course and, over time, that puts the behavior in the rearview mirror. And the farther back it goes in history, the less Remy will remember the behavior as part of her repertoire.

Hey, Remy, this down position is really working for you!

08/05/2024

This handsome galoot is Aspen. Look at the look of glee on his face! He's contemplating how to get close enough to me to hump me, the not-so-little devil! Hu***ng, which may start as a natural urge, may persist even after neutering because, by then, it's become a practiced habit. And hu***ng is one of the behavioral ways in which a dog may express arousal, or over-excitement, along with such behaviors as jumping, mouthing, barking, and leash-biting.

Over-arousal is a dog's inability to maintain self-control in the face of excitement, such as in play, when greeting new people, even when going for a walk or seeing another dog or a small furry. It's particularly common in young adolescent dogs and, sadly, it accounts for one of the main reasons that adolescent dogs find themselves in shelters. Aspen's parents know, though, that just a little training and consistency can make these nuisance behaviors a thing of the past. Simply by teaching Aspen how to manage his excitement, first in small packets and then in gradually increasing amounts, we can help him learn to maintain self-control in the face of excitement.

If your dog suffers from over-arousal, chalking it up to a “phase” that you hope will pass is only allowing those nuisance behaviors to become a well-practiced part of his behavioral repertoire. Instead, train him how to maintain self-control in the face of exciting life events. WoofGang can help! Contact us at (646) 345-5116 to set up a session. Like this page for daily posts about all things dog! And sign up for the WoofGang emailing list... with tips, tricks, special offers and Mutt Morsels -- training tips that solve everyday problems. Simply click on http://eepurl.com/gQDqLX to subscribe and join! (You can unsubscribe at any time.)

08/01/2024

This gorgeous boy is Cody, the cream-colored Golden Retriever puppy. True to the retriever trait of being very oral, Cody picks everything up, in the house and on walks -- everything from socks to goose p**p. He's even started to guard some of his most desired items.

What is it about socks that makes them so damned attractive to dogs?! Well, it's OUR behavior around these forbidden objects. While we may pay no attention when a dog picks up a toy, when he picks up a sock or TV remote, we humans are suddenly activated. We chase around trying to get it back. This kind of attention to stolen objects -- and lack of attention to appropriate targets -- is exactly our undoing. Further, because we tend to grab these items away and not return them, we prove ourselves to be poor sharers, which can cause dogs to guard things or, worse, to swallow them in order to prevent their removal.

So not only must we train our pups to drop things when cued but we also must show them that we are trustworthy sharers. From the intelligent gleam in Cody's eyes, you can see how much he was enjoying his lessons!

07/31/2024

This is Celeste, sibby to Ash (who we met yesterday). Needless to say, having a big young pup join the family was NOT Celeste's idea! This has been a big adjustment for her. Her world has been turned upside down.

Celeste and Ash are spending most of their time apart while their mom works on building their relationship. She brings them together only for the activities that they both enjoy and during which can peacefully coexist. So, for instance, if they both enjoy going for walks, this is a great activity they can share, especially as it's allowing them to engage in parallel activities without making them directly interact, which is still a bit of a challenge for them.

Consider bringing a new canine member into the family as an arranged marriage for the existing furry family members. We need to carefully and gradually build their relationship with each other.

07/30/2024

Ash is one very lucky boy. Spotted running stray in the streets of Camden, a Good Samaritan pursued him for hours, finally catching him. She took him to the shelter to see if his owner would reclaim him, but by then she had fallen in love with this sweet gent and she went back days later to make him her own. Now Ash is living the loving life that he deserves.

Of course, any good relationship starts with forging communication and building bond, and there's no better way to do that than through training. So Ash and his mom are learning each other's needs and expectations -- not only by learning cues but also by learning how to be polite and appropriate in the between times.

Welcome home, sweet Ash!

07/29/2024

Indy the Frenchy puppy has a kitty sibling. As you'd expect with any crazy, rambunctious pup, he doesn't know correct play etiquette, with dogs or cats -- or people, for that matter.

To learn appropriate play with other dogs, giving him many and varied (SAFE) interactions with other puppies as well as with adult dogs (those who like puppies) will teach him invaluable play skills. He needs dogs' feedback and instruction to learn body language and appropriate dog play.

To learn to play appropriately with people, he needs to learn "games with rules". This means to drop a toy when asked and to maintain self-control in the face of the arousal and excitement of play. These are lessons he needs to learn from us.

But to learn how to interact appropriately with cats, we cannot leave such important lessons to the puppy and the cat to work out for themselves. One, the other, or both could be seriously injured in the process. Even playful chasing on his part can lead to a dangerous pattern of relentless chasing that will make for a hellish and potentially dangerous existence for the kitty. Instead WE need to be his instructor. He needs to learn to master his levels of excitement and interest, and to learn calm, polite behaviors in the company of the cat.

The lessons learned and habits shaped in the first months of a puppy's life are so crucial to his safe and happy development into adulthood, WoofGang can help! Contact us at (646) 345-5116 to set up a session. Like this for daily posts about all things dog! And sign up for the WoofGang emailing list... with tips, tricks, special offers and Mutt Morsels -- training tips that solve everyday problems. Simply click on http://eepurl.com/gQDqLX to subscribe and join! (You can unsubscribe at any time.)

07/25/2024

Mental stimulation is good for everyone! I got this food distribution toy for Tilly and the kitties were curious about it and wanted to play with it, too. So it looks like they'll be taking turns using it, and so I found a different toy for Tilly to play with.

This toy, aptly named "Green", is a great way to slow down a ravenous eater and most appropriate for feeding kibble or treats. Using the grass in the yard can be just as effective, though, on days when it's not too hot to be outside. The other toy that Tilly's playing with is called the "Tornado", a Nina Ottosson toy (though there are knock-offs). It's good to have a variety of toys because each offers a different challenge for getting the food out... a little like a crossword vs. sudoku vs. ken ken.

Neurologists agree that it's not so much doing the same type of puzzle over and over that keeps our brains young and active; once we discover the technique it loses some of its challenge. Rather, it's deciphering new puzzles and challenges that keeps our brains firing. I can't help but think this must be true for our dogs as they age, too!

07/24/2024

They don't get much cuter than this! Meet Leia, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Cavs were bred to be companion dogs so you can expect them to be people-oriented and good family dogs, and Leia does not disappoint. She is sweet and affectionate with everyone. Of course, being a puppy, now it the time when she needs to be actively socialized with all different types of people, animals and experiences so that she retains that loving, trusting nature. Because, just because a breed is bred to be friendly with people doesn't mean we can take that for granted; we must still actively work on socializing her during her puppy sensitivity period.

It used to be that our breeds were bred for a job and a function. Shepherds were bred for herding and so worked closely with their handlers; they could therefore be more aloof to others. Akitas, bred for guarding, tend to be wary of strangers. But these days our dogs are chosen for their looks, largely living their lives without such work. Instead they need to live safely and happily in a very different world, often crowded and teeming with people and other animals. So such breeds need this same socialization education, and then some!

07/23/2024

Annie the Golden Doodle was recently rescued after being retired from breeding. Because she had limited socialization with other dogs, she is uncomfortable sharing space with them. With her inexperience, she is not skillful at reading dog body language and so she finds them threatening, even when they're not. While she doesn't live with another dog and nor does she routinely have to interact with any, the extended family has dogs and it would be nice if they could coexist peacefully at family gatherings.

Here Annie and Tilly are enjoying tasty treats for polite behavior while their moms hang out. They are not being forced into direct interaction -- not every dog WANTS to have direct interaction with other dogs -- and that's perfectly acceptable. They just need to be polite citizens. So here Annie is learning to trust that her mom will keep her safe and comfortable and not allow dogs to approach her. In turn, Annie will politely relax on a bad beside her.

Two beautiful girls!

07/22/2024

This handsome guy is Jaxx. He has recently gotten a new sister -- of the feline purr-suasion. While he lived with one as a puppy, now he's 9 years old, and he's not quite sure of the appropriate etiquette. He'd like a good chase, but his sister is NOT keen on that, and ultimately it could have a disastrous outcome.

Whether the chasing is playful or worse -- predatory -- neither is good, especially for the cat's quality of life. For now, the two are strictly separated. Jaxx needs to learn impulse control and polite behavior around the cat and to not be aroused by her movements. And the kitty needs to learn to be more comfortable and happy in Jaxx's company. Until Jaxx learns more self-control, his parents are going to use a kitty puppet to practice with. Jaxx thinks it's real, and that way he can practice without scaring the kitty. With time they can be reintroduced, once the temperature of the room is lower.

If there's tension in your household between pets, WoofGang can help! Contact us at (646) 345-5116 to set up a session. Like this page for daily posts about all things dog! And sign up for the WoofGang emailing list... with tips, tricks, special offers and Mutt Morsels -- training tips that solve everyday problems. Simply click on http://eepurl.com/gQDqLX to subscribe and join! (You can unsubscribe at any time.)

07/18/2024

Buddy's got the crazy eyes! Look at that adorable play face

07/17/2024

Tilly is so patient and understated with shy pups. This was a first meeting that Tilly had with rescue pup Bella. Bella was unsure and inexperienced around other dogs. She was avoidant of interaction at first, though clearly curious. Tilly spent her time sniffing and investigating, letting Bella get more comfortable with her indirectness. Bella watched her from a distance but gradually drifted closer. Here Bella is curious about Tilly, and about what Tilly's sniffing, too! She wants in on the action. It wasn't too long after this that Bella started running around the yard, chasing Tilly -- Tilly's most preferred pastime.

For shyer dogs, indirect introductions tend to be more successful, like starting with a parallel walk. That way they can get comfortable in each other's company without having to directly interact. For more information about how to introduce your shy dog to another dog, check out WoofGang's handout "Remedial Dog Play":https://mywoofgang.com/handouts/RemedialDogPlay.pdf

07/16/2024

I wanted to dedicate this week of posts to Tilly. I am constantly awed by her remarkable skills with other dogs. Really, her play moves deserve more than just a week ;)

Tilly is a play bow poochie guru. She has modeled the move to puppies and adults alike. In the first pic, she is showing puppy Auggie how to execute this versatile move -- both an invitation and an agile springing-off position. In another play session, she shows it to Bo, a rescued Lab who was rather inexperienced in dog play, and he starts to mimic it.

Not every time a dog assumes such a position -- with front legs down and butt in the air -- is a play bow. It can also be a dog's way of getting ready to spring away from something that she's conflicted or concerned about... much like a runner at the block, cocked and ready to go. But its value as a play move cannot be overlooked. A pause in play action is always a good way to keep things from running too hot. While a freeze itself can be threatening, a play freeze in the play bow position, with the front end lowered, offers a message of appeasement and nonthreat.

Hey, Tilly, have I told you lately how much I love you?!

07/15/2024

Tilly's favorite game... getting chased by other dogs, in this case her friend Max, the hound. Look at the smiles on their faces