I get home and Tipton is indicating he has not had dinner yet by going back to his crate. He has had his meals in his crate and has developed a habit of going into his crate when it’s dinner time. Feral dogs are very into their daily routine and if I forget what it is, Tipton reminds me
And the latest for the latest in “ways feral dogs will get into things” chronicles….. never underestimate a previously feral dog’s non-fear of things besides people or their adventuresome spirit. They will pick up things you don’t expect them too.
Subtle but clear claiming communication between dogs. Tipton has been digging, but then Char came in an took his digging hole. Dogs can resolve conflict peacefully and directly.
My dogs’ initial reaction to the wild horses was to bark at them and basically be nut jobs. Tipton in particular was not a fan of horses. We have had a couple of opportunities to get the dogs adjusted to the horses and yesterday was a good one. With simply going over to be with the dogs at the fence when they alert on the horses, setting the example, and also Calling them to me and reassuring them
The horses are ok, we have gotten to this stage. No ecollars, no leashes, no corrections, no treats or food. Praise for calming down and my dogs value praise and pets highly. Why do we make dog training so Complicated and take so much time to learn gadgets and gizmos when that time could be used for really studying dogs and learning how to Connect with them so we don’t need the gadgets and gizmos? Modern Dog training techniques are removing us from nature and how wonderful dogs are and what they are capable of
Some good examples of clear communication between dogs wanting a resource. Both dogs are respectful of the other’s request body language over a resource (freshly killed mouse). Char has the mouse and Tipton is waiting but also letting Char know he would like a turn. Char is clearly but subtly telling him “not now”. She faces him while standing over the mouse. Tipton keeps his distance. I intervene a little when she gets a bit too intense, then she takes the mouse in her mouth and further away from Tipton. Then Tipton smells the area the mouse was. Char starts to eat the mouse (might have disease) so I step into her space to
Take mouse and dispose of it (don’t do this if your dog resource guards items). I could have also called her to me, praised her greatly, and then taken the mouse. How many times dogs resolve potential Conflicts peacefully without saying a word is truly amazing.
July 4 safety. Prevent your dog from getting lost during the noisy days surrounding July 4 by using a leash or long line for potty or outdoor activities. Seem inconvenient? Its a lot less work than trying to find a lost dog. Many dogs get lost during July 4 activities, even dogs that have been in homes for years, becasue they get scared and bolt. Prevent this from happening to you by using a leash. Also keep your dog inside when not attended and be the example of calm composure to comfort your dog. If you join them in their fear about July 4 you are confirming it is scary. You can comfort them from a place of confidence, not insecurity.
A dog's submissive grin. My dog smiles at me when I pick her up from boarding.
This short clip shows Dayzee (feral shelter dog in rehab) accepting some affection from me, then I move my hand up too high on her head for comfort. She tells me this by closing her mouth. I oblige her request and move my hand back to her cheek area and her mouth opens again. This is how trust is built. Tons of little successful understandings.
Bossy dog keeps new puppies in the corner, letting the pups know who's boss. #puppiesofinstagram #puppies #bossydog #doglife
Dog Keeps New Puppies in a Corner
Stalking behavior - example of it and when it’s okay and not. My dog is stalking ducks in this video. Notice her lowered head and intense gaze. Sometimes dogs with dog aggression will do this to other dogs - and they are not playing. It is a predatory behavior and needs to be stopped. If your dog is doing this to kids it is not good. If your dog is doing this to ducks or animals and you don’t want them to escalate stop them at this stage like I do with Shiloh by calling her. If dogs are playing the may do this to each other but there is a looseness in the body and less intensity, and then they break out in a play bow or a fun chase (not a predatory chase).
Even after you have had your dog a while, it pays to refresh training so if the dog happens to get out the front door, the habit is built to come back when called. Plus Tipton loves playing this game.
This fantastic little puppy was found wandering in the street in Albuquerque. Notice how friendly and relaxed this little guy is after being lost and scooped up by a stranger and but in their car. He is wiggly and likely a stable well balanced puppy. Dogs like this are everywhere in New Mexico - dogs that bring joy to peoples lives without much effort. No one knows a great dog until they have a New Mexico special. On the flip side New Mexico has a serious animal welfare problem. Many residents struggle taking care of themselves much less a dog. It’s a shame this state has such beauty and tragedy
There is so much going on in this video play but lessons taught using play. I bought a new toy for the dogs. Chardonnay always takes the new toys first - just like my previous dominant female did. She will only share after she has but her slobber on the toy. Here she is playing f keep away or guard the object with Gallivant. Both are having fun, but Char is obviously in charge of this game. It is ritualistic displays like this that are teaching this puppy his place in the pack. He is learning body language of Char standing over the toy and also when she will invite him to play eventually. He also does not influence her one bit by barking when she is distracted but he also doesn’t take the toy. Gallivant is starting to stalk when playing which indicates herding breeds - we will see when his dna test comes back. Now Char has let him have the toy but she will continue to use it to teach him he isn’t the boss of her in a fun way. Play can be used to teach and have fun, but my lead dogs only play with other dogs once the respect is there.
Gallivant learning to be calmer and not bark for his breakfast. I have done simpler work with him just waiting and not barking, while looking at me (not at my hands or the food) for a few weeks. Accomplished that so now I am teaching him a few things like stay and come. Fine tuning his little spring-butt cause he wants to pop up to get the food. I am bringing the food to him and he has to wait - not realizing him to run over and get the food
One minute of Nice play between adult dog and puppy example - Hawkeye is so gentle with this pup and there is a nice exchange of mannerisms and both are having fun.
Digging hole questions answered! Why is it here? how big is it? (About 6x3 ft). Is my yard huge and how did I pick the spot?
I was evaluating this Rottweiler puppy when an added bonus walked up. She was tolerant of touch but she noticed some people walking up to the gate, and her nun started wagging. This is a good sign. Even though she knows these people from the vet office, she didn’t get spooky or afraid of them from a distance
