Dog Owner Coach

20/09/2024

fyi These are links from Whole Dog Journal

https://redrover.org/the-purple-leash-project/

https://redrover.org/relief-dv/dv-safe-escape-grants/

https://dontforgetthepets.org/

https://saftprogram.org/pet-friendly-domestic-violence-shelters/?doing_wp_cron=1726642830.1765170097351074218750

Send a message to learn more

12/09/2024

https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/blog/the-my-last-dog-was-perfect-syndrome/

Was your last dog really perfect, or are you only remembering the good? Don't let fond memories prevent you from appreciating a new friend.

12/09/2024

PUPDATE (9/15): GROMIT IS HOME SAFE!!!
We are all breathing a huge sigh of relief this afternoon!. Gromit had put on a lot of miles and popped up in Newfield this morning and quickly vanished again. He was spotted along Route 13 later and a passerby was able to capture his tired and weary self then brought him straight home where he promptly fell asleep on his Mama's lap. Thank you Amanda and each and everyone who called in sightings and kept watch for this beloved boy. Bless you all!

PUPDATE (9/14): We will be heading out tomorrow (Sun) to assist Gromit's family and we need your help! The very best help you can be is to allow this terrified, normally anxious boy, to settle down and feel like a ghost. Please do not go out searching for him on foot or in cars. Please do not follow him on foot, in vehicles, attempt to lure or catch, do not call out to, whistle at, or chase. Gromit is fleeing from everyone and he will run from you further into danger. A calm dog will navigate traffic well, a dog that feels like people are following or chasing them, will bolt in a blind panic.

If you see him, please break eye contact, drive carefully past him if in a vehicle, do not stare at. If on foot, break eye contact, turn and walk away, and ignore him . Thank you everyone who has kept an eye out for this beloved family member. He is trying to make his way home and we hope to help him and his family in every way but need your help and cooperation to do so.

Monday's storms (9/9) sent this boy running and he broke out of his fenced yard in the 400 block of Hines Rd near Trumbulls Corners Rd. Gromit is people friendly but does not get along with other dogs.

06/09/2024

STILL MISSING - Sempronius, NY

Wary of strangers!

This beautiful hound went missing from her home last week (8/30) in the 6000 block of Big Hill Rd. She is friendly but not likely to approach strangers. Dixie suffers from severe pancreatitis and will be come very ill if given the wrong types of food, especially high fat content and table scraps. She was wearing an orange collar and is about 7 years old. If you've seen or heard this beloved family member at any time, please call her worried family at 315-Six-Zero-Four-6138 or 315-Two-Zero-Nine-7955.

29/08/2024

FOUND - Enfield, NY

This stunning lady had a close call on Friday (8/23) with a car on Harvey Hill Rd near Enfield Main Rd when a quick thinking driver was able to avoid her and then get her to safety. She was wearing a collar with a leash attached. If you are missing this beautiful gal or have any information about her or her family, please call the Tompkins County SPCA 607-257-1822 Ext 237 and reference Animal ID #35761.

20/08/2024

PUPDATE: Owner located - Lansing, NY

Do you know my family?

This handsome brindled boy was having a walk-about on Asbury Rd yesterday (8/17) and must have lost his way back home. He was wearing a black collar but couldn't give any clues as to where he left his folks. If this is your wanderer or you have any information about him, please call the kind folks at Country Acres Animal shelter at 607-749-2734 or 607-345-3139.

04/08/2024

It's worth following Lost Dogs of the Finger Lakes. Or check their website if you see an unknown unattached dog in your neighborhood. There are a couple of local sites like this for different counties.

PUPDATE (8/7) BOTH are HOME!!!
Brooktondale, NY

These two partners in crime managed to break an adjustable pet door that was set for the size of the cat during the overnight hours (8/1 - 8/2) in the 2700 block of Slaterville Rd (Rt 79) between Harford and Buffalo Rds. Darling (gray) and Poppy (brown) are friendly and both are microchipped.

09/07/2024

07/07/2024

A safer alternative to small dog in driver's lap leaning out the window, might be a raised dog car seat with harness in back seat (or front, if needed), window cracked open. It may seem expensive but not compared to the cost of an accident...

26/06/2024

A few weeks ago Skip and I were in a trial when it was in the high 80’s and humid. Very little breeze. In short, awful. Of course, I was worried about Skip, given his bad heart, and wouldn’t have run him if the course hadn’t been a short one. I got him in the […]

29/05/2024

https://www.facebook.com/LostDogsoftheFingerLakes
Consider following this page, if you live in the Finger Lakes area.

The purpose of our page is to create a central hub where both lost & found dogs of the FLX region are shared. We offer guidance & education to lost dog owners. Humane trapping service offered depending on the location. Please message our page to inquire.

27/03/2024

The other article is one by Gary Wilkes. I know there are people who dismiss his wisdom because of his position on corrections but he has very specific criteria. I read across the spectrum and appreciate wisdom wherever I find it. He is wise, thoughtful, benevolent, and very experienced. This is about how dogs learn. Take a look:

About 20 years ago I worked on an artificial intelligence project at MIT. One of my first experiences there was to stand in a small room full of all kinds of devices.

27/03/2024

I've read two interesting articles recently. One is from Dr. Patricia McConnell. I am the last one to take meds or recommend that to anyone else but hear the heart of what she's saying.

I recently had a great talk with Emily Priestley, the author of Urban Sheepdogs. I reviewed her book a few weeks ago, and although I noted some issues, I am a big fan of her attempt to help people understand that the behavior of their border collies or cattle dogs is not a mystery or […]

08/03/2024

Another Alice tidbit: Alice will work for snow balls the way most dogs work for food. Alice will work for food, but working for food can make her snarky with her tail and we can't put one end behind a baby gate while we work the other. Working for snowballs surely has it's disadvantages (Snow balls don't trump moving cars for her, at least not if we've been outside long enough to wear out the snowball motivation.) It helps to have a fenced yard. And, ha! It helps to have snow!!! No, not moving to Alaska.

03/03/2024

Alice and I have been looking for non-herding partnerships for focused (constructive) independent thinking. The current work: Alice sees inside ladybug-like bugs in the window, she goes crazy (I mean barks), I get vacume, she stops, I complete the task. If the bug is flying around, she jumps around barking until I get the broom. She stops. I finish. Works for us!

27/06/2023

Dr. McConnell shared this. Lovely tribute to all the working dogs who use their noses and to their handlers! Training involves MUCH work! It doesn't just happen!

Scent trailing dogs are indistinguishable from magic. Ready for your LEAST BORING SUMMER EVER? Come join me at Camp CrunchLabs all summer long- http://campc...

06/06/2023

"If you can feel the effects of smoke yourself or there are air quality alerts in effect, then you should take precautions with your pets — this is particularly important for dogs with pre-existing diseases affecting the heart and lungs," says Dr. Aly Cohen, extension veterinarian.

"If the air quality is poor, limit times outdoors just to bathroom breaks, and avoid outside exercise until after the smoke settles and the air quality improves," she says. "Consult with your veterinarian if you notice signs of coughing, gagging or other breathing issues."

17/05/2023

Beware of old leashes that break unexpectedly at inconvenient times. A solid sit, stay, down, come and a quick confident response at your end (add praise, not panic) will pay off big time!

30/04/2023

I wrote this as a long post and the cyber gremlins refused to post it, so I will try to condense. What do I mean by "note your sources": every dog owner and pet professional will see your dog through the lens of what they know and their experience. Some have experience in more than one area. Some have more experience with dogs alone than they do working with both dogs and owners. Most science is NOT unequivical cause-and-effect but may shed light on possible associations. Neighbors, Trainers, Behaviorists, Veterinary staff, Groomers, Daycare, Boarding facilities, Breeders, Dog show/Dog sport, Working Dog Handlers, Rescue/Shelter/Fosters (if I've forgotten someone, forgive me) each/all see through the lens of their specific knowledge, experience, and handling skills. Some of these people see hundreds of dogs each year. Some have been doing what they've been doing for decades. Some individuals are better with the dogs, some with the people, some with both. Some are good writers. Many of the best are not on-line. Know your source.

30/04/2023

My webpage is no longer active, but I may throw my 3 cents into the ring here, now and again.

30/04/2023

I don't remember where I saw it first but there is currently much written about dogs and overstimulation. It's a problem. Someone brought a dog like that to me once. Actually, more than one someone. Like most issues, it is easier to prevent than it is to fix. DOGS ARE NOT PEOPLE. Quite frankly, many of the people you meet are also "over-stimulated." Anyway... check it out. Pay attention to your sources.

20/04/2023

Reinforcers can be tricky. All winter long, primary reinforcer for Alice to work with me outside through most distractions? Snow and snow balls!! Better than food! Not helpful when my neighbors come home and drive up their driveway... Management: long line. Not moving to Alaska.

08/02/2023

Beware. Important! I noticed today that some vitamin/mineral supplements that a family member uses contain Xylitol. Because I don't order them and the products come to the door, I never thought to check the labels. You don't want dogs getting hold of medication anyway, but they are more apt to pick up something sweet than not. As we older it gets harder to reach down and pick up something up off the floor before the dog gets there.

18/01/2023

https://www.patriciamcconnell.com/theotherendoftheleash/keeping-kids-and-dogs-safe

A cosmetic surgeon once told me that he dreads Sunday night phone calls. They are, almost always, about kids who need their faces put back together after being bitten by a dog. He said it breaks his heart. It breaks my heart too, thinking of the hundreds of cases I saw where the owner […]

10/12/2022

https://ivcjournal.com/preventing-injuries-canine-athletes/ Of particular interest to family dog owners, puppies and adolescent appropriate exercise and warm ups.

Many dogs engage in regular physical activity and can be considered athletes even when not competing or on active duty. Here’s how to help prevent injuries.