Rocket in the rain.
The things we do.
Rocket prefers his breakfast smoothie deconstructed.
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Need a winter day activity for your dog (or cat)? Go to you tube and search dog tv.
I’ve often had clients express concern about starting medications for behavior for their dog because they are worried it will make them continuously sedated. Can you guess which one of these dogs is on not one, but two medications for anxiety.
I cut myself off at the end. What I misssd saying is if you are new at walking your dog with a long line you khhh want to choose the flat, soft, cotton lead.
Alarm barking
I love studying body language. This is our dog. He is at vet and panicking. This is a great example of a serious, threatening bark. Can you spot tight face, ridges in face, whale eye, quick freeze and his lips are drawn all the way forward. No wide mouth. Now we wait for the drugs to kick in for his exam. If you have a dog that acts like this at the vet ask me about planning for vet visits.
Do you ever take your dog on a freedom walk? Freedom of movement, freedom to stop, freedom to sniff.
Relax!
He is the best listening boy. The furnace guy is here for annual check and Rocket really, really wants to go help. This is a partial result of lots of relaxation and do nothing training. It’s also partially his people pleasing personality.
Outcome of negotiation
Noisy play. Interesting to note that Buster (stripes) is 3, Rocket almost 7 , Buster is taller, faster and stronger and could easily take the toy away.
Dog body language
I love studying dog body language. Sometimes that language is so subtle. Caveat to recording, these are my dogs, I know them well. I know the item is question is not high value for them. Typically dogs will work hard to avoid conflict. The toy is brand new and both are interested in it. Buster (stripes) usually defers to Rocket. He is keeping distance, lying down but eyes wide and alert. When he approaches you see tongue flicks to show he is nervous. All of these are ways for him to signal I would like the toy but do intend to fight you for it. Rocket is also lying down but body is a little tense signaling uh uh mine, don’t make me take my earrings off. My talking helped diffuse any tension that may have been forthcoming.
Anyone else living this life?
This is just one reason I like to play games with my dogs of climbing on to raised surfaces. Something we often call platform work. This is the exam table at the vet’s office that raises from floor level to exam height. Rocket hops on with no concerns.
Appropriate play in dogs? How do we know? These two are definitely engaging in rough “rugby” style play. How do I know it is okay? First of all these are my dogs and I know them well. They have grown up together. Second watch for switching of roles. Taking turns being the neck biter and paws on back. Also when the white dog signals the need for a break and jumps on the couch, the brindle dog stops. Do not mistake the white dog rolling on his back as a submissive posture. They often take turns doing this in play. And since I know these dogs I know the older white dog is the the one who chooses to stop and start play sessions.