Nicole Cardiff - Candid Expressions

One of the most rampant kinds of dog aggression is territorial aggression. This is directed most often toward the mailperson, UPS or FedEx person, or the meter reader. After reading this, hopefully you will come to a better understanding of why your dog is territorial, and how you can deal with this issue.

If you look at the history of canines in general, you will learn that dogs used to run in packs, with an established leader. Sometimes a dog with aggressive tendencies will establish themselves as the leader of the house and yard. So, when a stranger comes around they see the need to protect their domain.

In a dog’s eyes, when the mailperson or meter reader comes by the house, the dog will bark as a way of telling them to get away and off the property. As far as Fido is concerned, their barking works. The mailperson approaches, they bark, and the mailperson drops off their load and leaves. Some dogs are even able to figure out if they bark more loudly and aggressively, the mailperson or meter reader leaves even more quickly, which does not help the situation.

Some people want their dogs to be protection dogs, especially if they go out of town often, or if they have had their house robbed in the past. Protection dogs are very helpful, yet if you choose to teach your dog for this use, you also must teach Fido to be exceptionally obedient. You will need to clearly teach your dog when he needs to protect, and when he needs to obey. You don’t want your dog being so overly protective when you have guests over that you need to put them in the basement or outside.

Perfect examples of protection dogs are those serving in the police force. They are specifically trained when they need to be aggressive toward “bad guys” or when they need can be kind and friendly. For example, a police dog can be taken to schools or places with children, and there is never any concern about the safety and well being of the kids. But then, the police dog is also taught to act on command to help their fellow policeperson catch the perpetrator. This kind of control comes from intense training in obedience so that the dog knows to act on the command of their handler.

Though aggression is usually a harmful and sometimes even dangerous trait in a dog, territorial aggression may be turned for the better as a protection dog. The key is good, solid obedience training; this way, the dog will be able to protect, and yet at the same time they won’t be a threat to friendly people who mean no harm. Be sure to be conscious if your dog begins to show signs of excessive territorial aggression. If you notice this, you will need to take action immediately for the safety of yourself and other people. If you invest the time and money into obedience training, you and your dog will be much better off. Protect your pet by allowing it to protect you!

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Seeing eye dogs may just be one of the most important canine jobs in our current society.  Their service is invaluable to those in need. With the faithful guidance of these dogs, blind people are able to achieve the dignity and respect they deserve.

How did seeing eye dogs start? The term “seeing eye dogs” began during World War I when Germany began opening seeing eye dog training schools to veterans who were blinded in the war. A woman from Pennsylvania who was living in Switzerland at the time, Dorothy Harrison Eustis, became aware of these schools. She later wrote an article titled, “The Seeing Eye” that appeared in the November 5, 1927 Saturday Evening Post issue. A blind man in Tennessee, Morris Frank, was made aware of the said article, and wrote Mrs. Eustis asking for help. Finally, in Nashville, Tennessee, 1929, Seeing Eye Inc. was born. It later moved to its current location, Morristown, New Jersey, in 1931. The term “seeing eye dog” later became a common name to call dogs who act as eyes for the blind. The term has stuck.

What breeds of dogs are generally seeing eye dogs? Seeing eye dogs are chosen and bred for specific qualities. Some of these traits include intelligence, gentleness, fine health, moderate in size, loving, and a strong desire to please. Because golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, and German shepherds usually possess these qualities, they tend to make excellent companions for the blind.

These dogs must undergo vigorous training, because the lives of their owners, as well as their own may be at stake. They taught to obey the commands of their owner; common directional terms used are “go right,” “go left,” and “go forward.” These dogs are also taught something called “intelligent disobedience.” This mainly applies only to situations where harm would befall the owner or the dog if they obeyed the command. Most training eye dog institutions require a training period for the owners so that they can learn the commands the dog knows, as well as simply getting used to having a daily helping hand.

Though dogs are not usually allowed in places such as supermarkets, restaurants, or shopping malls, persons with a seeing eye dog are always allowed to enter by law. It would be downright discriminatory to not allow those with seeing eye dogs on the premises of any locale. People must be aware that when they see a person with a seeing eye dog, they must always ask permission before touching or patting the dog. Also, never assume the owner needs help, but feel free to ask if they need assistance if you feel the need.

Seeing eye dogs have one of the most important jobs in society today. They afford people with a blind disability the chance to be mobile and live out somewhat regular lives. They are kind, diligent, loyal, and extremely loving. They provide care for those who may desire a gentle companion to aide them in their everyday routine. Seeing eye dogs make a difference in people’s lives throughout the world today.

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There are thousands of pet training books and materials available in the market today. Are you looking for reliable pet training guides, but don’t have the time to do all the research? Here is a simple list of highly recommended books that deal with various subjects relating to training your dog and developing a happy and successful relationship with your pet.

1. Cesar's Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding and Correcting Common Dog Problems by Cesar Millan with Melissa Jo Peltier. Her is the tagline: “The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding and Correcting Common Dog Problems.” What does this book have going for it? Sheer numbers: this book has had over 1,000,000 copies sold worldwide, as well as being deemed a #1 New York Times Best Seller. The author, Cesar Millan, is also known for his educational TV smash hit, The Dog Whisperer, on the National Geographic Channel.

Synopsis: this book is a tangible guide to understanding the primary needs and cares of your pets   by creating a healthier relationship between you and your pet in a motivating fashion. This book simply lays out 3 key elements in the lives of dogs: exercise, discipline and affection. Millan’s viewpoint stresses that dogs with problems are a result of owners who have problems. This book ultimately teaches that change will result when the owner develops a better understanding of their “best friend.”

And finally, here is some basic publishing information:
Paperback: 320 pages.
Publisher: Three Rivers Press; 1 Reprint edition (September 18, 2007).

2. The Dog Whisperer: A Compassionate, Nonviolent Approach to Training by Paul Owens with Norma Eckroate. The tagline on the front cover of this book is, “A Compassionate, Nonviolent Approach to Dog Training.” Similar to the previous selection, this book has also has been popular in sales: over 200,000 copies sold.
   
This book contains 4 parts that are laid out in such a way that allows for easy reference access. The 4 sections include: Basics of Dog-training, Training Essentials, The Lessons, and Problem Behaviors. The Dog Whisperer: A Compassionate, Nonviolent Approach to Training promotes dog training with reward incentives and tender persuasion. Some examples of positive training include: praise, food treats, toys, extra playtime and show of affection. This is simply a stress on substitute behavior; that is, instead of teaching your dog what not to do, teach it instead an allowed alternative.

Again, some basic publishing information:
Paperback: 289 pages.
Publisher: Adams Media Corporation; 2 edition (March 2007).

3. The Dog Listener: Learn How to Communicate with Your Dog for Willing Cooperation by Jan Fennell. Here is the tagline: “Learn How to Communicate With Your Dog for Willing Cooperation.” This book has only two simple sections that are titled as the following: The Dog Listener, and 30-Day Training Guide. Sounds simple enough.

This book essentially focuses on men’s relationship with dogs as two different species. This book communicates there is a lost translation between humans and dogs that must be repaired by stressing the close relationship between man and dog through an examination of the past. The training focus in this book is human’s respect for dogs throughout the training process by bridging the language barrier gap that is communication between you and your dog.

Publication information:
Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Collins (January 20, 2004)

Though this small list has by no means been exhaustive, I hope it has provided you with 3 exceptional, yet simple books to aid you in understanding, loving, and communicating efficiently and effectively with your pet throughout the training process. Enjoy your reading!

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If you live in a wooded area, then you probably see all sorts of little animals everyday.  As serene as it may be for you, living in the countryside can be a headache for an owner with a curious, prey-driven pooch.  Every time you venture outdoors, your pet is gone within seconds, chasing a poor little squirrel.  Or, even worse, he’s pulling you on the leash behind him!  Some people bring home dogs to do just that:  guard their homes against unwanted creatures.  But, other people just want the dog to leave things alone.  If you are in this boat, then don’t worry; there are a couple of desensitizing techniques you can try.
   
The first thing to understand is a dog’s predatory instinct.  He does not necessarily seek out little creatures to play with; the fun comes when he sees them running.  Dogs love for animals or people to run away from them!  Not only does it reassure their dominant thinking (“Oh, I scared him off!”), it is also a game for them.  Chasing, for a dog, is a fun activity.  So, whether it’s a frightened person running away or a rabbit, squirrel, or cat, a dog will love a good chase.  Unfortunately, this behavior is not fun for you, especially when you are out for your evening walk.  A dog that is unable to control his predatory instinct can endanger himself and others.  If he’s on a leash, then you are forced to fight against the leash and the dog.  If he’s not on a leash, then he may dart in front of a passing car or get himself into trouble.  For these reasons, it’s a good idea to try to stop this behavior before it escalates.
   
Before you ever try to teach your pet “no critter,” he needs to understand other commands.  Most importantly, you need to be able to get his attention in a variety of situations.  It’s one thing for your pet to pay attention to you when it’s time for dinner, but it’s another thing for him to pay attention to you in public.  Of course, if he was a master at paying attention, then you probably wouldn’t have a small animal problem in the first place.  But, you need to be able to get his attention when you aren’t in the presence of a squirrel or rabbit.  The easiest way to do this is to practice at a pet store.  Take your pooch to the pet store, and venture down the small animal aisle.  You can bet he’ll be intrigued by the hamsters, guinea pigs, mice, and gerbils.  While he’s salivating over all the caged prey, practice getting his attention.  Use whatever training method you are comfortable with.  For instance, if you are clicker training, then click to get his attention and give him a treat.  Or, come up with a command, such as “no animal” to get his attention.  Reward him for looking to you (even if he doesn’t look very long) when you ask him to.  Repeat this training as often as you can until your pet looks to you every time.
   
Now, just because you got his attention with caged animals, does not mean that you’ll gain his attention when the animals are running free.  For this reason, you need to move the training to a spot where there may be a couple of creatures but not too many.  For instance, if your home borders a wooded area, then your front yard may be the perfect spot.  Keep your pet on a leash, and continue to practice getting his attention in the yard.  Do this several days until you feel that you have better control, then move the training to the backyard or another area where more small animals are present.
   
Desensitizing your dog to his natural instinct is tough, and your methods may not always work.  If nothing you have tried has prevailed, then try to stay away from areas full of small animals.  If the problem is bothersome enough, then you may need to seek the help of a professional.

If your dog chases a squirrel or rabbit every time you walk outside, then you may dread outdoor activities with your dog.  When a dog chases an animal, he is merely exercising his predatory instinct; the animal runs, and your pooch loves a good chase.  Come up with ways to desensitize him to small animals, starting with trips to the pet store, and gradually work your way up to an area where squirrels and rabbits run free.  If all else fails, seek professional help.

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Dogsledding is a winter sport that is rapidly growing in popularity throughout the world. Dog sledding has been around for as long as people know, but only in the past century has it become considered a winter sport; the introduction of the Canadian Iditarod race has greatly increased this sport’s popularity.

The Alaskan sled dog Iditarod race originated in 1978; this race was created as a means to test the strength, speed and agility of sled dog musher’s and their dog teams. The Iditarod trail runs through Alaska and covers roughly 1,151 miles, taking anywhere from 8 to 15 days to complete. The race begins with a ceremonial start in the city of Anchorage, AK, and then officially resumes in Wasilla, AK. The trail follows through the Rainy Pass of the Alaska Range, proceeds along the Bering Sea shoreline, finally ending in the city of Nome in western Alaska. The current record holder for the Iditarod is Martin Buser, set in 2002, completing the race in 8 days, 22 hours, 46 minutes, and 2 seconds. There are many factors that contribute to the successful completion of the Iditarod route; the sled dogs and the type of sled are important factors in dog sledding.

The breeds of dogs commonly used for dog sledding are Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian huskies, Eskimo dogs and Samoyeds. Some musher’s prefer to crossbreed among these kinds of dogs because they believe certain mixes make for more efficient sledding. Some musher’s prefer the mix of greyhound with Siberian huskies; the speed of a greyhound-Siberian mix is certainly a desirable trait in a sled dog. Though there are preferred breeds, apparently almost any mid-sized dog breed is capable of being a part of a sled team.

There are many kinds of sleds used in dog sledding. The most common types are the toboggan sled and the basket sled. The toboggan sled is unlike other dog sleds because it does not have runners or skis on the bottom; the sled rides directly on top of the snow. The basket sled is raised several inches above the snow and rides on runners. The basket sled is also made of light material so that it is easily maneuverable and fast. Even though the style and make of the dog sled aides in speed and smooth travel, the dog teams are the ultimate means to the success of sledding.

These dog teams can consist of groups as few in number as 3, or they can contain up to 24 dogs on a single team. There are multiple functions of a dog sled team: there are lead dogs, point dog, swing dogs, and wheel dogs. The lead dog has the most responsibility of the group, and he or she is highly valued by the musher. The point dog position is optional, but when present, they are located behind the lead dog. The swing dogs are positioned behind the point dogs and in front of the team dogs. The wheel dogs are positioned behind the team dogs, and their main duty is to pull the sled out of the snow when needed. The dogs are held together by a harness connecting to the gang line that ultimately connects the dogs to the sled and the musher.

The Iditarod race is ultimately a test of a musher’s skill to drive and travel with a select team of sled dogs. These dogs are chosen for their ability to perform well in extremely cold climates, to strength as well as their incredible power, strength and speed of travel.

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