Caninestein Dog Training

The Nose Knows: Benefits of Sniffing!

2010-02-01T12:20:00.001-08:00

For a dog, sniffing can be a calming gesture and a great way to diffuse tension in a group. Learn how we can use this to our advantage by putting sniffing on cue!

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

Nothing in Life is Free - Establishing Teamwork with your Canine Friend!

2010-01-22T10:40:00.001-08:00

Rewards come in all shapes and sizes. Teach your dog that keeping you happy is the key that opens the door to all things wonderful by asking for a simple behavior before you do something for him.

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

The Trick is in the Training!

2010-01-13T08:50:00.000-08:00

Teaching tricks is not only fun for you and your dog, but also a great way to get in some quality training time! What may look like just a fun parlor trick is also a great way to practice self-control, retrieve skills and drop it. Here, Hope the Border Collie learns to retrieve a hankie from my pocket on the cue of a sneeze!

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

Putting "Routine" in "Routine Vet Visit."

2010-01-13T07:58:00.000-08:00

Once you've done your pre-vet, at-home work (See Vet Prep 101), it's time to work on keeping your dog calm and under control while in the waiting room of the vet's office. Do your dog a favor and visit the office for fun - when he doesn't have to be there! A few rounds of doing so will go a long way to improve his behavior when a real visit happens.

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

Vet Prep 101

2010-01-06T12:37:00.000-08:00

Quick tips to help make vet visits less stressful -- for you, for your dog and the vet staff!

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

Keeping Dogs off the Couch

2010-01-04T08:42:00.000-08:00

If you don't want your dog up on the couch - ever - while he's learning, it's important to manage his environment so that he doesn't sneak up there when you're not watching.

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

Leaving Your Dog at the Kennel

2009-12-21T09:29:00.000-08:00

When your dog has to spend the night at the kennel, "low-key" departures help minimize stress.

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

On the Outside Looking In?

2009-12-17T08:42:00.000-08:00

Dogs are social creatures and do best when they are allowed to live indoors with their family. Not used to an indoor dog? Here's some tips on slowly and safely bringing him indoors.

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

My Puppy is Eating my House!

2009-12-17T08:41:00.000-08:00

Puppies put EVERYTHING in their mouths! Tips of surviving the land-shark phase of puppyhood!

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

Multiple Dog Households

2009-12-17T08:37:00.001-08:00

Two dogs, or not two dogs? Things to consider when adding a second dog to the family.

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

What's in a Name?

2009-12-02T08:13:00.001-08:00

Teach your young puppy to associate his name with only good stuff. It's a great way to get his attention, and having his attention makes training so much easier!

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

Puppies Grow!

2009-11-30T17:36:00.000-08:00

You may not mind when your little baby puppy jumps up on you, but what about that puppy as a full-grown dog? It's important to plan ahead and establish long-term house rules from the very beginning.

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

Holiday Begging

2009-11-25T09:03:00.000-08:00

As we sit down to give thanks, be sure your dog isn't giving thanks for stolen turkey legs or other table items that might make him sick or even lead to an emergency vet trip!

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

Thanksgiving Manners

2009-11-25T09:01:00.001-08:00

Having guests over for the holidays can be exciting and stressful all at the same time - even for your dog! Keep in mind not everyone who comes to you house may be a "dog person," but a little pre-planning can help keep everyone happy and safe.

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

Off-leash Etiquette

2009-11-18T13:23:00.000-08:00

If you choose to take your dog off-leash, it's important to make sure your dog doesn't become a nuisance to others. You may think he just wants to say, "Hi!" to everyone around him, but not every person or dog will appreciate the greeting. Be respectful of others and don't let your dog force himself upon every dog and human he meets -- especially if he's loose and the other dogs are restricted by a leash.

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

Handling Loose Dog Encounters

2009-11-18T13:19:00.000-08:00

You're enjoying a leisurely walk with your dog when suddenly, you find yourself being rushed by an unknown, loose dog and no owner in sight? What do you do?

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

The Benefits of Playing Dead!

2009-11-18T13:16:00.001-08:00

Tricks are fun, but as we learned with the "shake" trick, many also have a practical application. Teaching your dog to "play dead" can not only impress friends and family members, it's also a nice way to teach your dog to be relaxed on his side, which is also helpful at the vet's office.

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

Pleased to Meet Ya! Teaching your Dog to Shake.

2009-11-09T13:15:00.000-08:00

Whether or not you want to train the next Pet Star, teaching your dog a few fun tricks has a lot of hidden value. Not only are they cute, many tricks serve a practical purpose as well. Teaching a simple paw lift not only becomes a cute "shake" trick, but also helps your dog become more relaxed about practical things such as nail trimming, paw wiping or burr removal.

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

Start 'um Young: Benefits of Puppy Classes!

2009-11-04T13:02:00.000-08:00

Early training and socialization helps your puppy start off on the right paw! Learn how the benefits of a well-run puppy class can outweigh the possible risks.

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

Jr. Handlers in Agility

2009-11-02T09:25:00.001-08:00

Meet Team Taxi. At just seven-years-old, Janelle wanted a puppy. Her parents? Not so much. So they presented her with a challenge: Care for the family's then senior dog (food, fresh water, yard duty) without complaining for one year. Two years later, mission long accomplished plus time to responsibly research dog breeds and breeders, Australian Shepherd puppy, Taxi, joined the family! Janelle and Taxi compete successfully in agility and as of this posting, are just three qualifying scores away from earning their ASCA Agility Championship!

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

Trick or Treat and Train Your Dog!

2009-10-28T16:55:00.000-07:00

Answering the door for Halloween trick or treaters can be a doorbell-ringing/dog-barking headache or an excellent training opportunity! Check out this great training tip for handling your dog at the front door:

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

Prepping Your Pooch for Howl-a-ween!

2009-10-26T13:19:00.001-07:00

It's costume time again! Mummies and witches and goblins, oh my! If you want to include your dog in your costume caper, be sure and take the time to teach him to enjoy wearing a costume. With a few simple steps, your dog will learn to love his Hairy Pawter costume!

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

Dogs and Kids

2009-10-21T13:24:00.000-07:00

Growing up with a dog in the family can make for lots of special memories. Both dogs AND kids need to be taught how to properly interact with each other, and a caring, responsible adult should always be on-hand to oversee interactions and keep everyone happy and safe.

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

For more on the subject of dogs and kids and the need to provide supervision, etc., check out this blog post by Patricia McConnell, Ph.D. McConnell is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and has made a lifelong commitment to improving the relationship between people and animals. I really enjoy her writing. Tales of Two Species and The Other End of the Leash are two of my favorite McConnell books. For a comprehensive list of her written work, click here.

Teaching Sit Stay

2009-10-19T09:06:00.001-07:00

Asking for a few seconds of self control with a sit stay before meals is a simple way to begin the concept of "stay." Dogs learn quickly that butt-on-floor = presentation of the food. When teaching stay, remember to use a "release word" that officially gives your dog the freedom to get up and move around. Over time, he learns that stay means "don't budge" while waiting for the "release."

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

Teaching Leave It

2009-10-12T08:04:00.001-07:00

"Leave it" is a handy behavior for dogs and owners, and once learned, it can help keep a wide variety of inappropriate things out of your dog's mouth! Best of all, it's pretty easy to teach using positive reinforcement.

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

One additional tip: Leave It and Drop It should be different. One (usually leave it) should mean, "Don't put that in your mouth," and the other (usually drop it) means, "Now that it's already in your mouth, please give it back." It's important to remember the difference so as not to confuse the dog.

Splash Doggin' with a Furry Friend

2009-10-07T06:58:00.001-07:00

It's exciting and sometimes a bit scary to try something new, but the challenge is as good for our dogs as it is for us. Having your two- and four-legged friends in tow can make all the difference. Enjoying fun adventures together is one of the biggest benefits of owning a well-trained dog.

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

Playing Hide and Seek with Your Dog!

2009-10-05T09:32:00.000-07:00

Hide and Seek is a great way to practice coming when called! Your dog is "it" and runs to find you around the house or on a trail, as you call him from your hiding place. Keep excitedly calling your dog until he finds you and when he does, have a huge party full of praise, petting and tiny little treats. It's a training game the whole family can enjoy, and your dog will have so much fun, he won't even know he's being trained!

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

New Pics of the Kids!

2009-10-03T18:21:00.000-07:00

Sweet Zoie! Looking good at nine-years-young!

Quiz, nearly six, brings in the bird at a recent Splash Dogs event.

Camp Waggin' Tails

2009-09-30T08:42:00.001-07:00

When choosing a dog training school, finding one that branches out into different activities is especially nice. Caninestein's Camp Waggin' Tails partners with J9's K9s Dog Training in Canoga Park, CA to offer fun, weekend-long training field trips to Big Bear Lake in the summer. It's three days of friends, fun and fur as both two- and four-legged campers have a camptastic good time!

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

Picking a Dog Training School

2009-09-28T11:50:00.000-07:00

There's lots to consider when choosing a trainer and it's important to do your homework ahead of time. Training, most of all, is about building a relationship with your dog. Fortunately, dog training has come a long way since the days of alpha rolls and scruff shakes, and the best dog training schools will help make training fun for you AND your dog.

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

Agility Fun

2009-09-23T08:51:00.001-07:00

Agility is a fun dog sport and a great way to spend time with your dog. It's easy to get started; you can even use common items found around the house!

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

Teaching "Off"

2009-09-21T16:16:00.000-07:00

Dogs enjoy creature comforts just like we do, and many dogs can be found happily lounging on the sofa. There's nothing inherently wrong with allowing your dog on the furniture, so long as he's willing to remove himself when you ask. Teaching "off" is a great way to accomplish this. Also, it's important that if your dog is allowed on furniture, should an occasion arise where you'd rather he *not* be up there, it's up to the humans to manage his behavior. No fair getting mad at the dog one time for doing something he's been *allowed* to do 50 other times!

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

Teaching Drop It

2009-09-16T12:34:00.000-07:00

Teaching your dog to let go of what's in his mouth is an important and potentially life-saving skill. Executing a trade - a treat for what he has - is an easy and non-confrontational way to teach a strong "drop it." Over time, the dog learns to reliably perform the behavior without the treat, so long as owners are consistent with praise and petting and remember to toss in a treat every now and then.

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

Using Tug Games in Training

2009-09-14T13:29:00.000-07:00

Playing tug is a great cooperative activity between dog and owner and the game can also be used to help teach focus around distractions and self-control on the part of the dog. Left unchecked, it can sometimes lead to over-excitement, so it's important to play by a few simple rules.

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

Canine Self Employment

2009-09-14T13:22:00.000-07:00

Teaching your dog to "sit quiet and color" can go a long way toward preventing attention-seeking, destruction and other unwanted behaviors around the house. Today's dog owners have a variety of food puzzle toys to choose from, and they are a great tool to keep in your training tool box.

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

More on Coming When Called - Leaving Distractions!

2009-09-03T18:31:00.001-07:00

Perhaps the biggest hurdle in recall training is teaching a dog to leave a distraction when called. A dog’s willingness to do so is what makes or breaks an effective recall. When a dog is loose or otherwise off-leash, he’s going to be distracted. Therefore, it’s important to convince him that it’s always best to leave distractions and come when we call -- no matter how enticing the distraction! A tall order? Sure. Impossible? Not at all. Find out how in part two of an article on teaching your dog to come when called.

Training Your Dog to Come When Called

2009-08-26T23:20:00.000-07:00

The recall is the most important behavior you will *ever* teach your dog! It’s a skill that might save his life. Imagine that your dog is loose and headed for trouble. You want to know that when you call him, he’ll turn on a dime and start racing back to you so fast, it looks like his butt is on fire and you have the only hose in the entire town! Learn how in part one of a two-part article on Examiner.com.

On Your Spot Training

2009-08-26T15:00:00.000-07:00

Teaching your dog to run to his dog bed, lie down and stay there until you release him is a very useful behavior. It's great for control around the front door, as well as for keeping your dog out from underfoot during specific times of the day.

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

Six behaviors every dog should know, part two.

2009-08-25T16:44:00.000-07:00

Dog training is simple, but it's not easy! Time, patience and consistency are the keys to a well trained dog. In deciding what to train, the possibilities are endless, but some behaviors may be more useful than others. In this three part series, we examine six key behaviors that, when mastered, help make for a harmonious relationship between dog and owner. Today we look at the important skill of being alone as well as why it's beneficial to develop play skills in your dog. Check out part two of the series on Examiner.com.

Canine Body Language: Can You Read Me?

2009-08-24T11:58:00.001-07:00

What's in a wag? Is a wagging tail a sure sign of a happy, friendly dog? Not always. Understanding the basics of dog body language can help keep dog-to-dog encounters safe and happy.

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

Six behaviors every dog should know, part one.

2009-08-24T11:52:00.000-07:00

I recently saw a wonderful t-shirt graphic that could easily become my new mantra:

Time + Patience + Attention = A Well Trained Dog.

If you won't invest in the equation, don't expect the result.

Wow. Truer words have never been spoken! In the spirit of creating a well trained dog, I've come up with a list of six behaviors that I consider to be must-knows (along with tips on how to teach them) for today's canine companions. Check out part one of this three-part series on Examiner.com.

Top Ten Positive Puppy Products

2009-08-21T09:53:00.000-07:00

Everyone loves a cuddly puppy, but not everyone realizes the amount of work that goes into raising one! Raising a puppy takes dedication, patience and consistency as you teach your new canine companion how to handle himself in our human world. It may feel like an uphill battle at times, but fortunately, today's puppy owners have a host of helpful products at their disposal. Check out my Top Ten Positive Puppy Products as featured on Examiner.com!

Housetraining 101

2009-08-19T09:44:00.000-07:00

Pee happens... but one of the first lessons we need to teach a young puppy or new rescue dog is that we prefer it to happen outside! Management, supervision and patience will go a long way toward teaching your dog where to... um, "go."

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

Alarm Barking

2009-08-18T09:09:00.000-07:00

Does your dog turn into a Barkasarus when people or other dogs stroll past your house? On the surface, you may like the idea of a Canine Alarm System, but be warned: Left unchecked, ongoing barking behind barriers such as windows and fences can, in some dogs, lead to other unwanted behaviors, including arousal and potentially even aggression toward other dogs when away from home - even in the friendliest of dogs.

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

Working Walks: Train as you go!

2009-08-13T00:11:00.000-07:00

Walks aren't just for walking! Training your dog is like working out; you get the best results by sticking with your fitness program every day! The good news is that something as simple as a neighborhood walk can be a wonderful training opportunity.

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

Preventing Door Darting

2009-08-10T09:15:00.001-07:00

Tips on teaching your dog to respect an open doorway, plus management tricks to keep him safe throughout the learning process.

Thanks to Aussie pup, Cash (and his mom, Moira), for playing the part of demo dog! Look for Cash again in an upcoming segment on housetraining.

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

Loose Leash Walking

2009-08-05T05:50:00.000-07:00

Tips on teaching your dog to walk without skiing you down the street. Struggling with your own dog's loose leash walking? Take heart. It's one of the most challenging behaviors to train! All about practice and consistency.

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

Importance of Urban Socialization

2009-08-03T09:16:00.000-07:00

Hope, the six-month-old Border Collie, joins us on an urban socialization adventure along busy Ventura Blvd. Regularly exposing your dog to different sights, sounds, smells and surfaces (in addition to manners training) is a great way to help create a canine companion who is confident and calm while out in public.

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

Free Pupcake Friday! August 7, 2009

2009-07-31T17:10:00.001-07:00

Join Caninestein Dog Training for our first-ever Rex in the City Training Walk, a night on the town complete with a free Pupcake at the famous Three Dog Bakery in Sherman Oaks!

WHEN:
Friday, August 7, 2009 from 6:30-7:30pm with optional dog-friendly dinner to follow.

WHERE:
Sherman Oaks, CA. Exact meeting spot will be emailed to you upon registering.

WHO:
Friendly dogs and the people who love them! BRING YOUR FRIENDS! Open to all dogs 4-months and older who are both people- and dog-friendly. Aggressive dogs may not participate, and dogs who exhibit aggressive behavior will be asked to leave the group.

WHY:
Spend an evening with fellow dog-loving peeps! Socialize with old friends and make some new ones! Evenings out are a great way to provide your dog with important urban socialization and it's a wonderful opportunity to train around distractions. Let us show you how to bring out the GENIUS in your pet! New to training? We can help! Don't be shy... come on out and join the fun!

COST:
This Rex in the City Training Walk is being offered at the discounted rate of $10 per dog. Pre-registration is required. Participants must register no later than Wednesday, August 5th.

Register Online Via PayPal, below. By registering you agree to the following Release of Liability:

In consideration of being allowed to participate in this Caninestein Dog Training activity, I hereby release Stephanie Colman/Caninestein Dog Training, and any person acting on their behalf or at their request, from all liability for loss, damage or injury to me or my dog, and agree to hold harmless from all liability, damage, cost or expense (including all attorney fees), arising out of any claim, demand or action based upon any occurrence concerning myself, my guests or my dog. I understand that I alone am responsible for my dog’s behavior, and that I assume full liability for my dog’s actions. Further, I understand that based on my dog’s behavior at any given time, I may be asked to remove my dog from the group activity and in such case, no portion of my pre-paid tuition fee will be refunded to me.

Making the Crate Great

2009-07-29T09:19:00.000-07:00

Tips on how to crate train a puppy or new dog.

*Note: While panting is often a sign of stress in dogs, in this case with Quiz, he's panting out of excitement because he caught sight of the backyard swimming pool at the home where we were filming! Quiz LOVES to swim. He definitely had pool-on-the-brain!

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

Food in Training - Part Two!

2009-07-27T13:23:00.000-07:00

Using food in training - Reward or bribe? How to make sure the dog isn't actually training YOU to produce food! Ask your dog to work (by sitting, for example) for things in his life that he wants: walks, throwing his toy, providing his bowl of food, or inviting him to snuggle on the couch! This creates teamwork and teaches your dog that keeping you happy is the key to opening the door to everything great in his world. Continue to use food randomly - dogs love to gamble! Keep him guessing about when the reward is coming and what it will be, and you may just discover that your dog works even harder than before!

Thoughts on Dominance...

2009-07-26T22:15:00.000-07:00

It's such a big, big can of worms, but I thought this might get the conversation off to a good start. Dr. Sophia Yin has done a WONDERFUL job explaining the dogs' behavior in the different clips. Check it out for yourself:

The Dominance Controversy

Using Food in Training

2009-07-23T16:52:00.000-07:00

Part one of a two-part series on the proper use of food as a reward in dog training.

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

When Good Tonsils Go Bad!

2009-07-20T17:26:00.001-07:00

(A true story from a few years ago. I decided to pull it out b/c I just suggested tonsillitis to someone saying her dog appeared to have sudden "jaw pain.")

“It’ll hurt if I swallow!” This past April, if my dogs could talk, that’s exactly what they would have been saying.

Most of us have experienced tonsillitis at some point in our lives, likely as children. We’re familiar with that stabbing, “Get me some ice cream, QUICK!” pain that, when reoccurring, usually results in the removal of the offending glandular tissue.

Turns out, although rare, dogs can develop tonsillitis too. Like in humans, dog tonsils are an important part of the immune system. They can be found on either side of the throat – one section protruding into the throat and the other part sitting under a mucous membrane, in a pouch called the tonsillar crypt.

Because tonsillitis in dogs is considered rare, and because my dogs – both of them – experienced such extreme symptoms, I wanted to share the experience with fellow Club members so that, should you find yourselves in similar circumstances, you might not be sent on the same Wild Goose Chase that I was while in search of an accurate diagnosis.

It started innocently enough. Following a hike, I bathed both my dogs and began dispensing a post-grooming treat. When Quiz (my Golden) turned his head to eat the treat (a long, dehydrated chicken strip), he cried out. He held his head funny for a second and then proceeded to gingerly eat the treat. My immediate thought was that he had somehow tweaked his neck, which he is prone to doing, thanks to his super high-drive, Kamikaze ways. I kept a close eye on him. He’d reach out to pick up a Nylabone and cry as he tried to put it in his mouth. The same thing happened with a toy. When he would yawn, it was a definite truncated yawn. I phoned our chiropractor and scheduled an appointment for the following day. I tried to dispense Arnica, and he cried when I manually opened his mouth to pop in the pills. I assumed he had something pinched in his neck.

A trip to the chiropractor revealed little. The next morning, out of the corner of my eye, I caught Zoie (my Whippet) doing the same little, truncated yawn. Assuming I was imagining things, I called her over to me so I could manually open her mouth, certain all would be fine. Instead, she screamed!

Now I was really worried. This also served as clarification that the issue with Quiz was not likely to be his neck. I called my regular vet’s office and, because it was a Saturday, was referred to Animal Surgery & Emergency Center (ASEC) in Los Angeles to see a specialist. I phoned, expecting to simply make an appointment for Monday, but when I explained the symptoms, they advised me to bring the dogs in, saying it sounded as though they had tetanus!

I arrived, signed in, and gave my name, to which their response was, “The possible tetanus dogs are here!” (Insert personal panic attack here!) My dogs were immediately whisked away to the back. I should add that, by this time, Quiz had stopped eating, was throwing up, and was running a fever. Zoie seemed fine, except for the obvious pain upon opening her mouth.

We met with a Board Certified Emergency Medicine vet, who explained that they had ruled out tetanus. With tetanus, they expect to see a tightening of facial features, the ears will prick up, the lips will draw up into a “grin”, etc. However, they were stumped as to what was causing the now extreme symptom of pain upon opening of the mouth. Zoie would cry if you opened her mouth more than an inch. Quiz wasn’t much better. She had consulted with her fellow Board Certified vets as well as conducted a VetMed search, all to no avail. Her recommendation was to try broad-spectrum antibiotics for a few days and go from there.

To make this now long story a bit shorter, we spent the weekend on antibiotics. Zoie continued to show no symptoms other than this strange “jaw pain”. She’d eat as long as I watered down her food to the consistency of runny oatmeal. She was happy to run around, go outside, etc. Quiz, on the other hand, is my delicate child who became extremely lethargic, didn’t eat for more than 48 hours, was throwing up and had bouts of bloody diarrhea. He and I made another trip to ASEC on Saturday night to address the vomiting and diarrhea.

By Monday, the dogs were about the same. We returned to ASEC. By now, I was almost certain that Quiz would need to be admitted, as he hadn’t eaten more than a bite or two of food since Friday. We signed in and waited to see Dr. Bonnie Werner, a Board Certified Internist. The drawback of going to an emergency center like ASEC is that cases are triaged, so we had to wait several hours before being seen. While waiting, I finally got Quiz to eat some Koo Koo Roo turkey. As far as I was concerned, it was magic turkey and I’m almost certain that passersby thought I was insane as I cheered him on while he ate the turkey!

After waiting almost six hours, we were finally seen by Dr. Werner. By now, they had both been on antibiotics for just over 48 hours and Dr. Werner was able to open their mouths enough to see that both dogs had visibly swollen tonsils. We had our answer: tonsillitis! We ran blood work just to be on the safe side and increased the number of days they’d be on antibiotics. They were both fine within the week.

I can laugh now – about all the different things we came up with as possible diagnosis or things to test for. Thoughts ran the gamut from various autoimmune disorders to possible jaw fractures. It’s almost embarrassing to think that from the beginning, throat pain from tonsillitis was mis-diagnosed as jaw pain. However, for as silly as it sounds, I can add that all the vets I’ve spoken with – and it’s been many – have all said that they’ve NEVER seen tonsillitis dogs present with pain upon opening their mouths. It’s common for dogs to not want to swallow and thus, not want to eat, but the pain upon opening the mouth (due to the severe inflammation of the tonsils) really threw them.

I’ll never know for sure what caused the tonsillitis. My suspicion is that both dogs came in contact with some type of bacteria in standing water that they encountered while on the hike. Hopefully you’ll never encounter such symptoms with your own dogs, but if you do, remember our experience and make sure that tonsillitis isn’t behind what’s being diagnosed as “jaw pain”.
© Stephanie Colman

Canine Pool Safety

2009-07-20T07:07:00.000-07:00

Some refresher tips for teaching your dog to safely enjoy a refreshing swim!

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

Dogs and Babies

2009-07-15T13:54:00.000-07:00

Training tips for a harmonious relationship between the two- and four-legged kids in your home!

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

It's never too early to start! For more information on preparing your dog for the arrival of a human baby, call (818) 989-7996 and/or check out the following resources:

Books:

And Baby Makes Four
by Penny Scott-Fox

Raising Puppies & Kids Together
by Pia Silvani and Lynn Eckhardt

Living with Kids and Dogs Without Losing Your Mind
by Colleen Pelar

Child-Proofing Your Dog
by Brian Kilcommons and Sarah Wilson

Training Programs:

Dogs and Storks (Check out this Wall Street Journal article about the program.)

Emotion in Training

2009-07-15T13:43:00.000-07:00

Mutual enjoyment of each other. Life is good!

Photo by Jeanette Oliver.

Safe Car Travel for Dogs

2009-07-13T09:06:00.000-07:00

July 13, 2009

Reliable Recall Segment on KNBC Los Angeles

2009-07-08T07:15:00.000-07:00

Key points on teaching a potentially life-saving recall! Thanks again to reporter, Jen Bjorklund, and the KNBC team for their support of humane, scientifically-sound training techniques! (Thanks to demo dog, Quiz, too!)

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

Need help with your dog's recall? Call (818) 989-7996!

Sit for Petting Segment on KNBC Los Angeles

2009-07-06T05:25:00.000-07:00

Training tips to tackle "Excesive Greeting Disorder!" Aired on KNBC Los Angeles at 4am and 6am on July 6, 2009. Thanks to reporter, Jen Bjorklund, and the demo team of Apryl and Wrigley!

Downloadable Pet Emergency Form

2009-06-30T10:08:00.000-07:00

It's here... It's here!

Click to download your own customizable Pet Emergency Information form!

The only way I could make it any easier is if I came to your house and filled it out for you!

Take five minutes out of your day... right now... and compile this valuable information. Toss one in your glove box and keep one with your important documents at home. Now you can rest easy, knowing that your fur-kids are protected in the event of an emergency.

Please share this post with all your animal-loving friends!

Emergency Pet Info

2009-06-23T12:45:00.001-07:00

Thought I'd add a sample Emergency Pet Info sheet, since I referenced it in my Riding in Cars with Dogs column from from last week. Here's what mine looks like:

(Click to see super-size version.)

It's all simple information, but it can easily be forgotten in an emergency. Well worth it to take a few minutes to create a form of your own and stick it in your glove box.

You know what they say about an ounce of prevention...

Keep Your Dogs Safe & Secure on July 4th!

2009-06-21T14:01:00.000-07:00

While fireworks offer a dazzling display for people, they can be quite unsettling to dogs. Many dogs are afraid of fireworks, and some even exhibit an extreme, phobic response. The following tips can help:

If you have not lived with your dog for a previous July 4th holiday (therefore, you don't know how he'll react to the sound of fireworks), it's recommended that you DO NOT leave your dog home alone. Dogs with phobic reactions to fireworks can easily panic and injure themselves in the process. Many panicked dogs find ways to escape from their yards and can be further injured or killed while running loose. Statistically, July 5th is one of the busiest days of the year for local shelters, as people go looking for lost pets. Remember that many neighborhoods celebrate early and continue firework festivities a few days after the 4th, so be prepared. Be sure your dog is wearing a properly-fitting collar with up-to-date contact information, just in case the unthinkable happens and he becomes lost.

If you are unable to stay home with your dog on the 4th of July, keep him confined in an escape-proof area such as his crate or baby-gated in a laundry room or other small, dog-proofed area. Close up the windows (kick-up the AC if needed) and turn up the TV or radio to help insulate your home from firework noise. Leave your dog something WONDERFUL to do -- like extract his dinner from a tightly-stuffed KONG toy.

If you're staying home with your dog - or if he will be accompanying you to a family BBQ or outing - make sure he's nice and hungry when the sun goes down. Arm yourself with a pocket full of mind-blowingly tasty treats (like tri tip off the grill!) and keep him busy working and playing for treats as the fireworks blast in the distance. Play all his favorite games and teach him that the big BOOMS predict that great, fun things will happen! Remember not to spend too much time coddling him if he seems worried. If he’ll eat a treat, it’s better to spend your energy reinforcing his desire to eat rather than focusing on how pitiful he looks.

It is recommended that you NOT take your dog with you to a fireworks display. Hearing them in the distance is dramatically different from being directly AT a display. Over-exposure to the sights, sounds and smells of fireworks can, in some dogs, *create* a phobic response.

For multiple dog families, if one dog already exhibits a fearful or phobic response to the sound of fireworks, be sure to separate the dogs so that non-fearful dog does not "catch" the fear. In dogs, fear and aggression can be very contagious. This is especially important for young dogs who frequently look to the older dogs in the household for information.

If you discover that your dog does exhibit a fearful response to fireworks, find a qualified trainer who can help you. Systematic desensitization and counter-conditioning throughout the year can often improve a fearful dog's response to the sound of fireworks. Keep in mind that dogs who are afraid of fireworks also struggle during thunderstorms and on New Year’s Eve, when fireworks and unfortunately, even gun shots are common forms of revelry. If you already know your dog already exhibits a fear response to the sounds of fireworks, consider trying one of the over-the-counter calming remedies such as Rescue Remedy or melatonin. In extreme cases, you may need to treat the phobia pharmaceutically. Be sure to work with your vet long before July 4th. It often takes a bit of trial and error to determine the best dosage for your pet and you’ll want to be certain what to expect by the 4th.

Have a happy, SAFE 4th of July!

Editor's Note: The patriotic Border Collie pictured above is Trace, loved and owned by my friend, Ann. At 1.5 years old, Trace is hard at work in herding, obedience and agility. He's the total package: smart and handsome! Thanks to Ann for sharing his picture!

© Contents from this blog may not be displayed or reproduced without express written permission.

Riding in Cars with Dogs - Tips for Safe Roadtrippin' with Rover!

2009-06-12T00:21:00.000-07:00

Who doesn’t know at least one dog who instantly rockets himself into a fit of excitement upon hearing his owners mention going for a R. I. D. E.? For many dogs, the car is the magic portal to everything fun: the park, the pet store or the hole in the wall where the French fries come from. (Oh c’mon… like you’ve never been to a drive thru with your dog in the car?)

As a trainer, one of my greatest pleasures is seeing dog owners venture out to experience life with their dogs in tow. Including your dog in outings, whether something routine like a trip to the bank or a weekend mini vacation, is a great bonding experience and an excellent opportunity to sneak in valuable urban socialization and training. However, when taking Rover along for the ride, it’s important to follow a few safety tips:

Buckle Up that Pup!
Most people would never dream of letting a toddler travel unsecured in a vehicle, but sadly, it happens to dogs all the time. Experts estimate that nearly 98 percent of pets travel unrestrained. This shocking statistic presents a variety of dangers for both pets and people. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 25 percent of all accidents are the result of driver distraction. Dogs riding loose in cars can quickly become a dangerous distraction as they roam about the vehicle. In the event of an accident, unrestrained animals pose several potentially life-threatening problems. The non-profit group Bark Buckle Up estimates that during a collision at 40 mph, a 25lb dog can cause an impact equal to 1,000 lbs of force. A 60 lb dog at just 35 mph represents 2,700 lbs of force. If the unrestrained dog were to hit a person, it could easily break the person’s neck. Likewise, hitting or crashing through the car windshield with that much force would more than likely kill the dog.

In less extreme examples, unrestrained dogs can sustain injuries from flying off seats and hitting other parts of the vehicle or being struck by the air bag, which deploys at approximately 200 mph. Assuming your pet survives the initial accident, you now must deal with a panicked animal prone to unpredictable, even aggressive behavior. As a result, injured human passengers must wait longer to receive potentially life-saving care. Many years ago, I heard a story about an elderly gentleman, travelling with his unsecured dogs, who had a heart attack and crashed his vehicle. His panicked dogs barked and lunged aggressively at the doors and windows, keeping paramedics at bay for so long, that the gentleman died before paramedics could get to him.
Even if your dogs aren’t aggressively challenging rescue personnel, they’re at risk for bolting out of the vehicle as soon as the doors are opened. Now your dogs are at risk of running loose, getting lost and potentially causing another accident as drivers swerve to avoid hitting them in the street.

Collisions aren’t the only kind of accidents to worry about. Dogs riding unrestrained face other potential dangers such as:

Jumping out of or falling from an open window. It only takes a second for a determined Casanova Cocker Spaniel to decide he must get to the precious Poodle across the street! Dogs can easily jump out or fall from an open car window. I once worked with a woman whose Boxer was nearly killed when he jumped from the back of her moving vehicle onto busy Wilshire Blvd. Her two dogs were riding unrestrained with the back windows rolled up, that is, until one dog stepped up onto the arm rest, hitting the window button and lowering the window.

Eye injuries from debris. Yes, dogs may seem to enjoy riding with their heads hanging out of the window, but it’s not safe. Riding this way puts them at risk of injury from flying debris and also increases the likelihood of arousal toward passing people and other dogs.

Dogs in trucks. Under no conditions should dogs ride loose in the back of trucks. Period. In many states, including California, it’s illegal unless the dog is in a secured cage or cross-tied, or unless the truck has side rails that are at least 46” high. Even cross-tied or with legal railing, it’s a very unsafe way for your pet to travel. Please don’t do it, even on short trips.

So how does one keep canine companions safe during car travel? Confinement is the answer and you have two choices, a properly-fitting canine seat belt or a pet carrier.

Seat Belts – There are several types of canine seat belts on the market. Most work on the principle of a body harness with a strap that attaches to the car’s seat belt system. The strap is designed to be just long enough for the dog to comfortable shift from a sit to a down, rather than move around excessively on the seat. Some straps have a loop in the handle that is threaded through the shoulder harness of the car’s seat belt, some snap directly into the buckle, and others are designed to attach to the tether points of an SUV. While *any* seat belt may be better than riding loose, not all seat belts are created equal. Some seat belts are independently tested and manufactured to meet (or in some cases, even exceed) standards for human seatbelts, so be sure to do your homework prior to securing your furry friend. Here are a few references to get you started:

http://www.ruffrider.com/
http://www.canineseatbelt.com/
http://www.barkbuckleup.com/

If your dog has been used to riding loose, it may take a little training to acclimate him to the new arrangement. If possible, recruit a friend or family member to accompany you for a short drive. Sit with your dog (backseat only, away from the front airbag, please!) and reward him (praise, petting and treats) for remaining calm while sitting or lying down. After a few tries with someone else behind the wheel, try a solo adventure. Remember to praise your dog while driving, and plan to toss him a treat or two whenever you can safely do so. If you have two dogs who will need to ride together, do this process with each dog individually before attempting it with both.

Pet Carrier – There are three choices in the pet carrier category: plastic, wire or soft-sided, duffel-style (for toy breeds). If airline requirements are any indication of which is the safest, plastic comes out on top. Whichever type you choose, be sure to somehow secure the crate within the vehicle. Small crates and soft-sided carriers can be strapped in using the car’s seatbelt, and larger crates in the rear section of SUVs can be tethered to factory-installed anchor points.

Now that your pet is safely secured during transport, consider the following tips for travel near and far:

May I See Your ID?
Be sure to keep an ID tag with current information on your dog at all times, especially when travelling. If travelling out of town, add an ID tag with your cell phone number and a local contact number where you’ll be staying. Have your pet micro-chipped as an added source of permanent identification. (As an added tip, pet ID tags with the word “REWARD” and a phone number are great for adding to your key ring in case you ever lose your keys!)

Local Veterinary Care
Prior to embarking on an out-of-town adventure with your pet, do your research and find the local veterinarian as well as the local 24-hour emergency facility. Map out directions in advance and keep them on file with the name, address and phone number of the facility.

Local Medical Considerations
Before leaving, speak with your vet about medical concerns specific to your destination. For example, heartworm may not be a problem in your hometown, but may be rampant at your destination.

Motion Sickness
Some dogs, like some people, are prone to motion sickness. Young puppies are the most common victims, and the good news is that they usually grow out of it. Over-stimulation of the inner ear (as is the cause of motion sickness in people), stress and fatigue can cause motion sickness in pets. Dogs with motion sickness exhibit excessive salivation (think drooling buckets!) and in some cases, vomiting. Travelling on an empty stomach can help minimize or prevent motion sickness, as can riding in a crate, as it reduces potentially over-stimulating visual input. Be sure to expose your dog to lots of short car rides to fun places. If he only ever saddles up for a trip to the vet, the car will quickly become unpleasant and stressful. In extreme cases, medication may help, so talk to your vet if you’ve been unable to remedy the problem on your own. Frequently, dogs who experience motion sickness learn to dislike the car in general, often showing signs of stress such as yawning, panting and pacing, and even become reluctant to enter the car in the first place. If your dog falls into the category, find a qualified trainer who can help implement a structured desensitization program.

Know the Facts
It’s easy to forget important information in an emergency, so keep a detailed fact sheet for each pet in your glove box. Include details such as the name, phone number and address of your primary veterinarian, date of most recent vaccinations, whether or not your pet has medical insurance (and with what company), medical conditions/related medication, and notable personality traits. Include a recent front and side-view photo that can be used to make “Lost Dog” posters in case your dog is separated from you while away from home. You should also include the name and phone number of a friend or family member who is authorized to care for your pets should you fall ill or become injured while travelling.

Practice On-the-Road Potty Habits
If your dog isn’t regularly asked to relieve himself while leashed, he may balk (bark?) at the idea while on the road. It’s a wise idea to prevent “shy bladder syndrome” in your dog by getting him used to the idea at home. Prior to your road trip, make a point to leash walk your dog in your own backyard when you think he might have to relieve himself. If he’s really reluctant, start with a longer leash and work your way down to a standard 4’ or 6’ leash.

Mind Your Manners at Home and on the Town
Basic obedience can play a major role in keeping your dog safe and secure while on the road. The following behaviors are a must-have when hitting the open road:

Wait and Stay – Prevents your dog from forcing his way out of the car door alongside the busy road or blasting past you out of the hotel room in an unfamiliar area.

Coming when Called – Get your dog back to you in virtually any situation. Just might save his life!

Quiet – Helps barking in the car, in hotels or at campsites.

Sit – A quick, easy position to pre-empt other unwanted behaviors.

On Your Spot – Helps your dog learn to settle and relax in a specified area. Portable dog beds work great for this, as they travel easily and allow your dog to travel with a familiar piece of real estate.

Loose Leash Walking – A dog who refrains from skiing his owner around town is much less likely to find himself in trouble while away from home.

Lastly, remember that dogs appreciate predictability and travel is a change in routine. This can be stressful for some dogs, so be sure to bring along some comforts from home (dog bed, toys, favorite chew bone) and make an attempt to stick with pieces of your dog’s regular routine. Something as simple as practicing a sit stay for his food bowl in the hotel – if it’s what he’s used to at home – can go a long way toward providing a sense of security while on the road.

Swimming Pool Safety

2009-05-23T17:20:00.001-07:00

A dip in the pool can be a great way for our four-legged friends to beat the heat this summer! Since we can't outfit them with water wings, it's important to teach dogs safe pool manners in order to keep everyone happy and healthy all summer long. Consider the following tips:

Step Right Up!
Teach your dog only to enter and exit the pool via the steps. This helps prevent human pool guests from unexpectedly becoming victims of a canine cannonball as the dog launches himself in from the side of the pool. More importantly, it cements the idea of the steps in the dog's head, which helps navigate him back there in order to safely exit the pool. Sadly, many dogs, even accomplished swimmers, have drowned while trying unsuccessfully to claw their way out from the edge of the pool.

Swimming Lessons Aren't Just for People!
It's true! Many dogs benefit from a swimming lesson or two. While all dogs know to instinctively paddle when submerged in water, their initial technique rarely wins them a spot on the Canine Olympic Swim Team! Inexperienced swimmers often concentrate their efforts on using the front legs, forgetting to start-up the rear end! Front-end-only swimming is ineffective and uses a tremendous amount of energy. It results in the dog being near-vertical in the water, with lots of splashing. It looks a lot like our friend, Hooper, pictured to the right. Getting in the pool with the dog and supporting his back end as he swims a short distance is often a great way to prompt him to begin doing more with his back legs. As the dog gets the hang of using his front and back ends in unison, the body evens out and the splashing disappears. The most effective swimmers can enter the pool and swim a lap without ever getting the top of their backs wet! (Note: No Hoopers were drowned in the taking of this picture! It was his first day dock jumping. He had a blast and appears to have a great natural jumping form. He's still perfecting his butterfly stroke, but he'll get it.)

Check out a story I shot in 2007 with KNBC's Jennifer Bjorklund, on this very topic. The water-crazed Golden is my dog, Quiz. The Lab, also seen above, is Jen's dog, Tommy. The Aussie is Taxi, who belongs to Janelle, a very talented Jr. Handler who trains and shows Taxi in agility and conformation. The star canine is Toby, a Shetland Sheepdog and longtime client of mine. Toby and his family recently moved to Chicago. We miss them terribly.

Specific Needs of Different Breeds
Keep in mind that heavily muscled breeds are less buoyant compared to their average build friends. Bully breeds in particular come to mind. For these breeds, consider desensitizing them to a dog life jacket to provide an extra layer of safety during their poolside adventures. Also, not all breeds will like the water. Sighthounds are notoriously known for their disdain of anything wet. You may want your dog to become the next Michael Phelps (well, minus the pot-smoking, and all...) but he may feel otherwise. Never force your dog into the water when he's showing an extreme reaction. Your dog needs to know he can trust you.

Easy Does It
Swimming is a great way for dogs to burn off excess energy, stay in shape and even shed some unwanted pounds! When swimming an overweight dog, be sure to check with the veterinarian first and be careful not to overdo it. The more overweight the dog, the quicker he will tire out. Start slowly and gradually increase the amount of time your dog swims. Similarly, when dealing with dogs who lead traditionally sedentary lives, avoid the Weekend Warrior Syndrome of too much of a good thing. Dogs, like people, experience muscle soreness and stiffness, and they're counting on us to lookout for their best interests.

Pool Covers: Tragedy in the Making
Unless your pool cover is solid and strong enough to support your weight, do not leave it on when your dog is unattended near the pool. Countess dogs, even accomplished swimmers, have lost their lives following an unexpected tumble into a covered pool. Once they're in, the cover is disorienting, the dog gets stuck under it, and it's almost always impossible for a dog to find his way out.

Landmark Up Ahead!
Speaking of disorienting, it's often helpful to keep a large visual marker, such as a backyard umbrella or large potted plant near the vicinity of the pool stairs. This can help orient your dog in the proper direction, and is especially helpful for dogs who may not enjoy the water, but accidentally find themselves in the pool. Remember: All dogs who will potentially be left unsupervised near the pool should be taught to safely find the stairs, even if they don't swim recreationally.

Watch Out for Unintentional Pawticures
Canine pool enthusiasts can quickly ware their nails down to the point of bleeding as they excitedly race around the pool's exterior. Keep a watchful eye on the pads of their feet as well. Repeated launching from pool steps can tear up paw pads; especially on dogs who spend most of their time on grass.

Know When to Say When
Dedicated swimmers often forget they're dogs, not ducks! Keep a close eye on your dog and be sure to get him out of the pool for a break as soon as you see signs of physical fatigue or over-stimulation. Watch the rear. The lower the rear in an accomplished swimmer, the more tired he is.

Learn to Wait Your Turn!
It's also important to teach your dog to remain calm when others are swimming and he has too stay back at the cabana. Many dogs want to excitedly race around the exterior of the pool, barking madly while watching their favorite humans take a dip. It's hard for dogs to not be right smack in the middle of all the fun! If you don't want him racing around the pool in bark-fest mode, try not to ever let him practice. When you wish to have some dog-free pool time, consider confining your dog indoors where he can't see the pool activity, and be sure to give him something wonderful like a favorite chew bone or other consolation prize. Additionally, set up training sessions where one person works the dog (leashed, with wonderful treats in-hand) while another casually enjoys the pool. Reward generously for calm poolside behavior.

Good Enough to Drink? and Water In, Water Out!
Pool water belongs in pools, not dogs! Avoid letting your dog drink excessively from the backyard pool. The same goes for rivers, ponds, lakes and the ocean. Always keep an ample supply of fresh water on hand during outdoor activities. Keep in mind that your dog will likely unintentionally ingest larger-than-normal amounts of water while swimming. Be sure to give him lots of opportunities to relieve himself when the fun is over (and expect him to "go" more than normal) to avoid possible accidents in the house.

Post-Swim Doggie Spa Treatment
Be sure to rinse off your dog following an outdoor water adventure. Chlorine and other pool chemicals can easily dry out a dog's coat and skin, and swimming in natural environments can result in a dirty dog. Avoid letting your dog sit in a wet collar, as hot spots can develop. Be mindful of other areas that may remain damp for longer than normal: ears, groin and armpits, as they can quickly develop moisture-induced irritations or infections.

With a little pre-pool training and planning, you and your dog will share many happy summer memories. Last one in the pool is a moldy bone!

If you live in the greater Los Angeles area and would like to schedule a pool safety lesson, please call Stephanie at (818) 989-7996.

Final Note:
The other beautiful Golden pictured above, is the graceful Gracie! She's as water-crazed as my own Quiz. They're buddies. All the pictures were taken at a dock jumping competition. You can view a fun video of the dogs in action, here.

© Contents from this blog may not be displayed or reproduced without express written permission.

Sniffing Out Good Stuff!

2009-05-20T12:21:00.000-07:00

While I dig up this week's blog post, please enjoy the following articles of interest. I sure did! Two thumbs and four paws up, way up for Dr. Sophia Yin, who contributed the following two gems:

Seven Tips for Preventing Dog Bites in Animal Care Professionals and Dog Lovers

and

Experts Say Dominance-Based Training Techniques Made Popular By Television Shows Can Contribute to Dog Bites

I also found this one: Dogs Are Aggressive If They Are Trained Badly, which at first glance, seemed like it would be in-line with my beliefs, but sadly, it goes on to say that many behavior problems in dogs are caused by owners failing to establish dominance over their dogs or use physical punishment when necessary.

Dominance. *sigh* There's that word again. I'll blog more about that soon. I swear.

Fortunately, not long after reading the disappointing training article on the Spanish study, I received a press release from the Association of Pet Dog Trainers regarding National Dog Bite Prevention Week (May 17-23):

Training Dogs with Positive Methods Can Decrease Dog Bites.

Ahhh. Much more my style!

Knowledge is power. Happy reading... and happy training... so keep your training happy!

© Contents from this blog may not be displayed or reproduced without express written permission.

Be Prepared!

2009-05-12T09:08:00.000-07:00

Residents of the Santa Barbara area of Southern California are trying to recover from a devastating wildfire that ravaged the hillside community. The Jesusita fire gutted 78 homes and damaged many others, displaced hundreds, and injured 28 firefighters - three seriously. As of today, exactly one week after the fire started, it is 80 percent contained. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who have been affected by the fire.

Whether it’s a large-scale natural disaster such as a fire, earthquake or hurricane, or an unforeseen emergency, everyone, including your animals, can benefit from a well thought out emergency plan. When planning ahead, keep in mind the following:

If you need to evacuate your home, do not leave your pets behind. They are not likely to survive on their own. For public heath reasons, most emergency shelters do not accept pets. Do some research now to find area hotels/motels that are pet-friendly and identify a few friends and family members who would be willing to shelter your pets in an emergency. Contact your local Animal Services Department and inquire about the emergency sheltering plans. In Santa Barbara for example, Animal Services partnered with the Earl Warren Showgrounds to provide temporary shelter for hundreds of large and small animals. Definitely want to send a shout out to the wonderful volunteers who played a role in that effort!

Make absolutely certain that your pets wear collars with identification tags at all times. Keep the contact information up-to-date. Consider adding a cell phone number or number of an out-of-area friend or relative to maximize the opportunities for an appropriate caretaker to be contacted regarding your pet. Have your dogs and cats micro-chipped at your vet’s office or local shelter, to provide them with a permanent source of identification.

Keep an appropriately sized crate or pet carrier on-hand. In the event of an earthquake, confining your pets in a crate will help prevent injuries from broken glass or other foreign objects. Depending on the extent of damage to your home, you may need the crate to keep your pet safely confined on your property.

Create a Pet Survival Kit that is kept in an easily accessible place and contains necessities like pet food, bottled water, medication, food/water bowls, a can opener, first-aid kit and one or more sturdy leashes. Include relevant information about your pet such as veterinarian information and a brief medical history. Make sure to include your contact information as well as the contact information of anyone authorized to care for your pet in your absence. Include a current photo of each of your pets. If space allows, include your pet’s bed and a familiar toy to help reduce stress.

Make a list of area boarding facilities, veterinarian offices and shelters. In the event that you are unable to return to your home right away and need long-term care for your animals, these facilities can assist you in finding appropriate care for your pets. If you must place your pet in temporary foster care with a friend or boarding facility, make sure your Pet Survival Kit accompanies him.

Keep in mind that not all emergencies take place while you are home with your pets. Designate a nearby friend or family member who would be willing to go to your home to check on your pets and pick them up if necessary. Make sure this person has a key to your home and knows where to find your Pet Survival Kit. Consider adding an Animal Rescue Sticker to your front door or window to alert rescue personnel of the type and number of animals inside. Rescue stickers can be purchased at most pet stores and are available free-of-charge at www.aspca.org.

If you have no alternative but to leave your pet at home while you evacuate in an emergency (as was the case for many Hurricane Katrina victims), the Humane Society of the United States offers the following suggestions:

1. Confine your pet to a safe area inside the home. Never leave your pet chained up.

2. Leave your pet with plenty of fresh water, preferably in a non-tip/non-spill bowl.

3. Place a visible notice outside advising rescue personnel what pets are inside the house and where they are located. Include phone numbers for yourself, your pet’s emergency contact and the veterinarian.

4. Leave leashes, transport carriers and your Pet Survival Kit where they can easily be found.

For more information on how to best meet the needs of your animals in the event of an emergency, visit the Association for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals and the Humane Society of the United States. Have a emergency tip you'd like to share? Please post a comment. Knowledge is power. The more we know, the better we can help protect ourselves and our four-legged friends.

Use Your Thumbs Wisely!

2009-05-03T21:15:00.000-07:00

We humans rely on our fingers for a lot of things: gripping, grasping… um, gesturing. Our dogs are often on the receiving end of our handiwork. This is usually a good thing. Lacking thumbs, they need us for the important stuff like filling food and water bowls, opening and closing doors, attaching leashes for walks, throwing favorite toys and much more.

Our thumbs are very powerful tools. We should remember to use them wisely. And responsibly – especially when dealing with our canine companions. Unfortunately, this is where we humans often get a bit full of ourselves and mistakenly think we can wield our thumb-loving power without giving sufficient consideration to the lasting effects our actions might have on our four-legged friends.

I teach group classes and private lessons. If I had a dollar for every time I heard a client say, “My dog lets me (fill in the blank: touch his feet, take his food bowl, look in his ears),” I’d, well, be using my prehensile thumb to grip a big ol’ pile of extra dollars! It seems as though we humans are somewhat drunk with power when it comes to thumbs. Because we can, we’ll grip a dog’s foot and examine his nails, fish the hotdog wrapper out of his mouth or thrust our hand in front of his face and into his food bowl while he’s eating. So long as the dog doesn’t appear to react, we assume there’s no problem. After all, he let us do it.

How is the dog considered in this handiwork? Why is it that we just expect him to lie there calmly (or passively accept being restrained) as we handle his feet, ask him to relinquish his favorite chew bone without pause “just because,” and not bat an eye at the fact that, in the middle of his meal, we decided to loom over him and shove our hand in the way? Don’t get me wrong. I can do all of these things to my own dogs without incident, but not just because. My dogs remain calm and unconcerned when I need to pick up a prized chew bone, because I’ve taught them that the bone will return, if not right away, then eventually. And I’ve made it pleasant to relinquish other prized possessions by trading for treats and sometimes still giving the possession right back. They aren’t threatened by my presence near their food bowls as they eat, because I’ve taught them that having me nearby means a tidbit of turkey might suddenly appear on the floor next to their bowl. I can, if I ever need to, spontaneously interrupt their eating by asking them to sit, and they’ll do it, because the majority of the time, I make it worth their while with more turkey. In short, I try very hard to limit the amount of times I use the power of my thumbs just because I feel I can.

Much of what we need to do to dogs on a regular basis, can and often does, feel worrisome or threatening to them, even when they let us do it. I can totally relate. I’m often anxious while sitting prone in the dentist’s chair, but I still let him do what he needs to do. That doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate his stress-reducing gestures of frequently asking how I’m doing or if I need a break. You could probably even condition me to LIKE being in the dentist’s chair if you repeatedly fed me M&Ms while I was there, but I don’t think that would go over too well with the dentist! Maybe a free-flowing supply of $10 bills? OK. Back to the dogs… but that reminds me, I DO need to schedule a dentist appointment. (Insert author’s slightly increasing pulse, here.)

The problem with relying on the fact that a dog “lets” us do something is that the behavior can quickly deteriorate under stress. The dog that seems not to mind having his feet handled under normal conditions, may, when in discomfort from being stung by a bee, suddenly feel quite differently when you ask him to sit still and not protest as you try to discern exactly which pad on his limping food is harboring the stinger. The dog who lets you handle his feet at home may suddenly become far less cooperative when he finds himself on a grooming table, at the hands of people he doesn’t know in the neighborhood grooming salon.

So what do you do?

That’s where training comes in! Rather than coast through life with a dog who seems to “let” you do things, teach him to associate what needs to be done with something he really likes! Food is your best friend in these situations, because nobody had to teach your dog to like food. All dogs are born knowing that food is good, but they have to learn (usually very early on in the weeks before they join our families as young puppies) that things like petting and toys are also good. Whenever you practice “doing” things to your dog (like body part handling, grooming or asking him to relinquish prized objects), make a point to pair the activity with a really tasty treat or two, or even five (go ahead, be generous!). It’s classical conditioning, which can help lodge “warm fuzzy” feelings of goodness deep in your dog’s brain. Pair an exercise with food often enough, and the exercise itself can start to elicit the same happy feelings as the food! Now, even under stress, you have this arsenal of classically-conditioned goodness upon which your dog can unconsciously draw to help prevent or lessen an emotional or behavioral meltdown. Thank you Dr. Pavlov!

(Images removed upon request.)

Sure, it takes patience, practice and an investment of time, but really, isn’t it a small price to pay, knowing it can greatly reduce the stress your furry friend experiences? Since just being with a dog can help reduce our stress level, the least we can do is attempt to return the favor. Or consider this: dogs under extreme stress – all dogs, under ENOUGH stress – are capable of biting. This classical conditioning training just might make the difference between a dog who squirms under protest, and one who frantically bites the hand (yours, the groomers or the vets) trying to help him. And really, in the big picture of animal training, much of what we need to teach dogs to willingly accept is easy compared to some of the animal training challenges out there. Imagine training a 3,400 lb. walrus to willingly accept having a giant needle inserted into his back, next to his spine, all while completely unrestrained! Trainers at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, WA. did just that. Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, Kathy Sdao, former trainer of E.T. the walrus, shares some of his training here. It’s a beautiful story about the need for patience and the power of positive training. Plus, I dare you not to smirk, at least a little, as you conjure up an image of a walrus that size masturbating in front of the underwater viewing window in his exhibit!

It’s no secret I’m a fan of dog training. But here’s the thing. I’m willing to bet the entire handful of extra dollars I mentioned earlier, that at least one reader of today’s post is thinking, “Hey, I can handle my dog anywhere, anytime, under any conditions and stick my hand in his mouth while he’s eating… and have been for his entire life… so there!” Trust me, I don’t doubt for a second that it’s true. Some dogs are like that. You can poke them, prod them, fall on them, pull their tails and do whatever else the situation calls for, all without incident. Good genetics go a long way toward producing a dog with such a stellar temperament that he seems totally and utterly bomb proof. No doubt that those dogs are out there (they make great therapy and crisis response dogs!), and if you’re the proud owner of one, good for you! Not all dogs are like that, or if they are, they don’t all stay like that. And even if yours is, just consider that it may not always be fair to do things just because you can. The best relationships (even dog-human ones), after all, are two-way streets, not power struggles where one party is constantly exerting dominance over the other.

And speaking of dominance… Now THERE’S a big ol’ can of worms within the dog-owning and training community! Stay tuned. I’ll use my prehensile thumb to open that can in the next post.

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Good Enough to Eat!

2009-05-01T22:53:00.000-07:00

I’ve been dieting (sort of) for a while now, working to lose the “Sequim Seven” (ok, more like nine!) that I gained several months ago when I took an extended trip to Legacy Canine Training in Sequim, WA to train chickens with the legendary Bob Bailey. Two+ weeks of gloriously catered lunches and social dinner outings left my butt feeling big and my pants feeling small! And so began the ongoing string of Lean Cuisine and Jell-O cups that would become my dietary staples, with frequent treadmill running begrudgingly thrown in for good measure.

I think depravation leads to desperation. Or experimentation. I’m not sure. All I know that is somewhere during this “dieting phase,” I decided it would be a good idea to sample a high-end dog treat. OK. Truth be told, the idea originated years ago, when, on a dare during a dog class at a local Three Dog Bakery, I ate a dog pastry in front of a shocked seven-year-old! It wasn’t as sweet as you’d expect from a pastry, but you know what? It wasn’t that bad! I later came to find out that I wasn’t alone in my secret acceptance of the Three Dog Bakery products. Turns out, because the products are extremely low in sugar, they have become popular among dieting and diabetic clients! The Lick ‘n Crunch Carob cookies are reported to be the most requested item for sugar-conscious bipedal patrons of the Sherman Oaks store. (Yes, I’ve tried those. I prefer vanilla.)

I’d like to say that my sampling of canine culinary creations is limited to the occasional Three Dog Bakery item when in one of their shops, but, um, it’s not. A friend of mine recently tried a recipe out of Cooking the Three Dog Bakery Way and I sampled (and enjoyed!) it too. But c’mon. Tell the truth. If you saw these ingredients, would you immediately think dog snack?

1.5 cups all-purpose flour
1.5 cups whole wheat flour
1 T baking powder
1 t ground cinnamon
.75 cup honey
2 cups unsweetened applesauce
.5 cup canola oil
2 large eggs
.5 cup skim milk

With those ingredients, it sounds more like something that would be offered in a high-end, health-conscious human eatery like Whole Foods, doesn’t it? They’re really good, especially if you warm them up and add a dab o’ butter. Perfect with your morning coffee! Go ahead: plate ‘um up, grab your canine companion and enjoy some muffin-merriment!

The concept of being good enough to eat has been gaining in popularity within the pet industry for some time now. Pet owners are demanding better than “supermarket slop” for their four-legged family members. Walk into any mainstream mega-store and you’ll quickly find that keywords like “holistic” and “organic” now adorn a large portion of kibble and treat offerings. The Honest Kitchen, manufacturer of a dehydrated raw food diet for dogs, produced in a human-food plant that’s FDA-inspected, even has humans regularly taste the food as part of its quality control process! Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance Eatables line is also manufactured in a USDA plant. I remember when this product was first launched. Sales reps set up simmering Crock Pots of Hobo Chili and Irish Stew and encouraged store patrons to taste it. I’m a sweet-tooth kind of girl. I politely declined.

Most recently, curiosity got the better of me when it came to the all-natural, cage-free chicken strips my dogs were enjoying. No hormones. No antibiotics. No fillers. No byproducts. I’m not talking about the assorted chicken strips that were largely recalled throughout 2007 and 2008. My strips in question are made by Dogswell and their products were never included in the chicken strip recall. The ingredients? Chicken (I like chicken), flaxseed (that’s good for me!), vitamin E (that’s useful!) and vitamin A (not sure what that does, but it’s an “A” so it must be good, right?). The package even says they help maintain eyes, skin and coat. I’m all about protecting my eyes (‘cuz only one works, anyway), my skin is a little on the dry side and my coat, er, hair, can always use a little extra care.

I broke off a piece of the chicken strip and ate it. Yes I did. My dogs looked at me expectantly, waiting for THEIR chicken strips. If they could’ve spontaneously generated cartoon thought bubbles over their heads, I’m certain they would’ve both been saying, “BITCH! Are you gonna eat that whole thing?!?”

It wasn’t bad. Chicken jerky. Anyone who has been subjected to my cooking in the past has probably choked down a chicken dish of similar texture. I wouldn’t hunker down with a bag and a beer while watching 24, but in the event of an earthquake, sure, I might ask my dogs to share. And it looks like it would be safe, too. A quick look at the Dogswell website uncovered the following comforting facts:

The DOGSWELL® facility is specifically designed to prevent any cross contamination. Salmonella is one of the easiest contaminants to prevent. Salmonella is killed after 23 seconds at 160 degrees. DOGSWELL® cooks all of our poultry jerky products at 160 degrees for ten hours. While some manufacturers choose a quicker “flash cooking process” to irradiate their products, DOGSWELL® has chosen the slow-cooking method to provide a clean, safe treat.

and

DOGSWELL® facilities are designed to prevent cross-contamination. They meet the highest and most strict sanitary conditions to ensure raw meat and raw juices or contaminants do not come into contact with cooked meat at any time during the cooking or packaging process, thus, eliminating the possibility of any type of salmonella infection.

Unfortunately, however, it also revealed that each chicken jerky slice only has 20 calories. I’d likely burn more than that attempting to chew the darn thing, so I’m not sure how long they'd really sustain me in the days immediately following a natural disaster. Oh well. At least I won’t get salmonella.

I was actually starting to concern myself a little bit, until I saw this story on the CBS News website, which confirmed that, perhaps, I’m not alone:

Dog Food Tastes Just Like Pâté -- High-End Dog Food, Suitably Blended, Isn't Much Different From Pork Liver Pâté, Working Paper Suggests.

The article talks about a study conducted by the American Association of Wine Economists that basically found that, when elegantly presented, study participants couldn’t distinguish between high-end dog food and pork liver pate! You can read the full article and find a link to the paper here, but basically, the authors conclude that, "Although human beings do not enjoy eating dog food, they are also not able to distinguish its flavor profile from other meat-based products that are intended for human consumption."

You often hear that people begin to look like their dogs. Apparently, we sometimes eat like them too. It must be working: eight down and one to go!

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Dogs Don their Sunday Best Behavior for a Trip to the Theater!

2009-03-10T12:32:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, March 8, 2009, the Caninestein Team took 15 dogs and their owners to The Grove Theater in Upland, CA to attend a production of Bark! The Musical! Our group was there by special invitation from Bark! composer David Troy Francis, and was the first and only group of pet owners ever allowed to bring their dogs with them to the show! (The only other time Bark! has had dogs in the audience was during a fundraiser for Guide Dogs.)

Prior to the show, Bark's six-person cast came out to mix and mingle (hand-shakes, no butt sniffing!) with our two- and four-legged students. They were warm and welcoming and made everyone feel at home as we chatted and demonstrated the dogs' fun tricks and advanced obedience. Later, as the cast got ready for the performance, the dogs and their owners lined the lobby to greet incoming theater guests. It was a great urban training experience for the dogs; they got lots of practice sitting politely for petting!

With the show about to begin, we took our seats, dogs obediently at our feet, where they remained for the entire 90-minute performance! It was a true testament to the power of dog training. The dogs were on their best behavior, quieter than most small children, and resisting the temptation to join in the pre-recorded chorus of barking and howling dogs that played during the opening number! The only "bark" from our group came at the tail-end (pun intended) of a number about neutering! Point taken.

After the show, our group was invited up on stage for photos with the cast:

It was a wonderful experience for all involved. It also served as the inaugural event for my latest adventure: Caninestein Dog Training. While I'm still actively teaching group classes for J9's K9s Dog Training, I've decided to expand my horizons to include dog-friendly field trips and events for all of Los Angeles' well-trained canine companions, not just J9's K9s alumni. In the coming months I hope to announce a handful of fun activities including Take Your Dogs to the Movies and Dining with Dogs!

I'm always open to new ideas, so please follow my blog, tell your friends and share your thoughts!

Until next time... Happy Training!

-Stephanie Colman
Caninestein Dog Training