Sensible K9, LLC

TUG is Not Evil

2012-01-20T02:52:00.001-08:00

“Won’t playing Tug-of-War with my dog make him aggressive?”

In short, no. I have lived with dozens of dogs of different breeds, personalities and intensities. I have played Tug with all of them. Not one of them ever became aggressive or guarded items from me. Instead, they usually brought me items more readily because I am apt to suggest a game with them! I have counseled hundreds of dog owners to safely play Tug with their dogs. You can, too, so long as your follow some basic rules, listed below. But first, let’s discuss why you should play Tug of War with your dog. Then we’ll cover the how’s of tug and finally the rules to remember.

Why Tug?
Ever watch a group of puppies play? Aside from wrestling and biting at each other with mighty puppy growls, a favorite pastime is to grab an item and initiate “chase me” or “tug”. Since puppies naturally enjoy playing tug, I believe it’s important to use the game as a way to teach them self-control and to have soft-mouths toward people. Additionally, some dogs prefer a game of Tug to any food treat or praise reward. For example, my golden retriever earned his agility titles for the simple prospect of a great game of Tug at the end of each of his course-runs. It was the best motivator for him!

Tug can be a great tool to teach bite inhibition. If a puppy is enjoying a tug game and it ENDS the second his teeth touched your skin and you yell, “OUCH!”, your puppy will learn that, in order to keep the fun going, he’d better be more careful with his aim. Attention to this detail carries over to his entire relationship with you… people HURT and fun STOPS when you bite them! A great idea for your puppy to get cemented in his head, early.

Finally, I teach impulse control using Tug. Once a puppy understands to release the toy (which I teach simply by exchanging for a treat or by saying “give” and gently removing it from the puppy’s mouth), I ask the puppy to release the toy and then, Sit. The second the puppy’s rear hits the floor, I quickly bring the tug toy out in front of me, hands far apart, and say, “Get it!” The game resumes. Once puppy understands that his good behavior starts the game again, you can lengthen the duration of the sit, or ask for other behaviors (such as great leash manners, polite greetings and so forth). If the puppy gets up or bites at the tug toy before I give permission, I raise it high in the air or hide it behind my back until the puppy sits again and waits patiently. The puppy learns to wait, to not jump up and grab immediately. This message carries over: If I want something, I am more likely to get it by sitting and waiting, not grabbing.

How To Tug
First, start with the right toy. Fleece is easier on young puppy mouths. Older dogs can usually handle a firmer grip such as that needed with a rope or rubber tug. I like visiting Goodwill or Salvation Army to purchase used fleece blankets. I cut the fabric into long strips and braid them together to make tug toys several feet long. Smaller tug toys can be found, but if I can hold my hands 2 feet apart, the puppy will have a better chance of grabbing the fabric and not my skin, teaching appropriate bite-targeting, in the beginning. If you aren’t “crafty”, you can purchase fleece tugs through your favorite pet supply retailer.

Pull the tug toy along the ground in front of your puppy to get him interested in the item. When he grabs it, give it a gentle shake back and forth. Be careful to keep his front feet on the ground at all times and avoid potentially harmful jerking motions. Young puppies aren’t as tough as they seem, and older dogs are at greater risk of injury.

During tug, it is normal for your puppy to clench his teeth firmly and even to growl. Some sound mighty fierce! Usually, though, it’s just play. To be sure, check the dog’s body language. If the dog’s body remains supple and bendy, wiggly and loose, then it surely is play. However, if his body suddenly becomes stiff, if hackles (the hair between the shoulder blades or on the rump) are raised or if your dog become white-eyed, hard-staring or grabs back a dropped tug with frightening intensity, it’s best to quit the game and consult with a professional. Tug may not be a good game for this dog.

To teach your puppy to grab at the tug and not your hands, begin by having your hands very far apart. You want your puppy to enjoy the game, not to fear doing something wrong. As your puppy gains experience and becomes a tug-enthusiast, work your hands closer together, making the bite-target area smaller until your puppy has to find the bite-target within only 8-12 inches of tug space between your hands. When he is proficient at that, you will know you have a much safer dog for tug games and can begin including other people in the play.

Rules of the Tug Game:

1. Dogs with possession issues, guarding behaviors or bite histories should never play Tug.

2. Children under 11 should never play Tug. Generally, they lack the wisdom to keep the game safe. Children older than 11 should be closely supervised by a responsible adult to ensure safety for both dog and child.

3. Human must always be the Tug game initiator. Dog should not offer “Tug” on an item without the person suggesting the game. Tug should only be on a particular type of toy, not all toys.

4. Tug toy must be at least 18 inches long for safety.

5. Dog must immediately release toy when asked. Once a dog has been taught how to do this, failure to release immediately ends the game for at least an hour.

6. Dog must intermittently obey obedience commands (such as Sit or Down) in the middle of a Tug game, in order to earn the right for the game to continue. Failure to comply ends the game.

7. If dog teeth touch human skin (or clothing), the Tug game stops immediately and the toy is put away.

8. Dog should win the toy and bring it back to you. If dog wins the toy and runs away with it, Tug is not a game for that dog without further training.

9. Keep your body loose and supple during tug. Avoid staring into your dog’s eyes or challenging him for a dropped tug toy. Remember, this is FUN and should remain PLAYFUL for all involved.

So, on these wintery days when walks are painful, enhance your relationship and training with your dog by including a fun, safe game of Tug. It won’t make your dog aggressive any more than playing football makes your son a mugger.

Puppy home – 1st 24 hours

2011-12-30T05:00:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we brought home an 8-week old Australian Shepherd puppy. I am a firm believer that your puppy is ALWAYS learning, so make the best use of the time from the beginning. Here’s what our puppy has begun to learn in her first day home:

1. I can “potty” outside, in the woods, like the big dogs.
2. People yelp when I bite them; I guess they’re wimps and I must be careful with my teeth.
3. My crate is an alone place, but I will be okay.
4. I like the chewies I get in my crate.
5. I like getting fed by hand – those hands are sure neat when they come filled with food!
6. There are a lot of nice boys here… I met several boys of different smells and colors.
7. I can Sit.
8. I can Down.
9. I can Release (chase a treat).
10. I can Fetch.
11. I like to play with the big dogs and the Vizsla is particularly fun.
12. My new mom will protect me if I get scared by barking dogs in the backyard, or anything else.
13. I like running to my new mom. She scritches my rear so nice!
14. My mom’s slippers are off-limits, but there are tons of fun toys nearby.
15. Naptimes are necessary.

New puppies are a great joy – and a lot of work. Keep focused on the behaviors you want your adult dog to do… and don’t allow puppy “cuteness” to rule the day. Your puppy will be an adolescent in just a couple of months! How nice will it be to have great routines and boundaries in place when dealing with the ups and downs that come with becoming an adult dog! Finally – take LOTS of pictures!

National Train Your Dog Month: Free Chats and Webinars

2011-12-29T04:55:00.000-08:00

Free Educational Resources and Chats
with Pet Training Professionals in January 2012!

The Association of Pet Dog Trainer's annual campaign in January, "National Train Your Dog Month," promotes the benefits of positive training and socialization for all pets.

Each year, hundreds of thousands of pets are turned into animal shelters because their owners couldn't find a reliable resource to help them with their pets' behavior problems. The APDT has designated the month of January as National Train Your Dog Month to bring awareness to the importance of socialization and training for all pets! January was selected as the perfect month because so many animals are adopted and brought home during the winter holidays. We hope to help families and their pets start the New Year off right with information on the behavior needs and training of their pets.

To help the public, animal shelters and others in the pet care industry, we have recorded free webinars for the public with many well-known pet training and behavior professionals. These will be available starting in January on the event website and are completely free. We have also set up a calendar of Facebook "chats" with professional training and behavior consultants throughout the month of January on a variety of topics focusing on the training and care of dogs, cats and even rabbits! Anyone with behavior and training questions can join the chats to learn more about their chosen pet. Visit the event website, www.trainyourdogmonth.com, for full schedule information, as well as fun downloadable resources on training and behavior.

The APDT believes that a better understanding of our pets' behavior can lead to happier, healthier and harmonious households for humans and companion animals. Since 1993, the APDT has promoted education for dog trainers and others in the pet industry. With over 6,000 members who are willing and able to assist pet owners, the APDT is the largest professional organization for pet dog trainers in the world. We encourage anyone interested in learning more about their dogs and other pets to visit our web sites www.apdt.com and www.trainyourdogmonth.com for more information and resources.

Please join the APDT in celebrating National Train Your Dog Month!

2012 Schedule of Events - National Train Your Dog Month

Facebook "Chat with the Professionals" Schedule

To join the chats, visit the National Train Your Dog Month Facebook page at the dates and times listed below.

All about Bully Breeds! Anything You Want to Know about 'Pit Bull' Type Dogs
Mychelle Blake, MSW, CDBC and Katenna Jones, MSc, ACAAB, CABC, CPDT-KA
January 2, 12 pm Eastern

Breed Discrimination Laws
Ledy Van Kavage, Esq.
January 4, 5:00 p.m. Eastern

Leash Manners
Gail Fisher
January 6, 12 p.m. Eastern

Treibball
Casey Lomonaco, KPA CTP
January 8, 7 p.m. Eastern

Adopting a Dog
Trish McMillan Loehr (ASPCA), MSc, CPDT-KA
January 9, 2 pm Eastern

Rabbit Behavior
Pam Hood
January 10, 2 p.m. Eastern

Things to Teach Your Children to be Safe around Dogs
Joan Orr
January 12, 6 p.m. Eastern

Safety around Dogs for Babies and Toddlers
Jenn Shryock, CDBC
January 12, 7 p.m. Eastern

TACT - Touch Associated Clicker Training
Emma Parsons, CABC and Julie Robitaille, CAMT, CPDT-KA
January 16, 1 p.m. Eastern

Housetraining
Teoti Anderson, CPDT-KA
January 18, 6:30 p.m. Eastern

Introducing Cats and Dogs
Jacqueline Munera, CCBC
January 24, 12 p.m. Eastern

APDT CLASS:
Canine Life and Social Skills
Ann Allums, CPDT-KA
January 25, 12:00 p.m. Eastern

APDT Rally
Ann Allums, CPDT-KA & Ali Brown, MEd, CPDT-KA, CDBC
January 25, 1:00 p.m. Eastern

Common Dog Behavior Problems (Barking, Digging and More)
Marjie Alonso, CDBC, CPDT-KA
Katenna Jones, MSc, ACAAB, CABC, CPDT-KA
January 27, 4 pm Eastern

All About Cats
Mychelle Blake, MSW, CDBC and Katenna Jones, MSc, ACAAB, CABC, CPDT-KA
January 30, 5 pm Eastern

Free Webinar Descriptions

Webinars are pre-recorded and available for viewing at any time for free by members and the public. Please Note: Webinars will be available in January 2012 and will remain on the site all year long. Webinars will be available at http://www.trainyourdogmonth.com/events/

Shelter Dogs: Good Choice or Bad? - Trish King, CPDT-KA, CDBC

Got C.L.A.S.S.? Canine Life and Social Skills for Pet Owners - Ann Allums, CPDT-KA

Housetraining Basics - Teoti Anderson, CPDT-KA

How to Become a Professional Dog Trainer - Mychelle Blake, MSW, CDBC

Loose Leash Walking - Gail Fisher

It Takes Two: Successful Cat and Dog Interactions - Jacqueline Munera, CCBC

Litter Box and Scratching - Katenna Jones, MSc, ACAAB, CABC, CPDT-KA

Dog Safety: What to Teach Your Kids - Joan Orr, MSc

Setting Dog and Baby Up for Success! - Jenn Shryock, CDBC

Separation Anxiety in Dogs - Melissa Bain, DVM, DACVB, MS

Treibball - Casey Lomonaco, KPA CTP

* * * * *

Located in Greenville, SC, the APDT is a professional educational organization of trainers who are committed to becoming better trainers through using positive, dog friendly methods based on sound scientific principles. With over 6,000 members worldwide, the APDT strives to provide professional dog trainers with a respected and concerted voice. The APDT promotes caring relationships between dogs and people and works to increase public awareness of dog-friendly training techniques. For more information, visit the APDT Web site at www.apdt.com. To unsubscribe from future APDT Media Releases, please let us know. Sent by The Association of Pet Dog Trainers, 101 North Main Street, Suite 610, Greenville, SC 29601.

2011-12-25T14:45:00.001-08:00

New Group Training Classes coming in January!
Please Register soon- classes are filling up!

Sensible Puppy Start – January 4th at 6:15pm – MRAH
Essential training for new puppies and their people! Work on Potty Training, Socialization, Soft-Mouth, Self-Control, Etiquette, Exam training and Enrichment. -This 6-week class is for puppies 8 weeks to 4mos. at Michigan Road Animal Hospital on 96th Street. (Limit 8 puppies)- $149

Sensible Puppy Skills – January 4th at 7:30pm – MRAH
Loved Puppy Start and want to further your puppy’s manners? This class is open to all puppies under one year who have completed Puppy Start. We will work intensively on Come, Stay, Leash Manners and Polite Greetings! (Limit 6 puppies) - $99

Family Dog Manners 1 – January 10th at 7pm – Wigglebutt
This small group class is for dogs 5 months and up who want a group experience working on basic obedience around distractions. Fundamentals of dog training, problem solutions and manners work will be covered in 6 consecutive weeks at Wigglebutt Dog House dog day care on Moller Road just south of 86th Street. (Limit 8 dogs) - $149.

REGISTRATION FORMS HERE: http://sensiblek9.com/forms.html
Please complete the form and email to Catherine to hold your spot in class. Payment due first night of class.

Puppy Tips

2011-12-05T13:04:00.001-08:00

Mmmm! There is nothing like new puppy breath! Get off to a Sensible Start with your puppy and follow these recommendations I make at every new puppy consult:

Prevent “Accidents”. Keep puppy leashed (and hold the leash!) while indoors unless under an adult’s direct supervision. Observe puppy for signals that unwanted behavior is imminent and redirect the puppy into a desired behavior or location for that behavior. In other words, don’t let the puppy piddle there; take him outside, quick! Or, don’t let the puppy chew the child’s toy; give him a puppy toy instead!

Reward Outdoor Elimination. Puppies feel relief whether they eliminate indoors or out. Increase the value of going potty outside by accompanying the puppy outdoors and feeding at least 3 pieces of kibble – right there – immediately when puppy is finished.

Hand-feed Puppies for Good Behavior. Why waste all that opportunity by placing food in a bowl? Puppies can earn food by going potty outside, sitting, laying down, having their feet wiped, trading for toys, coming when called any anything else you want!

Meal-times. When potty training puppies, it’s very helpful to know when the intake is happening. Whether using a bowl or hand-feeding, keeping the food available only during a specific window of time helps owners to know when output is likely to occur!

Never Force a Puppy. Forcing a puppy into position can create aggression. Instead, teach a puppy to yield space, get off furniture or lie down using a food lure at first. Once the pup understands what is wanted, other rewards may be used.

1-Foot Per Year of Age. That’s how much freedom children should have with a puppy. Children under 10 years of age should never be out of a parent’s sight with the puppy. Pre-schoolers should be within an arm’s reach at all times to prevent undesirable behavior from the puppy and unwanted fear or pain caused by the children, which often can result in an increase of aggression from an older puppy.

Spread the word: Read Your Dog! The most important skill you can learn is to read your puppy’s body language. We constantly teach how to interpret signals in the Sensible Start Puppy Class. Another good source: http://www.aspcabehavior.org/articles/50/Canine-Body-Language.aspx

“Dominance” and “Alpha Wolf” Are Out-dated Concepts. Veterinary behaviorists and top dog trainers agree that dogs know they are dogs and dogs know we are people. Dogs do what pays off for them; they aren’t skulking around the house planning to overthrow the hierarchy. Please read the AVSAB Position Statement: http://www.avsabonline.org/avsabonline/images/stories/Position_Statements/dominance%20statement.pdf and find out how to train your puppy, not frighten him into submission.

I am thrilled to be planning 2012 puppy classes at Michigan Road Animal Hospital! We will soon post information with dates and times for the classes to be held. If you have any questions about canine behavior or training, please don’t hesitate to contact me. (Email is best!)

Holiday Safety Tips

2011-11-29T05:00:00.000-08:00

My children ask me daily, “When are we putting up the Christmas tree?” Considering the two Thanksgiving boarding dogs just left our home and a boarding and training puppy will be here next week, I wonder sometimes if they’d mind not putting it up at all? I don’t think leaving the ornaments in a box this year is an option, though… so it occurs to me a quick review of practical tips for living with children, dogs and holiday stress might be helpful.

The Decorations: Several years ago, a friend of mine made salt-dough Christmas ornaments with her children. They had fun placing them all over the tree. Coming back from a day of shopping, she discovered their Labrador had enjoyed them very much. Thankfully, the dog spat out the metal hooks. Raising Guide Dog puppies when I was a child taught me the importance of placing chew-proof, tail-proof, uninteresting ornaments on the lower half of the tree. The fragile, glass and keepsake ornaments and all the candy canes were always up high. Down low were the plastic and fabric ornaments. One year, when both my brother and I had puppies, my mom only built the top half of our artificial tree, putting it high on a sturdy box covered with an attractive table cloth. She was smart, my mom.

The Visitors: Granny’s coming. So are the unruly cousins. This is a great time to practice sensible management and prevention with your dog. Unless your dog is very well-trained already, keep him leashed for all greetings. Encourage visitors to feed your dog a small treat when he sits in front of them. Remember the 1-foot rule: Children are allowed 1-foot of freedom with the dog for every year of age. That means that children under 15 are never alone with the dog. Period. Supervise closely since dogs and children often have trouble reading each other's signals. If your dog has to resort to growling or snapping to create space, you have placed him in an impossible situation. Be sure your dog has a visitor-free zone where he can retire in peace. He needs the break more than you do.

The Food: Watch out for that fudge! Keep those treats enclosed in sturdy containers well away from the edge of tables where your dog might sample a taste. If food will be available on end tables or within reach of your tall dog, keep him leashed or put him in another room. Many a dog has suffered ingestion of toxic substances (such as chocolate and macadamia nuts) or an event of pancreatitis due to over-indulgence in fatty foods (sausages, cheeses, pate’). Finally, clean up immediately, double-bag and put the trash out right away. Those turkey bones won’t look good on the x-ray.

The Celebrations: If you include a special toy or treat for your dog under the tree, be sure to supervise the unwrapping and play. Many dogs do fine shredding (and not eating) the wrapping paper, but I have seen the results of ribbon wound around intestines and promise that a trip to the veterinary ER is not going to improve your holiday. Give your dog plenty of stress-reducing opportunities such as long walks, chew bones and time away from the crowd. He’ll thank you for it and you’ll appreciate keeping your furniture and sanity intact.

Finally, take LOTS of pictures, especially if you have a puppy! Your special 4-legged family member will bring an added dimension of fun and joy this holiday season, even if the memories involve a Griswold adventure… like a squirrel in the Christmas tree! Merry Christmas!

Benefit for Humane Society of Indianapolis: AKC Canine Good Citizen Test

2011-10-12T07:51:00.000-07:00

On October 22nd, 2011, Sensible K9, LLC will be holding a CGC test at the Humane Society of Indianpolis! Is your dog ready to become a registered Canine Good Citizen? American Kennel Club CGC and STAR Puppy evaluator, Catherine Steinke, will be the judge.

Mixed breed and purebred dogs can be tested for polite greetings, basic obedience and ability to listen with distractions present. This fun test can open the door for further training, prepare your dog to become a therapy dog or just prove that all your training efforts have paid off! See if your dog is ready: test items can be found here: http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/training_testing.cfm
The Humane Society is located at 7929 North Michigan Road, Indianapolis, IN. Testing times will be by appointment only and will run in 15 minute intervals from 10am through 3pm.

You must pre-register for this event by signing up for a testing time . Contact Director of Canine Training Services, Connie Swaim by phone 317.872.5650 x135 or email cswaim@indyhumane.org The fee is only $10 and all profits go directly to support the mission of HSI.
Come join the fun!

Easy Fix for Scary Things

2011-07-11T10:53:00.000-07:00

Is your dog frightened by loud noise or thunder? Do you have a dog that seems particularly nervous in certain situations but not others? There may be a simple fix for you - that requires no training! My clients are reporting great results using the Thundershirt (www.Thundershirt.com.)

It took me a while to believe it, but after a colleague at Hound Table (our monthly meet-up of Indianapolis area dog professionals) reported good results, I took the plunge about a year ago and started carrying this product to offer to my clients.

My clients are saying that the Thundershirt works well, not only to calm their fearful dogs during our dramatic mid-west storms, but also during socially difficult situations where their dogs previously might use aggression. In other words, dogs seem to feel safer wearing the Thundershirt! I have worked with dogs that couldn't approach me during a consultation, even when I had food, but after the owner puts the Thundershirt on the dog, the dog bravely comes forward and eats the treat within a few minutes. It's truly remarkable.

If you would like to try a Thundershirt for your dog, you can order directly from their website, www.Thundershirt.com. Or you can ask me to bring one to your next private lesson or class if you are a client.

New Dog Training Class in Indianapolis

2011-06-15T06:22:00.000-07:00

Register now for new Sensible K9 Family Dog training classes at the Wigglebutt DogHouse! Start date is July 14th at 6:30pm. This class will likely fill up, so register with WDH today! Registration form and class info on their website.

Go to www.WigglebuttDoghouse.com for directions and to register.

Dog Training Philosophy

2011-06-13T10:18:00.000-07:00

One of my Carmel puppy class participants recently emailed me a question. I thought it would be a good idea to post a few thoughts about my philosophy of dog training so that other clients can benefit as well.

The Question:
Your approach to dog training is there is no punishment for poor behavior. Only treats for good behavior. Do you agree?

My Answer:
Not exactly. I am what I like to think of as a "balanced trainer" in that my philosophy is to use what works for both dog and owner.

Most of the time, punishment used by owners cause fear or anxiety to the dog because of poor timing (not close enough in time for the dog to associate to the unwanted behavior) or an inappropriate technique (the punishment did not fit the crime). So, I teach mostly positive association because most puppies thrive on learning that good things happen for good choices. I use food, praise, life rewards (access to attention or desired people/places) as reward. Food is essential early on to earn puppy's attention, but we can phase that out and use the other rewards primarily, as I do with my own dogs.

If punishment is needed or desired by the client, well, then, I do my best as a professional to help the owner understand timing and methods that will work for their dog. I also spend time discussing whether simple management protocols (such as using a crate for potty training) or environmental corrections (such as allowing the puppy access to a table leg sprayed with Bitter End) will work first. If punishment must occur, I would prefer it is NOT associated with the owner, but rather with the unwanted behavior itself. In other words, puppy thinks: "Gee, every time I lick the plates in the dishwasher, a bunch of pop cans fly off the counter - even when my owner is no where to be seen!"

I called my business "Sensible" because of my belief that dogs and owners need the method and tools best suited to them, rather than some ideological stronghold any particular trainer has. However, I do my best to educate the owners that the methods they see on TV or used by this or that other trainer may not bring about the desired effect or relationship.

At the end of the day, my personal goal is that dogs and owners truly enjoy each other. I strive to bring balance, leadership, pleasure and trust to their relationship. The methods I choose will only be used if they will enhance these goals.

National Dog Bite Prevention Week

2011-05-18T11:13:00.000-07:00

It's National Dog Bite Prevention week and my colleague Madeline Gabriel in San Diego has written a wonderful blog that says so well what I would say to you, that I thought I would just post it here so you can copy and paste. (I was going to link it for you, but it appears that is beyond my rather limited technical abilities!) http://dogsandbabies.wordpress.com/2011/05/16/ask-the-dog-part-1

Also, if you read part 2 of her message, you will be able to view simply the best dog-and-child training video I have ever seen. This is well worth watching and is under 7 minutes long. Have your child(ren) watch with you and then discuss the concepts.
http://dogsandbabies.wordpress.com/2011/05/17/dogs-like-kids-they-feel-safe-with-ask-the-dog-part-2/

Madeline makes this such an easy concept to pass along. The bottom line is that your child needs to ask 3 times before touching a dog.
1. Ask you, the parent for permission to ask the owner.
2. Ask the owner for permission to pet the dog.
3. Ask the dog if he wants to be petted.

Practice these ahead of time so that your child will become automatic when the desire comes up out in the real world. Your child is worth the investment of time and energy to work on dog bite prevention!

Kids and Pets

2011-04-11T06:41:00.000-07:00

I was playing the game, Doggone Crazy, last week with children from our church small group. (If you haven’t seen this game, check it out, here: http://www.doggonecrazy.ca/ ) The children, aged 8-12, were having a great time laughing their way through correct answers about dog body language, appropriate interactions with unfamiliar dogs and so forth. One question stumped them, though – it was a true or false question: T or F – Adults make better dog trainers than children. To my surprise, they all agreed that adults were better trainers – and they were wrong!

I have found children to be great trainers in my puppy classes and while working with families in homes. Give me a 10-year old with affection for the family dog, time to train and a pocket full of dog treats and I will give you a better trained dog and a happier household in 2 weeks. Children make excellent dog trainers!!

Safety rules and common sense still apply – if you have a dog with any aggression issues, don’t turn him over to your child for training, for goodness’ sake! However, if you just need Fido to come when called, go into his crate on cue, sit for greetings and learn a few parlor tricks, see if your responsible 9-14 year old child has any interest. Chances are, they will make great gains in just a few days. I believe children can do at least as well as their parents – and often they do even better!

I have recently launched a new child-directed program, teaching young people aged 12-18, how to begin their own pet sitting businesses because I believe that children have tremendous potential to do good for people and pets.

If you have a teenager or a nearly –teen, please visit www.SensiblePetSitter.com and check out this great one-day learning opportunity! We are already found in 3 Indianapolis facilities. If you know a group of teens, you can set up your own class and receive one complimentary tuition!

Children never cease to amaze me with their potential. With a little direction, I hope to change the minds of children and help them realize just how talented they can be. I can’t wait to see what this year brings as children in the Indianapolis area become better dog trainers through Sensible K9 puppy classes and private lessons and start their own pet-sitting businesses after attending the Sensible Pet Sitter seminar! Look out, Indy – our kids are going to rock the pet world!

Show Me the Money!

2011-03-23T07:50:00.000-07:00

Do you know the difference between a $1 bill and a $10 bill? Would you work harder in 5 minutes to get $100 or $1000?

If you invited me over to your house for dinner and then asked me to set the table, I probably would do so, especially if you were fixing a nice steak dinner! (Feel free to try this – and I love Waldorf salad.) However, if you asked me over for dinner but then said, “Hey Catherine, would you go dig up my septic tank and clean it out?” “There are companies you could hire for that," I would point out, and then I would get the heck out of there before the stink started. My guess is you would have to pay that septic company a whole lot more than a steak dinner.

Your dog has a value system too. Think about it: Does he get more excited for steak scraps or a dog biscuit? Cheese or Cheerios? Some of these foods have the value of a buck – the dog says, “Okay, since there’s nothing better to do, I will work for that.” You can train the new behavior easily then, if it’s a hungry dog and an easy task. But some things you ask your dog to do aren’t worth a dollar, and you find him walking away when you want to train. Depending on his interest in food and the food you choose, you may need to try something new. You need to show him the money – and you need to understand your dog’s valuation of various rewards.

To discover what your dog thinks of various food items you might use for reinforcement, play this game with your dog:

First, choose 5 to 10 different types of food treats, keeping in mind that some people food is toxic to dogs and you should never use raisins, grapes, macadamia nuts, onion, alcohol or avocados, to name a few. Some things to try include his regular dog food, a teaspoon of peanut butter, mild cheese, hot dogs, soda crackers, Cheerios, banana, cooked chicken, lunch meats, prepared dog treats – you get the idea.

Have your dog Sit/Stay or have a friend hold his collar while you show him two treats. Place the treats on the floor (no practicing stealing from the coffee table!) about 5 feet away and at least 1 foot apart and then release your dog. Some dogs appear rather indiscriminant – going for whichever treat is closer – at first. However, once your dog realizes there are choices, you will see him begin to check them out a little before eating. You can then add a few more treats… and keep a log of which ones he prefers best. The more choices, the more discriminating your dog will become.

Years ago when I worked for a hearing dog program, we used a similar game to evaluate food drive in prospective adolescent dogs in a shelter. One dog watched carefully while we set out hot dog, a dry biscuit, cheese and freeze dried liver. When released, she quickly ran up to the line of food, ate the liver, then the cheese then the hot dog and finally grabbed the dog biscuit, ran away a few feet and buried it in the pea gravel. The whole test lasted about 10 seconds. When we finished laughing, we chose her for the program and named her Speedy.

Your dog may have a different reaction, but in the end, you will know your dog better. Then, when you need to train a difficult behavior, or work on desensitizing your dog to an unpleasant grooming task, you will know which food items are worth more to your dog. Don’t think of it as a bribe. Instead, consider what I would have to pay you to set the dinner table or clean out my septic tank… and then be glad you have choices about whether to accept the job or not!

Teach Dogs AND Children to be safe!

2011-02-26T19:03:00.000-08:00

"It’s a matter of proactive parenting to build your child’s powers of observation and good judgment. Show her the right things to do ahead of time."
Madeline Gabriel

Visit her blog here:
http://dogsandbabies.wordpress.com/2011/02/24/helping-toddlers-not-be-magnetized-to-dogs-part-3/

I LOVE the way Madeline thinks and teaches! Take time to read her whole series on how to help your dog feel safe with children and to help children be appropriate around ALL dogs.

Fantastic. Can't wait for the book! :)

Train Your Dog to Be Friendly!

2011-02-04T09:07:00.000-08:00

I cringe every time I see someone thump a dog on the head. Flat hand pats dog in varying degrees of thump-itude. Dog winces, blinks. Sometimes the dogs don’t mind. I am thinking of a certain Labrador I know who is so happy to have anyone touch him, he doesn’t mind where or how and he’ll thump you back with his tail so hard it’ll nearly break your kneecap. But other dogs… sometimes they are bothered with the thump-approach to greetings.

A polite canine greeting involves lots of body arcs and nose-to-tail inspections. Polite dogs don’t confront each other squarely with direct eye contact. That’s “cruisin’ for a bruisin’” language! However, this is how most people approach our dogs, so we have to help our dogs learn to accept, if not enjoy, these kinds of greetings.

You can teach your dog to accept rough handling, even from strangers. You can start simply, with an easy game I teach children and parents to play with the family dog. It’s called, “I Spy.” Mom says, “I spy Sparky’s shoulder.” Child touches Sparky’s shoulder with a flat hand. Mom feeds Sparky some cheese. “I spy Sparky’s ear.” Child pats Sparky’s ear. Sparky looks at Mom for the cheese and gets some. In this manner, Sparky can be desensitized – made less sensitive – to touches from family members. When Sparky begins to seek out the touch (in order to earn the cheese!), you can begin asking friends to touch Sparky while you reward him.

You can also give Sparky easy tricks to do so that he has a predictable interaction when strangers approach. Usually, if a dog is offering a Sit-Up behavior, people stand back and watch rather than thump him on the head. If Sparky can shake a paw in greeting, this gives those pesky strange hands a predictable place to touch Sparky. Remember to reward Sparky for his good behavior!

A week ago, I watched as about 9 children gathered around my dog to pet her all at once. There was plenty of thumping and patting. Since this isn’t something that happens to her often, I automatically rewarded her with huge chunks of jerky. She was happy to hit such a jackpot and eagerly accepted all the busy hands touching her. I expect that the next time she’s surrounded by children, she’ll wag her tail and tell me that all the thumping in the world is worth it if I pay her well enough! Your dog also deserves a reward for being a good dog. And, if your dog is sensitive, be proactive and train him to accept the affection of a stranger, no matter how thumpily it’s offered.

Iced In!

2011-02-01T09:24:00.000-08:00

We’re iced-in today. School is closed and kids are home. It’s Saturday in the middle of the week. If the power goes out, computer is down, X-box and Wii won’t entertain the children, but they can still have a lot of fun. Gather the kids and the dog, some tasty treats for both (popcorn is a great dual-species treat!) and let’s play some games.

Remember the one-foot-per-year-old when giving your child and dog freedom to play. For example, if you have a 10 year old child, you should be no more than 10 feet away, and paying attention to how your child plays with the family dog.

Things the children can do with the family dog, named Gypsy for our examples:

Children 2-6

Bring her a toy or a treat, just drop it on the floor and walk away.
Play the “I spy” game (“I spy Gypsy’s paw” – child gently touches paw – you give Gypsy a treat for permitting it. Change the underlined item to other body parts.)
Help the child lay a “treat trail.” Someone holds Gypsy while the child walks away, putting down a treat every 2-3 feet, down the hallway, around a corner… and then a pile of yummies at the end. Return to Gypsy, release her and watch her follow the trail. (Hold your child’s hand to keep him from getting ahead of Gypsy in her search.)

Children 6-10

Read her a story. Dogs don’t judge – just let the child read. You reward Gypsy for laying still next to the child. (Reward can be petting or massage to keep her quiet.)
Brush her, under your supervision – some dogs may be sensitive to this, so reward her for every brush stroke with a tasty treat. (Stop before Gypsy’s tired of this.)
Have the children do jumping jacks nearby while you reward your leashed dog for ignoring them.
Round-Robin-Recalls. Have all family members sit in a circle. Give each person several tasty treats (for Gypsy). One person calls Gypsy. If she does not immediately come, the caller may pat the floor or show the treat. Gypsy comes and earns the treat. That person says the name of the next person to call Gypsy. Play as long as Gypsy enjoys the game.

Children 10-15

Play the “shell” game – with your supervision: Get three small plastic bowls or cups. Put one treat or piece of food under one cup with Gypsy looking. Teach Gypsy to sniff the cup and knock it over to get the food. Start easy, then get more difficult as she gains experience.
Play Hide-and-Seek Come. Hold Gypsy by the collar. Let your child show her a treat or toy and then run away to hide (easy at first) in another room. Have your child call Gypsy and release her. When she finds the child, she earns the treat and big happy praise! Repeat, changing roles.

Who says an indoor-day has to be boring! Children and young dogs have boundless energy. Enjoy the opportunity to make an iced-in day a relationship-building day for your whole family.

Dogs. Bite.

2011-01-21T07:40:00.000-08:00

I was about 10 years old and my dad was a police officer with a working K9 partner. He and another officer from his department had just competed in the state Police K9 Olympics. The other officer had just won third place overall and first place in Officer Protection. In other words, his ramped-up, trained attack dog had just been playing the “bite the bad guy” game. The officer was standing with his dog and his trophies and people were trying to take photos. Comfortable with this dog – I knew him, after all, and ever helpful, I knelt in front of them and went, “SSSSSSssss!” (This is the sound the agitator makes during training to get the dogs excited.) The lovely silver and white shepherd mix launched – right at my face - and connected on my forehead and chin with a wide bite, just as he’d been trained.

I fell on my fanny in shock and started crying. Mom didn’t have much sympathy. In fact, I am pretty sure she said something like, “Well, that was a stupid thing to do!” The dog was not punished, but this child learned a valuable lesson. Dogs. Bite.

Children are impulsive, lack common sense and usually cannot begin to read dog body language. Even if a dog is showing warning signals as obvious as a construction worker waving a “Stop” sign, the child will not notice. I blame Disney-type shows for this, as well as parents who think that the family dog is part of the family – a sibling – a human – and not a dog. Surely Bowser would never BITE Bobby – Bowser loves Bobby. “You should see them; Bobby lays all over Bowser – every day! – and Bowser never growls or anything.” Well, all fine and dandy ‘til one day Bowser’s tired and cranky. Maybe his ear is infected or his belly aches. Maybe he’s just tired of Bobby laying on him. Bowser stiffens. Bobby approaches. Bowser growls. Bobby thinks Bowser’s snoring. Bowser snaps. Bobby bleeds. Bowser is… put to death?

One foot per year of child’s age. That’s how much freedom you should give your child with the family dog. Your 5 year old child should be within a long-arm's reach of your intervention. Additionally, you need to know when to intervene.

If you live with children and a dog in your home, you have a huge responsibility to educate yourself on canine body language. (I highly recommend Brenda Aloff’s great book: Canine Body Language; A Photographic Guide. ) Understand that your dog is NOT human. He’s a dog. He will communicate like a dog (not like a wolf, by the way, but that’s an argument for another article.) He will likely give warning signals and it’s up to you to know how to read them and intervene if the child within your reach is annoying him. He may tolerate all sorts of abuse from your children – but should he? Do you reward him lavishly for doing so?

When a child in my home trips and falls on the family dog, we run to the refrigerator and the dog gets a glorious snack of whatever I can find quickly. A block of cheese – sure! – since we don’t have to go to the hospital!

Think about it. You live with a predator. With sharp teeth. Even dogs bred for companionship still have personal boundaries. What are you doing today to help your dog learn to accept mistakes from your child? What are you doing today to protect your child from being “stupid” toward your dog? Are you close enough to intervene before Bowser takes it upon himself to train your child? Are you aware how an older dog punishes a pup? It’s an escalation of force – one you’d do well to understand and prevent by keeping the one-foot-per-year-old rule.

My mom was less than 10 feet away when the police dog flew at my face. She grabbed me and the leashed dog was quickly restrained by his professional handler. If the bite had been worse, it would have been all my fault, but the poor dog likely would not have been forgiven. I am glad for both our sakes that it ended as well as it did. I hope to prevent other children from learning the hard way that dogs bite.

Seeing the Invisible

2011-01-14T12:50:00.000-08:00

Lots of times I see the invisible. The dog tells me – sometimes directly through body language, sometimes through the owner’s voice describing a behavior. This adolescent pup was gnawing at my hands, increasing in bite force and starting to get wild-eyed – fear. “Don’t hold my collar like that, it scares me.” I think, “Why does that scare you?”

The answer wasn’t long in coming. The owner said, “This dog rolls over and pees every time I put the leash on him – and he just went out!” I didn’t ask the obvious: “Does that make you angry?” I already knew the answer. The dog told me: “I get scared when you touch my head-my feet-my tail- but I really want to play with you – see?” Wiggly body, open mouth, laugh lines and a twinkle in his eye. He says it louder: “Play with me?”

Okay pup, we’ll play. See this food in my hand? I close my fist around it. “Want the food.” Lick-lick- nibble-nibble –bite –bite – turn head… “Get it!” I say and offer it to him. “Yum! – want more food.” Lick-lick- nibble-nibble –bite –bite – turn head… “Get it!” I say again. In a little while, he waits for the food… staring at it, knowing if he turns away, I will bring it to him. Another few minutes pass. I put food on the floor. He reaches for it. I cover it up. He looks at me. I reward from another hand. I uncover the food on the floor. He waits. I reward. He looks at the food on the floor. I say, “Leave it.” He looks at me. I give him several in a row – a jackpot! I pick up the food on the floor. I drop the food in front of him and say, “Leave it.” The dog looks at the food and then back at me; tail waving, smile broad. “I understand. To get yummies, I don’t touch what you put there.” The owner’s jaw has dropped and he says, “I don’t know what you just did…” I reply, “I am teaching him to think, not to react.”

A few minutes later, I lure the dog into a Down position two times. I add the cue, “Down,” followed by the lure two more times. The third time I say, “Down,” the dog throws his body on the carpet and grins at me. “Smart dog!” I say, and jackpot the choice. “He doesn’t know Down!” the owner exclaims. I hand the food to him. “I think he knows it now,” I say.

“Down,” the owner says. The dog flops to the floor, tail wagging. “Smart dog,” I repeat.

A philosophy shift is occurring. Training is possible without force. In fact, training is much faster without force. And look what a happy dog results! The owner shakes his head at me, smiling in wonder.

Suddenly, the invisible comes to light. The wife says, “He beats the dog with a belt.” I meet the man’s eyes. He does not deny it. I say, “You need to stop that. Are you willing to learn another way?” “Yes,” he says, looking at his wife. “The way I treat the dogs causes fights between us.” The wife begins her accusations, her frustrations splattering across the kitchen like a dropped jug of milk. I interrupt her attack. “I am pretty sure he’d like to change, or he wouldn’t have called me,” I point out. “Remember that positive reinforcement works for husbands, too.” I smile at them. She says softly, “You did a good job tonight, dear.” The room goes quiet.

As I drive away I wonder if I can help him see that pain and force causes fear and aggression. Maybe I can teach him to control his anger, to think things through, to put away the belt and consider a new way. I think back to something they mentioned earlier. “We are trying to have children.” I truly hope that in the coming weeks, my message of training with kindness is met with acceptance and a willingness to learn a new way. And, I hope the message sticks around when the baby comes. I hope that the invisible I see in the coming weeks will be bonds of love and understanding.

New Puppy Classes!

2011-01-13T06:23:00.000-08:00

Celebrate National Train Your Dog Month by registering your puppy for a training class at Michigan Road Animal Hospital. Now there are two choices for small group classes!

Sensible Puppy Start is an early puppy socialization and training class for puppies 8 weeks to 4 months old. The class runs for 6 consecutive Wednesday nights from 6:15 to 7:20pm. Sensible Puppy Start includes information and practice on the 7 essential areas of successful puppy raising: Potty Training Socialization, Soft-Mouth training, Self-Control, Exam Training, Etiquette and Enrichment. You will learn everything you need to know about preventing problem behavior, stopping nipping and jumping and taking advantage of this unique window of time in your puppy’s development. Class time includes socialization with other class members and puppies. Included in your tuition is a comprehensive 90-page manual to remind you what you learned in class and monthly puppy field trips until your puppy turns 1 year old. Tuition is $149.

Sensible Puppy Skills is an intensive four-week training class for puppies 4 months through 12 months old. This class begins on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:30 and runs for four consecutive weeks. This class is 65-75 minutes long. Focusing on specific skills such as polite greetings, leash manners, Come and Stay, Catherine Steinke will show you how to practice with your puppy to instill good manners that will last a lifetime. Even if your puppy seems a bit unruly or out of control, you will learn how to gently and kindly train your puppy to settle down and obey you. There are no excused absences or make up sessions for this class so please clear your calendar for all four sessions. This class is repeatable and payment for each month is due at the first class. Included in the tuition for this class are step-by-step skill sheets and monthly puppy field trips until your puppy turns 1 year old. Tuition is $99.

The registration form for either class is available on the website. www.SensibleK9.com

Please contact Catherine Steinke by email for more information about these courses. Catherine@SensibleK9.com

Business Donor for Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund-raising Event!

2010-08-28T12:23:00.001-07:00

Friends of mine have a son with Type 1 diabetes, so I agreed to participate in a fund-raising event on September 11, 2010 at College Park Ministry Center at 96th Street and Shelbourne Rd in Indianapolis. There will be several other businesses and vendors there from 1 to 3pm and a then a concert. Tickets are only $5 and can be purchased at www.iansarmy.com. Each ticket can be used to enter various prize drawings so it's a win-win situation.

After I posted this information on FB, I found out two more friends have children with this disease. I already knew of one more, so that brings my personal connection total to 5 children in 4 families. I had no idea it was such a prevalent disease. And there is no cure.

Please come out and support this event. You can see me work my dogs, meet some clients with their puppies (this event doubles as Sensible Puppy Field Trip), listen to some great music and even win a prize or two!

Hope to see you there!

Books and More Books!

2010-06-06T08:25:00.001-07:00

I am doing a literature review for children's dog books. I have read a few hundred books at this point and thought I would post here some of the books that have "made the cut."

These are jP books - picture books intended for your younger children -but also quite wonderful for the whole family. Future blog posts will include books for older students and adults. Enjoy!

Juvenile Picture Books - Enjoy these with your students of any age!

A Boy, a Dog and a Frog – Mercer Mayer. Wordless picture book tells cute story of a boy’s adventure with his puppy and a frog from a pond.

The Adventures of Taxi Dog – Debra Barracca. Wonderful story in rhyme of a New York city stray who finds a new life with a taxi cab driver. Fantastic pictures with things to find.

Angus and The Ducks, Angus Gets Lost, and Angus and the Cat. Marjorie Flack. Cute stories of a just-a-bit-too-curious Scottish Terrier with a ton of personality and perserverance.

Dogger – Shirley Hughes. A little boy loses his favorite stuffed dog but big sister comes to the rescue and sacrificially redeems Dogger for her brother. Wonderful.

Fang – Barbara Shook Hazen. A little boy struggles through fears and becomes brave for his dog, who is also fearful. Sweetly illustrated.

Find That Puppy; a story in rhyme with things to find. – Marcia Leonard. Rhyming text and busy pictures. Good for storytime together, especially with very young children.

Finders Keepers – Will and Nicolas. Winkle and Nap are two dogs who argue over a bone, then discover that working together gets them the best of all situations.

First Dog Fala. Elizabeth Van Steenwyk. Historical account of President Roosevelt’s third term, which included his little Scottish Terrier observing many events during WWII. Fala grieves the passing of the president at the end.

Hardworking Puppies – Lynn Reiser. Ten puppies find jobs doing all sorts of things, including being “just” a family pet. Delightfully illustrated and fun text.

James Herriot’s Treasury for Children : “Only One Woof “ and “Market Day Dog” James Herriot These are very beautifully illustrated. This book is worth purchasing!

Lass – Roland Gebauer and brilliantly illustrated by Cheri Bladholm. “A story for children based on the best-selling book Lessons from a Sheepdog by Phillip Keller.” Life lessons about Jesus from the experience gained transforming an unwanted Border Collie into a working sheepdog.

Madeline’s Rescue – Ludwig Bemelmans. Madeline is saved by a dog, but then the Inspectors send the dog away, only to have her return again, with a surprise for Madeline and all the girls.

My First Book About Dogs – Sesame Subjects Series. Grover takes us on a factual tour of basic dog information. Short, true and well-illustrated.

Officer Buckle and Gloria – Peggy Rathman. Fictional Officer Buckle becomes famous for his safety talks until he discovers it’s really his dog, Gloria, the children want to see. Will Officer Buckle learn to share the spotlight? Caldecott Medal.

Owney, The Mail-Pouch Pooch – Mona Kerby. A true story of a dog that guarded the mail on trains and in postal offices in late 1800s Amercia.

Pinkerton, Behave! Steven Kellogg. Pinkerton does everything wrong in training class, but rescues his owners one night when the owner asks for the “wrong” behavior at the right time! Funny pictures.

Plunk’s Dreams – Helen Griffith. A boy imagines great adventures in his dog’s dreams. Fun, especially to stir conversations about a dog’s cognition.

Puppy Love – Dick King-Smith. A well-illustrated tale of a family’s history with several puppies by the famous author of Babe, The Pig.

The Puppy Who Wanted a Boy - Jane Thayer, Lisa McCue A puppy wanders in search of a boy who doesn’t already have a dog…and finds a houseful of boys to love him.

Riptide – Frances Ward Weller Based on a true story, a golden retriever becomes a lifeguard when he rescues a girl. But then, he gets pulled to sea by a riptide. Will the strong swimming dog make it to shore?

Rockwell: A Boy and His Dog – Loren Spiotta-DiMare. Fictionalized account of the boy and dog being models for the famous painter, Norman Rockwell.

Salty Dog -Gloria Rand. Based on a true story about a dog who rode a ferry to reach his master, a man prepares a boat for sailing. Can his puppy become a sailboat companion?

Spot a Dog: A Child’s Book of Art – Lucy Micklethwait. Thirteen paintings included from 1493- 1921. From the back of the book: “Playing a game of spot the dog is the perfect way to encourage young children to look closely at paintings… their first steps toward a lasting appreciation of art.

Stickeen – by John Muir as retold by Donnell Rubay. An Alaska, 1880 true, thrilling adventure telling how Muir and Stickeen escape a deep canyon of ice.

Superdog: The Heart of a Hero – Caralyn Buehner. A silly fiction story of a small dachshund with big dreams. Fun illustrations with hidden things to find.

W is for Woof: A Dog Alphabet – Ruth Strother. Wonderful overview of everything dog.

Walk the Dog – Bob Barner. A simple tour of a variety of dog breeds by alphabet.

Why is Blue Dog Blue: A Tale of Colors – George Rodrigue. The famous artist explores some fun ideas of blue dog in other colors.

Puppy Head Start!

2010-04-07T13:32:00.001-07:00

Sometimes raising a puppy seems more like a chore than a blessing. It's a lot of work, all that supervision and rewarding of proper behavior. For some people, an attractive option is to let a professional give your puppy a head start. That's why I am happy to announce a new service for my puppy clients. The Puppy Head Start program is where I bring your puppy home with me for one, two or three weeks. Your puppy will live with me and my family, in our home, until your goals are met. In that time, I will work on establishing patterns for proper potty training, provide great socialization outings and adventures with exposure to children, work on soft-mouth training and self-control exercises. In essence, your puppy will get all the love, care and devotion that my own puppies get. Unlike other trainers who provide boarding and training, our family is home all day most days, so your puppy won't be stuck in a crate, but instead will be learning good habits all day!

When you get your puppy home again, you will receive one full hour of private instruction for every week of training. So, if you board your puppy with me two weeks, you will get two lessons of instruction so that you can know what your puppy knows! Additionally, you will receive written information, customized for your particular puppy's needs. Potty training, leash manners, public greetings and playing nicely with children - that's a good Puppy Head Start! Call today if you would like more information about this unique service! 317-727-9015

Family Meeting!

2010-02-01T10:22:00.000-08:00

Here's a great family showing unity by all participating in puppy class!

However, sometimes I see conflict between family members about how to train or treat the family dog. It's important for unity, and for the dog's sake, that people in the same household are consistent toward the dog. It may be helpful to have a family meeting and discuss these questions:

1. What are our goals for this dog?

2. Who will be the primary trainer? (This should be an adult.)

3. How can the rest of us support the training efforts of this person? (The person holding the leash tells the dog what to do - others should be quiet!)

4. What are the commands we will use with the dog, and what exactly do these words mean? (Make a list and post it on the refrigerator!)

5. How can all family members participate in the training? (Even small children can do small tasks.)

6. What are specific jobs each person can have? (Write these down!)

Use these questions as a guide to beginning the conversation with your family about the dog and the training you envision. Keep the meeting very short - no more than 20 minutes. Find points of agreement, for example, "We all want the dog to ______."

Above all, remember that your family relationships are more important than your pet. Treat one another with respect and consideration as you work together making changes that will help everyone enjoy your dog more.

Puppies Bringing Love - Join Us!

2010-01-22T10:56:00.000-08:00

Our upcoming Sensible Puppy field trip will bring us to Hoosier Village Health Care Center at 2pm on February 13. Since it's Valentine's Day weekend, we get to bring some four-legged love to the residents there! What a great opportunity for socialization, training and fun.

Please email me and let me know you are planning on attending. (Catherine@SensibleK9.com) All current puppy class members and puppy class members whose puppies were born after 12/08 are invited to attend.

Bring: "scoop" bag(s), treats for your puppy, fabric or nylon soft leash, gentle leader or buckle collar. Have your puppy on leash and under control at all times! Puppies will be given potty-breaks as needed - plan on an outside trip every 20 minutes or so. We will visit for about 75-90 minutes.

DIRECTIONS: We will meet at 2pm in the foyer at the entrance to the building. We will enter as a group. Hoosier Village is just north of 96th Street, between Zionsville Rd and Michigan Road. Follow the entrance drive to the back of the property. It will make a big right turn. You will see Crawford Manor on your left, then a small sign to the Health Care Center on your right. Turn right onto that little drive and follow it to the end. You will see the entrance to the Health Care Center at the large parking lot, on the far end from the Chapel.

My Cell number is (317)727-9015, in case you get lost!

Puppy Field Trip

2010-01-13T10:09:00.000-08:00

Grab your warm coats and meet us for a walk in the park! We will meet at Zionsville Lions Park, on Hwy 334, just east of Zionsville Road at 12noon on this Saturday, January 16. Please drop me an email if you plan to attend! Catherine@SensibleK9.com

Brr! It's COLD out there!

2010-01-04T06:57:00.001-08:00

Too cold for puppy field trip this coming Saturday! I see a "high" of 17 forcasted. I dunno about you all, but that's just too cold for me. Let's see what one more week brings. Mark your calendars for Saturday the 16th and cross your fingers for warmer weather!

Meanwhile, new Sensible Puppy Classes are begining at MRAH this month. Know anybody with a Christmas puppy? Owners of puppies up to 16 weeks are invited to come join us at 7pm on the 20th of January. The following week, puppies can come, too! Sign up by calling Michigan Road Animal Hospital: (317) 228-0645.

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T08:52:00.000-08:00

From our family to yours... have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy 2010!

Christmas Pet Portraits

2009-11-09T19:28:00.000-08:00

I have a friend, Jackie Curts, who is offering pet portrait sittings on a SLEIGH for Christmas! She took this adorable portrait (left). She will be shooting at November 21st at another friend of mine, Sandra Wire's, dog training facility. A sitting time can be scheduled with Sandra at 317 347-0035. K9 FunTime is located near 38th and High School Road. The address is 6401 Westhaven Dr ,Indianapolis, IN 46254

Jackie Curts says, "Your photos will be in CD form, as I am not set up for prints at this time. Pricing will be $25 sitting fee and $25 for a CD with 3 poses. We are looking at 30 minute sessions with single pets or 45 minutes with multiple pets. "

I will post Sensible K9 friends and clients' pictures here for all to see!

Baby Elephant Rescued!

2009-11-06T16:59:00.000-08:00

What intelligence, compassion, altruism and love seen here. God made something special, when He made elephants.

November Puppy Field Trip

2009-11-02T06:01:00.001-08:00

Deb Konkol will be leading the November 14th Sensible Puppy Field Trip. Please meet at 9am at Hazel Landing Park (106th Street & Hazel Dell Parkway). If you are heading east on 106th, the entrance to the park is just across Hazel Dell. It doesn't look like much; in fact, it's quite bumpy! But, no fear, the gravel road opens to a nice little parking lot. There is open space for training, a creek for stomping and a nice hike. Deb will be happy to answer your adolescent-dog questions and discuss any puppy problems you are having! Please RSVP to Deb at: dlkonkol@embarqmail.com. Have a great time!

Treats from Barak Obama?

2009-10-18T12:46:00.000-07:00

Puppy Field Trip!

2009-10-07T13:08:00.001-07:00

Sensible Puppy Field Trip is scheduled for this coming Saturday at 3pm at West Park in Carmel.http://www.carmelclayparks.com/index.asp?action=parksgrnways_west

We will have the AKC STAR Puppy test available. Please let me know asap if you want to be tested. Please review the requirements in your Student Guide.

Hope to see you there!

Sweet Puppy Needs a Home

2009-08-18T20:35:00.000-07:00

This little darling is in need of an immediate new home due to an unexpected illness of her owner. Know anyone interested in a (now 11-week old) Cavalier/Bichon puppy? Zip me an email and I will put them in touch. This puppy is up to date on her vaccinations and comes with a spay certificate.

Guide Dog Story

2009-08-15T09:11:00.000-07:00

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-07-28-guide-dog-holocaust_N.htm

I used to raise puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind, in California. I have heard lots of life-changing stories of blind people getting dogs. This one made me choke up. What a story. What a survivor! I would like to hear this man speak.

Name that Breed(s)!

2009-08-15T09:03:00.000-07:00

http://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/2008-06-24-dog-dna-quiz_N.htm

A favorite pasttime of mine is now an interactive, online quiz. Take a peek. See if you score better than I did! ( I got two wrong.)

Snack Time for Bowser

2009-07-29T09:31:00.000-07:00

http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/slideshow-foods-your-dog-should-never-eat?ecd=wn

Here's a nice slide show of what NOT to give your dog... as well as some tips for treats that are healthy. I learned a few... who knew nutmeg was toxic to dogs?

Dogs Talk!

2009-07-28T19:33:00.001-07:00

Are you interested in what dogs have to say? Here's a fun quiz and some very informative videos. Not all dogs who wag their tails are happy to be petted... Check this out!

http://corporate.petsmart.com/public-relations/if-your-pet-could-talk/welcome.php

I have been a huge fan of Suzanne Hetts since first hearing her speak at a very early APDT seminar - Pheonix, AZ circa 1996. I am thrilled she's gotten into such a public position as this educational venture with PetSmart!

Take the quiz, and let me know how you do!
Email me at Catherine@SensibleK9.com

Sunny July Puppy Field Trip!

2009-07-27T22:56:00.000-07:00

Sensible Puppy class members and friends joined together last Saturday afternoon for a gorgeous day at Coxhall Gardens. After a lovely stroll to the Children's Garden, where we worked on leash manners and formal heeling, we played in the buildings, put puppies up on wooden benches and even met a few Dachshunds, passing by. We wandered over to the lake and startled a few dozen geese, and even a heron!

The puppies got to meet several children in our group, including two boys on bicycles. On the bridge over the lake, we met another dog, a pug, who was very curious about our group! The puppies got treats from bronze people-statues and splashed in the cascading water. We ended on the centerpiece, where we discussed strategies for overcoming typical and not-so-typical adolescent issues.

Don't miss out on next month's field trip, where we will visit an agility trial! See you soon!

Dogs Understand Pointing

2009-07-16T08:13:00.000-07:00

Fun new research shows that a dog can understand certain pointing gestures as well as a two-year old child. No surprise to any of us who have tried directing our dogs that way through the thicket after a mis-thrown ball! Here's a short video clip about the research - my favorite line is the researcher's closing observations. Enjoy!

http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/news-dogs-read-gestures-like-toddlers.html

Report Cards

2009-07-15T02:52:00.000-07:00

As part of my emphasis on good communication with my clients' veterinarians, I have developed a Sensible Puppy Class report card. Each week after class, I will make notations about your puppy's progress on all class assignments. When your 6-week course is completed, I will forward the report card to your veterinarian for your puppy's file. In this way, I hope to convey how well your puppy does in class and areas which may need further work. Not a client of Michigan Road Animal Hospital? No worries! I will happily mail your puppy's report card to your veterinarian. If you would like to view your puppy's report card, just ask.

NEW AKC STAR PUPPY CERTIFICATES!

2009-07-02T06:42:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the following puppies (and owners!) for passing the AKC STAR Puppy test: Annie -Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Bailey - Coton de Tulear, Dyce -Doodle, Gallant - French Bulldog, Hickory -All-American, Seagram - Weimaraner. As part of our June Field Trip last weekend, we held a STAR Puppy test, and these great little guys (and gals) were proud to show off their skills! Good job, everyone, for continuing the work that began in puppy class! You are walking examples of Sensible Puppy training!!

Mark your calendars for the fourth Saturday of every month and join us for upcoming field trips! Much fun is had by all!

Clicker Sheep Video

2009-06-03T18:54:00.000-07:00

This fabulous video shows a wonderful progression of time. The trainer begins with very simple targetting exercises... and, well, I won't ruin it for you. Suffice to say, it's worth 6 minutes of your life. Enjoy!

Sensible Puppies at Hoosier Village!

2009-06-02T20:09:00.000-07:00

What a win-win day we had! Great socialization for our four-legged friends and great interactions for our resident hosts. Thank you, Hoosier Village!

Tricky Puppy Training

2009-05-21T03:16:00.001-07:00

Looking for something to do with your puppy? Try some of these great tricks from a puppy pre-agility class in Italy! These little guys can do a whole lot more than most people expect. Here's proof!

Puppy in the House!

2009-05-13T10:45:00.000-07:00

We are puppy-sitting for a friend, and loving every minute of it. Seagram is a 9-week old Weimaraner boy. He is the epitome of good breeding and early socialization. His breeder and his owner have gotten this puppy off to a great start already! He is a nice blend of cautious and curious, confident and careful. Yesterday, he was a little overwhelmed at first, meeting my two big dogs. (See detailed photo journal below blog entries.) But, after a while, he rallied and decided he just might play with them. Seagram will be coming to puppy class next week with his owner, and I know he's going to be one of the stars!!

Heartbreaking Decisions: Aggressive Dog in the Family

2009-05-03T15:11:00.000-07:00

It happens fairly often – “We got the dog before children… and now the dog has bitten our child.”

When I get the phone call for training, I have to ask the difficult questions, like, “Is it okay with you if your dog bites your child again?” Because, let’s face it, accidents happen. I can never guarantee that a dog that has bitten will not do it again. In fact, my money’s on a repeat offense, and, double or nothing, that it will be a worse bite, the next time.

Dr. Ian Dunbar, veterinarian and highly regarded dog training expert, has created this scale for discussing dog bites:

Ian Dunbar's Bite Assessment Scale

Level 1- Dog growls, lunges, snarls-no teeth touch skin. Mostly intimidation behavior.

Level 2- Teeth touch skin but no puncture. May have red mark/minor bruise from dog’s head or snout, may have minor scratches from paws/nails. Minor surface abrasions acceptable.

Level 3- Punctures ½ the length of a canine tooth, one to four holes, single bite. No tearing or slashes. Victim not shaken side to side. Bruising.

Level 4- One to four holes from a single bite, one hole deeper than ½ the length of a canine tooth, typically contact/punctures from more than canines only. Black bruising, tears and/or slashing wounds. Dog clamped down and shook or slashed victim.

Level 5- Multiple bites at Level 4 or above. A concerted, repeated attack.

Level 6- Any bite resulting in death of a human.

This scale is a useful tool when communicating with parents whose dog has bitten their child. The thing to point out, though, is that the next time – that next bite, when it happens - will not usually be a lower-level bite. In other words, it’s all downhill from here.

Some dog behavior counselors set their clients on a protocol for training and management that borders on the ridiculous: Supervision of all interactions between the child and the dog. Step-by-step desensitization to teach the dog to accept handling from the child. Response substitution to teach the dog to be relaxed and comfortable, rather than predacious when the child is at play. Meanwhile, the dog-owning parent is often holding down at least one job, caring for the family and involved in other obligations in and outside the home.

What’s the sensible answer? Is it reasonable to ask my clients to put their lives on hold while they train the family dog for a few months? If we do that, can I guarantee the dog will not bite the child again? Not likely. In the end, after they have done the work, they still are going to have a dog that bites at least at the level he did the last time. Some time, some where, some one will be bitten by that dog. Especially if that some one is going to be a child, I have a moral responsibility to sternly warn the parents of the risk.

But, it isn’t any fun. Today, I told a family they should consider re-homing their beloved pet because any amount of training we do will not prevent him from biting their two sons if surprised or provoked. It breaks my heart.

Several years ago, I had to make that tough decision. I re-homed a fearful Sheltie girl that I had owned for 8 years because my active sons terrified her and she had begun biting. Her bites were “only” Level 1 and 2 on the above scale, but I wasn’t willing to see if the theory held true – that her bites might become worse. I agonized over it for a year and cried about it for months later. In the end, it was a great thing for her, though. She lived out her retirement years as queen in a household with no children. She was one happy dog, and never showed the kind of anxiety she had in our home once the boys came along. (Meanwhile, I continued training my “bomb-proof” golden retriever, that barely looks up when a boy accidentally falls on top of him while he’s sleeping.)

Not every dog is a good candidate for re-homing. Some aggressive dogs should simply be euthanized due to their dangerous nature – another heartbreakingly difficult decision. But, for the dog whose aggression is specific to one stimulus, in this case, children, it is easier to think about re-homing as an option that can bring peace to the family and the dog. It’s still tough to come to that decision, and my heart goes out to my clients tonight while they discuss their options.

Field Trip Fun!

2009-04-26T11:21:00.001-07:00

What do two Coton de Tulears, a Brittany Spaniel, an Afghan Hound, a Labrador, a German Shepherd Dog, three mixed breeds, a Golden Retriever and a Boxer all have in common? They all had a great outing at the Sensible Puppy Field Trip this past weekend. Eleven puppies aged 14 weeks through 6 months enjoyed the warm spring weather at Holliday Park, along with several hundred other Hoosiers and their dogs, bicycles, boom boxes, strollers, picnic baskets and more.

(You can view the slide show to the right)

We taught the puppies to greet people politely, to climb a rock wall, to navigate playground equipment and to be comfortable in the hubbub of a busy park. Those in attendance were able to check off many socialization contacts in their Sensible Puppy Notebook.

Our current STAR award puppies led the way. Ava, the German Shepherd Dog, looked gorgeous, confident and under control. Sammie, the pretty black Lab-cross, was friendly and relaxed around the noises, too. Lady, a lovely a Brittany Spaniel, seemed to relish taking the lead, showing everyone “her” park.

Other puppy class grads seemed happy to be out and about with their owners as well. Bailey, a Coton de Tulear, looked great, walking nicely and sporting his new red Gentle Leader. Bella the aristocratic Afghan made several new friends, and I was thrilled to see her confidence! Sophie, a Coton de Tulear, learned that even little dogs can climb rock walls with alacrity.

Nearly all the current class members were present. Edna, a mixed-breed, paid excellent attention to her owner. Ali the Boxer was great at loose-leash walking. Clearly, he has been practicing this skill. Dyce the Doodle learned that play structures could be fun. Orion the confident black Lab puppy greeted strangers happily, and wondered about a baby in a stroller: is that a kid with wheels or a vehicle with eyeballs? Drew the golden retriever clearly loved the commotion of the busy park – he wagged his tail the entire time.

The trip was definitely worthwhile as a socialization and training opportunity. Next month will be somewhere altogether different – be sure to mark your calendars and keep those fourth Saturdays open for field trips!

Well-Trained (and Well-Socialized) Dogs Have More Fun

2009-04-14T13:47:00.001-07:00

During Spring Break a few weeks ago, my friends Becky and Cathy invited us to join them for a hike in the Morgan-Monroe State Forest. My sons came along as did 5 dogs – Two golden retrievers, one Labrador retriever, a Brittany Spaniel and a Vizsla.

The hike was lovely. It was nice to see a bit of wild Indiana before the bugs and humidity come along! Even more wonderful, though, was the realization that our hike was pleasant because our dogs enjoyed great freedoms. They splashed in the creek, explored upturned tree-roots and raced up and down steep embankments. They tried to retrieve rocks tossed into the water by the boys. They laughed their way through the mud and rolled in the great "doggie-bliss" perfumes they found.

All of the dogs were fabulous with my boys, although only three of them live with children. All of the dogs considered the running, jumping, shrieking, climbing and splashing that the boys did to be normal behavior, and they were right. None of the dogs chased wildlife. All the dogs got multiple treats and praise for “working” so hard doing our hike. They were trustworthy enough to enjoy off-leash freedom. When they checked in on their own, they were rewarded. When they came at our calls, they were rewarded.

When another hiker and dog appeared on the trail, we asked our dogs to down-stay. All five of them did, immediately. As the elderly man passed by, his pretty little border collie growled threateningly at us, especially at the children. She glanced warily at our dogs, her tail tucked to her belly. Her pretty little face was contorted with fear. Her owner tightened up her leash, and she stuck to his leg like a burr on a sock. The kindly man, smiling and chatting to us, was unaware of his dog’s body language, which said, “I’m scared – don’t come near or I will bite.” I don’t even think he heard her growling.

Suddenly, I was jolted by the contrast. Here’s a dog who had a ton of potential, probably…but why was she so afraid of all of us? I wanted to ask the man, “Did you take her to puppy class? Has she seen children, before? Why doesn’t she trust other dogs? How is it this beautiful, sensitive girl is such a snarling, defensive-aggressive menace?

Some would cry “abuse!”, but I know that the simplest explanation is usually accurate – and this dear old man probably knew nothing of early developmental “windows” for socialization and likely never considered training his attentive little companion. The most likely reason for her behavior is a lack of positive experience with strangers, children and friendly dogs. She’s probably never seen 5 calm dogs on a down-stay. That is not normal dog behavior! I felt sorry for the old man and his dog, as they continued down the trail. She’ll never be off her leash, and he’ll never know the pleasures we were having, watching our dogs gamboling in the woods.

I look forward to a return visit to that lovely place. There are miles of trails for us to explore. It was refreshing on many levels. I am glad that my lifestyle and my friends include well-socialized and well-trained dogs. We have more fun than the other guys.

First Sensible STAR Puppy Awards!

2009-03-29T23:19:00.001-07:00

Carmel, Indiana March 28, 2009 —Catherine Steinke, owner of Sensible K9, LLC, is proud to celebrate the graduation of three puppies and owners from the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy training program. The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program rewards responsible owners who take the time to train and socialize their new puppies. The program is a natural precursor to the AKC Canine Good Citizen® Test. “S.T.A.R.” stands for Socialization, Training, Activity and a Responsible owner, all of the things a puppy needs to have a good life.

“The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy program teaches dogs and their owners the first important steps to becoming responsible members of the community,” said Catherine Steinke. We are proud to see dog owners actively seeking ways to help their puppies start life on the right paw.”

Earning the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy award were Cecelia Geist with Lady Suzanne, a Brittany Spaniel from Indianapolis, West Clay Village resident Gina Prine, with Ava, a German Shepherd Dog and Jackie Randall, with Samantha, a mixed-breed, from Indianapolis

To earn their medals, the participants enrolled their puppies in the Sensible Puppy training class instructed by AKC Approved CGC Evaluator, Catherine Steinke. Weekly classes at Michigan Road Animal Hosptital on 96th Street included valuable training tips for puppy owners - such as how to housetrain and how to prevent behavior problems - and lessons on practical skills for puppies -such as coming when called, accepting veterinary examinations and bite inhibition. The program is open to all breeds of dogs. Puppies can begin training as soon as they have the necessary vaccines and they can test for the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy award at any point up until their first birthday during one of Sensible Puppy’s unique field trips, offered once a month to class members.

Upon passing the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy test, owners and their puppies are eligible to receive an AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy package which includes:

• A frameable certificate
• AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy medal
• AKC Puppy Handbook
• Discount enrollment in AKC Companion Animal Recovery
• Subscription to monthly e-mail newsletter that includes training tips

To sign up for classes visit www.SensiblePuppy.com
For more information on AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy, see www.akc.org/starpuppy

Congratulations, Lady, Ava and Sammy!

Crazy Sheepherders with Too Much Time?

2009-03-19T11:36:00.000-07:00

This is completely brilliant. Thanks to my brother Dan for passing it along! You can visit his (semi-retired) website for search and rescue dog information at

http://www.comdens.com/SAR/default.htm

Socialize Your Puppy!

2009-03-11T19:09:00.000-07:00

http://www.akc.org/enewsletter/yourakc/2009/march/puppy.cfm

Here's a thorough article published by the AKC on the importance of early socialization. For my Sensible Puppy clients, get out those checklists and get busy!

Play With Me!!

2009-03-10T19:52:00.000-07:00

This is delightful! Look at all the wonderful play gestures this puppy is offering! What a wonderfully confident, social puppy. Fun stuff! Thanks to Becky A. for sharing this video.

Techno-Savvy

2009-03-07T19:34:00.000-08:00

I have never claimed to be "techno-savvy". In fact, those who know me are surprised that I carry a cell phone. (Okay, only sometimes - and I don't know how to text!) I am able to use the internet, though. And, I am happy to pass along this great website to you. It's a great source of FREE, GOOD information about everything canine. If you are currently training a dog, take a peek and spend some time surfing around. I can guarantee you will find things of interest.
www.dogstardaily.com

Snowy Puppy Field Trip!

2009-02-21T11:53:00.000-08:00

I am so proud of all my clients and puppies who made it out this morning for our February field trip! In spite of the snow, wind and cold, all of the owners did a great job teaching leash manners to their young pets. After working on that a bit, we acclimated the puppies to some of the children's playground equipment. All the puppies had a great time, and only got a little muddy! :-)

2009-02-20T04:51:00.000-08:00

If You're Aggressive, Your Dog Will Be Too, Says Veterinary Study

ScienceDaily (2009-02-18) -- In a new, year-long survey of dog owners who use confrontational or aversive methods to train aggressive pets, veterinary researchers have found that most of these animals will continue to be aggressive unless training techniques are modified. ... > read full article

Therapy Dogs!

2009-02-03T11:37:00.000-08:00

I am proud to announce that my Vizsla girl, Penny, is now a Delta Pet Partner! She surprised me with her confidence and joy in greeting all the "scary" people during the intensive 20-step test last weekend. She was joyful and happy in all the social interactions and minded her manners very well for a young dog.

Sancho, my golden retriever, passed his renewal and has become a Pet Partner therapy dog for the 3rd time. He is permitted to visit "complex" environments, which means unpredictable encounters won't phase him a bit. I know this to be true - he's proven to be wise and gentle in all scenarios.

Delta dogs are great comforters to hospital and nursing home residents and staff as well as working in youth grieving programs or other post-traumatic venues. A visit from a dog can faciliate healing in ways that people cannot. I personally have seen my dogs open gateways through grief and coma and stress where traditional interventions have failed. I am proud to be involved as a Delta Pet Partner.

If you would like to know more about Pet Partners and the work they can do, please visit www.DeltaSociety.org.

Bridge and Target Training

2009-01-31T20:46:00.000-08:00

This lovely, happy dog has learned a new trick with Bridge and Target training. Can you hear the trainer saying, "ggggggggggg - Good"? Well, it may not seem like much, but it's an important communicator to this eager worker that he's on track.

This is a novel concept, using an intermediate bridge between the target and the reinforcement marker. Sort of a "you are on the right track-keep up the good work" communicator. It has proven very effective in communicating difficult concepts to animals.

I first ran across the "Bridge and Target" concept a few years ago while I was researching the sport of Canine Freestyle. I found Charlene Dunlap's site, which you can view, here http://www.caninehorizons.com/Training_Clips.html .

Next week, as a member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Counselors, I will begin a course taught by Kayce Cover who developed the Bridge and Target concepts over years of working with many different animal species. You can view her video clips here: http://synalia.com/videos
I look forward to teaching my own dogs some new, fun things and adding this proficiency to my bag of tricks for clients and their pets.

Sensible Puppy January Field Trip

2009-01-24T19:29:00.000-08:00

What do you get when you bring five puppies and three adult dogs to a nursing home? A whole lotta puppy love! I was very proud of all our puppies and their great owners. Everyone was relaxed and enjoyed greeting the residents and staff. A great socialization and training outing for the puppies-and a wonderful treat for all the people. A big Thank You to Hoosier Village Health Center for allowing us to visit! Hug those puppies - I bet they are sleeping well, tonight!

The Best Trick!

2009-01-23T15:44:00.000-08:00

Whoever trained this dog has my complete admiration! What a fun trick! And, see how happy the dog is? I only wish I could understand what the announcer is saying!

AKC STAR Puppy Program

2009-01-21T21:04:00.000-08:00

Sensible Puppy classes are the first in Indianapolis to offer the new AKC STAR Puppy program! After attending at least 6 weeks of class and by passing a 20-point evaluation, Sensible Puppy class participants will be eligible to receive a beautiful medal and frameable certificate from AKC!

As an approved AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, I am proud to be encouraging my clients to reach for the STAR with their purebred or mixed-breed puppies!

The test items are not going to be difficult because these are all things we are already working on, in Sensible Puppy Class. The curriculum of both programs mesh nicely together. For more details, please go to http://www.akc.org/starpuppy/.

I like the emphasis that AKC STAR Puppy puts on owner awareness and participation. The idea of responsible puppy ownership is not new, but now, there's a pretty medal and certificate to show for your hard work!

The date will soon be announced for our first Sensible Puppy AKC STAR Puppy Evaluation! Will your puppy be the first STAR in Indy?

Puppy Classes at Michigan Road Animal Hospital - Off to a Great Start!

2009-01-15T05:37:00.000-08:00

Neither snow nor slush nor freezing winds kept four puppies and thirteen people from gathering last night at MRAH 96th Street for the first Sensible Puppy group class. We have a Labrador, a German Shepherd Dog, a Brittany Spaniel and a West Highland White Terrier. We had great puppy socialization with people wearing funny hats, puppy-to-puppy play, body language interpretation, and massage time. We worked on playing "Elevator", discussed great chewing toys and learned how to help a puppy overcome a fearful experience. Additionally, there were lots of potty breaks, personalized Q&A, and different surfaces to walk on. Everyone seemed to have a great time. The weather didn't deter us, and hopefully, four families are feeling better about reaching their puppy-training goals.

Talking Dogs!

2009-01-08T15:42:00.000-08:00

This video clip was sent to me by a friend (Thanks, Becky!) and I just had to post it. Perhaps it's the power of suggestion, but these dogs seem to mean what they say! Don't take it too seriously, though. If you really want to know what your dog is saying, check out Brenda Aloff's book, Canine Body Language.

My Mom's a Dog Trainer

2009-01-04T16:11:00.000-08:00

There are benefits to being the son of a dog trainer, not the least of which is that you get to meet a lot of puppies! Check out the new slide show and see the fun we are having with Mr. Phifer's Basenji puppies, now 4 weeks old.

More to come as the Basenji puppies grow.

The boys are also going to get to participate in socializing puppies at my Sensible Puppy class, which begins this week with the orientation, next week with puppies in attendance. We already have 5 puppies signed up!

2008-12-31T06:00:00.000-08:00

I shot this video of Brad Phifer luring his 3 week old Basenji puppy. Look how well she follows the lure, though she is barely standing on her own! Brad and I have been video taping and photographing the puppies since they were born. Next week, my sons will get to interact with the puppies and we will get some good social shots. Stay tuned!

You can subscribe!

2008-12-30T19:50:00.000-08:00

How cool is this? I added a tool at the bottom of my posts. Now, if you want to know when I update this blog, you can click on this tool, and then whatever application you use (e.g. yahoo, google) and through the magic of the internet (I don't know how it all works, but I am pretty sure Gore didn't invent it.), you will be able to see the new news... I find that fascinating, and hope my friends put this gadget on their pages so I can keep up to date!

2008-12-29T14:47:00.000-08:00

What fun they are having! Great socialization and gaining familiarity with agility equipment, too! Enjoy!

Pack Dischord

2008-12-28T18:51:00.000-08:00

There is so much about this video that bothers me. The poor Dalmation is doing everything he can to try to escape the situation. The owners notice, commenting that he is getting impatient, but they think it's funny. The Dalmation has no choice but to get firmer with the puppy, who is deaf. How frustrated is that Dalmation! Just listen to his impassioned barks. Notice also,the sitting dog, giving stress signals (exaggerated blinking, head turns and frozen stature.) This dog also would like out of this tiny room where there is so much potential for conflict. You can even see the plaintive look on the sitting dog's face toward the man at the computer. "Dad! Do Something!"

The owners here are failing their pack. The dogs are in an impossible situation which, I am afraid, will only escalate if something doesn't change. What will happen when this puppy reaches adolescence and the Dalmation must lay down the law? This is not a funny situation. The owners should intervene and show the puppy polite pack behavior, supporting the resident senior dogs. It's so important to think ahead, during the early days of puppy training. Especially since the puppy already has special needs.

Turning my brain inside out

2008-12-27T20:25:00.000-08:00

When I saw Suzanne Clothier at the APDT conference in Kentucky this fall, she spoke of "turning (her) brain inside out", trying to put into writing all the things she understood about people and their dogs. I know how she feels, having spent the greater part of today trying to put into words what I hope will be helpful for my puppy class clients.

How do I know what the puppy is saying? I can read him like a book. But, it's one thing for me to summarize, "Your puppy is feeling scared; help him out by encouraging him to move forward." and another thing entirely to list exactly what I am seeing (tight ears, wide eyes, pursed lips and arched back) and what I expect (bring a treat toward his nose and tease him a little with it, now toss it ahead of him and see if he'll think about going to get it.)

On top of that, one hopes it's interesting reading, and maybe funny, too. This takes time!
Good thing Panera Bread offers free refills and free WiFi. I think I have a new home office....

Not Much Longer, Now!

2008-12-26T19:27:00.000-08:00

The end of 2008 is just around the corner! That means, Sensible Puppy classes will begin soon! I am very excited to have developed these classes. I have been thinking about them for many years. I last developed classes at Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital many years ago. I also helped develop the puppy and levels classes at the Humane Society of Indianapolis about 3 years ago. Since then, I have wanted to bring my own ideas into fruition, and now, I finally can. I am excited to be partnering with Michigan Road Animal Hospital in this effort. I have a feeling we are going to do great things together.

The Sensible Puppy Class, with 5 different thematic evenings and the Free Puppy Seminar and the unlimited monthly, guided Field Trips is completely unique to anything offered by other dog training instructors. I can't wait to meet my new clients/friends and help them unleash the potential in their puppies!

More to come... until then, see http://www.sensiblepuppy.com/ for more information!