Category Archives: AWARD

living with a dog outside of neutral – part 1

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This 7 part article series received a DWAA nomination, February 2013!

the introduction

I have been wanting to sit down and write this for a long time, long time as in years. It’s still very much a relationship in the present, but it is the past that I have been thinking about. I haven’t been able to find my voice with this particular story until very recently. In all fairness, this is Franny’s story to tell. If she could put pen to paper it would be a definitive guide for dog handlers. I will do my best to tell this story with the unapologetic and raw manner in which she lives.

Each post will include part of our story together, what I learned,  the training/teaching, or totally misguided blunders that I implemented. I have no idea how many parts there will be in this series, again this is the first time I have felt open enough to write about it.

We had just experienced extreme loss, the kind of loss where it feels like the carpet is pulled out from under you, and you find your self in mid air knowing you are going to crash, and crash hard. I couldn’t seem to function on any type of normal level during the day, and yet I was managing to take care of two young children, my babies. I knew I needed to do something to heal my heart, take a deep breath, see with clear eyes again, but was at a loss for what.

Animals have always, literally always, been a part of my life. It is my connection to this world in some way. I feel myself, grounded, and free when I am around other living beings. It’s not that I dislike my own species, on the contrary, it’s just that the non human speaking beings and I seem to understand each other on a different level. Does that make sense?

So I started looking for a dog, at shelters, private rescues, on the street, and in the paper. Everyday I would take my babies and we would go to look and visit. It was hard to really see and get to know any of them through swollen tear soaked eyes though. I know most of the shelter workers at the time pitied me, which I hated, I didn’t want there sympathy, I wanted to feel better again, a connection again.

About a month into this daily search I saw a dog, one who had apparently been there the whole time, but one I had never noticed. It’s almost like one day my blurry vision cleared and there she was. Relaxed, laying down against the fence, soft eyes, and seemingly unaware of the bleak prospect of living at the shelter. I bent down and put my finger through the fence and she very gently licked it, just once, and then looked at me. In my heart I knew she needed me!

When I went to ask about adopting her, I was informed there were three families that had submitted paper work for her, a waiting list of sorts. I totally understood why. So I continued my search. Two weeks later I saw that she was still there, and again went and asked. She was available, the families who had applied weren’t approved for some reason. I simply said, and I remember this so clearly, I want her. Twenty minutes later I walked out with a dog named Fran. I have no idea why they didn’t make me wait, or fill out the extensive forms, perhaps they were happy that the crying lady finally found a dog?

As soon as she jumped in my car I realized on some deep level that she didn’t need me at all, I was simply an accomplice in a jail break. I knew I was in for something, but didn’t  quite understand the scope of what life now had in store for me.

Nancy

thank you, Kreativ Blogger Award …

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I am still new to blogging, two months into my new blog actually, and I just want to say thank you for the nomination for the Kreativ Blogger Award from Eleenie. Any award is fun to receive, but knowing that a person thought of you instead of an organization makes it even better… so again, thank you!

The rules for this award are:

1. Thank the person who nominated you and include a link back to their blog
2. Share 7 things about yourself
3. Pass the award to 7 nominees

1.  a four dog night is the best kind

2. I have lived on 3 continents and 4 islands … so far

3. IPA

4. I used to speak English, Spanish and Italian fluently, now if I get a complete sentence out in anything I feel good!

5. Interesting inspires me

6. I love my work, and hope it always stays that way

7. Stay tuned… life continues!

My 7 nominees for the Kreativ Blogger Award are:

1. Bente Haarstad

2. Project Heart

3. Michael Brian

4. Mama’s Gotta Bake

5. Heritage Breed Farms

6. Annies Cooking Lab

7. still checking out new blogs…

Congratulations to all of the above, the creators of truly inspirational blogs. I take great pleasure in passing the Kreativ Blogger Award on to you!  Nancy

when seniors have dogs – preparing your dog for the future

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This article received the DWAA Maxwell Medallion Award, February 2013!

You know, the very first book I wrote was called ‘The Old Woman and her Dog’. That was forty-one years ago. I’m not sure if writing that story shaped my life or was a premonition of things to come.

In brief, she was an old woman who didn’t like anyone and was fairly cranky. She saw a puppy in a window, bought the puppy and fell in love. This puppy grew into a dog and the two were devoted to each other. The old woman became sick and the dog saddened by this. The little neighbor girl came over to help and all three became the best of friends, then the woman died and the dog wandered off. The End.

So strange how in my adult life, and career working with people and their dogs, this scenario, more or less, is very real.

When seniors have dogs its super important for the entire family to be involved in the care and well-being of the dog. Many times, the dog will out live their owner, and that is when things can go very wrong if they weren’t right to begin with.

The wish is for seniors and their dogs to live a long, healthy, and prosperous life together. But preparedness is important.

Socializing, training, potty training, and appropriate exercise are still at the top of the list for dogs living with seniors. If a senior needs to move into an assisted living and/or nursing home, it can be very stressful for the dog if they did not receive good socialization and training to begin with. Family and even extended family need to be part of the bigger picture to ensure that all is going well.

A responsible and caring family member should be appointed as the co-guardian of the dog. Assisting with socialization, training classes, food/feeding, veterinary visits, when needed. They should also agree to step in and care for the dog full time should that need ever arise.

Here is my cautionary story. I keep this memory front and center in my mind when working with families, their senior parents, and a very loved dog. I have worked with countless families over the years that have to face these tough choices. I no longer accept clients who are unwilling to step in and help their senior relatives, that has become my first question.

I received a call from an older gentleman, he needed help exercising his dog. His wife had a stroke and was now in assisted living, and he had Parkinson’s but was still living at home. We made an appointment.  He instructed me to not touch his dog because he would bite, and bite hard. He drew blood weekly on his friends and no person wanted to come and help him any longer. Also, when out walking keep him away from other dogs, he has never met a dog and wasn’t sure what would happen.

When we started chatting I found out that his dog was four years old, had never been out of the home or yard area, never been to a training class, and never socialized to anyone except the owner and his wife.

This little dog and I became friendly, went for walks/runs a few times a week, I was able to handle him over time, brush him and hand feed him. We worked on tricks they could do together. We were moving forward an ounce at a time, and there were lots of smiles.

Two months later this very kind gentleman had to move into assisted living as well. This little dog was going to be moving with him, so I set up a pet walker and my husband agreed to run with this dog three days a week.

He was so ill equipped to deal with life outside of his home that it went to hell in a hand basket very quickly. He wouldn’t let nurses into the room, would bite anyone that went near the wife, would bark out the window, and started to have accidents in the room (they were on the third floor).

They were told they had to get rid of him. The wife looked at me and said, ” it wasn’t supposed to play out this way. We weren’t supposed to be here just yet. We got him to grow old with us, spend time in our garden, and snuggle at night. We love him and don’t want to see him go. He is our dream”.

Their children were contacted and both said NO. They were financially able to not only take this little very loved dog of their parents, but to hire a trainer, dog walker and pet sitter full time to help out. Still the answer was no. They even refused to help with finding a suitable home for him, pay for transport, or temporary care.

I found a national breed specific rescue that was reputable, and we talked for almost a week. They found one of their foster families that would be happy to take him, and keep him since he had a bite history. I was very specific about care and his history. There would be no more surprises.

After tears and heart ache when we went to pick this little guy up, the wife had a seizure from the trauma of her dog going away and never being able to see him again. This older gentleman said, “I trust you and I am sorry I had to put this on you”. That was the last time we talked.

My husband and this little dog drove ten hours, stopped for hiking and runs along the way, and arrived at the foster families home. He went over his care, needs and special considerations with the new experienced foster family. They reassured him that they understood and had worked with dogs like this before and would give him a good life. My husband told them he would drive up and get him if it wasn’t the right fit.

I called three days later to check up and see how he was doing. They had euthanized him because he was too much for them.

I cried for a week straight and could barely stand on my own two feet. My husband was in such disbelief at the tragic end to this little dogs life and was inconsolable for days.

Every dog that I have had the pleasure to work with and who has allowed me into their space, and their life, means something to me. Some crawl into my heart a bit deeper than others, but it’s a connection that is undeniable.

Be prepared to help, love and care take when the time comes…

Nancy

Top 10 tips for puppy owners

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This article received a DWAA nomination, February 2013!

There are more tips than this, but these are the Top 10 that have come up over the past nine years, working with almost 400 puppies each year.

A helpful reminder to puppy owner’s who want to grow their puppy into a balanced and loving adult dog. Whether you’re goal is competition, hiking, awesome family pet, or beyond.

Top 10 – PLEASE DO THIS

  1. Handle your puppy with safe and trusting human hands. Prepare your puppy for handling of the body, ears, back, belly, and paws. Pick your puppy up from time to time during the day and give them small treats or a nice kiss and then put them down. Holding should be a positive experience. Massaging puppies right before they drift off to sleep is a great way to make touch a positive thing!
  2. Socialize your puppy kindly and considerately. NOTE – you are their voice in the human world, you always choose their environments. When taking your new puppy out and about, introduce them to people (children, men, women, elderly…), places, things, events and other well socialized appropriate dogs (always ask, “is your dog friendly with puppies”). Socialization starts the day you bring your puppy home, not when they are done with their vaccination schedule. Invite puppies over to your home that are in your training classes and have play dates on a regular basis.
  3. Have a managed and structured environment. When you have a routine for your puppy, you eliminate much of the guess work. Potty, feed breakfast while working on play with a purpose or specific behaviors, potty again, possible short walk or socialization outing, potty again, and then crate or have your puppy in a gated managed space for a nice long nap. Repeat throughout the day.
  4. All Food and Rewards should be healthy choices. Saving your left over meat in little baggies and freezing is the Best training reward you can offer. Water should be available from the time your puppy wakes up until they go to bed at night. Not necessarily in their crate during nap times, but anytime they are active and moving about. A dehydrated puppy is not a place you want to visit. If your puppy is thirsty, believe them!
  5. Have items available on the floor at all times for teething puppies. VIDEO. If your puppy grabs onto your hand, exchange with a bully stick or raw bone. Always exchange, even if it feels like you’ve done it for the bazillionth time. Be honest in the fact that your puppy is loosing, pushing and setting teeth until 13 months or so. Always give their mouth a job for a successful teething season!
  6. Always carry rewards in your pocket, always! Because you live with your puppy you are in fact training and teaching 24/7. Everything you do in your home or yard teaches your puppy something new about their life with you. If you see your puppy offer a behavior that you like and want to keep, please reward it. You are giving your puppy awesome information this way! This is not active training, but more life skills teaching.
  7. When actively training new behaviors make sure you have a plan. Take a class or read up on, getting a behavior + marking a behavior + rewarding a behavior. That pattern will take you from the basics all the way to pushing a ball across a field. Be a good consistent teacher.
  8. Playing and interacting with your puppy is vital in growing a socially and emotionally balanced dog. Playing together with toys, hide n seek, recall games, find it, etc. Play with a Purpose is the foundation for structured play, building team, trust, and a great relationship. Puppies should bring out your creative side!
  9. Crate or a fenced manged space is very important for a successful household. It eliminates so much conflict and stress with an active puppy, helps with house training, and keeps puppies successful in a human environment. These managed spaces should be used after you have met your puppies needs (please refer to #3), for down time, or managed time while you are away. In general, a puppy should never be crated more than 3 1/2 to 4 hours at a time. Their crate should be in a space where they feel safe, isn’t to cold or hot, and where they enjoy just hanging out. The families bedroom tends to be that space more times than not.
  10. Love your puppy. Let them know how much you love them. Talk to your puppy, touch your puppy, lay down and cuddle on the floor together. Bonding is a large part of a healthy trusting relationship.

Top 10-  DON’T DO THIS

  1. Rough housing, while fun in the moment, teaches puppies that human hands can’t always be trusted. You are also encouraging inappropriate play with will eventually get you a small ding on your hand or face, and your puppy a good correction.
  2. Don’t take a young puppy to a dog park, this is for health and safety reasons.
  3. Don’t get busy with your day and let your puppy guess what their job is with you. If you give a puppy lots of freedom without supervision they will fail and then you will correct them.
  4. Don’t give junky food to your puppy. No corn, wheat, soy, sugar or food dyes. Read the labels. Don’t restrict water, ever!
  5. Don’t ever grab your puppies mouth and hold it shut and scream NO BITE. Frankly this creeps me out, but it’s just poor handling and will clarify to your puppy that you cannot be trusted. Puppies need to explore with their paws and jaws, it’s up to the handler to provide the appropriate management and items to chew on besides human body parts. Some puppies are more mouthy and grippy than others, in those instances, you will need to be even more vigilant to management and giving your puppies mouth a job with items to chew on.
  6. Don’t ignore behaviors that your puppy offers just because you are not in an active training session. Being a good observer is part of being a good puppy owner.
  7. Don’t demand that your puppy obey your commands, again so creepy. Your puppy is not a minion, robot or thoughtless piece of property. Most puppies that have crossed my path can out reason most people I know. Know the behaviors that will be important in your household and beyond, and make a plan to teach them in a positive way.
  8. Don’t put your puppy in the back yard to entertain themselves while you go about your day. You will teach your puppy that they are on their own and the relationship will not be a strong one. You will also get one if not all of the following; barking, fence running, property guarding, and/or digging.
  9. Don’t leave a puppy unattended in the home while you are working in another room or when you go out. Puppies will make puppy choices and they are generally destructive. Manage first so you don’t fall into correcting later. Don’t use a crate for extended periods of time with a puppy, or as a place of punishment.
  10. Don’t withhold affection or love. To be an authoritarian, bossy and/or domineering will ding your relationship with your puppy. I have never seen an emotionally or socially balanced puppy who grew up in this type of environment. There is no healthy relationship I know of where one living being dominates over the other living being and it’s good to go!

Nancy