Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Patricia McConnell
From RBDT on twitter, I see that Patricia McConnell (author of The Other End of the Leash and For The Love of a Dog) has a blog (more like a journal) and website.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
nipping
Kimo has a nipping problem (not to mention a biting problem).
When people pet him, he growls or nips at them. It's the prelude to a bite.
Solutions? Try to get him used to people petting him by having him relate a hand going toward him as a good thing. This is done by touching them as they're being treated (touch training).
Victoria shows this in Tiny Tyrant and Eight Is Enough.
Cesar showed this in the episodes in the boutique? (it was a salon: Hardy Attacked With Love) and where the grandkids couldn't come over (Lorelei). Both currently available for viewing on the internet.
When people pet him, he growls or nips at them. It's the prelude to a bite.
Solutions? Try to get him used to people petting him by having him relate a hand going toward him as a good thing. This is done by touching them as they're being treated (touch training).
Victoria shows this in Tiny Tyrant and Eight Is Enough.
Cesar showed this in the episodes in the boutique? (it was a salon: Hardy Attacked With Love) and where the grandkids couldn't come over (Lorelei). Both currently available for viewing on the internet.
Hershey howling
Had an early morning call. Uncle Bobby was in emergency room at St. Francis. Went to pick him up and take him out.
Back home, I see Hershey is here today (after not coming yesterday, I assume because of spring break. Go for short walk, Kimo out w/ Mochi & Fifi. Walk with them for a little while.
Now off to Fumio's house. But I hear a howling. Not sure from where, but it sounds like it might be Hershey. Check next door. And sure enough, Hershey ran away and Lindsey is after him.
Go up back to look. It sounds like he's howling over the fence at the school. Go up to Ito's wall and over and look. Don't hear howling any more. Check with Maile. Nope, she hasn't seen any dog. Wait, the person she's talking to said somebody picked him up.
Back to the house. Don't see them. But here they come. Lindsey said she climbed over the fence and got him. And went around to take him home.
***
That afternoon, read paper in front. Kimo sort of lies on my foot. Move foot slightly. Jumps and growls. But stops short of biting. Then comes to senses.
***
Koa loose. Runs up Hatatanaka driveway. Go to his house. Soon enough, Koa arrives. Let him in gate which was open.
[Tue 3/23, posted 3/25]
Back home, I see Hershey is here today (after not coming yesterday, I assume because of spring break. Go for short walk, Kimo out w/ Mochi & Fifi. Walk with them for a little while.
Now off to Fumio's house. But I hear a howling. Not sure from where, but it sounds like it might be Hershey. Check next door. And sure enough, Hershey ran away and Lindsey is after him.
Go up back to look. It sounds like he's howling over the fence at the school. Go up to Ito's wall and over and look. Don't hear howling any more. Check with Maile. Nope, she hasn't seen any dog. Wait, the person she's talking to said somebody picked him up.
Back to the house. Don't see them. But here they come. Lindsey said she climbed over the fence and got him. And went around to take him home.
***
That afternoon, read paper in front. Kimo sort of lies on my foot. Move foot slightly. Jumps and growls. But stops short of biting. Then comes to senses.
***
Koa loose. Runs up Hatatanaka driveway. Go to his house. Soon enough, Koa arrives. Let him in gate which was open.
[Tue 3/23, posted 3/25]
Friday, March 12, 2010
Joey quiet in the front
RMAS comes
take Kimo out, a little excited as I follow them up the hill
As we come down, Kimo goes wild
I think he's reacting to Keith reacting to M&S (Pat is home holding him)
Hold his collar as he Shani's out
retrieve Hershey, catch up to them as they're coming back
then Fifi & Mochi are loose;
Ann calls in Fifi as Mochi scampers onto road and then comes back, take Kimo up Nalu's steps just in case (plus a car was coming)
Lanakila Hill, Aulii, Puna
see Betty out w/ Kaylen and Buddha (this time he wanted to come out cause he missed up last time?), walk with them
After we come back and they go home, visit Joey
He's in the front by the steps and doesn't bark. Treat them
Hoku is tied up at home w/ gate open
visit, Hoku wants to play, but Hershey doesn't particularly want to
Hoku excited, get her to calm down and lie down
[3/12, posted 3/13]
take Kimo out, a little excited as I follow them up the hill
As we come down, Kimo goes wild
I think he's reacting to Keith reacting to M&S (Pat is home holding him)
Hold his collar as he Shani's out
retrieve Hershey, catch up to them as they're coming back
then Fifi & Mochi are loose;
Ann calls in Fifi as Mochi scampers onto road and then comes back, take Kimo up Nalu's steps just in case (plus a car was coming)
Lanakila Hill, Aulii, Puna
see Betty out w/ Kaylen and Buddha (this time he wanted to come out cause he missed up last time?), walk with them
After we come back and they go home, visit Joey
He's in the front by the steps and doesn't bark. Treat them
Hoku is tied up at home w/ gate open
visit, Hoku wants to play, but Hershey doesn't particularly want to
Hoku excited, get her to calm down and lie down
[3/12, posted 3/13]
Thursday, March 11, 2010
biting the branches, pees on foot
take Kimo & Hershey out
walk a bit w/ Harriet & mom / but they walk too slow
duck into Wong's garage as it rains / lady comes home
Lolena Place - big boy, minpin barks from a distance (lady has little control)
Kamalii, Hillcrest pit on a line wild, so wild that he starts to bite the branches of the hedge in rage. Doesn't calm down readily. After the intensity slightly wanes, we walk off
down Skyline, Maalaea, Naio
the little dog on line doesn't bark for a change, looks like he's stuck on wall
tie up K&H, go to free free him, barks at me & goes down by himself (ok never mind)
corner dog barks - lady comes out
small dog pack - doesn't bark too much, mostly just one dog
Maluhia dog barks - guy on bike riding out
RMAS coming to end as we come back
Kimo anxious but doesn't erupt even when Miki takes a couple of steps towards us (non-aggressively)
***
That afternoon
take Kimo out briefly
pees on hedge which drips on foot
rinse w/ hose, tries to avoid the water on feet
[3/11, posted 3/13]
walk a bit w/ Harriet & mom / but they walk too slow
duck into Wong's garage as it rains / lady comes home
Lolena Place - big boy, minpin barks from a distance (lady has little control)
Kamalii, Hillcrest pit on a line wild, so wild that he starts to bite the branches of the hedge in rage. Doesn't calm down readily. After the intensity slightly wanes, we walk off
down Skyline, Maalaea, Naio
the little dog on line doesn't bark for a change, looks like he's stuck on wall
tie up K&H, go to free free him, barks at me & goes down by himself (ok never mind)
corner dog barks - lady comes out
small dog pack - doesn't bark too much, mostly just one dog
Maluhia dog barks - guy on bike riding out
RMAS coming to end as we come back
Kimo anxious but doesn't erupt even when Miki takes a couple of steps towards us (non-aggressively)
***
That afternoon
take Kimo out briefly
pees on hedge which drips on foot
rinse w/ hose, tries to avoid the water on feet
[3/11, posted 3/13]
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Keith doesn't bark (much)
took Kimo out
as we walked up on Pat's side, Kimo runs and jumps wall and goes to Keith's window
I went to retrieve him and surprisingly Keith didn't bark.
I held Kimo to keep him from jumping and going under Pat's house. He was breathing heavy and I waited for him to calm down a bit then treated him.
Then we slowly walked away toward the sidewalk. Keith started barking a bit, but that was about it.
as we walked up on Pat's side, Kimo runs and jumps wall and goes to Keith's window
I went to retrieve him and surprisingly Keith didn't bark.
I held Kimo to keep him from jumping and going under Pat's house. He was breathing heavy and I waited for him to calm down a bit then treated him.
Then we slowly walked away toward the sidewalk. Keith started barking a bit, but that was about it.
Friday, March 5, 2010
complaining about barking dogs
QUESTION: Can you let everyone know what the proper procedures are regarding making a noise complaint, specifically about constantly barking dogs? I sent a letter to the Hawaiian Humane Society last month about new tenants moving into our neighborhood and how everyone has had to endure almost constant barking from their dogs. We suspect they are breeders. We're not sure anything has been done. Is there anything more that we can do?
ANSWER: The Hawaiian Humane Society confirms it did receive your complaint about the dog owners. In fact, "numerous complaints" have been made about the dogs at the address you provided, a spokeswoman said.
Under Honolulu's animal nuisance law (Section 7-2 of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu), an owner is in violation when his or her dog barks intermittently for 30 minutes or constantly for 10 minutes "to the disturbance of any person at any time of day or night."
The Hawaiian Humane Society is under contract with the city to handle barking-dog complaints.
According to Keoni Vaughn, field services manager for the Humane Society, the organization receives more than 2,000 calls a year for help about neighboring dogs that bark excessively.
Once a complaint is made with the Humane Society, a letter is sent to the dog owner with information about why dogs bark and how to correct the problem.
"If, after 10 days, the barking continues, the complainant should contact us again so that we can follow up in person," Vaughn said.
The result could be a citation for a court appearance, if the complainant is willing to testify and it's proved that the owner is in violation of the nuisance law, he said.
Vaughn said the court process can take up to two months.
The key element in prosecution is the willingness of complainants to testify in court.
For more information about how the Humane Society responds to barking-dog complaints, go to hawaiianhumane.org/investigations.html.
The Humane Society notes that "while barking is a natural form of canine communication, excessive barking can be due to prolonged confinement, loneliness or boredom. Dogs that aren't exercised enough often bark to release tension."
For owners struggling to deal with excessive barking by their dogs, the Humane Society has a brochure with tips on what to do. You can download a brochure at hawaiianhumane.org/sites/default/files/barking_dog.pdf.
***
Question: I have a neighbor who has several dogs, and the smell from their droppings is awful. Both my husband and I have asthma. The smell is overwhelming, and the dogs bark late at night and at all hours.
Answer: The state Department of Health used to investigate all complaints about dog dropping nuisances on private property.
However, with limited staff and resources due to budget cuts, it no longer can do so, said spokeswoman Janice Okubo.
Instead, phone consultations are available. Call 483-2535 and "a determination will be made on the severity of the situation and whether further state involvement is warranted," she said.
Okubo noted that neighbors often can resolve these types of problems just by talking with each other and "developing a mutual understanding."
If not, the Hawaiian Humane Society may be able to help.
The agency handles complaints about incessant barking (continuously for 10 minutes or intermittently for 30 minutes or longer) for the city.
ANSWER: The Hawaiian Humane Society confirms it did receive your complaint about the dog owners. In fact, "numerous complaints" have been made about the dogs at the address you provided, a spokeswoman said.
Under Honolulu's animal nuisance law (Section 7-2 of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu), an owner is in violation when his or her dog barks intermittently for 30 minutes or constantly for 10 minutes "to the disturbance of any person at any time of day or night."
The Hawaiian Humane Society is under contract with the city to handle barking-dog complaints.
According to Keoni Vaughn, field services manager for the Humane Society, the organization receives more than 2,000 calls a year for help about neighboring dogs that bark excessively.
Once a complaint is made with the Humane Society, a letter is sent to the dog owner with information about why dogs bark and how to correct the problem.
"If, after 10 days, the barking continues, the complainant should contact us again so that we can follow up in person," Vaughn said.
The result could be a citation for a court appearance, if the complainant is willing to testify and it's proved that the owner is in violation of the nuisance law, he said.
Vaughn said the court process can take up to two months.
The key element in prosecution is the willingness of complainants to testify in court.
For more information about how the Humane Society responds to barking-dog complaints, go to hawaiianhumane.org/investigations.html.
The Humane Society notes that "while barking is a natural form of canine communication, excessive barking can be due to prolonged confinement, loneliness or boredom. Dogs that aren't exercised enough often bark to release tension."
For owners struggling to deal with excessive barking by their dogs, the Humane Society has a brochure with tips on what to do. You can download a brochure at hawaiianhumane.org/sites/default/files/barking_dog.pdf.
***
Question: I have a neighbor who has several dogs, and the smell from their droppings is awful. Both my husband and I have asthma. The smell is overwhelming, and the dogs bark late at night and at all hours.
Answer: The state Department of Health used to investigate all complaints about dog dropping nuisances on private property.
However, with limited staff and resources due to budget cuts, it no longer can do so, said spokeswoman Janice Okubo.
Instead, phone consultations are available. Call 483-2535 and "a determination will be made on the severity of the situation and whether further state involvement is warranted," she said.
Okubo noted that neighbors often can resolve these types of problems just by talking with each other and "developing a mutual understanding."
If not, the Hawaiian Humane Society may be able to help.
The agency handles complaints about incessant barking (continuously for 10 minutes or intermittently for 30 minutes or longer) for the city.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
flea light
Question: When my cat has fleas, I use what I call my "flea light" -- it always gets fleas.
I have a small spot lamp that I place on the floor at night near the cat's sleeping area. I place a saucer of water with a small cake of soap near the lamp. I turn off all lights in the room, except for the small lamp that shines only on the saucer. In the morning, you would be surprised at how many fleas there are in the water. I counted them one morning -- I had caught 121 fleas in one night. My cat thanked me.
Answer: Many thanks for reminding me of one of the best methods for trapping fleas. A warm light-bulb trap does work and is an excellent way to help control the flea population, especially if you have an indoor/outdoor cat and/or live in one of the warmer states.
Use a clip-on lamp with aluminum shade and a 25-watt light bulb on a chair leg about 12 inches above a wide dish of sudsy water. The fleas will be drawn to the warmth of the lamp and try to hop to it, but will fall short and into the suds.
Homeowners with pets going on vacation may find this a good way to cope with flea larvae hatching out while they are away. This is much safer than bug sprays, fumigants and those hazardous year-round anti-flea drugs that make too many pets sick.
[Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 2/13/10]
I have a small spot lamp that I place on the floor at night near the cat's sleeping area. I place a saucer of water with a small cake of soap near the lamp. I turn off all lights in the room, except for the small lamp that shines only on the saucer. In the morning, you would be surprised at how many fleas there are in the water. I counted them one morning -- I had caught 121 fleas in one night. My cat thanked me.
Answer: Many thanks for reminding me of one of the best methods for trapping fleas. A warm light-bulb trap does work and is an excellent way to help control the flea population, especially if you have an indoor/outdoor cat and/or live in one of the warmer states.
Use a clip-on lamp with aluminum shade and a 25-watt light bulb on a chair leg about 12 inches above a wide dish of sudsy water. The fleas will be drawn to the warmth of the lamp and try to hop to it, but will fall short and into the suds.
Homeowners with pets going on vacation may find this a good way to cope with flea larvae hatching out while they are away. This is much safer than bug sprays, fumigants and those hazardous year-round anti-flea drugs that make too many pets sick.
[Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 2/13/10]
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