Kimo was loose, take Kimo out & take Kimo home
Sue drives by and sees me and I walk Kimo home. And she parks up the street to meet me.
Then comes Cat, Bob, Lori. I let them go up the stairs and close the gate. Then I let Kimo loose. He charges the fence and growls. I grab his leash and he goes wild. Eventually he calms down. Disappointing, especially since Kimo knows them from tennis.
Then come Bry and Joyce with Kimo up the steps. Is anxious at first. But then looks friendly as he sees Joyce. I let them decide how to go up. Bry decides to go to the garage. Joyce kind of wants to go up the steps, but goes through the garage too.
[Sun 8/29, posted 8/31]
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
sociable dog, cooperative humans
Have you ever wanted to take your dog to work with you, but couldn't get the idea past your boss? According to an article in The Economist, you might soon have some ammunition on your side.
Christopher Honts and Matthew Christensen, under the guidance of Stephen Colarelli, Ph.D., at Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, wondered if the mere presence of a sociable, well-behaved canine in the office might make co-workers more likely to co-operate.
Christopher Honts and Matthew Christensen, under the guidance of Stephen Colarelli, Ph.D., at Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, wondered if the mere presence of a sociable, well-behaved canine in the office might make co-workers more likely to co-operate.
Judie Mancuso
Laguna Beach animal welfare advocate Judie Mancuso spent a year and a half trying to get the state Legislature to pass a law requiring that pets be sterilized. A week ago, the bill, AB 1634 -- alternately reviled and cheered -- was finally rejected in the state Senate.
On the tortured road to its death, the bill was amended almost a dozen times, watered down and even name-changed. Breeders and opposition groups howled in protest and said legislators were taking away their rights to handle their animals as they saw fit.
Mancuso, whose voice sounds as though it belongs to a plucky girl cartoon character, had created the original proposal along with Los Angeles city staffers and L.A. Animal Services general manager Ed Boks. Assemblyman Lloyd Levine (D-Van Nuys) became the bill's author and legislative torchbearer.
The goal was to stem the euthanasia of hundreds of thousands of animals in the state's shelters annually by mandating people alter their pets. Fewer animals being born meant fewer strays and owner-surrendered pets being housed in the shelters, Mancuso and company contended. "You're just trying to prevent animals coming in the front door," said Mancuso, pictured here smooching a pooch in the Central Valley SPCA shelter in Fresno.
Despite passing the Assembly last year, the beleaguered bill never had an easy road. Sterilization exemptions for many dogs and cats in the original bill (show dogs, service dogs, etc.) still didn't please opponents. The service dog pictured below that showed up last year in Sacramento with its owner to protest the original bill was actually never in any danger of being altered.
The final version of the bill required sterilization only of pets that were cited for being unlicensed, running loose or impounded, and they had to be guilty of those violations several times.
But Mancuso says the real problem was the backstage battling between some senators and bill author Levine. Some senators were against any bill from the get-go. (One Democratic senator told Mancuso's people working the Senate that there were folks in his district who ate dogs -- and not to count on his vote.)
Levine says it costs the state $300 million a year to shelter and euthanize animals. "I'm disappointed the Senate didn't deal with this," Levine said. "Just because breeders say there isn't a problem out there doesn't mean it's not there."
***
Note: This is the person who [some on] dogbehaviorscience is fighting on bill SB250.
On the tortured road to its death, the bill was amended almost a dozen times, watered down and even name-changed. Breeders and opposition groups howled in protest and said legislators were taking away their rights to handle their animals as they saw fit.
Mancuso, whose voice sounds as though it belongs to a plucky girl cartoon character, had created the original proposal along with Los Angeles city staffers and L.A. Animal Services general manager Ed Boks. Assemblyman Lloyd Levine (D-Van Nuys) became the bill's author and legislative torchbearer.
The goal was to stem the euthanasia of hundreds of thousands of animals in the state's shelters annually by mandating people alter their pets. Fewer animals being born meant fewer strays and owner-surrendered pets being housed in the shelters, Mancuso and company contended. "You're just trying to prevent animals coming in the front door," said Mancuso, pictured here smooching a pooch in the Central Valley SPCA shelter in Fresno.
Despite passing the Assembly last year, the beleaguered bill never had an easy road. Sterilization exemptions for many dogs and cats in the original bill (show dogs, service dogs, etc.) still didn't please opponents. The service dog pictured below that showed up last year in Sacramento with its owner to protest the original bill was actually never in any danger of being altered.
The final version of the bill required sterilization only of pets that were cited for being unlicensed, running loose or impounded, and they had to be guilty of those violations several times.
But Mancuso says the real problem was the backstage battling between some senators and bill author Levine. Some senators were against any bill from the get-go. (One Democratic senator told Mancuso's people working the Senate that there were folks in his district who ate dogs -- and not to count on his vote.)
Levine says it costs the state $300 million a year to shelter and euthanize animals. "I'm disappointed the Senate didn't deal with this," Levine said. "Just because breeders say there isn't a problem out there doesn't mean it's not there."
***
Note: This is the person who [some on] dogbehaviorscience is fighting on bill SB250.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
cradling therapy
Dear. Dr. Fox: I have two 1-year-old Pomeranians. Calvin has shown signs of being an alpha dog since we brought him home at eight weeks. He seems to know his place with the family (eight children live at home). The problem occurs when other children come over to play.
He tends to pick one and dominate the youngster. He actually bit one little girl twice. And there are certain people in the neighborhood whom he wants to go after.
He has also started wetting when he sees my husband. He will snuggle up to my husband at night, showing no signs that he fears him. My husband never had a dog and expects Calvin to understand more than he is capable of. He has chased the dog down angrily, punished him for running out the door, etc.
Is there a way to stop these behaviors? The dog's, I mean; I don't think I can do anything about my husband's. -- P.M., St. Louis
Dear P.M.: Husbands can be a problem. Many flunk basic obedience school. Your spouse should learn that getting frustrated and angry at the dog will cause fear and confusion.
Calvin could benefit from the cradling theory described on my website and in my book "Dog Body, Dog Mind." In this book you will also learn how to better communicate with Calvin and help him not to act aggressively toward visiting children. In the interim, keep him in another room or on a leash when children visit; and when on the leash, he must sit and stay. Above all, he needs to learn self-control -- what Ivan Pavlov called "internal inhibition."
[staradvertiser, 8/21/10]
***
What is cradling therapy?
Simply cradling a puppy or kitten in one’s arms is part of the process of animal socialization that is as gentle as it is profound. Pups and kittens soon learn to accept being picked up and gently held in one’s arms without struggling, and enjoy the intimacy and security of close physical contact.
Submitting to and accepting such handling is integral to effective and proper socialization or bonding with the human care giver. It greatly facilitates subsequent training and communication. If and when the animal struggles while being cradled, the gentle embrace becomes firm resistance that immediately softens and yields as soon as the animal ceases to struggle, begins to relax, to accept cradling restraint, and starts to trust.
This gentle psycho-physical ‘judo’ can help in the behavior modification of adult,hyperactive, and poorly socialized companion animals, often with a history of being over- indulged and having no sense of boundaries. They have limited self-control that Russian scientist Ivan Pavlov called internal inhibition. Cradling conditions the animal to accept restraint, develop internal inhibition or self-restraint; and above all, helps the animal develop the kind of trust that is the keystone for a strong and sustaining human-animal bond.
He tends to pick one and dominate the youngster. He actually bit one little girl twice. And there are certain people in the neighborhood whom he wants to go after.
He has also started wetting when he sees my husband. He will snuggle up to my husband at night, showing no signs that he fears him. My husband never had a dog and expects Calvin to understand more than he is capable of. He has chased the dog down angrily, punished him for running out the door, etc.
Is there a way to stop these behaviors? The dog's, I mean; I don't think I can do anything about my husband's. -- P.M., St. Louis
Dear P.M.: Husbands can be a problem. Many flunk basic obedience school. Your spouse should learn that getting frustrated and angry at the dog will cause fear and confusion.
Calvin could benefit from the cradling theory described on my website and in my book "Dog Body, Dog Mind." In this book you will also learn how to better communicate with Calvin and help him not to act aggressively toward visiting children. In the interim, keep him in another room or on a leash when children visit; and when on the leash, he must sit and stay. Above all, he needs to learn self-control -- what Ivan Pavlov called "internal inhibition."
[staradvertiser, 8/21/10]
***
What is cradling therapy?
Simply cradling a puppy or kitten in one’s arms is part of the process of animal socialization that is as gentle as it is profound. Pups and kittens soon learn to accept being picked up and gently held in one’s arms without struggling, and enjoy the intimacy and security of close physical contact.
Submitting to and accepting such handling is integral to effective and proper socialization or bonding with the human care giver. It greatly facilitates subsequent training and communication. If and when the animal struggles while being cradled, the gentle embrace becomes firm resistance that immediately softens and yields as soon as the animal ceases to struggle, begins to relax, to accept cradling restraint, and starts to trust.
This gentle psycho-physical ‘judo’ can help in the behavior modification of adult,hyperactive, and poorly socialized companion animals, often with a history of being over- indulged and having no sense of boundaries. They have limited self-control that Russian scientist Ivan Pavlov called internal inhibition. Cradling conditions the animal to accept restraint, develop internal inhibition or self-restraint; and above all, helps the animal develop the kind of trust that is the keystone for a strong and sustaining human-animal bond.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Hershey goes swimming
Took mom to church to help with the luau and decided to bring Kimo too (since I was bringing him in front anyway).
When I came back, I decided to drive up to Puna since it was now a little past the time I usually leave (it was Hoku day). I retrieved Hershey and encouraged/pulled him to the front seat.
Went up Puna, found parking at Skyline near Puna. Noticed Hoku's gate was open, but no sign of Hoku (or anybody). Buddha's gate was open too. But no sign of Buddha (or Betty). So I went to Joey's house.
Went up the steps, but no sign of Joey. Headed for Ilima and Joey runs out but remained quiet. He warily came to the fence. I think something might have scared him from coming to the fence because he used to come to the fence and bark. Fed him a little. Then went to the back gate and treated the dogs a little more.
Walk on Ilima. Only one of the two terriers barked and the other dogs didn't bark. Maybe they're getting used to us.
Down Aulii and back to Puna. Decided to go up Hoku's driveway. There's Hoku tied to the iron rail.
Took the dogs to the pool area. Hershey went to the narrow ledge by the pool, apparently lost his balance and plop, he was in the water. He paddled to the side and pulled himself up. No problem.
Then I decided to take the chain off rail and let the dogs play on leash. After a while of that, I walked them to Buddha's house. Hoku mostly didn't pull and wanted to play more with Hershey. But when she did pull, she was hard to control (mostly because she's so big).
Went back up the driveway and then I saw a car coming up. It was Allen. So the dogs got to play unleashed with the gate closed.
After playtime, got them back in the car and decided to drive up Alewa drive and to the Na Pueo park (nobody was there, but didn't get out).
[Fri 8/20, posted 8/22am]
When I came back, I decided to drive up to Puna since it was now a little past the time I usually leave (it was Hoku day). I retrieved Hershey and encouraged/pulled him to the front seat.
Went up Puna, found parking at Skyline near Puna. Noticed Hoku's gate was open, but no sign of Hoku (or anybody). Buddha's gate was open too. But no sign of Buddha (or Betty). So I went to Joey's house.
Went up the steps, but no sign of Joey. Headed for Ilima and Joey runs out but remained quiet. He warily came to the fence. I think something might have scared him from coming to the fence because he used to come to the fence and bark. Fed him a little. Then went to the back gate and treated the dogs a little more.
Walk on Ilima. Only one of the two terriers barked and the other dogs didn't bark. Maybe they're getting used to us.
Down Aulii and back to Puna. Decided to go up Hoku's driveway. There's Hoku tied to the iron rail.
Took the dogs to the pool area. Hershey went to the narrow ledge by the pool, apparently lost his balance and plop, he was in the water. He paddled to the side and pulled himself up. No problem.
Then I decided to take the chain off rail and let the dogs play on leash. After a while of that, I walked them to Buddha's house. Hoku mostly didn't pull and wanted to play more with Hershey. But when she did pull, she was hard to control (mostly because she's so big).
Went back up the driveway and then I saw a car coming up. It was Allen. So the dogs got to play unleashed with the gate closed.
After playtime, got them back in the car and decided to drive up Alewa drive and to the Na Pueo park (nobody was there, but didn't get out).
[Fri 8/20, posted 8/22am]
Sunday, August 15, 2010
behavioral effects of spaying and neutering
Although there are scattered reports in the literature of apparently adverse effects of spaying and neutering on canine behavior, there are very few quantitative studies and most of these have employed behavioral measures of unknown reliability and validity.
The present study used the Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ)© to investigate the impact of spaying/neutering in various dog populations, including (1) a random sample of 1,552 dogs belonging to 11 common breeds and (2) a convenience sample of over 6,000 dogs of various breeds recruited via an online survey.
The results of the study suggest that spayed female dogs tend to be more aggressive toward their owners and to strangers than intact females, but that these effects of spaying on behavior appear to be highly breed-specific. Contrary to popular belief, the study found little evidence that castration was an effective treatment for aggressive behavior in male dogs, and may exacerbate other behavioral problems.
Further research will be needed to clarify the relationship between age of spaying/neutering and these apparent effects on behavior.
[via nienke @pos-4-reactivedogs]
*** [2/7/13]
more on the subject from the angryvet [via dwf]
The present study used the Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ)© to investigate the impact of spaying/neutering in various dog populations, including (1) a random sample of 1,552 dogs belonging to 11 common breeds and (2) a convenience sample of over 6,000 dogs of various breeds recruited via an online survey.
The results of the study suggest that spayed female dogs tend to be more aggressive toward their owners and to strangers than intact females, but that these effects of spaying on behavior appear to be highly breed-specific. Contrary to popular belief, the study found little evidence that castration was an effective treatment for aggressive behavior in male dogs, and may exacerbate other behavioral problems.
Further research will be needed to clarify the relationship between age of spaying/neutering and these apparent effects on behavior.
[via nienke @pos-4-reactivedogs]
*** [2/7/13]
more on the subject from the angryvet [via dwf]
Friday, August 13, 2010
getting past Roxy
Keith barking in the morning gets Kimo running to the side gate. Sure enough it's RMAS.
Take Kimo out. See Hershey is here already. Take Kimo up Tsutsui steps. Amy with Shammy brings in blue bin. Kimo goes wild. Have to hold leash up, Shadow-like.
Follow at a distance. Eventually catch up to Amy and Shammy. They go down driveway. But then Kimo wants to go down driveway too. Sniffs around Oliver's area. Time to go. Wave to Kimo in the house as I think he's waving to me, but he's doing his stretching exercises in front of the TV.
Go to Makanani via the Natsunoya wall. Traffic. Run toward end to run away from traffic.
Up Aulii. Then to Puna. Don't see Hoku, but see Buddha's gate open. See Betty in the yard. She says Kaylen is sick so no walk today. Buddha is at the door. Kimo goes over to door. Betty opens door, but Buddha runs back in the house. Later I open the door, Buddha doesn't run away but doesn't come out. Betty says he's trained not to run out of the house. It's working. Betty hears Kaylen crying and she brings her out.
Chat a while and head to Hoku's house. Let Kimo walk around and sniff a bit. Went up the steps a couple of times. Evidently likes to go up steps. Hoku and Hershey wrestle and chase. But after a while, Hershey seemed to tire out and Hoku barked at him because she wanted to play some more. Then they both tire out. Time to go.
Up Puna. No sign of Joey. Ilima. The terriers bark, but the other dogs across the street don't bark. Their owner seems to have good control over them.
Decide to turn into the street behind our house. The little dog (Roxy) is there. Kimo sniffs her with no incident and she doesn't seem to have a problem with Hershey either. Walk past her to the stonewall. Jump down. The wall seems a little high for Kimo so I carry him down. No problem. Hershey jumps down.
In the afternoon, I I hear some light barking. It's the mailman who likes to give Kimo biscuits. He was in the driveway tossing biscuits over the fence. Kimo would run up the steps away from the biscuits. Then later come back to eat them when the mailman backed off. I told the mailman Kimo's shy.
Still later, Kimo was barking at Keith on the street scampering around at the end of the leash. Took Kimo up the other way and stopped to look as Keith was coming back down. Keith acted up as he passed out house even with Kimo not home.
Head to Yokomoto house. Sniffs around the garage, then see June with her light tan cat. Kimo gets close to the cat and the cat doesn't run away. Chat a bit with June as she says her computer acts quirky when she shuts down. And learned the name of the cat is Tiko, a small male.
Take Kimo out. See Hershey is here already. Take Kimo up Tsutsui steps. Amy with Shammy brings in blue bin. Kimo goes wild. Have to hold leash up, Shadow-like.
Follow at a distance. Eventually catch up to Amy and Shammy. They go down driveway. But then Kimo wants to go down driveway too. Sniffs around Oliver's area. Time to go. Wave to Kimo in the house as I think he's waving to me, but he's doing his stretching exercises in front of the TV.
Go to Makanani via the Natsunoya wall. Traffic. Run toward end to run away from traffic.
Up Aulii. Then to Puna. Don't see Hoku, but see Buddha's gate open. See Betty in the yard. She says Kaylen is sick so no walk today. Buddha is at the door. Kimo goes over to door. Betty opens door, but Buddha runs back in the house. Later I open the door, Buddha doesn't run away but doesn't come out. Betty says he's trained not to run out of the house. It's working. Betty hears Kaylen crying and she brings her out.
Chat a while and head to Hoku's house. Let Kimo walk around and sniff a bit. Went up the steps a couple of times. Evidently likes to go up steps. Hoku and Hershey wrestle and chase. But after a while, Hershey seemed to tire out and Hoku barked at him because she wanted to play some more. Then they both tire out. Time to go.
Up Puna. No sign of Joey. Ilima. The terriers bark, but the other dogs across the street don't bark. Their owner seems to have good control over them.
Decide to turn into the street behind our house. The little dog (Roxy) is there. Kimo sniffs her with no incident and she doesn't seem to have a problem with Hershey either. Walk past her to the stonewall. Jump down. The wall seems a little high for Kimo so I carry him down. No problem. Hershey jumps down.
In the afternoon, I I hear some light barking. It's the mailman who likes to give Kimo biscuits. He was in the driveway tossing biscuits over the fence. Kimo would run up the steps away from the biscuits. Then later come back to eat them when the mailman backed off. I told the mailman Kimo's shy.
Still later, Kimo was barking at Keith on the street scampering around at the end of the leash. Took Kimo up the other way and stopped to look as Keith was coming back down. Keith acted up as he passed out house even with Kimo not home.
Head to Yokomoto house. Sniffs around the garage, then see June with her light tan cat. Kimo gets close to the cat and the cat doesn't run away. Chat a bit with June as she says her computer acts quirky when she shuts down. And learned the name of the cat is Tiko, a small male.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Kimo around in circles
decided to take Kimo and Hershey to the park today.
Went down Hala first, then down to visit Pitty, then up Kealakai, then to park. Didn't see the two dogs in front that I saw across the street from the park this time. Maybe they moved them to the back?
A lady (Myle's mother? I forget what she looked like) came with two small dogs and took them to the volleyball court. I took Kimo closer and the smaller younger dog went to the fence and barked at him. Kimo didn't seem fazed. And I took them up the hill.
Finally I came back down and went to the fence. The little dog came to the fence but seemed more playful this time. They left and we went him. Played a little come to food.
Then decided to try it outside. I went out and had them come to me. Hershey came, but Kimo went out to the fence by the hill. I went over to get him and he started running madly around in circles. After he started running out of gas a bit, I lured him to me with food. And we went to the playground set before leaving.
[Thu 8/12, posted 8/13]
Went down Hala first, then down to visit Pitty, then up Kealakai, then to park. Didn't see the two dogs in front that I saw across the street from the park this time. Maybe they moved them to the back?
A lady (Myle's mother? I forget what she looked like) came with two small dogs and took them to the volleyball court. I took Kimo closer and the smaller younger dog went to the fence and barked at him. Kimo didn't seem fazed. And I took them up the hill.
Finally I came back down and went to the fence. The little dog came to the fence but seemed more playful this time. They left and we went him. Played a little come to food.
Then decided to try it outside. I went out and had them come to me. Hershey came, but Kimo went out to the fence by the hill. I went over to get him and he started running madly around in circles. After he started running out of gas a bit, I lured him to me with food. And we went to the playground set before leaving.
[Thu 8/12, posted 8/13]
progress?
Today Kimo was in the garage and heard the mailman. Instead of barking at the fence, he came up to the front door. Maybe he was waiting for his treat?
Later, I was sitting inside the house by the door with Kimo on the other side of the door. And noticed Keith was going out with Pat (or vice-versa). He didn't run down the steps and bark like he usually does. He just lay there and looked. Maybe Pat kept him from running down the steps? Or maybe he felt really lazy.
Then I went out, sat next to hime, and had him tug jerky from me as Keith walked by. He didn't have any flareups though I noticed Keith acted up briefly a couple of times.
Hey, maybe this thing is working..
[Wed 8/11, posted 8/12am]
Later, I was sitting inside the house by the door with Kimo on the other side of the door. And noticed Keith was going out with Pat (or vice-versa). He didn't run down the steps and bark like he usually does. He just lay there and looked. Maybe Pat kept him from running down the steps? Or maybe he felt really lazy.
Then I went out, sat next to hime, and had him tug jerky from me as Keith walked by. He didn't have any flareups though I noticed Keith acted up briefly a couple of times.
Hey, maybe this thing is working..
[Wed 8/11, posted 8/12am]
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
do not attempt the techniques you are about to see without consulting a professional
As Dog Bite Prevention week is being recognized across the United States, experts agree that one of the contributing factors to the 4.7 million dog bites that occur each year may be owners mimicking what they see on T.V.
Dr. John Ciribassi, past-president of the AVSAB explains why punishment can cause aggression.
"A typical scenario is a client with a 3 year old dog who was presented because of aggression directed at strangers that the dog meets either on walks or when guests come to the home. Initially the dog barks at people as they pass and backs away if approached, indicating that the aggression is due to fear. The owner is referred to a trainer or watches a show that demonstrates the use of choke chain or pinch collar and verbal or physical corrections. Because the dog now feels pain when it encounters the person it fears, the aggression escalates. As a result, now the dog lunges, snaps, and bites in situations where it used to bark and back away. In some cases the dog is so aroused it learns to redirect its aggression towards humans."
Unfortunately, these bite incidences are not surprising. According to a recent veterinary study published in The Journal of Applied Animal Behavior (2009), if you're aggressive to your dog, your dog will be aggressive, too.
Says Meghan Herron, DVM, lead author of the study, "Our study demonstrated that many confrontational training methods, whether staring down dogs, striking them, or intimidating them with physical manipulation such as alpha rolls [holding dogs on their back], do little to correct improper behavior and can elicit aggressive responses."
These techniques are pervasive in many T.V. shows and some popular books. For instance, The Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan routinely demonstrates alpha rolls, dominance downs and forced exposure to things that cause fear or aggression, and has depicted Millan restraining dogs or performing physical corrections in order to take valued possessions away from them.
[original article by Sophia Yin]
[And again the comments are probably more interesting than the article.]
Dr. John Ciribassi, past-president of the AVSAB explains why punishment can cause aggression.
"A typical scenario is a client with a 3 year old dog who was presented because of aggression directed at strangers that the dog meets either on walks or when guests come to the home. Initially the dog barks at people as they pass and backs away if approached, indicating that the aggression is due to fear. The owner is referred to a trainer or watches a show that demonstrates the use of choke chain or pinch collar and verbal or physical corrections. Because the dog now feels pain when it encounters the person it fears, the aggression escalates. As a result, now the dog lunges, snaps, and bites in situations where it used to bark and back away. In some cases the dog is so aroused it learns to redirect its aggression towards humans."
Unfortunately, these bite incidences are not surprising. According to a recent veterinary study published in The Journal of Applied Animal Behavior (2009), if you're aggressive to your dog, your dog will be aggressive, too.
Says Meghan Herron, DVM, lead author of the study, "Our study demonstrated that many confrontational training methods, whether staring down dogs, striking them, or intimidating them with physical manipulation such as alpha rolls [holding dogs on their back], do little to correct improper behavior and can elicit aggressive responses."
These techniques are pervasive in many T.V. shows and some popular books. For instance, The Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan routinely demonstrates alpha rolls, dominance downs and forced exposure to things that cause fear or aggression, and has depicted Millan restraining dogs or performing physical corrections in order to take valued possessions away from them.
[original article by Sophia Yin]
[And again the comments are probably more interesting than the article.]
another reactive dog
Kimo was lying down and it was kind of drizzly, so I decided to just take out Hershey instead. Went to the beginning of the road and came back and encouraged Hershey to come up the side of our house which he is reluctant to do.
Kimo started barking (at something he heard?) so Hershey got even more reluctant. I went in the gate and Kimo started running around back and forth. After a while, he got some of the excitement out and I took them both out.
Up Lolena Hill. There was some work going on the graveyard, so I took the dogs outside the fence.
Makanani. Precious is home. Still a bit excited behind the gate. Kimo seems to want to go to the fence. Guess he didn't learn from the last time he got bit by her.
Past Sonny's house. Didn't see Sonny at first. But then Sonny's head appeared behind the door. Kimo wanted to go down the steps and I let him loose. He went to the door. Jennifer was home and opened the door so Sonny could stick her head out. Kimo went close but didn't really sniff her. Jennifer said she closed the door because the neighborhood dogs were barking at the gas man.
Up to Puna. Don't see Hoku but the dogs wait by the gate -- evidently waiting for me to take them in. A little later, I see Dottie walking up with Hoku. They play a little on leash, but Dottie has to take Lani to Pali Momi for some procedure.
Further up. Let Kimo go up Joey's steps. Kimo sits behind me while Hershey stays near the bottom of the steps. There's Joey looking at a distance. He doesn't come to the gate, then disappears.
OK, around back. Joey is on the steps near the back door. Treat the dogs, but Joey just lies down and looks at a distance though later he sits and looks.
Ilima, back down Aulii. I see what looks like an old lady digging grass at Steve's house. What do you know, it's Steve. Tries to pet Hershey but Hershey stays at a distance. Kimo sniffs him. Tell him Kimo is the one that bites and don't make any sudden moves. So he doesn't pet him.
Go to Lolena Wall. A couple of caucasian young women are coming up with a medium sized short-haired brown dog with a muzzle on. I stop by the end of the wall. They stop by the other end of the wall. And it seems we're waiting for each other to move. After a while, I offer to go down the hill but they say where I am is fine. Then I see them treating her and praising her. So I figure it must be a reactive dog and they're trying to get him used to other dogs.
So I just sat on the wall with Kimo sitting behind me next to me and Hershey on the ground. This goes on for more than a few minutes. So I figure I'll give Kimo and Hershey some treats too. Finally they make their move, calmly walking by. No incidents. As they pass, I asked "reactive dog?" They affirm and I say "this one too". They thank me "very much" as they leave. They must be into R+. Cool.
Kimo started barking (at something he heard?) so Hershey got even more reluctant. I went in the gate and Kimo started running around back and forth. After a while, he got some of the excitement out and I took them both out.
Up Lolena Hill. There was some work going on the graveyard, so I took the dogs outside the fence.
Makanani. Precious is home. Still a bit excited behind the gate. Kimo seems to want to go to the fence. Guess he didn't learn from the last time he got bit by her.
Past Sonny's house. Didn't see Sonny at first. But then Sonny's head appeared behind the door. Kimo wanted to go down the steps and I let him loose. He went to the door. Jennifer was home and opened the door so Sonny could stick her head out. Kimo went close but didn't really sniff her. Jennifer said she closed the door because the neighborhood dogs were barking at the gas man.
Up to Puna. Don't see Hoku but the dogs wait by the gate -- evidently waiting for me to take them in. A little later, I see Dottie walking up with Hoku. They play a little on leash, but Dottie has to take Lani to Pali Momi for some procedure.
Further up. Let Kimo go up Joey's steps. Kimo sits behind me while Hershey stays near the bottom of the steps. There's Joey looking at a distance. He doesn't come to the gate, then disappears.
OK, around back. Joey is on the steps near the back door. Treat the dogs, but Joey just lies down and looks at a distance though later he sits and looks.
Ilima, back down Aulii. I see what looks like an old lady digging grass at Steve's house. What do you know, it's Steve. Tries to pet Hershey but Hershey stays at a distance. Kimo sniffs him. Tell him Kimo is the one that bites and don't make any sudden moves. So he doesn't pet him.
Go to Lolena Wall. A couple of caucasian young women are coming up with a medium sized short-haired brown dog with a muzzle on. I stop by the end of the wall. They stop by the other end of the wall. And it seems we're waiting for each other to move. After a while, I offer to go down the hill but they say where I am is fine. Then I see them treating her and praising her. So I figure it must be a reactive dog and they're trying to get him used to other dogs.
So I just sat on the wall with Kimo sitting behind me next to me and Hershey on the ground. This goes on for more than a few minutes. So I figure I'll give Kimo and Hershey some treats too. Finally they make their move, calmly walking by. No incidents. As they pass, I asked "reactive dog?" They affirm and I say "this one too". They thank me "very much" as they leave. They must be into R+. Cool.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
one fence at a time
When Mikael Hardy moved from Atlanta to Greenville County, S.C., she discovered a frightening way of life. Some of her new neighbors kept their dogs chained up outside every day and every night — oftentimes emaciated, sad creatures with empty water buckets and no food. "I saw all these chained dogs, and I said, 'What is this?'" Hardy says. "I knew I needed to save them."
Last year, Hardy, 40, started knocking on doors, asking these neighbors if she could build them a fence, get their dog spayed or neutered, and provide dog food, toys and veterinary care. For free. "At first they thought there was a catch," she says. "They probably thought I was on crack."
Since August of 2008, however, Hardy has persuaded almost 60 different owners to allow her to build a fence and provide romping room for some 70 dogs. The only requirement: each owner must spay or neuter their dogs before construction begins, paid for by Hardy and her nonprofit, PAWSitive Effects. Incredibly, Hardy has a 90-percent success rate. "We've approached this as a friendly venture, I keep on talking and eventually they say yes," she says in her fast Southern drawl. "It is just so emotionally and physically abusive to keep these dogs at the end of a chain."
Last year, Hardy, 40, started knocking on doors, asking these neighbors if she could build them a fence, get their dog spayed or neutered, and provide dog food, toys and veterinary care. For free. "At first they thought there was a catch," she says. "They probably thought I was on crack."
Since August of 2008, however, Hardy has persuaded almost 60 different owners to allow her to build a fence and provide romping room for some 70 dogs. The only requirement: each owner must spay or neuter their dogs before construction begins, paid for by Hardy and her nonprofit, PAWSitive Effects. Incredibly, Hardy has a 90-percent success rate. "We've approached this as a friendly venture, I keep on talking and eventually they say yes," she says in her fast Southern drawl. "It is just so emotionally and physically abusive to keep these dogs at the end of a chain."
Why pets are good for us
Watch a Lassie movie and spit into a cup. It doesn't sound like it, but this is cutting-edge research. By analyzing saliva, researcher Cheryl Krause-Parello can tell that merely watching a dog in a movie lowers people's stress.
In recent years, research has demonstrated the healthful benefits of pets. Now, investigators are trying to figure out why pets are good for us. Krause-Parello, assistant professor and director of the Center for Nursing Research at Kean University in Union, N.J., learned that people feel better after watching a Lassie flick because their levels of cortisol, a hormone associated with stress, take a free fall.
In recent years, research has demonstrated the healthful benefits of pets. Now, investigators are trying to figure out why pets are good for us. Krause-Parello, assistant professor and director of the Center for Nursing Research at Kean University in Union, N.J., learned that people feel better after watching a Lassie flick because their levels of cortisol, a hormone associated with stress, take a free fall.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
another dog day
RMAS came in the morning with Kimo still in the back. Kimo started running back and forth excitedly and I sort of walked to his back to pseudo-chase him and keep him running. Finally we went out to the front. They were gone by the time we made it up the street. Then Gerald came by and dropped off Hershey.
We made it to Amy Pang's yard which Hershey deemed a good spot to poop. The second one didn't come out smoothly partly going on the leash and it looked like a blade of glass was sticking out. Hershey tried to rub his butt on the lawn to get it off with no success. Finally, I couldn't stand it and (carefully) pulled out the blade of grass.
OK, go another lap and go home.
Later Uncle Wilfred (with Uncle Henry and Aunty Laura) come to pick up mom and Aunty Snips to visit Uncle Bobby. Kimo didn't want to move from top landing. (Maybe it was the car and all the people and he figured it was safer to not move.) After tugging a couple times on his leash, he stiffened and growled. Aunty Snips mentioned if I had a treat (to lure him I assume). I got a piece of chicken jerky out and he munched on that. Then he was sufficiently "loosened" up for me to lead him down the steps.
That afternoon, I hear barking. It was the dogs barking at big Koa loose lumbering on the street. I got my leash, went to the street, and when he saw me, he came to me. I knelt down and he licked my face.
In the meantime, Kimo was going nuts behind the fence. I took Koa closer and Kimo was doing his best wolf imitation. He kept it up for a while and Koa seemed oblivious to it. But eventually he gave it up and moved away from us, though still by the fence.
So we headed off up the street. And the owner (Stefan?) and Christian came down the street to retrieve him. I let him off the leash and they shooed him home.
Then in the late afternoon/early evening, more barking. It was Malia walking Katarina with both Petey and Shirley. I took Kimo out, but he wanted to go the other way.
Then I noticed the haole women who I see often walking large dogs at a brisk pace, walking a new young dog (it looked to me) and they stopped as he was sniffing our palm tree. That's the first time I ever saw her at our street. I was at Iha's curb and we stopped. Keith was barking his head off, but Kimo seemed in control. But as they came back, he went over the threshold. I had to get up and hold the leash up so as not to get bitten. Then I managed to grab his collar and hold until he calmed down.
After that, we slowly followed. By that time Malia and crew was coming back. When Petey saw us, he went over his threshold and redirected on Shirley (poor Shirley). I stopped and Malia had Petey sit. After they were composed, they continued home.
OK, turn around and follow them at a distance.
Malia got home and tied the dogs to the car and was still in the garage. We passed them and Kimo went to sniff for YokoCat. Then we headed back home. They were still there, but remained calm as we paused a little while.
Good enough. Go home.
[Tue 8/3, posted 8/4]
We made it to Amy Pang's yard which Hershey deemed a good spot to poop. The second one didn't come out smoothly partly going on the leash and it looked like a blade of glass was sticking out. Hershey tried to rub his butt on the lawn to get it off with no success. Finally, I couldn't stand it and (carefully) pulled out the blade of grass.
OK, go another lap and go home.
Later Uncle Wilfred (with Uncle Henry and Aunty Laura) come to pick up mom and Aunty Snips to visit Uncle Bobby. Kimo didn't want to move from top landing. (Maybe it was the car and all the people and he figured it was safer to not move.) After tugging a couple times on his leash, he stiffened and growled. Aunty Snips mentioned if I had a treat (to lure him I assume). I got a piece of chicken jerky out and he munched on that. Then he was sufficiently "loosened" up for me to lead him down the steps.
That afternoon, I hear barking. It was the dogs barking at big Koa loose lumbering on the street. I got my leash, went to the street, and when he saw me, he came to me. I knelt down and he licked my face.
In the meantime, Kimo was going nuts behind the fence. I took Koa closer and Kimo was doing his best wolf imitation. He kept it up for a while and Koa seemed oblivious to it. But eventually he gave it up and moved away from us, though still by the fence.
So we headed off up the street. And the owner (Stefan?) and Christian came down the street to retrieve him. I let him off the leash and they shooed him home.
Then in the late afternoon/early evening, more barking. It was Malia walking Katarina with both Petey and Shirley. I took Kimo out, but he wanted to go the other way.
Then I noticed the haole women who I see often walking large dogs at a brisk pace, walking a new young dog (it looked to me) and they stopped as he was sniffing our palm tree. That's the first time I ever saw her at our street. I was at Iha's curb and we stopped. Keith was barking his head off, but Kimo seemed in control. But as they came back, he went over the threshold. I had to get up and hold the leash up so as not to get bitten. Then I managed to grab his collar and hold until he calmed down.
After that, we slowly followed. By that time Malia and crew was coming back. When Petey saw us, he went over his threshold and redirected on Shirley (poor Shirley). I stopped and Malia had Petey sit. After they were composed, they continued home.
OK, turn around and follow them at a distance.
Malia got home and tied the dogs to the car and was still in the garage. We passed them and Kimo went to sniff for YokoCat. Then we headed back home. They were still there, but remained calm as we paused a little while.
Good enough. Go home.
[Tue 8/3, posted 8/4]
Monday, August 2, 2010
Victoria challenges Cesar as alpha dog
This was an interesting article about the "competing" shows of Cesar and Victoria and the alpha-dog "myth". For one thing, it was at time.com.
Actually more interesting are the comments which are naturally divided but seem more in favor of Cesar (numerically anyway). [At pawnation too.] (Reference to this article was posted in dogwhispererfans, so the comments there are naturally enough pro-Cesar.)
Though I'm a Cesar fan (which doesn't mean anti-Victoria), I can see where some of the positive-only trainers are coming from as they encounter dogs that have been damaged by punitive training methods. Tamar mentions it in her book. And Turid on her website (have to look it up). I don't necessarily see that as anti-Cesar though since I don't see him as a punishment trainer and is against punishment methods himself. (He does use adversives, but so does Victoria (or did anyway). And after watching them for a few years, it seems to me that both of them have evolved their methods and are becoming less and less adversive over time.)
Another name has come in the discussion Stan Rawlinson (the original Dog Listener who is apparently at odds with Jan Fennell's techniques). [Just what I need, more confusion.]
[see also balanced trainers, women vs. men dog training]
*** [copied from Steve Dale post, but fits here better]
Funny. As I continue to watch Victoria Stilwell, I notice more and more of Cesar's concepts being used in her show [like body blocking and maintaing calm energy]. And Cesar using a lot of positive methods on his show. Oddly, I seem to notice a lot of these "positive" trainers speaking negatively about people, something Cesar rarely, if ever, does. [R+ for dogs, P+ for P+]
***
[7/14/10] Maybe not. Today I was looking at IMOTD's last episode called Victoria's Outdoor Secrets which was basically a highlights show. Featured near the beginning was actress Nicole Sullivan (the dogwalker on King of Queens). She mentioned she had been using a guy from the "alpha" camp and Victoria came down hard on "them". Funny, I had thought she had been on Dog Whisperer but I guess not (since I haven't been able to dig up that episode that I thought I had seen -- maybe it was another actress). Anyway, I'm happy that Nicole has her problem solved (I assume). Note: The IMOTD episode she was on was Hollywood Hounds.
***
[5/14/11] Here's some more opinions. And still more (surprisingly uncensored considering it's on the Discovery Channel/Animal Planet forum). And so on.
*** [3/1/17]
Victoria Stilwell proclaims why she isn't (and never has been) a 'purely positive' dog trainer
Actually more interesting are the comments which are naturally divided but seem more in favor of Cesar (numerically anyway). [At pawnation too.] (Reference to this article was posted in dogwhispererfans, so the comments there are naturally enough pro-Cesar.)
Though I'm a Cesar fan (which doesn't mean anti-Victoria), I can see where some of the positive-only trainers are coming from as they encounter dogs that have been damaged by punitive training methods. Tamar mentions it in her book. And Turid on her website (have to look it up). I don't necessarily see that as anti-Cesar though since I don't see him as a punishment trainer and is against punishment methods himself. (He does use adversives, but so does Victoria (or did anyway). And after watching them for a few years, it seems to me that both of them have evolved their methods and are becoming less and less adversive over time.)
Another name has come in the discussion Stan Rawlinson (the original Dog Listener who is apparently at odds with Jan Fennell's techniques). [Just what I need, more confusion.]
[see also balanced trainers, women vs. men dog training]
*** [copied from Steve Dale post, but fits here better]
Funny. As I continue to watch Victoria Stilwell, I notice more and more of Cesar's concepts being used in her show [like body blocking and maintaing calm energy]. And Cesar using a lot of positive methods on his show. Oddly, I seem to notice a lot of these "positive" trainers speaking negatively about people, something Cesar rarely, if ever, does. [R+ for dogs, P+ for P+]
***
[7/14/10] Maybe not. Today I was looking at IMOTD's last episode called Victoria's Outdoor Secrets which was basically a highlights show. Featured near the beginning was actress Nicole Sullivan (the dogwalker on King of Queens). She mentioned she had been using a guy from the "alpha" camp and Victoria came down hard on "them". Funny, I had thought she had been on Dog Whisperer but I guess not (since I haven't been able to dig up that episode that I thought I had seen -- maybe it was another actress). Anyway, I'm happy that Nicole has her problem solved (I assume). Note: The IMOTD episode she was on was Hollywood Hounds.
***
[5/14/11] Here's some more opinions. And still more (surprisingly uncensored considering it's on the Discovery Channel/Animal Planet forum). And so on.
*** [3/1/17]
Victoria Stilwell proclaims why she isn't (and never has been) a 'purely positive' dog trainer
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