One Million Kisses!!!

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Sophie - Soft Coated Wheaton Terrier

Sophie is such a sweet girl! 

Like most terriers, she has lots and lots of energy. I started walking her when her mom (human mom) was pregnant. Now Sophie's mom had some trouble keeping up with Sophie during her first pregnancy so she hired Out-U-Go! after Sophie was already a bit sad from feeling neglected. This time, she had us start coming before it became a problem. Now that she has two very young kids to keep up with, she has me come twice a week. (And I'm glad she does!!)

One of the things I enjoy with these visits is that I often get to chat to her mom and the nanny. They're both fantastic ladies! Her mom & I also worked on Sophie's dog reactiveness. Poor Sophie had an incident with another dog attacking her when she was a young pup causing her to become dog reactive. She's fine once she gets to know a dog, but if there is another dog out walking or barking from inside the house, Sophie would become frantic and bark her head off. It would take her a while to calm down after each incident.

So I began using TACT with her. (Hee hee! I totally made that acronym up!)

Treat: If the canine that's getting her riled up is unavoidable, I give her treats until the other pup has passed or we've passed the pups who are inside their houses. I start as soon as I see or hear the other canines. For this to work, it's important to get her attention on me right away and to keep it there. There is a threshold that, once she's crossed it, there's no going back. All I can do is let her bark it out and get her away from the object of her anxiety. I try not to let her reach that threshold.

Aversion: Plain and simple, if the dog(s) can be avoided, I DO IT! Even if it means doubling back.

Coaxing: I'll alternate between a soft soothing voice to calm her and a happy excited voice to distract her. It's important to recognize which voice she's responding to and go with that one.

Toy: Sometimes, Sophie will carry a stick while we're walking. If I can redirect her energy to the stick or a toy and get her focused on that rather than the other dogs, we're golden!

Sophie - carrying her stick

As she's calming down, I shower her with lots of praise. And she's doing so much better! She still reacts, but before she gets to full freak-out mode, she looks at me, as if  checking in, and visibly relaxes once we do any of the above things.

When I go to walk Sophie, there are often people home. They are the nicest folks and I adore visiting with them! But Sophie is often torn between wanting to go for a walk with her favorite dog walker (a.k.a. me) and staying with her people. Like many Wheaton's, she would get anxious (not the best way to start a walk) but then calm down once we got going. At first, I'd use a lot of coaxing and treats and calling, "doggy joggy" as I start jogging myself. This would get her moving, but it was a slow process and I felt bad that she started out so upset.

Then one day, the solution presented itself. Sophie decided not to come over to me and just stood on the couch whining and wiggling her butt. I went over and gave her a few scritches, coaxing her to come down and let's go. Ummmm... no. So I sat on the couch and cuddled with her for about a minute as she covered my face in kisses. Then I got her harness on her and said, "let's go!" We headed out the door and she walked BEAUTIFULLY!! Since then, I start every walk I can with cuddle on the couch. We also end with snuggling... which means I get about one million kisses from Sophie every time I walk her. Hooray!

A Penny for your thoughts...

Penny - Shiba Inu
Sittin' Pretty!

Before I met Penny, my exposure to Shiba Inus was minimal. Only a few came into the shelter when I was working there full time and no one I know has one. But I really liked what I've read about them. They are exceedingly independent, bold and super smart. They require mind engaging training and love to play, play, play! They are also incredibly striking to look at and luxurious to pet with their foxy faces, compact bodies and soft, thick fur.

Before it was just Penny and I, Penny's mom had me come over and meet with them. I was surprised that this pup of such an independent breed played a game of "how many pets can I get" by going from me to her mom to me to her mom while her mom and I sat talking. I even did a trial run... er, walk with her. I goofed and put her harness on backwards but Penny gently let me know right away that something was wrong, so we fixed it. Once it was straightened, she showed off her superb walking.

"Come on! Throw the toy!"

 Our walks are always an adventure! She lives in a neighborhood right by a forest preserve so we see lots of wildlife. There is also a forest trail we walk right by so lots of bikes, other dogs out on walks, kids playing and people are always coming and going. She is the social butterfly of Shibas and wants to meet all the people.  She's always investigating a million and one smells. One time, she dropped face first into the grass and rubbed her face. It was so cute! ...well, "so cute" right up until I noticed the poop smeared along the right side of her face. Yucky! Once home, she sat very still and was excellent for getting her face cleaned off.

One day as Penny and I exited the house, we found a baby squirrel trapped in the yard. It kept trying to climb the wall of the house. Penny wanted to immediately go over and "help" the squirrel, but I didn't think the poor squirrel would be too appreciative of her kind of assistance. After our walk, the squirrel was still there and, upon seeing Penny again, freaked out as it climbed the wall over and over again, only to fall each time. Poor thing! After I got Penny inside, I went over to the wall and held my hoodie under the squirrel catching it when it fell and took it to safety away from Penny's yard. Penny still checks that corner for the squirrel... you know, just in case it comes back.

Penny is super cuddly. She loves getting scritches and pets! She will play keep-away and kill-the-toy with great vigor and gusto all the while wearing that excited Shiba Smile. Then, every once in a while, she runs figure eights throughout the house. She's amazingly fast!! Vroom-vroom!

After the romping, she always comes and gets petted. She occasionally rolls onto her side for belly rubs, which I happily oblige. Then she'll lay beside me or, other times, she'll go find a nice sunny spot and plop down. That way, she'll be well rested for when her mom comes home to give her even more lovin'.

Happy-Go-Lucky Buckley

Buckley - watching ducks

"Spaniels were bred to run in front of hunters and flush (scare) the birds into flight... the spaniel bounces gleefully about, looking for quarry." ~ Paws to Consider

There, just under the foliage, something moves. A squirrel, a bunny, some little birds or maybe even one of those ducks. My carefree bounding along sniffing the bushes and trees stops as I crouch low, step slow and with an explosion of prowess, I leap into action! Rushing forward I... 

am stopped by my leash. 

Woof! 

Silly human! Doesn't she know that I am a Mighty Hunter?

 

When I first got Buckley on my route, I have to admit, I was a wee bit nervous. Both of my younger sisters have had bad encounters with two different Cocker Spaniels. Having done a lot of breed research, I found that this is common since Cockers have been over bred and poorly bred. Unfortunately, this is what happens with so many people wanting them because when they're good, they're very social, eager to please and adorable. Add to this, I was warned that Buckley can be a bit wary of strangers. So before I went into the house, I braced myself for a less than friendly welcome and a pup I'd have to win over.

Buckley - Cocker Spaniel

As I stepped through the door, the pup that came trotting over to me was wagging his tail so hard, his whole butt wiggled! He nuzzled the hand I held out to him and, within a few seconds, was giving me kisses and rolling over for belly rubs! He was not the least bit wary of me.

From moment one, Buckley decided we'd be best friends. Our walks are always adventures in sniffing and fascination with wildlife. This works out well that there's a pond we walk around where many birds, including ducks, hang out and entice Buckley. But I tend to distract him with playing and jogging. Just the other day, it wasn't until the second time around the pond that he noticed two sleeping ducks just off the path. And boy, did he wish he could fly then!
His mom wants him to pull less, which will be a challenge. But hey, what's life without a little challenge? Plus, he's food motivated, so that will be helpful.

Buckley watching the birds outside

When we get home, after his treat, I sit on the floor next to the coffee table to write in his diary and let him decide what he wants to do.

If he's still feeling frisky, he'll bring me a toy and we'll have a rousing game of fetch. Though not too rousing since the vase incident...
Buckley was running and slid into a table. As the vase fell, I felt like time sloooooooowed and my movement to reach it was molasses with an accompanying languorous shout of, "Nooooooooooo!" But it broke. Oops! (His mom was so  understanding. She is awesome!) Plus, nobody got hurt and there was no glass in his fur or paw pads. Phew!

If he's all tuckered out, he'll curl up next to me, lay on his back for belly rubs and I'll give him scritches all over. He even fell asleep half in my lap once. That was a tough day to get up and leave. I didn't want to disturb him!

When it is time for me to leave, he walks me to the door. At first, I was concerned that he would try to get out, but he never does. He just walks me over, lets me give him one last pet, then heads back to the main part of the house. He's a perfect little gentleman.

Stanley, Standard Poodle Extraordinaire

I want to write kids' books about Stanley. 

Stanley knows how to strike a pose

Sit, Stanley! Good boy!

Seriously, I can't recall a visit with Stanley where I don't laugh at least once. He is loaded with Caninality! Clifford & Lassie have nothin' on Stanley!

Last summer, I wrote a quick little entry about Stanley and the Tulips. It was adorable watching this young Standard Poodle delicately sniff the tulips! At that time, I didn't think he could get more adorable than that.

Time for my BELLY RUB

Boy, was I wrong!

We've developed a routine. When I arrive for a visit, Stanley will roll onto his back for belly rubs. He LOVES belly rubs! As long as I pet his tummy for a bit, he lets me put his harness on then he'll jump up ready to walk as soon as I stand.

If it's a windy day out, I better ready myself for an energetic walk. Stanley LOVES to chase! He chases blowing leaves like a knight pursuing dragons. But instead of a sword, he has teeth and that dead leaf will get chomped. He doesn't eat them, he just chews them... until they're soggy and can't blow away. Then he pursues the other leaves that dare to float near him. He will chase birds and butterflies too, but hasn't quite figured out how to fly. Not just yet, anyway.

Stanley as Groucho Marx

Today,  while we were playing in his backyard, I noticed the tree behind his fence was flowering. The wind picked up and suddenly Stanley was surrounded by a million petals. He turned into a whirling dervish with teeth trying to catch them all!

Stanley is also a fan of sticks. He likes to play fetch with them and catch them and he'll even hold them in his mouth like a cigar.  But what he loves best is when we play "Toro, Toro!" I hold the stick out and shout, "Toro, Toro!" and he runs and jumps as I dance the stick away until he manages to grab it from me. He's a smarty and a quick study so he usually gets it.

It's always difficult to leave Stanley 'cause when I pet him goodbye and give him more belly rubs, he gives me nuzzles and kisses.

Dirk the Destroyer!

When I first met Dirk, he was crated. Such a sweet boy! A very strong pup, but incredibly sweet.

Dirk - Black Lab / Pitbull

On walks, he pulls a lot because I'm apparently not going fast enough. And if he sees a squirrel or another dog... whoa, Nelly! But as soon as I say his name, he slows and if I whistle and say "wait", he stops before crossing the street and sometimes he even sits. When we get back from walks, he sits nicely for treats and pets. And when he was crated, he would go into his crate and wait for the second half of his treat. Such a good boy!

Then his parents decided that since he was being so good, they'd leave him out of the crate. After all, the crate was to prevent him from being destructive and he was being so calm in his crate.

The first few visits I had with him once he was out of the crate, he was pretty good. There was the spatula incident... at least, the pieces of chewed and mauled plastic seemed to have once been a spatula. But other than that, pretty darn good.

Until I walked in on this:

At first, I couldn't identify what was all over the floor. Some sort of foam padding, yes. But from what? Furniture? A pillow? Part of his parent's bed? 

Then I saw it. Over there in the corner was the cloth wrapping that had once been the cover for Dirk's bed... He had destroyed his own bed! I, of course, cleaned it up. After that, there one more incident of (somewhat minor compared to his bed) destruction before his family had him back in his crate. Fortunately, he likes his crate!

Dirk looking contrite (I think he wants a cookie)

Salsa Party!

Blu - Weimaraner pup on a walk

Blu - after her walk, BIG tongue!

One of my clients with Out-U-Go! recently had a "Salsa Party". Not a party with just salsa dip, a Salsa dancing party. She had me come over and stay with her pup Blu while she was getting set up and while the party was going on.

For the two hours before the party even started, I wore Blu out. We first played in the yard for about half an hour. Blu has lots and lots of energy and LOVES to play fetch! She doesn't always want to drop the toy, so I make sure I have another one ready to throw when she brings the first one back. I won't throw it unless she drops the first toy; an exchange. She is getting better about dropping because she really, really, really wants to play and if she manages to get both toys, I refuse to play until she gives me at least one. (Also, I won't chase her... which she really wants me to do.)

Then we went for an hour long walk. Since I've been learning training techniques from Blu's trainer, Charmaine* with Collins Canines, I worked on some of those with Blu. Blu's a very clever and curious girl with the attention span of a gnat so getting her to focus is quite a challenge! She has some fear, so we worked on making the world a much less fearful place with lots of praise and hotdog pieces as rewards. We also worked on her pulling. We did the "stop & start" method, which is just like it sounds. As soon as she starts pulling, I stop. Once she stops pulling, I start walking. This makes for a very slow walk. But since she wasn't quite as hyper because we started with romping in the yard, she only pulled for a short while then decided to walk with me. She was still sniffing everything along the way, but beside me instead of trying to get to things miles ahead of us.

Once we got back to Blu's house, her mom was all decked out and looking lovely.  I took Blu in for some water, but we still had some more time as the DJ had just arrived and things were still being set up. Since I didn't want to take her on another walk and the backyard was getting all ready for the party, I got the long leash out and we played for another half hour in the driveway and the front yard. I could tell that Blu, the pup with endless amounts of energy, was getting tired.

We went inside & up to her mom's room where we were going to be hanging out during the majority of the party. We played a tiny game of fetch with a toy that was up there, but she fell asleep almost immediately.

Blu cuddling her toy

She did have a few moments of waking up to a sudden noise downstairs a bit panicked, but I calmed her down and she fell back asleep. (And I got to work on some writing!) After about two hours, she woke on her own and needed to go out. Now her mom's room is on the second floor, and while she has no problem getting up there, the stairs are steep and her mom usually carries her down. I decided to work on making the stairs less scary. I set hotdog bits on each stair and coaxed her down. It took about 15 minutes to get her to even start going down the stairs, but once she did, she made it all the way down.

We went out, she did her business and, since most everyone was sitting and talking, I decided it was a good time for her to meet the guests. Since part of her fears have to do with strangers, I led her around slowly while praising and let the party goers, who were willing, give her bits of hot dog. I continued to feed her treats too. She did so well!! By the last person, her tail was wagging and she was giving the offered hands lots of slobbery kisses. What a good girl!

Blu, looking at butterflies

*I think Charmaine with Collins Canines is fantastic!

If you're looking for a trainer, you should check her out!

Birdies and Bunnies Beware!!



Chester - Lab/Beagle Mix

Chester is one of the dogs I walk five days a week. When I first started walking Chester in April, I was shadowing another walker. She told me he was really trying to be good, but he's still a puppy. Even now, at almost 8 months, he definitely has a lot of puppy energy. But he's trying! He's gotten a lot less mouthy and jumpy; will sit at the door as I put his leash on and wait patiently while I open the door. He's getting better about staying with me even when there are other dogs around.

But if there's a bunny.... Whoa Nelly!! If only he could get his collar off and chase without me holding him back, he'd... oh boy, he'd do stuff!! That bunny wouldn't know what hit!!
(This is what I imagine he thinks would happen...)
Bunny: "Was that a truck??"
Bunny's Friend: "Why no, my wittle bun-bun friend! That was a CHESTER!!"
Bunny: "Noooooooooooo! Not a CHESTER!!! Anything but that!!!"

I have a theory that Chester may just possibly have some pointer or some other sort of bird dog in him because when he sees a bird, or several birds, he freezes and... well, points. He then seems a bit confused, as if he didn't know why he did that, then he'll give one bark. By that time, the bird(s) are long gone.

Ferocious hunter Chester!

Stanley and the Tulips



Stanley - Black Standard Poodle

Stanley is one of the dogs I walk for Out-U-Go! In the Spring Stanley suddenly took an interest in the blooming flowers. But not all the flowers. He'd walk past the daisies and the hydrangeas and the peonies... all in favor of the tulips. I was concerned that he would try to eat them, but he didn't. He'd sniff the flower from base to bud. Then he'd happily trot over to the next tulip to do it all over again.

Tulips