Here are some excerpts from a letter the AKC sent out today regarding a new CGC opportunity. AKC ADDS NEW ADVANCED LEVEL TO CANINE GOOD CITIZEN® PROGRAM With the introduction of AKC Community Canine, the AKC’s CGC program now provides a comprehensive three- level training program for dogs and their owners. Beginning with AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy, progressing to Canine Good Citizen and now to AKC Community Canine, the CGC program trains dogs through all stages of life to be well {Read More}
Cues vs. Commands
August 26, 2013 by
What’s the difference between a cue and a command? Being a crossover trainer, that is someone who started training dogs when commanding was all that was taught to someone who now trains without force or pain, I can tell you there’s a big difference between the two words. Though both cuing and commanding refer to hand or verbal signals given to the dog to request a behavior. A command assumes forceful control over a dog. What follows an unfulfilled command {Read More}
Hemostat and Muzzle
July 20, 2013 by
This is a hemostat and having one around the house for emergencies is an excellent idea when you’re a dog parent. Take for example a recent incident I had. Before I go into it, though, a moment of explanation about the dog who prompted me to write this blog post because she is the reason behind the most recent hemostat use. She’s a senior Dobermann, somewhere between ten and eleven. I am sure she was the runt of her litter. {Read More}
Behavior is Expensive
June 17, 2013 by
The other night, while I was preoccupied and going through the motions of pre-meal prep, I accidentally gave my Dobie’s thyroxine and Meloxicam to my BC. She just gulped it down as if it were *her* maintenance drugs. And I stood there, you know that moment? You cannot believe you just did what you did and to undo it would be much more work than you have energy for. My first thought, will my fist fit down her throat? Nyet. {Read More}
Grocery Lists & Training Plans
June 10, 2013 by
I’ve been a dedicated Costco shopper since the 80’s. There was a gap of a year or so in all those decades where I lapsed when I was settling from the west coast to the east coast, but once I found roots, I found a Costco and rekindled my relationship with my favorite warehouse store. When I prepare for my Costco shopping trips, I make a list of what supplies are dwindling. In fact, except for when Costco moves things {Read More}
Safe-For-Dogs Weed Killer
May 29, 2013 by
It’s that time of year when weeds become a problem and we have to deal with them. When I was growing up, people used to take out a knee pad, a bucket, some elbow grease and move around the yard manually pulling weeds. The job was never ending. And exhausting. Now there are chemical sprays that aren’t environmentally friendly, and though the label states safe when dry, I wonder how safe. We have very little room for grassy areas in {Read More}
