I shot this video of Brad Phifer luring his 3 week old Basenji puppy. Look how well she follows the lure, though she is barely standing on her own! Brad and I have been video taping and photographing the puppies since they were born. Next week, my sons will get to interact with the puppies and we will get some good social shots. Stay tuned!

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How cool is this? I added a tool at the bottom of my posts. Now, if you want to know when I update this blog, you can click on this tool, and then whatever application you use (e.g. yahoo, google) and through the magic of the internet (I don't know how it all works, but I am pretty sure Gore didn't invent it.), you will be able to see the new news... I find that fascinating, and hope my friends put this gadget on their pages so I can keep up to date!

What fun they are having! Great socialization and gaining familiarity with agility equipment, too! Enjoy!

Pack Dischord

There is so much about this video that bothers me. The poor Dalmation is doing everything he can to try to escape the situation. The owners notice, commenting that he is getting impatient, but they think it's funny. The Dalmation has no choice but to get firmer with the puppy, who is deaf. How frustrated is that Dalmation! Just listen to his impassioned barks. Notice also,the sitting dog, giving stress signals (exaggerated blinking, head turns and frozen stature.) This dog also would like out of this tiny room where there is so much potential for conflict. You can even see the plaintive look on the sitting dog's face toward the man at the computer. "Dad! Do Something!"

The owners here are failing their pack. The dogs are in an impossible situation which, I am afraid, will only escalate if something doesn't change. What will happen when this puppy reaches adolescence and the Dalmation must lay down the law? This is not a funny situation. The owners should intervene and show the puppy polite pack behavior, supporting the resident senior dogs. It's so important to think ahead, during the early days of puppy training. Especially since the puppy already has special needs.

Turning my brain inside out

When I saw Suzanne Clothier at the APDT conference in Kentucky this fall, she spoke of "turning (her) brain inside out", trying to put into writing all the things she understood about people and their dogs. I know how she feels, having spent the greater part of today trying to put into words what I hope will be helpful for my puppy class clients.

How do I know what the puppy is saying? I can read him like a book. But, it's one thing for me to summarize, "Your puppy is feeling scared; help him out by encouraging him to move forward." and another thing entirely to list exactly what I am seeing (tight ears, wide eyes, pursed lips and arched back) and what I expect (bring a treat toward his nose and tease him a little with it, now toss it ahead of him and see if he'll think about going to get it.)

On top of that, one hopes it's interesting reading, and maybe funny, too. This takes time!
Good thing Panera Bread offers free refills and free WiFi. I think I have a new home office....

Not Much Longer, Now!

The end of 2008 is just around the corner! That means, Sensible Puppy classes will begin soon! I am very excited to have developed these classes. I have been thinking about them for many years. I last developed classes at Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital many years ago. I also helped develop the puppy and levels classes at the Humane Society of Indianapolis about 3 years ago. Since then, I have wanted to bring my own ideas into fruition, and now, I finally can. I am excited to be partnering with Michigan Road Animal Hospital in this effort. I have a feeling we are going to do great things together.



The Sensible Puppy Class, with 5 different thematic evenings and the Free Puppy Seminar and the unlimited monthly, guided Field Trips is completely unique to anything offered by other dog training instructors. I can't wait to meet my new clients/friends and help them unleash the potential in their puppies!



More to come... until then, see http://www.sensiblepuppy.com/ for more information!