Participate in a Live Podcast with Animal Communicator and Professional Psychic, Lori Spagna
On Tuesday, June 19th, 2012, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, the “My Doggie Says…” show will record a live podcast with animal communicator, professional psychic, intuitive energy healer, and behavior expert Lori Spagna. Lori will discuss how animals are teaching us. She will also do live readings with guests who participate in the show. To learn more about Lori and her great work, visit www.lorispagna.com, www.efilsgodSpirit.com or www.efilsgod.com.
The “My Doggie Says…” show is a lighthearted show about dogs — dog relationships, dog communication, dog training and generally “dog appreciation.” Host Fred Haney interviews experts on all subjects “dog.” To listen to past shows, check out the “podcast” tab on this blog, or look for “mydoggiesays” on the iTunes podcast store.
To join the program, send an email to Lori Spagna at Info@efilsgod.com or to Fred Haney at fred@mydoggiesays.com. You will receive the dial-in instructions and access code by return email.
A Dog’s Actions Speak Louder Than Words: Five Ways to Figure Out What Your Dog Is Telling You
Does your dog ever do something that leaves you scratching your head and wondering, “Why did he (or she) do that?” If so, you’re not alone. Dogs tell us important things all the time, but sometimes we don’t “get the message.”
Dogs communicate in different ways and at different levels. Sometimes they “talk” with their tails, or their ears, or their posture. Sometimes they “talk” by barking, or yelping, or whining. Sometimes they use subtle signals that were used in wolf packs to “keep the peace.” These messages can include licking their own lips or yawning.
But dogs frequently communicate with their behavior. A dog’s actions speak louder than words. The trick is to figure out what the actions means. It can be obvious. For example, when your dog sits and begs while you’re eating a piece of steak, there’s no mystery in the message. But many messages are much more subtle than that. Here are some ways you can try to “break the code” and understand what your dog is telling you.
Click Here to Read the Rest of this Article
A Lesson You Can Learn from your Dog
Here’s one of life’s important lessons that you can learn from your dog: How to appreciate little things.
This is one of my favorite sound bytes from the “My Doggie Says…” show. In it, Dean Koontz, the famous author, describes how, at one time in his life, his Golden Retriever, Trixie, helped him see the world in a completely different and wondrous way. In Dean’s words, Trixie “made the familiar fresh again.” She helped him see “great beauty in mundane scenes.” He goes on to say, “Trixie reawakened in me an awareness of the mystery that’s woven into the warp and weft of everything we perceive…”
I really love this clip (2:28). It’s one of the best examples of the spiritual connection that can exist between a human and a dog. A great example of a lesson you can learn from a dog.
Participate in a Live Podcast with Animal Communicator and Professional Psychic, Lori Spagna
On Tuesday, June 19th, 2012, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, the “My Doggie Says…” show will record a live podcast with animal communicator, professional psychic, intuitive energy healer, and behavior expert Lori Spagna. Lori will discuss how animals are teaching us. She will also do live readings with guests who participate in the show. To learn more about Lori and her great work, visit www.lorispagna.com, www.efilsgodSpirit.com or www.efilsgod.com.
The “My Doggie Says…” show is a lighthearted show about dogs — dog relationships, dog communication, dog training and generally “dog appreciation.” Host Fred Haney interviews experts on all subjects “dog.” To listen to past shows, check out the “podcast” tab on this blog, or look for “mydoggiesays” on the iTunes podcast store.
To join the program, send an email to Lori Spagna at Info@efilsgod.com or to Fred Haney at fred@mydoggiesays.com. You will receive the dial-in instructions and access code by return email.
A Lesson You Can Learn from your Dog
Here’s one of life’s important lessons that you can learn from your dog: How to appreciate little things.
This is one of my favorite sound bytes from the “My Doggie Says…” show. In it, Dean Koontz, the famous author, describes how, at one time in his life, his Golden Retriever, Trixie, helped him see the world in a completely different and wondrous way. In Dean’s words, Trixie “made the familiar fresh again.” She helped him see “great beauty in mundane scenes.” He goes on to say, “Trixie reawakened in me an awareness of the mystery that’s woven into the warp and weft of everything we perceive…”
I really love this clip (2:28). It’s one of the best examples of the spiritual connection that can exist between a human and a dog. A great example of a lesson you can learn from a dog.
Holistic Medicine for Dogs: A Podcast Interview with Dr. Deva Khalse, Author of “Natural Dog”
Dr. Deva Khalsa
Dr. Deva Khalsa has an extensive background in holistic medicine for dogs — and lots of fascinating success stories.
In this podcast, she talks about the special qualities of dogs and how, if we let them, they can help us appreciate some of the wondrous little things on our planet.
She has lots of examples of amazing successes in treating dogs with the use of natural remedies.
In one especially fascinating segment (#3), she talks about the discovery of double-helix water, and she tells a story about a dog whose malignant melanoma disappeared in about two weeks after taking it.
Click here to learn more from Dr. Khalsa’s web site www.doctordeva.com.
Participate in a Live Podcast with Animal Communicator and Professional Psychic, Lori Spagna
On Tuesday, June 19th, 2012, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, the “My Doggie Says…” show will record a live podcast with animal communicator, professional psychic, intuitive energy healer, and behavior expert Lori Spagna. Lori will discuss how animals are teaching us. She will also do live readings with guests who participate in the show. To learn more about Lori and her great work, visit www.lorispagna.com, www.efilsgodSpirit.com or www.efilsgod.com.
The “My Doggie Says…” show is a lighthearted show about dogs — dog relationships, dog communication, dog training and generally “dog appreciation.” Host Fred Haney interviews experts on all subjects “dog.” To listen to past shows, check out the “podcast” tab on this blog, or look for “mydoggiesays” on the iTunes podcast store.
To join the program, send an email to Lori Spagna at Info@efilsgod.com or to Fred Haney at fred@mydoggiesays.com. You will receive the dial-in instructions and access code by return email.
Black Lab Exhibits #dogbonding In Its Purest Form
The conversation about #dogbonding got a poster child last week in the form of a now-famous black lab that refused to leave the side of it’s yellow lab partner whom had been struck by a car. You’ve probably heard the story by now, but if you haven’t seen the video, it’s very touching to see the depth of the black lab’s bond to its friend.
Sometimes it seems like #dogbonding is easier for dogs than it is for people. It’s a natural state for a dog; we humans just need to get out of the way!
Dog-And-Human Relationships: Articles Offer Food For Thought
An essential ingredient for truly enjoying your dog is creating a strong “dog-and-human” relationship. It’s the focus we put on “dog bonding.” Having a close bond with your dog — based on trust and frequent mutually satisfying interaction — is much more enriching that simply walking your dog, feeding it, and learning to control its behavior.
Here are some articles that might give you some fresh ideas about how to strengthen your “dog-and-human” relationships.
In an article in The Bark, “Building the Dog-Human Bond,” Victoria Schade emphasizes the importance of “trust, mutual respect and regard.” Victoria, by the way, was a guest on the “My Doggie Says…” show on March 3, 2011. (Click here to hear her interview) Here’s Victoria’s article in “The Bark.”
This article, from “ohmidog!,” describes three different kinds of dog-and-human relationships. Which one are you?
So much of dog training — books, TV programs, and professional advice — are aimed at helping you control — or demand obedience from — your dog. But in my own experience — supported by interviews with hundreds of dog trainers, authors and dog owners — suggests that the most rewarding experience of a dog comes to people who have the strongest dog-and-human relationships with their pets.
Dogs Like Structure — Video Of Callie’s Five Daily Soccer Rituals
We know that dogs like structure. They seem to be at their best in comfortable surroundings and familiar situations. I think that, given the opportunity, they even invent their own structure. Callie has certainly done that with her Lake Arrowhead swimming routine — jump from the dock, retrieve the Frisbee, swim ashore, drop the Frisbee to shake off, grab the Frisbee and race back out on the boat dock to do it all again.
In this video, you’ll see the five “ritual” behaviors that are part of Callie’s (and my) daily soccer game. First, the “invitation” to play. Second, doing “nosers,” or “bonking” the ball off her nose. Third, playing “keep away,” so I can’t pick the ball up and end the game. Fourth, “begging” to keep playing. And, finally, “high-five” to say, “good game!”
Video of Dog Swimming (1:19): Callie’s Superbowl Sunday Swim
It’s always fun to watch a dog swimming. It’s Callie’s favorite thing to do at Lake Arrowhead.
She jumps off the boat dock, swims out to retrieve her Frisbee, swims ashore, and brings her Frisbee back to the boat dock for another toss.
The water temperature wasn’t too bad — about 43 degrees. The humans had their “polar bear” swim that day, so we know it wasn’t too cold for dog swimming. But when Callie got out of the water, we were careful to dry her off as quickly as possible and get her back into a warm and cozy place.
When Callie climbs out of the lake, she’s pretty far from the camera, but notice how she picks up her Frisbee and brings it back out on the dock. It’s part of her dog training, and it’s a great behavior.
What better way to bond with your dog than to help it do one of its favorite things?
Your Dog’s Energy Level May Mirror Your Own
Are you aware of your dog’s energy level? Can you sense when it goes up and down? Can you tell when your dog is “full of beans?” Can you tell when your dog is feeling down and drained of energy?
Most of us don’t pay attention to our own ups and downs, much less our dog’s energy changes. “Am I feeling robust and energetic?” Or, “Am I feeling down and lackadaisical?” Many of us go through energy ups and down every day without realizing it.
But dogs may be different. My dog Callie and I play soccer every night or fifteen to twenty minutes, and, because of that, I’ve become pretty tuned in to my dog’s energy levels. Interestingly, this experience has put me more in tune with my own energy fluctuations.
Our daily soccer match always starts with a burst of energy. Callie tracks me down, usually in my office, and gives me a very intense gaze. Her “look” means, “It’s time for our soccer game!”
I start the game by kicking the soft, under-inflated ball almost the length of our backyard. Callie races after the ball and traps is under her tummy. Then I make a shorter and higher kick, and Callie leaps into the air and “bonks” the ball off her nose. We call it a “noser.” It’s like a header but when you’re a golden retriever your nose gets in the way.
Sometimes we do a rapid volley of nosers. I kick the ball back to her as quickly as possible, and she leaps up and “bonks” the ball as hard as she can. This usually gets her really pumped up for a few minutes.
But invariably, sometime during our game, I’ll kick the ball to Callie and she’ll just look at me, as the ball flies over her head and lands on the grass. It’s as if she’s saying, “What was that all about?” She makes no effort whatsoever to go after it. My next few attempts are likely to have the same result. It is as if she doesn’t care about the game any more.
So now I’m wondering, “Is there a way to get the game back on track?” Another thing I wonder is, “Is she mirroring my energy level?” For the next kick, I’ll run to the ball faster and try to project more energy. Sometimes that works. Callie senses my increased enthusiasm and reflects it with an outburst of harder “nosers” and faster chasing after the ball.
Other times Callie ignores my new energy level and the ball flies over her head, and, once again, she looks at me like I’m crazy.
Another trick I’ve tried is to “fake” an end to the game. I kick the ball back to our starting place and put it back on the chair where it sits when we’re not playing. Sometimes Callie tries to play “keep away” so I can’t pick the ball up. She’ll put a paw on the ball, for example, or trap it under her tummy, or position herself between me and the ball.
After the ball has been back on its chair for a few seconds, I pick it up again and ask Callie if she wants to play. Usually by this time, she’s stationed herself in the middle of the yard and she’s giving me that “let’s play soccer” look again.
So, starting over, I kick the ball toward her and she goes scampering after it. Usually this works, and it re-energizes her, at least for a few minutes.
Sometimes I think this interaction is just about a dog’s energy level and enthusiasm for the game. At other times, it seems like she’s reflecting my energy — or lack of energy. It probably also has something to do with focus and concentration — both of which, I believe are closely related to energy expression.
This energy interaction has been fascinating to follow. I’ve learned a lot about Callie’s energy levels as well as my own. There have been times when I was certain Callie was simply mirroring my energy — that her lack of enthusiasm probably reflected the fact that I was distracted or thinking about something else. In these situations, I am able to regain the energy of the game by getting more enthusiastic and putting more into it myself.
Sometimes I think that Callie’s enthusiasm has helped to spark my enthusiasm to a higher level which has led to some really fun “noser” volleys.
Any way you look at it, this “energy exchange” has enriched my relationship with Callie. I understand her a little better — and probably myself, as well.
Try paying attention to your dog’s energy patterns!
A Doggie Diet for People, Too: Peggy Frezon on the “My Doggie Says…” Show
Improve your dog relationship by putting your dog on a doggie diet while you are trying to lose weight yourself. Peggy Frezon is the author of “Dieting with my Dog.”
Peggy Frezon is an author, pet columnist, and multiple award-winning freelance writer from New York. She contributes regularly to Guideposts and Angels on Earth magazines and is published in more than a dozen Chicken Soup for the Soul books. Her work can also be seen in magazines such as Woman’s World, Teaching Tolerance, Pockets and others, and in books including The Ultimate Dog Lover, Miracles and Animals, Soul Matters, and David Jeremiah’s Grace Givers. She writes two web columns, Pawsitively Pets and Animals 4 People, is a staff writer for Be the Change for Animals, and blogs at Peggy’s Pet Place. Her first book is Dieting with my Dog (Hubble & Hattie, 2011).
Listen to Peggy as she talks about feeding her dog veggies, sharing an exercise program, and the psychological benefits of having a “furry little conscience.”
Loving and Losing a Pet: Conversation with Barbara Abercrombie
Barbara Abercrombie is the author of “Cherished: 21 Writers on Animals they have Loved and Lost.”
Hear Barbara talk about her experience in bonding with a pet and the process of grieving upon the loss of a pet.
A Dog’s Actions Speak Louder Than Words: Five Ways to Figure Out What Your Dog Is Telling You
Does your dog ever do something that leaves you scratching your head and wondering, “Why did he (or she) do that?” If so, you’re not alone. Dogs tell us important things all the time, but sometimes we don’t “get the message.”
Dogs communicate in different ways and at different levels. Sometimes they “talk” with their tails, or their ears, or their posture. Sometimes they “talk” by barking, or yelping, or whining. Sometimes they use subtle signals that were used in wolf packs to “keep the peace.” These messages can include licking their own lips or yawning.
But dogs frequently communicate with their behavior. A dog’s actions speak louder than words. The trick is to figure out what the actions means. It can be obvious. For example, when your dog sits and begs while you’re eating a piece of steak, there’s no mystery in the message. But many messages are much more subtle than that. Here are some ways you can try to “break the code” and understand what your dog is telling you.
Click Here to Read the Rest of this Article
Sounds That Scare Dogs: Do Rings and Beeps on Your Radio Bother Your Dog?
Now I know my dog, Callie, listens to the radio, and I’ve discovered some of the sounds that scare dogs.
We usually have a couple of radios jabbering in our house with local news or talk radio. I’ve never been sure if my dog Callie golden retriever hears what’s on the radio or not. But now I know she does.
There is one ad on the radio that drives Callie nuts. At the beginning of the ad there is a distinct sound of a doorbell ringing. Every time Callie hears that doorbell ring, she bolts for the front door to see who’s there. “Is it the postman, a delivery man, or a repair man?” She gets excited because when the doorbell rings it always means there’s somebody at the front door.
The doorbell ringing is usually a happy event, because Callie gets to greet a person — one of her favorite things to do. But one of Callie’s most unhappy sounds is the beeping of a smoke alarm or a carbon monoxide monitor. It really freaks her out. I assume it actually hurts her ears. This is definitely a sound that scares dogs.
A few months ago the battery in our carbon monoxide monitor at Lake Arrowhead got low and the monitor started to “beep” very loudly as a warning. Poor Callie raced up two flights of stairs to get as far away as possible from that horrid, irritating noise.
Last night we were watching TV and there was an advertisement for a lithium battery. To illustrate how lithium batteries could extend the life of your smoke alarm, the advertisement has a smoke alarm with nearly-drained batteries going “beep, beep, beep” in a very loud high-pitched squeal. Callie’s first move was to dart out of the room to escape the noise. Another sound that scares dogs.
When I called her back, she immediately jumped up on the sofa between Barbara and me with her tail between her legs. This is not a behavior we encourage, but under the circumstances, we gave her a lot of love and assurance that the beeping sound would not continue.
How do you tell a dog, “It’s just on TV?”
Finally, to top off our week of nasty noises, this morning, the new washing machine completed one of its cycles and sounded an alarm that sounds just like a smoke alarm. Callie really didn’t need that. She started to run and said, “Here we go again!” So poor Callie went running away from the laundry room to avoid the horrid “beeping” sound.
Wouldn’t it be nice if advertisers and manufacturers could be a little sensitive to our “best friends’” ears? Can’t they anticipate the disturbance their ads are going to cause when they contain doorbell and smoke alarm sounds?
I suppose it would be asking way too much to expect a washing machine manufacturer to tone down the end-of-cycle alarm in order to protect my dog’s ears. But what would be wrong with a nice little “barking dog” sound?
Please, no more noises that scare dogs!
Wuuf!
Does Your Dog Have Daily Rituals?
Does your dog have ritual behaviors? Does it have activities that it repeats at specific times, or in specific situations? If you’re not sure, you might want to pay attention. Learning about your dog’s rituals can increase your enjoyment of your pet — and help you nurture its behavior.
Since all dogs are different, I’ll share some of Callie Golden Retriever’s rituals with you, so you’ll get the idea.
“Good Morning.” Callie starts most mornings by walking over to my bed, sitting down perfectly within reach of my right hand, and “presenting” her neck for a “good morning” scratch. I scratch the under part of her neck around her throat and adam’s apple. Sometimes she tips her head so I can scratch the top of her head, but for most dogs “under” is better than “over.”
Sometimes Callie’s “good morning” scratch turns into a full-body massage. She’ll move her body around so that the only part I can reach is her back, for example. This can go on for a long time!
How to Improve your Dog-Talk Skills: Look for Patterns in your Dog’s Body Language
You might be surprised how much your dog is communicating with you. You just have to learn to speak its language, which is often behavior-related. A dog’s actions can speak volumes; you just have to be clever about figuring out the message in “dog talk.”
There is no better way to understand your dog’s personality and nurture its “dog nature” than to tune into your dog’s body language and become more interactive with it.
There was a peculiar pattern in Jamie’s (the heroine of “My Doggie Says…: Messages from Jamie”) decisions about “where to be.” I believe that dogs are pretty thoughtful about deciding where to hang out. They often choose places for specific reasons.
Dog Bonding Lessons You Can Learn from the Pros
What do Dean Koontz, Ted Kerasote, Kyra Sundance, Michelle Douglas, and Tom Sullivan have in common? For one thing, they love dogs. Secondly, they have very strong and caring relationships with their dogs. And, finally, they have been guests on the “My Doggie Says…”radio talk show on KFNX-1100, in Phoenix.
Every Wednesday night, on the “My Doggie Says…”radio show, I interview one of the top dog-book authors in the country, or one of the best dog trainers, or someone else who’s life, or livelihood, depends on dogs. One consistent message is that many dog experts get into very close relationships with their dogs. It’s a trend that I like to call “dog bonding”– building a strong connection with your dog.
The notion of “all alpha all the time” or making sure that you are dominant over your dog at all times, is giving way to kinder, gentler training methods. Many trainers are working on “positive reinforcement”methods, where they try to always reward good behavior without penalizing bad behavior.
Tara Paterson, Founder of the “Mom’s Choice Awards” Interviews Author Fred Haney at Book Expo America (Watch the Video)
Some Things Your Dog Might Be Saying To You (That You Might Not Be Hearing)
Dogs communicate a lot, but not always in ways that are obvious to humans. Sometimes their messages are puzzling and you have to work hard to “decode” them. But it’s worth the effort, and you might be surprised to learn some of the things your dog is saying.
Dogs communicate in different ways at different times. Sometimes they send messages in the very subtle ways that their ancestors used within wolf packs. At times, they use their voice to woof or bark. Other times, they use their tails, ears and posture to send messages. But many of their messages are simply sent by their actions. A dog’s actions speak louder than words, or “barks.”
A Lesson You Can Learn from your Dog
Here’s one of life’s important lessons that you can learn from your dog: How to appreciate little things.
This is one of my favorite sound bytes from the “My Doggie Says…” show. In it, Dean Koontz, the famous author, describes how, at one time in his life, his Golden Retriever, Trixie, helped him see the world in a completely different and wondrous way. In Dean’s words, Trixie “made the familiar fresh again.” She helped him see “great beauty in mundane scenes.” He goes on to say, “Trixie reawakened in me an awareness of the mystery that’s woven into the warp and weft of everything we perceive…”
I really love this clip (2:28). It’s one of the best examples of the spiritual connection that can exist between a human and a dog. A great example of a lesson you can learn from a dog.
Your Dog’s Energy Level May Mirror Your Own
Are you aware of your dog’s energy level? Can you sense when it goes up and down? Can you tell when your dog is “full of beans?” Can you tell when your dog is feeling down and drained of energy?
Most of us don’t pay attention to our own ups and downs, much less our dog’s energy changes. “Am I feeling robust and energetic?” Or, “Am I feeling down and lackadaisical?” Many of us go through energy ups and down every day without realizing it.
But dogs may be different. My dog Callie and I play soccer every night or fifteen to twenty minutes, and, because of that, I’ve become pretty tuned in to my dog’s energy levels. Interestingly, this experience has put me more in tune with my own energy fluctuations.
Our daily soccer match always starts with a burst of energy. Callie tracks me down, usually in my office, and gives me a very intense gaze. Her “look” means, “It’s time for our soccer game!”
I start the game by kicking the soft, under-inflated ball almost the length of our backyard. Callie races after the ball and traps is under her tummy. Then I make a shorter and higher kick, and Callie leaps into the air and “bonks” the ball off her nose. We call it a “noser.” It’s like a header but when you’re a golden retriever your nose gets in the way.
Sometimes we do a rapid volley of nosers. I kick the ball back to her as quickly as possible, and she leaps up and “bonks” the ball as hard as she can. This usually gets her really pumped up for a few minutes.
But invariably, sometime during our game, I’ll kick the ball to Callie and she’ll just look at me, as the ball flies over her head and lands on the grass. It’s as if she’s saying, “What was that all about?” She makes no effort whatsoever to go after it. My next few attempts are likely to have the same result. It is as if she doesn’t care about the game any more.
So now I’m wondering, “Is there a way to get the game back on track?” Another thing I wonder is, “Is she mirroring my energy level?” For the next kick, I’ll run to the ball faster and try to project more energy. Sometimes that works. Callie senses my increased enthusiasm and reflects it with an outburst of harder “nosers” and faster chasing after the ball.
Other times Callie ignores my new energy level and the ball flies over her head, and, once again, she looks at me like I’m crazy.
Another trick I’ve tried is to “fake” an end to the game. I kick the ball back to our starting place and put it back on the chair where it sits when we’re not playing. Sometimes Callie tries to play “keep away” so I can’t pick the ball up. She’ll put a paw on the ball, for example, or trap it under her tummy, or position herself between me and the ball.
After the ball has been back on its chair for a few seconds, I pick it up again and ask Callie if she wants to play. Usually by this time, she’s stationed herself in the middle of the yard and she’s giving me that “let’s play soccer” look again.
So, starting over, I kick the ball toward her and she goes scampering after it. Usually this works, and it re-energizes her, at least for a few minutes.
Sometimes I think this interaction is just about a dog’s energy level and enthusiasm for the game. At other times, it seems like she’s reflecting my energy — or lack of energy. It probably also has something to do with focus and concentration — both of which, I believe are closely related to energy expression.
This energy interaction has been fascinating to follow. I’ve learned a lot about Callie’s energy levels as well as my own. There have been times when I was certain Callie was simply mirroring my energy — that her lack of enthusiasm probably reflected the fact that I was distracted or thinking about something else. In these situations, I am able to regain the energy of the game by getting more enthusiastic and putting more into it myself.
Sometimes I think that Callie’s enthusiasm has helped to spark my enthusiasm to a higher level which has led to some really fun “noser” volleys.
Any way you look at it, this “energy exchange” has enriched my relationship with Callie. I understand her a little better — and probably myself, as well.
Try paying attention to your dog’s energy patterns!
Dog Behavior: “Your Dog is Your Mirror,” by Kevin Behan — on the “My Doggie Says…” Show
Kevin Behan is a long-time dog behavior expert. On the “My Doggie Says…” show, he talked about his noe book: “Your Dog is Your Mirror.”
Kevin Behan on the “My Doggie Says…” Show:
Kevin Behan, dog behavior expert, grew up on his parent’s farm in rural Connecticut immersed in a landscape of natural beauty and surrounded by dogs. Kevin’s father, John Behan, founded Canine College, trained dogs in the Canine Corps in WWII and was the first in America to train protection dogs for hospitals, police units, and even retail stores such as Macy’s. Kevin worked in his father’s kennel where he encountered every possible type of dog exhibiting every type of behavior. Consequently, Kevin grew up without judgment about dog behavior, even aggression, as everything dogs did was taken as a matter of course.
Kevin trained his first dog, a poodle named Onyx, at age ten. As Kevin matured, so did his ideas about his experiences and the behaviors he witnessed. By carefully watching the workings of nature, Kevin began to see that what made the modern dog adaptable and trainable was not the dominance hierarchy, as taught to him by his father, but the dog’s ability to work as a cooperative group member in the hunt. Influenced by European police dog trainers and a German shepherding sage named Mannel, Kevin’s theories and techniques came together in the 1980′s as Natural Dog Training. Kevin then started his own kennel, Canine Arts, in Brookfield, Connecticut and published his first book, Natural Dog Training in 1992. Using techniques totally unique, Kevin has trained hundreds of police, protection, and border control dogs, as well as thousands of America’s pets. He has become the nation’s foremost expert on the rehabilitation of aggressive and problem dogs, which is now where he concentrates most of his work. A seasoned lecturer and seminar host, Kevin’s presentations go well beyond the training of dogs and into the very core of canine behavior. He has pioneered the Natural Dog Training movement with his articles and theories on energy, the linkage between dogs and emotion, prey vs. predator model, as well as instrumental training techniques like pushing and eye contact.
Kevin now lives with his family on their 60-acre farm in beautiful Southern Vermont. His second book, Your Dog is Your Mirror: The Emotional Capacity of Our Dogs and Ourselves is now available in bookstores and online. He also actively participates in readers’ comments and conversations on the NDT site. Follow the Discussions here.
Learn more about Kevin’s work by clicking here.
Loving and Losing a Pet: Conversation with Barbara Abercrombie
Barbara Abercrombie is the author of “Cherished: 21 Writers on Animals they have Loved and Lost.”
Hear Barbara talk about her experience in bonding with a pet and the process of grieving upon the loss of a pet.
Are Facial Expressions Part of Dog Talk? They Are For Callie Golden Retriever
To us humans, anyway, dogs don’t seem to have as much expression in their faces as people do. Who knows what other dogs think? I imagine that, to dogs, “all humans look alike,” while, amongst themselves, there is a lot of nuanced facial conversation.
But Callie Golden Retriever does have a few very noticeable facial expressions. Everyone knows the famous “smile” of a Golden Retriever. But Callie has some facial expressions — a kind of dog talk — that are almost the opposite of a Golden Retriever smile.
Two of them are part of her daily ritual of cajoling me to play soccer with her.
First she twists her muzzle into a pretzel, which always means, “Can we please go out and play soccer?”
Callie Golden Retriever Loves to Play Soccer
Once outside, Callie looks me in the eye and says — with her facial expression — “OK, Fred, let’s get the game started!”
Callie Golden Retriever Waits for the First Soccerr Kick
We all know dogs love to play games. Use them as an opportunity to learn more about your “best friend.” The messages are there; you just have to pay attention!
Man’s Best Friend Likes Boats, Too — A Dog Training Challenge
I’m spending a few days at Lake Arrowhead, which is a great getaway for my family — and for Callie Golden Retriever. Callie loves to swim here, and she loves going for boat rides and fishing from our boat. It took a little dog training to get her to swim for her floating Frisbee without getting into the boat traffic, but she’s learned well. It also took a little dog training to get her to stay away from the edges of the boat — I’ve been a little nervous that she might jump off, because she loves to swim so much.
It’s fun, at Lake Arrowhead, to see how many dogs enjoy boating, as well as swimming in the lake. You see dogs balanced on canoes and kayaks. And it’s not unusual to see a boat speeding along at twenty-five miles an hour with a dog sitting proudly — all by himself — in the bow.
This morning on my walk with Callie, I watched a couple — and their Yellow Labrador Retriever — launch their kayak. The Lab hasn’t quite figured out how to jump into the kayak, but with a little more dog training, he will. So his dad had to lift him in, but then he settled into the caboose seat and looked like he was very happy there. It reminded me a lot of training Callie to “jump up” into our SUV. It’s my current dog training challenge., but we’re getting there.
So it seems that dogs make great boaters, too. Doesn’t this look like fun?
Learn How To Travel With Your Dog: Amy Burkert, Founder of GoPetFriendly.com
Amy Burkert travels with her pets all the time. Actually, she and her husband sold their house and spend all of their time traveling — with their pets. Their web site, GoPetFriendly.com lists thousands of pet-friendly places, hotels, and restaurants. And the blog contains lots of helpful hints for traveling with your pets. Listen as Amy shares some of the things she has learned. Amy can save you lots of time and money if you’re planning a trip with your pets.
The “My Doggie Says…” show is broadcast live on KFNX-1100 in Phoenix, every Wednesday evening from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time. Live streaming can be found at www.1100kfnx.com. Every week, Fred interviews an expert in dog training or animal behavior, or some other important aspect of building a special bond with your dog. To call the show: (602) 277-KFNX, or (866) 536-1100. Callers welcome!
Do Dogs Generalize? Callie Golden Retriever Has Figured Out Where to Find Tennis Balls
I’ve written before about Callie’s tennis-ball-finding skills, but she continues to amaze — and teach some lessons about how dogs think.
Sometimes, at Lake Arrowhead, we walk past the UCLA Conference Center tennis courts. They are surrounded by the typical tall, green chain-link fence and screen — and also by some tall bushes. I figured out, a few years ago, that there is often a lost tennis ball hiding between the bushes and the screen. So several times I reached in and retrieved tennis balls for Callie.
But then Callie broke the code. She realized that the bushes by the tennis court were a great hiding place for tennis balls. She got so that every time we were near the bushes, she would look inside the bushes as we walked by — and, occasionally, retrieve her own tennis ball.
Maggie Golden Retriever Goes Nuts Over Dogs On TV
Can dogs see what’s on TV? The conventional wisdom is that they see TV very differently than humans — that they don’t really know what they are seeing.
And here’s one from petpeoplesplace.com.
Now you tell me what’s going on in this video of Maggie Golden Retriever. Is she just reacting to a “blob,” or does she think she’s seeing a dog? Notice that most of the time she’s right in the face of the dogs on TV.
Update on Callie’s Soccer Nosers
Here’s some slightly better video of Callie doing her soccer “nosers.” Sorry about the lighting, but you’ll get the idea.
Animal Assisted Therapy at Phoenix Childrens Hospital and the “Dine With Your Dog” Program: Podcast
Learn from the pros about “animal assisted therapy,” as practiced at Phoenix Childrens Hospital. Mary Lou Jennings and Julie Adams talk about:
- How animal assisted therapy works
- Some wonderful successes in helping children recover from illness and/or surgery
- What is required of a therapy dog
- How to get involved
- How to support the program
Julie Adams also describes the “Dine With Your Dog” program. Here are some photos from past “Dine With Your Dog” dinners. For more information about the “Dine With Your Dog” program, click here.
Dog Bonding Lessons You Can Learn from the Pros
What do Dean Koontz, Ted Kerasote, Kyra Sundance, Michelle Douglas, and Tom Sullivan have in common? For one thing, they love dogs. Secondly, they have very strong and caring relationships with their dogs. And, finally, they have been guests on the “My Doggie Says…”radio talk show on KFNX-1100, in Phoenix.
Every Wednesday night, on the “My Doggie Says…”radio show, I interview one of the top dog-book authors in the country, or one of the best dog trainers, or someone else who’s life, or livelihood, depends on dogs. One consistent message is that many dog experts get into very close relationships with their dogs. It’s a trend that I like to call “dog bonding”– building a strong connection with your dog.
The notion of “all alpha all the time” or making sure that you are dominant over your dog at all times, is giving way to kinder, gentler training methods. Many trainers are working on “positive reinforcement”methods, where they try to always reward good behavior without penalizing bad behavior.
Dean Koontz on the "My Doggie Says…" Radio Show
Dean Koontz has published over a 100 books, and, in many of them, he has included a dog as a character. He has also written several books about Trixie, his Golden Retriever, such as “Life is Good! Lessons in Joyful Living,” by Trixie Koontz, Dog. On the occasion of the release of his newest dog book, “a big little life: A Memoir of a Joyful Dog.” Dean describes the close relationship between himself and Trixie, as well as several humorous things that Trixie did. He also expresses amazement at Trixie’s intelligence.
The “My Doggie Says” show helps listeners gain a deeper appreciation for Man™s Best Friend. The show is broadcast live from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday nights, on KFNX 1100, Phoenix. It is streamed live on www.1100kfnx.com. Host Fred Haney interviews dog whisperers, dog trainers, authors of dog books, and experts on all aspects of dogs and dog behavior and dog nature. The show is also available as a podcast on iTunes. Go to the iTunes store, click on “Podcast,” and search for “My Doggie Says…”
Check out the dog-relationship books written by all of the authors who have appeared on the “My Doggie Says” show: http://mydoggiesays.com/?page_id=1479
What Person are You, Golden Retriever? By Dr. Callie, Golden Retriever
You may have read that there’s a new book that helps people figure out, if they were a dog, which dog would they be? Here’s a link to the article. The book is called, “Which Dog Are You?”
There are also some sites where a person can take an on-line test to see which dog they are. Here’s an example at www.ivillage.com.
Well, if people can have a “which dog are you?” book, I decided my doggie friends should have a “which person are you?” book. So I decided to start writing it, and I thought I’d use myself as an example for the first chapter.
According to the AKC, Golden Retrievers are supposed to be friendly, reliable, and trustworthy. I think I’m all of those things. But I decided to learn more about my personality, so I took an on-line personality test. You (my doggie friends) can do this at this web site.
