theolapalumbo

On March 14, Winston left four cars – two of them Chattanooga police patrol vehicles – with flat tyres and at least one missing bumper because of his aggression.

Mr. Emerling and his mother, Nancy Emerling, said they planned to take Winston home after a court hearing and felt lucky that he'd have a chance to go through court-ordered obedience training.

Chattanooga City Judge Sherry Paty said she will drop the citation for Winston being a “potentially dangerous dog” after six months if training is successful and no other problems occur.

Winston has been a “model prisoner” at McKamey, their lawyer said. “Actually, he'd been a model pet up until that Sunday,” Mr. Emerling noted, still baffled by Winston's actions.

I’m mostly in lurker mode through all your work/posts/commenters through this “torture doc” process. My interest is to comprehend it thoroughly. Don’t really know purposes of everyone participating here and related (Leopold/Kaye etc.), but for me purpose is to solidify and detail conditions in the world/USA etc., as this whole torture saga is (again, for me) a bell weather “canary in the mine” condition: all that it encompasses… the people involved, the ferocious misrepresented advocacy and misrepresentation to the public, the corrosive affect on institutions/gov AND cause/effect response internationally… again for me, at the very least, comprehending severe moral hazards as they exist is a required known.

With that said, your comment:

Because, as I pointed out here, they want to describe this as an “evolution,” but they’re basing that evolution on his diaries, which they had from the start. So if they’re claiming they’ve just decided the diaries are the only truthful way of determining who he was, then it means they ignoerd it to sustain claims that he was more than that.

I would assume that would be obvious to most who have followed your detailing of this. I find, however, that at times details tend to overwhelm the mind and I have to “step back” and take a few breaths.

But in that statement, the process of slip-shod moment-in-time assessments used as foundation upon which to propel wide ranging action, w/subsequent slip-shod >> more actions… rinse & repeat, on and on, error upon error… mess upon mess.

This is the “condition of things” out there. Looks to me like a tapestry, much wider and deeper, and much much more corrosive seen in it’s entirety than individual pieces and parts along the way.

So when you say:

This is the Iraq war all over again for them.

… for me anyway, I am always mindful of just that. Part of the larger tapestry, exemplary of enough individual events to constitute a way of doing this on such a scale that this way sucks the vitality out of so much else, sickening people who aren’t already corrupted, so on and so forth.

At the core, all the torture details are in most fundamental core, institutionalized dishonesty (lies). And this core was expressed through much more than 9/11 >> Iraq >> torture and that whole continuum.

The deceptions were expressed in most every avenue of government under the Bush Years: econ & all it’s related tentacles (SEC/FED/TREASURY/FICA-HUD, etc. etc.). It was expressed through the whole Ca. Energy Crisis/Enron thing, and in fact a whole process there similar to what topic of your article here was:

* lie about original cause (Ca. shortage of generation)
* Stock FERC w/cronies to “toe the line” (don’t look)
* ignored the forced/timed blackouts, ignored cutoff gas supply from Texas, not even look at generator plant shutdowns, etc. etc.
* Squeeze and force higher gas (fuel) prices based on fruadulent shortage.

After it was over… +/- 2 yrs after the fact, after saturating media w/original notions:
* CA. had it coming w/”not in our backyard” mentality
* ENRON (and related… there were many others) embodied morally grounded “free market” principles

… and FERC’s public denial of crimes throughout, they posted on their website confirmation that everything that CA. (and anyone watching w/clear eye) could see and said from the beginning, which I summarized above. They actually posted this. They also mistakenly posted their agreement w/various energy companies involved: that in exchange for admitting and detailing planned outages, there would be no fines/prosecutions/PUBLIC DISCLOSURE.

That template looks to me near identical to what you’ve described/summarized here.

As public was being fed “patriotism”, “freedom fries” and “liberation” along the way, I vividly recall having conversations w/people who were looking beyond headlines and deciphering details. Among common statements I (and others… both locally, in blogs etc.) made, was observation that cumulatively… eg. everything Iraq, one mega-tax cut after another concurrent w/mega-offshoring i>everything, w/simeoultaneous pronouncement of “economy is strong”, then W’s privatize SS initiative…

It seemed as though, w/these guys utter disdain for most anyone outside their elite circles, that they were deliberately setting out to backrupt the country… financially, morally, culturally.

It was Blitzkrieg on every front… saturating. Far and wide media saturation, far and wide financial reorganization, far and wide military action… and all of it covered up w/cheap, meaningless jingoism and primate based metaphors.

So now, in what could have been a major cleanup stage… this torture thing process seems just like the financial thing process:
* crimes & lies well documented, well enough detailed for anyone taking the time to comprehend them to understand.
* the public (gov) institutions w/power & authority to do something about ‘em… each and everyone corrupted along the way, gets to a point where there is opportunity for an accountability moment, as in the DOJ AW “evolution” filing that is topic of this post.
* whether financial, energy, or torture… as this opportunity arrives, these authorities utterly fail to do the job: we get something like what we’ve got in this DOJ “pleading”: “fuzzy math”, meaningless dismissall of self-evident facts/crimes w/massive (and I stress that word) affects… essentially, it seems to me, implicit acknowledgement from feds that all this shit is now institutionalized w/in US government, w/fall out in culture a factor not worthy of consideration.

Not good, not good at all. The good ship USA taking on a lot of water these days, and captains are telling the passengers to be calm.

Very useful to maintain a clear eye these days.

electronic dog collar fence

Peter Chizmar

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What a week for technology. Not only is it bringing us a giant iPod Touch and a pocket to go along with it, but it also marks the discovery of bacon-scented bubbles and toys with which to project them in your face. Chicken and peanut butter smells are also available. The drawback, as with Snausages, is they're meant for dogs, so if you're a human and you partake in their wonders then you're seen as slummin' it.

While I don't own a dog, I may just have to pick up some of these just in case I decide to get a canine companion. But the bacon bubbles totally wouldn't be for me. No, that would just be weird.

Dog Bubbles [Active Dogtoys]
(Thanks, JM!)

You only have to look in that box titled “AMERICAblog Reader Pets” in the upper right hand corner of this site to see how much we all love their pets. We've received hundreds and hundreds of pet photos — and they keep coming. Last week, John — finally — joined the rank of pet owners. So, all the animal lovers should read this article from today's New York Times about dogs who have come to the aid of vets dealing with PTSD:

The dogs to whom they credit their improved health are not just pets. Rather, they are psychiatric service dogs specially trained to help traumatized veterans leave the battlefield behind as they reintegrate into society.

Because of stories like these, the federal government, not usually at the forefront of alternative medical treatments, is spending several million dollars to study whether scientific research supports anecdotal reports that the dogs might speed recovery from the psychological wounds of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In dozens of interviews, veterans and their therapists reported drastic reductions in P.T.S.D. symptoms and in reliance on medication after receiving a service dog.

The article is really worth a read. And, hat tip to Senator Al Franken:

Under a bill written by Senator Al Franken, Democrat of Minnesota, veterans with P.T.S.D. will get service dogs as part of a pilot program run by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Training a psychiatric service dog and pairing it with a client costs more than $20,000. The government already helps provide dogs to soldiers who lost their sight or were severely wounded in combat, but had never considered placing dogs for emotional damage.

large dog shock collars

Piano Studnets

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My own dogs have always been a huge part of my life…better yet they have been my entire life! Because of this I have always hated the saying, “Dogs are man's best friend”. Why man's best friend? What about women? Then another saying proclaims that, “Diamonds are a girl's best friend.” I like to think that by “man” this slogan actually means “human” as in ALL mankind, rather than just the one gender. So if this is true that dogs are mankind's best friend, then the next question plaguing me is, “When are we going to return the favor? When are we going to be dogs best friend?” Humans like to think that we spoil our dogs and I know 90% of us dog owners honestly do mean well when we love our dogs rotten, but we humans have made some huge mistakes in our selfish way of loving our dogs. Those owners who mean well when they spoil their dogs simply seem to forget that dogs are dogs. They have always been dogs, and always will be dogs. It seems to offend some people when I say that their dogs are indeed just that, dogs. I promise you this statement is not insensitive or coldhearted, it merely means that humans need to recognize what a dog is before they can give it what a dog truly needs. So lets call it what it is.

I recently saw this woman on television who was explaining her amazing undying love for her dog. This was not anything too out of the ordinary, seeing as 79% of Americans are devoted dog owners, but as this woman spoke I quickly realized that she was not just an ordinary dog lover. This woman proclaimed that her little Chihuahua needed to have clothes or else he was embarrassed and that he must be carried almost everywhere so his feet never touched the ground, except when doing his business on potty pads so that his feet wouldn't get dirty. I wanted to scream through the television at this lady. Her dog was screaming at her in his own dog ways, but she was too consumed by her own delight in these human-like practices to ever stop and consider what her dog might really need or want. Dogs don't worry about fashion, trust me! This is a human behavior that we place on our pets. They don't care how they look, or smell for that matter. I mean these are the same dogs that we find rolling in dead fish! Also the idea of never allowing her dog's feet to get dirty was just outrageous. First of all, dogs do not have feet, they have paws and secondly every dog I have ever met loves to get it's paws dirty. There are some exceptions to this of course, because there are dogs that prefer to be cleaner than others, but they surely still enjoy feeling grass beneath their paws on a daily basis. This poor dog was forced to live a human's existence in a dog's body. I could see this woman's love and devotion for her dog just oozing all over him as she held him on her lap, but the entire situation still troubled me. This poor dog was suffering because his owner was unaware of the real needs of her dog. I wanted to tell her that everything she was ever taught about dogs is obviously very, very wrong.

Although to an outsider it may look like my own dogs are spoiled rotten with two toy boxes heaping full of the most popular toys, the best food money can buy, daily hikes in the woods, and constant love and attention but the truth is that even though I love my dogs as if they were my children, I still acknowledge that they are dogs. My dogs are expected to follow our simple house rules; no jumping, no nipping, leave the dining room when the humans are eating, and welcome guests in a calm manner. Every dog owner should sit down with a pen and paper and write out their own house rules for their dogs, then make them follow these rules. It is not cruel or mean to ask your dog to follow rules. Anyone who has kids knows that without rules their children would be out of control. Plus a well mannered dog is much more fun to live with than a badly behaved one, regardless of how much you love them.

You don't have to dominate your dog or be cruel to them to gain authority over them but you do need your dog to see you as the alpha dog before they will follow any of your “silly rules”. There are simple ways of showing your leadership in the household, many of which take very little effort on your part. Always eat your meals before your dog does and then feed them afterwards. It is in your dog's primal nature to allow the alpha dog to eat first, so if you are feeding them before yourself you are unknowingly teaching your dog that they are in charge of the household. When leaving your house for a walk it is essential that your dog walk slightly behind you so that you always depart through the door first. Once on your walk you should teach your dog to walk by your left side, called heeling, so that they are again slightly behind you. Remember that the alpha dog leads the pack so if you are not leading your dog, then he will lead you.

There is nothing wrong with loving your dog and treating him like a member of the family, but remember that every family member needs to follow the house rules. If you truly love your dog you will care for them based on their needs as a dog and not ask them to be something that they are not. If you want to learn more about dog training and care, read some of my other canine articles.

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Walker Exler

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Housebreaking has a clear and definite goal. You want your dog to relieve itself in a defined area, not all over your house. The number one rule to achieving successful housebreaking is to praise your dog exactly when it is urinating or defecating where you want it to. If you offer praise before or after the act you will only confuse the dog.

A dog that is going to live in your home needs to be taught where to relieve itself. This can be a difficult task if you've never done it before or even if you have. You need method and the determination and commitment to succeed at the chore of having a properly housetrained dog.

The first thing you need to determine even before you bring your new dog home is just where is its “potty” going to be. If you live in an apartment or are going to leave your dog in the house during the day while you are at work you might consider using a litter box if it is a small dog. This method might even work for a large dog, but the litter box might be too large for a small apartment or house. Also, larger dogs seem to have better bladder and bowel control than smaller ones.

Dogs don't like splash back which is why they will go on a rug or carpet rather than a bare floor made of wood or tile. The litter provides an area that doesn't splash which makes it more likely your dog will use it rather than the carpet.

The first thing though is to have a plan where the dog will learn just exactly where it is expected to relieve itself. This is best accomplished by crate training, that is, teaching your dog that a crate is its den. Dogs will not befoul their den unless very young, very old or very ill. The puppy's mother will have begun teaching it to relieve itself outside the den area. All you have to do is keep up this training and expand it.

Once you know where you want your dog to go and have the crate set up, making sure the crate is neither too large or too small for your dog, you can bring your new puppy home.

It needs to be on a tight schedule for the first week or so. The length of time depends on the age, breed, and size of your puppy. Incidentally, unless it is absolutely necessary, no puppy should be removed from it mother earlier than seven weeks of age. Older is better. Regardless of any of these factors you probably should use a two hour schedule the first day.

When you bring your puppy home remember it will be stressed. Show it where its “potty” is by placing it there. If it uses it fine, if not also fine. Then put the puppy in its den (crate) that has a cozy blanket and some device that mimics its mother's heart beat. Yes, your puppy will probably fuss, but put in ear plugs or whatever you need to do and leave it there for an hour or two. The baby has had a stressful time leaving mom and sibs, as well as the car ride home. Whether it agrees or not it needs to rest.

After a couple of hours open the crate, pick up your puppy and take it straight to the potty area. Stay there until it relieves itself. Do not forget to praise it as it is actually doing the deed. Once that is accomplished take your puppy back inside and offer it food and water. After that a short play time will be in order.

A Lazy Trainer tip, at the time you normally sleep skip the play time. You do not want your dog growing up thinking it is alright to have a romp during your sleep time.
After the first day you can begin to extend the schedule even with a small dog breed puppy. By the end of the second week your puppy should be on a three hour schedule with a fairly longer one during your sleep period.

By the time a puppy is three months old it should be able to wait up to four hours between trips to the potty, though if it is well trained to a litter box this should not be a problem.

Remember the most critical thing to housebreaking any puppy or dog is to remember to praise it exactly when it is urinating or defecating, because then it knows exactly what it is being rewarded for.

small dog electric collar

Jody Gettys

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I am no expert in dog training. However, I have figured out a few useful strategies for dealing with dog problems of different degrees and severity. All of our dogs have been adoption dogs, but whether they come to you from the pound or from a puppy mill or from an expensive breeder, nearly all of them have issues of one sort or another. Blood lines determine behavior to some extent but the greatest mistakes in dog world result from human interaction. The most important thing a human can do is to try to be a better dog companion/owner/leader and to minimize the number of mistakes you make.

1. One of the most common mistakes a person makes with dogs is to reinforce bad behavior without intending to do so. People very often reinforce an undesired canine behavior through well-meaning but misdirected kindness. The dog barks excessively, and the response is to be reassuring. Saying “It's okay, it's okay, Boopsie…” in a soothing voice and petting while your dog terrorizes a cat or meter reader simply rewards the behavior and allows the dog know you approve of the behavior.

2. Dog barking is normal, but excessive barking is not. One first has to consider the reason the dog is barking. Is it a little bark to call attention to something? Sometimes, it is to alert you that someone is coming up the driveway. Sometimes it means that the dog needs to go out. If the latter's the case, the barking will increase along with the urgency of the dog's needs. The answer to that sort of dog barking is simple. You need to get off the couch or armchair and take the dog out.

3. Sometimes the dog is barking in reaction to a stimulus. The stimulus may be an intruder. If that's the case, you want the dog to continue barking. Some people have dogs which are disinclined to bark when strangers come to the house. In such cases, they must train the dog to bark, just the opposite kind of training for a dog that barks too much.

4. More often than not, the stimulus which causes barking is the doorbell and a legitimate visitor. One you have established that, it is important for the dog to stop barking so that you can accommodate your visitor. Putting the dog into a sit-stay position is a good way of communicating that you do not want the dog to interact through barking. Again, good dog training is a stepped process. A good foundation in basic commands like “sit” and “stay” makes it easier to command your dog to stop barking. Accompany the “sit-stay” with an “enough” command. You can use whatever “enough” command you please but it is important to be consistent and issue the command in a calm, firm, and assertive tone of voice.

5. Sometimes, a dog may bark because of too many stimuli. If you have an outdoor run for your dog, you may simply need to find a more suitable location where your dog is less inclined to be stimulated by passing stranger, vehicles, fire sirens, traffic buzzers, or flashing lights. Certain types of dogs may eventually become accustomed to a great deal of cacophony in the environment, but most dog owners do not have time to wait until they do. And unless you move the dog's location away from the stimuli, quiet is not likely to return in many cases.

6. Dogs very often bark because they are bored or lonely and badly in need of attention. This does not mean you should shower your dog with 24/7 affection and attention, as this will also lead to behavioral problems of another sort. Dogs are pack animals, after all, and require social interaction. If you do not have time to give your dog the required attention, get a pet snake or a goldfish. You are part of the dog's pack, as the dog sees it. This means mean that you must run with the “pack” to help the dog dispel its anxiety. If you can't exercise yourself, then you can play a game of catch and chase with the dog and a ball. The point is that burning off a lot of pent-up energy will restore a balance to the dog's life. A contented, well-exercised dog won't feel it has to engage in incessant barking to get attention. A balanced dog knows that, after a time, a fun exercise period will come his or her way.

7. When a dog barks excessively, the human companion sometimes reacts with negative reinforcement. One reaction is to attempt to punish the dog. Since barking is natural to dog behavior, the dog doesn't understand that what you're doing to him is because he barked too much or at the wrong time. Many prominent animal psychologists are averse to any negative conditioning and even those who think such corrective actions are sometimes necessary agree that negative physical behavior conditioning be both very limited and highly judicious. Unless you have an uncanny gift for communicating in dog language, use positive behavioral conditioning techniques for your dog. Never inflict physical punishment on your dog because of barking.

8. Electronic bark collars seem to me an electronic version of fast-food dog training. Building a basic command and communication structure with your dog will result in better long run behavior. The negative reinforcement of a shock collar can do psychological damage to the animal. One has only to imagine a childhood with a “corrective” bark collar around one's neck to understand the harm that this could do. The worst part of it is that negative reinforcement is, scientifically speaking, one of the least likely strategies you could use to get positive results.

9. Sometimes, telling the animal it is “enough” is not enough. Experts advise early crate training so that the dog has a place where it can be free of the neuroses of the human world. It helps to have a kennel or crate you can put the dog into. If a dog's social, exercise, and physical needs have been met and the dog continues to annoy you with excessive barking, you can put the dog into the training crate. Then, ignore the dog and do not give further attention or accommodation. Drape a blanket over the crate as this helps the dog to calm down. You must have the wherewithal to endure a certain amount of barking or whining.

The ultimate dog training tip is to recognize that you need patience. Your dog is there to be your best friend, not your enemy. In order to be happy, the dog wants you to be happy with him or her. If your dog doesn't immediately do what you want, you must continue to project a positive leadership attitude and control your temper. If you find yourself getting angry at the dog, it is better to put the dog into the training crate and set aside further communication and training attempts for another time.

dog training prong collar

Ronda Helstrom

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You can't find a much better exercise partner than your dog. Assuming a dog is in reasonably good health, a typical pooch is enthusiastic and persistent about walks. You may have noticed that dogs have internal clocks that tell them, this is the time you usually take them for their evening walk, and they are not likely to let you off the hook easily. You can take advantage of their enthusiasm to keep you both healthy.

So where can you take your dog for a walk in Redding or Anderson? Several places. In Redding, you and Fido can walk together on the McConnell Foundation's Churn Creek Trails (though not on their Lema Ranch Trails) off of Churn Creek Road. Keep your dog leashed, and stay on the trails. Bicycles are also allowed on the Churn Creek Trails, so keep your eyes wide open. See a map of their trail locations here:
http://www.mcconnellfoundation
=.org/docs/Churn_Creek_trailmap_WEB3.pdf

In west Redding, off of Buenaventura Drive you'll find the Blue Gravel Trail where you can walk your leashed dog. Here's a map of the trail and its location: http://www.reddingtrails.com/trails5.html

In Anderson, take your dog to the Anderson River Park off of Rupert Lane. You'll enjoy the scenic walking trail and you'll likely meet other dogs and their people along the way. For a map to find the park, go here: http://www.ci.anderson.ca.us/I-5ParkMap.asp

POINTS TO REMEMBER

But before you start out wind sprinting with your dachshund, think about whether or not you and your dog are a good match, in terms of exercise. If you're long-legged and pass slow cars while power walking, don't expect your short-legged ten-year-old dog to be your exercise partner. You'll both be frustrated. You need to walk with a dog like a German shepherd that is built for motion.
On the other hand, if you're short-legged and, at top speed, your grandma is lapping you, your dachshund would probably be a perfect exercise buddy for you. Large, lumbering beasts are likely to enjoy a leisurely stroll more than a jog.

With puppies and older dogs, easy does it all the way around.

Beware of other dogs when walking your pooch. Your dog might be friendly to all, but there's no guarantee that another dog won't bare its teeth at your best friend. Not all dogs you encounter on your walks are as healthy and well cared for as yours, so be diligent about vaccinations.

If you encounter a wild animal, don't allow your pet to socialize with it, especially if the animal seems drunk or playful. There's a good chance the animal is in the last stages of rabies.

Don't let your dog run free unless you're in an enclosed area and sure you are alone. Retractable leashes are great for giving your dog some freedom while not stripping you of control. Even if your dog is perfectly behaved, the sight of a cat or a squirrel can send them running in hot pursuit… maybe into the path of a car.

Keep in mind that dogs will be dogs. A huge part of the fun of walking for them is a chance to sniff new things. They want to check their pee-mail. Sure, you can't stop every time they want to, or neither of you will get any real exercise. But let them do a little checking.

When you exercise, you warm up. So should your dog unless you are going to just stroll. If you are going to be jogging or wind sprinting, start by walking, otherwise your dog may end up injured, even if he starts out well.

If you like walking or running in hot weather, keep in mind that your dog is doing the same thing, wearing a fur coat and with bare feet on hot pavement. Remember dogs don't sweat, they release heat by panting and through their feet, which, once again, are making direct contact with hot pavement or cement.

Before and after taking your dog out for exercise, offer him clean water… but not food. Just like you, exercising on a full stomach is begging for trouble. But your dog can't tell you he is having stomach cramps. Your first clue might be when he throws up on your expensive running shoes.

Once again, your dog can't tell you if he's hurt. So if he slows down and seems to want to stop, pay attention and take a break. Check his paw pads for damage regularly. That is also why, if you are going to walk or run with your dog, tailor your program to his capabilities, not yours. If your dog's paws do get sore, consider checking into rubber boots made for dogs, that allow your pet to keep exercising while he heals. In so many ways, exercising your dog is just like exercising yourself. Keep in mind, an active dog sleeps better, lives longer, is healthier, more alert, and more content.

electric dog fence collar

Gail Labauve

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Do you ever wish your dog could communicate with you? The fact is your dog is talking to you all the time only he speaks with his own special form of “dog speak” that's not so hard to interpret once you understand it. Dog speak manifests itself as gestures your dog makes with his ears and tail. These gestures can provide you with a means of better understanding your dog's desires and behavior. Here are some simple ways to interpret your dog's behavior:

Interpreting dog behavior: Watch your dog's ears

A healthy, alert dog usually has ears that are high on his head. This can also indicate a dog that's excited or curious or is eager to interact with you. Upright, high ears are also seen when a dog is begging for a bite of food. Upright ears don't always indicate a happy canine state since they may also be seen when a dog is manifesting dominance or aggressive behavior. At these times you may see your dog develop a stiff body or emit a low growl. Ears that are held back flat against the head usually indicates fear or anxiety particularly if your dog's body appears tense and rigid.

Interpreting dog behavior: Watch your dog's tail

Another way a dog expresses himself is through tail movements and posturing. A happy, alert dog usually has an upright tail that's held high and may be wagging. The direction in which a dog's tail is wagging may say something about his mood. Studies have shown that when a dog feels positive about an encounter, his tail will wag more to the right as opposed to the left. A dog that's anxious or fearful will generally carry his tail lower or even hold it between his legs with limp posturing. This may also be a sign of submission in a dog. Dogs manifesting aggressive or dominant behavior generally have stiff tails that are held straight out and unmoving. You may also see other signs of dominance or aggression such as a snarl or growl.

Dogs also express themselves through body movements and body posturing. A dog who is manifesting aggressive or dominant behavior generally has tense, rigid body posturing and may have a slight body tremor. A submissive dog generally carries himself low and will roll onto the ground if directly confronted by a more dominant animal. A happy, carefree dog will have a relaxed body with lots of spontaneous bodily movements and a wagging tail.

The final way most dogs communicate is through sound. When interpreting dog behavior, listen closely to your dog's bark. If a dog is feeling anxious, fearful, or is manifesting submissive behavior, he may emit a soft whine or a yelping sound. When a dog is happy and secure he may bark spontaneously along with the other obvious signs of tail wagging and loose, spontaneous body movements. If your dog starts to snarl or growl, watch out! He's manifesting aggressive behavior and unless you break his focus, he may be in danger of attacking or biting.

Yes, dogs do communicate with us and we can learn the subtle art of interpreting dog behavior. Pay close attention to how your dog responds to you and you just might be able to tell exactly what he's trying to say to you.

electric dog fence collar

Jason Sauber

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I love watching Cesar Millan, The Dog Whisperer, on cable TV. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the program, Cesar is a dog trainer who doesn’t train dogs. According to him, he rehabilitates the dogs while training their owners. Cesar takes a very basic and hands-on approach, assuming the role of the Alpha male and encouraging pack behavior. Sometimes he becomes more of a dog than the dogs themselves and as far as changing behavior it always seems to work; at least on television. 

Cesar emphasizes that the problem in most dog behavior cases is that the owners treat their pets too much like people. He stresses three rules: exercise, discipline, and then affection, strictly in that order of importance. He claims that most domestic dogs don’t get enough exercise. In nature, dogs were designed to walk great distances to cover their territory and obtain food. Short bursts of running around in the house or the back yard don’t do the trick. He recommends walking your dog at least 45 minutes per day. A lot of shoes have been chewed because of all that pent up energy. 

Secondly, to the chagrin of many pet owners I’m sure, he stresses discipline over affection. As much as you think that wiggles wants to be held and stroked all day that just isn’t the case. Dogs look for leadership from the Alpha male or sometimes Alpha female of the pack If they don’t find that leadership, they unwillingly assume that role. So, hey gang, let’s tear up the kitchen trash can may seem a perfectly reasonable command to the new leader, but not to the owner of the house. Also, he maintains that since dogs don’t have a very good command of the English language, they respond much better to physical commands like a tug on the leash, or a tap of the foot than saying things like “No!” or “Down Boy!” I used to know someone who was an avid hunter. 

He had a couple of beautiful hunting dogs. The dogs spent a lot of time in the woods chasing after prey and they seemed to be happy to do it. Sometimes at night they were put in boxes in the basement to sleep. It seemed like a cruel practice at the time, but now that I think of it, it’s not much different than an Alpha dog nipping a member of the pack on the neck and forcing him down on the ground to sleep. As long as the dogs were out of the box the next morning, fed, and running across the ground, they seemed very happy.

I firmly believe that dogs need and want discipline. Too many times we somehow believe that they are “just like us” and can somehow understand the modern world. Flipping through the pages of a recent pet magazine, there were ads for organic and holistic pet food, pet greeting cards, pet yoga, spas and massages, clothing, and places to take your pet for vacation. One local artist would even paint a portrait of your dog for $250.00. This is the Chinese Year of the Dog and there are Bodhi toys in the shape of Lotus flowers, T-Shirts with calligraphy on them for your dog, and even a book about developing your dog “spiritually.” 

I guess that there is nothing wrong with all of this, but really, it’s more for the owner’s gratification than anything else. While you are dressing up Fido and showing your friends how cute he looks, he’s probably wondering why you didn’t sniff their butts when they came in and establish your territory. What kind of an Alpha leader are you anyway? Just remember the most important things that will keep your dog well-balanced and happy: food, exercise, discipline, and affection. In that order.

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Berenice Morosow

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VALUE is important. Many things can influence your decision when choosing a dog trainer or dog training program. Your dog's behavior, your family situation, finances and time constraints are all factors. Every dog trainer is in business to make money (including me). You need to be informed about what type of dog training/dog trainer you need. Many dog owners choose the least expensive dog training/dog trainer only to find that it was not a bargain. Some choose the most expensive dog training/dog trainer only to find that they did not get their moneys worth.

DOG TRAINERS

Some dog trainers are good, some dog trainers are not. There is no legal certification for dog trainers. Any dog trainer can give themselves a title such as; head dog trainer, master dog trainer, or certified dog trainer. There are no laws to regulate what a dog trainer can call themselves. If a dog trainer claims a title then check the organization that titled the dog trainer. Review the requirements for the title. Most titles are only memberships. Some require the dog trainer to pass a written exam. Very few require actual dog training experience. Your dog trainer should be knowledgeable about dog behavior theory AND be experienced.

A certification does not qualify a dog trainer nor does the lack of a certification disqualify a dog trainer. Even qualified dog trainers can perpetuate myths about what you need in an effort to make a sell. Watch out for someone who sells their character rather than their knowledge or experience. Use common sense.

Dog trainers are small businesses. Small businesses suffer during economic downturns. Not only do they have to deal with a decrease in business but they have to compete with amateur dog trainers. Anyone who knows a little bit about dog training will call themselves a dog trainer. They offer dog training services in an attempt to earn extra income. These self proclaimed dog trainers offer cheap dog training services that can be attractive when you are looking for a bargain. In these cases – you get what you pay for! It is best to choose a dog trainer that has been actively in business for at least two years.

Some dog owners need only minor instructions in dog obedience behavior while others need someone experienced at dog problem solving. All dog owners need a dog trainer that is able to train people. Hopefully you find a dog trainer willing to tell you the whole truth about what you need to know instead of just telling you what you want to hear. ALWAYS ask for references. NEVER agree to anything that makes you uncomfortable!

BOOKS AND EBOOKS

If written by a qualified dog trainer, this form of dog training can give you the most inexpensive way of educating yourself. Books are good resources if you are the do-it-yourself type. If you encounter problem dog behaviors you may still need to hire a dog trainer. Added value in a dog training book is one that will teach you enough about dogs to help you make an informed decision about when to hire a dog trainer. This type of dog training material is a small investment to make if it helps you avoid future costly dog training mistakes.

GROUP DOG TRAINING CLASSES

Group dog training classes are an economical way to get instructions on traditional dog obedience behaviors. The overall rate of customers not finishing the classes is very high (50% to 80%). Generally if you miss a dog training class, you lose. You cannot make it up. Group dog training classes will work if you commit yourself to going, follow instructions and practice on your own.

DO NOT think that taking your dog to group dog training classes is socialization. You need to devote much more that 6 to 8 weeks of once a week classes to properly socialize your dog. Group dog training classes are not designed to address dog problem behaviors like; under-socialized dogs, anxiety disorders or follow-up issues. Most dog trainers that do group dog training classes are new to the profession. They have limited dog training experience. About 50% of my customers have already taken group classes from other dog trainers but find that they still need private dog training lessons.

• Do the math

If you are in a dog training class with 6 clients you are at best getting 1/6 of the dog trainer's time (if someone in the class needs special help, your time with the dog trainer may decrease). You purchase 6 one hour group dog training lessons for $75.00 in a class of 6 people. You will get about 1/6 of 6 one hour lessons or 1 hour of the dog trainer's time for $75.00. Added value would be a group class with a dog trainer that supplies you with DETAILED written materials and UNLIMITED follow-up support.

PRIVATE DOG TRAINING LESSONS

Private dog training lessons are designed to give you the dog trainer's time exclusively. You can practice what you are learning one on one. The dog trainer should schedule the dog training lessons at your convenience. The lessons should be given anywhere you choose. Make sure that the dog training lessons are designed around what you need. You do not want a dog trainer that simply teaches a canned dog training program without addressing your specific dog obedience needs.

The price should not depend on the number of dogs you have. It is just plain silly to pay more that a standard hourly rate for private dog training time. One hours work is one hours work no matter how many dogs you are working with. Be careful of dog trainers that charge you more for guarantees. THERE IS NO WAY TO GUARANTEE WHAT A DOG WILL DO. Shop for a dog trainer that is experienced at what YOU need. Calculate your cost on the number of hours the dog trainer is with you.

• Do the math

If you pay $150 for three 1 1/2 hour dog training lessons (total 4 1/2 hours) your cost for private dog training instruction is $33.33 per hour. Added value would be DETAILED written materials for you to review and UNLIMITED follow-up support.

KENNEL DOG TRAINING (BOARD & TRAIN)

This type of dog training is expensive. It is only designed to train the dog, not you. A dog does not always behave the same at home as it did at the dog training facility. YOU learning to train your dog (become your dog's dog trainer) should always be your first option. Do not use this type of dog training just to save a little time.

If you cannot train your own dog and must send him away to dog training school you will not be able to control the training methods used on your dog. You will not know the number of training hours you are paying the dog trainer for. Follow-up group or private lessons should always be included in any kennel dog training program you consider. The one advantage to this type of dog training is if your dog needs to be in a controlled environment for special reasons.

• Do the math

There is no way to know how many hours of dog training you are paying for. Chances are a dog is only trained 1 to 2 hours per day at best. Check the cost of a good dog boarding facility. Subtract that cost from the total program cost. Say it cost you $25 per day for a dog boarding facility and it cost you $50 per day for a dog training camp. The difference between the two ($25) is what you are paying per day for the dog training camp. If the dog trainer only trains your dog one hour per day then you are paying $25 per hour for the dog training. Sometimes you get what you pay for, sometimes you don't. Sometimes your dog is the one that pays the price.

The general rule in purchasing any type of dog training advice or dog training lesson is; the less you pay the more work you do on your own. Training your dog is more about how much time you can invest rather than how much money you invest.

Dog training is a business. Look for an ethical business person that happens to be a good dog trainer. The following statement represents what I think of every customer who calls me:

A customer is the most important visitor on our premises; he is not dependent on us. We are dependent on him. He is not an interruption in our work. He is the purpose of it. He is not an outsider in our business. He is part of it. We are not doing him a favor by serving him. He is doing us a favor by giving us an opportunity to do so. — Mahatma Gandhi

Read all The Dog Lady's articles; you'll learn!

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