Greeting a Dog

 

 

A nice comparison of what is considered rude for human to human contact and what that looks like with our dogs. Dr. Sophia Yin utilizes this picture and shows appropriate ways to greet dogs. Often things that we find appropriate when greeting each other, such as direct eye contact, is very uncomfortable for dogs. Direct eye contact between dogs is a threat and could result in a fight. Is it surprising that some dogs react once we stare in to their eyes? Teaching our dogs to like making direct eye contact with us is one thing that I teach in the basic behaviors class. It is easier to teach our dogs to like being stared in the eyes than it is to try and educate every owner in the world to avoid it.  It is also a great tool for getting our dogs to focus on us during distracting times. 

 

 

 

 

 

It's all a trick to them

The general public doesn't realize how fun training your dog can be! We want to teach words and have our dog comply and we look at it as a chore but think of sit, down etc. as all a silly trick to our dog. Often our dog's "tricks" are more reliable than the basic commands, but those are also tricks. Why do they respond better? We have more fun asking our dog to shake and roll over or crawl and our dog sees that and it is rewarding.

 

When we ask for a sit or a down our dog still perceives it as a trick, except we think of it more as a chore our dog has to do, and that takes the fun out of it. If we can remember to make training fun we are more inclined to do it and so will our dogs!

 

What is your favorite trick your dog knows?

Yellow Dog Project

 

This is a great project for all reasons! Working at a veterinary clinic and as a dog trainer I can see an application for this! I especially like it for those dogs that just need a little space because they may be nervous and aren't quite ready for another dog to approach them. As much as people want their dog to socialize with others, and are aware that their dog loves other, sometimes it is forgotten that the receiving dog may not be as comfortable as your dog.

Promoting the yellow ribbon will help give people a voice to say "No" to approaching strangers or people with dogs when they find it hard to say otherwise. Help spread the word and share this with anyone you know that may have an injured or rehabilitating, in training, or scared dog!