When integrating a new dog into a multi-dog family, traveling the path to peace in the pack requires patience and baby steps.
Family Harmony 101: Doggy Style
Dog Training and Behavior
I'm certainly not an expert in dog training or canine behavior, but years of dog ownership (especially living in close quarters with so many other dogs and their owners in Manhattan), rescue work and fostering have taught me a few things. I've also met some awesome people along the way who know a lot more than I do.
How To Train A Shiba Inu
Shibas can be difficult to train, aren’t recommended for first time dog owners, are too smart for traditional dog training methods, and they bore easily. So, how do you train a Shiba Inu? You think of it as a partnership. And bring cheese.
Interview with Dog Trainer Colleen Safford
About a week ago, Snick posted about how he spends his days and of course he included how much he loves to go to daycare to play. That led to a discussion a couple days later about the pros and cons of doggy daycare. To round out the topic, today we’re interviewing dog trainer, Colleen […]
Discussion: Doggy Daycare Pros and Cons
Going to dog runs and doggy daycare was an important part of Snick’s socialization and part of why he’s so good at handling different situations. Many urban dogs spend time in doggy daycare, but is it right for all dogs? Probably not. This is a discussion of the pros and cons of doggy daycare for dogs with different temperaments and personalities.
The Importance of Teaching Bite Inhibition
Bite inhibition in companion dogs is much too important to leave to chance. I am fairly convinced though that many dog owners do exactly that. Of course, they are surprised when the dog eventually bites someone and then it is the dog who pays the price for their negligence. Too many people don’t respect how much damage a dog can do.
One Question Interview with Andrea Arden
To kick off our new series of "One Question Interview" posts, today’s interview question is answered by Andrea Arden. Stay tuned over the next few days for more answers to the same question. Question: If you had the opportunity to communicate and teach one concept to all dog owners everywhere, what would it be and […]
Dealing with Puppy Biting and Chewing
This morning one of Snick’s "anipals" (that’s what the animals on Twitter call themselves), who also happens to be a Shiba puppy, asked: @Snick_the_Dog what did your parents do to help you get over your nipping and teething phase? This was not a question that Snickers or I could answer in 140 characters or less […]
Book Review: How Dogs Think by Stanley Coren
If you share your life with a dog, I hope you’ll read this 317 page easily readable book full of interesting and useful information.
The Alpha Roll As A Training Technique
Tired of hearing misinformed dog owners tell other people to roll their dogs, I emailed Pete Campione of Kindred Souls Canine Center in New Jersey and asked for his thoughts on the alpha roll. Pete is an experienced dog trainer who teaches owners how to socialize their dogs and communicate with them. I’ve found Pete to have a special insight into aggression cases and I have a lot of respect for his ideas.
Doggy Etiquette, Midwest Style
Snick and I went to a dog walking meetup in downtown Indianapolis and discovered that on-leash dog etiquette and behavior is different in a midwest city than in our hometown of Manhattan.
Tips on Training Shiba Recall
Training recall is critical to keep your dog safe. For better results, teach a life or death recall (“Snickers, COME!) and a common recall (“Come here Snick”). The common recall is optional but the other is definitely not.
What’s In A Howl
The only times I have ever heard Snickers howl have been when I’ve left and gone out without him. He’s OK when I leave for work M-F mornings. He’s sort of OK when I leave at other times and T is here. BUT if I leave unexpectedly at any time that I would (should) be […]
What A Good Boy
After reading Bones Would Rain from the Sky, I have been working on teaching Snickers more self control. It really pays off when he is good at the office!
A Well Trained Shiba is…
… a FAT SHIBA? Snickers is very food motivated, so I have to be careful that he doesn’t get FAT when we’re working on learning a new behavior.