We don’t know what Gabe and Rose dealt with before us. We know that many bully breed dogs need a little time to develop reliable social skills. We are still working on this with the twins. We are training around other dogs who are on leash and at a safe distance. This is messy workContinue reading “Dealing with Dogs with Poor Social Skills”
Tag Archives: dog training
Taking Time to Develop Each Twin
Gabe and Rose look very alike and are clearly litter mates. They are a bonded pair and really do not like being separated. The first attempts to take one on a walk without the other lead to screaming. Even separate crates allowing touching and line of sight caused vocalizations early on. We worked to helpContinue reading “Taking Time to Develop Each Twin”
Our Energy and Emotions Influence Dogs
Brene Brown writes, “the opposite of belonging is shame.” Our shame, guilt, and sadness separate us from our dogs in a way. We may become silent as we struggle with a choice. We may feel guilty for leaving our dogs alone. We may feel sad because our dogs needed rescue. Our tension and emotions makeContinue reading “Our Energy and Emotions Influence Dogs”
Tired Dogs are Well-Behaved Dogs
One of our goals each day is to help Gabe and Rose get enough exercise. We train, play games, walk, let them wrestle, have quiet time, and create new activities. Training for sit, down, look, stay, come, leave it happens often. Once a word and concept have been introduced, we practice in daily life. SitContinue reading “Tired Dogs are Well-Behaved Dogs”
Building a Relationship: The Importance of Voice
My husband and I knew that the puppies would make mistakes, scratch us when they jumped up, bump our heads when they jumped straight up toward our faces, and all the other things giant puppies can do. We made certain choices about how we would use our voices. An excited (not loud) voice and eyeContinue reading “Building a Relationship: The Importance of Voice”
Healthy Choices
After choosing to keep Gabe and Rose, we needed to invite our veterinarian onto their team. A health check, shots, spay/neuter, micro-chipping, heartworm preventative plan, and discussion about how they behaved with staff all happened. The babies were okay health wise. They showed some wear from being on their own, but were improving from theContinue reading “Healthy Choices”
Gabe and Rose
Gabe and Rose are beautiful, intelligent, and loving dogs. They are not easy dogs. They are loud, powerful, curious, and destructive. My trainer reminds me that vocalization is communication and shouldn’t be silenced. Right now, I am just looking for the volume control. Rose screams. And just so we are clear, I want to knowContinue reading “Gabe and Rose”
Life with Dogs: The Choosing and the Choice
Long ago my husband and I discussed having a dog. I wanted to be logical and reasonable and wait till we were in a house with a yard. This was very practical and a bit controlling on my part. My husband wanted to look at a few dogs here and there. We met some beautifulContinue reading “Life with Dogs: The Choosing and the Choice”
Glad to Virtually Meet You!
The cats and dogs who have shared their lives with me have been great teachers of love, living in the moment, forgiveness, finding solutions, and finding peace in acceptance. Their personalities have made for such different relationships. My memories are filled with the dignified, the clowns, the peace between cats and dogs enjoying a warmContinue reading “Glad to Virtually Meet You!”
Paw Prints on My Heart and on My Pants 