Sunday Sweetness: Miss Minnie, Smarty Pup

Most young puppies can learn lots more than people realize, and it doesn't require bossy dominance training techniques, either; just patience, practice, and a voice filled with joy & kindness.

Humans (Who Needs Um?)

What a brainy puppy...

(More!) Useful Dog Tricks

Remember Jesse? He's back, with new, fancy (positive-reinforcement-made) moves:

Sunday Sweetness: Little Surfer Pups

California is the bestest place ever...

Useful Dog Tricks

I love this video! Jesse's mom uses modern positive reinforcement techniques like the ones I use and love so much. And listen to this: with a little time, patience, love (and treats!) most dogs can learn to do pretty much all of the behaviors he demonstrates. The best part? When given the opportunity, dogs really do enjoy getting to use their minds and bodies... it's fun!

Sunday Funny: Simple Dog, Drama Dog

Wanna laugh? Visit Hyperbole and a Half.

And read this puppy post, especially.

No really.

I'm telling you.

And read this post about Christmas.

And read this post about spiders.

Allie's is the funniest blog EV-ER...

Sunday Sweetness: Rescued Baby Hummingbird

Ohmygosh... this baby hummingbird is darling, and watching the floppy-haired teenager care for him... PRICELESS!

Did you know that most hummingbird's eggs are about the size of a small jellybean?

My Favorite Kidlet Hummingbird Book:

A Hummingbird's Life, by John Himmelman

The "Look" Command (Bestest Command Ever!)

The look command (also known as "watch me," "attention," or "focus") is usually one of the very first things I like to teach new puppy students. The purpose is simple: you want to be able to say "look" and have your puppy turn her attention to you. She doesn't need to walk to you, sit, or anything else... just... look at you.

It sounds like a silly command, but it is THE ONE command I actually find most valuable. Why?...Because it's perfect for redirecting unwanted behavior.

Here's one example of how it can be used in everyday life: If you're out on a walk and sense something heading your way is likely to upset your dog (say, skateboarders, a cat, another dog, a bicyclist, etc.), you can do the look command, get your puppy to focus on YOU, and, in turn, avoid her focusing on whatever it is you'd rather she not focus on. Once a dog focuses on something, her intensity (and in some cases, anxiety) escalates very quickly, so if you catch it at the start, before there is time for escalation, doing the look command redirects that focus. The command sort of flips a switch in her brain. If you want, you can then follow up with another command like sit, down, or whatever else is appropriate for the situation.

Here's How To Teach The Look Command:

1. Let your dog see that you have a tiny tasty treat.

2. Hold the treat next to your eyes, and say "look" once.

3. Your dog will look towards the treat, making brief eye contact.

4. Immediately reply with your reward phrase (I say "good job") and give her the treat.

Move to another location and repeat. Continue repeating for about 3 minutes. Try to have a 3 minute practice session once or twice daily. Over time, you'll want to have your dog hold her focus for longer periods of time before she gets the reward phrase and treat. It's good to count the seconds off in beats. Remember, at first, the reward is immediate. Then work your way up to one-one-thousand before she gets the treat, then two-one-thousand, and so on. Try to get up to about 3 seconds. As usual with positive reinforcement training, once your dog really has the command down solid, you will be able to begin fading out treats (ask your trainer how to best proceed with the fade-out process.)

Keep in mind that you always want your gaze to be friendly and warm. In dog body language, a direct stare is an aggressive posture... if you stare, or look at her superduper intently, it will probably scare her, and put her on the defensive (or, er, offensive...) Likewise, the point of the look command is not to get her to stare you down, either; it's simply to get her focused. On you. During the look command she may blink, or move her eyes off a bit to the side, then back at you... this is her way of saying "I'm paying attention... and I also want to make it clear that I'm not being aggressive!" (which is, of course, a wonderful thing.) To help dogs feel more at ease during this command, just remember to be natural and blink!

The look command is usually very easy for most dogs to learn. If you're an observant pet parent, you can anticipate what triggers your dog, and then use this command to redirect naughty behaviors in those moments just before they are likely to happen (including barking, jumping, picking up yucky things, etc.) It's also great for when you're taking photos. Try it, and see how it works for you!

For more puppy training tips, please see my quick links in the righthand sidebar.

Matchy Music:

Look Away mp3, by Lissie (via Pop Sucker.)

5 BEST Favorite Dog Training Books

I've consolidated my very most recommended resources into a little listy. Each book is superhelpful and easy for beginning-beginners to read and understand:

1. It's Me or The Dog, by Victoria Stillwell.
A great overall introduction into the most modern positive reinforcement dog training techniques. I can't say enough wonderful things about Victoria. Her methods are alwaysalwaysalways humane.

2. Family Friendly Dog Training, by Patricia B McConnell.
An easy-to-follow, positivity-based training manual, broken down step-by-step, and divided into weekly sessions much like a typical dog training class.

3. The Other End of The Leash, by Patricia B McConnell.
A wonderful book that helps explain how canines communicate.

4. Help For Your Shy Dog, by Deborah Wood.
Filled with kind, creative, thoughtful ideas for introverts.

5. Dog Friendly Gardens, Garden Friendly Dogs, by Cheryl Smith.
A go-to guide for clever landscaping design (and dog-safe plant species.)

Sunday Sweetness: Bunny Jumping Superstars

Sunday Sweetness: Special Service Dogs

Did you watch National Geographic's newest dog special Man Created Dog? It explains the history of domestic dogs... from 30,000 years back, all the way into nowsy times. Here's a great clip about some of the amazing ways modern service dogs help veterans readapt to civilian life.

DIY Goat-Friendly Dog Collar Tutorial

Visit Sew4home for the easybreezy steps, then make your own, personalized version for your favorite pup, kitten, or goatsy loved-one.

Bunny Agility. Yes. Bunny...

BARK Goes Big Time

Do you remember me talking about how we have a wonderful local group that links three of my very favorite things (kids, dogs, and reading)? Beach Animals Reading with Kids started out so tiny, but I just found out that now they're working with 44 SoCal schools!

Watch this great story over at FOX news, or take a peek at the snippet below, and then maybe consider getting your own pup or kidlet involved :)

Funny Friday: Keeping Current

Amazing Agility Hamster & Goldfish

This little hammy and goldfish put some pups to shame! Just take a looksee at what positive reinforcement and patience can do:

Autism Service Pups

Long used for assisting adults with special needs, dogs are increasingly putting their hearts and minds to helping children with a variety of challenges, too.

Through A Dog's Eyes

Don't miss this heartwarming PBS documentary about service dogs (who thrive through the brilliance of positive reinforcement training.) It's airing tonight at 8pm and reairing throughout the weekend (check your local listings.)

Can Dogs Predict Earthquakes?

Most American seismologists say no. But many of those who work directly with animals (including me!) believe that they can. To quote Geologist Jim Berkland, "I listen to what nature has to say." The research is fascinating...




Elephants and Earthquakes:


Tsunamis and Wildlife:

Eyes on the Iris

Did you know that many of our favorite springtime plants are poisonous? Irises are, and so are lilies... Not only are they toxic to humans, but to dogs and (especiallyespecially) cats. This year, be sure to keep your Easter blossoms away from curious mouths, fingers (and paws!)

Matchy Music: Iris mp3, by Burning Hearts (via Rawkblog)