Seeking Small Dog That Likes Cats!

I think we've talked about this once before, but I'm thinking it bears repeating because I was asked again about choosing "the perfect small dog breed to live in a home with cats." Although, to be honest, maybe the last time I was asked it was about the "perfect breed of dog for a busy house full of young children." LOL. I think you get the picture. So, let's talk about the perfect breed of dog.

There isn't one.  There. I said it.  There is no one perfect breed of dog for every situation.  That truly is the beauty of dog breeds.  There are so many of them, and endless combinations of breeds as well.  Sure, I have favorites as do many of the other pet professionals I know.  However, I also know that my favorite breed, the Collie, isn't for everyone.  They have A LOT OF HAIR.  And they will shed that hair EVERYWHERE.  I should own stock in lint rollers.  Everything sticks to their coats as well; they are like giant fluffy magnets for debris.  They have long noses that they stick in everyone's business. They are 80 lb lap dogs that also bark. A LOT. So, while I love Collies and know that they are perfect for my home, they aren't perfect for everyone.  Which brings me to my point.  Within any given breed, there will be individual dogs who are perfect for whatever situation you are living in and seeking a dog for.  Thus, while it may be generally said that Terriers, as a whole, are less likely to do well in homes with cats due to their innate high prey drive, I have certainly been in home with cats and terrier dogs and everyone gets along just great.  It also goes without saying that I've been in homes where the terrier dogs torment the cats causing enormous amounts of anxiety and stress for the people and the animals.

So, when selecting your next dog, you need to take into consideration all of the facets of your family; where you live, your yard size, the amount of time you have for grooming, exercise, training, etc., whether you have kids or elderly people in your home; and certainly your budget is important as well. You don't want to choose one of the more inherently expensive breeds (what some of my veterinarian friends refer to as "money pit dogs") if potentially high veterinary expenses aren't in your budget. This is why I encourage anyone who asks me about "the perfect breed of dog" to actually sit down with me and schedule a session where we can explore their needs in depth, look at their situation, and choose a dog with our brains, not just our hearts.  And it is definitely the case that I have done exactly this and discovered that the family I am working with isn't looking for a real dog. They are looking for some Disney/stylized/unattainable dog that just doesn't exist.  Dogs are not perfect.  People are not perfect.  But a good match is out there if people have reasonable expectations and a real desire to open their hearts and their home to a new canine family member.

Bottom line; Yes, there are small dogs that get along well with cats.  And there are definitely small dogs that don't.  Knowing that your home is better suited to a small dog is a good place to start, but there is still a lot of work to be done before we find the right one.  So, let's get started!

The Science of Animal Behavior

During a recent board meeting with the National Association of Animal Behaviorists (NAAB), we started discussing how important science is to our field of study. While many of us are interested in finding practical solutions for our clients whose pets are experiencing behavior problems, the bottom line is that we hope there is good science and solid evidence that those solutions we are promoting actually work. We have all been frustrated more than once by someone who is purported to be the best in the business promote a solution that we know is faulty, doesn't have the scientific evidence to support it, or, in fact, has ample evidence that the method DOESN'T work/isn't safe, etc. Sometimes these well-known individuals have an obvious agenda. They are trying to sell their new book, their new training video, their new TV program, their new seminar series, or their new dietary supplement.  Obviously, it falls on consumers, and in this case pet owners, to decide who to follow and what to try for their own four legged family members.  However, we do feel that some of these folks with the notoriety aren't really as concerned with whether what they are saying is actually true; they are more concerned with promoting their agenda.  Bottom line is this: if it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.  And if it seems unkind, then don't do it. Just because someone is on TV or has their own line of products, doesn't make them the expert on YOUR pet.  You are the expert on your own animals.  This is not a one size fits all profession.  There are numerous possible solutions to any behavior problem.  One of those solutions is likely better for your pet (and you!) than the others.

And the hope of all of us on the board of directors for the NAAB is that we will maintain and promote high standards for our members so that the information you take away from our website resources is fact-based, with the science to support it, and practiced by well-trained, knowledgeable individuals truly interested in the physical and psychological well-being of animals and the people who care for them.

We are still getting ourselves organized, but you may want to bookmark the website and like us on Facebook so that you can access more quality content on issues in animal behavior of interest to you in the future.

https://animalbehaviorists.org/
https://www.facebook.com/NationalAssociationofAnimalBehaviorists

Desi helping me bookmark the NAAB sites on my phone!

Hi! My Name Is...

Had a really fun conversation with a client recently.  They had just picked up their new puppy from the breeder and were trying to decide what the pup's name should be.  They were hoping to make the decision democratically, letting each family member have input, but as of this writing, they still hadn't settled on a name!  She even asked for my input, so here is what I told her:

Pick a name that doesn't have any negative/scary/weird connotations.  Meaning don't name your dog Killer, Cujo, Bane, Trouble, or Psycho. Likewise, don't pick a name that has emotional baggage for you.  That is, don't name your new pup, Buddy, if that was the name of your last/favorite/childhood dog.  Those are big shoes to fill and that's a lot of pressure for your new pup.

She also asked if I'd ever made a mistake naming a pet.  Sigh.  Yes, I have.  In college, my roommate and I adopted an adorable orange Tabby kitten.  He was so precious!  He had really cute, white markings on his face, so we named him Gizmo after the cute Mogwai in the movie "Gremlins."  You guessed it.  Gizmo matured into his name and became nothing short of the crazy gremlin that Gizmo turned into when exposed to bright light, water, or fed after midnight. Our Gizmo became our nightmare. He stalked us and attacked us in our sleep, leaving deep bite marks and scratches.  He grew enormous and those stripes on his face became quite bright making him look even more like the crazy Mogwai alter-ego, Stripe. No amount of behavior modification worked on Gizmo and we finally had to re-home him out at the horse barns where my roommate rode everyday.  He ended up being the best mouser that barn ever had. And he ruled; no other males allowed. 

Now I know darn well that Gizmo's personality was in no small part due to the fact that he was a kitten born to a feral mom. However, I can't help but feel that naming him Gizmo certainly didn't do him any favors!

Have you ever named a pet something and had them live up to that name in a bad way? A good way?  Do you think what you name a pet is important at all with respect to their behavior?

Gizmo as a 6 week old kitten. Before we added water after dark ;)

When Loud Noises Are Just Too Much

It's a fact.  Loud noises can be startling.  For some animals (and some people as well), loud noises can be more than just startling; they can cause profound anxiety and lingering stress.  While repeated exposures to loud sounds like thunder, trains, and fireworks can work to desensitize some animals, it doesn't work for all of them.  And some animals are so noise sensitive that even relatively common sounds like a dishwasher running or an ice machine making ice can cause them to react. So, what can be done to help a noise sensitive pet?

I think it goes without saying that the easiest way to treat a noise sensitive pet is to work with them outside of the provocative/noise-producing setting. Trying to work with your dog in the middle of a thunderstorm or on the 4th of July is too daunting of a task, to say the least!

I will once again be offering a seminar series aimed at helping noise sensitive dogs and their owners gain relief.  While the timing of the class is set to help those who are particularly concerned about upcoming 4th of July fireworks, the strategies we will cover in class work well for any and all noise sensitivities. I plan to cover why some animals are more noise sensitive than others, as well as holistic, traditional, and behavioral modification techniques to help dogs with noise sensitivity become less reactive.

If you think this seminar would be helpful for your dog, you can get more information and sign up as well at www.adobedogs.org. And if you have questions, or would prefer to work one-on-one with your pet's noise sensitivity, just let me know.

The Perfect Thing About Puppies

Puppies.  OMG.  Their breath is tantalizing.  Their fur is so soft.  They make THE cutest noises.  They are joyous about the simplest things: a toy, a treat, a piece of lint, your hand.  And regardless of breed, a puppy is the one time in your dog's life when you will be able to pick them up and squeeze them. I just love puppies.

Of late, I've had the pleasure of evaluating several puppies, of different breeds, for people looking for their next canine family member, or insuring that the puppy they brought home was a good choice. I have a 16-point test I conduct on the puppy to determine their temperament, personality, and style of learning.  Kind of sounds like one of those 16-point inspections they do on your car when you have it serviced, but trust me, this is even better!  Once I have determined how a puppy learns and the way he thinks, I can better advise the owner on everything from choosing classes, picking a collar/harness, to how to crate train, etc.

Puppy appointments are satisfying all the way around.  New puppy owners feel relief as I leave them with a game plan on how to proceed effectively. Puppies enjoy them because I am helping their owners better understand their needs. And me? Well, I get to play with puppies which is enjoyable any day of the week.

Consequently, I have discovered a new niche for myself. Many of the families I work with are too busy to really get what they need from puppy classes.  Many have kids with schedules that conflict with class times, so they end up missing classes and getting frustrated.  They still want to do the right thing for their puppies, they just need a different option.  That's where I come in.  Through a combination of in-home instruction, guided field trips, and supervised socialization experiences, I can help these new puppy owners and their pups get what they need outside of a traditional classroom setting. Don't get me wrong...I still LOVE puppy classes. I think they are THE best place for a puppy to socialize with other puppies, meet new people, and explore their world safely. However, I do think that there needs to be an alternative for people who can't attend those classes, and I am happy to provide that.

Adding these puppy appointments into my work schedule has become my new happy place.  Plus, seeing these puppies thrive is so gratifying. And the relief and appreciation from their families is immeasurably satisfying.  So, bring on the puppies. The doctor is in!

But How Long Will That Take?!

I get asked that question ALL the time. How long will it take to:

• get a dog to calm down
• train a new behavior
• get rid of an old behavior
• stop the barking/chewing/biting
• get used to the baby/kids

In order to answer the question as to how long it will take, we have to look at several factors.  First and foremost, how long has the problem been going on? If it's a relatively new issue and you are addressing it right away, the hope is that you are "nipping the problem in the bud" and solving the issue will happen faster.  If, on the other hand, the behavior has been going on for a long time, whether in your home or the previous home, then it's definitely going to take longer to resolve.  Plus, you have to look at the problem from your dog's point of view.  For example, while YOU may hate the fact that your puppy is chewing on the furniture, chewing is indeed a normal puppy behavior and therefore it isn't about correction per se, but about redirection from the furniture and providing appropriate chewing outlets for the pup. And barking?  Dogs bark for lots of reasons. First figure out why they are barking, then you will have a better chance of modifying the barking. Your dog isn't going to stop barking altogether.  And, really, don't you want a dog who barks appropriately? I know I do! And if you are trying to introduce your dog to a new baby, or blend a family together, you need to have reasonable expectations for the kids AND the dog.  Not every dog likes kids and vice versa.  Most can coexist IF they are taught mutual respect and boundaries. And THAT, obviously takes time.

Second, changing behaviors takes patience and perseverance.  You can't just spend an hour one time teaching your dog not to jump on people.  That isn't going to work long term.  Rather, lots of little sessions where your dog has opportunities to jump up on people and where you teach your dog a different, more appropriate behavior, is key.

Third factor:  we don't all learn at the same pace.  Some people (and dogs!) take longer to learn.  As most of you know, I have two collies.  Their personalities are very different and their learning curves are as well.  I can teach Ozzie multiple new behaviors in one sitting and he will retain them.  With Desi, it takes longer to teach a new behavior and I have to teach each new behavior separately.  If I move too quickly between behaviors, he gets frustrated and shuts down.  If I don't go fast enough with Ozzie, he gets bored!  Take the time to figure out what your dog's learning style is and tailor your training sessions accordingly.

This is one of the reasons why I have always found hour-long training classes so counter-intuitive.  Most dogs and people can't focus for a whole hour!  And, yet, classes are traditionally that length. When I teach a class, I try to break it up into manageable parts: some lecture, some learning, some doing, some relaxing, with summaries and time for Q & A built in.

And, on that note, I just have to share a story with you.  A couple years back, I received a phone call from a potential client seeking help for his dog.  The dog jumped up on people, grabbed clothing, counter surfed, pulled on the leash, and barked at any strange noise in their house.  He was seeking help because his wife was pregnant and they were told by their vet that they needed to address these issues before the baby arrived.  Excellent so far, right?  That's when he told me he had time to work with the dog now as he took some leave from work because his wife was due...that week.  Sigh.  I had to tell him that while we could get started with the dog, there was no way we'd have it all wrapped up by the end of the week. And who knew when that baby would actually be born?? And his wife at 9 months pregnant sure as heck wasn't interested in dealing with the dog at that point. Moral of the story? Realistic expectations are key.

How does your dog learn?  How long does it take you to teach a new behavior or get rid of an old one?  Share your thoughts in the comments!

Such A Drag!

I just got off the phone with a new client.  She called because her dog embarrassed her at the vet's office today by dragging her through the door so quickly that she ended up ramming her shoulder against the door frame and tripping over a potted plant! I tried to lighten the mood by suggesting that her dog might just be one of the very few who really can't wait to get into the vet's office!  She scoffed and said that no matter where she goes, good or bad, that dog is dragging her there.  Bummer. But it doesn't have to be that way, right?

I got a few more details about her dog and made a couple of suggestions on how she might go about fixing this completely fixable problem.  She was surprised to learn that even a class could help as she did puppy training when her dog was younger and they didn't do much leash work there.  I explained that classes aren't just about obedience skills, per se, that there are classes for pretty much any skill or issue she could possibly want to work on!  There are leash walking classes where you work on getting your dog's attention and teaching them to stay with you on a walk out in public.  Doing a class for this problem is actually quite beneficial as unlike at a private lesson, you can guarantee the presence of other dogs and lots of distractions if you take a class.  Plus, you get the added benefit of a group of other dogs owners having the same problem as you to sympathize, commiserate, and cheer you and your dog on!

I love teaching single issue classes and seminars because targeting one specific issue, like walking nicely on a leash, means everyone enrolled is truly there for the same reason, and it allows me as the instructor to dive into the "why" of the behavior we are correcting.  I truly feel that these single issue classes/seminars are the wave of the future as they allow dog owners to target specific problems they are having and deal with them faster and more effectively that just taking a basic manners class where leash walking is covered, but it is one of many issues examined so it isn't the primary focus. A huge benefit of these targeted classes is about time management. Because you are only dealing with one issue, the classes are shorter, usually 1-3 sessions, which means less stress on your own busy calendar.

I am really hoping this client signs up for my next leash walking seminar.  In the meantime, we are going to work out some of her dog's other issues in the comfort of her own home....while she ices that shoulder ;)