Playing Favorites

I've said it time and again. Dogs play favorites.  While it is indeed true that dogs have the capacity to enjoy the company of lots of different people, most have a favorite person.  You know...the person for whom the sun rises and sets in their eyes.  Pet assisted therapy dogs like my collie, Desi, are social butterflies. He loves meeting new people and actually gets offended if folks don't stop to pet him and make a fuss. However, I know he plays favorites.  He loves my husband.  My husband is all about the pack and shares anything he has with Desi. Cheese. Yogurt. Popcorn.  Desi's three favorite things, coming from his favorite person.  I'm the one who feeds Desi his meals, so he does love me, don't get me wrong.  But he adores his dad.  Then there is my other collie, Ozzie.  I am his person.  He likes many people he knows, but he loves me. Most of the time, that is. When I bring out the nail clippers, he hides.  His other favorite?  My two teenage girls.  He adores them.  They will hug him, let him on their beds, and fuss over him.  What boy doesn't love that?  But Ozzie is aloof with strangers.  He isn't aggressive, he just holds back.  Which works just fine because Desi wants to meet everybody.

So, what was the point of all that?  Well, I tell clients the same thing.  While they may have chosen a dog with every intent that the dog will be theirs and theirs alone, said dog may prefer someone else.  Some breeds are notorious for this. French Bulldogs, for example.  I have more than one client who picked a Frenchie for themselves only to find the dog loves their spouse, their parents, or a neighbor more. There are definitely things that can be done to swing the odds in your favor if you find yourself being snubbed. Do something that the dog enjoys. Take them for a walk, a ride in the car, or out with you to lunch.  Share your time...and your snacks. You may not be their first choice, but you will still be in the top two!

There is actually some science behind this as well. Female dogs tend to bond more with male owners and vice versa.  Again, this doesn't mean you won't find a woman with a female dog who is hopelessly devoted to her, because you will. It's just statistics and probabilities.  So, if you are a man looking for your next canine companion, you can put the odds forever in your favor by choosing a female dog.  However, if you fall for a male dog, don't be too surprised if he favors your girlfriend/wife/daughter/mother.  Just remember that can work in your favor as that dog will make you look really good in the eyes of those women in your life. And any person with a sociable, friendly dog is viewed by others as more sociable and friendly as well. So, while you may have to work for your dog's affection, he's making you look good in front of others. Enough said.

A New Class!

Pretty excited to be teaching a new class for Molly's AdobeDogs Dog Training starting on April 28!  It is a class for people who have pet assisted therapy dogs and want to learn more about shaping behaviors for the pet assisted therapy setting.  I will be teaching some basic behaviors such as having your dog put his head on a lap, side of a bed, or the arm of a wheelchair, as well as advanced behaviors like how to train them to lay quietly on a bed without disturbing a patient; staying with the handler without shortening the leash, for better mobility in tight hospital corridors; and standing on a riser so that patients who are prone can reach the dog, to name a few.  I love to shape new behaviors in my own dogs, and teaching others how to shape behaviors is so much fun!  You can actually watch a dog learn without frustration.  A clicker can be used to shape behaviors, but isn't required, so any dog can still have success.

I really do enjoy pet assisted therapy work and introducing it to others.  Visits are rewarding not just to the patients, but to the volunteers and their pets as well. And having a few special behaviors that you can ask of your dogs on their visits just makes it all the more enriching, and gives dog owners doing pet assisted therapy work new goals to set their sights on.

Had to share this funny picture of me with "Trouble," during a recent pet assisted therapy training class. He's coming to the new class in April.  How about you?

Teaching An Old Dog New Tricks!

Well, if you follow me on Facebook or Instagram, then you already know that I have begun taking herding lessons with Ozzie, my 3 year old Rough Collie.  Ozzie is an 11th generation direct descendant of the original Lassie, and thus a real working dog...of the Hollywood variety...lol.  Ozzie likes to work, and then he likes to take breaks in his trailer, aka the back of my SUV with the door up, where he can watch everyone else work.  He's such a hoot.

All kidding aside, it really is a pleasure to work with my dog and have someone else be in charge.  We love our instructor; Trish Wamsat has been my friend for 20 years.  I am grateful to have her in my life, and even more grateful to have her as our herding instructor.  She is patient with us both, but she does spur us along.  That's what makes a good instructor.  Someone said to me, "Oh, it must be hard for you to take classes from someone else. And even harder for someone else to be your teacher!"  This really made my smile.  I LOVE learning, whether it's from clients and their animals, things that I read, a family member, or even one of my kids.  I think we should never tire of learning and always be open to the process.  I can't speak for Trish, but I do hope that having us in her class is not too painful!

I'll be the first to admit it. Ozzie is much better at herding than me.  That dog has the moves of a natural. Me? Not so much.  I am learning what it means to trust my dog, but still keep my eyes on him; to ask him to do behaviors without him actually looking at me; to use my voice in a commanding, but still nice way; to turn my back toward the sheep, while still watching them so that I don't get trampled; and most importantly, know where I want those sheep to go!  More than once, I found myself simply observing.  Watching the dog, watching the sheep, but not actively being the shepherd.  Trish laughed at me (with me?!) and reminded me that I have to actually have a plan. I can't just be an observer, I have to be part of the job.  It's a dance.  Shepherd, sheep, and dog.  Ozzie is a great partner. I just need to learn how to lead without stepping on his feet or losing track of the beat.

I am looking forward to our next herding lesson already.  I love running around with my dog, having sheep nuzzle my fingers, and the sun shine on our heads.  To be able to spend this quality time with Ozzie is truly a pleasure. To spend time with  and learn from a dear friend at the same time is priceless.

For more information on herding lessons for all experience levels, visit Trish's website at www.homeschooledhounds.com.

Ozzie in his "trailer" during herding lessons

Kids & Dogs Class Returns!

More than once, I've been told that I'm crazy to teach a class for kids and their dogs.  Comments have ranged from, "that must be like herding cats!" to "that must be a nightmare!"  I always laugh because my kids and dogs class is a blast.  Kids have energy and enthusiasm which many adults are sorely lacking. Plus, the kids in my class get a kick out of the fact that no parents are allowed until the last class where they get to show off what they can do. I know that the parents are often skeptical about leaving their kids and dogs in my care (I'll admit that some actually seem relieved!), but the class always gets rave reviews from parents and kids alike, so I must be doing something right.

So, what makes this class different and fun?  First off, it's all about teaching kids that they can be responsible and have control over their dogs.  Second, we play games and work on trick training as a means of gaining respect by the dog for the kids and vice versa. I truly think the dogs enjoy the limbo game as much as the kids do!  It's a pleasure to see kids become more confident and to watch their dogs build trust in their young companions. 

It IS a lot of work to teach this class, don't get me wrong.  There have been times when siblings got into it with each other during the class, we've had dogs get over-stimulated, and we've had treats dumped on the floor more times that I can remember.  Nonetheless, I enjoy this class and continue to offer it a couple of times each year (usually around Spring Break and during the Summer).  I've had kids take the class more than once, so I know they must be having a good time. For me, it is a sweet reminder of a time when my own kids were little and I let them work with our dogs one-on-one.  The pride they felt and the tricks their dogs accomplished are memories I hold dear.  My hope is that when the parents of these kids show up to the last class to watch their kids and dogs in action, that they too feel a sense of pride in what their kids can accomplish outside of a traditional classroom, and with an instructor (me) who is anything but conventional!

If you would like more information on this class, visit www.adobedogs.org for details.

My niece building confidence working with two of my dogs (2006)

A Cost Benefit Analysis

I had a lovely conversation with a new client yesterday. She has had her new canine companion for just 10 days, but in that time he's already begun displaying some concerning behaviors.  She, on the advice of her veterinarian, reached out to me to get a handle on the situation early in order to decide whether this dog will be a good fit for her family or not. Our appointment had been set for an hour, but I always allot more time for new clients, just in case.  It was a good thing that I did as this appointment ran well over two hours. As we were finishing up, she said how much she appreciated the extra time that I had spent and the fact that I didn't rush through my treatment plan.  She had time to formulate her questions and understand my game plan. We trouble-shot different scenarios and what her responses should be. We figured out how she would track her progress, and discussed how to share her progress with me along the way. She said she felt relief. And hope. And that I really understood. She also said that it was quite obvious that I wasn't just good at my job, but that I truly enjoyed it and was passionate about what I do.

As I was driving away, this conversation really stuck with me. And it's still in my head today. I do enjoy what I do and I feel that I can help people AND help their animals at the same time. Even my more jaded clients who have had bad experiences with other animal practitioners usually walk away feeling that they "got their money's worth" with me.

Which brings me to that cost benefit analysis title for this post. I have certainly heard, more than once, that my fees are too high and that there are other, more affordable options. While this is a competitive field, I never argue with those who tell me this. Pet owners have the right to seek out and work with whomever they choose. As long as they understand the difference between working with a dog trainer and working with an animal behaviorist and why they might need one more than the other...I am good with it.  It's like Match.com....I'm not the right person for every prospective client, and they aren't the right match for me either. Each pet owner must determine what their animal needs and how best they can reach that goal, keeping their budget, schedule, and their own experiences in mind.

I will say this....you do get what you pay for.  I have had more than one client return to me and rather sheepishly state they went elsewhere only to realize that they really should have worked with me in the first place. I never make them feel bad and welcome them to my process....my philosophy...and my plan...without ever saying, "I told you so."

I often joke that I am not a people person, but obviously that isn't true. I would only be able to work with people's pets if those owners allowed me the access to do so.  So, I think instead of saying that I'm not a people person, I will say that I simply understand animals better than people. My dad said it was a gift and I choose to believe that. And I will never undervalue what I do.  Another lesson from my dad.  Sure wish that he was here today to see what I have accomplished in the last 27 years.  I like to think it would make him happy as well.

The Party's Over!

Well, the party's over, so it is back to work. One of the best things about Saturday's event was having the opportunity to connect with dog owners in a less structured setting. Some made their free appointments to catch up with me and update me on their pet's progress. Others had never met me and wanted the chance to see what I was all about. Many had specific issues that they hoped to get a handle on in 2018.  So fortunate to be able to do all of that...and watch Ashly McHatton of Element Image Co. capture some fun images of the dogs who came to party with their people.

So, where do we go from here? Many of you have signed up for one or more of my upcoming seminars or classes through Molly's AdobeDogs Dog Training. Others may need more help, however, than a class has to offer. If you still need my assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out. We can set up a phone consultation or an in-home visit to really get a handle on whatever issue is keeping you and your canine companion from experiencing all the joy that dog ownership has to offer.

And for those of you waiting for your dog's images from the party, hang tight!  As soon as Ashly gets them all sorted, enhanced, etc., she will send them out. I do hope you will share your beautiful images on social media so that more people see just how much fun it is to work with a professional photographer, especially for a special event like the one I had on Saturday.

Here's to an amazing, productive, inspiring, and fun-filled 2018!

New Year, New You!

This time of year, you can't escape the articles, blogs, advertisements, etc. urging you to take charge, make changes, and get it together! I have never been fond of New Year's resolutions; too much pressure. However, I do think that January is a great time to make plans and evaluate my goals for myself and for my canine companions. For example, one of my goals for 2017 was to see Ozzie make a visit for Furry Friends Pet Assisted Therapy Services, and he did his first visit this Fall! So, as 2018 is now upon us, what changes are you making or goals are you setting for your pets? Maybe it's a goal for you both to get more exercise and explore all of the hiking trails your area has to offer. Or maybe you and your pet need to shed a few pounds so you are looking to find snacks you both can share that won't set your diet back.

Whatever your goals for 2018, I sincerely hope that you enjoy the process of achieving them. If I can help you and your pet reach those goals, please let me know. Regardless, I really want to see you at my celebration on Saturday, January 20, from 10 a.m. 2 p.m. in Los Altos. That's right...we've extended the party by two extra hours to accommodate everyone who registered for their free 10-minute appointment with me that day! There will be snacks, prizes, and photo opportunities and plenty of time to discuss those goals!  Hope to see you there!