Agilely Avoiding Posting

Sorry I haven't posted in a while, I've been busy. But, now that I'm back, I want to inform you on what is up with Penny, Cookie's sister. She has been taking a class at Woofs! Dog Training called Puppy Agility. In this class, she is learning things with clicker training. Clicker traning is where the owner/trainer clicks on a clicker, immediatly when the dog follows the command. For example, with Sit, the clicker is clicked when the dog's butt touches the floor. Cookie told me he was also trained this way at Woofs! during his Adult Dog Obedience course a few years ago. Anyway, after the click, the dog is rewarded with a treat.

Penny has learned Sit and is working on Down. She also has gone through tunnels after Cookie consistently at Cookie's house. At Puppy Agility, she did a certain type of tunnel that is no longer in competitions and a series of puppy bumps to train her for harder jumps. Penny is enjoying agility and Cookie is enjoying having some time by himself! Classes at Woofs! Dog Training are highly recommended for all dog ages! Check them out and if you have a puppy, look into Puppy Party, see my previous posts, "Puppies Galore!" and "Pupdate" for more information about Penny's Puppy Party Experience. Remember to check out classes at Woofs!

One Dog, Two Dog, Domestic Dog, Aggressive Dog

I have received a letter from a reader via the Blogger Contact Form on the right. This question may help you and your dog deal with a similar problem.

Dear, Lassie

My Person frequently takes me out on walks with my other dog friend Mishty. And there is this other dog on my block that keeps getting aggressive with me and Mishty. He is a domestic dog but likes to wander the neighborhood by himself! He is so aggressive and will wait outside my house gate to bark at me. What should I do?

Sincerely, Murruku

There are some unknowns that make this question more difficult to answer, like, "Is the dog getting aggressive physically?" and "What is the dog's body language showing?". However, I have researched and found the best way to deal with the dog.

Dear Murruku,

You cannot solve this problem without the help of your people. I will send a letter telling them what to do. But there is still something you, as a dog, can do. Don't fight back unless you are being physically attacked, in which case your person should get involved safely. Showing the other dog aggression will not stop it, but encourage it. You also want to stay safe if the dog is off-leash. Which, although it is not allowed, still seems to be happening. Your owner will continue further instructions.

Love, 
Lassie

Dear Murruku's Person,

Your dog, Murruku sent me a question about the dog that shows aggression towards him and Mishty, his dog friend. I told him it was a problem that would have to be resolved with you. Here are some steps you can do to help him.

1. Identify the type of aggression. The types of aggression that are possible in this situation are dominance aggression, fear aggression, territorial aggression, punishment aggression or pain aggression. It is most likely not territorial, because the dog is not on his territory, however he may suspect the whole neighborhood to be his territory, since he wanders by himself around the neighborhood. Depending on how the dog is treated at home, this aggression may be because of punishment from the owner. If the dog is in any type of pain, that might be the source. Considering the dog waits for Murruku instead of the other way around, fear can probably be ruled out. This makes dominance aggression the most likely. The dog would be trying to show dominance to your dog. 

2. Talk to the owner. It is against the law to have your dog off-leash if they are not on your property. Also, ask how they are treating their dog, so to be able to identify the aggression. Make sure to ask if they are injured or in pain. Knowing this, it should be easy just to talk to the owner about the problem and discuss it amongst yourselves. If you cannot resolve the conflict with them, you may have to get the authorities involved about the off-leash dog. Remember to always start with talking to the owner and confirm it is not possible to work it out with them. 

Once all of these steps have been completed successfully, your problem should be solved. If it is still happening, talk to the owner again until it has stopped. Hope this helped!

Love,
Lassie

Remember that this advice is not just for a specific insidence; you can do this if your dog is having trouble with a more aggressive dog, or if your dog is the aggressive one. In that case you can take him to training classes to try to fix the problem and don't forget to identify the aggression!

Cone of Shame: A Vet Tale

Usually, a puppy is spayed or neutered, unless the owner is planning on breeding the dog. The medical term for a spay is an ovariohysterectomy, which is the female dog's surgery. The male's is an orchetomy. These surgeries stop the dog from being able to have or make puppies. There are different views on when to have this surgery done. Before or after the 1st heat cycle are the common ways of thinking. The 1st heat cycle occurs around 7 months, but varies by the dog. Penny's people asked me for advice a while ago and they had the surgery yesterday, 6 days before her 4 month birthday.

Dear Lassie,

When should Penny have her spay surgery? Is it beneficial to wait until after her 1st heat cycle or her 1st litter? Or should we go ahead with it now. Thanks in advance!

-the Andersons

I responded with this letter answering there many questions.

Dear the Andersons,

I would recommend doing the surgery before her 1st heat cycle. This will decrease the risk of certain diseases that can be fatal such as mammary cancer (breast cancer) than can occur in dogs. If you spay after the 1st, but still before the 2nd, the risks will still decrease, but by less than before. Also, heat cycles are very messy and your dog getting pregnant will be difficult to deal with before, during and even after the puppies arrive. I would get her spayed at around 4 months to help reduce risks or diseases and definitely before her 1st heat cycle.

Love,
Lassie

Today, they wrote back, sending a pic of post-surgery Penny.

Dear Lassie,

Thanks for the advice! We took her for her spay yesterday and the vet said she did great! Although she's pretty out of it and tired, which Cookie is very happy about. The vet said it was normal and she should be back to usual in 10-14 days. That's also when they remove the cone and the stitches on her incision. We are waiting for that time so we can play with this puffball again!

-the Andersons

Flexible Exercise

Have you ever had to rush to keep up with your dog on a walk? Penny's people do. So they got her a Flexi-Leash. The leash helps with walking, so she can stay a full 16 feet ahead of you. Now, Penny's people don't have to run to catch up. This leash can help you too. But make sure you look at more information to find out if this is the right fit for your dog.

There are some rules with this leash. Remember, though the Flexi-Leash is very useful for walks, especially for puppies, they must be used only with a harness. This is because when you lock the leash, it snaps on her neck and without the harness, this could hurt the dog. Also, try to refrain from using them in a crowded situation, as they might get tangled. I would recommend only using the flat leash, instead of the cord, as it might burn your hands.

The leash Penny's people bought is the flat, 16' Flexi-Leash. You can buy one too, just click here.

Blocking Accidents

Penny's people sent me a letter a bit ago about housebreaking.

Dear Lassie,

There is a place right by the door (which is glass so she can see the outside) that Penny thinks is a place to use the bathroom. This has been intervening with her housebreaking. What can we do to get her to stop using that spot?

Sincerely,

the Andersons

I replied back to them as soon as I could.

Dear the Andersons,

What you should do is first make sure to disinfect and remove the whole smell of the area, so she can't tell it has been used before. Next, try to put something over the spot, like a box. Hopefully, that will prevent her from going there. But, if she decides then that the box is her spot, you have to take matters farther. You can try blocking off  the entire area. Use a couple of boxes and align them in a row to fashion a barricade, stopping her from getting to the spot entirely. Hopefully, she will soon realize that the outside is the place to go, not the inside. Tell me how this works out!

Love,

Lassie

And just yesterday I got my reply.

Dear Lassie,

Thanks so much for the advice! It is working very well! Penny rarely has an accident and is going a lot more outside! Also, a surprising outcome has occurred. Penny is now showing a clear sign that almost always means she needs to go. Every time she needs to be taken out, she will go to the barricade and peer over to the other side. Of course, it's not as good as going to the back door to be taken out, like Cookie does, but it is progress. Thanks again!

Gratefully, 

The Andersons

So, if your puppy is having trouble with housebreaking in a particular area, try these techniques.

Walk 'Till You Drop

Cookie has been very excited that he gets to go on more walks now that the new dog is here. In fact, he sent me a letter about it.

Dear Lassie,

Hey! It's been a couple weeks and I want to tell you that things are going GREAT!!! Well, mostly great. Although Penny has been jumping up on me, my people have been working hard to fix that. Actually, Camila wants to ask you how to make Penny stop attacking me and why it is that she won't stop after I repeatedly reject her. But anyway, the reason things are great, is because Camila and Mom keep taking me on long walks. Although it's with Penny, I don't mind since she doesn't jump on me during them. It has been so much fun to go on the walks and I'm hoping they'll continue. I LOVE walks!

Your friend,
Cookie

Dear Cookie,

Hi! I'm so glad you're having fun with her! I do have a plan for you and your people to stop Penny from annoying you all the time. I'm sure you'll love the plan because it involves one of your favorite things: walks! Yes, my plan is more morning walks to tire her out. It is also a bonding exercise between you two when you are walking in the same direction. What you can do, is get your people to take you and Penny on a walk first thing in the morning, before you two are together in the house. Then, Penny can be around you, but will have to leave to get played with and tired out if she tries to play with you in the way you don't like. Sorry to say, but this is all you can do. You have to wait it out until she gets older and less frenzied. In the meantime, just tire her out.

Love,
Lassie

Recall with Camila

Cookie hasn't sent me a letter, but Camila has. (She's Cookie's person, remember?) She sent it on Friday.

Dear Lassie, 

Yesterday, Penny went to Puppy Kindergarten where we were learning recall. I was wondering if you could do a blog post about getting a dog to learn their name and come when called. I know all about it now, so I can write the post if you want.

Yours Truly,

Camila

I replied "Yes" and we exchanged emails, setting up the whole post. This is what she sent me today.

Recall is all about coming when called. It's about knowing your name. It's important. So that's why we had to teach Penny her name. We did so at Puppy Kindergarten. There are two rules of recall:

1. Never call the animal away from something they are enjoying..
2. Never call the animal to do something they will not like.

Follow these rules and your pet should know their name in no time! For example, I followed Rule #1 today. Penny was playing in the mud and obviously, I didn't want her too. But, I remembered the rules, so I didn't call her out of her play, but instead went to go pick her up and take her back inside. I also followed Rule #2 later today. Since she was muddy, she needed a bath. Cookie hates baths, so we assumed Penny might to. So, we brought treats to feed her during the bath and went to go get her. We put her in the bath and as we thought, she didn't like it that much. But, it was over pretty quickly. Although she was wet, she was clean. Plus, we didn't break any rules.

A way to get them to learn to come is practicing and then sending them back to what they were doing. A good ratio from this is 10:1; ten calls when you send them back and one where you bring them in. But still, follow the rules. There is a simple thing you can do with your puppy to help them learn to come. Run away from them, crouching low. Call her name once in a high voice and then make high-pitched sounds until you get to your destination. Treat heavily once she is slightly past your side. Do this repeatedly and you will have a dog that knows their name and will come to you if you ever need her to.

Penny is learning her name and if you followed this post, your dog can learn their's too!

Pupdate

As you know, my friend's new sister, Penny is in Puppy Kindergarten. She's also been going to the Puppy Parties. In fact, she just recently went to one. Instead of her being a bit shy, like the last time, she was incredibly outgoing! She played with all the pups and was completely tired out when her people took her home. So, to catch you up, here's Cookie.

Dear Lassie,

Penny's been more social lately and my people have started taking her to lots of places I don't get to go. I think it's very nice to spend time away from the land piranha, as my people sometimes call Penny. They leave me with Dad and Elliot and usually I get to go with them to the gym. It's fun! I think it's a win-win; I get to spend time away from Penny and she get's to go out!

Your friend,
Cookie

I'll notify you all on the antics of Penny later!

Puppies Galore!

Hi again! I'm here to share the update I got from my friend, Cookie. His owner, Camila, sent one too.

Dear Lassie,

I followed your advice and it has really been working! She's tried to eat my food a couple times, but she's learning not to come near me when I'm eating or sleeping. She sleeps a lot, but is a bundle of crazy energy when she's awake, Twice she has been taken on a car ride without me, but I'm sure there must be a good reason. The progress might be slow, but there is progress. . Thanks again for the advice!

Your friend,
Cookie

Dear Lassie,

Hey, it's me again! Just checking in to tell you how helpful you were. I did exactly what you told me and it seems that the two are closer to friends! No miracles have happened, Cookie still ignores her, but I think he is starting to object a bit less to Penny. Mom and I took Penny out on Thursday to Puppy Kindergarten at Woofs! Dog Training. It was very cute for us and I think it was fun for her. She got to play with other dogs: a Shih Tzu mix, a Shiba Inu and a Yorkie Maltese, or Morkie. She was a bit shy at first, but she enjoyed herself! She got close to a tunnel, which was a big step for her, although she didn't go in. I learned that a small dog shouldn't have too many treats.

Yesterday, we went to the Puppy Party at Woofs with Penny! It was so cute! All the dogs were playing with each other and we were hoping Penny would join in. But, she stayed close to us, which was okay, since the other dogs were bigger and it was her first week. Although we were happy when she ventured off for a minute once or twice.

The trainers brought Penny and the Morkie she met on Thursday into a smaller, secluded area to play. Both Penny and the Morkie had been a bit shy out in the open and Penny was still shy for the first 10 minutes in the small section. But then, Penny started to play and it was adorable! They played for about 20 minutes until it was time to go. I think she had fun; and I did too!

Thanks Again,
Camila

I'm glad that Penny's having fun. When will she start to write letters directly to me? Maybe when she graduates Puppy Kindergarten?

Bringing Home a Bundle of Love

I have returned to tell all of you about exciting news regarding my friend, Cookie. His family have decided to bring home another... DOG! Yesterday I got this letter from Cookie.

Dear Lassie,

Yesterday, I knew something was up. A crate arrived in the house and my people assembled it and put it in the family room where we all hang out. Then, Camila and Mom left the house. When they came back, they had a bone (which they gave to me), a bag of treats and two dog bowls. Camila tried to play fetch with me, but I didn't want to, since it wasn't the usual time. She made me fetch it once, though.

This morning, at around 10am, we all got in the car. We dropped off Elliot and then we went to Wia (my grandmother)'s house. Mom and I got out of the car and she left me there! I was upset and I didn't see them until about 6 hours later.

But when Wia dropped me off, I had to wait outside for a bit. I was suspicious when I came inside. My suspicions were confirmed when I walked in the house to see a PUPPY in the family room. Tia (my aunt) was with us. For about an hour, my people tried to socialize her with me, inside and out. When we were in the backyard, I started to let her romp with me. She's kind of like a chipmunk, too small to be of interest. She's decided to follow me around everywhere, even when I play fetch. It's kind of cute, to a point.

But I do have a question for you. I want to know how much and when should I show her who's boss and when do I let her do stuff with me?

Your friend,
Cookie

I also received this letter from Cookie's owner.

Dear Lassie,

I had been excited for getting a puppy for a really long time! She was all picked out. She's an adorable Shih Poo (a mix between Shih Tzu and poodle) and her name is Penny! Our breeder was very trustworthy. You can find her on Instagram with the username jeannedavis62. She posts pictures of her puppies, including Penny!

Mom, Dad and I were in the car after dropping off my brother at his job and Cookie at my grandmother's. We listened to the Monks of New Skete for more advice on puppy raising. When we arrived at the breeder's in Maryland after 2 hours, I exploded with joy! Penny was so adorable, friendly and small! I loved her even more! Dad and I played with her for about an hour when Mom was working on paperwork. I was ready to take her home.

We brought her in the car the 2 hours back and showed her a bit of the outside. Then, we attempted (without success)  to get her in her crate. She didn't want to go in by herself, so we just paid more attention to them when Cookie walked in.

My question is when can interactions between the two dogs stop being monitored?

Thanks!
Camila


I thought about both of those questions and I sent a letter back to both of them.

Dear Cookie,

When she does something to you that is bothersome, make sure to tell her that, but kindly. Just one simple growl should do. Unless she is bugging you, just let her follow you around. It seems like she looks up to you, as the older dog. If she ever tries to show dominance, just a gentle growl will send her the message that you in command. Hope this improves your relationship with your new sister!

Love, Lassie

Dear Camila,

I would continue to watch what's going on with them until Penny is older. Do not assume that if Cookie is ignoring Penny that they are friends. Wait until Cookie has repeatedly shown that he will not hurt Penny. When you are out of the house, you must have Penny in her crate, just to be safe. This should continue until she is fully grown and is no longer using the crate. Start with a small length of time away, before you progress to leaving them alone for long periods of time. As long as the dogs do not show aggression, it should be okay for them to be together when you aren't there to supervise. Please remember, all dogs are different, so sometimes it will take longer to get them accustomed to each other. Good luck in starting a doggy friendship!

Love,
Lassie