March 2007

Mitten the Kitten

Posted by jennifer on March 29, 2007.

I own a cat that thinks she's a dog. First of all, I taught her how to sit- big mistake. She throws a fit if she can't go on walks with the dogs and she tries to eat their food in which they growl at her (which she could care less about). She drinks out of the big water bowls, goes to the bathroom outside when I take the dogs out and she has no fear of other dogs what so ever. Today, Mitten decided it would be fun to first chase a mouse through a dog training class I was holding and then torture a Golden Retriever by running up behind him, batting his tail and running off over and over again. If my dogs aren't star performers for clients that's one thing but my next challenge is training my cat. Maybe she can be the roady. I don't know- everytime she shows up at a party, she's always got to bring the cat nip. lol
I don't even know how I ended up with a cat in the first place- oh yea, she was thrown out of a car by a crack-addict in L.A. Luckily I was there, brought her to my vet and saved her life. After nursing her back to health, I coulden't exactly give her away- I got attached. So there you have it... Three German Shepherd protection dogs and a cat named Mitten The Kitten who's black with two white socks.

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Communication Breakdown

Posted by jennifer on March 28, 2007.

The days of giving the dog a bone, patting him on the head and letting him live out his years in the backyard in a dog house are long since gone my friends. Now that we've made the transition from back yard pets to couch potato pals, there's more going on behaviorally then meets the eye. For one thing, dog problems are getting worse and worse because more people are seeing their dogs as equals rather than as subordinate animals (which is actually where they prefer to be when it comes to human companionship.) So where do the chips fall when you come home to see your dog? Is he or she allowed to sleep in your bed? Does he jump up to greet you? Push his way in front of you to get through the door? Does he insist on taking over the couch? Does he pull you down the street on the leash or maybe have sudden hearing loss when you call them to come back to you? If your dog displays any or more of these symptoms, he or she may have what I call- "Spoiled, Rotten Dog Syndrome" and it may be worth your while to read an article about it on my website. There is help out there for those who want it.... lol

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The Calming Effect

Posted by jennifer on March 27, 2007.

I guess it wasn't until I got older when people would say- "You're so calm" that I realized what it was from. Surfing every day will put me into the same state. A state of total relaxation after a day of working with dogs. Even aggressive ones. When you pet an animal it lowers your heart rate and in turn, it does the same thing for them. The sounds they make- a cat purring, a dog with a low warning growl can soothe even the most up tight person as long as you're not afraid. When you work with dogs or horses or any animal for that matter, you have to come into a situation on an equal plane. If you enter a house with anger or resentment, that animal is going to pick up on it right a way and not be at ease. Patience, having a clam way about you will get you from point A to point B in no time where as frustration and anger only makes matters worse. That's my tip for the day- good night ;-)

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