When I began writing Text Me Some Apple Pie, I made a conscious choice not to bash people. Individuals who dominate pop culture news and even mainstream news behave badly. But rather than contribute to keeping some people famous, I usually focus on those whom I admire.
There is a difference between being judgmental and taking a stand on one's beliefs. American Heritage defines judgmental as "inclined to make judgments, especially moral or personal ones." I try not to make personal judgments. After all, I have a whole life to manage, without focusing on how others should live there lives.
But maybe I'd stink as a therapist because I'm outspoken about certain moral behaviors. And this is why I speak out and condemn Michael Vick. I hope the judge gives him the maximum sentence on December 10, 2007. Please see my blog of July 27, 2007, called Sad Life for Pit Bulls.
Showing posts with label dog training. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dog training. Show all posts
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
A Sad Life for Pit Bulls
Michael Vick--quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons--and three other men are alleged to have run a dogfighting ring on a 15-acre estate in the rural area of southeastern Virginia. In addition to being charged for this brutal and bloody sport, Vick and his buddies are alleged to have executed losing and under-performing dogs by electrocution, hanging, drowning and shooting.
I find this story more than upsetting. Sickening, nauseating. How does someone take one of God's creatures and abuse it? This is a rhetorical question, I guess, as the only answer is that anyone involved in dogfighting does not cherish or respect dogs. Or as my mother used to say, "Marsha, never trust a man who would hurt an animal."
This was good advice from my mother, as we've seen that when serial killers--like Jeffrey Dahmer--were children, they engaged in torturing animals. I don't think I'd want to know how Vick and the other adult defendants treat women and children.
In American justice, one is considered innocent until proven guilty, so maybe Vick has been accused of something he didn't do. If he is guilty, I hope he loses his career and goes to prison, as any violence against Pit Bulls affects every dog of that breed and every owner of that breed.
Because dogfighting is more popular than I personally want to consider, many Pit Bulls must be destroyed. Once rescued by Animal Control, they are no longer viable pets.
If I'm walking my dog and someone is walking toward me with his Pit Bull, I will cross the street or step off the path. But I will also do this when I see someone with a German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Doberman, or any other potentially aggressive breed, until I see that the dog owner has control over his or her dog.
I own my third German Shepherd. Research and experience tells me that untrained and unsocialized dogs with aggressive tendencies can be vicious and dangerous. I'm a German Shepherd lover, but had trouble with my own dogs until I got myself educated. These dogs make great pets but their territorial tendencies must be channeled with lots of exercise and exposure to all kinds of situations so that few people and situations are deemed a threat.
Working with dogs and dog handlers, I've seen Pit Bulls that are wonderful pets. They are sweet, strong, smart, and very loyal dogs that want to please. Like the Shepherd, they need exercise to get rid of pent up energy. They need exercise to get rid of boredom. Some famous people who love their Pit Bulls are Rachel Ray, Jessica Biel, and John Stewart.
There's a legitimate question about the Pit Bull's inability to release it's jaw, once it has locked onto an arm, leg, or neck. Some history of the Pit Bull breed and more information on jaw locking can be found at Wikepedia. As for Michael Vick, we shall see how the charges against him play out.
I find this story more than upsetting. Sickening, nauseating. How does someone take one of God's creatures and abuse it? This is a rhetorical question, I guess, as the only answer is that anyone involved in dogfighting does not cherish or respect dogs. Or as my mother used to say, "Marsha, never trust a man who would hurt an animal."
This was good advice from my mother, as we've seen that when serial killers--like Jeffrey Dahmer--were children, they engaged in torturing animals. I don't think I'd want to know how Vick and the other adult defendants treat women and children.
In American justice, one is considered innocent until proven guilty, so maybe Vick has been accused of something he didn't do. If he is guilty, I hope he loses his career and goes to prison, as any violence against Pit Bulls affects every dog of that breed and every owner of that breed.
Because dogfighting is more popular than I personally want to consider, many Pit Bulls must be destroyed. Once rescued by Animal Control, they are no longer viable pets.
If I'm walking my dog and someone is walking toward me with his Pit Bull, I will cross the street or step off the path. But I will also do this when I see someone with a German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Doberman, or any other potentially aggressive breed, until I see that the dog owner has control over his or her dog.
I own my third German Shepherd. Research and experience tells me that untrained and unsocialized dogs with aggressive tendencies can be vicious and dangerous. I'm a German Shepherd lover, but had trouble with my own dogs until I got myself educated. These dogs make great pets but their territorial tendencies must be channeled with lots of exercise and exposure to all kinds of situations so that few people and situations are deemed a threat.
Working with dogs and dog handlers, I've seen Pit Bulls that are wonderful pets. They are sweet, strong, smart, and very loyal dogs that want to please. Like the Shepherd, they need exercise to get rid of pent up energy. They need exercise to get rid of boredom. Some famous people who love their Pit Bulls are Rachel Ray, Jessica Biel, and John Stewart.
There's a legitimate question about the Pit Bull's inability to release it's jaw, once it has locked onto an arm, leg, or neck. Some history of the Pit Bull breed and more information on jaw locking can be found at Wikepedia. As for Michael Vick, we shall see how the charges against him play out.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
More Comments on The Loved Dog
Please see my previous review of The Loved Dog by Tamar Geller. Now that I finished reading the book, I will comment a bit further.
If you have experience raising and training dogs, the author’s point of view is fascinating. Her training methods may work on all dogs—if the owner can invest much time and consistency with training. She makes a good argument against inflicting physical discomfort on dogs.
The Loved Dog does not address problems with aggressive dogs, and I’m not sure if her methods would be effective, unless they were used when the aggressive (breed) dog was still a puppy. You can teach an old dog new tricks. But it takes dedication and commitment.
A dog takes physical cues from its owner. In my opinion, the owner must communicate superiority with some kind of physicality. For example, you can prevent a big dog from jumping on you by raising your knee to block him from making contact with your lap or chest. Or you can force a dog to sit by pushing on his rear with all your fingers tips—being careful not to injure the dog’s hips.
These physical cues are some of the ways to demonstrate that you can physically dominate your dog. You can get him to mind by using your superiority over him, instead of hitting him with a newspaper or jerking him harshly with a choke chain. Physical communication is a vital component of dog training but does not stand alone.
Playing games with the dog and having training sessions strengthens the bond between dog and owner that further instills a trust in the dog. And I think this is the author’s main point. The Loved Dog is mostly about establishing and maintaining a relationship with your dog.
If you have dogs and love dogs, Tamar Geller's point of view worth reading. But this book doesn’t give basic advice like potty training or crate training. There are also books available with more games and dog tricks.
In retrospect, the book is partly an autobiography of the author. In addition to surviving a difficult childhood, she has led a colorful life in Israeli Intelligence. Afterwards, she spent many hours observing wolves in their own habitat. Her love of dogs and her own methods of dog training demonstrate her own kind soul, and this is what she imparts to the reader.
If you have experience raising and training dogs, the author’s point of view is fascinating. Her training methods may work on all dogs—if the owner can invest much time and consistency with training. She makes a good argument against inflicting physical discomfort on dogs.
The Loved Dog does not address problems with aggressive dogs, and I’m not sure if her methods would be effective, unless they were used when the aggressive (breed) dog was still a puppy. You can teach an old dog new tricks. But it takes dedication and commitment.
A dog takes physical cues from its owner. In my opinion, the owner must communicate superiority with some kind of physicality. For example, you can prevent a big dog from jumping on you by raising your knee to block him from making contact with your lap or chest. Or you can force a dog to sit by pushing on his rear with all your fingers tips—being careful not to injure the dog’s hips.
These physical cues are some of the ways to demonstrate that you can physically dominate your dog. You can get him to mind by using your superiority over him, instead of hitting him with a newspaper or jerking him harshly with a choke chain. Physical communication is a vital component of dog training but does not stand alone.
Playing games with the dog and having training sessions strengthens the bond between dog and owner that further instills a trust in the dog. And I think this is the author’s main point. The Loved Dog is mostly about establishing and maintaining a relationship with your dog.
If you have dogs and love dogs, Tamar Geller's point of view worth reading. But this book doesn’t give basic advice like potty training or crate training. There are also books available with more games and dog tricks.
In retrospect, the book is partly an autobiography of the author. In addition to surviving a difficult childhood, she has led a colorful life in Israeli Intelligence. Afterwards, she spent many hours observing wolves in their own habitat. Her love of dogs and her own methods of dog training demonstrate her own kind soul, and this is what she imparts to the reader.
Monday, July 9, 2007
The Loved Dog
I’m reading a great book called The Loved Dog: The Playful, Nonaggressive Way to Teach Your Dog Good Behavior by Tamar Geller. I saw the author on Oprah, and admire her and her approach to training dogs. Geller witnessed the harsh training of dogs while she was in Israeli Military Intelligence. Later, her observation of wolves in the wild taught her about the inborn instincts of dogs. She eventually opened the first doggie daycare, where dogs spend their days kennel-free. I’m about halfway through the book but wanted to comment now.
I have a long history and background with dogs. My first two German Shepherds were more than I could handle because I made so many mistakes right from the beginning. I got them, four years apart, from short-term backyard breeders, and I took them home too soon (at five weeks). Also, the parents of my first dog would have killed me if they had been let loose, and I was too ill-informed to think that lineage mattered.
Having a big dog, especially one of the more aggressive breeds, is a job for experienced dog handlers only. Big dogs grow very fast, and if they’re not socialized from the beginning—before and during their adolescence—they will become overly territorial, and they will often become fear biters. A big dog needs lots of exercise.
Because I had difficult dogs, I eventually found a dog trainer to help me. After Travis died, Bruno was alone in the yard without his pal. I needed to be able to walk him down the street without getting dragged whenever he decided to engage with a passing dog. I was lucky to find Sallie, who’d been a K-9 officer with BART. She taught me much about the nature of dogs, which is pretty simple. Dealing with dogs is much like dealing with toddlers: consistency, love and positive reinforcement are the recipe for success.
I went on Sunday dog walks with Sallie and her dog trainer friends, and I took two of her classes—surrounded by other dogs—and my dog Bruno was able to pass his Canine Citizenship Test, which requires self-control and good behavior. He eventually could heal without a leash (sometimes) and complete a half-hour downstay without getting up, even when other dogs distracted him. You can teach old dogs new tricks.
Back to Tamar Geller, the author of The Loved Dog. Geller doesn’t believe in using prong collars or choke chains on dogs. I can’t imagine walking my huge GSD’s without a prong collar. But now I have Xena, my only German Shepherd, who is four. I got Xena from a top-ranking breeder. I visited the kennels in Chico, CA ahead of time and got Xena as a pup at eight-and-a-half weeks. She was bred to be a good pet, and she minds well most of the time. She is smaller than my boy dogs. Maybe I can attach the leash to her ID collar and forgo the choke chain. Hmmmm. Something to consider.
My first year with Xena was full of socialization and training, but everything came to a halt because I got ill. She has always gotten plenty of attention from me, but we are now just getting back out into the world together, and I realize how very easy she is to work with. Here's Xena below:
Xena is a partly-trained dog that needs much more socialization. I’m getting good ideas from Geller on how to strengthen the bond between her and me, now that I’m not so wrapped up in myself. I’ve been playing “find the toy” with Xena, and I’m surprised at how quickly she finds things that I hide. She seems to be tracking with her nose already. Our games with inspire more of Xena's trust in me, and she will be confident in more social situations.
When Sallie was training me to handle my dog Bruno, she taught me the Alpha Rollover. This is a method they use to train K-9 dogs. As I recall, they let the K-9's in training run out into the yard. They are not allowed to overly engage or attack each other. And if they do, the dog handler will pin the dog to the ground and stare the dog into submission.
Although, Sallie and I had used the Alpha Rollover on Bruno to get control over him—believe me, it’s a lot of work for a small person like me—Geller is abhorred by this method. She thinks trainers who use the Alpha Rollover are brutal. Yet, I know that Sallie loves dogs every bit as much as Geller. By the way, this method is usually used while a dog is muzzled. (Don't try this at home.) And I should say that Bruno had already bitten me once, and he’d lunged at two other people while he attempted to bite them. So I was saving his life by re-emerging as alpha and getting some kind of control over him. It was my job to protect him from making mistakes that couldn't be reversed.
Xena already knows that I’m alpha in the family. This is the most important principle in raising any dog, no matter what the size. Some dog owners don’t concern themselves about being alpha over their small dogs, and this is a big mistake. Since my grownup son moved out, my house is quiet. I do not raise my voice with Xena unless she’s in danger. She easily picks up on my quiet tones and body language. And since I’m a more experienced dog handler, I know how to throw my weight around—literally—when I’m with my dog. I walk and move like I have more prowess than the little person I really am.
I should add that little dogs can cause a lot of chaos in the home and in dog parks. Two little dogs in the park used to attack Xena, while the owners sat idly by. When Xena tried to defend herself, she’d look like a bully. When the owner of a small dog picks the dog up after it has misbehaved, this reinforces the small dogs’ bad behavior. All dogs need obedience training and socialization. All dogs need to know that their owner is alpha. This relationship is similar to toddlers feeling more secure when their parents set limits. These are simple concepts that take some work in following through.
Geller relies much on hand signals. My dog already knows “sit,” “down,” and “stay,” without my using words. Geller has the reader take stock of words the dog already knows. She says that dogs can easily learn fifty words.
Geller describes training methods that are new to me. She suggests teaching a dog to sit while (the human is) in a standing position, kneeling position, and lying down position. For dogs that jump on visitors, she suggests having the visitor turn their back on the dog. (My brother swears that there is no correcting this bad behavior with his dog Sam; we shall see.)
I’ve read many dog training books and watched videos as well. My favorite so far are by The Monks of New Skeet. The Monks used to breed German Shepherds for sale, and they too have a gentle philosophy.
Meanwhile, I’m working and playing with my dog, as I get more ideas from The Loved Dog by Tamar Geller, which is a great book. I will write a followup to this blog—or a bragfest on my successes.
I have a long history and background with dogs. My first two German Shepherds were more than I could handle because I made so many mistakes right from the beginning. I got them, four years apart, from short-term backyard breeders, and I took them home too soon (at five weeks). Also, the parents of my first dog would have killed me if they had been let loose, and I was too ill-informed to think that lineage mattered.
Having a big dog, especially one of the more aggressive breeds, is a job for experienced dog handlers only. Big dogs grow very fast, and if they’re not socialized from the beginning—before and during their adolescence—they will become overly territorial, and they will often become fear biters. A big dog needs lots of exercise.
Because I had difficult dogs, I eventually found a dog trainer to help me. After Travis died, Bruno was alone in the yard without his pal. I needed to be able to walk him down the street without getting dragged whenever he decided to engage with a passing dog. I was lucky to find Sallie, who’d been a K-9 officer with BART. She taught me much about the nature of dogs, which is pretty simple. Dealing with dogs is much like dealing with toddlers: consistency, love and positive reinforcement are the recipe for success.
I went on Sunday dog walks with Sallie and her dog trainer friends, and I took two of her classes—surrounded by other dogs—and my dog Bruno was able to pass his Canine Citizenship Test, which requires self-control and good behavior. He eventually could heal without a leash (sometimes) and complete a half-hour downstay without getting up, even when other dogs distracted him. You can teach old dogs new tricks.
Back to Tamar Geller, the author of The Loved Dog. Geller doesn’t believe in using prong collars or choke chains on dogs. I can’t imagine walking my huge GSD’s without a prong collar. But now I have Xena, my only German Shepherd, who is four. I got Xena from a top-ranking breeder. I visited the kennels in Chico, CA ahead of time and got Xena as a pup at eight-and-a-half weeks. She was bred to be a good pet, and she minds well most of the time. She is smaller than my boy dogs. Maybe I can attach the leash to her ID collar and forgo the choke chain. Hmmmm. Something to consider.
My first year with Xena was full of socialization and training, but everything came to a halt because I got ill. She has always gotten plenty of attention from me, but we are now just getting back out into the world together, and I realize how very easy she is to work with. Here's Xena below:
Xena is a partly-trained dog that needs much more socialization. I’m getting good ideas from Geller on how to strengthen the bond between her and me, now that I’m not so wrapped up in myself. I’ve been playing “find the toy” with Xena, and I’m surprised at how quickly she finds things that I hide. She seems to be tracking with her nose already. Our games with inspire more of Xena's trust in me, and she will be confident in more social situations.
When Sallie was training me to handle my dog Bruno, she taught me the Alpha Rollover. This is a method they use to train K-9 dogs. As I recall, they let the K-9's in training run out into the yard. They are not allowed to overly engage or attack each other. And if they do, the dog handler will pin the dog to the ground and stare the dog into submission.
Although, Sallie and I had used the Alpha Rollover on Bruno to get control over him—believe me, it’s a lot of work for a small person like me—Geller is abhorred by this method. She thinks trainers who use the Alpha Rollover are brutal. Yet, I know that Sallie loves dogs every bit as much as Geller. By the way, this method is usually used while a dog is muzzled. (Don't try this at home.) And I should say that Bruno had already bitten me once, and he’d lunged at two other people while he attempted to bite them. So I was saving his life by re-emerging as alpha and getting some kind of control over him. It was my job to protect him from making mistakes that couldn't be reversed.
Xena already knows that I’m alpha in the family. This is the most important principle in raising any dog, no matter what the size. Some dog owners don’t concern themselves about being alpha over their small dogs, and this is a big mistake. Since my grownup son moved out, my house is quiet. I do not raise my voice with Xena unless she’s in danger. She easily picks up on my quiet tones and body language. And since I’m a more experienced dog handler, I know how to throw my weight around—literally—when I’m with my dog. I walk and move like I have more prowess than the little person I really am.
I should add that little dogs can cause a lot of chaos in the home and in dog parks. Two little dogs in the park used to attack Xena, while the owners sat idly by. When Xena tried to defend herself, she’d look like a bully. When the owner of a small dog picks the dog up after it has misbehaved, this reinforces the small dogs’ bad behavior. All dogs need obedience training and socialization. All dogs need to know that their owner is alpha. This relationship is similar to toddlers feeling more secure when their parents set limits. These are simple concepts that take some work in following through.
Geller relies much on hand signals. My dog already knows “sit,” “down,” and “stay,” without my using words. Geller has the reader take stock of words the dog already knows. She says that dogs can easily learn fifty words.
Geller describes training methods that are new to me. She suggests teaching a dog to sit while (the human is) in a standing position, kneeling position, and lying down position. For dogs that jump on visitors, she suggests having the visitor turn their back on the dog. (My brother swears that there is no correcting this bad behavior with his dog Sam; we shall see.)
I’ve read many dog training books and watched videos as well. My favorite so far are by The Monks of New Skeet. The Monks used to breed German Shepherds for sale, and they too have a gentle philosophy.
Meanwhile, I’m working and playing with my dog, as I get more ideas from The Loved Dog by Tamar Geller, which is a great book. I will write a followup to this blog—or a bragfest on my successes.
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