This has been a sad week for me. On our way home from England, for my husband’s son’s wedding, we got news upon landing that my sweet 14-year-old kitty, Isabel, was gravely ill. It was sudden; she’d been fine the day before, when I spoke with the pet sitter. That morning, after we’d already taken off, she’d taken ill, was rushed to the vet and was in critical condition by the time I landed. Granted, she was a senior and did have intestinal lymphoma, which was being managed well for the last year and a half by an experimental drug called LTCI. But, the whirlwind of events upon learning the news to when we had to let her go was so quick, I had no time to emotionally process it. So, for this week’s 52 Snapshots of Life Photo Challenge, the theme is Father, but I’d like to celebrate Isabel. She was a beautiful, sweet and gentle soul. As of Wednesday, June 24th at 7:30pm, she joined the angels flying free in the universe. Continue reading
Welcome to Week 9 of our 10 week training course, Tuesdays with Justin; Dog Training at Home, tackling common training issues for dog parents. Justin is addressing the big bin of hard to explain behaviors some of us see in our pups and ways to fix them. Sophie is a paw licker. It sometimes drives me crazy, so I was interested to hear what Justin recommended. Let’s get right to it! Continue reading
Do you and your dog love adventure? Is a weekend camping trip one of your go-to things to do? Then Ruffwear, one of my fave brands, has the best dog bed for you! It’s called the Urban Sprawl and it’s durable enough for base camp and soft and good-looking enough for the home.
Outdoor adventure In the Overcast Blue
What’s really helpful about this plush bed is its two-sided mattress offers both a soft and firm sleeping option. Say your pup has a hard time getting in and out of bed (and its not because they’re lazy!). Maybe he’s a senior or beds that sink in just don’t work well for her. Then, the firmer side would be perfect. A dog who loves the snuggly feel of their bed might like the softer side. And, one side cools, while the other, heats.
The useful two-sided firm or soft sleeping surface
The Urban Sprawl has a clean, rugged look. It’s made from recycled polyester and microfiber, is completely washable and comes in two sizes and colors, Trailhead Brown and Overcast Blue. Sizes include the Medium at 28″ x 35″ and the Large at 36″ x 48″. And campers (or messy pooches), it’s waterproof; that recycled poly fabric base creates a moisture barrier. Nice!
Easy to transport
It’s durable, so it doesn’t lose its shape, even after years of nesting. Periodically, throw the mattress and cover into the machine and it comes out like new.
Indoor lounging in the Trailhead Brown
A modern, clean-lined, durable bed, with extra features for comfort and practicality. Sounds like a great option to me.
Where to buy: Ruffwear.com
Price: $149.95 – $199.95
And, there’s free shipping for a limited time!
Ruffwear and Best Friends Society Join Forces!
In addition to the great products Ruffwear offers, I love this company because it is conscious. Ruffwear recently join forces with Best Friends Animal Society in their mission to Save Them All, an adoption program to help reduce the number of animal deaths in American shelters, a conservative total that astonishingly equals 3-4 million a year. As part of their partnership, Ruffwear is providing funding, donating gear and introducing their fans to the active, beautiful, adoptable dogs at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Southern Utah. Check out this awesome video:
Did you rescue your best friend? Tell me your story; you might see it on the site! #adoptdontshop
I remember when I saw this tank top. It was in a cool doggy store on a side street in Chelsea. It was created to recognize the London Olympics, which had come and gone, but I didn’t care. I thought it was the most awesome piece for my girl to rock. Snoopy fist-pumping wearing the gold, a British flag, that lone gold star…can you say punk? I thought this shot would be fitting for Week 25 of 52 Snapshots of Life photo challenge, because the theme is Flag. This was shot on 27th Street just outside FIT, one late spring day two years ago. Go, Sophie! You’re my Olympic champ (certainly in the swimming category…)! 🙂
Pet blogging friend and colleague, Christina Berry of The Lazy Pitbull, created this fun challenge. You don’t have to be a blogger to participate. Just snap or choose a pic you’ve taken that matches that week’s theme and post it on your social networks, with the hashtag #52Snapshots, so we can all follow along! For pet bloggers, this is a BlogHop, so hop on!
Is there a particular flag you fly?
Does your dog exhibit food aggressive behavior or resource guarding? Many do, and it can be a very difficult issue to deal with. Sometimes, dogs will be food aggressive, but be ok with their toys. Either way, if we can fix it, that’s better. This week, dog training expert, Justin Silver, has tips about how to do it. We’re getting near the end of our 10-week training series, Tuesdays with Justin; Dog Training at Home. If there’s a burning issue you have that you’d like Justin to address, let us know!
And, this is a #giveaway! Every week, we’re giving away a copy of Justin and Dave Donnenfeld’s new book, The Language of Dogs, a great read with really helpful tips on how to overcome issues and do basic training with your pups. Details on the giveaway are below, after the post. So, without further adieu, let’s tackle…..
Food Aggression & Resource Guarding OR Beware of my Stuff!
by Justin Silver with Dave Donnenfeld
It is instinctive for dogs to be protective around food, belongings like toys, even territory. Many people are overly concerned by resource guarding and food aggression. While it can be a difficult issue, we must respect the fact that we are asking our dogs to behave in a way that belies their God-given instincts.
Here are some tips for the fix:
I. Desensitization
- Regularly hand-feed your dog
- Have your dog earn its meals via training
- Put treats into the dog’s bowl while it is eating
- With chews and toys, practice “leave it” and “drop it,” so your dog becomes accustomed to relinquishing things.**
**When your dog has a toy in its mouth, offer a treat and say “drop it.” As you give the treat, say “take it.” It’s an easy way to get started, even if they don’t know the “leave it” command, just yet.
II. Boundaries (for them & us)
No one wants to be bothered while eating, including dogs.
- Make only necessary contact when the dog is eating
- You should not be afraid to approach your dog
III. Practice
- Standing a few yards away say, “Hi, puppy!” and toss a few treats
- Repeat every thirty seconds, until the meal is finished
- Perform this until there are no signs of guarding or aggression **
** This can take anywhere from a week to a couple of months, so patience is a needed virtue and manage your expectations.
- With time, move closer to the bowl when you drop the treats
- Monitor tension levels and keep pushing the boundary
- If there are any aggressive responses, move back and continue
Note: When approaching reactive dogs, stay on the opposite side of a gate or tether the dog.
IV. Advanced
If you’re able to do all of the above, you’re ready to move on to advanced techniques.
- Stand next to the dog’s bowl, while the dog is eating
- Offer a treat from your hand or a lick of peanut butter off a spoon
- Walk away; return and repeat
- Stand next to the dog, say hi and gently touch his back
- As the dog looks up, offer a treat
- After he’s eaten, pick up and handle his food bowl, as he watches
- Put a treat in the bowl and have the dog eat, while you hold the bowl
- Place a treat in the bowl and put it on the floor
- When he finishes, say, “Good dog,” and have him sit
- Pick up the bowl, and place another treat in it.
Perform enough repetitions to feel comfortable before moving on. Finally, while the dog is eating some less interesting dry food, place a much more exciting food (such as a piece of chicken) in the bowl. Once you’re able to contend with the above scenarios, guard against relapses by periodically touching your dog and dropping a treat, while the dog is eating.
Sharing is caring…
Finally, use common courtesy and respect the dog’s right to enjoy an uninterrupted meal provided, of course, your pup has been trained and put through the paces. Best of luck!
###
Thanks, Justin and Dave! Here’s a short video I found to show you the warning signs a dog will give, prior to the actual snarl and, of course, prior to biting.
The Giveaway
Enter to win a copy of Justin & Dave’s new book, The Language of Dogs, a great dog training at home manual that’s easy to read and chock full of practical training tips that work. I reviewed it in an earlier post here.
To enter, just join the Bark & Swagger family! If you’re already a member, you’re eligible! The giveaway begins Tuesday, June 9 at 7am EST and ends Sunday, June 14 at 11:59pm EST. Each week, we’ll announce a new winner and start the giveaway again.
Week 7’s winner is Jason D. Congratulations, Jason!
To get more info, great tips and fun pictures, visit Justin on:
What have you tried for your food aggressive or resource guarding dog? Has it worked? Share your tips with us, too!
My husband and I visited Los Angeles recently to see my daughter and one of the things we did, a ritual for Morgan (said daughter) and me is to walk Venice Beach. We love people watching, and Venice Beach has to be one of the best places to find interesting-looking people. It’s also so dog-friendly, that we met some very cool canines out that day. One pup and his human were hanging out on the beach. They looked so comfortable with each other, I thought it would be a great photo to share for this week’s 52 Snapshots of Life Photo Challenge. The theme is Comfort. Check out the cool Batman shades and art this dude is working on, a really nice guy who loves his dog.
Pet blogging friend and colleague, Christina Berry of The Lazy Pitbull, created this fun challenge. You don’t have to be a blogger to participate. Just snap or choose a pic you’ve taken that matches that week’s theme and post it on your social networks, with the hashtag #52Snapshots, so we can all follow along! For pet bloggers, this is a BlogHop, so hop on!
Does your dog shake, cry or destroy the house when you leave? Separation anxiety is such a common problem that causes much grief, and is sometimes a real danger to the dog. This week, Justin is addressing it as part of our 10-week training series, Tuesdays with Justin; Dog Training at Home. Find out what you are doing to possibly fuel it and how to make it stop. What could be more stylish than having a calm, happy dog, right?
Separation Anxiety OR Having a Life for You & Your Dog
by Justin Silver with Dave Donnenfeld
Separation anxiety is as it sounds – a condition where dogs and owners have difficulty being separated from one another. This typically results from:
1) Abandonment
2) Spoiling- excessive coddling, affection and lap time
3) Insufficient exercise
4) Lack of socialization
5) Unemployment – not enough walks, training, and knowledge of what is expected of them
Many owners equate early signs of such over-attachment with love. It’s not. It is a dog feeling unsafe and worried. Separation anxiety is torturous for the animal and conscientious owners can be held hostage by it.
Progressive behaviors include, but are certainly not limited to:
- Incessant barking and whining
- Constant monitoring and protective behavior
- Excessive soiling and marking
- Destroying things in the home
- Myriad compulsive behaviors
I have seen dogs trying to chew their way out of metal crates and even jump out of windows.
The greatest challenge often lies with the owner, as a dog’s behavior can expose the co-dependent nature of the owner. One must remember that the dog is burdened, and in a perpetual state of panic. To love a dog is to allow it a measure of independence.
The Fix Is In
The remedy is simple, but not easy- even dogs need a life of their own and to be on their own sometimes.
Common Sense:
- Exercise the dog before you leave the house. This brings down energy levels.
- Crate or gate the dog after exercise. Exercise associates coming home with resting and unwinding.
- Monitor the dog’s stress- do not let it go above a five.
Incremental Exposure – initial separation should be short, before time is added. Start with a few seconds and then build in small increments on that, once the dog seems comfortable. Eventually build with blocks of five to ten minutes.
To practice:
- With the dog crated or gated, walk around while still in view.
- Go just beyond the dog’s view and progress to walking out of the door for less than a minute.
- Add time accordingly, as per above.
Key Tips:
- When you go out of sight, let the dog hear your voice.
- Keep chews and frozen treats handy when crating the dog. Kongs are great for this.
- The “stay” command – show the dog that it’s safe to be apart.
The Big Sleep
- Some of you aren’t going to like this, but a dog with separation anxiety is not allowed to sleep in bed with its owner, as it reinforces the already co-dependent nature of the relationship and doesn’t allow the dog to feel independent.
- As a first step, try crating the dog in the bedroom. In time, move it just outside the bedroom door.
- Another option is to use a gate in the bedroom doorway and place a dog bed on the other side to retain line of sight.
I Don’t Know Why You Say Goodbye
Separation anxiety means never having to say goodbye. In many cases, a dog’s anxiety levels will rise when people are ready to leave. Watching you get dressed, grabbing your keys, or taking purposeful strides toward the door can panic a dog.
- Desensitize – perform leaving activities but don’t leave.
- When leaving, go quietly, without fanfare.
Socialization
Exposing a dog to other people, as well as other dogs, expands its world. I suggest hiring a dog walker who will take the dog out with a pack, and try to convince friends and family to take the dog for a walk…solo.
Building relationships with fellow dog owners and tending to each other’s dogs is great for dogs and helps owners manage, as well.
Separation anxiety has become pandemic in this country, and the solution is simple but not always easy. While dogs are wonderful and supportive beings to have in our lives, they should not be our support systems or used to guard against our insecurities.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
The Giveaway
Enter to win a copy of Justin & Dave’s new book, The Language of Dogs, a great dog training at home manual that’s easy to read and chock full of practical training tips that work. I reviewed it in an earlier post here.
To enter, just join the Bark & Swagger family! If you’re already a member, you’re eligible! The giveaway begins Tuesday, June 9 at 7am EST and ends Sunday, June 14 at 11:59pm EST. Each week, we’ll announce a new winner and start the giveaway again.
Week 6s winner is Shelley Joy P. Congratulations, Shelley!
To get more info, great tips and fun pictures, visit Justin on:
Does your dog have acute separation anxiety? How to you deal with it? Please share your frustrations or solutions and let’s help each other.
About Me
What does stylish mean to you? I’m passionate about animals, fashion, travel, home decor and rescue, and that's what you'll find here. After a recent move to Fort Lauderdale from NYC, we're loving our new life in the sunshine. Welcome to my world! Grab your favorite beverage, curl up and stay awhile.
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