Our little man with his Gentle Leader

Teaching and learning are flip sides of the same coin. For this week’s 52 Snapshots of Life photo challenge with the theme of Teach, I also have to share how much I’ve learned, too. When dog trainer, Justin Silver, came into my life just a few months ago, we had plateau’ed in our training with Jasper, our rescue with issues. In two phone conversations and one Skype session, Justin taught me what tools to use and how to implement the training and Jasper responded immediately. Now, after three months of practice, he’s like a different dog. One key factor? My energy when I’m with him.

Jasper has taught me so much, too. Because of his issues, I’ve learned about animal behavior and fear aggressive dogs through his eyes, and the sensitivities I’ve needed to develop to create a safe environment for him. And, patience…boy, has he taught me much more patience. I know many of you reading will be shaking your heads yes right now. They just do that. All gifts, all creating a richer, deeper bond between us.

I was so impressed with Justin’s methods and philosophy, I’ve created a Tuesdays with Justin weekly training series on Bark & Swagger for other pet parents who are dealing with that stubborn issue they haven’t been able to solve. Justin is tackling a common training problem each week and teaching us how to fix. For more complicated issues, he insists on a Skype session, so he can see you and your dog. But already, after only two weeks, his advice has helped a number of followers. And, that’s cause for happy times!

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!

What have you taught your dog lately?

Did I hear a bell? Justin’s dog, Pacino, running for the door.

Welcome back for Week 2 of Tuesdays with Justin, a dog training series from CBS-TV’s Dogs in the City star, Justin Silver. Justin helped us so much with our rescue, Jasper, that I wanted to share his philosophy and help other dog parents overcome frustrating issues. Justin and his partner, Dave Donnenfeld, also have a new book out, The Language of Dogs. I reviewed it in an earlier post (link at the bottom of this one). Each Tuesday, we’ll be giving away one copy to a lucky Bark & Swagger follower. I say “lucky” because it’s a great and very helpful read. On to week 2!

Tuesdays with Justin

(written by Justin Silver & Dave Donnenfeld)

Tell Them What You Want, Not What You Don’t OR Does Your Dog Go Crazy When the Doorbell Rings?

When the doorbell rings, dogs bark. Then people bark at the dog for barking and the message to the dog is: “When the bell rings, we all bark.” Then, guests wait. Then, knees get wedged into the door as friends try to scurry in unscathed. 

Whenever I ask a client, “What would you like your dog to do when the doorbell rings?” I get the same answer. “Well, I wish she wouldn’t…” I repeat the question and clients get more specific on what they don’t want. When they finally hear, “What do you want your dog to do?” a blank stare and an embarrassed grin follow.

Interestingly enough, people who have difficulty expressing their own needs in life are often blessed with doorbell drama. My weekly message of hope: When these same people are faced with their stressed or overly excited dog audibly begging for direction, magic happens.

Not So Great Expectations

It is reasonable for a dog to communicate, “Hey, someone’s here!” when the doorbell rings. The loop of lunacy that typically follows is another thing, so let me suggest some protocols:

• Thank the dog for alerting you that there is a guest at the door.
• Direct the dog to a “go to” spot while the guest is greeted.
• Once the guest is inside, call your dog over to say hello.

Sounds good? Good, let’s do this!

• Go to spot- a dog mat about 8-10’ away from the front door that offers line of sight.

Let’s Play!

• With the dog on leash, ring the doorbell and bring the dog to the spot.
• Use the sit and stay command. Approach the door (alone).
• Use treats to create some positive associations with the new spot.

  Try to approach the door unaccompanied for extended periods of time. Be sure to reward your dog for staying put. As progress is made, add difficulty with repeated ringing and swinging the door open. Finally, have a short conversation with an invisible person outside the door.

Once the dog can stay put, move to a real-world rehearsal- while your dog freely roams, ring the doorbell.

• Signal your dog to the spot or take him there if he’s still learning.
• Show the dog the reward.
• Let the dog calm down for a moment.
• Issue a “stay” before going to the door.
• Open the door, talk, close the door, return, and reward.

  Everyone who lives in the house should do this. Once 80% success has been achieved, practice the entire ritual and delay the reward until the end of the exercise.

Now that everyone’s on the same page, we can make a few concessions for the dog.

• Some barking is okay as is a little straying from the spot.
• A moment to calm down is allowed.
• Ask guests to avoid loud, excited greetings.
• Keep the dog on leash in the house when practicing.

When a dog is made aware of her options, anxiety abates and healthy confidence rises. As followers to our lead, knowing what is expected is often the simple cure for many woes.

Next week, we’ll learn the difference between giving your dog an option and attempting to bribe it.

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 SwagTeam! If you’re already part of the Bark & Swagger family, you’re eligible! The giveaway begins Tuesday, May 5 at 7am EST and ends Sunday, May 10 at 11:59pm EST. Each week, we’ll announce a new winner and start the giveaway again.

Week 1’s winner is Margot C. Congratulations, Margot!

To get more info, great tips and fun pictures, visit Justin on:

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

What’s your biggest training issue?

“‘Be Kind to Animals Week®’ (May 3-9) is the longest-running, most successful humane education campaign in America, and has been supported by several U.S. Presidents, movie stars from Shirley Temple to John Wayne, Eleanor Roosevelt to Betty White, and even Dennis the Menace and Porky Pig.”  This from a news release issued by the American Humane Association, which created the commemorative week back in 1915 to help teach Americans the value of kindness and compassion towards our animal friends.

Those of us who love the furrier inhabitants of our planet know that being kind to animals is important every day, all year. But it’s nice that we bring special attention to it in an official capacity, because they so deserve it.

To kick off Be Kind to Animals Week®, my husband and I took Sophie and Jasper on a long walk this morning. The weather was stunning and we explored parts of our neighborhood we hadn’t seen before, so it was interesting for us and the dogs. We met up with other dog parents, the pups got to socialize and we all got some needed exercise- a great way to start this special week!

Some fun facts about Be Kind to Animals Week

• Created against the backdrop of World War I when millions of horses were perishing on the blood-soaked battlefields of Europe, Be Kind to Animals Week has touched hundreds of millions of people, and over the years has featured many iconic spokespeople and advocates including President Warren Harding, Shirley Temple, Eleanor Roosevelt, Milton Berle, Doris Day, Porky Pig, Dennis the Menace, John Wayne, Lorne Greene, Carol Burnett, Clint Eastwood, Betty White and many others.
• How did it start? On October 5-8 of 1914, during its 38th annual 4-day meeting in Atlantic City, N.J., the leaders of the AHA adopted a resolution that local humane societies and individuals across the country would observe a “Humane Sunday which shall be devoted to the consideration of humanity to all living creatures” and “that this Sunday be followed by a week to be devoted to a special plan for kindness to animals, and to be known as ‘Be Kind to Animals’ week.”

• Several churches across the country had held annual “Mercy Sunday” events, where members of the clergy delivered sermons on the importance of the humane treatment of animals. Mercy Sunday was the forerunner to “Be Kind to Animals Week,” but the idea did not yet have the backing of a national leader in the humane movement
• An annual poster contest has allowed children to imagine creative ways in which we all can be kind to our furry, feathered, and finned friends.
• In 1916, one day after the conclusion of the second-ever “Be Kind to Animals Week,” American Humane Association president Dr. William O. Stillman receives a letter from U.S. Secretary of War Newton D. Baker asking American Humane Association to send a team to Europe to care for the sick and wounded animals used in battle, just as the Red Cross had been asked to do for humans.
• In 1936, Shirley Temple, the biggest child star of her era, serves as junior chair for “Be Kind to Animals Week.” Though she herself is too young to drive, she urges motorists to be vigilant to avoid animals crossing the roadway.

• In 1950, Porky Pig learns an important lesson of compassion on a special “Be Kind to Animals Week”-themed “Looney Tunes” short entitled “Dog Collared,” where he eventually befriends and adopts a dog who follows him everywhere.
• In 1960, child actor Jay North, the star of the sitcom “Dennis the Menace,” serves as spokesperson for the year’s celebration; he is joined by fellow CBS child star Jerry Mathers, better known as Beaver Cleaver on “Leave it to Beaver.”

• In 1971, Betty White is appointed “National Kindness Chairman,” beginning her decades-long legacy of working with American Humane Association, which endures to this day.
• In 1975, Doris Day, the year’s “National Kindness Chairman,” says that the most important criterion for owning a pet is “to be a responsible pet owner.” Some 1,200 humane organizations across the country celebrate “Be Kind to Animals Week.” American Humane Association begins a campaign to have “Be Kind to Animals Week” officially recognized by the United States Congress, which would take more than a decade to happen.
• In 2000, Allie Pearlman, a 12-year old from Old Bethpage, New York, is named the year’s “BKA Kid Contest” winner and receives a $10,000 scholarship from American Humane Association. The fifth grader was a compassionate crusader for ending the process of live frog dissection at her school. As a result of her efforts, her school district purchases a computer program to simulate frog dissection instead of using live animals.
• What now? For this Centennial, the AHA is launching an ambitious year-long campaign called “Kindness 100″ to recruit all Americans to become animal advocates and help solve the remaining challenges still facing millions of animals in need. The campaign, which kicks off this week, enlists a new generation to do four simple things that can make a world of difference to billions of farm animals, millions of animals abandoned to U.S. shelters each year, animals in entertainment, and disappearing and endangered species.

Some of the things AHA will be doing to reach people about this important campaign are: kicking off a national media tour, an educational roadshow to schools with a traveling museum aboard its fleet of famed Red Star Rescue trucks that save animals in disasters, and a website www.Kindness100.org where readers can find a fascinating historical retrospective of “Be Kind to Animals Week,” a series of pre-K-5 curricula to teach children compassion in all areas of life, official downloadable proclamations for local, state and federal officials, and a Kindness 100 Pledge with four things people can do to improve the lives of millions – actually, billions – of animals. Beautiful.

You can join the movement at www.Kindness100.org.

How are you celebrating Be Kind to Animals Week®?

What’s that?? A low-flying bird, a crumb from a treat? No! It’s a BUG! Bugs are crawlers non-grata in our house.  Sophie and Jasper stalk, investigate, explore and chase. I thought cats did that, but Isabel can’t seem to be bothered. For this week’s 52 Snapshots of Life photo challenge, the theme is Below. I chose this picture I snapped of Jasper eyeing a creepy crawlers on the floor of our apartment. It was just a matter of time before that unwitting creature had a playdate with a puppy.

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 chase bugs?

Stylish pet moms, get ready! Ours is a Mothers Day for the dogs! We’re going matching mad over here, and I have to share! LOL

Beautiful and fun fashion you can share with your pup…sounds like a great plan to me!  Matching or complimenting each other is a trending that’s heating up fast. It’s a great way to be creative and look fashionably coordinated. Here are a few finds I love:

Sews Before Bros

This cool company offers DIY lovers patterns and instructions to make really cute matching clothing. So they call it the Matching Dog/Crazy Dog Lady Outfits…no matter! We know that by crazy, they mean loving, right? Check out Sews Before Bros for inspiration.

Tutti Fruitti Wow!

This delicious-looking necklace set just makes me smile. Green jade, cherry quartz and Swarovski Crystals come together and say fun! The dragonfly/butterfly pendents compliment the colors found in nature theme, making this set a perfect spring/summer gift! Designed by Madelaine Saia of Diamonds in the Ruff Ruff. $185.00.

Got You Collared!

Dainty eyelet and a pop of color; these decorative collar accessories are right on trend and cute to boot! Couture by Sophie‘s The Sophie Haute Collar comes in a variety of colors & sizes, so you can share with your baby girl.  Pale pink, cornflower blue, lilac and lemon yellow. The grosgrain ribbon seals the feminine touch of Spring! $38.00.

Precious pets

Harper & Hound’s Power to the Paws necklace

Harper & Hound‘s a great choice when it comes to matching pendants to wear with your pups. My fave is the Power to the Paws, made from pewter and copper-plated pewter. They have a host more to check out. Shows our love and support for our furry babies. Necklace: $32.99 on sale now; dog charm: $18.99 on sale now. The set: $69.95.

Harper & Hound’s Power to the Paws dog collar charm

Significant others, here are some great and fashionable suggestions for the mom and pup in your house. Time’s a wasting… 🙂

Happy early Mother’s Day, all!

Moms, what would you like to get this Mother’s Day?

Anyone remember the best-selling memoir, Tuesdays with Morrie?  It recounts sports columnist, Mitch Albom’s, weekly visits with his 78-year-old sociology professor, Morrie Schwartz, who was dying from ALS, and the life lessons gleaned from their candid conversations.

Today, Bark & Swagger is kicking off its own Tuesday series, containing great lessons on how to be the best dog parents we can. We’re tackling the Top 10 most common dog training problems as identified by TV celebrity trainer and dog guru, Justin Silver and his partner, Dave Donnenfeld, from the more than 500 dogs they’ve trained.

Each week, Justin will tackle one training issue, explain his philosophy behind why it happens, and then give us the fix to do our dog training at home. They will surely give us food for thought about our own participation in the problems we have, and solid tips to move beyond.  Sounds good, right?

And, each week we’re giving away a copy of Justin’s new book, The Language of Dogs, a great read chock full of easy to follow techniques, training tools, tips, and more. We won’t get to cover everything in the book here, so winning a copy will give you all of the information you need to train your dog. See how to enter at the end of this post.

A training series like this is at its best when it’s interactive. So, feel free to comment, tell Justin and Dave what issues you’re experiencing, what you think of their advice, and we’ll see how many we can address.

So, let’s roll up our sleeves, find a comfortable seat and get ready to learn how to have a well-balanced, well-behaved dog.

Tuesdays With Justin – Week 1 – Self Awareness or Why does my dog pull on the leash?

Guest post by Justin Silver & Dave Donnenfeld

Justin Silver & Dave Donnenfeld

Training, problem solving and philosophy. These intimately connected elements comprise the foundation for all dog training. And for the next ten weeks, I’ll see if we can blend these magical herbs and spices into a readable elixir of doggity goodness.

To begin, I’d like to tackle the question that gets posed more than any other- why does my dog pull so much on leash?

The first thing I look at when dealing with a difficult dog is how an owner responds to an undesired behavior. Stressed owners beget stressed dogs and what I often see are dogs reacting to owners, not the other way around.

While many people understand the basics tenets of training, I often implore dog owners to slow down and practice a little self-awareness. With practice, they can often see the fix staring them in the face.

Do As I Say, Not As I Do

 So, “why is my dog pulling me on the leash?” Now it’s my turn to ask a question: How do dog owners typically react to a pulling dog? They pull back. Now both parties are doing the exact same thing, effectively turning a Sunday stroll into a tug of war.

When dogs pull and people follow, nobody wins. Once this frustrating dynamic locks in place, the next move conscientious people make is to buy collars or harnesses that make pulling less painful for the dog. Thoughtful though it may be, these concessions don’t help.

In Your Face

Aren’t we the ones who initially started pulling our dogs on leash? It would take a black belt in Buddhism to have never pulled on a dog’s leash. Having set this precedent for pulling from walk one, is it our dog’s fault for responding in kind?

The Fix Is In – What To Do

When a dog pulls on leash- stop walking! The dog will eventually look at you as if to say, “Your world buddy. What’s next?” Simply halt when a dog pulls and resume only after your dog looks to you for instruction.

Expect to lather, rinse and repeat quite a bit. It may take a lot of reps to undo an owner’s history of pulling.

Sum Final Advice

It’s not often one gets a chance to quote the Bible in dog training, so here goes: “Why do you see the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to see the beam of wood in your own?” How many dogs get to jump on people as puppies, only to get scolded for it later in life? How many pulling dogs get pulled around themselves? Barking dogs get barked at in the form of yelling and the list goes on. We’ve certainly been guilty of all of these things, at one point or another. 

Try a little self-awareness and see how your behavior, energy and actions impact upon your dog. When your dog pulls, stop walking, take a breath and wait it out. Next week, we’ll go from shouting what we don’t want, to getting what we do.

# # #

The Giveaway!

To enter the giveaway to win a copy of Justin’s new book, The Language of Dogs, you have to be a member of the SwagTeam or join the SwagTeam. That’s it!

What’s your biggest training problem?

Do you have a dog training challenge you just can’t solve? We’ve all been there. So, when I got to know celebrity dog trainer, Justin Silver, learned his philosophy and saw how he helped us with Jasper, I wanted to share! Most of us want to learn dog training at home. Classes can be expensive and we’re at the mercy of what other dogs are in the class and how much time the instructor can spend with us. This series will break it all down. We’ve identified ten of the most common dog training problems. Justin and his partner, Dave Donnenfeld, will address one each week, starting tomorrow.  Silver will intersperse his philosophy with the “fix” for the problem, so we can see the reasoning behind why he does what he does.

For those who don’t know Justin, he had his own CBS TV show, Dogs in the City, where he helped dog parents at the end of their rope solve their training problems. He’s since written a book, called The Language of Dogs and just wrapped a Dogs in the City-type show in Hong Kong, helping the rapidly-growing, dog owning Chinese market to be better pet parents. Justin is no nonsense, funny (he used to be a stand up comic) and good at what he does.

What’s impressive is he rarely sees a client more than once or twice. He doesn’t believe in working with trainers for months. If a pet parent follows his instruction and practices what he’s taught them, the dog gets trained and we do it.

Here’s more exciting news! Each week, I’ll be giving away one of Justin’s books, The Language of Dogs, to a lucky Bark & Swagger follower. We’ll do our best to address the key training issues, but we won’t be able to get to them all. You’ll find that in Justin’s book. All you have to do to enter is be a member or become a member of the SwagTeam and you’re in!

So, come back tomorrow for our first lesson in the Tuesdays with Justin Dog Training Series. Maybe he’ll help you solve your biggest training challenge!

We’re newbies. It’s our first Black & White Sunday and we’re excited to be joining Dachshund Nola and Sugar the Golden Retriever in this BlogHop!

This pic was taken shortly after we rescued Jasper. He had his harness on in the house because he was so unpredictable, and we needed to be able to capture him quickly, if someone rang the doorbell or he decided to go after our cats.

Sophie and Jas were hanging out on the couch (it might’ve even been a Sunday), happily occupying themselves with bully sticks. Like many dogs, they’re suckers for them, and as our NY trainer, Maggie Wood, says, “They’re worth a million dollars, so the dog should work for one.” I’d probably made them do some tricks and go into a sit/stay for a bit, and they’d done a good job.

Happy Sunday, all!

This is a BlogHop!