Articles on pet training/care by expert Andrea Arden. http://www.andreaarden.com Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:27:18 -0800 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0800 The inclination to retrieve is highly prized in dogs and has been encouraged through breeding and training over the course of hundreds of years so that dogs can assist people in a myriad of tasks. Retrieving can be most useful in the work of service dogs who can be taught to fetch objects for individuals with disabilities. But, retrieving can also be of immense benefit to the daily and long term quality of life for pet dogs and their people. http://www.andreaarden.com/article.php?id=195 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0800 When a dog growls most people react by moving away. This is a good thing. Growling indicates the dog is trying to create distance, either to protect itself or something it is guarding (a toy, food, a location). While nobody wants their or any dog to growl at them, the growl is in some ways to be appreciated as it is essentially the dog's way of giving a warning to back off. As aggression goes, this is far better than the dog making a sudden and quiet attack to bite. As with all dog vocalizations, there are a range of types of growls. However, most have one thing in common. The tone is low and clearly menacing. http://www.andreaarden.com/article.php?id=194 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0800 I usually begin classes and private lessons with an introduction to the many benefits of taking a positive, dog friendly approach to teaching. I am always pleased to see nods of approval from students as I explain how punishments more often than not result in a dog engaging in owner absent behavior problems (i.e. I'll wait until my family of big, bad punishers is gone to engage in chewing everything I can find and eliminating behind the couch, where it hopefully won't be found). While explaining how a punitive approach can also seriously damage the canine/human bond, I see plenty of people look lovingly at their dogs and imagine they are thinking that is the last thing they would want to have happen. At moments like this I am confident that people understand their role as their dog's guide. That they will move forward with a plan for management and teaching that will set their dog's up for a lifetime of success, safety, fun and happiness with their family. http://www.andreaarden.com/article.php?id=193 Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0800 I recently had an adorable puppy stay with me for a few days. Each morning as I carried her downstairs to go potty she tried with all of her puppy might to wash my face with kisses. It was hard to resist her, but I kept my face away so that our journey outside was kiss free. While I am a fan of dog kisses (within reason of course!), I hadn't discussed the matter with her family and therefore didn't want to encourage a behavior they might not like. And from what I had seen so far, she was ready to make a fortune running a kissing booth. http://www.andreaarden.com/article.php?id=191 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0800 Teaching a dog to walk nicely on leash is, in theory anyway, a fairly easy task. It comes down to teaching the dog to enjoy following you and to consider it more rewarding than other endeavors such as pulling ahead and lagging behind. The hard part of teaching your dog to walk nicely on leash comes down to the fact that this potentially enjoyable endeavor happens outdoors where your dog is exposed to an almost endless list of distractions. Furthermore, most dogs see their daily walks as some of the most thrilling moments of the day. So, distractions added with a high level of stimulation equals a dog who is probably not in the ideal canine student mindset. http://www.andreaarden.com/article.php?id=190 Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0800 We are thrilled to announce Sassie Joiris will be teaching agility for us in New York City! I first met Sassie almost 17 years ago at Citydog Obedience School in New York City and am thrilled that she will be bringing her vast expertise and engaging teaching style to our students. http://www.andreaarden.com/article.php?id=189 Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0800 Group dog training classes are a superb environment to learn about human behavior. Most run for 6-8 weeks, during which time the ebb and flow of the class dynamic changes dramatically. In the first week or two the enthusiasm and anticipation of both dogs and owners is palpable. Of course, there is often also a good bit of frustraion in the air. Many pet parents arrive suffering from varying degrees of dissatisfaction regarding their dog's behavior. The same can be said for the canine at the other end of the leash in regards to their human companion. http://www.andreaarden.com/article.php?id=188 Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0800 I had a dog training lesson this morning with a family who recently purchased their 5 month-old Havanese puppy from a pet store in New York City. They have had the pup for a few weeks and during that time have dealt with what seems to be more than their share of puppy issues. This little pup is consistently urinating and defecating in it's sleeping area, is eating it's feces, and is terrified of everyone, including it's own family. Watching this scared little pup trying to hide behind the furniture so it wouldn't be seen, let alone touched, made me feel heartbroken for her and for her family. They purchased this puppy against their own best judgement. That is, they acknowledged that they knew it was not a good idea to buy a dog from a pet store. But, like so many people do, they entered the store after seeing her curled in the back of the window area and felt they needed to rescue her. The store told them that she had been there a month, and that before that she came from a reputable breeder and lived in the persons home. But, as I explained to the family, the dog's behavior and logic would suggest otherwise. http://www.andreaarden.com/article.php?id=187 Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0800 Marta from Long Island sent me an email today asking how to stop her five year old West Highland White Terrier from sabotaging her social life by barking up a storm whenever she holds a phone to her ear. Connor had been crowned with the title of Sir Barksalot by the time he was a year old and since that time Marta had reluctantly focused on texts to make contact with people. I explained that it was likely that when Connor was a puppy he barked at her for attention while she was occupied on the phone and Marta had inadvertantly reinforced this behavior by giving him attention as a result. Her attention may very well have been in the form of pleadings to shush, but for most dogs, attention is attention. http://www.andreaarden.com/article.php?id=186 Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0800 Today I made a quick trip across the street to get a delicious cafe con leche from Despana, the lovely little shop with delicacies from Spain. As I went up the two steps to enter a gentleman was on his way out with his hands full, a tray of coffees in one hand and a bag in the other. I pushed the door in and prepared to step aside and hold it open for him to pass. But, before I knew it he had placed his purchases on the table next to the door and was holding the door for me! My surprised words of thanks were followed by a gracious response in Spanish from the man. I had come across a true gentleman from Spain! This simple gesture of doorway etiquette has carried me through the day with a little smile on my face. Clearly, such a small act of politeness can make quite an impact. The same is true for our dogs. Teaching them to be as polite as the Spanish gentleman I encountered is a worthy goal. http://www.andreaarden.com/article.php?id=185