Talk to the animals?

Yes.

And what’s more, they talk to us!

If you’ve ever shared your life with animals, you’ll know that they understand most of what you say to them. You mention that you’re going for a walk and the dog is standing at the gate, ready. You say that you’re going visiting and that dogs aren’t invited and you find out where the expression ‘hang-dog look’ came from — the ears droop, the head sinks and Pooch drags himself off to sulk.

It’s dinner time, you tell the cat that she’s got fish for tea and you’re overwhelmed with affection; you tell her that tonight’s the night she has a tin of cat food and watch her turn her back and ignore you.

So, we know that they know what we’re saying, but are we clever enough to understand what they are saying to us?

A cat has a very large vocabulary — every syllable in miaow can be lengthened, shortened, used alone or in combination with one or more of the others; it can be loud or barely audible; it can be confident, angry, intimate or pitiful, depending on what the cat is trying to tell us.

HOW ANIMALS TEACH US TO UNDERSTAND THEIR LANGUAGE

Cats teach us how to understand them in much the same way we teach babies to understand their language. Every human baby makes the same pre-speech sounds; the gurgles, clucks, hums and bubbles are common to every society. When we hear a sound that is similar to a word used in our language, we repeat it to the baby and then make a great fuss when the baby repeats it to us, and so each child learns the language of its own society.

When your cat wants to go outside, she will try a series of different sounds until you learn to recognise one of them, then she will always use that particular sound to tell you she wants to go out. So, a short m’ia means I’d like to go outside; a loud m’ia means I’d like to go outside NOW; a long miiaoowww means she can’t find you; a pitiful little m’ow means she’s cold and she’d like a cuddle.

She will patiently teach you her ‘words’ until she feels confident that you can meet all her needs. (The poster that states dogs have masters; cats have staff has a great deal of truth in it!)

BODY LANGUAGE

Animals use body language and signals, as well as sounds, to communicate. Just watch a child who’s been in trouble go to the family dog for comfort. Pooch sits quietly, gazing into the child’s eyes, his face a picture of concern and sympathy. He doesn’t have to say anything, he just presses gently against the child and offers moral support by simply being there.

HOW WE TEACH ANIMALS TO UNDERSTAND OUR LANGUAGE

Since we can be taught to understand animals, researchers have tried to teach animals how to understand our language, too.

Research into the language capabilities of primates at Georgia State University, Atlanta began in 1971 when the Lana fund was set up to produce a language analog of human language in non-human primates and was linked to finding different ways to teach language to children with disabilities.

The first experiments centred around Lana, a female chimp born in October 1970 (and named after the project – LANguage) and were simple tasks that resulted in food being released when certain keys on the computer-based keyboard were pressed.

However, Lana soon began to string together stock sentences into meaningful and new sentences of her own creation, such as You give Lana banana which is black? when asking for an overly ripe banana.

According to University records, Lana was the first ape to demonstrate that chimpanzees could form syntactically adequate sentences, the first to show that they were capable of recognizing written symbols, and the first to demonstrate that they could read. She could take partially completed sentences, read them and complete them appropriately.

Recent research, conducted by Georgia State University Psychology Professor, Duane Rumbaugh, Ph.D., of the Language Research Centre, shows that when reared in the proper environment, chimpanzees and bonobos are as capable of understanding questions and simple sentences as a two-and-a-half year old child.

KANZI

Kanzi, a bonobo ape, and his foster mother, Matata, arrived at the LRC when Kanzi was 6 months of age. He accompanied his mother during her daily lexigram training tasks and spent most of his time ignoring them or trying to disrupt them in any way he could. Like any youngster, he liked the lights on the keyboard and often tried to chase the symbols as they appeared on the projectors above the keyboard.

When Kanzi was 2 1/2 years old, Matata was sent back to breed and Kanzi was separated from her for the first time. After fretting for her for three days, Kanzi then settled and began to play with the keyboard. Lab notes record that he, correctly employ(ed) nearly all of the 10 lexigrams that were on his mother’s keyboard at that time. He didn’t need to be taught these lexigrams, as he already knew them.

Prior to the separation, however, Kanzi had given no evidence that he had even been attending to them, much less that he understood any sort of semantic connection between lexigrams and objects in his world. Even more striking than the fact that Kanzi knew the lexigrams, was the fact that he also knew the spoken English words which the lexigrams represented. He couldn’t speak the words, but when he heard them, he could locate the lexigram, or printed symbol, that corresponded with the word.

One of the most fascinating aspects of all this was that Kanzi had learnt to understand the lexigrams simply by being exposed to their use. From that point, all reward-based learning was discarded in favour of letting Kanzi learn through conversation.

He was given plenty of help to learn with gestures, with pictures, with video tape and with activities that showed the words in action. Most of the conversations centered around travel, finding food and playing and his vocabulary steadily increased until today he can use over 200 words and can understand more than 500.

SIGN LANGUAGE

After observing how chimpanzees communicated in the wild using signals, psychologists, Beatrice and Robert Gardner conducted a series of experiments in the 1960s, to teach young chimps Ameslan, the American sign language where each gesture represents a word, rather than a syllable or sound.

The young female chimps learnt hundreds of words and were even able to use these words to invent their own phrases to suit different situations. One chimp, Lucy, was given her first taste of a hot radish and signed that it was, … cry hurt food.

Hearing impaired people who observed the chimps were able to understand them without difficulty and the Gardners were hopeful of being able to extend their communication with the chimps.

THE LAST WORD

However, funding for the project gradually dried up and the chimps were sold for medical research.

Shortly before the facility closed down, two handlers who had worked on the project made one last visit. They signed to the chimps, What do you want?

One after another, the chimps signed back, Key.

The danger in learning to understand what animals have to say is that we may not like what we hear.

Jennifer Stewart has a degree in English and History and taught senior High School for over twenty years. During that time, she was Head of Department, responsible for devising and implementing teaching programs, and for supervising young teachers. After leaving full-time teaching, she wrote (and now markets) writing courses for students and adults who want to improve their writing skills. Visit her website at http://www.write101.com and subscribe to free, weekly Writing Tips: mailto:WritingTips-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Jennifer also offers professional writing services – copy writing, editing and proof reading for your web pages, press releases, technical booklets, newsletters, business proposals, reports or any other writing projects.

Edible Treats

Pets just love food treats, almost like the way most of us who love junk food. But these treats should be offered with discretion.

Many treats have higher sugar or fat content than staple diet food. For example, treat sticks for rodents usually have more processed sugar than the hay, grasses, pellets and vegetables that should actually form the bulk of their diet. Snack treats such as biscuits for dogs and cats often have a higher fat content than regular diet also.

If a pet gets hooked on these treats, partly because of their owners who overly feed them with such treats. The pet may eat less of, or even refuse altogether its staple diet and demand more of the snacks. This is a big health issue problems and will lead to troubles like obesity, diabetes and dental problems.

For your information, even raw vegetables for rodents should be carefully selected. For instance, some rabbits and guinea pigs get addicted to the sweetness of carrot or the juiciness of lettuce and might refuse other type of vegetables, leading to malnourishment or diarrhea.

Treat Management ? How Often?

How often is too often? This can largely depend on the species, the individual animal?s health, age, activity level, size of the treat and the quality of the staple diet.

As a general guideline, it is safe to say that daily treats are too much, unless each portion is broken into small pieces and given to him once a day. Otherwise, give a regular-size treat once or twice a week at most.

If you are using treats to train your pet, especially dogs. Make sure to break your treats into smaller pieces and not to give excessively such that your dog refuses or fail to finish his daily diet. If this happens, you will know that you have over feed him.

The Best Treat

The best treats you can give to your pets are your time, attention, affection and energy. These treats are more valuable than luxurious housing or 5-star desserts, as time and love will make an animal companion bloom while feeling safe and secure.

This means that animals which need to be walked, such as dogs, should be taken out daily. Most dogs love walks as they sniff out all the exciting scents and exploring new routes. By giving your dog the walk-treat, it?s good exercise for you too!

Give attention to your pet by spending time stroking, grooming and talking to him gently. Any animals that have learn to trust its owners will enjoy being patted, tummy-scratched, stroked and brushed. Be sure to look out for any unusual behavior and signs of ill-health, and see a vet if necessary.

Make an effort to keep your pet?s living environment clean, stress-free and safe. Wash bedding, clean enclosures and remove dangerous items that may harm your pet.

Treats are still treats and will never ever be able to replace the affection, care and concern that you can offer to your pet. Never is and never will. Make some extra effort to care for your pet today and your pet will appreciate it.

Moses Chia is the webmaster of DogsObedienceTraining.com. He provides more helpful information on dog obedience training, dog training book reviews and dog illness symptoms interpretation that you can learn in the comfort of your home on his website. You are welcome to reprint this article if you keep the content and live link intact.

This medium sized breed weighs between 50-65 pounds and reaches between 22 to 26 in height. Their name is pronounced LAK-in-wah. The Belgian Laekenois is the rarest of four Belgian Sheepdogs. Bred to herd sheep, this breed remains a working breed today.

The AKC recognizes three of the Belgian Sheepdogs but does not recognize the Belgian Laekenois. Their color ranges from red to fawn and mahogany to gray. They may or may not have a dark masking on their face. Their harsh, rough, wiry coat is over 2 in length and gives them an unkempt or tousled appearance. Their coat is waterproofed and they should not be bathed on a regular basis. They only require minimal grooming and should never be clipped to closely.

This energetic, protective and intelligent breed is more of a working dog than family companion. The Belgian Laekenois loves to work and is happiest when they have a job to do. They are excellent farm dogs, herding dogs and watchdogs. They can also make an good family pets for active families. The Belgian Laekenois has an abundance of energy and loves to be on the go. They are not meant to be indoors all day and are happiest when they have plenty of room to run and play. Early socialization is a must for other pets, dogs and children. Early training is also recommended. They have a herding instinct and will herd family and pets alike.

The Belgian Laekenois originated in Belgium. It is one of four Belgian Sheepdogs. They are often recognized as distinct breeds, but in some countries they are actually all considered to be one breed. Originally bred to watch over linen bleaching fields, they were later used to watch over sheep. They are now used for herding and as guard dogs.

Work, work and more work is the Belgian Laekenois’ motto. They love to have a job to do and are not a lazy breed by any means. To have a happy Belgian Laekenois, they need a family that will recognize their energy level and work instinct and make sure that both those needs are met. If you are a family that likes to relax inside all the time, then the Belgian Laekenois is probably not for you.

Learn more about the Belgian Laekenois or discuss Dogs with other dog lovers at http://www.deardoggy.com

The sport of hunting rabbits on horseback with packs of hounds is well documented. Historians have recorded that packs of hounds were used to hunt hare and rabbit and fox as early as the 13th century in England. In 400 B.C. the Greek historian Xenophon described packs of hounds being used for hunting rabbits. it is believed that the word Harrier comes from the Norman word for hound and that the origin of the Harrier hound may have travelled to England with the Normans. In seventeenth century England, the sport of running packs of hounds of fifty or more after the rabbit or fox while the hunters followed on horseback was enjoyed by the wealthy upper class. The Harrier was the breed more commonly used by the lower classes. In actuality there is not a lot of difference between the two breeds in outward appearance. The Harrier is a dog a that is taller than the Beagle and shorter and blockier in appearance than its taller cousin the Foxhound. The specified height for the Harrier is 19-20 inches at the withers with females being slightly shorter.

Hunting with packs of Harriers or Foxhounds has always been an extremely popular sport in England but in today’s modern society, what with the legal restrictions on this type of hunting and the lack of large open spaces in which to run the horses and the dogs it is seldom seen outside of exclusive game farms or privately held lands.

The Harrier makes a friendly and gentle house dog. He is usually a quiet sort in the house, not creating much of a disturbance but preferring to lie around and bask in the warmth of human companionship. Of course like all hounds he needs plenty of exercise, this is one of the breeds that does put on weight quickly if not kept fit and trim. There is little to be done in the way of grooming, currying once a week with a rubber currycomb works well to clean out dead hairs and dirt. Also he will need a fenced area if not kept on a leash when outdoors, for he will be inclined to roam. The Harrier is a baying hound and will give voice when it gets on the scent of the prey. Like most of the hounds, this is a deep a melodious voice that will carry quite a distance so if it is going to be left alone in a neighborhood it can raise quite a noise when lonely! If kept penned it is necessary that this dog have a kennel mate. It is far happier in a home as it loves people.

The Harrier has the typical hound outline, straight of leg in the front, with a thick and well muscled chest and neck, with the typical dropped ears of the hound and a gentle expression in its dark eyes. The Harrier may be of any hound color and the coat should be hard, dense and glossy. As a general rule the Harrier has very few health problems.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Dogs

You know how annoying it can be when you have an itch, but you can’t reach it to give it a scratch? Well, when your cat has fleas it’s like your problem, just multiplied a hundred times.

If your cat has fleas or ticks, you need to take action. If they are scratching or have irritated skin, your cats need you to bring this problem under control because it can become a much larger problem if you do not.

Even clean cats can end up with fleas. All it takes is a stray animal to come close enough to the cat. Or, the cat can pick them up outdoors as well. Even just one flea can leave many eggs and cause a full scale attack on your pet.

To stop them before they start, you can use a product such as Frontline or Advantage. These are pre measured liquid treatments that are applied directly to the cat?s skin and coat. When fleas get onto the pet, these products kill them before they can lay eggs. Those who want preventative measures for keeping the cat safe should use these.

For most though, it takes seeing the fleas to get them to start fighting them. If you see tiny black or brown insects on your animal, these are no doubt that your cat is flea infested. If you do see them, realize that the problem is already a big problem.

What you need to do is make sure to check your pet for fleas all the time. You can do this with a flea comb. Carefully comb through the cat?s hair and pay attention to the hair around the cat?s head and his belly. These are the ideal places for fleas to hide including the ears, eyes and the nose. And, they like to burrow in the creases where the cat?s legs and body meet.

When combing your pet, if you find a flea you know they are throughout his body. But, if you end up with a few black or brown specks, this too is a sign that they are hiding somewhere on the pet?s body.

To find them, run your hands over the cat?s body. Look for raised spots on him. If you find one or more, check it closely to see if it has little legs. If so the cat has ticks. You?ll need to ask your vet about having the tick removed as you can not do this yourself without risking the tick?s head staying behind in your pet?s skin.

In order to get them under control, you?ll need to use one of the liquid flea and tick treatments. You can also use flea or tick collars and baths as well. If the fleas are in your house, as they probably are, then you will need to use a powder or spray for the bedding and upholstered furniture too. As a last resort, you can use a flea and tick bomb in your home. But, in this case, the animals will need to stay out of your home for at least 24 hours.

Fleas are a serious concern and you need to keep them from affecting your pet. If your pet has them, also talk to your vet about treatments he can provide as these are professional strengths that can help. Before they make your pet sick, take measures at the first sign of trouble.

Niall Kennedy is a lifelong pet lover and has worked in several pet sanctuaries. Best Pet Health Information is a resource that brings you information about many aspects cat health. You will also find great deals on flea medication for cats such as Frontline, Advantage and Revolution. http://www.Best-Pet-Health.info

Copyright Best-Pet-Health.info All rights reserved. This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact.

Known for its prowess in the field and its intense skill at the chase and known equally as well for its sensitivity and its love of people, the Scottish Deerhound is a unique breed that is highly cherished by the people who have had the pleasure to own one. The Scottish Deerhound is exactly what the name implies, a dog that was bred in the rough lands of Scotland to chase and bring down the deer. For many centuries this was a game dog that served both the peasantry and the landed gentry very well in its pursuit of the deer and doubled as a family dog that held a special place by the fireside of its master. It very nearly died out by the eighteenth century…as there was less demand for deer meat and the times were changing. It is still a scarce breed and ranks quite low on the popularity list of the American Kennel Club.

The Scottish Deerhound is a tall breed, from 28-32 inches at the withers. The dog carries a great deal of strength in the neck and shoulders and a powerful jaw, for it is a dog that is built to hunt and bring down wild game that is as big or bigger than himself. The color ranges from dark gray or steel blue to sandy red or fawn . White is strongly discouraged. The dog has a wire coat except that the muzzle itself is not bearded. The outline of the Scottish Deerhound is similar to that of the Greyhound although the form is bulkier and much more muscled. He is a dog that should have the appearance of strength and speed. His temperament is quite gentle and mannerly, although he is a fiery and passionate hunting hound, he is also a sweet and docile companion who loves to be a part of the family.

It has been noted by owners of the Scottish Deerhound that it seems to be a breed that needs to be exposed early to anything it might encounter later on, as it has a tendency to become easily upset when its environment changes suddenly. It is a dog that needs plenty of training and exposure early on and it will adapt to stresses much better if this is done. Any home that is considering a Scottish Deerhound should accept that this is a breed that does not adapt easily to change and should take this into consideration when determining if this is a breed that will fit their lifestyle. Furthermore any time a family considers a hunting breed or a hound for a companion or family dog, considerations of space and exercise are very important, for an active dog needs plenty of exercise and free running room. The Scottish Deerhound is a unique blend of gentleness and courage, stamina and sensitivity, docility and eagerness to hunt, all of these combining to make it a dog that is a very special and much loved companion for those who have had the privilege of owning one.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Dogs

Norwegian Elkhounds are an old breed, dating back to Stone Age times in Scandinavia. Fossil dating confirms its long use as a domesticated hunting companion of man. They are only moderately popular in the U.S., but as you’ll see, this breed has a lot of desirable traits that make it a good choice as a pet.

Physical Characteristics

Norwegian Elkhounds are beautiful dogs, with medium-sized bodies, a distinctive Spitz curled tail, and strong, athletic lines. Bred to hunt a variety of prey, they possess amazing stamina and can go strong for days at a time. Like all hunting dogs, Elkhounds have powerful jaw muscles and ears that move around the head to pick up sounds coming from many directions. They have wide, deep, muscular chests and front legs designed for quick bursts of speed.

Not surprisingly, since they evolved in colder climes, Norwegian Elkhounds possess a thick double coat that is darker gray on top and lighter underneath. It is superbly suited for heat absorption and retention. They also emit no ?doggie? odor ? another common characteristic of hunting dogs. This works to mask its presence when stalking prey. For us as pet owners, this makes the Elkhound a very clean dog, even in the hot summer months when other breeds can become smelly from all the perspiration.

Elkhounds stand 18-22 inches tall and generally run between 40-55 lbs. Pound for pound, they are one of the fiercest hunting dogs in existence and make excellent guard dogs for homes and businesses. They bark loudly and often, which is either a good or a bad thing, depending on where you live and what job you give the dog.

From a health perspective, Elkhounds are prone to hip dysplasia, dermatitis, and Fanconi Syndrome (rare, but can lead to kidney failure). You should also be careful not to overfeed this breed, as it gains weight quickly and doesn?t shed pounds efficiently in a sedentary domestic environment.

Temperament

The Norwegian Elkhound is both friendly and fiercely loyal. This is a great trait in a pet dog, but care must be taken to properly socialize the animal to avoid aggression toward strangers (both other dogs and humans). Having only occasional visitors can bring out the ‘guard dog’ tendency. Early socialization, such as taking the pup to crowded parks or having lots of family and friends over on a regular basis, can instill a sense of ease around strange dogs and people that will last your dog’s lifetime. The key is to help your pet Elkhound learn early on to associate your presence among others as a good thing – not a situation requiring his/her defensive posturing (barking, growling, aggressive movements).

Like all arctic dog breeds, Elkhounds have a definite independent streak. Intelligent and resourceful, they are one of the best breeds to have as an ?only pet.? They are a bit resistant to formal training, so you need to be firm (but never mean) to teach them. They respond well to praise and rewards, but are very sensitive and will remain aloof for long periods if you treat them unfairly or punish too much during training. The key is to be firm, but give lots and lots of praise and love to reward him/her when the behavior you want to instill is exhibited.

The most common complaint about Norwegian Elkhound behavior is the barking. Understand that hunting dogs need to hold the prey at bay and alert their masters to their location at the same time. This means that the more boisterous dogs were better at helping their masters hunt, so they got bred more often. As a natural result, this breed now features loud barking almost universally. Don?t get an Elkhound if this will pose a problem.

Elkhounds as Pets

As you?ve probably discerned, Norwegians need a lot of activity. They are tireless runners and need to burn that energy off. Therefore, they are not good pets for apartment or condominium dwellers, unless you can provide ample outdoor space for regular exercise. Ideally, a big fenced yard or local park with a regularly active owner is the perfect setting for these dogs.

Norwegian Elkhounds are also best suited for a cooler climate. They can overheat quickly in any region where the temperature exceeds 90 in the Summer. However, they do very well during cold winters, even when temps dip into sub-zero readings.

Finally, always exercise caution when taking your Elkhound out for a walk or jog. Use a leash! They have an independent streak and are known to ignore their masters when they pick up an interesting scent. Even trained dogs of this breed will sometimes defy their masters when a really enticing scent comes along, so don?t get complacent!

Overall, the Norwegian Elkhound is an excellent dog to bring into your home as a pet. Loyal, friendly, intelligent and energetic, they make wonderful pets for active people or working dogs for those with property protection needs.

John Schwartz is a freelance writer and dog lover. He has written many published articles on subjects that include shopping for safe dog toys and supplies, improving pet health, and good dog training practices. Visit his website at http://www.puppies-dogs-supplies.com for more information and pet dog tips.

Here are five easy to use training tips for your new puppy.

1.) Chewing Problems – The most effective solution to a puppy chewing on something he shouldn’t is to not discipline him, but to simply replace the object that he is chewing with a chew toy and then to raise him greatly for chewing on his chew toy. Positive encouragement is what a puppy will respond to the most.

2.) House Training – The easiest way to house train your puppy is to always take him out immediately after his meal. Wait for him to go. Once he goes, praise him greatly. He’ll soon get the idea that going outside is the correct thing to do.

3.) Playtime – When you are thinking about getting a puppy, make sure you have the appropriate time to give to your dog. Estimated necessary time is about 10-30 minutes for eating (3 times a day), 10-30 minutes for a walk (3 times a day) and about an hour of playtime with your dog. Most people don’t realize the amount of time that a healthy puppy will require.

4.) Dog Crates – Dog Crates can have a positive impact on both the dog and the owner. It’ll give the dog a safe and secure area that is very close the den like atmosphere that dogs had in the wild. Once a dog is comfortable with a crate, it’ll allow the owner to safely transport the dog and help to house train a puppy (they won’t want to do business in their den).

5.) Hide The Chocolate – When getting ready for halloween, make sure you keep the candy out of reach of the dog, especially chocolate. Chocolate is very dangerous to a dog. It can make the dog very very sick. If you suspect that your dog has eaten chocolate, you should your veterinarian IMMEDIATELY.

For more dog training tips like these, head over to our web site: http://Weekly-Tips.com/Dog-Training and sign-up for our weekly email.

Todd runs the Dog Training Tips web site at http://weekly-tips.com/dog-training/ where you can sign up to have weekly dog training tips like these delivered weekly to your in-box.

Nowadays, pet owners consider their pets as members of the family. Pet owners try to provide their pets with the comfort and the care they would provide family members. As a result, a demand for certain pet services like pet grooming have been created, as pet owners try to provide the best for their pets. A number of business opportunities have also been created for entrepreneurs who wish to cash in on this demand. Among these opportunities, one that has become lucrative is holding a pet daycare. There is a huge demand for daycare services among pet owners especially for pet owners who leave the house and do not want to leave their pets all alone. The good news is that for people who want to open up a pet daycare.

There are some steps that entrepreneurs can take that can help them get a good start on their pet daycare business. One of these includes embarking on a learning process about the pet daycare business. This is important because knowing every detail of the business can help business owners to take further steps that can ensure success. It is then important for business owners to come up with a business plan, which can help them strategize and plan the operations of the business. The business plan should include the ways by which the performance of the business could be monitored and evaluated.

It would also be a good idea for business owners to evaluate the competition as well, as this can help them come up with ways that they can distinguish themselves from other similar companies. In addition, business owners also need to provide excellent customer service, which they can do by talking with their customers and responding to their needs and concerns.

Starting up a pet day care business has become a lucrative business options for entrepreneurs because there is a huge demand for pet daycare services from pet owners. By doing enough research, an entrepreneur can maximize the opportunities that running a pet day care service can provide.

Pet Care provides detailed information on Pet Care, Pet Health Care, Pet Care Products, Pet Day Care and more. Pet Care is affiliated with Pet Health Care.

Some people mistakenly think that kind and firm solutions reward their dogs for bad behavior and that the only way a dog can learn is to suffer. More often than not, the solution for the dog’s misbehavior is really misplaced anger or a desire to hurt the dog for hurting you. That’s what happened with Francie, who left her new puppy Cody, an American Eskimo dog (a very attached breed who needs attention), home alone for long hours while she went to work. Her little dog was bored and teething, so he entertained himself by chewing on Francie’s shoes. Little did he know that his entertainment would make his mom so angry. When Francie walked in and saw one of her $200 shoes in Cody’s mouth, she saw red. She pulled the shoe away from him and hit him with it over and over, yelling, No, no, no! Bad dog, bad dog! Cody slunk away with his tail between his legs and hid under a chair. Francie grabbed him and threw him outside saying, You think about what a bad boy you’ve been. Right!

If Francie thought her methods would stop Cody from chewing on her shoes because she taught him a lesson, she was soon disabused of the notion when, the next day, he chewed another pair of her best shoes. No amount of yelling and hitting seemed to get through to the little pup.

The Pup Parenting Plan was very simple for Francie.

1 . The behavior that bothers me: Chewed up shoes.

2. Why change is needed: Shoes are expensive and I can’t afford to keep replacing them.

3. The mistake I am making: Every one of them. I am reactive, disrespectful, punitive, and I talk too much. When she stepped back and looked at the problem objectively, she knew that chewing a shoe is not bad behavior. It is normal dog behavior. The faulty behavior is leaving the shoe in the dog’s reach in the first place. Francie could see that it does not make sense to punish a dog for normal dog behavior, nor does it make sense to assume a dog will learn from punishment. Have you noticed that most pooch parents initially respond just the way Francie did? They punish their dogs for chewing the shoe instead of simply removing their shoes from the dog’s path.

4. A list of possible solutions: I don’t have to brainstorm for a list of solutions. It’s obvious that I must keep my shoes out of sight and provide appropriate chew toys. Instead of brainstorming, she acted:

She went to the store and found a shoe rack that hung on the back of her closet door and put all of her shoes in the rack.

She also bought a lot of soft stuffed animals at the secondhand store and set them out for Cody to chew. Each animal cost 50 cents — a bargain compared to her shoes. Francie tried rawhide strips, but Cody never liked chewing on them. He preferred something soft, like the shoes, so the stuffed animals were a great substitute and a much better solution than releasing all one’s anger at a dog.

5. Choose a solution and follow through: Having a well-thought-out plan made it easy for Francie to follow through. She kept her shoes out of Cody’s sight, and she never lost another shoe.

Try to imagine what your dog is thinking while being swatted with the shoe. Do you think he is thinking, Thank you for caring about me so much that you want to hurt me to teach me right from wrong? It is more likely that your dog is hurt and totally confused — but amazingly, still loves you.

Francie didn’t feel good about hitting Cody and yelling at him. She shook her head at how much she and Cody had suffered because she didn’t take the time to think the problem through. She liked herself a lot better when she was less angry and had a respectful plan. Kind and firm proactive pooch parenting was much more her style.

If Cody could talk, what would he say? I loved the game that Francie used to play with me. I would chew her shoe, she would give me lots of attention, I got to go outside and play in the yard, and when I came back in, she had already left another shoe for me to chew. Oh well, now I have my own special toys to play with.

http://www.positivediscipline.com/pupparenting

Reprinted from: Pup Parenting: A Guide to Raising a Happy, Well-Trained Dog by Lynn Lott, Jane Nelsen, and Therry Jay ? 2006 Rodale Inc. Permission granted by Rodale, Inc., Emmaus, PA 18098. Available wherever books are sold or directly from the publisher by calling (800) 848-4735 or visit their website at www.rodalestore.com