Tag: Sunday dog

Judith Jones on Cooking for Her Dog
Penny is a longtime fan of food writer and editor of many of her favorite cookbooks, Judith Jones who died recently. One of her books Penny bought before it disappears from stock was "Love Me, Feed Me: Sharing with Your Dog the Everyday Good Food You Cook and Enjoy."

As you may know, from our newspaper columns and some posts here, we feed our dog Poppy homemade food. Her diet is raw because of the many issues a Westie can have with food. Judith Jones, on the other hand, cooked meals that she shared with her dog Mabon.

This book is a great place to begin a discussion about what we're feeding our dogs and if we have fallen for the marketing efforts of the dog food industry. Jones worked with her veterinarian who supported this alternative feeding style.

Here are a few quotes from reviews of this delightful book:
- “Delightful….This sensible book reminded us of food writers like Elizabeth David and M. F. K. Fisher: recipes plus a pinch of life itself.”
  – The Bark
- “Clever tips abound.”
  – BookPage
- “As much about the unconditional friendship pets offer as it is about braised beef shanks and omelets, kasha and corn cakes, and as much about the nutritional requirements of caninehood…as about the companionable requirements….A loving salute to the dogs [Jones] has known and to a life filled to the brim with what they brought to her.”
  – Booklist
- “An ingenious recipe collection…What’s fascinating about Love Me, Feed Me is that the recipes are relatively simple and good, prepared daily by Jones for herself and her dog Mabon, an adorable white curly-haired Havanese straight out of central casting.”
  – The Faith Middleton Show
We highly recommend "Love Me, Feed Me" for you and your Sunday Dog or as a great gift anytime you visit someone who loves their dog.

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Related articles

Legendary Editor Judith Jones has Passed Away

" Judith Jones Memorial – August 26th, 2017
September 10, 2017
Judith Jones on Cooking for Her Dog
Penny is a longtime fan of food writer and editor of many of her favorite cookbooks, Judith Jones who died recently. One of her books Penny bought before it disappears from stock was "Love Me, Feed Me: Sharing with Your Dog the Everyday Good Food You Cook and Enjoy."

As you may know, from our newspaper columns and some posts here, we feed our dog Poppy homemade food. Her diet is raw because of the many issues a Westie can have with food. Judith Jones, on the other hand, cooked meals that she shared with her dog Mabon.

This book is a great place to begin a discussion about what we're feeding our dogs and if we have fallen for the marketing efforts of the dog food industry. Jones worked with her veterinarian who supported this alternative feeding style.

Here are a few quotes from reviews of this delightful book:
- “Delightful….This sensible book reminded us of food writers like Elizabeth David and M. F. K. Fisher: recipes plus a pinch of life itself.”
  – The Bark
- “Clever tips abound.”
  – BookPage
- “As much about the unconditional friendship pets offer as it is about braised beef shanks and omelets, kasha and corn cakes, and as much about the nutritional requirements of caninehood…as about the companionable requirements….A loving salute to the dogs [Jones] has known and to a life filled to the brim with what they brought to her.”
  – Booklist
- “An ingenious recipe collection…What’s fascinating about Love Me, Feed Me is that the recipes are relatively simple and good, prepared daily by Jones for herself and her dog Mabon, an adorable white curly-haired Havanese straight out of central casting.”
  – The Faith Middleton Show
We highly recommend "Love Me, Feed Me" for you and your Sunday Dog or as a great gift anytime you visit someone who loves their dog.

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Related articles

Legendary Editor Judith Jones has Passed Away

" Judith Jones Memorial – August 26th, 2017
September 10, 2017
Preventive Care for Your Dog Can Save Money and Decrease Stress

Are you doing all you can to keep your pets healthy and save money? Preventive care, early diagnosis, and good home health habits are a few ways to save both lives and money.

Dental Care

Daily dental care is one way to save substantial money over the course of your pal’s life. It can also help you avoid treatment for chronic illness that can come about from untreated dental problems. Brushing your cat or dog’s teeth once a day is a help. Twice a day is even better. Make it part of your morning and evening routines.

Poppy’s dental routine began the day she joined our family. She’s already a cooperative partner in her twice daily brushings.

Either your veterinarian or groomer can give you tips for gaining your animal’s cooperation with tooth brushing. There are videos and pages of tips on the internet and most pet care books cover this topic.

Here's one good example, so take 5 minutes to watch this video on how to do it.

An examination of the mouth and a report on its condition should be a routine part of veterinary care. When the time comes to have a professional dental cleaning performed, always ask about the price, shop around for the best value, and the most experienced team.

For example, Angell Animal Medical Center has a dedicated “Dentistry Specialty Service.” Because this team performs more procedures and has the resources of the teaching hospital at hand, they can even treat some high-anesthesia-risk patients. They take referrals from veterinarians or you can make an appointment yourself.

Feed High Quality Food

Just as junk food can have an impact on human health, poor quality food can cause health issues in animals. Over the past few years, we’ve heard horror stories about the pet food industry.

Food is one area where pet guardians need to educate themselves. Read about your options, make your best decision, and feed your dogs and cats the highest quality food possible. If you decide on a homemade diet, either cooked or raw, be sure to have the nutrition checked by a professional and add supplements if needed.

Careful selection also applies to treats and ingestible chews. Obesity is a major health risk for dogs and cats. While you may measure meals and keep track of that caloric intake, you should also add the calories from treats and chews.

Try giving fresh vegetables as treats. Our Poppy loves raw cauliflower. She’ll sit quietly gnawing at a piece and not move until she has cleaned up every tiny bit.

Yes, higher quality food with fewer strange ingredients costs more. But, if you pay more for food now, you may pay less in future veterinary bills.

Exercise for Physical and Mental Health

The other half of the “keeping healthy” equation is exercise. Not only is it good for your dog or cat to have a regular exercise routine, but it’s also good for you. Taking a dog for regular long walks or runs will benefit both of you.

Keeping a dog well socialized means that you are making contact with members of your community on a regular basis. Study after study shows that this is a healthy thing to do and it makes your dog happier.

Some robust playtime with your cat and the laughs you’ll have during that activity will lighten your mood and supply a big dose of healthy endorphins.

All of this does take time and effort, but that is part of the commitment you made when you adopted an animal. And the thought that doing things for and with your pal will save money should be an added incentive.

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino

(Adapted for BostonZest from one of our City Paws newspaper columns.)

Related articles

Getting Us Outside: Another Way Dogs Are Good for Us

August 13, 2017
Preventive Care for Your Dog Can Save Money and Decrease Stress

Are you doing all you can to keep your pets healthy and save money? Preventive care, early diagnosis, and good home health habits are a few ways to save both lives and money.

Dental Care

Daily dental care is one way to save substantial money over the course of your pal’s life. It can also help you avoid treatment for chronic illness that can come about from untreated dental problems. Brushing your cat or dog’s teeth once a day is a help. Twice a day is even better. Make it part of your morning and evening routines.

Poppy’s dental routine began the day she joined our family. She’s already a cooperative partner in her twice daily brushings.

Either your veterinarian or groomer can give you tips for gaining your animal’s cooperation with tooth brushing. There are videos and pages of tips on the internet and most pet care books cover this topic.

Here's one good example, so take 5 minutes to watch this video on how to do it.

An examination of the mouth and a report on its condition should be a routine part of veterinary care. When the time comes to have a professional dental cleaning performed, always ask about the price, shop around for the best value, and the most experienced team.

For example, Angell Animal Medical Center has a dedicated “Dentistry Specialty Service.” Because this team performs more procedures and has the resources of the teaching hospital at hand, they can even treat some high-anesthesia-risk patients. They take referrals from veterinarians or you can make an appointment yourself.

Feed High Quality Food

Just as junk food can have an impact on human health, poor quality food can cause health issues in animals. Over the past few years, we’ve heard horror stories about the pet food industry.

Food is one area where pet guardians need to educate themselves. Read about your options, make your best decision, and feed your dogs and cats the highest quality food possible. If you decide on a homemade diet, either cooked or raw, be sure to have the nutrition checked by a professional and add supplements if needed.

Careful selection also applies to treats and ingestible chews. Obesity is a major health risk for dogs and cats. While you may measure meals and keep track of that caloric intake, you should also add the calories from treats and chews.

Try giving fresh vegetables as treats. Our Poppy loves raw cauliflower. She’ll sit quietly gnawing at a piece and not move until she has cleaned up every tiny bit.

Yes, higher quality food with fewer strange ingredients costs more. But, if you pay more for food now, you may pay less in future veterinary bills.

Exercise for Physical and Mental Health

The other half of the “keeping healthy” equation is exercise. Not only is it good for your dog or cat to have a regular exercise routine, but it’s also good for you. Taking a dog for regular long walks or runs will benefit both of you.

Keeping a dog well socialized means that you are making contact with members of your community on a regular basis. Study after study shows that this is a healthy thing to do and it makes your dog happier.

Some robust playtime with your cat and the laughs you’ll have during that activity will lighten your mood and supply a big dose of healthy endorphins.

All of this does take time and effort, but that is part of the commitment you made when you adopted an animal. And the thought that doing things for and with your pal will save money should be an added incentive.

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino

(Adapted for BostonZest from one of our City Paws newspaper columns.)

Related articles

Getting Us Outside: Another Way Dogs Are Good for Us

August 13, 2017
Dealing with Your Block’s Dog Waste Pick Up Scofflaw in Boston
A while back we received an email from a reader of our City Paws newspaper column who loves dogs but is having a real problem with one irresponsible neighbor with a dog. Rather than properly disposing of bags of dog waste, this person is leaving the bags on the sidewalk where they multiply for days at a time.

The vast majority of people with dogs do pick up and properly dispose of dog waste. Many of us carry a container of pick up bags right on our leashes, like the ones shown in the photo above. However it only takes one scofflaw on a block to give all dog people a bad name.

Our block has had our share of scofflaws and, in addition to picking up after them ourselves, we have joined with neighbors to identify the culprits and try to deal with their behavior.

Proper Disposal of Dog Waste

First you should know the legal grounds for a complaint to authorities in any case that involves disposal of dog waste. If you go to the city’s webpage on the topic, you’ll find links to the regulations.

While written in legal language, the city ordinance requires that those who are out and about with a dog:
1. Must remove all feces left by the dog on public property and on any private property that they do not own or occupy.
2. Must be able to show that they have a means of removal with them at all times. That means carrying a supply of pick up bags, not the one or two you thought you might need.
3. Must transport, “… such feces to a receptacle or other place suitable for the disposal of waste, trash, or debris.”
Sadly, if the irresponsible person happens to be over age 65, he or she is exempt from the ordinance and may get away with not picking up after a dog. However they still can't leave bags of dog waste in front of a building.

Action Steps

If you have a similar problem, first try to identify the person responsible, note their address and a description of the dog or dogs. Spread the word to neighbors to help with this step. In one case on my block, it was a woman who stood in her doorway and let her dogs out, off leash, to do their business every morning.

Call Animal Control with the address and a description. If the dog is licensed, they may be able to identify and warn the scofflaw. If you can give them a sense of a pattern of walks or the times when they might catch the person in the act, it might encourage them to send out an officer.

In the case of bagged dog waste, contact Inspectional Services and they can cite the building for improper garbage disposal.

Finally there is the 311 line by phone or the 311 app on a smartphone. If you and your neighbors keep sending in complaints, the city will be forced to respond. Having multiple complaints from other abutters will strengthen your case.

Unfortunately experience has taught us that confronting someone who would do something like this is unlikely to help. This type of behavior often seems to point to a wider issue of a person who is lacking in appropriate social skills or who is arrogant enough to believe that rules do not apply to them.

If you carry an ample supply of bags, (we buy them by the thousand!) you can offer one to someone when it looks like they are not going to pick up after their dog. Our favorite way to address this situation is to say, “You dropped something!” When they spin around to see what possible treasure they lost, we offer a pick up bag.

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino
(Adapted for BostonZest from one of our City Paws newspaper columns.)
August 6, 2017
Dealing with Your Block’s Dog Waste Pick Up Scofflaw in Boston
A while back we received an email from a reader of our City Paws newspaper column who loves dogs but is having a real problem with one irresponsible neighbor with a dog. Rather than properly disposing of bags of dog waste, this person is leaving the bags on the sidewalk where they multiply for days at a time.

The vast majority of people with dogs do pick up and properly dispose of dog waste. Many of us carry a container of pick up bags right on our leashes, like the ones shown in the photo above. However it only takes one scofflaw on a block to give all dog people a bad name.

Our block has had our share of scofflaws and, in addition to picking up after them ourselves, we have joined with neighbors to identify the culprits and try to deal with their behavior.

Proper Disposal of Dog Waste

First you should know the legal grounds for a complaint to authorities in any case that involves disposal of dog waste. If you go to the city’s webpage on the topic, you’ll find links to the regulations.

While written in legal language, the city ordinance requires that those who are out and about with a dog:
1. Must remove all feces left by the dog on public property and on any private property that they do not own or occupy.
2. Must be able to show that they have a means of removal with them at all times. That means carrying a supply of pick up bags, not the one or two you thought you might need.
3. Must transport, “… such feces to a receptacle or other place suitable for the disposal of waste, trash, or debris.”
Sadly, if the irresponsible person happens to be over age 65, he or she is exempt from the ordinance and may get away with not picking up after a dog. However they still can't leave bags of dog waste in front of a building.

Action Steps

If you have a similar problem, first try to identify the person responsible, note their address and a description of the dog or dogs. Spread the word to neighbors to help with this step. In one case on my block, it was a woman who stood in her doorway and let her dogs out, off leash, to do their business every morning.

Call Animal Control with the address and a description. If the dog is licensed, they may be able to identify and warn the scofflaw. If you can give them a sense of a pattern of walks or the times when they might catch the person in the act, it might encourage them to send out an officer.

In the case of bagged dog waste, contact Inspectional Services and they can cite the building for improper garbage disposal.

Finally there is the 311 line by phone or the 311 app on a smartphone. If you and your neighbors keep sending in complaints, the city will be forced to respond. Having multiple complaints from other abutters will strengthen your case.

Unfortunately experience has taught us that confronting someone who would do something like this is unlikely to help. This type of behavior often seems to point to a wider issue of a person who is lacking in appropriate social skills or who is arrogant enough to believe that rules do not apply to them.

If you carry an ample supply of bags, (we buy them by the thousand!) you can offer one to someone when it looks like they are not going to pick up after their dog. Our favorite way to address this situation is to say, “You dropped something!” When they spin around to see what possible treasure they lost, we offer a pick up bag.

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino
(Adapted for BostonZest from one of our City Paws newspaper columns.)
August 6, 2017
A Tale of Tails: Aren’t Animal Tails Awesome?

Animal tails fascinate me. I love the variety of them, the way they are used to communicate, and the sheer beauty of the way they sway and bob when a dog walks down the street or a cat decides that it’s time to play.

My little pal Chip uses his tail to keep his nose warm while curled up on my lap.

If you read the breed standards for a dog or cat, you’ll find very specific information about the characteristics required for a proper tail. Purebred Beagles will always have a white tip on their tails which helps to spot them in high grass. Maine Coon Cats should have lush tails they can use to wrap around themselves for warmth and protection. Labrador Retrievers tails should be otter-like and can serve as a rudder to help steer when they are swimming. Tails are useful things!

Tail Signals

People often misinterpret tail movement. While some wagging may be friendly and welcoming, dogs and cats also use their tails to signal anxiety, aggression, fear, and excitement. The phrase, “tail tucked between his legs” comes from the fact that a fearful dog or cat will curve their tail under their body when they are nervous.

When walking our Westie Poppy, who does not enjoy the great outdoors, we consider a slightly raised tail a victory. Most of the time her tail is down (as in the photo above) or tucked.

Recent Research

Psychology Today reported on recent research about how dog’s deliver very defined messages to one another via their tails.

Stanley Coren, PhD., DSc., FRSC, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia wrote, "Dogs' eyes are much more sensitive to movement than they are to details or colors, so a moving tail is very visible to other dogs. Evolution has made tails even more visible, such as tails with a light or dark tip, a lighter underside or a bushy shape."

In this report, I learned that dogs have a right and left wag. Dr Coren explained, “… when dogs feel generally positive about something or someone, their tails wag more to the right side of their rear ends, and when they have negative feelings, their tail wagging is biased to the left." (This right and left is as viewed from the rear as if you are facing in the direction the dog is viewing.)

Happy Tail Injuries

On a visit to Angell Animal Medical Center, I met a Lab with a bandaged tail. Despite a cone on his neck and a substantial bandage on his tail, he was still wagging at high speed. A tail injured in a bout of enthusiastic wagging is officially called a happy tail injury and sadly can result in permanent damage or amputation.

Dr. Marty Becker writing for VetStreet explains, "This type of injury occurs when a dog with an outgoing personality and a long tail repeatedly thwacks the tail against a hard surface such as a crate or wall. Really happy dogs — think Golden Retrievers or Cavaliers — or dogs with thin, delicate skin, such as Greyhounds, wag so hard and fast that a bleeding ulcer can develop on the tip of the tail."

While there are genetically bobtail breeds like the Australian Shepherd and Manx Cat, most of the dogs we see with very short tails had their tail surgically removed for cosmetic reasons.

When you think about all the ways dogs use their tails, you wonder why anyone would ever allow this to be done to their animal. Fortunately the tide is turning on this practice. With each passing year, we see more dogs strutting a tail in all its natural glory and fewer and fewer dogs with cosmetically stumpy tails.

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino

(Adapted for BostonZest from one of our City Paws newspaper columns.)

July 30, 2017
Maybe It’s Not Old Age That’s Slowing Down Your Cat or Dog

When we come across the same interesting information twice in one week from two different sources, it quickly becomes a research topic for a future column. In this case, it was a story in The Bark by Karen B. London, PhD, a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and Certified Professional Dog Trainer, reminding us that illness in an older pet can go unnoticed and untreated if we assume the symptoms we are seeing are simply signs of age.

Harris is in full play mode after his recent dental treatment. (Photo by Laurie Thomas)

This was followed by a friend’s report that two of her not-so-old cats were acting livelier and eating better after scheduled dental work was completed. Fortunately she had found the problem in a regular checkup and the little guys were treated quickly.

Frequent Checkups

Your veterinarian may recommend you bring in an older dog or cat for more frequent checkups and tests. These exams should also include screenings for conditions like diabetes, arthritis, thyroid disease, kidney disease, failing vision and hearing, and cancer that are statistically more likely to occur as your pet gets older.

These visits may include blood counts, chemistry screens, and urinalysis. Be sure to ask if your pet needs any breed-specific tests.

Before the visit is a good time for you and other caregivers to really think and prepare to report any changes in routine, nutrition, and behavior. It can be very important to ask your dog walker or cat sitter to share this kind of information with you on a regular basis.

Many dogs and most cats are extremely good at hiding weakness and illness. We need as many humans picking up cues as possible. While you come in contact with your own pets, professional walkers and sitters have seen far more symptoms and helped families through far more medical issues.

Even a young dog like Poppy has her lazy days, but if a pattern appears, it's time to look for a reason beyond growing up or growing old.

With our last two Westies, increasing the frequency of checkups was never at issue because their allergy problems made them frequent visitors to their medical team. But, with our healthy little Poppy, we will have to keep a careful watch as she ages because she doesn’t have any ongoing concerns that bring her in for immediate care between annual checks.

Your dog may be acting appropriately for his breed or the symptoms below could be signs of pain.

Symptoms of Pain

Some things that we think of as old age can also be signs of pain. Changes in appetite, routine, getting up slowly, heavy panting, grumbling, and being a bit grumpy can happen as pets age, but these are all signs of pain as well. If a dog changes her sleeping position, has more accidents in the house, doesn’t want to play, avoids jumping up on a chair or sofa, you should make a note of the behavior and report it to your vet.

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino

(Adapted for BostonZest from one of our City Paws newspaper columns.)

July 16, 2017
Maybe It’s Not Old Age That’s Slowing Down Your Cat or Dog

When we come across the same interesting information twice in one week from two different sources, it quickly becomes a research topic for a future column. In this case, it was a story in The Bark by Karen B. London, PhD, a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and Certified Professional Dog Trainer, reminding us that illness in an older pet can go unnoticed and untreated if we assume the symptoms we are seeing are simply signs of age.

Harris is in full play mode after his recent dental treatment. (Photo by Laurie Thomas)

This was followed by a friend’s report that two of her not-so-old cats were acting livelier and eating better after scheduled dental work was completed. Fortunately she had found the problem in a regular checkup and the little guys were treated quickly.

Frequent Checkups

Your veterinarian may recommend you bring in an older dog or cat for more frequent checkups and tests. These exams should also include screenings for conditions like diabetes, arthritis, thyroid disease, kidney disease, failing vision and hearing, and cancer that are statistically more likely to occur as your pet gets older.

These visits may include blood counts, chemistry screens, and urinalysis. Be sure to ask if your pet needs any breed-specific tests.

Before the visit is a good time for you and other caregivers to really think and prepare to report any changes in routine, nutrition, and behavior. It can be very important to ask your dog walker or cat sitter to share this kind of information with you on a regular basis.

Many dogs and most cats are extremely good at hiding weakness and illness. We need as many humans picking up cues as possible. While you come in contact with your own pets, professional walkers and sitters have seen far more symptoms and helped families through far more medical issues.

Even a young dog like Poppy has her lazy days, but if a pattern appears, it's time to look for a reason beyond growing up or growing old.

With our last two Westies, increasing the frequency of checkups was never at issue because their allergy problems made them frequent visitors to their medical team. But, with our healthy little Poppy, we will have to keep a careful watch as she ages because she doesn’t have any ongoing concerns that bring her in for immediate care between annual checks.

Your dog may be acting appropriately for his breed or the symptoms below could be signs of pain.

Symptoms of Pain

Some things that we think of as old age can also be signs of pain. Changes in appetite, routine, getting up slowly, heavy panting, grumbling, and being a bit grumpy can happen as pets age, but these are all signs of pain as well. If a dog changes her sleeping position, has more accidents in the house, doesn’t want to play, avoids jumping up on a chair or sofa, you should make a note of the behavior and report it to your vet.

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino

(Adapted for BostonZest from one of our City Paws newspaper columns.)

July 16, 2017
“Leave It!” Could Be a Lifesaver

If you only teach your dog one command beyond sit, make it “Leave it!” Dog trainer Erin Rakosky of the AKC GoodDog! Helpline sees many advantages to “Leave it!, “You can use it anytime an object is dropped on the floor, to help keep a new puppy from picking up objects while on walks outside, or even to help your dog stop chasing the family cat.”

Is this how your dog reacts when a squirrel is up a nearby tree? Would "leave it" work to break that intense focus?

While out walking, we sometimes pass an exemplary dog person who is working hard on training a reactive dog using positive methods. When we come into view with our dog Poppy, he captures his dog’s attention with a treat. At the point when the dog might pull on his leash to approach us, the man says, “Leave it!” That dog snaps to attention, receives praise, and a tidbit for doing the right thing. We’ve been very impressed with the progress the pair are making.

High Value Rewards

Training for this command requires finding a reward that your dog values so highly that he will be willing to forgo his instinct to go after food on the floor, another dog, or a dirty tennis ball in the park.

What puts the wag in your dog’s tail? Our Poppy is food driven, so around the house it’s fairly easy to train her with simple treats. Outside, where she has fear issues, we need something stinky that she loves, like dried mussels or banana chips. Our last dog, Maggie Mae, had a weakness for Parmigiano Reggiano and we could use tiny bits of that as a training treat.

Rewards should be small so you can use a lot of them without adding a lot of calories to your pup. Some folks hold out a bit of the dog’s regular food to use in training.

How to Teach, “Leave It!”

Even if you’re an old hand at training dogs, this command takes patience and must be done in stages. Fortunately there are some great videos online that show you how to do it step-by-step. You might take a look at Victoria Stilwell’s website (www.Positively.com) or one of the many excellent clicker training experts.

Clementine, at 18 months old, was well on her way to mastering commands like, “Leave it!” with the help of a pocket full of tiny treats.

In early days, you may have to carry lots of treats so you can practice this exercise with toys, cats, squirrels, other dogs, and so on. Once mastered, it can be a lifesaver if you ever drop a container of pills or shatter a bowl of meatloaf mix on the kitchen floor. “Leave it!” could prevent a scary run to the doggie emergency hospital.

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino

(Adapted for BostonZest from one of our City Paws newspaper columns.)

July 9, 2017