See you Next Year!

That is right guys. It will be 2009 the next time I post!

The day after Christmas

It was the day after Christmas and all through the house there was chocolate. On the counters and the stove well out of reach of fidos nose. Please remember this most serious caution. All year around not just this time of year.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

It is Christmas Eve

This has been the coldest winter since 1998. Yet it will be warm here in Florida tomorrow. It might even rain. Walking dogs in the rain yuck!

Christmas what will you do?

Lots of people like to go away for Christmas and spend time with their families. What is your favorite thing to do on Christmas day?

Questions??

How many of you have fun making cakes for your dogs this time of year? Do you put up stockings for your dogs too?

Marley and Me Will I see it?

Perhaps, but not likely. Out of control dogs do not amuse me in any way. I am relieved to hear that when Marley died, his owners bought a new Lab Gracie and began having trouble with her. THEY GOT HELP RIGHT AWAY. They learned from their mistake and I hope others do too.

Daisy

My friend saw that her Father in Law was getting up there in age and needed a companion. So she and her husband purchased for him an Old English Sheepdog puppy who, of course, became his daughter, Daisy.

That dog was a sight during the winter in New York! She would race to the top of a piled up "snow hill," sit, then slide down on her rear. I certainly would have loved to see that.

Daisy was a fine example of the Old English Sheepdog breed, sired by the canine star of "Please Don't Eat The Daisies." She later mated with a Grand U.S. and Grand Bahamian Champion who had sired many champions. What an awesome litter that was!

I'll tell you about the pups some other day. My friend has a thick "puppy album" of just the first six weeks of the litter's life.

My Mother often tells me that the film, "Please Don't Eat The Daisies," is hilarious. I suppose I should see it in honor of Daisy. She was a character!

Rena Murray
DogWhisperWoman

Dog VS Cat

At one point in my childhood, we owned both a dog and a cat. The animals were tolerate of each other, but that was as far as it went. My friend owns a chow who loves cats. How many of you own a dog and a cat? How do they like each other?

Who Put Your Dog In T,he Pool?

Drowning dogs are a tragedy...an unnecessary heartbreak and loss.

I personally do not like swimming pools, and do not allow my dog in them. To me, dos and swimming pools do not mis. However my dog knows how to get out if he should ever fall in.

I met two people who had their dogs drown in pools because they failed to show them the way out.

How do you prevent this from happening to your dog?

Put your dog in again and again, then coax him in the direction of the steps. Do this over and over until he goes out the right way without your prompting.

It may save his life someday...

Rena Murray
DogWhisperWoman

What do you want?

Dog Training - "To do or not to do," that is the question.

What do you really want?

A well behaved dog, or an out of control dog?

Face it. No one wants their dog to pee in the house. We want that done outside.

No one wants to have their house torn up or their flowers rooted out of the ground. We want the dog to tear up his own toys and dig in a digging box.

No one wants a dog who will not come when called, or one that has to be on a leash all the time. Imagine having to drive around the neighborhood all the time to get your dog. Or having to put the lead on when it is cold, instead of just being able to let the dog out.

And Nobody wants and aggressive dog. That is a time bomb.

After looking at this, wouldn't you say it is worth it to put the training time into your dog?

Rena Murray
DogWhisperWoman

Jumping Dog

A dog who jumps on people either craves attention. or he is making it clear that he is in control.

How do you stop dog jumping?

You can usually solve the problem by blocking the dog's access to the person he wants to see until he calms down.

At other times, you need to take the dog out of the room again and again... again and again... until you achieve your goal.

He will get the idea. Being calm brings reward. Jumping dog does not.

Rena Murray
DogWhisperWoman

How many people can't? - Do You Have An Out Of Control Dog?

I love a movie at home with some popcorn. However, I rarely get to do that.

But I did the other day... Gatsby lay at my feet and did not make a sound. Refreshing.

Afterward, I could not help thinking of how many of my clients cannot even enjoy a little reading, family fun, or TV because their dogs are so out of control.

Owning a pet that has been worked with is a stress reliever by a lot. They are coherent, soft to rub, loving, forgiving... just plain warm and comforting and good company.

But stress goes through the roof with a dog who runs the house.

Is your dog out of control, or a joy to be with?
Who rules the roost in your house?

Rena Murray
DogWhisperWoman

Lassie and Old Yeller?

What did these two movie dogs have in common?

The original Lassie was named Pal and was abandoned by his owner.

Old Yeller was named Spike. He too was abandoned, but he was left in an animal shelter.

Lassie was bred large to look big next to a child. Old Yeller was so big that one of his human co-stars rode him like a horse.

Spike (Old Yeller)was in a lot of the Lassie episodes. He also played Petrache in "A Dog Of Flanders." Fabulous movie dogs, both.

For two dogs that started life being abandoned, I say they did rather well!

Rena Murray
DogWhisperWoman

Dogs on a ship?

They animals were able to keep going in rough water where a man would surely drown. Given a rope by their master, they would swim to the shore, or wherever directed and hold the rope tight One by one, the men left the ship alive thanks to that dog!

Dogs live in the moment?

Believe it or not that means that a dog stays where he is mentally until he is directed in how to move on. He needs you to be calm and keep going with him until he completes his goal. Put aside fear or affection until he breaks through then you are praising him for what he has done. This way he can live in the triumphant moment.

Poor puppy!

When I was running a dog two days ago, she stepped right on a sticker. I noted that she was limping almost right away. She whimpered as I took it out and stood very calmly for me. Once it was out, she was ready to run and seemed to wonder why I was still standing there!