No matter how luxurious the home or how big the yard, most people do not spend 24x7 cooped up in the same space, seeing the same things, hearing the same sounds and smelling the same smells. But too often, the family dog is relegated to such a life.
Posts filed under Engagement Series
Engagement Series #5: Hello there, Handsome!
"You had me at Hello"...
Our dogs rarely pass up an opportunity to enthusiastically let us know how glad they are to see us when we've been away from them. A greeting like that can't help but make you feel special and is one of the greatest things about sharing life with a dog. And if you take a little time to return the favor, it can do wonders for improving your dog's level of engagement and focus on you.
Engagement Series #4: Food, Glorious Food!
"My dog should do what I say because I say so, not because I bribe him with food". I've seen and heard this opinion often regarding the use of food to train dogs. And, I agree. AND, I TRAIN WITH FOOD. Lots of food.
Say WHAT?
Engagement Series #3: The Training Trifecta
Tasha, Come! Tasha, COME! Come ON Tasha! Tasha, COME RIGHT NOW! GET over here...Tasha....RIGHT NOW!
Sit, Cody. Sit. Sit. Sit, Cody. SIT!
Sound familiar? Far too often, this type of "banter" is the primary way we try to communicate with our dogs.
Engagement Series #1: Building Blocks to Engagement
"Look at how he tilts his head and listens to everything you say....how do you get him to do that?
Over the years, I've heard this question a lot when people meet my dogs. And for a long time, I didn't have a good answer.
Engagement Series #2: I am the ICE CREAM MAN!
I've never understood using the phrase "it's a dog's life" to describe a dreadful, overworked, oppressive existence. Those adjectives do NOT describe the life of most of the dogs I know! Dogs just want to have fun and if you become the source of their fun, it goes a long way towards having that well-behaved dog who listens and does everything you ask.
