She is a very sweet girl and most people wouldn't know that she is blind and deaf!
She loves her bully stick!
Bear and Possum.
Tired.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Friday, July 18, 2008
Rally-O Class
Ella and I took a Rally-O class on July 13 in Augusta. It was a hot, sunny, windy day and we had a lot of fun - though we were both pooped afterwards!
I think that Ella and I would have Q'd (qualified) if it had been a real course in a real trial, even though we would have failed one station:
I think that Ella and I would have Q'd (qualified) if it had been a real course in a real trial, even though we would have failed one station:
The reason that she would have failed this station is that she pops up from a down-stay when I walk around her.
I liked the spiral stations (there were two on the course) and the fast station where you change your pace from normal to fast and then back to normal. Those are easy! What can be a little nerve wracking is when you get to the change direction type signs and you aren't sure which way to go.
While we were doing on of the spirals, one of the cones blew over, which startled Ella. She recovered nicely with some coaxing from me and even agreed to pose with a bunch!
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Possum
New foster dog coming (in a week or two)! Her name is Possum. She is a 5 month old double merle sheltie who is deaf and partially blind.
She looks a lot like Bear!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Book Review: Stress in Dogs
Stress in Dogs - Learn How Dogs Show Stress and What You Can Do To Help
by Martina Scholz & Clarissa von Reinhardt
2006
137 pages
ISBN: 1929242336
Available at Dogwise Books
This short volume very succinctly describes what happens when an organism (humans/dogs) are under stress and how that stress reaction affects the long term health and mind of the organism. The authors spend many pages describing the many symptoms of stress. They then go on to tell 4 cases studies about dogs who were under stress and how the stress affected the dogs, their behavior and their families.
The best part about this book was the section of stress related symptoms and the list of things a dog owner can do to help reduce their dog's overall stress level.
by Martina Scholz & Clarissa von Reinhardt
2006
137 pages
ISBN: 1929242336
Available at Dogwise Books
This short volume very succinctly describes what happens when an organism (humans/dogs) are under stress and how that stress reaction affects the long term health and mind of the organism. The authors spend many pages describing the many symptoms of stress. They then go on to tell 4 cases studies about dogs who were under stress and how the stress affected the dogs, their behavior and their families.
The best part about this book was the section of stress related symptoms and the list of things a dog owner can do to help reduce their dog's overall stress level.
Book Review: The Other End of the Leash
The Other End of the Leash (Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs)
By Patricia McConnell, Ph.D
2002
240 pages
ISBN: 034544678X
Available from Dogwise Books
This book is not a "how to" training book. Or, rather, I should say, it isn't a cues/commands/tricks type training book. Instead, it is a book that seeks to outline the differences and similarities of humans and dogs and how each species communicates though the 5 senses. A reader can gain a deeper understanding of their canine companion and how to better communicate with him/her.
During the course of the book, Dr. McConnell shows how we, as primates, differ from canines and how those differences can cause problems. She also offers ways to help facilitate communication between the species.
My favorite chapter was "Chapter 3: Talking to Each Other." Dr. McConnell reviewed the ways that humans talk to their animals and really offered some great suggestions on how our tone and pace of speaking can have an effect on our dogs. She reviewed fast sounds and what those did to affect behavior and slow long sounds (such as "whoa") and how they aided in slowing down an animal.
Throughout the book, she talks about her own experiences with her own dogs and her student dogs, which really help to illustrate what she is writing about. I have to admit that the stories in the last chapter (Love and Loss) brought tears to my eyes.
I would definitely recommend this for any dog lover's library.
By Patricia McConnell, Ph.D
2002
240 pages
ISBN: 034544678X
Available from Dogwise Books
This book is not a "how to" training book. Or, rather, I should say, it isn't a cues/commands/tricks type training book. Instead, it is a book that seeks to outline the differences and similarities of humans and dogs and how each species communicates though the 5 senses. A reader can gain a deeper understanding of their canine companion and how to better communicate with him/her.
During the course of the book, Dr. McConnell shows how we, as primates, differ from canines and how those differences can cause problems. She also offers ways to help facilitate communication between the species.
My favorite chapter was "Chapter 3: Talking to Each Other." Dr. McConnell reviewed the ways that humans talk to their animals and really offered some great suggestions on how our tone and pace of speaking can have an effect on our dogs. She reviewed fast sounds and what those did to affect behavior and slow long sounds (such as "whoa") and how they aided in slowing down an animal.
Throughout the book, she talks about her own experiences with her own dogs and her student dogs, which really help to illustrate what she is writing about. I have to admit that the stories in the last chapter (Love and Loss) brought tears to my eyes.
I would definitely recommend this for any dog lover's library.
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