I was driving home yesterday and noticed a scene of interest, and I suspect, great danger by the side of the road. The participants were a female deer, and less than six feet away, a female human with a handsome Aussie on leash.

I live in an area with a healthy population of black-tailed deer. These beautiful animals are not much larger than my Great Danes. While certainly elegant to observe, they are fierce defenders of their fawns in spring to late summer, and some of the antlered boys are a hazard during the fall rut. Most of them are well-aware that dogs are predators, and some will attack by charging during these times of the year. I myself have been attacked several times while walking my big guys and we are fortunate that nothing serious has ever happened. But occasionally we hear  reports of people being injured by these petite but mighty beasts. 

The scene I saw was a doe, frozen, staring at the human and dog that were clearly too close for her. If I had seen a dog with such a stiff, forward position and locked, unblinking gaze, I know it would have meant an imminent attack. I am not an expert on deer body language, but I have to believe her position was threatening. The woman was standing calmly with her hand outstretched, as if to greet what she thought was a benevolent deer. 

Her dog had the right idea though. The dog was standing at the end of its leash, not tightly, but as far from the situation as it could get. The dog also had his body 90 degrees to the doe and head turned away, trying to say "I am not a threat, and uhh, mom, let's get outa here!"

I wanted to yell at the lady to back away but I honestly thought yelling might have caused the attack to ensue. I drove on, watching my rear view mirror, hoping for detente. It made me think about the cues I take from dogs though. 

I walk many dogs of many different personalities and  skill levels. Dogs that are leash reactive will usually react to many stimuli. It takes practice and experience for a dog to learn to be calm on leash (or off). My girl will always alert to wildlife, and I can tell from her stance just how serious it is. If her nose is in the air scenting, and she's on her tip toes, I start looking around...what is it girl? She's always right, and she trusts that I will steer us away from it. We just don't take chances with wildlife.

Taking cues from your dog is built on experiences and trust. Do you take cues from your dog on walks? Start watching your dog...you just might realize how much teamwork is happening in a safe walk. If you need help with your walk, find a positive reinforcement trainer or class so you can both improve your walking skills. I do hope that young woman noticed her dog, followed his lead, and moved away from that deer. 

With the start of a fresh New Year I've been thinking lately about former clients and how they are are doing with their dogs. I've been teaching general obedience classes for years now, and every trainer must be curious about their impact. I really do want to know how the human/dog relationships have developed in my former pupils. Relationships are the reason I teach...I want everyone to have a deep and meaningful experience together. A beloved, family member dog will most likely never end up in a shelter, and having a great relationship with another species, especially a dog , I believe is primal to our human experience . I feel honored if I can start or enhance that process...

Along with this, I wonder what expectations people have with their dogs...do they imagine a dog that will do everything they ask with a one word command spoken softly? Or perhaps a hand signal across a field is what they imagine? Maybe they see in their mind's eye a human and dog who never even have to verbalize....communication is implied, and human and dog live in perfect sync.

How do you see your dog? Do you have a great relationship? Does your dog have behaviors you wish he didn't? What's missing, and what would you like more of? Do you think living in perfect sync with your dog is a fantasy? 

I had the privilege to work with an owner and her dog recently in a private lesson. She was having some trouble going on walks with her pup. I could see they had a very tight relationship as there was a lot of unspoken communication happening in front of me in her home. The owner had clearly set some boundaries, and her dog clearly understood what she wanted. And therein lies one of the keys to a dream relationship with your dog..I'll return to this thought. With a few minutes of simple direction, literally, they both got it, and we solved the walking problems of barking at a particular neighborhood dog, and staying in position in the "benefit box" (a future blog). This is what the clients wanted, and I say plural as I believe her dog wanted to know how to please her owner... I received followup emails from her during the next week about how happy and easy their walks were now. 

Now, I'd like to have all clients have such good interaction, but it's just not the case usually. This client knew what she wanted, but did not know how to show her dog her intentions. Once she understood how to communicate her needs/wants to her pup, her pup immediately responded, and their teamwork fell right into place. Now the relationship I saw in the home is strengthened on the street. Not only are they happier, but they are are "relationship ambassadors" for their community. Bravo to both of them!

Knowing what you want from your relationship with your dog is key to actually getting there. Finding a way to communicate that clearly to your dog, or any animal you live with, is another key. How is communication in your household?

I am truly honored and so thankful for the things my clients, human and dog, teach me!

Happy training!

This time of year I get a lot of questions about boarding pets for the holidays. I won't give specifics about particular businesses, but I do try to help owners make a decision that is informed.

Here are some key points on how to make a choice about caring for a pet while you are away. Assuming you will not be taking your pet, you will first need to decide whether family or friends can care for them, someone stays at your home, or opt for boarding in a kennel.

Which accommodation? 
The top priority for you both is to be happy and worry-free about the stay. It is no fun to be away from your animals and worry about their welfare, then hear that your pet has been stressed in your absence. If you are considering asking a friend, realistically assess- is Fifi comfortable with your friend's home and dogs? Has Fifi stayed at the place you’ve chosen before, and is she happy about going back? How about a "Camp Fifi" overnight sleep-over before you leave? She will be much happier and stress free if she is familiar with the accommodations. No matter what you decide to do with your pet, try it out a few times before you leave to make sure you and your pet are happy!

Referrals 
Besides family and friends, we have a lot of choices for overnight animal care these days, from house sitters to kennels. Start interviewing and getting referrals early! Ask your friends and neighbors, vet, groomer, daycare provider, or local pet store for referrals. A great source of information, and a favorite magazine of mine for the Monterey area, is Coastal Canine Magazine  www.coastalcaninemag.com/. Look under their list of advertisers for local businesses that provide these services.

House Sitters
House sitters can either visit many times a day to care for your pet, or they can live at your home while you are gone (this is probably the easiest for your animals, and is a good choice if you have a menagerie). After you have interviewed the person and checked some references, write up what your schedule with your animals entails- how you feed them, medicate them if necessary, walk them, play with them, and course your contacts. Educate your sitter about any idiosyncrasies your pet might have (my dogs like having the TV on!). If you want updates on Fifi, let your sitter know that and make it part of your working contract with them. And let your vet know you have a sitter, who they are, and work out contingency plans if a vet is needed. Some vets might require a letter authorizing them to treat your pet.

Kennels
Kennels are another way to house your pet while you are gone. Some kennels provide a “run” with some outside space. Other styles of kennels have “rooms” for animals simulating home, some even have cameras you can log into to check your pet anytime. Some veterinary hospitals also board animals, which might be a good fit if your pet has medical problems. Another newer style alternative is some daycares will board overnight, providing play during the day, and overnight care. Make sure your pet is current on all vaccinations before boarding.

Check It Out
Wherever you decide to board, check the facility thoroughly. Where will Fifi be? Will she be housed in a cage, run, room, or have the run of a home? Can you see it? Is it clean? Where will she go to the bathroom? Is the facility loud with lots of barking (for sound sensitive dogs this might be undesirable)? Who is there during the night, and are they checked? Does the facility mind if you call in or email and want an update? What activity will she have during the day (exercise is great!)? Can she have her own bed and a few toys from home (very comforting)? And if you own several dogs, can they be housed together or in close proximity to each other?

Above all, ask questions! If a facility is unwilling to answer you, or you feel uncomfortable for any reason, move on to the next place/sitter on your list. Make the best decision you can, and then try it out for a night or two a few weeks before you leave.


Knowing your pets are well cared for and content while you travel will give you tremendous peace of mind. Once you develop a good relationship with a care facility, you then have an alternative place for your baby if you like to get away occasionally, need to have work done on your home, or you have any family emergencies. Of course there is always the possibility of taking Fifi with you, but that’s a blog for another day.

I wish you safe travels and Happy Holidays!

Today I start sharing my blog. I normally write a bit for myself everyday as I believe in the power of journaling. I hope I can share some insights, my successes and failures, my hopes for the wonderful creatures I come to know. I hope you will find it interesting!

This is a picture of one of my greatest teachers, Sherman. Although I have had many dogs guide my choices in life, it is Sherman who made me cry the hardest, laugh the loudest, work the hardest, and expanded my brain, skills, and heart the most. I wouldn't be here without you, and I'm grateful for every moment we shared. This blog is for you, boy.