Wednesday, March 31, 2010

The first 24 hours


I have already written about how important the first 24 hours are when you bring home a new dog. (Please read "Bringing home a new dog" for a refresher) But, I got a call last night about a recently adopted dog. The dog had only been in his new home for three hours and the new owners had already changed their mind about him. Sadly, this is common.


The first 24 hours you have with your dog are arguably the most crucial. Remember, your new dog does not yet know this is his new pack, they do not know the rules, they do not even realize this house is their house. Many times people get a "house trained" dog, and the first thing the dog does is pee on their carpet. It is not that the dog isn't house broke, it is simply that they are not trained to your house.


When you get a new dog you must follow certain steps. 1. The leash! never bring a new dog into your car or house without the leash. It gives them guidance, shows them rules, and makes them feel secure.


2.Do NOT let them have free roam of your house. It is confusing to them. When a new dog comes into a pack they are on high alert to learn the rules and their place. If you do not relay those rules in a way they understand how can you fault them for not knowing? Keep them on leash in the house, and allow them to explore only what you say they can. This teaches them that they are the follower in this new pack and you are the leader. You can show them where the bathroom spot is, what toys are okay to play with, and how much excitement is allowed in the home.


Dogs are a sponge the first 24 hours. They are hard wired to be alert to the rules of the pack they are in. Correct the dog with a sound or a tug on the leash any time they go to do something that is not allowed in your pack. It is not mean or cruel. You are not hitting or yelling at them. You are just saying "This is my pack, follow my rules." This is what makes a dog feel secure.


3. Save the snuggles. This is so important. We all want to love on our new pet, but first your dog has to learn to respect you. While they may respond to lots of petting and attention you aren't helping them transition into your pack. The pack leader DOES NOT give affection first. In the wild when a dog is following the rules, showing respect, and approaching the pack leader, only then will the alpha return with affection. This rule is the hardest to follow but remember it is for the dog's benefit. He needs to know where he fits and what role he plays in your home. Love and affection does not make a dog feel safe. Rules and boundaries do.


4. Don't expect perfection. Even the most well behaved dog on earth will not be perfect 100% of the time. Dogs are not lovely floor statues. You will make mistakes and so will they. Be patient. If your dog has done something you don't like ask yourself "Was I communicating with him in a way he understands? How can I do it differently next time?"


*Remember, a dog is only as strong as the pack it goes into.


Monday, March 29, 2010

Dogs and Allergies

With spring in the air many dogs sufferer from allergies just like we humans do. Here is an article I found that gives some good information about recognizing an allergy in your dog, and what to do about it. Make sure you always check with a vet before doing any kind of home remedy.

www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/medical/canine-allergies.html

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Check out Bad Behavior/Good Dog on Facebook!

Click on the 'Bad Behavior/Good Dog Facebook' link on the right of this page to become a fan and share your best dog pictures and stories!

Friday, March 26, 2010

DIGGING!

I get a lot of calls and questions about dogs digging in the back yard. Honestly, these are my least favorite calls because I can tell an owner exactly how to fix the problem but most of the time they won't. Most owners already know why their dog is digging and how to stop it, but they are hoping I will have some magic wand that will stop the digging but not require them to change their routine. I don't have such a wand.

Dogs dig for only two reasons, and often it is a combination of both. 1) The dog is bored...plain and simple 2) the dog needs to relieve stress

I know the moment I get a "HELP MY DOG IS DESTROYING MY YARD" call that the dog is not going on a daily brisk walk. I also know that the dog is spending large amounts of time alone in the yard. Clients often tell me that they have a "big backyard", when I ask how much exercise their dog gets. I call this the "big backyard myth". You may have 5 acres or you may have .5, it doesn't matter to your dog. Unless you are back there instigating play your dog could care less how big your yard is. Dogs alone get bored. Period.

Think of it like this, in the wild dogs are never alone. They are always with the pack. If they are alone they feel anxious and vulnerable because the pack is their protection. They don't understand that you built a nice strong fence. They still hear dogs down the street, loud trucks, cars back- firing, and they are alone and vulnerable. This is also why dogs bark non stop when left in a back yard alone.

When I tell my clients how to fix the problem they always hesitate. Why? Because they know that this is going to require a change from them, not the dog. If your dog digs up your yard don't leave him in it. Plain and simple. Get up every morning and take him for a nice long walk before he eats. He will have drained his energy and be ready for a few hours of rest. If you have to go to work you can put him in a crate and feel secure that he will be tired and ready for a nap while you’re gone. When you get home another walk and some play time in the back yard.

I don't care what kind of dog you have; it needs at least 30 minutes of structured activity a day. And that is for a low energy dog! High energy will need 60+ minutes a day. What is structured activity? Walking is number one! It is how your dog bonds with you as leader, drains physical and mental energy, and feels a sense of purpose. Structured play is another good activity but is used WITH a walk, not in place. Fetch, frisbee, find it, these are all good game you can play with your dog, and you can intensify those games by making them harder. Make your dog sit and wait before you throw the ball, or do a trick to get it thrown. Make an obstacle course in your back yard and teach your dog to go through it. Dogs love games and the ideas are endless.

I recently had a Heeler mix as a foster and I did not want to leave my Border Collie and him alone out back to make trouble, but when I had to clean house or get ready I designed a game they could play without me to keep them busy. I made a treasure hunt out of our yard. I had both dogs lay and wait in the middle of the yard while I hid pork rinds all over! (The waiting is also a good energy drain) I would hide at least 30-40 pieces of pork rind under bushes, up on chairs, in the grass, even on top of the play set. When I was done I told the dogs to "find it" and I had a good 20 minutes to spend in the house doing what I needed to do, confident the dogs were engaged.

*Remember, if your dog is destroying your yard it is YOU who needs to change, not the dog. You are not meeting all your dogs’ needs. Add in more exercise, structured play, and supervision and you won't have holes. Dogs in the wild dig for purpose. They don't just dig to dig. A big backyard and lots of toys means nothing to a dog if you are not there to engage him.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Jack's Last Chance

Yesterday I worked with a 3 year old Border Collie named Jack. Jack's owners called me as a last resort. Jack had a bad habit of biting people. Everyone from strangers walking by to his own owners! When it came to Jack's aggression no one seemed to get a free pass.

His owners loved him very much but were living in constant fear of a law suit or being forced to put Jack down because of his aggression. I was the third professional they had called in to help with their biting Border Collie.

Unlike the other two professionals who had tried to work with Jack I did not come into his home to challenge him and "put him in his place". (The last person they had in actually instructed them to hit their dog on the nose over and over until he cowered down. That of course only made his aggression worse because dogs do not submit to pain. They submit to secure, calm leadership)

I simply came in to see how I could help this dog. It was not long before I realized Jack had the weight of the world on his shoulders. He lived in constant fear of the world around him. His owners loved him, gave him a nice home, lots of toys, and tried to follow advice they had been given in the past. But what Jack really needed had been overlooked. Jack needed to feel safe!

At one point in my life I had two little babies and my husband had lost his job. He was only out of work for a short time, but that feeling was unforgettable. We did not know what would happen to us and to our family from day to day. It seemed the whole world was resting on our backs and all my husband and I wanted was some security for our family. If you have ever been in a similar situation than you know exactly how Jack was feeling. Jack did not know that guest in the home were there to have fun and visit, he didn't know strangers on the street were not going to harm his family, and everything was a threat!

I spent a good 20 minutes ignoring Jack so he would understand I was no threat to him. Then I placed a treat in my hand and continued to ignore him. He wanted the treat. He licked my hand, pawed at it, begged for it, I still would not even look at him. I did not do this to tease him; I did it to show him that I was a strong confident person who was calling the shots and that he could relax around me. He did. Once he realized my energy was confident and that I was not trying to challenge him he began to respect me. It wasn't long before this "mean" dog was eating out of my hand, literally!

It was wonderful to be able to show his owners what a sweet dog Jack could be when he was relaxed and calm, and it was the first piece to helping this boy. Jack HAS to believe that his owners are strong leaders and can protect the home, pack, and him. Only then will he be able to relax. We came up with an exercise schedule that will give Jack the ability to physically release his fears through running and I helped them find ways to send Jack calm confident messages. We also discussed having him neutered so that sexual frustration does not add to the weight he already is dealing with.

Jack won't change over night, but I believe his owners really want what is best for him and will continue to work on giving him the leadership he needs to feel safe. Jack is a lucky dog! Many people are quick to put down or get rid of a dog that shows aggression. Jack's owners were willing to take a hard look at themselves and make a change to benefit their furry friend. Many of us can't or won't do that and a good dog is often the victim.

*Remember: Love is not enough for a dog to feel secure. They need a leader and they need a leader they trust, not fear. If your dog feels safe he will be able to relax and live in harmony with you and the rest of the world. And don't forget to have your pets fixed! Unless they are breeding on a regular basis it is just not fair to make them suffer sexual frustration.

And please remember that anyone who wants you to "break" your dog with physical harm does not have your dogs best interest at heart and will likely cause more harm than good. NEVER do anything to your dog that goes against your gut... even if a "professional" tells you to.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

A House Divided

I recently worked with a client who had a problem that is likely more common than you might think. She had two separate packs living under the same roof. In pack number one were two male pit bulls and the two humans in the home. In Pack number two (and the cause of the chaos) were to Miniature Pinchers, a male and a female.


There is usually a combination of two things that cause pack separation. 1. Is physical division, or keeping certain animals away from certain others. This can happen with cats being separated from dogs, kids being kept away from dogs, or even one human and one dog bonding tightly and other humans having little or no interaction with the dog. 2. The second reason is lack of understandable leadership. I say it as "understandable" because while the human may feel as they are the pack leader they have not communicated that to the dog or dogs, and really the dogs are the ones who need to know it.

Dealing with problem number one of pack separation: Don't separate your animals. If they are dogs feed them at the same time and in the same general area. They don't have to eat right next to each other, but eating in the same room is a good idea. When feeding remember that the squeaky wheel does not get the grease. The quietest, calmest dog eats first and so on. That way, the dogs learn from each other to be calm at feeding time.

If you have cats or other animals, don't separate them. Teach your dog how to be calm around them. (You can read earlier post about claiming cats, and keeping introductions calm.) The important thing is for you to be in control and for your animals to live in harmony among each other.

If you have a dog that has bonded with one human and growls or nips at the others in the house you likely have two packs. The person who is bonded to the dog MUST assert themselves and correct growling and nipping, and the other members in the house need to take part in the dogs care. Every person in the house should have a job when it comes to each pet. This is how we create leadership and bonding.

The best way to bond with a dog is to walk. Just walk. If you have two dogs that see each other as separate packs, walk them! EVERYDAY! Make sure you are in the lead and they are on the side or behind, then just walk. Walking is primal for dogs. The pack has to get along for survival and they have to migrate for survival too. This is a great way to merge your packs.

Dealing with problem number 2: In the case of the pit bull pack and the Min Pin pack the problem was being caused by a dominant male min pin, and an insecure female. The male was reinforcing the female’s fears of everything by over reacting to everyday normal situations. When the pit bulls were in the house the male would bark, thus telling the female, "These dogs are not in our pack and we don't trust them." And of course, the female did not see the humans as the pack leader, she trusted the messages she got from the male.

I told my client to start walking the min pins separately so they would have a chance to learn that the humans were the leaders. It basically came down to the male min pin telling his female that life was scary and out to get her, and the humans trying to tell her the opposite. The one who was the most convincing was her leader.

I advised them to walk the female with one of the pits and to give her strong leadership so she could begin to relax. Away from the house and away from her "min pin pack leader" she did much better. They are going to have to continue to show all four of their dogs’ leadership so that as they merge the packs their dogs will trust them to do so.

A good example of pack introduction is what my family did yesterday. We brought home two tiny chicks to our pack. Chicks and dogs can spell disaster but it does not have to. Rather than keeping the dogs away from the chicks (which we could only do for so long seeing as these will soon be backyard chickens) we introduced right away and claimed the chicks. I brought our Border Collie in and our foster pit bull and held the chicks to my chest. Claiming them. If they acted too interested I said "MINE" in a strong voice until they backed away. When the dogs were relaxed at my feet and not seeming interested in the peeping noises the chicks were making I allowed them to sniff, correcting with a loud sound if they got overly interested in the birds. It took about five minutes, and unless you are completely secure in your dogs respect for your leadership I don't recommend doing this with vulnerable animals, but in the end we were able to get some really great pictures of our two dogs and new chicks peacefully interacting all as one pack.

*Remember that unless everyone and everything in the house interacts your dog will not see the big picture. Be in control of all things in your dog’s eyes and you can then control the environment.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Calm Milly


Our house got a new foster dog yesterday. A 10 month old pit bull named Milly. Milly came from a very sad situation where she was injured as a young pup and left un-treated. Both her back legs had been broken and re-healed improperly. The great people at Boise Bully Breed Rescue (see links) helped her out and got her the surgery she needed on her legs.


It has only been a few weeks since Milly had major reconstructive surgery to repair her right leg. She still has a large scar and can not yet put weight on it. When we got her I knew it would be important for Milly's safety to remain calm when meeting my 2 yr old Border Collie, Dolly. However, both Milly and Dolly have energy to spare and love other dogs! If I did not carefully control the meeting and teach then that they MUST always be calm around each other, Milly's leg could have been re injured.

To create the environment I wanted I put Milly in an open wire crate where she could see and smell but not get so excited she would be hurt. I brought Dolly in on a leash and walked her over to the "newcomer". Of course my girl wanted to play and get to know Milly, but as the pack leader I had to control the situation. I would give Dolly a correction every time she got excited, and made sure to stay very calm and relaxed myself so the dogs would know what I expected. When they both settled down I would reward them for being relaxed with a treat, but they ONLY got the treat when they were both very, very calm. This told them that to be together meant relaxation.

After about 5 minutes I let Milly out and aloud the dogs to gently sniff and get familiar, making sure to correct with a sound if they tried to escalate to play mode. I had them both lay down side by side and when their ears, tail and mind were relaxed they got rewarded with a treat.

Two young energetic dogs were able to meet and be friends without fear of injury to Milly. Our whole family knows the rule that the dogs only get rewarded when they are calm together and get a correction if excitement sets in. In this way we can be sure no harm will come to either of them and they can enjoy each other safely.

*Remember that sometimes with dogs we have to work against nature for their own good. Like keeping dogs calm when they both want to play. As the pack leader you have control of everything that happens within your pack. Project the energy you want from your dogs onto them and they in turn will be able to follow your lead. Remember that even corrections and rewards should be done with calmness and you will be on your way to a stress free pack!

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Rules That EVERY Child Should Know


I am very proud of my two children for many reasons, but one reason that always makes me beam is how they act around dogs. I have seen my seven-year-old calmly and directly tell our very smart Border Collie what to do, and, because it never occurred to my daughter that the dog wouldn't, it did! Both of my children know how to be calm, respectful and safe around dogs. In fact, while on a walk recently, my nine-year-old son saw a full grown man being pulled behind an English Bulldog. My son rolled his eyes and said to me "He really needs to learn to be more assertive." I just laughed.

My children have had the benefit of growing up in a home where there has always been a dog, and usually some other kind of foster animal rotating in and out. So it is basically instinct to them how to treat animals, and especially dogs. But if you or your kids are new to dog owning, or even if you don't have a dog, there are some basic rules we should all be teaching our kids for their safety.

Most of us teach kids never to pet a dog unless an adult has said it's safe. That is rule number one. But even "friendly" dogs can bite, scratch, or knock over children who don't know how to approach them.

Here is a list of 3 "MUST TEACH RULES" that all kids should know in order to be safe around dogs.

1. Whenever you meet a dog, be it on a leash, in someone's house, or at the park, NEVER approach it first. In the dog world the one that makes the initital contact is the submissive one. If your child goes up to a dog and begins petting it, even if the owner has said it's okay, the dog will see your child as subordinate. Instead, if a child wants to pet a dog, ask permission, then stand still. Do not talk to, look at, or touch the dog. This says to the dog, "I'm dominant." The dog will likely sniff and smell your child. If it rubs, or licks them first, then it is okay to pet. (Remember to pet under the chin rather than over the head.) If for some reason the dog sniffs and walks away, leave it alone. He is telling you he does not want to interact, and advancing on him may provoke a bite.

2. This rule may save your child's life. If a stray dog is ever charging or launching to attack, make sure you know and your kids know to never run! You can't outrun a dog, and if it is a big dog, you will be in real trouble when it catches you. You may have heard to try to stare down or yell or wave your arms at an attacking dog. DON'T DO THIS! Eye contact is a challenge that you won't win and will only intensify the dog's rage. Yelling will cause the dog to become even more excited, and waving arms will do the same. If you are ever in a situation like this, stand firm and still. Turn sideways and do not look at the dog. Make no sound and put your hands on your hips. A normal dog will not attack unless it feels threatened. By remaining calm and not looking at the dog, you are saying, "I'm no threat, but go away." Tell your children to remain that way, breathing calmly, until the dog leaves or help comes.

3. Make sure your kids know that a hyperactive dog is NOT a dog that you should play with. If a dog, even a small one, is jumping, barking, racing around you in circles, this is not the right time to engage in play. Many kids are hurt when an over-excited dog knocks their legs out, or jumps and scratches them. Many breeds will get nippy when excited and can actually draw blood! Treat an over-excited dog similar to an aggressive dog. Turn away from it and do not talk or touch it. Most dogs will calm down quickly if they are getting no response, but it may take patience on your child's part.

*100% of our children will encounter dogs in their lives. Even if you don't own one and never intend to, there will be dogs at the park, in the neighborhood, at a friend's house and any other number of places. In fact, you children will run into many more dogs than they will "unsafe strangers" so it is just as important to teach them safety around dogs as it is not to talk to strangers or to look both ways when crossing the street. Teach your children these dog rules calmly. Children should not be afraid of a dog, but prepared to handle any dog situation that may occur.

Friday, March 12, 2010

Small Dog Can Mean Big Trouble

Our home recently had a very little, very cute, Dachshund living with us until he found his forever home. It reminded me that people often get into trouble with these little dogs because they are so dang cute! If your home is shared with a small breed pooch, remember that all the same rules apply to him as they would to a bigger dog.

Most people would never let a big dog jump all over them and scratch at their shoes or pants, but when a toy breed does it we all laugh and think it's cute. A dog is a dog in any form and they need the same set of boundaries and rules to feel secure. A small dog that is aloud to run the house can turn aggressive and become a nipper, or a constant barker, or a door dasher, and a whole list of other unwanted behaviors.

*Remember that we can love our littlest dogs and still be the pack leader in the home. Correct any unwanted behavior immediately, set boundaries and stick to them, and don't forget that even a 10 pound-er will still need exercise and leadership... Don't skip the walk!

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Car Trips With Your Pooch

Our family took a day trip today with our Border Collie and it reminded me that many people have great dogs until it's time for a car ride. The biggest mistake people make with dogs and cars is getting them excited before they get in. Have you ever said or heard someone say "Who's ready for a car ride!"in an excited voice? While dogs should be allowed to be excited, car travel is not a good time for it. Too often dogs can be a worse distraction in a car than a cell phone.


Before your trip try to make sure your dog has already had some exercise or play time. Today we took our girl directly to a park and played hard for about 20 minutes. This is a great trick I learned a long while ago. If you have a long journey ahead remember you know where you are going but your dog doesn't. Is it some where fun, like the park? Or scary, like the vet? They don't know and this can make them excited anxious or both. Once we got back in the car Dolly thought the fun was done and the home would be the next stop. She thought she knew where we were headed so she curled up and went to sleep. Two hours later we were at my grandpa's and she was ready for more adventure after a nice long nap!

*Always make sure you and your dog are calm before getting in the car. It may take time for Fido to settle but be patient...no putting it in drive until his mind is calm. Make sure your pooch has had a work out before you ride. Feel free to use my park trick, it really does work, and remember to be safe in the car. A dog in the front seat is every bit at risk for death from the air bag as your toddler is. Keep him in the back seat!

Friday, March 5, 2010

Dozer

Today I got the chance to work with an amazing young guy named Dozer. He was aptly named after a bull dozer because he has the unique ability to bull doze his way through doors, fences, and anything else in his way. Dozer's foster parents called me because he had been escaping and running a muck in the neighborhood. The shelter they rescued him from had label him as a dominant dog. However, when I met him that is not at all what I saw.


His tail and head position were not one of dominance, but insecurity. I don't know how Dozer became so insecure because I don't know his history or what has happened in his short life. My guess is that every interaction he has with a human makes the human project one of two emotions. a) fear, he is a very big pit bull with a giant head, even for his breed and he can look very intimidating. b) pity, Dozer has spent a lot of time in shelters and was at the top of the list to be euthanized.

Both of these emotions were giving Dozer an insecurity problem. How can he feel safe and secure when everyone around him is afraid or feeling sorry or both. Dozer just needed a strong leader. When a dog's pack is secure, so is the dog. So today I worked on not only building Dozer confidence, but also his foster parents. They did a great job and caught on quick!

It will take time and repetition to assure him that he can trust his pack leaders to protect him but he is well on his way to being a balanced, content animal!

*Remember when you meet a dog that pity and fear are two types of emotions you don't want to project. It is not healthy for you or the animal. To find out more or adopt Dozer you can click on the Boise Bully Breed Rescue link on this page.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Dog Tip

Remember not to give affection to your dog when he is demanding it. Becareful, a demanding dog can look very sweet, but pushing you with his body or nose is still a form of dominance. Even when that nose is super cute!

You invite the snuggle and your dog will be much more secure in your leadership.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Boundaries For Sabrina

Yesterday I worked with a wonderful foster family who are very devoted to helping animals in need. They have a busy pack that consists of 4 cats and a beautiful Golden Retriever. Recently they agreed to foster a 1yr old happy go lucky pit bull named Sabrina. They had know idea what they were getting into!
Their Golden is a calm, middle aged dog with a medium to low energy level and the rest of the pack matches. When Sabrina came in she turned the balance upside down, with her over the top high energy. As great as her foster parents were they were not used to a dog with such energy and lack of boundaries.
They made the mistake so many of us do. They were trying to control her excitement with excitement of their own. When she would chase the cats they would get excited and shout "NO". This was only making the intensity all the more exciting for Sabrina.
Their Golden was also not setting boundaries with the new pup by allowing her to mall and jump all over her. To most people it looked as though Sabrina was out of control. To me, it looked like Sabrina had no idea where her boundaries were. To control her in the house they used a tether attached to heavy furniture. They were not being cruel, they were simply trying their best to help her and still maintain some peace in their home. What they were missing were clear boundaries for Sabrina.
I started by gaining Sabrina's trust. Many people will think when you give tons of love and affection to a dog and they respond with kisses and tail wagging this is trust. It is not, this is playfulness and love, but not love and respect. Sabrina did not need my love at that moment, she needed my leadership if I was to help her.

I ignored her completely!

This is dog language for dominance. I spent a good 10 minutes alone with her in her yard not looking at her, not talking to her and not touching her. At first she was confused, she bark, she stood her ground, she tried to get me to notice her, I didn't. Slowly I moved into her space with out making eye contact, forcing her to back away and allow me ownership of the yard. When I felt she respected me I went to the door but did not allow her in the house until I invited her in. This let her know that I was now in control of the yard, the house, the other dog, and even her foster parents. The Parents did exactly what I like to see. They stayed back, thus showing little Sabrina that they trusted me and respected me, that energy flowed through the dogs and even the cats!
Now that I had the trust and respect of the house it was easy to show the foster parents how to use that same body language to give their bouncy pit boundaries. In fact, it was almost too easy. I wanted to show them how to create a boundary around a toy Sabrina loved, but I needed her to try to take in order for me to show them. She wouldn't. Sabrina was reading my energy and instantly submitting her toys to me. I had to have the owners play with her and the toy and then I could step in and make one quick (non excited) noise, from deep down in my gut to relay to Sabrina I wanted the toy. She backed away, not out of fear, but respect. She did not have her feelings hurt, her tail was not tucked under, she simply was respecting that I wanted the toy. Rather than taking the toy away I left it on the ground and when ever Sabrina would look at it, or make a move at it I would make my noise and she backed off.
I told the parents to play this every night. Bond with her, play on the floor with her, but after about 15 minutes claim the toy. Leave it on the floor, but don't allow Sabrina to play with it. From a humans perspective this seems mean or cruel, but to Sabrina it was just nature. And more than that it calmed her down INSTANTLY ! Because she felt secure in someones authority. There were no harsh words, no cruel gestures, I did not even touch her, I simply told her in a way she understood that play time was over and now it was calm time. Sabrina was a model student!
Because I wanted to build the packs bonding I showed them all to play a game of "find it". This game is supposed to be fun for the dogs and people and everyone should be built up by it, not torn down. First I pulled out a bag of hot dog bits and claimed them by holding it to my chest and not allowing the dogs to approach me. When they understood it was mine I offered them each a piece but made them wait, just a bit, to get it. This sets up the rules for the game.
I had both dogs wait on one side of the room while I moved to the other. With the hot dog in my hand I chose a corner to hide it in, pretending to set it down several places before choosing a spot. I left the hot dog bit but would not let the dogs go for it until I said the words "find it". I used a slightly excited voice and motioned toward the corner so they would know it was okay with me. After some hunting and sniffing the Golden found it and Sabrina got a treat too. We played several more times and Sabrina was quite proud when she sniffed it out first.
I asked the parents to play this everyday making it harder and harder to find. This will bond the pack, challenge the dogs, and drain energy, while doing the most important thing, teaching boundaries in a fun way for all.
Sabrina turned out to be a wonderful affectionate dog who is now on her way to good house hold boundaries and will soon be a delightful family pet in her forever home! Nice work Sabrina, and nice work to the foster parents who really stepped up for this little gal!!

*If you are interested in adopting Sabrina or helping to foster another dog you can find more information about Boise Bully Breed Rescue by clicking on the link on this site*