Zoonoses are diseases which are transferrable between humans and other kinds of animals. Though there are many zoonoses, some of which are fairly common amongst humans, the actual occurrence of inter-species transference to people from pets is quite rare. When one narrows the question a little further, and asks the likelihood of catching a deadly … Continue reading You Knowses No Zoonoses, While You Knowses Lysozome: Why I Kiss Dogs
Author: The Dog Guy
Professional Dog Trainer in Bellingham, WA USA
Happy New Year!
Stumpy, Hero of World War 1
Stumpy, either an Old Boston bulldog or a pitbull/Boston Terrier cross, was smuggled aboard a troop transport by his owner, John Robert Conroy. While in Europe, Stumpy lived and fought with the 102nd Infantry as one of the soldiers. Stumpy distinguished himself as a brave and stalwart companion: tenacious in battle, and loving in rest. While … Continue reading Stumpy, Hero of World War 1
Out for a Walk, or Off to War?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aiht0b3nNA This video is meant to illustrate one way to learn a behavior called “loose-leash walking”. There are many ways to learn this -- if you have a method that is already working well for you, and doesn’t involve hurting your dog in any way, then cheers! I call the game that we play to … Continue reading Out for a Walk, or Off to War?
Notable Dog: Waghya
Waghya, a mixed-breed sight hound, loyal companion of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, is the most famous dog in India. Showing remarkable, but suicidal, loyalty, Waghya threw himself upon the Maharaj's burning funeral pyre. 1680.
A Christmas Coda for Koda
Last month I had the opportunity to spend the day with a Siberian Husky named Koda. My adventure with Koda led me to meet Cyndi Michelena, the Siberian Husky representative for the Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue. Koda is eleven-years old, and was never house-trained. Older dogs are more difficult to adopt out, as are dogs … Continue reading A Christmas Coda for Koda
Wait for Me, or Stay There!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBJEErz6qwc Separating the two cues wait and stay is not an absolute necessity, of course. Many will just have one standard stay cue to mean “remain where you are and in that position until I release you or tell you to do something else.” This is an adequate way of doing things, but separating the … Continue reading Wait for Me, or Stay There!
Lassie, Maslow, Timmy, and, Well, a Well
Abraham Maslow proposed a way of organizing human needs into a hierarchy, a sort of if/then logic ladder, and this way of thinking can be illuminating when considering a dog’s needs and potentials. The levels in this hierarchy of Maslow’s are as follows: the necessary physiological components for survival; the assurance of one's immediate safety; positive … Continue reading Lassie, Maslow, Timmy, and, Well, a Well
Coyote Poop, Mud, Sunshine
Wonderful off-leash walk today on trail network between Fairhaven park and I-5. It was muddy but sunny, and we saw lots of coyote sign, several other dogs, nice people, and Frank and Igg were were very good and very happy. They woke up briefly to eat and go outside, but have otherwise been asleep all day and … Continue reading Coyote Poop, Mud, Sunshine
WHS+BBB=Rabbit Haven
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kd8-QzPxUmI Ed, Janet, and Casey, the triumvirate that guides Boundary Bay Brewery, happily allow the brewery vans to be used for transporting shelter animals along the delivery routes. I am careful to adjust my hours so that Boundary is not paying wages for my volunteer time, the animals get a much-needed ride, and we all … Continue reading WHS+BBB=Rabbit Haven
The Dog Guy 