Dog Projects

I participate in an on-line dog forum...a couple as a matter of fact...and find the information invaluable. One of the forums, My Smart Puppy, has a "project" that is periodically posted by the host—in this case, the wonderful Sarah Wilson. The projects often build off each other offering the owner some necessary skills in working/dealing with their dog.

For example, the first one covers the owner's ability to hold the dog's muzzle for 10 seconds without your dog moving. This might sound easy, but if your dog isn't used to it, you have a squirming dog on your hands! What I realized with Bella (assuming it would be a piece of cake with her), is that no matter how gentle I was, she preferred I didn't hold on. She wiggled like crazy trying to back out of the hold! I discovered the key was communication. Oh my! How easy is it to forget that! Initially I didn't say anything. Bad owner! By saying, "Wait," she was perfectly willing to obey because she already knew that command. She sat quietly until I released her and gave her a treat for being so good and brilliant.

I will work this step for several more days to assure that 10 second hold is second nature...then on to Project #2: opening the dog's mouth. Again, I assume this will be easy...but will it? Building off Project #1, this second one allows one to easily administer drugs if need be—or remove something lodged in the dog's mouth.

These seem so simple, but if you never have done them, you might find yourself in a situation where it's critical to do, but your dog is fighting you. It is much more fun to build your pup's trust and make a game of it when nothing is at stake!