"Part Wild"—What Do You Think?

I just finished the book, Part Wild, by Ceiridwen Terrill, which chronicles four years spent with a wolf-dog. She adopts Inyo as a pup for the wrong reasons and without doing any research regarding the difficulties faced owning a dog that is part wolf, part domesticated dog. Her life is full of bumbling relationships with men and her wolf-dog, but also contains some magic moments. When she and Inyo are in the mountains and civilization is remote, both are free and happy. Not so the case when confined in a city. Terrill writes well and some of her tales are quite funny. Most, however, are sad—a tragedy because Inyo is neither a wolf nor a dog and fits in neither world.

A good friend has also read this book and we had very different takes on it. Both of us are dog lovers and spend much of our time discussing our dogs in particular, but also other dogs and dog owners. She felt Ms. Terrill was initially ill-informed (she was), made many mistakes with the care of Inyo (some will make you cringe) and felt the author saw herself above others (I disagree). But how many of us got our first dog with no more to go on than love of a pretty face? Some of us were/are lucky, but the over-crowding of animal shelters is testament that Ms. Terrill isn't the first to be ignorant of what's involved in owning a dog, let alone one that is part wolf.

The book is well written and quite honest about the difficulties for the wolf-dogs and owners, most of whom, like herself, get the dog for the worst reasons. She went into the relationship ignorant and left heart-broken. She interviewed (canine) geneticists, dog trainers, wolf experts and wolf rescuers attempting to understand the difference between a wolf and domesticated dog. Ms. Terrill does not advocate owning a wolf-dog, far from it. She spells out all too clearly how heart-breaking it is for all. In the end, she had to make an excruciatingly difficult decision.

Here's a bit more about wolf-dogs from one of my favorite (dog) authors, Patricia McConnell. Again, not a pretty story.

Just Plain Cute

I came across this photo blog today Find Momo. Can you find Momo? Love it!

What Books About Dogs Do You Love?

One of the first books I recall reading about dogs was The Poky Little Puppy. I don't remember the story, but I definitely remember the illustrations. I am uncertain why I remember this book—perhaps it was only because of the pictures, but I'm sure I read it at a time when I began to understood a dog's position in my life—integral.

When I was a child it was discovered that I had skin allergies. I was allergic to many things including dog dander. My mother made a strategic choice: she felt it was better I learn to live and care for animals, than be itch-free. My guess is my mother couldn't live without a dog, but I have never thought her decision wrong. Each new dog that entered our family was greeted and treated as a loved family member. For a short period, my allergies would flair until I became used to that particular dog. They couldn't lick me, I couldn't brush or bathe them as that much contact with fur set my skin off. Still, it was a small price to pay. Bella is the first dog I've allowed to lick my hands (my most reactive spot). Nothing a good, immediate hand wash can't cure!

So along with loving dogs and having at least one in my immediate circle for all but a few years of my nearly six decades, I have enjoyed reading about dogs. Not unusual. There are many training manuals that I've appreciated and used for years, but the novel, now that's a book that speaks to the heart! So what books stand out?

• A Dog's Purpose—a story from a dog's perspective about experiencing several life times.
• The Hidden Life of Dogs—a study of what dogs do.
• Marley & Me—sweet and silly, read in a day to my husband when he was ill.
• Merle's Door—the relationship between a man and his dog.
• Old Yeller—the original break down and sob story.
• The Other End of the Leash—understanding canine communication.
• Pack of Two—a wonderful story about the healing powers of a dog.
• Racing in the Rain—a wonderful story from the dog's point of view.
• Three Among Wolves—a couple and their dog who live a year in the wild studying wolves.

The thing I hate about lists is knowing I've left something out. I'm sure there are many I've forgotten. These are the ones that came to me on first flush. So what books about dogs do you love?

The Pet Blogger Challenge

I am sitting in the shade on a patio on the Sea of Cortez looking at the computer. That sounds pretty pathetic now that I write it. Why aren't I swimming or paddling? For Pete's sake, woman! It's January and you're in Baja on vacation! Well, at this hour, mid-afternoon, my poor little northern latitudes body can't take any more of that solar heat. In meandering around the computer, I found a link about the Pet Bloggers Challenge 2011 and decided to take it. Below are the questions; my answers are in red.


1. When did you begin your blog? July 2007.

2. What was your original purpose for starting a blog? My dog, Lucy, had a herniated disk and could barely walk. I was unable to find information on the 'net regarding care for a dog post-surgery and decided I would blog about it to help any other pet owners who might be going through a similar situation.

3. Is your current purpose the same? No. If not, what’s different? Lucy has passed on and now I'm blogging about my present, wonderful pup (now a bonified dog), Bella. If so, how do you feel you’ve met your goals? My goal is to write about living with a dog. I want readers to learn what an owner goes through with training an animal that isn't going to compete, but must be socially acceptable in a variety of situations. I hope to clearly relate what training methods I use and whether the methods (and the owner!) are effective. In addition, I want to let readers know what it is like traveling around the United States with a large dog in a small van packed with two people and a lot of toys.

4. Do you blog on a schedule or as the spirit moves you? I blog when I am in the mood. Do you worry about… well, whatever you might worry about (e.g. losing traffic, losing momentum)? Yes, if I have not written for a while, I am concerned about losing traffic, but since my traffic is so small, what's there to lose? Hence, I am blogging while on vacation and...sigh...dogless.

5. Are you generating income from your blog? No. If not currently, do you hope to in the future — and how? Generating income always has appeal. Will I go that route? I doubt it.

6. What do you like most about blogging in general and your blog in particular (bragging is good!)? I like writing. I like the effort it takes to make a story effective. I think my blog gives a true view of what an ordinary person (not a trainer, nor a person interested in canine competition) goes through trying to live, travel and expose a dog to an enormous variety of situations.

7. What do you like least? I wish I had certifiable traffic and feed back, a real following.

8. How do you see your blog changing/growing in 2011? Writing has always been an interest of mine. Dogs have always been significant in my life. I hope my writing improves and that this blog generates a following.

Take the challenge! What's your reason for blogging about your dog(s)? 

A Wonderful Place

One of the blogs I regularly read is from a place called Rolling Dog Ranch Animal Sanctuary. The couple who run this non-profit take in (and often re-home) disabled cats, dogs and horses. The couple, Steve Smith and Alayne Marker, are really remarkable in the beautiful care and home they provide these animals who otherwise would be euthanized. This recent entry really touched me. Here is a pup who would not be here if not for them. The post is clear about the difficulties this dog faces, yet being a dog—my take—is that they always have a joyful heart. They can suffer through so much yet a warm bed, a full tummy, kind words and tender pats are all they ask for. This post brings tears to my eyes. What a sweet old hound.

Let Them Think

I just read a great article by Victoria Stilwell on letting your dog think itself through a situation. Because I've been spending more time on training recently, this post was beautifully timed.

I am working with Bella to loose leash walk on a buckle collar. I want her to decide for herself that walking next to me is preferable.Today, with clicker in hand, we set out. I can't say one way or the other whether I think she "got it," but I can say I did see her "think" and choose a more appropriate spot (by my leg) for which I clicked and treated. At this point, my chow-hound is lobbying for food, so clicking and treating was only when she picked the proper position, not for any signals from me. A video I watched recently also shows some training techniques for using the clicker while training your dog to choose this position. I have a harness that I may try on her, but haven't dug it out as of yet.

Another blog post I read compares gaming (development of computer games) principles to dog training. There were several comments in there that I felt apropos. One of the best was:

Complex games give us a way to measure our progress.  When we play a game we want to feel like we’re getting somewhere. That we’re accomplishing something. And a good game gives us a way (or better yet, several ways) to measure that. This innate need to feel that one is making progress is one of the reasons why it’s important to break a training exercise down into discrete steps and give your dog meaningful input at each one of those steps rather than just at the end of a task.

The author makes several other really great points. (Read it over and see what you think.) Yesterday in my Noseworks class the instructor is teaching us (the owners) to allow the dog to do its job—sniff out the treat—and to not confuse things by getting between the dog and the smell. He said we need to be careful when we're working on Noseworks at home, to break increased complexities of the "find" into small, successful-for-the-dog steps. In other words, avoid the "let's see if she can figure this one out" syndrome. For example, he said put a loose kibble 6 feet down the wall. The next time, put it 12 feet, then 18 feet. Build the "find" in small increments so the dog is always successful and learns how to structure the hunt.

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!

Great Book

I just finished reading Peggy Tillman's book, Clicking with Your Dog. I've only taken one class in which a clicker was used and haven't used it much since. However, as I recently mentioned, I tried the clicked again asking a "Sit" from Bella before tossing a ball. It proved highly effective.

This book really inspired me to go back to a clicker when trying to teach new activities or tricks. If you are interested in other methods of training and are curious about using a clicker, I highly recommend this book. There are great illustrations and each "trick" is simply explained and illustrated. Give it a look!

What Dog?

I just saw this questionnaire on another blog http://manymuddypaws.blogspot.com/ regarding what breed you'd choose out of the seven AKC recognized dog groups and why. I thought this would be fun to do. I couldn't choose just one for several of the categories. How could anyone? Dogs are just too wonderful. What's your choice—or choices?

1. Sporting: My pick-Golden Retriever. I had several growing up and they were such a good family dog. And Labrador—as that's part of Bella.


2. Hound: My pick-This one is tough. Many folks thought Lucy had some greyhound or Saluki or Whippet in her. She ran like a greyhound, with her legs folding underneath her, so one of the long, lean running dogs...


3. Working: My pick-Schnauzer. My brother had one, Arnie. He was a great dog.


4. Terriers: My pick-Airedale, definitely Airedale. I read the book Junket as a little girl and have had a penchant for Airedales ever since.


5. Toys: My pick-This one is tough too as I don't really appreciate toy dogs. I guess I'd go with an Italian Greyhound, just because of Lucy. In reality IG's are still too small and finicky for my taste. My neice has a Chihuahua which is the cutest little thing, but I just don't feel myself drawn to toys.


6. Non Sporting: My pick-Dalmatian. I wouldn't have thought they'd fall into this group, but I like their sleekness and love their spots!


7. Herding: My pick-Really tough choice. I've had mixed breeds of Aussies, Border Collies and German Shepherds and love all three of those. Do I have to choose?


8. Miscellaneous: My pick-Treewalking Coonhound. A friend told me she'd grown up with one and I looked it up. Beautiful shape!