Monday, March 4, 2013

Paws with a Cause: Pets and Tricks

No, not those kind of tricks... 
... but then again you are my peeps, so I can see how you got there... ;)

First, one of the things I'm supposed to do this week is talk about my pets. I've had various types of pets throughout my life. Mostly dogs, but I've had cats, fish, hamsters and a guinea pig. Yes, you can say I wuv animals. :) With my dogs I've had both mutts and purebred. Most are rescues, including the purebreds. I've had a pit bull mix when I was a kid (his momma was a pit and his dad was a high fence jumping salesman) and EVERYONE who met him wanted him. He was a sweetie and a good example of the breed. He loved puppies and kitties especially. It makes me so sad when people allow prejudice to color what is in front of you. You miss out on so much. This prejudice has also lead to people having their dogs put down just because of their perception and not because of something they did. This has even affected people's service dogs. Those dogs in which they depend on for everyday living. Viewing people as well as other living creatures through a film of fear is dangerous. So, now you know why I am passionate about BSL. It's something that still affects me, by choice, since I have a doberman currently. 

Oh and to why I currently have a doberman? I have met a few and they are also described as clowns. Heh... so true. My boy makes me laugh at least once a day. It was not protection as many assume. As for protection I did have a dog that was VERY protective of me. It was not my pit, nor my doberman (although I have no doubt they would return the protection favor), it was a sheltie! Dogs have a pretty good innate sense of danger... and you don't need a "tough" dog to be protected. In fact she protected me so much she even became my migraine alert dog. She could tell that I was going to have a migraine before it got bad.
Hm...
*looks at doberman*
*clears throat*
*gets innocent look in return*
Oh well...

I've also been involved in dog agility. Again, it was my shelties that got me into the sport. I wanted to do something fun with my dogs and there was a club just forming in my area. I had so much fun doing that sport. It is something I'd like to do again someday. 

I hope you stick around for the full week. For the week I just thought I'd  have a small giveaway of a book I recently reviewed. Give an article from a trainer I've really come to admire. I also have a romance giveaway in the end. Yes, it has a dog in it. :) Hope you will stay with me for the week. So, non-doggy peeps... do bear with me. :)
It's not the end, only the beginning...
So before you go... the tricks! *waggles eyebrows*

I thought it would be fun to show you 3 fun tricks I've taught my doberman. All of them very easy to teach. Oh yea... my malemute would like me to point out something of import:
  • I had a hard time teaching him "wave". I just couldn't get him to get that light bulb to turn on. This was funny. My malemute got frustrated, sat in front of him and "waved". Of course he got it after that. No, I never showed the malemute how to do it, she did it all based on what I was trying to show the the boy. Now, of course, the mal doesn't do it much... I mean the boy got it, so why? LOL
Now drumroll...


Okay, dog peeps... what tricks have you got up your sleeves? What trick should I teach next?

Oh and I did find a good book on fun training (see I can still go with the book review flow):
101 Dog Tricks
by Kyra Sundance
101 Dog Tricks is the largest trick book on the market and the only one presenting full-color photos of each trick and its training steps. The step-by-step approach, difficulty rating, and prerequisites allow readers to start training immediately. Tips and trouble-shooting boxes cover common problems, while "build-on" ideas suggest more complicated tricks which build on each new skill. No special tools (such as clickers) or knowledge of specific training methods are required. Trick training is a great way to bond with your dog and help him integrate into your family. It keeps him mentally and physically challenged and helps to establish paths of communication between you. Many tricks build skills needed for common dog sports, dog dancing, and dog therapy work. It's every dog lover's privilege that Kyra and Chalcy took time from their performing schedule to share their secrets in 101 Dog Tricks.
Also don't forget to enter to win one of the 4 prizes in the big giveaway by donating to a great cause! Deets are HERE 

21 comments:

  1. I love my mutts. I've had three dogs personally (more when I was little) and all three are rescues -- one SPCA, one a local no-kill and one from the side of the road (poor, sad, flea-covered girl!). There's nothing like a dog. They'll do anything for you and I'll do anything for my pups. Dogs, FTW!!

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  2. Tonks considers it a trick if she doesn't eat my food if I accidentally get up and leave it where it is. Other than that, she just does the standard stuff (sit, down, heel) and then looks at me like "b*tch I don't perform for treats that is why I am QUEEN" :) Seriously I think she thinks that LOL

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    1. My mal used to table and counter surf. Hard to get them to stop. :) I think my mal and Tonks are alike. :)

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    2. I think they probably are! Very much like "I am cute enough that I don't have to work for you to spoil me" and gosh darn it they are right :)

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  3. Great stuff. Having shared my life with all manner of creatures I can understand your obvious passion.

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  4. HE IS SO CUTE MELISSA!!!! I just want to hug him:) We taught our boys the wave too and are now regretting it. Griffin just sort of waves indiscriminately whenever he wants something. Just sits down and waves. Endlessly. It's somewhat less than amusing:)

    It makes me so mad when people judge dogs simply by the breed. We fostered a pup last year who was about 30 seconds away from being euthanized simply because whoever dropped her off said she was a pit. She was 6 weeks old. 6 WEEKS! Grrrrr. We scooped her up though and now she's with an awesome family:)

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    1. He would love that! My boy tends to bow a lot too, especially if he has been bad. Of course I laugh and that is the end of being upset with him. :P

      I remember you talking about that pup. So lucky he met you!

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  5. *sigh* I have a dog and four cats and none of them does a single thing EXCEPT constantly demand to ear. Lol, they're a hungry lot. My dog is adorable and so very loyal, but he's not the brightest dog I've ever met, and I really expected him to be, he's a schnauzer. :)
    And he certainly doesn't know when I'm about to get a migrane.

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    1. That's why my boy will learn tricks. He's willing to work for food. :)

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  6. I have a mutt and he is getting old, twelve years now and I don't know what I am going to do without him. I love my pets and there are a part of my family. Thank you for this post.

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  7. Popped in from Petty Writer's blog! I can't teach my Chihuahuas to do anything. They run my life!

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  8. Oh my goodness, so cute! I have had lots of dogs myself and have been SO attached to every one of them.
    We had a pitbull for awhile and she was the biggest sweetie EVER! Unfortunately we had to give her up because we had to go live with the inlaws for a bit and they said no way.

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  9. I have one dog and I don't think I can get him to do anything. We have all spoiled that dog rotten :))

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  10. Your video rocks! I totally understand the Mal -- Fiona has often taught Toby to do things (including things I'd rather she didn't) Dogs do communicate, and they do understand humans very well!

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  11. Oh my god, your dobie is SO CUTE! I had one growing up and they are the most loyal, sweetest breed in my opinion. Everyone thinks they're so tough and scary, but you're right, mine was a clown too! :-)

    My uncle has a sheltie and I couldn't agree more about them being so overprotective and insightful. HIs goes absolutely wild when a stranger gets anywhere near his human, especially if there are any sudden movements.

    That video is freaking adorable. Your dogs have such personality! :-)

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  12. I just read through all your Paws posts. What fun!

    I've been working with animals at either shelters or vets offices for almost 20 years now. I get so depressed when people hate/fear certain breeds. It really is about begin a good owner. I've been bitten by more pomeranians than pit bulls through my work.

    I used to do agility with my shelties until injuries (& my lack of sense of direction) stopped us but I still incorporate a lot of what we learned into tricks and fun stuff.

    I could never live without animals in my life!

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