Dogs
© photo copyright Carrie Boyko
It's an old wives' tale, that business about old dogs can't learn new tricks. I'm not sure where it started, but I'd like to meet her--the old wife, I mean. I'd introduce her to Xena, the nearly 90 year old retriever who only recently was taught to Leave It before eating her meals. Having been the first of my pack of 3, teaching her the manners which would prevent food aggression was hardly on my mind. I was learning to handle crates and potty runs and that's about all I could handle at the time.
With 3 pups in our home now, I have taught the two youngsters to Leave It until I give permission to eat. Sometimes this results in drooling and puddles on the floor. But the good news is that it sends one message loud and clear: "The food belongs to the pack leader" and that's that. All 3 dogs now know this routine, even Xena, who learned the drill less than a year ago. She surprised me by picking it up very quickly. I was totally prepared for the "old dog" attitude and ready to test my training skills.
If you decide to add another dog to your pack, teaching this skill can clearly mean the difference between food fights and respect for one another's chow. It also helps to establish your own ownership of your food. I'll admit to having lost a pizza and a 12" sub to Xena during her puppy hood. We found 1 slice of that pizza hidden under my husband's pillow for safekeeping. Xena always was one to hide her goodies until she was ready for them. Usually that meant burying them, but when you're stuck inside, a pillow will have to do, I suppose. Good thing she has some manners now. I didn't enjoy washing the pizza stain out of those sheets.
I'm proud of you Xena. I hope at 90 I'm still learning new tricks. ; )
- Does Your Dog Worry?
by Carrie Boyko, CEB I'm sure you've seen this commercial on TV. It tugs at my heart every time I see it, as Xena, our fallen princess, made a lifetime habit of hiding her prized possessions under the pillows around the house. She once even...
- Happy Birthday Xena: You're A Teenager!
Find me on Facebook Follow me on Twitter Write to Dr. Jacki, ASK THE VET (c) copyright Carrie Boyko 2009 Xena, Age 13 Happily Sits for her Supper Today is a big day at our house, as Xena is having a birthday. Not just any birthday--her 13th. She...
- Family Planning For Doggie Additions
Find us on Facebook © photo copyright Carrie Boyko 2006 Tanner (4 months) and Xena (10) Share Christmas Morningwith a Rare Bedtime Snuggle Years ago, I read an article on the topic of "when is the best time to bring in your next dog, when your dog is...
- Preventing Food Aggression
© photo copyright Carrie BoykoFood Aggression Starts when Your Dog Thinks She Owns the FoodI guess this is one of those days when I'm going to get all Cesar Millan on you. You may laugh, but he's got the food thing down. Teaching your dog that...
- Disciplining Your Dog Through Feeding
© photo copyright Carrie BoykoOliver, Xena and Tanner AwaitPermission to Eat Today's post is a requested topic, and one that can be a very good disciplinary tool. What your dog learns from waiting permission to eat is more than it would appear....
Dogs
Old Dogs CAN Do New Tricks
© photo copyright Carrie BoykoXena Waits Permission to Eat
It's an old wives' tale, that business about old dogs can't learn new tricks. I'm not sure where it started, but I'd like to meet her--the old wife, I mean. I'd introduce her to Xena, the nearly 90 year old retriever who only recently was taught to Leave It before eating her meals. Having been the first of my pack of 3, teaching her the manners which would prevent food aggression was hardly on my mind. I was learning to handle crates and potty runs and that's about all I could handle at the time.
With 3 pups in our home now, I have taught the two youngsters to Leave It until I give permission to eat. Sometimes this results in drooling and puddles on the floor. But the good news is that it sends one message loud and clear: "The food belongs to the pack leader" and that's that. All 3 dogs now know this routine, even Xena, who learned the drill less than a year ago. She surprised me by picking it up very quickly. I was totally prepared for the "old dog" attitude and ready to test my training skills.
If you decide to add another dog to your pack, teaching this skill can clearly mean the difference between food fights and respect for one another's chow. It also helps to establish your own ownership of your food. I'll admit to having lost a pizza and a 12" sub to Xena during her puppy hood. We found 1 slice of that pizza hidden under my husband's pillow for safekeeping. Xena always was one to hide her goodies until she was ready for them. Usually that meant burying them, but when you're stuck inside, a pillow will have to do, I suppose. Good thing she has some manners now. I didn't enjoy washing the pizza stain out of those sheets.
I'm proud of you Xena. I hope at 90 I'm still learning new tricks. ; )
- Does Your Dog Worry?
by Carrie Boyko, CEB I'm sure you've seen this commercial on TV. It tugs at my heart every time I see it, as Xena, our fallen princess, made a lifetime habit of hiding her prized possessions under the pillows around the house. She once even...
- Happy Birthday Xena: You're A Teenager!
Find me on Facebook Follow me on Twitter Write to Dr. Jacki, ASK THE VET (c) copyright Carrie Boyko 2009 Xena, Age 13 Happily Sits for her Supper Today is a big day at our house, as Xena is having a birthday. Not just any birthday--her 13th. She...
- Family Planning For Doggie Additions
Find us on Facebook © photo copyright Carrie Boyko 2006 Tanner (4 months) and Xena (10) Share Christmas Morningwith a Rare Bedtime Snuggle Years ago, I read an article on the topic of "when is the best time to bring in your next dog, when your dog is...
- Preventing Food Aggression
© photo copyright Carrie BoykoFood Aggression Starts when Your Dog Thinks She Owns the FoodI guess this is one of those days when I'm going to get all Cesar Millan on you. You may laugh, but he's got the food thing down. Teaching your dog that...
- Disciplining Your Dog Through Feeding
© photo copyright Carrie BoykoOliver, Xena and Tanner AwaitPermission to Eat Today's post is a requested topic, and one that can be a very good disciplinary tool. What your dog learns from waiting permission to eat is more than it would appear....