Dog Charming

28/10/2025

Stuff Willow and I do while waiting for the sun to set. Today's musing is on what to do when a dog gets it "wrong" in training or every day life with us. I agree with Kiki Yablon when she writes in her blog (link below) that dogs don't actually get it wrong at all (that's why I've also put the word in parentheses): they are behaving from their genetics, prior learning and the current conditions around them. They are behaving in ways that work for them. You can read about what do do when a dog makes errors in her blog. Thanks Eileenanddogs for posting and Kiki Yablon Dog Training for writing. You help prompt me to pass on the good stuff. ❤️🐾 https://kikiyablondogtraining.com/kiki-blog/2025/6/17/dealing-with-errors-in-training

24/10/2025

When my dog is doing OK, I'm OK.

Willow is living on borrowed time. She has been for her entire life since being born with two heart defects and given a prognosis of heart failure in 6-12 months. We both had echocardiograms in the same week when she was a puppy: both diagnosed with dicky hearts. Both doing better than we're supposed to. We're a good match 😉

Over 7 years later, she's still here. Entirely unexpected. Celebrated daily.

There are changes. Some subtle. Others more confronting. I heard the scrape of nails as she dragged her feet, watched her hang her head, eyes dull and glazed, struggle up the stairs, then not using the stairs, weird changes in her breathing, refusing her favourite food, stop playing with her best friend, unable or no desire to get into the car or the cargo bike ...

I took photos. Deleting those where you could see she was unwell in her eyes. I was on edge, fighting through a cloud of uncertainty and melancholy.

Saw the specialist. Willow perked up, in part due to all the training we do around vet care and handling. Vet visits are fun. The specialist assured me it was not abdominal fluid I was seeing (one of the signs that the heart is giving final notice).

Willow perked up at home: bounced up the stairs, ate cheese, bothered her buddy, barked for more food, chased me on our walk ...

Just like that, the knot in my stomach, that I hadn't realised was there, was gone.

It's not yet her time.

We might have another Christmas together.

I'm happy with another day.

When my dog is OK, I'm OK.

24/10/2025

You go, Chester! Brave boy.

22/10/2025

More fun and games as the sun sets. The only brocolli she'll put in her mouth. 🥦

17/10/2025

Playing phizzbee while waiting for the sunset.

17/10/2025

Things we do while waiting for the sunset.

16/10/2025

🎤 It may blow your mind to know that you don't have to teach a dog what is "wrong" in order to teach them what is "right". 🤯I know, right!

An example from the Book of Willow: She bops her best friend with her nose. It's not the best behaviour and although he's patient, it could hurt his sore leg or push him over. Instead of waiting for her to bop (get it wrong) and swiftly doling out punishment to stop the behaviour, I taught her what to do instead (get it right) and reinforced that behaviour.

1) I predicted when bopping was going to occur.
2) Taught her an alternative behaviour "off" (which means change position/move away) and reinforced this.
3) I also predicted the context in which it routinely occurred: when he first arrived and she was excited and in enclosed spaces.
4) I provided an alternative activity every time for both dogs (lickimat, Treat and Train), before bopping occurred.
5) Once calmer, bopping was less likely to happen.

Bopping reduced and also stopped occurring without the activity being provided. This approach also ensured there was no fallout from coercion. The last thing I wanted was to create a fear of approaching her buddy (avoidance) or of me.

15/10/2025

14/10/2025

'Nuff said.

14/10/2025

Dog faming Willow: The dog who wouldn't get out of the car in the vet car park. She ran up the stairs and stood patiently waiting at the vet door. It wasn't easy getting this enthusiastic behaviour but it was definitely worth the patience.