A Thinking Dog

Story, my young Labrador retriever, is learning new things. Like taking a jump, retrieving a dumbbell, jumping again, and bringing the bell back to my hand. She is a natural retriever, but had gotten it into her head that once she had a good hold of the dumbbell, she could run around the room, flaunting her ability to fetch and hold and carry all at the same time. Or else I had done a bad job teaching her exactly what I wanted -- a jump, a fetch, a jump. Sometimes I give her confusing information. Sometimes I tell her to "take it" before I tell her "over" (which is her command for jump).

We backed up, and I have begun to break down the individual behaviors. First, I practiced without my dog. My neighbors might think I'm nuts, but I stand in the yard, throw the dumbbell, yell out, "Over," and then "Take It," and then "Over" -- all by myself, no dog in sight.

Then, I put my dog back on a Flexi lead, lowered the jump height to about 12 inches, and tossed the bell. Sometimes I call out "popcorn" or "rabbit," so that Story will learn to listen to my command. Her body quivers, sometimes she anticipates and wants to retrieve, and those are the teachable moments. She's learning to think, and to listen for my commands.

Yesterday in her Open Obedience competition class, the puzzle parts began to lock, and this young dog began to think about the sequence. We all watched the "light bulb moment" as Story reacted only to my commands. We watched her think through her options, and choose the correct response.

Patience on my part allows my dog the freedom to make either incorrect choices or to follow my commands. Patience, which I sorely lack at times, gives my mudpuppy the freedom to think.

While Story practices her jumping/retrieving sequences, I practice patience; I'm learning not to rush this part of her education.

Facing Fears

My dogs and I have begun to face our fears. First, some background:

I have dreamt of becoming a published book author since I was young, when I would climb the steps into the bookmobile (anybody remember the bookmobile?), then climb the branches of a dogwood tree and settle back to read. When I was asked last fall to write a new breed book about the Labrador Retriever, I had no reason to say "no." After all, I'd been a newspaper reporter and then freelance journalist for many years. But a book? I had about 12 weeks to research and then write more than 70,000 words. Scary, indeed. I'm pleased to say I finished five days before deadline.

During that time, my young Lab, Story, got some well-deserved time off from serious training for competition obedience. This three-year old had some issues, as behaviorists would say. When she was a young pup, on a walk one day, she was attacked by a much larger dog that had slipped its tether. Story became leash reactive, people reactive, and with some canines, dog reactive. I worked slowly and patiently to teach her new coping skills, and she learned that I would always "have her back."

This week we returned to our competition training classes. Our first day in a new class, a young, larger, immature dog got pretty snarky and aggressive, lunging and growling. Our backs were to the dog, and as soon as Story felt his presence, she turned and started to reciprocate. I could feel her tension all the way up the leash. As I calmly began to lead her away from the situation, Story stopped herself, realized that I was in control, and I felt her lead go slack as she relaxed and stepped into heel position. This was the first true test of all the work we've done to face her fear, and she did not disappoint me.

Our next test of fears will come in April, when we begin dock diving lessons. I have no doubt that my Mudpuppy will love jumping and swimming and retrieving her toy. But me? Yes, I can swim. I don't like to, but I can. I have some "water issues." With my dog's help, however, I think I'll be able to face that fear and overcome it.

I'd love to hear about your fears, and how your animals helped you to stare down those terrors. On the flip side, how did you remediate a fearful dog?

Courage, Mudpuppies!

Mudpuppies in Atlanta

Atlanta is a beautiful place to live, especially during springtime (which we're all looking forward to here in Mudpuppy Land). I'm especially excited because in this year, I have so much to see, do, and learn with my Labs by my side.

In April, my youngest Labrador retriever, Story, begins her dock diving training at a facility with a specially designed pool for dogs.

In July, I hope to attend a Veterinary Behavior Symposium co-sponsored by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists and the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior.

October brings us the APDT Conference and Trade Show -- the names of presenters is the "Who's Who" of dog training. I've already requested media credentials, but my personal and journalism ethics require me to pay to attend, just like everyone else. Hopefully I'll be able to sit in the audience and report back in my column, "The Novice Among Us," in Front and Finish magazine, which is geared to those just starting to train their dogs for competition rally and obedience.

In between these exciting events, my yellow Lab, Gracie, and I will again spend our summer days at a day camp for developmentally challenged children. Story and I will sit on the front porch and watch the squirrels.

And my first published book, "DogLife: Labrador Retriever," has an August release date. More on that in future blogs.

You all should know that while I am an award winning writer, have multiple dog competition titles, and read voraciously, I am technically challenged. Starting this blog is learning a foreign language to me. I'll make mistakes. Bear with me.

For now, all Mudpuppies in the Pool!