Georgia Shelter Dogs Earn Respite

Starting tomorrow, dogs in Georgia shelters have a better chance escaping euthanasia. A new state law requires shelters statewide to scan pets for microchips, at intake and then again before the animal's time is up (i.e. scheduled to die). The second scan will hopefully catch any errors made during the initial shelter intake.

Because the cost to obtain the equipment necessary to check for chips could have been prohibitive to cash-strapped shelters, the giant American Kennel Club (AKC), through its Companion Animal Recovery program (CAR), promised to donate 25 universal microchip scanners. The HomeAgain microchip program and Bayer each pledged 20 universal scanners.

Microchips are about the size of a grain of rice. Veterinarians and some breeders can easily implant the chip, which typically is injected between the pet's shoulder blades. Once implanted, the chip cannot be felt or seen; only rarely will the chip "migrate" to a different location within the animal's body. During a pet's annual wellness exam, a vet can scan the dog or cat to check the location of the chip.

These 65 scanners, scattered to shelters statewide, will help save dogs' lives. But only if a pet is microchipped in the first place, and then only if the pet is actually enrolled in a microchip recovery program. According to the AKC, lost pets that are microchipped are up to 20 times more likely to return home.

Let's hear it for the forward-thinking Georgia legislators who voted for Georgia's pets; let's hear it for the corporations and non-profits that supported the bill; and let's hear it for the many thousands of dogs and cats in our shelters.

I'm off for injured reserve rehab for a little while, and during my own rehabilitation and recover from a shoulder injury, I won't, after all that, be writing about those stocky little chihuahuas. I will, however, be looking forward to the official release date (August 30) of DogLife Labrador Retriever. This book is available now for pre-order on Amazon.com.

Hug your pups, and microchip!

The Courage of Dogs

We've seen the video of the dog in Alaska who, when asked by his fire-ravaged owner to get help, raced down snow- and ice-covered roads in the backcountry to find and lead a state trooper to his master's side. Buddy the shepherd was honored for his role saving his owner.

I think dogs in general, some in particular, display an abundance of courage in subtle and not-so-subtle ways. I think about my good friend Deb, and her Belgian Tervuran, Hokey, as the two traversed a cavern of canine cancer. Hokey is now in remission. I think about my neighbor's mixed-breed, who despite being tethered in the front yard almost daily (for hours, and no, animal control has taken no steps despite my repeated calls), maintains her calm, sweet, disposition. She's courageous because while she is neglected, she has not lashed out. I remember my dear first Labrador Retriever, the late great Sam, the dog who taught me patience in the face of great change in my personal and professional life.

Sam also served as my inspiration while I wrote my first book, "DogLife: Labrador Retriever." I wrote every page of that manuscript with Sam's photos on every wall of my office. His framed rally and obedience titles are daily reminders of the courage he displayed, the trust he placed in me while my shaking hand led him around the rings. The ribbons and rosettes -- green and red and blue and yellow and white -- that Sam earned during his senior years, prod me to learn new things and play new games with the Mudpuppy pack.

Gracie's titles and ribbons, and young Story's recently earned title certificates and accompanying ribbons, are displayed on other walls.

There will only be one Novice A dog in any competitor's life, and for me, that was my Sam.

There will only be one first book in any writer's life, and for me, that is "DogLife: Labrador Retriever."

I could not have written without courage, and I learned it from Sam. Now, I have to push way out of my comfort zone and actually promote the book. Here is my not-so-subtle reminder:

"DogLife: Labrador Retriever" is available for pre-order on Amazon.com. If you have a Lab, if you think you might want a Lab, or if you've been lucky enough to spend some part of your life with a Lab, I think you'll enjoy this book.

There, that's all the courage I can sustain. I need to go pet my dogs.

Story's Success

While I wait for the release of my first book, "DogLife: Labrador Retriever," due in August, I've been training my young Labrador retriever, Story.

This is the dog that has made me a better trainer. For example, when I was pulling my hair out because I could not get her to pay attention to my commands, I took her collar and leash off, took her into the bathroom, and sat with her, just a clicker and a handful of treats on the counter. Every time she looked at me rather than looking at the closed door, I'd click/treat. We continued this routine for about 10 minutes daily for a week. Then we progressed to the hallway. Then into the den, with the added distraction of my older Lab, Gracie, who pretty much gets to be where she wants to be and do what she wants to do on account of her age (10+).

After a month of that, Story fell into a new habit: she'd sit with me in my home office and hold her dumbbell. She'd fall into heel position as I paced the house (writers do a lot of pacing while we work). If I paced in circles in the yard, Story trotted along in perfect heel position. She doesn't always twist her head around and look up at me; instead, she learned to watch my shoulders or my feet or my knees for cues.

After about three months of this, and after my book manuscript was at the publisher, we resumed our competition classes. All of Story's hard work paid off in a huge way.

In April, she earned her ASCA CD (Australian Shepherd Club of America Companion Dog) title (this registry welcomes breeds other than Aussies at its obedience and rally trials; even mixed breeds are encouraged).

In May, Story earned her AKC CD.

I never thought I would get to this point with this dog. She has been a challenge, and a joy.

And now, while I begin to train her for the really fun stuff, the retrieving and jumping in Open classes, I'm again writing.

This next book will be about Chihuahuas. I'm certain now that Story will heel while I pace and circle and write and research and interview folks. I'm certain that the foundation skills I reworked with this Lab will pay off, and carry over into the Open ring. She has hit a stride and found her comfort zone. Meanwhile, I will test my own limits writing about a breed unfamiliar to me.

I have a good team around me, though, and we are ready.

Pet Disaster Plans

We've just had a horrible weekend in the South with the spring storms that bring tornadoes and severe thunderstorms. Tragically, people died. Twelve as of today. More than 700 homes in Mississippi were damaged or obliterated. Businesses, churches, gone. Untold numbers of pets lost their homes or their lives. A twister touched down in North Georgia and damaged property. Some cities in Alabama and the Carolinas experienced similar destruction.

If you live in a storm-prone area, you should have disaster plans not just for your family, but for your pets. In hurricane or wildfire zones, plan your escape routes. During flash floods (which hit my county hard last autumn), know how you'll get away, and where your nearest shelter is located. During tornado season, determine the safe area in your home (typically the northwest corner on the lowest level) and set up sturdy crates for all your animals. Practice drills, and make sure your dogs and cats will reliable enter their crates upon command. Fill a plastic bin with at least three days' worth of pet food, clean water, and first aid supplies like flashlights, gauze, and medical tape. Include extra leashes, collars, and muzzles for your dogs (an injured dog is more likely to bite out of pain and fear, so safety for the human rescuers is an important part of your disaster plan).

And remember, a trained dog is much easier to handle than an untrained dog. This is a good time for refresher training on recalls and loose-leash walking. Don't wait until you need certain behaviors from your dog; rather, plan for the unexpected.

Here in Georgia, when disaster strikes and folks need to evacuate their homes and go to a public shelter, laws have been changed that now require human shelters to accommodate family pets. Some humane societies, boarding kennels, and veterinary offices will take in pets for the short term. Find out in advance where your pets are welcome if you need temporary housing.

My prayers are with those families to my west who lost loved ones last weekend.

Green Dog Ideas

Happy Earth Day! For dog owners who would like to make green decisions, there are several things to consider.

For example, how do you get rid of your pet's waste? While some communities require doggie doo go into double-black bags before disposal, others recognize the value of green alternatives. No, I'm not suggesting you throw your dog's poo into the creek (in many areas, that contributes to the levels of bacteria in streams and rivers).

You can, though, invest in biodegradable bags. Since you're a responsible pet owner, and you always pick up after your dog on daily walks, biodegradable bags are a good green alternative for waste disposal.

Other Earth Day suggestions: once your puppy outgrows his collar, wash it good and donate it to your local shelter or rescue organization. Ditto with crates. Invest in good stainless steel water and food bowls, rather than plastic ones (which my dogs have always managed to chew and mangle, so the stainless options last a lot longer).

You get the idea . . . you can have pets and use environmentally friendly supplies.

On another note, I'm pleased to announce that my youngest mudpuppy, my black Lab Story, earned her novice obedience title from the Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA) registry. I'm finally feeling connected to this challenging pup, and she is finally maturing. Labs are slow to grow up emotionally, and while I still call her my "puppy," Story will be four years old this summer. Ah, time flies.

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!