The research that first ranked dog breeds by intelligence
essentially measured how many exposures it took for various dogs to
learn something new. Border collies, as you’ve likely heard, were
(and often are) touted as the “smartest” dogs. Now, I don’t know
about smartest … as in smarter than every other dog in the world,
but Lilly is very smart, and she is certainly smarter than any dog
I’ve had. …
The popular dog training books and DVDs in the “In Focus” series
talk all about teaching your dog focus, but what about the handler?
What’s a dog to do when mommy’s concentration isn’t up to
snuff?
…
Last week, we got back the results of Lilly’s blood work in
preparation for trying antidepressants to help her cope. The good
news is that …
I know that my non-agility friends don’t get it. I’m quite convinced they are quite convinced that I’m a total stage mom. Those of you with performance dogs (not pets) understand the distinction. We know and love our dogs in ways others likely do not understand. That said, don’t you ever look at your furry star and think, “Man! She ought to be in pictures …”?
Over the weekend, I learned two things about people and dogs I love
— one happy, one sad. …
It’s been a wet summer here, which is somewhat unusual in the high,
often dry Rocky Mountains. Other places in the country easily get
2, even 4 inches of rain regularly, but around here, that’s a BIG
deal. Last week, for the first time in our nearly 6 years in this
house, we had a full-blown flash flood in the creek that cuts
through our property. My husband was gone and had the camera at the
time, but I went out after the storm passed and recorded this.
…
Last week, Lilly went to the doctor for a major blood draw in
preparation for our experiments with anti-depressants for her. Even
though there are no indications (other than behavior challenges) of
illness, we wanted to be extra sure. So, we ran about $150 worth of
blood tests. All is well, but after Lilly went back with the
veterinary nurses, she came back with a classic case of Stink Eye.
…
Here’s a game we often play to amuse ourselves. Give it a try
sometime with your own dog. If Lilly were …
Lilly and I ventured to a high-use public park in Denver over the
weekend to visit some friends from out of town. Since I often
lament Lilly’s reactions to various stimuli, I must say that she
took the park and all its hubbub in stride. Imagine a dog who lives
in a pretty quiet rural community going to the big city. If she
were typing today, I suspect she’d have amusing thoughts on the
things she saw. What might a smart, sensitive dog like Lilly
believe when she sees a group of grown people bashing an
alligator-shaped pinata with a …
I allow my dogs up on the furniture. I know some people don’t, but
I do. Strategies for preventing too much dogification include
putting comforters bought at garage sales on the sofas and using
extra flat sheets as a top sheet over the duvet on the bed. Still,
I buy dog beds. I cannot help myself. …
