Today, we officially launch our Be the Change campaign and service project over at Never Shock a Puppy. Each Wednesday, between Sept 1 and Oct 20, we’ll be blogging here and over there on the the topic of the week. For the big kickoff, let’s start with the big picture — the philosophy, the mindset — behind our Never Shock a Puppy efforts.
I must have jinxed myself by declining the new dog tag and nagging about how important I think collars/tags are because last Wednesday, Lilly’s went missing. Seriously. Vanished. No idea where it went.
Typically, Lilly can tell from my morning routine whether or NOT I have time for a long walk. Sure, I’ve accidentally fooled her before, as told in Signs Point to Yes, but usually she knows or at least waits (somewhat) patiently until she has enough information. This process, including how she can guilt me into walking even when I’m short on time, inspired this story told in photos from Saturday morning.
Because we’ve had less than zero luck trying to use BAT (behavior adjustment training) in the real world with dogs (because the ones we run into have their own issues), I tried doing a little BAT work with Lilly and this one black-and-white horse who loves to run out and follow us (along the fence line) on our walks.
Whether it’s because of the economy, reaching a certain age, or other even-less-pleasant circumstances, many people now seek some sort of reinvention in their lives. Yes, I’m talking to, you, (insert your name here).
Once upon a time there was a writer girl with a fearful dog, she started a blog to lament their failures, celebrate their successes, and chronicle their daily lives in hopes of someday getting a book deal … I’m happy to report good news.
When we’re teaching or shaping a new dog behavior, many of use the click/treat strategy that marks the behavior (click or verbal marker like YES!) just before we reward the behavior (with food or a toy). Dogs need to know every time they get it right … at first. Later, we introduce more intermittent reinforecments, where the dog doesn’t know which correct response will earn a reward. We’re told that a variable reinforcement pattern is the MOST motivating one out there.
Voting for the DogTime Best Dog Blog Award ends tomorrow, Friday, Aug 20, so if you haven’t voted for us (using every email address you have), could you make time to do that today? Please? For extra credit, ask everyone you know to do the same. We’d be forever grateful.
In the midst of Ginko’s post-op infection worries from last week, he also began drinking and peeing excessively. And, I mean off … the … charts. He would literally stand next to the empty water bowl and cry. He also began waking us up early because he had to go so badly and because he desperately needed to drink more water.
It’s official. The girls of Champion of My Heart, along with several members of our blogging coalition, will launch our Be the Change effort on September 1. You can read all about it on our new microsite called … Never Shock a Puppy.
