Author: Roxanne Hawn

Trained as a traditional journalist and based in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, USA, I'm a full-time freelance writer for magazines, websites, and private clients. My areas of specialty include everything in the lifestyles arena, including health and home, personal finance and other consumer interests, relationships and trends, people and business profiles ... and, of course, all things pet related. I don't just love dogs. I need them in my life. Seriously.

Dog Gripe | Info-Share | Musings

Top 10 Ways Veterinarians Can Better Serve Fearful Dogs

Last week, veterinary blogger Dolittler posted a piece entitled “Top 10 Pet Owner Excuses for Aggression in Dogs.” And,
while I understand the tone and intent, it made me feel really sad
because so many aggressive dogs are actually fearful dogs, who need help. I also noted
in my comment to her post that I felt terribly unwanted as a
veterinary client. It wasn’t so much what Dr. Patty Khuly wrote, but
some of the comments took blame and derision to a level I did not expect. For
example: …

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Dog Training Update | How To | Info-Share

Scent Work: Where to Start

I wrote a piece last week for Healthypet magazine. Set for publication in fall 2009, I can’t tell you what it’s really about, but I can say that I learned a couple interesting things about teaching dogs about scents. If you want to start doing scent work with your dog, BEER is the best place…

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Dog Training Update | Dogs on Drugs

Weekly Training Update (April 3)

Lilly’s trip to town Sunday went better than last time, where noises conspired against us. She never went into flee mode from fear, but there were several times that my sweet, fearful girl became molasses s-l-o-w, which means she’s stressed. The problem was Trail Hogs. But, the day got better when we ran into Tom and talked him into taking us to lunch. And, when we went for a walk with Katie, Lilly’s best dog friend. …

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Dog Training Update | Dogs on Drugs | How To | Info-Share

Baseline Training for Fearful Dogs: The Relaxation Protocol

We first began using the Relaxation Protocol in fall of 2007. Back when I first posted these audio files, I wasn’t entirely sold on the idea of this detailed, tedious form of behavior modification. Today, some 18 months later, let me be clear. A Relaxation Protocol provides critical baseline training for fearful (or reactive or aggressive) dogs. I honestly think it sets such an important foundation that I will likely use it with all dogs in my future — whether they are fearful or not. …

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Dog Gripe | How To | Musings

Dog Walking 101

Longtime readers know that Lilly and I often take little trips off the mountain for Mommy & Lil dates. We run errands. We take walks in town on busy paths. We share patio lunches at our favorite local restaurants that allow pups to dine outside. Now that the weather is warmer, we try to get out at least once a week. Even with spring barely underway here in the Rocky Mountains, we see more and more people and dogs out during our adventures — much more so than in the winter. Recently, a couple of things have really started to …

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Hot News

Veterinary Behavior Group Speaks Out Against Dominance-Based Training

The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior released a position statement against the use of dominance theory in behavior modification of animals. The lengthy statement provides good scientifically based talking points you can use if/when you find yourself in a discussion with someone who believes in methods like those espoused by people, who we will NOT name. …

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Dog Training Update | Dog Video Gallery | Dogs on Drugs

Weekly Training Update (March 27)

Between taxes, errands, magazine deadlines, and other grown-up concerns, we didn’t do much training this week. Katie is on activity restrictions at home due to a puffy wrist, but Lilly did visit once with Tom, and he said she was very good at calling off from Katie. So, that’s good to hear. Otherwise, I present a photo and video contribution that show just want a difference a day can make around here. This is probably the most snow we’ve gotten in one day all winter (even though it’s technically spring.). So, we played a little FIND IT, which is our …

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Dog Photo

From Dusk ‘Til Dawn

We went to a really neat farm/ranch sale up the road many years ago. I don’t remember all the rural do-dads that Tom bought, but I do recall getting this sign. We thought it was funny on the dog house because it doesn’t say exactly what the guard is armed with. In my mind, it’s usually a ferocious weapon like very bad gas. Considering Lilly’s recent, prolonged tummy upset, likely from hunting and eating voles, it seemed appropriate to show you this now. …

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Dog Video Gallery

The Default Sit

After the recent third dog adoption saga, I’ve been spending more time appreciating just how great our dog friends are. Ginko will be 9 soon. Lilly will be 5 soon, and I think it took having an 18-month-old pup around to make me appreciate just how well-behaved my current buddies are. I’m not saying that they don’t have issues because clearly they do, but I’m taking more time to notice and marvel at how all the house manners work we’ve done over the years has paid off. That said, here is Ginko showing off his beautiful default SIT. …

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Dog Photo

You know it’s dry when …

We have NOT gotten nearly enough snow this winter, so it’s very, very dry as we head into what will be a scary fire season. Our current struggle, however, is getting all the dead grass off of the dogs after they’ve wriggled on the tiny patch of real lawn we have. Case in point. …

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