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Greetings!
In this issue we ponder what we "know" about what-dogs-know. Just how deeply can we delve into the canine mind? We'll also discuss how best to teach our best friends, introduce our new digital storefront where you'll find the best info for learning about dogs, and get better acquainted with our blogger Cindy Bruckart.
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What's On Your Dog's Mind?
For many of us the hours of daylight are getting shorter, leaving us in the dark for much of the day. Kind of like living with dogs.
As much as we love them, study their body language and habits, and ponder their thoughts we just don't know for sure what they are thinking. And they aren't talking!
Sure it's fun to amuse ourselves with tales of our dog's motivation and it makes for interesting conversation at training class and the dog park but it rarely serves the dogs. Often it is this very mentality that leads people to say, "but she knows better".
In a recent blog veterinarian and behaviorist Dr. Ian Dunbar bravely explains what he knows, and doesn't know, about dogs and why, when it comes to training, it doesn't really matter.
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Psychic Powers Not Required
The good news is we don't have to read dogs minds to successfully train them, all we need is a basic understanding of how dogs learn. And it doesn't have to be complicated. Our new article from Open Paw provides a no-frills explanation on Dog Learning 101.
The beauty of understanding the learning process is that not only is it helpful with our dogs, but also, the same basic training principles can (and should!) be applied to all of our loved ones and everyone we meet.
This is one of the true gifts of living with dogs, learning how to communicate with our fellow humans in a more kindly fashion.
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Better Know A Blogger
Cindy Bruckart
Cindy lives in Oregon where she is the owner of The Puppy Playhouse. Let's get to know her a little better:
Professional Background: I have owned and operated a dog daycare and training center for five years and we now have two locations. I am a Certified Pet Dog Trainer, Certified CGC Evaluator, and Licensed Dogs & Storks Presenter. My professional focus is the average family pet dog. My mission includes early socialization for puppies, helping families through their dog's adolescent period, and doing everything I can to ensure that the dogs in my care become respectful, loved, and enjoyable citizens of their community.
Little Known Facts: I was not allowed to have pets when I was a kid. My dad's rule was that my sister and I could only have a pet if it didn't poop or make noise. This left us with a few goldfish and some hermit crabs (they poop, but not on the floor or in the yard!). As an adult, I married a man who kept a photo of his dog and cat in his wallet. We now share our home with five dogs and four cats, which is heaven for my inner child! Most people don't know that I was a professional cake decorator, I believe in ghosts, and I come from a long line of gypsy fortune tellers.
Training Tip: Before you train anything, figure out what is is that you want your dog to do. This sounds simplistic, but it is so common for people to attempt to train their dog without a clear picture of what they are trying to accomplish. Ask yourself what exactly you want your dog to do when you are out for a walk, when company comes to the house, when you are sitting around watching TV, when you ride in the car, etc. This approach will make things much easier than the standard practice of simply pointing out what you don't want, and letting the dog try to figure it out for himself.
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Our Digital Shop is Open!
Now you can get many of your favorite Dog Star Daily featured products four different ways! Our new storefront offers audio books and radio programs for mp3s (iPods) and CD players, digital downloads for ebooks on demand, and our award winning paperback books as well. Choose your medium!
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