Category Archives: dog play

Truman in the Lead for Learning

Truman loves doing tricks for two reasons: 1) I enjoy what I’m doing and always use positive reinforcement, 2) because that’s his personality. It is so much easier to teach other dogs to do ANYTHING if they have someone to first show them how to do it. Following another dog’s example is innate to them,Continue reading “Truman in the Lead for Learning”

Who’s the Second Boss Dog? – The Woes of Unstable Hierarchy

The Problem All is not well with the Three Musketeers. Occasionally there is a drop or two of blood from aggravated sparring. Will it resolve, or will it lead to substantial injury? I have to admit, Teddy’s life with us is at risk. Don’t fear, the other dogs won’t kill him, and we won’t putContinue reading “Who’s the Second Boss Dog? – The Woes of Unstable Hierarchy”

Predicting Good Dog/Bad Dog (Truman/Bear)

I admit, I hadn’t read the scientific research papers. When I learned about the connection between behavior and left/right handedness in dogs, I was delightfully shocked. How had I missed that? As it turns out, there are predictors of a dog’s propensity to be a more easily trained, and less troublesome. The predictors are basedContinue reading “Predicting Good Dog/Bad Dog (Truman/Bear)”

A Mystery Bear – A Rescue Story

Truman Blue has a new little brother, Bear. Like all the other critter’s in Truman’s household, Bear is a rescue. Adopted from the local shelter, Bear is a “Labradog”, mostly Labrador and maybe something else thrown in. Or maybe not, it’s hard to tell. Do I see a DNA test in Bear’s future? Why Bear?Continue reading “A Mystery Bear – A Rescue Story”