NEW WEBSITE

I have a new website
It's excellent if I do say so myself

Please change your bookmarks and go there

The New Family Dog

www.thenewfamilydog.com

Love to all
Kat

The Quick Fix

I often hear in my profession clients who want their dogs fixed.  Clients who call me up and want to have me solve their problems in one visit.  The problem with the quick fix is it never actually fixes the problem.  Many of the tv/radio shows today talk about being a pack leader and thinking like a dog.  Well, I have to agree with that statement but what is a pack leader and how do you think like a dog.  Being the pack leader has much more to do with guiding your pack in a positive manner then punishing it for bad behavior.  We all know that with children, if we punish them too much, they will turn around and punish their friends.  But teach your children how to behave kindly and they will turn around and be kind to their friends.  Well, dogs are the same way.  Certainly think like a dog. But realize that thinking like a dog means that to say hello you sniff a face or behind.  People stop and shake hands.  So yes we must teach a dog that to say hi to a person they must sit and shake, but don't punish him for not understanding at first.  Positively teach the good behavior while management with a leash and collar will stop him from jumping up.  When clients have much more difficult problems like aggression and separation anxiety again I tell them they first need to manage the problem.  If their dog has an opportunity to bite then it is the owners fault.  The dog is only doing what it has learned to do.  By positively teaching the dog a new way of telling the person he is scared you will eliminate the aggression.  By forcing the dog to stop but not teaching it a better way of communicating you only suppress the behavior which will eventually come out much more violently at some person a year or three down the road.  No training program is quick.  Even on tv commentators mention that the whole training process took a month and there is more work to do. Unfortunately we have told ourselves that animals are here for our enjoyment.  A part of our lives when they are good but cast aside when they don't perform as we would intend they to perform.  But they aren't here for our enjoyment .  We are here to keep them safe.  And we are doing a terribly poor job at it.

 

Madagascar ethology training

Dear clients,
I wanted to let everyone know of my Spring plans. I am participating in a volunteer research program in Andavadoaka, Madagascar from April 1- May 12. This program consists of documenting coral and fish behaviors and their relationship to the local community in Madagascar. This country is unique in that it’s remoteness as an island off the east coast of Africa has given it’s wildlife an opportunity to develop completely separated from the rest of the world. 90% of its environment’s animals, plants and corals are endemic to Madagascar. For this reason many scientists and environmentalists see Madagascar as a place of great importance to teach people how to live and thrive economically while preserving the ecological heritage that exists. The company, Blue Ventures, has taken up a major role of continual research and documentation of the oceanic wildlife in the area while also involving the local communities in development projects that help bring education and money to them in a sustainable fashion.
The research I will be doing will extend my knowledge of behavioral tendencies in animal culture. As I explore the ever expanding regions of animal ethology and it’s role upon the human existence I hope to better understand and help the creatures that we live with. Today’s world is increasingly understanding the intelligence of the animals around us and the importance of considering their well-being in our development. I believe that continued scientific research is imperative to the understanding of this and removal of cultural and political people who strive to continue to destroy of environment as well as denigrate our animals to sub-level living conditions.
Because of this trip I will be unavailable by phone or for consultations for the following dates:
March 23- May 20.
I appreciate your understanding in this issue and can’t wait to get back and share all that I learn with you.
If you need help from me please contact me ASAP to schedule any meetings in the following two months or to schedule something upon my return.

Sincerely yours,

Kat Berger
Muddy Dogs Training
muddydogs@mac.com

Happy New Year Everyone

We are almost heading into February and here's to hoping you are still holding onto those resolutions you made only a short time ago.

I've been working hard this year.

I lovely puppy has been with Kayla and I learning to be a confident happy puppy.  He didn't get a great start on life but he sure landed a wonderful second home. Mr. Puppy has been learning all the basics of "dogs in a human world."  I had forgotten all the work a puppy entails.  My Kayla just needs one long walk/hike/run in the morning and then is content all day, but Mr Puppy just keeps going and going and going.

But as I work with him he is learning all his basic commands.  I've looked at my journal as realized it's gotten so much easier then a month ago.  So the work is paying off, and the journal is so good to help me see the progress.

Here's to more snow and less wind in the future :-)

Love to all creatures

Kat