The Look of Love

Don’t accept your dog’s admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful.

 

~

 

Ann Landers

Up Close

Closeness to animals creates the desire to understand them, and not just a little piece of them, but the whole animal. It makes us wonder what goes on in their heads even though we fully realize that the answer can only be approximated.

~

Frans de Waal

Trick Training Week 2: Paws Up and Paw Target

Paws Up! #ruby #dogs #jrt #borderjack #tricktraining #clickertraining #positivereinforcement #smartypants

A video posted by Lara Elizabeth (@2gingerdogs) on Jan 18, 2016 at 7:43pm PST

Ruby and I are taking part in an online trick training class in order to earn her Novice Trick Title. I'm a little bit behind - Week 1 was pretty easy because she already knew most of the tricks. Week 2 has been a little more challenging. The tricks for Week 2 are:

Don't Forget to Reward What's Already Good

I assume there will be cookies for wearing red balloons on my feet?

Our dogs are the very best teachers. In the time I've had Ruby and Boca, I've increased my knowledge of dog training and behavior and how both relate to their very different personalities. I think back on my previous dogs and wish I'd known what I know today - our relationships could have been even richer. 

Prey Drive

If I had to make up my own address for The Ginger Sisters and myself, we would reside at the edge of Hundred Rabbit Hill in Rabbitville, Colorado. When you have a Jack Russell mix who identifies strongly with her digging, hunting and chasing terrier side, this makes leashed dog walks a challenge. They've been responsible for a nerve-wracking escape, an emergency vet visit and sprinkling the sidewalk with Boca's favorite snack.

I'm a Kissing Fool When It Comes to My Dogs

For International 'Kiss a Ginger Day' I thought I might as well confess that I happily give and receive dog kisses on a regular basis. Some people think that's gross..

Boca is a Bit of a Material Girl

Boca loves her things. Here she poses with the latest toy The Ginger Sisters got over the holidays. It came with a tennis ball, but it was one of those chintzy ones that are soon halved, so I swapped it out for their new West Paw ball. We call this toy The Christmas Claw. 

Accountability and Inspiration with Online Dog Training

I mentioned in my Year in Review post that after talking about it for far too long I was finally going to apply for Ruby's first trick title through Do More With Your Dog. I learned about a free online class that walks you through the weekly tricks necessary to apply for each level of title, and thought it was the perfect way to achieve my goal with Ruby. January just happens to be National Train Your Dog Month, so the timing couldn't be better!