I often look at her and listen and make up in my head what she might be dreaming about.  Research on dog’s dreams indicate they needs dreams just like humans.  It helps to purge their thoughts and helps them with their memory retention.  Today as she is dreaming, laying at my feet I wonder if she is dreaming about the little doggie’s we passed on our walk today.  They were very loud and barky and really wanted to chomp Jazz’s ears off.  Jazz wagged and just looked at them like “what?”.  Or is she dreaming about the dog she barked at and about jumped through our door at this morning?  Maybe the big, bad garbage truck that came up from behind us a couple of days ago?  Is she dreaming with concern about the carpet we ripped out last night and threw into a dumpster? After all that was her scratching, rolling, playing, chasing area.  She might be dreaming about cheese (her favorite thing in the world) or maybe about laying in the kitchen as we bake her treats and she gets lots of tastes.

Whatever she is dreaming I hope it is happy and peaceful.  I hope when she awakens she is happy to see her reality here in the office with mommy working and jazz playing on the radio.  I hope all our dogs have waggin’ delightful dreams.  What do you think your doggie dreams about?

Summertime is a great time to get up (reasonably) early, and go outside for a morning walk with the dog.   My wife (doggie mommy) Debbie, and I had very often take the time to enjoy a long walk through our wooded neighborhood with Jasmine.  We are fortunate to have such a great neighborhood to walk in, and it even has a lake where ducks and geese have found their fall and winter home. 

At home, Jasmine like to lay in front of our open front door and watch the world go by.  However, when there are people jogging by, or other dogs on walks with their people out in front of the house, Jasmine barks and growls to let them know this is her yard and her house and they aren’t especially welcome.   With this reaction in mind, on our walk,  I had been concerned that seeing people our in their yards, or seeing other dogs would generate the same excitement.  But was I surprised at what did happen. 

Debbie and I discussed Jasmine and her barking at people and dogs going by our house.  She proposed the theory that it happened at our house because it was where Jasmine lived.  It was her territory.  Further, Debbie had said that she would wager going past a neighbor’s yard with a dog in it would have the opposite effect on Jasmine.  Not only would she not bark, but if their dog barked, Jasmine would not even respond.  In effect, Jasmine would acknowledge that other dogs in their yard or house were telling  her the same thing, namely that was their territory, and she was not particularly welcome.   

Interestingly enough, that is exactly what happened.  Every time we met someone on our walk, she was very polite, and the best dog ever.  When we walked past neighbor’s yards with dogs, their dogs would bark, or run out to see Jasmine, but she would not make a sound.  That was not her space, and she recognized it.   This happens every time, and it is really interesting to watch. 

Dogs do have a very definite sense of territory, and in that territory, they are very protective.  This is true no only with other humans, but with other dogs.  How interesting and insightful it is to see the interaction between dogs as they define and recognize each other’s territory.  Even more interesting is how they acknowledge it with each other.  When we walk past a neighbor’s yard with a dog growling at Jasmine,  she doesn’t let out anything louder than a little wimper.  It is like she is mumbling “OK, OK, I get it.”.  

This is but one example of the many ways instinct comes into play to define an action or reaction in dogs.   Watching and observing these can be a lot of fun, and on a morning walk, it sure beats mentally stressing over the day’s “to-do” list.  You might even say that it can help both you and your dog get through the day Waggin’ Delightfully.

The thoughts here are very true, because taking the family dog on a trip requires a lot of planning, as well as some concessions.  Certainly there are a lot more hotels out there that are pet friendly than there use to be, but not all are so that requires planning.  You  may want to take the kids to a theme park and they are not the place that your dog would be welcome, or safe.  And although Spot may not have a suitcase full of clothes,  you will have to consider adequate food, toys, possibly a crate, and other items that are essential for your dog to be healthy and safe. 

So that brings up the option of keeping the dog in a kennel while you are away.  Kennels have come a log ways, and there are types to suit every need and human fancy.   You should always visit and check out the kennel first prior to dropping your dog off.  The minimum that you will likely find is a clean pen with a run for minimal exercise and toilet needs,  24/7 monitoring by someone on premises, guaranteed medical attention if needed,  regular feeding and watering, weather protection, and disinfected pens.  They will also contact your vet if needed and require that pets are current on all vaccinations, including Bordetella vaccination for kennel cough for dogs. 

But beyond the basics,  there are kennels that provide every comfort that is common to a 4 star hotel.  There are kennels with carpet, TV, Stereo, showers, you name it, and you can find it.  Are these expensive amenities necessary?  A lot depends on your tastes how you view your dog and his needs.  The luxury items found in expensive kennels are aimed at you the owner, not at your dog. 

We have found a very good kennel that is in the “basics” category.  It is clean, climate controlled, well staffed around the clock, and has great runs for exercise.  They insist on medical records, and do not accept any dog that is currently contagious.  We always provide the food, which is the same as she eats at home every day.  We also provide a cuple of her favorite toys to make her feel a touch of home while she is there.  The owner is a warm grandfather type with white hair and a white beard.  During the holiday season he becomes Santa Claus at a local shopping center. 

It isn’t the closest kennel to us, but another important factor is that Jasmine our dog likes it.  We have used the same kennel for the last two years, and now, whenever we do drop Jasmine off, she goes in tail wagging, and rolls over for a pet from the owner.  That to me is a very deciding factor. 

If you use a kennel, make sure that it is one where your dog is properly fed, watered, and maintained.  If the reason for using the kennel is a vacation or other family or friend oriented affair, the last thing you want to do is worry and wonder how your dog is doing.   Finding a good kennel should be something that both you and your dog should agree on.  Then relax, enjoy and both you and your dog can go Waggin’ Delightfully.

Dogs have instincts as well, and it is helpful if we as their human owners recognize some of the ones they have and use daily.  You may give your dog a bone to chew on, and then notice him walking around from place to place just carrying it in his mouth.  What you may not realize is that he might well be looking for a proper place to bury it.  There are a lot of other noticeable instinct influenced behaviors as well, and they vary from dog to dog depending on environment and training. 

The Pack instinct is universal in all dogs, and influential in a lot of his behaviors with other dogs as well as with humans.  Dogs are pack animals and as such are constantly evaluating their own position with respect to other dogs, and the humans with whom they live.  They determine who is “Alpha” and where they stand in  the rank.  You will notice that if you take your dog on a walk.  Meeting another dog will quickly get your dog’s “grey matter” flowing observing, judging, and determining who is Alpha.   Just the way that you walk your dog also is significant.   A lot dog trainers say that a dog should always follow you through a doorway, and always walk behind you.  That way, you are establishing that you are alpha. 

If you know and understand your dog’s instinctual tendencies, it can be a very helpful thing in training.  From the day that we received Jasmine through the Golden Retriever Rescue League, we had her in a crate at nighttime, and when she would be alone in the house.  The den instinct played right into that, and she actually was very happy with the crate.  Now that she is older,  we still keep her in the crate at night, but it is totally voluntary at this point.  When she gets tired in the evening, she goes in her crate of her own accord. 

Once she stayed with our daughter overnight while we were out of town.  We had taken her crate, but daughter wanted to give her a treat tried to entice Jasmine to hop up on the super comfy temperpedic bed with her.  Jasmine whined and would not stay on the bed.  Finally daughter put her in her crate, and Jasmine was very happy and soon dosed off into slumberland.  There is no doubt that the den instinct is strong, and that instincts in general do influence the way that dogs act and react. 

It is also fun to play with and enjoy your dog, and have your dog enjoy and play with you.  One thing that never seems to fail is the tail.  No matter what the situation is, no matter how traffic was on your way home from work, or how aweful the meeting was that you had to attend, when you get home, and look at your pal, you can be assured that the tail will take off, and start Waggin’ Delightfully.

She has been gone now for three whole days, and you just can’t believe what it is like.   Yea,  I know, she is with that human kid of hers having a nice weekend thing, but – what about me.  It isn’t that I think the world revolves around me in this house, but, well, it sorta does.  

I am not totally alone, my human dad is here, however, a lot of the time, he is way too intense working on something.  Can you believe, he forgot to feed me one day?  We did take a really great walk, and I only chased after one squirrel, and there were a lot more to be chased, but I held it together.  He did give me lots of treats, including some cheese which is my all time favorite.  But meal time completely flew over his head. 

We were both in the kitchen, and I looked at him, then at my food dish, then him again, and finally gave it a couple friendly grrrreminders, but nothing.  It was like he was on a different planet.   After a few minutes, we both went out to the sun room to watch the end of a baseball game while HE ate dinner.  Oh, yea,  he did offer me some popcorn earlier during the baseball game.   I just looked at it, and then at him.  “Bow-wow-wow”, I said.  In human words that means, “get a grip, I am not suppose to have corn”. 

After yet another baseball game, I am getting really tired, it’s about 11:00PM.  So, I go crawl into my crate, and think of how nice it is when my human mom comes over and scratches me on the tummy and tucks me in.  So, human dad is sitting over there, the game is over, we know who won, but he has to see the post game show.   ”Grrrrrr”, I mutter just loud enough to get my point across.  His light bulb finally goes on, and of goes the TV, and he finally comes over.  “Well”, he says, “I guess I need to tuck you in”.   What a stroke of genius, as he scratches my ears, and clicks shut my crate.  ”G’nite”, he says and off he goes.  

Ya know, I have these humans figured out.  They are both really great – for humans.  But they have their own particular things they are good at.  Human dad is great for walks, playtime, and a lot of other things, but human mom,  is the one I can really whine to, get some treats from, and lots of loving that only a mommy can give.  It is great being in such a wonderful family, especially after having been dumped on the street when I was born.  But, I still can’t wait until my human mom is back home.  Then I will really be Waggin’ Delightfully.

While we were packing, Jasmine became really concerned as she sat by the back door and watched us haul her crate out of the sun room.  What thoughts might have been going through her little head.  But when she saw it in the back of the car, she knew she was part of the family trip, wherever that might be.  

 Asheville is a wonderfully friendly city as much to dogs as to people.  We stayed in a delightful dog friendly bed and breakfast in the downtown area.  Jasmine soon found that we positioned her crate intact and with her favorite toys in the living area next to the kitchen.  

Saturday morning, we left Jasmine in her crate while we went to breakfast. Our plan was to scout out the downtown area to see  where we could and could not take her.  To our pleasant surprise, she was welcome in almost all stores, and at outside areas of some restaurants.  We went back to the B&B and found Jasmine half awake waiting for us to take her for a morning walk.  Little did she know the walk she was about to have. 

The three of us left the B&B around 11:30 for a walk downtown.  Jasmine soon found absolutely nothing familiar, and about went into overload with all the new sites and smells.  We always carry DoggieBags with us when Jasmine is on a long walk, and again, she made use glad we did.   We passed several people, kids, strollers, and other dogs along the way, and Jasmine was quite the lady through it all.   I wanted to go into Tops shoe store, and wasn’t sure what their policy was, so I asked if dogs were permitted.  “Sure, bring her in”, was  the response, so we did exactly that.  It was like we were at the in-laws with a newborn baby, “Oh, isn’t she adorable”, “Can she have a treat?”, “Let me pet you little girl..”,  and even more.  She was certainly the center of attention, and loving it.   I browsed the mens department, and jasmine just curled up on the carpet by my chair enjoying the air conditioning.  The store clerks and other patrons moved around without any concern that there was a dog laying there.  I tried on and purchased a very nice pare of shoes and we moved on. 

In and out of a number of other stores we went, and in each instance, store clerks and patrons alike were very friendly, and unconcerned by a dog in their presence.   Asheville is known for it’s abundance of healthy restaurants featuring locally grown produce and herbs.  Since Jasmine was with us, we stopped at The Green Sage restaurant and coffee house where dogs can accompany their owners in the outside “picnic” area.  There menu consists of a variety of selections ranging from sausage and eggs to totally Vegan entres.  The restaurant is also very sustainable making “greeen” more than part of it’s name.  We sat outside with Jasmine laying at our feet.  She was distracted a couple times by motorcycles in the street traffic, but overall did very well.  We noticed that while laying next to us outside, she had actually mentally transformed the area into her “den” and was very protective of anyone coming really close.  Dog instincts are strong and can be very interesting. 

We completed our walk with a stop at the Battery Park Book Exchange where Jasmine found a very friendly store owner who also had a rescue dog, and loved to pass out doggie bacon snacks.  But the look on her face showed that we were soon approaching the bewitching hour when fun would turn to Grrr’s, so we decided to head back to the B&B.  Debbie had said that dogs and 2 year old children are alike in a lot of ways, and getting tired is certainly one.  But it was approaching 2:00pm, we had been out walking for over 2 1/2 hours, so it was time.  Jasmine was really quite a lady through most of it, and we all certainly enjoyed the great dog friendly hospitality of Asheville.   It is certainly a place where you can go Waggin’ Delightfully.

So, I thought you read enough blogs by humans, and a lot of them are really good, but I just thought I’d treat you to some of my observations, and plethora of philosophical thoughts.  Well,  observations, anyway.   This is going to be about what I see, hear, and smell when my humans put me out in the backyard. 

The outdoors is really great.  I love being out there, even though they tether me on this lead.  Well, we don’t have a fenced in yard, and I’ll admit, sometimes, I get to smelling things, and wind up down the road a few yards.  Anyway, when I am in the backyard, I generally try to find a bright sunny spot to lay in.  You humans love the sun to get a tan, but I just like it because it is bright and warm.  

My senses go on overload when I am in the backyard.  Oh my gosh, there are birds, squirrels, gophers, and bees just to mention a few animals.  Then of course there are flowers, trees, and so many other things to smell.  Whoa, it is wonderful.   I love to watch birds swoop down sit on those funky little houses and have lunch.  Even being a fellow animal, I don’t understand how they fly.  And they fly down, sit on a tree limb and begin chirping away like there’s nothing to it.  I’ll watch one for a while, and then, I’ll bark at him and look all official like a watch dog which usually scares them away.  You gotta watch out for them, they may try to take over the place.  

Squirrels use to just drive me nuts (get it – nuts).  I’m use to them now, and just get fascinated watching them.  They scurry around always busy.  No wonder most of them are as thin as they are.  They run up and down trees, jump around on the branches.  They make the leaves shake, and it kinda gets to me.  I grow,  jump up and growl some more at them, but they just keep on keeping on.  Boy,  I’m glad I don’t have to store up food for the winter like they do.  I’m afraid I’d starve the first week.  I’d get something and fully intend to store it, but on the way, I’d have to lay down and try it out.  Then before you know it, the food would be all gone. 

Bees, have to tell you a bee story.  So I’m just laying there under the tree minding my own business.  It’s my spot in the sun, you know, like I said.  I hear this buzz, and raise an eye to check it all out.  Don’t see anything, back to the nap.  Again, buzz buzz.  This is getting a little old.  I sit up, stretch look around with both eyes this time, and see this little creature just flitting around in the air.   Too small to be a bird, but still flying – and making this buzz sound.  He apparently is a little curious about me because he just keeps circling around going buzz, buzz.  Well, this is getting really old now, so I grrr real big back at his buzz.   That got absolutely no reaction.   My eyes are going cross trying to keep up with him.  I snap at him, but didn’t catch him, but now we are in a game.  I plan my move, keep watching and he circles again.  Snap – got him!   Ouch and double Ouch.  I just experienced my first bee sting!  Whoa baby,  lesson learned, don’t ever snap and try to catch a bee!  Those dudes are dangerous. 

I have learned a lot being in the backyard, besides not to snap at bees.  It is a wonderful place full of things and fellow animals.  You humans should try it once in a while, and you could probably use the tether to keep you from wandering in to watch TV or doing that Facebook thing. 

Go outdoors sometime, it is great, and will keep you Waggin Delightfully.

On a recent trip to see the grandparents, our road trip took us two days and included a night at a hotel.  Unfortunately, hotels that say “pet friendly” don’t always mean dogs over 10 pounds.  So, before we left, I went to one of my favorite research sites for hotels, American Automobile Association, to ensure that Jasmine would be welcome.  If there is any  question at all,  I will always call the hotel directly.  It is not fun to show up at a hotel at 10:00PM only to find that it is not pet friendly.  Also, check out the web for parks and other places that we might visit to ensure they allow pets.  

Although she is 21 (human years) old, we still treat Jasmine like a 2 year old child when we go on a road trip.  Her normal domain is our house, and our yard, so the new wide open spaces and zillions of new smells are just too tempting for her.  Whenever we stop and get out of the car, the leash goes on first.  There is no such thing as being too careful and I sure don’t want her to be harmed by something that my carelessness caused.  Along that line, we always bring her food, her treats, and her dishes from home.  Jasmine is a great traveler, but she is much more likely to enjoy new and strange things, if there is a “home base” in the car or hotel that she can return to. 

Dogs can make a trip very happy and delightful, but they can also make it very stressful and restrictive.    I never assume that other people, even family or friends that we are visiting on a trip have the same tolerance for dogs that I have.  It may be normal in our home, for example,  to allow Jazz to chew the daylights out of a bone on our living room carpet, but it isn’t fare to assume that others not having pets would be OK with that.     

Jasmine is very comfortable, and rides well on long trips.  And not once does she yip “Are we there yet?”.  Stopping at roadside parks get her out to exercise and take care of bath-rooming.  However, we don’t stop at every park.  At home, Jasmine goes out on a fairly consistent schedule, and while traveling we try to hit that same schedule.  It works well for all of us. 

Her crate is her own private space.  Sometimes during the day she goes there for a nap, and always in the evening she goes into it herself when it is nighttime.  So it is very natural that we take it in the back of the station wagon, and that is where she rides.   It is familiar, her space, and keeps her safe in the car.  It also contains her so that our space in not infringed upon.   When we are packing to go on a roadtrip, we’ll haul her crate out of the house and to the car.  Whenever she sees this she becomes very concerned as if to say, “Hey, that’s my room, what are you all up to?”.   But when she sees it in the car, she knows that she is included in the roadtrip.  Then, she gets excited and begins Waggin’ Delightfully.  

Let’s hear some of your trips, and adventures with your favorite four legged friend.

First, lets acknowledge a few things.   Your dog does in fact want to do what you want him to do.  Second, your dog is an animal, and has certain instincts.  This is an important point.  No matter what your personal feelings are about putting clothes on dogs,  or not letting him watch “R” rated movies, he is still an animal.  And as an animal, he is created to survive and have a healthy happy life without any human intervention.   Third, everything he learns comes from you or whomever you designate to train him.  Forth, back to the animal thing, he does have basic instincts.  In a dog, instincts cause actions and reactions much like emotions in humans.  This is something that is important to realize and accept.  So, when your dog about goes through the front screen door because he sees a squril  prancing around the yard, that’s instinct because he is by nature a hunter.   Since dogs have been domesticated, that instinct is not as pure as it once was, so if he caught the squirrel, chances are he’d say “Now what?”. 

When taking your dog for a walk, keep a leash on him and let him know you are “alpha” not him.  Use simple words that have a hard sound.    ”Stay” or “Sit” is better than “Lay here”.   Be careful not to confuse the dog.  His understanding of our language is by sounds, not by meaning.  He associates the sound with the action that you want him to do.  He does not interpret the words and associate them with a  “dictionary” meaning.  The word is habit, and it is stronger than you might believe in dogs.  Dogs love routines, and the more routine you are with them, the better they like it.  Also, help them pick up habits.  Feed them in the same location,  keep their bed in the same spot,  walk them consistantly daily if possible. 

The main thing to remember is to keep it simple, and stay within the basics.  You will be surprised at the things your dog picks up as an aside to what you are training him in other areas.  For example,  we do not condone feeding dogs table scraps.  Our dogs have never had anything given them from the table.  Guess what, our dogs never come to the table and beg.  Not ever getting anything has trained them that there is nothing for them there, so they don’t try.  We have always crated our dog, even now that she is three years old.  It has become her “room”, and she goes there  because it is her space, and has been since she was 6 weeks old.  It is now a strong habit, and she loves it.

Check out the article ”Solutions to Common Pet Problems”by Nina Malkin for some basic solutions to issues that make be causing a major problem.  You’ll find that dogs, unlike a lot of humans, are not that complicated, and with some basics, and a good attitude will be Waggin’ Delightfully.  

Let’s hear your thoughts, successes and failures on raising or training dogs.  We are always open to share.