The Dog Van

All the dogs like my van. Or, to be more specific, all of my dogs and my friends' dogs like my van.

My van is a custom Ford E-150, about eight years old now, and she was built to be comfortable for road trips. And we've taken a number of road trips in her. (Ships are panes are refered to as female so I figured my van deserves the same respect.)

On one camping trip to Big Sur in north/central California, the van carried four people and I think six dogs along with all our camping gear and food for nine days. The dogs didn't care that the van was crowded; they just loved going camping in the big woods.

On a trip to Arizona, we started at the Grand Canyon and made a big circle through the moutains of Arizona, staying in Williams, Flagstaff, Seona, Payson, and more. Dogs and people had a wonderful time.

I think the dogs like the van because she's comfortable traveling, even for them, and it only takes one road trip for a dog to learn that riding in the van equals excitement. "Ah ha! We get to go somewhere!"

When the back door of my van is open at the Kindred Spirits' dog training yard, I'm never surprised to find a dog in the back who doesn't belong to me. Kind of like, "Well, the van is here? Where are we going?" Petra's seven year old Aussie, Kona, is completely blind but he's been on roadtrips in the van and more than once he's found his way to the van and inside - all by himself. And once there, he just lies down to wait. Kona is very patient.

I have to admit, though, I like the van, too. She is eight years old now although she still looks great. There's something about an older vehicle that's comfortable and soothing - kind of like an old dog. Old dogs have been through life with you and know you, your habits, your strengths and your flaws. The van knows me, too, but in different ways. The leather cover on the steering wheel is worn and smooth in the places where my hands normally rest. The seat is molded well to me. I know where all the gadgets and buttons and switches are and can reach them without even looking. I know the sound of the engine and can instantly tell when something is wrong, or even just off a little.

I keep the van well tuned, put the best tires on her that I can, and in return, I think she shows me loyalty, too. She's never let me down and at times, I've worked her hard. My friends who travel with my laugh but when she's heavily loaded and we're going up a mountain, I don't hesitate to pat the van on her dashboard and tell her what a good van she is. After all, we all - people, dogs, and old vans - work better with praise, right?

By the way, her name is Fancy Van.

Therapy Dogs and Service Dogs

At Kindred Spirits Canine Education Center in Vista, CA, along with family pet training, we also provide training for both therapy dogs and for service dogs. When we get calls from dog owners seeking assitance with their dog's training, we find that many people are confused as to which is which.

An easy to remember definition is: a therapy dog is a privately owned pet who, with his owner, provides warmth and affection to other people. A service dog provides assitance to his owner.

Therapy dogs and their owners may visit nursing homes, senior centers, assisted living facilities, day care centers for seniors or for children, schools, and even libraries. On these visits, the dog's owner will be a part of the visit, initiating conversations and introducing the dog, while the dog may solicit petting, may perform tricks, or may just snuggle close to provide some affection.

Therapy dogs must be well trained, with a good understanding of the basic obedience commands. They also need to be well socialized to people of all ages, sizes, and ethnic backgrounds, as well to and of the sights, sounds and smells that they may encounter on a visit. Therapy dogs cannot jump on people, paw or scratch, or put their mouth on people. They should also be introduced to wheelchairs, walkers, and canes.

Therapy dogs should be provided access to any buildings or public transportation while going to, from and during a therapy dog visit. Therapy dogs do not, however, have unlimited access as do service dogs.

Service dogs provide assistance to their owners, but that service can vary tremendously according to the owner's individual needs. Dogs can now notify their owners of immending seizures, or of low or high blood sugar. Dogs can pick up dropped items, can provide balance assistance, can open or close doors, cupboards and drawers, and can even turn levers on the faucet. Dogs also provide assistance to those people suffering from emotional or mental disabilities, including Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome.

Service dogs can be thought of a medical tool that must accompany the user at all times. These dogs may go anywhere their owner goes and the dog and owner may not be discriminated against because of the dog's presence.

For more on service dogs and therapy dogs. check out our podcast on the subject!

Liz

Losing Dax

My husband and I will be losing our old dog soon. Sometime this coming week, she will cross the Rainbow Bridge to be with our other dogs who have passed before her and she will then, finally, be free of the disease that has made her life uncomfortable for so long.

Dax is an Australian Shepherd. She has, in her 13 ½ years, earned obedience titles, herded sheep and geese, played in agility and was an awesome therapy dog. She was honored by the AKC's ACE program with an honorable mention for her therapy dog work.

Dax’s name comes from a Star Trek character, Jadzia Dax, who has a part of her that has lived many lives. When we first saw Dax as a baby puppy, we said she had wise eyes – she was an old soul who had been here many times before.

Dax is descended from the Australian Shepherd Club of America's first Supreme Versatility Champion and she took that to heart. She approached everything she did as a job and a job was always to be done as best it could be done. She worked hard and played hard. When she competed in obedience, she always gave 110 percent, usually won, and often won High in Trials. Dax felt that one didn’t just play ball or Frisbee, but you played it to win. Therefore she always got the ball or Frisbee first.

She also taught me a lot about dog training. She was easy to teach; she's very, very bright. But she was also easily bored - I couldn't repeat exercises for her as I had for some other dogs. So training had to new and fresh and interesting all the time so that I could keep her attention. If she got bored; I would pay for it! I like to say that smart dogs add ruffles and flourishes to their training; Dax is the one who taught me that!

With Dax, I also had to think more about my training; especially my timing. Dax’s mind was also going ninety miles an hour and if I reinforced a behavior late, she wasn’t learning what I wanted her to learn. And let me tell you, it only took one positive reinforcement for her to learn something new! Dax kept me on my toes. Dax also had a very strong sense of fairness. If she thought something was unfair, she would vocalize it – loudly!

Throughout her life, Dax challenged me. She was never an easy dog to live with; she made me think, she made me question myself, and often she made me angry. But, I love her, she loves me, and I learned a lot from her.

That said, I cannot write about Dax without mentioning her therapy dog work. I have had many certified therapy dogs and all have been wonderful in their own way. But Dax, the hard charging, difficult, intelligent dog that she is, was the best. She looked upon her therapy dog work as a job, as she looked upon everything, and as always, she gave 110 percent. She was amazingly emphathic and knew who needed her on any given day. She was calm and quiet with people who needed that from her and she was bouncing and playful from people who needed to laugh. I have written about Dax’s therapy dog experiences many times and they don’t need to be repeated here except to say, she gave her all to the people she visited and she meant it.

At the age of 6 years, Dax was diagnosed with liver disease (copper toxicosis). It is not common in Aussies but she had it. There is no cure and most Bedlington Terriers who have it die much too young. At that point, Dax's vet gave her six months to a year to live. With the co-operation of my vet and with second opinions from Dr Deb Eldredge, I changed Dax's food, reduced her stress, and began a supplement routine, including herbal remedies and anti-oxidants.

Now, seven years later at the age of 13, my husband, Paul, and I are losing Dax. Her liver has finally given up, she has severe arthritis, is incontinent, is deaf, and just plain doesn't feel good. Our warrior woman is tired of fighting - which I never thought I would say about her as she has fought so long to remain strong and healthy.

It's always hard to lose an old dog; they have been a part of our lives for a long time. But every year we had with Dax was a bonus; when she was originally diagnosed with liver disease, we knew we could lose her at any time. Although we sometimes felt bad for her because there were times during the last seven years when she didn't feel good, she wasn't ready to give up and fought long and hard to remain healthy enough to take the ball away from the younger dogs. And as long as she was still fighting, we would back her up. But now the battle has been won, she’s made her place in this world, and she's tired of fighting so it's time to let her go.

But she will leave a legacy behind her. She gave hundreds of people love and affection during her therapy dog work, especially during the time when she did hospice work. Although she never had a puppy, she has taught many puppies the rules of civilized canine life with people. In addition, she taught me much more. I’ve got to warn everyone who has crossed the Rainbow Bridge before her, though, Dax is coming! Things will never be the same!

Thanks for everything, Dax.

Liz Palika
January 4th, 2008

Therapy Dogs at Christmas

I'm sorry it's been a month since I've posted to this blog; my only excuse is that I've been very busy. Christmas is one of my favorite times of year and I do it up right! smile....

My dogs and I also make quite a few therapy dog visits this time of year - more so than we do during the rest of the year.

Riker, my eight year old Australian Shepherd, is very much as extrovert - to put it nicely! His goal in life is to love people. That means everyone needs lots of enthusiastic love with - if he's allowed - lots of wet, sloppy kisses. Although most adults would prefer to pass ont he kisses, luckliy most kids enjoy the spirit in which the kisses are given. Riker and I have been visiting a day care center for foster children for more than five years. Most of the kids are pre-school age although a few are older. Here, Riker is in his element. Kids can get as much love and kisses as they feel they need.

Although Riker also visits a senior center a couple of times a month, I have to be careful there as he assumes the seniors can be loved as enthusiastically as the kids are; and obviously that's not true. But the Grandmas and Grandpas do appreciate his sweet face and obvious affection.

My youngest Aussie, Bashir, didn't start therapy dog work until recently, at the age of 3. As a younger dog, he didn't want strangers to pet him. Since the Aussie breed standard says that these dogs should be reserved and cautious with strangers, that was fine with me. I let him grow up and mature, and he worked with me in our training classes. However, recently he has shown more of a willingness to go up to people so I began his therapy dog training. I'm glad I did because he is absolutely wonderful with senior citizens.

Bashir is a thinker; he thinks first then does something. Somehow he figured out, even without my help, that he must be very gentle with the people we're visiting and he is. He gives very soft, gentle kisses, and he positions his head under their hands. He's not affected by their state of health, odd movements, or different speech patterns.

Today, Bashir and I visited a very nice facility that was hosting a Christmas tea. The other therapy dogs went into the recreation room where the party was being held so Bashir and I went up and down the hallways, peeking into the other rooms to see who couldn't go to the party. We stopped in and visited quite a few bedridden people or people who just didn't feel like a party and I'm very glad we did.

One gentleman, a retired US Marine Corps SgtMajor, was feeling homesick because of the holidays. When I shared with him that my husband and I were both former Marines, he brightened up. We talked about the Marine Corps, he petted Bashir, and then we talked about dogs. When I left later, he was in much better spirits.

Another gentleman was bedridden and really didn't feel good. But after he petted Bashir, who gave him some genlte kisses on the hand, he smiled and thanked me for coming in to see him.

To me, this is what the spirit of Christmas is all about: sharing with other people. Especially those who may not be as well off as we are. This is the time for giving of ourselves.

If you think that perhaps you would like to train your dog for therapy dog work, listen to our podcasts. One of our up[coming shows will be about therapy dogs and what is required to get your dog certified.

Meanwhile, I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas.

Liz Palika, with my therapy dogs, Riker and Bashir.

The Holidays are fast approaching!

Just about everyone I talk to says the same thing, "Where has this year gone?" I agree, it's been a busy year and the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays begin - yikes! - tomorrow!

The holidays can be a dangerous time for your dogs, though, and to have a safe holiday season requires some supervision:
* Keep your dog on his normal food and limit the treats to healthy ones with good ingredients.
* Don't let your guests feed your dog a lot of junk; gastrointestinal upset will be the end result!
* Don't exile your dog; let him be a part of the festivities but at the same time, if he is stressed by all the commotion, put him in his crate or in a back bedroom for some quiet time.

When you begin decorating for the holidays, keep safety in mind here, too.
* Make sure the tree is protected from your dog; the lights and cords are out of reach; and the tree is well anchored.
* Don't use tinsel on the tree; it's deadly to both dogs and cats.
* Keep mistletoe, holly berries and poinsettia out of reach; they can cause gastric distress and are toxic to some animals.
* Don't use glass balls on the tree within your dog's reach; they look like brightly colored tennis balls!

For more on holiday ideas to keep your dog involved in family events and for more safety tips, listen to our podcast.

For now, have a happy and safe Thanksgiving.

Liz

It's not hidden if you guard it!

Bashir is our youngest dog. He's a three year old Australian Shepherd and he's very aware that he's the youngest and at the bottom of the totem pole in our household.

So when he gets a bone or chunk of rawhide he really likes, he likes to hide it. He's hidden bones behind the sofa cushions on the couch and in the corner of the sofa sectional. Much to my husband's chagrin, Bashir has hidden bones under my husband's pillow in the bed. The poor dog goes to great pains to find the right spot; walking around with the bone in his mouth, sniffing and poking with his nose to find just the perfect place. He'll look over his shoulder to see if anyone is watching him and if I am, he'll walk away very casually, "Who me? I wasn't doing anything!"

When he finds the right spot, he pokes around with his nose to make sure the hole is big enough for the bone, then places the bone there and using his nose, he covers the bone. He'll shove blankets over it, sofa cushions, even dog toys! If he's outside, he'll use his nose to shove dirt over the bone.

But after all this work - after finding the right place and burying the bone so carefully - he gives away the spot because he guards it! Not with growls and not aggressively, but with concern. If anyone walks by, he stares at the spot where his bone is and points at it with his nose, "Don't look there! That's my bone! Oh no, don't look!" So of course, everyone in the household - human or canine - knows where Bashir's bone is! Silly boy.

Give your dog a hug from me!

Liz

Purebred, designer, hybrid and mixed breed dogs

If you're reading this blog, you, like myself, share your home with a dog or two or three. Dogs are wonderful companions, and even though we make some adaptations in our lives so that we can live with dogs, we usually make those changes willingly.

As to what kind of dog we share our lives with - purebred or mixed breed - that is a purely personal decision. My husband and I have had both mixed breeds and purebreds. Today, we have three purebred dogs, all Australian Shepherds. My co-hosts for the "It's a Doggy Dog World" show, Petra Burke and Kate Abbott, have also each owned purebreds and mixed breeds.

There are pros and cons to both; but unfortunately there is also a lot of mythology out there. So let's take a look at some reality.

The registries that recognise purebred dogs - in the United States the American Kennel Club and the United Kennel Club - have very specific requirements for purebred dogs. The parents of each litter must be purebred and registered themselves, they must be of a breed recognised by that registry, and if the dog is to be shown in dog shows, he must compare favorably to the breed's standard (the written description of the perfect dog of that breed).

Some people seem to feel that pure bred dogs are all nervous, high strung, unhealthy, and full of congential defects. Often these same people will stress the importance of hybrid vigor, saying that mixed breed dogs are superior to purebreds.

A dog is the result of his genetics: the genetic material that he inherited from his mother and his father. And this is the same for purebreds and mixed breed dogs. A mixed breed dog can have the same problems that a purebred can if he inherits the potential for those problems from his parents.

All of the breeds of dogs that we have today are the result of selective breeding throughout our history with dogs. German Shepherds were designed and created from several breeds of dogs that were used for herding and farm dog work, for example.

Today, the intentional crossing of two breeds has created a designer dog fad. Cockapoos (crosses of Cocker Spaniels and Poodles) was the first and were created 30 to 40 years ago. Then a Labradoodle (Labrador Retriever and Poodle) was designed first as a guide dog for someone whose spouse was allergic to dogs. The fad took off from there.

These dogs, no matter what their label and their price, are mixed breed dogs. A breed is not considered a breed until six or seven generations and the offspring must breed true (which means the offspring are just like the parents). As long as poodles are crossed with Labs or with Cockers, then Labradoodle and Cockapoos will still be mixed breeds.

Unfortunately, also, the claims made on the behalf of these mixed breeds are amazing. They are supposed to be allergy free, super healthy, nonshedding, and a variety of other claims. Some individual dogs may be this wonderful, but only a few. Petra, Kate and I have seen many supposedly nonshedding Labradoodles in our training classes and the owner covered in dog hair.

Anyone who is looking for a different mixed breed dog should look for one in the local humane society or shelter; many originally high priced dogs have been turned in because the owner was disappointed - the dog didn't live up to the sales pitch. Don't go to a so called breeder and pay way too much money for one of these mixed breeds.

For more on designer dogs, mixed breeds and pure breeds, see my book, "The Howell Book of Dogs" (Wiley & Sons, 2007) and listen to our podcast on the subject.

Until the next time, hug your dog!

Liz Palika