 Puppies explore their new world with their mouths. Rocks, sticks, mulch, socks, remote controls; you name it, puppies will put it in their mouths. But trying to pry things out of their mouths can cause resource guarding and can increase the risk that you will be bitten. That's why it is so important to teach Drop It and Leave It, which we did today with Ninja. She did so well!
 Blizzard had a busy night, as we taught her how to wait patiently for the door to be opened, how to drop things she has in her mouth, and how to leave alone things that are not hers. She did great, even with the stuffed animals that look, and feel, like her toys!
 Covi and housemate Ronin have recently gotten into some nasty fights over food and possibly people guarding. The owners thought Covi was the problem, as she seemed to start the fights. But what I observed at our consultation was a very anxious Ronin. At the time, I suggested they talk to their veterinarian to see if Ronin was a candidate for anti-anxiety medication. Today, our first session since the consultation, it was revealed that Ronin has been on Fluoxetine (Prozac) since our consult and the fighting has stopped. Anti-anxiety meds really can be quality of life-savers, for the dogs and their humans!
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AuthorJeff Dentler, CPDT-KA, IAABC-ADT, FFCP, CTDI Archives
June 2023
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