The Dog I've Always Wanted » Uncategorized

Dale’s Backyard Sunday 9 March 2009

admin — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:51:22 +0000

I missed the sunrise this morning due to the fact that my brain got the time change concept but my body did not. Even so, the light was beautiful and warm and it felt like spring. The dog action was pretty laid back; they think its hot. Benny and Asher tried to teach Cleo, the Basenji in the Chilly Dog, to play husky style with some success. But she got cold. Yuki swanned around on the hard snow and everyone respected her space as always. Benny and Steele wrestle but without the intensity of those fiercely cold mornings in the dark.
In this warm gold light Benny looks like exactly what the Ottawa Humane Society said he is “Canadian Eskimo/golden dog”. I think that makes him a village dog. A neighbour who has spent time in Iqualwit told me that there are lots of dogs there that look like Benny. They just hang around. Sometimes people shoot them. There are no veterinarians in the entire territory.

I managed to get a shot of Steele that shows his edginess just as it is. I can’t help having the north on my mind as the Iditarod mushers took off today and part of me wants to be in the wilderness with only dogs for company. I’ve read a number of books this winter about both the Iditarod and The Yukon Quest sled dog races. So I’m getting to know some of mushers by reputation and anecdote. It is exciting in that raw kind of way that is so quintessentially northern.

As an aside, I was thinking about something that I read on Jon Katz’s blog last week. Apparently he has been receiving email from people who question the humaneness of allowing his phenomenal sheep herding Border Collie Rose to risk injuries that could arise from the performance of her duties. Jon addresses the issue eloquently. It would be inhumane not let Rose do her work; it is her purpose. This is a dog that never likes the sheep to be out of her sight. It occurred to me that that the same may be said of sled dogs, particularly those teams that run the Iditarod. It is what they want to do above all else. I have read that a whole yard full of dogs will go berserk at the sight of a human with an armful of harnesses. We do not do dogs any kindness at all by attempting to suppress their essential nature.

At the Dog Daycare 2

admin — Tue, 06 May 2008 02:44:02 +0000

Who’s stick is it anyway? Do dogs ask themselves this question? Probably not but the issue of object guarding can be a serious problem when you’re dealing with a group of dogs. Some dogs will guard toys, including sticks, in a group. It usually starts with a game of “keep away” that goes on too long. The dogs get too aroused and a fight can begin. The culprit does not know who is in charge; since he has possession of the valued object he thinks its him. This can be corrected by making it clear to the dog who is in charge and to whom the resources belong. Some trainers recommend that all the dog toys be kept by the human in a place where the dog cannot have access to them on his own. A toy may be brought out at play time; this makes a good reward for appropriate behaviour. Later, the toys are put away. It is generally not considered a good idea to have dog toys lying around; some dogs will feel the need to guard them. If the dog does not recognize that the human is in charge he will of course feel the need to play that part himself. That is because a dog has a pack drive; the strength of this drive varies from breed to breed as well from one individual to another. What does this mean? In short, a dog needs a structure in which to operate socially and that structure is the pack. When dogs live with humans the human must be the pack leader or serious trouble can ensue. Being a pack leader means, in part, that you control access to all the resources. So I guess its your stick!

Welcome to “The Dog”

admin — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 19:25:34 +0000

The quest to find “the dog I’ve always wanted” is ongoing. I’d like to share my experiences which include raising a shelter puppy, going to dog school, visiting the vet, observing doggie playgroups and talking to many dog people.

As a dog photographer I am having many opportunities to meet new dogs and learn from them and their owners.

There is a veritable mountain of dog books out there. I have read many of them; books dealing with training, communication, health, emotions, breed differences and of course memoirs. I will be posting reviews.