Ms Stella

I am reading this book by Mccdonnell. I really am enjoying it. One thing that occurs to me right upfront is something that I do with all my dogs. Player is the one who seems to be taking the longest to come around to it...and of course it makes perfect sense...but I never thought of it.

I love (insist on) kissing their noses. I did it with my doberman and with Stella and now with Player. He still will try to pull away unless I've already been petting him for a while and he is calm...reading how dogs see face to face interaction as a dominate move and that they see that as rude and will try to avoid such behavior. Now as I think about it someone grabbing your nose, holding your face still and getting all up in your face and kissing you 10 or 20 times in a row probably is confusing in dog language. Lol. The book talks about the differences in human body language and placement vs a dog. The book also says that when dogs are friends with each other over time they break all the rules and can be ok with face to face and things like hugs.

Anyway, the book is very interesting I'd recommend it if you haven't read it. Anyone here read it and have any aha moments :-)

Lilah+Jasper

I love this book too. I am amazed at the subtleties regarding reading canine behavior and body language. Patricia M is not only informative but also entertaining.

DH and I were picking up the poodles from daycare last week, and he wanted to pet a Doberman that was there at the same time. I saw a rigid body, hard stare, chest pushed forward and her lips were pushed forward and very tense. DH had his body facing her dead on and staring at her (she was a beautiful Dobe!) so I asked him to turn to the side and not stare her in the face - give her some space and relieve the pressure. Needless to say, he did not take the opportunity to pet the doberman - maybe next time!

I have several of PM's books and prior to reading them, I would have been oblivious to the warning signs that poor Dobe was throwing off like a blinking neon marquee!!!

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My hounds are bred out of the Spartan kind,
So flew'd, so sanded; and their heads are hung
With ears that sweep away the morning dew;
--William Shakespeare, A MidsSummer Night's Dream

tokipoke

I insist on kisses too! I felt disappointed when I first got Leroy as a puppy because he wouldn't make eye contact. I knew all the things about canine behavior, body language, and the implications of staring, but I thought "I'm your momma, why dont you want to look at me?!" As he got older he started to make eye contact and now it's a normal thing between us. I cup his head in between my hands and stare deeply into his big brown eyes. Then we do lots of licks and hugging. I also do this with my cats. I read that for felines, it's a compliment when they slowly blink at you or sleep around you because they don't see you as a threat and their need to be wide-eyed and alert in minimal.

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fjm

I love PM's books - and her blog. Both of mine enjoy eye contact, as long as my eyes are soft and not staring - and Poppy loves to try and lick my mouth in true puppy fashion. I am wondering how many years of me telling her I don't like having my face licked it is going to take before she stops seizing the opportunity of me yawning in the morning to dab her tongue into my mouth - YUCK!

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To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden,
where doing nothing was not boring- it was peace.

~ Milan Kundera

petitpie

Among books used for "Aggression" are by Brenda Aloff. Jean Donaldson, and Emma Parsons. Very good ideas that helped.

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Lilah+Jasper

I love her book Click to Calm: Healing the Aggressive Dog

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My hounds are bred out of the Spartan kind,
So flew'd, so sanded; and their heads are hung
With ears that sweep away the morning dew;
--William Shakespeare, A MidsSummer Night's Dream

PoodlePowerBC

Eagerly awaiting a 3 pack of her books on Amazon ... including "The other end of the leash!" Thanks for the posting

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Walk with someone who will accompany you willingly, preferably a dog.

tokipoke

I do a piercing stare when I'm reprimanding Leroy and I have a finger pointed at him. I don't have to say anything cause he feels my intensity. This is the time he tries to avoid eye contact lol

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CharismaticMillie

This book looks amazing! I just ordered it along with a few other from the same author.

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Happy tailwags from Peckerwood's Thoroughly Modern Millie, CGC and Ch. Safari's Specter, CGC!

Tucker57

I loved The Other End of the Leash....now I'll have to check out her blog - thanks for the tip, fjm!

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Tucker, Shamus and Stella