Issues & Tips

If you missed last month’s article, I was deep in the Darien Jungle in an Embera Indian village observing and documenting the peaceful, spayed and neutered dogs that live there in harmony with their environment and their humans. In contrast to the dogs in the Embera Indian village located a few hours from the hustle and bustle of Panama City, I also embraced the opportunity to work with 5 young boys and their pit bull puppies/dogs. Unlike the lovely, laid back dogs in the Embera village, the pit bulls and their boys were “pumped” and “strutting” their stuff along the streets of Panama City. We shall call the boys ~ the boys ~ and the dogs ~ the dogs ~ as I do not wish to disclose their names due to privacy issues. The internet is no doubt an amazing information highway but at the same time it is also an avenue for possible exploitation of the boys and their dogs.

Take a look at this photograph of the boys and their dogs. These are just young boys and they are trying to fit into a world that is not always gentle and fair. Among other things, gangs have already touched and influenced their lives in ways that cannot be easily erased. These young boys are speaking volumes through their connections and communications with their dogs. The world around these boys takes notice and pays attention as they strut by. Look at the size of the CHAIN around the neck of the black and white dog. I am not sure how the printed photograph will reveal the chain with respect to thickness but I can tell you that it is huge and heavy. The chain represents many unspoken words and what comes to mind is the saying that a picture is worth a thousand words. “Owning” a pit bull is the first message and wrapping a thick chain around its neck is yet another message. Coming together as a ‘gang’ is yet another message. Each dog had a chain but the black and white dog’s chain was the thickest and heaviest. This dog’s owner was the oldest and obviously in charge. The appeared “toughness” of both the dogs and the boys cannot be discounted but behind the tough exterior presentation I found laughing boys and very trainable dogs.

Many people are afraid of pit bulls because of their reputations. Granted some of them are too be feared. However, in my experiences pit bulls are intelligent and highly trainable. They are also very social and loving. We won’t get into the nature verses nurture argument here, so for this article I would just like to find neutral ground and agree that not all pit bulls are created equal and not all dog owners are either. Give me a pit bull and let me walk down the street with it. I will put a colorful collar around its neck and my leash will be matching. Picture me as an over 50 woman with long flowing grey hair and I have a welcoming smile. I walk with confidence and move gently into the world around me with my friendly pit bull at my side. In contrast to that image, think of a young boy with a tough exterior and his pit bull that is heavily clad in iron pulling and charging forward. Now put the black and white pit bull from the photograph in both situations. The truth is that the reactions of the people around you changes immediately with the two different and distinct presentations.

I worked with all of the boys and their dogs and as you can see in the photograph the dogs’ tongues are hanging out. The dogs are relaxed and resting! They are resting on a busy sidewalk that was just an hour or so ago the place they barked and lunged and pulled towards those passing by. The changes in both the boys and the dogs in just over an hour was a huge success in many ways. I taught the boys how to teach their dogs the game of touch using yummy baked chicken that I brought along. The game is a quick study for any hungry dog especially dogs that have never enjoyed six dollar a pound organic chicken. The boys were amazed at how quickly their dogs got it! We practiced being kind and positive while teaching their dogs to come when called. I included some on leash relay races, some practice teaching their dogs to focus, and how to teach their dogs to sit using a luring method that yielded instant success. In a little over an hour, the dogs and the boys changed in many ways. I empowered the boys by teaching them that training their dogs was fun and productive. The attention the boys got from the passing observers was indeed a huge reinforcement to the boys. They probably got more attention during this event than they have received in a very long time. In as much as the training event was a huge success, I did not manage to convenience the boys to remove the heavy chains. I resolved that removing the exterior image of the chains would just make them to vulnerable in a world where they need to feel powerful against the outside elements of danger. My Spanish is terrible and their English was marginal but I am still amazed at how we were able to communicate and exchange so much information during our short time together.

In their worlds, size matters. The heavy chains are representative of their experiences, their fears, and their insecurities. Their dogs were actually “nice” dogs once they expended some energy and we found some balance in the direction of our training events. In this context, “nice” is a relative term. Once the boys put their attitudes aside, they relaxed, laughed, and made huge strides in training their dogs. Their dogs adopted the same relaxed attitudes once the boys changed their own behavior. It is my hope that something they learned will give them a new confidence that will help them negotiate some of the challenges in their world. The departing hugs and smiles were priceless and a powerful reinforcement to me to reach out to dogs and their humans.

I have paid upwards of $4,000 a week to attend conferences and clinics to gain the knowledge of the experts. I read dog related material aerobically! I do not own a TV; I read. I learn something new each time I gather with fellow dog trainers, scientist, veterinarians, and animal behaviorist but sometimes the experiences in the “field” are the most profound and life changing. My life has been forever tagged by the boys and their dogs. Size does matter and to achieve the grandest smiles on the faces of those boys will remain in my memory as a constant reminder of how important it is to share what we know. We can only do better if we know better.

I have just returned from an amazing trip to Panama City, Panama where I traveled to see my daughter and to observe and study dogs and their humans. I never quite know in advance what canine encounters I will experience. The uncertainty aspect is an exciting element in the discovery process that is always welcomed and most always assures me of learning something new about the canine/human relationship. A serendipitous encounter with a fellow animal trainer took me from the hustle and bustle of Panama City to a small Embera Indian village deep in the jungles of Panama.

I met Anne Gordon de Barrigon while I was looking for a guide to take me into the jungle. During our planning and discussion of the jungle excursion, I learned that Anne had been training animals ~ dogs, bears, deer, raccoons, cats, etc. ~ for many years. She has worked extensively with and is a seasoned veteran of the film industry. She landed in Panama a few years ago while working on a movie production; she loved it and stayed. She later married an Embera native and became a part of the native tribe. Anne’s insight into the Embera’s culture and lifestyle is unique and fascinating. Anne picked me and my daughter up in Panama City one morning around sunrise. We traveled by van for about an hour and a half until we reached the Chagres River. From the banks of the remote banks of the Chagres River, we traveled by dugout up river for another hour until we reached the village of Anne’s people. We were welcomed with warm smiles, excitement, music, and dancing. All total, there are 121 men, women, and children in this village. The men and boys wore loin cloths and the women and children wore short wrapped skirts from material of their own designs. Some of the children simply wore their birthday suits. In addition to the 121 people that live in the village, there are 5 dogs.

Anne spent the morning translating for us so that her father-in-law could tell us about the life and culture of the tribe. The Emberas migrated into Panama from Columbia in the late 18^th century to begin anew. Anne’s father-in-law also took us further into the jungle on a hiking excursion to show us the plants and trees that the tribe uses for medicinal purposes. One such plant numbed our lips and tongues in a matter of seconds. No doubt the Embera have a powerful and living connection to the jungle in which they live.

For lunch an Embera elder cooked fish and plantains for us over an open fire pit. The fish was caught fresh while we enjoyed our morning in the village and the jungle. The plantains were grown nearby. No running water, no electricity! The elder served our meal on a palm leaf that had been carefully folded into a unique dish. We ate with our fingers. For dessert we enjoyed fresh pineapples slices. Simply delicious!

Now to the dogs ~ well, they were very peaceful bunch. There was no barking of any kind. One of the dogs had a half eaten iguana in its mouth. The dog was sporting the iguana along as it was hanging half in and half out of the dog’s mouth. It was without a doubt a canine delicacy. The other dogs were sun bathing on the hard cracked earth. I asked if the dogs belonged to anyone in particular and after some uncertainty in what I meant by belonging to anyone, the eventual answer was yes. However, by watching the dogs and the village people I could not determine who owned those dogs. The dogs showed no attachment or loyalty to anyone. The dogs did not make eye contact with humans. They did not jump up on humans or chase them either. When they followed us into the jungle, they remained respectful of our personal space but found total comfort in our movements. They existed in harmony with the village and its daily activities. They did not come and beg for food. No one petted them or called to them. They did not choose a hut to be near. I took note that I did not see a single testicle on the male dogs and no stretched bellies on the female dogs. The dogs simply existed in peaceful harmony with their surroundings. I photographed each dog and they did not move or seem bothered by my presence but they did not initiate contact. I was careful to avoid direct eye contact as I am positive they would not have found that comforting. They did not respond to my attempts to call them. I clucked, kissed, and whistled. They had no response as they had no experience with such human behaviors and sounds. After spending an afternoon observing the dogs, I was absolutely touched by their peaceful existence. A dog or two would simply get up and wander into the jungle and return to sun bathe once again. If they got hot, they took a dip in the river. The dogs exhibited no anxiety of any kind. Most remarkably – there were no puppies or young dogs.

As explained by Anne and the elders of the village, change is inevitable in the Darien Jungle. The Panamanian government has taken many villages, including this one, and incorporated the villages into the Chagres National Park. With this inclusion, much will change. The natives may still collect fruits and seeds. The fish remain abundant and permissible. The Embera are still allowed to use the plants and trees medicinally. They are allowed to grow their crops and practice their native cultural ways. However, they are no longer allowed to hunt in the jungle for animals as meat and a food source. There is no more cutting of trees but they can use the palms for thatched roofs. As the government encroaches on the most remote villages, safety for those that travel into the National Park has become a governmental concern. With tourism becoming a more profitable endeavor, the government has respectfully as possible implemented some rules. We wore life jackets in the dugouts while we were on the river. Strict rules apply for visiting the jungle villages to protect the natives from exploitation. With the changes and the governmental inclusion, the natives have engaged in “commercialism” to subsidize their simple lifestyles. The Embera weave gorgeous baskets from the natural products of the land which they sell to the visitors of their village to collect money to purchase wood for their huts since cutting of the trees in no longer an option. Another change created out of necessity is there is an “outhouse” designated for visitors too. It was here that I made a hugely profound and amazing discovery!

Posted on the outside wall of what we shall call a “delicate” structure was a well worn sign that clearly stated: The Animals of Embera Puru have been spayed/neutered, dewormed, vaccinated against rabies by the people of Puru in association with spay/neuter Panama ~ www.spaypanama.org”. I stood there flabbergasted that in a remote village hours from civilization there was an effective spay and neuter program in place! As I read the sign, I revisited my observation of the neutered dogs and the absence of puppies. I took another quick survey of two female dogs that had tight, trim bellies reflective of a dog that had not carried pups. The spay/neuter program and the vaccination program clearly rose out of necessity. It is safer and more profitable to protect the visiting population than to lose tourism over accounts of negative press with respect to dog overpopulation and disease in these remote locations. Given that the government actually makes money and revenue from its tourism, it is profitable to spay, neuter, and vaccinate the village dogs. Other countries would be well served by taking note of Panama’s efforts to control the over population of dogs. I am still dumb founded that in a remote village deep in the jungles of Panama there is an EFFECTIVE spay and neuter program in place. Given that in our own country there is a huge over population of dogs and puppies that are abused, abandoned, and euthanized each year, it seems ironic to witness the effectiveness of this successful program deep in the Darien Jungle. I won’t go “political” here as many Americans already resent our government’s involvement and control in our lives. I will simply appeal to each person that reads this article to spay and neuter your pets! If each of us would take responsibility for our own dogs, that would be a great beginning to ending the over population and subsequent negative outcomes from too many un-loved dogs on the planet. To dog breeders everywhere ~ stop the over population by doing your part to bring the dog population under control. Unlike in the Darien Jungle, we have mass communications in the USA. The spay/neuter programs in our country should be as effective as the one in the Darien Jungle where there are no papers, cell phones, or computers.

After leaving the jungle, we arrived back in Panama City and it was nearly dark. It was a full day for sure. The following day I worked in the city with some young boys and their pit bull puppies. That was a whole different experience and will require another month to cover the discoveries and outcomes.

Pass the word on the spay/neuter programs in your area. It is the right thing to do. Take your dog for a long walk today and enjoy the canine companionship! Just make sure your dog is neutered or spayed.

If asked the question, “Are you a responsible dog owner?” how would you answer? I find that most dog owners believe that they are “good” dog owners but they avoid the real question. Being a “good” dog owner and a “responsible” dog owner can be literally worlds apart. Let’s take a look at some of the differences between the two levels of dog ownership.

I claim the world as my backyard. I see and interact with dog owners on a daily basis. I am an observer; I watch people. I watch what they do with their dogs and what they don’t. Take a walk in almost any public area in this country and you will encounter piles of dog poop left along public trails, in public parks, on public beaches, and also in private neighborhoods. If you own a dog, it is not just your responsibility to clean up after your pet, in most places it is the law. The fact that people are so irresponsible when it comes to cleaning up after their pets is the very reason more and more places are becoming less and less dog friendly. The age of the dog owner does not influence whether the owner will clean up after the dog. I have witnessed both young and old dog owners allow their dogs to defecate in public and then simply walk away. I have seen both the richest of the rich and the poorest of the poor do exactly the same thing. Who is to blame for the loss of pet friendly locations? The answer is clear. When humans act without care and concern for others with respect to their dogs, the outcome will never be a good one. If you are, or want to be, a responsible dog owner, you will need to clean up after your pet every single time. No excuses ~ no exceptions. Try walking your dog in any rest area along any major highway and see what you find waiting for you on the ground in the pet walk area. Take a walk in your neighborhood and you will find plenty of evidence of irresponsible dog ownership. Beyond health concerns, poop stinks! Do the right thing and clean up after your pet every time.

Many dog owners believe they are responsible owners if they feed their dog. Yes, feeding one’s dog would seem to be a responsible act ~ unless the owner is feeding the dog into obesity. Sometimes people feed their dogs because they love them and don’t know how else to show them. It is with dogs as it is with humans; calories in and calories out. If a healthy dog consumes more calories than it expends, it will gain weight. If your dog has become fat and out of shape, it is time to re-think how to feed and exercise your dog. For some professional and excellent information on how to help your dog lose weight, please Google “Chris Zink D.V.M. PhD and her green bean and/or pumpkin diet. Next, put a leash on your dog and go for a walk. Or go out in the yard and play fetch and that is only if your dog is healthy enough to play. Dogs need exercise and stimulation every day. Some dogs need more exercise than others. The breed of your dog influences how active your dog needs to be. If you have concerns about your dog’s health, contact your veterinarian and he or she will help you get started with a good exercise program for your dog. On the flip side of obesity, if your dog is skin and bones, then you need to increase your dog’s food and get a vet check too. Being able to see your dog’s waistline is a good measurement. No fat pockets and no ribs clearly showing. A responsible pet owner needs to address the health and wellness of their pet. An excellent place to begin is with a healthy diet and good daily exercise.

Do you have a neighbor that allows their dog to bark non-stop on the other side of the fence? How annoying that can be. Are you that dog owner? Are you the one that allows your dog to disturb others? If you are, then you need to re-access your management skills with respect to your dog. If your dog is out in the yard barking, he is barking because he is bored, anxious, scared, or over stimulated by the environment. A responsible dog owner would never allow their dog to continue with such a behavior knowing full well that it must be bothering others. If your dog is bored, anxious, scared, or over stimulated, then do something to make positive changes in your dog’s life. There are literally hundreds of strategies to help your dog find balance and enjoyment in his life. Responsibility is far reaching when it comes to owning a dog.

There are many people who are afraid of dogs. When was the last time you allowed your dog to run towards a stranger? Were you in a public park, hiking on a public trail, or running on a public beach? In most public areas, there are leash laws in place to protect everyone. A responsible pet owner would never allow their dog to approach a stranger in a public location. You can yell about how friendly your dog is but that does not alleviate the fear in those that are afraid of dogs. Lawsuits are ugly with respect to public safety and dogs. It is your responsibility to keep your dog under control at all times. If there is a leash law or a leash ordinance, your dog should be on a leash without exception. If you choose to break the law and unleash your dog, you are liable for what happens next. Think about your behavior and the possibility of the consequences. Act responsibly and you have nothing to worry about.

My goal with this article is to ask all dog owners to become more responsible and accountable when it comes to dog ownership. As a dog owner, you decide multiple times a day ~ to be or not to be ~ responsible.

I have witnessed a dramatic decline in dog friendly spaces in the last 5 years. I see the obese dogs suffering day after day. I see the dogs tied to the dog houses and left to a life of boredom. I see the dog poop problem. We can only do better if we know better. If we work together to spread the word about being responsible and accountable for our own behavior with respect to our dogs, then we can begin to change how what we do with our dogs impacts others.

Mark Twain said, “Always do the right thing. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.” The choice is yours.

In my business as a mobile dog trainer, an agility trainer, and a house and farm sitter, I think I get to see it all. I am called to “cure” problems like eliminating on the floor, jumping up, separation anxiety, chewing, aggression, barking, counter surfing, lack of motivation, and various other problems. I see so many dogs and dog owners that suffer needlessly because dog owners are not willing to crate train their dogs because they, the dog owners, believe it is cruel to confine the animal. Owners often state that they feel very guilty about putting little Fido in a crate. I am a huge advocate for crate training as I believe that crate training is a great way to protect dogs from trouble. Crate training is also a great resource to create harmony for both the dog and the owner. Dogs should be a pleasure not a burden. Why crate train? Most of the problems that my clients call me to cure can be prevented with proper crate training.

Emma Jean – A Search for Health

Canine allergies and illnesses are rampant. Dogs are suffering with a multitude of symptoms that are often very painful and sometimes debilitating. The symptoms range from sneezing, scratching, hot spots, hair loss, diarrhea, runny eyes, yeast infections, vomiting, and a whole host of other problems. Their owners are struggling to find answers and to find ways to relieve their dogs’ discomfort. It is my hope that something within this essay will spark a new avenue of thought for those of you that have dogs suffering from illnesses or allergies.