Waterside Kennels Mysteries

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“Good Dog” Training Time

Question: What’s the best training method for you and your dog?

Answer: The one that works!

I’ve lost track of the number of training books, videos, and how-to seminars I studied while writing the Waterside Kennels mystery series and this blog. In addition to ensuring authentic details are added to the plots, I found many of those resources personally helpful when Sasha joined our household after having been rescued from a bad situation. I relied on those resources to find a “just right” training program that would build her confidence and help overcome her fear of men and extreme aversion to noise.

It didn’t take long to realize that typical training methods were not always the best choice for her. While Sasha quickly mastered the commands taught in beginner and intermediate obedience classes, the clicker training method was an ordeal for her. Since our local training facility uses clickers as the foundation for all their classes, I chose not to pursue additional training there. Instead, I adopted a DIY approach that focuses on improving everyday behavior through positive reinforcement and situational awareness. Along the way, I discovered a few simple commands that work for us: “take it,” “leave it,” “drop it,” and “watch me.”

Those commands make an appearance in Dangerous Deeds (currently in the editing pipeline) where my protagonist Maggie Porter includes them as part of her “Good Dog” training sessions. They’re also used elsewhere in the book–including one memorable scene where Maggie’s dog Sweet Pea finds an injured kitten beneath the dock.  Unlike training classes with a structured curriculum, Maggie’s “Good Dog” sessions are customized to address specific behaviors. (As both a writer and a dog owner, I personally like the flexibility this sort of training format offers.)

If you’d like to learn more about these commands to use with your own dog, here’s a list of helpful articles to get you started:

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/learning-the-leave-it-command/ (includes “take it” command too)

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/teaching-your-dog-to-drop-it/  (great for trick training as well)

And my personal favorite I use whenever Sasha and I are walking and she’s triggered by other dogs approaching: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/watch-me-command-grab-dogs-attention/

Prefer watching videos? Drop by YouTube and search for any or all of these commands. And remember: learning new commands can be hard work for both you and your dog. Be patient, and include some fun activities along the way. The results will be worth it!

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The Border Collie of Scotland

Scottish Border Collie

© Richard J. Fisher (CC BY-SA 2.5)

Exploring the origins of dog breeds is an ongoing passion of mine. You may remember I’ve already shared some fascinating information about two breeds that originated in Scotland: Shetland Sheepdogs (aka Shelties) and Golden Retrievers. Of the fifteen Scottish breeds still in existence today, six were purposely bred to herd and drive livestock. One of these is the breed known as the Border Collie.

The origin of the Border Collie is, like many other Scottish breeds, a matter of debate. There is, however, some agreement that the Romans may have brought their drover dogs to this far-flung outpost of the Roman Empire, followed by Viking invaders with their smaller Spitz-like dogs. Cross-breeding the larger Roman dogs with the smaller Viking dogs resulted in medium-sized double-coated dogs who adapted well to the climate of the British Isles and the challenges of working in rough terrain. These dogs were agile, highly intelligent, and excelled at herding as well as other tasks.

Despite the speculation regarding the specific orgin of the breed, research suggests the modern-day Border Collie may be traced back to a single dog known in Scotland as Auld Hemp (Old Hemp in English). From the Border Collie Museum we learn that Old Hemp, having sired more than 200 pups in his short life, is considered the progenitor of the modern-day Border Collie breed.

Today, there are generally four recognizable ‘types’ of Border Collie: the Northumbrian; the Wiston Cap; the Nap, and Herdman’s Tommy. You can learn about each type’s individual characteristics and ancestry through a Google search for the specific type. You might also find it interesting to read books such as Sheila Grew’s Key Dogs from the Border Collie Family. Here’s an excerpt from Grew’s frequently cited work:

A century ago many of the [working collies] were hard, powerful rather unfriendly dogs, difficult to control and rough with the stock, but their keen handling instinct, their concentration and great power over the sheep or cattle were such useful assets that it seemed worth trying to find a milder natured type of working collie to cross with these hard dogs.

One shepherd who took a keen interest in breeding and training sheepdogs was the Northumbrian, Adam Telfer, and he succeeded in finding the right blend of the two types of dog. The result was a canine genius called Hemp…who died in 1903 having sired over 200 puppies and founded the modern breed of Border Collie.

Whatever its origin, the Border Collie is now recognized by many as the ultimate herding dog with a natural instinct to herd using its “eye” to control livestock by staring at them in a silent and unwavering manner. No other breed appears to have this ability.

CC-BY-SA-4.0

In the 1940s, Britain’s Ministry of Information created The Pattern of Britain documentaries, and in 1944 one of those short films focused on the lives of Scottish crofters. (Crofting is a traditional social system, unique to the Scottish Highlands and islands, focused on small-scale food production in common working communities.) If you’re a history buff, you’ll appreciate this glimpse of the old traditions still practiced in this highland community. Dog lovers will appreciate the skills of the Border Collies and other working dogs who can be seen demonstrating their unique ability to collect the sheep scattered among the craggy mountains and drive them down to the crofts.

In this film, you can see those dogs in action beginning about the 7:00-minute mark of the presentation. As you’ll hear, this activity is repeated five times each year, with the men and their dogs travelling a distance of 30 miles or more, and climbing 3,000 feet to reach the higher peaks where the sheep can be found.

Today, Border Collies continue to serve as working dogs for farmers, crofters, and shepherds around the world. As the breed evolved, though, so too did their purpose. While some  types of the breed continue to herd and drive livestock, others have been bred for conformation, agility, and other athletic events. Still others serve as companion dogs and service animals. If you can provide the necessary physical and mental stimulation the breed requires, this intelligent, energetic dog might be the right one for you!

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Conversation With A Cat

Buddy The Wonder Cat here.

You’re probably wondering what I’m doing on a website that’s usually all about dogs. It was Mama’s idea; I was just sitting on our desk helping her work and she told me I was in the way. Now if you’ve ever lived with a cat, you know we never get in the way—we’re always right where we want to be. And where I wanted to be was in front of the computer, and she kept trying to see around me.

Anyway, that’s how I got here. Mama thinks readers—that means you, right?—should get to know me, on account of her adding a cat to the story we’re writing. Well, when she put it that way, how could I refuse? I know she’s mentioned me before, but since she sometimes leaves out the good stuff, I decided to help her out and answer a few questions.

 

Q: How did you get your name?

Well, Mama says I’m called Buddy The Wonder Cat because it’s a wonder I’m still alive. Between us, I’ve probably used up some of those nine lives I’m supposed to have. Like the time I went exploring and got tangled in the brambles and couldn’t get out. And once, I found myself on the wrong side of the fence in a yard with a big Pit Bull. The dog was way more scared than I was—that’s my story, and I’m sticking to it—but I admit I was happy when Mama showed up!

Q:  What’s a typical day like for you? 

Let’s see…my day starts about oh-dark-early, unless it’s raining with thunder. When that happens, I stay in bed with Mama so she doesn’t get scared. After breakfast, I let Mama toss Greenies for me to chase before I go outside. I consider it my solemn duty to stalk the birds in my forsythia bush and make sure critters aren’t lurking under the storage shed. Then it’s time to help Dad in the garden. (He seems to think eating vegetables is good for you. All I can say is yuck!) After that, I’ll squeeze in a short snooze—have to keep up my strength, you know—before I go help Mama work on our book. Between you and me, she’d never get anything written if I’m not there to keep her on track.

Q: Those critters you mentioned—are they a problem?

Not for me. I dig up the moles and carry them into the house to Mama. Once, I accidentally-on-purpose dropped one in the dog’s bed—that was fun! And now that Mama’s home all day, I can show her what a good critter-hunter I am. So far this summer I gave her five moles, seven snakes, and a whole bunch of lizards. (Did you know if you bite off a lizard’s tail they’ll just grow another one? That’s what Dad said. Mama wasn’t impressed.)

Q: Do you have any unique interests?

Has Mama ever mentioned my string collection? Doesn’t matter what kind of string it is; if I like it, I’ll add it to my collection. I hate to eat alone, so I keep them all in my kibble dish. I’m very particular about the way I eat and the way my strings are placed in the dish, by the way. It took some time but I think I’ve finally trained everyone in the house to leave my stuff alone (except of course when Mama washes my dishes).

Oh, and I have a dog of my own, but I let Mama think it’s hers. I know she’s told you all about Sasha, who’s actually pretty cool—for a dog.

When it’s TV time, I claim Mama’s lap to watch Midsomer Murders, Death in Paradise, and Brokenwood. Father Brown’s usually interesting, too. And definitely Wheel of Fortune; I can’t spell but I like watching that wheel go round. Not a big sports fan, unless it’s the World Cup or Westminster Kennel Club show. I watch that every year, even though my dog sleeps right through it.

Anything else you’d like to share? 

Don’t tell Mama, but this writing stuff seems pretty easy. I’ve been working on a book of my own; it’s called The Secret World of Me. I can’t tell you about it because then it wouldn’t be a secret. But you can find a few  tidbits about my story in the book Mama and I are writing now.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I hear a nap calling.

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Keep Your Pets Safe!

Here in the United States, July 4th celebrations are fast approaching. That means picnics, parades, and pyrotechnic displays in a non-stop celebration over the next four days. As a kid, I loved fireworks celebrations. Loved the colors, the artistry, and the music that often accompanied the big events. I still enjoy the celebrations, although my appreciation is now tempered by the effect fireworks have on our furry companions.

In our town, fireworks can be set off beginning at 10 am each day and continuing until late in the evening. In reality, it’s common to hear the fizz, swoosh, booms, and bangs far into the night. If your community is like mine, here are a few ideas that can help make the experience safer and less stressful for the pets in your family.

Be proactive. If you have a fenced yard or dog run, be sure the space is secure. Use locks to ensure your dog can’t escape through an open door or gate. Walk your dog early in the day, when it’s reasonably quiet. Skip the evening stroll and stay inside. If you must take the dog out after dark, use a short leash to keep them close. And remember–they pick up on your emotions; if you’re calm and relaxed, they may be less inclined to stress.

Create a safe space. Ideally, choose a location that’s away from windows and doors. If possible, close the blinds, drapes, and interior room doors to further mask the noise of fireworks. Add in familiar sounds such as music, movies, and television shows to enhance a sense of “normal.” Supply your dog with favorite treats or toys to keep them occupied and distract them from the noise of fireworks. (Works for cats, too!)

Have a plan. Make sure your dog is microchipped and wearing a collar with up-to-date ID tags. Take photos of your dog from different angles. Notify friends, neighbors, and officials if your dog is lost. Post photos and a short description on social media and local “lost and found” websites. Simple measures like these can increase the odds you’ll be reunited.

Photo: CCSPCA Fresno’s Humane Society

 

P.S. I was unable to identify the original source of the image used at the top of this post.  It’s been included in myriad websites and social media posts–many of which appear when using the Google “Find image source” tool.  If you know the source, please leave a comment and I’ll update the post!

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The Love of a Dog

 

♦ ♦ ♦

 

J. R. Cotner is an artist, author, and poet. See more of his work online at his website https://jackronaldcotner.com/ and on his Cotner Collection Artwork page on Pinterest.  Visit his Amazon author page for descriptions and purchase links for his published books.

 

C. J. Frick is the author of the illustrated book Be the Person Your Dog Thinks You Are. Click here to read a sample and find purchase information.