barking and lunging – Page 12

My take on the Dog Whisperer vs. Food Aggressive Dog

I’m not a dog behaviorist. I’m not even a very good trainer of my own dogs, but I’ve read a lot about different methods and over the past six years, I’ve learned a lot about dog behavior and body language. Early on in my education, I watched The Dog Whisperer and tried to follow hisContinue reading “My take on the Dog Whisperer vs. Food Aggressive Dog”

Neighborhood nemesis

I’ve written before about the golden retriever who sometimes sits sentry in front of her house on our block. This house is smack in the middle of the most convenient dog-walking route. To avoid her, we’d have to cut through a community garden and some weeds that this time of year would soak through myContinue reading “Neighborhood nemesis”

Another aggressive dog memoir

When pitching a memoir, authors are advised to name competitive titles. Easy enough to do with a dog memoir; there are so many. I thought Smiley Bird was unique because it’s a love letter to an aggressive dog. Until recently, the most similar memoir I had read was Part Wild: One Woman’s Journey with a CreatureContinue reading “Another aggressive dog memoir”

Leo Pride

Much to my great shame, we have another dog in a reactive dog class. I thought we were past this, but Leo lashes out at bicycles and joggers and other dogs when we’re on walks. I’ve been reassuring myself that he’s not really reactive. Not like Isis. Leo’s problems are leash specific. Of course, thisContinue reading “Leo Pride”

Find strength in what remains behind

Last night, after a very inspirational writers conference, I watched an episode of It’s Me or the Dog that left me rather emotional. Not that the family in question underwent any moving transformation or anything. This crazy woman had rescued four dogs. One was “aggressive” and fought with another. Trainer Victoria Stilwell helped by havingContinue reading “Find strength in what remains behind”

Oh deer, get the fawn out of here

This one’s for book two. I have a wonderful leash designed for walking two very strong dogs side by side. A waterski-like handle attaches to a rope that attaches to two bungee-like cords that attach to my dogs. There are three swivel mechanisms to prevent the dogs from twisting up the leash, although nothing toContinue reading “Oh deer, get the fawn out of here”

Wherever I go, there I am

I’m experiencing some travel paralysis. After we got back from Hawaii, I fantasized about visiting beachy places in Mexico, but that didn’t speak to Rob. Last week, he ruled out the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica. Apparently, all Spanish-speaking places are out. Brazil, on the other hand, is OK, because they speak Portuguese there. Rob’sContinue reading “Wherever I go, there I am”

More misadventures of the Leo Bug

Tonight I will be reading an excerpt from Smiley Bird: A memoir of Isis, which begins with “Isis was like those children who misbehave in school because they’re TOO smart.” What’s Leo’s excuse? A month ago, I was so proud of my boy for how well he was doing in daycare and school. He wasContinue reading “More misadventures of the Leo Bug”

Working Title

One of the assignments in my memoir class was to write a eulogy for someone in our story. The person didn’t have to be dead, but my main character happens to be, so it made sense to eulogize Isis. A classmate said he found my Eulogy for Isis very touching and he hoped I wouldContinue reading “Working Title”

Our dogs’ first fight

The other day, while Mia and Leo were tussling on the back patio, I heard the tone of their conversation change. Mia’s growls sounded meaner; Leo let out some hurt-sounding high-pitched barks. I looked outside and saw that Mia’s jaw was tangled in Leo’s collar. I know that you’re supposed to separate dogs by grabbingContinue reading “Our dogs’ first fight”