Mama Mia, She's Barking Up A Storm!

Hello Everyone!
Ok, I'm going to admit it here and now, this little dog named Mia is absolutely the cutest! She reminds me of my Gidget. Just look at this face! Below is an email I received from her "mom" and I have some tips that may prove helpful to this issue:
_____________________________________

Good morning!
I just came across your site and I was so happy. I was wondering if you could tell me why my Mia barks so much. There won't be anything around and she barks. Every little noise... even if she sees the leaves falling she barks. Also, my doll, fell on her once when she was sniffing at her and ever since she comes into the room where the doll is and barks at it. I even changed the dolls clothes and she still barked at it.

Otherwise she is a very happy little girl who loves her toys and is very crazy about her Dad. Thanks for your time and your gift. Sherry
__________________________
MAMA MIA!

There are multiple reasons why a dog barks: attention, boredom, frustration, hunger, happiness, breed genetics or simply we have allowed it to happen and not put a stop to it. There are a couple of methods dealing with positive re-enforcement to modify and change your dogs behavior. But,no matter what you do, you and your entire family must be consistent with these methods or all your work is for naught.

1. Pick a code word to use to change the behavior. Victoria Stilwell of 'It's Me Or The Dog' uses 'Stop'. Find a food based treat that your dog loves. Three times a day do the following exercise, you may want to keep a plastic bag filled with treats or belted treat/training bag (available at pet stores) with you:

Bring the dog next to you. Say the word you choose and give the dog a small treat. Do this 5 or 6 times. Make sure your dog equates the word with the treat. After a couple of days, when your dog barks, say the word, when he stops barking, give him a treat. Do this every time he barks around you. You are teaching your dog that when you say the word and he changes his behavior by not barking, he gets his favorite treat. As he gets better and better with this, introduce new triggers, like a doorbell ringing, someone walking by the house, a friend coming into the house. Keep the treats with you to help with your code word and expected non-barking response. Eventually, you can start to take the treats away and replace it with another positive response on your part like a belly rub, scratch behind the ears, etc.

2. Never respond to the barking. If your dog barks and you respond by yelling, he is getting your attention. Try standing quietly if he barks. Be calm and patient. When your dog stops barking, reward him with a treat, a 'Good Dog!' or give the dog her favorite toy. Pick a toy that is only used for this exercise. When he/she has received it as his treat, played with it for a bit and moved onto something else take the toy away.

The key to either method is consistency from the entire family. You must all do it. Once your family and your dog are all on the same wavelength, quiet will reign supreme.

Good luck and God bless!

The Elegance of Eli Goes Back A'ways!

Gidget and I would like to introduce you to Eli, the Chihuahua, and our Celebrity Pet of The Month. I met Eli and his lovely owner, Karen Biehl when we were on location for a segment of Michael Somerville’s FLN show, Wingman. Eli, who also happens to be a rescue, won the Milk Bone Small Dog Biscuit Contest in 2007. If you are a small dog owner, chances are good that you ran into Eli’s sweet little face on the cover of the box!

Eli & Karen travel to schools, hospitals, charities, and attend just about every red carpet dog event, in their plight to bring cheer and love to the world. This good-will does not surprise me, as I sense a past life connection that was quite similar to what they do now. However, back then, they traveled by horse and buggy in all kinds of weather, stopping at neighboring villages and spreading positive energy.

The energy I pick up on is of the year 1825-1845, and a very different Manhattan. Eli and Karen lived above a lovely bistro on the second floor of a brownstone. In this past life, Karen’s family were of great financial worth and owned the building, as well as the bistro. Eli, wearing a tie not unlike the one he is sporting in this photo, was the bistro greeter. He was often found sitting in a chair at a checkered-clothed table that was strategically placed just inside the front door.

They shared a love of pastry, and also a particularly special connection to music. It was not unusual for Karen to tuck Eli inside her cape and sneak him into the opera house so he could enjoy the music, too. The bond these two shared, and continue to share, transcends time and delves into a very special karma.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

To see the Wingman episode 102 featuring me reading Eli & Karen, click here: http://www.fineliving.com/fine/pac_ctnt_988/text/0,,FINE_26036_85024,00.html


To get to know Eli and Karen click here: http://www.mschiefmakerhaven.com/EliHomePage.html

This adorable photo was taken by: Petographs by Ixiana Hernandez http://petographs.com/

MORE BEST OF...

I just adopted two new dogs from the rescue, Missy is the Shih-Tzu from Lap Dog Rescue in New Mexico, she is 10 years old and will be spayed in Sept., and Chin-Chin is a 6 year old Japanese Chin, a private adoption from Colorado Spring. They said he had occasional seizures but I think it was his diet. I have seen no evidence of that. I was looking at my Fat Chow cards, a fortune telling game, and they said the death of a pet or a stolen pet. Were the cards talking about Missy and Chin-Chin? Thanks Pat, NYC

___________________________________________________________
FORTUNE COOKIE
I'm glad you asked this question because too many people put their faith in fortune telling cards than is healthy. NO cards can predict death, and they deal in generalizations, leaving definition up to the interpreter. You could have been a non-pet owner and still drawn those cards, and how much sense would that make then? Chin-Chin's possible seizures can be helped through diet and medication, so you are on the right track. Looking at Chin-Chin, I see him as healthy and having a past life connection to the Orient with both you and Missy. You three belong together, and have been together in many life times.

THE BEST OF CONTINUED...

This is Sheba. I realize that she is a pup (only 4 1/2 months old) and is still learning; but she is very smart. She seems to be particularly stubborn about learning to not jump
up (on people, on kitchen table, counter). We also have 2 cats that she will just not leave alone. She thinks she's playing with them despite the fact they are swatting at her, hissing and growling. Any insights you have to these issues would be most appreciated.
Best wishes, Cindy, New Jersey
_______________________________________

SETTING UP BOUNDARIES
You are the one in the family that Sheba feels most connected to in her past life. You were very close. For that reason, you are the one in your family who should handle any situations regarding her behavioral issues. Your Sheba is as sweet as she is insightful, but she does not know how to use the knowledge she is acquiring. She has no sense of boundaries. The best thing you can do for her is to hire a personal trainer to teach her how to relate to other animals, and to teach you how to relate to her regarding those issues. She is smart, as you wrote, but she needs guidance and as her owner you will need to train with her