One, Chew, Three

Joaqui has been chewing his left foot. Hmmph!

Anti-bacterial shampoo and powder do not work. Putting socks on the foot turned out to be a no-no (and funny, the more he chews). I read about washing it with tea but that would cause it to turn brown. Putting something bitter is not an option I am considering.

I am at a loss on how to handle it. There's a wound. Callouses have formed. My oh my!

I have observed he is into this activity when he's alone doing nothing, kinda bored possibly and after bath.

I changed his shampoo and diluted it. I also try to stop him every time I see him chewing his paw. What else? I wash that particular paw daily for two things: to keep it clean and to avoid stain. The vet says coconut oil or olive oil will soften the lumps.

Finally, I resorted to putting this shield after his bath so that his mouth won't be able to reach his paws.

The fur on his paw started growing again, the callouses reduced in size and the stain is not as dark anymore. However, he still chews so he has to continue wearing this "thingy" after bath.

Bow Wow

Suddenly, it crossed my mind . . .

I turn to the dogs when I'm feeling drained. Poor dogs, heheh. I bathe them, I trim their coat, I comb them to death.

But somehow, they love the attention.

Dogs know how to love you back in their own little way. Bow wow!

On Dogs and Men

Joaqui is such a huggable miniature schnauzer.

I believe that people who loves hugging pets in their own special way are huggable as well.

Some Thoughts

Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they're supposed to help you discover who you are. Bernice Johnson Reagan
The right amount of stress can be used to motivate us in positive ways.
Edwin Louis Cole

Happiness and Family

My dogs are part of my family. A great 2011 to all of us.

According to Bo Sanchez, motivational speaker, if we do these simple things, 2011 will be a blast. From 29 items, I picked out 12:

1. Laugh with inspiring friends at least once a week or more
2. Have Mentors in the most important areas of your life
3. Walk 30 minutes a day
4. Read one inspiring book a month
5. Before you sleep, remove all anger by forgiveness
6. Be the kindest person you can be
7. Find your passion and live it fully
8. Give more hugs (and receive as many)
9. Listen to understand, not to reply
10. Celebrate more often
11. Enjoy quiet time and solitude
12. Keep dreaming

To the list, I add, be happy not only with friends, but with family and pets as well.

A Colorful New Year

Let's welcome the new year with sparks in our heart in serving others and glorifying God. Welcome 2011!!!

Have a fruitful, happy new year!

Can't Get Them Out of My Head

Had the chance to go to France and Italy. Look what grab my attention . . .

DOGS . . . and a cat!

I do enjoy some time-off from the little critters, but I surely do miss my pets when I travel.

How About Clicker Training?

Nothing. Yup, I know nothing about this clicker training thingy, but it sounds interesting if you and your dog have the patience and the discipline. I've heard, read and saw clips about it.

Why not I learn more? It is also used for birds, horses and sea animals. And even if I don't use a clicker, the things on positive reinforcement for training behavior could be of importance to a pet owner like me. " No knowledge is useless," says Jennifer Lawler.

Clicker training is an operant conditioning (also called respondent conditioning) method for training an animal using a clicker (or small mechanical noisemaker) as a marker for a behavior. The method uses positive reinforcement - it is reward-based.

For training purposes once the behavior is sufficiently reliable on the use of the clicker, a cue (e.g. a verbal command such as "sit," or "down") is added to the click, and as the response transfers to the new cue, the clicker is no longer needed (e.g. stimulus control is attained).

A clicker is just one example of a conditioned reinforcer (secondary reinforcer) or "bridge". Technically a stimulus from any sensory mode may become a conditioned reinforcer (ex. light, smell).

The marker can be any signal that the animal can perceive, so long as the signal is brief (to prevent the problem of imprecise timing) and consistent (to prevent the problem of variations that may confuse the animal).

For large sea animals the marker is usually a whistle rather than a clicker. However, not all conditioned reinforcers are sounds. Goldfish and birds such as falcons and hawks can be trained using a quick flash of a flashlight as their "clicker". Deaf dogs can be trained with a vibrating collar.

Misconception: "Dogs become fat with clicker training because they get too many treats."

Part 1 of the solution to this problem is either to use a portion of the dog's regular diet as the training treats or to use reinforcers other than food.

Part 2 is to remember that a training treat for a Labrador should be about the size of a pea or an M&M. Smaller dogs get even smaller treats. Larger dogs get only slightly larger treats.

Food is not the only reinforcer that can be used in training. A "reinforcer" is anything the animal is willing to work for in the current situation.

Common non-food reinforcers include toys, attention, and the opportunity to do something the dog wants. For example, for a dog who wants to go for a walk, putting on the leash can reinforce sitting. Going through the door can reinforce the dog who wants to go outside. Being greeted by someone is the BEST reinforcer for a dog who wants to meet and greet.

Source: Wikipedia