Comments on: Dog Training: The Power of Mind Space Connections in Dogs

By: Dog Trainer Doggy Dan

Dog Trainer Doggy Dan — Mon, 07 Oct 2019 22:23:45 +0000

In reply to Hilde Grennes. Hi Hilde! Your presence in the garden will certainly be more reassuring for Tilla as she will know that she has the support of her family there when dangers are near. Sitting calmly with her will also show her that you aren't at all worried about what's going on around her and it may mean she is less likely to react. If she is finding it a challenge to be out their on her own then it may help to bring her indoors until your project is finished and things are back to normal. I'm glad you're enjoying my Blogs.. Doggy Dan

By: Hilde Grennes

Hilde Grennes — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 13:21:04 +0000

We have a project going on i our garden and our dog, Tilla, is really letting us know if anyone og anything is passing on the road, and she will bark or growl. This often end up in timeout (after 2 times thank you) and our project is still not finished. If we on the other hand sit down with a cup of coffee or the newspaper, she still can bark or growl, but not as much. It is as if she do not have to inform us of the “danger” in the same extent.
Thank you so much for so many good post, they really make us think and lead us in the right direction.

By: Dog Trainer Doggy Dan

Dog Trainer Doggy Dan — Mon, 15 Apr 2019 00:21:32 +0000

In reply to Bonnie Jeffery. That's great Bonnie, thanks for sharing your story with us! A good mind connection can make a big difference when walking our dogs and it seems that you and Beckett understand this all too well! All the best and keep up the great work...Doggy Dan

By: Dog Trainer Doggy Dan

Dog Trainer Doggy Dan — Mon, 15 Apr 2019 00:11:20 +0000

In reply to Crys Rio.

Hi Crys,
Everyone uses commands in a different way and provided we are consistent, and not confusing our dogs, then it’s fine to use whatever commands are deemed useful. It’s absolutely fine for you to decide that ‘stay’ is an unnecessary, as they say ‘each to their own’! Best, Doggy Dan

By: Bonnie Jeffery

Bonnie Jeffery — Fri, 12 Apr 2019 20:12:52 +0000

I have that mind space with my pup Beckett when we walk on leash. She will lose her attention to me if I lose my attention to her….get disteacted. We both take turns it seems in looking at each other to stay connected. The look or focus if you will, is just for a split second but it keeps us on task, the same mission. That is awesome, thank you Dan!!

By: Crys Rio

Crys Rio — Sun, 07 Apr 2019 06:01:40 +0000

The stay command is unnecessary if sit means sit until I give you further instructions. I realize its taught this way by many obedience instructors. However, as a working dog advances, you will find that it’s an unnecessary command. If I tell my field golden to sit. He knows I mean to sit. He will be there 5 minutes later without further commands. Far more efficient and teaches dogs that sit isn’t a short-term thing. It can be as short or long as your person chooses.
There is an economy of commands and language with dogs. The fewer you use—-the more likely they are to listen.

By: Dog Trainer Doggy Dan

Dog Trainer Doggy Dan — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 08:18:21 +0000

In reply to john moors. Tarz sounds like a pretty special dog John, and it's clear that you had a great bond with him! It's no secret that dogs are pretty special but every now and then they remind us just how intelligent they really are. Thanks for sharing your story, best Doggy Dan

By: john moors

john moors — Sat, 15 Sep 2018 05:14:13 +0000

I came across this when I was looking for this very subject. My first dog was a German Shepherd I got myself when I was 11. Now we always had a special connection. My boy Tarz was very over protective and I was the person he listened too. My mom he listened too pretty well but not like me.

One time it was my mom lil sis & I having dinner. I was like 15 or 16 and we had to run inside because a storm rolled in suddenly. We each had a steak on a plate we had put on the coffee table as we grabbed everything from the deck table. When we got in my Tarz was sitting next to my seat and had eaten their steaks not mine. He very rarely stole food but never ever did he take mine.

The 2nd thing happened when I was 20 I wanted to scare my sister’s bf for sleeping over after he was told to go home b4 I went to bed. I told my Tarz to guard him. I never taught him that command but he began to circle the bf and growl and and wouldn’t let him move or leave. If I told him to attack he would have but Guard him is the command that I’ve only seen State police dogs do after extensive training. Again he didn’t bite him he did EXACTLY what I wanted with no training.

By: Dog Trainer Doggy Dan

Dog Trainer Doggy Dan — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 18:19:18 +0000

In reply to Helena. Hi Helena, Dogs can be very clever about knowing times when your focus is elsewhere! If you can identify these times then you can plan ahead so that Toto is not able to distract you as much. If you know you need to make an important phone call or have a busy few hours getting work done, and don't want to be interrupted, then think about closing Toto in the room with you and give him something to keep him occupied. Alternatively, if Toto is crate trained you can pop him in there for some chill-out time and you can finish what you need to do. Hope that helps, Doggy Dan

By: Helena

Helena — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 14:29:38 +0000

Toto is now 2 years old. I edit a members’ magazine, and sometimes I just have to get on with it. This is the time when Toto will chose to be ‘naughty’. It usually takes the form of stealing our clothes and shoes, finding stones from the garden, careering front to back of the house and making a noise about nothing. The strange thing about the stealing is that he always comes to me with the stolen object in his mouth and sits right down in front of me until I see him and ask for it back. He ‘gives’ immediately, then sits until he gets his reward. Toto 1: Newsletter 0! He certainly gets my attention. I also notice that when I get into deep conversation on a forest walk with another walker, that is when Toto will go missing.

By: Dog Trainer Doggy Dan

Dog Trainer Doggy Dan — Fri, 04 Aug 2017 11:51:47 +0000

In reply to Janine Cam.

Hi Janine,
It’s never easy to lose a beloved family pet and in many cases they really are a big part of our lives. I also believe that in many cases dogs do ‘find’ their owners, as your new dog did with you. Although both dogs had a very different way of operating it sounds like they both had a great connection with you. Thanks for sharing your story…All the best, Doggy Dan

By: Janine Cam

Janine Cam — Thu, 03 Aug 2017 13:08:52 +0000

I understand what you mean about mindspace, Dan. We had a much adored brindle, male staffie, Rufous – born to a family member’s two staffies so part of our family until he died at 14 years of age. He loved to keep watch over our small herb farm, bordered by forest. He also loved to run and chase and had plenty of opportunities with kookaburras and wallabies that seemed to play with him. He would sit on the hillside all day until the second my husband was distracted and then he was gone. Often, while walking with him I found we had a connection, a communication that, while not mind reading, was like instinct reading of each other. The night he died we sat with him to the end. He watched me from across the room, he held my attention with his mindspace and he shared a sense of peace with me that I still feel when I think of him . He died at 4am. Our grief was dreadful. Ten days later we found another dog – a rescue. We did not try to replace Rufous but the way she found us was almost as if he sent her to us. She was 18 months, white, with spots and patches, and a female Staffie. Totally different dog. Even her mindspace is different. She stays with us, she does not wander off or chase anything. She connects to our mind space, she holds us. When I say goodbye on the phone she rushes to me with joy that I am with her again. She senses when anyone is disturbed, angry or upset and she comforts. She hugs and kisses, she leaps onto your lap or she just gives little wet kisses on a leg or hand or presses against you. Her mind space is gentle and she uses it for good.

By: Dog Trainer Doggy Dan

Dog Trainer Doggy Dan — Sat, 01 Jul 2017 13:56:04 +0000

In reply to Arleen.

Hi Arleen,
The changes in Grande’s behaviour are very interesting and it may be a sign something is going on either physically or perhaps for another reason. It can be very normal for dogs to change their behaviours for seemingly no reason at all, but if Grande has been unwell lately then it may be worth following up with your Veterinarian just to make sure she is ok. I always trust my gut with these things and this post stresses the importance of owners knowing what their dog’s ‘normal’ is. By this I mean what their normal demeanour, eating habits, toileting habits or physical movements are. A change in this ‘normal’ can indicate a potential health issue that certainly is worth following up on.
I do hope everything is ok with Grande and that she has simply changed her routine for reasons only she knows. All the best….Doggy Dan

By: Arleen

Arleen — Sat, 01 Jul 2017 04:49:57 +0000

Hello, Mr. Doggy Dan…. I have been worried lately of our 7 year old female dog. She is actually the mother/grandmother of our 6 other dogs. She was sick last May and up to now hasn’t fully recovered. Since she was sick we have kept her inside the house. She would stay at the living room . Then after a few weeks she would stay in the room of my husband’s great grand niece . Then after a few weeks she would stay at my husband’s home office where she peed on the sofa bed and the couch. Then after awhile, we saw her staying at the landing of our stairs. We just tolerated this since she was still recuperating and we wanted her to stay where she felt comfortable. Then a week ago, we were surprised to see her lying in front of our bedroom door at the second floor of our house. Wagging her tail while she was still lying on the floor. We had to let her go down the stairs since we were afraid she might pee on the floor. We now had to put a barrier in the staircase so she won’t climb the stairs. Grande, which is her name is still weak and breathes heavily. She does not eat much. But sort of comes alive when she hears the sound of a rat or a mouse. She is so focused with the task of killing the rats that for the past 2 months she killed around 6 rats despite her weak condition. That is the only thing she does aside from sleeping , eating and walking around the house.. She does not interact with her offsprings and her offsprings also do not interact with her either. She is just alone all the time .. Sometimes, the youngest dog accompanies her when she hunts for rats. Then lately, like the other day, we saw her lying down near her other offspring in the same room. All the dogs stay in our kitchen so Grande went to the kitchen and stayed there for a night together with the other 6 dogs. It quite baffled me why she would do that after all these years. Then this morning, she again lay on the kitchen floor along side all the other dogs. I don’t want to entertain the thought that maybe she wants to be with her offsprings because it is almost time for her to go. I don’t know why all of a sudden she is behaving that way . I am not ready or will never be ready to part with her. I apologize for leaving a very lengthy comment… hope its all right .. I am just so worried about Grande. Thank you!

By: Dog Trainer Doggy Dan

Dog Trainer Doggy Dan — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 08:48:17 +0000

In reply to Nikki.

Hi Nikki,
I’m sure a similar scenario happens in many households when it’s time to go home from the park, beach or a hike. Whenever there is fun to be had dogs are always up for more! Thanks for posting…All the best, Doggy Dan

By: Nikki

Nikki — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 04:00:34 +0000

Kia ora Dan,

Yes I get exactly what you are talking about, at the end of our hikoi Rua is let off the leash at the top of our driveway and always slows he dawdles and see if you are concentrating, and if not he even hides behind tree/s – bushes to see if you will call him in the hope that you have forgotten and he sees an opportunity to escape … and go on his extended hikoi !! LOL

By: Dog Trainer Doggy Dan

Dog Trainer Doggy Dan — Sun, 25 Jun 2017 08:50:42 +0000

In reply to Anita.

Hi Anita,
I’m pretty busy in my working life and I find it really hard not to have my mobile phone on me when I walk my dogs. Unfortunately this device is usually the thing that most commonly loses my mind connection with my dogs and so I have learnt to be vigilant….or just not take the call if I can avoid it. I sometimes just end up placing my dog/s on-leash until I have finished the call. Thanks for posting…All the best, Doggy Dan

By: Dog Trainer Doggy Dan

Dog Trainer Doggy Dan — Sun, 25 Jun 2017 08:46:18 +0000

In reply to Ranelle Kohut.

Hi Ranelle,
It’s no secret that I absolutely love dogs that are a bit of a challenge. You know, those personalities that are analysing things ALL the time and keeping their owners on their toes. We learn so much from these dogs and their personalities are usually pretty entertaining if you have the right boundaries in place. Thanks for sharing, Bongo sounded like a wonderful dog. All the best…Doggy Dan

By: Dog Trainer Doggy Dan

Dog Trainer Doggy Dan — Sun, 25 Jun 2017 08:42:33 +0000

In reply to Rowena Fenstermacher.

Hi Rowena,
I did have a bit of a chuckle to myself when I read your post! It’s definitely a jolt back into the right mind space for you. Margo sounds like a real character! All the best….Doggy Dan

By: Anita

Anita — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 22:59:31 +0000

My dog definitely knows when I am no longer present and aware of him, like if I get to talking with someone or get distracted with something. He will take the opportunity to leave and do his own thing. I always sense that this will happen too if I have to take my attention away. And sure enough, most of the time when my attention is back to him he is out of sight.

By: Ranelle Kohut

Ranelle Kohut — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 02:27:15 +0000

My very first dog was a Jack Russell terrier named Bongo. As a puppy he disliked going out to potty in the rain. He would always look to see if we were watching as he would quietly sneak up the steps to go inside. This dog always made me be in the moment. When the phone rang he rang the bell to go outside. This dog did an amazing job at training me. The thing I had going for me was that he always wanted to please me. I remember the first day in puppy Kindergarten when the trainer looked at my puppy and wrinkled her nose and said,” you are going to have your hands full with that one!” Well Bongo made it through with flying colors and changed the trainers veiw of JRT’S. This dog was always watching and thinking. He taught me to have a sense of humor, live life to the fullest and never take my eyes off him.

By: Rowena Fenstermacher

Rowena Fenstermacher — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 23:23:21 +0000

Margo the 9-month-old German shepherd always knows when I am not paying attention. If I am working on the computer, I eventually become aware of a booming sound. Margo is throwing my heavy rubber boot into the air, making it bounce in the hallway. Thank you for the reminder to pay attention.

By: Deanna

Deanna — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 21:39:18 +0000

My husky would wait until I was in the car and had started it before getting up and running down the driveway to escape. Knowing that only then was there no chance of me catching her. She was the same when people came to the gate. She knew when they were not aware of her and would slip out the gate, they wouldn’t even know she was gone!

By: Mimi

Mimi — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 07:00:24 +0000

I thought it was some telepathy or something, but my girl Alfina, who passed away just this last February, had an uncanny way of knowing exactly what I was thinking all the time. This one time I was in the kitchen rolling meatballs. I was at the end of it and thought about leaving some in the bowl for Alfina. As I was thinking it, I heard her pitter patter of feet coming into the kitchen and she turns the corner and looks at me with a tilt of the head, as in saying…yeah…I’ll lick the bowl. She was my friend and soul mate and I miss her so. 🙂