Boomer and I went on the very best walk ever, and It shows me many things!  First, as a professional dog caregiver, and behaviorist, I am and will always be my own biggest critic!  It mainly means, that I will always think that there is more that I can do with my own pup.  It's quite a bit different when I work with a client, and there dog.  I can normally; readily decide an animals problems, and can teach the client how to deal effectively with, that problem, if the owner has enough faith in me, and desire, to do what is necessary to create that wonderful pup that we all read about.  

Often, when I take a dog out on a leash for the first time, especially the ones that the owner calls and tells me that "my  arms are being torn off at the shoulders, and I keep tripping over FiFi!  "Does 'little fur-ball' do this to me, to just make me feel stupid?  Does she do this after plotting in her bed all day, while waiting for me to attach the leash?  NO!  Dogs don't plot, by nature!  Well, then again, "maybe yours does"!  No, really, they don't!  That was only humor!  Feeble attempt at humor?  

...And, why did our walk go so well today?  As a tried and tested professional, I can only emphatically say, "I'm not sure"?  No epiphanies from me today.  I can't give you that.  But what I can give you is; to keep trying to use the tools that you are given to help!  Be it from a book, or any form of believable thoughts and tried and proven ideas.  If there was only one way to do things, then there would only be one answer, and certainly everyone would have it!  It would be all over twitter... but it's not, and hopefully the answer will be found.  Give me a call, or speak to me through this website, or drop me an email!  I would love to meet you and the problem child, but, I do give a lot of free advice as well!  Ask my bookkeeper; its as if it comes right out of her pocket!  In a sense, it just might!   if you need some help in dealing with your Pooch or Pack of Pooches, please contact me!  And of course, if you need any sort of Pet Sitting needs, Please call us at Safe Solutions Pet Sitters!  We really do care about your babies!

By the way, the big secret of our incredibly enjoyable walk, this morning is very simple!  I went back to basics!  I even went back to using a particular harness/leash set-up, that I stopped using, because I thought it might be "below me, and my professional standards"!!  Pretty silly, but true!  

Sometimes it is that simple!  Let me help? 

A quick poll!  How many of you, actually look forward to your "walk" as much as the pup does?

Ideally, it's a wonderful time to bond with your furry partner, and most experts have agreed that time spent walking your dog is the single best activity to increase that perfect dog/person, union!  I too have to agree with the statement.
In my own history with, many dogs, I have noticed a rather pronounced difference in the relationship that the walker(s), and the (non-walking) family members, have with the resident dog(s)!  People that know me, ask me if my relationships with the family dog, only has to do with the fact that "this is what you do"!  In a sense, their obviously is some relationship to my professional experience.  When I am with my own pups, I naturally put myself in a teaching position!  If I didn't, I would be going against nature.  I am truly in love with animals, and naturally want to know anything possible to gain the knowledge necessary to make the best possible relationship happen.  Only sometimes, I have found this to be a little counter productive when it comes to harmony in a home, and has on occasion, even surfaced in my own family dynamics as well!  Has this happened to any of you?  Let me know if this is a familiar theme in your own family as well?  Or ever has been!  

My advice to those of you that have ever felt threatened by this perception as a snub by Fido, might just be something as simple as to come for the walk, too!  There is room for everybody!  Your pup only needs to have you there.  But, to make an even better showing, then share the leash duties, as well!  This is how you too, get a chance to gain respect. Whenever you spend this kind of personal sharing time with the pooch, you will tend to take on the role of instructor, teacher, master, and most importantly, authority figure!  This authority, in turn, will gain points in the eye of the pet. Yes, when you take on the role of a leader (and there is room for more than one), your dog will now see you as a figure of strength, and, his leader as well!  Dogs want that, and crave that!  Their world is not so complicated, and they don't wish to do all of the thinking.


Empower yourself in the eyes of your pup!  If you are not a walker, then take time to teach your furry kid, a new trick! Just the two of you!   The important thing is to show yourself as their leader, and they will respect you, and love you as well!  Be strong: be consistent!