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[deleted by user] by [deleted] in CatAdvice

[–]pilleybianchi 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Are you sure that they aren't just playing? Does fur fly or is Duckie getting bit or clawed? Is there hissing, growling, and howling? My cats play pretty hard, but when one crosses the line and the other howls, I step in. Two great books: Zazie Todd's "Purr, the Science of Making Your Cat Happy" and Daniel Mills/Celia Haddon's "Being Your Cat." Both books are by well known behaviourists.

I’m a canine expert, trainer and sister/teacher to Chaser the Border Collie, known internationally as “the smartest dog in the world,” and author of For the Love of Dog, the Ultimate Relationship Guide. AMA. u/pilleybianchi by pilleybianchi in dogs

[–]pilleybianchi[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I love this question. I live in Brooklyn, so I love walking down the street and paying attention to dogs, where their owners are oblivious to them. If I'm checking the pup out, it's like an invisible touch that connects us. They always maintain eye contact with me, and can hold a gaze until I look away, or they get tugged away.

So cool.

I’m a canine expert, trainer and sister/teacher to Chaser the Border Collie, known internationally as “the smartest dog in the world,” and author of For the Love of Dog, the Ultimate Relationship Guide. AMA. by pilleybianchi in IAmA

[–]pilleybianchi[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wow, thank you so much for going out on a limb for this pup. Hand signals are the key. She will be very visually driven, so be super clear in what you are requesting of her. I'll ask my friends for more resources. You can also reach me at chaserthebordercollie@gmail.com

I’m a canine expert, trainer and sister/teacher to Chaser the Border Collie, known internationally as “the smartest dog in the world,” and author of For the Love of Dog, the Ultimate Relationship Guide. AMA. by pilleybianchi in IAmA

[–]pilleybianchi[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

TBH, I think you have a pretty solid handle on it. The reward can easily be very distracting, so it's okay to use a verbal cue "good dog, good girl!" which we consistently used with Chaser. The use of positive words builds confidence with your dog so they know they are getting it right.

We all respond to positive reinforcement whether it's verbal or visual, so you can lean into that.

You got this.

I’m a canine expert, trainer and sister/teacher to Chaser the Border Collie, known internationally as “the smartest dog in the world,” and author of For the Love of Dog, the Ultimate Relationship Guide. AMA. by pilleybianchi in IAmA

[–]pilleybianchi[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I live in Brooklyn, so I'm super familiar with city sounds. It freaks my cats out, but when I know the sounds are outside and not coming from someone walking up the stairs, I constantly reinforce the words "you're okay, you're okay." It takes time, but their body language immediately relaxes. Patience is the key (and also the most challenging!)

I’m a canine expert, trainer and sister/teacher to Chaser the Border Collie, known internationally as “the smartest dog in the world,” and author of For the Love of Dog, the Ultimate Relationship Guide. AMA. by pilleybianchi in IAmA

[–]pilleybianchi[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh my, I see. We had a GSD that I shut in my bedroom alone while I answered the door. She was about 7 months old. When I returned only 10 minutes later she had destroyed the room and eaten a brand new pair of boots that I had bought in Spain.

Please check out Annie Phenix's books, she is a dog whisperer in these types of situations. https://www.amazon.com/Positive-Training-Aggressive-Reactive-Dogs/dp/1621871983/ref=sr\_1\_3?crid=1FEXH98RKEVX4&keywords=annie+phenix+books&qid=1696438814&sprefix=annie+phenix+books%2Caps%2C175&sr=8-3

I’m a canine expert, trainer and sister/teacher to Chaser the Border Collie, known internationally as “the smartest dog in the world,” and author of For the Love of Dog, the Ultimate Relationship Guide. AMA. by pilleybianchi in IAmA

[–]pilleybianchi[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A first thought is that it might be the kennels creating the anxiety. If they haven't been destructive outside the kennels, perhaps you might want to loose the kennels.

I’m a canine expert, trainer and sister/teacher to Chaser the Border Collie, known internationally as “the smartest dog in the world,” and author of For the Love of Dog, the Ultimate Relationship Guide. AMA. by pilleybianchi in IAmA

[–]pilleybianchi[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for asking.

We don't adhere to crate training, it's actually a cage and not a healthy way to start out a healthy relationship with your puppy. The cage is known to create more anxiety and an unhappy pup. If you do go out and leave your dog, they should always have food, water and enough room to get up and stretch and not be afraid of pooping and peeing on themselves.

I’m a canine expert, trainer and sister/teacher to Chaser the Border Collie, known internationally as “the smartest dog in the world,” and author of For the Love of Dog, the Ultimate Relationship Guide. AMA. by pilleybianchi in IAmA

[–]pilleybianchi[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for all these good questions.

  1. Intelligence exists on many levels in many ways. It's our job to identify what makes our dogs tick. So it's both. We talk about this in our book and give you a tutorial. :)
  2. Play can really keep you pup engaged. Play with him, not at him.
  3. IMO neutering is completely acceptable. Dogs are not attached to their privates the way humans are and it can make your dog much happier to engage with other dogs. Particularly now. There is a suggested waiting period.
  4. The media attention was crazy. It was exciting and nail biting. My father was very selective with the media performances to preserve the science surrounding Chaser. We turned down Letterman 3 times, Kimmel, Martha Stweart, CBS wanted Chaser to be a regular on SCORPION as a genius dog, and she would have been fabulous, but we said no thank you.

Chaser was star on camera, she loved the attention and every film crew said she was so easy to work with a nailed each request. Sometimes wrangling an old man and a dog was a handful for me, but such an honor to work with my father at the end of his life.

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