Life Changing Dogs

I don't know about you, but I have been lucky enough to have had several Life Changing Dogs come into my life. About 15 Novembers ago, a young dog was brought into rescue, and lived with me for a time. This dog was one of 'those dogs', dogs rescuers like me wish they had room for, time for, money for, but know they need to live a better life in another home. 

One morning I received a phone call from a fellow who had put his border collie down the day before, and was on the hunt for another, one to 'rescue in his honour'. Within a couple of weeks, Peter and his wife Barbara had convinced me to break several rescue rules, and took Bienn home right before Christmas (something we do not normally do).

Usually, when a dog goes home, that is that. We get updates from time to time, photos, cards on holidays, etc. Not with Bienn's new family. This is the life changing part. MABCR got HUGE supporters...Barbara is our storekeeper, my right hand and sounding board, Peter gives advice when needed, and was our treasurer for a few years. Eventually, Barbara and Peter, along with Bienn, Copper, Casey (an MABCR dog) and Bonnie, moved to Maryland, and live only 7 miles from the farm. For me, personally, Bienn gave me my best friend (Barbara), and a mentor (Peter) who have helped me through some of the most difficult times in my life. 

Up until today, his days have been mostly good, though he had stopped traveling with Barbara and Peter, I don't think he minded too much, as he got to stay here with me. He had also stopped going upstairs, but still took walks every day, and sniffed and pee'd on stuff.

Bienn passed today in his own back yard, under the big sky, with his people around him and his canine companions just feet away.

I suspect Bienn was a life changing dog for Barbara as well, though I've never asked her, and honestly, if I asked her now, we would both cry the ugly cry, and wouldn't be able to speak. I'll just have to assume it's true...

I was going through my photos to find a nice photo of Bienn, and found this, a photo I had taken as part of a photo shoot for Barbara's latest book (she needed a new author's photo). I was struck by the fact that only Bienn is in focus (an obvious mistake) and that he is out front and center, and that Barb is looking at her boy. As it should be.

Goodbye, Beans. I'll see you when I see you, sweet boy.

The Two Ball Game

This post is for Joel who asked for hints for teaching his adult dog to retrieve. Written in 2002 (you will note, Barbara refers to Bonnie as a pup) this is a great game to teach any dog of any age and goes a long way to teaching not only retrieving, but recall, sit, down, and the best of all, about partnership.

Two Toy Game

I started playing this game with Bienn when he was an untrained one-year old who couldn't be let off the leash. We didn't have a fenced play yard at the time, so we played while he was on a long lead. I used it to exercise him and also to train "out," "give it to me," "take," and "go get it" in a fun, positive way.

The game starts with a pair of identical toys. I use soft vinyl balls for the most part now, which can be flattened and hidden in a pocket, but any toys will do. I throw one toy, which he runs to get, then once he brings it back I say "out" just before he drops it because he sees that I have just the same (read: even better) toy in my hand. The minute he dropped it, I cheer, yell "Good job!" and toss the other toy. In the beginning, I'd occasionally need to tug lightly on the leash to remind him to come back with the toy--then cheer and throw the second one. We can continue forever. He got the idea of what "out" meant after about four throws; before that getting him to drop a toy involved prying his mouth open, and he also linked giving up toys with tug-of-war and keep away. (He was obviously in a home, even for just a few months.) If he doesn't bring the toy all the way back, I hide mine and say "give it to me" until he does, then reward with a cheer, "out," and a new throw. He also loves alternating "out" and "take" with no throwing involved.

The entire game is played with great drama, hoopla, cheering, and general enthusiasm, so he can tell I think it is a great game, too. I vary the throws a lot--throwing short, dropping it down into his mouth (he loves this), throwing long, and dropping behind me. That way he has to pay attention. In addition to teaching him basic commands, I've also had to work on discouraging him bashing wet, muddy toys--or cold icy ones--up against my leg to celebrate their return. I'm not sure which is worse!

I gradually phased out the long lead as he got more and more focused on the toys, first by dropping the leash and picking it up between throws, then by taking the leash off when I pulled out the toys.

My pup Bonnie knows how to play now, too. I taught her when she was alone, but once she got the idea, both of them play together and I use four balls and throw in all directions. I can keep them going until tongues are hanging out and they're happily lying down between throws. This is a fabulous way to really give them a good, thorough exercise session, either on a long lead or off leash. One warning: If your dog still needs to be on a long lead, it's not a game for kids to play, because they can get tangled in the leash too easily or can get clothes-lined by the leash.

Barbara