Michelle with her First Best Friend!

Tar was the first dog I fell in love with. He belonged to my Grandma Benney who lived in Berkley, MI (a suburb of Detroit). No doubt I was sharing a tasty treat with Tar -- he was a good boy!

Taao Yai Tuesday - Post 5

Every Tuesday is Taao Yai Tuesday where posts are dedicated to Taao Yai, a rescue who is super sweet but who's had trouble finding a home because he's insecure and scared of new people.

Are you a good match for Taao Yai?

Taao Yai is a great catch and anyone would be lucky to have him as a member of their pack. Talk about a diamond in the rough! He has a sweet, affectionate demeanor and totally worth the energy you’ll put into training him properly. However, Taao can’t go to just anyone, he needs a strong leader who will not coddle his fear (this is extremely important), someone who will take the time and energy to train him to not be afraid, someone who will build up his confidence through obedience training and someone who will not coddle his fear. Did I mention that already? Oh well, it’s worth mentioning twice.

Taao does not need someone who feels sorry for him, but a strong leader who can instill a little confidence in him. A home with another dog is fine if the other dog can set a good example for Taao and help him become a confident dog.

Playing Possum

Last night was a first in Let Michelle Do It history--one of my dogs brought me a live possum!

I was outside with three dogs: Siggy, Otis and Peanut. The pugs, Otis and Peanut, were close to me doing their thing; and the German Shepard, Siggy, was off doing his. Before long, I heard Siggy coming around the house with an I'm-a-super-cool-dog strut. You know the one I'm talking about...when they've done something they're really proud of. It was dark, but I could see something in his mouth--something large and furry. I immediately panicked and yelled: "Siggy, Drop it!" Which he did. I quickly called everyone into the house, but Siggy stayed back...no doubt to better examine his new find. I rushed the pugs inside and grabbed a flashlight to lure Siggy into the house which worked like a charm. I locked Siggy in the kitchen, went back outside and shined a light on whatever it was he had brought me. And there, in the grass, looking confused as heck, was a beady-eyed possum. He appeared to be thinking, "What the hell just happened?!?" He slowly got up (his back all wet from Siggy's slobber) and slowly pattered away.

I went back inside and asked Siggy if he was proud of himself. He was.

Cesar Tickets!!

Yay! I have tickets to Cesar Millan’s live appearance at the Patriot Center 12/6. I can't wait to see the Dog Whisperer live! I love Cesar because he helps rehabilitate the most dangerous dogs. Cesar never gives up on any dog and it's admirable. I totally practice his techniques with most of my dogs by being a strong pack leader. This is especially important for my dogs who have behavioral issues such as aggression or insecurity (Taao Yai). I practice dog psychology any time I dog sit for a pack of dogs (more than two) and it works like a charm. I have one group who can be pretty aggressive toward each other so they really need a strong, confident pack leader so all the dogs can feel safe and trust that I'm in control.

I admire Cesar's passion and his courage to do what he does.

Taao Yai Tuesday - Post 4

Every Tuesday is Taao Yai Tuesday where posts are dedicated to Taao Yai, a rescue who is super sweet but who’s had trouble finding a home because he’s insecure and scared of new people.

Taao Yai is doing so much better on lead! He is much more attentive and less freaked out by anything and everything on the street. He is also breaking out of his shell at home. I often challenge him by holding something out for him to sniff. It can be anything: an ink pen, a spoon, a can, anything. A couple weeks ago, he would glance at it and then trot away; but today, he will come and sniff it. I had to encourage him the first few times, but now he knows that when I hold something out, I want him to investigate. He does and there is much fanfare and praise! I know he wants to be happy and unafraid, and whatever I can do to help him get there I will do.

11/3/09 Taao Yai Tuesday – Post 3

Every Tuesday is Taao Yai Tuesday where posts are dedicated to Taao Yai, a rescue who is super sweet but who's had trouble finding a home because he's insecure and scared of new people.

Despite his fear, Taao Yai is ready to change. He often leans to the side while we're walking trying to avoid all things frightening (bikes, people, anything that wasn't there the day before, etc.). I started a new technique of correcting him every time he started to lean, and it's worked great. When he starts to lean, I correct him with sound and he immeidately stands upright, stares straight ahead and walks confidently with his head and tail in the air! He is on his way to becoming a confident boy!

A Good Waste of Time

Purina’s Petcentric website has a lot of fun stuff like Learn to Speak Dog (type "I’m Cold" to see the most talented dog ever) and PetIQ. It was educational, fun, and great time waster this Monday morning.

Best Part of My Job!

The best part of my job is that one moment—as we’re heading out the door for a proper walk—when all my dogs fall into line—and I think, This is the best part of my job! If you’ve ever walked a pack of dogs, you know what I’m talking about, and if you haven’t, it’s something you should experience as soon as possible.

The reason I love it is twofold. First, I’m the pack leader. And there’s a sense of pride in knowing that I’m doing something great for my pack. Secondly—and this is what brings me the most joy—is that the dogs are LOVIN’ it. Their gaits are confident and I know they are thinking, Oh yeah…gonna check out that grassy patch at the end of the block…gonna check that tree stump…gonna check out what’s gone down in the neighborhood since the last time I checked that spot. And if it’s a new environment where they’ve never walked before, they think, Oh yeah…gonna check out this new environment!

And that, by far, is the best part of my job!

p.s. – and the second best part of my job is experiencing the residual effect of having them all sound asleep as I type this.

Taao Yai Tuesday – Post 2

Every Tuesday is Taao Yai Tuesday where posts are dedicated to Taao Yai, a rescue who is super sweet but who’s had trouble finding a home because he’s insecure and scared of new people.

Taao is a citizen of the world having lived in Thailand, the U.S. and Canada. After spending his summer in Canada with his foster family’s grandparents, he is back in Arlington where I can work with him on overcoming his shyness. He can be nervous on lead sometimes pulling to the side while heeling. He doesn’t realize if he would just follow me and not try pulling away, it would make his life (and mine) a lot easier. I’ve started correcting him with sound or by quickly blocking him with my leg. Both are effective and I love seeing him slip into follower mode because he is completely relaxed and enjoys his walk instead of worrying. He is getting better and this type of leadership is exactly what Taao needs in a pet parent. If you think you could be a good match for Taao, please email me.

Become a Doggie (or Kitty) Hero

I am officially certified in Pet First Aid for Dogs and Cats by the American Red Cross! Last weekend’s seminar was worth the money and touched on a number of possible emergencies, many of which had never crossed my mind: bleeding (spurting and gushing and the difference between the two), how to stop the bleeding, doggie CPR, first-, second-, and third-degree burns, lesions, lacerations, puncture wounds, unconscious animals, allergic reactions, emergency preparedness (and those little stickers many of my clients have on their front doors), injured eyes, injured ears, injured paws, injured necks, injured backs and everything in between. No wonder the class was four hours long! I highly recommend this class for all pet sitters and dog walkers, pet owners with active breeds and anyone else who would ever be inclined to help an injured dog or cat.

Exercise is the Best Medicine

We love our dogs, but let’s face, they can be annoying as heck sometimes…the constant stare, the nudging, excessive barking, not obeying, and the like. But let’s be honest, unwanted behaviors can be stopped, or avoided all together, if we give our pups exactly what they want and need—mental stimulation and physical exercise. Most of your dog’s life is spent waiting which is completely natural for a dog; however, all that waiting shouldn’t be for not. They wait and then they walk—or if they don’t walk, they annoy us. The next time you think your dog is annoying, take a proper walk (or hire someone to do it for you) and when you come home, I promise your dog will be too tired to be annoying.

Taao Yai Tuesday - Post 1

Every Tuesday is Taao Yai Tuesday where posts are dedicated to Taao Yai, a rescue who is super sweet but who’s had trouble finding a home because he’s insecure and scared of new people.

Taao Yai is a Dobie mix rescued from the streets of Thailand by SCADBangkok.com—a rescue organization dedicated to improving the lives of feral dogs and controlling the pet population in Thailand. Taao came to the U.S. as a foster over a year ago and hasn’t been placed because of his shyness. Meeting new people literally scares the crap out of him which doesn’t make a good first impression on people looking to adopt an already balanced dog. Despite his insecurities, Taao is one of the sweetest dogs I walk and a great catch for someone willing to invest the time and energy rehabilitating him. Taao can and will overcome his shyness with the right person!

First Aid for Pets

I just signed up to take the American Red Cross Cat and Dog First Aid training course on October 17 in Fairfax. Courses are offered a couple times each month in Prince George’s and Fairfax Counties. You never know when an emergency will crop up— no one expects them and they happen so fast. A couple years ago, Boonie, one of my rescue dogs from Thailand, ate something so disgusting I shall not speak its name. I was ready to rush him to the vet, but the owner instructed me on how to induce vomiting. I was scared because the bottle of hydrogen peroxide clearly stated For External Use Only, but I did as the owner said and within five minutes, Boonie threw up and was fine. Thank God! Later, I asked my veterinarian friend about inducing vomiting in dogs and the warning label on hydrogen peroxide. He said, “That’s why there’s a warning label…because it will make you throw up!”