I have come to a conclusion that Samson (the dog) does not like to eat dry dog food. Years ago I did not have a dog yet but one of my good friend in Hong Kong told me, she was feeding her dog the best dry dog food's available, I asked her what's that great in its dog food, she told me apart from all the best nutrients, that dog food produce a firm and nice poop! So that she can pick it up easily.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" I asked. "You are feeding your dog something give you the greatest convenience, not the best food you could offer to your beloved dog."
Lately I have been reading a lot from the Palm Beach Gardens Public Library, a book called "Smarter than you think" really confirmed my belief that how bad can human food for dog? If the by-product goes into making dog food, and I have bowls after bowls of left-over, why shouldn't I feed my beloved dog human food? Which I don't eat much fried food, no heavy sauce on my food and not much seasoning other than salt and pepper.
The book mentioned this experienced trainer who trains dogs for commercial shooting and film-making, once fulfilled a request from a dog-food-mfr for an advertisement, found a very good-looking old age dog (from his family) for the shooting job. The shooting went well, everything looks great, then the advertising agency wants to promote the idea of this dog eats their brand of dry dog food to live such a healthy long life. (old english sheep dog 18 yrs old at the time of that advertisement)
Of course the trainer refused to lie, as a matter of fact that brand wasn't around when this old english sheep dog was growing up. This dog eats what the family eat, without sauce or much seasoning; but if dad is having chicken, the dog is eating chicken too, if the family dinner was beef, the dog is eating beef too, along with reasonable portion of veggie and starch.
I strongly believe if I am not feeding my dog bacon everyday, he should be fine. Samson eats table scrap, my sister was annoyed I fed the dog table scarp before I told her what the actual table scrap was in his plate. Tonight Samson eats the new york strip steak we left over from yesterday, along with steamed asparagus chopped in small pieces, roasted red bell pepper and mashed potato without seasoning. Samson gets 5 oz of human left-over food for dinner, 50% protein 25% veggie 25% carbon hydrates.
His coat got very shinny after about 7 days of feeding consistent human food, he does not have bad breath, well I have to brush his teeth once in a while though.
I believe in Common Sense, not the brain-washing advertisement those dog food mfr puts up; it's easy to do something everybody is doing, you just follow; it's hard to do your own thing and believe it's the best while the rest of the world aren't. Very simple, common sense.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Beach day
I was never a big beach person, I like to go to the beach but I don't swim in the ocean because I am afraid of the current, I got drown once when I was 8 years old, since then I swim in swimming pool only. Don't get me wrong that I do not know how to swim, I actually learnt and good at free style, breast stroke, butterfly at age 21then Victor taught me back stroke which I like to use most of the time now, consume the least amount of energy to swim the same distance.
Since living here in South Florida from 2003, we visit the beach perhaps 3 times a year. Not until we got a dog, then we go to the beach every weekend. I personally do not think Samson (the dog) was brought to the beach in its 4 years of life before we adopted him. The first beach we took Samson was the quiet beach on Jupiter Island, there weren't many people, only a few fishermen around us, we saw other people with their dogs at a distance about 500 yards away. Samson was jumpy, barking at people who walk pass the shore way ahead of us, of course I kept him on the leash at all time, did not want any trouble if Samson was not calm and relax.
It's either the ocean's effect or Samson's learning ability, he started to become very calm when we take him to the beach, the second time we took him to a beach that openly allow dogs unleashed, where is one beach north of Juno Beach. Samson was allowed to walk around freely without a leash, he greeted people and dogs who walked down the stairs onto the beach.
He pees a few drop at a time in a 50 yards circle where we are sitting, which I think it's an action of marking his territory, so Victor and I were protected. ^_^ I noticed his posture when Samson meet and greet with other dogs, he held his head way up high, arch his back and never back down to any dogs regardless of their sizes. He was able to show that "Hey I am small, but I am confident and strong!" message to a chiwahwah or a great dane.
Occasionally Samson sees a dog he wants to play with, usually small dog looks similar to him such as a toy poodle or another cockapoo, then he would run around and play a little bit, but most of the time he just spend his time sniffing and thinking and peeing. He is social if he wants to, he prefers to do his own thing if he wishes.
We are going into the 10 weeks of having Samson, he is definitely improving and starting to trust us, he sleeps more and deeper versus than being alert or insecure that something is going to happen to him at any minutes. Last night was the first night Victor walks Samson by himself after the biting event happened at the beginning of January, Victor said it was a very pleasant walk, they walked at a faster pace than I do, about 40 minutes round trip to the next neighborhood.
Victor does not understand why he got bit by Samson before while he sees Samson now is such a nice mellow dog, I told him you really can't push an animal, it does not react to your agenda of time. Victor is naturally a pushy person, I told him he was asking too much from this dog in a very small amount of time given, and it was also my fault that I did not take the sole responsibility to train the dog well first, then introduce you into the pack. I kind of let things happen naturally which was not correct. Now I understand we have to give time --- time.
Since living here in South Florida from 2003, we visit the beach perhaps 3 times a year. Not until we got a dog, then we go to the beach every weekend. I personally do not think Samson (the dog) was brought to the beach in its 4 years of life before we adopted him. The first beach we took Samson was the quiet beach on Jupiter Island, there weren't many people, only a few fishermen around us, we saw other people with their dogs at a distance about 500 yards away. Samson was jumpy, barking at people who walk pass the shore way ahead of us, of course I kept him on the leash at all time, did not want any trouble if Samson was not calm and relax.
It's either the ocean's effect or Samson's learning ability, he started to become very calm when we take him to the beach, the second time we took him to a beach that openly allow dogs unleashed, where is one beach north of Juno Beach. Samson was allowed to walk around freely without a leash, he greeted people and dogs who walked down the stairs onto the beach.
He pees a few drop at a time in a 50 yards circle where we are sitting, which I think it's an action of marking his territory, so Victor and I were protected. ^_^ I noticed his posture when Samson meet and greet with other dogs, he held his head way up high, arch his back and never back down to any dogs regardless of their sizes. He was able to show that "Hey I am small, but I am confident and strong!" message to a chiwahwah or a great dane.
Occasionally Samson sees a dog he wants to play with, usually small dog looks similar to him such as a toy poodle or another cockapoo, then he would run around and play a little bit, but most of the time he just spend his time sniffing and thinking and peeing. He is social if he wants to, he prefers to do his own thing if he wishes.
We are going into the 10 weeks of having Samson, he is definitely improving and starting to trust us, he sleeps more and deeper versus than being alert or insecure that something is going to happen to him at any minutes. Last night was the first night Victor walks Samson by himself after the biting event happened at the beginning of January, Victor said it was a very pleasant walk, they walked at a faster pace than I do, about 40 minutes round trip to the next neighborhood.
Victor does not understand why he got bit by Samson before while he sees Samson now is such a nice mellow dog, I told him you really can't push an animal, it does not react to your agenda of time. Victor is naturally a pushy person, I told him he was asking too much from this dog in a very small amount of time given, and it was also my fault that I did not take the sole responsibility to train the dog well first, then introduce you into the pack. I kind of let things happen naturally which was not correct. Now I understand we have to give time --- time.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Dispute over pee
Victor was just saying we live at the neighborhood in peace for the last 7 years, all of a sudden we get a dog, we had argument with our neighbor.
I walk Samson everyday up and down my street, one lawn down the block is Samson's favourite because the owner of that house got 2 dogs, what happened was another neighbor located on the opposite side of this favourite house saw Samson pee and poop on that lawn. (Note: I always pick up after Samson, well I can't pick up pee.) Last week, he pretended he was going to get his mail, waited until I walked pass his side walk, sure enough Samson drops a few drizzle of pee on his bushes around the mailbox. Immediately he yelled at me: "Get your dog off my property! Walk your dog in your own property! Don't bring it here!"
"Sir, I am walking on the side walk here, this is not your property." I replied calmly.
"You are wrong! I take care of this lawn too! You can't bring your animal and pee over the neighborhood!" He is still screaming in a very annoying tone.
I started to have fire burning inside my stomach: "As long as I walk my dog with a leash and I pick up after my dog, I can walk anywhere I pleased." As I walked away, I told Samson, good boy, keep peeing!
Since this incident last week, I started to bring a cellphone with me when I walk Samson, this morning, when I walked the same route, this guy came running at me from the other end of the block while Samson pee on his mailbox pole! He was yelling: "Hey! Hey! Hey! Stop that!!!"
Immediately I called the security, reported I have been assaulted by my neighbor when I am walking my dog on the side walk, ask them to come help me at once.
I called Victor at home and he drove over to speak to this guy. Meanwhile I just waited patiently with Samson a few houses down on the street. Samson was lunging at that guy I am sure it senses the un-friendly energy towards me, I said to myself I must have to calm Samson down, the last thing I want the security people to see is my dog barking and lunging at people on our street. So I kept feeding small pieces of treat to Samson in his sit down position, he was then able to stay very calm when 2 dispatch security cars came, along with Victor's car and 3 neighbors rubber-necking.
He then declare to everybody he is an attorney, I have no rights to walk my dog on his property. I told him I did not walk on his property, I walk on the side walk and the dog sniff anywhere 4 feet from the side walk and pee as it pleases, I always pick up after my dog. Samson did go on the opposite neighbor's lawn because they have 2 dogs, my dog pick up their scent and go up to their lawn to do his business, that is not your lawn though.
The security spent a good 20 minutes to explain to this crazy guy that I can walk my dog on the side walk, my dog is allowed to pee and I did nothing wrong but he just wanted me to not let my dog pee on this bushes next to his mailbox. I said no, because that is the community's side, not his property side. Victor then tried to persuade me just skip his house and everything would be fine. I said no, this is not about his house, this is about my right. And I will stand up for it whatever it takes.
I walk Samson everyday up and down my street, one lawn down the block is Samson's favourite because the owner of that house got 2 dogs, what happened was another neighbor located on the opposite side of this favourite house saw Samson pee and poop on that lawn. (Note: I always pick up after Samson, well I can't pick up pee.) Last week, he pretended he was going to get his mail, waited until I walked pass his side walk, sure enough Samson drops a few drizzle of pee on his bushes around the mailbox. Immediately he yelled at me: "Get your dog off my property! Walk your dog in your own property! Don't bring it here!"
"Sir, I am walking on the side walk here, this is not your property." I replied calmly.
"You are wrong! I take care of this lawn too! You can't bring your animal and pee over the neighborhood!" He is still screaming in a very annoying tone.
I started to have fire burning inside my stomach: "As long as I walk my dog with a leash and I pick up after my dog, I can walk anywhere I pleased." As I walked away, I told Samson, good boy, keep peeing!
Since this incident last week, I started to bring a cellphone with me when I walk Samson, this morning, when I walked the same route, this guy came running at me from the other end of the block while Samson pee on his mailbox pole! He was yelling: "Hey! Hey! Hey! Stop that!!!"
Immediately I called the security, reported I have been assaulted by my neighbor when I am walking my dog on the side walk, ask them to come help me at once.
I called Victor at home and he drove over to speak to this guy. Meanwhile I just waited patiently with Samson a few houses down on the street. Samson was lunging at that guy I am sure it senses the un-friendly energy towards me, I said to myself I must have to calm Samson down, the last thing I want the security people to see is my dog barking and lunging at people on our street. So I kept feeding small pieces of treat to Samson in his sit down position, he was then able to stay very calm when 2 dispatch security cars came, along with Victor's car and 3 neighbors rubber-necking.
He then declare to everybody he is an attorney, I have no rights to walk my dog on his property. I told him I did not walk on his property, I walk on the side walk and the dog sniff anywhere 4 feet from the side walk and pee as it pleases, I always pick up after my dog. Samson did go on the opposite neighbor's lawn because they have 2 dogs, my dog pick up their scent and go up to their lawn to do his business, that is not your lawn though.
The security spent a good 20 minutes to explain to this crazy guy that I can walk my dog on the side walk, my dog is allowed to pee and I did nothing wrong but he just wanted me to not let my dog pee on this bushes next to his mailbox. I said no, because that is the community's side, not his property side. Victor then tried to persuade me just skip his house and everything would be fine. I said no, this is not about his house, this is about my right. And I will stand up for it whatever it takes.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
China president's arrival
The Chinese president Hu JinTao just arrived to Washington today, it is a nice gesture after President Obama visited China a few months ago in his Asian trip, on the other hand, would there be any worries about the loan that China lends to USA? President Hu openly claimed that he wishes USA keep the credit he expected to an international newspaper last year.
It is a funny thought that how the system may work related to inflation, if the inflation rate gets higher and higher, the actual value of dollar would drop then US can meet the payment easier. Well there was record that US did it to Russia, it could be done to China too, I don't see why not?! It's like hey I borrowed 10 bucks from you, if I have to pay you back 3 months later, at that time if my 10 bucks face value is 10 bucks but actual value drops to $7.5 (inflation rate), I am paying you 10 but it costs me $7.5
if this happens, it will cost American people's life, especially the poor in the country.
Anyway, Victor watches Glenn Beck all the time, sometime I think this guy is a little crazy, not that I hate what he says, I am sure what he says persuade a lot of viewers otherwise no body is watching his show, especially the far right. He was talking about how China is going so strong but our nation USA is still ahead because we have creation, innovation and a great system.... bla bla bla. Meanwhile Glenn Beck was complaining how bad the Chinese factory owners are treating their workers, they only get $300 / month... sleep with 10 people a room... work 10 hours a day...
Listen, you are a factory worker, you don't stay at an ocean view apartment with double-oven kitchen, it's like a US military soldier at the bottom level shares his room with 12 other brothers, no difference.
People always ask my point of view of this, I said it very honest to them. "If you don't go; you don't know. You think you know because someone on TV reported this to you, but the guy on TV did not know much neither, he was never there!"
Not just that many friends of mine own factories in China from garment to lighting fixture to plush toys, they hire 700 workers to 2000+ workers in China, provide housing and food in the canteen. The salary a worker gets basically go to his/her own saving so they can help out their family in the farmland somewhere or go to their own entertainment such as movie, karaoke or their choices of purchase such as a cell phone or a lipstick.
A lb of bell pepper costs US$ 2.5 in Publix supermarket, the same lb of bell pepper costs US$0.10 /lb at a vegetable stand in China;
A lb of beef for stir-fried cost US$ 5.99 in Joseph's classic market, the same cut of beef costs US$ 1.0 /lb in a butcher stand in China.
The living expenses is lower, the living standard is lower for a worker in China.
(Note: I am not talking about an expat like Victor can live on that standard, nor any management positions, they require and do earn much more $ in China. Also imported and luxury products actually cost more in China because of TAX. Once Victor's cousin who owns a bicycle factory at that time asked me to bring him some cheese from Hong Kong, I bought him a few lbs of it and it costs a fortune, almost US$50 /lb and he still wanted it, regardless of the price, because of import goods was implied heavy tax due to demand from foreigners, hey chinese eats Tofu, not cheese!)
Factory owners have to deal with currency fluctuation, competitive price quoting and maintaining a quality level of the delivered products to client. The cruel fact is if USA doesn't buy, Europe does, Australia does, the Middle East does. When I traveled to trade show years ago, buyers are from all over. That's why I don't watch much TV here in the US because the view is very narrow, you don't see or hear much from a global point of view but WE THE AMERICAN think ......... this this and that.
I am an American now, I am also a Chinese, Chinese is in my blood and American is my choice, I wish both nations well and be friendly forever and ever! Now let's hope US pays back China its debt without pumping up the inflation rate!
It is a funny thought that how the system may work related to inflation, if the inflation rate gets higher and higher, the actual value of dollar would drop then US can meet the payment easier. Well there was record that US did it to Russia, it could be done to China too, I don't see why not?! It's like hey I borrowed 10 bucks from you, if I have to pay you back 3 months later, at that time if my 10 bucks face value is 10 bucks but actual value drops to $7.5 (inflation rate), I am paying you 10 but it costs me $7.5
if this happens, it will cost American people's life, especially the poor in the country.
Anyway, Victor watches Glenn Beck all the time, sometime I think this guy is a little crazy, not that I hate what he says, I am sure what he says persuade a lot of viewers otherwise no body is watching his show, especially the far right. He was talking about how China is going so strong but our nation USA is still ahead because we have creation, innovation and a great system.... bla bla bla. Meanwhile Glenn Beck was complaining how bad the Chinese factory owners are treating their workers, they only get $300 / month... sleep with 10 people a room... work 10 hours a day...
Listen, you are a factory worker, you don't stay at an ocean view apartment with double-oven kitchen, it's like a US military soldier at the bottom level shares his room with 12 other brothers, no difference.
People always ask my point of view of this, I said it very honest to them. "If you don't go; you don't know. You think you know because someone on TV reported this to you, but the guy on TV did not know much neither, he was never there!"
Not just that many friends of mine own factories in China from garment to lighting fixture to plush toys, they hire 700 workers to 2000+ workers in China, provide housing and food in the canteen. The salary a worker gets basically go to his/her own saving so they can help out their family in the farmland somewhere or go to their own entertainment such as movie, karaoke or their choices of purchase such as a cell phone or a lipstick.
A lb of bell pepper costs US$ 2.5 in Publix supermarket, the same lb of bell pepper costs US$0.10 /lb at a vegetable stand in China;
A lb of beef for stir-fried cost US$ 5.99 in Joseph's classic market, the same cut of beef costs US$ 1.0 /lb in a butcher stand in China.
The living expenses is lower, the living standard is lower for a worker in China.
(Note: I am not talking about an expat like Victor can live on that standard, nor any management positions, they require and do earn much more $ in China. Also imported and luxury products actually cost more in China because of TAX. Once Victor's cousin who owns a bicycle factory at that time asked me to bring him some cheese from Hong Kong, I bought him a few lbs of it and it costs a fortune, almost US$50 /lb and he still wanted it, regardless of the price, because of import goods was implied heavy tax due to demand from foreigners, hey chinese eats Tofu, not cheese!)
Factory owners have to deal with currency fluctuation, competitive price quoting and maintaining a quality level of the delivered products to client. The cruel fact is if USA doesn't buy, Europe does, Australia does, the Middle East does. When I traveled to trade show years ago, buyers are from all over. That's why I don't watch much TV here in the US because the view is very narrow, you don't see or hear much from a global point of view but WE THE AMERICAN think ......... this this and that.
I am an American now, I am also a Chinese, Chinese is in my blood and American is my choice, I wish both nations well and be friendly forever and ever! Now let's hope US pays back China its debt without pumping up the inflation rate!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Learning from a dog's view
We adopted Samson for 2 full months already, during this period of time, Victor got bit 3 times and I lost patient dozens of time, eventually we've come to a better understanding among us, we bonded.
Since we cook home at least 4 nights a week, our fridge is always stocked with fresh food. As little trust as I have for commercial dog food manufacturer, I feed Samson regular human food without seasoning at night, mixed with 1/4 cup of dog food. In the morning, Samson eats dry commercial dog food. I could have taken commercial food totally out of this diet but I do not want to, I don't want Samson to get too fuzzy about food, if I have to go somewhere and send him to a boarding facility, he would be fed dry food everyday.
2 days ago, when I fed him dry food in the morning, he spitted it out. I am serious, he tasted it, rolled it around his tongue then spit it out and this action happened 3times. The end of the story, of course discipline was enforced, he eventually ate his dry dog food before he could get a hold onto any other food 8 hours later. But the moral of the story has taught me spiritually.
How many time we insist to do things our way, even our parent told us we could choose something else? Or a spiritual guardian gave us a 'head's up' in our heart that we should do something else but we insist to do it our own way?
During this training process of Samson, I have learnt and understand 2 little sentence from Proverb 3: 5-6:
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
This is a very stubborn dog with high intelligence, I see his personality is very similar to mine. How many time I think I was right and march to the direction or decision I make without truly consult my spiritual guardian? Many many times.
Just the same as Samson would run to whichever direction he pleases while we were out, without knowing the route I choose for him is the best, no cars would run him over or potential danger awaits.
We are way too often to lean on our own understanding, thinking we are so clever that we do not need to be humbled and pray, we can take care of everything. We think we know how the universe works, how money shows up in our bank account, how my body would perform when I grow older... We actually understand very little.
Don't forget we found out about DNA just merely 65 years ago and we still not 100% understand how it works. In recent study, scientists take sea-cucumber to extract their DNA and manipulate the growth of its heart chamber, it shows that DNA tells the cell how to grow and what to become, and in this case, the scientists are taking care of the DNA sequencing.
When I was little, about 7 years old, I did not understand the below scripture of how can God knows me before I was born? How can he see my unformed body?
???? This was written a few thousand years ago, we just found out about DNA a few decades ago!
Psalm 139: 13-16
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained from me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
Since we cook home at least 4 nights a week, our fridge is always stocked with fresh food. As little trust as I have for commercial dog food manufacturer, I feed Samson regular human food without seasoning at night, mixed with 1/4 cup of dog food. In the morning, Samson eats dry commercial dog food. I could have taken commercial food totally out of this diet but I do not want to, I don't want Samson to get too fuzzy about food, if I have to go somewhere and send him to a boarding facility, he would be fed dry food everyday.
2 days ago, when I fed him dry food in the morning, he spitted it out. I am serious, he tasted it, rolled it around his tongue then spit it out and this action happened 3times. The end of the story, of course discipline was enforced, he eventually ate his dry dog food before he could get a hold onto any other food 8 hours later. But the moral of the story has taught me spiritually.
How many time we insist to do things our way, even our parent told us we could choose something else? Or a spiritual guardian gave us a 'head's up' in our heart that we should do something else but we insist to do it our own way?
During this training process of Samson, I have learnt and understand 2 little sentence from Proverb 3: 5-6:
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
This is a very stubborn dog with high intelligence, I see his personality is very similar to mine. How many time I think I was right and march to the direction or decision I make without truly consult my spiritual guardian? Many many times.
Just the same as Samson would run to whichever direction he pleases while we were out, without knowing the route I choose for him is the best, no cars would run him over or potential danger awaits.
We are way too often to lean on our own understanding, thinking we are so clever that we do not need to be humbled and pray, we can take care of everything. We think we know how the universe works, how money shows up in our bank account, how my body would perform when I grow older... We actually understand very little.
Don't forget we found out about DNA just merely 65 years ago and we still not 100% understand how it works. In recent study, scientists take sea-cucumber to extract their DNA and manipulate the growth of its heart chamber, it shows that DNA tells the cell how to grow and what to become, and in this case, the scientists are taking care of the DNA sequencing.
When I was little, about 7 years old, I did not understand the below scripture of how can God knows me before I was born? How can he see my unformed body?
???? This was written a few thousand years ago, we just found out about DNA a few decades ago!
Psalm 139: 13-16
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained from me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Dealing with Dominance Aggression
Dealing with Dominance Aggression:
Even Victor's closest friends who had dogs all their lives from childhood to their 60's now, do not know how to handle dominance aggression in dogs. I guess they are just lucky that no matter how vicious the dog breeds are, they always got a submissive mellow one from the litters, from Rotweiler to German Shepard to Pit Bull.
Human is sucker for a cute-looking face with big emotional eyes, I fell for it too. Samson looks just too cute to be a dog with dominance aggression, even he might be abused, he might had bad memories about men kicking him whatsoever, it was the past tense, this is NOW and animal lives in the moment, Samson has to fully understand the pack order in my household, I am in charge of everything around the house, Victor is the second pack leader, the last is Samson. The reason why he bit Victor because he does not see Victor as the second leader, he attempted to challenge his pack ranking.
By not having Samson sleeps in our bedroom, immediately he understands his pack ranking is below us. After confinement, it makes him so much calmer when he was allowed to roam free in the house when we are home. Even Victor noticed a big difference in 4 days.
Samson is as bad as a 4 years old, would test your limit. 2 days after the strict training started, he jumped on my favourite green recliner when I was by the computer, I saw something white and fluffy up there from my view. Instantly I went over to give him a hand-signal and say "off", he looked at me in a sad requesting look and remain still on the chair, I had to step one step forward to tell him off again, then he jumped off and never get up on that chair again. To deal with a dog has dominance issue, keeping the dog on ground level is very important, make sure the dog knows only the pack leader gets the best seat in the house, which is my green recliner chair!
I released his bone a day later after the first strict training day, thinking at least he can chew on his bone to get his frustration out. But soon I found he is guarding his bone when I walk near him and growls when Victor walks by, that means his possessiveness of the bone is there, that means I have to take away the bone from him. However, I can not do it in the dark, I must let him know it is me who takes away his favourite bone so I did it in front of his face, while I was taking the bone to the garage, I spoke to him firmly to explain the reason why he can't have the bone.
Animal understands, I mean not literally our language but when we speak, our tone, our emotion on the face, our energy emitting during the speech.... animal understands.
Samson happens to be a very smart dog, I figured he understands + react + response to about 30 human words, Samson understands:
his own name
sit
stay
wait
ok
yes
no
shake hand
slow
behind me / back
quiet
down
off
drop it
no mouth
come
good boy
well done
go
Shh...Shh...
go potty
go to bathroom
go to your bed
say hello
excuse me
no jumping
it would be truly a bad thing if I don't rehab Samson, just send him back to the Shelter, because he is such a smart, stubborn little bastar*. I would love to see him pass my training and test, to get to stay.
Even Victor's closest friends who had dogs all their lives from childhood to their 60's now, do not know how to handle dominance aggression in dogs. I guess they are just lucky that no matter how vicious the dog breeds are, they always got a submissive mellow one from the litters, from Rotweiler to German Shepard to Pit Bull.
Human is sucker for a cute-looking face with big emotional eyes, I fell for it too. Samson looks just too cute to be a dog with dominance aggression, even he might be abused, he might had bad memories about men kicking him whatsoever, it was the past tense, this is NOW and animal lives in the moment, Samson has to fully understand the pack order in my household, I am in charge of everything around the house, Victor is the second pack leader, the last is Samson. The reason why he bit Victor because he does not see Victor as the second leader, he attempted to challenge his pack ranking.
By not having Samson sleeps in our bedroom, immediately he understands his pack ranking is below us. After confinement, it makes him so much calmer when he was allowed to roam free in the house when we are home. Even Victor noticed a big difference in 4 days.
Samson is as bad as a 4 years old, would test your limit. 2 days after the strict training started, he jumped on my favourite green recliner when I was by the computer, I saw something white and fluffy up there from my view. Instantly I went over to give him a hand-signal and say "off", he looked at me in a sad requesting look and remain still on the chair, I had to step one step forward to tell him off again, then he jumped off and never get up on that chair again. To deal with a dog has dominance issue, keeping the dog on ground level is very important, make sure the dog knows only the pack leader gets the best seat in the house, which is my green recliner chair!
I released his bone a day later after the first strict training day, thinking at least he can chew on his bone to get his frustration out. But soon I found he is guarding his bone when I walk near him and growls when Victor walks by, that means his possessiveness of the bone is there, that means I have to take away the bone from him. However, I can not do it in the dark, I must let him know it is me who takes away his favourite bone so I did it in front of his face, while I was taking the bone to the garage, I spoke to him firmly to explain the reason why he can't have the bone.
Animal understands, I mean not literally our language but when we speak, our tone, our emotion on the face, our energy emitting during the speech.... animal understands.
Samson happens to be a very smart dog, I figured he understands + react + response to about 30 human words, Samson understands:
his own name
sit
stay
wait
ok
yes
no
shake hand
slow
behind me / back
quiet
down
off
drop it
no mouth
come
good boy
well done
go
Shh...Shh...
go potty
go to bathroom
go to your bed
say hello
excuse me
no jumping
it would be truly a bad thing if I don't rehab Samson, just send him back to the Shelter, because he is such a smart, stubborn little bastar*. I would love to see him pass my training and test, to get to stay.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Guilt
Most of the time these trainings fail because people have guilt in their mind to the dog, I am not an exception. Prompt the minute I 'timed out' Samson after he bit Victor, I worried if the dog is alright in a small room by himself, would he gets separation anxiety....bla bla bla. I then have to hit my head myself to clearly look at the big picture, the animal bites anybody is a fault, and has to be corrected immediately, I am the care-taker of this animal and I should take full responsibility to either help the dog to rehabilitation or take care of the situation. It is always easier to run away than sticking by to solve a problem, it is far more easier for me to just send Samson back to the Shelter and get another dog who is mellow. But this doesn't help the dog at all, it would be another major let-down from the human-2-legs dog to Samson the 4-legs dog. So I have to make sure 'Guilt' doesn't exist in my system, what I am doing is totally for the good of Samson.
As I read the book "Be The Pack Leader" from Cesar Millan, at the beginning it states:
---I've got news for you. Every time you humanize your dog and expect him to fulfill the position of an absent child, lover, friend, or parent in your life, you are putting unrealistic expectations on him. You are taking away his dignity, the dignity of being a dog. And a dog is part of Mother Nature, which means he is naturally wired to expect order in his life, to expect that he must work for food and must follow the rules and guidelines of an orderly social system, under the watch of a trusted pack leader.
If your dog was adopted from a rescue organization, you create a story, that he had such a traumatic experience in his past placements that he will never be able to forget the terrible abuse he suffered during those dark, lonely years before he met you. So of course, he will never be stable, and you should not complain, but instead, remain tolerant and feel really sorry for him when he pees all over your sofa whenever you turn the television on. How could you criticize him when he bites anyone who comes near his toy, knowing what he's been through in his short but traumatic life? You decide you have to pay the price to live with an unstable dog, because of everything that happened to him before. You owe it to him.
The truth about dog is, they don't feel bad about the past. They don't dwell on their bad memories. Dogs live in the moment. If they feel safe and secure in the moment, then any past conditioned behavior can be re-conditioned, provided we give our time, our patience, and our consistency.---
Structure, Rules, Boundaries, Discipline and Respect, these are the 5 major goal throughout the Rehab Program I decided for Samson. If he successfully get through this, he will earn his honor to be part of the pack.
As I read the book "Be The Pack Leader" from Cesar Millan, at the beginning it states:
---I've got news for you. Every time you humanize your dog and expect him to fulfill the position of an absent child, lover, friend, or parent in your life, you are putting unrealistic expectations on him. You are taking away his dignity, the dignity of being a dog. And a dog is part of Mother Nature, which means he is naturally wired to expect order in his life, to expect that he must work for food and must follow the rules and guidelines of an orderly social system, under the watch of a trusted pack leader.
If your dog was adopted from a rescue organization, you create a story, that he had such a traumatic experience in his past placements that he will never be able to forget the terrible abuse he suffered during those dark, lonely years before he met you. So of course, he will never be stable, and you should not complain, but instead, remain tolerant and feel really sorry for him when he pees all over your sofa whenever you turn the television on. How could you criticize him when he bites anyone who comes near his toy, knowing what he's been through in his short but traumatic life? You decide you have to pay the price to live with an unstable dog, because of everything that happened to him before. You owe it to him.
The truth about dog is, they don't feel bad about the past. They don't dwell on their bad memories. Dogs live in the moment. If they feel safe and secure in the moment, then any past conditioned behavior can be re-conditioned, provided we give our time, our patience, and our consistency.---
Structure, Rules, Boundaries, Discipline and Respect, these are the 5 major goal throughout the Rehab Program I decided for Samson. If he successfully get through this, he will earn his honor to be part of the pack.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Ambitous plan
Belows are the dominance sign Samson shows, I have to educate him with proper training: Ambitous plan of mine ~~~
Growls when being approached while chewing his bone or playing his toy ==> all toys were confiscated for 3 days, will be released one at a time if Samson shows good manner, to educate the dog these toys come from me, I own it, I let him play with it and I can take it away anytime I want to. The dog has no right to growl at me or any members of the family.
Bite Victor ==> Victor agrees to retreat and let me solely handle the training, I am relieved, because I can train the dog, I can't train Victor.
Under any circumstances, a dog should never lay a tooth on a family member's skin.
I love Samson and we bonded, but it is unfair to Victor if I bring an animal into the house who does not like to be petted at where or what schedule of the day, the last resort would be letting him go. I emailed the shelter and let them know what happened so they have a record. Samson's privilege of sitting on my recliner / sleeping in the bedroom / playing all his toys were stripped, he has to understand who owns everything around and who gives him a roof to sleep in, be grateful.
Pulling on a leash, cutting me across the pathway during our walk ==> instead of enjoying the freedom of using a retractable leash, Samson is back on a choked training leash only 5 foot long in order to keep the dog close to my side during walk, whenever Samson attempts to walk ahead of me, he will be gently tucked on the choked leash to tell him to stay behind me and walk by my side. I am the leader, not him. Same rules go to walk in to a door / entrance / staircase.
Enjoying a good life like everybody does, why do I have to listen to these 2 legs dogs?! ==> Strictly implement "Nothing in Life is Free" program, the dog has to sit or obey a command before he can get a treat or go for a walk. He has to know who is in charge and listen, he does not have to like it but just comply. Samson is no longer allow on my recliner chair with plush pillow and throw, I told him to get off this morning and we had a stand off for about 30 seconds, then he jumped off and never get back on the chair again.
He has to be kept on ground level, not elevated like he thinks he enjoys equal level of luxury like the 2 legs dogs around here.
Sleeping with the pack ==> This privilege will be taken away, Samson will now sleep on his bed in the laundry room by himself, water will be available 24/7 but no 'walk around wherever you want to' freedom unless the 2 legs dogs are present. In short, Samson will be confined. So he understands freedom is at a cost if only he behaves.
Sitting in the middle of the walkway or entrance to the room ==> "Excuse Me" program, is not to avoid the dog but directly walk by the dog to force the dog to move out of my way. This way the dog has to move when I walk by, not me moving away when the dog is there. The dog has to know, he has to watch where I am; I don't have to watch where he is lying down.
Begging for food at dinner table ==> He will get food at his bowl or kitchen only, we make an invisible border line outside the dining room, whenever he comes close to that line, will be directed outside the dining room in a 'sit' position.
The two things would not be changed are food and exercise, Samson will receive the same level of good food and one hour of walk everyday.
Samson will only be petted or offered with special treats while he execute good behavior.
Growls when being approached while chewing his bone or playing his toy ==> all toys were confiscated for 3 days, will be released one at a time if Samson shows good manner, to educate the dog these toys come from me, I own it, I let him play with it and I can take it away anytime I want to. The dog has no right to growl at me or any members of the family.
Bite Victor ==> Victor agrees to retreat and let me solely handle the training, I am relieved, because I can train the dog, I can't train Victor.
Under any circumstances, a dog should never lay a tooth on a family member's skin.
I love Samson and we bonded, but it is unfair to Victor if I bring an animal into the house who does not like to be petted at where or what schedule of the day, the last resort would be letting him go. I emailed the shelter and let them know what happened so they have a record. Samson's privilege of sitting on my recliner / sleeping in the bedroom / playing all his toys were stripped, he has to understand who owns everything around and who gives him a roof to sleep in, be grateful.
Pulling on a leash, cutting me across the pathway during our walk ==> instead of enjoying the freedom of using a retractable leash, Samson is back on a choked training leash only 5 foot long in order to keep the dog close to my side during walk, whenever Samson attempts to walk ahead of me, he will be gently tucked on the choked leash to tell him to stay behind me and walk by my side. I am the leader, not him. Same rules go to walk in to a door / entrance / staircase.
Enjoying a good life like everybody does, why do I have to listen to these 2 legs dogs?! ==> Strictly implement "Nothing in Life is Free" program, the dog has to sit or obey a command before he can get a treat or go for a walk. He has to know who is in charge and listen, he does not have to like it but just comply. Samson is no longer allow on my recliner chair with plush pillow and throw, I told him to get off this morning and we had a stand off for about 30 seconds, then he jumped off and never get back on the chair again.
He has to be kept on ground level, not elevated like he thinks he enjoys equal level of luxury like the 2 legs dogs around here.
Sleeping with the pack ==> This privilege will be taken away, Samson will now sleep on his bed in the laundry room by himself, water will be available 24/7 but no 'walk around wherever you want to' freedom unless the 2 legs dogs are present. In short, Samson will be confined. So he understands freedom is at a cost if only he behaves.
Sitting in the middle of the walkway or entrance to the room ==> "Excuse Me" program, is not to avoid the dog but directly walk by the dog to force the dog to move out of my way. This way the dog has to move when I walk by, not me moving away when the dog is there. The dog has to know, he has to watch where I am; I don't have to watch where he is lying down.
Begging for food at dinner table ==> He will get food at his bowl or kitchen only, we make an invisible border line outside the dining room, whenever he comes close to that line, will be directed outside the dining room in a 'sit' position.
The two things would not be changed are food and exercise, Samson will receive the same level of good food and one hour of walk everyday.
Samson will only be petted or offered with special treats while he execute good behavior.
Back to square one - Samson
Samson bit Victor again last night, this was the first time when I was present, but I wasn't looking I was cooking at the stove in the kitchen. Victor was watching the show "Dog's whisperer" from Caser Millan, he then try to show what he can do to the dog in front of his two friends from Connecticut, while the dog was minding his own business in a DOWN position chewing his bone, Victor walked upon him with a pushing hand signal and approach to pet his chin, the dog did not give warning growl and bit Victor at the thumb area.
Immediately I yelled at Samson and confined him in the laundry room with his crate door opened. It's the dog's fault that he bites, however, it is also Victor's fault that he did not give Samson the space. That's what I said to him afterward:
"You have 2 friends over for dinner at the house, instead of talking to your friends, have a glass of wine, enjoy a TV show together; you had to brag about how you tamed the dog, I wasn't there watching but I was listening as I was cooking, for over 20 minutes you were bugging the dog with sort of your 'tame the animal energy' and try to imitate what Caser Millan did to the dogs, but let's not forget Caser went to help dog owners who own the dog for years, this dog has been here for 6 weeks only!!! "
This is the third time it happened, last time when I was playing golf with friends, Samson bit Victor when I was not home, I could not discipline Samson after so many hours, I have to do it right at that second after it happens.
I have a thought in my mind to bring Samson back to the shelter, but again I still think he can be trained, and we bonded. The problem is I can't train Victor.
Samson has to go back to square one as far as training is concerned, he has to understand who is in charge in this household, the next page is a list would be implemented momentarily:
Immediately I yelled at Samson and confined him in the laundry room with his crate door opened. It's the dog's fault that he bites, however, it is also Victor's fault that he did not give Samson the space. That's what I said to him afterward:
"You have 2 friends over for dinner at the house, instead of talking to your friends, have a glass of wine, enjoy a TV show together; you had to brag about how you tamed the dog, I wasn't there watching but I was listening as I was cooking, for over 20 minutes you were bugging the dog with sort of your 'tame the animal energy' and try to imitate what Caser Millan did to the dogs, but let's not forget Caser went to help dog owners who own the dog for years, this dog has been here for 6 weeks only!!! "
This is the third time it happened, last time when I was playing golf with friends, Samson bit Victor when I was not home, I could not discipline Samson after so many hours, I have to do it right at that second after it happens.
I have a thought in my mind to bring Samson back to the shelter, but again I still think he can be trained, and we bonded. The problem is I can't train Victor.
Samson has to go back to square one as far as training is concerned, he has to understand who is in charge in this household, the next page is a list would be implemented momentarily:
Saturday, January 1, 2011
ADHD
First of all, wish everyone a happy and healthy new year of 2011. A friend from Hong Kong just emailed me a photo we took together with 4 girlfriends together, wow I looked so young and that was 13 years ago, time flies, enjoy the moment now!
It has been 6 weeks since I took Samson the white cockapoo dog from the shelter, he has been doing good, there were a few accident but everything is under control now. He bit Victor twice and now they made up let's hope for the best, that they can live under one roof together. I gave Samson a serious talk that if he raise his tooth one more time, he is out of here, so that was the ultimatum for him, I guess he knows when I said that. I believe dog can read your mind, I mean not so much of reading your mind what sentence you just said to yourself, but they feel your emotion if you are tense or if you are mad or if you are disappointed....etc. They have the sixth sense.
I must have read over 20 books from the library related to dog behaviour, dog training or general communication with animal. Don't dare to say I know a lot but I certainly have learnt a lot more than I was 2 months ago. I can see a piece of joy at the depth of Samson's eye now, he actually look happy! I mean he looks much happier than I first met him.
If I would have to rate this dog again, he is a terrific dog with ADHD, has his own mind and selective hearing but very smart and loyal if he finds the leader he admires, it seems to me that I have become his pack leader, Victor tightly followed as the second. Right now we are trying to help Samson deal with anxiety over fast-moving golf cart or fast-moving bicycle while we are walking him, so he can stay calm all the way.
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