Tag: Dogs

  • Successes and failures

    I spent part of my Sunday trying to teach three dogs the command “down.” Down is one of the most difficult commands for dogs to master, because it’s a vulnerable position that goes against their instincts. Most dogs will not lie down voluntarily unless they feel completely safe. Even then, they don’t always understand what…

  • Smol Frend

    We are fostering a poodle mix for a few days this week while I’m on spring break. Lulu ended up at Paws and Claws because her human died. Lulu is a nice little dog, but she doesn’t like walking on a leash and has a reputation for fighting over food. We’re trying to help her…

  • Group class starts soon!

    It’s that time again! I am offering a group obedience class this spring in Tucumcari. Class will meet at 10 a.m. on Saturdays from April 6 through May 11 at the Tucumcari Railroad Museum. The cost is $50 for the entire six-week class, with proceeds split between the museum and Paws and Claws animal rescue.…

  • Training around disabilities

    Clients often come to me for training to make their own lives easier: They want their dogs to stop some nuisance behavior that’s creating hassles (chewing, housebreaking issues), hazards (pulling, jumping) or headaches (digging, nuisance barking). Others are concerned about their dogs’ safety and want to work on things like reactivity or recall. Those are…

  • Big News!

    I have four announcements to make this evening. First: If you live in the Tucumcari area, and you know a child who could benefit from some training on how to stay safe around dogs, mark your calendar for 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 25. Ramona the Pest and I have partnered with Tucumcari MainStreet to offer…

  • Graduation party

    My winter 2023 obedience class just wrapped up Saturday morning. This was the most dedicated group I’ve ever seen. Everybody did the homework. Nobody quit halfway through the class. All of the dogs had mastered all the commands by the fifth week of class, so I decide to do something new with this last class:…

  • Cheap enrichment

    How’s the weather where you live? Most of Eastern New Mexico woke up to a blanket of snow this morning. Tucumcari has warmed up a bit, and the sidewalks are clear, so the Pest and I will probably go for a walk this afternoon, but this seems like an opportune moment to show you a…