Diana L. Guerrero’s Ark Animal Tracks: August 2007
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Volume 5, Number 8
Publisher: Guerrero Ink
Online: http://www.guerreroink.com
Copyright © 2007 Diana L. Guerrero. All rights reserved.
Content may not be reproduced without permission.
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August News & Tips
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IN THIS ISSUE
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1. Tales from the Trips (Latest News)
2. Question(s) for the Month
3. Critter Chronicles
4. Schedule of Upcoming Events & Appearances
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1. Tales from the Trips (Latest News)
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The weather here in the mountains has been odd. We had a really hot spell and it doesn’t look like this trend is going away anytime soon. I love the thunderstorms that roll into the valley and then move out—just not the lightening, which we have experienced little.

Despite the promise of rain, we have received very little. The weather can be totally different between one side and another. Last week, I left my home to drive to another little town. Upon my arrival many of the locals asked me about the torrential down pour…what torrential downpour? It seems that one area of the valley got a good showering.

I was out training an aggressive dog and we got drenched but the rain dissipated quickly and when I left the appointment, the surrounding areas were dry and unfortunately, the valley where I live is very dry and the lake is evaporating quickly. It boggles my mind that people still insist on growing grass and not changing their habits.

Wildlife is migrating into populated areas to obtain water. Sightings of predators and other animals are up. Road incidents between cars and animals have even made the local paper.

So, do a rain dance, pray for rain (in moderation), and do what you can to conserve, recycle, and reuse.

Finally, I have been swamped because I am revamping my business. I’ll make a more formal announcement in the future but here is one new project: http://www.animalcareersecrets.com

Have a great month and thanks for your continued support.
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2. Question(s) for the Month
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Thanks to those of you who are submitting questions. Here is one that came in from the Big Bear, California area: Is it more difficult to train an older dog?

It depends. In traditional training, most trainers prefer to start dogs after they are about six months of age. This is for a few reasons. Dogs that are older have a better attention span, these dogs are usually settled into the household and have completed their vaccination schedule. The animals are usually neutered by this time as well.

In my view, that is an older dog and I prefer to start training pets the moment they arrive in the new home for a multitude of reasons which I'll get into in a minute.

Dogs that are older have established patterns of behavior and many behavior problems are really solidly entrenched. Having said that, you really can train an old dog new tricks--but you often have to untrain bad habits and retrain the owners...which is the hard part!

The oldest dog I remember having in one of my group programs was a Bassett hound at the ripe age of 12 years! She learned but moved in slow motion--as any species ages the reflexes and responses slow down. It took her a bit longer to process things and she moved in slower motion than her classmates but she still learned and it was a pleasure to have the whole family participate and to illustrate that it is never too late to get good behavior or to train basic manners or obedience.

Personally, I think every animal should be enrolled in school because it is mentally stimulating and teaches them the rules for successful living in a human environment. Plus, good manners allows animals to experience a fuller life--one with travel, dog and human friends, and a variety of environmental enrichment opportunities.

This year I have focused on teach Pet Parenting courses. Puppy training is easier in most instances but harder because puppies have the attention span of a gnat. So the training is vastly different than working with an adolescent or older animal.

However the perks in training a young animal is that it is very positive and nips the behavior problems in the bud (no pun intended...) and so life within the household is pleasurable instead of a pain.

In early pet parenting classes the young critters learn not to nip, to chew only on appropriate items, house training and toileting is not a problem that ruins the carpet or flooring, and other behavior such as jumping, excessive barking, not coming when called, or dashing through doors or gates just don't become issues--because the young animal learns what is required.

So, you can train an older dog but the only reason it is difficult is because you have to retrain owners (who have to practice those changes for 30-60 day to form new habits) and extinguish bad behavior.

It is a matter of perspective--personally my answer is no--but I've been training a long, long time. For you, the answer is probably yes...but give it a shot, the results are worth it!

Have a question? Drop me a line for the next issue.
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3. Critter Chronicles
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In late July I accompanied a bunch of animal lovers to visit a wildlife sanctuary, one that does rehabilitation but that also provides educational programs to the public using animals that cannot be released due to permanent injuries or habituation to humans (in some cases, imprinting).

Upon entry, things looked good, the place was clean, the enclosures secure, and the volunteers were hardworking and caring people--but during the course of the afternoon I became more and more mortified.

Good grief—here they were preaching that wild animals don’t make good pets and then entering into the enclosures and acting like they were pets—colorful leashes, toys, and other trends of behavior interactions. Don’t get me wrong, enrichment and stimulation is good but it was HOW they did it.

The birds of prey were allowed to grab with their beaks and one was cuddled like a stuffed animal. A young wild canine was allowed to jump and ricochet off of the body of the “handler” an allowed to nip and grab food from her hands.

Worse were my observations of the animals getting more and more agitated while the humans didn’t really notice. About three minutes before a minor incident in the bear enclosure—which was fortunately mitigated—I could see the issue escalating again.

Then I watched as another volunteer allowed a small wild cat to escalate in his behavior to the point of biting AND actually allowing it. I saw the big bruise on her upper arm from a bite during the previous day and suspect it is only a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt.

Did I mention I used to be the president and active worker at a wildlife care and rehabilitation center? What I witnessed made me cringe.

My point here is that the interactions with the animals overshadowed their message of why wildlife don’t make good pets. I was disappointed that they didn’t really talk about their rehabilitation work or what is involved in it.

Not all animal handlers and workers are versed in animal training and safety...which is why you see the news filled with captive wildlife incidents. Although I believe that creating an interest and showing that animals can amiable to humans, my concerns are over how it is done.

What do you think when you witness animal interactions?
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4. Schedule of Upcoming Events & Appearances
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Group dog training, puppy preschool, kitty kindergarten, and pet parenting classes will begin each month through September. Puppy Club & Canine Club schedules are not included here as the times and dates change. Please sign up for the client list or call (800) 818-7387 to make your reservations.

Our teleclasses are being recorded so stay tuned! If you miss one—don’t fret—they will be for sale online shortly.

Want to get the latest on the book? Visit:
http://www.blessingoftheanimals.com/blog_book_buzz.html

August 1, 2007
Training Class 3 (6:00pm)
Bear Valley Pet & Animal Supply
Big Bear Lake, CA

August 8, 2007
Training Class 4 (6:00pm)
Bear Valley Pet & Animal Supply
Big Bear Lake, CA

August 15, 2007
Training Class 5 (6:00pm)
Bear Valley Pet & Animal Supply
Big Bear Lake, CA

August 22, 2007
Training Class 6 (6:00pm)
Bear Valley Pet & Animal Supply
Big Bear Lake, CA

August 29, 2007
Training Class 7 (6:00pm)
Bear Valley Pet & Animal Supply
Big Bear Lake, CA

September 5, 2007
Training Class 8 (6:00pm)
Bear Valley Pet & Animal Supply
Big Bear Lake, CA

September 5, 2007
Understanding Animal Behavior & Training
Prerequisite to All Training Classes (7:00pm)
Bear Valley Pet & Animal Supply
Big Bear Lake, CA

Thanks for your continued support and suggestions
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Have a great month and stay tuned!
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Copyright © 2007 by Diana L. Guerrero
PO Box 1989 PMB 215
40729 Village Drive Suite 8
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315

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