Monthly Archives June 2018

Resource Guarding

What is Resource Guarding? Dogs that become aggressive or possessive of an object or space are said to be resource guarding. By using threatening displays or aggression to get an approaching person or dog to move away, the dog is able to maintain possession of the resource that they value. While this behavior can be useful for wild or feral animals that have to fend for themselves, it can be problematic in a family pet. Fortunately, there are ways to modify it! What types of “resources” do dogs often guard? Anything the dog values can be something they will potentially
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Teaching “Leave It”

On Surfaces Place treats on a table, coffee table, or counter where you are close enough to cover them up or remove them if needed. You can place them on a plate to imitate real life. When your dog shows interest tell him “Leave it.” If he looks away, click or use your marker word and reward him. If he goes for the food or jumps on the counter, immediately cover the food up and take the dog away. When he stops trying to get at it, mark and reward. Your reward should come from your pocket or somewhere else
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Clicker Training Basics

Clicker training means using a sound (a click) to communicate with your dog. Clickers have been in use for more than forty years. The method is best known from the world of marine animal training where people need a way to communicate with animals like dolphins and orcas that can’t be controlled by physically forcing them to do things. How does it work? It is fabulously simple. First we teach the dog that the click means he has won a treat. Then we use the click to tell the dog when he has done something we like. Essentially: When your
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Anti-Jumping

Why Dogs Jump Dogs jump up to say hello, quite simply. They don’t know how humans prefer to be greeted, and it never occurs to them that they might knock us over or ruin our clothes. Thankfully, consistent anti-jump training can quickly solve the problem for good. For this exercise, you’ll act as an on/off switch. When the dog is four feet on the floor, you’ll be “on” (verbal praise, petting, bending down to greet the dog, etc.). While the dog is jumping, you’ll be “off”(stand up, completely disengaged, no verbal attention, even in the form of “NO!”, turning your
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Afraid of the stairs? Or of getting into/out of the car?

Note: These exercises can be adapted to entering and exiting cars and other motor vehicles. Is your dog afraid of steps and stairways? Perhaps past experiences led the dog to associate steps with something unpleasant, frightening and/or hurtful. Perhaps the dog was yelled at for going up or down a stairway, or had fallen down stairs during his formative weeks, or was pushed down the stairs. Maybe the dog has never encountered stairs before. Some people respond to such fears by forcing the dog up and down the stairs. But this approach doesn’t always provide the dog with an opportunity
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The Cure to Anxiety

I have been dealing with stress from nursing school and anxiety from being alone in my apartment. I came into HSHV with the idea that I was just going to pet the animals and hang out for the evening so that I could relax a bit — then my eyes fell on Kylo. He is a handsome, cuddly cat who couldn’t have come into my life at a more perfect time. He has been the best addition to my life and I couldn’t love anything more.   Bilbo now Kylo
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Girls on the Run: Sweets for sweet animals

The Huron Valley Catholic School’s chapter of Girls on the Run Club recently held a bake sale to raise money for the animals of HSHV. They raised an impressive 95.55 dollars! (Those must have been some delicious cookies!) Thank you so much to all the amazing girls and their dedication to animals.
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Rachel: Inspiring Youth

Our animals are very blessed by the amazing kids that live in this area. Rachel decided that she wanted to collect pet food, toys and money for the homeless animals of HSHV. She says she was inspired “because I love pets and I want them to be happy and healthy!” Thank you so much Rachel for your kind heart and amazing generosity!
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Raegan: Yard sale for animals

Raegan loves animals, and she wanted to do something to help the rescued animals of her community. She collected money from a community yard sale and at school, and donated it to HSHV! What an amazing kind kid! Thank you Raegan for your donation.
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