This is the time of year when even the most reserved person considers dressing his or her dog up for Halloween!  I understand, because my kids dress their dogs up, too.  The fact that their dogs LOVE the attention they receive from “doggie dress up” combined with costumes are minimal and “dress rehearsed” weeks before the event, makes a good time for all.

Which brings me to a subject near and dear to my heart:  teaching a dog “body handling tolerance” (BHT).  Simply put, it means that we teach dogs to tolerate – and love! – having their feet, ears, tails, etc. handled).  This is such a KEY skill for them to learn, because there will be a time when you have to clip your dogs’ nails, or clean out their ear, or remove something (a tick?) from their body.  If you can’t do what needs to be done because your dog is fearful and cowers, or is bossy and gets aggressive, then you’re in a lot of trouble. That’s why you need to teach your dog BHT. However, I noticed that even with the best of instruction and encouragement, my students were less than excited about doing the exercises discussed in class that would accomplish that goal. Those of you who are teachers will understand this phenomenon. 

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Rounding the corner of the DOG TREAT aisle at my local Major Pet Supermarket Chain, I come upon a scene that most people would find heartwarming.  Two people are engrossed in a conversation about the recent dog food recalls while their dogs, who are on leashes, are sniffing each other.  Other people are walking past and smiling, seeing a friendly interlude. I’m rooted to the spot, anticipating a major problem.

Others see dead people.  I see dog fights.

I can’t help it.  I’m a dog trainer.

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