Max is Jack's "Doggieguard" ...the "Bodyguard"!

I want to share an incredible story with you about how confident dominant dogs can protect without using aggression! Max, our Doberman, is for sure a "would-be alpha" dog - a natural leader with calm assertive energy. In this story he did truly save a life and proves that dogs do naturally live in packs and that dominance is not a bad thing when used as animals do - without human complex emotions...not as we humans can sometimes mis-understand dominance as a negative unwanted dictatorship behaviour!

On the beach my husband Simon and Max, along with some other pack members, were enjoying a stroll. Jack, the little Chihuahua mix, who was nearby Simon was suddenly charged by other dogs.. they just appeared! Along came these 5 Greyhounds off-leash and not under control, they attacked Jack aggressively. There was no chance to stop these dogs quickly enough with their intent on attack - prey drive! Jack yelped and rolled over and over to try to stop them getting him.

Simon had Max on leash, when from behind him came Alfie, our Setter, who was off-leash and went into the middle of the attacking dogs, all calm Alfie began to circle Jack to protect him keeping these hounds back from Jack....normally Alfie barks but he was completely quiet!
Alfie was unable to stop the attack completely with this blocking as he is quite a low ranked dog.

So Simon, with Max under control and on leash, went into the middle - Max immediately took over as directed to - he instinctively knew which one of these hounds was the Leader Dog of that pack. Without aggression, Max picked up one of the greyhounds by their coat (a doggie jacket not the fur/skin) and threw the dog to the side to stop the attack from that dog - their leader...."It Worked"! Not only did this dog stop but the whole pack of Greyhounds stopped and stood very still....as did Max!

Meantime Jack ran away home! Max knew just what to do - he could stop this attack safely and far quicker than a human, as we are after-all a different species! So he was enabled to do so under Simon's control and saved Jack from further injury. Max did not use any aggression, as he would have naturally known to fight would be to cause more aggressive confrontation...no barking and not even hackles up!

As Max was on-leash he could not use "bump" to move these dogs away, this is when dogs bump into another to move them, so he just threw without harming. By stopping the Leader the whole pack stopped, no need for Max to do anything else but stand there with very calm/assertive dominant energy!

The owner was very sorry, but my husband and pack just moved-on, no point in going over the event as these dogs should have been under owner control but were not - they should have been leashed and muzzled, yet they were neither - it was that simple!

Anyway Max was keen to go fetch Jack back into the safety of the pack - he was no longer interested in the Greyhounds! So Max was the leader in the moment and protected his pack without aggression.

Simon, being a naturally calm person, made the right decision in that moment to direct Max to step-in, he remained calm while Max stopped the attack. Of course he knows Max and trusts him never to use aggression.

Jack is OK, not too badly hurt, Max is such a balanced dog, a true Ambassador for the Doberman breed, with Simon having perfect timing to enable Max to stop the attack and Aflie trying to block - great team work..packs do work..working together works!

Coming next - my take on how this relates to Cesar's Way and how we can mimic Max to protect our dogs...remember though we can only ever control our own dog, as people we can only aim to safely block another dog, and if we cannot then I will share with you how we can be sure to help our dogs move-on from an unavoidable attack!

If all dog owners were as responsible as my readers

all would indeed be well -

eductaion is the way forward so

keep on reading me here and then

ALL WILL BE WELL!

Welcome EVA!

Introducing "Eva" our new pack member - the smallest member now being a Chihuahua and only 8 weeks old! She is beautiful in both character and those big blue eyes! Eva will teach me "all about puppy psychology & behaviour" - so I can coach you to raise your puppy calm and balanced...leading the way to "puppy peace"!

She is a very confident dog taking in her stride meeting the pack on her first day...no fear just interest ...though she looked a little amazed at the GT Dane, Monty, when he sniffed a "polite" greeting...but then his paw is bigger than she is! One day later and she licks his face as she passes by him snoozing!

Eva for now is on her "puppy license" this means she can get away with behaviour around the pack that an older dog could not, for example an older dog new into the pack and climbing all over the Terriers here would be corrected by my Terrier dogs ... but Eva can do it as she is puppy and all the dogs naturally understand "puppy" - so my pack allow this & play...just for now! Peterpan loves her, he is very gentle playing with her by rolling over!

This is my time as Pack Leader to teach her the home discipline - the rules, boundaries and limits so that when her "puppy license" runs out she is not climbing on them so they have no need to correct her.

The "power of the pack" helps in positive modelling ...this means they are "toilet training" her to go outside...thank you pack! But of course negative behaviour can be modelled by puppy as well so they are all having to be extra well behaved....I don't want her to think she is a Terrier and chase those flying rats...pigeons in the way the JRTs do in the garden!

Eva is a lovely dog, she won't grow very big but she makes up for size in spirit! She already walks all round the garden and out to the post box with me, but then she met the "cat" and backed-up...I am not surprised I back up from my cat! She was also a little spooked by the noise the chickens make but I was careful not to reinforce this fear with a human emotion ... as tempting as it was to cuddle...that would be a mistake in dog psychology!

Follow her journey to becoming a balanced adult dog here....Eva is my Star...named after Evita...one of my favourite films starring Madonna...Eva is my "little Madonna" she sure has her confidence!

Mirror...Dog....Mirror

"YES" Mickey you are a great looking dog...but that is not what I meant by "mirror"!





Dogs are our "mirrors"! In some way our dogs mirror back at us our own energy and emotion.

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This is a key part of Cesar's philosophy and the reason why Cesar can help transform the lives of owners for the better too! Cesar's Way brings balance and peace to the whole pack...all the family.

In the past I didn't come across a Behaviourist in this country who had such a philosophy - to help the humans as well, rather most refused to have any dealing with the people just the dogs...and sometimes "just a talk about the dogs problems" without even meeting the dog, as the dog was acting out aggressively!

How can we help a dog to recover without helping the humans to balance and harmony in their lives too? I don't believe we can single out the dogs..we need to treat the family with a holistic approach...as one pack.


So this is what I do...I coach people and rehabilitate dogs, inspired as ever by Cesar. This, I add, is more like "life coaching" than counselling - the latter needs a professional in human psychology, while coaching is all about achieving individual goals. Sometimes it is hard even to identify "what you want" so this is where we begin...until we know what we want how can we feel like we are meeting our needs and those of our dogs.


The mirror works...to accept oneself and then to decide how to change..."nothing changes if nothing changes"...I can empower you to find just what works for you and your dog.


Many who come to me with their dog problems have been told there is no way to change their dogs behaviour or mind-set - there is...I found the way and the dogs recovered. There is always hope...believe there is a way and we will find it together.


I have many mirrors here...13 dogs to tell me every moment what my energy is to check that I remain a benevolent leader, clam and confident so that my dogs continue to respect and trust me. We enhance our special bond every day on our journey through life together.

What is your dog trying to tell you?

Welcome USA!

Hey you are cute!

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I am very pleased to introduce you all to a JRT from the States. He is very special to his owners who are wanting to enhance their relationship with this young dog so he can grow up to be a balanced contented canine.

He is my first USA client - OK so the human family are the real clients who have joined my personal people training service via distance coaching. With this service where you live is not an issue, so we are now "international" helping owners to understand a little dog psychology in their own unique envionment....family...pack!

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A dog does not need to have problem behaviour for their owner to benefit from my coaching - as to learn to use dog, not human, psychology when interacting with dogs is the way to balance and avoid unwanted behaviour from even developing! So I congratulate this dog's family for wanting to learn more about their dog to maintain the great bond of human leaders and follower dog.

So I coach people by Internet and/or phone in how to be the leader and improve their own special bond with their dogs. I carefully tailor my services to meet your more specific needs and individual goals....we work together to achieve what you want by empowering you to balance and harmonise life....and dogs too!

We have had huge success here in the UK as people coaching brings dog psychology to all in a personal way you can understand. Behaviour solutions and guidance is all part of my holistic approach.

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Dog psychology is not just those who want to work in the profession but everyone...owners just like you who want to know some more about their dogs - behaviour and mindset. This can also help those who want to find out if they wish to follow-on and become a more formal student of canine psychology through certified course providers or to compliment their existing studies or people training courses too. Coaching works for owners I mentor!

I think sometimes it is so important to have individual coaching, so I launched this service to meet requests for help. Though "in-person pro" help is for sure important to help change dog aggression energy and responses. Such in-person help is also key to rehabilitate many other behaviour problems, yet my personal coaching service can be beneficial to you as a supplement to this. I can advise anyone on the most appropriate service - just for you!

So if you want to "discover the way...to lead the way" then join us here at CrystalDogs by sending me an email...wherever you live there is a way I can help you just ask me.

I am the Canine Coach - I rehab dogs and coach people, I am a certified Canine Behaviourist and a People Life Coach. My dog pack teach me...I can be your mentor!

"Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes" ....SO....Call in the Canine Coach....Suzie!

The Ladies...The Matriarchs!

Eddie and Patsy are the "matriarchs" of the pack, at 9 years old these 2 females have the respect of all the younger members...including the males... even the highest ranked male Max, the Doberman, can get space bumped by Patsy if she wants to sit where he is he moves...no dispute! My "ladies" were named after the ladies on "Ab Fab" (Absolutely Fabulous TV Show) and have always been very closely bonded pack members.

While in their "senior" years, this makes no difference to Eddie with her quick responses and ability to exercise for many hours a day....so long as there is a good fire to sleep in front of come the evening!

Patsy on the other hand has always been rather "slow" for a Terrier..less reactive and less energy...OK more ...well....lazy! As you can see from the photo of the month for Feb she is a little over-weight but she doesn't do "diets"...I think she has lost 1lb in a year!

"BC"...Before Cesar...Eddie was the alpha female and the Pack Leader, now still alpha of the dogs for sure she is no longer Pack Leader...I am! I had her as the leader back then as many Behaviourists say to have a leader dog...NO.....this can cause in-pack fighting, equal members which my pack are now as inspired by Cesar...they do not fight! The interesting part is how readily she "gave-up" this role to me, clearly insecure as a leader she would on occasion use her sharp mouth to discipline the pack.

All I have to say to Eddie now is "Cesar" and she jumps on my knee and fixes her stare on the TV awaiting the DW show, she also liked a TV programme about herds of elephants and one about wild dogs...but she loves Cesar!

Eddie went into follower zone the quickest of all the Terriers who are leashed on a walk. She used to pull for 7 years then no more - all loose leash walking now. In the beginning she did not need much discipline to achieve loose leash and only a couple of corrections..she got it and has never pulled since! Patsy, by the way, has not worn a leash for many years she always is behind me!

So you see even naturally alpha dogs can be insecure as leaders in our domestic world and give it up to a human who is prepared to be their leader in a way they can understand = calm assertive energy.

Let me share an example of calm assertive energy from a Terrier...Yes Eddie again. I have seen Eddie go into the pack of my dogs out on a walk where one of the Setters, Lucy, had stumbled over ..literally... injured prey! I feared the pack would fight over the prey as they all charged in.. but Eddie stepped-in and claimed it with pure calm assertive energy - the rest of the pack simply...and calmly... backed-off! The rat was "Eddie's kill" and there was not even one dog who challenged this and neither did she need to use fight energy to claim it...it was calm and highly assertive, then she gave it up to me once I claimed it...as I didn't want her bringing it home!

I tell this story only to show you one of the unique ways that I learn what calm assertive energy is from my pack - as dogs understand it, this was amazing to watch Eddie who claimed the prey without triggering any fight behaviour between the pack...especially the Terriers.

What are your dogs teaching you? I learn something new everyday...thanks Pack!

The Snow Dogs!

With February along came the snow here at the beach - a very strange sight indeed for us!

Exercise daily is vital for my pack to all remain balanced, as warm as the log fire is....I just need to pick up a leash, head for the door with that "special look" from me to the dogs and they are all wanting to go out whatever the weather!

In pouring rain my Dobey, Max, does not want to go into the garden...with an "it's raining" look on his face he sneaks back to his bed. Heavy driving rain + me and that leash = Max right by my side to go for that walk! This shows the meaning of a walk for a dog - to migrate is so much more important than just being in the back yard, no matter the size of gardens...just ask my Setters!

So big coats and hats for us humans in the snow but not for the dogs..even the smallest Chihuahua mix, Jack, needs no such accessory....it isn't that cold here and such things get in the way of a dog being dog...this is England not Alaska, so cold yes...really too cold for my dogs.. NO!

As soon as Jack was off-leash he rolled and rolled in the snow, covered from head to paw in little "Chihuahua sized" snow cubes! He totally loved it, his pal Bob was more interested in eating the snow, while the Terriers just charged about trying to get scent ...any scent from under the snow!

I'm not really sure that either of the big dogs or the Setters even noticed on their walk. I did though, as the time for the walk I picked turned into a "white-out" - the worst snowfall of the day! Oh well us leaders can't predict the weather for a walk...everything else and we lead the way but not with our British weather!

Back home the "front of fire" beds were very popular..even my Gt Dane chose to go on the rugs on the floor - and he doesn't "do floors" .... only sofas!

"Soon be spring" I keep on saying to all the animals here, the chickens were not impressed with the snow!

Out walking my pack I lead the way in all weathers...but please I do hope no storms like last year ...please!

Exercise truly is key - this is the first part of Cesar Millan's fulfillment formula for a very good reason - it leads our dogs to balance. It is truly the way to balanced energy....just check-in with my pack after "walkies" all snoozing together, contentment in the air.

Dogs Love Being Dogs - I Love Dogs Being Dogs

LEAD THE WAY!

Can humans be "Alpha"?

YES!

But we cannot be dogs - so we have to find the way to inter-species communication and acceptance!

This is not about "going through doors first" or indeed "not sitting on sofas" - as you should see my Gt Dane on his sofa, afterall we are not dogs!

The "Dog of the Month" for January is Max my Doberman - in his DNA he is a high ranked dog, but this does not mean dominant in the way we can sometimes understand this. To dominate others is not to use aggression, as this would be insecure behaviour - not the behaviour of a leader!

A true "Alpha Leader" dog only uses calm/assertive energy to lead the pack, never aggression, they are followed out of respect by other ranks including other high ranked dogs. These dogs have no need of training their pack, like we humans teach dog obedience, they simply have a structure - rules/boundaries/limits.

MAx, now 7, has always had this confidence - it is his DNA to be high ranked and dominant over lower ranks - but not a single case of aggression from my Dobey yet all the pack members show respect naturally. This is why I prefer the term "high ranked, confident dog" than "Dominant" and don't forget we can always climb to be higher - the leader of the pack!

The really interesting part in all this is that to have a balanced pack with human leader all my dogs need to be my equal followers - they are and this stops any fighting over rank...Max is just fine with this as he respects my leadership and rules.

So I "mimic" Max, this is how I learned to show leadership from a "would-be leader" - I raised my status to be accepted as his Leader and he will follow my lead anywhere...anytime....just today he followed my communication to "be with me" rather than his instinct to chase a wild deer, this I could not train him to do but he knows to be a safe and a valued member of the pack is to follow my lead...even off-lead!

Max has taught me so much I could not learn from a book, for example "how to reunite" - this is amazing to watch him - he stands tall...aloof..."no touch - no talk - no eye contact". My Dobey is 7 this year, I hope for many more years with my best friend and incredible teacher.

So even with other "would-be" alpha dogs we can indeed be the leader, we just have to "talk" using energy and body language...not words! - Watch your dogs and you too can learn how to talk with the animals. Remember don't try to lower a dog - it won't work as it goes against nature - raise yourself to leader and it works! Max agrees!

Max loves being "just dog" but he is so much more to me...our dogs share our jounrney through life for a reason - what is your dog sharing with you? Max is showing me the way to help dogs...many dogs back to balance - what a truly wonderful gift between species.