Check out this Blog from the SPANKY PROJECT of a tour to the S.P.A. facility!   "Helpful Hints from Heloise" Hello, My name is Heloise and I was raised as a guide dog puppy, then served my master well for over 12 years as a guide. During that time I learned just about everything there is to know about being a good dog. Recently I crossed over the Rainbow Bridge, and now I have lots of time on my paws to help dogs who need some training (and their people too) and would be happy to do so. This would give me something fun to do so if you have a training question, please write me and I will be happy to share my wisdom.

Heloise

Dear Heloise,

I am 5 months old, and use to live on the streets until I got lucky and was adopted by a wonderful mom, but lately she is frustrated because I have been chewing on her good things which makes her unhappy. I am wondering how am I suppose to tell the difference because I am curious, love to explore and am entertaining myself by chewing. Also, my new teeth are coming in and my gums hurt, so her leather shoes are yummy, and help my gums feel better. Wondering if you had this problem when you were a pup? Thankfully, Guapito

Dear Guapito,

Yes my dear, I did have the same problems when I was a pup (my, what a long time ago that was) and I remember it well. First dear Guapito, rest assured, you are a totally normal 5 month old puppy. On the streets you chewed whatever you could find, right? A shoe was such a nice treat right? Sticks were good (furniture might be even better eh)? Well, to solve this problem your mom needs to give you lots of interesting doggie toys that are good for you to chew on; perhaps even a doggie puzzle which, when you play with it, will dispense treats. She must also insure her "precious" items are not at doggie level because at your age, you just cannot tell the difference. You are chewing because it is FUN, because you are curious, and it gives you a way to pass the time of day (sort of like Mom reading a book or watching TV). Hopefully she will read this and know that she could get a Kong which has a big hole in it, and when she fills it with peanut butter or maybe some chicken livers or wet dog food and FREEZES it, it will give you perhaps an hour or two of good cold tasty stuff for your tummy and gums, and who would want her chair leg or shoe then? Even a bowl of ice cubes is a dandy treat. I use to really enjoy those when my mom and dad were eating at restaurants (remember, I had to learn how to lie there and act like I could care less that they were eating really yummy food while I ate...... ICE CUBES). It worked actually because I was so busy eating the ice cubes I almost forgot they were eating something more yummy. Another trick is to make ice cubes with chicken or beef broth.... yum!

If she does catch you with your chompers around her chair leg she should loudly say EEEHHH!..... it is not a word, and should be shrill, so you will immediately pay attention to her. Let me tell you what I did when I was a pup: I chewed on the drawer handle of my mom's furniture, and trust me, Mom was not happy about me rearranging it to my liking. She put cayenne pepper on it so when I chewed on it again......well, I sputtered for a while, foamed at the mouth, and I NEVER DID THAT AGAIN, thank you! I learned quick! That stuff is nasty. Bitter apple is something that tastes awful, and I didn't like that either. It comes in a spray and mom used it on stuff she couldn't move out of my way. REALLY IMPORTANT: mom needs to make sure you have lots of interesting toys, with different feels to them since you will get bored having the same stuff around all the time, and to always give you an appropriate toy AS SHE TAKES AWAY THE WRONG THING, so you will learn what she DOES approve of. You want to make her really happy I know Guapito, you just need direction and hopefully she will read this and learn how to help both of you. Rotating your toys also helps prevent boredom, which is one reason why you are chewing.

The key here is to be very consistent about training, because I remember when I was a pup, that if I got away with something even one time, I would try it again about 25 times. We are survivalists, which is how us dogs got along in the world before we forged the deal with humans. We guard them, clean up their biological messes, give them unconditional love, and they share their food with us, which is a good deal for all.

One super way to help you is to make sure you are exercised so you get tired. Morning AND evening. A tired dog is a good dog. This is a good deal for everybody's health, plus you get to spend some quality time sniffing, exploring and being with mom. Chewing is often because you are acting out your boredom or loneliness, but when you are tired, well, a nice nap would be in order eh? Another idea is to leave a radio on, or TV (Animal Planet is my favorite), when she is gone (a trick to make you think someone is home). Also, you in a crate or in a doggie safe room behind a baby gate would protect her belongings until you have learned your lessons and, if she puts a frozen stuffed Kong there for you, well, you would be a happy camper right?

Also, all doggie parents need to know that us canines have only a TWO SECOND window of memory; so she could "bait" you to catch you trying to chew her belongings, then do the EEEHHH at the VERY SECOND you put your mouth on her precious whatever, redirecting you immediately to an appropriate toy (gotta have lots of doggie toys, just like a kid).

I know you are just a little guy, but all of this works for your older canine brother or sister too dear Guapito.

Faithfully,

Heloise

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Dear Heloise,

I am having trouble learning the "down" command, and my dear person "Susan" is getting frustrated. Can you help us? Senor Chili de Pemex

Dear Chili,

That is an easy one but I know if you lived on the streets for a while you didn't really need it so you might want to look at it from your person's viewpoint. They want you to lie down and be quiet so they can do whatever humans do that seems so important to them. Have your human read the column and train you like this and you will learn it in no time at all.

First, have Susan invest in some hot dogs and cut them up in small pieces to use to reward you when you do what she wants you to do. Susan must remember that she must get you to do the behavior BEFORE she names it "down" since you don't speak English. So, with a reward in her hand, she gets down on on one knee and puts her other leg out in front of her, as low as it needs to be so you have to lie down to get the hot dog piece. She must put the hot dog bit on the far side of her leg for you to see, but this is the trick....... you do have to get into a "down" to get under her leg and, Voila "DOWN" magically appears. Susan says "DOWN" when you, Sr. Pemex are in the "down" position. See how easy that was? Now, Susan must be very patient, since you don't speak English, and repeat this command (it is called loading the word) a lot, until you will go down when she says it. That might mean that Susan goes through an entire dozen hot dogs cut up into small bites, but it will work I promise you and eventually Susan will not have to use her leg; but will ask you to down and you will do a "down". Susan will know when you understand. Good luck and the next time you have a question, be sure to ask me.

Love,

Heloise