Jack
A stalwart senior blessed with an awesome (if appetite-driven) personality, Jack is an older dog whose family could no longer keep him. Charming, docile and attentive as only a pug can be, Jack is no longer the peppy pup of his youth but would be perfect for a condo dweller. In the end, he’s just looking for someone to share a couch with; CompassionatePugRescue.org.
Ziggy
A totally groovy pooch born to a breed given a bad rap, Ziggy’s a young Pitbull bearing all the positive traits of his noble line, including unendingly obedience, loving loyalty and a charmingly clownish streak that will make you fall in love the moment you set eyes on his singularly handsome snout. Able to adopt ASAP, reach out now to make this hound a part of your family; Bullies-N-Beyond.com.
Shilow
A beautiful beagle whose compact size and can-do attitude make him a cinch for island living, this funny furball would be a perfect holiday present for the family that thinks they have everything, except for true fur love. Eager for adventure and ready & rearing to dive into new situations nose-first, Shilow’s the perfect pooch for any caliber of Key Biscayne resident; Paws4You.org.
Reactive Rovers
When living in a space that’s close to other people and animals, having a reactive dog — one that barks, lunges or growls at others — can quickly become stressful. Before you know it, you’ve joined the midnight dog-walkers club or spend early mornings sneaking out of the apartment to take your pooch for his walk. Reactivity can stem from many things but is most likely a fear-based response from a lack of early socialization or a traumatic experience during puppyhood. The good news is that a classical conditioning exercise can quickly improve your dog’s reaction to other dogs. Pair the trigger for your dog’s reactivity with something they love, like a treat. With enough repetition your dog will start to associate the once “bad” thing with what they love the most, and in turn they actually start to like the “scary” thing. If they’re no longer afraid of it, they stop reacting to it! If your dog reacts out of excitement, something as simple as capturing calmness and making relaxation his/her gateway to goodies is enough to nip the bad behavior in the bud. Although it’s easier to rehabilitate younger dogs who are becoming or are already reactive, there’s no age limit on when an adult dog can be trained. Despite popular belief, you can teach an old dog new tricks, even when it comes to reactivity toward other dogs, people and excessive stimuli in your dog’s environment.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
› Ashley Lambert is a professional dog trainer at Applause Your Paws . She competes in multiple dog sports, including agility, with her rescue dogs and loves sharing her passion for dog training with her clients; ApplauseYourPaws.com.
