Because my dad is the best dog trainer in Charlotte we get to meet lots of dogs who need training, and hang out with them after they’re trained.

And when I’m at home with my brother 7 and sister Zilli we often talk shop.

Everydoggy knows we Ridgebacks are exceptionally smart breed when it comes to…. well everything.

I thought it’d be a great idea if each of us came up with a dog training myth and BUSSSTEEEEDDD.

Myth #1 - A dog that chews things is either terribly bored or simply trying to be vindictive.

Not true. Although it’s not straightforward. Chewing is definitely one of the most common undesirable behaviors. However, dogs chew is part of their nature but they also need to chew on things to maintain healthy teeth and gum’s and good jaw strength. This is especially important when puppies are teething. What you need to do is redirect any chewing away from things you don’t want your dog to chew to things that are safe for him to chew.

Myth #2 - You need to understand and communicate in “dog language” so that your dog will understand you.

Again Not True, but it’s one that seems to be popular at the moment. Dogs are intelligent animals. They know you don’t look like a dog, you definitely don’t smell like a dog, and so there is absolutely no reason why you need to act like one. What is important though is to read their body language know when they’re whining because they’re acting up and when they are actually in pain.

Also make sure that your dog see’s you as the pack leader. Dogs are pack animals who will always obey the leader or Alpha dog. You need to be that leader.

Myth #3 - You’re only training your dog when you THINK you’re training your dog.

Wrong. You’re actually training your dog when ever you are together. Your dog is picking up on your verbal and non-verbal cues all of the time.
If you spring up and run to the phone every time it rings, you are training your dog that it is ok to spring up and run around whenever he hears that ringing sound.

If you get nervous each time you pass by the neighbor who walks their Great Dane on the other side of the street in the morning, you are training your dog to be nervous if the Great Dane is in sight.

You need to be consistent with your Dog and make sure you spend quality time together.

At the request of all the dogs at my local dog park, I will explain the Off leash Dog park etiquette for the humans .

1) Walk, don’t run to the park: I often see humans being dragged to the dog park by their dogs, and I think to myself, if that guy can not control his dog before entering the park, he surely will not be able to control her inside the dog park. If your dog pulls on the leash read post on why dogs pull on the leash If that doesn’t helpcall my dad. He’s the best dog trainer I know

2) Humans, YOU are responsible for your dog(s). That means you are In Control of your dog at all times…if a dog doesn’t want to be humped by YOUR dog, you need to get her/him off the other dog.
3) Doodie Calls… our poop needs to be picked up immediately. My Mom always gets upset when she steps in another doggie’s poop. I don’t want to be wrapped in those diapers like they put on human cubs, so PLEASE, pick up your dogs poop.

4) You can’t pay attention to your dog while on the cell phone. It takes about 1/100th of a second to go from nice to mean, and by the time you hang up your iphone, 3 dogs can gang-up and eat your dog. Turn off your cell phone and bond with your best friend.

In closing I’d like to send good vibes and healing energy to JJ the Boxer. My dad told me he’s not feeling too good.Hope to see you at the park soon JJ. Smell you later buddy.

When my dad puts on his gray we’re going to the park pants and big we’re going to the park socks and puts on we’re going to the park shoes and it is right after we wake up…. I know what that means…

WE ARE GOING TO THE PARK.

And that’s exactly what happened this morning.

My dad woke up. drank his morning glass of water, sharpened his teeth with the white buzzing tooth sharpener, put on his we’re going to the park pants, and big we’re going to the park socks and we’re going to the park shoes, and we went to the park.

It was great.. Like the old times we were the first ones at the park. If you look at the picture of me reading where we are, you can see it was still dark. But we think that’s the best time to be at the park.

Best friends chasing squirels, peeing on bushes. Just being a pack you know. It was great.

Whenever I go to park, I see all the labs and retreivers fetching sticks and little tennis balls and it makes me laugh.

Although I was born in the US the bond I have with futbol is genetic.  Just like many of my ancestors and friends back in Africa I prefer the game of futbol to any other sport ( other than hunting lions of course)

Here is why:

1. Once every four years, someone can actually call themselves World Champions.
2. Athletes I see on TV plating the American Football play 60 minutes which are interrupted after each 5-10 second burst with up to a 40 second rest and lengthy commercial breaks – yet some still find the need to hook themselves up to a tank of oxygen during the game. If you need oxygen mid-game in football, your ass is cut.

3. You can’t be 375lbs and play futbol .

4. You don’t have to worry about getting into a sweaty manpile and having someone grab your junk unless you’ve just scored a goal. At which point it’s totally cool.

5. The longest kick in NFL history is 63 yards. Diego’s range extends to 63 metres. Eat it.
6. No one outside of NY cares when the Giants play the Jets, but everyone cares when Manchaster United plays  Arsenal.

7. Tiki Barber is nowhere to be found.

8. A passing percentage of 65% in futboll gets you benched, it doesn’t get you a fat contract and win you awards.
9. You don’t get a 15 yard penalty or a fine for a great celebration.

Now I’d love to hear some of yours.

My parents are very protective of me, and they didn’t allow me to surf the web until I was 2 because of all the bad dog sites on the internet.

Naturally now I have to bring you up to speed. We Ridgebacks are very fast learners ( and fast runners too)

This is my cousin Arthur ( the guy with only 2 legs is my dad)

This photo was taken the day we met. Arthur is much bigger now. He is almost as big as my head.

He lives with his 2 mommies in our neighborhood. One of his mommies and my mom are littermates.

He’s been coming to our den all his life. I love him very much, and I wish he’d grow some more.

I keep leaving some food for him on the floor so he can grow ( the boy can eat as fast as I can run), but he never gets taller.

I think it’s because his mommies are always walking him, since his legs are shorter he burns too many calories.

I’ll ask him to send me a current picture