Representing Queens for the 2013 FeatureShoot.com article

http://www.featureshoot.com/2013/11/exclusive-portraits-of-nyc-dog-walkers-and-their-fascinating-stories/

They interviewed a pack walker for each of the five boroughs.

I appeared for Queens. Go LIC!!

The pack walk in New York City!!! Amid crowded streets, high-rises, and construction sites, I navigate traffic with my dogs, maintaining a relaxed and attentive energy while doing so. A strong and positive bond with the pets I am entrusted to handle allows them to be off-leash for photo opportunities!!
My disclaimer: do not attempt off-leash walking unless, 1) you have a beautiful and strong relationship with your dog. 2) Are willing to pay the fine - $200 for off-leash dogs.

RyanForDogs Has a New Website: RyanForDogs.com

For all new comers and previous followers of RyanForDogs Blog:

Click link below for my new website:

RyanForDogs.com

Hope you like it!

Elevator Risks For Dogs

Stella: alive, well, and with one of my group walks! She is the Shitzu on the bottom right corner.

The Stella incident (see earlier posts) has found its way onto national news.

Little do city dog owners suspect how dangerous an elevator can be.

In the following CNN excerpt, both dogs luck out and are still with us. 

However, it does not always end up that way. There have been cases where the dog did not survive an elevator accident.

Please be careful in elevators! All it takes is the mind wandering for a potential disaster!

Training Tips: Lowering Voice for Commands

How you pitch your voice when communicating with your dog is more important then what you actually say. A dog will instinctually listen to a low voice more readily than one which is higher pitched.

(Lower your voice for commands and raise it for praise.)

Why is this?

Pick up two glasses of different size from your kitchen and lightly strike a spoon against their sides. The bigger glass will give off a lower sound than the smaller glass. Bigger objects/animals give off lower/deeper sounds than smaller ones. Your dog doesn't know you are lowering your voice by choice; they only know you "seem" larger when your voice is lower...which makes it more likely they will listen.

Okay...I admit I like cats, too!

This is the "Ryan For Dogs" blog...I know, I know.

But I am admitting I have always loved cats as well. I grew up with cats and dogs in the household and have always liked both.

This particular blog entry, I am dedicating to "Mimosa (Mim for short)". She had a heart attack and died in my arms last Friday afternoon at the age of nine. A complete surprise; my world is a little dimmer for now.

The following essay is for all of you who have lost a pet close to your heart.

Mim (top) was the best cat I have seen in my entire life. She was even trained to use the toilet bowl!

The Apple of My Eye

I used to sing to her. Often, my voice was off-key, but it didn’t matter…we had a connection which bridged petty judgment. What mattered was we had each other. True symbiosis.

My heart was pounding in my chest and my lungs burned as I ran down the street. A mere annoyance compared with the pain of my psyche, the rush of guilt waiting to drown me. As I clutched her limp and floppy body to my breast, I knew I was late. As I charged through the doors and handed her to the professionals, my insides ached; I tried to act composed. For a brief time (seconds?) I remained calm, cool.

I was late; too much time had passed and she meant the world to me.

I collapsed, shaking with grief.

The apple of my eye.

No judgments. Triumphant or disgraced, I entered my home every evening to the warmest of greetings. Had I graced the world that day with integrity or with cowardice, I was still accepted and adored. And I gave my affection to her as she did to me.

When I placed her cold, stiff body into the earth, the pain was exquisite. I wondered how it could hurt more than burying my parents or losing a partner. I wondered how I would function without my warmest companion.

The critics say we are flawed to invest affection into an area which we are not challenged to grow. “They don’t talk back to you”, is the knock. “Too easy”, the critics say.

I would admit they accept us exactly as we are, they don’t ask for personal growth.

Exactly as we are.

Interesting how I spend my life searching for people who do exactly as she did.

How I try and fail, and try again to accept my peers as she accepted me.

Okay...I actually like all animals!

A Rogue's Gallery; Exhibit A

Whether training, boarding or walking, I have ample opportunities to take pictures of the many dogs I come into contact with on a daily basis.

I intend on showing a few pictures from time to time...especially when I am not sure what I am going to blog about for the coming week.

The owners always get a kick out of seeing pictures of their beloved dog.

How many of you have a picture of your dog as wallpaper for your phone or computer?

Snow fashion statements from the French Bulldog contingent.

From left: DJ, Remy, and Baxter.

Notice how Baxter doesn't like sitting on the cold snow...he likes the comfortable life.

This is Dexter, an Olde English Bulldog puppy.

A natural sweet disposition towards people...and bossy-pants towards other dogs

Sir Henry at fat camp. My mission was to keep him a couple weeks and trim his weight.

Look how desperate and hungry he looks.

(He didn't like vegetables as much as his usual bones.)

Dailo on top of his world. What rogue's gallery would be complete w/o me sneaking in a picture of one of my own?

Macabee and Madison. Both dogs rise to the occasion when given more socialization.

The typically sleepy Scotty plays and romps more and the typically anti-social Shiba allows dogs closer to her.

Elevator Risks

Q: What can happen if a leash gets caught in the elevator door?A: Don't try it



Remembering my January posting (4 posts down) of the "Stella" incident where her leash got stuck in the elevator door.
Stella survived because her harness was old and ripped in half.


At long last is the video footage of Stella's incident from the security camera in the elevator.
In this case, we have a happy ending.
Not always so.
Another dog owner informed me that a similar incident happened in her building and the dog died instantly.

Please stay focused when taking elevators with your dog.

Thankfully...an old harness saves the day

Training Your Dog

Ryan teaching dogs to "heel". Heel helps make walking your best friend more enjoyable.

As well as individual dog training, I have been teaching group classes at "Dog Island City".

We have class every Tuesday night.

As well as basic dog psychology, we work on the fundamental commands like "down", "stay", "heel". We also do trouble-shooting.

Basic dog psychology is always a solid area for any dog owner having problems with their dog.

Understanding how your dog thinks is more important than teaching tricks and obedience.

It is a simple concept, yet difficult for some to accept: Dogs don't think or reason like humans!"

Dog psychology is an area I have extensively studied and strive to teach to all willing to learn.

I will always recommend dog training for any dog owner.

Find a good trainer and have a lesson or three!

You have a dog for 12-15 years! Your dog could be an amazing companion or a bit of a nightmare!

It is totally worth the minor investment which will pay dividends for 10+ years.

Your dog peeing on one nice carpet or chewing one nice pair of shoes is more expensive than a few training lessons.

You can have your behavior altered by your dog's particular foibles or address them and find a system that works for your lifestyle!

Having a well-behaved dog walk next to you everywhere you go is such a wonderful and relaxing experience! Not to mention how many other dog owners you can meet and converse with. It is a great experience! And your dog loves going so many places with you!

Ryan, Dailo, and Lidia Lozovsky: owner of Dog Island City.

Dog island City: 5-29 50th Ave. Long Island City

718.433.4545

Project Sophie

Ryan working on "sit/stay" with Sophie. She is given the challenge of street distractions and two dogs sitting very close. She shows her discomfort by turning her head away.

Sophie was a terrier mix. She didn't like other dogs.

She lunged, snapped, barked and tried to bite any dog who dared come close. This was when I first met her.

Fortunately, her owners, Scott and K were very open to making a few adjustments with Sophie's routines at home.

During our training sessions, I used my two dogs, Dailo and Momo, to give Sophie examples of calm behavior.

By far, the most important aspect was to have Sophie realize that she wasn't responsible for protecting her owners and her home. Her owner's are responsible for such matters. Realizing this fact greatly reduces a dog's aggression and stress levels leading to a happier and more relaxed canine!

"Everyone who sees Sophie now comments on how much more well adjusted she is and how much calmer she seems." -Scott/owner

Dailo helps show Sophie how to walk calmly at "heel"

A relaxed and happier Sophie with dogs on either side. Who would have guessed that she is a reformed biter?

Training Tips: "Whispering"

Video by Ben Howdeshell

We hear the term "dog whisperer" often; there is a TV show using this phrase. "Horse Whisperer" is also used describing great horse trainers. Why is this? How can "whispering" help you with your dog?

Using fewer or softer words (whispering) forces one to rely more on body language, which is the dog's natural way of communicating. It is much more effective to communicate on a dog's terms rather than expecting your dog to communicate on your terms. I like to think that we are the more intelligent species (although sometimes I wonder).