HOW DOGS

By Elizabeth Parker

Have you ever noticed how dogs watch each other and how after a new fur baby lives with you and your resident pet for a while, they learn the same tricks and begin to understand their new boundaries?

If you watch the transformation, it is incredible. Your new pet might be shy at first, or hesitate to pick up a toy. Then, in a few weeks, you might start to notice that they are a little more outgoing and have gained the courage to play with a toy or two. They might have been a professional counter surfer, but after watching your pet, they learn that behavior isn’t tolerated.

They modify their habits (good and bad) by watching your pup! If your pup had table manners, chances are, your new pup will watch and learn. Within a few weeks, your new pet might even start to shed his bad habits and instead, develop the perfect etiquette to become a respectable dinner guest. Be aware, however, that if your pet has bad table manners, the new dog will mimic that same behavior as well!

I’ve always had at least two dogs. During the years, the only dog I ever really had to train was Brandi. She’s also the only dog that I had since she was a puppy. I always had one or two other dogs living with Brandi. As my other dogs passed away, I’d eventually adopt another one and never really had to train them at all! Brandi did all the work while I sat back and made sure it was all going well... and it ALWAYS did! She made sure the new dog knew their boundaries with her, as well with training them the rules of the house. For example, she taught them how to behave at the food bowls, when to go outside, bedtime, and how to get onto the furniture (as nothing was off limits)just to name a few things! She took each new dog in to her little private training class and within weeks, they knew the rules. This isn’t to say that their personalities changed. They didn’t. Each dog has its unique personalities, but they learned the rules from Brandi. What was even more fascinating was even after Brandi passed away, the dogs that had lived with her trained the new dogs and so on and so on!

I used to dog sit one golden retriever and when his owner came to pick him up, he jumped up at his owner, happy to see him. My dog Duke, (who had learned from Brandi) tried to pull him off of his owner as Duke was taught not to jump up unless asked! I had to try to explain to Duke that it was okay – different owner, different rules! (He obliged but not quite sure he understood my reasoning)!

So, if you ever find yourself trying to facilitate training methods for your new dog, you can depend on your resident pet to help show them the way. If you don’t have another dog, you can still help your one dog learn good behavior by having them spend time with other dogs that do behave. If you have friends or family with well-mannered dogs, ask if you can have a few doggy play dates. Or, you can take your dog to a doggy day care or training class.

WOOFYou’ll notice how, even though we don’t always

Elizabeth Parker – Author of Finally Home, Final Journey, My Dog Does That!, Bark Out Loud!, Paw Prints in the Sand, Paw Prints in the Sand: Mission Accomplished, Unwanted Dreams, Phobia, Evil’s Door and Faces of Deception. Available on Amazon.com!

LAKE LAS VEGAS DAYS IS BACK! This year’s celebration is happening throughout the community every weekend in May and we are bringing back one of Henderson’s most pet-friendly traditions. The annual Pet Scene Magazine Pet Parade, powered by Cadence Animal Hospital, will be a part of Lake Las Vegas Sport Club Day on Saturday, May 1, beginning at 9 a.m. Lake Las Vegas Sports Club Day events will all take place at and around the Sports Club at 101 Via Vin Santo.

Lake Las Vegas Sports Club Day will include a pancake breakfast with celebrity chef Scott Commings, the 2nd Annual Lake Las Vegas Pickleball Pro-Am, the Pet Scene magazine Pet Parade and a golf Demo Day with HPGI (High Performance Golf Institute).

“What better way to celebrate our month-long birthday party than with a pancake breakfast, pet parade and some fun outdoors?” said Andy Gil, director of marketing and media at Lake Las Vegas. “The pet parade is one of our most popular pet-friendly events of the year. We love to celebrate our four-legged family at Lake Las Vegas.”

Pets of all shapes and sizes, along with their human companions, are invited to join in the pet parade. During the event, spectators can vote online in several categories. The Lake Las Vegas Pet Parade is open to the public and free to enter.

“We are thrilled to be able to bring fun, safe and socially distanced events back to Lake Las Vegas this year,” said Jeff Anderson of Raintree Investment Corp., the master developer of Lake Las Vegas. “The annual Lake Las Vegas Days is a great way for our community to genuinely enjoy themselves while being cautious and safe.”

Lake Las Vegas offers residents and their beloved animals a wide variety of petfriendly events and amenities throughout the year. Between the lakeside walking trails, outdoor dining, paddle boarding and beach events, the community treats pets like neighbors.

Lake Las Vegas Days events will be held every weekend in May, culminating with fireworks over the lake on Sunday, May 30. The series will include the first annual Ntense Power Run benefitting Opportunity Village, “All About Mom” Mother’s Day brunches, a Lake Las Vegas Graduation Celebration, Lake Las Vegas Water Sports Day and fireworks over the lake on May 30 at 9 p.m.

The health and well-being of our residents and guests of Lake Las Vegas is always our top priority. All events at Lake Las Vegas are evaluated for compliance with state, county and city rules, including guidance for rules and restrictions related to COVID-19. All events are subject to change based on weather, COVID-19 guidelines and Lake Las Vegas sponsors and speakers.