• Gmaps Pedometer
  This is one of the cooler mashups I have ever seen.
  (tags: pedometer maps mashup)
• Desktop Tower Defense
  (tags: flash game)

A few dog related notes for your Friday.

Three weeks ago I adopted an adorable under two year old Australian Shepherd dog. Since then, my life has changed pretty dramatically. I’m walking a mile or so every morning (see the google map pedometer mashup link I posted in delicious,) and that includes still getting into work by 9am. I smile every time I think about his wiggly butt, or his deep eyes. I laugh at how graceful he isn’t, and look forward to all the training he needs. They named him Merle at the rescue, and I’m sticking with that name for now. He’s learning it and starting to respond to it, so who am I to fight it. At least it’s original, and descriptive.

I hope to have grass seed planted in the backyard and the yard fenced by June. J.U.L.I.E. is out this week painting things to know what kind of grading work I’m going to have to do. Making substancial progress on the grass front is on this weekend’s agenda.

This page really made me angry. I generally like and trust Cool Tools, but these people just don’t get it and shouldn’t be promoting that kind of animal training. If you have $120 to burn, buy this collar strap it on to your neck, and do anything (maybe pick your nose.) Then shout “No!” and shock the hell out of yourself. Only stop when you start to do some behavior that you might think you might want, and then praise yourself for doing it (if you’re not too confused, or traumatized by the punishment you don’t get the trigger.) This is not how you train a dog. Your dog should want to come to you because of the reward, not because any other behavior will be punished. Positive reinforcement works for more than dogs too. Read Pryor’s book to learn how to shape your dog’s (and spouse or kids’) behavior without them feeling like they’re being punished. The point of dog training is that it’s supposed to be fun, for you and the pet. The fact they get practical, safe skills is just a neat byproduct.

When you’re done being angry at morons pushing shock collars, go warm your heart by reading about the St. Louis Senior Dog Project blog, where Merle came from. That reminds me, I need to send Ellen some more pictures and an update.

I scanned my dog searching notes for the other dogs that were under consideration before Merle came around, and was surprised to see Susie and Betsy still up for adoption (I’m glad to see Cliff went to a home.) Maybe Merle wants a sister?