Shop Dogs

Adam had to fly to the mainland for a family emergency, so I am running the tattoo shop this week.  Since we are not doing any tattoos while he is away, I get to bring a dog with to the shop.  Here a few pictures from our week. 

Adorable Ahsoka.

Caravaggio likes the couch.

Come check out our shop at Sweet Trade Tattoo.

Launiupoko friends

Today we had a play date with our friends in Launiupoko.

Ahsoka, Ella, Devo, Louis, & Caravaggio.

Ahsoka loves their pool!

Ahsoka & Caravaggio.

Ahsoka, Ella, & Louis.

Ella & Louis.

Ahsoka is almost as beautiful as the background.

Playdate

Playdate with our friend Lucy.

Orchids & Dogs

I tried to do a photo shoot with the dogs and a beautiful orchid in our yard.

Devo is adorable.

Ahsoka says she's done with that flower.

Pups seem happy with their photo shoot.

We had fun.

Playtime with Caravaggio & Ahsoka

Today's video:
A little bit of fun playtime featuring Caravaggio & Devo.  

Caravaggio is our Great Dane/ German Shepherd/ Black Lab mix; he is 9 and a half years old.  He's still doing well but he is getting older and starting to slow down.  We are slowly easing him into retirement.  He still is one of the best dogs I've ever had to help teach a new puppy.  It took him a few days to warm up to the idea that this new puppy was here to stay, but he did.  This is a quick video I caught of them having some fun.  It is important for a puppy to learn to play with dogs of all shapes and sizes.  

Ahsoka is our new puppy.  We adopted her last week.  She is a Lab mix, and now about 10 weeks old.  She was only 9 pounds when we adopted her but she is growing fast.  She will be trained in all the dog basics of course, but will also become my new main working dog (as we retire Caravaggio).  All of my dogs over the years assist me in training and socialization activities with Such Good Dogs.  They are all well versed in what to do or not do around dogs with a variety of behavioral issues.  Each of my dogs also has something in particular that they are best at.  Caravaggio was best at helping assist me in training with aggressive dogs.  He has done amazing over the years at listening to me while not reacting to the other dog's bad behaviors.  I am hopeful that Ahsoka will be able to take his place as my main training dog.  At least, that's the plan.

Devo is also used in training but somewhat less often.  He is social but does not care to play for very long with other dogs.  He prefers the company and love of humans most of the time.  However he is still useful in many situations.  Because of his aloofness and small size, I do not feel he can be my "main" dog used for training.  He's more like our little princess.

Small dog Puppy Party

Check out our video of a small dog puppy party (and Caravaggio) we had earlier this week.
Remember, socialization is important!

Featuring:

Bambu, a 12-week-old Pomeranian.
Brother Finnegan & Cornelius, 4-month-old Shitzu/ Bichon mixes.
SGDs pack Caravaggio & Devo, and honorary SGDs pack member, Nalu.


Proper Socialization is teaching a dog not to react to everyday things they will encounter by slowly desensitizing them to these things.  It is important to positively expose a puppy to as many different environments and situations as possible.  Keep in mind that exposure

needs to be slowly introduced at the dog's pace, not the owners.  Letting a puppy explore new things at his/her own pace will help them become more comfortable and help avoid negative reactions.  Another way to think of socialization is to consider it desensitization.  For example when having your puppy meet new people remember to include a variety things:  such as people who are short, tall, adults, kids, someone with a hat or glasses, someone in a wheelchair or on crutches, etc.  Improper socialized dogs can be frightened by normal human greeting behaviors.

Proper socialization is the number one way for you to avoid having a dog in the future that will develop serious behavior problems such as aggression. 

Once your dog has been approved by your vet to be around other dogs, start taking your dog everywhere you possible can.  A friend's house, a barbecue, a busy street, different pet stores, or even to work (if you're allowed).  The more places you can take your puppy, the better socialized and more calm your dog will become in any future situation.

Remember to go at the puppy's pace and not your own.  A puppy should always appear happy and relaxed during socialization. 

Socialization for a puppy should start as soon as possible but the best time to socialize a dog is before five months of age.  This does not mean socialization after this age is not important.

Helpful Links:
15 Best Small Dogs for Families with Kids

Related blog articles:

Trainer Tip:  Proper Dog Socialization
Breed of the Month:  Pomeranian
Breed of the Month:  Bichon Frise

Also scroll down the list at the side of the web page to see many more dog socialization videos.  

Video of the Day: Min Pin attacks Great Dane

Just a little fun flash back of our Miniature Pinscher mix, Devo, attacking his brother, Caravaggio the Great Dane mix.  Just having some fun.

Related Blog Articles:
Trainer Tip Video:  Socialization
Proper Dog Socialization
Dog Friends
Dog Parks

Breed of the Month--Great Dane

Great Dane

Color:  Black, blue, brindle, fawn, mantle, harlequin

Height:  Males:  30 inches/  Females:  28 inches

Weight:  Males:  119 lbs/ Females:  101.5 lbs

Life Span:  7-10 years

Breed Health Concerns:  Hip dysplasia, cardiomyopathy, bloat, cervical vertebral instability, osteosarcoma, and lymphoma.

Coat:  Thick, short, and glossy

Country of Origin:  Germany

Visit the American Kennel Club for breed standards and more information.

The origins of this breed are not exactly known, but believed to have been descended from a type of mastiff and possibly Irish Wolfhound.  Danes originally served as boar hunters, war dogs, and bull baiters.  The Germans refined the breed and declared it the national dog of Germany in 1876.

Today the Great Dane is more of a lover than a fighter.  The Dane retains a powerful protective instance for his family, but is very playful, affectionate, and patient.  The Dane enjoys children, but sometimes his size can be dangerous when leaning affectionately towards small children.  Great Dane's are very people oriented.

Exercise:  

Although the Great Dane is quite large, he does not require a lot of exercise.  The Dane is happy with the normal walk twice per day.  The Great Dane is happy indoors and enjoys just hanging out with his family.  Although the Dane does not require a lot of physical exercise, it is important to keep him mentally stimulated.  Without regular mental and physical stimulation, the Dane can become quite destructive.

Grooming:  

The Great Dane is an average shedder, and will require regular brushing, but the short coat is easy to care for.

Training:  

The Great Dane can be somewhat of a challenge to train.  The Dane is intelligent, but was bred to be an independent thinker.  Holding the Dane's attention requires creativity and high rewards in training.  Socialization is very important to start as a young puppy with Great Danes.

One of our dog pack, Caravaggio, is part Great Dane.

You can definitely see this breed in his size, but also his temperament.

Although Caravaggio is well trained (as all my pack is),

he does have an independent mind and can become easily distracted.

With the proper training however, this is easily managed.

Great Dane's are amazingly gentle, loving dogs,

and we very much enjoy having one in our pack.

Our Great Dane/ German Shepherd/ Lab mix Caravaggio (right)

helping puppy Dora learn some leash skills.

Minnesota Horse Expo 2012

My aunt and uncle in Wisconsin have always had horses, so every year they come to the Minnesota Horse Expo held at the State Fair grounds.

As I do every year, I took my youngest dog, Caravaggio (or Vaggy as we call him most of the time).  It's important to socialize your dogs AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE!!!  Even as your dog gets older, it's important to keep giving them many new experiences so they can learn to be comfortable in any situation.

Although they do allow dogs onto the fair grounds for the event, they do not allow dogs inside the horse barns or coliseum.  I would recommend to most families if you're going to the event and want to see all they have to offer, to leave your dogs at home.  However, if you're like me and you want to go to such an event to look at things for sale (they have all kinds of dog stuff as well), have a day with your dog, and hang out with some good people, I highly recommend bringing your pup along.

It's a great place to introduce your dog to all kinds of new things.  (Please note you should never bring an aggressive dog to any such event).

The Minnesota Horse Expo is held the last weekend in April every year.  Try and check it out next year!

Below is a picture of Caravaggio and myself next to a pony.  He was only a few inches shorter :)

Brush your teeth

Did you know your vet recommends that you actually brush your dog's teeth?  Part of keeping your pet happy and healthy is also keeping your pet's mouth healthy.  You veterinarian will usually have some free samples of tasty dog tooth paste for you to try, it's meat flavored.  Dogs like meat, they like the flavor of meat toothpaste, which is both helpful and hurtful.  Although your dog will not fight as much when you attempt to brush their teeth, they tend to lick to try and get the flavor.  But as with any dog, they more you do something, the less sensitive your dog will become to it.

Mmm...meat.

Hey, what you got there?

I can't lick it when it keeps moving!

Breed of the Month--Great Dane

Great Dane

Color:  Black, blue, brindle, fawn, mantle, harlequin

Height:  Males:  30 inches/  Females:  28 inches

Weight:  Males:  119 lbs/ Females:  101.5 lbs

Life Span:  7-10 years

Breed Health Concerns:  Hip dysplasia, cardiomyopathy, bloat, cervical vertebral instability, osteosarcoma, and lymphoma.

Coat:  Thick, short, and glossy

Country of Origin:  Germany

Visit the American Kennel Club for breed standards and more information.

The origins of this breed are not exactly known, but believed to have been descended from a type of mastiff and possibly Irish Wolfhound.  Danes originally served as boar hunters, war dogs, and bull baiters.  The Germans refined the breed and declared it the national dog of Germany in 1876.

Today the Great Dane is more of a lover than a fighter.  The Dane retains a powerful protective instance for his family, but is very playful, affectionate, and patient.  The Dane enjoys children, but sometimes his size can be dangerous when leaning affectionately towards small children.  Great Dane's are very people oriented.

Exercise:  

Although the Great Dane is quite large, he does not require a lot of exercise.  The Dane is happy with the normal walk twice per day.  The Dane is happy indoors and enjoys just hanging out with his family.

Grooming:  

The Great Dane is an average shedder, and will require regular brushing, but the short coat is easy to care for.

Training:  

The Great Dane can be somewhat of a challenge to train.  The Dane is intelligent, but was bred to be an independent thinker.  Holding the Dane's attention requires creativity and high rewards in training.  Socialization is very important to start as a young puppy with Great Danes.