Foster--Chandler, Day 2

So I decided it would be best to try and take Chandler for some more leash training as soon as possible.  So they next day sounded perfect.

While training Chandler to Loose-Leash-Walk today I also added in a few extra cues.  One of these was, Watch Me.  During Loose Leash Training, once a dog picks up on the idea that he can't pull and continue walking forward, I like to up the anti a little and wait for the dog to not only stop and relax the tension in the leash, but also to look at me.  Teaching a dog the "Watch Me" or "Look" cue is one of the best commands to learn that will greatly benefit both you and your pet.  Dogs who are conscious of their owners and who look to their owners for permission and cues are much better behaved.  Plus, you can't train a dog that is not focused on you.

Foster--Chandler

A few days ago I met a neighbor of mine who is fostering a dog for MARS (Midwest Animal Rescue & Services).  I chatted with them for a bit and asked if they were in need of any help.  They expressed interested in having their foster leash trained.

So today while taking my own two dogs for a walk, I also got to take Chandler.  Chandler had met my dogs previously when I had first spoken to the neighbor, so there were no "doggy introductions."  We went to their house, picked up Chandler, and continued on our usual walk.

Although adding a dog to your pack who is not leash trained is anything but a usual walk.  When leash-training any dog it is always important to have patients.  To really train a dog properly can take a long time in the very beginning, and so it did with Chandler.

Dog Sitting--Blue

Our neighbors went out of town for the weekend and asked us to look after their dog, Blue.  Blue is an American Staffordshire Terrier and Bulldog mix.  Because of his beautiful silver color, they decided to call him Blue.  We only had him for a night, but enjoyed having the short power breed with us.  He was very cute, like a short little body builder.  Small, but tough and tenacious as his breeding dictates.  But because he has good owners that doing positive reinforcement training, he is a very gentle, usually calm puppy.  Thanks for hanging out with us Blue.

Caravaggio & Blue relaxing after playtime.

Blue hanging off the stairs and panting.  Playing is hard work you know.

Breed of the Month--Weimaraner

Weimaraner


Color:  Solid color in silber-gray or mouse gray
Height:  Males:  23-27.5 inches/  Females:  22.5-25.5 inches
Weight:  Males:  66-88 lbs/  Females:  55-77 lbs
Life Span:  10-12 years


Breed Health Concerns:  Hip and elbow dysplasia, hypertrophic osteodystrophy, bloat, and von Willebrand disease.


Coat:  Two types:  1) Shorthaired:  sparse or no undercoat/ strong, dense, short outercoat,
2) Longhaired: may have sleek, smooth, short undercoat/ long, wavy, soft, flat outercoat.
Country of Origin:  Germany

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

Possibly descended from schweisshunds and the brackes, the Weimaraner was developed in Germany, where the dog was favored in the court of Weimar.  This breed was originally bred to hunt and track large game like wolves, bears, and big cats.  Over the years, hunters added bird-hunting abilities as the bird game became more abundant.  Today the Weimaraner is a champion in agility, obedience showing, hunting, and field trials.

The Weimaraner is alert, high-energy, obedient, and friendly.  This breed learns things quickly, but will bore easily if not challenged.  This athletic and talented dog needs plenty of time outside everyday and go socialization.  I have experienced several Weimaraners that are very nervous and anxious.  Socialization, proper training, and an owner's calm disposition are vitally important for the Weimaraner.

Exercise:
A Weimaraner craves some good time outdoors to sniff, hunt, and run in large areas.  This breed requires an immense amount of exercise every day.  If not properly mentally and physically exercise, this breed can become very distractive, very quickly.  This breed literally thrives on exercise.  The Weimaraner makes an excellent biking or jogging partner.

Grooming:
Occasional brushing and use of a hound glove are sufficient to keep his coat clean.  The longhaired version of this breed should be brushed weekly.  The Weimaraner's ears should be checked often and kept clean.

Training:
To develop confidence and trust, it's important for the Weimaraner to be well socialized.  This breed needs an owner who can remain patient, persistent, and calm during training, and he will learn quickly.  The Weimaraner bores easily if not challenged.

The Weimaraner needs plenty of daily exercise!

Breed of the Month--Finnish Spitz

Finnish Spitz


Color:  Shades:  reddish brown, golden red, white markings
Height:  Males:  17-20 inches/  Females:  15.5-18 inches
Weight:  Males:  26.5-35 lbs/  Females:  31-35 lbs
Life Span:  12-15 years


Breed Health Concerns:  None reported


Coat:  Double coat.  Dense, soft, short undercoat/ long, straight, harsh outercoat.
Country of Origin:  Finland

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

Hunting tribes traveling across Russia brought these ancient dogs with them 1000s of years ago.  Originally used for tracking elks and bears, the Finnish Spitz is now primarily used for hunting game birds.  Known as the "barking bird dog" of Finland.

The Finnish Spitz is playful and will actively seek interaction and attention from his family.  The Finnish Spitz is protective of his family and must be socialized early and often to keep him from being reserved with strangers.

Exercise:
The Finnish Spitz does not do well in heat, but needs regular outdoor exercise.  He is athletic and needs plenty of play time and long daily walks.

Grooming:
The Finnish Spitz sheds seasonally and needs regular brushing.

Training:
The Finnish Spitz was bred to be an independent thinker and great patience must be taken during training.  Remember to stay calm and use motivational but short training sessions.

Dog Birthday Party

Who says your dog can't have a birthday party too?
Our dogs were invited to their cousin's birthday party, and we were very excited to go.
There were party hats, games with tennis balls, and even cake made just for dogs.

Break out the party hats.

Caravaggio and his cousin Jasmine waiting for dog cake.

Dog Sitting--Simba & Mattie

I was recently privileged to help out a few friends by dog sitting.  It just so happened that they needed a sitter at the same time.  So for about 3 weeks, we had 6 dogs in our house.  My fiancé and I have two, our roommate has 2 dogs, and there were 2 dogs staying with us.  It was a fine time to be surrounded by so many loving creatures at the same time.

Simba is a 4-year-old, un-fixed, Golden Retriever.  He has the beautiful red-colored coat that many people seek.  I was amazed at how anxious this dog was.  Simba was the most anxious dog I have met in my life so far.  I am very happy to say that within three days we had him calmed down, on a regular exercise schedule, and seeming much more relaxed and happy over-all.  In the future I would like to get into a sort of "doggy bootcamp" program at my training facility.  ALL dogs who stay at my house, whether its just for a night or several days to weeks, must follow the same rules.  When Simba's dad returned to get him, he actually said to me, "he's like a different dog."  He was very impressed by his progress.  I informed the owner that Simba's not being neutered plays a large part in his anxiety.  I am VERY happy to say that he has since gotten him fixed!

Simba finally relaxing with Nekita.

Simba assimilating to proper feeding time.

Simba with Mattie (our other guest dog).

Mattie is an elderly golden retriever.  She was a very easy dog to care for.  Because she is older, she is very low energy and currently only needs the exercise of walking up and down the steps to use the bathroom.  We actually even had to carry her down the steps a few times.  Even though she was a little heavy at times, she was a real treat to have.  Mattie is a very sweet girl!

Breed of the Month--Miniature Schnauzer

Miniature Schnauzer


Color:  Black and silver, salt and pepper, solid black
Height:  Males:  14 inches/  Females:  13 inches
Weight:  9-17.5 lbs
Life Span:  15 years or more


Breed Health Concerns:  Allergies, renal dysplasia, urolithiasis, Cushing's syndrome, epilepsy, diabetes, myotonia congenita, portosystemic shunts, retinal dysplasia, megaesophagus.


Coat:  Double coat, dense undercoat, wiry, hard outercoat.
Country of Origin:  Germany

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

Germany has been using Schnauzers for farm dogs for centuries.  They are loving family companions that kill vermin and are very tough, hardworking dogs.  The smallest of the Schnauzers, small black poodles, and Affenpinchers were used to develop the breed.  Other breeds that may have contributed include:  Wire Fox terriers, Zwergspitz, and miniature pinschers.

Charming, charismatic, and lively, this rugged breed can make an excellent watchdog.  The Miniature Schnauzer is fearless but not aggressive, intelligent, and a devoted member of the family.  This breed enjoys being with his family and is a very social animal.

Exercise:
The Miniature Schnauzer is a high-energy breed that needs plenty of regular exercise and good daily walks.  It is vitally important to get this breeds energy out to avoid destructive behaviors.

Grooming:
The Miniature Schnauzer's coat requires regular attention by a professional groomer.  Show dogs must have their coat "stripped," while the family pet can be groomed with simple "clipping."  The hair around the face must be kept clean and out of the eyes.

Training:
This breed excels in obedience and agility.  Properly motivated, the Miniature Schnauzer will learn training quickly and be ready for more.

Management & Prevention OOPS

A big part of dog training is management and prevention.  I recently came across a picture of something one of my own dogs did when he was a puppy.  Caravaggio suffered from severe separation anxiety as a young puppy and was confined when we left the house.  He actually ended up chewing through his crate, through the carpet, and into the wood floor.  So we decided to try something new.  We began gating him in the kitchen so that he could be with his buddy, Nekita.  This worked much better in the long run.  However, one of us was not practicing proper management one day and left a cabinet door open.  I'm sure Vaggy had the time of his life pulling everything out of the cabinet.  We, on the other hand, did not enjoy cleaning it up.  This picture was actually taken after we already started cleaning.  Naughty puppy!!

Breed of the Month--Miniature Pinscher

Miniature Pinscher


Color:  Black with rust markings, stage red, solid red, chocolate or fawn with rust markings.
Height:  10-12.5 inches
Weight:  9-13 lbs
Life Span:  15 years or more


Breed Health Concerns:  Epilepsy, heart problems, patellar lunation, Legg-Calve-Perthes, eye problems, cervical disk problems.


Coat:  Dense, close, smooth, shiny, straight, short
Country of Origin:  Germany

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

Although this breed looks like a smaller version of the Doberman Pinscher, the two breeds are actually not related.  The Miniature Pinscher comes from breeds including:  Italian Greyhounds, terriers, Dachshunds.  The breed comes from the word "pinscher," which refers to the way the dogs actually attack vermin.  The dog literally pinches his prey.  The "Min Pin" is the top toy breed in Italy, Holland, and Denmark.

It is important to properly socialize this breed and to not allow him to get too spoiled.  The Min Pin is a fun-loving, self-assured dog that bonds very quickly with his family.  This breed does enjoy using his voice and can become a real behavior problem if not properly trained and managed.

Exercise:
The Miniature Pinscher enjoys getting exercise by accompanying his owners anywhere, as much as possible.  He also enjoys draining mental and physical energy with obedience and agility.  A short walk each day will be enough exercise for this toy breed.

Grooming:
The Min Pin coat is easily cared for with occasional brushing and rub downs.  Keep the face clean.

Training:
This little dog is athletic and able; he does not need to be carried around everywhere he goes.  In fact, it is better for the dog to walk alongside his owner than to be carried by him.  Socialization is important and training from puppyhood is key.  Short, reward-based, and motivational training sessions are best.

Did you hear something?

I think I'm seeing double.