Pack Walk

Many times in training dogs, one of the best things you can do to help curb many behavior problems or dog issues is take your dogs on a real pack walk.  It is important to use balanced dogs to create your pack.  I am very happy to be able to use my own two dogs, Caravaggio & Nekita, in the pack walk.  They help get dogs motivated, but also help teach them manners.  Many times most dogs newly introduced into a balanced pack will automatically follow and mimic their new pack members.  Such Good Dogs recently has had several adventures at Honolua Bay, following the trails through the pineapple fields.  Caravaggio & Nekita enjoy teaching new pack members what fun it is to run through the fields, but also teach them to listen to the pack leader (myself) in common commands.  The biggest obedience cue I practice on pack walks with new dogs is "Come" when called.  Of course we always go with safety first and new dogs are placed on a long line leash so there is no chance of an accidental escape.  Using a long line is a great way to introduce your dog to a bit more freedom, but be able to still always be in control.  Using the long line is a precursor to being allowed off leash.

Below are some pictures from our many recent pack walk trips to Honolua Bay.

Toby with Caravaggio.

Chloe, Caravaggio, & Dora

Dora & Chloe became fast friends.

They are about the same size and only 6 months apart in age.

This is an excellent example of what a good pack walk looks like.

Chloe having fun with the ears up.

Caravaggio, Dora, & Chloe

Both Chloe & Dora loved following SGDs into the tall grass.

This is Lena with Caravaggio on her first pack walk.

Lena was a little nervous the first half of the walk.

You can see her nervous energy in the way she is holding herself here.

As the walk progressed Lena became more and more calm.

Dora decided Nekita was her buddy for this pack walk.

Lena's dad got to practice some basic obedience with Dora also.

Lena calmed down even more and made friends.

Dora & Lena playing.

Look at Lena's body language now...

much more relaxed.

There is even a smile on her face.

Lena & Dora taking time out to enjoy the view :)

Near the end of the walk, Lena became much more comfortable and joined the pack.

Success!!  Pack walk!

Lena finally enjoying the fields, relaxed and happy, running with the pack.

Upcoming "Ask the Trainer" Day--Kihei Pet Supply

"Ask the Trainer" Day

Friday November 9th, 2012 from 11a.m. to 3p.m.

@ Kihei Pet Supply in the Kukui Mall, Kihei.


Join us for a day of dog questions.
We invite you to come with all your dog questions and concerns to talk to a professional dog trainer at no cost to you.


Athena Angelic is an Animal Behavior Certified Dog Trainer, has been certified in pet first aid and CPR through the American Red Cross, is a full member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, and runs her own dog training business.  Such Good Dogs specializes in training companion dogs, or family dogs, using positive reinforcement methods.  Such Good Dogs offers many different types of training programs, in-home dog boarding, and dog adventures.

Athena has many years of dog training experience and loves nothing more than talking about dogs.  Bring any and all questions you may have about your dog to our "Ask the Trainer" Day.
Bring your dogs too!
Hope to see you there!

Athena Angelic
Animal Behavior Certified Dog Trainer

808-463-4684
www.suchgooddogs.com
www.suchgooddogs.blogspot.com

Breed of the Month--Bulldog

Bulldog

(Other similar breeds:  Olde English Bulldogge, American Bulldog)

Color:  Brindle, red, fawn, piebald, fallow, white
Height:  12-16 inches
Weight:  Males:  50-55 lbs/  Females:  40-50.5 lbs
Life Span:  10-12 years

Breed Health Concerns:  Breathing problems, hip dysplasia, cherry eye, entropion, patellar luxation, stenotic nares, spina bifida, elongated soft palate.

Coat:  Smooth, fine, flat, close, glossy, straight, short.
Country of Origin:  Great Britain

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

Bulldogs were used for the sport of bullbaiting between the 13th & 19th centuries.  The breed's undershot jaw allowed him to grab the bull at any point on the body, clamp down, and hang on.  After bullbaiting was banned in 1835, the Bulldog was bred as a symbol of tenacity and courage, but as a kind companion instead.

The Bulldog makes an excellent watchdog and although he does have strong protective instincts, he is one of the most gentle breeds.  Today's Bulldog is extremely affectionate and happy to be around other people and pets when properly socialized.

Exercise:
The Bulldog has a broad head and short nose, leading to breathing problems, and therefore should not be overly exercised.  A short, simple walk will keep this breed more than satisfied.

Grooming:
The Bulldog's short coat is easy to care for with regular brushing.  Take extra care to keep the wrinkles on his face clean and free from infection.

Training:
Extra patience is important when training the Bulldog on basic manners, but this breed will learn fairly quickly when properly motivated.  The Bulldog easily settles into a routine and is friendly with other dogs and people when properly socialized from puppyhood.

Such Good Dogs Car

As part of building a business that caters to dogs, we have re-done our car to be more dog friendly.  Below are some pictures of the process of making our Kia Soul more dog friendly.  We took out the back seats and had a platform put in.  We actually had two levels of platform put in so that I could have a large storage space under the back platform for all the many dog accessories and items needed for dog training.

The final step of our fabulous new Such Good Dogs car was advertising on the side of the car.  I used pictures of my own dogs on the car, with the business name, contact information, and what services we offer.  This way no matter where we travel, people can see our car and think of us for their future dog training needs.

A special thank you to the following for all your hard work on my Such Good Dogs Car...

Stephen Proffer--Carpenter
808-283-1249
P.O. Box 1801
Makawao HI 96768
roguekane@aol.com

Joe's Auto--Upholstery
Custom Upholstery & Auto Detailing
808-877-4466
261 Dairy Road
Kahului, Maui, HI 96732

Sign Solutions--Advertising
Andy Bridge
808-874-8884
300 Ohukai, Suite 312
Kihei Commercial Center

These are the back seats to be removed.

Trying to find the bolts to remove the seat was difficult!

Yeah!  Back seat is out!

Added a wood plank to level it out for the platform.

Drill it in!

First platform.

Edge between the two platforms.

Adding the second platform with hinges for storage.

Sanding it up all nice.

The sun was fighting with me for pictures.

Super nice water-proof carpet added for dog comfort and durability.

SGDs drinking water in our fabulous new car back.

Nekita is such a cutie pie!

Nekita is so cute she got 2 pictures on the car.

A really large dog left paw prints on the car :)

Handsome Caravaggio.

Keep an eye out on the streets of Maui for our new Such Good Dogs car.

Honk if you love dogs!

Trainer Tips--Begging

Have a dog that begs?  Begging can become an annoying and sometimes gross dog behavior.  One of my dog's actually got to the point where she would have a large puddle of drool wherever she was sitting, watching us eat.  Pretty gross!

So...how do you avoid this problem?

To avoid begging, never feed your dog from the dinner table, or wherever you eat.  This is not to say that your dog cannot have human food scraps.  To avoid begging, put any food scraps you wish to give your dog in their bowl, even better, mix the scraps in with their daily meals.  If a dog knows he will not get a random flying piece of food from you while you're eating, he will leave you alone.  To take it one step further, do not allow your dog to lay in an area near where you are eating.  If you have a dog that stares at you during meal time, have your dog lay on their bed or in their kennel in another room.  Dogs who beg have been previously rewarded for this behavior.  If you do not allow the behavior by following the simple things listed above, you will not have a dog that begs.

Remember that all members of the household should always have the same rules.  If you do not want your dog to beg, make sure that everyone is following the rules.  Sneaking your dog that one little snack here or there will set back your progress in training.

Notice how they stare at the food.

Mmm, that looks tasty.

Staring and drooling.

This is begging!

Remember...remove the dogs to their spot in another room, 

where they can NOT see you and watch you eat.

Instead, mix any leftovers in the dog's bowl with their regular dog food.

Depending on how much extra you mix in, 

subtract that much regular dog food from their normal size meal.

Add leftovers to the regular dog food.

Mix all contents of the bowl together.

We like to throw a little extra tiny bit of regular dog food on top.

Dogs must perform a "Watch Me," and wait to be released in order to eat.

That's a good dinner!!!