Good Dog Obedience

03/13/2024

I refrain from taking him to the beach for a walk because it disrupts your vacation; you prohibit me from renting a house if I have a dog, and he's not allowed on urban public transport. Nevertheless, I can bring him to sift through rubble after an earthquake, search for you in the forest when you're lost in the mountains without a map or GPS, join you under the snow for forbidden off-piste adventures, and even accompany you in the water despite the red flag when posted signs advise against swimming. You gladly welcome him when you need his support, but not when it's inconvenient for you. After all….” it is just a dog”….

Think again, people. Dogs are better than most humans, they’re kinder, more loyal, love unconditionally and appreciate you no matter whether you deserve it or not. ❤️
Also read this https://deephearting.com/a-month-ago-new-york-police-department-officer-adopted-the-same-puppy-that-she-rescued-from-a-hot-locked-car-for-hours/

03/12/2024

Register for April Obedience Classes now

03/09/2024

Food for thought 🤔
Reputable breeders will take their dogs back if it doesn’t work out in your family

03/08/2024

Everyone who is thinking of getting dogs should read this because you need to understand this reality:

***I am a 21st century dog.***
-I'm a Malinois.
Overskilled among dogs, I excel in all disciplines and I'm always ready to work: I NEED to work.
But nowadays I get asked to chill on the couch all day everyday.

-I am an Akita Inu.
My ancestors were selected for dog fighting.
Today I get asked to be tolerant and I get scolded for my reactivity when another approaches me.

-I am a Beagle.
When I chase my prey, I raise my voice so the hunters could follow.
Today they put an electric collar on me to shut up, and you make me come back to you - no running - with a snap of your fingers.

-I am a Yorkshire Terrier.
I was a terrifying rat hunter in English mines.
Today they think I can't use my legs and they always hold me in their arms.

-I'm a Labrador Retriever.
My vision of happiness is a dive into a pond to bring back the duck he shot to my master.
Today you forget I'm a walking, running, swimming dog; as a result I'm fat, made to stay indoors, and to babysit.

-I am a Jack Russell.
I can take on a fox, a mean badger, and a rat bigger than me in his den.
Today I get scolded for my character and high energy, and forced to turn into a quiet living room dog.

-I am a Siberian Husky.
Experienced the great, wide open spaces of Northern Europe, where I could drag sleds for long distances at impressive speeds.
Today I only have the walls of the house or small garden as a horizon, and the holes I dig in the ground just to release energy and frustration, trying to stay sane.

-I am a border collie
I was made to work hours a day in partnershipwith my master, and I am an unmistakable artist of working with the herd.
Today they are mad at me because, for lack of sheep, I try to check bikes, cars, children in the house and everything in motion.

I am ...
I am a 21st century dog.
I'm pretty, I'm alert, I'm obedient, I stay in a bag...but I'm also an individual who, from centuries of training, needs to express my instincts, and I am *not* suited for the sedentary life you'd want me to lead.
Spending eight hours a day alone in the house or in the garden - with no work and no one to play or run with, seeing you for a short time in the evening when you get home, and only getting a small toilet walk will make me deeply unhappy.
I'll express it by barking all day, turning your yard into a minefield, doing my needs indoors, being unmanageable the rare times I'll find myself outside, and sometimes spending my days sunk, sad, lonely, and depressed, on my pillow.
You may think that I should be happy to be able to enjoy all this comfort while you go to work, but actually I’ll be exhausted and frustrated, because this is absolutely NOT what I'm meant to do, or what I need to be doing.
If you love me, if you've always dreamed of me, if my beautiful blue eyes or my athletic look make you want me, but you can't give me a real dog's life, a life that's really worth living according to my breed, and if you can't offer me the job that my genes are asking, DO NOT buy or adopt me!
If you like the way I look but aren't willing to accept my temperament, gifts, and traits derived from long genetic selection, and you think you can change them with only your good will, then DO NOT BUY OR ADOPT ME.
I’m a dog from the 21st century, yes, but deep inside me, the one who fought, the one who hunted, the one who pulled sleds, the one who guided and protected a herd still lives within.
So think **very** carefully before you choose your dog. And think about getting two, rather than one, so I won't be so very lonely waiting for you all day. Eight or ten hours is just a workday to you, but it's an eternity for me to be alone.

03/04/2024

Another good article I copied from Cherry Creek Kennels!

03/03/2024

Great read, great advice!

BE INFORMED…… Don’t impulse buy.

Paw It Forward’s 10 𝙩𝙞𝙥𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙥𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙮 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖 𝘽𝙤𝙬 𝙊𝙣 𝙄𝙩 🎁

Before you impulse buy a puppy for a gift, call me. Make your Decision based on rational logical choices. I will help you compartmentalize the lifestyle the puppy needs and the lifestyle you can give, to make the right decision.

1. Your bow tied fuzzy is a 10-15+ year commitment with all the expenses including training, grooming, vetting, boarding, and surgeries & recoveries. Know this.

2. The adult owner’s choices are responsible for the dog’s behavior, always. Own it. Training will help you make the right choices.

3. Crate training is a must for newly adopted or purchased puppies. It’s non-negotiable. Don’t get caught up in the fairies and rainbows experts. You’ll regret it. Get preventative training.

4. Educate yourself in canine genetics. Even hard core breeds CAN do well as pets when they come from GOOD genetics. Bad genetics is often difficult to clean up aggression, even with training.

5. Puppies do NOT need 100% free roam, lots of dogs, people and OVER socialization. They need you to make responsible choices for them. Over expose, and enjoy a dog that pays no attention to you. Train early.

6. Ask yourself ahead of time, is anyone going to be allergic? Expecting a baby? Planning on moving? Live in a no pets allowed apartment? Works long hours? Already has a dog reactive dog? Adopting an aggressive dog to “save it.” These are the “reasons” dogs are given up RIGHT AFTER THE NEW YEAR. Plan ahead.

7. Educate yourself in breed traits. There’s lots of breed information available online. Know the pros and cons for your lifestyle. For example, a border collie or cattle dog may not make a good family companion with small kids. That Cane Corso isn’t going to be stranger friendly. Choose wisely. That husky puppy? Yeah, call me. I’ve owned 6. Let me enlighten you.

8. Drop the “my puppy must love everything and everyone” expectations. Most dogs are selective. It’s normal.

9. Steer clear of MOST free roam only high volume, low staffed daycares. They will expect your puppy to never defend itself, never growl, never nip and love everyone and everything. This sets up dogs to bully, be pushy or be bullied as the “norm.” It’s a breeding ground for dog reactivity and poor behavior.

10. The leash is your friend. YOU are responsible for controlling movement. What you allow to happen wlll happen. Bad behavior is YOUR choice to allow. Read that again.

Research! Adopt safe adoptable dogs or invest in a good reputable breeder and good training now to save you a lot of money and heartache later. I’m here to help 🐾

Jeannie Oakley, Paw It Forward, LLC
Free consultations: 518-522-5668

Photo credit and an amazing resource Bailing Out Benji. Show time some love.

02/26/2024

This is awesome. Copied it from another trainer

What Kind of Trainers Are We?

Trainers are being forced into slots. Judgements are made, and then that trainer is slotted, defined and labelled. The labels are numerous but vary between Force Free, Balanced, Corrective and the like.

Effective, ironically, is not considered a label.

Somehow the label (method) became the focus piece. Should results not be? Are there any other services that we purchase that only focus on the process, and not the outcome?

Our goal must be for a well trained, happy dog, in a reasonable amount of time for our clients. While I can gladly wait two years for the perfect sit for my competition dog, I cannot expect my client to pay me for two years to receive the same. I get twelve weeks to train their dog, and I had better do a good job or that dog might be out of a home. The quality of life for that dog depends upon the results that we give; if we can make them delightful and easy to be around, doors will open up for them. If they are a nightmare, at best hey will be lucky to get walked, or house-time.

We as trainers adapt and grow over time; experience changes our "slot." Some dogs force us to change, or we learn more, or methods evolve. Experienced trainers have probably belonged in two or three categories in their time, switching with education and then switching again when dogs demanded it.

I personally have been struggling with what slot I would belong in. "Effective" would be my slot, but that isn't one that is up for grabs. My friend defined it for me. He said that I'm a dog-trainer, and he could not be more right. I train each and every dog, aiming to be as kind as possible yet as firm as necesary.

I think that about sums it up. I'm a dog trainer, and effective dog trainer, and I train the dog I'm training.

Monique Anstee
Victoria, BC
Author of As a Dog Thinketh

01/31/2024

Copied this from Cherry Creek Kennels. A bit long but very true.

Let’s set the scene. This may become a bit sensitive for some, and I apologise in advance.

You’re out somewhere. You might be at a restaurant, a bar, a public park on a sunny day enjoying the sunshine with your family. It may be that you’re on your way home from work or trying to catch the bus. You’re just minding your own business.

Suddenly, a person comes straight up to you. They give you anxiety. What is this person going to do? I don’t know! The person is walking with a friend and the friend sees you’re a bit anxious and calls out to you saying “Don’t stress, she/he’s all good!’’ ��But they keep approaching you. And when they finally reach you they randomly hug you. Touch you. Walk circles around you. Start talking to you. Don’t let you leave.

What would you call that? Harassment? Assault in severe cases?
How would this make you feel?

Now, after the initial shock you find your courage and you ask the person to go away. Leave you alone. But the person doesn’t stop and instead touches your arm or your hair. “Oh come on, we’re alright. I’m not doing anything bad I’m friendly! Just let me be around you.’’��You get upset and might push the person. Shout at them. If you’re a bit more of an assertive person you might punch them. Who knows.
�Then the person and the friend get upset. Well? WHY are you here then? What are you doing in this public space if you don’t like being around other people? You have no business to be here, minding your own business in this park with your family without allowing me to sit with you, play with you, touch you, talk to you. Actually, you know what you should do? You should be more social! You should go more often to random groups of people.

_______
Do you see what I did there?
If you thought any of the above situation is not okay (and I sure as heck hope you do), then why do we think it’s okay to let dogs run up to strange dogs and say ‘It’s okay he’s friendly’?

What we do in the dog world is the exact opposite what we should be doing. We label the harassed dog as aggressive and the harassing dog as the victim.

Dogs have emotions. They have feelings. They have their own characters and personalities. There are many, many dogs that are not interested in making new friends or being with dogs they don’t know they can trust.

And sure, some dogs love playing with other dogs. Those are the extraverted dogs. Just like we have people that LOVE hugging or love making new friends even as adults, but to be honest.. how many of those people do you know? I think if you put it into a % its lower than the people that rather just are with their select group of people and be left alone by random strangers in public spaces.

So don’t assume the dog your dog is running towards on the beach, is willing to play with your dog. Being in a public space means you need to have your dog under effective control. And if you can’t call your dog back, it should be on a long line until you can.

01/06/2024

12/26/2023

Made me cry 😭

DON’T MISS ME MORE
Don’t miss me more than once a day,
For life is moving fast.
Don’t wish all of your time away,
Dreaming of the past.
Don’t waste the moment looking at,
The things I left behind me.
I’m not within those walls or boxes
The heart is where you’ll find me.
Don’t dread to say my name, sweet one,
Don’t fear the wrath of sadness.
Just take the love you had for me,
And turn it into gladness.
Don’t worry when my birthday comes
Don’t feel me missing more.
I’m filled with love you’re sending me,
Just as I was before.
Some days your anger will rush out,
Your tears will find their way.
To me, wherever I am then.
I’ll soothe them all away.
When I am gone don’t miss me more,
Than once, or twice a day.
There’s so much life to live, my love.
I’m with you, all the way.
Donna Ashworth
From ‘LOSS’
Photo by Maria Cacciatore

12/24/2023

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS!

12/22/2023

Thought this was cute so I copied it!🥰

12/14/2023

Land sharks!😂🤣🤪

12/05/2023

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftheanimalsynergist.com%2Fwhen-your-vet-says-no-to-raw-diets%2F&h=AT1NCKPGqcoqoxSozzyYbsGyXUMgp7s-Lght6sEskIbWJtIP2WWBJsit7XLh6BUPe3OCu9BQQCQsXSIqMMsplA7XjxO9nmYT3zS3kpUc0HDrVOWETEyxkpaavHRe&s=1

By Sarah Griffiths, DCH I will start this article by acknowledging that I am not a veterinarian. However, I am a researcher, a certified homeopathic practitioner, an animal nutritionist - and a concerned pet parent. I

08/27/2023

My sweet Ria has crossed the rainbow bridge. I miss her terribly. Until we meet again my girl