Dog Max, Inc

06/21/2024

I took a picture because they NEVER lay side by side. There may even be touching!

Then Eva gets up and goes under the blanket...she doesn't want any further evidence that they actually shared space. They crack me up!

06/12/2024

If you need clarification on titer tests for your dog, take a look at this.

https://healthydogworkshop.com/the-trouble-with-titers/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3pVgN6cChkpXtJobtJgFnqnZc5lx0JHxiY9k-vUF2cxtoeJasuCucZW6s_aem_AaQlFl5FY29wzjH29KUFp78YwcM3eDuNLTlZnnUfUetb98dZv8Iuj82N3dUUyf4Ep5LxDyZLYL5NHWIZrXbz7CRT

Titer has become a very important and often controversial term in today’s veterinary world. No laboratory test in my memory has been more misunderstood, misinterpreted, misused, and downright maligned by owners and veterinarians alike. The most extreme example is the rabies vaccination. While this...

06/05/2024

I am coming close to publication of my novel for middle grade readers hopefully to inspire them to choose compassionate training for their dogs.

This is a stressful time as dealing with little details (did you know there are different styles of quotation marks?) and details aren't my thing...ask my husband. ;)

So, to avoid the scary thing I made some treats for the girls today and I thought I'd share it with you.

2 cans sardines in oil (use the oil, too)
6 eggs
2 sleeves of the three in the graham cracker box

Use a food processor to puree. Spread on a parchment paper line cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

Once cooled, cut into your preferred size.

I think next time I may substitute oatmeal for the graham crackers to lower the calories.

06/02/2024

Working on proofing my girls' understanding of location specific reward markers (from Susan Garrett). "Cook" means the treat is going to come to you. "Search" means you have permission to take the food off the floor. I'll be adding a third cue, too. She did great though it's still early in the process.

05/30/2024

Susan Garrett is someone I've followed for years. Her approach to training is stellar, science based but uses games to reach your dog's potential.

Well worth joining!

The Season of Nuance is Streaming Now

05/30/2024

Ugh! Pay attention when buying food or treats for your dogs!

I usually make my own training treats but I needed a variety of choices for what I was training so I went to a boutique type pet shop.

I was looking and talking with the staff when I saw this bag. Oh, sweet potatoes and bananas, that looks good.

However, once home all I smelled when I opened it was sugar.

Looking on the package...that I SHOULD have read at the store...I see it's loaded with different forms of sugar.

Not exactly good for any dog but especially not one with cancer.

05/28/2024

Here is Susan's live Q & A from today...take a listen a see if there are any Aha moments for you.

05/27/2024

I know I've shared this already but I HAD to share it again...there is too much gold here not to!

The video series released today was on It's Yer Choice and it gives details on how to take the dog's impulse control WAY beyond a trick you show your friends...but that always requires you to guard the goodies.

Sign up, watch the videos, take notes, download the PDFs and PLAY with your dog!

I think this is some of Susan Garrett's best work as we all can get started but didn't know how to grow the behavior to it's highest level.

The Season of Nuance is Streaming Now

05/25/2024

Do yourself a favor and take advantage of this opportunity to get the most out of your compassionate training.

It's free (unless you opt for the platinum level) and you will find lots of little gems to help your training be efficient and effective!

I'll see you there!

The Season of Nuance is Streaming Now

05/19/2024

I took Mae on her daily walk around the neighborhood and a man holding his young daughter asked if she could meet Mae.

I said, "Sure" and brought her over.

The man asked how old she was and guessed a year.

He couldn't believe she was 10.

What a nice thing to hear...it made my day.

05/17/2024

One of the hardest things about dog ownership is the stopping.

When you've spent their entire life trying to make the best decisions possible, many times fighting against the established treatments, it's hard to stop and let them exit with dignity.

Mae has been seemingly fine of late but I can now see telltale signs of decline. It has been a punch in the gut since she's looked 'okay'.

But she isn't.

It's uncomfortable for her to sit now. I can feel the growth of the tumor, she has hives and there is a tiredness in her eyes.

She's eating well and still wants to play so we will, for now.

I've called around to different vets but the one that comes to your home is way too expensive. We will travel to Andalusia, AL when it's time. A beautiful country setting for the least amount of stress.

And no cremation for her...I just can't do that. I will bring her home and prepare a place for her as my last act of care.

Knowing where my pets are buried brings them to mind when I'm near. And the remembering keeps them close.

But, man, the stopping is so hard...

Mae from yesterday, anticipating play with her favorite Holee Roller.

05/03/2024

Three days after turning 10 years old we find out Mae has cancer.

There are options of course but she had lived a life of vaccine injury, GI struggles, liver disease, dilated cardiomyopathy and now cancer. The vet office is not her happy place.

My greatest gift I can give her is to NOT have aggressive treatment that is never even a guarantee of longevity.

At the moment her quality of life is great and I don't want to lose any of her good time putting her through treatment.

She will be my guide and she will let me know when her time is done.

She has provided so much love, entertainment and joy. I owe her the chance to bow out on her terms no matter how hard it may be.

CH Dabney's Ahh! Mae Zing Grace OAJ, OA, I love you forever.

04/29/2024

My two girls' birthdays are three days and three years apart (they're from the same breeder so the girls were on the same schedule). So, please put up with another round of birthday wishes to my best girl, Mae.

I never thought she'd make it to 10 years with her heart disease but I'm thrilled she has and with a great quality of life still.

When she came to us at 7 weeks she immediately overwhelmed Fi who was 6 years old. But Mae had the utmost respect for Jessy as the Queen.

When the other girls passed we took a chance on bringing Eva into our home. They met on neutral territory where Eva trashed talked Mae right away. Mae responded immediately and Eva answered with a "Yes, Ma'am!".

Mae runs a tight ship still with her favorite place being right next to me. She doesn't always want to share me but we make sure Eva gets her 'momma time', too.

Happy 10th birthday my love!

04/16/2024

It's the little things...

Spent two days in excruciating foot pain.

The girls wondered why they didn't get their walks or training and why mom is on the couch grimacing and saying 'big words' while holding her foot.

Thankfully, the pain has subsided, for now, and I'm overjoyed at being able to walk without pain.

So, this morning I was able to take them for their walk and I think all three of us feel on top of the world.

04/15/2024

Treat day! This will only last about a week for us but it's well worth knowing what is in them...and you get much more than you would buying those little packages.

Pictures is chicken and beef heart. I'll add the cheese later on.

04/07/2024

Just a girl making sure the neighbors aren't up to no good...

I will take every opportunity to take her picture because I'll probably never own such a gorgeous girl again...and you never know when she may leave especially with heart and liver issues.

She is 10 years old later this month but you'd never know it...

04/04/2024

And if anyone is interested, dinner is served...

Mae: Kefir, beef, sardines, supplements (Omega 2, liver support, kelp)

Eva: Beef heart, kidney, meat, chicken liver, pork, sardine, kelp

04/04/2024

Breakfast is served!

While each fresh feeder's meals make look different, feeding fresh will always be good for them.

(Obviously, if you're making sure you're covering your bases.)

Mae's dish is kefir (to put her powdered and other supplements in), egg, veggies pureed, chicken necks.

Eva's dish has her veggie, egg, probiotic and ginger mixed up and half a chicken back.

Their dinners look very different if you're interested. :)

03/31/2024

How long does it take to teach a dog to walk nicely on leash?

As long as necessary to provide clarity and understanding as well as massive value...so there is no one size fits all.

There are so many things to keep in mind about the confidence level of the individual dog and the environment you're in.

And real understanding comes from teaching not putting an aversive (painful) collar on the dog.

It's a journey and a process that, when entered into with compassion, yields beautiful results.

Aren't they worth the effort? I know mine are. I haven't been perfect but making the effort has made me a better person.

03/22/2024

When you train your dogs you can make a boring video which is a great thing if they used to fence fight with the neighbor dog.

I taught them to disengage from the other dog with a simple game but with probably a thousand repetitions or more.

This video was shot as I 'scooped' the yard today. They knew the other dog was there and when he barked after I talked they came towards me...completely ignoring the neighbor dog.

No force was use, no intimidation, no shock collar...just actual teaching.

When you teach the behavior you WANT in place of the one you DON'T want you don't have to rely on heavy handed approaches.

It can be done and it's always in the dogs' best interest.

Train on!

02/27/2024

The world is insane!

I'll refrain from covering all the ways it is but wanted to shine the light in one area.

I am a member of a fb page where people can get advice from veterinarians. In fact, you're not allowed to comment if you're not a DVM.

That is really frustrating as I see so much misinformation given out especially in the realm of nutrition and outright scare tactics when it come to feeding a fresh diet.

Common sense has been flushed down the toilet with the help of dog food companies funding buildings at vet schools, subsidizing food for the vets and teaching 'nutrition' at those schools.

By the time they graduate vets are the biggest pushers of ultra processed c.r.a.p.o.l.a. that has done the most to damage the health of dogs.

We can do better by our dogs and give them a healthier and longer life with fewer vet bills.

I've had vets say how great my dog's teeth were, ask me what I feed and then tell me not to do that. Recently my doberman's cardiologist said, "Her improved condition is a testament to your care." Then when I get the report she puts in there (again) that she should be on kibble. Really?

There is a wealth of information available if you want to find a better way. Dogs First, Raw Pet Medics, Dr. Judy Morgan, are just a few to start with.

And, if you go this route, don't expect your vet to be your cheerleader. 95% of them won't understand. But your dog belongs to you and not them.

Unfortunately, they don't have a high opinion of our ability to do it the right way...and there is a right way. Don't just fling some ground beef at them and think you're doing it right. But it's not rocket science and your dog's deserve to be given something that will help them thrive to their fullest.

End or rant, for now...

Pic is of Eva's food for this afternoon. Beet, pork, liver, kidney, heart. Sardine to be added at meal time.

02/14/2024

People!?!

Spent some time outside the library working with the girls. When it was Mae's turn to work with me a young lady walked by and asked if she could pet her.

I said, okay and I gave Mae the cue to say hello.

Now, she's a Doberman and not a Lab. She's particular about who she talks to and that's the norm for the breed.

The lady says, "Oh, she's a rescue," probably due to Mae saying hello and then leaving her.

Again, normal.

To assume that a dog is a 'rescue' because it is reserved is ridiculous.

The different breed characteristics aren't just for fun. They describe the breed and their purpose and shouldn't be dismissed.

Boy, I wonder what she would have said about Eva...if her face was still attached?

Note: When it comes to Eva I wouldn't have let her say hello...

02/04/2024

This is my pathetic princess asking for me to hold up her blanket so she can get wrapped up in it. Happens every morning after breakfast...

01/21/2024

I thought I'd ask you all here before spending hours going down rabbit holes to find what I'm looking for.

Anyone have or know of someone who owns a mostly black Border Collie Mix?

Looking for possible 'models' for my upcoming book cover. Let me know, thanks!

GIF has nothing to do with anything, just for attention. :)

01/14/2024

I've received a message on my Dog Max, Inc page saying I violated one or more of three things which isn't true and that they're going to close the page down.

Just wondering if this is a scam or something to file a 'complaint' about.

Thoughts?

01/12/2024

When you have a reactive dog 'being boring' is a dream. Eva has struggled when anyone comes in the front door, even my husband.

She isn't aggressive but is totally overwhelmed and even conflicted to the point that she could be.

We have been working her Station Training behavior, the same one I gave out to clients and classes.

Yesterday she barked once or twice knowing dad was home but then put herself on her station (chair). I was in another room when she did this but came out and filmed her as he came through the door.

The first 34 seconds are sped up (he takes forever to come in) but you can see her hold herself on the station and wait for her release and even then she didn't rush or just on him.

Eva isn't perfect by any means but consistency in training on our parts can yield great results.

01/09/2024

It isn't cheap but this could benefit your pup if they have health struggles or they're super active athletes.

01/04/2024

Well, it's a sad day, Dog Max, Inc. is no more...

But I'll still have this page open as I'd still like to give a bit of value to those who have stuck with me. :)

Pic of one of my first clients in 2008. I think his name was Jack but I remember he was a smart boy.

12/25/2023

Eva's is a ratter and she'd probably excel at barn hunt but why would I spend the money or time when she tracks and kills moles as her favorite activity? She gave me a Christmas present today!

12/09/2023

Having retired, it has given me the gift of time with my girls. I have trained them while teaching others through Dog Max, but now I have the time to slow things down and it has shown me a few things.

Eva: She is very sensitive to the environment so instead of pushing through with what my training plans were, I stop and let her take in her surroundings. Only when I have her mind back on me do I continue. There have been many days where I scrapped my plans entirely to meet her needs in the moment. And we have stumbled into having a 'start button'. She tells me she's ready to proceed when she sits and gives me eye contact. One way she tells me she's mentally ready to go on.

A few surprises along the way was seeing her panic watching people come out of their homes while we were walking the neighborhood. Thinking back, we usually walk at quiet times during the day and she never really experienced seeing people come out of their homes. I'll have to think about how to help her through this without knocking on everyone's door.

Mae: Mae isn't as sensitive to the environment but I see she needs 'help' when in certain situations. A few houses down from us are some loud dogs. Those dogs have attacked a neighbor's dog before so there is an intensity to their barking. Mae is 9 years old and I thought she was past needing food on a walk but she stresses by that house and will struggle to walk with me on our return trip. Now, she will look at me when she needs help and I'm ready to step in for her.

When we can take the time to slow down it's amazing what we can see.

How are your pups?