Rainier k9 services

08/21/2024

07/20/2024

https://k9ti.org/r/Pawsitive72/free-workshop/

Train your dog to become as obedient and well-behaved as a service dog.

01/17/2024

I posted this a few years ago. It's definitely an interesting read. You may be surprised

Caring for your Dog's Neck and Spine: Dog Collar Issues by Rose Smith, Copyright 2005

On one of my visits to my chiropractor, he suggested I pick up the book The Well Adjusted Dog by Dr. Daniel Kamen. The book is written by a chiropractor who also does adjustments on animals, although he doesn't advertise this. Apparently, chiropractors are not allowed to practice on animals in many states, which I didn't realize, since I live in Canada and this doesn't seem to be a problem here in my province. However, what is good to know is that veterinarians in the U.S. are allowed to do adjustments on animals... that is if you can find one that's studied chiropractic medicine. Not an easy task.

In any case, Dr. Kamen wrote this book (among others) so that a dog owner could learn to do their own adjustments on their dogs. The book is very informative and walks you through the anatomy of a dog's spine, teaches you how to feel for misalignments and provides a variety of techniques that you can do at home. Many of the techniques focus on how to release tense muscles, especially if you're not comfortable with actually working on spinal column.

While reading the book, I came across a very interesting section which talks about dog collars and how they can easily cause neck problems for a dog. Most of it boils down to our (ie human's) improper handling of leash control on certain collars. Here's what Dr. Kamen has to say about dog collars:

"The improper use of collars is the number one cause of cervical (neck) subluxations in dogs. Of all the places to put undue stress, the cervical region, especially the upper two cervical vertebrae, is the most harmful. It is at this point that the body meets the brain." (Dr. Daniel Kamen, The Well Adjusted Dog, p. 24)

** What Types of Collars Are Available **

I thought I was doing well by using a dog harness. Ha! I quickly learned that this might actually be the cause of my dog's disc problems located where her neck meets her shoulders. I was even more surprised at what he said was the best collar to use.

Basically, you will find that there are five major types of collars in use by most dog owners: the regular flat nylon and leather collars, the choke collar, the prong collar, the leader or head collars, and the harness.

** Flat Collars **

The regular flat collars are what most dog owners often choose, however they can also be the most dangerous type. These collars are used for hanging your dog's tags and for simply attaching the leash to the metal loop. This collar type should never be used for dog training... nor should they be used if you have a hard time controlling your dog while out walking.

When frustrated, owners tend to pull back on the leash to stop the dog from pulling and running, or in many cases, to get them to move along if they've stopped to sniff something. This yanking will cause tremendous muscle tightening in the cervical neck area, which in turn results in cervical subluxations. This is one of the largest causes of disc and other neck problems in dogs. Unfortunately, most of these disc problems don't show up until much later in life. At this point, dog owners either put their dogs on medication for pain control and muscle relaxation or resort to surgery to try to repair the damage of degenerating discs.

** Leader Head Collars **

These appear to be an ideal way to train your dog. A leader collar fits over the head of your dog, much like a muzzle does. The leash attaches to a metal loop located on the collar under the dog's chin. The idea behind it is to turn the dog's head to "lead" them where you want to go. Sometimes humans may turn the head too sharply or too hard in frustration when trying to train their dog. This, like the regular collar, can cause upper neck problems.

** Choke Collars **

This is the type of collar most often used by dog trainers. The idea behind it is that if a dog pulls too much, it starts to choke and therefore will ease back and release the tension of the collar. In reality, the instinct of a dog when it feels the tightening of a chain is to pull away from it, effectively tightening the collar even more. Your dog could literally choke itself into a coma! Improperly trained dogs and more importantly, improperly trained owners, could cause extreme damage using a choke collar.

** Harness **

A harness is designed to fit over a dog's shoulders and be secured around the chest area. While a much better choice over a regular collar or a choke collar, these harnesses can cause subluxations in the lower neck, shoulder, chest, and foreleg area. Again, the primary cause to this is often attributed to frustrated owners yanking back on the leash, which causes the harness to put a large amount of stress on the shoulder and chest areas.

** Prong Collar **

This collar looks like some medieval torture device. Made of metal, the prong collar has a circular ring of spikes on its inner surface. When training the smallest amount of resistance distributes pressure evenly around the neck area effectively restraining the dog. As Dr. Kamen states in his book: "Some trainers liken the prong collar to "power steering" where even the slightest touch will produce the desired result." He has found that dogs that use this particular collar have far less upper cervical subluxations than with any other collar type. So in essence, this is actually the best collar to use when training and walking your dog, believe it or not.

10/18/2023

I will be going live in the morning. I will be giving a small lesson on teaching your dog to come when asked. if you have any ideas or topics you would like me to cover please let me know.

10/16/2023

jr. is available to go to his forever home. message or call me for more information

10/16/2023

Joker is available to go to his new home. message or call me for more information

10/16/2023

Thank you for watching today’s episode. For your convenience, you will find timestamps below for each student working with Robert.1st Student - Beatriz: 1:02...

10/16/2023

https://youtu.be/CfEaMlMtK-4?si=UWvqjtHZ-cIF4rrE

This video is a reply to a viewer who sent me a lengthy email asking for help with her Belgian Malinois. The email is quite long and I answer each question,...

09/29/2023

MISSING PIT BULLS & PAROLEES?!

Some of you may have missed the big news and changes last year but we are no longer on TV due to Discovery network/Animal Planet "consolidating and being sold" That left us scrambling for ways to continue bringing in the money so that we could keep up with our mission of "Saving Man & Man's Best Friend" (and woman of course!)

We have taken matters into our own hands and created our own "channel" Rabid Reality, that you can subscribe to and view online. We have put together our own Pit Bulls & Parolees under the new name "Life with the Underdogs". It's the EXACT same show, EXACT same family, EXACT same parolees and dogs. It is simply a condensed online version of "Pit Bulls & Parolees."

Having you sign up to our new channel is our ONLY income (with the exception of private donations). Your support in signing up to follow our story, is vital in keeping VRC going.

You can sign up on two different platforms (just a matter of preference) as the content is the same on both.

Check it all out on either of these platforms:

https://www.patreon.com/TiaTorres

https://www.rabidreality.com/

09/29/2023

Soooo you just brought that new puppy/dog home. What are you going to do now?

One of the best things you can do when bringing a new dog home is tether that dog! Get a leash, tie it to your belt, and go about your business. I'm serious!

Now this is different from "tether training" I'll discuss that in another post.

The leash prevents most mischief and allows you to show them the ropes of their new home. It helps you develop a bond. It makes you aware of your dog and their needs. If you're watching TV or working from home you're not paying attention. Tether your dog to you!

They learn to accept the leash (and for puppies, to not chew it), follow you around the house & pay attention, how to untangle their own leash if they get stuck and how to settle.

Additionally, dogs generally won't eliminate in the space they have to lie in, so the tether prevents accidents because when you feel a tug on the leash you know they're probably looking for a place to eliminate. This also is EXTREMELY helpful for teething. Tethering will prevent you coming out of your office to find your coffee table leg gnawed or that couch cushion trashed. It prevents so many unnecessary incidents.

Now don't forsake your crate training, but for the majority of the time, tether that puppy to you.

If every new dog owner did this for the first two weeks or so of owning a dog, I think a lot of dog trainers would be looking for work.

©Lesli Barrett 2023

📸 of Margaret & Mark Montoya 's 9 week old May'ko for tax.

09/28/2022

Out of the hundreds of people in my friends list who wants to be a foster for malinois? Woof project is needing fosters badly. If you are interested pm me and let me know