Dogwood Pet Lodge

08/28/2024

FYI: I'll be closed for vacation
on 9-4 and reopen on 9-19.
Bound for Colorado!

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08/26/2024

The other poochie doesn't want to be left out! : )

08/18/2024

What the Australian Cattle Dog was bred to handle. Incredible dogs but not for most.

08/16/2024

Aww! Melts my heart!

08/13/2024

Your smile for the day!

08/03/2024

I often say in class that I have learned a lot from horse trainers or marine animal trainers and how it relates to dog training. Here's an example video - about 6 minutes long. If you change the word horse to dog in what he's teaching, it can be especially helpful with people who have dogs that are reactive (even aggressive) to other dogs/people. START by practicing with something your dog knows - it gets their attention on you. Have a plan on where you are going and what you are doing. Tell your dog, let's go here, let's move there, let's stop here. It builds your leadership and connection with your dog. It builds your dog's trust and confidence in you. So when you come up with an unfamiliar dog/person or an unfamiliar place, you give direction to your dog so he knows how to behave. Otherwise, they aren't comfortable and overreact and you react to your dog without control. Your dog loses confidence in you to handle the situation and you lose confidence in your ability to handle your dog. So starts the downward spiral.

07/29/2024

Love this!

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07/27/2024

It's kinda funny but oh so true!

Brachycephalic - very short-nosed, protruding eyes. Think Pug.
Chondrodystrophic - short-legged and long-bodied. Prone to slipped discs.
Tea-cup sized or Utra Giant.
Rare - not recognized by the AKC.
Working stock - think Cattle dogs raised to work cattle or German shepherds from protection lines.
Uber smart Border Collies with no outlet to herd.
Guarding/fighting breeds such as the Boerboel, Presa Canario, Akita. (Also applies to aloof and fiercely loyal).
Neoplasia - skin lumps, tumors. Pit bulls, Boxers.
Special colors not recognized by the AKC - there's a reason for that.
Do a lot of research before looking at puppies!

07/20/2024

Beautiful display of bred-in genetics at work!

07/17/2024

: )

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07/16/2024

Anything by Dr. Ian Dunbar is good! I've learned the most from him.

It's essential that every puppy learns to enjoy being handled, especially on the parts of the body that turn into common bite triggers. Early puppyhood handling and socialization is easy to do and makes a huge difference in a dog's temperament and quality of life, for the rest of their life!

Learn more or download the PDF version: https://dunbar.info/puppy-handling

07/12/2024

Photographic proof from 1910 that big dogs were allowed on the furniture back then! : )

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07/10/2024

I have an opening for Basic Obedience Class starting tomorrow (Thurs) evening! Last group class till September when Fall classes begin! Call or text 217-824-6985, or message me!

07/10/2024

Class start date 7-27-24! Like and share!

Calling all puppies! Head Start Puppy Class to start soon on Saturday mornings! You will learn to prevent unwanted behavior, housetraining tips, how to handle play biting, jumping up, teach puppy to come when called, how to trim toenails, socialization tips and much more! Please share!
Call Diane at 217-824-6985, email: [email protected] or Facebook message!

07/05/2024

Poor, hungry dogs! 😁

07/03/2024

Exactly why you shouldn't let unfamiliar dogs meet each other on a leash!! And they look friendly! Your dog doesn't need to make friends with every dog he/she meets! It can happen so fast and forever change the way the Border Collie reacts toward other dogs. It's why I teach dogs to learn to ignore other dogs.

06/29/2024

Experience is so important - actually handling & training many dogs over many years makes a big difference in results.

There are no rules or guidelines for who can call themselves a dog trainer.
The amount of issues I see because someone went to a dog trainer that caused a bigger issue is truly alarming.

Loving dogs or having dogs their whole life, being in the military, took a dog class or watched a dog training TV show are actually not training credentials.

06/20/2024

NEXT START DATE: July 27th!
One last call for 8 to 16 week old puppies to join the Head Start Puppy Class here - packed full of information, starting training and having fun! Saturday mornings 10-11 for five weeks at the doggone great price of $75! Contact me ASAP!

Calling all puppies! Head Start Puppy Class to start soon on Saturday mornings! You will learn to prevent unwanted behavior, housetraining tips, how to handle play biting, jumping up, teach puppy to come when called, how to trim toenails, socialization tips and much more! Please share!
Call Diane at 217-824-6985, email: [email protected] or Facebook message!

06/05/2024

I learn from all types of animal trainers. These are wise words from a horse trainer I enjoy watching, that will apply to dogs too. Find out what is causing the nipping and biting with your dog instead of just focusing on fixing that. Going through training has good ripple effects on other issues.

06/04/2024

I've never had to use either one in almost 50 years of training. No need to use them, don't want to use them.

The Ten Myths of Canine Behavior
Myth 8: Shock collars and prong collars don't hurt if you use them properly.
Some trainers advocate using "all the tools in your toolbox", suggesting that you need to "correct" your dog when they make mistakes to teach them what they did was wrong. While it is true that these tools can be effective in the right hands, they are not necessary. The potential for negative side effects often outweighs the benefits. Research has shown that dogs can learn just as quickly, if not faster, through positive reinforcement techniques rather than positive punishment and using aversive tools. Positive punishment involves adding something undesirable (like shock or pain) to stop a behavior.

06/01/2024

Have some sunshine on a cloudy day! : )

05/28/2024

Notice:
I'll be closed later this morning for Dottie Parrish's funeral.

05/24/2024

We can't push the "sensitive soul" dogs to be on our timetable or our agenda - the outcome is never good. They have big feelings and emotions - we need to slow down and pay attention to listen to what they are telling us. They make great soul mates. Thanks to Lin for this post!

Some dogs have a highly sensitive personality these dogs are so intune with their environment that they can suddenly become anxious on a walk for no obvious reason (to us that is, to them it's highly obvious) it can occur as a result of a distant sound, smell etc, they are able to read your intentions and are so tuned into their humans that you get away with nothing 😃 when these dogs develop behaviour problems it can be difficult to modify as they are often misunderstood, but with time, patience and understanding they can make huge progress 😀

05/23/2024

The Beagle has been around for a long time!

Modern-day Beagles are thought to have descended from Talbot Hounds, large white scenthounds that accompanied William the Conqueror into Britain during the 11th century. Another now-extinct breed that may have contributed some DNA is the Irish Kerry beagle, small black-and-tan dogs similar to Bloodhounds.

The name Beagle first appeared in English literature in 1475. It was mentioned in the works of no lesser literary lights than Chaucer and Shakespeare. “She’s a beagle, true-bred, and one that adores me,” says Sir Toby Belch in Twelfth Night.🐕

https://showsightmagazine.com/beagles-exploring-colors-sizes-unique-characteristics/

Source: AKC