Taygète French Bulldogs

15/07/2024

Too hot to really train; with an afternoon heat index values of 105 to 109 degrees expected…what to do to keep dogs and puppies busy?

Get up early to take care of dogs, get dogs out early when it is cooler (or not so hot!). Tracking before 8 AM, unusual for me as I try to rotate times and conditions for tracking.

Back home, let dogs stretch out and take a break before heat really kicks in.

Dogs are moved into A/C location for the heat of the day.
Later in day, in shaded part of the property, I work on foundation obedience and focus.

Keep it simple……

12/07/2024

The Taygete French Bulldog kennel
Living the breeding program
We have one female 2 1/2 years old and one male 1 1/2 years old available
Both dog is have AKC champions father the mother is European import blood line
We are located in the Nashville Tennessee area 615 714 4737

01/07/2024

1978 Hungarian European World team....

01/07/2024

If you walk your dog, please be aware of not only the temp and heat index, but you must also check the temp of the ground you walk your dog on. The temperature of a sidewalk can be too hot for dogs if it's above 85°F and can't cool down. On an 85°F Day, concrete can heat up to 105°F and asphalt to 130°F. At 125°F, a dog's paw can burn in as little as 60 seconds, and even faster if it's hotter.

To test if the sidewalk is safe for your dog, you can try the "seven-second rule": Place the back of your hand on the pavement and see if you can hold it there for at least seven seconds. If you can't, the sidewalk is too hot for your dog.

Here are some other tips to keep your dog's paws safe from hot pavement:
• Walk your dog early in the morning (before 10 AM) or late at night (after 7 PM) when the pavement is cooler.
• Avoid walking your dog during the hottest parts of the day, like in the afternoon when the sun is high.
• Stay on the grass and stick to shady areas instead of sidewalks or paved areas.
• Check your dog's paw pads daily for signs of damage and wash their paws often.

29/06/2024

With the higher than normal temps and heat index, a couple of reminders..along with consistent water and electrolytes - I use 1/2 water and 1/2 unflavored, unsweetened pedialyte.

Pay close attention to your dog in hot weather, even if they are swimming or playing in water in a pond or kiddie pool. Dogs can get heat stroke even when swimming in cool water, so never let them swim unsupervised.

Heatstroke occurs from exposure to hot or humid environments, or from overly strenuous exercise. Unlike humans, dogs only have sweat glands on their paws and must rely on panting to cool down.

The normal body temperature for a dog is between 100.5 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Heatstroke results when the dog cannot regulate their body temperature, and it rises to 105 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

If your dog is overheated, splash room temp or cool water or use cool towels on their body, particularly on their neck, belly, armpits, and paws - focus on areas where veins are.

What to avoid:
• Ice-cold water: Can reduce blood flow to the skin and make it harder for them to cool down. DO NOT use freezing cold or ice water, as this can cause their blood vessels to constrict and cause their body to go into shock.
• DO NOT use wet towels on their backs and head: this will trap heat in the dog instead of releasing it.
• DO NOT submerge them in cold water: this can cool them too quickly.

Do:
• Wet the dog with cool water - splash room temp or cool water or use cool towels on their body, particularly on their neck, belly, armpits, and paws
• Bring your pet into a room with air conditioning and position a fan near them to help with slow cooling.

27/06/2024

Good reminder to prevent heat stroke in animals, due to forecasted temps. French bulldogs are more prone to heat stroke because their shorter airways make it harder to cool the air they breathe in, and they can't sweat to reduce body heat.

To prevent heat stroke, you can:
1. Avoid leaving pets unattended in parked cars.
2. Plan car trips to keep the car cool, stop frequently, and have water
available
3. Avoid exercise and even being outside for extended times during
the hottest parts of the day
4. Make sure there's plenty of shade and cool water available
5. Avoid leaving pets in hot, closed homes or garages
6. Avoid walking pets on hot surfaces that reflect heat, like sand, concrete.
7. Keep your dog well hydrated

24/06/2024

“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do”
― Pelé

24/06/2024

I’m 5 weeks old 😍😍😍

07/06/2024

Crate Training: initial and establishing for new home/dog
A fun topic that can be broken down into multiple parts, but there are a lot of similar aspects to not do and do.

A lot of owners…
1. think that crates are bad.
2. let puppy/dog out by themselves out to “do their thing” and do
not know if “the thing” has been done….
3. do not have puppy/dog on set food schedule.
4. use puppy pads. This teaches the dog to go in the crate/house.

Puppy, Older Dog crate training: whether new to crate training or a new home
1. Your puppy/dog needs to be on schedule, as it will be a new environment.
2. Crate at night.
3. First thing in AM, take your puppy/dog outside to do their
business. Initially, take your puppy/dog out on a flexi leash if in
your yard, on a leash if walking in the neighborhood with a dog
bag.
4. DO NOT talk to your puppy/dog. Canines live through their
noses.
5. Walk until your puppy/dog starts to focus sniff: tell them your
marking phrase; I use the phrase “hurry up”.
6. If they do NOT go outside, calmly take your puppy/dog back into
the house and put into their crate. After 30 minutes, take back
outside and repeat.
7. Once your puppy/dog does both (especially in AM and right
before bed), mark the behavior with a phrase and that you are
happy; again, I use same phrase and say “good hurry up”.
8. Do not use reward food.
9. Take your puppy/dog back to the house and play with them. That
reinforces that they get to play if they do their “business “outside.

The key is that your puppy/dog has free time with you when they
do their “business” outside. You are creating a schedule and a
positive award.

03/06/2024

excellent post

03/06/2024

“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness.”
Oscar Wilde

But, it is still imitation and not the real thing.....😎😎

27/05/2024

"My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. "
John F. Kennedy

We give thanks, as well as honor, to those who served.

19/05/2024

Raising a puppy; post #2
“How big is your puppy”? “My puppy is a monster!” “Look at big my puppy is!”
How many times and versions have you heard/said this? Too many times to count and not where the focus should be…..

The dog’s final size is genetic.

Puppies grow physically during the first part of life; the most formative timeframe is up to 24 months. Bones, joints, base muscle; foundation of what the dog will be. Some dogs physically grow faster, some develop at a slower pace. That should not be the focus. The focus should be on slow, consistent, and even growth, height, girth, weight. Rapid growth with weight will and can result in inflammation of the bones and joints.

Size also equates to weight. Puppies must be lanky and lean from the start; some might state that the puppy will look skinny.

Exercise is another component. I wrote about walking the puppy on a flexi lead. Build the puppy up to normal walks, post all vaccinations. Start with a ½ mile up to what the puppy will take. Build up to consistent, non-impact exercise. Even if the puppy/young dog will go to training; the walks are great non-impact and relationship building exercises and create great muscle building non-impact exercise.

No exercise that includes jumping over elbow height, playing on slippery surfaces, pushing up and launching up and out to catch a ball, frisbee, jump into a pool. Rabbits run… they do not launch and fly.

No playing with dog older/larger. Simple play with an older, larger, stronger dog can result in a slight injury that can be exacerbated.

15/05/2024

Raising a puppy; post #1
Socializing. Buzz words that a lot of different trainers throw out at dog owners. But what is the true definition of socializing as a puppy? Whether for active family or sport, the theory and foundation are the same.

Think about it.
Active family pet. People come over and visit the puppy. The puppy is walked on a collar and 6-foot leash. Nothing much, other than possible dog parks (not recommended) and/or playing with older/bigger dogs where/when dog can get injured, going to vet for checkups, etc.
Sport puppy. People come over and visit the puppy. The puppy is walked on a collar and 6-foot leash. The puppy is taken to club, tracking. And then back home.

What is consistent between the two? Both are very controlled situations.
What is missing? Basic foundation, being a puppy, building a relationship with the dog and owner and true socialization. Allowing the puppy to investigate and deal with life on their own. Not in the constant control of the owner.

A dog lives through their nose and grows/develops through true social interaction and exposure, not a human version of controlled socialization.

Use a flat collar, no harness, and an extendable Flexi lead. I am sure that sport people will immediately read this, go into shock, and claim that a Flexi lead is a horrible idea.
No, it is a great and proven idea. A Flexi lead allows a dog to “stretch” out and investigate life on their own terms.

Take the puppy for rides, crated in car, to a park. For fun….

Walk the puppy in a park setting, sports fields with soccer, tennis, baseball, basketball going on. The fast movement, yelling and crowds.

Walk the puppy in a downtown, Farmer’s Market and/or shopping area, where there is a lot of foot traffic and crowds.

Let the puppy interact positively with strangers, in a different place.

Board the dog in a kennel. Even if you will never put the dog in a boarding situation when you travel, use this time for the puppy/dog to be able to handle and deal with separation and different situations.

12/05/2024

Happy Mother’s Day to all!

11/05/2024

Bianka watching the USCA WDC 2024...

14/04/2024

With our continued focus on organic, here is a great option for pest control around the yard and/or kennel.

Here is a link for it. Effective, safe for people and animals.

https://amzn.to/3VXSvgw

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05/04/2024

A quote that is consistently modified by trainers across all types of sports.

But, imitation is a form of flattery... it is not the real thing.

03/04/2024

Tracking

All the information provided is NOT in the rulebook but is extremely important to providing the stability and foundation for a strong performance in the exercises, on your club fields or another club’s fields. This will provide the experience prior, so you will not have to say the phrase “my dog has never done that before”.

The main point of this section: You do not have to track, your dog has to track…..

You need to practice tracking your dog in any condition: do not always look for a premium field nor expect it on trial day. It does not matter what the terrain or the weather is. On trial day, you will not have any idea of what condition you will get/draw for.

When you go to practice tracking, ensure that you have all your tracking equipment required. This includes taking weather conditions into account, as well as tracking terrain: boots, flags, tracking food, multiple types of articles.

When you arrive at the practice tracking field, park your vehicle away from the scent pad. Start getting you and your dog used to distance from the scent pad; this comes in use on the day of the trial. Take your dog out to relieve themselves. It is important that your dog recognizes if anything is new, location, wind conditions, new odors PRIOR to actual tracking. This should be down at least 30 minutes before actual tracking. If there are multiple people around during the practice tracking, walk the dog around them, just as in a socialization test.

Place the dog back into crate in the vehicle. Prep your tracking line.

Lay your track.

When the track timing is ready (based on your level of title), get your dog from the crate.
 Work on the basic timing of the track, due to flight #. You could be the last person in the flight, which could be up to an hour and forty minutes. Alternate this timing, as well.

Before you check in with the mock judge, teach you and your dog to wait at least 15 minutes before you are called to the scent pad.
 A lot of foundation is missed for this part. The dog (and sometimes handler) gets confused and want to go straight to the scent pad. Both can lose focus if they have not practiced waiting.

Practice a mock judge report with a mock trial secretary. Do this over a few weeks and add in different things: umbrella, large baggy coat, clipboard.
Walk toward to the scent pad. If you can, have a mock judge/trial secretary walk track.

The track is run.

After the track, teach you and your dog to wait for the judge’s report.

Be happy for your result…..

© Gabor Szilasi 2024

02/04/2024

All the information provided is NOT in the rulebook and it not about specific training for exercises within phases, but extremely important to providing the stability and foundation for a strong performance in the exercises, on your club fields or another club’s fields. This will provide the experience prior, so you will not have to say the phrase “my dog has never done that before”.

Overall
1. Have you traveled, day trip (few to extended hours) and overnight trip, to another club with your dog?

2. How much time to travel, get acclimated to possible time change, etc.?

3. Stayed at a hotel? Dog in crate in car or crate in hotel room?

4. Know the nearest vet/emergency vet/doctor just in case?
5. Trained multiple times in a different environment multiple times: location, surface, people, decoy, etc.?
6. For dog competitions, does your microchip scan?

Presentation
When you compete, you are “selling” your “project” to the judge.

How your dog looks, how you look. How you handle yourself/how your dog acts prior to, during, and after the trial. Have you had yourself videoed to watch how you move, how you and the dog look before/during/after the different phases and reviewed afterwards?

© Gabor Szilasi

31/03/2024

Happy Easter to you and yours.....

Boldog húsvét neked és a tiédnek

30/03/2024

Visiting friends ...

24/03/2024

Lunch at Double Dogs!

10/01/2024

Excellent recap from Dana Huckestein:

!!!!!VERY important update to USDA/APHIS policy regarding validity of rabies vaccines for dogs planning on traveling abroad!!!!!!
Your dog may be current for rabies in the US but is it current for travel abroad according to current EU regulations???
Please read and check your dog's rabies vaccination status now rather than waiting till 10 days prior to travel when it will be too late. Please share!

Rabies Vaccination
“Primary” Rabies Vaccination:
The first rabies vaccination your pet gets after its microchip or after any lapse in coverage is a “primary” rabies vaccination according to EU rules.

For all pets vaccinated in the United States, a “primary” rabies vaccination is only valid for 1 year. Even if your pet is an adult animal and receives a three-year vaccine, if it is a “primary” rabies vaccination according to EU rules, it is only valid for 1 year.
If your pet does not receive another rabies vaccination within 1 year of a “primary” rabies vaccination, it means the vaccination coverage lapsed and you must start over. Even if the vaccination coverage only lapses by a day, the next rabies vaccination is again considered a “primary” rabies vaccination, and it is only valid for 1 year.

“Booster” Rabies Vaccination:
If your pet does get its next rabies vaccination within 1 year of a “primary” rabies vaccination, this “booster” rabies vaccination can be valid for 1-3 years, according to the vaccine manufacturer’s instructions.

Note: If your pet’s most recent rabies vaccination before traveling to the EU is a “booster” rabies vaccination (rather than “primary”), you are responsible for providing all relevant rabies vaccination certificates to prove there was no lapse in coverage since the "primary" rabies vaccination.

Reminder! Rabies Vaccinations do NOT count according to EU rules if:
Your pet got the vaccination before it had a microchip; or
Your pet got the vaccination without first having its microchip scanned.
Your pet should travel with all relevant rabies vaccination certificate(s), and it is strongly recommended the microchip number is recorded on all rabies vaccination certificate(s).

21-Day Waiting Period
After any "primary" rabies vaccination, your pet must wait 21 days before traveling to the EU. Your pet can travel to the EU less than 21 days after a “booster” rabies vaccination, but then the previous rabies vaccination must also be included on the health certificate.

Want to simplify your paperwork?
Ask your veterinarian to give your pet a 1-year rabies vaccination (after scanning the microchip) at least 21 days before your travel to the EU but less than one year before your travel date (for example, 3-6 months before travel date). That way, no matter the rabies vaccination history, you only have to keep up with one vaccination certificate instead of several! Doing it this way also makes it easier for the USDA endorsement office to review, which means you get your endorsed certificate back faster.

The .gov means it's official. Federal government websites always use a .gov or .mil domain. Before sharing sensitive information online, make sure you're on a .gov or .mil site by inspecting your browser's address (or "location") bar.

10/01/2024

As a reminder/FYI:

This is the 2nd recall in 4 months....

Blue Ridge Beef is recalling all lot numbers and used by dates between N24 1124 to N24 1224 of their 2 lb log of Kitten Grind UPC 8 54298 00101 6; 2lb log of Kitten Mix UPC 8 54298 00143 6 and their 2lb log of Puppy Mix UPC 8 54298 00169 6 due to contamination of Salmonella and Listeria monocytogene

01/01/2024

31/12/2023

From our family to you and yours......
Boldog uj evet!
Happy New Year! Health and Happiness.....

30/12/2023

Interesting and great comparison on front shoulder development from the harnesses that are not made for daily walking.

Teach your dog to walk in a flat collar/Herm Sprenger collar, especially under 3 years of age when they are growing and their body/joints are developing and their body is maturing.

24/12/2023

From our family to you and yours...
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Kellemes Karácsonyi Ünnepeket és Boldog Új Évet!
Buon Natale e felice anno nuovo!
Frohe Weihnachten und ein glückliches Neues Jahr!
Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!
Nollaig Shona Dhuit!
Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce a stastny Novy Rok!
God Jul & Godt Nytår !
Veselé Vánoce a Šťastný Nový Rok!
God Jul och ett Gott Nytt År!
Hyvää Joulua ja Onnellista Uutta Vuotta!
Sing Dang Fire Lock!

08/07/2023

Bianca de Taygete 😍😍😍