Puppies

We have a new 10 week no, now 11 week old puppy. How soon we forget how much work they are! Potty training is a work in progress. You have to keep an eye on your pup and keep them with you in the home, so they dont get away with wondering off and relieving themselves. You have to catch them in the act to teach them this is not where we go potty. We don't spank or rub their noses in it. Simply a verble scolding and picking them up as they pee is sufficient. Think of yourself urinating and then being scolded by a giant and picked up as you go?

We kennel train and the first week the pup got to stay at the end of the house, opposit the bedrooms, with a radio on, so we could sleep through the puppy cries. Do not give in to their pleading or you will make the matter worse. Let them out of their kennel when they are quiet. They soon learn calm quiet behavior gets them out. I also feed new pups in thier kennels and provide them with toys and treats with short times in their kennels. Kennels should not be used as a place for punishment. After a couple of weeks we moved our pup down to the bedroom end of the house and she is doing very well.

Keep lots of toys handy to divert inappropriate chewing. Puppies have a short attention span so we have a variety of toys for them to play with and we rotate them. Our pups are from working lines, so we play tug and fetch balls as well as give them chew toys. We also give them the opportunity to socialize with other dogs, make sure everyone has their vaccines, and we also socialize with people and children. Socialization is extremely important when they are young.

For outdoors we have a tie out line for our puppy when we cannot be outside to watch her. Again this takes a few days for them to get use to, but keeps them from getting trouble and chewing ornamental plants and things that can injure them.

So this is my life as right now. Puppy raising. Looking forward to the juvenile times, which are only a few months away.

Choose your Environment Carefully

When rewarding your dog with his favorite toy or just playing fetch, be cognant of the environment you are in. Recently a police service dog died during a training exercise when he ran into a post while chasing after a ball. Make sure the area you throw your toy is clear of obstructions. In the previous case the handler did not throw the toy towards an obstruction, but high drive dogs often anticipate the direction the ball is going and run fast towards the direction they think the toy is going.

Another area to steer clear from is hard surfaces such as concrete or asphalt. I have seen many dogs with chipped or missing front teether from catching their moouth on the ground as they are pursuing a ball. I have seen this with my own dogs. This is what I call "Handler Error". Its my fault my dog chipped his tooth because I was the one who threw the ball in the parking lot.

The best place to train and play with your dog is in an open field clear of obstructions. You can find such areas in parks and recreation fields. I'm lucky enough to live next to 13 acres owned by our public school. I take advantage of this area for exercising and training my dogs. REMEMBER! When out in the public make sure to pick up after your dog.

March is Here!

As the temperature warms up, we need to keep our training sessions short and sweet. In the northern climate, dogs are not use to the warmer temperature. 50 degrees and the dogs will heat up quickly especially is they are outdoor dogs. Keep your training short, fun, and end with the dogs wanting more.

Snow Snow Go Away

Its almost March and I am so looking forward to warmer weather. I want to get out on my field to train instead the the street in front of my house, the parking lot, or a cold vacant building. I have a young Bouvier I have been working with and he is ready for his BH. For those who don't know, the BH is the first title in Schutzhund. The BH is an Obedience title and shows you have control of your dog before you go on to the tracking and protection portions of Schutzhund.

We have had our Bouvier for a year now and he has been a great fit. He's very good in the house, well behaved, and yet has the energy to work. I have dogs that have so much energy that they don't do well in the house and won't settle down. Those very high energy dogs live outdoors in a kennel. They are happier outdoors and do well there.

Lets all keep our fingers crossed in Michigan and hope spring like weather will be here soon.

Winter Training

I recently spoke to a dog trainer in Florida and was jealous how he had a nice grassy field with fair weather to train in. In Michigan, we work around ice and snow. But the payoff is in the summer Florida has very high heat and humidity. Many trainers in the south have to wait until the sun goes down to train. Winter is the time of season my dogs learn to train in a variety of environments. Each week I'm in a different building with my dogs for a short training session. My job has benefits where we have buildings available to train our police service dogs. Also I can take my dog to work. If you don't have building readily available take your dog to the dog park for training. Training first and then play with other dogs. Pet stores are another option to work on heeling, sits, downs, etc. Take your dog on a field trip to the downtown area, beach, or mall to a walk. I also have a neighboring buisness who keep their lots plowed and clear to the pavement. I use this opportunity to work with my dog and a safe surface. Just because we have cold and snow during the winter is no reason why you can't get out and work with our dogs. Dogs will love the attention and new experiences.

December Training

So far we have no snow on the ground which is great for me. I started training my 11 month old Bouvier, Titus, to track. In addition to tracking we are also working on obedience. In addtion to Titus I'm pre-servicing my Malinois, Mojy, for police services. Mojy is working on his obedience, tracking, and narcotic detection. What ever breed type you have dogs were ment to have jobs. Their lives are fulfilled if you give them a job to do. It can be agility, tracking, hide and seek, personal protection, obedience, or tricks. Keep challenging your dog. They will continue to learn and build confidence as they learn. Most importantly make sure you are training in a positive manner. Rewards must be balanced with corrections. More corrections than rewards will depress your dog and they won't be having any fun. Remember, the more time you spend training your dog, the happier both you and your dog will be.

Your Dog

He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion. ~ Unknown