Thoughtful Thursday

(Above:  Jackie performs a roll over for the camera)

Many of my clients come here for the dog pictures, or videos (I know <G>).   I am sure some wonder about this other content that I write about, regarding the actual dog industry.   Some trainers don't write about this on their blogs, as the end result does not bring in more revenue AND they discount the value of educating their clients.

I want my clients to have at least heard about Breed Specific Legislation, so when they are out on the road they MAY not be surprised and have their dog taken from them.   No, I can't force my clients to know about these issues, but I CAN be sure that information is out there for them.   Does this bring me the $$$$$$s, not in any kind of direct way for sure.   On the other hand, a trainer that is knowledge about many aspects of the dog and dog world is very valuable.  Client's like when you are concerned for them and their well being (whether they are or not at the time).

So while issues like Organizations to Beware of, Breed Specific Legislation, nutrition, spay/neuter legislation, tethering legislation, HEART legislation, may all be a huge snooze to most, if the information isn't out there then NO ONE knows what is going on.

You should be able to have your dog professional be aware of the issues, and willing to educate about the issues.   I am not saying anyone needs to agree with me, but try to know what why and when of what is out there.   Especially be aware of laws that could be infringing on your areas!!!   Please comment or e-mail me (mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com) with any areas of interest and concern.   

Need training for your pooch?   Mannerly Mutts Dog Training provides efficient and effective training to enhance the relationship of an owner and their dog.   You can call at (207) 361-4395 or e-mail Robin at mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com.

Wordless Wednesday

Shameful News Regarding Animal Abandonment

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080129/ap_on_re_us/foreclosure_pets_4


A lot disgusts me in the misuse of dogs. Abandonment of pets is shameful however. I wish there were greater penalties and jail time for this. How hard is it to find a rescue in hard times? Not hard at all, actually.


Mannerly Mutts provides dog training at their site in York, Maine. If you are interested, please contact Robin Rubin at mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com or (207) 361-4395. Training provides a lifetime of enjoyment for you and your dog.

Jackie Doing Figure Eight

Doing a figure eight with Jackie at SOC run thrus.

Run Thru Jackie Heels On Leash, Arm Dropped

This is a run thru at the SOC obedience club.

Run Thru Jackie Heels On Leash, Arm Dropped

This is a run thru at the SOC obedience club.

Bri Recall

Brie recalls at obedience club:

Bri's First Off Lead Heel During Run Thru

Here is me and Brie's first off lead heel during a run thru.  It ain't pretty, but it's a start to getting Brie used to focusing a bit.

Bri-To Stand or Play?

Brie and I work on stand.   Brie thinks it's a great time to try and play with me.

Bri Figure Eight

Brie does figure eight at obedience trial:

Bri Leashed Heel With Pace Changes

Brie heeling on lead with pace changes:

Bri Heels On Lead

Brie does off leash heel at obedience club.   Note leash behind to stop Brie's forging ahead.

Jackie's Recalls

Here is Jackie doing recalls at the SOC.   WE have been working on this and not the finish until he gets it straight without prompts.

Jackie Heel Off Lead

Jack heeling off leash at obedience club:

Jackie Heel On Lead, Arm Bent

Evelyn wanted me to bend my arm to look better.   Here is the video of that.

Jackie Performing Stand

Jackie performing stand at the SOC run thru:

Training Sessions

Brie:

10 Front and Finishes. Front is perfect (naturally, no thanks to me, I will probably screw it up). Have just started luring Brie into her heel/finish at the end.

Off leash heeling inside with pace changes (still using treats to catch her attention at times). Sometimes Brie changes to right. Slow heeling, still teaching her that my walking slowly does not mean sit, trying to have not such a jerky pace for her in the slow.

About five figure eights. Need to speed her up on outside turns, and a little wide. Used "dog" posts of Brujo and Jack.

Also worked on stays when I worked Devon next.

10 stands. Starting to initiate on her own, and I am now able to walk in front 6 feet, wait and then return by circling around back to heel.

Devon:

10 come/fronts. Lured into heel.

Heeled a bit off leash. He was a little wide and distracted, lagging sometimes.

About 5 figure eights, did pretty good, and had to jolly him around quickly when he was outside. Sometimes did not want to walk close to "dog post" when he was on the inside.

10 Stands. Devon is not to the point where you can leave him to walk six feet in front, or circle back from behind. Beginning to initiate the stand himself.

Introducing Our New Client, Mary

Mary is here at 8 years old to simply walk on her leash well. Her owners have moved from a place where she had lots of room to run to a place where they really need to walk her on leash.

Training Schedule and Notes

Handler (Me) Notes:

Common errors that I make include:

1)  Walking sideways towards dog when halting (sitting)

2)  Hard time walking in straight line, need guides for this.

3)  Need to say heel when stepping off not after already going

4)  Turns need to be more fluid and along track, so as not to confuse poor doggie

5) During figure eights, need to remember to hurry dog up along outside turns to train them how to stay in step.

6)  Nice brisk step off after halts or turns.

7)  Holding leash hand steady at stomache.  (as if a stomache ache, and not as if there are treats there)

8) I shouldn't screech to a halt too quickly.

Brie Notes:

Did Brie and Devon together on the beach.

Did long downs and sits.   Brie is the one that is just learning not to break.  She did pretty good, and she was kind of cold on the cold sand (note next time dress her in some fleece).

Also did figure eights with Devon being one of the posts, she did well herself, but when she was the "post" she tended to want to break, so need to work on the stays even though that wasn't specifically what she was doing.

Both dogs were very distracted trying to do stands on the beach, so we need to practice more in distracting situations.   Neither is initiating on their own yet the position, though both can stay in it during undistracting situations.

Brie did a little "off leash" heeling but on e-collar.   We are getting to the point where she will be off equipment soon with mild distractions.  (am still using treats to keep attention)

Devon:

Did long sits and downs with Devon and Brie.   Devon did the best at these.

His heeling had deteriorated since he was in BT, but it was coming back.   He did it well on leash and chain collar, and through the figure eight, he was very attentive towards me (I was using treats though).  Devon's attention was very very good.

Stand, both dogs distracted need more practice with stand in distracting situations.

Training Logs

have added Devon dog to the training line up for this spring. Brie, Jack, and Devon are all being trained for Companion Dog competition. Jack and Brie's first competition will be February 29th (God help me).

Devon will be a little later. Here are training notes for today:

Brie Training Schedule:

Did about ten reps of stand stays (walking out in front of her).

Did 15 minutes of heeling and auto sits in parking lot.

***This week working on getting her to the point of decent OFF LEASH heeling (we are still on leash), attention during distractions or time she thinks she wants to play, stand stays, and finish (don't know if we will get to this this week). Also, figure eights should be a priority. Stand stay portion is good, but Brie needs to start getting up on her own on command.

Devon Training Schedule:

Did 10 reps of stand stays.

15 minutes of heeling in the parking lot.

Devon's heeling has deteriorated a bit, but he looks very confident and happy in distracting situations. Got a little prey drive over leaves blowing around the parking lot. Need to work on those type of distractions. Auto sits need to be worked on. Both front and finish need to be worked on, but probably not until next week. Devon is doing pretty good on staying in stand, but also needs work on performing stand when command is given and without physical prompting.

Jacky Traiing:

30 Minutes of heeling on lead on the beach. The reason for the on lead heeling being that Jacky has taken to trying to go after lone dogs. If the beach is busy with dogs, he is more in tune with being a good boy, but he gets a bit protective if it's the occaisional dog on the beach that approaches. He has made great strides in coming to understand at home, that he MUST tolerate any dog in the house, and that I will be sure that he is not bothered but he is not to take matters into his own hands. Now I have these kind of situations to get JAck to adapt to. In the ring, he has not had a problem being obedient around other strange dogs (knock on wood). I want to be sure that I touch every area on this. A big golden did run up to us, and Jack did not reacte until the other dog jumped towards him. And he was on leash, so he didn't get to dart after like he would like to. Attention and auto sits are getting better and better. Still room for improvement.

On my end, I need to be sure I am walking and turning without leaving my "line" or walking towards Jack when I stop. Overall, a very good session today.

Cerber Plays Ball

Here are some pictures of Cerber's favorite activity in the yard.

Cerber Plays Ball

Here are some pictures of Cerber's favorite activity in the yard.

Wordless Wednesday-Good and New Friends

2008 Goals

Okay here are my business and personal goals for 2008:

• Jackie to get CD (companion dog novice trial competitions).



• Submit my Certified Dog Trainer (CDT) application to the IACP.



• More personal marketing and networking.



• Grow business by 100% this year.



• Update website with more detailed descriptions of training provided.



• Make up basic training manual (complete with pictures of correct collar and leash holding.



• Get better at personal movement so the video portions look as I want. (also for competition purposes)

I have already started out with the marketing. Jackie has started doing very well in his run thrus (attention wise).

Need your dog trained? Visit the http://www.mannerlymutts.com services page. Or contact me at 207-361-4395 in York Maine. Ask for Robin Rubin, Dog Trainer.

Say no to HSUS, PETA, No Shock Collar Coalition (NSCC) or Truly Dog Friendly Organization (TDF). Articles and information on why I do not support these organizations is on here and here.