Our Weekend and Our Weekend Guests!!!

Proud of his ballie

How cute is Leon?

Wiggling and Waggling it for added attraction.

Bella wonders "hmmm what is over here?"

This wand thing has pretty lights.   She showed me before.

Oh, I know I could walk around the couch.   I go to the beat of a different drummer though.

Here is another thing that lights up.   Interesting.

Petey and Robin chillax on the couch after a long day.

Two friends from the beach are at the fleamarket.

Sales were brisk at the fleamarket at the Masonic Lodge in York Maine.

What a great job Robert did with the teapots and such.

I had many books on the table, including some dog books that I no longer need in my library.

Maine and New Hampshire Dog Training

Mannerly Mutts Dog Training Blog

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Seminars Given in The New England Area

As some of my long term followers know, I don't think that we normally get the best and brightest of trainers giving seminars in the New England area.   I am not making a statement on any of the ones below, this is for "your own information", and there may or may not be ones that I would personally attend.   For those of us that can't travel long distances all the time to attend seminars and events (great venues to proof your training), here are some in our area:

First of all, let me give you some sources of where one can look for seminars in the New England area:

Dog Seminars Yahoo Group
K9 -New England
Down East Dog News
Mainepets (though has not been working correctly for awhile now)
Saccarappa Dog Obedience Club
Doberman Rescue Unlimited
Riverside Canine Center
TNT Kennels
All Dogs Gym and Inn
American K9 Country
MasterPeace Dog Training

Then I do a number of searches based on key words like "Maine dog seminars 2010, Massachusetts dog seminars 2010, Vermont dog seminars 2010, Rhode island dog seminars 2010, Connecticut dog seminars 2010, New England dog seminars 2010", which I infrequently but sometimes get lucky at.   Then I usually do a search for dog trainers by state, and see if any are big enough to regularly give seminars.   Then I search for the same states by dog obedience clubs.  

Seminars and Events in The New England Area:

Julie Daniels Seminar Warwick RI August 21 and 22 Speed "Em Up
Mike Ellis Seminar Warwick RI December 10-12th Protection Obedience
Hogs for Dogs Event August 7th Westbrook Maine
Paws for a Cause Event August 14th Freeport Maine
Nail Trim Clinic August 21st Augusta Maine
Gardiner Barks in the Park Event August 28th Gardiner, Maine
Doberman Rescue Unlimited's Reunion Picnic September 12th Westford MA
Summer Agility Seminars Intermediate (note it is listed under 2009, but if you look at event dates they are 2010)  August 9-10 Nashua New Hampshire
Summer Agility Seminars Masters (note it is listed under 2009, but if you look at event dates they are 2010) August 11-12 Nashua New Hampshire
Aggression Causes, Catalysts, and Cures September 16th Manchester New Hampshire
Fifth Annual All Pet Festival October 16th Manchester New Hampshire
Pet First Aid October 26th Manchester New Hampshire
Advanced Obedience Camp w/ Celeste July 29th-August st Amherst New Hampshire
World Canine Freestyle Organization National Show October 8th-10th Amherst New Hampshire
Get on the Ball July 30th Franklin Massachusetts
Canine Athlete Academy August 28-29th Franklin Massachusetts

It took me many hours to do this searching by the way.   I am sure that I missed many seminars in the area.  If you know of one, forward it to me, and I will post it the next time, if I think it is an appropriate seminar for the scope of this blog.

Maine and New Hampshire Dog Trainer
Mannerly Mutts Blog
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Pet First Aid

Here are things that I keep in case of an emergency (getting in touch with your vet and/or calling the poison hot line is always a priority):

***Be sure to check with vet on proper dosages if you give your dog anything internally. This is best done BEFORE the emergency happens (IE call your vet before you accidentally find out you have given the wrong dose), and your vet may even have a table or chart to give to you.

• Your vets phone number and poison hot line number in an easy place to find.
• Hydrogen Peroxide (1% solution), good to clean out cuts & to induce vomiting (if you have a dog like I do that eats socks, underwear ET).
• Bandages
• Something that can be used as a tourniquet. (hidden barbed wire, glass, dog fights can cause injuries that need the bleeding to be stopped fast).
• Muzzle (dogs in pain can bite, when you need to get them somewhere quickly and safely, it's best to put something on so you don't need to worry about it, or fight the dog, but just go)
• Board that can be slid under the dog in case of back injury that will fit into vehicle.
• Old towels, rags, or diapers to put under the dog.
• Crate, for ride to the vets (don't need anything worse to happen).
• Leash, collar, and id ET ready and available so you aren't racing around the house.
• In a kit that goes with you or in your car, contact info to give to the vets, plus any medical records that you already have (in case of going to an emergency that is not your regular vet).
• Sanitary napkins to control and add pressure to reduce bleeding.
• Cotton pads to put under sticky bandages. (doesn't stick to wound)
• Benadryl (for allergic reactions)
• Rectal Thermometer and KY jelly (to lube up thermometer). Good to know what your dog's temperature SHOULD BE before doing this.

I found a more complete list at this site.
Here is the site for the Pet Poison Hotline.

Need your dog trained. Call Maine Dog Trainer, Robin Rubin, at Mannerly Mutts 207-361-4395. You may also e-mail mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com for questions about your Maine Dog Training needs.

About "Scientific Studies" on Electronic Collars

A member of the professional organization that I belong to, International Association of Canine Professionals, wrote an amazing article that highlights the problems in "scientific studies" on electronic collars.




http://ruthcrisler.wordpress.com/2010/03/30/remote_control



People hear the word "scientific" and it is assumed that very professional and scientific protocols have been put in place, perhaps by world renowned panel of scientists who are impartial to the dog training debate. One would also assume, therefore, that they would have picked helpers that actually understood and knew what they were dealing with, rather than people who would randomly torture dogs on the highest level of the little known brand of equipment that was selected for the study. Ruth makes it crystal clear what much of the dog training community on both sides is well aware of. There is a sense of humor present in this writing that gave me more than a few chuckles.



This is some one's blog that I have started to follow.

Maine and New Hampshire Dog Trainer
Mannerly Mutts Blog
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Dog Does Not Bite, But I Do!

Originally, we come from Worcester Mass.   Years ago, our first two Dobermans, Neptune and Jazzabelle, and cats, Clyde and Mustache, lived with us in a quaint little house in a semi suburban setting.  I took for granted the solitude that I would most likely enjoy with my dogs on a walk.  In fact, it used to irritate me no end when people would cross to the side of the road, while I approached with my dog(s) in a heel.  I did not realize what a gift this could be!

Our family is now comprised of two Dobermans, Boris and Leon, plus my husband and myself.     From November to mid May York Maine remains the perfect beach getaway to live.   This means it is a quiet little community of people that you become more and more acquainted with the longer you reside here.   Then vacation or tourist season slams into York like a freight truck into a "smart car".   Bored and lonely people are now out of their element and looking for entertainment, or that is the way I explain the phenomenon to myself.

One would think it would be safe to walk or sit with one's Doberman in solitude.   Unfortunately my companions are too friendly and cute to dissuade unwanted attentions.  There are breeds that you can typically rely on to get attention.   These are the breeds that I never intend to own Great Danes, Thai Ridgeback, Newfoundlands, and Saint Bernards.  Sometimes our business needs to handle and train these dogs in public.  Good luck getting five feet unless you are terribly rude to someone.   This includes during the non-tourist/vacation season.   Sometimes a dog owner just wants to walk with their dogs, and not be treated like the local petting zoo every day.

Truthfully though, I can take being the local petting zoo with respectful people and children.   At least with my dogs, and not one of my client's dogs that I am trying to train at that moment.   The absolute worst are the weirdos that most often find me.   They find me sitting under a tree with my dog reading a book, or like just yesterday enjoying the shade of the gazebo on Short Sands with my husband and dogs.   Unfortunately, my husband was sitting on the bench in front of me, so maybe I looked approachable and single.   The funny thing is, when I am out just to enjoy myself, I practice looking unapproachable.

First there are the people with the inevitable "Doberman story".  Usually it's a neighbor's Doberman.   They report that this Doberman was always a very nice family pet until that one day.   Imagination will fill in the rest for you.   The person who found me minding my own business relaxing with my dog, also had some religious material to offer.   I guess they should have come up with a better story.

There is a second sort of situation that happens to me frequently.  These happen with  people that do not agree with dog training, or realize that the act of maintaining training may require concentration and scheduled valuable time.  I am not talking about people that have a problem with methods or tools, as those are often not seen or recognized or with me when out in public.   If I have one or more dogs in a sit stay or heel on the beach, it is guaranteed that I will get one of the following inquiries or advice:

• "Do they EVER get to play?"
• "Beach time should be play time."
• "Can my dog meet your dog", followed quickly after the explanation by "oh I didn't get what was going on" or "I couldn't figure out what was going on".
• "Can I ask you a dog training question?"
• "What kind of breed is that? I used to have one of those..."

I don't understand how people can assume that the only time I spend with my dogs (or my clients dogs) during the day is training.   Maybe it's because that hour of the day is the only time THEY spend training their dog.

The next sort of scenario happened also yesterday.   Not realizing that my husband's seat situation may be opening me up for the normal onslaught, next a man chose to sit right next to me in a gazebo of many other empty benches.  Boris then lost that side to meander and laze on, and I positioned him next to me so he wouldn't disturb the man with his highly technical reading device.   The reading device was not opened, and instead I got the "is your dog friendly".   "Why yes he is, would you like to pet him", I replied.   Why couldn't he just have read his book and left me to my enjoyable beach day?    I say that because not only was I quite aware that he didn't "love" dogs, but I was then treated to the story of why he gave his dog away after owning her for nine years.   It was a good reason at least, they didn't have time for her [insert sarcasm here].  If I stop anywhere just to enjoy my day with my dogs during this season, I get at least a couple of these until I finally give up and go home.  However, I am now training my dog, and have figured out a very passive/aggressive way to get my point across.   Here are some T-Shirt Ideas that I have come up with:

NO, MY DOG DOESN'T BITE, I DO!

MY DOG IS FRIENDLY, I AM VISCOUS.

THE DOG IS FRIENDLY  THE OWNER IS NUTS

BITES?  SURE DOES!

DOG DOES NOT BITE BUT I DO WHEN ANNOYED!

NEITHER I NOR MY DOGS ARE PART OF A PETTING ZOO

ONLY DOG STORIES I WANT TO HEAR END IN HAPPILY EVER AFTER

THIS MAY BE THE ONLY TIME YOU SPEND WITH YOUR DOG  I SPEND MANY HOURS A DAY WITH MINE

MY DOG IS NOT A COUCH POTATO HERE OR AT HOME

Maine and New Hampshire Dog Trainer
Mannerly Mutts Dog Training Blog
E-Mail Mannerly Mutts with any Questions