Videos of the Week

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Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Boris wishes you a merry and safe holiday season!

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Mannerly Mutts Philosophy on Dog Training

The two Dobermans are Jackie and Leon, who have
unfortunately passed away.   The training they
recieved allowed them to enjoy their life in this way.

My philosophy on dog training is based on the idea of providing dogs the best and most full lives available in their domesticated situation with humans.   Training is a means to create a communication between two species, which do not share a common language.    Communication in the form of commands, body language, and demeanor are needed to develop through teaching and learning between the canine and canine owner.  It is more effective and efficient to be able to guide the dog what to do in situations, rather than have them guess what you would like them not to do, in my personal opinion. 

In order for dogs to have the most freedom and exercise, commands must be able to be performed reliably in distracting real life situations in which they are likely to accompany their owners.  Therefore it is important to use and design methods that teach the dog and owner in increasingly difficult distraction and situations.  For my dogs and my clients dogs; freedom, activity, fun, and mental work make their lives so much more enjoyable.  Sure dogs enjoy food, and I do sometimes use food rewards, but nothing trumps an adventure.   Being able to bring a dog to as many places as it is possible enriches not only the dog's life but the dog owner's life as well.   It forms a relationship that is a partnership and deep friendship.  As a reward for all involved, nothing trumps that.

These ideas have been developed through my interactions and observations of the International Association of Canine Professional members (professional association), Margot Woods (seminar presenter and training advocate), Martin Deeley (seminar presenter and previous executive director of the IACP), William Koehler (author and trainer who died many years ago. the proper use of the KMODT method using small steps practiced consistently to teach a dog gently and effectively—note you can ignore the last chapter of the book for way outdated methods) and Michael Ellis who stresses training under drive and motivation.  

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How did I get into the dog training business?

Boris, Me, Tommy, and Leon (10/8/2004-9/20/2012) on Long
Sands in York Maine.

I'm often asked how I got into dog training and doing this for a living.  Here are some things that you may not know.

I've always loved animals, and thought I had to be a veterinarian to work with them. No one ever talked to me about animal or dog training as an actual career. My career ended up in finance for about 15 successful years. The last three years I truly hated what I was doing for a living and feeling unfulfilled.




My first attempt at having a dog and my third dog indirectly led me to this career after many years. The first dog I failed as an inexperienced owner with a Rottweiler puppy of 6 months displaying aggressive tendencies towards humans. When I realized we had been working with the wrong trainer, I managed to get him back into the rescue, which had placed him with us. My third dog, Neptune, displayed aggressive tendencies towards dogs. He came from Doberman Rescue Unlimited, who helped us in choosing a way to deal with it successfully. Many years later, I apprenticed at Doberman Rescue Unlimited in the training program for behaviourally challenged Dobermans, while I was at a fork in the road regarding what I wanted to do for a living. I also keep my education current by attending seminars, purchasing DVDs from trainers I am interested in to study from, and reading dog related books that interest me. I've also put three companion dog titles on three dogs, and completed to CGCs on my own dogs. One companion dog was my own, and two companion dogs were my clients. I did the companion dog titling for free in order to further my education in this.



In 2003, I began training dogs by offering free services or really cheap services to anyone who would have me. In 2005, I moved my home and business from Worcester Mass to York Maine (from .10 acres to 4 acres). We changed from an on the road travelling business to being able to use our home and land. Our dog training business has flourished here. We grow an average of 10% a year. Customers who had trained with us in the past refer about half of our business, and half of our new business is from people who find us on Internet searches.



We do specialize in dogs with behavioural problems, and problems with multiple dogs living in the same home. Our business comes from private lessons and residency programs. Out of our previous training clients, a boarding and day-care business has also been developed. This provides lots of real life distractions for training clients when on our property in a safe and predictable way for set ups.  We also do a lot of training on beaches, in the city, and on the back roads here.   Mannerly Mutts is unusual in this approach to training our humans to train their dogs:)

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Daycare and Boarding Videos

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Monty's October Stay

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Leon 10/18/2004-9/20/2012 Adventures Growing Up

Leon was my very first puppy period, and he was purchased from a breeder.  He was the first dog that I would be there from his first weeks of life until his later years.   Leon and I had so many adventures together.   All our Dobermans have been unique.  One of Leon's unique qualities was that he was a "bomb proof" dog.   He was large, gentle, kind, not so brave, fun, adventuress, able to find dead things, loving, loyal, (and so on).   Leon was an extremely easy puppy and dog.  He pretty much loved everybody and everything, while still being very loyal to us and his family.



This picture was taken by Kat Rock at a tracking seminar in Vermont.   Leon was still less than a year old in this picture and one of many working seminars that we attended as a team.  Leon loved tracking.  I don't have any pictures of it, but he also took a road trip with me to Missouri for a week long seminar.




When I lived in Worcester Mass, I could not have a daycare at our house, as we had .10 acres of land.   But Leon, Jazz, and I had a kind of traveling daycare group for our clients' dogs.  Here we are in Sterling Mass (I think).




Leon had a lot of dog friends due to my business.   He was especially good at working with behaviorally challenged dogs.   Here he is training with his good friend, Cerbie.




Leon was easy to take on walks to our walking clients' houses.   It was easy to take him and other dogs on group adventures like this.   Crosby, Tommy, Bogey and Leon are pictured here on Crosby's front lawn.




Another behaviorally challenged dog, 250 # Almonzo, who had not been socialized to strange dogs.   Leon was a positive and calming influence for such dogs.




Leon would do anything for me.   Here is a picture of Leon and Boris in their "Easter Bonnets".   Leon actually had to keep his head straight to keep the hat on.




The last three years of Leon's life he spent with his best buddy and brother, Boris.




Leon has unfortunately joined his bother Jackie CD (left) and Jazzabelle (right).




Leon was easy to take on family adventures.   Here are Boris and Leon on Fisherman's Wharf.




Another picture of our old and much loved crew.  Leon CGC (passed 9/20/2012), Jazzabelle (passed 12/31/2008) and Jackie (passed 12/25/2009).  Jazz passed at just shy of 16, Leon passed at just shy of 8, and Jackie passed at 6.   Both my red boys passed before their time and way before we were ready.




Jackie CD, Leon CGC, and Robert.  Or as I called them "the boys".

Leon was such a very special friend, family member, and ambassador for his breed/species.   He should have been born in a healthier body, as he had a true working spirit.  Often he worked through any discomfort in his knees for fun and adventure.  While friendly and loving, Leon was also super smart.   I am going to forever miss my big gentle sweet boy.

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Leon 10/18/2004-9/20/2012 Baby Pictures

I don't yet have the words to describe Leon and all that he meant to me as yet.   Therefore, I am going to share some of my favorite pictures of our adventures.   These are Leon's baby pics.  He was our very first puppy.   He made his trip to us from Georgia's Pamelot to Logan Airport in Boston.  His first night with us, h actually got us out of a speeding ticket when the officer saw the cute puppy in the back.



I started on Leon's retrieving skills by having him fetch my sneakers.




These were Leon's first baby toys.




This is Leon and his sister, Jazz (11 years at this point) sharing the dog bed.  



First winter walk with Leon.   Jazz is in attendance.   He was adopted at 11 weeks in the middle of winter.



I think this was Leon at six months or a little over.   We were thinking this would be the last time we could hold him comfortably LOL.





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Stella making new friends in her home

Two additional large dogs have joined Stella's household.   Stella came to us for training due to unusual dog aggression
in such a young puppy.   However, her living enviroment before coming to her new home had a Mastiff attacking her.
So taking that into consideration, it has not been a big surprise for me that she was being aggressive.
Here is is (alseep closest one to the camera) learning how to share space with her two new companions.   One of whom she is touching with her foot as she is sleeping LOL.

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Stormy and Leon's Favorite Game

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Videos Taken in August

Stella and Dudley:
Zeus Dudley and Harley:

Stella Italian Greyhound Table Work:


My Dogs, Daycare, and Boarding Orderly Door Entry:
Stella doing a demand bark:
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Market Square Jewelers in Portsmouth NH

Market Square Jewelers in Portsmouth NH is a favorite stop.   First of all, it's in a very dog friendly business section of town.   Second of all, they have estate jewelry that is very cool and at every price level desired.   Thirdly, (and perhaps Firstly LOL) there is a Jack Russel there by the name of Hoagie (may be a mispelling of his name).

He is a minor celebrity by having done appearances on TV, being a model for dog wear, and even being a service dog (as well as a therapy dog).   We see this little guy a lot when we go into town.   I finally got some alone time with him .  He is even sweeter than he looks.   His owner said he is about 12 now.

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The Boys Gus and Tommy and Ollie

Gus, Ollie and Tommy.  This crew gets along well:)

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Tommy's Favorite Place

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Boris and Jake

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Bogey and Spencer

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Dog Differences in Social Settings

Our 11 year old foster Doberman,
Stormy, catching a frisbee, as Boris and
Ollie and Bella look on.

The owners that I see every year, and continue a relationship are very responsible about their dogs.   Usually, many of these dogs are entertained and exercised by the owners and not a daycare.   So owners get very curious about how their dogs are doing in a social setting like daycare or boarding (we don't have kennels, they are largely free in our house and yard under supervision).   Some of these very responsible and loving owners are concerned that their dog may not be "measuring up" to either our expectations or what other dogs do socially.

I want to tell my customers, not to worry no dog is the same as another nor do we expect them to be.  It is actually the many differences in dogs that makes them interesting.   Some dogs take immediately to playing with the other dogs.  Other dogs need to scope out the scene for a couple of days.   Assuming they have some training behind them (or I am allowed to get them on the right path) their differences in temperaments and socialization are no big deal here.  

Personally, I am just as fond of the shy ones, as I am of the gregarious ones.  I also enjoy the behaviorally challenged ones and the "bomb proof" ones.   To me, dogs are individuals and I love their differences.  Their unique personalities make my business and job so much more interesting and rich.   These differences have also given me much insight into pack management.   In this way, all the dogs can enjoy their stay here.

It really touches me when owners express their concern and curiosity.   This tells me how much they care about their dogs' well being and happiness.   These are the kind of customers we want.   I also feel bad for the unnecessary guilt some owners have because they may think their dog is expected to be the most social, most athletic, or best trained dog here.   Some of these owners, especially if they may have a socially awkward dog, express guilt for not giving them the best life, when in fact they ARE giving them the best life.   Why is it that the most responsible and loving dog owner customers are the only ones with any (completely unnecessary) guilt?  

Some even feel bad that their dog is a puppy and therefore does puppy things LOL!   In fact, I love the opportunity to get a newly minted puppy here!   That is a lot of fun as well.

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Dudley and Trooper

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The Start of One of The Busiest Weeks

Stormy is having a great time.   She is our 11 year old foster girl, who is retiring.   It's been a bit of a
shock to her to start out here at our busiest time, after spending years of isolation previously.

Stormy sleeping with Pheobe.   Pheobe is one of three dogs in the same family staying here
until their owners can find a place to live.   I've known Phoebe and her brother, Gus, for many years. 
Jake who will be coming up is the newest addition to their canine family.

This is Jake sleeping with his buddy and our dog, Boris.   Cattle dogs are weird and quirky, and Jake
is no exception to that rule LOL.

Our boys, when we snuck out of our very crowded house to go to the beach very early.   These weeks are difficult
for them.   While they love the other dogs, I bet most times they are thinking why they can't get a little alone time:)   So
we sneak out very early in the morning for that.

Another picture of Leon and Boris during our outing.

Stella the larger American Bulldog of six months in this picture is our training client, and she needed to do an overnight.  She is a pistol, and I was not convinced that she stopped ever LOL.   The little guy of two plus months will also be a training client, and his name is Dudley.   He is super cute as well.

My husband submitted to me proof that Stella does sleep on occasion LOL.

This is Ollie Wanna Ballie.   He stayed over this week, and was our training client years ago.   He has been
a daycare client here for years.   He is also Boris's BFF.

Boris watches his Mastiff friend Bella enjoy her ball.

This is Tommy our long term boarding client.  He is actually very much like our own dog.  He is round and brown. 
Not the best picture of him.

Harley sacked out on the couch.   Dudley the little English Bulldog puppy is his new family member.   No doubt he is tired from his new friend.

Jake's other family members, Phoebe (yellow) and Gus (brindle).

We have more guests coming in tonight.   Every year these weeks are the craziest.   Luckily we have very nice doggies, and we insist that they have training before coming here (except for the smallest puppies like Dudley or some very small dogs).

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Breed Specific News Wednesday

Lennox's unfair execution has reminded many dog professionals of the dangers of Breed Specific Legislation.  Realizing that other dog professionals in the USA did not know of Lennox's plight, also reminded me of conversations with veterinarians and dog owners.   Many people in the world of professional animal care and many dog owners do not know about these laws, which can effect them quite personally in the United States.

These laws can also effect business professionals that need to travel or relocate both inside and outside the United States.   You can see our long term guest Tommy on many blog posts.   Tommy needed to be quickly re-transported from Switzerland back to the United States, due to breed attitudes and laws there.

So for our very little part at Mannerly Mutts, I have decided that every Wednesday (the day Tommy is believed to have been executed on 7/11/2012--though the date is still in dispute due to some questionable actions) to remind our audience with current Breed Specific News.   Not only are we also owners of a breed targeted, Dobermans, but I also work with many breeds targeted (who are all really great dogs).  

BTW, I will report news whether I am in agreement or not.   I want to post items without a bias, and also show where problems arise (IE unsupervised and untrained dogs usually with neglectful owners).

The following are recent news items that I have found in Breed Specific Legislation:

1. Sophie's Dog Adoption and WICCA take on BSL
2. South Florida Veterinary Medical Association Supports Repeal of BSL
3. Large Dog Insurance Law in Middletown
4. Pit Bull Awareness Of Tennessee to Peacefully Protest in Lewisburg (apparently on 7/18 the animal shelter there euthanized 13 sponsored dogs)
5. Breed Discrimination in America
6. Pit Bull Blitz Losing Battle for Councils
7. In Hobart IN Discussions Continue About Dangerous Pet Regulations
8. Dog That Killed Neighbor's Shih Tzu To Be Put Down
9. Questions on the Lennox Case
10. Education May Prevent Dog Bites (MY OWN OPINION: I am not for blaming the victims of dog bites.   Owner responsibility and supervision is the key IMHO.   Owner's are also responsible for managing people who may not know better regarding interacting with their dogs)
11. On DNA Testing Used To Classify Animals
12. Wayne Pacelle and HSUS Flex Muscles to Help Pitbulls In American (Okay, I had to force myself to put this item up here.   Do a LOT of RESEARCH on HSUS.  They often, er, misrepresent their involvement in such things to rack up donations.   Want to help out dogs?   Donate to local shelters and rescues that you know well.  Don't know them well?   Get to know them.  However, these things are parts of the issue, and so I included this, ahem, article.)
13. Hobart Pet Ordinance Enforcement Requires Community Involvement
14. Maple Ridge BSL Bylaw Sees Some Controversy

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Doberman Rescue's Stormy

It has been pointed out by some of my clients that I have not officially introduced Stormy on my blog.   You can find the following description of Stormy on Doberman Rescue Unlimited's website:

"STORMY is an 11 year old, black and rust, cropped and docked female whose owner couldn't afford the veterinary care Stormy desperately needed. Unfortunately, her medical needs had been neglected for years by the time she came to DRU with a mammary tumor the size of a softball and a broken tooth. Once DRU's vet determined that the tumor had not spread to her organs, Stormy had surgery to remove the entire mammary chain on the right side of her body to stop the growth of multiple tumors. Our veterinarian also removed the fractured, rotted tooth and cleaned the rest of her teeth. Antibiotics were prescribed to clear up a urinary tract infection which was causing her to wet her bedding and anything else underneath her. Sadly, Stormy had once been the center of her owner's attention, even traveling cross country to compete and achieve performance titles most people only dream of reaching. When things changed in her owner's life, Stormy was relegated to the backyard or isolated in the basement or a crate. This nice old lady still has the energy of a working dog and relishes daily walks with other dogs. Some arthritis in her rear legs is helped with moderate daily exercise and supplements to keep it in check. Stormy enjoys the company of benign dogs but likes cats in all the wrong ways! She would love a home where she can once again be in the center of attention.


Stormy has has gone to a permanent foster home. Please consider a donation to our SSNAP program to help us cover her medical expenses. I'm a SSNAP dog!"

Robert and I happened to meet Stormy at Doberman Rescue Unlimited's open house.  I had been stalking my friend, Alissa's Facebook page as she was taking care of Stormy during her recovery period.   So of course, when I went to the DRU open house I had to meet her.   Robert and I left as quickly as we could before we offered for her LOL.   Stormy never really left our minds though, as we held out.   As they say, the rest is history.  

So Stormy is retiring here at Mannerly Mutts.  The SSNAP program will cover her medical expenses, and another sponsor covers her food and supplements.  So please consider a donation to Doberman Rescue Unlimited to help care for Stormy and other seniors that they help.   (not to mention all the dogs outside the senior program that DRU re homes and cares for in the interim).

We are so honored to have Stormy retire with us.   Her breeder also had a home for her, but it was thought best if she did not have to travel to Kentucky.  Stormy's breeder has produced some great working dogs, including Stormy, with some very long lives (which is something we all hope for).   So hopefully we will get to spend some years with Stormy aging yet healthy.  

Stormy has only been here less than a week. We are in the process of really getting to know her, but she is already a part of our family:) Stormy is active, brave, protective, loyal, fun, energetic, and well trained. Now the trick is just to be absolutely clear to her that she needs to be obedient to us LOL. Smart dogs will try out all their options as they are getting to know you. Stormy is also very friendly and loving. She clearly has a healthy prey drive. In short, she is a lot of fun.

Here is some video of her second or third day here with the group.  



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Breed Specific Legislation News

It's been a week since Lennox's, a dog seized and destroyed in Belfast Northern Ireland, family's battle with the corrupt government ended in tragedy.   It has gotten me thinking of ways that we can all get the information on Breed Specific Bull Shit Legislation.   So many dog professionals, dog owners, and people in general don't know about it or the impact that it has on others.

Today here are seven (as in seven days since Lennox was lost to his family) news articles on Breed Specific Legislation from right here in the United States!

1. Breed Specific Legislation in Las Vegas
2. Maryland "Pit Bull Law" Not in Effect YET
3. New State Law Makes Pit Bulls More Adoptable
4. Breed Specific Legislation Proposed in Marriana Ark
5. Disabled Vietnam Vet Gets to Keep His Bully Service Dog
6. Breed Ban Shot Down in West Fort Ark
7. Sioux City Residents Want Their BSL Rescinded

Need to know about Breed Specific Legislation and if it is anywhere in your state?  Understand A Bull Website keeps up a list by states on this link.  A great way to see what is going on in your state, and a great source to refer to if you plan on travelling with your dog.

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Boris's friends (mostly Tommy)

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Lennox "Freed" from Isolation 7-11-2012 (some graphic pictures)

I just can not go on with my day today without officially giving my condolences to Lennox's family, and providing information to people about this very tragic story.  Lennox is just one of many unfairly lost due to Breed Specific Legislation practices not only in his country, but other counties including the USA.  

I had unfortunately assumed that others, especially those in the dog profession were already aware of this ongoing tragedy that started two years ago and with an ending many did not want on 7/11/2012 at 7AM (by official reports, although that is in question). One day browsing through Facebook, this picture came upon me (I don't for the life of me remember how exactly).

I got curious.   I figured probably this little girl had a dog that had bitten someone or been at large around her neighborhood.   Then as I delved into this, the scope of what was happening hit me, if what the owners were claiming was true (and no one has disputed the events leading up to Lennox's seizure by the Belfast City Council in Northern Ireland).

Therein started the family and friends campaign on Twitter, Facebook, and the Web to save their dog.  (Later I will link to the the site with the details of this story.   Right now, the officially reported day after Lennox's "humane" demise the bandwidth on these sites has been exceeded.  More proof of how many did not know the details in this very important case.   Important, because this happens all around us everyday, but not usually with a family that will go all out to fight for their dog and gather supporters.   This is not a story about a dog with a bite history at all.   This is a story about a family pet, a measuring tape, and being seized because his measurements were within the "Pitbull Type Dog's" definition.)

For those of you who don't think this can happen to you or your dog?  This is from Denver.  Those are a whole lot of Lennox's that are illegal there.   They are not napping in this photo.

Curious about areas that this can and does happen in the USA?  Understand A Bull (seems like they may not be updating this anymore) had/has a large amount of data by state.   I used to reference this if I would go out travelling anywhere.   Although Maine does not allow for Breed Specific Legislation, people who work for Maine have tried to go around this by trying to introduce legislation that puts mandates and restrictions on dogs of a certain size.   So this still has the potential to go deeper down the rabbit whole by penalizing good dogs and responsible owners with tragedies just based on the look of their dog and NOT their actions or irresponsibility.   It is truly an insane situation that we find ourselves in as dog owners.   Don't have a Pitbull Type dog? Don't feel so safe, many times they try to fit various breeds into that definition.   Also, many breeds fall under other communities Breed Specific Legislation.   Not to mention, your neighbor may have such a dog that you like, your daughter, your mother, or your friends.  

You may even be struck by such a tragedy going on with strangers overseas, like the Barnes family and Lennox.   I was very touched because they did not give up on their dog.  Honestly, I figured with all their work, that they would get their dog back in the end (you know alive and whole).   Since May of 2010 until July of 2012, this family fought to keep their dog in the hearts and minds of strangers.  Here is what Lennox's girl wanted for Christmas:

At that time, many were thinking this was a distinct possibility (that his owners would get him back possibly by that Christmas).  Unfortunately this was not to be.   Lennox was seized due to his measurements on a tape measure and then kept in deplorable conditions for the next two years as his loyal loving family fought for his life.  The life of a dog without any prior incidents and owned (by all known accounts) by responsible loving dog owners.

There is a lot you can find out about this online, although today, most of the sites have exceeded their bandwidth as more and more people find out about this tragic outcome.  There are pictures of the dog warden interacting with Lennox after she said the dog was vicious.   She was up close and personal with her face to an unmuzzled dog, and not in the way someone would handle a dog they were afraid of or thought was unpredictable.   There are pictures showing the deplorable state he was in after seizure by the Belfast City Council.  

Today this video on YouTube has been linked of interactions with Lennox, the dog warden and an "unknown man":




I sincerely hope you do not have to be a dog trainer or canine behaviorist to see this is not how one would interact with a "vicious and unpredictable dog".   There seems to be much more documentation out there that this was a nice family pet, then any documentation by Belfast City Council that this dog was an actual danger to the community.

This tragic event makes me very much feel for the Barnes family. I am so proud of them for fighting for their dog and not giving up. Rest in Peace, Lennox. Many of us wanted so much better for you.
  

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Gus and Gator et al

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So Scarborough Trials and Team Leon

Leon and I went to four days of Scarborough trials, and I was fairly confident that we would come home with one leg.   I was not even planning to go to all four days, as there were two judges on each of the two days.  Since you need a different judge to pass you each time, the max amount of legs that we could get would be two.   I assumed it would go like this 1)  Scratch Day 1 (first outdoor trial for Leon in five years, and never been to this venue) 2) Figured Day 2 we would get a leg (hahahaha) 3) Figured Day 3 we would probably get a leg, and 4) Figured Day 4 I might go just to keep the practice going.

Um, this is not how it went.   I was in good company, because on each of the four days only 1 team got their leg (and only one team was going to get the leg before the stays commenced).  Leon and I had improved our team skills, but still quite a ways from getting the leg as evidenced by the results.

(Day 1) 5/17/2012 (and I realize how the rest of the days are probably going to go)

• Do not hold chain collar by live ring (first time I was informed by a judge of this, and I have been trialling since 2008.   I have always led him gently by the collar as the rules state, but this was my reason for changing collars as I could not trust my motion memory to not hold the ring)  Good to know, wonder how many points I have lost in the past for that.
• Leon moved in Stand but I lost my train of though and waited too long before realizing judge had said leave when ready.
• Leon on off leash heel, went to put head through gate to see other dog, I forgot my emergency heel command that I could have given. He was with me during the rest.
• Was standing in his stay when I left on recall, barked, and then made for the gate. I should have realized he was going to and been ready with a second come command immediately.

(Day 2) 5/18/2012

• Changed to flat collar so I would not hold by live ring
• Off leash heel, went to same spot so he was not checking out other dog but smell. I did use my emergency heel, but he only came after halt and forward and then was with me the rest of the way.
• Stayed on stay, ran to me, but then thought about it as he came front and started for gate, I grabbed collar.
• We got to the stay portion, he barked three times and then did a stand stay instead of sit stay. Got excused before down.

(Day 3) 5/19/2012

• he thought about going to fence line but did not go to it (on off leash).
• Good figure eight (position wise)
• Missed two auto sits 1st halt on off leash and last sit in figure eight.
• Did a great stand, zero points off.
• Again tried to go for gate on recall.
• Stood in sit stay, barked and then ran to me.

(Day 4) 5/20/2012

• Leon was first off all pretty clearly done with the trials. (However, he was not getting off the hook that easy)
• Very crooked sits and auto sits. Only made a couple.
• Very good stand.
• On off lead heel, either saw or smelled Boris & Robert and walked over to fence and would not come back.
• We were disqualified, but judge asked if we wanted to do recall, and I figured sure why not. Leon hear Boris cry and jumped the fence, and then jumped back in. Well, that was new.

And here is the video to forever burn into my memory my dog jumping over the fence!

Part of the problem being that Robert and Boris were there on the fourth day.   I knew Leon would be distracted and probably not do his off lead heel well.  I also expected that he would try and blow off his recall yet again.   I DID NOT expect that Leon would use his quick thinking brain to figure another alternate route to get out and make it to Robert.  Leon is good like that though (creative thought process to figure out how to do exactly what he wants).

Another thing that Mr Leon figured out during these days was, that instead of barking in the stays to be let up, he could stand and be quiet (that was day 2).  By the way, when we are not in a ring setting, Leon does not bark in stays.   Admittedly, this was worked on for a long time, and has only been the situation for a month before this.  THEN Mr Leon figured, if I am standing in my sit stay, why then I can just walk over to her (that was day 3).

Now at the point I figured out (Day 1) that he was most likely going to blow the recall off everyday, some would figure that I just would not go and not let Leon practice this.  However, I am also practicing my handling skills while in a ring.   So even if we were not going to get a leg (and there was still a possibility we were, Day 2 before the stays was the closest), I knew what I was doing wrong each day, and working on concentrating (when I get nervous) of handling better.   After all, I had already paid for the trials.  

So I know where the holes are now in Leon's training.   On recalls, Leon is usually super happy to come to me.   I think at the trials, he gets nervous.  He is used to being around a lot of people and dogs, that does not make him nervous.  I think it's the difference when you are in a big empty space, and everyone is looking in at you.    He knows, if he goes outside of the ring he will soon find me with him outside of the ring.   He also knows outside the ring are nice people with treats.   We had worked up to a point with as many distractions as we could up to the trial (meaning I fit as much as time would allow before the trial).   However, there were still some on the list.   Some things that might seem like they will never be at a trial (and perhaps they won't) still seem to bite you in the butt if you do not get to them.

Leon and I have been working since March 2012 at this (so it was two months and a third of work).   Other dogs, I have worked with for at least six months to a year before just doing the matches.   Jackie CD, my dog aggressive Doberman, took two years before I even considered that he might be a good candidate for the sport.

Leon is a very even mannered dog.  He can be a brat at times, but he has no behavioral difficulties and is fairly confident.   He likes to have fun, and he likes working with me.    I used to be very sad when I would go to trials without him after his ACL tear, and that is why for five years I was not training him to be a competition dog.   As it is, we will only be able to complete Companion Dog due to his knees (the jump repetitions would be too much).   So I figured he would easily do it, and all this stuff are things we do everyday, just not with the competition rules (only one command et).  It turns out that during those five years, I allowed Leon to learn some very bad habits that are screaming out in the trial ring now!

This is why as a dog trainer, it is so important to work different breeds, temperaments, sizes, ages, physically conditioned, et dogs.   So many trainers if they trial at all, will only do their dog for many years.   I think this is important too, as you can climb up the skill level with a dog you can focus your abilities on.  I have not yet had a dog (that is mine) that has been physically healthy enough to do this (except maybe Boris, but he has three legs and I have not determined this yet).   What can happen though, is a trainer thinks every dog is going to learn as well and by the same training style as the one dog they have been working for seven or more years.   I had assumed that I could get a friendly dog, like my Leon, there much faster due to his open and social personality (and while he creatively tries to get out of things, he really is a dog that likes to please me).   Oops!  Guess we got quite a bit more work to do.

The only way you learn what is and is not true and possible, is to work as many different dogs as you can, and then have an impartial third party judge how that is going for you IMHO.   BTW it does not necessarily have to be obedience, but that is my sport (and also what I train my clients in).

Additional distractions to be added to Leon's training schedule (some of this has been done to an extent, but is still in process or the time couldn't be gotten in to perfect it):

• We will be heeling him around food on the ground.
• Recalling him away from food bowls and treats.
• Not that I am sure Boris and Robert will be at the next trial, but we will be filling in that hole by having Leon recalling a lot away from them (Robert usually let's Leon get away with anything, so Leon loves to run for cover to him).
• Stays being more like open stays (out of sight from Leon for period of time)
• Stays while biking out of sight.
• Stays while Robert is playing with daycare and ball.

Like I said, a lot of this is not going to be found at trial.   However, doing these things increases your dog's ability to not be tempted by lessor distractions.   Also, Leon has a very free lifestyle generally and for the last five years.  We do not have him ignore dogs so we get all his attention all the time.   We do not convince him that we dispense treats at the drop of a button or are their to entertain him with play all the time (though I am not saying that we don't use these things in training).  We do not correct him at every mistep.   I try and balance everything out, and come up with a plan that allows my dog to enjoy as much as life has to offer, but also work well with me as a partner.  It is not always easy to have your cake and eat it too .   It is so worth it though to be able to strike a balance that makes one happy with themselves as a trainer, and also happy with the life their dog is able to lead.

Leon is crate trained, but he is not crated a lot in his life.   He is so attached to us, maybe a bit more so than is optimal, because we enjoy being with him and interacting with him (and all our past and present dogs) all the time.   When you make these decisions on how you want to live and interact with your dogs, there are always pluses and minuses.   The best thing you can do is recognize that, and put in the work to make it be the best for yourself and your teammate.

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Diesel has just been on a string of adventures this year

I love following my client, Tania's, Facebook page.   She has pictures of her adventures with Diesel, her dog, on their constantly.   I asked if I could share this one with people who view my business pages.

This is exactly what I wish for my clients and thier dogs!   Diesel is not waiting at a kennel for his owners to come back after doing fun things.  Diesel is part of the fun things.   Also, his owners don't need to worry that he will become lost when they are out adventuring.

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Questions from a potential future dog trainer

Question received: I am thinking of entering a second career as a dog trainer. I would like to ask you some questions about the career field, so I have some information to make an educated decision before I start spending a lot of money on education and equipment. I want to make sure this career field would be a good fit for me. I grew up in a rural setting and had dogs as pets through most of my life, from Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Labs, to Basset hounds and Dachshunds. I love dogs and have done some research into their psychology and history. I think that trainers not only train dogs, but also their owners in ways that help build the relationship between the two species. This is something that interests me, to help build a stronger relationship between owner and pet.

If you could give me some insight to the profession, such as what characteristics and skills one needs to be a successful dog trainer; what kinds of challenges you face as a dog trainer; what’s the most favorite part and least favorite part of the profession for you; and what a typical day is like. If you want, could you also tell me how you got started in the profession, or what motivated you to become a dog trainer?

I appreciate your time and thank you in advance for any information you wish to share.


My Responses (I should note that at different points in time my answers may have been different):
 

• What characteristics and skills one needs to be a successful dog trainer?  I do think this varies from person to person, and varies from exactly what you will focus on in the dog training field. Generally, however, desire to learn and immerse ones self in learning and researching, accepting that practice is going to be necessary and the key, and that the ability to format accessible goals for yourself, the owner, and the dog are extremely important. I believe the ability to be open minded and learn from others who can demonstrate their knowledge (and the ability to read whether a trainer has that knowledge or not) is a very important place to begin. There is more to say here, but it would take a book LOL.

• What kinds of challenges you face as a dog trainer?  Keeping yourself feeling healthy and ready to train is always a challenge. Managing time and life so you can do this best, is a challenge.

• What is the most favorite part of the profession for you? Providing the service that creates the communication and relationship between the dog and owner to be the best and most enjoyable that it can be for those individuals.  It's great if you can do that so it never enters an owner's head to re-home their dog in the first place.  That depends on owners contacting right in the beginning for training.   When that does not happen, it's great when you can improve the situation to the extent that the owner is no longer thinking about this at all!
• What is the least favorite part of the profession for you?  We are very accessible to our clients, meaning I don't often have days off during the year (and especially not when I would like them).  I also don't like when I meet up with people who really do not want to work with their dogs.   Sometimes people are just looking for permission to give up.  It is stressful to know a dog is in a situation like that and/or that the dog is dangerous in a situation like that.   I also hate all the computer work and marketing that comes along with driving this business forward LOL, but it is worth it.
• What is a typical day like?  A typical day begins for me getting my dogs and boarding dogs fed, pooped, peed, and played or attention before the business day begins.   Then at about seven am, daycare and day training dogs begin to come in.  So one of us (husband or me) is typically taking the dogs in and chatting with the clients about the day or any problems they are having, while the other is on the other side training our dogs on commands under this distraction or making sure any "behaviorally challenged" client dogs are being appropriate during this distracting time.   Daycare usually plays and gets run with after the drop off times.   Then I am updating training blogs and doing marketing things online.  Then I begin training the dogs either around daycare as distractions OR if I need to start a green dog in non distracting situations then my husband watches daycare as we go off and do our thing.   Then their is another round of free time, as I go through the dogs here for daytrain.   And most of my lessons are typically in the evening at this time of year.   So at about 5 pm or so, I start with the private lessons.  My day goes through about 6 am to 6 pm easily, and many times later than that. 
• Could you also tell me how you got started in the profession, or what motivated you to become a dog trainer?
  Let me first say, the only reason that I never just started off doing this as it was never presented to me as a real profession (you know by guidance counselors and certainly not my parents). I have always had an interest in animals and their well being. I thought the only way to do that when I was young was to be a veterinarian. I had never been exposed to the various dog training professions and that they are truly professions (and I am horrible at science so vet was out). When I got my first house at about 29, we got our first dog as well (Jazz a female Doberman). We acquired her at age 3 from a breeder who did not want to breed her anymore, so she came with manners and training. I did need to get involved a little bit with training and her for her prey drive (and we had cats, we did not want her to eat them). Then came our second dog, Neptune (he was a male Doberman 100#s and aged two). He was dog aggressive, and so I was determined not to fail him and provide him with many experiences so I went to a trainer with him. I remember thinking it was too bad that more people did not know they could make this kind of difference with their dog. My profession at the time was changing, and I did not want to be involved with unethical practices and the stress that came with it. I was volunteering at shelters as this was coming to a head, training dogs there to destress myself LOL. Then I thought, why am I not doing this for a living when I enjoy it so much, and I feel like I am accomplishing something. That is where the idea began. Truthfully, if I had not been exposed to a dog aggressive dog, I might be where more people are today thinking most dogs just need manners training. But Neptune was my education into the idea that training can be work, rewarding, and make your relationship with your dog deeper and more meaningful.

Previously, I also addressed information to impart to those thinking of going into this profession on this blog post http://mannerlymutts.blogspot.com/2008/10/questions-from-future-dog-trainers.html and also this blog post http://mannerlymutts.blogspot.com/2009/07/how-to-learn-about-dog-training-and.html.

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