Shana's First Snow Day!

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Okay, officially Shana saw snow falling a few days ago at 1 AM in the morning.   She did not want to step in the strange white stuff at first, and then thankfully went about her business.   We were both pretty groggy, and I was not about to go and run for my camera.

Then today's snow came!  This start off with exclamations of surprise at the front window in the family/dog room.  

Then Shana hurriedly went to investigate the rest of the windows.   She found this was going on everywhere!

I figured this was a great time to snap some shots of her outside in her first play session in the snow with her Golden Retriever buddy, Odin.

And a good time was had by all:)   THE END

Thursday Thirteen Best Christmas Gifts For Your Dog

Here are thirteen gifts that your dog will enjoy the most this Christmas:

If your dog needs number 11 on the list, we can set up an appointment to discuss this with you.   Just fill out this form.

1) Lying by the fire with you after a long walk through the woods.
2) A new place to explore.
3) Visiting with dog and human friends.
4) Learning a new trick with you.
5) Playing a game of fetch.
6) Playing a game of find or hide and seek.
7) New classes to learn a new sport, such as agility or freestyle dancing.
8) Remembering to spend time with them when the busy holiday season gets in full swing.
9) A thinking, working, or chewing toy.
10) Playing dog games with other owners and their dogs.
11) Being sure that they have had their obedience training, so that they are able to attend family holiday gatherings if they are welcomed.
12) A car ride and walk to pick out a toy at their favorite dog-friendly store.
13) A mini obstacle course to learn together.

Make sure your companion has a holiday every day!  Keep  these things in mind all year long.

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Tommy, Mannerly Mutt's Maine Dog of the Week

Tommy by the heater this winter.

Tommy by the gas stove his first winter at our house.

Tommy stuffed behind me on my office chair.

Tommy find a sunshine spot by the window.

Tommy on his favorite chair and under his favorite fluffy blanket!

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Tommy is NOT our dog!   However, Tommy is a large part of our family, being that he boarded with us for over two years, and he boards here at least once a month these days.   We got to know and love Tommy very much.

From the pictures, you can probably guess that Tommy loves to be warm.  He is always seeking out sun spots or warm places to cuddle including the back of my chair when I am on it!  

How did we meet Tommy?   A friend of the owner's spotted our truck at the library one day.   This friend called Tommy's owner, who was in Switzerland at the time.   The family had moved their temporarily because they work for one of those large corporations that like to ship their workers off to far and wide places.   Tommy had been flow, as well, to Switzerland.   Turns out, this is not the place to have a dog whose breed falls under the designation of "pit bull breed" even if they are a mix.   So the family wanted to get Tommy out of the country ASAP!   They also wanted him to still be here, if possible, upon their return.

And so Tommy came to be with us for two plus years.   his family came home four or five times a year to visit with him during that time.  The first day that Tommy came here, he was so shell shocked.   First he was flown to Switzerland, then flown back and at a stranger's house!   We needed to do three weeks of board & train with him, so that we could have a dog that would get along with human and dog guests at our place (or at least obey a command quickly). Tommy was smart and quick friends with my dogs, and our various client's dogs.

He has many nicknames here.   "Timmy Tommy Jimmy Jomdy" for one.   We frequently refer to him as "round and brown" LOL.   And if you need Tommy to be protective of you, he will be ready for that job.   Likewise, if you tell him to cut it out, he will cut it out.   Tommy is the dog I most want in the house if my husband is travelling!  

Also despite his "seeking warmth photos" Tommy is a very active guy.   I taught him to do jumps, and he loves performing these in the woods.  He can jump quite high even as he is aging.   He also loves to race in the woods, especially with friends Ollie and Boris.  Tommy is probably seven or eight now.

   

Tommy is like family here.   We always refer to him as our fourth dog.  That is why Tommy is the dog of the week this week.

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Hoobie 11/23/2005-11/28/2013

I received the news yesterday that Hoobie's heart stopped during a routine examination.  Hoobie holds a special place in our hearts and memories here.   Luckily he was only 50 or so pounds, because he was the hardest dog that I ever had to train.   His size made it possible for me to handle and teach him safely.

Unfortunately, Hoobie was born with bad genetics that caused some very uncomfortable medical problems for him very early on.   When I have dealt with very human aggressive dogs, it has been very common that they have medical factors that are making them uncomfortable being handled AND they started very early on in their lives.

Why would his owners choose to spend so much time, money, and effort on Hoobie?   Well, there was a sweet guy in there that liked to have fun.   To Hoobie's owners, it was very important for them decrease not only the physical discomfort, but also the mental discomfort that grew from that as well.   They knew the sweet Hoobie, and wanted more time with that side of him now that they had identified his physical maladies.



The reward that Hoobie worked the best for was outdoors and fun.   Food or treats would get you bitten.   So that is what we used for this guy to bond and build trust during his stay here.   He really taught me a lot about identifying what a dog is going to work for.   It is not always going to be something readily available, and the dog is going to pick it (especially in a case like this) NOT the dog trainer.

He left to go back home in September 2009.   Hoobie and his owners lived a bit away in Canada so I have not seen him since, though I do get updates.   Hoobie gained a female canine companion, and lots time with his owners for these years.   I cried a bit last night when I found out.   His owners did such an incredible job of sticking with Hoobie, and continuing on the work to keep his aggression at bay by working with what Hoobie (and they) had learned here.

Hoobie is now medical issue free for once.   I hope he is running with his old friends Leon and Jackie (my dogs that knew him and went before him) at the rainbow bridge.   Hoobie, you were very loved and will be missed and remembered.

Harley, Mannerly Mutt's Canine of The Week

Harley came here for dog training in our board & train program as a six month old puppy in the winter of 2005.   To the left of this text is a picture of Harley at that time (and to the right a picture of Harley now).   As a puppy he was as big as my full grown Doberman Jackie!

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Harley's original owners were ill equipped to have a puppy of any sort.   One owner worked as a nurse and was not often home, and the other owner was just not into spending time with a Great Dane puppy.   Harley's original name was Moose.   The original owners paid for training to house train and obedience train their dog, and at the last lesson the male owner expressed his feelings about the puppy.   I offered to purchase Harley at that time (plus the cost of his veterinarian fees to date and reimburse their training), but the male owner did not want to disappoint his wife.

So a year went by, my phone rang in the afternoon in March 2006, I think.   It was Harley's male owner, and they wanted to know if we still wanted Harley.   Harley had been being passed around to family member to family member, with no one wanting to commit the time and appropriate care to him.  Meantime, Jackie the Doberman, who had been a foster, had become our third dog.   Our budget did not allow for a fourth dog at that time, but I had a client who was looking for a companion for their dog.   Hence, Harley found his new home with owner's who walk him mornings and evenings on the ocean.   Not a bad life for a once unwanted puppy.

The best part?   Like most of our clients, Harley has remained in our lives all these years later.   We know that he is safe and loved.   I get to see him every week, and let him know that we still love him as well.   Harley has known all of my dogs except Neptune, who died before we moved to Maine.

Harley is an awesome dog, who truly deserved his awesome life and awesome owners.  Each week, I plan to blog about one of our client's dogs.   Most of the dogs that come here, we have known for years!




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Holiday season tips for your canine companion from Maine's Professional Dog Trainer

Leon and Boris at Petco.

Thanksgiving, Hanukkah,   Christmas, and New Years are all just around the corner!  So what does this mean for your beloved dog?  Here are the things you should be aware of:

1. Everyone loves a Christmas tree.  Unfortunately the tinsel, lights, ornaments, hooks, packages with wrappings underneath, and potential for the tree to fall over can all pose a threat to your dog.  Glass ornaments can not only be unhealthy to digest but can cut your canines' feet.  Also it's wise not to use edible ornaments on your Christmas tree.
2. In some homes there will be major food preparation for celebrating the holidays.   This means an increase in foods that are not toxic to humans but possibly foods toxic to dogs.
3. Not all dogs like the increase of visitors to their home.   If you have not prepared your dog for this in the past, think of strategies that will make them comfortable and so they are not put in situations they will not be prepared for.
4. There are holiday plants that can be toxic to your dogs.   
5. Hard candy such as candy canes may not only be choking hazards and unhealthy, but they may actually contain ingredients poisonous to your dogs!
6. If you are opening the doors a lot, you need to be sure that you have made any dogs liable to bolt safe during these holiday visits.
7. Bones can also be choking hazards or even carry dangerous bacteria.
8. Holiday candles are always in danger of being knocked over by a pet.   Or even a pet just burning their nose.

Holidays are a fun and busy time for humans.   Just don't forget to be on the lookout for our other companions during this time!

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Our Maine residency dog training program, what is it?

Mannerly Mutts Dog Training is located in Maine.   Many different programs are offered at the Maine dog training facility.   Many people have not heard of a residency dog training program, also known as a board & train program.
What it is:  A Board & Train or Residency Training Package is one where your dog stays with us.  A dog in training receives two hours of training per day in addition to exposure to a home environment while training.  Residency or Board & Train is a great way to get up front work done by professionals for getting a start on puppy training, getting a start on house breaking, and getting professional help with behavioral problems (aggression, fear, or reactivate behaviors).   Dogs in training train here, and go into public distracting areas to train when ready.   This way your dog gets complete exposure to every day life situations that go beyond their home and yard.


Benefits:   All the up front work (including traveling to different locations when your dog is ready) is done by a professional dog trainer.   This saves the owner a lot of time and effort in the beginning of training.   The training can also go faster, because the dog is not being trained by the owner, who has a learning curve to scale, but by a professional trainer who has handled many different dogs of varying breeds and temperaments.   If the owner has been having long term problems with a behavioral challenge, a professional dog trainer is not going to be intimidated by the dog, and will know how to guide the dog through various scenarios safely (for the trainer, the dog, the public at large).    In this way, you will be better prepared to maintain your dog once their behaviors have improved to being socially acceptable.  Taking a dog or puppy into a structured environment used to training and handling dogs, also gives the dog a strong foundation for their future behavior as a well trained family member.


Included in the Board & Train Package:  1)  Two hours a day individualized training attention and work for your dog 2) Training blog that you can follow including video of the work done with your dog 3)  play, exercise and rest time provided for your dog 4) excellent boarding care while your dog is here and 4) follow up lessons to train the owner on how to interact with their dog and maintain their dog's training.   The leashes and collars we use are also for sale at Mannerly Mutts.   If you want to purchase these from us, they are available for an additional fee.


Price:  This price is based on two hours a day of training (70.00) plus the boarding expense (30.00) to total 100.00 per day.   However, the minimum board and train package we sell consists of a three weeks.   There is not much we can make a dent in with less than three weeks to work.   Therefore, the board & train or residency program starts at $2,100.00 with each day thereafter being 100.00 per day (or 700.00 for each additional week).  
This program is for a variety of purposes:

1. The owner does not have the time for the up front work.   We can bring the dog through all the basic obedience training through to distractions, and then provide a maintenance schedule and lessons.
2. The owner has a dog with behavioral challenges.   Often times an owner will find themselves in a situation where they are afraid of or intimidated by their dog.   This program can take the dog out of the environment, work with him, and then have the owner come back for follow up.   By this time a language has been created (IE commands and behaviors that have been taught) that make the process for the owner and dog much easier.  We can bring both the dog and owner back to a place where both eventually feel comfortable with the other.
3. An owner wants a really well trained dog:)   So they want the bulk of the up front work done by a professional dog trainer.
4. An owner lives far away, but wants our services for training their dog.
5. To begin the training process before a puppy or rescue dog enters their home.

If you find yourself in need of this service, please fill out our client interview form.  
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Our Chihuahua Ziggy and the Pros and Cons of Small Dogs

Dobermans have been our breed since 1997 or so. They have ranged in weight from 80#s to 110#s.  Ziggy weighs 5#s plus a little something.  He is our first dog of any other breed (besides our cats, Clyde and Mustache, who were well over 15#s).   Luckily, I am a dog trainer, so I am very familiar with the special problems of smaller breed dogs.

Small dogs are awesome and need training just like large dogs to reach their potential.   However, there are special considerations that go into owning and caring for a small dog.

First of all, they can be hurt by any number of things if you are not careful.   They just do not have the bulk or strength to withstand things many other dogs can.   On the other hand, you don't want them lacking in confidence, adventure, or socialization.   Small dogs, like Ziggy, can also easily be carried away by predators (birds of prey, coyotes, other dogs, a cat could even get Ziggy!).  We are sure that playmates are trained, and that they are supervised in order to play with him carefully.  The rule here with large dogs is that the smaller dog is always right, and if they are not, I will intervene and they do not need to.   It is very important that the large dogs here know that it is never okay to go after the small dogs.  (also not okay to go after the large dogs here, but there is an additional level of protection needed for toy breeds)

Non social behaviors that can reduce the patience level of the pack are not allowed from the small dogs either.   A bad behavior exhibited towards another has the potential to erode the relationship until something tragic or unfortunate happens.   Therefore, even though small dogs are usually less than 20#s, it is also important that they are trained and supervised.  While toy breeds can not do much damage to a medium to large dog, their behavior can incite a reaction from them that could have serious if not fatal consequences.  However, when rules exist, this keeps that possibility at a minimum.

Another thing we need to be careful, is that there is water that Ziggy can get to.   Our large dogs drink from pails of water.   Ziggy can get up there, but if the water is not high enough, he can not reach it.   So we are sure to bring him aside several times a day for his own water time, unless we have seen that he has reached the larger pail and gotten his water (and same for any toy breed guests that come here).

Going to a dog park or the beach means looking out for my little guy.   I don't coddle him, but I am on the lookout for potential problems to avoid.   To some dogs that have not been socialized with small dogs, Ziggy is fair game to chase like prey.  Being a dog owner means always being aware of my surroundings anyway (as I don't want my large breed dogs to be attacked either), but it is especially important to be aware of what is going on around Ziggy.

Extreme weather especially the cold is a problem for most toy breeds.   They just do not have the insulation to keep themselves very warm.   Even when you have a coat on them, sometimes it is just too cold for them to spend any real time outdoors in the winter.

Tooth decay happens in toy breeds, and it can happen when they are fairly young!  This is a lot different than larger breed dogs.   It is thought this happens as they do not chew enough on bones.   Be sure to consider a solid dental routine for your small breed dog, and get their teeth checked out at each health check veterinarian appointment.

Toy breeds also have their advantages of course.   Picking them up is very easy when they are injured, to take out of a situation, and to walk around in stores that let you do that.  Travelling with small breed dogs is much easier on just about any level.   Feeding smaller breed dogs is obviously cheaper.   The vaccination and other such health expenses (besides surgery as toy breeds actually need specialists sometimes) are cheaper.   Exercising a smaller breed dog is easier.  They live longer, and are easier to take care of during their old age.   Also if they make an accident in the house, it is only so big .   Toy breeds are much easier to pick up after.

Just be aware of these other items:)

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Five Rules to Keep In Mind When Using Corrections

Corrections are ways to improve communication in training and make corrections for training items that are either lacking precision and/or behavioral problems that need to be addressed.   Corrections are not the same as punishment (either in the general public understanding which refers to a reaction after a negative event or the more scientific definition of punishment, meaning reducing behavior only or in other words does not mean physical harm in the scientific definition).

For about the fist six months of a puppies life, training goes along usually with minimal corrections (like no, trading items, or redirection to something more appropriate) and punishment might be a simple crate time out.   Hopefully you have been doing formal training during this point, which does have less expectation and precision than one would have of a more mature dog going through training.

Why do we need corrections of some sort?   When training a dog, you want to give them information in as clear a form as possible, so that they can learn how to understand our verbal communication and domestic living rules.  There are many things canines do that are natural and normal for them to do, but do not belong in a domestic, living with and around humans and other critters environment.   Because many dog owners want a dog that can go anywhere with them and take on adventures, dogs need to understand the rules in order to be safe and enjoyable in public.  Six months is the age many dogs training professionals believe a puppy can receive more responsibility and start to have the responsibility of performing commands at first cue (verbal or signal or what have you).   This is when you begin to build the compliance that you want in an older dog on their way to maturity.   This may also be the age that your dog starts testing you and others to see how far they can go.  This is natural for dogs to do at many different stages, but six months is a good age to begin being very firm about the rules of domestic living.

There are rules that humans need to adhere to for corrections to be an effective and fair part of a training plan.   Here are five rules that most often come to mind for me:

1. Training and teaching always are the first things you do with your dog before correcting them for non compliance.   They need to know what the right decision, position or behavior was before you can expect them to perform it.   A correction is not the beginning teaching step.   Also remember a correction is not the reaction to an unpleasant event (IE dog bite, growling, going to the bathroom in the house, getting into the garbage ET).  We are not talking about that here, and those reactions are not part of the TRAINING process in specific.
2. Related to above, a correction must be fair and appropriate to the situation.  Remember even when using training collars, the handler/trainer/owner always has control over how much they are used, how well timed they are used, and how consistent they have been in general to the training plan.
3. A correction happens when the human is calm and in a good frame of mind.   Again a correction is not something that happens in anger or frustration.
4. There is usually a second or so between an event (command, behavior, ET) where the dog is giving their learning space.   Then a correction (body bump, re-position, molding, collar/leash correction) is given only after giving the dog the opportunity to act based on what you have already taught them.   Without giving them that space, you are not giving them the space to think, contemplate, and decide what it is that you want.
5. Corrections are never the only information given in a training plan.   They are a tool just like anything else that you use for training (leash, collar, voice, body language, consistency, timing, and so on).   If you only used correction, you would never be teaching or rewarding.   These are ALL part of the training process.

This is a short article on an involved topic.   Please let me know any questions you may have.   Future blog posts will delve further into this.

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Playing With Shana Madela's Future Registered Name

I've done some further research into what I want the components to be in Shana's name.   First I took the list of what I saw as her personality traits, then I found F words that loosely described that.

Next I went to look at some F names and their meanings.   Found some great names in those as well.

So the further listing I did for components to her registered name are as follows:

• Pretty-Fancy, Fine, fair, foxy,
• Head Strong-Fresh,
• Focused-Focus, Fixate,
• Fun Loving-Frolic, Flirty, Feisty, Fun,
• Agile and Athletic-Flexible, Frisky, Fleet (Fleet Footed),
• Strong-
• Clever and Smart-Fascinating, Foxy,  (Like a Fox),
• Problem Solver-
• Loving-Faithful, Fervent, Fond,
• Independent Minded-Freewheeling,
• Protective-Fierce, Fiery, Fury,
• Climber-
• Fearless-Fearless, Forward,
• Friendly-Friendly, Fond, Familiar, Faithful, Favorable,
• Naughty-Fiendish, Fresh, Fractious, Froward,
• Adventurous-Free, Fearless, Forward
• Busy-Forceful,
• Bossy-Fiendish, Fiery, Forceful, Firm,
• Bully-Forward, Forceful,
• Driven-Fated, Finished, Fulfilled,
• Female-Femme Fatale, Female, Feminine,

Miscellaneous F words:  Favorite, Finagled, Fierce, Ferocity, Ferment, Fetish, Fetter, Fire, Forest, Fumes, Fortune, Fortunate, Flower, Freewill, Frenzy, Fresh, Friction, Fiction, Front, Finish, Fetching, Flame, Flaming, Forage, Foray, Fly, Flight, Flyer, Flounce, Float, Flit, Fit, Fight, Flight, Fear, Flaunt, Flutter, Forge, Firefly, Famous, Fame, Fanatic, Fan, Fanciful, Fable, Facet, Fancied, Feuding, Figment, Find, Fiesta, Fangs, First, Flare, 

Shana's dam's call name is Cinders.   Her registered name (and titles) is Swift Run's Volcan Masaya VPG III IPO III PSA-PDC, CD RN WAC CGC.  And her Sire's call name is Nemo and registered name (and titles) is Dark Nemo vom Koby Haus BH, ZTP V1A, IPO 2.

Fabrizia-means worker

Faina-means joyful

Faizah-Victorious

Fanchon-Freedom

Faren-Wandering

Fausta-Happy, Lucky

Fay-Fairy or Elf

Fiametta-Means flame or little flame

Fionan-Fair

Francesca-A Free Woman

Frodina-Intelligent Friend

Faithful Fiametta (would follow her mother's call name cinder)

Frolicking Fiametta

Frolicking Flame

Frolicking Frodina

Faina Fay

Frolicking Faina Fay (this has a nice cadence to it)

Faren Fiametta

Faizah Fay

Faizah Francesca

Fleet Frodina (I like the meaning intelligent friend)

All this boils down to coming up with an "F" registered name for Shana Madela (pretty girl in Yiddish and her call name).  Some names I am experimenting with:

Masaya's Frolicking Faina Fay (last two words Joyful Fairy-and nice cadence)

Masaya's Frolicking Fiametta (last word meaning flame or little flame)

Masaya's Faithful Frodina (least word meaning intelligent friend)

Masaya's Faren Fiametta (last words meaning wandering flame-due to Shana's adventurous nature)

Masaya's Fionan Francesca (fair free woman-don't like it but I was trying to come up with something close to pretty girl)

Masay's Foxy Francesca (better than the one above)

I also like the word Faizah, as it means victorious.   

Masaya's Faizah Fay (last words meaning victorious fairy--eh)

Masaya's Fleet Faizah

Just some thoughts.   If anyone else has an idea based on these various F words, feel free to forward them:)   Just having fun looking at the possibilities now.

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Help me find Shana Madela's registered name!.

Shana with her best friend, Clooney, (silver lab and no that
not a recognized lab color) on the couch.

Thinking of Shana Madela's "registered" name.   As many know, Shana Madela has come from Masaya Dobermans in Kentucky.   She is in an impressive line of dogs that have proven themselves dog sports like Schutzhund and Obedience(and others).   Ways in which breeders and other can track their success, is by registering their dogs and their litters.   You can track Shana Madela's breeding through many generations of dogs including seeing their accomplishments.

When Shana begins competing (hopefully next Spring of 2014 ), Her registered name will show as Masaya's [Something starting with F].   This is to easily identify her as belong to a certain breeding. In this case call names Cinders (aka Swiftrun's Volcan Masaya VPG III, IPO III, CD, RN WAC, CGC) and Nemo (aka Dark Nemo vom Koby Haus BH, ZTP V1A, IPO II) are the dam and sire.   Cinder actually originated from the kennel that our previous permanent foster dog, Stormy (aka Swift Run's Krystal Storm SchH3, WD3), came from.

I do need to find out what the other registered names in the litter are, so as I do not duplicate one.   I do know that they like it to be based on nature and fire I believe.   I thought I would start this process by thinking of things that describe Shana first:

• She's very pretty, hence her name in Yiddish means pretty girl (Shana Madela).
• Head strong and determined.
• Focused (which also happens to be an F word).
• Fun loving.
• Agile and athletic.
• Strong.
• Clever and very smart.
• Problem solver LOL.  Also could be described as problem maker if she was not in a training home.
• Loving.
• Independent minded.
• People loving.   
• Protective (especially of certain canine friends or family)
• Climbs onto anything she can. (I call her Monkey sometimes)
• Fearless.
• Friendly.
• Bad and naughty.
• (having to do with above) Adventurous.
• Busy, she is very busy.
• Bossy.
• Bully (wow a B name would be easy LOL).
• Drive.

It's alright for the registered name to be more than one word or even a short phrase.   My last puppy from a breeder, Leon, had his registered name come with him.   It was Ogelthorpe which was a university in the area that he came from (short name Ogre).   If it was not the exact opposite of Leon's personality, we might have kept it for his name, but the name Leon seemed to work as far as he was concerned.   When I was scolding him I would often say "Leon Ogelthorpe", but Leon never did get in any "real" trouble.   He was the easiest puppy ever, except for his initial mouthiness.   I actually remember that he could get as determined as Shana does about some things.   Hence why I am working with Shana in following my lead, rather than ever giving in to her protestations LOL.

Shana is very easy, except to convince her that calming down will get her what she wants in the end.   She is very determined to get somewhere or to something.   She can also figure out (or is figuring out) that working with me will get here there a lot sooner.   She learns things at an amazing rate of speed, and can also figure things out on her own (like opening doors) very rapidly.   She is tons of fun to work with.   I am training her mostly from what I learned at Mike Elllis's seminar and by watching his tapes.   As far as working with her while she is really focused on getting to dogs on the beach, however, I have started molding sits ala Koehler or Bedrock (I can not remember which but Margot, Bedrock's Method, was a student of Koehler).   Mike Ellis's engagement protocols are very helpful in this endeavor as well.

We are using food, balls, and tug toys (yes also technically a toy) to do most of the up front training with Shana.   Shana has been started on loose leash, heeling, come, sit, down, short stays under limited distractions, stand, and spin (yes not an obedience thing).   We are coming up to the six month mark next week for Shana's age.   Bonding with Shana, Robert, Boris, and myself has gone great.   I will no doubt be in charge of bringing Shana anywhere for a long time LOL, so we can take advantage of training opportunities that Robert will not yet be prepared to deal with.   Once I train one of our dogs, and especially if I have another dog in training, I seldom get to enjoy my training efforts on family outings with my dogs!   My husband is the usual beneficiary of this.   So Boris has been handled by Robert on family outings lately.   

I have to be ready to work Shana this winter if I want to trial in the Spring.   I am not going to lie to you, it's hard to keep your training schedule up in the winter.   It's even harder to locate acceptable venues for this!   There may be matches this Fall/Winter in the Saco area for me, but also there might not be.  I have learned to train around this, but it is challenging.  Having even a fake ring to practice and perform in does help.   However, if you keep up your training and keep it crisp & fresh in other distracting areas, that helps load too.   Of the two, I would rather practice in real life distractions rather than rings, but there is no doubt that ring practice can help!   It is not technically necessary, but do be sure you need to get to places as often as possible that are somewhat crowded with dogs for the specific purpose of training.

Well that is a bit about Shana Madela and what we are doing before beginning to think about her registered name!   It's an exciting and fun time here.

You should never forget though in order to have a fantastic dog, you need to work and have patience with your puppy!   Now is the time to do it, rather than wait until they are at their biggest and strongest, AND have not learned anything.   It is far easier to manage a puppy that is not at their full weight, and is willing and ready to learn at this young age.   Bad habits are harder and far more work to get rid of later on.

But if you are ready for the challenge, it will be fun and a great bonding/relationship building time for you and your puppy.

Please no comments about purchasing well bred puppies means killing dogs in shelters.   Of my seven Dobermans, two have come from breeders as puppies (Leon and Shana) to work with me as demo dogs and competition dogs.   Three (Neptune, Jackie, and Stormy, who came at 10 years old) have come from Doberman Rescue Unlimited as adults (Jackie CD did become my competition dog but died at 6 from intestinal problems that he came with).   One has come from Doberman Rescue Unlimited as a puppy with three legs (Boris and he is four years old now), and Shana believes him to be a rock star LOL.   One was an adult female that we did get from a breeder who no longer wanted her as her personal pet or to breed (our awesome first Doberman, Jazzabelle, who lived until 16).   I always plan to have at least one Doberman from Doberman Rescue Unlimited here.  I love rescues, but I also understand the value of dogs bred for health, temperament, and structure.   I do not think the solution to the rescue problem is to malign responsible breeders who put tons of work and knowledge into keeping dogs healthy.

I love dogs healthy or not, but I know that in order to home my skills, I occasionally need well bred dog to work with! There are issues that come with my beloved breed, especially if care has not been taken in the breeding, that can take them out way too early.  Not to mention, when you love dogs as much as I do, you want to spend every moment you can with them even the geriatric ones! IMHO it is an honor and a privilege to have a senior dog.  It is also hard to watch a dog that really wants to do things, but physically is held back by heart disease or something like that.   They can enjoy life, but as an owner you have to watch out for their limitations, while allowing them to enjoy their life to the fullest that they can:)

Also statistically, you are going to pay (in the end) much more for a dog that has something genetic lying in wait, than a well bred dog where care has been taken to try and eliminate these things.   Neptune in one year had medical bills well of $10,000 to keep him comfortable (and he was) and alive.   Much of those bills were in the form of the medication that he needed, and the check ups to make sure the medication was working.  I actually left my job in corporate America (because I financially could at the time) to be sure to be around more for Neptune during his last years.   It was this, and Neptune's initial behavioral problems that got me into dog training in the first place LOL.   So my expensive rescue dog who had serious health issues and could not compete, is ironically the dog who got me started in the first place.   Also Neptune was an excellent and loving dog.   If he was reincarnated, I don't know if I could afford it now, but I would take him again!   As I would all for all my past dogs, rescued and bred!

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Bella The Sweetest of Dogs 10/11/2008-8/16/2013

Bella recently came down with cancer.   This cancer took Bella away from her family far to early.   Her family adored her, and in fact she did not come to board with us nearly often enough because of that:)   As you can see she was a giant dog, but with a sweet and gentle disposition.   She loved to do puppy zoomies, which is hilarious because of her size (wish I had a video of that).   She also loved balls and to chase the water from the water hose.   Most of all though, she loved her family.

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Yard Work Inspired by the Wiggly Bridge

Our woods is always a problem.   Trees seem to fall daily out there.   I do want to eventually get a tree guy to help me cut some down in the near future.   In the meantime though, I know I can do some clean up work myself.   I recently went dog training at what we call the Wiggly Bridge in York Maine.   It connects to another great trail that we call The Fisherman's walk.   I brought Sadie and Clooney out to train earlier this week.

It struck me that what they were doing with the wood seemed 1) easy to do and 2) sort of visually appealing. I have been making it very hard for myself by trying to truck the wood OUT of the woods.   I have also been trying to figure out how to manually saw the wood.  In what wood be a tragic mistake for everyone here, I think, I have also been considering a chain saw purchase.  We be originally city folk, this would not be a good idea!

Not only wood this clear up my woods, give me something neat to look at, but best of all give me things to hide behind or in when playing hide and seek with the dogs!   Eventually I could even wood chip it into the mulch we use for our penned in area!

I've started today, and am making good progress!

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Various dogs in action or asleep at Mannerly Mutts Dog Training in York Maine

Robert, Boris, and Ziggy check out the horse and carriage, while I snap a picture
with Shana Madela by my side.

Magoo, Jet (Black Shepherd) and Trooper (barely seen behind Jet).

Lucey, she is no lady.   She can get filthy in five seconds flat, and not just because
she is white.

Teddy, we call him Teddy Bear.

Our little Munchkin, Ziggy, not enjoying the flash so much.

Boris contemplates how to best get the ball away from Jet.

Boris trying to divest Shana Madela of her toy, as any pesky big brother would do.

Clooney, Shaman, and Boris are all very sleepy!

Shana Madela curled up to Boone's bum and looking ribby (she is growing fast).  We
feed her a ton, and I just put her food up more.   Building lots of puppy muscle and organs.

Tommy loves his sunny spots!

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How to try to protect yourself before, during, and after a dog attack

The events on July 30^th at Ellis Park (off of Short Sands) in York Beach Maine set into motion by the actions or lack of action by Piscataqua Obedience Club have made me consider the other side of the coin.  How do you keep yourself and your dog as safe as is possible from a dog attack?   I am by no means an expert, but I have some ideas about this due to my profession as the owner and trainer for Mannerly Mutts Dog Training.

1. Be aware of your surroundings when out and about with dogs. Things can happen unexpectedly and quickly.  If you are at a dog event, do not assume you are safe from the dogs in the ring.   You may want to inquire about what their safety protocols are, and expect an answer that does not sound like a brush off.  (i.e. first aid kits, volunteers and helpers on the look out, how information would be collected).
2. If you see a dog eyeballing you or your dog or you feel at all uncomfortable, remove yourself, your family, and your dogs out of the area. (Also see point 4 if any leash laws are being broken)
3. Do not assume that dogs on leash are not a threat.   The human at the other end of the leash may have no control or negates their responsibility for control.  If you see a large uncontrolled dog on a flexi leash, leave the area.  In some areas, flexi leashes may be against the animal control ordinance.
4. Do use your animal control department.   If you see someone ignoring the leash law, the best thing you can do for everyone is to report it (including their dog BTW).   Law enforcement does not tend to get serious about this until they have a few reports, so do not wait to report an offence.
5. Before a dog is coming up at you:
1. Do not make eye contact.   Look to the side.  Do not to be at all a threat.
2. Position your body so you are not straight on.
3. Do not run.   This will elicit a chase.
4. Do not approach the dog, if you feel the dog is a danger to you.   Even a dog that is simply frightened will most likely bite you if cornered.
5. Try and locate a place you may be safe, and attempt to go there slowly.
6. If a dog is coming at you:
1. You can offer up a piece of clothing instead of your arm.
2. If they are already in chase mode, feel free to get quickly to an area of safety if possible.
3. I step in front of my dog, and put my dog in a command if I think I can stop the dog.
4. Use any furniture, gates, cars, et to get away from the dog and put something in between you and the dog.
5. If you have a small dog, be aware that a larger dog may come up after the small dog if you pick them up and hold them.  
6. In some instances, you may want to drop the leash on your dog so they can get away or defend themselves.
7. There are tools that you can bring with you on walks.   These include canes, blow horns, sprays, an extra leash, and extra clothing.
8. Try and remain standing, and protect vital body areas.
9. If you find yourself on the ground, ball up in the fetal position and cover your face head and neck areas as best as possible.
7. If a dog fight or attack has occurred:
1. Do not put your hands in the middle of it especially near their heads.   One or both of them are in panic and defence mode.
2. If you can get the back legs of a dog (and someone else another) grab these.   However, pulling them might do more damage to the other dog if they are gripped in a mouth.   As long as they are not damaging the airways, wait until they release.
3. Tail grabs are also another option in these circumstances, if the dog has a tail and you can’t get their back legs.
4. Using a piece of furniture or another implement to disengage the fighting party(ies).
8. How you handle it after the attack has occurred:
1. If you are at a public event, immediately stop the event by whatever means necessary.   Be sure that everyone there knows that you and/or your dog are hurt.   (This is how I will be handling this sort of thing in the future if I or someone else is hurt).
2. See if anyone at a public event has film of any part of what happened.
3. If you have a camera, make a video record of everyone there.    If you were lucky enough to get the actual attack on film, be sure you don’t erase that.
4. If you are severely hurt, dial 911 if possible or have someone there do it, first and foremost.
5. Get the owner’s info, the dog’s info, and any info on any witnesses around you.  Be sure you get access to rabies certificates and if possible any insurance the owner of the attacking dog has.  If you have been severely injured, see if someone else on scene can stop the person from leaving and get their info.
6. Do contact the police and report the incident.   The owner of the attacking dog is most likely required to report any incident involving their dog as well, depending on the animal control laws where they live.
7. Go to your doctor or vet to have any and all injuries checked out.
8. Be sure that you hold the owner of the attacking dog liable for damages.

It is ALWAYS the responsibility of the dog owner to keep the public safe from their dog.   The following are not excuses that the victim of a dog attack should accept:

1. You were jogging.
2. Your or your child was being loud and screaming.
3. Your dog was barking.
4. You went to pet the dog (Each dog owner should be managing the space for their dog.   Unless you attacked the dog after being told not to approach, this is not acceptable)
5. You were riding your bike.
6. You were playing with your dog.
7. You were walking your dog by their house (while still being on the road).
8. You were eating something.
9. You were drinking something.
10. Your dog was eating or drinking something.
11. You wear perfume or cologne.
12. Their dog is a “working dog” and these things happen.
13. You are wearing a baseball cap, wearing a uniform, have a beard, are bald, and on and on.

Unless you intentionally and maliciously provoked and/or attacked the dog (and that includes not listening to the owner to leave their dog alone), then YOU are not at fault if another dog has attacked YOU or YOUR DOG.   Not ever.

The good news is these are actually pretty rare when you look at the population of dogs and dog owners.   It is the few irresponsible dog owners that make most of these situations happen.  Occasionally it was an undiagnosed medical or mental issue with the dog, that the owner did not see coming.  Often it involves a lack of socialization, training, and proper management of someone’s dog and their environment (meaning they manage who can and can not see their dog and what situations they put their dog in).

Also most people and organizations are more than happy to take responsibility for unfortunate events that may occur on their watch.   It is regretful that I know now of at least one obedience club that does not take their responsibilities for public safety seriously.

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Piscataqua Obedience Club Needs Safety Protocols for Events

What do you expect to see when you go to a canine obedience club demo?   My husband and I went to Piscataqua Obedience Club's dog days demo at Short Sands Beach last night.   My husband had never seen this event, and so he wanted to go.  I have seen this annual event many times.   Both of us also attend other such events AKC dog trials, Run Thrus, Matches, Pet Expos, Nose Work Events, and working dog seminars.

As we walked up to the area, the agility demo started.   Not long into it, one of the dogs jumped the fence and attacked another dog.   The handler did go get their dog and walked away from the couple and their dog who was just attacked.   No one came back to check on them.   My husband was the first to check in on the young visibly shaken and crying woman who was checking her dog out.

Meanwhile, the routines and event continued on just as if nothing had happened.   My husband went up to the young lady to find out if her and her dog was okay.   No one came up from Piscataqua Obedience Club to check in on the lady and her dog.

Suffice it to say, this was not what we were expecting to see that day.   Events such as this need to be run with safety for humans and dogs in attendance and on display in mind.   As a human, you are always responsible for your dog's actions, even when they go wrong.   As someone running an event, it is your duty to make sure everyone is and continues to remain safe.  Yes, stuff happens and things go wrong sometimes.  Doing the right thing goes a long way to diffusing the situation and making everyone feel safe and cared for.  

Unfortunately that was not what happened last night.   The couple had to go off and let the police know what happened.   They wanted to take care of their dog, and not have to walk over and expose their dog to another attack.   Plus it was clear that the club could have cared less.   They did make an announcement after several routines that these are "real working dogs, and sometimes these things happen."   Then they advertised their obedience courses.   No asking if everyone was okay or apologizing for something having gone very wrong.   If they were not aware there was an injury, this would have been a good time to find out and go over to the young lady if she raised her hand.

My husband finally went up to the club members when the couple and their dog finally walked away (shaken and very disturbed).  He was told they would look into it later.   To which my husband replied it was too late they had already left (we did not know they went to the police at this point).   Then the woman who was running the agility demo, Linda May McKinnon, asked for the victim's information from my husband, as if this was his responsibility to have collected this for her (BTW we have absolutely no affiliation with this group).  

Upon her defensive nature, my husband thought it was best to leave as we had notified the club that a person and that person's dog had been injured by one of their demoing dogs.   As we left, we saw a neighbor and were having a conversation with her about this and that.   A woman we do not know beelines for us and starts us with "I know you don't like our group, but just exactly what happened?" in a rude haughty voice (she has no idea what we think of the club or don't think of the club, we are not members).   She claimed they did come over, but we know they didn't as we were with the couple after it happened and then saw them when they left.   Additionally, the policeman that took their information confirmed that the couple had stated that no one from the club had come out to check on how they or their dog were.   I had enough with the members of this club at that point, and asked her to please leave our private conversation.

Here is what should have happened in an event like this:

1. First off, there should be a plan for unfortunate happenings.   Even if you think something is not going to happen, there are risks that an unforeseen event could occur.   When you plan for these and have protocols in place, then people are much safer that come to attend.
2. In my honest opinion, they should have immediately stopped the event, and inquired right there if everyone was okay.   Then they should have gone privately to anyone who indicated that they were not okay (so as not to expose them to an area near to where that dog was, who kept performing at the event).   There should have been an apology rather than a brush off as if this were an insignificant event.
3. Club members could have been strategically placed around the field so as to try and interrupt an incident like this before an attack occurred.
4. If any dog had any incidents prior to this of even just jumping out of the ring, they should not be off leash in a ring.
5. The club should have rabies certificate copies available for all dogs that are exposed to the public on that day.
6. There should be no defensive responses to an incident like this.   Only caring, supportive, preventative, and proactive responses should be made when something like this happens.
7. A first aid kit should be on the premises at the very least.
8. Someone who is in charge of the Obedience Club of some authority, experience, and knowledge should be present to handle this.
9. Their insurance information and copies of this information should be available for the purpose of sharing should an injury occur.

In my personal opinion having watched numerous of these demonstrations, this is not a group that takes dog training seriously as a way of keeping people and others safe.   The danger of groups like this, is that they don't even know they are not keeping others safe.   Add to that  the lack of a plan to handle an unsafe situation, or any remotely responsible reaction and action to such an event.

As I was leaving someone I am acquainted with said something like "see those Huskies (don't know if that is the proper breed identification) will turn on you".   Do we really need another breed for people to unfairly place blame on for an organization and handler's lack of responsibility and action?   By not being sure that you have strong obedience training in an off leash public event, you are putting others at risk.   There is no sure fire guarantee to keep everyone safe all the time, but there are actions and plans that can be designed to limit the possibility of injury and harm to others.

I have a feeling that the members of Piscataqua Obedience Club are still on the defensive.   I further have a feeling that I will be directly attacked by them, as I use tools and methods that many there do not agree with.   However, this issue and endangering the public can not go uncommented upon, especially when the group did not take immediate ownership and responsbility for it.   Had that happened, I would have nothing to talk about today.

I hope they come to their senses, and realize this is a serious infraction.   Also that if they are allowed to demo in public in the future, they must be better prepared, proactive, responsible, and own anything and  everything that happens there.

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