Leon Beginning Play Retrieve

I am working Leon, pre knee surgery, with a play retrieve here. Missy is a nice young lady who was helping me be able to film this, and I was interested how he would do with someone else playing with him. Apparently with some french fries involved, this was not a problem for him!!

However, this is not a working retrieve. I am training my dog, Jack, on a working retrieve now. It will be interesting to note the differences as I go forward with both methods.

Leon has had to learn, how to pick it up, how to deliver certain toys to hand, then that different toys can be retrieved (and have their own problems as far as delivery), and then that other objects can be delivered for his clumsy owners or handlers, who just can't seem to grasp anything if it's flung or put into the hand clumsily LOL.

Tanner Gets His Nails Done

I have come to respect what silence and body language can do to shape dog behavior. Activity, is what I love the most, silence can be incredibly boring to me, and not fun. However, first and foremost in my mind is what best supports my client's and my own dogs. The art of silent calm interaction can make a quick end to oncoming behavioral problems such as fear or timidity, which can become an extreme. It is more likely that you are going to be bitten by a fearful dog, than a confident one. I also don't like to trap my or my client's dogs within a fearful period of their lives, especially since I know that trapping them there is completely unnecessary, and has more to do with the owner and the place they are in than their dog.

Behaviorists have scientifically shown that body language and attitude of the leader dogs positively affect the pack. You don't see dogs treating each other or squealing in high voices to calm other members down. You may occasionally see comfort, such as licking and being close to distressed member going on. Not that I put much clout in behaviorists that have also not trained thousands of dogs. A dog trainer that has lived 24/7, and trained that many dogs and their owners, is, essentially, the real dog behaviorist, unless they are ring training only.

The beginnings of classic or traditional training (as I define it as a wealth of knowledge in dogs, with a variety of methods and tools in it's tool box) normally deal with calm and assertive behavior of their leader. This is only the beginning, but it has a profound effect on the dog and is the foundation for training a dog for real world activity that includes freedom, enjoyment, and fun.

I fought this for a long time myself. How could something so mundane make that much of an impact on a dog? It wasn't active enough or fun enough for ME. Therefore, it must not work. Course since I am interested in anything dog training, I had to check it out for myself and become knowledgable about it. Not simply sit through lecture series or read a book, but hands on true knowledge. Now I am still a baby at this really, but I have been instructed under some of the best in their field of dog training and I might add behavior!! People who don't look at their dog under a microscope as simply eating and humping machines, by which their entire lives are defined. People who know how badly something can go, if you don't put the needs of the dog first and foremost in your training plan. People who also know that behaviorally challenged dogs are able to live and thrive with their loving families. People who actually work with these cases, and don't claim liability as a reason not to help clients with a specific breed or specific personality set. People who know how to teach trainers, clients, owners, et, AND are the very tops in dog training. They do exist no matter what others of a more fanatical sect may say, although not always easy to find.

Recently a young lady, interested in dog training, contacted me for a bit of direction in the business. Additionally, she let me know her Vizsla, Tanner, was having a bit of a problem with nail trimmings, and the noise of a dremel. It was getting worse instead of better. The young lady and her boyfriend came up one day with their two very nice dogs, who have some off leash skills already but need polishing et. Now normally on an obedience plan, you don't start with the symptom right away. However, the "sit on the dog" exercise, part of Margot Wood's Bedrock Training Method, is where my training always starts. It's a very simple exercise that uses no conflict or physical force on the handler's part, and instills the aura of calm quiet and assurance to the dog. Usually within the half an hour of the first day, you begin to see a change in the demeanor of the dog, although you aren't doing anything other than sitting with him (without acknowledgement, praise, or Dog forbid food to muddy the waters) and letting him choose between standing and lying down. Later on this becomes so helpful when you go places with him be it to your sisters house or the crowded obedience arena.

Shortly afterward, Tanner's nails were cut without any stress on his part. Not that day, but within a few days of the beginning training process. We didn't even try it that day, Tanner's work was done after a little loose leash work. It also starts the process of the dog learning that tension on the collar is not desireable for THEM, sans any jerking or pulling whatsoever. We combined this with someone holding the nail clippers and just opening and closing them around Tanner. The dremel wasn't at my house, so that was done afterwards. And voila, if someone the dog trusts and respects isn't afraid of the clippers and dremel, then Tanner becomes unfraid of the clippers and dremel. In nail clipping, it is also helpful if you clip them off with assurance and quickness, rather than dragging the moment out and appearing fearful yourself. This, as one can imagine, sends out the wrong vibe to the dog. You don't need to flood the dog, and sit on him on the floor and force him to have his nails clipped. This can go slowly, and I also usually use a paw command with my dogs as well.

These are not the directions to this exercise, but it's truly an amazing thing to see it's affect on dogs. If one is truly interested in behavior, and modifying behavior, you could only see the wisdom in this method once it has been tried.

Eliot Park Boat Basin/Winnie's Third Birthday

On November the 8th an event was held to provide funding for fence and fountains at the unofficial boat park at the Eliot Boat Basin in Maine. Bri, Leon, my husband, and I decided to tour the park a bit.














Less vendors and demonstrations than expected showed up, but it was a good time anyway. Here are some of the vendors that we saw as we wandered around talking to people.

Sit Pretty Dog had wonderful and unique dog collars.














KozyDawg had machine washable, microwavable, hot and cold packs called The K-9 Komforter. You can call Stephanie Gladys at 1-603-498-2239 if you are interested. Great idea for pets recovering from muscle trauma in their limbs.














Cozy Critter Covers by Rhonda were beautiful and reversible blanket coats of 100% polyester fleece. They will custom fit, and have any size you could want. 207-439-3359.














Nancy Hube does portraits in pastels and watercolors. 603-868-6081
















Rainbow Paws offers custom pet memorial cards and prints.



Usui Reiki Master and Teacher, Donna Tobey, of Portsmouth NH can be reached at peacefuleasyhealings@comcast.net. She does humans as well as other species of animals.

Ann-imals of York Maine was at the event.














The Cocheco Valley Humane Society of Dover NH was at the event as well. Their Humane Education program offers presentations specializing in children, school, and family.









Need help training your dog? Call Mannerly Mutts at 207-361-4395 or e-mail Robin Rubin, Maine Dog Trainer, at mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com

Don't Call Me Cookie

When we first moved to Maine, we took our dogs Jazz and Leon for a walk on Seapoint Beach in Kittery Maine. This is beach is not groomed, and a place people go to walk their dogs off leash (I think that's still the case, but laws might have been passed since). Most people in this area let their dogs off leash, and hope for a little bit of luck that their dogs come back to them.

As we are walking down the beach, dogs are greeting and playing everywhere. Most everyone looked pretty socially aware. This one dog, who is very rambunctious and perhaps a bit socially challenged, is coming up to dogs a bit rudely, but everyone remains in good spirits. We can't see the owner anywhere.

Then I hear someone shouting "cookie, cookie". This run away keeps right on playing, and just about every other dog but ours dashes to the cookie calling human LOL. Her dog did not so much decide coming was a good idea.

This was pretty funny, and in talking to the lady, I found out the reason that she was calling "cookie" is that was her dogs name. When they selected the name, they figured dogs come for cookies, so call her Cookie. Only one little problem, they deadened the word forever for her, because not only does she associate that word with not with cookies, freedom is almost always the better reward anyway:)

Bush's Dog Barney, Be Aware of Dog Body Language

Please be aware of what your dog's body language is telling you as their owner/handler. Strangers or others not familiar with dog body language may dart forward unknowingly in a dog's face like this. An owner/handler is responsible for keeping both the dog and strangers (or people unfamiliar with dogs) safe. I always warn people not to pet the dog, and am prepared to block them if they look not to be listening to me. Many of my client's dogs are overcoming issues of fear et, and taking them out into public is key for them, BUT not if they do not feel safe with me. For instance if I just allowed a stranger to dart forward at them.

Most dogs come to accept handling quite readily, but even dogs that are very social have their off days. The behaviorally challenged can not be pushed into acceptance, and if they are giving clear signals to be left alone, be sure to let people, that are near you, know not to pet them.




Got behavioral problems? Or just a dog that won't listen. Call Robin Rubin at Mannerly Mutts, 207-361-4395. You can also e-mail mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com.

Potential Client Question Springers Are All The "Rage"

I recently had an inquiry into a behavioral problem involving an English Springer. Sadly they are located in Canada. That's a bit too far for me to commute. As much as I would like to help them over the phone and e-mail, it's virtually impossible to diagnose a case over phone, e-mail, or video. It's really a hands on process.

This is a dog that went through some medical items and resulting pain because of them. This was initially diagnosed as Springer Rage (the dog is an English Springer), but further examination showed other medical problems. Springer Rage is a condition that is much like a seizure. It may have a trigger, but it's not something generally predictable in nature. Much like epilepsy lights shown or something else that misfires in their brain cause an UNSTOPPABLE reaction. For instance, were you to drag the dog off, the dog would attack everything and anything in their path without discretion. It's a very unusual and sad behavior for which options may not be readily available to deal with it. Generally if you know what the triggers are (ie resource guarding et) consistently, then it's most likely not Springer Rage. "Triggers are some guarding, friction sound such as a hand brushing dust off furniture, he cannot be petted on the head and will only tolerate playful hand pats."

The three year old English Springer (male) was eventually diagnosed with food allergies and a thyroid condition. Thyroid conditions pretty commonly cause learned aggression on the dog's part. The owners have been bitten, they have grandchildren that are not allowed near the dog, and the trainer that helped them find the physical problems, have been bitten.

Again, I have not seen the dog. What I believe MAY have happened here was that you had a dog in a lot of discomfort. Now the problem has been found and the dog is on medications, one being Prozac (I should note here that there are some side effects in Prozac that might not be dealing well with the dog, or maybe they are calming him down enough for some interaction. Anyhow, if no improvement comes with a drug or the drug is deadening reality, this could also be causing a flight or fight response). The dog has most likely bitten the trainer and his owners because a relationship (most likely) needs to be set up from scratch to promote safety, trust, and respect in the dog. You really have to think of this as a new feral dog coming into your house almost, and not as if you have made positive steps in the relationship as yet, even though this dog has been there for three years.

The trainer is most likely inadvertently pushing the dog too far, even though it would be considered in a "positive" way. To this dog people may equal pain, and pain for a long time previously!! Even though they are people he may love, he does not understand that his physical condition caused him pain. He needs to relearn, and we are assuming the painful medical condition has been treated appropriately.

In cases like this, Board and Train with a trainer (or behaviorist with measurable training and behavior modification experience) experienced and successful in treating aggression. And also more importantly are aware of how to avoid being bitten, but at the same time map out a plan for successfully getting hands that can shape a dog into obedience positions, and then use that obedience and training plan to teach a new behavior pattern that includes trust (in their safety away from pain) and respect.

Unfortunately this does not come cheap. With a dog like this, I am probably going to be with them six hours a day in various scenarios. Two hours will be formal training, and others will be training in a real life setting so that they can get out and about and learn about socialization and rules (like do not bite the trainer LOL). I only ever charge for two hours a day plus boarding, and it's serious hard work especially with a behavioral case. I do not charge more or less for a well behaved dog vs an aggressive dog. The reason why is that it's equally hard to well train a well behaved dog (ie ignore their cute play antics to get some work done and focus) as it is to train an aggressive (I would rather eat you right now) dog. Occasionally I do come across a dog that takes quite a bit more work, but I consider that the cost of my education. Hannah and Kate, two Springers from three years ago, exhausted the heck out of me for the three weeks that they were here. Now they are the two easiest dogs to take care of, and are trusted with any number of dogs that come here.

It is more difficult to treat a case that comes here in Board and Train that comes from a local owner, than one that is more than an hour away. I prefer to be a little closer to be available for hands on backup when needed. I have gotten lucky enough to provide that encouragement over the phone in other cases, or by having them come back down with their dog to demonstrate additional skills.

In any case, this is a long term prescription for the dog, and it's not "all fixed" when the Board and Train is over, although it now provides a plan and basis for the owners to go forward with the proven (seen with the owners own eyes) improvement in the ability of their dog to cope long term. That being said, this can all be undone if owners choose just not to accept the prescription long term, even though they acknowledge the improvement.

In clients that have behaviorally challenged dog, a trainer needs to be careful that the owner thinks they are going to be able to do anything for the dog, but in fact might lack the time or patience necessary even if they are given the answer. A direct conversation needs to happen between a trainer and owner that puts everyone on the same page going forward. Still this will not predict the future actions of the owner, and the trainer has to be reconciled to that. This is why some trainers will not take every owners dog. Trainers loose a huge chunk of themselves to their charges. A piece of our heart goes back out with every dog, although they are not our own. A relationship has been forged built on trust and respect. Luckily, most dog owners who have come this far are looking for an actual answer to their problem. They may have a learning curve to climb, but they will try as best they can to live up to your expectations of them. Some owners treat their dog more like a car engine that must be fixed by certain parts and time only on the trainers part. This is just not feasible.

Mannerly Mutts does not discriminate in dog breeds or tempermants. Need your well mannered puppy or behaviorally challenged adult dog trained, call Robin Rubin at 207-361-4395 or e-mail, mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com.

Logan and the Death of the Exercise Ball

This WAS one of the favorite toys to play with (supervised only of course-you wouldn't want a dog to ingest this), but it finally met it's demise.

Logan proudly sits with his kill for the day. Looks pretty pleased with himself, doesn't he?

Daycare Fun with Chloe (and Jack and Leon)

Part of Yesterdays Homework

This is Jack's repetitions of Week 1 Day 1 using The Koehler Method of Open Obedience Book as my method of choice for a working retrieve. Check out the bruise on my chin, this is what happens when you don't get dinner on the table top on time (kidding, my husband does all the cooking). Actually this is what happens when you trip carrying your elderly dog down the stairs, and fall on the concrete mudroom floor with no other thought than avoiding your dog hitting it instead. Let's just say that my chin took the brunt of the force, and I am lucky that I have all my teeth and not shattered chin.

It is not only Jack's homework here, but I am trying to create my presentation skills, which in the future will take out the "ums" and my fashion sense will improve once I am ready to commit anything to a permanent sort of tape for my clients. You will notice also that Jack is also a little freaked out by the tripod LOL, and that I can not count when forced to concentrate on the fact that I am being videod.

Regarding Jack's mild freaked out state. I am not going to highlight this for him, as something he should be concerned about. He is not in an overloaded state, as he is used to the fact that sometimes we need to work where there is something that he is not familiar with. He also knows that I am not going to make a big deal that he is scared, and therefore reinforce that state of being. I will go into my treat methology at another time, and my protocol for when I use treats and when I do not. Hopefully, I will remember to talk about fear, stress, and the use of treats involved. For now though, this is a state of being that will disappear as he gets used to the scary three legged thing now on the porch. If I highlight it, I will freeze him there.

GOT HOMEWORK?

Do you and your dog have homework to do today? Well, I do everyday. I mean how can I possibly convince my clients they need to work every day (or six days in my case), if I and my dogs are not an example of this? I do take time off for if I get sick, vacation, or for my recent sprained ankle. When I do not have time (outside of being sick et) I see my training totally suffer,because I have become lax and lazy. Unlike a regular old dog owner though, this is my business. My dogs and I are ambassadors for what can be done in dog training, or we try to be anyway . There are those days.

I also have to be sure the training plan fits into the schedule of a "normal person" and not someone as Abby Normal as I am. That works because you don't want your dog to have to punch in on a time clock overly long either. It's all about balance. You don't want to do too little, you don't want to do too much and burn either human or dog out. You want it to be enjoyable, yet you also want to get real work done during your session, or I do anyway. A dog trainer is always honing their skills, and always aware that there is more improvement to be made, especially since you are leading future and current dog owners and trainers.

All of this homework and educational experience is self prescribed, being that top training people in the industry have become "out of style" in their quest for excellence. Don't get me wrong, they aren't exactly hurting for business either. Dog owners with common sense and a quest to really provide the best life for their dogs, recognize quality and rare education. These people haven't been asked to follow the circuit group that is supporting another business model of training. One that I believe is dangerous, as it degrades quality time and teaching the language for your dog into something "not fun" because it does not go fast enough to the next "trick". Instead of recognizing the real life skills that can open up a whole new world to dog owner and dog, if they wish that. I have needed to research, dig up, dust off, and re-discover some of the better trainers in the country thru due diligence. Sadly, due to the success of convincing people that traditional training is evil, what has happened as these people stick close to home and have less costly travel to places that have made up stories about them anyway. Talk about a thankless job!! On the other hand, what has happened is the training experience in this area has become very one sided, and no longer the proud profession that dog training certainly can be. It's become a glorified feel good festival, with like minded trainers stroking each other and murmuring encouragingly as our rights as dog owners are torn right from us. Not to mention the illegal search and seizure of dogs that has been happening in certain parts of the United States due to legislation that is promoted by the Animal Rights groups. In Albuquerque NM it's very close to illegal to leave your house and go anywhere without your dog on a leash. Many times that means even in your own yard!! Rights of owners are flying out the window, and it's our fault as our standards are low for training. There are so many excuses and mantras out there for why not to train your dog (and I will go over these in another blog).

Writing this very article is homework in itself that I need to accomplish every day. Additionally, I have dogs to train that aren't being paid for by other people. I train them for my own personal knowledge. I am also practicing my presentation skills in a visible way not only for a future video, but to see me as I might appear to clients. Jack and I have finished most of our training for the day. We did 10 repetitions of Week 1 and Day 1 of the retrieve exercises from the Open Obedience book by William Koehler. We had been on Week 2, when I discovered that I had missed two steps. My bad!! In the interest of teaching others, and spending efficient and effective time with my dog, I need to be as detailed as possible, and push for that same excellence in my students. I am also not in any rush, the next trial isn't until February 2009. We have plenty of time to perfect this as much as possible, and hopefully not only get the title but hammer home some better scores. Bri and I will be going over basically the same exercises as Jack today. I have revisited the foundation with both of them in the Koehler Method of Dog Training by William Koehler, realizing that my poor scores are probably reflective of not expecting really excellent work on my part. I see so many things that I can do better now, and are really not any big deal to do. My dogs only do exactly what I taught them to do LOL. I take full responsibility for our errors in trial. I am so proud of my dogs when in there. I cried the very first time Jack and I qualified for a leg. To me that was such an achievement for the both of us. It goes right up there with my wedding day and graduation from college.

Devon, a Thai Ridgeback, is being trained for his Novice trial in February 2009 as well. My daycare looks to me for entertainment during the day that can take the form of trick training, play fetching, ET. Knowing about their behavior and pack mentality, and continuing my education on this allows such an unleashed and free atmosphere to continue.

I love my job, and I love my work even when it's homework. What work have you done with your dog today?

Want to train your dog? Call Robin Rubin at Mannerly Mutts Dog Training at 207-361-4395. Or e-mail at mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com.

A Tale of Two Fetch Methods

I have two dogs. One is a well bred puppy from Pamelot Kennels in Georgia. His temperament and drive are stellar. Sadly he came with knees that did were off in their alignment, causing Anterior Cruciate tears. There is surgery to repair this, one knee has been done, and the other knee is about to be done as well. Right now, he is unable to compete in obedience, and though the surgery will improve Leon's movement immensely, it may never loosen up his knees enough to sit comfortably for long periods of time. We will see in about next spring of 2009 when he is recovered.

Jack was puppy store bred (most likely meaning from mills), and tore his way through a few homes quite readily before finding himself at Doberman Rescue. Because he did not warm up quick enough with treats and love, he went through two more homes before he was "returned" yet again. Jack had not yet found the person who truly loved him, for well him. His loyalty, goofiness, clown ways, athletic ability, hunting ability, intelligence, had all gone unnoticed, because he was a difficult boy. I actually do feel sorry for the owners that he went through, that had no idea how to nurture and grow this personality into a partner. My point is, he is a different dog than Leon. I love him for who he is, the same as I love Leon.

With Leon, you can relax and have him run with other dogs, kids, bunnies, butterflies whatever. He should have been my demo dog and competition partner, as he is most suited temperament wise to it. I would have had a lot less work to do. On the other hand, I love the challenge, and Jack loves the work. I have to be very diligent and expect better than I can give in my training regime with Jack. It's more important to him and his mental health than it is to me. Sure, I could simply separate him more from life and not deal with it. "Oh him, that's my socially and behaviorally challenged dog, poor thing, we don't let him out with others". Or we could say "sorry he went after your dog, but dogs will be dogs". We do neither of those things and take our responsibility to Jack very seriously. We also take our responsibility to dog issues, the overall health of dog ownership long term, and the long term health and enjoyment of Jack's life to him.

My way may not seem very fun to you. To me, I enjoy training, the patience, the consistency, the long term improvement it provides to the life of the dog. For me, that's fun. Seeing clients again sitting on a couch with their two dogs that were fighting last year, and knowing that one of those dogs was being considered to be put asleep. Seeing those pictures, and knowing I trained for the real life that dog was going to be living, is the best reward and fun that I can have. The fact that my boarders are all training client based, and I see my old friends often that I formed a very careful bond of partnership with, also priceless. We are able to hang out in a non training environment thanks to the work and maintenance that has gone on with newly informed owners. These dogs were all helped by both my very differently temperamented dogs as well. My success is shared with their partnership with me. It does not always come easily.

Leon still needs something to occupy him whether he is injured or in recovery. I won't allow him to re-injure himself when surgery comes, but there are plenty of on the floor games to play when he is awake and restless. We went through this before last Spring. Recently, since I have been training Jack using the Open Koehler book for retrieve and all the open exercises, I thought what fun it would be to train Leon alternately to pick things up his clumsy owner drops.

These sort of commands are a bit different than recall, heel, or stationary commands. Those commands can stop serious injury to yourself and stop your dog from injuring or killing himself inadvertently. Not just if your near traffic, but the open woods can provide all sorts of dangers (barbed wire, bears, deer---believe it or not can be aggressive during mating season, unexpected terrain with holes in it, et); and so your dog MUST obey. Also, although many behaviorists or people that follow the Purely Positive Political movement don't understand how well developed and reliable commands such as these help in behavior modification, they are the basis of being able to redirect your dog to more appropriate behavior, with your help and partnership, of course. So these commands are not necessarily something your dog needs to learn in a rush, or be stopped from not listening to them regardless.

Leon has begun with picking up his ringy and sticky toys. Once he learned get meant, well pick it up, it was on to the trickier part of having Leon bring back the object. Why is it tricky? Well, I play the chase game with him a lot, as I have known for some time the possibility of him competing will be remote (oh this will be a good pun later for what I have started him doing). So all this time throwing things and picking them up have been followed by a rousing game of chase by me and by the other dogs. There are a couple of ways that I can do this. If he is engaged very much, then if I run away from him he will follow, I slow down, turn say give and be sure the stick or whatever ends up in my hand. Then I throw and we do all over again. Now sometimes, there are other distractions where we are that make his concentration iffy on the job at hand. At those points, introducing treats renews the interest in the game. Like I said with Leon, there is no danger that he is going to start giving anyone any sideways looks as the treats start to flow. Also nice that everyone else involved can join in on the treats (except Jack and Devon who I will speak about at another time).

It's wise to start any training program one on one first. That way you eliminate as many distractions as you need to, but are able to engage the dog. Leon and I did something new today. I started to introduce him to the concept of picking up not toys, but whatever his clumsy owner might drop (like a remote, book et). I started out with different toys first. First the ball, then the bone, then the ring et. Once he learned it was the same rules for each toy (that is I go get it, then I need to not just fling it at my owner but drop it in her hand--I pretend I am blind and close my eyes so I don't cheat----and then comes out my reward). Then I started dropping or throwing the remote. I also started doing this from different positions (standing, sitting et). So now I have revised the criteria of the task to be a bit more complicated. It took Leon a little while to find the best way to pick up the remote, and then longer for him to realize flinging it at me was not what I was looking for LOL. I help and give hints along the way, but try to avoid learned helplessness (that is the act of directing him every minute, letting him take the initiative).

With daycare clients, if I am training, they normally want to be involved. It's nice because with a dog like Leon, you can relax and make a line of dogs and let everyone learn a task for the day. Daycare gets bored if they are left to their own devices. You really shouldn't just leave them in the same room or yard everyday, if your goal is to truly entertain them for the day. A little training on a new trick, combined to a walk to the creek for a swim, and you have suddenly snoozing doggies. So training with Leon is about a thousand times different than training with Jack.

For instance, Jack is now possessive of the dumbbell (for a short time while we revisit his foundation), because although it's very deliberate work for a working retrieve, it's work Jack likes. Now if you combined it with treats at this point while his pupils dialate for the joy yet guarding of his new job, you are about to create a disaster and get someone or something injured. Making sure his eye contact remains on you, and not the dog that is not even thinking about the dumbbell but wandering in your direction, is very important. It's real important, because in the Spring when he is retrieving it unleashed over jumps, he can't be thinking of the owner and dog looking on with interest at HIS job. Jack has a lot of things that he thought were his. At one point, he started thinking the daycare human owners that came here were his, to the point that he started eyeing up their dogs if they approached their own owners (a solid place command is very helpful for this sort of behavior combined with a whole training plan). Every six months or so, it's something different, and then that's improved. Jack is a work in progress that is more complex than your average dog. Yet, he does want to please, and will work for those good boys. He really wants and needs to understand what the human thinks is "good" and what the human finds unacceptable. He doesn't understand that I find it unacceptable mostly for his own safety. It's up to me to let him know what I will not tolerate.

Anyhow, method two goes slower and is much more deliberate and time consuming in creating each step. Assuming you do your homework and do it right, there is no reason to be "harsh" on the dog (this usually happens when someone hasn't done their homework and wants to rush off to the "fun" part, and therefore overtaxes their dog, gets frustrated and deals with them harshly). In fact, it's a very gentle method whose results create confidence and assurance in a dog. Even with a dog of as many dominant traits as a Jackie has, his confidence has to come from the fact that I have his back, and with our good partnership I will not let him be put in an untenable position. Sometimes, easier said than done sometimes. I am more apt to now communicate to owners, that it's not okay for their dog to rudely run up to my dog. That the fact that he hasn't done anything about it, has to do with training not a particularly patient temperament. Don't forget, he could be thinking about protecting me too!! It's my job to let him know, not only will I not force him to deal with a dog that will make him uncomfortable, but he doesn't need to worry about me as I will protect myself. This means coming out of your shell, and communicating to people, no it's not just dogs being dogs. You need to be responsible and in control. Even if a dog is on a flexi or leash, you are not in control if you allow your dog to drag you everywhere, or you are forced to drop the leash. Those actions are not okay with me, because you are putting me and my dog in danger.

Although Leon is not likely to reacte, I also don't want a dog being rough with him and taking advantage of his good nature. Dogs should not be dashing up to each other unless permission is given by the owner. A dog should be under voice control both off and on the leash. This is why I raise my standard all the time, and dog owners should be raising their standards of responsibility and training as well.

Any how method two first starts with the gentle insertion of the dumbbell. The Open Koehler book is contigent upon you having completed your Novice work. So if you are working with a squirming dog that is not calm and collected, then you are going about following any sort of Koehler method all wrong. You have not done your homework. Some people believe a calm and confident dog has been beaten into this mold, rather than recognizing a calm and trusting dog that has been lovingly molded. The beginning of the retrieve starts with you opening your dogs mouth, and placing the dumbbell behind the dogs teeth, right where you are going to want it at the end of the training:) You lovingly praise your dog for letting you open his mouth and put the dumbbell in. Steps that name the commands (I use take and out) and just the starting point of the whole process are done with care and love. Method one of play fetching leaves large gaping holes in the process that would bite me later on working. Method two is slower, but works out an even more lovely relationship of partnership and an incredibly reliable retrieve. Although it may be "fun" to start the jump now, this method is reliant upon the building of the language ever step of the way. So starting the jump now would be selfish on the owners part, and muddy up the process of showing your dog efficiently, effectively, and lovingly what you want. It's the difference between using this as a reliable command, and using the other as a play command.

Jack's Platform for President

1) Dogs need work to do. **All beginning owners of our species or owners that never learned to communicate with us with previous relatives,should need to go into a remedial obedience program to learn how to communicate with us.** We require our human partners to teach us the language that let's us know what skills you WANT us to perform, otherwise we may get busy doing the ones you DON'T want us to learn.
2) We need your attention and exercise everyday!! Think about how bored you become sometimes being left in front of the tv. But If I came over and said, hey let's go to the fair, you would probably bounce up with excitement. So would I, but read Platform 1 first before bringing me. Otherwise, I am apt to infringe on others rights and enjoyment. Not because I am bad, but because I have no idea what you want. No hablo ingles (or something like that).
3) Legislating the industry is not the answer for certifying trainers. However, training organizations that hand out certifications should need to conform (and are starting to) to the tests already out there by long standing organizations involved with our species, training, and the promotion of health and standards in our breeds. Encouragement of organizations shown to promote the well being and advanced comprehension of language taught, should be the organizations leading the way to trainer certification. Also, we are living breathing beings, a multiple choice questionnaire is not the way to go. Experience demonstrated both in action and writing needs to be examined before a certification can be done. (This should also be over viewed by trainers or behaviorists that have trained dogs to a skill level that is measured, who have been in the business with all it's changes in the last 20-30 years, and still enjoy their accomplishments in the profession as an ongoing process)
4) Those attacking other methods belonging to a professional organization such as the APDT, and breaking the Code of Conduct therefore, should be brought to task for their conduct. If violating the COC more than once (so we are assuming they are not therefor knowledgeable about it), they should be banned from the organization of the COC that they just violated. However, we need to make it necessary for professional dog training organizations to enforce their COC, therefore, as their protocols are designed and without prejudice towards "personal friends". These are not businesses but non-profit organizations that should be either going by the beliefs of their members or changing their promotion, marketing, and COC to those members that are driving the organization. An organization, in other words, can't claim to be open to all methods when they are promoting the opposite and allowing their membership to use inflammatory language about other methods or tools.

It Should Be Fun, but For More Than One

Differing views on a post regarding a dog that went into an agility training venue.
http://www.underdogged.net/?p=182 (entitled what I need in a trainer who went to an agility class with her bully breed dog---breeds that I love by the way)

http://k-9solutionsdogtraininginc.blogspot.com/2008/10/people-skills-in-dog-training.html (and one on people skills in dog training, and it should be fun at all costs to the PERSON)

First of all, if I was running an agility center, I would need people to come in with their dogs with basic obedience. They would have been screened before hand. It might not be fun to find out your dog needs a prerequisite course before coming in.

Two, while the dog may not have been acting aggressively, it is the trainer's responsibility to not only keep the class fun but safe. A dog that may be sending out stressed and out of control signals is a dog that could trigger something in another dog. Dogs do not need to be out of control fools to have fun or compete in agility.

So I wasn't there, and neither was the competing trainer that contributed to her blog about it, but I think it's horribly unfair to put down a dog trainer because the class may not have been "fun" for the individual. Though I do think the one thing that might be improved upon in the future is advance screening of the clientele coming in. Unless you work with many dogs in one environment, then you have no idea how sloppy control on the trainer in charge's actions can affect the atmosphere.

Here's the thing though. These activities are being pushed as so much more "fun" than obedience. But what happens, is you start taking the fun away from everyone else in public and in private settings. You also start legislation in the long term being enacted that end up affecting dogs that are not so dangerous by an overreacting public (to that individual dog based on what is happening to dog training multitudes of dogs).

I am sure that my client's don't find it fun for them (the humans) when I dismiss them from a lesson. Actually, they take it pretty well as they know the reason is that they did not do their homework, and I would rather they not confuse the dog by doing continuing on when the humans haven't done the work that we are building onto. However, if they want to practice the homework they didn't do in front of me that is fine. Or to do exercises coming up sans dog, that is fine too.

I am pretty sure my client's don't think it's a blast when I tell them their dog will continue to be a dangerous dog unless they do the work. Some client's don't find it fun needing to think about different ways to up the distraction level in their training. There are responsibilities that make life not always fun for humans.

Teaching someone, and I don't know whether the trainer in question set you aside and explained "why and what you can do" is not always equated with fun. For instance if they don't do their homework and they have made no progress, you need to be direct. How you are direct can vary according to individual and dog in question, but you need to make humans understand their responsibility and duties to their dogs. This is not always the fun part of my job:) However, when you convince someone to take their responsibility to their dog seriously, that is the fun part.

I do sympathize. I remember going to group "obedience-hahah" classes with an aggressive dog before I was a trainer. All I got for help was shoulder shrugs.

Review of DogStarDaily.com

Recently an online site created by the Dunbar family (Dr Ian Dunbar) was brought to my attention. It was brought to my attention in the same thread that compared traditional dog training to "war dog training", which I found a concerning phrase. Now, as far as I know, The Monks of New Skete did not specialize or perhaps even deal in the training of "war dogs". Not that I even know what that statement could mean. I believe the poster may have been trying to say working dogs. Dogs in the military have all sorts of jobs that do not require "aggression" or a "hard dog nature" as implied. However, I found this "war dog" idea as a pretty standard thread of DogStarDaily.com. I should disclose that I am not an actual fan of The Monks of New Skete, at least how their older manual existed.

Bill Koehler, while having been in the military, became famous due to a series of training books aimed at group lessons for pet dogs (through the AKC obedience tests that were out there) , tracking dogs, and hunting dogs. While they may not be heavy on the treats, they are all about praise and partnership with the appropriate tools. In fact, before going to Margot Wood's seminar on her Bedrock Training Method which is an offshoot of what she learned on her own and from Bill Koehler, the metal training collar (also known as the choke collar) was not my tool of choice at all. Seeing it in this method, I realized how easily it was applied to train a dog to be on no equipment at all, and not with "heavy handed" corrections. It was a huge part of accomplishing a successful goal this year of getting Jack his Companion Dog title. Mr Koehler was very well known in the movie and commercial side of dog training as well. In his books, I don't see methods talked about that advocate the breaking down of a dog so the "stronger rise and the weaker fail".

That being said, are there some parts of his book that I don't use? Yes, some of the suggestions that are separate from the methods of dealing with "real hoods", I don't use. First of all some of the "real hoods" are probably dogs that don't belong in your average dog owners home. I say this having worked with dogs that have or are capable of biting a human or animal. I say this also having rehabbed them from wanting to do this as any sort of common occurrence. So I am not saying that dogs can not be rehabbed, especially from behavioral problems that have cropped up due to misunderstanding the needs of their dog for direction, leadership, and discipline (remember a time out in a crate can be discipline, and saying no can be discipline, as can restraint by leash and collar).

Second of all, I have never met a dog with a housebreaking or barking issue that wasn't fairly easily solved with regular old training or medical attention. 95% of his books, however, I do use. I see no reason for throwing out a perfectly extraordinary way of training my dogs for a couple of items that I have never seen fit to use with a dog and aren't even part of the "method". It was a different time, and he was the grandfather of an amazing dog training method. I would love to ask Mr Koehler about some of his recommendations, but he has been dead for sometime. There are a handful of people that trained with him or took his classes that may be able to answer some questions or speculate on what he would change now, if anything.

There are always things in dog training that we can take or leave as we see fit. However, the sect of people calling this "war dog" training has just found another argument that is too general to possibly be disputed. Some techniques that are used with dogs, are used with humans in these arguments. When relevant points, written evidence, and facts are logically discussed, what happens is the use of "extinction" (common purely positive technique in if you ignore it, it will go away) comes into play. If we ignore them long enough, they will go away. It's somewhat insulting when these are used on the human parties involved, especially since it's gloated so much about in certain circles. "War Dog training" was a new excuse to me as to why not use "traditional training", as "science" was the old one. It's a general term used to be way more important than it actually is. Science, as it turns out, is the observation that dogs like food as payment. It is also the more important facial expressions on dogs and body language. However, the thing it is not, is a total dog training program for every temperament of dog!! Canines still remain individuals regardless about what are theories are of "how things should run".

The other tactic that is used is to suppress information and make sure everyone allowed in spews the same lines. Look up "traditional training" on the Dogstardaily.com site. Go on, find out if I am lying there, and be sure to read beyond the first paragraph. I have let the Dunbar family know of my disdain for calling traditional training the "darkside". Kelly Gorman Dunbar offered the following in her e-mail "I am going to change any old verbiage that is negative or inflammatory. That is not where I want to take the site." The unfortunate thing, is that's going to be well over fifty percent of the articles that are on there, and the site has already been taken in that direction. Also, the question of how this recently developed site, allowed all these old and negative articles to get on there? There are plenty of new blog postings with the same mantra going on. You need to be an approved author to blog, though not comment. Your comments are however monitored, and this has been a frequent theme in the more fanatical movement that strove to take over the APDT.

When I expressed my concern over new dog owners finding this site with very simplistic information, Kelly Gorman Dunbar offered the following "Ian's big focus is the prevention of behavior problems and early puppy training. That is how he thinks dog behavior problems can be resolved, by teaching people to prevent them". Well that would be all very well and good, if this was disclosed or promoted anywhere on this site in any way. As she disclosed to me in her e-mail "This is a starter resource and we" (believe she meant do not here) "promote working with trainers for anything other than the basics." Which is a good thing, as the accomplishments or graduating class photos of some of the esteemed bloggers there are not too impressive.

It's as likely that an adopter of a rescued adult or someone that did not bring puppy up exactly right in the first place, may very well be the visitor to this site. It's promoted as being the best minds in the industry, and there is no doubt that it's all advice slanted towards one direction and in one discipline. This is why I am so careful as to point people interested in this field towards the open minded trainers. Such organizations are able to speak on the strengths and weaknesses of any method, and through the actual experience of dog training. They also have alliances with people in the biology and behavioral science arena, that may be able to understand that there are limitations to a persons' knowledge, even if they are possessed with a Phd.

Now that being said, I have always maintained that someone who was a merger of the two (training in a measurable way, and not just beginning Novice type stuff) would really be top notch. However organizations and people that instill shame and fear, instead of references and help for dog problems that may be easily solved using another method or tactic.

I could say a lot more here about touching a dog and dog training, and how important touch is to dog training. No I did not say smack or even correct. Touching, shaping, and molding are not domination exercises, but socialization exercises and letting the dog know they can trust you. There is nothing wrong with correctly handling your dog. Nor is there anything wrong with saying the word "No". Dog is about to get into the face of an older dog trying to sleep "No", may distract the dog an avoid an incident. Or perhaps you let the older dog do that, as he is likely too, if you can trust that no over reaction will occur. There is nothing wrong with saying no. This is where this movement becomes so darned dangerous. Now something simple is considered "dominance", "extreme war dog training", and words like tradition that meant practices of a long time are re-termed to indicate "smacking", "helicoptering", or "violence". Excuses are made later that "oh, we weren't talking about you, we were talking about the general "them".

Additionally, if your dog works happily without treats, why would you want to train him to work only for treats? If you don't need to bribe your dog to want to be with you, I don't see why this would be a requirement in dog training. The "Food Critic" article on DogStarDaily.com seems to be suggesting (beyond that traditional is the dark side") to treat your dog at any cost.

At a later time, I will talk about the movement of "pet dog trainer" vs "dog trainer". You can see it in the professional titles of two professional organizations "Association of Pet Dog Trainers" and "International Association of Canine Professionals". How did this come about, and what was the disconnect here? It will be a very interesting article on how the dog training profession views dog owners, and how this effects the philosophies involved!!

Dr Ian Dunbar has a long history with the "Association of Pet Dog Trainers" and it is believed that his business model is part of what started the disconnect amongst philosophies. I believe there are a couple of articles out there or videos in which he may express his regret at this. He has become an professional member of the "International Association of Canine Professionals" which is home to many traditional dog trainers. In my opinion, he is a shining example of someone trying to get it both ways, and hurting animals, people, and organizations in a perhaps unexpected way in the process.

Dog training is a method that improves the relationship, and does not only address a symptom. If you do this the right way, your dog will "wag more and bark less":)

Got a behaviorally challenged pup or adult dog. Call Mannerly Mutts at 207-361-4395 or e-mail mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com.

The Construction of a Training Manual

The training manual is coming along at a snail's pace at the moment. I am hoping writing about it might open up the flood gates.

One thing is that I don't offer mix and match training sessions (in other words "let's just go over this in three sessions"). You get the full picture or no picture at all if you are taking a private lesson training plan here. There is no "manners class". I didn't think this was great business at first. What happens when I loose all those people that only want to come to one or two classes? A scary thought in these times where the economy is tightening everyone's financial belt. And a reason why a training manual should really cover the cost of not training your dog to be reliable. Loss of your companion for one, veterinary bills, law suits for injuries intended or just due to good natured fun. Those are all short term consequences by the way, the long term consequences are the anti dog owner and dog laws that are cropping up, well around the world, and most recently all over the United States!! While this should be able to be transferred to the competitive obedience ring, the real passion at Mannerly Mutts if for real life training.

Non of the following classes can be found here:
Reactive Rover
Bully Obedience
Heeling Class
Rapid Recall

Instead what we offer is Basic Obedience, Advanced and Intermediate Obedience. In that order by the way, you could "CLEP" out but you need to pass graduation for the previous level in order to advance. There also needs to be graduates of private lessons in any group to have practice group classes.

So what did happen when I started selling only six lesson packages? More customers and more hours training dogs. Effectively, an output of a better product in better and more reliable training per dogs coming in and out. Did some people say no thanks? Sure. I even sent them to other places. Some people I told no thanks to. In the end though, the result was better than I imagined. I might be pushing it, but this year I am trying to sell the whole 12 week package. About seventy percent of my students this year did go onto the training beyond the positions that comes along in the last six weeks. I also only charge 35.00 per session, well below the average 60-75 charged for private lessons in the area. So cost can not be a reason to do a reasonable amount of training preparation with your dog. But is that for my training package, or just my sales spiel LOL?

On the other hand, why you train, how you train, what you train, and how that all helps you in the end is not readily apparent to students. "I just want my dog to stop jumping on me" is a frequent complaint. Plus they really don't mean they just want their dog to stop jumping on them, they mean they don't want Mr Dog to be jumping on grandma either. Or running to the edge of the road when the dump truck comes or stealing the pot roast off the counter right next to them. Additionally, if Mr Dog could actually come when called, that would be nice. Assuming we do teach just a few commands to do this, you still need to build up realiability during distractions. This does not happen in a day, and you don't just go to the end of the exercise. There are successive steps that make this happen. You can't just hammer this home, especially if you are teaching the dog and the human, and creating this language/communication between them.

So okay, the hows and whys of training need to be explained. Additionally how commands are used in order to affect change in behavior (wildly hyper out of control dog to calm and content dog) and how they are used to make life a bit easier for everyone involved.

Next, why is equipment and equipment handling important? Now that I know more, sloppy equipment handling makes me more crazy than I ever thought it would. There is a reason for proper leash position when working a dog. Traction is very important in the six foot leashes, and this is why I always insist on a good quality leather lead. Then there should be a training collar (not harness unless the dog has back or neck problems). I don't use Gentle Leaders or Haltis, as they are more management equipment than training equipment. My goal is to get the dog to be able to be off equipment a fair amount of time, by the training we do. There needs to be an explanation of equipment however, and also an explanation of some of the more controversial equipment. I wouldn't be too excited about training loose leash walking to a six month old active Great Dane puppy on their flat collar, for instance. Not saying there aren't some that it might be completely possible to do, just saying I have had a bit of experience with the Great Dane puppies LOL.

Either you need to have two manuals for Basic Obedience puppy vs adult OR you need to have places where the two may diverge. Puppies in general while lacking the maturity of an adult, often very easily comply with what you want. There comes a time later where you will want to remember your training, and will need to revisit it as this maturing pup becomes a bit more bold and adventurous. All in all, it's a very good idea to train while young, because even if you need to revisit it later, it's going to be so much easier for you than starting from scratch at a year or a year and a half. Plus, you will already have done much of the work already, and just need to do a bit of maintenance on the problem areas.

When we begin, I don't mind questions. I do mind the insistance of not cocentrating from the beginning on the basics of the exercise. Why not do it right from the beginning? The only thing you do by not holding the leash right, not having hand position, is create an atmosphere in which training does not flourish from the beginning. It's not only the dog, and how well do I know that after my first year competing!! My scores are saying "you can do better" right now, and that is my goal next year. I am working toward that now, and what I want to do is have my clients do it right the first time.

My husband recently asked me, "do you think our training (13 years ago) Ken would have graduated us (if he had graduations)?" "God I'd hope not" I said. Yet I see dogs graduationg that I wouldn't consider for having completed the first lesson, never mind the six or twelve week course. Much of the problem is the handling being exhibited by the owner. They have trained the exercise wrong, and are giving the dogs conflicting signals. "Are you starting or stopping" the dog is thinking or "what the heck was that?" Or in my newest client's case, "ouch!! I am down here you know.". This isn't just so the exercise looks pretty, but the waltz together makes for training magic that forms a partnership.

Still even before I get to exercises, discussions on rewards, corrections, dog rules, consistency et all need to be gone over. Frequency of homework and the consequences for not doing homework also need to be discussed. After all the session is to update the owner on the techniques of the homework required, and allow for PRACTICE of the exercises while you are there to guide the owner to the correct execution.

So there is all that documentation, and THEN the exercises. Daunting. Plus all those misc dog questions that come up. How do I stop my dog from barking? How do I get my dog to stop chewing? Housebreaking, a specialty for the pup training manual, by the way (which means a crate training session that is inclusive of the adult dogs). That has to be included as well as the way to train an alert that pup or dog needs to go out.

Well, I guess there is my start right there.

2009 Doberman Rescue Calendar

Mannerly Mutts very own Jack CD will be in the Doberman Rescue Calendar for 2009!! From dog that "won't kennel well" and having gone through several homes (and three obstruction surgeries prior to coming here), to Mannerly Mutts' own demo, competition dog, and beloved family member. I am not sure which photo will be used, I am keeping it a surprise for myself!

Not What I Was Expecting!!

Youtube is a very helpful tool in looking up almost anything or anyone that you want to see. Jean Donaldson is a well known dog trainer everywhere, but especially popular in circles that want to ban certain training tools. I went to see how she looks when training a dog, and was totally unprepared for this when the title started out saying, we can train your dog to do anything...



Um, puts a whole nother understanding on the word "reward".

Need your dog to be trained to perform useful commands? Call Mannerly Mutts's Maine Dog Trainer, Robin Rubin, at 207-361-4395. Or e-mail mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com.

Time Management and Projects During Lulls

One thing about being self employed as a full time dog trainer, is you need to drive yourself forward. I am not saying I miss the world of Corporate America, God no. I am saying putting the skills in place to drive yourself forward can be challenging. In corporate America, there is a fire to put out every minute. Or in my job of Financial Controller, there were mergers, acquisitions, system change overs, audits, sales goals, ET to all drive forward every day. Sometimes a chemical spill in the plant just to make life a bit more interesting than it needed to be.


Being self employed, you can be the head of the operation and every job in between to the cleaning person all in one. When those times of lull come on, it's hard not to just luxuriate in the free time that has been afforded to you. When it's busy, you barely have time to clean and disinfect before the next client comes through your door. So when it let's up, you better be doing your admin and training items, or it's never going to happen.


During the lulls this year, I trained two dogs to compete during for Novice AKC A and B classes. I should have spent more time than I did, but I completed the Companion Dog for my dog, Jack, which was my goal this year. Bri's first two legs towards her Companion Dog title have been the gravy. Next spring we will finish that up for her, and start both on Open competitions. Devon, my neighbors other dog, is being groomed for Novice competition next Spring. Now is an excellent time to do that, as normally these are boarding months (due to the cold, and we train in all environments) and cases that can not wait for spring (IE the behaviorally challenged or aggressive students' dogs). Otherwise it will be a slow winter months for lessons, though I have two more signed up than I did last year at this time LOL.


Another goal for this year has been to finally put together my updated training manual complete with video tapes. This is such a daunting project, that I don't know it will be done at the end of this year, BUT I do know that I better start having tasks to do towards it each day. It's easy to get bogged down in the details, so you need to pick one and move forward. That's where I am today. Do I video something, do I write something, do I video then write something, do I narrate during or after the video....


Do I show the raw or finished product? The beginning steps with an untrained dog or trained dog? Or try all of the above. Headache ensues. I am good at projects too. I came up with a way to document and store my videos today to go along with my project. Now I just have to, er, make them. Or write up the scripts for them or something other than talk about them .



I also have two applications to do that tie into this whole project while I am at it. I am nothing if not for multi tasking. Something that I try to do less of when I am actually training dogs, as if you are truly doing something else other than pretending to do something else, you may miss a moment of critical timing. That will set you back. When there is a lull, and you are doing a lot of documenting and writing type of stuff, it's easier to go to my older ways of multi tasking, so I get more than one thing done in the same space and time.



It's amazing how much time in a dog training business is not taken up by actually training the dog. However, it's all just as important to make the process as understandable and seamless as possible.

Happy Birthday Mr Wee!!

Wee or Wee Wee is the nickname for our dog, Leon. Not because he pees, but wee as in little. Something he once was, probably no more so than on October 18th of 2004. Yes, believe it or not, today is Leon's fourth birthday.



It's hard to believe it's been four years since Leon was shipped from Georgia to Boston MA. We met the plane there to meet the puppy I had picked out from the Georgia kennel, Pamelot. Leon was the easiest puppy, and has a remarkable temperment as an adult.

I remember us picking up the cutest puppy at the airport. He was unphased by the flight, but a little unsure about the strange people picking him up. We were stopped for slight speeding on the way home, but the officer took one look at the puppy and my signage saying I was a dog trainer, and gave us a break that day. I knew then that Leon could work miracles with a sweet look and his wrinkly brow.

I had adult rescues beforehand, and never a puppy before. People, that were aquainted with me, gave me dire warnings about the bringing up of a puppy. You know, how horrible it supposedly was. Leon was a very easy puppy. I actually took about six months off to concentrate on him, something I know a lot of people would not have the luxury to do. I was just starting my dog training business, and he came in January, which is not a terribly busy dog training time. When the lessons started, Leon would go with me to appointments, and that is why to this day, the Nissan puts Leon to sleep quite readily. This way I could stop between his appointments and take care of his bathroom or exercise needs in between. Of course there were training times as well.

We have had many adventures together. On his birthday today, I believe we will go to the Harvest fest in town. That is assuming they are allowing dogs in this year!!



Need dog training help? Call Mannerly Mutts' Maine Dog Trainer, Robin Rubin, for customized Maine dog training help. 207-361-4395 or mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com

What Frightens a Doberman?

Well if you are my quirk infested dog, Jack, sneezes send him right out of the room!! Sneezes from me or my dog, Leon. Since we got Jack, about two and a half years ago, this has been evident in him, and has not gone away. I always worry that a judge might sneeze or something in a trial LOL. I can just picture Jack racing out of the ring from the terrifying sound of a sneeze.

I have had a cold for a week now, that keeps Jack dashing for safety many times a day. Last night Leon, my other Dobe boy, sneezed and Jack reacted the same way. Poor Jackie.

I want to train him not to be afraid of sneezes, but every time I am well my fake "sneezes" must just not be as realistic. I will probably have to look for some recordings available on the Internet or something.

Does your dog need training? Call Robin Rubin, Maine Dog Trainer, at Mannerly Mutts Maine Dog Training facility at 207-361-4395 or e-mail, mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com.

Logan and Leon After a Hard Days Work

Here are the best buds winding down after a long day of play (on their Feet):



Want a well mannered and trained dog. Call Mannerly Mutt's Maine Dog Trainer, Robin Rubin at 207-361-4395 or mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com.

Logan's Idea of A Good Time

Logan demonstrates the joys of shoes....



Does your dog need training? Call Maine Dog Trainer, Robin Rubin, at Mannerly Mutts Dog Training 207-361-4395 or e-mail mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com.

Daycare and Boarding Photos