Saturday, July 30, 2011

Observations of Some New Clients in The House

Getting to really know the ins and outs of a dog is 24/7 and can run from 6 months to a year for most dogs.   Don't take this as a negative, this is an adventure for dog owners who really love their dogs.   It also involves exposing your dogs to new things continuously, and my preference while training.   This not only socializes your dog (when done right), but it increases the dog's ability to generalize in training.   In other words, sit is no longer just in your living room when no one else is around.   Sit is in the park, outside a busy store, in your car, on the beach, in a hotel, e.t. while any number of distractions (humans, toys, cars, kites, Frisbees, balls,) are around.

When you are working with your dog with and around all that, you begin to know your dog very well.  Some people can own a dog for years, and not have any clue as to their dog, because they do not spend all this time with them doing things.  Course getting to know your dog is only the first step, what you do with that knowledge comes later.

I have a shorter time frame to know dogs that come here.   An hour a day coaching lesson for the dog or even one on one with the dog only tells me a little about that dog and who they are right now.   When they board with me or even spend the main hours in daycare with me, that tells me more about who the dog is at that moment.   I take that knowledge to come up with realistic goals and expected improvement for the dogs.   Dogs always improve and I have found, thus far, can always be trained and modified behaviorally.   (assuming work still happens in the future with the owner using the commands and skills while also maintaining the commands and skills).  Not everything in the world can always be done, but a lot can be done even so that makes the relationship stronger and life a lot easier.   The first step is knowing the strengths, weaknesses, and overall quirks of the dog.

Which is not to say that every dog can be "saved", some dogs are too dangerous to even improve upon.   Some situations (i.e. owners temperament, children in the house, surrounding environment) are not going to be good to make that particular dog safe in the situation that they currently live in.   These particular clients are not in that class at all.

By the way, in these busy weeks of August, we have the following dogs boarding with us:

  • (Our two) Leon and Boris (6 years 10 month old Doberman male and 1 year 10 month old Doberman male)
  • Tommy (5 plus year old pit/lab male our long term boarding client who has almost been here 1 year
  •  Bristol (has been here before but not so frequently)
  • Shaman (2 year old or so Giant Schnauzer comes about every six months or so)
  • Brujo (4 or 5 year old Giant Schnauzer male comes about every six months or so)
  • Rocko (1 or 2 year old Maltese male)
  • Spartacus (new client Dobie male puppy of 9 months who was here 1 week ago)
  • Boy (19 month old Pitbull X fairly new day and train client who is doing a mini board and train now)
  • Jujube (2 year old Yorkie/Schnauzer mix male who is brand new as of the beginning of this week)
  • Virgule (4 year old Poodle/Schnauzer mix female who is brand new as of the beginning of this week)
  • Daycare in and out of the mix will be Ollie (1 year 10 month old Plott Hound mix male) Alyssa (2 year old Siberian Husky female), Bella (4-5? year old Golden/Lab Mix female),  Sadie (less than 1 year old Vizsla/Lab X female), Harley (3 year old Great Dane male)
So here are the observations on the newest training clients to the pack.
Boy 19 month old male (thought to be) Pit bull X, though I am thinking Cattle Dog or Border Collie X (not sure I see Pit bull in there).

Strengths:  Intelligent, curious, good physical energy, playful, young, wants to please you, likes to work and train, likes a good adventure, generally seems to like other dogs (although can be reactive with new ones, especially if playing and active) and people (though this has not been tested out in any great extent yet), sweet friendly and affectionate,

Weaknesses or Quirks:  Reactivity on leash, no other formal training for obedience, socialization is weak, resource guarding food items and sometimes drinking water (not horrible, but it's a short step to horrible especially as a dog gets more comfortable in his surroundings or if it is allowed at all), skittish around new things or things not encountered often before, may have prey drive to cats (I am waiting to see if we cross any of their paths),  his excited adolescence can more towards over excitement (meaning frustration can turn into aggression), he likes to boss,  distracted around new things and experiences, he has been very scared of traffic coming up behind us when training the heel and auto sit (also improving much),  does not like face to face greetings with dogs that are strange to him (but does get over it), he can get reactive to your hand near his muzzle if he is over excited barking (IE threatening to bite or making a nip---however he reacts well to stroking of the muzzle and holding under the chin while quieting in an agitated state), doesn't mind being in the crate but getting him into the crate is problematic (which is related to the fact that he also isn't a fan of tight spaces, and wasn't so thrilled about stairs when he very first came here)

Overall, Boy is an excellent dog.   I think he will train up well.  Whether some of his quirks improve greatly or perhaps even are totally extinct remains to be seen. 
Jujube 2 Year Old Male Yorkie Schnauzer X

***Interesting to note that at first Virgule seemed the less confident of the two, and they both seem to trade roles sometimes.   However, Virgule is much more confident socially than Jujube, when Jujube allows Virgule to go off and adventure.  And this is why it is important to give dogs, even very close dogs, some individual time for their enjoyment.  Jujube has gotten much better at letting his sister go adventure a bit on her own, allowing Virgule to become even more confident.

Strengths:   Incredibly cute (you will also see this posted under weakness, cause he uses it to be a brat), loving and affectionate, likes to be near whoever is taking care of him all the time (also a weakness), loves his sister Virgule (also a weakness LOL), learns quickly though he will give you a run for your money (he is a terrier after all), wants to please, likes to be praised big time (in other words will work or modify his behavior for affection given consistently and with rules), happy to work and train, he is often near his caretaker and easy to get,

Weaknesses:   Napoleon classic little dog complex, reactive to new dogs checking him out even when they are being polite, will charge forward at new dogs without much provocation, over protective of sister, uses cuteness to try and get away with being naughty (really more of a human fault as it is hard to resist), out of shape and overweight which probably means that he needs more to do during the day (as well as have his eating monitored), was barking non stop when anxious (have cut down on that significantly through getting him used to being out and about in new situations and around new dogs/people, plus using command and praise for the behavior desired), probably a little too dependent on sister, and he does seem to have at least a little separation anxiety,

Jujube seems to have gotten a few bad habits by perhaps being allowed to do things he ought not to because he is so cute and small (like charge at other dogs or even jump on them).   The dogs came in with a bark collar, but the real problem is not the barking but the excited state of anxiety that they get in that produces the uncontrolled barking.  Jujube has had to learn how to chill when dogs are playing around him and not with him (haven't seen if that excitement has gone down at the beach yet), and also not get so jealous when his poor sister seeks to play with a new playmate.

Virgule 4 year old Poodle/Schnauzer X female

Strengths:  Sweet and loving, calm in general, confident in general, pretty social though she can nip if she gets anxious, smart, happy to work and train, can be independent easily,

Weaknesses:   barking also when anxious but not too bad (probably due to the bark collar that she had come with but that we did not keep), nippy when unsure of other dogs even when they are being polite (could be due to bad habits at dog park), skittish around people sometimes (does not come easily and can be hard to catch)

Virgule needs a lot less work than Jujube, although having her come to us more readily (and probably therefore her owners and children) would be good.   However, there are many steps to that, so I may need to shortcut something in order to help

The items listed as weaknesses can change and improve while the strengths are enhanced.  If you follow a good consistent training plan for the dog, then things can be made much easier for the dog owner and even more so for the dog.   A calm and confident dog (and my preference is also a trained dog) is a dog that you don't mind taking out and about as often as possible.  

Boy's owner has some physical limitations.   So his goals are (among many) to not be reactive on leash and walk well with his owner.   This also means working on his confidence and socialization skills in general as well.

Jujube and Virgule's training goals were to make "better times for us and dogs".  Also jumping greeting was listed as a problem.   What many owners don't realize is this is a symptom of an insecure dog.   You don't want them in that state of agitation, and certainly guests and strangers, who are onlooking, do not enjoy that even if they do eventually calm down.  Then another unexpected thing comes into the picture, and they get anxious excitement again.

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Thursday, July 28, 2011

May 2011 Work With Alyssa


These days we are using all the commands in mock "routines" for "real life" situations.   Additionally, I am getting Alyssa used to being handled by strangers now when she needs to with the goal of having a stress free veterinarian appointment:)

So this is all old work that will show somewhat of how we got to where we are presently:)  For instance all that molding work we did, and continue to do, will now start to pay off for stranger examination.

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Monday, July 25, 2011

Lessons Learned As A Professional Dog Trainer

Leon and Boris hanging at the flea market.
I always have questions when I am learning.   Experimentation is what I do especially if I am told "it can't happen that way".   I like to know why, and I usually find out.   Then I can impart the reasons to my students instead of just saying "because that is the way I learned it" or "these particular people said it was bad or could not be done".   Instead (after trying and succeeding) I can say "because it confuses the dog when you drop your shoulder but are still going straight" or something along those lines.  I know why to use it, and then why it will not communicate to the dog.   I can answer whether I think a shortcut to training is a good idea or not.  


Sometimes I find that something can work or that if tweaked it can work better for me.   Trainers should continue learning, doing, polishing up their skills, and most importantly growing as a person and a trainer.

Here are some lessons that I have learned:
  • We can be too boring for our dogs , but we do not need to go to extremes to not be boring to our dogs.   (like scooping up road kill or being a constant source of entertainment for the dog)
  • Dogs need exercise and fun, but you don't have to push your dog to exhaustion in order to have a good dog.
  • Dogs love learning and the mental stimulation that comes from learning.  Giving your dog a job can be as simple as requiring them to walk at heel in the city or where ever you need them to.
  • Treats have a place in dog training, but they can also muck up the process for a dog perfectly happy to work without treats.
  • Training is not hard, but it does take consistency, patience, and discipline for the human most of all.
  • Silence and time are little known tools of dog training, and not spoken about often enough.
  • Balance in all things is the key to success in many aspects of life, including dog training (article to follow).
  • Yes, human footwork, body movement, and mental attitude are important in communicating what you want to a dog.
  • As boring as repetition might be for humans, DO NOT make them boring for your dog.   Also repetition is a very important part of the beginning learning process for the dog.
  • Prepare your dog, and they will learn for the long term better.
  • Use it or you will loose (or maintain your training).
  • Think the pet business is without politics, LOL, guess again.
  • Definitions and meanings are very important when outlining the concept of dog training.
All of these ideas could use an article or two each to expand on them.   I just wanted to leave with a few thoughts on ideas that have cemented in my head while learning my craft.   A dog trainer needs to grow and learn, and it's something I continue to enjoy doing.   Any professional dog trainer should do the same, and be able to talk about what they have learned to DO and have implemented themselves successfully.

I began thinking about this when reading so many blogs on dog trainers who only harp on what not to do (in their opinion only, and usually without much understanding of what they are talking about), strawman arguments or false stories, all the while unable to talk about either what they have learned to do OR demonstrate their success.

Beware those that can complain, but can not train:)

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    From Last Weekend Into This Week

    Murphy, a petite Black Lab girl.   She has been coming here for a few years now, and is much fun.

    Tomber Jomber, of course, our unofficial dog for the next year.   He's great.   Look at that button nose, those eyes, the pink lips and round face.   He's the entire package:)

    The family set up at the local flea market again.   Here is some tea stuff.

    Here are the collectibles.

    Here is Robert pretending to have sold something, but we just got there and have not even unloaded yet .

    Here are my many books that make a good summer read for cheap.

    I don't know this little guys name, but I see him and his sister (Kiwi below) walking all the time with their owner.

    And since Kiwi is walking all the time, I don't know what she is fed that she gets so chunky.  She is awfully cute though.

    Our boys, of course, Leon and Boris.

    We met this cutey, Rose.

    Milo, our boarding guest, an awesome Great Pyrenes male.   So very sweet.

    This is Newfie, Mary, who is getting older but still has a young and playful spirit.

    Rocko and Boris hanging out.

    Virgule decides I am not so scary, and hangs out under my desk while I type out some blogs.

    Meanwhile, Vigule's brother, Jujube, passes out from a long day next to her.

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    Sunday, July 24, 2011

    Boy's Progression to Starting Heel

    This is Boy's first week of work here.   We also do sit on the dog in week one, and if you click on Boy, you will find a training blog that links up to each of the exercises (longe line and sit on the dog).

    Then on day 8, we move onto week two work of heel and auto sit.  




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    Imagine what your dog can learn?

    Example Directions Week 2 Work Heeling

    This is meant only as an example of info that you should get from a professional trainer.   Also, this is part of a whole training plan, and the training plan does not start with the heel.

    Also included are example directions if an electronic collar was being used.   So far, I find not using the electronic collar at first makes for a much better foundation for the dog.   If you do your job well, the electronic collar can be added on later and very easily.   One downfall of an electronic collar is it makes dog owners think their training skills are better than they are.   Working towards no equipment, and then adding something like the electronic collar on later for safety and peace of mind is very helpful.

    I always prefer to start with traditional training collars and leashes at first.  It also teaches the humans how to best train their dogs, and that is so important.
    PROPERTY OF MANNERLY MUTTS DOG TRAINING AND ROBIN RUBIN. WE ONLY ALLOW PAYING CLIENTS TO COPY THIS MATERIAL FOR THEIR USE ALONE. THIS MATERIAL MUST NOT BE DISTRIBUTED TO OTHER NON-CLIENT PARTIES OF MANNERLY MUTTS WITHOUT EXPRESS PERMISSION.Heeling Begins

    Equipment needed:
    -6' Leather Lead
    -Training Collar

    ****NOTE, IF THE LONGE LINE HOMEWORK HAS NOT BEEN DONE, BEEN DONE INCORRECTLY, OR DONE INCONSISTENTLY DO NOT START HEELING. IT IS NOT FAIR TO THE DOG TO DO THIS, AND YOUR DOG WILL MOST LIKELY NOT BE COOPERATIVE.

    Explanation and Goal of Exercise:
    To teach the dog to walk in an exact position for convenience of the handler. The Longe Line Work has started the commands of heel, come, and future off leash behavior. It is also a method to teach the dog never to pull on the leash. However, a dog is still able to get under foot at times or not be in such a convenient position when they are out and about with you. The goal of heeling is to have your dog in an exact position for ease of movement in a busy city, or when you are bringing in the groceries, or just so you don't trip over your dog. Heeling also keeps your dog focused on you rather than jumping on an interesting human or dog OR becoming snarky with a passing stranger.

    Also teaches the owner the concept of slack leash = more control. So that the opposition reflex of a taunt reach does not kick in OR the formula for aggression that restraint + frustration = aggression. We are teaching the dog to decide correctly and be focused on their "job". A dog's job can be as simple as allowing for a stress free walk in the city.

    Due to the configuration of training collars and the need to pick a side, generally heeling is on the left hand side of the handler, dog is ideally a foot away from the handler, their shoulders should be around where your hip is if it went straight down, and their head should be a bit in front so you can see it peripherally.



    General Steps for Heeling (assuming normal left side heeling):
    • STEP 1: Confinement period of two hours still holds (for best results). Part of this confinement period can be sit on the dog.
    • STEP 2: Be sure that training collar is on correctly as noted in week one.
    • STEP 3: Leash should be in right  hand, thumb is through the loop, and fingers close over the entire handle (so that it is closed in your hand). Your right hand should be straight at your side and not drift up. The leash slack should hit below your knee (accordion up the excess leash in your right hand). Your left hand should be at your belly button point in the center of your stomach AND EMPTY. IF YOU ARE USING AN E-COLLAR, HOLD THE TRANSMITTER IN YOUR LEFT HAND.
    NOTE [stim] OR [constant] WILL INDICATE WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE USING AN E-COLLAR FOR THIS. OTHERWISE IGNORE TAPS, AND USE TRADITIONAL METAL TRAINING COLLAR.
    • STEP 4: You are going to say "heel" (use of your dog's name beforehand is up to the handler) [stim] (like you would say stop, not like a question or request) and move forward starting with your left  foot. A major mistake that most beginning handlers make is to stand still and look at the dog. IT IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR YOUR DOG TO HEEL UNLESS YOU ARE MOVING!! IF YOU ARE LOOKING BACK OVER YOUR SHOULDER, YOU ARE BASICALLY INDICATING THAT YOUR DOG SHOULD LAG BEHIND YOU.
    • STEP 4A: If your dog does not move, [stim]the leash will be tugged (if positioned properly) by your left knee and bring him forward. The correct longe line work will have begun preventing the dog from not following you, however. You want your body weight and knee to bring the dog forward, and not have him see you jerking on him or at the lead. Please do not repeat the command if your dog does not start with you, but keep moving forward. We are training a dog to respond to the first command, not multiples of the command.
    • STEP 4B: When the dog forges ahead OR is not paying attention, we will make a right about turn. A right about turn is moving in a 360 degree turn towards your right, so that your dog is on the outside of you. A (T) step (pivot with left foot [stim], pivot right foot in new opposite direction [stim], let out slack and leash and trot in new direction maximum of 3-4 paces) is a very convenient way to do this turn. Done correctly, your knee should again bring the leash forward with you. Another way to do it is to let all the slack out of the lead as you turn, and then your body weight brings your dog forward with you.
    • STEP 4C: When your dog is heeling wide or lagging, we will make a right turn. Weight shifts to left foot [stim], start right turn with right foot and take [stim] 2 to 3 running strides.
    • STEP 4D: When your dog leans against you OR crowds OR is not paying attention, we will execute a left turn. Place weight on your right foot [stim], then initiate the turn with your left knee.
    • STEP 4E: When your dog drifts out of position, [constant] snap lead with your right arm to your side, arm should still be straight from start to finish. DO NOT lift up or let your arm float, this takes the leash out of a workable position.
    • STEP 5: Reward his attentiveness and when he keeps position with praise.
    • STEP 6: At the end of heeling, be sure to introduce your "release word". Some people use "break", "free" or "okay" to indicate that the work is ended. One note about "okay" it is used frequently in conversation, so if you use it, you are going to need to train that it only comes from you and when you are looking at them.
    NOTE: YOU SHOULD ONLY HAVE YOUR LEFT HAND ON THE LEASH IN RARE CIRCUMSTANCES. FOR INSTANCE SOMETIMES IF I AM DOING A LEFT TURN, AND THE DOG IS TRYING TO CUT ME OFF BEYOND WHERE I CAN STEP INTO THEM, I WILL USE MY LEFT HAND. IF I HAVE A REACTIVE DOG AND A DOG IS COMING TOWARDS ME ON THE RIGHT SIDE, IT'S SOMETIMES NECESSARY TO GRAB THE LEASH WITH YOUR LEFT HAND IF YOU KNOW YOUR DOG IS GOING TO TRY TO WHIP AROUND IN FRONT AND YOU HAVE A RESTRICTED SPACE TO MANEUVER LIKE A SIDEWALK.
    Footwork:
    • Footwork is so important to communicate to the dog what you will do next. With these directions, they will be able to pay attention to you and follow your directive without verbal commands. Footwork must be done the same every time to be effective.
    • You always start the heel with your dog in the left hand side in ready position (IE the dog is sitting to your left at heel position, which means their leg and shoulder align with your straight leg). You then say [heel] or [dog's name] heel as you step forward with your left foot.
    • When you halt to indicate that your dog auto-sit (see notes on sitting). You say "sit" as you plant your left foot, and close up with the right foot.
    Description of Pace Changes:
    • Normal is the your pace when walking deliberately and with purpose toward a goal.
    • Fast is where you are traveling forward at a run (not a sprint). YOUR legs are moved at a much faster speed than normal, and your dog is traveling with you in heel position.
    • Slow is generally considered about half of your normal pace. If you do this haltingly and without a constant pace, your dog may start to think you are going into a halt. Avoid that.
    Practice Heeling in These Patterns During the Days Indicated:
    • Days 1 thru 2 will use right about turn, left turn, right turns. Additionally, you will use normal, fast and slow paces. Straight on lead heeling will end with dog places (molded) into a sit. Between sits, the heeling distance should be 10 feet. Do not exceed this 10 foot rule during these days. NOTE: Not all of the sits are to be in the straight line heeling.
    • Days 3 thru 4 (always start with a few minutes of working the day before lesson first to warm up you and your dog) lengthen straight line heeling from 10 to 20 feet. During these sessions, make your turns quickly to the left and right (or right then left). It is sometimes useful to have a straight line evident so that you know you aren't traveling with the dog.
    • Days 5 thru 7 (always start with a few minutes of working the day before lesson first to warm up you and your dog). Increase straight line heeling from 20 to 40 feet.
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      Friday, July 22, 2011

      Fun On The Beach With Spartacus and Alyssa

      Spartacus, Alyssa, Boris and Leon all spend some free time playing on the beach.  It's great to have your dogs play in public and be absolutely safe.   9 Month old Spartacus is able to have fun without giving his owner a heart attack:)


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      Thursday, July 21, 2011

      Different Parts of Alyssa Work On The Place

      I am attempting to show both finished training, and training in progress.   This is some of Alyssa's earlier place work on 6/11/2011.   She is more advanced, especially in her sends and the different areas that she can recognize as a place now.

      I like to show the progress to show the work, and then later what is actually accomplished.   The work is enjoyable work for me.   I think it should be enjoyable for owners, in that they should enjoy the progress and the bond/relationship being formed.  It's not always about making sure the human is entertained.  Sometimes it's just about our dogs .  The work is about an hour a day, and as you can see it's disciplined for us but not all that hard.

      Practicing with two different places:



      Practicing place for five minute durations around lower mid level distractions:



      Here is a fun day we had with Alyssa training and hanging out in Portsmouth NH!



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      Gus Lovely German Shepherd Boy of About 3 Years +

      Gus just hanging with Robert, Leon, and Boris.

      Gus playing ball with the boys.

      Leon discovers Gus is pretty fun after all.

      Buddies, Gus and Leon.

      Buddies, Gus and Boris.

      Really quite fond of each other, Boy and Gus.  Boris has his side to the camera.  My hair needs color, I am thinking a violet purple...what do you think?




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      Friday, July 15, 2011

      Boy Longe Line Day 1 of 3

      This is Boy who started with us last week on 7/11/11.   This is the first day of training, which starts with "sit on the dog" and ends with "longe line".  The first week is all about quiet, peacefulness, and having the dog pay attention to you.  We are not getting the dog to pay attention by flashing treats at them, as this is more about calm and confidence with these exercises.   This happens to be especially good for Boy, who has never learned to  walk on leash with a collar attached   He belongs to a lady that is somewhat physically disabled, and she just can't chance the sudden lunging and fleeing for freedom.

      Many things are slowly being changed up for him.   The very first thing was putting a training collar on that is designed to not allow for slippage over his head.  He has slipped other collars.  The next thing is calm confidence from his handler as we start the exercises.   This will begin to transfer to Boy as we get further into the week.   In fact, I plan on posting Day 5 tomorrow, which is the second set of days in the longe line exercises.

      He is a short video of his first day.   While the video is only a little over a minute long, the first day included 1/2 hour sit on the dog, 1/2 hour walking between two points, then ending with dropped leash for 20 minutes.



      Days 4-7 will deal with more distractions and movement on my part.  We have completed day four today (7/14/2011), and hope to post day five tomorrow.   Boy is already much improved.   He does have fear issues like going up stairs, going through small spaces, having dogs come right into his face or coming towards him in an enclosed area that he feels trapped in, e.t.

      He is improving at a decent rate though, and so it's really important for him that the training is not rushed or short cut at all.

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      Thursday, July 14, 2011

      Fun, Games, and Training for this Week (Video Summary)

      This is a little summary of snippets of our week this week.  I forgot poor Ollie (Plott Hound X of 1 and 1/2 years) in my credits.   My apologies to Ollie and his owners .  

      Here are some of the good times and a little work we have and do:



      More of our training video backlog to follow.

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      Busy Busy Busy, Guests and Students

      I have a backlog of training videos and pictures to post.   However, I have many guests to entertain and train this week .   So I will take the easy way out for the moment, and post some pics and videos of these cuties having a good time.

      Alyssa training on Ellis Park near Short Sands.

      Alyssa keeping a down stay from a distance at Ellis Park on Short Sands Beach.

      Alyssa keeping a place on a bench in Ellis Park on Short Sands Beach.

      My dogs, Boris and Leon, attending the weekend flea market where we were set up.

      Shot of Leon and Boris with the booth in the picture.

      There is my husband selling things so we can feed the dogs this week .

      Spartacus, nine month old client's male dobie, chewing on a nylabone.

      Spartacus trying to cozy up to elder, Leon, in his crate.

      Boris, Leon, and Tommy taking it easy on a hot day (airconditioned thank goodness).

      Close up of nine month old puppy, Spartacus.

      New training client, Boy.   He is being trained for a physically disabled woman so as to walk nicely on a leash and be a bit more confident around new things.

      Spartacus and Boris share the old jeans that I use for a tug toy.




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      Tuesday, July 12, 2011

      Loss of Great Friends

      We have had a few losses over the last 12 months with dogs that we are personally close to.   This happens in dog training, because dogs just don't live as long as we do.  It is the one truly sucky part of dog ownership, in my opinion, and knowing dogs in general.   You are going to loose them.

      Mid last year, our clients and friends lost Petey at just 3 years old.   Petey is a Giant Schnauzer that I trained, and has spent a lot of time here.  He looked healthy enough as a puppy, but turned out he had hip and knee problems.  He also developed very serious epileptic seizures.   You can not imagine how difficult it was on his owners when he died.   Awful, and he was such a great boy that just loved to give love and have fun.  He also lived with Magoo CD (Great Dane) and Lucey (Westie that has brought up two huge dogs ).

      I actually have better pictures than this on my crashed computer.   Ones where he is helping and carrying a backpack as I pick up walking clients.   Petey was the best, and I wish his body could have kept up with his spirit.

      Puppy Petey

      Petey in the red bedroom.

      Petey on Long Sands

      Close up of puppy Petey.

      Right before he died, Petey and I hang on the couch watching a bit of tely.



      A couple of months ago, our clients and friends lost their dog Roxie to stomach cancer. It came on very quickly. Roxie was maybe my very first client in York Maine after we moved from Worcester Mass. She has also been my boarding and daycare client since 2005 or so. Roxie was my husband's very favorite client dog:) They had a little love affair going on. She was very good friends with my dogs, and most of the dogs that came here. I am glad that my dogs do not know that she is gone. She was friend to cats, dogs, and humans alike.

      Magoo, Harley, Roxie, and Petey all share nicely and nap.
      Tired Roxie.
      Roxie and Harley enjoying each other.
      The buds:  Leon, Boris, Roxie and Harley ripping it up at the beach.
      Boris in the front, Magoo pestering Harley, and Roxie in the back.   I used to ride the bike that you see around the yard with them:)   Good times.  Well I still do ride the bike around, and I hope Roxie is somewhere still enjoying that.
      Pals napping on the "dog couch".   Harley, Leon, and Roxie share very nicely and squish themselves together.
      Majestic Roxie.
      Roxie and Harley flank, Hannah, Pearly, and Katie (if you look behind everyone there is a little black American Pitbull Terrier name of Gigi).   All these ladies got along remarkably enough:)
      I was riling Roxie all up just to get this picture.

      Yesterday, our clients and friends lost their beloved Katie at age 13. She is a Springer who has lived with her litter mate Hannah during her life. Hannah came to us in 2006 for training, as she suddenly started going after her sister, Katie. The relationship was repaired, and they went on peacefully into old age together. Katie had recently gone totally deaf, and Hannah is now loosing her hearing as well.

      These older ladies have been doted and loved up on by their family. This is a truly sad loss for all who knew these dogs. Hannah has never been without her sister, even when she came here for training. Both Hannah and Katie were great friends to my dogs, including my deceased Jazzy and Jackie. I used to sing a song to them "Hannah's bananas, but Katie she is crazy!". Katie was a giant living teddy bear, who also could blow you off with a smile complete with tongue hanging out. Hannah is more subtle in the ways that she got your attention, and can be a complete clown. Two very different sisters, but two very special dogs with their own individual personalities that worked like ying and yang.

      Katie (black and white), Hannah, and I walking along Long Sands.
      Katie and Hannah posing for me on a rock in my yard.
      Hannah is in front of an English Springer, Pearly.  Katie is next to Great Dane, Harley.  Jackie is the red dobie to the right, and Leon is the red dobie to the left.
      Leon, Jackie, Katie, Pearly, Hannah, Roxie, and Harley all pose for me:)
      That is Katie peering up at me from under my desk.
      Hannah laughs at messy Katie.   We had just walked through the woods near the wetlands, and Katie, of course, submerged herself like a hippo in the water.   Hannah always travels the same terrain but manages to stay clean.
      Another view of swamp thing, Katie.
      Katie "Will you quit laughing at me?"
      Katie "If I rub hard enough, can I get it off?"
      Katie "I know, I know, I am cute.   Now please get me out of this."


      There are probably more than a few older dogs that I don't know have passed on yet.   Several that I trained from Worcester Mass, but that I have lost touch with  were older dogs.   It is truly one sad part of this business.   You get to know and fall deeply in love with these dogs, and then in one moment they are gone.   On the other hand, if I have done my job correctly, they had an amazing life and partnership with their human:)