Some April Daycare Clips

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Bella and Spartacus's Playdates

Spartacus has the ball, and now is looking for others to chase him.

Bella and Spartacus have a stand off.

Bella says "I got something in my teeth."

Boris wonders if Bella is done with the ball yet.

Bella has a treasure.

Boris bounces away from the action between Bella and Spartacus.

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Wednesday Daycare

A Wednesday daycare...ever wonder what it is your dog is doing at daycare here? You know, when they aren't training?

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Easter Bonnet Dogs Posted Late

Bella models a black velvet hat.

Bell is the picture of spring with her daisy headpiece.

Tommy models checkered red summer hat.

Tommy models checkered brown and black fall hat.

Leon models jaunty blue striped straw hat with bow.   Boris with red checked summer hat.

Leon models fall fabulous black and brown hat.   Bella allows red checkered sun hat to be on her head.  Alissa wonders how she got trapped into modeling black velvet hat, and refuses to look at the camera.

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Baby Bella's Day Out

Leon, Bella, and Roxy

Bella investigates.

Tommy, Bella, Leon and Harley

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Baby Bella's Playdates

Unfortunately, my video camera stopped operating well, and hence the best part of the video did not come over well.   I think you can still get the gist of it though.

The Crew Over the Weekend

Bella, Shaman, Magoo, Boris, Brujo, Leon (front), Tommy (front)

Friends Tommy and Boris cuddling in the sun, as Leon looks out window.

Bella leaves her offering and mark.

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You don't KNOW unless you DO

Baby Bella is a boarding guest at times.    Bella is a sweet, sensitive, shy, lovable, friendly, and gentle English Mastiff.   The only downfall for me when she boards is that she can't be allowed off leash outside on our four acres with the other dogs.  I think this (and on the beach) would help her gain some confidence, and find her inner dog.

A dog who moves slowly, and is hard to motivate when slightly stressed with food and toys IS a hard dog to train.   Give me an aggressive highly motivated reactive dog any day over a ponderous gentle cuddle bug (for training).   Bella is the perfect family dog and fit for her family (adults, children, and they live close to the beach where they regularly see other strange dogs).   The main reason that they came for training (a year and a half ago) was so that when walking, she wouldn't just simply sit and refuse to move.  They did manage to get past that bit of business, but were unable to move onto off leash.

When Baby Bella comes, my husband and I regularly compete on who get get the most kisses, the most snuzzles of the ear, and who she will cuddle up to.   Bella is a totally cute lovable and hugable dog.   I call her "Baby Bella" because I knew her when she was just a baby NOT as the family thinks because she is a baby:)  She is sensitive, sweet, shy and timid, but I do not think of Bella as a baby in that way (I think of the smaller packaged Baby Bella).

So Bella was not in this time for training, but the family has expressed a wish that she knew how to identify with other dogs.   She is not AT ALL aggressive, but it's clear that Bella is shy and unsure around other dogs.   The family knows they baby her (by that I mean coddling, which unintentionally reinforces her fear).  

Three days is usually too short for a dog to break through (or turn a corner as I sometimes call it), especially when it's not three overnight stays.  I took the three days to observe some things about Miss Baby Bella.  Due to the time, I did not want to take video as I wanted to be sure that I was totally there observing the moment in person.  

On day one when Baby Bella first came, she was obviously more comfortable coming to her very rare boarding place than she had been in the past.   She is pretty comfortable with people anyway (just a short warming up), but it was obvious she was a bit more comfortable with the crowd (Leon, Boris, Tommy and Magoo).   I know better than to do this already (read the title of my post), but one might assume Bella would feel MOST comfortable with Leon and Magoo at the beginning (both of them being very mellow dogs with most newcomers).   Bella had a quiet day of following me around, and lying by my feet as I typed on the computer.   She got some moments to visit with her male crush, my husband Robert.

On day two, there were a lot of indoor games going on with the gang, as it was uncomfortably winterish out.   Bella did not join in, but was VERY interested.   She showed this by getting up and barking at the outside of the group.   One would have ASSUMED that the noise and boisterous play would totally terrify Bella.   While I had noticed the day before the noises the guys make when they play took a bit of getting used to for Bella, the fact that she was safe and no dogs bothered her let her relax and observe the interactions for a day.  So on day two, she was more confident to let her interest known, even though she did not exactly know what to do with it.  It occurred to me, that Bella may be told not to bark when dogs come close, and this (especially after day three) appears to be her signal or invitation to play.  I don't know this for sure (whether the family prefers that Bella not bark on the beach OR whether they realize this is her invitation for a dog to play), and so will be copying Bella's owners on this, just in case this might be inhibiting Bella's play drive for other dogs. 

I should also put an aside on how I deal with dog play.   A dog's intentions after vocalizations become clear once you know the dog.   Also, by observing the body language and other physical reactions of the dog, one can usually gauge what is play and what is not play.   If a dog has a style of play that I know is harmless (but might concern others who do not know the dog), I usually have people approach me who want to have my dog play with their dog.   I explain the dog's playing style to be sure the other party is okay with that.   I also am sure the ( many cases my client's) dog is trained, so if the other party has second thoughts, I can call the dog back and leash them back up.   So in other words, I am respectful of other people's needs and concerns.   Many times, the way a dog is going to play IS the way they are going to play.   One can make it more gentle (many times) and perhaps less vocal, but the natural way that dog is going to initiate play usually means play will or won't happen depending on their ability to naturally communicate their intentions.  I find it more helpful for dogs to play with other dogs that understand they are playing (or can learn their play style).  It's also important for the owner and handler to truly be able to read this, and not be in denial about the dog's true intentions (should they be otherwise).  I should mention, in Bella's case the barking is definitely an invitation.   She is actually a little too shy to go to the dog, she wants them to come to her.

Day three, a dog was coming that I has THOUGHT Bella would really be timid around.   Bella loved Ollie on first sight.   Ollie is a very clueless in your face still very young male, who has been in daycare or dog walking with me for much of his life.  Bella sniffed him, snorfled him, licked him, and looked almost maternal with him.   She let him crawl underneath her, lick her mouth, and jump on her with no worry whatsoever.  I began to almost see the playful Baby Bella in full.  What a big goof she was LOL!  I noticed that every time she barked at Ollie, she fully expected him to come to her (and he did come to the little princess).   Who knew that Bella could be a bit bossy LOL.   In this case, it serves to allow her to summon her play subjects on her own.

Later we took the other dogs for their off leash walk, with Bella on a longe line (I held the other end as Bella does not have a great "let's go" for most of the time).   When Magoo, Ollie, and Boris were busy chasing each other, Bella had some moments of going into a play bow with a goofy grin on her face.   She went forward just a few steps, but not into a full chase mode.  Clearly, she would love to be involved in something like this.  It is so much fun to watch something like this.  She also enjoyed digging in the snow as the other dogs were, and sniffing the trees and bark.  Sometimes getting a dog in the mood for play means providing them with interesting and new activities that naturally put them at ease.   The Curious Bella took over, and then the Playful Bella emerged shortly thereafter.

This is a case where habituation has helped her overcome some of her fear.   It is helpful to have dogs who are trained here, so if the other dog feels uncomfortable you can direct the dogs to go elsewhere.   My point in this whole post, is until you try different things with an individual dog, you never know what they will or won't respond well to.  You can assume and make educated assumptions based on the many dogs that you have trained, but until you try something with  THAT INDIVIDUAL dog (that goes toward a goal) then you are not going to KNOW what that dog responds well to.

Bella is able to get past her fear, but people need to remember she needs ways to practice and observe her ways of playing, other dogs ways of playing, the noises they make in a way that allows her to move past the fear (it's by far not the worst case of fear that I have seen, I would say it's mild in form).  Off leash and obedience always (remember you can mix up methods and ways for the human and dog, but you ALWAYS need the work ethic) make for a more confident dog, but there are other ways to do this, albeit they may take more time or be less effective.   The ways that I worked Bella was supervising the other dogs and there interactions with her (which there was really no need to do with our crew), but most importantly letting her express herself and experiment.   Luckily Bella is the type of dog that I need to worry very little about her experimentation or expression.  With dogs, this is often with boundaries and rules still present, but if there is no danger impending then you can let the dog figure it out.   I also changed positions in the room so she didn't get glued to any one safe spot, and I sometimes purposefully walked away from her to give her curiosity a chance to grow and flourish for the other dogs. I am always happy when owners and dogs can make an improvement of any sort, even when it's not the most efficient, effective or speedy way to do it.

Bella could live without playing with other dogs, and maintain her current happiness level.  She certainly enjoys a life that many other dogs in the world would envy.   Bella has a safe home, and a family that totally adores her.  She is walked many times each day.   It's nice that her family recognizes that Bella could enjoy life even that much more.   Many families do not recognize this about their dogs.   Dog ownership and dog training is a journey that takes time and patience; and sometimes several dogs later things start making sense.

I remember my own journey as such:)

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Have You Seen Bella?

It's raining today, but this is probably a good time to warm people about summer activities. Bella, a Female Puppy Mastiff, ran away from home after hearing some fireworks. She broke through a gate and was not on leash. She has been missing in the Long Sands York Beach area since last night.



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Hoobie and Our Other Clients

Akuma, 8 month old Siberian Husky male: Sadly no picture this week. He is on week 1 of basic obedience which is the longe line progression and sit on the dog. He is a puppy so training is a great thing. However, in particular his love of other dogs and people causes him to pull on the leash, which his owner always has a tight grasp of (conditioning the opposite response). So before the owner's wrist surgery, they are being training on the basics of loose leash control. The puppy is super smart and friendly just isn't strong enough word for him. This is a great "problem" for owners to have:)

Piper, Cavachon (Cavalier/Bichon) 3 plus month puppy: OMG this puppy is so cute. She is owned by a couple of women in the area. Just basic puppy manners and obedience being taught. While wicked cute and friendly, she has already learned how to start controlling her owners every waking moments LOL. Training the humans more here than the puppy, who is not only super cut but very very smart.

Here piper is table training into a down, and we are commenting on how tired she is after a long lesson. However, in a few short minutes she livens right up again LOL.

Puppy zoomies, you have to love them and a sign of a nice healthy normal puppy.

Piper is on lesson three here:)

Magoo, 7 month Old Great Male Dane Puppy (In Daycare and Train):

Magoo (Great Dane with taped ears in picture) is going into the conformation and obedience ring. These owners have had two other dogs trained with me, and now we are going for four (Lucey is his sister).

Magoo and I should be going into the obedience ring this year, and he is doing very well. He's a solid stable confident but soft young Great Dane puppy. He loves the dogs and people he lives with, and he loves the dogs and people he does not live with LOL.

His favorite activity is fun of any sort especially in the woods. He is getting the obedience that he has been taught so far very well, even under distracting circumstances (IE field trips to the beach and various fields OR at daycare where other dogs are walking around). He just finished up week one of basic training, and now we will be onto week two this week:) He is going to do very very well in obedience OR at least as well as his handler does LOL.

Lucey, 7 year old Westie Lady (In Daycare and Train):

Lucey and I have been friends for a long time. I adore all of my customers dogs, but I have always wanted a Westie and this little girl is terribly cute and patient of her large brothers (Great Dane and Giant Schnauzer), who groom her and sit on her constantly.

Lucey thinks the stuff in the tv is actually there, and that it's her duty to chase or catch it off the tv. So that's her main training. The most challenging part has been getting to not only that but the other instances that she barks so we can have a complete training package at the end that is simple for her owners.

I just love her. Look at those eyes, they could melt steel .

Bella, 7 Month Old Mastiff Girl Puppy (In Private Lessons with Owner):

Very, very nice mellow puppy. It is surprising to note that very friendly mellow puppies are the hardest for owners to train. I think it's because the training is not as exciting or seem as important when your dog is not trying to nail you nor run into the street LOL.

Bella is on lesson six, and is very friendly and mellow. However, a friendly run into an elderly person or small child could send them for a loop.

She is about in the high 70 pound mark now of cuddly cute fun. She enjoys kisses and just about whatever attention you would like to give her. She prefers naps to training and sometimes walks. She is so easy, the owner's older parents are able to take care of her. Sigh, I would love to have Bella over for a long visit, but I guess her family is going to get to enjoy her:)

Willie, 5 plus year old Male Portuguese/Airedale Mix (In Private Lessons with Owner):

Willie was here last year to be taught not to eat the guests at his owners house. Since then, he has hosted parties attended by their family and by children.

Willie's owner suffered a horrible accident that caused an injury to her brain. So time is needed to teach other skills. Now it's time to train Willie's owner how to walk in public places with him, and remin calm and confident so Willie doesn't feel her angst.

I don't think anyone will see them in any dog parks anytime soon, but his owner has had practice now with Willie on the beach and in our property around other dogs and people.

Willie should not be left alone to his own devices in his territory, but with a calm confident leader, he knows that she will not let anyone in who is a danger to the home front, and can now relax from enforcing that duty.

Jillian, 5 plus year old Lady English Springer (In Private Lessons with Owner):

Jillian came here for extreme separation anxiety. She was breeding stock in her younger years and either relegated to an infrequently visited crate or chained to a tree. The adoption contract for her stated that she could never be returned. You can imagine that she did not come from a particularly loving home after doing her duty of providing them with a sellable product.

However, Jillian landed into a home that loves her. They just needed to be able to put her into a crate (as she was pretty adept at opening the LOCKS and chewing through those pesky walls). Pretty funny story posted about her disappearance early on, where the police had to point out that those were bite marks around the lock, and that no one broke in to steal Jillian!!

Jillian is a total love bug, while still exhibiting the typical Springer stubbornness cheerfully. Her owner is now interested in doing obedience trials with her. I am in the process of teaching her owner how to go about that:)

Hoobie, 5 plus year old Male English Springer (in Board & Train):

Here he is the infamous Hoobinator!! Believe it or not, there is a sweet nice sociable dog in there despite his fear that causes him to do his absolute best to try and nail you. His gig is up, I have seen the sweet Hoobie and I am going to try my very best to pull him out of there.

Today we discovered that neck rubs are not unwelcome. So there is the start of a touch that we can work from, and use as a potential reward.

Yesterday he had a screaming fit over me removing an eye boogey. Today, he allowed that. Now realize at this point any outside contact comes with the muzzle on. I have used a muzzle in the training plan of three or four dogs. The thing to realize is that when the muzzle is off, the response is lessened and not extinguished yet. There is (especially with a dog like Hoobie that has extreme phobia and fear) a whole bunch of training to do with the muzzle on, until he does not react inappropriately with it on. THEN realize that most likely he is going to strike out the first few times he is out with a muzzle, and leash handling, the use of motivators and consequences will start shaping his behavior with the muzzle off.

The reason for the muzzle on this type of dog is to show him, without continual conflict, that it's just so much easier and enjoyable not to put up a huge stink. To be able to do this without correcting him every second and allow him to start calming himself down, and learning how to put the controls and decision making ability in place for himself.

In dog training, it is so important that the dog come to the correct decision themselves, and this means communication as to the benefit/reward of doing that. And with any dog and especially a dog like this times three, this is repetition of events in various places over and over again demonstrating this.

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