Ogunquit Maine Halloween for the family two legged and four legged

Some witch has my Boris pumpkin!! What wonderful weekends we have been having this October in the York Maine area!!  There has been so much to do.  Part of the absolute joy of having a well behaved, trained, or dog in training (and prepared for more distraction work) are the events that human owners are able to enjoy with their canine companions.  Ogunquit's festival of Halloween activities provided great opportunities for family enjoyment this weekend, of both the canine and human kind. Doing things with your dogs where they can perform or obey commands under distraction is a step towards making the holiday times enjoyable for all, rather than a stressful time for your canine companion.   If you have not prepared your dog in advance for the holidays, this is not the time to suddenly spring them into the thick of things, unless they are one of those rock solid bombproof dogs no matter what (rare but out there). One of Mannerly Mutts family dogs is Boris, who was purchased from Doberman Rescue Unlimited in Sandown New Hampshire.   Boris is still a puppy at 1 year old, and needs exposure to these sorts of things.   I plan on trialling him in the spring of 2011, if I can find some United Kennel Club trials in the area.   Boris is missing a leg due to a birth defect.  Doberman Rescue was kind enough to have it removed for him, so he would not stumble over it for the rest of his life.   Boris gets around great, is smart, desperately needs more of a job, and would do well in competitions.   Here are some shots of Sunday or our second day there (day one pictures to follow later), and then I will tell you some of the things that Boris has been getting used to in the month of October, that normal everyday activity does not provide. Walking past some of my favorite shops of chocolate, baked goods, and bubble bath.  Lucky I didn't get distracted!! Do not pee on the pumpkins! Robert was talking to a crowd to his right about the dogs when I came out.   Here our dogs are being good ambassadors for the breed and for dogs in general! Scoping out a spot for the bed race. Nice person took this shot of our family.  Isn't Robert scary in his costume? That is Miss Muffet's seat right there under the spider.  Bed races had only three teams this year.  I still loved watching it, and hope they keep putting it on despite lack of competitors this year. We were near Cruella De Ville.   Frightening for our dogs to say the least, but we kept them from her evil clutches.  The vampire bed.  The vampire bed coming back. The wizard of Oz bed. So Boris got used to or at least experienced these new things: An older lady walking towards us, who had a different walk due to getting old or a disability of some sort.   People don't think how the posture, canes, or unusually timid person can affect their dog's attitude or create fear if they are not used to it.  It's the dog owners' responsibility to teach their dogs those different gaits and implements are okay. Boris had his fourth encounter with the horses pulling carts and people.   This time he was not panicked or fearful but interested and calm.   Should have seen his face the first time he saw these giant creatures. Lots of people were taking pictures.   Boris is used to digital cameras with small lenses, but a nice gentleman next to us had a tricked out camera with a very good lens on it.   This made Boris very jumpy all of a sudden.   Nothing a little food treats could not cure, however. More well needed experience walking around children and adults holding treats of one sort or another. Lots more experience on being petted by children, and not getting upset (like he used to) when they walk away and leave him. Experience wearing something, and not trying to eat it off of him. Both our dogs, as Leon had never been in a parade before, got to experience walking in a costume parade.  Boris got claps:) Don't pee on the decorations or anything else training. Don't eat or pull on the decorations training. In addition to all of the above, it was a cheap and fun family day.   I got to spend some quality time with my husband, and we got to chat with many nice people. This is a win win situation for everyone involved, plus fun!! MAINE AND NEW HAMPSHIRE DOG TRAINING MANNERLY MUTTS MAINE DOG TRAINING BLOG E-MAIL MANNERLY MUTTS MAINE DOG TRAINER

Fall and Halloween Events for Humans and Canines

The following events are not geared purely towards canines.   Dogs that are prepared, trained or training, and well mannered are welcomed at many family events (by most people, and our furry family companions benefit mentally and physically by spending this time with us.   If you compete with your pet dogs, these kinds of events get your dogs read for busy and different atmospheres. As far as competitive dog obedience events in this area, there are practically none until March 4, 2011 Collie Club event after this weekend's Amherst New Hampshire's trials on October 23rd and October 24th.   If you have never seen dog's participating in obedience, these are great shows to check out this weekend. Now is a great, yet cold and chilly time, to begin preparing for March 2011 trail season to begin in the area.   Whether you are training or proofing your training, public festivals and shows will greatly enhance the team's skills.   Just think of the things canines need to get used to in the ring from electric wheelchair beeping, chairs moving, people making noises, to unplanned for weather noises.   When you combine this with the more static (many of the same people and dogs there each session) group classes and obedience run thrus, then you have a powerful way to round out the team's participation.   These are the types of things that continue to improve the confidence and socialization of pet dogs as well.   Too many people assume their dogs are going to enjoy vacations or activities, when they were never exposed to these previously.  Instead this can become a scary time for pet dogs unless they have been prepared for their lifetime of adventures with their human companions.  Here are some events that trained, in training, or well-behaved dogs can tag along to: October 22nd to October 24th 2010 Ogunquitfest (you need to scroll down to the end and click "read more" for the full schedule) launches. Haunted House (probably not for canines), corn maze, bed race to the beach, cookie decorating, pumpkin decorating, parade on Sunday (specifically invites canines to attend with their owners of course) and a goods bazaar are just some of the activities that are available for viewing and participation.   If family members can rotate to watch the dogs, the Haunted House can probably be braved. October 23rd 2010 will find classic auto shows in both Ogunquit (you need to scroll down to the end and click "read more" for the full schedule) 10 am to 2 pm and York Maine from 9:00 am to 10:30 am. October 23rd 2010 (October 30th rain date) Bucksport Maine becomes Ghostport Maine. Coffin race to the grave, pumpkin launches, and a chili cook off are just some events scheduled for the day. Mannerly Mutts and gang will be attending Ogunquitfest and the auto shows this year.   Pictures and blog to follow of these events will follow this weekend.   Leon and Boris have also been attendees of the flea market, art in the park, Harvestfest, Marketfest, other craft shows, and the auto show this summer.   In order to socialize both our own dogs and our canine clients, training is also done in Kittery, Portsmouth, and York locations in public.   Recently, Marginal Way in Ogunquit also opened up to well behaved and trained canine companions. Prepare dogs well so that they can join the family on as many adventures as possible.   After all, that is the greatest joy of having a dog in the first place.   MAINE AND NEW HAMPSHIRE DOG TRAINING MANNERLY MUTTS MAINE DOG TRAINING BLOG E-MAIL MANNERLY MUTTS MAINE DOG TRAINER

Favorites of Fall-Marginal Way Ogunquit Maine

Columbus Day weekend provided my husband and I with a lot of opportunities to go on trips with our dogs, Leon and Boris.   Quite a few things are still going on in and around York Maine during these cooler fall weeks in October.   As of October 1st to March 31st, one of my favorite things to do with my dogs on leash is now open.   The Marginal Way of Ogunquit Maine is available for owners with their well-behaved and leashed dogs.   The trail is very narrow in some areas, and this is quite a tourist attraction, so please visit accordingly with your dogs.   This gem can always be taken away if the wrong visitors with canine pals are attracted.   Here are some photographs of our recent visit. There are these little sections of beaches with the stairs (pictured on the first photo) that are almost always open for play or a picnic.  During low tide (this is the tide coming in) there are interesting rock formations and places that can be very private. Because I enjoy being with my dogs on these walks, this is one of my very favorite fall activities.   Additionally Ogunquit has Halloween festivities from October 22nd to October 24th. Boris and Leon hope to trick or treat you there! MAINE AND NEW HAMPSHIRE DOG TRAINER MANNERLY MUTTS DOG TRAINING BLOG E-MAIL MANNERLY MUTTS