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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Tricks Are Fun And Useful

Leon had to do a freeze stay for this to work.   Not so easy for me to balance this cup on a crested Doberman head . 

"Really, mom?  Is this how you get your kicks?"

I think he could win the Mr Doberman Universe contest if he keeps up his posture exercises!!

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Goals for Our Competition Dogs

Boris Goals for UKC Competition: (March 12 2011 is UKC trial)
1. Heel on (week 2 started) and off leash
2. Figure 8 on leash
3. Stand for Exam (week 3 started)
4. Drop down
5. Recall over high jump (week 2 started jump)
6. Recall over broad jump
7. Honor down stay
8. Group sit stay (week 3 started)

Special notes: Boris jumpy around kids that move quickly, excited in public needs more training there.

Magoo CD (in other words has his CD) Goals: (first trial opportunity for high scoring Novice March 4)

1) 190s in Novice before going onto (ongoing)
2) Open exercises, preparing to be off leash entire ring time (ongoing)
3) Figure 8 off leash (should not be a problem, we are maintaining)
4) Retrieve and recall over high jump (working on jumps until we get to his height then send or recall over)
5) Jump over broad jump with handler in different position  (working on jump right now before send over and recall)
6) Drop down on recall  (ongoing and maintaining)
7) Sit and down stays while handler out of sight  (ongoing and upping the distractions)
8)  Working Retrieve (about to start with week 2)

Special notes: Magoo still very enthusiastic about small dogs when he sees them (they are not so much here, and he lives with a Westie that he loves), Magoo hasn't been worked in city public settings lately or in Petco. If his owners are going to be at trial, going to have to do very much training around them first. Magoo is a BIG dog, who does not know his own size:)

Leon Goals and ORT:
1. Working Retrieve (in progress-now on week 2)
2. Calm while working other dogs in front of him in a stay and behind something (or playing with a toy)  (coming along, training and maintaining daily on this)
3. Add to freestyle dance moves and add onto routine  (added handler crawl under to stand as possible move, need to outline a routine to do has a spin, weave, heel of course, stand until thru and back thru)
4. Nose work (in progress week 1-auditing class)
5. Seamless go to place and stay on place  (in progress and maintaining in different areas and different places)
6. Tricks stay treat on nose and flip 
7. Heel off leash in public places that he can or in distractions  (trying for 15 minutes heel working walk a day in different areas)

Special notes 1) Brattiness work 2) Needs a bit of alone time with me special:)

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mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com

Pet Blogger Challenge

1. When did you begin your blog?

In 2004 I began Mannerly Mutts Dog Training Blog as my Worcester Massachusetts dog training business began to take off. Soon, however, the business and family moved to York Beach Maine.

2. What was your original purpose for starting a blog?

Sharing adventures, trials, and tribulations of dog training with the general dog owning public.

3. Is your current purpose the same?

The original purpose is always in effect. However, I have increased the scope and content of the blog.

If not, what’s different?

It has grown to promote dog training or results orientated dog training to the general public, and how this can enhance a relationship between dog and owner. Our blog also serves to provide information on balanced dog training, and expose the myths and misrepresentations out there by others. It has also grown to become an informational resource to our clients and their continuing or beginning education.

If so, how do you feel you’ve met your goals?

I am less concerned with my blogging goals then my goals in business in general, but I do believe we have met these goals. Often times I come across people who read my blog, and it always surprises me:) in a good way.

4. Do you blog on a schedule or as the spirit moves you?

I try to blog on a daily schedule. However, when my business is busy or I am training competition dogs, it is not always my priority. You will see there are some months where blogging might be missing all together.

If the latter, do you worry about… well, whatever you might worry about (e.g. losing traffic, losing momentum)?

No, if I am not blogging that means I am doing the important work of demonstrating dog training and working with owners training their dogs. As long as I keep blogging, it seems my audience always comes back and continues to grow.

5. Are you generating income from your blog?

Not directly, and it’s not really the purpose of the blog. My customers don’t really come from my blog; they go to my blog after they have found me. Sometimes in finding me they may check my blog first before contacting me, but my blog is not directly responsible for any income.

If so, how (e.g. sponsor ads, affiliate relationships, spokesperson opportunities)?

Not applicable.

6. What do you like most about blogging in general and your blog in particular (bragging is good!)?

I like presenting information to dog owners that is hidden or misrepresented (intentionally) by other professionals in the dog business. There are also some incredible dog trainers out there doing excellent work (and can reliably demonstrate that work), and they should be known and sought after.

7. What do you like least?

It has not happened in awhile, but I hate when zealots come after me. I believe I have stopped this by addressing them in a direct way, and not allowing what they were doing to be unnoticed or uncommented upon.  I do not moderate my commentors other than to delete spam.

8. How do you see your blog changing/growing in 2011?

We are going to be having group classes for the first time. These will be new adventures in dog training to share. I will also be sharing on how my posted goals are going in the new year of 2011.

More video demonstrations on common dog training concepts.   I am going to start holiday photo shoots with my dogs, and show off their abilities.   Perhaps interactive discussions.  I don't plan for the changes to my blog much, they pretty much grow organically themselves.

So, there you have it. Don’t forget that there is still time to enter to win the SturdiProducts Car-Go giveaway – and be sure to follow the links below to read more blogger’s posts for the Pet Blogger Challenge!

http://www.mannerlymutts.com/
http://mannerlymutts.blogspot.com/
mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com

My New Assistant

Meet my new friend.   This wireless Toshiba Satellite is replacing my husbands castoff compaq, which had long ago seen better days.   In fact, I never liked that computer.   It came preloaded with all the viruses that my husband picked up after my far more awesome VPR died.  As nifty as my VPR died, this computer is going to save me a lot of time in downloading graphics, posting, and generally just not hanging up or slowing down for years to come.

Plus now I am mobile, so I can blog post while watching the dogs in the backyard.   Perhaps even take pictures of what I am blogging about right there and instantly download them just as the blog mood strikes.  The battery on this baby lasts a reported five hours.   That is a lot of wirefree time for blog posting.  

Now I have moved to my bedroom and typing in the dark of the morning with my trusty canine companions by my side (sound asleep and snoring of course)!   Course the movement through the house of a previous potty trip for my dogs and this trip have caused both Jake and Lucey to now be barking.   New houseguests often take a few days to get acclimated to their new sorroundings.   Other than that, both slept very well last night.   Now I just hope the husband is able to sleep through the current turmoil.   Jake should quiet down first, and then Lucey may go for the rest of the morning.   Her first night here she went almost all night.  

Now very soon I am going to most likely need a more flesh and blood type of assistant.   I figure my little Toshiba Satellite is going to save me hours and hours of rebooting, uploading, and freeze time alone.   I am talking about per day!!   The last thing a dog trainer needs is non productive freeze and reboot time!!   So then all I will need is the videoing of lessons, cleaning of bowls, vaccuming and mopping of rooms, daycare supervision when I have lessons, walks, pickup and drop off, and feeding.  These last couple of years I could have really used some relief during the day.   Now that I am eating better and taking care of myself more, my energy has been up so that I can keep up with the work load.   However, my days or hours off are few and far between sometimes.   I need a little boosting period or nap to reenergize sometimes.

Now instead of reaching down to turn off my computer so it can turn on again and check some drives, I can get my paperwork and correspondence done much faster and get on with training!!

Maine and New Hampshire Dog Trainer

Mannerly Mutts Blog

E-Mail Mannerly Mutts

Seminars Given in The New England Area

As some of my long term followers know, I don't think that we normally get the best and brightest of trainers giving seminars in the New England area.   I am not making a statement on any of the ones below, this is for "your own information", and there may or may not be ones that I would personally attend.   For those of us that can't travel long distances all the time to attend seminars and events (great venues to proof your training), here are some in our area:

First of all, let me give you some sources of where one can look for seminars in the New England area:

Dog Seminars Yahoo Group
K9 -New England
Down East Dog News
Mainepets (though has not been working correctly for awhile now)
Saccarappa Dog Obedience Club
Doberman Rescue Unlimited
Riverside Canine Center
TNT Kennels
All Dogs Gym and Inn
American K9 Country
MasterPeace Dog Training

Then I do a number of searches based on key words like "Maine dog seminars 2010, Massachusetts dog seminars 2010, Vermont dog seminars 2010, Rhode island dog seminars 2010, Connecticut dog seminars 2010, New England dog seminars 2010", which I infrequently but sometimes get lucky at.   Then I usually do a search for dog trainers by state, and see if any are big enough to regularly give seminars.   Then I search for the same states by dog obedience clubs.  

Seminars and Events in The New England Area:

Julie Daniels Seminar Warwick RI August 21 and 22 Speed "Em Up
Mike Ellis Seminar Warwick RI December 10-12th Protection Obedience
Hogs for Dogs Event August 7th Westbrook Maine
Paws for a Cause Event August 14th Freeport Maine
Nail Trim Clinic August 21st Augusta Maine
Gardiner Barks in the Park Event August 28th Gardiner, Maine
Doberman Rescue Unlimited's Reunion Picnic September 12th Westford MA
Summer Agility Seminars Intermediate (note it is listed under 2009, but if you look at event dates they are 2010)  August 9-10 Nashua New Hampshire
Summer Agility Seminars Masters (note it is listed under 2009, but if you look at event dates they are 2010) August 11-12 Nashua New Hampshire
Aggression Causes, Catalysts, and Cures September 16th Manchester New Hampshire
Fifth Annual All Pet Festival October 16th Manchester New Hampshire
Pet First Aid October 26th Manchester New Hampshire
Advanced Obedience Camp w/ Celeste July 29th-August st Amherst New Hampshire
World Canine Freestyle Organization National Show October 8th-10th Amherst New Hampshire
Get on the Ball July 30th Franklin Massachusetts
Canine Athlete Academy August 28-29th Franklin Massachusetts

It took me many hours to do this searching by the way.   I am sure that I missed many seminars in the area.  If you know of one, forward it to me, and I will post it the next time, if I think it is an appropriate seminar for the scope of this blog.

Maine and New Hampshire Dog Trainer
Mannerly Mutts Blog
E-Mail Mannerly Mutts

Play Retrieves at Kittery Outlet

NOTE TO SELF:   Bring camcorder with tripod next time!!!!  I totally suck at the hand held camera video thing.





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mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com

After Death Experiences

My dog, Jack, died on 12/23/2009.   I have not experienced anything unsual after his death.   I wish I did, but then again, I hope he's on to bigger and better things.   My sweet boy deserved everything life had to give him, and I can only hope he is back on his way to more adventures.

However, I do believe that I have had contact before.   My cat, Clyde, died many years ago.   He was very old, but it was especially taumatic for us because we needed to help him along via a vet.   I returned home with my husband sobbing, and then stopped suddenly.   I heard the distinct sound of his purring.  Clyde had an unbelievable ability to purr so loud it WOULD wake you up, even if he was in another room.   I believe I heard it distinctly that day, as if to say "don't worry, I am all right".

To leave the pet category for a moment, my Grandmother also died many years ago.   Although she died in a nursing home, her house was vacant without owners until her passing.   I felt the need to drive over, and sit on the stump of the boison berry tree that I climbed in my youth.   As I drove into the driveway of her house, I smelled her perfume, which was a rose type of perfume.   I can't conjure up that smell if I try, but I smelled it distinctly that day.  Also on a day of a big decision (which I can not remember now), a music box that had not been played in ages went off.   I attributed that to my Grandmother's approval or wish of good luck.

A few years before my Grandmother, my Grandfather died the day after Thanksgiving.   I felt someone distinctly tug on my pony tail after he died.   There was no one else in our house.

How about others?   Any after death experiences that you attributed to passed love ones?

Skiing Lessons Relate to Dog Lessons-Day 2 Vacation

I was able to leave the dogs today to attend my lesson and ski.   I am not overly protective of my dogs, but a health issue happened that I will get into on another post.   In the meantime, an epithany came to me regarding my ski lessons.

In my ski lessons, I am the paying customer.   Each year I pay an instructor named Jose (pictures to follow at a later date) to tell me where my skills improve, to boss me around while practicing those skills, and to select the best terrain to challenge my skills.   Often on the other side of this relationship, I think "if only my these nice people would hold the leash correctly, or walk straight in a way the dog understands, or hold their right hand with the leash straight by their side instead of floating"...If only they would do that, their homework and training would flow so much better.   Often, I am just happy they have done their homework, and we can fix out the kinks anyway.   The most important part is that the homework is done, but I wish people would realize that those other minute things, and committing them to their motion memory is equally as important.   Imagine the decrease in frustration and stress this would cause.

However, it took me many years (not weeks) to begin to learn this lesson myself:)   I resolved to implement and focus on my lesson today.   There is a reason that Jose tells me to lean on the tongue of my ski boots, to face the way my skis are going rather than up hill, to put my body weight downwards not upwards of the mountain, to plant my poles on the steep terrain turns, to stop looking at my skis and watch the tracks ahead of him, and to stay in his tracks so he knows I am doing well.   At the end of the lesson, I felt that I had accomplished more in any other lesson.   My mind was whirring with the information, and I was fighting the wrong motion memory in my body.   At the end, I had begun the reprogramming process, and I lasted three hours on some of the steeper terrain that I had done in the past.

Yeah me.   Remember there is a reason that you are told to do things a certain way.  In the end it's not only for the success of an inter species relationship, but everyone's safety as well.

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mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com