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.

Mannerly Mutts Dog Training
Mannerly Mutts Blog
mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com

Hoobie Learning the Correct Way to Make the Door Open

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

Hoobie's Day and Last Night

Yesterday morning and afternoon went very well. I will hence forward be talking about the before late afternoon hours as Happy Hoobie time LOL. Horrid Hoobie showed up later in the day. Between yesterday and today, I figured something out, like a cranky child, Hoobie doesn't want the fun to end. So he is understanding at the beginning of the day soft looks, allowing the muzzle on and off, ET mean the beginning to an event filled day.

However approaching dinner time, Hoobie knows allowing liberty with his self is only so self rewarding. Daycare has gone home, and he is being put to bed!! The night before last night, he was totally howling all night long. I almost broke down and gave him his sleeping pill, but I wanted to see if in the end that caused any self control to kick in. Well, last night and today, it seems the light bulb went off that neither howling nor growling bring people running to his aid. In fact, it's quite the opposite. He has begun eating up a storm too, which makes me very happy due to his medical issues and the medicine/food schedule that we need to follow.

Hoobie has begun approaching my hand and licking it. Now sometimes I expecting he is just softening up his late afternoon snack (he wishes). He has been coming towards me many times during the day, and I have been trying my hardest not to screw that up for him. So today, when I wasn't expecting it (I was just about to pick up a Great Dane puppy accident) when Hoobie came right up to the bars of his crate, and right next to me. So the crap got delegated to my husband, and Hoobie got a walk through the woods with the rest of daycare. I figured something that big (plus the later hand greeting) was worth a reward (he was leashed).

Freedom is the highest reward that I have here, so I am holding a good deal of it back. The days were not packed with all positive Hoobie interactions. Springers are quite smart and stubborn. Any opening Hoobie sees, he makes note of. The time where you are taking off the muzzle to put him in the crate is one such time. Yesterday, he started growling just as I unclasped the thing. So that resulted in some well timed leash work on my part to get him away from me and in. He is most testy in the in the crate scenario. Up until then, he was quietly accepting muzzle off, leash off, and then in the crate. So last night began a bit of excitement in dog training where everything else is designed to be quiet as possible this week.

He went in with the leash on, so I needed to get him out soon to get the leash off. It probably won't hurt him to keep it on, but you don't want anything foreign in there that a dog can ingest. I thought it was also a good idea to show him that I was not reliant on the muzzle when needed. So when he needed to go out, and he was still testy, we just took him out and held the leash in such a way that he couldn't get at me. The key was that in going out, as long as he is not reacting that way, nothing bad happens to him (IE shots, forcing him down, ET). I wasn't sure after the next putting him in the crate that he quite got the point until today. Today Hoobie, while still not a dog that I would want as my own LOL, was much improved. So the activities during the day were more fun as well. He even likes the obedience that was begun because he is outside and it's very non confrontational. Hoobie loves being outdoors, which is not surprising as he is a hunting dog. So I use where we go to the bathroom ET as a reward to. If he has growled when I needed to take him out, we go to the small pen in back. If he has not growled when I needed to take him out, we go to the large lawn and offer a small walk or perhaps training session.

As far as the muzzle when we are closing the door to the crate, it seems good progress has been made there. A couple of times, I waited with my hand on the clip to see if he would growl. If he did growl, he went into the crate with his crate face on. If he didn't growl, he went into the crate with his crate face off. A couple of those times were meal times, so I think he got the point that he was free to eat if he didn't growl, but going to have to wait a bit if he did growl.

Hoobie's breeder's name for him was Lord Domino. I think of him as Lord Hoobie now or cranky baby in the evenings. He had certainly figured out how to manipulate. The great thing is that we can use this to our advantage, because if you think about it, he gets what he wants based on his behavior. You have to be very consistent to keep the communication going however.

Oh and about rewards for going in. I found out today why holding a toy to throw in if he doesn't growl isn't a great idea for Hoobie. I knew he was a resource guarder so I was prepared for his reaction. He would have liked to have taken my hand with the toy, and instead of going into the crate, he tried to whip around and take things into his own......teeth (a subtly placed chair makes a nice barrier). I was ahead of him, but you need to try these things out in order to know whether they will work or not. I am thinking if I had a toy that went easily through the crate after he was in and sitting, that might work. I have been able to get him out of the crate with him wanting to guard his territory and start working on the resource issues. (very early on working on the resource issues). I may try the lamb treats that his owners were nice enough to supply for me for tomorrow's session.

Due to Hoobie's figuring out the weak spot during going back into the crate, we needed to have some door slamming moments during today. However, later in the evening, Hoobie started to give me the look, and then delicately walked in and went about eating his food. As I closed the door, Hoobie started eating and rumbled softly (without making a move towards the door) as I closed it.

All in all, no real surprises today, as I would totally expect him to have figured some of these things out. Yeah, it's very nice if the dog doesn't make it quite this "exciting", however that's not the reality with your more intelligent dogs. As that intelligence can work for you, it can work against you sometimes LOL.

All in all, I had some really lovely moments with Hoobie today. Now I am totally beat as he was not the only client today . I will give more updates on others tomorrow.

Need your less exciting dog trained LOL. Call Maine Dog Trainer, Robin Rubin, at Mannerly Mutts Dog Training 207-361-4395. Serving Maine Dog Training, New Hampshire Dog Training, and Massachusetts Dog Training needs.

Meet Hoobie Monster LOL

Hoobie has had horrible medical issues since being very young. Even as a baby, there was not enough milk for him and another, and they needed to be bottle fed. For Hoobie's future owners, the medical problems were on their way to being horrendous. The most prevalent being various food intolerances and a thyroid condition that went midiagnosed for too long. There is a whole team working behind Hoobie's physical and mental well being.

The combination on young dogs in particular of a chronic illness and the fact that they are learning what to fear and what not to fear, can do a job on the temperment of the dog. The owners did start working on this early on, when they saw the problem developing, but the right answer did not appear from some of the people that were hired. However, the training the owners did with Hoobie has been very helpful in keeping me safe, while I am working on changing his perceptions of the world.

The thing that is very important to understand about Hoobie is that he learned to fear hands, especially, early on. This is because treatments were being done that were detrimental to his health, but Hoobie did not know why he was hurt whenever hands came near. Hands became a control that was not often welcome. Then Hoobie learned that growling and biting keeps hands away. It keeps hands from opening and closing crate doors, from pulling him out towards the bad stuff, from stuffing stuff in his mouth, and on and on. Hoobie has an intense hatred of hands, and of being touched in general, but he mostly sees the hands as the bigger threat.

The thing to understand about a thyroid condition that was not found, is that it is painful from head to toe. Touching or being touched is painful from head to toe. So as a young pup or dog, every single time someone touched him, most likely, pain was involved not pleasure, though that was the intent of the people trying to touch him. It seems like this may have been solved now, and in working with Hoobie I try to be on the look out for the chance that this might not be so.

So how make hands positive when Hoobie hates hands? How to make touch positive when he sees it as a threat? Remember now also that due to his painful issues with food, food isn't really a reward and when it comes with a hand, Hoobie feels biting the hand is a bit more important (because it may bring pain) than taking the food.

Simply stated, and I will try to write more on this, is to work so that hands provide other rewards when used, and they are limited in use until Hoobie starts to intiate contact with them himself. Also, not to reward any bossy or demanding acts, because he also knows how to use his teeth to get his way. You want to start rewarding calm, accepting, and trusting behavior. In order to be able to reward that, you must also be that(trustworthy and calm) in some way. In this case, it meant redefining what my goals were right away, to step back and take even babier steps (not babying the dog, but small steps towards something) to reach the end goal. Also expecting a certain behavior or lack of a certain behavior before Hoobie gets a reward, which are very simple little things right now. As the trust level between us grows, so do the rewards.

With Hoobie, this can be quite time consuming, because if he does the correct behavior on any pass, then you have to do a reward. The protocol for taking him out of the crate is quite lengthy now as it is tied into his training, and keeping it the same and stable right now before we totally change it up on him is what is building the trust. And if he gives the wrong behavior, you need to wait him out until he calms down, and then leave. If he does the right behavior but is also trying to demand or boss, he gets squat because part of the behavior I want to extinct is the entitlement. So if I pass by the crate, there is an awfully good chance that I won't be seen for 5-10 minutes if he gives the wrong behavior, and a half an hour if he does the right one LOL. You gotta give him the reward when he takes the initiative and does the right one, because the whole point is trust or elicit the hands THEN good things come. So right now, it's Hoobie not growling at my hands and moves towards me to inspect when I hold them near the gate entrance, and also I can't open the door if he starts growling.

Closing the crate door is the more problematic thing. He hates being alone for one, so I have to be careful with this that he isn't just trying to get me to stay with him there all day!! So I am still experimenting with that. Since it seems likely that he backs down when the door is open, and it's the act of closing the door that sets off the panic mode, I have started by letting him bark at me when he first goes in. Then he gets tired of that, and I have noticed that if he feels a bit better he will go for the food or water bowl. Then I calmly place my hand on the crate door. Hoobie is normally looking for that, so he will spin around and start growling. When he stops, I close the crate door so so slowly. This is different than any other dog I trained, and it's because I know why he is afraid of the hands and the crate door. If I were to slam it on him, I loose trust and this is exactly what he fears (and then come the needles or whatever). If he is not going to rush at me and try to hurt me, then I can take my time closing the crate door to show him that it's no big deal. He still is getting very upset about clipping the crate door back closed, and that will be next on the list as far as changing his crate behavior. This will also help in changing his outside the crate behavior, but isn't even half the solution as yet.

I can tell that Hoobie still would very much like to bite me, but he's trusting me more and more with these tasks. It's important not to loose his trust at this point, as he has had so many years of being proven wrong:( His owners have been amazing at trying to solve the problems and deal with Hoobie over the years. You can imagine what life might be like on a daily basis with him, and the danger he presents to known and unknown people right now. So let's put all our good thoughts Hoobie's way, and hope for a good outcome. This is going to be a loooonnnnnngggg training assignment.

Have a friendly dog for me to train LOL!! Just kidding. No really!! Call Maine Dog Trainer, Robin Rubin, at 207-361-4395 or e-mail for Maine Dog Training Services at mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com. Also providing New Hampshire Dog Training Services, and Massachusetts Dog Training Services.

Bogey Beagle's Playdate

Bogey is a little put off by Petey's size, but I assure you Bogey was approaching and initiating, which was very fun to watch. I just got tis little piece of it. Enjoy!!

Kate The Swamp Monster!!

Today's Updates

Bogey, the boarding and mellow yet shy Beagle, did find a playmate in Petey and Lucey today. Petey is a Giant Schnauzer that is quite lovely, and Lucey is a very cute Westie girl, that no one is able to resist. I was surprised that Bogey responded to the Giant Schnauzer just because I thought his size would intimidate him. However, Pete's sweetness must have captured his attention.

Kate and Hannah, the Springer sisters, came yesterday. Hannah has been enjoying my bed when she is not playing. She was not so much up for play yesterday, but today she rounded up Leon and Magoo the Great Dane puppy to play with.

Murphy, the small girl Lab, came today. She wears everyone out with her energy. Luckily we have a bunch of playmates here for her to tire out!! She saw her good friend, Minny Man, during his walk. They are an unlikely pair the Chi X and exhuberant Lab, but it's been love at first sight since they met!

Bella, the Mastiff puppy, had lesson number six on the beach today. The exercises being worked on now are stay with duration, distance, and distraction and firming up the Let's Go command more. Downs are slow but at the first command which is good. Sits have come back to first command (there was a long vacation in there for everyone where a bit of work was lost LOL). Bella is so adorable and mellow that it's pretty unbelievable.

Hoobey, the aggressive Springer, came today. He's almost asleep right now, and we both had a looooonnnnnggg day together. He's a project for sure, so it will be interesting to see how it turns out. Right now the most challenging part is getting him in and out of the crate (thank goodness for my time at Doberman Rescue)!! I got a little video of his less extreme reactions, I will probably be able to capture a more extreme reaction tomorrow morning before we (hopefully) start decreasing their occurances. He looks pretty tired and happy right now. A dog just walked by his crate without a reaction....ooops spoke to soon the dog walked back and got a bit of a growl . Hoobie is going to be a project. I am pretty sure he's going to be sound a sleep shortly. His owners are definately not imagining what a little tuffy he is. His background includes some pretty serious medical issues that caused much pain when he was younger (and some chronic ones that can cause pain now on occaision). He is a resource guarder too.

Magoo continued his day four training towards obedience competition for AKC. Magoo is a Great Dane puppy, and extremely cute and biddable. He gets very sleepy after his training session, and we cuddle on the couch afterwards as we train....

His sister, Lucey, for her barking which is mostly prey motivated. Only problem is that it's at every commercial or program for her owners. Also apparently it's in the car and out and about where real wild and domestic animals may be. In a household with three dogs, this can cause quite a chain reaction.

And Petey, the Giant Schnauzer, just got to have a great time at daycare. As far as Petey is concerned, the more the merrier.

Bogey The Mellow Beagle

Bogey is an extension of a family that comes to me for training and boarding. He has big brown eyes, and is of the Beagle breed. Now normally Beagles are a bit crazy, destructive, and hyper. Bogey seems to be another of the few bomb proof dogs that do exist in the world, and ruin their owners when they get dog number two in the future. He is super sweet and mellow.

He also is a bit hesitant towards socializing with other dogs. His aunts, Kate and Hannah, are coming this afternoon, so it will be interesting to see how he greets them.

When he very first came, he was a bit trembly and drooly. I had to bring him up the stairs to hang out with me and my two dogs. Niether of my dogs were too terribly concerned about the Beagle statue that appeared. Bogey prefers to stay close to walls unless food comes upstairs. And he isn't all that intrusive over that either, he just comes in closer....just in case he might get something. As a trainer, it's never a good idea to give treats or scraps when or where the humans are eating, OR if a new dog is introduced to the pack. It's good to know what brings him out of his shell a bit. He's a bit overweight, so anything other than his own food won't be used for this.

Bogey also likes when my dogs bark at wild life out the window or get excited when Robert is coming up stairs. He joins the dogs in those activities.

He makes all sorts of cute snorting noises too, although I worry that may be due to his weight and might be contributing to the unusual (for a Beagle) inactivity on his part. We will going on some woodsy and beach walks to see if that makes him a bit more interested.

My husband also found the sweet spot under his chin that he enjoys being rubbed on:) Bogey has identified a few spots in the house that he feels comfortable in. He has started coming in from the walls in the family room as well . Playing is a matter of him feeling comfortable that the dogs won't jump on him, and my dogs are doing that job very well. In fact, I think that confused him a little bit at first since they weren't all over him (they are pretty used to various dogs coming and going here).

Does your dog need a bit more confidence? Call Maine Dog Trainer at Mannerly Mutts Dog Training at 207-361-4395, providing Maine Dog Training needs. Or e-mail Robin Rubin, Maine Dog Trainer, at mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com.

My Dogs Not So Much in The Mood for Daycare Today

Leon has had it with the daycare this week. It's good to remember, if you are in the dog business, that dogs living in the situation may not be in the mood everyday to play. Especially if you are active with your dog outside the play situation (for instance we were already at the beach for an hour this morning), your dog may have had enough by the time that clients' dogs come in.

That's okay, and it's good as trainers, dog walkers, dog sitters, and daycare providers that we can recognize this in the dogs that come to us OR our own dogs. Screening of clients' dogs usually takes care of this for our customers. Also remember, this is not their territory, so sometimes it feels a bit like an invasion to your dog, especially if it's happening everyday. My dog, Leon, has a much higher tolerance for this than my dog, Jack. However, Leon has his days where he has had enough, and just "Vants to be alone" as Gretta Garbo would say.

I provide my dogs with alone time with me daily (also together time for the both of them), and alone time from the guest dogs. Only parts of the house are open to guest dogs, and I TRY to keep the master bedroom off limits for all but my dogs. There are some guests that my dogs like to have for a sleep over, but largely the bedroom is for us and our dogs alone.

The observation is though, that dogs are not ALWAYS in the mood to play. That is okay, and you should make alone time for your dogs, just as you sometimes need alone time.

Looking for training services for your dog? Call Maine Dog Trainer, Robin Rubin, at 207-361-4395. Or e-mail Mannerly Mutts Dog Trainer, Maine Dog Training Service, at mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com. We also serve New Hampshire Dog Training and Massachusetts Dog Training needs.

South Portland High School Psych Presentation

A High School student was working on a project for their psych class, and needed someone to speak on dog training and why it works. I am actually working on my presentation skills this year, and I am always up to talking to people of any age about dog training. I was a little concerned that this might be some strange psych experiment on an unsuspecting volunteer LOL.

Ms Moore was the Psych teacher in the class. I am always impressed with teachers. She was having the students give introductions for their guest speakers, and made sure that things like water were available should I require them. It was clear that she cared for her students, and was trying to give them a very well rounded education. It made me miss some of my favorite teachers from all the schools that I attended, and a bit nostalgic. Most of them work so hard and care so much for very little pay. Like I do, a good teacher will absolutely love what they do and care for the people that they come in contact with.

The speech went well, and I tried to remember things like loud tone, enunciation, breath, it's okay to pause for a couple of seconds, and even managed to get some young adult friendly goofs in there. As usual, I am horrible at marketing myself, so the portion on my credentials should have been a bit more precise. I am going to have to work on my elevator speech, you know you have thirty seconds or a minute to impress someone. I often don't give my credentials much thought, and I hate to brag about myself.

Most of the young adults seemed a bit shy:) I know the feeling, so I was happy with the questions that came from the students. It's apparent that they think about their dogs and what is best for them. It's an important age to stress responsibility for these lives that depend on us to take care of them.

In making the speech, I got a lot of ideas on how to tweak this for presentation in humane societies on responsible dog ownership, importance of training, and how and why training works. The speech as presented was for a psych class, and so I tied it into what influences in behavioral science have become linked with dog training lingo and tools.

Ms Moore and the class thoughtfully presented me with a card and gift certificate to Dunkin Donuts. I treated myself to a Coolatta after we left the High School. I would suggest that if anyone is ever invited to do this, that they take a little time out for the younger adults that will someday be dog owners in their own right.

Need some help training your dog? Call Mannerly Mutts Dog Training, York Maine Dog Training Service, at 207-361-4395. Or e-mail Maine Dog Trainer, Robin Rubin, mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com. To see a complete list of our services please visit our website, http://www.mannerlymutts.com. Also offering New Hampshire Dog Training and Massachusetts Dog Training Services.

No Daycare For You!!

There is a dog in our neighborhood, who is generally a very nice dog. He is a chow, and seems sweet enough. One day, while training my dog Jackie on the beach (for reactivity to fluffy dogs) Jackie barked at him from a distance (should mention that Jackie is on leash).

This dog was not leashed, and ran about two hundred feet at Jack and kept coming. That display that Jackie made at a distance triggered a reflex in this dog that has probably had no formal training. Had this dog had training, I doubt he would have done that, and in fact I was able to shoo him away. The owner just kept jogging past us, although I know he saw what was happening, faster. A girl that was helping me video the session had been told to keep her distance should something like this occur (unless I yelled for help).

Anyway, phone rings yesterday and this guy is looking for daycare for his dog. He didn't realize that we had all already met while he told me that his dog "doesn't go after other dogs". I politely explained why I couldn't take him, described that situation, and started to explain another option. He interrupted and asked for other places that might take his dog. So now I have someone that is clearly in denial and not so much caring about the safety of other people or pets.

I feel bad for the dog, because I know, in general, he is a good boy. However, he is probably going to be put in an impossible situation due to his owner:(

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207-361-4395
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Remember The Teeth!

We are coming up to a week where I have a few "aggressive" dogs slated. I put aggressive in quotes, as it's the "average dog owner" definition that I am speaking of and not an advanced dog trainer's understanding of aggression, which can be very useful and not in a negative way.

I have had a couple other dogs that owners described as aggressive, but are in fact more defensive and fearful. Generally, fearful dogs can have very good results in the long run, and improve incredibly well. Thought and planning needs to go into the plan that gets them there, and sprinkle in a bit of patience and time...it only gets better.

Any time I have unknown cases that I don't know coming in, I count my dog bites and remember the reasons that I got them. Number one had nine or more years ago as I was clipping Neptune's nails. I didn't think he would make a serious case against the nail clipping, and I was wrong!! First lesson, when in doubt, do not have your face in striking distance!! Being in a standing position is always nice, AND you need to pick your battles that you will live and die over. Muzzling can be a great option if your dog is really worried about nail clippings. We found out much later, that Neptune had a long standing injury (he was a rescue at 2 years old when he came to live with us) in the foot that I was most likely clipping that day. Being fast and sure at clipping also helps the dog not contemplate his avenues of intimidating you.

Bite two came five or six years ago, and his name is Fergus. He is a Cairn terrorist who is not overly fond of being told to come. We were in a bit of a dispute one day, and I lost concentration and he took the opportunity to pinch a small bit off my leg through my sweatpants. Lesson number two, never loose focus when dealing with an aggressive dog no matter how small AND heavy thick jeans are a must. Those sharp front teeth pinch and can slice off a nice little piece of flesh. Sadly the little dent has long since gone, as I had gotten in the habit of touching it before handling an aggressive dog to remind me to focus and wear jeans. Small dogs can not do a huge amount of damage (normally) but they can still injure you. They can also be quite intent on what they are doing, so you better be on your toes. I wasn't taking Fergus too seriously that day, and was grateful for the reminder actually. Better it him than the Great Pyrenes I was also working with!

Bite three came last year. It was totally my fault, as usual, as I was under a bit of pressure to prove to the owners that this dog (and this had been discussed at length prior to training) was not ready to go home after three weeks. So stoopid me, took her out to walk without her muzzle on. I was expecting a deflect but not a flesh wound. Actually everything was going well, until a dog dashed out of a store door at us, and then I got a deflect/puncture wound on my upper thigh. I was not wearing my jeans as it was too hot out. So a repeat of part of lesson two (even in the broiling heat of summer wear thick real jeans), and lesson three do not take stupid risks to prove something that you already know.

To the general public, know that trainers are at risk when they take on the behaviorally challenged. It's a risk most of us love that take on these cases, and we take lots of precautions to keep ourselves safe. The most vulnerable parts on us are our hands and the place closest to the dog's mouth as they walk next to us. We take great pains to be sure our face is faced away from them, or above them, and leash handling skills are a must!! If we get bitten, it is totally our fault. Still, be aware that if you are not doing the work, you are contributing to the risk of the trainer. Never ever, under report the problems that your dog is having to a trainer.Still, be aware that if you are not doing the work, you are contributing to the risk of the trainer. Never ever, under report the problems that your dog is having to a trainer. It's important knowledge for us to have, and keeps us on the lookout for a problem that might not otherwise be apparent. Dogs can act differently handled in a shorter time span or by a different person, and not present the problems that only the owner knows they are having.

It's important that owners know the risks of going it alone also. Dogs have teeth, and to them they are a fine form of communication (if they have never learned otherwise). In order not to prolong or make the problem worse (or seriously injure youself, someone else, or something else); find a professional that knows how to deal with this ASAP.

Got a naughty dog or a good dog, call Mannerly Mutts at 207-361-4935 or e-mail mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com. Serving New Hampshire Dog Training, Maine Dog Training, and Massachusetts Dog Training needs.

Pack Behavior

Just thinking today about pack behavior, as Petey is here at doggie daycare. Just so you know, Petey is a pleasure and HE likes every dog he sees.

Jack sees him, and Jack changes into Satan personified. Well, a controlled demon at any rate, but a demon suddenly not allowed into his regular pack,

Pack behavior, in my world, has nothing to do with wolves or dominance. It has to do with the subtle (or not so subtle) change in a dynamic that effects everyone. Because Jack doesn't like Petey, and even though Jack is in a crate....Pluto, Jack's friend, is suddenly leery of Petey.

Take Jack out of the equation, and everyone is running around having a great time. Take Pete out, put Jack in, and everyone is running around having a great time. Put both of them in a room together whether one is contained or not, and very tense situation. Petey never did anything to Jack, and in fact were it up to him, they would be the best of friends.

I have resigned myself that it is not to be between the two, and horrible for the pack health of daycare when those two are near each other.

Multi Dog issues, behavioral problems, nice puppy that needs training? Mannerly Mutts Dog Training doe them all and services your Maine Dog Training needs. Either call or e-mail Maine Dog Trainer, Robin Rubin, at 207-361-4395 / mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com.

Spooky Spirits Write Up Consultation

Observations: Spirit is showing defensiveness as opposed to aggressiveness. He's not likely to lash out unless he is cornered or forced. He's very leery of being touched by someone unknown. This problem most likely stems from the physical problems that the owner described when he was a puppy.

Recommendations: Since budget is an issue, my primary recommendation is not being followed, that of 12 lessons to bring him not only along in this issue but to use obedience (as well) to deal with the behavioral issue. In any case, this is not going to be a short term fix and SPIRIT SHOULD NOT BE PUSHED TO PEOPLE RIGHT AWAY.

The Compromise: Since Spirit is a smaller young dog, there is a chance that the owner could walk him through this without increasing her knowledge about obedience and how it affects and improves behavioral issues.

THIS WEEK: No one is to be allowed to 1) bend down and pet Spirit 2) pick up Spirit or 3) give Spirit a cookie themselves as a stranger. The reason for this being, is that Spirit needs to learn to trust his owner to keep him safe in just an approach or walk by first. Just because Spirit trusts his owner to handle him, does not mean he trusts his owner to keep him safe as others handle him. (please remember that these things have been tried already without progress)

Spirit is not to be left loose in the house with strangers or those he does not know well. I want the allowance of his chasing and barking at strangers through giving free reign to stop until he starts to trust more.

We want to develop an active interest in Spirit (not a defensive reaction) to strangers approaching or moving quickly or running by. That is of primary importance before allowing anyone to touch him.

I have instructed the owner to work with Spirit one hour a day at least. This hour does not need to be all at once by the way. I normally recommend four different (and active) locations to be rotated. (IE Kittery Outlets, Beach when busy and near but not on top of people, Ellis park benches on the walkway are good--Short Sands), and walks around downtown areas like Portsmouth.

It is the owner's responsibility to not allow interactions from over zealous people. They can stop and talk to you YOU can sprinkle kibble or cookies on the ground near the people, but allow Spirit to feel the freedom of approaching without being cornered or handled immediately.

I am going to send you instructions on the sit on the dog exercise. If you do it correctly, this will be good for Spirit. If you do the usual mistakes and leave the leash loose and interact with him during this time, there will be no benefit to the exercise.

Walking him around the area on leash is good to. Remember, you need to block unwelcome attentions. Unwelcome attentions are any moves to pet or dart forward at Spirit. He is to be on leash, obviously, so you can pull him in if he is going to try to dart forward at anything.

Got a spooky dog? We provide training and behavior modification for all dogs. Call Mannerly Mutts Dog Training, Maine Dog Trainer, at 207-361-4395 OR e-mail for your Maine Dog Training needs mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com.

Spooky Spirit

So Saturday I worked with a little guy who is having much trouble letting strangers approach or touch him. This is due to some painful physical issues that he had early on:( At this point, it has become a learned behavior. Just because he is in health now, does not mean that he realizes that touch does not equal "ouchy painful" anymore. AT one time anyone who touched him equalled "ouchy painful".

He's an interesting case in that he demonstrates what most people do not understand about dogs. Just because they love you, and the dog trusts you to touch them DOES NOT MEAN they trust you to keep them safe for others. Many times owners reinforce this distrust by forcing them on a person. The owners mean no harm, they just think if they hand over the dog to another, the dog will immediately feel that they are safe because their owner has done that. NOT SO, IN THESE SITUATIONS.

The best thing to do (and the directions to the owner are seperate from this blog) is to have them accept people walking up to them (or to take it down a level) past them first without approaching. You want to see the dog instead of becoming defensive or trying to bark and scare them away to become interested in them, and wonder why aren't these people interested in me? In this instance, this dog is happy to take food from someone, but that does not equal trust. We need to take the food out of the equation.

Now to type up the observations and directions to the owner on the first lesson.

Dogs with no abnormal problems, and dogs with behavioral issues, we handle them all!! Call Maine Dog Trainer, Robin, at 207-361-4395 or e-mail mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com for your dog training needs!

My Red Boys-Jackie and Leon

I am just realizing that I never did write an Introduction to my Jack CD. Jack was a rescue dog that came to me about three years ago. He was SUPPOSED to be a foster dog. Six months went by, and I realized that I could not send him back to Doberman Rescue Unlimited to find another forever home. Coincidentally, my husband asked me what I would like for my birthday gift!! I said, "Jackie of course."

Why was I having trouble thinking of Jackie in a new home? He is what I will call "quirk infested". Some of these quirks will cost him his life if left unchecked (his need to eat things that do not belong in a canine stomach for instance). Some of these quirks can harm other animals and possibly humans if left unchecked (resource guarding). Some of these quirks will test most dog owners with busy lives (his peeing issues that include submissive pee, marking pee, and his housebreaking I am just have to pee). That was just the tip of the iceberg with Jack. It has taken much training and hard work to make Wacky Jacky into Jack CD, now training for CDX.

Jackie is the second dog showing some aggressive (as average pet owners understand them) behaviors that I have owned. The cause in Jack was completely different than in my other dog, Neptune, who had fearful or defensive dog aggression. Jack is a much more confident sort.

About six months ago, we had an incident between Jack and another dog that resurfaced a bunch of issues between my two dogs, Jack and Leon. I have been working with a strategy to rebuild the relationship between them to where it was when I first got them. Knock on wood, it has been paying off so that the last few days there has been relaxed playing in areas that used to be "the battlefield". Or the places that Jack was not allowed untethered to me for quite awhile first, so I could catch him getting snotty. The first sign of which, he got a time out and, obviously, was not allowed to lunge, jump, snarl, or anything like that.

Jack is the very first dog, that I have personally owned, where the protocol of not being on the furniture, following EVERYONE HUMAN AND CANINE into openings such as doors, waiting back in a stay until released for his meals, and so on became a key feature in his training plan. It really pays off with Jack to pay attention to these details. With Neptune, it was not a confident thing on his part nor bullying really. He was just very very scared that other dogs were going to attack him. They were welcome to his resources LOL. Jack is a very different dog. He's also a very good, sweet, loyal, and loving dog. That is why he wants to please despite what his "limited patience" is telling him to do at the time. That is why Jack is an excellent learner. Even with the smartest and most willing of dogs, it takes time, work, and effort to make these changes.

This morning I woke to two red boys having a great time chasing each other around the bed (a former place of contention). Neither worrying about the rights of the other in reference to the bed or me.

By the way, Jack had graduated for dragging a short leash around the house, to a tab two weeks ago. (Knock on wood) it has been great in the house. And still the training and supervision are not over.... In fact, this is the time to be most alert so that bad habits do not resurface with the privileges that have been allowed.

Having multi dog problems? Mannerly Mutts Dog Training deals with pack behavioral issues. Please call Maine Dog Trainer, Robin Rubin, at 207-361-4395. Or e-mail for your Maine Dog Training needs mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com. Mannerly Mutts Dog Training also serves New Hampshire Dog Training and Massachusetts Dog Training needs.

Introduction to Jack CD

Okay, here is an introduction to Jack, first of all. Jack came to me from Doberman Rescue as my "foster" dog. They thought he would make a good "project" for me during my down time, when I truly thought I could have a foster dog and then give him up after a little training.

Jack had every peeing issue. He had "I can't hold it pee", marking pee, excited pee, and submissive pee. Yeeeaaahhhhh!!! I should post a little ad here for the Spot Bot. Besides that, he had three obstruction surgeries before coming here. See, he likes to eat thing that well, aren't meant to be eaten or digested. So it took real diligence to keep him away from things, and start guarding the laundry behind closed doors until it was put away behind closed drawers. He also has aggression issues towards other dogs. Oh, and in six months he still had not bonded with Robert (by the way this was the last reason for him being re-returned to the shelter, not bonding with male owner).

As I worked with him three months became six months. I noted his fierce loyalty, his lovingness, his sense of fun and adventure, quick learning, and happy to go with me anywhere. As my birthday approached, the husband asked me the question that he immediately regretted THEN "what do you want for your birthday?" Well, Jackie, of course. Jack and my husband are now very bonded friends, but it took lots of training and work.

When I first adopted Jack, I did not even consider him for a moment as a demo or competition dog. I couldn't see where we were ever going to be in a ring off leash, and he would be trusted to either not bolt or not stir the other dogs into a frenzy LOL, but we worked and slowly but surely I saw a dog that could do this. We went to run thrus first to test this out. He was a bit distracted, but did well in a group of dogs that he was familiar with. When we did the first three trials, he was too distracted and I was too inexperiences (ie I made some handling mistakes that definately contributed to us pointing out). However, we were working together, and people noticed there was a partnership there.

Then last month, we got our first two legs towards three legs needed for Jack's AKC Companion Dog Title. I hope our last leg will be acquired June 21-22, and then we will work on Companion Dog Excellent or Open!! Way to go Jack.

Easter Traditions and Leon

I had my traditional Easter breakfast in bed this morning. The pancakes were shaped like Easter eggs and covered with powered sugar.

In the related Easter Tradition, Leon was also coated with powdered sugar!! He loves to catch powdered sugar like snowflakes when Robert dribbles it over him.

And so this was the result after it was over:)

Want a dog as cute as Leon? Well, we can't help you there, but Maine dog training service, Mannerly Mutts Dog Training, can help you with your needs. Please call 207-361-4395 or e-mail Robin Rubin, Maine Dog Trainer, at mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com. Also serving Massachusetts dog training needs and New Hampshire dog training needs.

Dogs Are "Luxury Items"?

You know, I totally get that families may not have funds to pay for veterinary care, which leaves them with little options. But I totally dispute that "domestic animals" are "luxury items" as posted in the following:

http://www.underdogged.net/?p=325

Things that are luxury items:

• Watches
• Jewelry
• Latest Model Car
• Cable
• Wireless phones (for some people)
• Internet access (for some people)
• Overuse of electricity or other utilities
• Having the fridge fully stocked for every conceivable want, and having food spoil.
• Vacations
• Movie Rental
• Your home if it's too much for you to afford
• Clothing
• The most up to date furniture
• Kitchen accessories
• Ipods
• Subscriptions
  
  In fact, I was blocked for pointing out (in a totally polite way) that these companion animals are living breathing parts of our families that would give us anything. Sacrifices such as services not needed, less snacks bought during grocery times, not upgrading the vehicle, and so on can be made to provide for our pets' care, except in the most dire of circumstances.
  
  Rescues can sometimes step into the picture if you sign your animal over to them. It's important that owners consider ALL THE COSTS OF PET OWNERSHIP before adopting or "rescuing" a pet. A pet is not so much rescued if they end up just as dead as they would of before. Negligence is not an excuse to euthanize your animal because you don't want to "put that much money into them".
  
  The blog above by the way, one of the fierce number of purely positive owners out there. Which makes me say again, when did death become a positive solution to a problem?
  
  Need training for your dog using motivational and positive techniques (and other tools that you might need?)? Call Mannerly Mutt's Dog Training, Maine Dog Training Service, at 207-361-4395. Or e-mail mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com for Maine Dog Trainer, Robin Rubin.

A Very Special Service Dog Has Left the Building

Wrap, service and demo dog of Margot Woods, died this week. Some really nice stories about her are being shared on Margot's blog about her next service dog, Sanity.

http://sanityshome.blogspot.com/2009/04/remembering-wrap.html

There are dog trainers and dogs that make a mark on the world, that I hope will never be forgotten.

Margot is disabled and trains service dogs for herself as well as teaches others how to do it:)

Northern Illinois is Presenting Bill for Euthanization of Exotics Transported in the Future

Northern Illinois Bill presented to euthanize future exotics as posted as an action alert below. This is truly how frightening and unreal it's getting in other states as well. Love your pets? Pay attention.

Sheryl Robinson
> President
> Northern Illinois Parrot Society
> president@...
> 847-254-0591 (cell)
> ACTION ALERT - FROM AFA, ASA, and NAIA, with additional information from PIJAC
> WE NEED YOUR HELP - WHETHER YOU OWN AN "EXOTIC" ANIMAL OR ANY OTHER ANIMAL.
> HR 669 IS SET FOR HEARING ON 4/23/09.
> WE ALL NEED TO WORK TOGETHER TO KILL HR 669 NOW.
> THE ISSUE - WHAT IS HR 669? - WHAT WILL IT DO?
> "ONE GENERATION AND OUT" is not just limited to purebred dogs and cats. Now our "non-native" species" are targets of the animal prohibitionist agenda. Under HR 669, "non-native" basically means if a species of animal didn't live in the US before the arrival of Columbus it is "non-native" , and if HR 669 passes, most non-native species of animal (i.e., exotic animals) won't remain in the US much longer. That means your exotic pet bird, reptile, fish, or mammal.
> HR 669 is a very serious and harmful animal prohibition proposal. HR 669 is not needed to protect our environment. HR 699 is the legislative equivalent of a nuclear bomb that is aimed at the entire US exotic pet industry, all US exotic pet owners, and all exotic animals in the US .
> HR 669 is an "anti-animal bill". There is no amendment that can fix this bill. HR 669 will hurt everyone who owns an animal, and it will hurt our animals. Breeder, pet owner, rescuer, rehabilitator, zoo, service or product provider - it doesn't matter - we will all be hurt by this bill. HR 669 needs to be killed at the April 23rd hearing - not amended, not "made better" - HR 669 NEEDS TO BE KILLED. Please contact the Representatives hearing this bill NOW and ask them to KILL HR 669 (see below for contact information) .
> All import, export, transport across State lines, selling, buying, bartering, or offering to sell, buy or barter, and all breeding, and release, of all non-native species not on the "approved list" will be prohibited - even by zoos, sanctuaries, and licensed breeders. Permits authorizing only "importation" may be issued to "zoos, scientific research, medical, accredited zoological or aquarium display purposes, or for educational purposes that are specifically reviewed, approved, and verified by the Secretary". There is no requirement that any permits be granted. Even if these institutions are able to obtain the required permits, where will they obtain their imported animals? Habitat for many species is declining worldwide, many species are endangered or threatened in the wild, and many species cannot be imported to the US under the CITES treaty. The result of this bill will be to put a stop domestic breeding of most endangered or threatened species in the US for zoos, conservation, or reintroduction programs. Zoos are not immune from the animal prohibitionist agenda.
> If you "possess" a non-approved species "legally" prior to enactment of the law, you will be allowed to keep it, but all of the other restrictions pf HR 669 will still apply to your species - you will not be allowed to sell, transfer, transport across State lines, export, barter, trade, breed, or give that animal to anyone else.
> Pet owners will not be allowed to take their non-approved pets with them if they move to another state, and they will not be allowed to transfer them to anyone else who can care for them. Those pets will be euthanized when their owners move, die, or can no longer keep their pets for whatever reason. Pet owners and their pets are not immune from the animal prohibitionist agenda.
> "Rescue" and "sanctuary" will not be available for any non-approved species unless the rescue or sanctuary keeps only species found within their respective States. That result has been contemplated for years. Rescues and Sanctuaries are not immune from the animal prohibitionist agenda.
> Any person or company manufacturing or selling food or products for non-native (exotic) species will be affected by this act. If non-native (exotic) species cannot be legally possessed, bought, sold, or transferred, there will be no incentive for manufacturers of food, caging, and supplies for these animals to remain in business. Where will non-native (exotic) animal owners obtain the food and materials needed to keep their animals?
> Freeflight of exotic birds will be prohibited.
> THE LEGAL DETAILS OF THIS BILL
> Under existing federal law, it must be shown that a species is harmful before it is prohibited. That approach is reasonable, and has worked reasonably well for many years. In essence, HR 669 turns that reasonable approach on its head, and substitutes the unreasonable and unjustified approach of "bomb first, ask questions later".
> HR 669 requires the government to create an "approved" list of "non-native" species that will be allowed in the US . Any species not on the "approved" list will be prohibited. Under HR 668 the "approved" list shall include "nonnative wildlife species that the Secretary finds ... based on scientific and commercial information .... (A) are not harmful to the United States' economy, the environment, or other animal species' or human health; or (B) may be harmful to the United States' economy, the environment, or other animal species' or human health, but already are so widespread in the United States that it is clear to the Secretary that any import prohibitions or restrictions would have no practical utility for the United States."
> It takes time and money for the government to study any species and make a "finding". Time and money are always in short supply, and are especially in short supply in this economy. If your species is not included on the original "approved list", then under HR 669 you can try to get your species "approved" by paying a fee and submitting a proposal to our government to include it on the "approved list". Your proposal "must include sufficient scientific and commercial information to allow the Secretary to evaluate whether the proposed nonnative wildlife species is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to other animal species' or human health." While your proposal is being "evaluated" by our government, you and your animals are still subject to the restrictions of HR 669. Whether your proposal will ever be granted is pure speculation.
> There are more than 9000 bird species, and thousands of species of birds are kept in the US. There are many other non-native (exotic) species owned by animal lovers across the US . How many bird or other non-native (exotic) species do you think our government can afford to study and determine that they can be added to this newly created "approved list"?
> If the required study can't be made of a species, and the required finding isn't made about a species, the animal won't make it to the approved list. That applies to every species of non-native (exotic) animal.
> WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP KILL HR 669
> Contact your Representatives NOW
> 1. You can use NAIA's Capwiz tool to send an automatic email or fax to each of the Representatives who will hear this bill to ask them to KILL HR 669. Here's the link to send your email using Capwiz:
>
> 2. PIJAC has provided us with a PDF flyer which explains to pet owners how HR 669 will hurt all of us and our animals. The PIJAC PDF flyer is attached to this email. The PIJAC PDF flyer provides you with contact information - use it. Please contact your own Representatives NOW, and tell them to KILL HR 669. Be polite and respectful, but be clear and firm in your opposition to this bill. Be brief, and tell them a few reasons why you think it is a bad bill. Short and to the point works best. If you have time, you can also contact all of the other Representatives in your State.
> Write to your Representative using their contact pages on their websites. Unfortunately, it is sometimes hard for us to contact some of our Representatives - emails don't often go through, letters aren't read, and we sometimes have to write individually to our Representatives using the contact pages they put up on their websites. PIJAC has done the work to give us links where needed for these contact pages for these websites so that we can make those contacts (see the attached PIJAC PDF flyer), and NAIA is making "Capwiz" available for the one-shot contact - go to the Capwiz webpage at
> Call and Fax your Representative at the numbers provided on the attached PDF PIJAC flyer.
> Be sure to contact the local office of your own Representative by phone, and if you can, make a personal visit. Our congressional representatives are now on recess, and will return to their work at the Capitol next week. Let your Representatives' local offices know NOW that you want them to KILL HR 669. If the local staff hear from enough constituents that they want a bill killed, they will let their Representatives know that their constituents hate this bill.
> 3. Distribute this email, NAIA's link, and PIJAC's PDF flyer widely to everyone you know who loves animals and wants to keep them in our lives. In particular, send it to any pet lists you are on. This bill will impact almost all non-native animals. Ask them to contact the representatives and ask them to KILL HR 669.
> You can see PIJAC's earlier alert on HR 669 here:
>
> You can see the full text of the bill here:
> 4. If you have a website or belong to a discussion list, post this Alert and the PDF attachment. Ask your friends to do the same.
> A NOTE ALL ANIMAL OWNERS, AND ESPECIALLY TO BIRD OWNERS
> Does the Pennsylvania Proposed Ban of the Nanday Conure of 2008 ring a bell for anyone?
> For those bird owners who fought so hard and so well for the Nanday in Pennsylvania in 2008 - that was just target practice.
> HR 669 IS THE ANIMAL PROHIBITIONIST NUCLEAR OPTION - STOP IT NOW.
> Get your phones, emails, and faxes working and get our troops marching again. We need every one of you to help again, and we need the help of everyone you know. It doesn't matter if they own a bird, a dog, a cat, a turtle, a hamster, a fish, a snake, a tiger, a monkey, or any other animal. We are all affected by this bill. Don't let the animal prohibitionists force their agenda on the rest of us.
> Thanks,
> Genny Wall
> Attorney at Law
> Legislative VP, AFA, NAIA
> Laurella Desborough
> Legislative Chair, ASA, NAIA

April 15th Bills in August Maine

On Wednesday, April 15th, the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, and Conservation will hear the following Legislation that affects the rights of animal owners in Room 206, Cross Building in Augusta Maine.

LD 1103 - An Act to Amend Animal Welfare Laws --Also known as "October Surprise".
LD 964 - An Act Pertaining to the Breeding and Selling of Dogs -
LD 879 - An Act to Allow Licensed Kennel Owners to Vaccinate Their Own Dogs
LD 454 - An Act to Provide Representation for Dog Clubs on AWAC (Animal Welfare Advisory Committee)

***NOTE: You need to enter in the LD number referenced when you get to the page. Unfortunately, I could not get it to go directly to the document. Once there click on Web Download, and the document will come up.

Hopefully, I will get the information out in time. SOME OF THESE MAYhave some very scary language and consequences if they are passed. Please follow the links, and do your research while I scare up as much information as I can for you all.

UGH, the Animal Rights movement is here.

Does your dog need training (while we still can provide it in Maine LOL)? Call Mannerly Mutts Dog Trainer, Robin Rubin, for your Maine Dog Training needs at 207-361-4395. Or e-mail mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com for your New Hampshire Dog Trainer, Massachusetts Dog Training, or Maine Dog Training needs!

Free Lecture Series at Bangor Humane Society

About three years ago, a case of two biological litter mates came into Mannerly Mutts Dog Training for sudden aggression at age 8. These are the Springer sisters that I sometimes refer to, Kate and Hannah, and ended up being a great success story. Some of that success was due to their owners finding a new veterinarian, Dr. Mark Hanks of Kindred Spirits Veterinary Hospital. He found the infected teeth, bladder, and ears that their old vet wouldn't.
Recently I found out that Dr Hanks is actually giving a free lecture series at Bangor Humane Society.

May--Vaccines: Both Sides of the Story Vaccines are a hot topic over the past decade. But who is right? Explore both sides of the argument for and against vaccines in your pet

June--Losing a Pet Grief over a pet's passing is overwhelming for many. In our society some family and friends get it, and some don't. Extra rotatable discussion for the group's experience with pet loss. The doctor comes with practical tips for honoring your very special friend.

July--Virtual SurgerySpay and neuter. What exactly happened to my pet anyway? Besides being a great idea to decrease our pet overpopulation problem and extend your pet's life, modern anesthetics and pain relieving techniques make this routine procedure a breeze for most pets. Dr. Hanks will stay and spay and neuter pets after the lecture and invites you to watch.

If you are interested in these, let Suzan Bell know via email sbell@bangorhumane.org

The "Dog" Beach

I had an incident happen to me the other day on the beach, which I would love to say is not the norm. However, this year, 6 out of 7 days, you are approach by uncontrolled dogs on York Maine Beaches, where you can barely make out the owners (because they are no where near their dogs, and far off in the distance). The owners meanwhile could care less what their dog might be doing as they chat, and drink their coffee. In the last few months I have seen two dogs run into the middle of the road or go up to the sidewalk to the road unattended, dogs have slammed into me and my dogs who are in command, dogs are peeing on beach chairs, stealing packed lunches, ET.

BUT I WANT TO BE CLEAR HERE, IT'S NOT THE DOGS. As I explained to a very rude owner the other day, "it's not your dog, but it is his owner". The fact that this guy felt it was completely appropriate for his dog to be on the beach, unleashed, without any recall for safety or other people's space was shocking. Normally what happens is someone is unaware of the ordinance, you explain it, they apologize or they just apologize because something inappropriate happened (without you needing to explain the ordinance).

That last scenario is fine with me, and doesn't instigate a trip to Animal Control. However, this person did prompt me to make a complaint to our Animal Control officer. He was great and asked how far I would like it to go. I indicated that a warning from an authority figure should suffice, and so it ended there.

We got to chatting though. I like to keep abreast of what is going on here regarding beach laws and dog owners rights. However, as a dog owner, I am also very aware of everyone else's rights around me. Most York ME owners who frequent the beach are the same way. We do not take our accommodations for granted, and we have pride in our dogs and their behavior on the beach.

The officer was talking about why it was so much worse this year. One thing I have noticed, is apparently there has been an adoption binge on puppies this year. The ones training with me, thankfully, can be found being appropriate on the beach. The other owners have the attitude that since their puppy is cute and fuzzy that everyone and everything wants an unprompted greeting from them. This is one problem, but it's sure to be rectified by Animal Control as the year goes on, IF these people are locals.

The problem that the officer was explaining to me of the increased dogs, whose owners apparently take zero responsibility for their safety or the safety and well being of others, is that places like Eliot and Kittery finally had enough and banned dogs from their beaches. Apparently, we are attracting (as well as the tourists from out of state that come here every year and could care less about the ordinances) the very owners that ruined the beaches in their communities. Yeah!!

With only two on staff to take care of these problems, and remember these aren't just on the beach but everywhere within our town, officers just can't sit on the beach for eight hours waiting to catch the perpetrators. I have noticed that quite a few of the local dog owners that have had dogs here for awhile, must have been approached by Animal Control, and are so taking their privileges and responsibility very seriously. That has been great. The thing with this new problem is that you never know WHO is on the other end of the dog. For instance, the family involved with this incident was no stranger to York Police in other altercations. Fantastic. So now you have your own safety to be worried about, because someone could not care at all about the rights of others to enjoy a public beach.

Swell.

Would you like your dog to act appropriate in public? Call Maine Dog Trainer, Robin Rubin, at 207-361-4395. Mannerly Mutts Dog Training provides Maine Dog Training needs. You can also e-mail mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com with any questions. Our website, http://www.mannerlymutts.com, will answer many of your fee, service, FAQs, and qualification questions.

My Red Boys

I awake to my red boys snuggling and antics each morning. They put such a smile on my face. I am so proud of them each day, as they share their home with client dogs and client humans. It's not easy for them, and I make sure I schedule in private one on one time each day. I also make sure they have time together alone with me as well, to make sure their bond stays strong.

It's not easy for a dog to be a dog professional's dog. However, I think it's nicer than when I used to work in Corporate America with my poor dogs being home for four hours at a time (I made sure that one of us worked close to be with them during lunch times). My career now is so much more flexible to allow me time to be home when they are sick, to have two hours to exercise and train them during the day. They are not anxious to see me at 6 or 7 PM, as they have been home with me all day.

They also get to work with me, and get fawned over by my human clients. There are some dogs that come here that are favorites of my dogs. It's a good life. I just love these boys.