Trialling Two Dogs

On this Sunday, the big day for trialling Magoo and Bri comes around.   Their pictures will tell you these are two different breeds of dog.   There are more differents than that obvious one, and even the difference in their size, which affects a number of things as well.

Bri likes to sleep late into the morning.   Yup, just like me as a lazy tween and teen.   She is not a morning person.   So exercising her before the trial is not such a great idea.   She has also gotten a bit out of shape, so doing too much with her so that she gets tired will backfire big time.   Bri almost always has to go to the bathroom (number 2) about 11am when we have gone to trials before.   So I really need to make sure that she potties before we go into the ring if it's anywhere around that time.  In general, it's a really good idea to make sure you dog has done everything they need to do, as this could make them uncomfortable in the ring...and they may just NEED to go right then.  Bri has always managed to get the higher scores that I have made when we trialed before.   I personally think her pink cuteness blinds the judges to her flaws, but they see so many dogs that I know this must not be true.

Magoo on the other hand, is still a young Great Dane puppy of 165 pounds.   The size factor has meant being sure to get him used to not using his size and strength in public, and hopefully this holds over to the very exciting atmosphere of this trial.   This trial is in a middle school, and there are likely to be baked goods and children running around with baked goods asking to pet your dog.   Not to mentioned in a crowded gym area with three rings set up, and spectators.   It's not the most chaotic scenario that I have had for a trial, but it is close.   Magoo will be exercised before we go.  

Both dogs will be warmed up for about 10 minutes or so before the trial (starting outside and going to inside).   Luckily I have some help coming with me (Bri's owner).   I hope to get some good video of both in their individual exercises.   Bri's owner will be helping handle Bri during the long stays.  

Bri only needs to get one leg to accomplish her companion dog.   This is Magoo's first trial and so he needs all three legs.   In the past, Bri has tended to lie down during the sit stay for one minute.   This has been the reason in the past for some lost opportunities for a leg.   After a year, this has been the only week that I have worked with Bri reminding her of what she knows.   Surprisingly, she is showing the most trouble on the stand.   Occaisionally she also lagged a bit on the off leash heeling, but that has not cost us a leg.

For Magoo, last time he was really taken with the crowd looking at him (at a match).   I have been working a lot with him in Portsmouth and on the beach with interested on lookers (sometimes a bit too interested and insistent on saying hi to the dogs while in the middle of a session).   Magoo has been doing really well there, so hopefully that will transfer to the ring as well.

When trialling two dogs, it is important to realize a couple of things.   One if they like each other, they can be a major distraction to each other.   When I used to bring Bri and Jack together, at the beginning you could hear one crying in the crate, and it was obvious that the other dog heard it too.   So you need to try and prepare for that.   I am not bringing a crate for Magoo, but you do want to prepare a dog if they will be crated at the trial.  Also if both dogs are in the same class, you need a handler for the second dog during the long  stays.

Once you get used to it, trialing is a really fun activity to do with your dogs.   Both Magoo and Bri love the attention that they get:)  

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Differences in Standards in Dog Training

Very cute puppy in Petco video graduating, however it is clear the puppy is still in training at this point. She is training in her graduation video. A trained dog will repeat behaviors and understanding due to the repetition done before graduation, not during.



This must not be an AKC trial, as the leash did not come off during the stand. Also, for some reason, in AKC trials they insist on your non leash holding arm swinging "naturally" (is not natural for me) as you walk. Though it's not perfect, I hope you can see that this heel is more fully trained than the one above which is in it's beginning stages.



It's always interesting to see the different "interpretations" of heeling. However, heeling is meant to be a specific position and not just a loose leash or come towards me command, as "Let's Go" is. Standards in dog training are so important for the behaviorally challenged dogs, as it challenges them, stimulates them, and refocuses them on a task. It also creates a team work atmosphere.

If you are a dog owner looking for a trainer, make sure that they know how to train to a standard for your own good and the good and safety of your dog:)

Peaceful Power Walk at Parish Cemetery

Parish Cemetery is a beautiful and peaceful place in York Maine. People visit with their relatives, joggers enjoy the peace, and a quick quiet dog walk is always welcome.

The grave stones are very interesting, and you wonder about the stories behind some of the pictures. There is an older part in the right hand corner of the cemetary, but most of these headstones are recent.

Some of the headstones seem to be works of art. It makes you imagine the person that may be resting there.

Ollie was just enjoying the day out for his walk.

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News and Updates for Mannerly Mutts Dog Training

April 18th is the first spring trial for Magoo (Client's and Friend's Dog). This will be Magoo's first trial every, and Bri (friend's dog) just needs to finish up her last leg. We got our official notice that we are in on March 31st, and now just waiting for the judging program to determine the earliest that our class can start. Times can be held up, but they can't start until the posted time. The Casco Bay Dog Show will be at Bath Middle School 6 Old Brunswick Road Bath, Maine. This is actually going to be a new venue for us, and it sounds like it may be inside. My wife has a horror of inside shows, as she has always gotten the legs in outside shows. Oh well, should be a good time, anyway. Magoo's owner will be there, which will be a bit distracting as well. NOTE: THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME WE WERE OFFERED TO GET OUR INSTRUCTIONS BY E-MAIL. WE NORMALLY DON'T KNOW WHETHER WE ARE IN UP UNTIL THE FRIDAY BEFORE THE SHOW SOMETIMES!!! Novice B Judge is Robbin Shea.

April 24th Portsmouth Petco CGC Testing-Yup our big boy Leon is going in. We have never attended a CGC test, and might as well get our boy, Leon, a title. He deserves it and is such a good boy. Should be a great outing. From 9am to 5 pm at 1465 WOODBURY AVE
PORTSMOUTH, NH.

May 20th thru the 23rd is Vacationland's and York County Kennel Club's dog show in Wassamki Springs-56 Saco St Scarborough, ME 04074. Should Bri not have made her last leg, she will be here at this thankfully (outdoor show). Magoo will either be attempting to get two or three legs at this showing, depending on what happened on April 18th. Robin will be trying not to get many handler error points off (hand position in the recall, well timed auto sit, correct hand positioning during heel, not doing both a signal and verbal command et and so forth. Handler error negative points alone can point one out during the trial). Important when going to a trial where other dogs have gotten legs, you need to check that the judges are different. Your dog must earn three legs under three different judges!!! Bri ILP159964 has had Judges Mr H E Whitney & Mrs Diesem previously and both legs were at 185. Bri's biggest problem in the ring is going from a sit into a down, which automatically makes sure that you will not get the leg:( Novice B Judge on 5/20 is Robert L Harris. Novice B on 5/21 will be Janet Lewis. Novice B Judge on 5/22 will be Norma Hamilton. Novice B on 5/23 will be Ms Alison Jaskiewicz. NOTE A WELL RUN AND PRETTY SHOW, BUT EVEN MORE IMPORTANT YOU COULD GET ALL THREE LEGS FOR YOUR DOGS (PLUS ONE LOL AT A SHOW LIKE THIS.)

Summer Hoping to bring Boris through, and possibly revist the possibility of bringing Devon through the Novice trials (perhaps even Leon). It's hard in the summer with the increase in business, so we will see how it goes. Boris has to be trained one way or the other by then, so that may not take up anymore time, except traveling to the trials:) Devon is totally healthy, and quite smart. He does have a temperament typical to a Thai Ridgeback while looking like a cute puppy of a breed that no one can quite place. So he would take much work to make sure no temperament issues crop up unexpectedly, and that means lots of road trips for training in various scenarios. Boris and Leon and two very not behaviorally challenged dogs. Leon has not trialed due to his knees. His knees seem to be feeling very well right now, and I think if I don't rep him out on sits, he will be able to do it. Little known fact is that you can have no auto sits happen, but if everything else goes well with as little error as possible, you CAN qualify for a leg:) Leon has been trained to do an auto stand rather than a sit, and we will just keep it that way and go through the trial, thus giving his knees a break until the long sit. Boris is just beginning his training, but we fully expect him to be a star. I have been asking if anyone else has had experience bringing a three legged (gremlin LOL) thru obedience trials.

June 26th - June 27th Penobscott's at Cumberland State Fairgrounds174 Bruce Hill Rd.Cumberland, ME Boris and/or Leon and/or Devon may be going with us. Bri and Magoo may train later on for Open. The judge of Novice B is Phyllis Broden Broderick on June 26th. Evelyn VanUden is the judge on the 27th. I like this show too, but one year they had an elderly judged booked for both conformation and obedience. Between that and the torrential thunder storm, my wife showed eight hours later than scheduled.

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June 21st Deadline for Fearfuldog.com's Bet With Me!!!

Last year I was sharing information regarding a really very difficult case that I was working on. Most aggressive dog towards owners. The owners had consulted R+ and APDT certified trainers, but their problems only got worse. Luckily, after the last trainer tried to remotely treat Hoobie, and got bitten by Hoobie for the fourth time on the fourth lesson by this particular trainer, the owners decided enough was enough. Although dealing with a dog that caused them to walk around their house and other areas as if in straight jackets, they really wanted to find a solution for their dog.

So they found me, and like with many cases, I shared the details of the start to the exercises with this dog. Fearfuldogs.com, after being referred by Gooddogz (Nancy Freedman-Smith, owner of Gooddogz), who spear headed trying to delete my blogs about "organization to beware of and others" on mainepets.mainetoday.com (an organization under the spell of certain trainers who have marked what should be an impartial orgnanization as theirs). However, mainepets.mainetoday.com is not an impartial orgnanization, and although they would have kept me if I shut up about them and their practices, I wouldn't. I find it so shameful. I write on other organization blogs, and they follow their own rules and are impartial about who they edit, who they don't, and what posts they delete.

So fearfuldogs.com basically posted about me implying abuse, although they could not verbalize exactly what they found abusive. Then they said my client would neither be successful nor happy with the results. Be aware, that I intiated none of this. Fearfuldogs.com was completely unaware of my previous successes. However, that was hardly my fault that fearfuldogs.com did not do their research, nor blindly followed Gooddogz manipulations. Also, this was the hardest client that I had (canine not human), and so this wouldn't have been my pick to bet on. I was also accused of having made "guarantees" to this client, where in the actual conversation I told them that I had no idea what to expect with their dog other than improvement in the current circumstances. You can look at some of the progression of this case with this link, keeping in mind that his behaviors came out of R+ and APDT certified trainers suggestions (oh and also the vets that sought to medicate him).

However, fearfuldogs.com promised to send 100.00 dollars to my charities without me reprocipicating, so why the hell not really? I am happy for my charities to get money, plus I worked very hard on this case. If his owners were not giving up, I certaintly wasn't giving up on Hoobie. I have a deep commitment towards dogs. His owners had demonstrated in the past the ability to keep others safe from him, and I dedication to this dog that I don't see to often.

The updates remain good with continued growth on the owners part. Hoobie relapsed physically with sickness, but his owner was able to maintain his training. So I will be totally happy that Debbie Jacobs will be paying Doberman Rescue and Worcester Animal Rescue League on my behalf in June 21st.

The unfortunat thing that people do not realize about me, is I am totally ready to put myself out there for something I believe. Plus I don't abide bullies lightly, and am not really concerned what people think as I pull them out into the sunlight for attempting to come after me:)

I am totally able to explain myself, whether one agrees or disagrees with me. It's totally about the dogs, and so not totally about me.

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Client Updates at 3/25/2010

Mandy is an adorable lab/golden/hound mix that was rescued from an unfortunate family situation. Mandy came in with what the owner felt was leash aggression. The actual problem appears to be an over reaction to dogs who tell her to back off. Mandy gets so worked up wanting to play, and then her defense drive kicks in if a dog says "uh no, I don't really know you that well". This is because Mandy goes full tilt boogey into a reactive greeting. She is really a very easy dog. This is a dog that has shown a few aggressive behaviors, but mostly reactive behaviors. Mandy is going to be returned home to a more active and free life, and with much more trust in her handlers:) She goes home at the end of next week, and her owner is traveling down from Canada to do a few days of training with us. Mandy's owner had been working it her on socialization at home, but found the very strong Mandy too physically taxing to continue doing it her self and be safe. Mandy was very close to being returned to the rescue before her owner finding Mannerly Mutts. This would have been a real shame, because ultimately dog and owner will be fine together, and they both love each other.

Zoey is a 15 month old GSD female who has gotten about four bites in on dogs. She had a traumatic experience herself early on, so some of what she shows is defense drive. Since the nips have been all around the ears or so, this dog is trying to show some self control. Zoey has displayed resource guarding issues around other dogs, and has only had minimal training previously which did not result in a dog that could be walked easily around the neighborhood on leash. The family has had many dogs in the past, but had just needed to do the minimum in training. Zoey has an optomistic future, as her owner has been working diligently with her. Here is what her owner recently wrote to us after lesson 2 " We encountered some dogs in yards on our walk and I was successful making her sit and down instead of barking and pulling. It was wonderful." Zoey's owner is very committed, even though she was pressured by family to give Zoey up. Due to the committment displayed, we are very optomistic about Zoey's future and remaining within the family (and the family liking her). Zoey's owner found out about us due to a past client recomending us.

Kitty is a super cute 6 month old Springer. Her owner brought her here because she thought Kitty was fearful, but Kitty just got the puppy jitters when someone scared her at the office. Kitty spends a lot of time with her owner at work. This cute Springer girl actually ends up being a confident well rounded puppy, who is enjoying training very much. She is going to turn out just fine. Springers are so darned cute, no wonder they almost always lord it over their owners:)

Nellie is a hound mix that was a bit fearful, and used to running away from her owners when let loose. She is coming along very nicely, and I see her owners all the time working with her in the neighborhood. It makes me smile just to think about it. Another dog that will do just fine.
Just about all the cases above have something in common, besides the fact that these are all female dogs. None of these dogs were ever formally shown how to follow. Nellie when inside the house or on the leash, actually does follow her owners gladly. It's off the leash when she can be a naughty girl, and scare her owners by running out of sight for minutes at a time. The puppy Springer, Kitty, is just in the perfect place to learn this right now. Zoey and Mandy were very much in need of this to keep their homes. Both dogs are already happier now that the conflict is gone, and the handler or owners can give them more freedom and exercise.

And today, Miss Gigi is coming to board, and give Mandy some pointers on what she has learned about proper canine etiquette!

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Does a Dog Need to Be Idiot Proof?

Or should idiots own dogs? Much like having children, it is impossible to mandate that only parents who will be responsible and compassionate can have children. I am sure that we all wish we could mandate it, but we can't.

Even so, people who can not make responsible choices and look out for the living and breathing beings in their home should not own goldfish nevermind a dog IMHO. Perhaps even a cactus would be too much for someone who is irresponsible and possibly too narcistic to care properly for a dog.

Maybe I am an odd duck, but the individuality of dogs is why I like them. Working through different problems with them is such a lifechanging and rewarding accomplishment for the human. Since we humans have decided to domestic dogs, cats, and other animals; I believe it's our solemn responsibiity to provide not only food, exercise, shelter, and medical care----but to provide for their emotional well being as well.

I am of the opinion that if I decide to take a dog into my home, and let's say they are not quite what I expected....it's my responsibility to make them fit in. That is unless my family or myself are in immediate and real danger from the dog. In picking or rescueing this dog, I have made a commitment and a promise to them. It's totally my job to make it work for the dog (or cat or fish or ferrett...).

If the dog is fearful of people, I can't say something like "wow I don't feel comfortable keeping people at a distance from this dog". Isn't that a horribly selfish and self serving statement? If you could keep everyone safe just by being assertive, one wouldn't do that for the good of their dog?

I feel it's my responsibility not only to keep people safe, but to win the trust of this dog so that they will be more accepting of people. If the dog has a medical problem, it's my job to try and solve that for the dog. If the dog does not have as much energy as I expected, it's my job to make sure the dog has some sort of stimulation during the day.

Many people are not idiots about dogs. And I personally don't think of the public that does not know any better around dogs as idiots. They are just people that need the explanation that not every dog wants to be dashed up to, cornered, and petted. Education to the public is another great reason for working with a dog that may not be "bomb proof", as opposed to idiot proof. An idiot to me is someone who lets the collar grow into the dogs neck, or forgets to feed their dog regularly, or just has never taken their dog to the vet. Perhaps that is even worse than an idiot, but someone totally without regard for the well being of another life. They IMO should never own dogs.

Requiring rescues to be "idiot proof" is like requiring bred dogs to be idiot proof. And now you go down the slippery slope of culling or making lifers of most adult rescue dogs. I am not a fan of culling in eithr bred dogs or rescue dogs. I also do not recognize a difference in the two, other than the support of the breeder and stacking your odds in terms of temperament and health (which are important). However, so many environmental or accidental things can happen to change the course of a dog or puppy's personality.

I would like to think that one positive and outside influence that could change a dog's life for the better is the new owner or foster home. Instead of requiring these dogs to have no flaws at all, perhaps celebrating and embracing those flaws is the answer?

APDT's Forumla/Certification in Professional Canine Organizations (Robert Rubin)

Pass a multiple choice test, start seminars (not too choosey and will give credit), write articles, then write a book. It's a time tested formula, and the reason that many great dog trainers have left the APDT for something a bit more real and ethical.

When my wife started as a trainer, she felt this would be a non-political career LOL. Early on, it was realized that dog training is a career in marketing and politics. I give APDT kudos for coming through with a great marketing strategy, and a way to double speak while maintaining a goal and extremism consistently.

When someone who blogs that they don't understand how dog training or didn't understand how dog training is part of the behavior modification puzzle, and they have give out seminars approved for APDT CEU's, that tells you the quality of those given the nod by the APDT. Who on one hand rails about tools and certain training methods as aversive, but then suddenly understands what trainers who use the tools supposedly don't----that training is the ability to decrease either reward or correction in the ability to perform a command with distance, duration, and distraction.

No kidding? Why I never realized that....sigh. It's one thing to trap one's own dog into a state of fear. It's another to talk "professionally" and tell others that methods won't work for them. In that light, we will be thanking this particularly trainer for their contributions to Mannerly Mutts favorite charities in a few months. It's frightening however how this very misunderstood information has been doled out to others under the umbrella of certification, especially of this organization, just my honest opinion here.

Someday it is our hope that results in standardized performance tests will be required to be a licensed dog trainer. Hopefully the organizations that we value (IACP and NADOI) will also support such legislation when the day comes. My wife will be submitting her case study certification soon to the IACP, and agrees it has only been her fault that it has not been done. However, we value the time and referrals that the IACP requires before certification can even be taken. A panel of judges scores not the multiple choice questions, but the results of the case studies documented in both material presented to the clients, but also what the actual clients have to say:) These are exciting times coming up.

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New Clients in The Works

Mandy is traveling in today six hours from her home further north. I was thinking that she was an unusual case, but then realized the problem that she has is one that we have dealt with before.

Every now and again, we are fortunate enough to know a rescue's history. Mandy was observed before ending up in the hands of a rescue organization, tied very frequently in the front yard or to the garage on a short leash. One of the volunteers dropped by to have a chat with the owner. Apparently the dog, Mandy, was a pawn in divorce proceedings.


I am sure that we have all been tempted to "liberate" a dog from their home, but most of us don't knowing it's against the law. One day this volunteer passed by, checked on Mandy, and found the owner had moved and abandoned the home (and Mandy!!! tied to the garage). Now the rescue could legally step in and liberate Mandy. Mandy was taken care of during the puppy whelping, and the puppies found good homes. Mandy found a good home as well.


However, the owner has had a problem with the aggression brought on apparently by leashes. As one might imagine, confinement is a source of trauma for Mandy. Recently we also had a case where touching had become a negative for a dog due to his (Hoobie's) medical issues. Sometimes, we are unaware of where the trauma came from, or if it's something that came with the dog's personal makeup or lack of socialization. Every now and again, we are lucky that a good history file came along with the dog.


So now we know that, we need to make this "negative" into a "positive" for the dog. We are meeting Mandy for the first time this afternoon (written on 5/18/2010), and she will be staying with us for two weeks. It's our goal to get a go forward plan in action for Mandy's dedicated and loving owner. The interesting thing about this case is she gets aggressive to other dogs with their leashes on!!! Normally when you hear the expression "leash aggression" you are thinking of a dog that is mouthing and biting at their leash (and possibly anything that gets in their way) OR a dog that gets aggressive when the leash is on (normally by the reliance on holding the dog back and thereby cueing resistance instead of compliance). So Mandy is different in that this a slightly different than normal leash aggression (this is under observation).

The same week we were talking to Mandy's owner, another call came in for a German Shepherd girl, who is 15 weeks old, and being aggressive to dogs. In fact, the reason I got the call is Zoey bit a former client's dog, and happens to be her neighbor!! Zoey's bite on Frankie, was more of a resource-guarding thing (stick). Zoey actually shows signs of being a bit fearful of new people and dogs, but does warm up quickly to humans (ME). Before we start introducing Zoey to the training pack, we are going to be working on a few skills in a non-distracting environment. Once she gets those down, it will be time to bring her around (at least) my dog, Leon, while training her.

We have another GSD girl training here for a similar problem, but an opposite intent. Bristol LOVES LOVES everything. She loves everything so much, that she is quite willing to drag her handler in front of traffic, across the parking lot, so the recipient of her love and devotion (which could be anything) will get what they desperately need. What Bristol doesn't understand though, is she looks like an aggressive GSD when she does this (number one), and that not everything in the world is desperately wishing for Bristol's attention (number two).

Bristol is just a total sweetie though. She is a bit stubborn for her owners, so she is doing a little finishing work here. Every now and again we get a dog here whose friendliness we love, but we need to train them to greet just a tad (or in Bristol's case a lot) more calmly. She can do this with humans now, and we are finishing up her work on greeting dogs calmly rather than dragging her owners over to meet her new friends LOL. Luckily, this is not a dog where aggression is at all an issue.

During this busy week, we have been sick with a really nasty spring cold, which has caused our writing to get a bit behind.  

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Puppy Daycare-Playing Offleash

Yes the big white gallumping thing is a puppy too, named Magoo. Doberman puppy Boris is racing around with brindle puppy, Ollie. Boris, Leon, Magoo, Roxy and Harley (if you see them), are all off leash with no equipment. NOt really all that impressive as we are just in our non fenced in yard.




Ollie is dragging his line, as we often do with young puppies. Generally speaking, if you can control the older pack's actions, then you can maintain the attention of a young puppy. This is NOT training however, just a little daycare or dog walking. Ollie is actually a walking client, but we bring him here sometimes for a treat (for all of us, Ollie is a sweet puppy).







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Brady and Puppy Walking Adventure

Brady and I must have been walking along Josias River or Clay Hill Brook.   Looking at mapquest, I am not sure.   What ever water entity this was it was pretty as can be evidenced by these photos.

Is he a muppet, puppet, or puppy?   There's Brady!

View from the top of puppy, Brady.

How beautiful is this place?   It does not appear to have formal trails, and this might even be someone's property.   However, I did see a sign for a park, and this might be some sort of park to.   Not sure, I will need to investigate later.

Just taking more photos of the beautiful (must be) brook.

This is a farther away photo of the above close up.

I was trying to get Brady in front of a rock for a little contrast.   Thing is I am a bad picture taker.   Sorry about that Brady!

I became fascinated by this tree, but I don't think I did it justice.

Close up of the hollowed out hole going into the tree.

Another shot of the beautiful brook.

Couldn't resist one more shot of this very pretty and relaxing place.

And then there are the humans that must always leave their mark.   I like the color choices though.

Scary work and mechanical device on the other side of the run off.

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Ollie and Duck Pond Adventures

Duckies are watching me approach with the dogs and puppies.   They are seeing Leon (red Doberman male), Boris (black Doberman male puppy), Minny Manny (black male Chihuahua X), and Ollie (brindle male Hound Lab X puppy) coming towards the fence.

Now they are ignoring us because there is only sniffing going on and no bothering.   Dogs give each other excellent examples and feedback when accompanied by older and more knowledgable dogs.

Took a picture of the duckies without the fence in the way by putting my arm out and over the fence.

This is what the guys were doing during all of this!  Sniff snorffle sniff.

Boris looks off contemplatively.   It's hard being a puppy sometimes.   So much to consider.

Ollie and Minny Manny enjoying each other.

Ollie greets his buddy, Boris.

The three stooges.   Boris, Ollie, and Manny.

Different View of Duckie Pond

Boris contemplates this change of scenery.

Look at all of the ducks and geese!!

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Dean Koontz's A Big Little Life

Dean Koontz is one of my all time favorite authors.   I count on him more for fictional works of course.   I enjoy his horror, his sci fi, and they are both the better if they include a dog.   Mr Koontz is one horror writer that I can pretty much count on not to kill pets at all in his book.   His love of animals and pets is very obvious in many of the novels that he has written.

So when I heard that he had written a non-fiction book about his dog, Trixie, and how she had improved upon his life....well...I had to read it, of course.   What could be sweeter than one of my favorite authors writing about dogs?  

In it you will find observations that many dog owners have and realize about their dogs.   Both he and his wife thought, as we all do, that their dog was the most special .   I am sure they think that of Anna, their current Golden Retriever as well.   It goes through their adventures of dog ownership, mid age health issues, and finally older age and death.   I think any true dog lover can relate to this journey.

Mr Koontz also elaborates on how Trixie influenced his writings.   Not just the nature of his canine characters, as that started even before their first dog, but the joy, wonder, and innocence that a dog brings to their owners lives.   I have thought this myself in watching my dogs at play, discovering new smells or someone's smell in the woods to investigage, and the joy of being able to move as they do.   They are a miracle and a mystery.

I really enjoyed his book, and the insights that he had as a dog owner.  

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Agility Parody & New Contributor

Hi,

I am a client of Mannerly Mutts, and have been invited to share videos on dog training.

Here is a great on on the basics of agility, heehee.

RIP 2/19/2010 Cesar Milan's Daddy

http://www.cesarsway.com/news/daddy-memoriam

Sadly a great dog with a natural temperament and skills to help other dogs has passed on at sixteen years of age.   Cesar Milan's Daddy has gone to the rainbow bridge.   We send our sympathies to the Milan family and all those that enjoyed watching Daddy's adventures.



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Nellie's Weekend Getaway

Hi,

I am Nellie.   I live near Mannerly Mutts.   My owners have been bringing me there so that I might learn to come instead of adventure around the neighborhood.  

After a few rough starts at homes, I have learned that people are largely good.   Big movements can scare me, but people come with cookies and pets.   I like those things, therefore, I like people.

Other dogs are "interesting".   Much like the round things that are sometimes thrown my way, I really don't know what everyone wants me to do WITH them.   When I go to investigate, many times I get jumped on or overwhelmed.   However, at this house there seem to be two potential long term friends for me.   I am still investigating this possibility.

Here I am checking  out this big brown thing in front of me.   I don't know....he makes me nervous.   But as I check him out, he looks away as if to say "it's okay, sniff me as you will".

Okay, what is that little black thing?   And, wait one moment, where did everyone go?

Wait that doggie doesn't care about me.   What is he doing over there and not paying attention to me?   This is the point that I get bounced on.   Hey wait, they are doing something together without me.  What the...

Do you think it's safe to come out of hiding?   Well here I am everyone.   Sigh, I guess I will just lie down and take a nap.

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Ollie's Great Adventure

Sorry dark dogs loose all their details in photography (when someone is not good at it-like me).   I will try a different setting on the camera today.   Ollie had a great time with his new friends and in a new place.

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The Living Doggie Bed

Who knew that Great Danes made such a good doggie bed for Boris????

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Bragging About Boris

For those of you following my blog, you know that we have added Boris to our family.   He was born on 10/4/2009.   On 2/19 Boris will be (unbelievably) 5 months old.   He is sprouting like a weed, though I don't think he will be as big as Leon.   He takes on stairs better than the four legged beasties around here (he had one leg amputated that had a birth defect so he could manage better).   In fact, he goes in reverse on the stairs so well, I think, because he doesn't have to deal with that leg at all.

Sometimes he gets around just a little too well.   He is very bright, and if there is something he wants----he will be very focused in trying to get it.   This is something that I, of course, love in a dog.   It tells you that this dog is determined to see through a task.   Granted, we haven't started training yet, so it can sometimes be a task that I am not desirous of, at least in the form that puppy is doing it.

Boris's skills of snuggling are quite great.   He loves snuggling with people and other dogs.   He loves hugs and kisses.   Boris is a very very friendly dog.   He has shown that he can sound the alarm just like any other Doberman, though he is learning this mostly from the Great Danes in the residence right now.   Leon isn't very alarmed in his own house, and knows the other dogs that may come into our yard LOL (or people).

Boris is learning the typical Doberman play style from Leon.   He boxes with his one front leg skillfully.   He also has a play style that reminds me of Jazz.   Boris will nip at the back legs or back side to get a dog going.   If Leon wants to get a dog going, he barks, play bows, or rolls on the floor.   Boris is more the nip and skip away type.  

He is very bright, and I hope to get his companion dog title this summer. I haven't started his training beyond housetraining, crate training, and socialization yet.   Tomorrow we start the formal training.   This will be good because I want some puppy training videos for my client blogs.   Boris has started in particpating in lessons, daycare, and dog walking.

Boris is making a great addition and starting on his adventures abroad.

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Xmas Impulse Purchased Puppies by Robert Rubin

Here at Mannerly Mutts-we love our clients and we love our business. We also like to be able to continue what we love by being paid. That being said, right now is always are least favorite time of the year. This is the time of the year that the impulse purchases made as an Xmas suprise for the family start their training.

Actually what happens most times is when the first lesson fails to deliver a stuffed animal that rarely comes to life (and only when it's wanted to come to life), and normal puppy behavior is the order of the day....
The once joyously greeted puppy is sent uncerimonously back to the rescue. When ideas of having their three year old do all the training with the puppy is not feasible, when it becomes clear that puppies need to be pottied and fed regularly, when it is realized that the five children and two jobs does not provide enough time for puppy care---puppies start re-entering the institutions that they were formerly "rescued" from.

I say every year from February to May it's a fifty fifty shot for first time owned and impulse purchased puppies. It actually takes quite an emotional toll on us, as we would like to save them all. We have a duty to our own dogs and ongoing clients to remain focused and attentive to our responsibilities though. We also lack the financial resources to self fund a non profit venture, though we are considering it to turn out trained and adoptable dogs whose owners fail them.

This time of year is worse than any other time of year due to the shear volume of impulse purchases. Normally, we would screen out these clients right away for our own emotional health. The economy right now though...it doesn't seem wise to turn away business even if there is a slim chance that the owners are going to step up to the plate.

I know my wife would just prefer to take this time off from training rather than try to get through to the impulse purchasing public.

A bad decision made is not one that may affect only your family, which I find extremely sad for the children's and dog's sakes. Your bad decision can affect all sorts of people all the way down the line. Don't purchase living things by impulse.



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