Stress

Stress; not good for humans, not good for dogs or anything for that matter.

The below definition was taken from Wikipedia.

Stress is a biological term for the consequences of the failure of a human or animal to respond appropriately to emotional or physical threats to the organism, whether actual or imagined.[1] It includes a state of alarm and adrenaline production, short-term resistance as a coping mechanism, and exhaustion. Common stress symptoms include irritability, muscular tension, inability to concentrate and a variety of physical reactions, such as headaches and elevated heart rate.[2]

So what stresses out a dog? Anything and everything can stress a dog; just like in humans, they are all different. Dogs all react to external stimuli very differently so what may stress out the dog next door is probably entirely different from what stresses your pooch out. With regards to training and modifying behavior; it is of extreme importance to watch a dogs reaction. The slightest bad reaction can snowball into something very large requiring more modification.

Some dogs are much more prone to stress than others. My two females are not the type to stress; my boy on the other hand is a stress monkey. It doesn't take much to have him worried and stressing. Stress can be caused by something fearful; confusion, excitement and even anticipation. Even really great situations or animate objects can cause stress. If your dog is triggered into bouts of over excitement they can easily cross a functioning/nonfunctioning line. Again Luke can cross that line easily so I watch his excitement level alot.

I've heard guardians often telling their dog to stop being silly when they show fear towards some object. It may be something like a troll on someones front lawn. But for some reason your dog does not understand that it is simply a plastic lawn ornament and is coming unglued the closer you get to it. Fear is the cause of the behavior; but the behavior is a stressful reaction to the fear. Stress is what happens to the body when we or your dog are not equipped to deal with an external stimuli.

Often a dog will exhibit a fearful response to a normal daily activity. You may have no idea what caused this odd fear and you may never know. The important thing is that you deal with the reaction, no matter what the cause is or was. It is nice to understand why your dog may be afraid of a certain cupboard in the kitchen or your ice dispencer but if you don't know why you can still help them get over it which then gets rid of the stress related response to the initiating factor.

Counter conditioning is used to create a different response when stress is the default application. Let's say your dog is afraid of the ice dispenser (I actually had a case like this,) your job is to create a positive association to the ice dispenser. Creating an entirely different association to a fearful trigger takes alot of patience and baby steps. You must look at the smallest of achievements as success; never moving on further until each step is achieved.

Stress is a very real internal response and it can be mild to extremely dangerous. Learning to see the signs in your dog takes time and takes close visual supervision. Just recently we were out at a park when a young child approached. Both dogs were fine at the approach but as the child came closer Tilley got uncomfortable; the child came up to her at the side and Tilley pulled away. But before the child was even 5 feet away from my dogs I was down and right there. I know toddlers and toddlers like to hug; which my dogs do not like to do with strangers. So as Tilley started ever so slightly to lean away I put my hand out stopping the child. The child was so involved with all the dogs around she didn't even realize I had moved her away, neither did Mom unfortunately.

**As a side note it is never a good idea to let children or anyone hug your dog. Even if you think it is a good idea and that your dog will be fine; a bite to the face cannot be undone.

No matter what the cause to a stressful reaction is; you must work to help your dog learn to deal with it. Typically stress grows on it's own but it doesn't go away on it's own. No body or dog wants to live day to day with stress; it is no way to live. So figuring out what is causing the stress is the first step; then working at creating another entirely different mental reaction to the trigger is the next step until it is gone.

One step at a time.

Leash etiquette

Good morning; what a great cool morning, love it. We all had toast for breakfast this morning; Luke and Jessie were on the bed with me and Tilley was still on her bed. I am perfecting my toast toss so that Tilley doesn't have to move from her bed to get it. At almost 13 it's getting tougher to get up so when I made a bad toss this morning I watched and laughed at her commando crawling across her bed and out onto the carpet. Obviously a much easier means of maneuvering.

Well onto leash etiquette. I'm a stickler for the proper use of a leash and when and where certain types of leashes are appropriate. I have tons of leashes but the ones I use almost all the time are my 8' 5/8s" cotton web leashes. They are long enough to give the dogs some distance and thin enough to wrap in my hand easily. I do not like the big thick 1" nylon leashes nor do I like nylon leashes in general as they can slide through your hand injuring you. I like the bungee cord type leashes; mostly when used with body harnesses though. And I like a nice short 6"-8" leash for walking through crowds.

Then there is the extension leash; most either hate or love them. I have one for Jessie and it is used ONLY when we are at the park and not around other people. If other people come around she is reigned into 5' length and locked in. Extension leashes can be dangerous and cause all sorts of problems; like cutting your leg. I've had my leg cut twice by the thin ones, clients let their dog out to the end to see me and then tried to haul them back while they were wrapped around my leg, smart. Dogs getting wrapped up in someone else's extension leash can be very dangerous indeed; fights start that way. When dogs feel trapped they swing into the fight of flight mode and being that they cannot move away they resort to aggression to get them out of the situation.

No matter what leash your dog is on when you meet someone else with a dog; do not allow them to become tangled. If they are becoming excited either move away and keep on your walk or drop your leash. But even if you drop your leash watch for tangled feet. If you have a dog that tends to be aggressive on leash, stay calm when you meet others with dogs and keep walking. Get a bit of distance by stepping off the path and calmly moving away but do not change your stride, do not have your dog stop and sit. When you do have to reel your leash in do it in a calm and smooth manner. Do not panic; the more calm you remain the calmer your dog will be.

Do not allow your dog to wander up to others without asking. Extension leashes are horrible for this although people do it on shorter leashes as well. When I walk Jessie I send clear messages that we do not want to meet with others. I get distance, step off the path and continue my walk. Sometimes the other people are so anxious to have their dog meet my dog that they don't register our message so then I must tell them that she is not social. But had they been paying attention they would already know that.

When walking with your dog on a leash have a look down at what is going on when you are walking. Does the clasp hit your dog in the face? Does the leash keep swinging and catching their ear? I see these type things all the time as the dog struggles to get away from the annoyance. Does your leash hang down to far and keep tangling your dogs feet? Is it too short so that your dog cannot do their much needed sniffing? These are all things to watch for.

No matter what leash you use; watch how you use it and hopefully it is not connected to a chain.

The "In" virus

Okay; I'm sure you are all up to your eyeballs with the talk of viruses but here's one you may not have heard of. I actually got wind of it about a month ago when someone on my one of my lists asked if anyone was getting the vaccine for their dogs. From there I did my research about this information that was new to me. Then this morning I got this great newsletter written by my veterinarian on the subject. Please read it.

I believe that with all the new information coming out about over vaccinating our dogs; the big pharmaceutical companies are scrambling. What can they produce that every dog owner will need? Well I think that this one; the H3N8 is the new hope for these companies. And what better time to introduce it than now when everyone is freaking out about the H1N1 virus? My dogs will not be getting it.

Luckily there are people for the dogs and not just people for the money. These are some great links to have a look at as well with regards to vaccinations.

The Rabies Challenge Fund

Is your Vet still over vaccinating?

As a trainer I am a big believer of educating our canines but first off; educate yourself. Your dog is worth it.

Musings on a Tuesday

Well; I'm off to Costco this morning, and I'm hoping to get a new dog bed. The favorite bed of the poodles is the couch type I got a couple years ago. It has now seen better days after suffering from the wrath of Luke's comfort driven digging. There is a big hole in one side and pills all over it; so it is time for a new one. Unfortunately every time I go they don't have them; maybe now that it is the season they will have them, I can hope right?

But first things first; walk time, but before that is gym time. When I get home from the gym in the morning the dogs are all still asleep on my bed or theirs. They know the routine; which is very loose. I don't like routine myself and try to not do the same ole all the time. Dogs learn routine very quickly and depending on the dog; can have difficultly veering from it or not. Tilley is very flexible with regards to routine; she doesn't care what we do and goes with the flow. Jessie can get stuck on routine sometimes like being the first one to go on a walk in the morning; so again, I try to switch it up.

But then there's Luke; the routine meister, that boy can get so stuck that he is unable to go left or right. He likes what he likes and he does not like change. He is by far the most complicated dog we have ever had; in a good way. If I am on the computer Luke is either on my bed or behind me on the floor. When I am in the kitchen he is on his lounge outside where he has the best seat for viewing me. And his most routine of routines is in the evening; after dinner he likes to go downstairs and watch tv. It's not so much the tv as it is the fact that we are stationary and he likes that.

Luke will wait at the kitchen door; watching me as I clean up the dishes and their meal. He waits patiently; watching my every move, he is waiting for the slightest sign that tells him I'm done and going downstairs. When that time comes and I head towards the door he starts wagging; he then charges ahead of me to the top of the stairs. With a big goofy face that says "we're goin down right Mom?" all over it his glance darts from me to downstairs and back again. And if that happens to be where I am going he runs down and proceeds to spin with excitement. He patiently waits to see where I will sit. Once I'm down he does his ritualistic 12 circles and lays at my feet, very content.

If it happens that I am not going downstairs and am going up instead; he charges up ahead and watches. He wants to know my every move; where I'm going and when. Luke is a foot watcher; many dogs are but it is done so subtly that you don't notice. Again with Luke; not subtle.

Have a good one.

Its nice to be missed

I went down to San Diego yesterday early in the morning; spent the day with my daughters. The drive down was sweet; 55 min from door to door. Now coming back was a different story; 2 hours crawling home. One thing you can be assured of traveling back and forth to San Diego; at some point you'll be snagged in traffic. I made a quick pit stop at the grocers to pick up some beef for the pooches and headed home. I always miss the dogs when I'm away for the day and I was looking forward to a nice greeting.

Well; I got it. I got crying, spinning, jumping, head sniffing and kisses. What's not to love about an over exuberant greeting. During dinner my husband and son told me that little Jessie had been looking for me all day. She sat at the top of the stairs crying; that's so sad. I feel so bad for her these days because she is loosing her sight and when she can't find me; her sniffer fails her as well. I'm sure she thinks that she just can't find me; not that I may not be there. But at least she has her canine buddies to keep her company.

The dogs had taken up position at the front door but I came in through the garage. There they were all facing the door barking; I watched for a few seconds and then announced myself. Everyone pounced; even Jessie but then she made her exit to do the usual routine, grab a toy and charge around with it. Luke and Tilley followed me into the kitchen continuing with their "welcome home Mom."

Being that everyone was a little excited I walked out into the cool evening air and chilled. Looking up to the stars the dogs started to relax and sat just looking at me; much calmer. Once calm we went in and had dinner; a raw beef quickie and everyone enjoyed it immensely. I had planned on kibble for dinner but the guilt of feeding them kibble for breakfast took over. Even though their kibble is a good one; Orijen, and I keep it on hand for days like this was I still wanted them to have fresh food. So I opted for fresh raw beef instead of kibble.

Once everyone ate it was then downstairs for a bit of National Geographic. The evenings are getting cooler and I was tired from the day; I curled up in my favorite chair with my big wolf blanket. Jessie jumped into my lap and curled up immediately; Luke lay at my feet in a big blanket and Tilley joined my son on the couch. With full stomachs and the boss safely home they were all happy; me too.

Got a secret

Got a secret? Tell a dog. How many times have you had a secret soooo good that you had to tell someone. In your excitement to share with another you impulsively spill the beans; to the wrong person. I know I've told many things to people; specifically asking "please do not tell anyone," only to find out within less than a day the news was out. Basically if you have a secret that you really don't want getting out; you tell your dog.

Isn't that one of the many fabulous things about dogs? Dogs can keep our secrets very well; forever in fact. If you are a very private person and do not like to share with others; a dog is often a great one to talk to. But not everything can be kept secret; even by dogs. Personally my dogs have let me in on several things that were very important that I find out. They can speak volumes with their actions but you must be watching; often signals are easily missed if you are not paying attention.

Dogs communicate far better than we do; a simply glance can have alot of meaning but if you miss that glance you've missed the whole story. Perhaps your spouse has brought home a special something; hiding it behind a couch. I know my guys would let me know right away; no bag comes into this house without the dogs knowing about it. And if they feel like it is a gift? They are all over it. If a cat has been in the backyard or someone who shouldn't have been; they let me know that as well.

Often things cannot be hidden from others if the dog knows about it but you can be pretty sure that if you tell your dog a secret; your secret is safe. ;)

Friends and the poodle herd

Yesterday we met a few of the regulars from our local poodle group. It is always so much fun catching up and seeing our friends and it's not just the humans that enjoy meeting up with friends. We met at the Montage; one of our favorite places to walk, it truly is like walking through a postcard. The grounds are landscaped to perfection and it is very dog friendly; along the pathways are water fountains with dog bowls attached at the bottom. And the view from where ever you are standing is simply spectacular.

But even before we get there the whining commences; as Luke inhales a nose full of sea breeze he knows where we are headed. Well he knows that we are headed to one of the beach spots that we frequent. So 10 minutes from our destination he is pacing back and forth, whining. As I pull down the ramp and into the parking spot the whining gets louder and once parked he's pretty wound. I get out; pay and put my stub on the dash while the dogs are still in the car. If I do take them out for this process Luke baulks at returning to the car so I do that part alone and then they get out of the car.

He can barely contain himself and is speed scanning for his pals; it is on a rare occasion that we don't meet up with friends here and he knows that. At the first sight of a few of his buds he's a spinning, whining fool and all of this makes me smile at how happy he is to see his friends. Luke being a reactive dog makes it very easy to read him and when he does not know a dog it is clear. All of this crazy behavior is strictly reserved for his buds.

Then comes the biggest greeting of all; his friend from our regular park. She is by far his favorite and I'm sure it's because he sees her the most often. One glimpse and he's chomping at the bit to connect. We have our huge greeting; poodles everywhere sniffing, wagging and spinning all with huge grins on their faces. Then we walk; everyone calms and is happy to share the time walking with their poodle friends. It is a great gang of people and dogs.

Seeing this many poodles together always causes a sensation; from stares to people who need to touch. And let's face it; who doesn't love to talk about their dog to others?

Friday again

Yes; I love Fridays, as most do. Time to reflect on the week; good week this one albeit a bit strange with having my hubby home midway, this always throws me off a bit. We had no dog issues; everyone is doing great and seeming even younger than the week before, this is a great sign that everyone is pretty darned healthy. The weather is dropping a tad which makes both the dogs and I very happy and we will enjoy it to the fullest.

Today we will head down to the beach to enjoy the overcast cooler weather. YES, I get to wear a long sleeve shirt. I've been dying to get out the sweaters but when it's in the high 80s and 90 a sweater just doesn't seem so great. I will bring my camera, at least my small one but perhaps the big one if I'm feeling like hauling it around. I love the beach when we are having weather other than blue skies and high temps, it has so much more personality.

The dogs are all snuggled in at the moment but it will be breakfast shortly. Raw beef, green beans, egg shells, cranberries, with a side of sardines.....mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, sounds great doesn't it?

Oh ya; my newest cover just out. Dogs USA annual, I'm pretty excited about it.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Chewing and not

Dogs chew right? No; not all dogs chew, there is a huge range of chewers versus non chewers and everything in between. With the whole swing towards feed raw bones I have had a very close look at the chewing in my own dogs as well as others. With the specific research that I have done; I have opted not to feed raw bones. Instead I offer large raw bones for chewing and this is why. I have a Jack Russell Terrier; she is voracious in her eating habits and consequently does no chewing once so ever. If I give her a chicken leg she will commence with swallowing the leg, not one chew.

My cooking for dogs blog; about not chewing today.

But if I give her a cow leg; much too large for her to swallow, she will chew. Both of my poodles will chew; Luke chews quite abnormally for a dog. He likes small pieces of food and will use his front teeth to break food pieces down into minuscule sized pieces and then eat. Dogs in general do not chew their food like we do, they do not need to chew their food as their stomach can digest huge pieces of food. Our digestion compared to a dogs digestion is very different. I'm not going to on about it; just read the article below which is very thorough.

A wonderful article on canine digestion

It is important however for our dogs to gnaw; they must chew something to clean their back teeth. In the wild a wolf gnaws on large skeletal bones; and just watch a dog work a big leg bone, they use their back molars and that's where the worst dental issues arise. Dogs do love to chew; I've read several articles claiming that wolves don't chew but the evidence is there. Bones of large prey animals have the tell tale signs of being chewed and gnawed on. Dogs naturally want to chew; I know I've never taught them to chew sticks or bones, they figure that out all on their own.

Below is a great canine dental anatomy page.

Canine dental anatomy.

The not so dog friendly

Okay; one of my dogs is not so dog friendly. She is by no means a crazed attack dog but it is of the utmost importance to her that everydog know her status. And that status would be the supreme; queen, top dog, alpha and Her Majesty. Today we met another of our poodle group members in the park. My hubby had taken the day off so we were walking together; nice change. We ran into a brown boy from our poodle group and I made the appropriate introductions albeit Jessie who they had previously met. My husband stood back with Jessie while the poodles mingled and we chatted.

At one point both boy poodles were getting sort of silly and started bounding around. Well; that was the last straw and Jessie hurled herself to he end of her leash "that will be enough of the horse play." Jessie simply wants other dogs to know, understand and comply with her status. She really doesn't want to hurt anyone; she simply is one of the bossiest beasts around. She has on occasion come away from a first meeting with a mouth full of hair; of course this really depends on the coat type of the dog who she is meeting. ;)

To know Jack Russells you really must understand what makes them tick. Food and status; that's pretty much it. No; they are not standard poodles, they are terriers and probably one of the finest examples of terrier personality. Jessie is head strong, loveable, devoted beyond belief, tough, bossy and just plain adorable. Now in her 14th year she has softened somewhat; not completely mind you. She still hurls her little body full force at Luke's face if he steps out of line and is more than willing to tackle anyone in the mood for a rumble.

Oh no, you do not mess with a Jack Russell but they are wonderful to share one of the best snuggles ever.

The startle

Not too many people like it when they are startled; I got a good one yesterday while I was searching the cupboard for the elusive bag of chocolate chips. My son entered the kitchen like a ghost and blurted out the beginning of his statement. I bashed my head on the shelf in the cupboard. Thus; our present discussion, the art of a good startle. I use the startle in my behavior modification; it is a very effect way to get some quick results. That said you must be very very careful how you deliver, who you deliver to and your timing. The wrong dog, bad timing and poor delivery can wreak havoc. Not good for anyone.

We have alot startling going on in our house these days; being that Jessie is loosing her sight and a good deal of her hearing she startles often. Tilley has never been a dog to startle and at almost 13 she is still rock solid. Luke on the other hand is at the opposite end of the spectrum than Tilley and startles at just about everything. He hates to be startled and displayed this quite clearly at a young age.

It was on my walk this morning that I was actually thinking about the fact that a startle out of a deep sleep has the guaranteed effect of causing a seizure in Luke; and the fact that he startles so easily. Is his hair trigger larger than life reaction to being startled linked to the same reaction that causes his seizures? Interesting; I had not put the two together before.

So obviously I rarely use a startle tactic for a dog like Luke unless it is very tiny in magnitude. Almost all the behaviors which benefit from a startle are the ones that go on behind your back. Your dog thinks you are preoccupied and that they can do as they please. But little do they know you have cameras all over the house and a great set of eyes in the back of your head BAM,caught in the act.

The startle: The startle reaction, also called the startle response, startle reflex or alarm reaction, is the response of mind and body to a sudden unexpected stimulus, such as a flash of light, a loud noise (acoustic startle reflex), or a quick movement near the face. In human beings, the reaction includes physical movement away from the stimulus, a contraction of the muscles of the arms and legs, and often blinking. It also includes blood pressure, respiration, and breathing changes. The muscle reactions generally resolve themselves in a matter of seconds. The other responses take somewhat longer.

It's pretty much the same in dogs although flight is often the response to a startle. Flight is what you want to avoid; if you plan on using startle tactics it must be well thought out first. You do not want to cause fear; it must be delivered swiftly and precise, there is no room for error. Offer up a startle that causes fear and you now must undo what you have done.

Example of a good startle: Jack Russell with it's head in the recycle bag for the zillionth time. Walk in silent as a mouse and clap; shoosh away and move on. Dog is left with the "what the heck?" face. And you must then go on about your business, there is no holding a grudge. Grudges don't work with dogs; it is confusing and confidence sapping.

Now; when a startle is caused naturally and was not meant as any form of modification it is very important to act appropriately as well. As I always say; your dog is watching you and your response will direct theirs. If you and your dog get a startle; Oscar time. Instantaneously swing in to your "chill routine." Loose as a goose and nothing phases you; no you are one cool cookie. It is amazing what you dog will get from your cool routine. Now stop the cool routine; you're not that cool. ;)

Don't even get me started #3 Genetics

If you read the title then you will know that this 3rd and final part of my three part series called Don't even get me started is indeed about genetics. There is so much to say about the genetic makeup of a dog that it is mind boggling; there are many different opinions about how to breed better dogs through genetic manipulation. Although I do not breed dogs; at least not at the moment, I do have an opinion on the subject (you know I always have an opinion). For instance; I have spoken with many breeders who are still on the page that genetic inbreeding is the only way to know what you are getting.

Inbreeding: the mating of closely related individuals, as cousins, sire-daughter and brother-sister which tends to increase the number of individuals that are homozygous for a trait and therefore increases the appearance of recessive traits

Inbreeding is the way it has been done for many years; but it is also the undoing of many breeds and dogs. When you breed dogs within the same small genetic pool you lose genetic diversity and breed vigor. What happens when dogs are inbred is that genetic material is diminished; and it is genetic diversity that keeps a line strong and healthy, if strong and healthy specimens have been used that is. This wonderful article written by the renowned Dr. John Armstrong on Canine Inbreeding and Diversity explains a lot. I feel very honored to have spoken with Dr. Armstrong before his passing; he was a man with great knowledge and an even great passion for dogs.

I have seen firsthand the results of inbreeding; low birth rate is the first and most obvious result. When I hear of dogs who should normally have 8-12 puppies in the average litter who have only had 2 or 3; it is the first thing I consider. Health and longevity are also hampered by closely line breeding. Zoos have long known the result of inbreeding and most now put many hours into ensuring that only healthy and genetically diverse animals are used for breeding purposes. Some breeders are now doing the same and these are the ones leading the way of the future.

Mutts are healthier; how many times have you heard this statement? I know I've heard it dozens of times a year. Of course the statement is not a fact but it does have a basis to its origin. Mutts have a great amount of canine diversity although most mutts or mixed dogs do not have any genetic health tests being done on them so no one really knows what is in the mix. It is not suffice to say that out crossing is the means to a healthy dog.

Out crossing: the breeding of two animals with little or no similar relatives in their pedigree.

It is through extensive research done by a breeder who looks to find healthy specimens with little genetic similarities that produces better dogs.

Frozen semen; more and more breeders are going the way of frozen semen. I believe it is a wonderful way to save some of the great dogs DNA for use down the road and to create genetic diversity. Many feel that it is just too far; too much human intervention but are dog breeds not all due to human intervention? Yep. If it were not for human intervention there would be dogs; just dogs in general with no specific breeds of any type. So for the sheer reason that we alone have solely had a hand in ruining them, it should be us that tries to fix the problem. One aspect of frozen semen that I really like is that you can often see the results of good breeding first hand. You may indeed use the semen of a dog who is now gone but lived to 17 years of age strong and healthy. Now that is some semen you want to find.

There is also the aspect that it can be shipped pretty much anywhere giving you a better chance of breeding dogs that are not related. This alone is very exciting. Although some breeders are bringing in dogs from other countries to add to their breeding stock which I believe to be very beneficial. Of course all tests must be done and genetic lineage looked at before breeding but it is very exciting as well.

All in all genetics is very fascinating; at least it is for me. Some breeders are doing it all right; some are just looking at this whole genetic diversity thing and there are still some caught in the dark ages with the mindset that line or inbreeding is the only way. Hopefully somewhere along the way they will see the light; if only for the good of our dogs.

Don't even get me started #2 Temperament

I'm started now and continue on my 3 part series of Don't even get me started. Todays #2 part focuses on temperament and what should and should not be bred. Very recently I have been focusing on temperament alot; with the consideration of adding another dog to my pack it is of the utmost importance to add the right dog. My pack is a perfect one; it runs smoothly and I am not willing to give that up. That means that a huge amount of work is put into finding lines that I like in regards to temperament.

Temperament: the combination of mental, physical, and emotional traits, natural predisposition.

A dog is born with their temperament and that specific temperament will determine how they react to life experiences. That said there is a huge responsibility put onto a breeder and a new guardian with regards to what they offer the dog through early socialization. As most of you know I am a temperament tester; and feel that it is a very important part of raising a litter. Most temperament tests are similar so when I talk to a breeder and hear the numerical results of a test this gives me a good deal of information on a particular puppy.

But the recipe for this puppy is vastly important; what temperaments went into the creation of this temperament. Temperament is passed down from Dam and Sire; not in the form of being identical but if you start with good stuff there is a better chance that the resulting puppies will have good temperaments. Of course there is always the chance that someone might not have a good temperament; that happens with people to. But by taking out any temperament traits that are not desirable in your breeding stock; really helps to ensure great puppies.

Many breeds have been ruined by bad breeders; a bad breeder in this context being someone who bred a dog that should not have been bred. Being a breeder is serious work; you are creating dogs to offer to the general public and you have a big responsibility to offer the best possible puppies that you can. Often so much hope and anticipation is put onto one dog that temperament may be overlooked. Oh you may know that his/her temperament is not the greatest but "oh that head, that movement or that amazing coat," clouds your decision making capabilities.

Of course each breed have different types of temperaments; soft, hard, sharp etc. But if one of your breeding dog exhibits a temperament that you would not unquestionable choose yourself then your next step should be off to the vets with that dog to be altered. If breeders in general took a closer look and only bred amazing temperaments it would indeed cut down on "bad dog" numbers. Some of the breeds with notoriously bad temperaments use to be some of the great ones. But with over breeding and careless breeding too many bad temperaments got into the soup creating now a bad breed instead of a few bad individuals.

Some breeds that I see on a regular basis that need work in the temperament department are:

Boxers

German Shepherds

Border Collies

Australian Shepherds

Cocker spaniels

These are just the ones I see on a regular basis with some really bad temperaments. Some breeds have been bred for specific purposes like herding or guarding. But while focusing on one aspect or trait other parts can be lost and the puppies that end up in a average family home cannot make it. These are the dogs that find themselves passed from one home to another finally ending up in a shelter. Dogs should be bred specifically for all; a dog can happily coexist in the average family home. Yes there are breeds with more specific traits; but even these dogs should have great temperaments.

One of the many great things about dogs is that they can adjust and they do that well. Even a dog who has been dealt with a bad temperament from a lack of good breeding can be turned around with the dedicated work of a new guardian. Temperament is what a dog is born with; temperament is how a dog reacts to life itself. With work the reactions can change and a dog born with a lack of confidence can learn to be confident, an over dominant dog can learn to "fit in" with the right guardian. So although you are who you are so to speak; a dog can change.

Are you even kidding?

Obviously I didn't blog this morning; had one of those mornings. I'm planning on blogging #2 in my serious tomorrow but had to say something about what I saw today before hitting the hay. I took the poodles to the park late afternoon today; it was beautiful, breezy and cool. The sun was low in the sky casting long shadows across the park and both Tilley and Luke seemed to be enjoying the cool air along with me. We made our way around several times and then loaded into the xterra and headed home.

Okay this is where the "are you even kidding?" comes in. As I pulled out onto the street and up to the first stop sign I noticed that the guy in the suv in front of me had something or someone hanging out his passenger side window. As I got closer I could see that it was indeed his Wheaton terrier; Soft coated that is. Not only was his dog hanging out the window; it was hanging out the window so far that he was resting both of his front legs over the side mirror. I leaned over as far as I could (while safely stopped at the stop sign) to see if what I thought I was seeing was infact what I was seeing. It was; this dog was clearly up to his waste out the window.

"Are you even kidding?" I said to myself; twice. I was literally dumbfounded; who would not consider that this might not be the safest thing to allow your dog to do? It was clear that this was a regular car ride for the dog; and as his legs slid off the side mirror after stopping at the sign he promptly put them right back. Where do you think that dog is going if the driver has to slam on his brakes? There is no doubt at all that he would be catapulted badly out the window; heck he was more than halfway out already.

This was definitely something that I have not seen before; and hope that I do not see again.

Good night all.

Don't even get me started #1 Structure

Often writing ideas come to me when I'm out on my walks; especially when it is early, the sun just peeking over the trees and air is still. With my walking buddy charging in all directions my thoughts are almost always on dogs and these were my reflections from yesterday. Breeding dogs; I know a lot of breeders and each and every one has their own agenda; why they breed, what they breed, how they breed and their ultimate goal. Unfortunately many do it for the money; some to produce their own line of a breed with the physical and temperamental traits which they desire and then there are the people who are breeding for a better dog for the average family.

This blog will be a three part one; todays being about structure in our dogs of today and what the heck is happening with that. So what about structure; is it important or is it all about vanity? Structure is extremely important; first let's look at the definition of biological structure - mode of organization; construction and arrangement of tissues, parts, or organs. So structure is the important stuff; it does factor in with how they look and move and it can also be what makes or breaks a dog physically. All of my dogs over the years have been structurally sound but one; Clyde. He was a poorly bred dog and was forever injured because of his structure deficits.

Being that I am a dog trainer and photographer I meet alot of dogs. One of the things that I hear on a regular basis is "I think we are going to breed him/her." Many people just love their dog so much that they want a little clone; "oh to have a puppy from Fido would be so great wouldn't it?" As they tell me this; brimming with pride for their pooch they don't expect what is coming next. Out comes my soap box; I climb up, give them all the facts and climb down. My job done; they are left to ponder the whole breeding thing.

Being that our dogs all came from this: the gray wolf, the structure of our dogs should somewhat resemble the same, correct? Our dogs should possess a square structure; moderate chest, straight and strong front and back legs neither turning in nor out, good strong tight feet, a level topline and nice length of muzzle. Hold on a second; that doesn't sound like many of the breeds we have today does it? We humans have taken to manipulating canine structure to suit our fancy and in the process destroyed many a dog.

We now have dogs that are much longer than they are tall, dogs who literally have no muzzle, pocket pooches that break if you look at them sideways and monster dogs who live a fraction of their intended life expectancy. Yes we have reeked havoc with many a dog; can we undo it? I have my doubts. People who have these structurally altered breeds love them; and I'm pretty sure they would not be willing to add length of muzzle or legs to improve the life of the dogs. These dogs who lack structural balance have a rough time of it. This breeds are literally handicapped because of their structural faults. There are lists of ailments with these breeds from back problems, breathing problems and joint problems.

And my beef is not just with the breeds who are miles away structurally from once they came. No; there are many dogs being bred who are not sound in the anatomy department but they take a mean photo and perhaps their flaw is only one on an otherwise structurally sound specimen. Should this dog be bred? Well; there is structure and there is workability structure. Is there tail lower than the standard? Perhaps their chest is not quite as deep as the standard calls for; these are minor structural flaws and let's face it dogs are not meant to be little cookie cutter clones. On the other hand sway back, cow hocked, east/west, hip displaysia are all working faults with regards to structure and these dogs should not be bred. A structural fault which interferes with proper movement is a breeding no no in my books.

If a dog has structural faults don't breed it; bottom line. I don't care if it is a mixed breed or purebred; if you breed it there is a good chance it's going to pop up again somewhere down the road. Taking a dog who has structural faults and breeding it to a structurally sound dog is not the way to go. Breed good with good and you will better the chance of creating great. Breeding good with poor can create a crack; which may end up being the one that breaks the foundation of your otherwise structurally sound lines.

You've been told

Yesterday I had the girls out for their very early morning walk. Since we added Tilley to our family; she and Jessie have had an clearly defined relationship. Tilley could well be the alpha of the pack but she really has no desire to be. Jessie is the alpha but it was established years ago that she would not be disciplining Tilley in anyway. Jessie disciplines Luke on a regular basis but not Tilley. Every once in a while she forgets herself when there is commotion and will jump on Tilley; this causes a split second realization from Jessie and they both go about their business.

So on their walk yesterday Tilley was lagging as usual; but on this day Jessie was on a mission. When I stopped to let Tilley sniff; Jessie turned to see what the hold up was. Seeing Tilley sniffing Jessie ran back to her; gave her a very gentle touch with her nose and with this Tilley immediately stopped her sniffing and quickly caught up. It was obvious that Jessie had just told her; "enough sniffing, let's go." I love watching dogs communicate; it is with such precision, the smallest body movement says alot.

Luke did the same thing on the weekend on our canyon walk. Jessie was the one lagging this time; she had found a great smell and was taking a longtime to sniff each and every blade of grass. When Luke is in the canyon it is mission time; he is always out ahead and in full charged mode. He had gone way out ahead of us but after waiting for what he considered to be too long he came running back; gently nudging her to get a move on. As pack leader she ignored him; but he tried.

So much can be said by a gentle touch; our dogs communicate with us all the time. Often we miss it all; but if you are paying attention you will see it. Tilley tells me all the time when she is hungry; if I am on the computer in the morning she will come and gently touch my arm. She continues to do this until I tell her to stop; I explain to her that I know she has not eaten and I will be making breakfast momentarily.

Watching Jessie tell Tilley to hurry up made me smile yesterday; it was as if the two were talking. "Hey Tilley come on; stop sniffing so much and let's go." With Tilley's response "oops; sorry, I'm coming."

What do dogs really need?

My gosh; surfing the web looking for specific dog items is simply mind boggling. There are so many dog products out there on the market; some good, some bad. Mostly they are useless items; very few are "must haves." When you have a dog or dogs there are only a handful of requirements with regards to needs. What does a dog really need; they need shelter, food, water, a collar and leash, a good comfy bed and us. That's it, that's all. All the other stuff that we as the super consumers is meant for our pleasure.

Of course there are the things that we need to care for them. Having poodles and being a "do it yourself" type of gal I require grooming equipment, nail cutters, teeth scraper etc. And there are the items that make our lives with dogs so much simpler; crates, x-pens, bags and blankets etc. But the "us" factor is the most important part of having dogs. Spending time with our dogs and caring for them is hugely important; our dogs need our attention.

If you have a pack of dogs; do they all get their fare share? Making sure that your dog is "good" is important and that covers both physical and mental well being. Lots of dogs have shelter, food and water but they are missing out on the companionship part of life. Dogs left to live their life alone in a backyard; or even within the house, a dog can lead a lonely life.

What do our dogs need most? Our caring attention; our desire to give them a great and happy life. All the fancy collars, beds, clothing and expensive treats will never replace a good old hug.

Time to train

Okay; you've decided it's time to train your pooch. You may have a puppy, youth or older dog but no matter you've opted that now is the time; now what? Where do you go? Who do you call? There are many different ways to get training; I wanted to discuss a few of them today. Being that I have been a professional dog trainer for over 10 years; I may not have heard it all but I've definitely heard a lot of different ideas on training.

First there is the most common means of learning how to train your dog; group classes. Almost all communities or large pet shops offer this type of training. It can be good depending on the trainer and their specific groups offered. The teacher/trainer may or may not be experienced so it is best to ask around for some recommendations; anyone can be a trainer but you want to learn from someone who is knowledgeable and experienced. The good thing about group classes is that your dog learns to work around other dogs.

Next there is private in-home training; this is my specialty although I started out teaching group classes. I like the one on one; undivided and personal attention given to each dog and guardian through private training. You hire and trainer and they come to your home to teach you to teach your dog. Just like anyone other profession there are good and there are bad trainers. I've heard a lot of horror stories; so again, ask around.

Private training should be flexible; working around your schedule. You pay more for it but in my opinion it is more than worth it. You have a professional trainer at your disposal; it's all about you and your dog. Any problems you are having are dealt with directly and being that it is done in your home it is easy for a trainer to see the problems you are having with at home.

Lastly and definitely not the way I would go is to ship your dog off to a trainer. There are different levels of this type of training; different types of services. Some trainers will have you drop your dog off weekly for training; you don't stay, you don't watch. Then there are trainers who take your dog for weeks or months at a time; again, not a fan. Now in all fairness there are good trainers that offer these types of services and you want to make good and sure that you can drop by at anytime or watch the training.

The problem I have with this type of training is when you are not allowed around; you cannot watch, you are not welcome to visit. This alone should send up a red flag. And I've had personal experience with the aftermath of some of these trainers. I have been called in several times to undo what has been done to a dog; and the guardian unfortunately has no idea what happened. If one of these facilities has an open door policy great; check it out. Find out where your dog will live, what they will eat, how often they will be trained etc. But; if for some reason you are not allowed around I'd definitely pass on this one.

The other issue I have with these facilities is that I believe strongly that you should train your dog; this is a bonding time, a valuable learning experience. I have taken dogs into my home to give them a kick start on their training; I completely allow those guardians to drop by anytime and ask all the questions they want. Also their dog lives in my home as one of mine; not in a kennel. Sometimes this is difficult on me as I tend to get attached quickly.

So which ever type of training you decide is right for you and your dog; ask for references. Talk to people; find out their experience with particular trainers. Just because someone says they are a trainer does not mean that they should be your trainer. Many trainers have little experience and cannot help with issues; so if you are having specific problems one of these guys or gals isn't going to be much help to you. Do you research.

The love of a dog

This morning I woke up to the bed shaking; no we weren't having an earthquake. It was Luke and he was stomping around looking for a place to rest his head. He ended up across my chest with his boney elbows causing me to gringe just a little. As I opened my eyes I got a foot in the face and he offered up a couple of "here I am" kisses. What a way to wake up; what a great way. With a huge smile on my face I turned over for some wonderful snuggling.

Having our dogs on the bed in the morning is simply wonderful. There are times when everyone stays in their own bed; but mostly the morning is about enjoying each others company. Let's face it life is hectic and when you can take the time to simply enjoy your dogs company; do it. Both Jessie and Tilley need a hoist in the morning and once up and snuggled in they are none to interested in going anywhere. I swear they would all stay in bed as long as I stayed there.

Many mornings we have a shortened time in bed and I'm off to the gym. With my return I find them all still curled up in place; thinking nothing of getting up anytime soon. This morning was different; Luke typically takes up his spot at the end of the left corner of the bed. He doesn't like being bunched all together but enjoys being with us all. For some reason he needed to be close this morning; and he even accepted Jessie being close, very close.

I slipped out of bed and ran and got my camera; this was just too cute to miss. There are probably a handful of times that I can remember Luke tolerating Jessie so close when he is trying to sleep. But she was calm this morning and he was very tired; a great combination for adorable shots. It truly is the little things.

The golden years

We have alot of golden years going on at our house; Jessie is nearing 14, Tilley 13 and Luke 10. When we spend the morning out and about on our long walks it is a surefire guarantee that the afternoon will be spent in very deep sleep for all; or at least the girls. My oldest Jessie is a sun worshiper; she finds the single beam of sunshine coming into the room midday and soaks up the warmth on her little body. With her hearing going now she often does not hear my moving about anymore; I can go out and come home without her knowing.

Tilley was always the busy girl; during the day she could be found out in the yard enjoying her shadows. She too has an extreme depth to her slumber now; her hearing is good so she may wake but her body tells her to stay put. Just yesterday I got home from an errand and she did just that; woke, greeted me with her eyes but never moved from her comfort zone curled up on her bed. These are the moments when you realize that things have really changed. Change is sometimes diffiuclt but if you go with the flow change is good.

The change for us now is that we slow our pace. Pretty much everything concerning the dogs has slowed; getting in the car, going outside, bedtime, grooming and day to day routine. Jessie has always been hoisted into the car being that she is a short 12" tall. Tilley is lifted in and out now; she has been for several years. Rousting everyone for their last trip out at night is a process; one where we are cheering them on to rise from their bed and wait patiently for it. As you see your dog aging like this; watching the time it takes for them to simply get up and out of bed, it calls to the nurturer in you. You can't help but want only the good things in life for them now; the best food, the most comfortable bed and the yummiest of treats.

With the cooler nights now; everyone is tucked in, literally. Each dog is snug and comfy under their fleece blanket. New beds have been bought to ensure that old bones do not feel the hardness of the floor making their slumber a welcome one. It is hard to see our dogs age; seeing the spring in their step slowly turn to an effort, watching their bright eyes cloud over and seeing them sleep much longer than they ever use to. But with it comes a new experience for your relationship, more time spent on just being. Just being with each other can be one of the most wonderful moments in time.

Hug your dog today.