Sunday, June 30, 2013

Sweet Days of Summer!

It is important to continue to give your dogs exercise in the summer however, with the Texas heat upons us our hiking days are finished for a bit. Outside activities are limited. In the summer our dogs get to swim! Some like the water and some are not so sure, putting them in life jackets has helped their confidence in the water. We also see a great improvement in the dogs that deal with hip dyplasia and arthritis, knee replacements and we have one that has shotgun pellets in her hips! Swimming helps with flexibility! Here are three out of the nine dogs that we have, more photos later of some of our senior dogs swimming! The best part is we are in the with them, helping them feel safe, working together and bonding a little more!
Crazy basset shake after a swim!


Dixie ready to get into the pool!

Dixie swimming up for a little attention and rest! My chance to love on her a minute!

Dixie uses her tail like a rudder and whips it back and forth in the pool! You can see the line of water off her tail!

A swimming recall!


Dixie wanting some of  dad's attention!

Glacier beginning to get used to swimming again! Great for his mild hip dyspepsia! 

Glacier's turn again!

Tyler giving glacier a good rub before going into the pool!


His legs look so skinny when wet!!

Do I have to go back in!?

Penny trying to figure out the pool drain!

Penny out of the pool resting!

Trying to dry off!

Penny is a little apprehensive in water, she will get more comfortable after a few more lessons!

Last swim of the morning penny!

Penny starting to kick all four legs very nicely here!

A little drink!

Penny looking a little tire here!



Trigger Stacking..

Trigger stacking, we have it in our own lives but not something we think about for our dogs. The truth is, it happens all the time. We just need to be aware, it does effect their behavior!
Click here for the full article!

Here is another explanation about Trigger Stacking.

We encounter Foxtail on many hikes and walks, please keep your dog away from it! My dog when I was a kid had to have ear surgery because of it!



What happens when/how your puppy changes and develops! Excellent chart that breaks developmental stages down, important to look at even if you do not have a pup!


Saturday, June 29, 2013

Meet Rooney!



This is Rooney! Rooney had an awesome nose work session this morning! This boy is great at scenting and what a calm boy he was by the end of his session!! As you can see he also loves his mat! Nice job today!!

Great Class!!

A huge "click" to the Family dog class!! We worked on distractions around various obedience exercises. We used 8 bagel bites on the floor to heel around, play a "check in" game... look at at the distraction and then look back at the handler instead of lunging for the bagel bite! They also had to weave around all the bagel bites in heel position and their dogs could not eat them! All without tightening the leash! They ended their evening with calling their dogs to them between 2 bagel bites and none of the dogs stopped or ate them!! What a great class!!

Friday, June 28, 2013

Received this poster size canvas as a gift today from one of my clients! In the picture with me is Roxie! Roxie came from Best Friends Animal Society to live with her new family in Arlington. She came with severe separation anxiety, she was on medication and also had a medical issue that kept her underweight. This past year we have trained and our goal was only to build confidence! We also adjusted Roxie's food and nutrition. Roxie is off her medication for separation anxiety and her weight is perfect. It has been absolutely wonderful watching her change! The picture will be up in the training facility and some of you will get the chance to meet Roxie, she is now in her first class with other dogs! She is learning to play treibball! Thank you so much for the picture!


Butch Found a Loving Home!

So sweet!!
Butch walks extremely  well on a leash!



Journey!

I worked with my little guy Journey today. First training session he wasn't apprehensive about and the first time I worked on attention with him. Journey had distemper as a pup and has some coordination and eyesight issues from it. Trying to catch his eyes looking at me was tough today for many reasons. I realized he physically has trouble looking in your eyes. When he tries to hold eye contact for just a second or two, his eyes move back and for very rapidly and he then bobs his head. I have noticed he does this when he has to walk thru doorways or he has to change textures on the floor. Before he steps forward he bobs his head and touches the floor with his chin to build confidence. I patiently wait for him to work thru it and click and treat him for the slightest effort. He is doing really good and is actually walking thru certain areas now very confidently. I was just surprised at the eye contact problem, I know I can help him, he is so loving and sweet and in so many ways he is "special needs" Training was good with him today but it did bring out a lot of emotion a little sad and happy!! Diane would have been proud of the things he did accomplish today! I know she is watching him and smiling!



Thursday, June 27, 2013

A Great Article!

Excellent article with tips on management, training and games for the high energy dog to help calm them down! Many of these things I play with our Coonhound Banjo! He loves life and is calm for short periods of time throughout the day!

http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/14_5/features/Training-Hyperactive-Dogs_20259-1.html?s=FB061413




Parker and the Baby

Nice video showing a dog that is uncomfortable around a child, watch for the body language, see if you can spot the red flags! The person recording is a trainer but the people playing with the toddler are the grandparents that perceived things as being ok!



Chow Time!

Winding down our evening chewing on vanilla cheek rolls! Here are 4 out of the 9! The rest are spread out and two are chewing in their crates! Being out with the other dogs with a treat of such value is too much for them!


One more photo with Glacier this time! He will finish this off and be asleep the rest of the evening. Good night everyone!


Thursday, June 20, 2013

Summer Time Snacks!

Mmmmmm!

Dixie excited over the melon!

This is wonderful stuff!






Glacier not sure what this is!






Penny dove right in!




Katie loved it!!!




Banjo!! He was a very slow licker!




Millie's turn!!




Dodger took big bites! He drooled the whole time!! Check out those cheeks!! Little chipmunk!







Journey trying to figure out what it is!






Little Moose!!He thought this stuff was great!