Four Easy Ways to Help Save Dogs

     The majority of us feel sympathy for unwanted dogs.  The multitude of rescues and shelters tug our heartstrings with soulful pictures, horrify us with evidence of abuses, sadden us with statistics, and only occasionally can we see the "Happy Ending" for the furry creature in need.  So why do animals in need still exist if there are so many feelings of goodwill toward rescue work?  Because there are a lot of misconceptions floating about!

Photo by PawsThenPlay at Gaston County Animal Control

     I wanted to share simple things you can do to help homeless animals.  I think you may be surprised how effortless it can be!


4 Easy Ways You Can Help

1.  Next time you are at the store to buy some treats or a new toy for your fur baby, buy two and donate one to less fortunate animals.  Many stores have options on location to donate as you check out, in amounts as little as $1.  Some agencies will even take donations of gently used items (such as extra blankets for winter, or toys that your pet wouldn't touch)

2.  When you see a post online with an animal in need- share it!  It only takes mere seconds of your time.  Even though you may not be able to do anything, some one you know may be able to.

3.  If you do have some spare time, consider volunteering as a "holder" at local rescue/adoption events.  So many organizations have lots of puppies they would love to bring, but no one to hold the leashes or keep an eye on the puppy pens so must leave them at the facility or foster home, which means they are less likely to be adopted because they are not seen.

4.  Spay and/or neuter your pet.  The vast majority of animals at shelters are the results of unintentional or poorly planned breeding.  Almost every major city has low-cost spay and neuter clinics.

Foster Photo from The Greater Charlotte SPCA

     See?  No millionaire funding needed (although donations can help).  You don't need to quit your job to have enough time to help.  And you don't need to feel obligated to foster if your home situation does not allow.

     For those of you in the Charlotte NC area, I have the information to two local rescue organizations if you would like to help.  The links are provided below.  Just click on the name of the rescue, and it will take you to their website.  There are many many more, these are just the two I know people personally within the organization. :)   Anyone else who works with an organization, please feel free to add the link in a comment below so people can find you.

Greater Charlotte SPCA

Rescued Me

     Happy Training, and thank you for remembering those less fortunate than our own fur-kids!

Potty Basics: To Go or Not To Go

*** Please see below for photo credits

    Did you know some responsible breeders start potty training exercises with their pups at as early as 3 weeks of age?  By the time their dogs are sent to new loving homes, they already have grasped the basic principles of eliminating outside!

     Most of us are not so fortunate.  We arrive home with our furry bundle of joy, and have to clean up not so pleasant puddles or smelly surprises a few times before our four-footed family members learn where to "go".

     Here are a few tips to help with potty training your new (or slightly confused) companion!


~Remember the times when a dog will naturally need to eliminate: when first waking up (even from a short nap), when full of food or water, after vigorous play or exercise, and additional times depending on age and bladder size.

~ Clean for Real.   You can't smell a thing?  The stain is out of the carpet? Great, but Fido has a much more sensitive sniffer!  If you are not using an enzymatic cleanser (one that lists "enzymes" in the ingredients), you are not killing the pheromones, which are the scent markers that tell your dog that this is an appealing place to go because it has been used before.

*** Please see below for photo credits

~Know when they are full.  When is the last time your dog ate?  How about the last time they drank  water?  By having assigned feeding times, and putting the water dish where you can easily see when they drink will help you know when your dog is full, and needs to be emptied.

~Learn your dog's cues.  Almost every dog gives signals when they have to eliminate.  Some dogs discreetly sniff, some circle, some pace, some just get really anxious and jittery.  You will need to learn what your dog does so you can get them outside to where they are supposed to do it, or they will not be able to learn that is what you want.  Once the pattern of going outside to potty has started, then you can add your own cue (such as bells at the door).  If you try to add your own cue too early, you have a very good possibility of simply training your dog that the cue means going outside to play (and nothing to do with potty).

~Don't spend too long outside waiting.  Go directly to one area in your yard where you would like them to eliminate and stand quietly.  No talking to them, no playing.  You probably want to have them on a leash at first even if you have a fenced in yard, or you will have no way to keep them from turning "potty time" into "game time".  If your pup does not use the bathroom after a few minutes, it's not the end of the world.  Just go back inside and continue life as normal while watching for your dog's cues.

~REWARD!!!  As soon as they begin to eliminate, quietly praise (who likes to be shouted at while using the toilet?) and be sure to follow up that praise with a yummy treat!  After your treat, then you can have that great walk, fun game of fetch, or other rewarding activity!  Never punish for a potty mistake.  This is not only unfair to the dog (YOU were supposed to get them outside), but can set your potty training backwards- since they probably won't want to go potty in front of you again!

*** Please see below for photo credits

~Minimize opportunity for accidents.  If your dog is still having accidents, WATCH THEM.  If you cannot keep your eyes on them, they need to be in a safe place, such as a crate, or puppy safe room or pen.

~If you are having trouble with one particular area (they always "Oops" in the same spot), after you have properly cleaned it with an enzymatic cleanser, feed them there for several days.  It is unnatural for an animal to want to eliminate where it habitually eats (do you know anyone with a toilet on their dining room table?).



     These are just a few basics.  If you would like help setting specific goals for your puppy or dog, please feel free to contact me.

     Happy training!



*** All photos used in this entry are courtesy of the Greater Charlotte SPCA.  Please feel free to check out their website!   www.charlotteSPCA.org 

Back to Basics: Luring, Catching and Shaping

     Every dog needs a solid foundation to understand what it is that humans want it to do.  All too often, I see how basic skill sets are glossed over.  The process of learning is rushed to achieve an end result that is not as consistent because of the lack of understanding on the human side of the leash.  By fully understanding not only how to train for a specific command, but why it works, a handler can strengthen their own handling skills and improve the communication overall with their dog.  This paves the way for future successful learning, which we know happens throughout entire lifetimes.

Grace, Brutus and Riley

     Three of the most basic training methods in the positive reinforcement category (and every dog should start in this quadrant of Operant Conditioning) are Luring, Catching, and Shaping.  If you have taught your dog any basic commands (such as "sit", "down" or "come") you have had to use at least one of these!  If your timing is consistent with the reward, your dog can perform the behaviors.

     Luring is exactly what it sounds like.  You are presenting a tasty (and hopefully healthy) reward and using it to guide the dog to where you would like them to be, or where you would like the body to be (such as bringing the food above the nose for "sit").  When the dog is in the correct place/position, the treat and praise are earned!  Seems simple, yes?  It can be, if it is repeated often enough for the dog to associate the correct result- otherwise, the dog has simply learned to follow food held in your hands (which is also a helpful skill, but not always the desired result).  If your handling skills are not fully developed, you may have difficulty getting your dog to the correct position consistently.  Practice makes perfect, but this is one instance where there is a definite advantage to having an experienced handler to help you.

     Catching a behavior is solely dependent on the handler's attention and timing.  Any behavior your pet performs naturally can become a command using this method, if you can "catch" and reward them doing it often enough.  I always train for a default "Down" in my dogs.  When I do not tell them to do anything, I would prefer for them to lie down and relax.  To train for this, every time I see them lying down, I give a treat (in my case, it is kibble, but they think of their food as treats), name the behavior, and praise.  When Brutus was young and we were just beginning with the "Default Down", as he began to understand the behavior I was rewarding, he would follow me from room to room and lie down and pretend to sleep to get a piece of food.  Now it is less obvious (he no longer collapses in front of my feet), but he still will lie quietly inside until I tell him otherwise (he is now 7 and 1/2 years old)

     Shaping is considered the most difficult by some because it requires more patience.  To shape a behavior is to reward something that is close to what you want, and then gradually change when you are rewarding to encourage different elements in the behavior originally rewarded for.  Often, luring and catching are used while shaping a behavior.  An example would be to teach your dog "Paw" or "High Five", you may initially reward for the dog just having the paw in the air and allowing you to touch the foot, but you gradually make the dog put the paw in/on your hand by withholding the reward for slightly longer periods of time.

     For the last two methods (Catching and Shaping) many people use a "Clicker".  A clicker is a small box with a thin sheet of metal that makes a soft popping noise (or click) when pressed.  I personally choose to use my voice.  Not only is it one less thing to hold, but I can change the tone, volume or emphasis in my word of praise to really communicate how happy I am to the dog I am working with.

     The clip above is me with a rescue dog "Peanut", who did very very learning the basics!  I used catching to teach the "sit", and added a hand signal.  The "Down" is still being learned, and I lured to get him in the position.  And lastly, I was shaping the "Wait" command to add more distance away from him.

     The most common pitfall I see students struggle with is thinking they are "done" teaching a command too soon.  After a few repetitions, the human adds another command or two.  The next day, another few commands.  The handler is so excited that they fail to realize they are still having to lure entirely, and the dog is probably mixing the commands up and randomly guessing what position may hold a reward each time.  If the foundation of your training experience with your pup consists of almost constant confusion on the dog's part, it makes more forward progress much less likely.

     Please take time to build a solid foundation with your fur-friend!  For additional help, leave a comment and I would be glad to assist you.

     Happy Training!

The "Tuck" Dog Training

     One of my students and I have been playing a "new" game!  Don't tell Stormi, but it's really the same thing, just asking her to adapt, and rewarding slightly different behaviors.  This method is called "shaping".  Any behavior whether it is desirable or not, can be shaped by rewarding the changes you like, if you time your rewards correctly and consistently.

     Stormi has already mastered her basic commands.  I chose to build on her "Lie Down" command, since I want to encourage her to relax.  She naturally will choose to tuck one front foot, or another when she is lying comfortably.  I rewarded (I used her kibble from meals since she is very food motivated) her for lying down when I looked at her first, so there was a default behavior to start with.  Her entire first session was simply rewarding her for lying down and staying down.  No words, since I would be adding the commands later, when she was performing the actions I wanted.


     The next time I worked with her, she automatically lay down as soon as I brought out the food.  I began to reward her when she shifted her front feet, either one.  Over the next two sessions, she was very willing to move her feet, it almost looked like she was swimming backwards!  Very cute.  I began to label her right and left as she moved them, rewarding each time.  If I stared at one foot, she would move it automatically to tuck.  Many dogs are much more observant than we give them credit for, it helps them to tie in a visual cue along with the verbal.

     The next session, I began asking for "Right" or "Left", looking at the paw I wished her to move.  At this point, she was comfortable with the exercise, and would sometimes just guess, and swing a paw back without paying attention to which one I asked for.  I never rewarded her for moving the wrong paw, simply waiting, staring at the one I asked her to move until she performed correctly.


     Soon I decided I wanted both paws to "Tuck".  Since Stormi is very responsive to my eye movement, I knew she could figure it out!  And she certainly did not disappoint.  We began the session easily, I called a "Right", "Left", "Left" (and rewarded one kibble for each) and then just waited.  I stared at the paw that was closest to me, which she tucked.  But instead of rewarding, I shifted my gaze to her other paw.  She switched, and tucked it.  I shifted my gaze again.  Stormi was confused, and stood up and walked in a circle.  I simply waited.  We went through the same motions again.  After she lay down again with a sigh, she tucked the first paw, I shifted my gaze again... she huffed, and shifted her weight awkwardly.... then moved her other foot!  I quickly dropped several pieces of food and praised!

     From there she proceeded quickly to moving both feet back immediately but they were still not fully tucked.  I "jackpotted" (gave several pieces as reward) many times in a row to encourage her.  Then I began to wean back on the reward until we were at just one piece at a time again.  What had been holding Stormi back is that she had been startling herself by tapping her back foot with her front foot when she "swam" her second paw backwards, because of the way she was laying.  Once she figured out how to maneuver her body to where she could tuck both paws comfortably, she had it!

     The next session, I labeled "Tuck" when both paws were folded.  After that session, it was just a matter of putting it all together- going back to review and strengthen the labels I had already set in place for "Right" and "Left".

     For this particular dog, I like this position because it takes a bit longer for her to jump up should she be startled.  Stormi and her people are still working diligently on her impulse control.  Teaching this position makes her more aware of what her body is doing, and shows her that she can control each part.  And of course, any training that requires thinking, and strengthens the bond between her and her people is not only fun, but a benefit for the dog!

     As always, if you have any questions of comments, please feel free to contact me!

     Happy Training!

Off-Leash Versus On-Leash

     So many of us are very impressed with dogs that are off leash.  We see advertisements for "Off-Leash Training", or envy the person we drive by with their dog walking freely by their side.  Many of us even set a goal to be free of our tethers too!  While it is a worthy goal, please people, take it with a grain of salt- not all that glitters is gold.

     It can be an advantage to have a leash on a dog.  Some public areas require a leash by law.  Other places may be inherently dangerous without one- such as heavy traffic areas, to help protect a dog from sniffing or eating hazardous materials, or to keep your pet safe from other outside influences.

     One of the side effects of being off-leash the majority of the time, is the dog will not react favorably to being on leash when it must be.  The dog may sulk and show it's non-acceptance by walking with it's head down low, laying down and refusing to move, or darting (back and forth, up and down, or all directions!).  I often see this non-acceptance in puppies who have been allowed to roam off-leash for several weeks while they are young.

     Walking on a leash without darting or tangling is one of the most valuable and underrated skills dogs can master.  It involves many layers.  The dog must accept that the human is in charge of where they are going, and how quickly they will arrive.  The dog must have the muscle control and understanding of where to place it's feet to avoid tangles.  Both of these are part of a recipe for successful long lasting training.  To skimp on this conditioning is to make life more difficult and stressful for the pet and the owner.  A dog who fully accepts a handler's role will look to the handler in a brand new situation, or default to a position that training has re-enforced as opposed to barking, growling, lunging forward, or hiding.

     As always, happy training!

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Home-body Dog Training

Diana Jordan's girl "Sophie" 

     I met a very nice woman the other day.  I was walking a student's therapy dog to practice for her upcoming re-certification.  The lady I spoke with had two Golden Retrievers at home.  She was quite surprised to learn how young Sophie was, and very impressed at how calm and gentle the greetings were.  I was proud to tell her that Diana worked with Sophie consistently since she first took her in to her home, and brought her with her everywhere she could.

     The nice lady looked sad as she explained that she simply did not have the time to work with her dogs.  She felt guilty that she saw they had so much energy, and she felt incapable of doing much to fix it.  My reply was to explain that high energy can mean a healthy dog,  and there is no need to travel every day with your dog if your schedule (or your energy level) will not allow.  You can challenge your dog mentally at home to help burn off some of the energy.  I told her I have a young German Shepherd who has oodles of energy, and am mostly a "Home-body" myself.  I have written in detail about one game I like to play with my dogs in a previous post, click HERE to read it.  But there are tons of things you can do with your dog to help wear them out.

     Here are a few things that you can do with your dog at home, for those rainy days, or when you just don't feel like getting in the car.

     1. Get a puzzle-type game.  There are tons of great interactive toys available that can be shipped to your front door!  Some are fairly simple- the dog must roll around an irregularly shaped object to dispense treats (I use regular dog food from their meal though).  Others are complex- boards that must be manipulated or shifted to earn a reward.  Heck, I even found 2 neat dog puzzles at a drug store once!  Some are plastic, some are rubber, some are wood.  The ones I found were in the $10-$20 range, and have lasted literally for years!  Just remember: these are INTERACTIVE toys! You need to be there to ensure they don't become expensive chew items!
   

Brain teaser toy by Nina Ottosson

Here are some links:
     Nina Ottosson treat maze (this brilliant designer has lots to choose from!)
     "Babble Ball" (does not use food/treats, just funny noises)
     "Everlasting Fun Ball" (holds treats/food)
   
     I listed a few of the more affordable options here, just search "Interactive dog toys" and you will find dozens of sites with hundreds of toys!

     2. Hide Something: Do you have a dog that you swear can find a speck of cheese you dropped two days ago in the kitchen?  Prove it!(- although not necessarily with the old cheese please)  Let them use that sniffer, in a way that you get to choose.  Pick an object that your dog is allowed to put in their mouth.  (It can be one of their toys, or a completely new object.  Just be sure it is dog-safe!)  To teach your dog the game, have a reward ready!  When you put the object down, your dog will most likely sniff it. As soon as the dog touches it (nose or paw, doesn't matter)- praise and give them a treat!  Next, move the object a bit farther away (6-10 feet).  You can toss it, or have your dog sit and wait, but stay with in sight!  As your dog races forward to find the object, tell them "Find it!"  When your dog touches it, praise and treat again!  After a few repetitions, if your dog is moving confidently to the object and looking expectantly for the reward start hiding the object out of sight.  Eventually, you can expand the distance to make them have to sniff and search the entire house!

     3. Stair Master: One of my personal favorites!  I think this trick helped me survive my first dog's puppyhood energy.  Take a favorite toy that your dog likes to chase and chuck it down the stairs.  When your dog brings it back, do it again. Yup, it's fetch for those of us without a fenced in yard, with extra cardio to boot!  I sat in a comfy chair sipping hot cocoa and surfing the web, and my boy Brutus ran his fanny off.  Bliss.

     These are just the first three things that popped in my head! Please feel free to give me some feedback, and share the ideas that you use at home!

     Happy Training!

*Visit the main website at www.pawsthenplay.com

Dog Training: Past and Present

"Lassie's son, Lassie, gets $100,000 a year" ('60's article)

   I read an interesting article the other day.  It was about how much the dog world has changed in the past two decades.  The writer describes many valid points, the last one telling how we as a society now humanize dogs.  I feel more can be said about this anthropomorphism, and how misleading it could be.

     I have heard it many times before- "Dogs are the new kids!"  We call them "furbabies" and always want to hug and kiss and cuddle with them.  But have we as owners, or "pet parents" considered what we ask of our beloved pups?  Such as: "Go make out with this stranger! I don't care if she startled you!"  We say we want companions that feel and think, but then we sometimes insist that they do things which are counter-intuitive.  For example, "Leave this tasty food on the counter alone!" instead of "I should put this food away, so the dog doesn't get tempted."

     There was a time in the past when things were drastically different.  There were more open spaces, and farm houses with acres of land for livestock to roam.  As more houses were built closer and closer, a dog's spaces were gradually limited.  Many dogs were no longer used as hunting partners, or guardians of livestock.  Now, very few dogs are used for the purposes they were originally bred for.

     When I was a child, like many others we had a family dog.  Jody was a Brittany Spaniel that my father took bird hunting.  I don't recall all of the details, but I do remember that there were very different expectations.  Certainly no one wants an animal that will harm their children.  However, the response to "Mommy! That dog bit at me!" or "Daddy, she growled at me!" were dramatically different than what I often hear today.  "Well honey, what did you do to the dog?" was what I heard.  We learned to control ourselves around the dog.  When I have my dogs out in public today, I have had children run up to kiss them, hug them, or even hit them (although I do my best to prevent it- thank goodness I have patient dogs!). One girl I used to work with had a child sit on the ground and give her male dog a very close inspection of his er- man part.  Talk about an awkward moment.....

     Of course there are many dogs who will tolerate a bit of rough-housing with children in their household, but I feel like there was also more opportunity made for the dog to be able to walk away, and distance themselves when they had all they could handle.  With so many awesome dog-friendly places springing up, some owners are confused as to why their dogs seem to have a harder time adjusting to the social scene.  More care needs to be taken to properly introduce the animal to new places and people, and it must be balanced with quiet time as well. Like humans, not all dogs have a desire to be social butterflies.

Another old advertisement I found, from 1960s also.

     I was raised to respect an animal's space, just like I would a human's personal space.  It was not considered "normal" or "okay" to run or walk up to a strange dog and pet, hug or kiss it.  Friendly dogs approached you and allowed themselves to be petted.  When the dog wanted to leave, it left.  If Mr. and Mrs. X had a mean dog, all of the neighborhood kids just knew to avoid it (has anyone else ever seen "Sandlot"?).  It seemed quite simple to me.

     I suppose my point is, I feel like there was a lot less pressure on dogs back then, and much less was expected of them socially.  If the animal was bonded to the family and gentle with those they knew, that was all that was necessary.  If it was sweet to others, it was just an added bonus.  If not, other people had the sense not to put themselves in harm's way.  In today's society, there is often not enough space to give anyone!

     With this background, maybe that is why I am so impressed with what dogs CAN do, and have accomplished.  One day the general public sees Lassie being hugged (1942 was the original Lassie Come Home), then 101 Dalmations stole our hearts and suddenly Fido must be cute, friendly and huggable to all while outwitting the criminals and saving Timmy every day!  Even breeds that are not bred for certain tasks are asked to perform and the overwhelming majority DO.

     Think about all we are asking our dogs to respond to! Be patient.  As a species, their record is stellar.  The name "Man's best friend" is well deserved.



*As always, please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or comments! pawsthenplay@gmail.com 

For more information, visit the main website at www.pawsthenplay.com

Protection Dog?

     A young woman was telling me a story about how wonderful her dog is to her.  She proudly stated that "[the dog] is so protective of me, he almost wouldn't let my husband in the house the other night!"  She went on to explain that her husband had gone out earlier that evening with some friends and the friends dropped him off later that night in a different vehicle.  Her dog started "...going crazy!" she explained.  "He was barking loud and running around the house.  I tried to tell him 'It's okay, Daddy's home!' but when I went to the door, he darted out and then looped around and jumped up on me to push me back into the house!"

     In working with dogs for years, I often come across people who are absurdly proud of a dog they view as "protective" who is actually displaying overt tendencies of possession, fear, or inverted dominance.  It makes me believe that there is an overall misconception of terms as they apply to canine behavior.  The reason this concerns me is that the behaviors encouraged and elicited as "protective" are often the cause for the dog to display tendencies that are unwanted or can even be dangerous to the owner or other people and animals present.

     Dogs who carry an actual title of "Protection Dog" have had years of training with experienced handlers.  In the right hands, these dogs are the least likely to "go crazy" and panic at the sight or sound of new stimuli.

     One way to distinguish if a dog is actually being "protective" is to determine if the owner was truly frightened or angry.  If so, then there was a huge chemical surge that the dog could detect, and would know was out of the ordinary.  Another point to examine is if the owner gave a command for the dog to vocalize and/or move forward towards the perceived threat.  If the dog was acting at the behest of the handler, the motions would not appear frenzied and panicked.  Obviously if the dog is physically causing any harm to the owner it is not a desirable behavior, and should not be labeled as "protective".

     I do agree that a dog can be a deterrent to a would-be burglar or robber, but there are other ways to achieve this without allowing the dog to reach a state of panic.  Teaching a dog to bark or growl on command can be useful for this.  Simply using basic obedience to send a dog several yards out (towards the threat) and sit/stay facing the stranger can be very intimidating also to a would-be aggressor.

     For more information about YOUR dog's behavior, please feel free to contact me!  pawsthenplay@gmail.com

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Vacation Notes Part I

     Some of you may know that I have recently returned from my honeymoon.  My wonderful husband and I went on a cruise to the Bahamas.  Our pups stayed with a close friend and colleague.  A few people have asked why we did not allow our dogs to travel with us.  Instead I made plans for them to have a "Doggie Vacation" with someone I trust.

     The drive to Charleston, SC was not too long.  Only about three and a half hours with one stop mid-way to stretch our legs.  We arrived a few minutes early to the dock to board our cruise ship, but there were already dozens of cars in line ahead of us.  We had to sit for almost an hour before pulling up to have our luggage loaded onto the ship, then wait again to park in the parking deck.  There were multiple stops along our winding mile long wait- to check our licenses and birth certificate (or in my case, naturalization certificate), to ask for our confirmation code, get our cabin number (to write on our luggage tags), to pay for our week long parking, to have our luggage taken, to get color coded stickers on our windshield, to get a piece of paper to place on our dash while our car was parked.  I know my dogs would have wanted to sniff and greet each and every one.

     Once we were safely parked, we walked with the amassing crowd to be crammed into a large bus to be taken to the waters edge.  I could not believe how large the cruise ship was!  I was astounded that so many people could possibly be boarding the same ship as us.  Over 2,200 passengers were aboard I learned later.  The buses dropped us off at a large building where lines snaked over almost every available inch of space.  Conveyors to place our personal items waited patiently to x-ray our belongings.  Security personnel ushered us one at a time through the metal detectors and reminded us that if we had over $10,000 on our persons, we would need to fill out a separate form.  It was load, crowded, and disorienting to my dull human senses, I was grateful my pups were somewhere relaxed!  Another hour passed before we were herded to another line of chattering passengers zig-zagging up a series of ramps onto the ship.

     At the top of the ramp, we were halted yet again, to have our documents checked over one last time.  Lunch was being served and our cabins would be ready in about an hour.  As we walked farther away from the door we entered the crowd thinned slightly, but more and more people continued to flood in.  I secretly wondered if having four paws to stand on would make it harder or easier to adjust to the barely perceptibly motion of the boat below our feet.  I fervently hoped it stayed this gentle the entire time we were at sea!

The view from one of the balconies inside the ship

   We made our way up one set of elevators, down some corridors, across an open deck with a pool, hot tubs, dance floor, and bars and then into the large dining area.  It was set up like a cafeteria, with several types of food available at each station.  Salads, cold cuts for sandwiches, TWO dessert bars, a sandwich bar, pizza, grill, stir fry station- all types of food were at our fingertips!  Enticing smells wafted our way from all directions, and just as exciting- the tables were set indoors, or out so we might enjoy the ocean view with our meals!  If I lingered too long, my pups would salivate with a whiff of my shirt when I got home, in just under a week.

     My sweet husband was not at all distracted by the cuisine.  We wound in and about the gaggle of sightseers oogling the buffet.  Stairways were hidden sporadically on the decks.  We chose those to avoid the multiple sets of crowded elevators.  We walked by dance clubs, teen clubs, bars, several lounges, an auditorium, two restaurants, a store, a casino and a spa.  All on our ship.  Until the intercom system sounded tones remniscent of those I heard in grade school, I hadn't realized how long we had been exploring.  Bong-bing-booo!  A smooth alto voice addressed us in surround sound.  She informed us that we could not leave until the safety drill had been practiced.  Every passenger must know where to go in the event of an emergency.

    That drill is on the top 10 Worst Experiences of my Life list.  Meeting in the auditorium was crowded, but tolerable.  Squeezing out single file and being lined up shoulder to shoulder and nose to back four rows deep for many minutes was sheer torture!  I was the second row from the wall.  At my height (for those of you whom I have not had the pleasure of meeting, I am 5'1") I could not see above many people's shoulders.  I was trapped in never-ending rows of flesh.  The humid, stagnant air did not help.  I was close enough to watch the perspiration blossom in the shirt's armpits of the man in front of me.  If I had my dogs with me would they be folded in this press also?  I was grateful to not have to find out!


     Finally, the exercise ended.  Bong-bing-booo! We were kindly thanked for our co-operation by the same velvety alto voice.  I could feel the large engines rumbling somewhere beneath us.  How exciting!  We were on our way!  Tomorrow we would be at sea, and the next day, wake in the port of Nassau!


....to be continued

Random Raw Rant

Grace, in all her 70lb splendor

     Today I went to see my Veterinarian.  Grace needed to have blood drawn for her annual heartworm and blood parasites test, phenobarbital blood level check and T4 measurement.  She weighs in at a petite 70.6 pounds, and is oh so patient with the assistant who coos and musses her face and ears.  

     I allow the large woman to bend over, fuss, pet and talk "baby-talk" to my sweet Shepherd because last time I asked her to stop, she was so offended, it almost effected Grace's visit by making the dog uncomfortable.  The woman seems oblivious to my body language too.  Thank goodness Grace has a very consistent work schedule to keep her tolerant of such overly invasive interactions!

     Grace quickly winds up until she is dancing frantically back and forth across the employee's feet.  As I put a hand on Grace's nose and tell her to "Settle" so the Vet can draw blood, I informed the helper quietly "She is much easier to handle if you don't amp her up in your initial greeting.  All that excited petting raises her energy level."   I still got a dirty look, but I made my point as politely as I could.

     As we pay our tab and prepare to leave, I comment on our recent dietary changes.  "Almost three months on kibble now, instead of their raw food... their coats are doing poorly, Grace's skin remains constantly irritated, and she has had her first seizure since coming to live with me."  The last time, I had conversed with my Vet, and he gave me the scripted answer "Raw food carries bacteria, it is dangerous" et cetera et cetera.  I eat meat myself, and certainly know how to be careful when preparing it.  That part I completely disregard.  What I do consider a valid point however, is that it is possible that with a raw diet they could be missing some needed nutrients.  

     At this point, I am not satisfied with the results.  I am going to continue with the kibble however, for approximately 6 more months in order to give it a fair trial.  Since I am exploring other brand options, the dogs will need time to adjust to their new diet.  I adore my veterinarian, and take his opinions seriously enough that I am willing to try another route on his advice.  Ultimately, the decision will be based on the health and performance of the pups though, not what anyone says.  

     What really made my blood boil, and prompted this peckish entry, was the comment the assistant made next.  "Well I won't feed my dogs the canned food at all."  At this point I was vaguely annoyed- I agree heartily, but what does canned food have to do with raw diet?  

     "I completely agree.  Canned food is garbage."  I stated.

     Then it dawned on me.  She believed this whole time that when I was speaking of my dogs' raw diet, that I was giving them canned food.  I saw the good Doctor turn to leave the room.  I smiled tightly and left also.

     People, please be careful who you ask advice of.  Just because someone works in a Veterinary Hospital, does not mean they are well informed, or pay a lot of attention to what is going on around them.

*     Massive amounts of information are available, both for and against raw food diets. Advertisements largely target things that appeal to a human consumer, not the dog's actual dietary needs.  (for a recent article on AVMA new policy concerning raw diet, click here)  Since I have been feeding my dogs raw food for quite a long time, I thought it only fair to give kibble a real trial.  I am willing to learn new things if they will help my pups!  After sifting through large quantities of information, I decided to switch Brutus and Grace to a high protein Canadian brand who use homeopathic veterinarians for their formulas. (for more information on this particular brand click here.)  

A Dog Training Game

A healthy treat and random object for the game.

    In a previous post, I mentioned making training into a game (One Step Forward, Two Steps Back published July 9, 2012. Click here to read it.).

     One of my students and two of you wonderful readers have taken the time to inquire about some examples of games to play to train your dogs.  Here is a versatile exercise that can be tailored to any dog that is food motivated.

     Regardless of your dog's training background, you can have a training session in this style.  You will need a yummy, high-value treat, and a dog-safe object.  I choose objects that are non-toxic, with no sharp edges, that are durable, not too big or too small, cheap/readily available to me, but not something my dog is familiar with.  For the exercise today I chose a metal ring that is a lid to a mason jar, and freeze-dried liver treats.

     Toby is a 10 year old Cocker Spaniel that was a conformation show Champion in his youth!  Although he was socialized very well, is an angel for grooming and still auto-stacks (goes into his "Show Pose"); not a lot of time was spent on his basic obedience.  After he was retired from the show circuit, he was taught to sit, and lie down several years ago.

No initial interest. I had to wait a few seconds.

     The first step is to introduce the object, and make it inviting for your dog to investigate it.  At this point, very few  words are used.  I placed food inside the ring, which led Toby to sniff it.  Every time he sniffed at it, I said "Yes!" and fed him.  I was teaching him "Yes!" equals food, and the action of sniffing the ring made me say "Yes!".   I would let him sniff, say "Yes!" and feed 3-5 times in a row, and then take the ring back and put it on the table while I broke up some more treats into tiny pieces.  Then I placed the ring back on the ground and repeated the exercise until as soon as I put the ring down, he was immediately sniffing it.

     Once Toby was very interested in the ring, I placed it on the ground, and let him sniff it, but remained silent.  At first he just stared at me expecting the "Yes" and food.  I kept staring at the ring.  He appeared to lose interest, so I put the ring away for a few minutes, and we took a potty break.

     When we came back inside, I placed the ring on the ground.  Toby went forward immediately!  He sniffed, and looked at me, then kicked it with his foot!  I said "Yes!" and rewarded with 2 pieces of food!  The significance is not what he did, it is the fact that he is adapting, and trying to problem-solve!  Some dogs use their paws to manipulate the object, some their mouths. (Grace is a mouther- she prefers to carry it)

Toby is definitely interested now!

     I let Toby cycle through several rounds of touching the ring with his foot, and being rewarded.  He soon evolved to rushing forward with both feet ending up on the ring.  Now I just needed to decide which motion I like the best, and feed only for that one.  To start with, since he seemed to always move the ring towards him by pouncing on it with both feet, I decided to only reward for a softer motion, putting both paws on the ring, but not pouncing.

     It took a few sessions to accomplish this because at first he just ignored the ring if he did not get rewarded immediately for pouncing.  It ended up as a slower motion for each paw, almost like swimming, and then just some soft "pats" with his paws.  It was inconsistent, but settled into a right-left-right pattern.  The more confident he became that the answer was correct, the more times he would "pat".

Toby with his foot in the ring!

     It is perfectly normal and okay for a dog to need to take a break!  This is set up like a logic puzzle, but with less structure.  There is always more than one correct answer, so the odds are in the favor of your dog.  I love playing these types of "Games" with dogs because it gives such insight to their behavior.  Poor Toby can give up easily sometimes (his sessions are only about 2-4 minutes at a time), but rebounds very quickly! He is very eager to please, and if he gets a short rest is very willing to pick up just where he left off!  We have already done 5 sessions this morning.

     Now Toby can consistently touch the ring with gentle pats.  I thought it looked very cute, like he was doing little dance steps!  I decided to name it "Fancy Feet".  To label the action, I wait for him to perform it and said the words "Fancy Feet!" and fed.  We did this several times, it was adorable! After a few sessions of labeling, I took out the ring, and told him "Fancy Feet"! Results so far are below!  I think I may tie this in with a foot motion from the handler, so it looks like we are dancing together!  Wish us luck!



     Happy Training my friends! And as always, please feel free to contact me and/or leave a comment!  I love hearing your feedback!

   

Additional Tips and Facts:
- Be patient! Do not talk to your dog too much during this or you will confuse them (and make little, or no progress).
- Dogs will retain the information at different rates, and according to the skill and timing you as a handler possess.
- Instead of the word "Yes!" another word or a clicker can be substituted.
- If your dog is staring at your hand and ignoring the object, try rubbing the object with the food (to make it smell more appealing), and then throwing the bits of treat down to the object when your dog sniffs it, instead of hand feeding.
- If you are not sure what objects would be good, it's ok to start with one of your dog's toys.
- Any motion that your dog gives can be eventually labeled, and then performed on command.
- The more often you play "guessing games" like this, the more creative your dog's responses will become!
- Some dogs do not prefer the taste or texture of metal, or wood, or paper products, or plastics.  You will have to experiment a bit to see what material to start with for your dog.
- If you prefer to shape for a tap with the foot, the object you choose shouldn't matter, but if you would like your dog to carry the item, you will want to start with an object they are comfortable with.

     To read about Grace's experience with this game, click here. 

South African Boerboels

*Echo, 10 weeks old

     Many people have not even heard of the noble molossers called South African Boerboels. I am fortunate enough to know a local breed aficionado and breeder of them.  I spent some time with her and her newest pup Echo the other day to see what I could learn about them.


     Kate Nicholson is an experienced dog owner.  She grew up surrounded by all types of animals- horses, cats and dogs primarily.  In 1983 she began working in a Veterinarian's office to learn more.  As a  veterinary technician Kate was exposed to a wide variety of breeds and situations that served to further bolster her living knowledge of dogs.  Her first personal (not family) pet was a Doberman Pinscher. She has personally owned a variety of breeds- an amalgamation from small terriers, a Plott Hound mix, a German Shepherd Dog and Husky mix, Akita, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Rottweiler/Mastiff mix and many more!

*Harley and her pups

     About 9 years ago, Kate and her husband decided they would like another dog.  Her husband favored Mastiffs, so they began their research there.  While neck-deep in Mastiff information, they happened across a picture of a South African Boerboel.  Kate recalls seeing that first image, and the feeling of "Love at first sight", but that she did not want to commit until they knew more about the breed.

     Lots and lots of reading and research followed that initial discovery.  At first, it seemed there was no more information to be found on this rare breed.  Somehow, fate intervened.  Through a chance encounter, Kate met someone who knew a Boerboel breeder!  Through the breeder (who is still a close friend), first-hand information was made available, and Kate and her family could meet the rare breed in person.  In 2004, with guidance from their experienced friend, they brought home their first South African Boerboel Mojo.  A few months later, Macy, a female pup from a breeder in California was brought home to join Mojo as a companion, and hopefully potential mate, if both dogs matured to promising breeding stock.  Regardless of whether they qualified to breed (Kate is adamant that only the best of the best, judging by the physical breed standard and the temperament, should ever be bred), both dogs were in their furever home.

*Hemi, 15 months

     South African Boerboels are NOT for inexperienced handlers or dog owners who have no experience with guardian-type molossers.  Females are about 2 feet tall at the shoulder, males about 26 inches (or more).  Their weight averages 100-175lbs, and it must be "athletic" (no pudginess!).  Typical Boerboel temperament is self-confident and fearless, intelligent and with strong protective instinct.  Being obedient and therefore manageable is strongly desired, but with amateur owners, it would be unlikely.


     The breed gained recognition in South Africa  in 1983, and only recently was added to the list of AKC recognized breeds.  This has been somewhat controversial because in South Africa, the breed standard is upheld differently than here in the USA.  One large difference is that the term "Registered Puppy" is not used since the South African Boerboel Breeders Association (SABBA) will not register a Boerboel until it has been evaluated by a SABBA appraiser, and passed on individual merit, not just pedigree.   A dog is not eligible to be appraised until it is at least 12 months old.

*Mya at appraisal

     In addition to the stringent set or requirements to be met by the South African Boerboel Breeders Association, there are a battery of physical tests that each dog must undergo to see if it will even meet the breeding standard.  Hips, knees and elbows need to be X-rayed and scored.  The eyes must be checked.  the bloodlines (minimum of 5 generations) should be examined for dogs with cancer, wobblers, epilepsy and other ailments.  Extra care must be taken to watch the dog's temperament as it matures, since they are slow to mature, and being a newly recognized breed- some patterns will not emerge for years.

*Mako

     Since there are minimal recognized (by SABBA) breeders in the US, it is a very close community.  Kate knows pretty much all the recognized breeders in the surrounding states, and some from across the country.  She has general knowledge of which dogs have brucellocis (her own have been tested), thyroid testing, some  litters that were lost (still-born or re-absorbed), and some females who succumbed to uterine inertia.  Kate herself has had to take her females in for emergency surgeries during difficult birthing.  Her main concerns are that the breed standard be upheld through not only selective breeding, but selective placement (not everyone who wants a Boerboel should have a Boerboel).

*Mako and Hannah, Kate's daughter, having a laugh

     Kate's family shares a love of animals with her.  Currently at their home they have 6 Boerboels, 3 other small breed dogs, horses, outdoor barn cats, 6 indoor cats, chickens, ducks, turkeys, guinea hens, fish, guinea pigs, rabbits, and an assortment of reptiles..... oh yes, and 2 lovely daughters!  Caring for animals is a family affair at the Nicholson house!



*All photos courtesy of Kate Nicholson and Wilby Boerboels


Kate Nicholson and her Boerboels can be found at http://www.facebook.com/wilby.boerboels


Website (international) for more SA Boerboel information
Website (US and Canada) for additional SA Boerboel information
Information on Appraisal and Registration through SABBA
Another website for SA Boerboel information through EBASSA

Please also visit  www.PawsThenPlay.com

Training Timelines

     As part of my life's work as a dog trainer and Canine Behavioral Consultant, I sit down with clients and prospective clients to discuss what plans and goals they have for their companions.  More often than not, I hear frustrated tales of how these loving pet parents have read or heard that their objectives should have been achieved by a certain span of time.  This is not always the case.  In the real world, there are no "magic buttons", and the "quick fixes" can often have unintended ramifications in the long run.  

     When I sit down to talk about how I can help a pet owner navigate a particular situation, I am always completely honest about the effort and time that would be necessary to get there.  This is a critical part of determining the success of any venture.  People must be made aware of what options they have, what they are committing to do, and approximately how long it will take. If not, disappointment will occur before any solution is met.  A resolution can always be reached when the involved parties are well enough informed.  

     The majority of dogs (and some cats too) can be successfully introduced to a brand new command in just a few moments.  In order for it to become a lifelong habit however, it must be continually re-enforced in the presence of controlled stimuli until the reaction to the command becomes muscle memory.  No one that I know (and I know a lot of extremely talented individuals) has the ability to look into a crystal ball and tell you exactly how long YOUR dog will take to adopt a freshly introduced behavioral pattern, or how long it will keep to the pattern.  

     Many of the trainers that I have encountered who have a promise or guarantee for behaviors within a set period of time are referring to how long it will take THEM (the trainers) to get the desired results, not how long it will take to make it work in the client's home.  One of the facilities I worked at specialized in just that- we took the dog for a set period of time to initiate new behaviors in the hopes that the family would be able to duplicate the results consistently at home.  

     In the case of in-home training, many of the "Quick-Fixes" are the roots for long-term issues that crop up 6-9 months after the visit(s).  For example, did you know that improper use of a pressure collar (a head halter / Gentle Leader, Sporn, pinch, or choke chain are some commonly known pressure devices for canines) can not only injure your dog permanently, but can cause overly forward body posture that other dogs interpret as aggression?  There can be huge difference between the perception of what is being sold, to the reality of what is being delivered.  

     I sometimes use an analogy to help describe to my students what to expect.  Consider how long your parent(s) guided you.  Think of how many years human children are supervised closely.  So why are we continually surprised when after a few short weeks or months, a dog will make incorrect choices?

     Timelines are fine for goal-setting.  But like most plans, once the action has begun, be ready to toss them out the window!  Expectations must continually be adjusted to conform to reality.



*For help understanding your dog please feel free to contact me.  pawsthenplay@gmail.com 

     

In Loving Memory

   
     Jolly crossed the rainbow bridge today.

Jolly riding with me in my first car

     My sister was driving from Charlotte to see friends at Appalachian State University about 13 years ago when they saw Jolly on a busy highway.  They stopped and called to her.  She trotted up, got in the car with them, and rode back to Charlotte.

     I was delighted with my sister!  It didn't matter to me that she was in an apartment that did not allow dogs, or that she had no money to take the dog to the vet because I was allowed to name the dog! I chose "Jolly" because of how amiable the little gal was, and I knew that in French "jolie" meant "pretty".  Soon, Jolly was in heat, so the inevitable happened: we called Mom!

     Truly, my Mom and Dad saved Jolly.  They opened their home and their wallets for vaccines, spaying, routine health care, food and supplies.  At the time my sister did not even live at home anymore, and I was in my tumultuous teens, but Jolly was still "Our Dog".

     When my parents moved to Mooresville some years back, Jolly of course went with them, and had a seamless transition to the new home.  She still was perfect on walks, off-leash in the yard, quiet in the house, polite to visitors and tolerant of the cats.  As years went by, I suppose I took for granted Jolly's wagging presence.  Whenever we came to see my parents, Jolly was always there to greet us at the door.

One of the first things she learned was to "Smile" and she never forgot it.

     Several weeks ago, my parents noticed that Jolly seemed to be having difficulty passing her stool.  They tried supplements, over-the-counter remedies, switching food, all the medications the Vet prescribed.  Jolly just didn't seem to be digesting normally anymore.  Nothing seemed to help.  She slowed down.  Walking. Eating.  Everything slowed.  No more chipmunks and birds being delivered to the back door to make my Mom scream.

     Yesterday, I visited my parents for my birthday, and to say goodbye to Jolly.

     As we sat eating our meal, I saw Jolly rise up and wobble towards the table.  My Dad was on his feet immediately.  "Come on girl, do you need to go outside?"  He strode directly to the back door to allow her to go out onto the back deck.  My Dad had just recently finished building that deck.  I watched him watching Jolly as she squatted unsteadily on the smooth finished boards.  Her legs trembled, and she seemed to have trouble balancing.  After long seconds stretched into minutes, she staggered back towards the door.  My Dad explained "She can't seem to produce anything, but thinks she has to go.  She doesn't seem to have much tolerance for the heat anymore either.  Excuse me, I need to let her in."

     Inside, I could see Jolly panting heavily, from the heat or the effort I cannot say.  She went straight to a comfortably carpeted open area to lay down.

     Leaving yesterday was bittersweet.  I was glad to see my family, but I knew what was going to happen.  I know it is the better choice, and I am so grateful to have compassionate parents who will let me see for myself the reality behind their choices.

I took this picture yesterday, before I said goodbye

     Rest in Peace Jolly.  You are loved!

Pet Store Visit

Me, Theo and Grace 

     I had run out of doggie shampoo, and so decided to visit a large chain pet company (not the clever one).  When I go out, whenever possible, my pups accompany me so I brought Grace, and another German Shepherd Dog that was staying with us that day.  Any visit is a great opportunity to practice skills learned in another location (also called "proofing").

     So we collared up (no naked doggies traveling) and headed out!  Boy, nothing makes people point and stare quite like a tiny girl with two large dogs.  No big deal I guess.  We went to the shampoo aisle, and since it was a bit crowded, I had both dogs sit and wait while I went a few paces away to pick some out.


     As I retrieved my dogs and tried to make my way to the front of the store, an associate walked our way rapidly.  She had her hand out in front of her, fingers facing down, palm away from us, I presume to let the dogs sniff it.  She was cooing and making kissy noises at my perfectly heeling duo.  Before the dogs could decide what to do with this strange person (their answer would be: rush forward to make out with her and yank my arm out of the socket), I redirected them and placed them in heel position this time with ME between the dogs and the crazy lady.  

     The store associate tried to simper sideways around me (a great opportunity to practice a left pivot in brace) twice before standing up to look at me.  When she finally met my eyes (and was giving me a dirty look), I said loudly "Hey!" and smiled, and took my dogs and marched right past her to the registers.  Both dogs are very friendly indeed, but the employee never asked, so I chose to pretend I had no idea she wanted to pet them.  I was so proud of the pups for responding so quickly and gracefully with such a persistent distraction!

Theo and Grace relaxing in the yard post shopping adventures

     In line, there was a delightful customer who gave us a bit of space in line, and smiled to me saying "They are beautiful!  It is so nice how they just sit there.  German Shepherds, right?"  I confirmed that yes, they were and she asked if they had Czeck bloodlines.  We had a lovely but brief conversation while waiting for the line to move.

      I had time while paying to practice their down-stays as well.  A very productive visit!  I simply wish there were more people like the nice lady in line, instead of the pet store employee.

I can't HEAR you!

Photos posted courtesy of Merci's furever family

     Merci's Furever Mommy did not plan on adopting her.  Fara was already very busy with her own dogs, and other foster dogs as well.  Maxx, a large German Shepherd, Milly, the Queen-Bee-Boxer of the house, and Finnegan, a 50/50 Miniature Schnauzer Jack Russell Terrier mix were already quite comfortable in the Robinson home.

     Merci is an adorable mix that appears to be part Dalmatian and part American Pit Bull Terrier.  She was surrendered because her former owners thought she was "stupid" and "wouldn't listen".  It didn't take any time at all for Fara, an experienced foster Mom, to realize that Merci was quite clever, and quite deaf.

     This lack of hearing may seem like a handicap to some; indeed it seemed an insurmountable problem for her original owners.  The other foster puppies were getting adopted left and right from Fara's home.  Merci just kept on getting passed over.  Fara stated "Puppies are normally adopted out very quickly – especially ones as beautiful and unique looking as our girl, but we had Merci for 7 months before I realized that I just couldn’t stand to part with her and Doug and I adopted her for ourselves.   No one wanted a 'damaged' puppy."

Merci and her buddy Finnegan

     From the beginning, Merci got along fine with the other dogs in the household.  This is quite fortunate since there were up to 10 other fosters in the home at a time, in addition to the three "House Dogs" Maxx, Milly (who has unfortunately recently passed away) and Finnegan.  When it was time to come in from play time, the other dogs would come barreling in, and it was Finnegan, the scrappy mix who would turn and bound back to Merci to show her the way.  Merci also fawns over Maxx, the GSD, wiggling his way with submissive mouth licking frequently.  The other dogs definitely don't look at Merci any differently for all her lack of hearing.

     In basic training, Fara found that Merci was wonderfully responsive- just not to words.  With hand signals (mostly American Sign Language) Merci can be told "Sit", "Down", "Place", "Leave it", "Off",  "Give", "Let’s go", "Ride", "Speak", "No","Come" and go to her crate.  She also demonstrates understanding of "Good girl" and "Toy", and is learning a "Touch" command (where she uses her nose to tag Fara's hand).

     Fara claims that Merci has made her a better handler and trainer.  Even though it is easier because there are less distractions (Merci cannot be distracted by the sounds of other dogs) it still requires patience, like any other training!  Merci has accommodated Fara's effort by becoming remarkably adept at interpreting nuances of facial expression, gestures and body postures.

     Fara said "She [Merci] seems to be able to read my mind sometimes.  Of course when she decides she’s cold in the middle of the night, she taps me twice on the shoulder and I dutifully lift the blankets so she can crawl under the covers.  I’m not quite sure who is training whom…"

Merci is not afraid of heights!

     One of the most amazing discoveries they have recently found with Merci, is that she responds to a high pitched squeal that Finnegan sometimes calls out.  When Finnegan yells, Merci comes running to him!  Fara affectionately calls this Finnegan's Singing, although she cringes when she talks about the noise.  Fara says it is quite a shrill sound, and wonders if it is at a certain range that Merci is just barely able to detect.  Fara and her husband are now working on training Finnegan to "sing" on command to call Merci.

     I asked Fara how Merci does when she is taken out to events in public.  "Usually when I take Merci out, she wears either a collar sleeve or a vest announcing that she’s deaf.  I want people to ask questions and meet her and see that she is a perfectly normal dog who just happens to not hear.  There are plenty of things that make her extraordinary – her sweet, happy temperament, her love of high places and sense of adventure, her serene nature – but they have nothing to do with the fact that she’s deaf."

     Thank goodness Merci and Fara found each other.





     *Fara is active with local rescue, and even after adopting Merci has not slowed down a bit.  Her rescue information is provided below.

The Greater Charlotte SPCA
Greater Charlotte SPCA Facebook Page

"The Man with The Berner" Part II

Photos courtesy of owner and photographer

     The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large, long haired dog.  They have the "Swiss Coloring" of mostly black, with some rust, and white on the feet, face and belly.  Although they are primarily known as drafting dogs, they also excel at herding since they were originally used as multi-purpose farm dogs.  Females can be slightly smaller (about 2 feet at the shoulder) at about 65 pounds, but males are very large (up to 28" at the shoulder) at about 120 pounds!

     The Man and his wife have had several Bernese Mountain Dogs over the years.  He lovingly recalls each and every one.  He detailed their lineage, how him and his wife traveled overseas to select their first four pups (not all at once of course!).  He told me of the wide variety of activities they compete in for fun.  Berners are so versatile they can perform in informal events like rally style obedience, or formal obedience as well as agility, herding, carting and drafting (and yes, there is a difference between carting and drafting).

     *The photos that he has allowed me to use for this blog are actually 5 different dogs!*

In Obedience competition, the dog must not only retrieve, but jump!

     The Man had just recently shown his young dog in Gettysburg, PA in May.  While there he won the Specialty's HIT- or High In Trial award.  They also won awards as the highest scoring Bernese Mountain Dog in Herding, and as a Specialty Triathlete (for qualifying in Rally, Herding and Obedience).  That was why he laughed when I told him I was impressed by the past weekend's showing.

     The Man's Berner, whom he was working with that day is CH Tranquility's Andy Robynson CD RAE HSAs HTAD-Is HTD-Is RLF-Is JHDs .  It is a mouthful, and I would never have remembered half of those letters if The Man had not written them down for me.  All of The Man's dogs have multiple titles, from the AKC (American Kennel Club), BMDCA (Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America) , and the AHBA (American Herding Breed Association).  It is akin to a human with several doctorates and certifications- so impressive!

     I began reading more about this breed, and it's history.  The Man graciously sent me a website and a few articles to get me started.

     In conclusion, I know that this is a breed I am not ready for yet.  Perhaps if I continue to learn more (and earn more money!) a few years down the road I will look into the option seriously.  For now, it is enough to say I have met and watched a furry breed ambassador who has a kind enough owner to educate me on Bernese Mountain Dogs, and canine companionship at it's finest.





*Click either of the links below to read more about Bernese Mountain Dogs! Enjoy!

Potomac Valley Bernese Mountain Dog Club website

Pages 210-223 in the Showsight Magazine July 2012 issue.