Puppy Love

     What do you envision when you hear the word "Puppies"? Cute little balls of fluff? Adorable yawns? Endless energy? Possibly all these things and more!

     Nothing seems to hit the "Awww" button, or make us want to reach out and touch more than a cute puppy. The first potty outside, "Sit", come when called, and "Lay Down" make us cheer and bubble over with treats and good humor!

     So why is it that in just a few weeks, most people forget to cheer at the perfect "Sit"? We get flustered at the steaming pile of poo by the back door, we even forget to give a treat or a pat for "Lay Down". Apparently our attention spans may be shorter than that of our pups!

     Riley has been staying with me routinely for a few days at a time since her Mommy and Daddy brought her home. Even though she already has demonstrated a firm grasp of some basic commands (Sit, Down, Come, Shake, Roll-over, and Play Dead) we still review each one daily before applying it to a distracting situation (I often use Brutus and Grace as distractions). This can greatly reduce the stress in Riley as she learns to apply the commands to new situations. It also makes it more fair to the dog, by setting her up for success, not only challenging her.

     Does anyone remember how long it took to learn how to tie your shoes perfectly? (That attractive, symmetrical bow made with pink sparkly laces made me so proud!) How about learning to brush your teeth? Driving? The simpler tasks can be taught and retained within days. The last one, if I recall correctly, one must be chaperoned when driving for an entire year before driving solo.

     It is much easier to perform tasks in a structured setting with guidance. Tying a shoe quickly to catch the bus adds more difficulty to the task, like when you ask your puppy to do all those new tricks in front of all your friends, around other dogs, or in a new place. New surroundings can be distracting, even intimidating!

     Slow and steady wins the race. It also makes training more reliable and consistent. Reviewing simple commands and praising can boost confidence and performance in a dog. In brand new busy places I will often stand to the side and have my dogs Sit for a moment to take in everything calmly, this helps avoid leash pulling once we begin to walk.

     At the age of 13 weeks, Riley can now consistently down and stay for about 20 minutes with both Brutus and Grace. It is how she earns her play time.

     But in order for her to keep this skill, it must be practiced! Puberty is just around the corner, and that means more adaptive trials from Riley to see if my rules change!

     I'm looking forward to it!

A Little Clarity, Titles for Dogs and What They Are

Brutus Paul RA has been conditioned to work under vest as a Therapy Dog

    In the dog world, there is a diverse array of options when choosing training goals.  Many of us can clearly articulate the skills we want to build in our companions, but do not necessarily use AKC recognized Titles (or their acronyms) when describing them.  I am not competitive in nature, but I have chosen to be tested for some awards and titles so I have a standardized gauge to measure my progress.

     Here is a brief rundown of the most commonly used (and mis-used) titles I hear on a daily basis.

    CGC: Canine Good Citizen award. It is earned through a basic 10 step test.  This is an award offered through the AKC to reward responsible owners, and well behaved dogs.  It does NOT grant access or privileges not available to the general public.  For more information about this reward, click here.  If you are in the Charlotte NC area and would like to be tested, you may contact me.

     Therapy Dog: This is a title for a dog who has been certified by either TDI (Therapy Dogs International) or Delta Pet Partners.  Dog and handler teams with these titles have been tested,  evaluated, and deemed safe to participate in a wide variety to helpful programs.  Even Certified Therapy Dogs may have rules their handler prefers them observe.  Always be sure to ask before petting, even though it is most likely very welcome!  Click on either one of the names to learn more about the organization. 



     Service Dog:  This is an animal that is specifically conditioned to do work, or perform tasks for a person with a disability.  The disability can be physical or mental.  It is quite rude to approach and ask a person what their Service Animal is for (it is asking them to share personal medical details), they may choose to share that information, or not. The animal is almost always identified properly with a clearly marked vest.  It has access to any place the handler does by law.  Your attention could inhibit it's ability to do it's job (ie. you could be putting some one's life in danger by trying to distract it).

Grace is a service dog

     Working Dog:  A dog that has been specially trained for a specific task.  There are many different types of Working dogs: Service Dogs, Therapy dogs, Scent Detection (Narcotics, Explosives etc.), Personal Protection Dogs, and Herding Dogs (just to name a few).  If you are not sure, and particularly, if a dog is wearing a vest, best ask to pet, it may be working!

     AKC Titles :  (Click on the link to the left) The American Kennel Club has a vast array of accomplishments you can earn!  There are over 80.  I cannot list them all (I don't even know them all!) so I have provided you a link to look them over.  They cover skills from agility, obedience, herding, hunting, and more!  Check them out and you may find a new activity you and your pup will love!

*Check out the facebook page

War Dogs

*All photos are courtesy of Corporal Jesse Makela*

     I was expecting an average conversation to gather material for my blog.  I got mentally thrown into a different world. 

     Corporal Jesse Makela would like to consider himself an "Average Joe".  His job just happens to involve being overseas for months at a time, training fierce canines and marines to handle them, and leading other troops into combat zones.  I say, not so average!

     Ready for some acronyms?  Here we go! 

     Cpl. Makela does MP dog work. (Military Police)

     He also trains PPDs. (Personal Protection Dogs)

     Belgian Malinois and occasionally Labrador Retrievers are trained and certified PEDs and PNDs (Patrol Explosive Dog, Patrol Narcotics Dogs)   Many dogs are certified in more than one specialty.

     That should be enough letters to start us out! On to the good stuff.    

     Even though Cpl. Makela exudes a "Laissez-faire" attitude, his work should not be taken lightly!  The intensity of the occupation blew my civilian mind.  One of the first things he flippantly mentioned after detailing the basic obedience patterns, was that "It's not IF a bite happens, it's WHEN."  Cpl. Makela himself has been bitten several times in the course of training PPDs and considers it part of what he does. 

      Choosing handlers is an incredibly selective process.  A Marine cannot just sign up and be trained.  Cpl. Makela looks for a balanced, confident person who has the genuine desire to learn the skills necessary for assignment.  Integrity is vital as well.  The handler will be matched with a dog that best compliments their personality.

     Once a team has been matched, they have 90 days to certify.  The team must be practiced in combat situations. Practice scenarios are designed to build endurance, introduce the dog to explosives and gunfire.  Tracking is considered a basic skill that all working dogs must be capable of. 

     Even though the Searchdog Handlers may be deployed as a group, each pair (handler and dog team) must be able to function independently.  They may be assigned to completely different areas locally, in combat zones.  The teams move in front of a patrol.  The detection of any explosives in the area saves countless lives of the soldiers following. 

     The huge contribution of these Military Dogs is not only their heroic searches.  They are their soldier's best friend.  They are constant companions.  When a handler lays down to sleep, his (or HER, there are only about 4 women handlers out of approximately 80) dog is by his side. 

Cpl Makela and his working dog Rocky

     If you would like to learn more about the four legged Heroes serving our country, please visit the War Dog Association site.

Weathering Stormi

     A topic I have seen frequently discussed is fearfulness.  It is heartbreaking to see a dog trembling and hiding, groveling and showing it's belly.  It can be terrifying to watch a sweet friend turn into a snarling beast.  All too often, posts which began to discuss this problem turn into a free-for-all bash on whomever caused the poor animal to behave this way.  None of this verbal abuse against the abuser actually helps the dog (Although it helps humans feel better).  Sometimes it is nothing that anyone has done intentionally, simply a natural tendency that the animal was born with, but had never been addressed.

     Regardless of the cause, there are ways to help correct, or at least help a dog cope with fearfulness, and prevent or manage the aggression that may result from it. 

     One case that comes to mind is an American Pit Bull Terrier named Stormi.  The details of her life before her owners saved her are mostly unknown, but there are a few things the new owners were told.  The first 6 months of Stormi's life were spent in a garage, where she had minimal contact with anyone- human or animal.  Stormi was a "leftover" from a litter bred by an amateur.  She was given to a friend, who passed her along..... until Stormi was fortunate enough to find her furever home.  

     Stormi's new people, we shall call them "Z" and "L", had a lot of work ahead of them.  "Z" laughed as she recounted the tale to me, saying "We were told she (Stormie) was already kennel trained.... we didn't realize they meant she used the bathroom IN her crate!"  It has been a wonderfully rewarding experience to watch "Z" and "L" bond with Stormi, and allow her to blossom into a sweet and affectionate compainion.

     I remember the first time I met Stormi (I already knew "Z" and "L", I helped them with their first dog) in the entrance of a petstore.  She was a wiggly blur, emanating stress and nervous energy with her hyperactive circles, lunging, and jumping. 

     Any loud noises would cause her to flatten.  She would wiggle and whine and drool excessively when offered attention or affection, often jumping up and scratching or nipping the person touching.  Sudden movements (especially from men) or new people cause a bark and lunge/dart and hide response that is so frantic "Z" does not trust herself to hold the leash.  Stormi's prey drive towards other animals put her collar buckles in danger of snapping open.

     Stormi has been through intense and consistent counter-conditioning to: fix her potty misconception (and I will be the first to nominate "Z" and "L" for sainthood for their legendary patience and consistency on this issue!), basic obedience, help socialize her safely, and most importantly, allow Stormi to trust, so she can relax and enjoy life.  Stormi's training has covered all four quadrants of Operant Conditioning and relies heavily on structure (ie. routine) within the household.  Since the day "Z" and "L" were generous enough to open their home to Stormi, they work diligently to manage Stormi's behavior, and keep her safe and comfortable.

     It is a life-long commitment.  Stormi is now an adult.  At this point, the chances that she could be successfully re-homed are slim.  She has bonded and trusts "Z" and "L", and that took quite a lot of consistency, patience, and love to accomplish.  Stormi is a part of their family. 

(Stormi can now hang out around other dogs with supervision)

Diva Grace

     Hi there readers! Another photographer showed up the other day, of course he wanted pictures of me.  So I decided to allow it.  Here are some of them!
    
     And I would just like to point out, I am prettier and much faster than my brother Brutus.  I think the photos speak for themselves!

*All photos are courtesy of Thomas Brown.*

"Are you guys ready for me? Let me just check my fur one last time..."

"When I stare off into the distance my head shots look fabulous!"

"If I tilt like this, is it a better angle?"

"Hey Cameraman, I can stick out my tongue too."

"Okay people! Ready to be amazed?"

"And.... GO!"

"I am so fast I amaze myself!"

"I run behind trees! I'm so stealthy!"

"Let me get that for you!"

"I am so fierce!"

"Full extension. I Float."

"This is my bunny-hop!"

"I look good from behind too."

     Thank you, thank you, thank you folks!  Oh shucks, I don't need roses, really..... extra treats? Well.... I am sure I could use them......

Brutus Paul's Photo Shoot

     Hey readers!  It's Brutus Paul.  My Mommy had a guy stop by with a contraption that he kept pointing at me.  This is what it made!  ( Photos courtesy of Thomas Brown) 



"Okay, what do you want me to do Mom?"



"You want me to run around aimlessly? Can I just follow you?"



"Oooh! A bug!"

"Look at me! I'm floating!"

"He's following me, this is embarrassing."

"I'll just stick my tongue out."

"This is my Serious Face.  I mean, it really really looks like I'm having a thought!"

"I am THIS tall!"

"Oooh! A bug!"

"This is my Innocent Face.  It means Grace did it."

"I think I saw a bug!"

"I am a mighty hunter!"

"I'm done. Weeeeeeeeeeeeee!"

     And that's what we did folks!  Hope you enjoy!

The Best Listeners

     In my head, things usually seem pretty simple.  Everything makes sense, and follows a (mostly) linear path.  Out loud sometimes it may not make as much sense to others. I discovered years ago ("I like those pants" leads to "Purple dragons are my favorite" in my little mind) that some of my statement sequences can seem to defy logic.

     As you can imagine, my communication attempts can result in pretty disjointed but entertaining conversations, and sometimes outright confusion unless I concentrate on putting my thoughts in chronological order (I have found this technique to be the most effective).  My family and friends have either embraced or learned to tolerate my penchant for seemingly random subject changes. 

     My most devout listeners, who will never critique me are Grace and Brutus. 

     No matter what I am talking about, they are keenly attentive.  Even when I skip words in my sentences, they never complain.  With their patience and love, I know I am never being judged.  I know I am heard, regardless of what I am actually saying.