GAIA!

Gaia

I had to change my underwear!

I got so wet bathing four puppies I had to change right down to my underwear! This is Maestro asking politely if he can "get the heck outta here"!

Stunning Miss Pink is looking for an experienced home

Call 403-556-3635 or email k9trainer@dogwhisperer.ca if you think you are a good match.

On Duty! - Penny and her new pal

I Cried...

This was given to me yesterday by a veteran and his family.  I have a special place in my heart for those who serve.  Armed Forces, Police, Firefighters.  And it's not just those that put themselves in harm's way but I also am incredibly thankful to their family members who must endure long periods of time when they are away.  Or the fear they fight everyday when their spouse walks out the door to go to work, not knowing if they will return for dinner.  It is the whole family unit that we should be thankful for.  I have my small ways of saying thank you to them but yesterday some said thank you to me.  And it made me cry.  Thank you Guys.  This means a great deal to me.  I'm honoured.

Screenshot 2019-09-13 at 8.24.15 PM

Guardian Angel Shepherds are incredibly beautiful dogs. Check out Calibre!

GUARDIAN ANGEL SHEPHERDS, Early Puppy Training!

This is a video I made 12 years ago. I just thought I would bring it back up to the top because things haven't changed much since then. You can see how i use food treats to lure the puppy into the desired position. This is how we teach all our young puppies the very beginnings of obedience training.

https://youtu.be/RUTKfhPw7iQ


Mary Ann

Vaccinations

There was a good question I was asked today. A new owner asked about taking his puppy to the vet and the chance of picking something up there. GOOD QUESTION!

Absolutely it is something to think about. That's where every sick dog goes to and the place is riddled with germs! So, what do you do? Pick him up in the car and don't put him down. Carry the puppy inside, hold him on your lap until it's time to see the vet, put him on the counter where they disinfect continuously, and then carry him to the car. Done!

Thank you for the question Ewelina & Ed!

Mary Ann

Adult Nova puppy

GORGEOUS!

Alpha vs Leader

How about we look at things a little bit different than we have for the past 20-30 years. Everyone has heard that you must be the Alpha of the pack so your dog will listen to you. The problem with that scenario is the definition (or the perceived definition) of the word ALPHA. Most people think that the way dog/wolves/coyotes attain Alpha position is through brute strength. Survival of the fittest and all that. Guess what? That's WRONG!

All the scientific studies done in the 70's told of an Alpha male and an Alpha female who ran the pack. When to eat, when to hunt, when to sleep, where to go etc. What those scientific papers didn't tell us was that the Alpha male and the Alpha female was Mom & Dad! Good 'ol Mom & Dad! The pups grew up listening to Mom and Dad and so it continued through the generations of the pack. Eventually, Grandma & Grandpa would get too old to head out on the hunt first, so the next oldest would take over. It was very simple, very civilized. I'm not saying there was not fighting amongst the pack members. What family doesn't have quibbles between siblings? But very rarely.would an offspring take on Mom or Dad. It might happen, sure. But very rarely.

So how about instead of thinking of yourself as Alpha, you think of yourself as a Leader instead.

Mary Ann

Little Angels

Guardian Angels that is. So sweet. Going to new homes very shortly. 😔

Puppies love their playtime equipment!

Especially the blue teeter-totter!  And the slide is more fun when one end is higher! 😉

Miss Gaia

This one is mine!🤗

Mr Light Green

Miss Yellow

Miss Purple and Miss Pink

Mr Brown

They are gone!

But not too far. 😉 A move to a larger place to run and build their muscles. My house is empty of baby German Shepherds! After 75 days of waking up to cries of FEED ME! FEED ME! it feels so lonely!

Introducing your new puppy to your resident dog

Introducing Your New Puppy to Your Resident Dog

 

It's a good idea to have both puppy and older dog tired before introducing them.  A tired dog is a good dog!

Always have the older dog on leash for the first meeting so he/she doesn't scare the puppy.  Even an over-exuberant WELCOME! may hurt or scare the puppy.

If you can have two people, it will make the introduction easier.  One person is responsible for one dog, the other person, the other dog.

Do not leave the two of them alone for the first few weeks.  Until you are sure that your older dog will not harm the puppy, they should never be alone together.

Play with them separately for the first few weeks so it doesn't cause competition.  Once the pecking order has been established, you are more likely to have a good play session when both of them are involved.

Expect some growling and even possibly snapping, from your older dog.  This is the normal behavior of a "parent" teaching a young dog manners.  As long as the older dog is not harming the pup, let the relationship develop.  Your pup may even yelp on occasion but as long as the older dog is not breaking the skin, these are only reprimands for being rude. 

Be sure to have an area where the older dog can escape from the puppy.  Your older dog shouldn't have to put up with the puppy 24/7.

Be sure to give your older dog lots of attention.  If everyone only pays attention to the newcomer, animosity can arise.

Your older dog will likely be the boss of the two.  You must maintain this hierarchy to prevent problems later.  This means, your older dog gets his food first, the leash gets put on the older dog first, the older dog is greeted first. Etc.  By continuing this, you are not sending mixed signals to your dogs.  "Everyone in their place, and a place for everyone!"

 

If you have problems or questions, give me a call.

 

Mary Ann

Yay!

I am matching families and puppies today! I should be able to tell you who your puppy is by tomorrow!😆

Mary Ann

They all passed!

All 13 puppies passed their health checks today! I had a hard time keeping Big Blue from Nova's litter here tho! The vet was in love with him! And I thought he might steal him away! Still waiting on CKC to deliver the microchips but that's par for the course where CKC is concerned. But not to worry. They will all have their permanent chip to help reunite you should they ever get lost before they leave here.

I will be working all day tomorrow matching pups with families!!

Mary Ann

Sisters

Gypsy and Echo - 6 months old

7/8

7/8 up on the barrier.  Seems that's the best I could do.  Took 10 pictures but 7/8 was it!  That's little Miss Purple sitting in the background.