Miss Pink/Pele/Mamba Update

For those of you who don't know, Pele was a puppy who was born here March 3, 2019 who had an injury when her Mother accidentally jumped on her going over the barrier.  She had her left hind leg dislocated.  It was a terrible, frightening experience for all…  but Pele!  She just kept going as if nothing was wrong!  Even though she had a dislocated hip!!

Well, Pele was claimed by a good hearted soul who wanted to love her and give her the best life she could.  She was renamed Mamba (as their other Shepherd is Viper).  Apparently Mamba is doing just fine and has had no medical intervention as of yet.  She is in no pain and is a constant bother to Viper, her big brother.  She will eventually have surgery once she has finished growing but in the meantime, she's painless and having a great puppy life so far!

Mary Ann

 

Obedience Classes & Dog Parks

Obedience classes:  YES!    Dog Parks:  NO! (Usually)

Socializing your dog is a really big issue as a puppy.  The number one problem I get from both my own puppies and other dogs is leash reactivity.  What is leash reactivity?  It's when a dog barks and lunges while on leash.  It could be caused by seeing another dog, or another person, or maybe a bike or skateboard.  People think that taking their dogs to a dog park is socializing their dog.  I'm sorry to tell you this but it's FAR from it!

Instead of trying to socialize your dog by taking her to a dog park to run helter-skelter in a mad, crazy undisciplined fashion, take them to an obedience class instead.  The only thing a dog park does is reinforce their energized behaviour by allowing them to  chase, tackle and generally harass other dogs.  OR what is more likely to happen, YOUR dog is harassed, chased and tackled by someone else dog!  Don't get me wrong.  Your dog should have a chance to run and play with other dogs, but the other dogs should be hand picked by you!  A dog park has no rules as to who can come and who should not.  Yes, there are unwritten rules, but the ones who should abide by those unwritten rules never do!  As a matter of fact, the ones who should not have their dog loose to terrorize other well behaved dogs are the people who like to terrorize other people!  I've heard time and time again the owner of an ill-behaved dog will generally snap back at an owner who suggest he puts his bully dog on leash.  Bully dog.  Bully owner.  I know you've seen this before.  Everyone has.  I just heard a story 2 days ago with one of my own puppy owners who had his 4 month old puppy attacked by another dog when his puppy was on leash!!  As a result he had to take the puppy to the vet and put him on antibiotics.  When I suggested the owner give the vet bill to the bully dog's owner, he said he'd prefer not to deal with him again considering their encounter already.  Bully man accused puppy owner and said it was their fault!!!  OMG!!!  What kind of dog attacks a 4 month old puppy??  Certainly not one that should be running loose in a dog park!  So this is why I don't like dog parks.  I know this is all the craze and the dogs love it.  Until something like this happens.  Now that puppy might be traumatized for life.  The next 14 years that puppy might be terrified of strange dogs.  And could you blame him?

So, back to leash reactivity.  It can be prevented with PROPER socializing.  Not dog parks.  But supervised puppy classes that allow lots of play time.  Note the word "supervised".  If your class is one that just lets all puppies loose and allows bully puppies, then ask for a refund and walk away.  Supervised play should correct bully behaviour and encourage the wallflowers to come out and play at their discretion.  By 6 months of age, playtime no longer is a teaching experience.  Their social skills are set by 6 months.  So you see how important it is to get them out there, in the correct environment.  A properly run puppy class with prevent your puppy from being traumatized and provide a learning environment .

This beautiful puppy is at his first puppy classes and doing wonderfully well!  He is under control and totally relaxed.  Exactly the way he should be around strange dogs.

If you MUST take your puppy to an off leash park, scope it out first.  Leave your dog in the car and see what's going in there.  Everyone eventually knows the bully dog(s).  If there are any there, go for a jog instead!  

I hope this helps everyone.

HELP! My dog has forgotten everything!

Don't worry!  It's normal!  For those of you with Maya puppies (8 months old) you may be wondering why your dog has forgotten how to sit, or lay down, even though they've known how to for months.  

It's normal, and common, for puppies of this age to go through this "forgetful" stage.  Nobody knows why it occurs but in about 65% of puppies between the ages of 7-9 months, they seem to forget everything they have learned to this point.  Not to worry though.  It will all come back in a week or two.  

The best way to deal with this is to teach them how to do it all over again.  Don't correct them as they truly have forgotten and if you correct, they will lose respect and trust for you.  They won't know why they are being corrected.  Just go back to the beginning and start again.  It will only take a few days and all of a sudden they will say "OH!  I remember this now!"  It's the strangest thing but it is documented scientifically and 65% of puppies will go through it.  So don't worry, just re-teach and soon things will be right back to normal.

And to all my puppy families, don't forget that they MAY go through a fear period at around 12 months.  Don't be alarmed, again, it is just something they go through.  In this case you have only a 50/50 chance of them becoming temporarily fearful of things that never bothered them before.    That fire hydrant down the road, the honk of a car etc.  Just do the same thing I taught you when you picked up your puppy and within a week they will be back to their normal selves again.  

What's the best way to build a strong bond between you and your dog?  PLAY!   Playing with your dog is the #1 way to build a strong, unbreakable bond.  Dog packs that are not sleeping or hunting, play!  It enforces the family bonds and tightens the pack structure.  So go out and play with your dog!  It's important!

Enjoying their FREE lesson!

Tell me! What other breeder includes lessons from a professional trainer? And I love helping my puppy family!! And I love seeing how my puppies are growing! This beautiful boy was born March 3 so still lots of growing to do yet!

I've seen many of you already but there's a few who can take advantage still. You don't have to have problems to come see me! I'm sure after teaching (and learning) for 45 years I could tell you something you don't know! So let's get together. Soon!