How to train a show puppy

Posted on March 19, 2012 by amygarabedian

Maybe your breeder has asked you if you would be willing to show a puppy. Maybe you are curious about those dogs you watch on TV. Maybe you have a purebred and you are looking to learn about how to show a dog. One thing is certain – if you want a show dog who wins, there is training involved.

So how do you begin with a new puppy?

Showing a dog is a sport which is properly called ‘conformation’.  Another word for conformation would simply be ‘structure’.  What you are showing a judge in the show ring is the structure of your dog.  If your dog is well structured standing still, their movement should reflect that.  So there are two pieces of showing a dog, standing or ‘stacking’, and moving your dog.

First, you must know what skills a show dog requires.  Typically, when people start to teach a puppy, the very first thing the pup learns is to sit. However, sitting is the very last thing a show dog needs to do. Show dogs need to learn to stand, and to be very tolerant of people picking up and placing, or ‘stacking’, their paws.

Rodeo at 7 weeks old

When you first get your puppy, place an equal emphasis on asking your puppy to sit, and asking your puppy to stand.  Most everyone has taught a pup to sit, but much fewer have attempted to teach their dog to stand.  Here’s a quick tip:  when your pup has sat, take a treat, pull it slowly away from their mouth in a line parallel with the floor.  First the pup will lean forward, and then attempt to stand.  Once they stand, praise them, “Good stand, Fido.” and reward with the treat.  If your pup is reluctant to stand, use your other hand to place a little pressure on their belly to help get them into position.

Now that your pup is in a stand, it’s a good idea to have a treat that requires some effort on their part to chow down on.  A larger milkbone, or string cheese are great ways to start.  Your pup will be focused on what is in your hand, and less on what you are doing.  Start playing with their paws, lifting them up and setting them down.  You don’t have to worry about any particular position at this point.  The idea is just allowing your pup to be content while you are handling their feet and legs.

So, if stacking and moving are the two skills your pup needs, the second thing to get your pup used to is moving at a trot with you, on all sorts of surfaces.  Typically a show ring will have some sort of rubber flooring to avoid slipping either of the people or dogs.  If you can find somewhere to practice with a similar floor type, that is best.

Speaking of flooring types, one other thing must be said about show dogs.  They are confident dogs.  They are very well socialized because a judge can excuse or disqualify a dog that growls or nips, or is aggressive in the ring.  Every dog should be well socialized.  A show dog is exceptionally socialized.

Breed Specific training

Every breed is judged in the show ring based upon their breed standard.  This standard describes in great detail the ideal specimen of any given breed.  If you are looking into showing a dog, and have not read the standard for your breed, now is definitely the time to do that.  Click here to be taken to the complete list of breeds in the American Kennel Club.
Click on your breed to see more information and the breed standard.

Once you are familiar with your standard, you can look at your puppy and begin to learn how to place their paws to show them to the best advantage.  Look for winning pictures of dogs of your breed, see how the handlers have them stacked.  That is a good place to start.

The Big Secret

Now, here is the big secret about showing dogs… It’s not all about the dogs.  The handler (human) is equally important.  If you think showing dogs is all about having the best dog out there, you are gravely mistaken.  If you want to be serious about showing your dog, there are skills and etiquette that you need to learn.   Here are a couple of things to consider:

  • Make sure you can move at the pace your dog needs to move.  With toy breeds, people can get away with a brisk walk, but a German Shepherd needs to move.  If you can’t show the judge the ideal pace of your dog, you simply can’t win.
  • Invest in a nice show lead ($20-40).  Never show your dog on their everyday collar
  • Dress to be a backdrop to your dog (if you have a white dog, don’t wear a white pantsuit, wear black to make them stand out from you)

As I mentioned earlier, the idea of judging and showing dogs is to judge them against the ideal of their breed.  But, there is no such thing as the perfect dog.  Every dog has a fault.  The job of dog handler is to present their dog before the judge in the best possible way.

Make sure you have fun!

One final tip for the beginner: no matter how serious you decide to take showing your pup, or how much effort you place on developing your skills, remember: if your dog isn’t having fun, they will not be presented to the judge in the best light.  Make sure show training doesn’t become a bore, or a source of frustration for your dog.  No matter if we come in first place or last in the ring, our dogs know they did a great job.

Next steps

So now your puppy understands how to stand, and to leave their paws where you place them, what now?  Now it’s time to get the help of a conformation instructor. Conformation instructors can see you and your pup from the perspective of a judge and are familiar with many, many breeds to help you understand the strengths and weaknesses of your puppy.

Our Sit Means Sit location offers conformation classes on most Thursdays.  Call our office for more details.

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Trimming those pesky nails!

Posted on January 30, 2012 by amygarabedian

As trainers, we are asked a variety of questions about living with dogs.  Probably one of the most frequent questions is about trimming your dog’s nails.

There are plenty of ‘how to’ videos on YouTube which describe just how to accomplish a nail trimming (click on the picture for a link), but typically when people ask a trainer, it’s because the dog is resisting, or even biting at them to get them to stop.
It would be so simple, if they’d just hold still, right?
If you are at this point with your dog, where nail trimming has become a losing battle, it’s time to take back the control.  Dogs with long nails can have health related issues if their nails get too long.  And it doesn’t have to be traumatic.
Here are a couple of ideas to try to start making a better outcome for both you and your dog.

If your dog becomes upset at the sight of nail trimmers, or the even the act of you opening your grooming drawer, bag, etc, start here:

  1. Use your obedience: practice your dog holding his sit, or down when you go to the  drawer or when you pick up your trimmers. (If you don’t have this basic control, call us!  We can help.)
  2. This is nothing more than a distraction.  If you’ve done your job as your dog’s trainer well, your dog will quickly understand that this is no different than waiting at the front door, or walking politely next to you.
  3. Next, put away the trimmers, release your dog and reward them.

You may be saying, “Wait a minute!  I didn’t trim his nails!”

That’s right!  But as you do this exercise more frequently your dog will learn to not get excited at the sight of the trimmers.  Part of the problem is the workup before you even try to trim.  Keep the excitement level down, have better success.

  1. Once you are to the point where picking up the trimmers doesn’t upset your dog (maybe only makes them mildly wary), now it’s time to approach your dog.  Repeat steps 1-3 above walking back to the dog with the trimmers in your hand.
  2. Next sit with dog with your clippers in your hand. (Repeat 1-3 above)
  3. Touch your dogs nails with your trimmers in your hand.  (Repeat 1-3 above)

If you get to this point, it means your dog is sitting or laying nicely next to you when you touch their nails with the trimmers.  Continue to use your obedience, understanding that this is like any other distraction and may be tough at first.  You may even just try to trim one or two nails at a time to begin with, as a quicker way to reward your dog for their increasing cooperation.

Keep in mind, this entire process may take upwards of several weeks.  Give yourself time, and don’t get frustrated.  Once the frenzy has died down, you will find it increasingly easy to trim nails.

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How much is that puppy in the window?

Posted on December 13, 2011 by amygarabedian

Many people seem to feel that nothing says “Christmas” better than a puppy bought as a present.  The sad reality is that nothing could be further from the truth, most especially for the puppies themselves.

The Element of Surprise is a No-No

Surprises are fun, and many people love to be surprised, especially around the holidays.  However, surprising someone with the gift of a living breathing being that needs attention, let alone food, shelter, and veterinary care can be less of a surprise, and much more of a burden.

Surprise!  You have approximately $800 worth of veterinary bills annually, $100 worth of food to feed every month, and poop to pick up daily!  Merry Christmas!

Seriously, though.  It should never come as a “surprise” to someone who will function as the primary caregiver to a puppy.  It is unrealistic and unfair to that individual.

Buying on a Whim

Puppies bought on a whim are most often bought at flea markets or pet stores.  Not surprisingly, anyone willing to give a puppy to someone they don’t know well is probably someone who puts their wallet before the best interest of the pup.

If you’ve been living with the illusion that all puppies are created equally, let me squash it for you.  There is a tremendous amount of socialization and learning that happens even before you get your puppy at eight weeks old.

If for nothing other than selfish reasons, know this: puppies raised in puppy mills and farms are already at a greater risk of having behavioral issues, due to the circumstances of their birth.

Not fair, you say?  Correct.  But until people wake up, and start taking the decision to own a dog with more responsibility than buying a pair of shoes, we  will continue to have puppies that are given up to shelters just as easily as they are bought.

Many rescues, and any good breeder isn’t going to allow you make a dog buying decision on pure whim.  This is because they know they will get that puppy back, and probably have a harder time placing him because he will be older and because of the unsettling experience of moving from place to place.

Is it ever alright to buy a puppy for Christmas?

I’ve given this some consideration, and tried to imagine a circumstance in which it would alright to give a puppy as a Christmas gift.  Here a few reasonings, and my opinion on them.

  • Reasoning:  My kids are 6 and 8 and I promised them a puppy by this age.
    • Answer:  Are you prepared to by the primary care giver to a puppy?  Further, are you prepared to act on the puppy’s behalf because 6 and 8 year old children should not be unsupervised with a dog? It would be a better experience to help your kids understand the responsibility of owning a dog by helping out a local rescue.
  • Reasoning: I am buying my puppy from a reputable breeder.
    • Answer:  This is easy – no reputable breeder allows someone to purchase a puppy for someone else.  Next!
  • Reasoning:  My family has discussed purchasing a dog for the past year, we carefully selected a breeder, and after being selected by the breeder as an appropriate family for her puppy, we decided to surprise the kids on Christmas morning by driving to the breeder to pick up our puppy, who just happens to be eight weeks old on Christmas.
    • Answer:  Bingo!  There it is, people, the perfect scenario to purchase a Christmas puppy.

Please, before you make what should be a life altering decision to either adopt or buy a dog, take the time to be sure that you are ready for the responsibility.  It being Christmastime should be the last factor in your decision.

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The Responsible Female Dog Owner

Posted on December 8, 2011 by amygarabedian

“Yeah!  I’m so happy!” says your friend.

“Hey, what’s the good news?” you ask.

“My daughter is having a baby!”

“Congratulations!!  How old is your daughter?”

“She’ll be thirteen in two weeks!”

Right here, you might think you’ve stepped into the Twilight Zone.  Because who in their right mind would be happy about such a thing?

Well, that is the reaction I have when told a dog who is less than two years old is having puppies.

Much like a human female’s menstrual cycle, dogs come into heat when they are barely into adolescence.  This is not a stamp of readiness to breed, just as a young teen girl having her period is not an indication that their bodies are ready to bring life into the world.  It may be physically possible, but far from ideal.  And in many cases, the body is not at all ready for such a grueling undertaking.

And yet, people do this all the time to their young female dogs.  Sometimes out of irresponsibility, sometimes out of greed, and sometimes out of sheer ignorance of the canine reproductive system.  It is my hope to give people a basic understanding in this article about the responsibility that comes with having a female dog that is intact (not spayed).

The Basics of the Female Dog’s Heat Cycle

Female dogs may come into season as early as 6 months of age.  Some may not have their first heat cycle until 18 months of age.  Female dogs have a heat cycle typically every 6-9 months, though there is variation.  Females in heat will bleed, though the amount varies, and there is the possibility of what is sometimes called a “silent” heat, meaning that very little to no blood is observed.  During the heat, which can last from 2-4 weeks, a female will begin to ovulate.  Ovulation may not happen until two weeks or later into the cycle, though others will ovulate around one week.  She is not fertile during the entire 2-4 week period.  Typically she is only fertile, or in “high season”, for roughly 5 days.  Again, there is variation between girls, but what doesn’t vary is that once the female has ovulated, her eggs, if not fertilized, will begin to die.  Approximately 6 days after ovulation, the eggs are dead and fertilization cannot happen, though she may still be accepting of a male dog, and may still appear to be in heat.

It is vitally important that if you do not want to have your female dog get pregnant, that she is watched closely during her heat cycle.  She should not be taken for walks, nor left out in her yard unattended.  Male dogs are notoriously good at getting to females in season, especially older or experienced stud dogs who become familiar with the scent of a female in high  season.  I have heard stories of six foot fences jumped, doors literally dug through, and dogs who traveled a ways to get to the girl.  It is best to keep your female safely in your sight when outdoors.

To Spay or not to Spay?

Setting aside the moral concerns, what about health concerns?  How can you possibly know what an adult dog’s joint health will be when her joints aren’t even fully formed?  Yes, that was a rhetorical question, because you can’t.  And with so many of our breeds having joint issues of some kind or another breeding a young, physically immature dog is just plain irresponsible.  Taking it one step further, the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (Offa.org) won’t allow certification for joint testing until two years of age.

So, at the end of the day, it is huge responsibility to own a female dog who is not spayed.  If you think it would be appropriate to “let” her have a litter of puppies before she is spayed, see my article on “Why NOT to have a litter of puppies” that may help you make a good decision there.

Of course, there are additional risks to having an intact female, other than just pregnancy.  Female dogs can develop severe uterian infection, known as pyometra.  The condition is notoriously hard to diagnose, and can be fatal.

But when is life ever easy?

So, right about now you may be thinking that you are getting your girl spayed, and the earlier, the better.  In fact, that has been the general attitude of many vets and pet parents for a couple decades now.  However, more and more research points to the fact that doing what’s best for your girl may not be as easy as we once thought.

An increasing body of research is indicating health risks by spaying too early.  Among the risks:

  • Incontinence
  • Joint injury
  • Hemangiosarcoma and Osteosarcoma (two very deadly and devastating cancers)
  • Increased behavior issues, including anxiety

All of a sudden, it doesn’t seem like such an easy decision, does it?

So, here is what I recommend to people I believe are prudent, responsible dog parents, and are not going to have a girl end up with puppies due to negligence:

Just wait until she’s at least one year old to have her spayed, maybe even 18  months.

Will she maybe have a heat cycle (or two) in that time?  Very likely.  Is it a pain to deal with the mess?  Sure.  Will you get irritated having to watch her every time she goes outside.  Yep.

If you don’t think you can stand those simple rules while your girl is in heat – you should get her spayed, sooner rather than later.  Because shelters absolutely don’t need more dogs to place.

But here’s the thing:

Dogs aren’t just here for our entertainment or our convenience.

When you commit to bringing a dog into your life, I believe it is something you should take to heart, and take quite seriously.  They are living, breathing beings with emotions, too (and yes, emotions in our dogs are a proven scientific fact.).  If you are not ready to be committed to their health and well being, perhaps you should reconsider your decision to have a dog in the first place.

Posted in Blog, Living with dogs | 1 Comment

Not so nice dinner conversation….banning breeds

Posted on November 30, 2011 by amygarabedian

Let’s just say, if you were invited to a dinner party full of dog trainers, what is a conversation piece you might choose NOT to pursue?

a.  Politics       b.  Religion          c.  Why you hate pit bulls       d.   The weather

If you chose anything other than “c”  – you, too, can be invited to my next holiday gathering!

Seriously, as trainers we are bombarded by a ridiculous amount of misinformation, much of it guided by media outlets sensationalizing dog attacks on babies and children.  Naturally, we try our very hardest to help people train their dogs and we certainly feel horrible when we hear stories about such terrible things. In fact, given our occupation, we probably have more empathy than most people.

What person with a heart wouldn’t feel bad?

But the real question is, would getting rid of any specific breed of dog prevent such tragedies in the future?

Unintended Consequences

Fear… in any form… is intended to increase the likelihood you will live through the experience.  Fear of heights is there to teach you respect of not falling off a building.  Fear of guns teaches respect of the killing potential.  But what does fear of dogs teach people?  Specifically, children.  Usually, and tragically, fear of dogs tells kids to run.  And nothing gets you bit, attacked, even mauled quicker than running.

So all this media attention paid to pit bulls has probably increased the likelihood that kids are getting bit by dogs in general, certainly not just one breed or another.

My husband and I are involved with therapy dog work and we work with children who are in a disadvantaged situation.  Many of them have a tremendous fear of dogs.  Ironically, when confronted with people who are afraid of dogs – pit bulls and otherwise – these children scream, run and hide, and basically do everything to throw the odds of their getting bit higher.

Our goal with those children is to help them have a healthy respect for all dogs, and to learn how to interact in a safe, and positive way.  Any media outlets who would like to help us in this initiative are welcome!

Unrealistic Phobia

So, according to one anti-pit bull site on the web, pit bulls and pit bull like dogs account for approximately anywhere from 2-9% of all dogs in the US.  That’s a pretty ridiculous range, first of all.  But even going with those percentages, that means that if 75 million dogs are in this country (as according to the ASPCA there are) than there are between 1.5 – 6.75 million pit bulls in this country.

So, could someone please help me understand how pit bulls (and other bully breeds) are so incredibly ruthless, evil and bloodthirsty, that literally millions of them live in peace in their homes every single year?

According to that same anti pit web site (which I refuse to give press to, and so won’t give you their information) there were 88 fatal dog attacks over a three year period (2006-2008).  Further only 59% of the 88 were by pit bull or pit bull mixes.  So, while I’ll agree that 52 people killed by pit bulls over a three year period sounds horrible…. keep these equally horrifying statistics in mind:

  • About 40 people killed by bears over the last decade
  • Over 150 people on average are killed each year by deer

And there are far less bears, and daily interactions with bears than people have with pit bulls.  But would we ever say that bears should be killed, because there is the potential that they would kill a human being?  Of course not!  We also wouldn’t recommend killing (or the more polite term – banning) any other animal because there is potential danger to people.  There would be no zoos, no wildlife left in the world, if that were the case.  How sad a thought.

What makes a dog breed ‘dangerous’?

In this country, we constantly and vehemently oppose discrimination of all forms – race, gender, religion, creed, orientation.  What is breed specific legislation, other than discrimination?  Yes, we aren’t talking about ‘people’, but neither are we talking about toys, or robots.  We are talking about individuals who make up a certain group.

Perhaps most telling on the subject of breed specific legislation, is the exhaustive research done by the ASPCA.  Here is an excerpt from their website regarding their position, which strongly opposes breed specific legislation.

Perhaps the most harmful unintended consequence of breed-specific laws is their tendency to compromise rather than enhance public safety. As certain breeds are regulated, individuals who exploit aggression in dogs are likely to turn to other, unregulated breeds (Sacks et al., 2000). Following enactment of a 1990 pit bull ban in Winnipeg, Canada, Rottweiler bites increased dramatically (Winnipeg reported bite statistics, 1984-2003). By contrast, following Winnipeg’s enactment of a breed-neutral dangerous dog law in 2000, pit bull bites remained low and both Rottweiler and total dog bites decreased significantly (Winnipeg reported bite statistics, 1984-2003). In Council Bluffs, Iowa, Boxer and Labrador Retriever bites increased sharply and total dog bites spiked following enactment of a pit bull ban in 2005 (Barrett, 2007)

So, in other words, people who are going to be very bad, dangerous owners, will do so with any breed.

Perhaps we should enact a “dangerous owner” law and ban certain individuals, proven to cause the public harm with their animals, from owning any dog, regardless of breed.

Now, there’s a thought…..

Posted in Blog, Dog Training, Living with dogs | 2 Comments

A St. Bernard purse dog? Well, it’s Halloween…

Posted on October 31, 2011 by amygarabedian

This past Saturday was our third annual costume contest. With people enjoying cider, coffee and donuts, there was an entire menagerie of pets in costume. Here are some pictures to enjoy!

We gave out prizes in four categories:

  • Funniest
  • Cutest
  • Best personality fit
  • Best Overall Costume

First, our Funniest prize went to… Sully!

Next, our Cutest winner was Liza!


Then, our Best Personality fit had to go to Dakota!

And finally, for the THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR, our Overall Best Costume went to Karen, with Jake, the world’s first St. Bernard purse dog….

We had so many nice dogs, we had to give out several Awards of Merit.

And lastly, a group photo taken outside with some very obedient dogs!

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Bringing home baby…er, puppy

Posted on August 4, 2011 by amygarabedian

The day people bring home a puppy is an incredibly exciting day. The anticipation of bringing home a baby canine can overwhelm the senses, especially for younger members of the family. If you are not buying a dog ‘spur of the moment’ (which you never should, by the way), you can start to make preparations for the day your pup comes home weeks in advance.  If you’ve been carefully considering the decision to add a dog to your family, with the right preparation the day you bring your baby home should be fun and exciting.

Depending upon where you plan to get your puppy, your preparation may start as early as 6-12 months in advance.

  • TIP: If you plan to get a puppy from a breeder, many times the best breeders have waiting lists. Don’t be deterred by this, interview multiple breeders and choose the one you see as the best fit for you, and if they have a waiting list, get on it.  You will be grateful you did, even if it means waiting a few extra months.

The other way to get a puppy, if you are not very specific about what type of breed you’d like, is to get a puppy from a rescue.  There are many puppies out there desperately waiting for their forever homes.  Browse for some adoptable pets in your area. Many times, rescues require a home visit, or a waiting period before allowing an adoption.  These are all in an effort to make sure that the placement of their dogs are ones that can stand the test of time.  The last thing a rescue wants is a dog returned to them.  So be patient with their criteria.

So… you’re on a waiting list, or just waiting for the right adoptable pet to become available.  What can you do to prepare your home, and your family?

Two or more weeks away

  • Make a vet appointment
    • You should always have a new puppy examined by your own veterinarian with 1-3 days of receiving them.  Many breeders require this inside their contract.
  • Decide on your course of action for housebreaking.
    • Will you have a puppy proof room, a crate, or puppy pads?
    • Purchase supplies for whichever method you choose.
  • Research your new pup’s diet
    • If you are receiving a pup from a breeder, ask them what food the pups are on.
    • If you are rescuing a dog, many times rescues aren’t able to afford high quality foods, so plan to research a good food.  Have a lot of time on your hands?  Read this book, all about the pet food industry and choosing a quality diet for your pet.
  • Make sure you have new puppy equipment
    • Bowls, toys (appropriate for pups), chewies, leash and collar, bed, etc.
  • Research local trainers and their options for puppy classes.
    • Training your pup starts the moment they come home, what you teach (either on purpose or by accident) is up to you.
  • Make a Socialization Plan
    • Many times people think of training and socialization interchangeably and that they are the same thing.  Not true.  And one hour per week at puppy class is NOT nearly enough socialization.
    • Talk to family and friends with and without dogs.  Ask permission to have your puppy visit.
    • Avoid places that are likely to harbor disease before your pup is fully vaccinated.  (Dog parks, pet stores)
    • A puppy’s socialization window closes around 4-5 months old, make good use of those couple months to ensure a confident adult dog.
    • Plan to take your puppy somewhere every other day or so, not just let people come over to visit.

Less than one week away

  • Set up the puppy’s area
  • Buy puppy’s food
  • Get puppy tags made for identification purposes
  • Set ground rules with children
    • Will the puppy be allowed on furniture?  Or to sleep in a bed?
    • Who will have specific puppy duties?  (Poop patrol, feeding, etc)
    • However, be careful to not let your puppy suffer to “teach your children responsibility”
  • Begin puppy-proofing the house
    • It may sound silly, but crawl around the house and see what is eye level for you.  Electrical cords, furniture, all those yummy things to chew on….

The day puppy comes home

  • Get puppy used to their new collar.
  • Start to learn your new family member’s likes and dislikes.
  • Remember, even though you intend to love and cherish this new family member, this is a somewhat traumatic event in a puppy’s lifetime.
    • It is normal for a pup to have loose stool from the stress.  (If it persists or is severe, see your vet…but you should already have an appointment made.)
    • It is normal for a pup to cry the first couple of nights without their littermates.  They will adjust quickly.  Dogs are very adaptable animals.
    • Be sure to allow your pup adequate sleep time.  Kids sometimes need guidance to allow a puppy adequate rest time.

So, if you do these things, you will be well on the way to being prepared fully for your canine companion.  It will make the day they come home less hectic, more structured and in general much more fun!  Enjoy your new pup!

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What makes a “good” dog?

Posted on July 12, 2011 by amygarabedian

This is an interesting question to me, mainly, because the answers seem to vary dramatically.  I was at the home of a new client whose dogs were literally jumping all over me.  These were large dogs and there were two of them.  There was no aggression in the act, simply an over-exuberant greeting, and today I have the scratches on my arms to prove it.

But what struck me when talking about training was how the man of the house was very intent to tell me that they were “good” dogs.  I wouldn’t even disagree, but what exactly makes a “good” dog?

One of the things we encourage people who are attempting to find the right dog for their lifestyle to do is research into breed types.  When Nick and I settled on Leonbergers for our home it was because they fit a certain profile.  (They had low prey drive, were content to be lazy while we were at work, they were large dogs that did not drool, and they had an outgoing and friendly personality)  But some people find the idea of sharing their living space with an adult human sized furry companion that sheds nonstop horrifying.  That’s ok.  Maybe we don’t want to share Leonbergers with everyone, anyways.  Perhaps a toy poodle would be more appropriate for other people.

So, I thought it might spark an interesting discussion, trying to figure out what qualities and attributes really make a good dog.  I would venture to guess that different people have different ideas, and that is why there are so many different breeds of dogs in the first place.  Here is my criteria for a good dog:

  • Obedience (obviously, given my profession, this is a must)
  • Willingness to be a part of family activities
  • Affectionate, likes to be loved on and petted
  • A good traveler (we go to dog shows and in general love to take our dogs with us everywhere)

So, these would be my top four qualities for a good dog….what are yours?

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Does a board and train affect the bond?

Posted on June 28, 2011 by amygarabedian

One of the programs that we offer for our clients is something called a Board and Train.  This means that we actually take a dog to live with us for a period of time to complete training.  Our two programs are a Jumpstart (one week) and Bootcamp (two weeks).

Typically people have a fairly strong reaction to the idea of someone else training their dog.  Reaction #1:  “Oh!  You’ll take him?”  This is followed up with a huge grin.  Or, reaction #2:  They clutch their dog to their chest and say with a scowl, “No way are you leaving with my dog.”  Admittedly, this is a bit of an over exaggeration, but not by much.  Dogs are a subject that tend to bring out strong emotions in people.

So an underlying fear many people have when they consider a board and train is whether or not the bond with their dog will be effected by being trained by someone else.  Recently, a post was made on an on-line message list regarding just this concern.  Most people who responded had no experience with board and trains but were people who undoubtedly would have had reaction #2 to the idea.  And their responses seemed to imply that by not training the dog herself, this woman would be missing a fundamental experience with her dog.  There was a lot of guilting going around.

Here is the reality.  We have board and trained dozens and dozens of dogs.  Without fail, when they realize that they are back home, they are happy.  They are happy to see their owners.  They settle back into life at home very well. And no dog we have returned from a board and train has ever forgotten their owner, or crossed their paws and said with disdain, “I can’t believe you sent me away!” And I have also never had an owner say, “Now that Fido is back, I just don’t feel like this is my dog.  I don’t feel bonded anymore.”

Is our bond with our dogs so weak a thing that a week or two away would destroy what we have built with them?  Of course not.  And since training a dog doesn’t just take a week, but an entire lifetime, the risk of losing the ‘bonding’ experience of not doing all the training yourself is also a rather silly affectation.

Is living away from home a stressful experience?  Sure, but stress isn’t always a bad thing.  Stress is what incites change in people, and in dogs.  A proper amount of stress on the immune system is what makes it stronger, in fact.  Dogs are incredibly adaptable.  It is something we see again and again when we do board and trains.

This is one of the reasons board and trains are so effective, when done properly.  And when given the correct tools upon their dog’s return, owners can keep that change and mold it into a new behavior pattern.

In general, we say that a one week board and train program is about the equivalent to an average owner working with their dog for two to three months.  Sound impressive?  You should see the faces of the owners when they see what their dog can do!

Now that I’ve told you all the reasons that a board and train can be a great option, here are a couple of things to keep in mind.

  1. Dogs are not robots. Even with great training it still takes maintenance.  It is simply not reasonable to think that even with a board and train there will be no work on the part of the owner.
  2. If you are too busy to even consider trying to train your dog, perhaps you are too busy to have a dog.  Dogs require work, and effort.  If you cannot commit to a minimum level of work, please consider whether or not you are being fair to your four legged companion.

Lastly, there are a couple of circumstances in which we would actually recommend a board and train, though that is the major exception to the rule. We have done a couple of board and trains because the owners had some physical limitations.  Or their schedules were exceedingly erratic.  These are situations where a board and train may not only be appropriate, but close to the only option available.

Training your dog can be a full and rewarding experience.  But no matter how you do it, training is a necessity in your dog’s life.  If you think you are unable to do it, there are professionals that can give you a major head start with a board and train option.

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Detroit’s A-List

Posted on June 21, 2011 by amygarabedian

We are competing again this year to be voted one of Metro Detroit’s top trainers. And while we are asking for everyone’s votes, here is why we think we definitely deserve the title:

  • We never turn down a dog, regardless of size, age or breed – yes, we love the bully breeds
  • We are the trainer of choice of many local veterinarians, groomers, and boarding facilities
  • We aren’t afraid to work with aggressive dogs
  • Our clients constantly refer us to their friends, neighbors. and family
  • We are proud to say that we have saved the lives of dogs whom other trainers recommended be put to sleep
  • Lastly, we just plain love what we do!

So even if you’ve never trained a dog with us, we would sincerely appreciate your vote if you would like to support a trainer who holds these values! Thank you in advance for your support.   Click the badge below to vote.

Sincerely,

Amy, Nick, Matt, Sharon, Craig & Terri

(The Sit Means Sit Dream Team)

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