Leon and I like to play a game called “find it”.  I put him in another room at a “down-stay”, while I hide treats in a different room.  Then I call him to come “find it”.  He uses his nose to find all the treats in the room.

We started out slow by first placing treat in the middle of the room so he could easily find it, then we slowly moved it to a more and more difficult place.

Try this game with your dog and you’ll see how happy they are to use all their senses!

One of the best ways to be a more successful trainer in your dog’s eyes, is to project a can-do attitude.  It helps if you first visualize in your mind what you want your dog to do, and then know she will do it.

You can’t expect your dog to do what you are asking, unless you truly believe he will do it!

Believe in your self and believe in your dog.    Also, NEVER attempt to train your dog if you are upset, angry, anxious or fearful.  If you are attempting to socialize your dog, or teach your fearful dog to be more confident, then YOU need to exude that confidence…and she will follow your example.

Training and working with your dog should be a happy, fun experience for both you and your dog.  If you find yourself getting frustrated, then it’s important to take a break until you feel calmer.  Otherwise, your dog will fight the excercise all the way.

Every time I take my Chihuahua, Leon, in for a check up a the vet, he always marvels at Leon’s clean teeth.  He says he’s never seen a small dog with such beautifully kept teeth.

Well, I have a little secret…I don’t clean Leon’s teeth…he cleans them himself!

Leon loves to chew on his little Curly Q’s and they seem to clean his teeth right up!  In fact, my sister gave these to her recently adopted dog and his teeth cleaned up like magic!  I’ve heard many stories of these little chewies cleaning teeth, so if you don’t want to brush your dog’s teeth, let him clean them himself!

Now, these little teeth cleaning wonders are not that hard to find.  They are actually beef tendons that are dried into a little curly stick. They are better for your dog than rawhide, because it won’t upset their stomachs, and they have one ingredient!

I usually give Leon one of these a month to keep his teeth sparkling…and it usually takes him about one hour to eat it down.  If you have bigger dogs, you can always get fatter ones that take longer to chew.

There are people who feel they need a guard dog for protection, but it’s important to remember that these dogs come with a certain responsibility and can be a liability.  Most are good with immediate family members ONLY and will not accept strangers…even friends of the family.

These breeds needed to think for themselves out in the field and therefore may be difficult to train.  These dogs need a strong leader and an experienced dog owner.  They need lots of stimulating exercise to prevent aggression due to boredom and they need lots of socialization when young.

When choosing a puppy, the breeding stock is very important.  Ensure both parents are socialized properly and are raised as members of the family.  Responsible dog ownership is very important and these breeds are not for the faint at heart and they should not be owned by anyone using them for the sole purpose of “looking tough”.  They are wonderful breeds and can be good companions, but they should be owned by only those with extensive dog experience.

Having had animals all of my life, I know that when you are in a dark place in your life, the one light at the end of the tunnel is oftentimes your pet.  I had a cat that helped me move through the difficulties of Jr high.  I had a dog named Oso, who helped me through college.  And I have a very special Chihuahua, Leon, who helps me carry on today.

Animals give us so much love and support, that I want to help those who feel that giving up their pets is the only way.  Thanks to my fellow tweeter GollyGear, and the article she posted about a groomer who has started a food bank for dogs, I have decided to do the same here in my neck of the woods.  I will be opening up a dog food bank for all the people in my area (and beyond) who cannot afford food for their pets.  I also will be taking donations for grooming and possibly for veterinary care.

Everyone desearves to feel to love of an animal, and I want to make sure that they can feel that love, even through the tough times.  I’ve never done this before and any suggestions or advice you can give me is much appreciated.  Thank you.

You may think that it’s easier to not have a dog than to deal with all the difficulties with owning one…but the companionship of a dog cannot be beat!

I have people telling me all the time that they cannot have a dog, either because they are too busy, or because they don’t have room.  I would disagree.

There are hundreds of different dog breeds…all with different characteristics and needs and it’s just a matter of finding the one that fits your situation.

If you travel a lot…choose a breed that can come with you.  If you work a lot…choose a breed that would be alright at home alone for long periods of time…or look into a doggy day care that can take the dog while you are gone.  If you live in a small apartment…choose a breed that does not need a lot of space.

There’s a dog out there for everyone…all it takes is some honesty about what you want….and some homework.

Photo taken by Rob Waterhouse of his Sussex Spaniel's Dibbs and Rocket

Stump, the Sussex Spaniel was named Best in Show at Westminster and I thought it would be good to talk about the breed and what type of family would best be suited for a dog like Stump.

The Sussex Spaniel likes to be involved with their families and will not tolerate being ignored.  They can be stubborn at times and may be a little bit bossy with other dogs.

As with all Spaniel’s, socialization is critical so that they can learn to be calm in all types of situations.  They require lots of exercise and most of it should be interactive play; remember that this is a hunting dog and this breed takes their work very seriously.

When properly socialized, they will greet everyone happily, but they can bark a lot, which also makes them an effective watchdog.  They do well with older, well-behaved children.

The Sussex Spaniel will do best in a home that can incorporate them into family life and they really shine when they have a good hunting job to do.

Let me explain why she was mistaken.

The Labradoodle is not an actual breed.  For some reason, someone thought it would be a good idea to breed a Labrador Retriever with a Standard Poodle.  Any geneticist will tell you that this dog is now part Poodle and part Labrador…but it’s really any combination of the two.

The Labrador is a hunting dog, is very energetic and loyal and sheds moderately to heavily…depending upon the season.

The Poodle is also a hunting dog (originally), is somewhat energetic, is very intelligent and sheds almost not at all.

A Labradoodle may have any combination of these traits….and is not recognized as a true breed because of the fact that when you buy a Labradoodle…you can’t be sure what you’re going to get.  A true breed is much more stable and you always know what you are going to get.  You always know what a Poodle will be like and you always know what a Lab will be like.

Having said that, there may be some Labradoodle breeders who have worked very hard to stablize their lines and may have somewhat of a “breed” that can be characterized as always posessing certain traits…so as always…do your homework and meet each parent when looking for a puppy.

I hope this sheds some light on “designer breeds” and other “non-breeds”.  Let me know if you have any questions or concerns about the Labradoodle or if you disagree with my assessment of the dog.

Note: This is part two of two blog posts written by my friend, Bill Waites who in the creator of the Second Chance for Greyhounds website.  He is also an avid blogger.

All of our greyhounds, and every greyhound we have known about, has been an instant bounder. It is like they pick you out, with their soulful eyes and their docile demeanor. Then they will approach and give you the “greyhound hug.” She leans against you with such reliance that, if you move, she will fall over.

You have been chosen. You have been adopted.

If you are reluctant to go down that road, her are 5 myth-busters about greyhounds:

1. You must have large yard for them run in. Wrong. As indicated about they would rather sleep. They actually are more behaved in apartments than many smaller dogs
2. They don’t like water. Wrong. They like shallow water, as at the beach. Because they have so little body fat, however, they are not good bets for swimming in deep water.
3. They can’t be leashed. Wrong. We have always kept ours on a leash, rarely letting her off-leash and always only when under control.
4. They attack cats and small animals. Wrong. In fact, they are trained to chase rabbits, but also not to kill them. (If you owned a track, you wouldn’t want the dogs destroying your mechanical rabbit if they caught it.) Taos just gums her toys. We have never seen a tooth penetrate the surface of a chewy.
5. They will run away if given a chance. Wrong. They do have a prey instinct. Something running from them can get their attention. But they also are highly trainable and will respond to commands.

Here are some other things it might be helpful to know.

Males stand about 27 to 29 inches and weigh from 65 to 70 pounds. Females stand about 25 to 27 inches and weigh about 60 to 65 pounds. The coat is smooth and short-haired with some but very little dander. Colors include brindle, fawn, white, black, red and gray or combination’s thereof.

There simply is no more loving dog on the planet. At least, not on our planet.

Thank you, Bill for allowing us to understand Greyhounds better. Jennifer

She eats, she sleeps, she walks, she pees and poops. Then she does it all over again

That’s pretty much a day in the life for us and our beloved greyhound. She is the fourth greyhound that has owned us. Our first never made it beyond being spayed. The anesthetic was too much for her fragile body.

The second was with us for a few years. Then she succumbed to a disease we never knew existed, a tick-born infection that can lay dormant for years and then suddenly materialize in blood that is too thin to coagulate.

The third was with us for 8 years after retiring from the track after three years of racing. She was a superbly affectionate dog. Old age got here.

Our fourth is still with us. She quit the track at 4 1/2 years and has allowed us to live with her for 6 1/2 more years.

We absolutely adore her, as we did the three before her. Her name is Taos, based on the town in New Mexico that has been important in our lives.

Taos is an extraordinary animal, even more so than most greyhounds. She is lithe and lean with a spectacular brindle coat. When she first picked us out, she had a parch of bare skin on her rump. It was the result of years of lying on the concrete floor of a kennel cage. Before long, with a real dog bed to sleep in, the coat came back. It was a milepost day for all of us.

As with most greyhounds, she is a world-class sleeper. For some, who think of greyhounds as very active dogs – after all, they race – it is ironic that greyhounds spend so much time as couch potatoes. Think about it, though. They are sprinters. They expend an incredible amount of energy over a short distance. Then they recoup. Even when they live at the track, they spend most of their time sleeping or in short hibernations.

Life on the track is not very pleasant. Some owners are very caring for their racers. Others are not. But even the best don’t really get attached to their keeps. They are not pets; they are property.

As a result, when they stop winning, they become expendable. Greyhounds that do not find adoptive owners are put down. They may be at the prime of health. But their time is up when they no longer pay for their cage and board.

Learning about this terrible fate is what brought us to adopting our first greyhound. Some people call it rescuing. In a sense, it is a rescue. But to us that implies a debt from the dog that devalues beautiful and loving relationship she gives us.

Please watch for the second post for tomorrow….

Puppies in pet stores are usually from puppy mills and can have temperament and health issues and are not raised in humane conditions.

If you are set on getting a puppy and not adopting an older dog from a shelter or rescue, then finding a good breeder is the best thing to do.

You can find local breed clubs who can steer you in the right direction or other clubs such as agility or flyball clubs.  Many are involved in breeding or rescuing and can help you find a good reputable breed.

The most important step when looking for a good breeder is to meet them at their place and meet the parents of the puppies.  It’s VERY important that both parents look healthy and are well socialized.  They should be indicative of the breed standard and make sure they are being taken care of…this is not only for the dog’s sake, but for the sake of the temperament of the puppies.

If you are looking at a hunting breed…make sure you look at a show line instead of the field line of the breed if you plan on only having a family pet and not a hunting dog.  The show line should be easier to manage than a dog that is breed to hunt all day.

I think people forget that dogs truly want to learn what we expect from them and telling them what you want them to do is not being mean.

I think people also forget that dogs live their lives in the moment and in the pack environment, corrections are expected.  It’s part of living within a pack community, so dogs really think too much about corrections, as long as they are used correctly.

My Chihuahua, Leon, used to be a really picky eater.  I also noticed that his skin was really dry.

I searched around the Internet and found an excellent dog food comparison website called the dog food project.

This website tells you exactly how to read dog food labels and what each ingredient really means.

I also used her services to give Leon a personalized dog food regiment that included supplements for his dry skin and his bad knees.  He LOVES his new food and I know it’s good for him since she personally interviews each manufacturer to make sure their ingredients are safe.

There are also some really good tips on Diva Dog Training which might help with a picky eater.

The Curious Animals blog had many good suggestions on the subject and I’d like to add a few more.

Puppies need socialization with other people, including men, women, and children.  They also need to meet as many unfamiliar dogs as possible.

Of course the subject of molding your puppy into a happy and well adjusted dog is too involved for this little blog, but you might want to check out one of my favorite books on the subject.

Random House The Other End of the Leash for Dogs Improve communication with your best friend! This book teaches readers how to retrain themselves to speak consistently in a language dogs understand and avoid sending conflicting and confusing messages.

Make sure that each experience is a pleseant one, and your puppy will grow to be a wonderful, confident, companion.

I’ve been walking my new foster dog, Black Jack and he’s very fearful of most things outside: cars passing by, dogs barking on the other side of fences, people, etc.  I’ve learned to just ignore the object the dogs fears and continue walking as though nothing is there.  This reassurres the dog that he doesn’t need to fear these things and it also helps to reprogram their brains to not want to flee whenever something unpredictable happens.

I’ve been walking Black Jack a couple times a day for three days, and he’s getting better and braver every day.

I took Leon’s bed with him so he would have something soft to lay on that smelled of home.  I felt better knowing he was sleeping in his own bed…even if it was somewhere else!

I caught a show on PBS last week (Nature) that outlined a cutting edge theory about recent dog breeds and their 15,000 year trek from wolf to our most beloved companion today.  In the distant past, dogs were bred primarily to help us complete tasks that we could not have performed on our own.

For instance, Husky’s were bred to help humans inhabit the cold arctic and without their help, we probably would not have stayed up there because their enhanced senses helped us survive.  At the same time, herding dogs, such as Border Collies, helped us settle on land that would be impossible for us to have kept and gathered sheep because the terrain is too harsh for humans to maneuver.

It was only in the Victorian Age when humans started breeding for purposes other than the need for help on the farm that we starting seeing small dog breeds that served primarily as companions.  Unfortunately, this also introduced breeds that have lots of health issues and breeds that seem caught between their wild instincts and their desire to be with humans.

It’s necessary that we understand the importance of choosing which particular dogs are bred together and really thinking about the consequences of what such a union will result.  Dogs are being used less and less as their originally intended purposes and being used more as just house pets and companions.  People are looking more for breeds that are good with children, or dogs that work well in apartments, rather than dogs that can herd and guard sheep.

Whatever their purpose, dogs are definately the only animal on this planet that has a clear desire to be with us and to be included in our daily lives.  They are truly our companions and we owe it to them to practice good breeding techniques and to really work toward a healthy, happy companion.