Ziggy’s 4th day….we are still doing long line work to teach him to pay attention and to follow, depending on the dog (their attention) I will do this between 5-seven days. Sitting has improved, a little bit of a delay at times….no doubt if I could read his mind he would be saying….”Are you kidding me, I’ve done that a billion times today already” Of course the most important things have been implementing training into daily life….sitting and waiting for a release to eat…going in and out the door, gates. Funny….he does the little dog recall….he will come but stays a distance so you do not grab hold or pick him up. To stop that I walk away. The first day he really thought I was going to chase him…..not. So, I went inside and he soon was at the back door. Now, when he sees me heading to the back door he follows and then sits and waits for the leash to be placed on him. Please know it is not all about training but play, sniffing and just allowing him to be a dog….all very important and  are wonderful rewards.

Ziggy, Rocky, Niki and Gemma (the two females were not wanting to hang out with the males).

The photos show the introduction between Rocky and Ziggy. Rocky is not very fond of little dogs due to an incident a while back….I will not mention any names For the last couple of days we have been walking together….Ziggy on my left, Rocky on my right, twice daily. Yesterday and this morning I allowed Rocky off leash after our walks. Ziggy remained on the leash for his safety. Little dogs often do not realize they are so tiny. Ziggy does this little bull dance, he looks at the dogs and kicks up those back legs spraying dirt every where….he postures, play bows and takes off at a 1000 miles an our. Really the worst thing you can do when that tiny….Gemma has herding in her and Rocky likes to chase anything that moves so I can just see the two of them in hot pursuit. Oh, for those reallly curous how I got them to pose….cheese…and I do not mean Say Cheese, a slice of good old American Cheese….yum!

What can I say about Ziggy the Pomeranian….fluffy, adorable and enough of that little dog attitude to make him irresistible! You just have to love these little guys….he really has no idea of his size as I have watched him attempt to growl at the dogs through the baby gate…that is not allowed

As his people are on vacation, Ziggy is spending a few days here with us. During his stay we are working on a few commands and introducing some agility…along with teaching him to not run out of an open door, gate. Dogs are so very adaptable, his people dropped him off Monday evening and for about five minutes he was a little apprehensive, strange people, strange and different environment and strange canines looking in at him through the baby gate. I took him for a walk, back inside a few treats left in his crate…a nice bone stuffed with a little PB and of course a tee shirt with one of his favorite people scent on it to rest his head. He knows he was not abandoned

I enjoy working with dogs, they are so intelligent. We have already sized each other up and I am happy to say there is a mutual respect. His first day here we did some long line work, three walks teaching him not to forge a head and sitting for eveything….once I enter his area he must sit. Going out the door, he is made to sit along with allowing me to exit first. Now Ziggy is still young so his attention outdoors….well I am looking forward to seeing improvements in that area I was told he loves his tennis ball….and yes indeed, playful little pup. He also enjoyed a few games of “kick ball”….not to mention a couple of outings with my two female dogs Gemma and Niki. As he has little attention outside in the fenced area with out a leash….the two females are helping me to keep him under control. I also introduced the pause table, tire and a-frame for agility….he is fearless and so far his favorite is the tire!

All in all a great first day and he slept peaceful and soundly.

Introductions. Niki and Ziggy first meeting. Poor Niki…she has made so much progress since her spinal surgery, the fact that she can walk, run, although still wobbly is amazing all in itself. Her spirit is amazing for she so tried to keep up with the Road Runner (Ziggy). They play bowed, chased each other….he did run circles around her.

Gemma, Niki and Ziggy!

If your thinking the Toys could not possibly do agility…think again Ziggy is a natural!

 

In all of the years that I have shared my life with dogs, this is the first time I actually know the birth date of a dog. I know there are many folks that believe acknowledging a “pets” birthday is silly….and I have no doubt some get just a tad bit carried away in the celebration. That is all right, if it makes you happy, makes the dog happy…have fun, enjoy.

For Rocky’s 2nd Birthday I decided to bake a cake for the dogs….silly…yes indeed.  I thought of a few  thngs they like the most….you know, what makes thier teeth chatter. For my pack it is Peanut Butter, carrots and a little dollop of whipped cream. So we are calling it the Peanutty Dream Cream Cake.

I am in no way advocating you feed you dog bad foods. My dogs eat a healthy diet and I am not big on doggie treats. Rocky will be two once….besides he got to share with all of his favorute dogs and people….yep, if you like peanut butter, you too will love this cake (Like Mikey). Dogs will be getting only one piece…that is all.

Pea-nutty Dream Cream Cake

Pre-heat Oven #50

1 cup flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/4 cup low salt-no sugar added Peanut Butter, 1/4 cup oil, 1 cup shredded carrots (save some carrots for the top of the cake), 1 tsp. vanilla, 1/3 cup honey, 1 egg. Mix together, pour into a cake pan. I set the timer to 30 minutes, however took it out after 25 minutes….check to see if done.

Whipped Cream…heavy cream, a little vanilla, and honey added….best on high until firm and peaks.

Sunday found me bathing Rocky for the second weekend in a row….he had developed a nasty hotspot. Before his bath, I sat and watched while Mike played with the dogs and could not help but smile….Rocky will be two next week. In the two years there have been major changes to this little pack of mine….Niki’s spinal injury….all the work and time spent doing physical therapy.. The fact that she is walking, plays kick ball, does agility… although still has a weak back end she is cartless. Our little miracle dog….The Little Dog that Could Then there was Phoenix’s cancer and all too soon death….their lives are really too short.

As they played I watched each, for they have such wonderful personalities….as I usually do managed a few photographs…no special occasion. Just your normal, typical Sunday afternoon. If it’s been a while that you hung out and played a few games with your dog, did some training or just went for a nice long walk….do make the time to do so…of and don’t forget to bring your camera! Or if in the Atlanta area know that I offer “A Day in the Life” photography package which includes three to four hours of photography time up to four pack members (people or dogs). Great shots of play time, bath time…the dogs not the humans Along with several portraits. Conatact me for more information!

Big Print Give Away….only two have subscribed to You Tube and one here at the blog. Three people….come one now….get over to You Tube and subscribe. I know the print looks less then good on the video….it really is lovely trust me

You Tube

Cloudy, overcast and the occasional storm passing through Atlanta this afternoon. After a few hours of painting I decided it was time for a walk and play. Get the dogs….who when it rains are so lazy, out we go. It did not take long for them to get in the mood for a little romping. Several “fresh” sticks had fallen last night, something new to sniff and chew on. A few games of kick ball, fetch the stick, fetch the ball and of course fetch the Frisbee. We then took some time to do a little bird watching…lot’s of them visiting the feeder this spring. I then noticed the raccoon looking down upon us….through the leaves. So, I decided it was time to head inside and let her eat a few of the seeds before having to chase her away. So, for the reminder of our Sunday I think we will curl up on the sofa and read, nap before our next big adventure out and about.

The other day was bath day….always fun. Once the warmer weather arrives bath time can occur outdoors…saves my poor aching back. The doggie tub (yep, they have their very own tub which is raised up off the ground and therefore I do not have to bend) was dragged out of the garage….hose was run from inside out the window so I could use luke warm water. Poor Niki had a few fleas….a true sign sprig has arrived.

After re-introducing the “evil” tub to the dogs….all are little skittish and since they have not seen the tub since last summer I thought it best if they practiced getting in and out….for treats of course. Bath time should be relaxing to a dog….it should not have to be a struggle….nor should grooming. Niki was first….brushing/comb and bath/ towel dry….then a nap in the sun. Gemma was up next….brushing/ comb, towel dry….then run around crazy until she too takes up next to Niki in the sun for a nice nap. Last….Rocky….brushing/ comb bath. Then he is force dried (doggie drier) for he has so much fur his under coat would never dry. I tend to brush my dogs almost on a daily basis. On those days I skip a day or two I reallllly kick myself for they mat very quickly….especially Rocky and Niki. Gemma is a low maintenance dog, however since the other two are getting attention she wants her fair share and will actually wait her turn. In other words….she wants to be groomed.

Niki, the smallest is actually the most work. She was before her accident and after now requires special handling. She is very sensitive to touch all along her spine (overly sensitive reflexes). After her spinal injury it seems the nerve endings are crossed wrong now. Her coat must be kept short due to sanitary reasons. She can at times drop her hind end, tail into her urine when she relieves herself….as do we still have to help her completely empty her bladder. Shaving her is also a bit tricky. Just running the clipper down her spine causes her to twitch, pull her hind legs up…I must be very careful. Because of this it can take me days….or weeks to fully groom her. We will do a little and then go back a few days later….poor thing, while she dislikes the process….when it is over she does strut her stuff. Yep, she is indeed a “hot dog!!!!

The photographs were taken early evening…all smelling so very clean….nice shiny coats. Soon after Rocky went and rolled in the red clay….yep, you gotta love a Golden! Be on the look out for those nasty critters….fleas and ticks. Images taken with a Nikon d300.

Fun, silly, loving and playful!!!

The third and final version….I of course can continue with this for there are sooo many ways to paint a subject…but time to move on to other paintings. This style is of course, to me anyway, the most fun to work on. The wonderful textures you can add….both in digital form and once printed….also, so many choices in printing, transferring, adding more color, splats of paint….the possibilities are really endless.

 We simply adore our furry friends!

Sharing our lives with them is very beneficial. I know in my daily existence they get me away from the PC . We all know sitting in front of the PC for long durations is not very good for us! Working from home is also a bit lonely, you do not have the opportunity to see people….the dogs keep me very busy and saved me from a life of talking to myself….well OK, I still talk to myself but not as much

As with any relationship it does take a bit of work….due to the fact I have three dogs in my pack I must vacuum….allot. Also….mopping the floor is now one of my daily chores, not to mention the fact that I can never wear black again, only colors that hide the fur.  One MUST spend time with them…doing things they like to do….walks, ball tossing, only fair as they are always doing the things you like to do etc. As I have written so many times, you must also train them…they in turn do the same with you. If you think I am exaggerating just think about it….they tell you to feed them, they tell you to rub their butts, they shove toys in your face to get you to play with them…yes indeed, they train their human friends better then most humans I know train them!!!!

Sharing one’s life with a furry friend is a win/win situation and to be honest I cannot imagine my life with out them!

 

What…dog training an Art? I think so! Have you ever watched a handler and a dog working together…in sync with each others body movements. Knowing the time they have spent together working, teaching, learning. …yes in my eyes an art form indeed.

Teaching a dog to sit is Such an easy task, and something most of us starts teaching from the moment we bring our furry friends home. Sadly, follow through seems to be a huge problem with some. Our dogs are smarter then we give them credit for. I have never met a dog that could not be taught to sit.

When I taught Group Dog Obedience Classes, on the first night I would ask all students if they have taught their dogs to sit. All said yes, but when asked as a group to show me, only a few could get their dogs attention, and get them to sit. Some would start raising their voices and chanting Sit, SIt, SIT. OK, I admit, this always made me chuckle a little bit. The challenge was on, could I successfully teach those in this class the meaning of “Sit”? To me, Sit is the foundation to a well behaved dog.

We must decide what sit means, if the meaning is the dog touches their-rears to the ground for a minuscule of a second, then many have successfully managed to teach their dogs to sit. Hmm mm, but I wonder if that is what most of us have in mind when we start teaching our dogs to sit.

To understand the meaning, lets first look at a couple of the benefits of a sitting dog:

*a sitting dog cannot jump (were you aware one of the reasons so many dogs end up at shelters is due to the fact the dog jumps up on people, sad but very true (very much human fault for not raising the dog properly from the start).

*a sitting dog cannot run out an open door. Just a few of the benefits of a sitting dog, the safety factors are indeed immeasurable!

Looking at just a few of the benefits one gets the idea that a sitting dog would have to remain in a sitting position a little more then a minuscule of a second.

OK, I admit….teaching a dog to sit takes a little bit of time, you must be patient and a have a sense of humor. Most importantly, you must spend time with your dog and have the ability to implement training into your daily life.

You know, dog approaches you (or vice a versa) the dog should sit. Before feeding, treats or attention the dogs should sit. Going in and out doorways, getting in and out of a car, before crossing the street the dog should sit. Put that command to good use!

So, the steps to teaching the dogs to sit…Teach the word to the dog. Yes, we will reward when they touch their rears to the ground, but then keep them in that position for a few seconds longer before rewarding. This is called teaching a longer duration of sit. Vary the duration, slowly adding longer lengths of time, we also want to have the dog paying attention to us. Oh No….your not there yet, for you also must introduce distractions. Like each of us, our dogs are individuals and some have the attention spans of a nat, some even less, some more. This will take several weeks, then you can start adding distance (safety alert…this does not mean off leash in an unsecured environment). So then, going by what is written above the meaning of sit is a dog that can keep their rear on the ground for duration, distance and with distractions while paying attention to the handler. Yes, I know some are wondering why I have not yet written abut the command stay. That is a choice in verbal commands. I prefer that sit mean remain sitting until I release you….thus, one needs a release word. Call me lazy but I use “OK” along with body language to release the dogs from sitting.

Interesting, with all the dog laws that are in place, all the banning of particular breeds, but absolutely nothing about training a dog. Rather then telling us what breeds of dogs we cannot have why not just make sure all dogs are trained.

These days anyone can breed, buy, rescue a dog from a shelter..hold the breeder<s>,buyers, shelters accountable, all those that have a dog should train them. There is a Trainer on just about every block that offers in home training, or group classes. Online classes available for those with hectic schedules such as the one we offer here at Paw Prints (if you have a dog that is difficult to handle or exhibiting serious behavioral issues an online course is NOT for you and your dog. In home, one on one training just may be best for you and your dog).

All that is needed to teach your dog to successfully sit, is your time!

Remember, training is for the life of the dog.