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
Running a business out of your home, well eventually you will run out of room. In looking around I have a little of this, that just taking up room. In the next few weeks I will be listing in the store the remaining night lights, these are adorable, as are there a few cat and dog paw prints dishes. I also have a few prints left over that really must go. Oh, and about four or five pet nail dremels (I do not cut my dogs nails. I use a power tool to sand the nails down does a nicer job then trimming), several tee shirts to sell. I will be putting together a short video for while I will be selling these items in the Paw Prints Store, so to will I be auctioning a few items off in e-bay. ..should be fun
This is what our students are learning to paint this week….class starts up again in a few short weeks. Interested, visit our Paw Prints Store to save your place in class.
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.
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!
Friends….we all need them, same for our dogs. Always nice to hang out with those that accept you being “you”. During Sammy’s last visit Rocky and him did not enjoy being around one another.
Poor Sammy….last few years during his visit he has had to adjust to the pack size, as well as the pack dynamics. Last visit the pack size was just three, and through Sammy’s eyes….there was this young, big Golden thinking he was in charge.
Little dog syndrome…..Sammy puffed up and went after Rocky, he thought he would teach him a thing or two….of course there was a gate separating them…and Rocky was unafraid….actually it made him go into full attack mode. Mike was right there and sadly, was frightened that Sammy would get injured for he can stick his nose through the gate opening….Mike pushed Rocky out of the way and Rocky was just snapping….and yes, he bit Mike….bad, bad dog. This was a very serious situation. Rocky not even a year old had not ever shown any aggression….he went into full throttle in such a short duration. No dogs were injured and as soon as I made it into the room Both dogs kenneled up. Now I was not there to see what happened….no doubt it could have been prevented….so now….one bite. It will not ever happen again….while training had already been introduced…..time to roll up the sleeves and work harder.
Rocky as a puppy showed little interest in dogs other then those in his pack…..pretty much ignoring them….so unlike the typical goldens I have known. Even with people….a bit stand offish….within a few weeks to the biting incident he also growled at a woman that had come to pick up her painting….his health….allergies and pano. …which he has experienced since I brought him home.
Fast forward to Sammy’s current visit…. This visit they (Rocky & Sammy) have been walked together a few times, I have allowed contact in the yard, however Sammy is not reliable with all of his commands when with the other dogs…..I sense him not trusting me to control the situation. Several months ago Sammy was attacked while out walking with his person by two large loose dogs….he would prefer not to be in a large dogs company. Since he is not my dog….I have not pushed the issue. Keeping the duration that they are together short.. Rocky can go about his business…play, chew sticks….with what seems a normal curiosity to Sammy.
Photographs were taken with an older Nikon point and shoot digital camera….the fist photograph Sammy remained by the back door….the second he felt a little more comfortable and moved away from the door, thrid image he actually left the patio and was even closer to the other dogs. Soon after the last photo was taken I brought Sammy in for his afternoon nap….he is curled up, sound a sleep. Maybe one day they can be friends….or not, they just need to behave.
Keep your dogs playful and active, especially well into the senior years…Oh….and know that obedience training is for the life of the dog and can be a fun way to spend time together.
I hope all of my friends have a Happy Valentines Day. I hope someone did something special for you today…and vice a versa…or maybe just do something nice for yourself! I have never really been a big fan of Valentines day….although I like the idea of wishing all a Happy Valentines rather then just that special someone, although that is nice as well. The above image was taken with a Nikon d300, wide angle lens….oh and the use of a few small pieces of hot dog was used…hey Rocky demands treats when he works
Below, something special I made as a Valentines gift….a good meal, good wine and a wonderful desert…what a great gift. The desert is not low cal….but oh my, very yummy (recipe follows).
Tiramisu….rather then use lady fingers crushed Amaretti cookies were used (if using the crushed cookies you do not need as much of the coffee and rum…and I went to the local coffee shop for the espresso…cookies were purchased online, although you could make them yourself).
6 egg yolks (room temp), 1/4 cup sugar, 1/2 cup good dark rum, 1 1/2 cup brewed expresso, 16 oz. mascarpone cheese, 30 itl. ladyfingers…or crushed amaretti cookies, shaved bittersweet chocolate.
Whisk the yolks and sugar on high for five minutes until thick and light. Lower speed to med. and add 1/4 cup coffee and 1/4 cup dark rum, cheese…whisk until smooth. Dip one side of the lady finger in remaining coffee and rum mixture…line a bowl (or a layer of crushed cookies….drizzle rum/coffee mixture over the crushed cookies). Pour cheese mixture….then repeat with a layer of lady fingers, or cookies….more cheese. Top with crushed cookie and shaved chocolate. refrigerate over night….then enjoy!
Then there was Phoenix’s cancer and all too soon death….their lives are really too short.
