Earlier today found myself and my ever faithful pack wandering the yard….camera in hand and ready to stop and photograoh those findings that are interesting. The last of the lilies….seems such a short season however I know that this is due to me not feeing well and not making use of the camera and taking the time to enjoy the flowers in my yard.

While in the agility yard I watched all three dogs…last night I had a student from about 10 years ago stop by to introduce me to his new GS pup. What an adorable puppy Sasha….but then I have a thing for GS’s….love them. What a smart puppy, as she will again be stopping in next week and I will have a few pictures of her to post. Being a puppy she made use of the grassy area in the agility yard….while none of my dogs met her….they knew she was in their yard and this morning just had to investigate. Each had to reclaim what is theirs as they stopped at each location the little pup had urinated.

As all of my pups are now full grown we have been thinking of eventually adding another. Keep thinking something will just come along for in the past that is how we have gotten most of our dogs….or maybe another Golden for how can you just have one

Niki enjoying the large Bumper Bed in Brick and Sunset (twill fabric).

I am always in search of products that my dogs will give Paws Up…and these beds do just that. I have been in search of comfortable dog beds….made in the USA and found a company that is here in the states….what really sold me was that so too are they a green company as are the beds affordable ($79.00-175.00 plus S&H). Did I mention all covers can easily be unzipped, removed for machine washing….the perfect dog bed!

So, coming soon to Paw Prints Store will be several of these wonderful beds.

The Bumper Beds come in nine colors that by mixing and matching you have up to 81 different combinations to choose from. The Tuckered out comes in two colors (plus a Premium which is in cow print….fun).

Roomy enough to share!

These beds are stuffed with 100% recycled intelliLoft …and they are very well made!

Rocky and Niki in the x-lg Tuckered Out Bed in the Beach Glass / Chocolate (made with reinforced Berber material).

Beach Glass/ Chocolate & Oatmeal/ Chocolate

Each bed is well made and is zippered so covers can be easily removed and machine washed! So “Paws Up” from my pack!!! Please know that if interested and you just cannot wait until listed in Paw Prints Store, just contact us and we will order one for you!

Paw Prints Studio does it’s best to support local small business’s and business’s located in the USA and actually stands behind their products beings sold as Made in the USA products.

Yesterday found me sitting on the floor grooming the dogs. I have a grooming table, however this pack of dogs….I am terrified Niki will fall off for she cannot stand for long periods of time, so to groom her I actually have her down and on her side…she is till so very sensitive through out her spine and hind legs and paws. I never taught Rocky to Hup onto the table for he has Pano (sore joints) and did not wanting him jumping off and I cannot lift him off the table. Gemma…well what can I say…the easiest to groom soI just do the same with her.

So, Niki the ckr mix has her face clean shaven with a #10 blade and body shaved with a # 7 blade, then paws, tail and ears are scissored with straight shears, the top of her head is trimmed with thinning shears. Then her nails are “sanded” with the dremel tool. The nails come out nice and smooth when doing it this way. If wanting to give that a try remember to introduce it to the dogs slowly…the noise, the vibration and very important to make sure they understand stay. Paw fur should be neat and trimmed…you can even put a little sock with whole cut out the toe end onto the dogs paw to protect the fur from getting caught on the rotating sander drum. Now, grooming Niki is time consuming for I need to take a lot of breaks, as does Niki. Since the dogs were not getting a bath following thier hair cuts their ears were cleaned with a home made ear cleaning solution and they are also flea combed (yippee….fleas are under control). Niki was given a good waterless bath, then sprayed with a mixture of vinegar, water, cedar wood, lavender and tea tree oil. For being such a good girl some Peanut Butter as a reward

I have three 7f blades that at the feel of them getting warm I swap for another, this way I do not have to use the spray to cool them down (I cannot handle the smell). Plus the fact we take several breaks everything stays pretty cool.

Then Rocky’s turn…good brushing. I do not remove the whiskers on his face….just a personal choice. The thinning shears are used on his ears, the inside of his ear flaps….all the fur near the ear going down on the side of his neck. Then his front legs….Rocky has a lot of “fuzzy hair” growth that is removed on the front of his legs with thinning shears then the backs are trimmed with straight shears. His rear legs….again a lot of fuzzy fur growing every where….thinning shears used….then rear feathering and tail. He is then told to down, over onto his side where the fur growing out between the pads of his paws is removed with a #10 blade. Then fur on top of the paw is brushed against the fur growth and the thinning shears is once again used to remove all of the fur….and he has allot of fur that grows fast like a weed. Once the paws are completed I also shave the fur in his groin area….followed up by some medicated powder. He is told to stand ears are checked and cleaned with the appropriate cleaner and he is brushed once again then sprayed with the vinegar, water, cedar wood, lavender and tea tree oil mixture. PB is given as a reward. Rocky is never ending for he has sooo much fur.

Gemma….easy, easy…easy. Good brushing, told to down over and nails are sanded. Placed in a stand and another good brushing, ears looked at and wiped clean and then she is sprayed with mixture PB is given as a reward.

All three are kept neat and trim, I will not be winning any grooming awards anytime soon. They are brushed just about on a daily basis….grooming takes place about every four to five weeks….I do try to sand their nail more often…about every two to three weeks.

All three will be bathed over the weekend then a quick going over with the comb and scissors.

Grooming Tools Used: Pin Brush, Greyhound Comb, Flea Comb, Straight Shears, Thinning Shears, Dremel Tool with Sander, Clipper, #7 F Blade, #10 Blade, Home made Ear Cleaning Solution, Ear Flush, Waterless Bath Spray, White Wash Cloths, Vinegar-Water-Cedar Wood Oil- Lavender Oil- Tea Tree Oil Spray, Gold Bond Medicated Powder

Late yesterday I got to hang out with a few friends for a little while. Needed an image or two of Rusty so that I can paint him (Molly the Beagle is too cute to have not shared her with you… and she is one of Rusty’s best friends)….looking for that look that his favorite person adores. You all know the look…the one that just melts our hearts. Each of our furry friends have an expression or two that conveys just what they are thinking…or feeling. I know….so many believe it impossible that our furry friends can have such feelings as love, Oh but they Do!!!! I have shared my life with several wonderful furry friends, as have based my career around working along side these wonderful beings….I know this to be true

 Today found the dogs and I hanging out…playing, exploring and even resting a bit. Look at each of their faces and really, what is there not to love about them. They are adorable…even if only through my eyes The best thing about them…they are the best fun police dogs! They know when I need to get up from the PC and just play and romp with them. Have you had fun with your dog<s> lately? Weekend is here…go for a nice walk…explore, have fun. Don’t forget to bring your camera along, make sure you share those images with us!!!!

Sunday Morning, up at 8….since Mike is away for the week in Singapore it is my job to rush the dogs out the back door in the morning, all without allowing too much time for Niki to pee and poop along the way. Since her spinal injury she does not have the greatest control over her bowels, and her bladder.

Some of you may already know this, those of us with RA…well we are a bit slow in the morning. It takes a couple of hours for us to “unhinge”. Not only do I feel like the tin man from wizard of Oz in need of a good oiling, so too do I move like him. The dogs and I wander the yard….dogs do their morning thing, I make sure Niki’s bladder is completely empty having to do this twice for I cannot bend so early in the day (her bladder must be “squeezed” to make sure it is completely empty for bacteria can build up causing an infection.

Once inside I then can go do my thing All the while avoiding the mirror….as always my entourage has accompanied me down the hallway into the bathroom. The only thing on my mind is a nice cup of tea….I am not even sure if there is any caffeine in it for I had switched to green tea months ago. It helps with the “unhinging” process for I can wrap my hands around the warm cup. Once the water is up, stove on… me and my entourage wander back outside to fill the kiddie pool. Now, here in the Atlanta area we are still under drought conditions….I am not sure just how strict the county is currently enforcing the outside use of water for while I have followed the rules (with almost a full week of 90 something temp all you have to do is look at my lawn and weeds….dried brown mess….not to mention just how dirty my car is) I have been filling Niki’s pool just about every other day. Well worth any fines that may come my way for during the course of the winter she has lost so much strength and muscle tone. All of which I am uncertain if she can get back….but we will give it our best shot. As to if she is in discomfort….there are some days she moves a little like me. There is no yelping, or crying….just slow movement. I am really unsure if the county would have sympathy due to the fact Niki requires this in order to build her strength back up….or just to keep what she currently has. To view her walking in the water you see those back legs really moving, plus the sit, stand game we play (very tough to have her sit without floating…if she can touch the bottom of the pool….lots of concentration on her part she gets a click and treat). The movement is easier for her in the water, while at the same time it is so much more of a challenge for her… forcing the use of muscles she does not use on a daily basis.

Last summer when I introduced the pool to her she was not a happy camper…and the same this year. Refusing to go near it…..this morning I managed a few shots of her and the other two while I was filling the pool up. She was not happy….but since I had a few tasty treats she gave into sitting by the pool. As the pool fills… time for the birds….they want their feeders filled up. Yes, our wild life has us very well trained

Tea Time….water boiling away I pour the water into my cup and let it steep wile I feed the pups. Now, in my green tea I add a little milk….I know this has shocked some that have actually witnessed me doing this….I just like it that way. While sitting and enjoying my tea….my stiff hands slowly absorbing the warmth from the hot cup I spy the clock, the true testament of just how slow I move in the mornings, 9:45. I smile for I thought I had moved about in a speedy manner. My mind drifts to the fact that it is Sunday…I guess my age but I remember when stores were closed on Sundays, dinner was planned earlier in the day….you got to relax, eat dinner with the family….hmmmmm, sounds good to me. So. plans for the day….hanging out with the dogs, PT for Niki, depending on the heat and smog (bad air along with the heat) will determine how much out side time we get…then….relax.

Our little furry friend went home with his people last night. Dogs are pretty amazing….in all the years I have worked with animals most know when they will be going home, Ziggy is one of those dogs. He was very excited all day, and did not complete his dinner…something very much out of the ordinary for him. he likes his meals. He did not skip a beat having been dropped off….however once he saw his favorite people….home is where he wanted to be. If you go back and view the images of Ziggy when he first arrived you will see it was very difficult for me to get a good photograph of him….much better day four and when he left I must say he was such a little ham

He had Lots of things going on during his stay with us….play, exercise, training….walks, lots of walks. Not to mention three other dogs to annoy….I mean play with My two females adored him for about a day or so….then they treated him as though he had cooties….can’t say that I blame him, he was just a bit too interested in sniffing them….Niki once in while play bowed and ran a bit with him….Gemma pretty much ignored him. Now Rocky…all of my hard work paid off for in the end they were the best of friends. Last few days Ziggy was given a little more freedom in the yard and I got to watch them play tug of war with the frisbee. Now….I saw Rocky look at me once in a while to see if I was really paying attention….since Ziggy was dragging a light line attached to his harness….well he wanted to do his Golden thing and pick the end of the line up and take Ziggy for a little spin. Yes…I was paying attention…same thing when they played tug….I was there encouraging Rocky to play nice.

Each dog I work with I always learn a little something, that is the best part about working with canines….no matter how much experience a trainer can have those that are the most successful will take away with them just as much as the dog….maybe even more. Now, the tough part….working with his people. The dogs, piece of cake….people a little tougher to work with I state that only because most people make too many excuses as why they can’t do something…..or they can’t make the time for the dog….in the end it is up to how well I can teach the dogs people for after all my Job Description is that of Dog Trainer when really my job is that of teaching people

I have to admit I did so enjoy watching the little dog stand his ground. While yes, I worked with him to be behaved in the presence of larger sized dogs (no posturing, barking or whining) does not at all mean I did not admire his little dog attitude. Now, being vertically challenged myself I happen to understand completely

If it has been a while since you have done something with your furry friends, take the time to do so Summer Time Safety Tip: If you have a pool please do take the time to teach your dogs how to get in and out of your pool safely.

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.