411 Dog Trainer

I will be posting thoughts about and memories of each of the cute and cuddly Canines  that I’ve been privileged enough to raise, rescue and foster.  Since I took in my first rescue, “Pancho Gonzalez” when I was nine years old, I have been a “Homeless Animal Advocate” and have actively taken part in as many rescue / re-homing situations as possible. I have taken in and trained or re-trained, spayed/neutered, Veterinary checked and inoculated many Dogs over the years.

I will attempt to blog a tribute to each of the wonderful Dogs that have helped make me the person I am today.

Training  strategies, the similarities and differences, helpful training tips and  trouble shooting.  Firstly, I’d like to note that every Dog is an individual.  Training is so very important that the lack there of is the number one cause of pet Dog mortality!!! Everyone thinks Fido is so cute running around like a maniac when he is 8 weeks old, then he turns 1yr. old he still has no manners, chews everything in site, not house broken and is a menace inside and out.  He bounces from home to shelter to re- homed to Animal services ( Dog pound) and is then euthanized !!! … And said Family gets a new Puppy

Secondly, each individual falls into a category of innate breed characteristics.  ( *post still  in progress )

I only got to spend time with Harley once, he was adopted quickly, that’s wonderful. The little red male Chihuahua was eager to forgive humans and find a new loving home. I don’t know many of the stories of the rescue Dogs, but his I did here…. A young man saw some guy throw him in a canal the little Dog was drowning, he jumped in and saved him. He was unable to keep the frightened Chihuahua for himself and brought him to C.A.R.E. where he was dubbed “Harley”.

He growled at one of the other kennel volunteers, I read the (I bite)  sign on his door. I soften my posture smiled and entered, he looked up me, I offered my hand a foot from his face as to not be a threat to him. he wiggled and squirmed and I spoke softly, he approached my hand, sniffed it and we were best buds, that easily.  His harness was unfastened, he let me fix it walk him and put him his assigned outside run.

I had spent a few hours working with my other project Dogs, then I returned to his his run for some one on one time to assess his obedience level and practice some training ques with him. He did not seem to know any of the basic commands.and seemed a bit shy again. I decided to just sit down on the floor in his cage.  Aha!, lap Dog, Harley came to me and sat in my lap.  I was joined by my Mentor, Chris and then two other rescue volunteers a Husband & Wife.  So, here we all sat in the kennel on the floor getting Harley to warm up to us, going from person to person for treats.

ADOPTED

One  Pup from each of the litters are still left at C.A.R.E. and have now become best friends.  Phoebe from the first group of three puppies, being  rambunctious bully/hound type. The rowdy, extroverted,brindle females that had been left at a fruit stand, when they were only 5 to 6 weeks old. And Sophie from the second group of three 8 week old shy, introverted Retriever mix puppies.   I spent an hour with them Sunday morning.  Both Pup-analities blossoming into well socialized, eager to please individuals. Sweet Sophie smiles and is such a lover, perfect for a younger child or older couple.  Vivacious Phoebe would be a great match with a out going family, couple or individual looking for an active team player.

Puppies are so fun to work with, they have a short attention span but so eager to learn. Learning to follow along with a collar and leash attached is not the same as running along under your feet. Puppies love to canter under foot as you struggle to remain upright but just clip on a collar and leash asking Puppy to stay at your side and it usually is a rodeo !  Even the slightest restraint makes some Puppies balk and throw a real fit. Helping them understand that they can have all the freedom they need at a loose-leash walk as long as they don’t pull can be quite simple with a few treats and a little bit of patience.

I found a flat buckle collar to fit each of the Pups and two leashes for them to drag around just to get a feel of tension.  After pulling the bothersome restraints for 5 or so minutes I picked them up holding on but not pulling. I baited my left hand letting the Girls smell the yummy raw hotdogs, holding the leashes in my right hand across my body as to position them in the proper place to heel .  I stepped forward encouraging them to walk with me. Taking 5 steps then rewarding and praising them.  Each time after proceeding forward a few steps I gave the treats with lots of verbal and physical praise.  Another quick and successful lesson, it is so much easier to set your Pup up for success and not to push to much to soon to fast. If you take the time it takes to do it right the first time it will take less time than doing it over and over again unsuccessfully.

Lots of off leash bonding and quick obedience ques can make a puppy feel like your best friend and a genius. Every Dog wants to please their best friend. I as the human must strive to keep my lessons fun, easy to accomplish and short. I return to the Puppy kennel 4 or 5 times for a quick lesson then go to another Dog between each short visit. this keeps them wanting more, each time I return they are so happy to see me. They think I’ve been gone forever, this also helps with separation anxiety, I just keep coming back  then it doesn’t feel hopeless just play with anticipation of my return.

I spend a lot of time on polite enter and exit at all doors and gates. A dog that knocks their humans over like bowling pins is not usually the most valued member of a family.  Dogs like humans need structure and guidance, they like to be needed and have a purpose. Big or small, Dogs like to join the family and have a job. Whether exercising Dad, walking Mom, playing with the Kids, protecting the Baby or keeping Grandma’s lap warm the Family Dog is happiest when well mannered.

April 15/2012, Sophie and Phoebe still haven’t found homes, this gives me more time to spend with them but a rescue is no place like a real home. Both puppies are really progressing very well. They are so receptive to short training sessions and seem to catch on to new commands as well as remembering the ones we have already learned. These puppies both have great personalities and soon will be someones forever friend. If you have room in your heart and in your home please come in a make a difference in your life and theirs.

  ADOPTED 

Critter Adoption and Rescue Effort of Ruskin, Fla. is where my official externship is taking place. I am under the tutelage of Mentor/Trainer Chris Vergallito.   My first meeting had to be cancelled and I stressed about ruining my first impression already by being unreliable. I sheepishly called in sick and rescheduled for my second first meeting . That first day I still felt horrible, I had barely recovered from a wicked stomach flu and still feeling a bit under the weather. I had already shared my germs and one week later my Husband, Papa Dan, was cursed with the same awful sickness that I had suffered.

I called Chris to give her the opportunity of opting  for me not to come at our prearranged second, first meeting worried that I may infect her as well. She seemed confident that 2 weeks after the fact I should be non infectious.  So, I showed up. I had worked all week and was a bit tired, only able to grab a 2 hour nap before our appointment time. Typically, I am used to staying up on Sundays, my last day of the work week, time to switch to my day shift schedule. Tho, I was not at my best, for sure and wished  that I had opted out for another week. But …here I was trying to get thru the meeting without embarrassing myself any more than the obvious minimal.

Chris was wonderful, very understanding, we met all the Dogs. Then we did a little bit with the Puppies, Lola, Kya and Phoebe. I felt slightly green and had to cut the day short. I hoped my second first impression was not ruining my chances to get a good grade, as we are graded in several different categories, including employ-ability.    Finally I left, drove the 45 minutes home and went to bed.

Sadly, the following week, Chris  told me she totally understood my Flu drama, she was sick that next week after our first “toxic” meet and greet.  I am a generous person and love to share … but not germs, with your Mentor ! I am being graded on this ! All kidding aside, I think she will be a great mentor that I feel I will always be able to turn to in the future, as well as now, for any training questions that I may have.

… Is the sweetest little  (light mocha, bright orange) brindle and white Bully-breed girl. She has a broken back leg and has a full cast , 03/25/12 poor little girl, she can only go out to potty then cage rest for now.

This week 04/01/12 Leila has her cast off now, still no heavy activity, lots of rest.  I hope to work with her next week.

Ok so, Easter 04/08/12, I spent with my human family.

04/15/12 YAY, today I finally got to check out little Miss Leila’s “PUP-anality” . She lopes along like a big floppy rabbit, and buckets of energy!  Probably from the weeks of strict cage rest. She is silky soft like a Satin Rabbit, 4 stockings, a wide blaze, chest & belly snow white . The rest of her coat has polished into a light brindle color, blending shades of mocha, tan, caramel and red setting off the contrasting white.  She is beautiful and lots of chrome.

04/29/12 Wow, Leila is on point today, she is maturing more each week. .  Her responses are quick and very exuberant, she loves to please people with her quirky compliance. I adore watching her  Classical Baroque style canter as she lopes animatedly by my side.  She has a lot to offer the right owner. Her eagerness to learn is delightful, she looks deep in to your eyes seeming to hang on every word, then she bolts merrily along after a passing Butterfly that has distracted her concentration. A young Puppy now, she will soon blossom into a wonderful companion.   Being a PitBull is a shame, many families will pass her by in fear of ridiculous myths.

Lacey is a medium/small black dog possibly some Bird Dog blood some where down the line. She is not very treat motivated and she was not feeling well on my second visit. So I did not get a chance to work with her again, yet. Hopefully she will be better this Sunday, I would love to explore her Psychy a little bit more, figure out what makes her tick. Bonding with these different Dogs, motivating them to work for you can be so challenging and so very rewarding. When that little light bulb goes off in their brain, a connection is made and you have a new communication tool. Each Dog-anity is different, motivating the Dog to give you his/her all for the reward becomes a game.

Lacey has been receiving special meals and meds. to relieve her gastric upset, wow, she is a new Dog. I played with her in the kennel and in the yards, she has a new attitude and likes getting praise for being a good Dog, I really watch the treats. She will be easy to train and should make a great pet for someone who can spend just a little bit of extra care on her tummy issues.

With every visit Lacey gets better, she loves attention and prefers a good scratch and loving words to hotdog slices or cheese !  She responds to a kind word with an expression of appreciation. She seems glad that people are trying to understand her and will take the time it takes to communicate with gentle words and rewarding pats and Turkey bacon

Zoey is a creamy tan Shepherd x Dog with beautiful eyeliner, she looks glamorous, when you look into her face. She is not good with other Dogs, we have been working on general basic manners, obedience and Doggie desensitization. She responds very well to treats and is a delight to work with.

Yesterday, April 15th, 2012 I had Zoey, off leash she spied a cat on the opposite side of the fence and attempted an approach I stepped forward to interrupt any negative response. The Cat stood arched and hissing, I feared the worse, Zoey looked on, interested but non-aggressive . I instructed her to “Leave-it” and she came to me and sat in front of me waiting for the next command. I quickly kicked her ball and we ran off to play a better game. This is a very good thing as Zoey is not social with other dogs yet. I feel she is making advances in her social abilities, soon to be part of the happy Dog pack for play time.

04/29/12 This elegant Lady is a bit willful and very soulful sauntering about in her Champagne colored fur coat, the belle of the ball.  Velvety black eyeliner and lip liner perfectly accenting her feminine face.  She has a slight smile when looking up into your face, sweet and charming.  She is learning to play with other Dogs now, this is a big plus when rehoming a rescue Dog and will definitely help her options .

Adorable Retriever mix Puppies that I met at C.A.R.E. rescue in Ruskin. These Puppies where from a  family that could not find homes for them so they came to C.A.R.E. for help in placing them in good forever homes.  These three little girl Puppies were a bit shy but friendly and well cared for.  They were soft, well fleshed and not wormy. These Pups were very laid back and gentle. They responded well to socialization and liked being petted, at first they were not very motivated.    The Puppies are fed twice a day at C.A.R.E. , as are all the Dogs, so I had to bring really yummy treats to keep their attention. Once they learned I had the good stuff it was easy to teach them to; focus, sit, sit-stay and come. I did not get to spend much time with them as they were quickly adopted.

*I did however,  get the chance to compare them to a very different litter of three little girl ( Houndy/Bully) Puppies found abandoned at a fruit stand. In comparison these three Pups slightly younger were very alert to everything in their surroundings. They obviously had to fight for their food were they had been. They had bad Puppy nipping issues and were aggressive towards each other. In a couple short weeks the three went from unruly Pups to “A” students. They were extremely food motivated and learned very quickly. They calmed down with regular good feedings and their coats got shiny after being dewormed.

ADOPTED 

Huey and Dewy are siblings, Huey the male and Dewy the female, they have been at the rescue since they were puppies. They both really need homes. We, Chris my Mentor/trainer and I, worked on basic obedience and socialization with these two sweet Dogs. They are very treat oriented and will do just about anything to earn a treat. They are carbon copy book ends, his and hers ivory Canine companions. How cute would it be to train them as a team for a Dog cart. Please come meet these two sweeties, seeking  loving forever homes !

04/29/12 Dewie has surprised me immensely, though treat oriented, she seemed to only do what was necessary to  earn the treat.  I hoped that maybe a home not requiring too much obedience would adopt her.  I WAS WRONG!!!  Dewey was doing; figure 8s at the heel w/ auto sit, sit-stays,  down-stays & recall/come all off leash !!! I have only played with her 3 times.  Dewie needs a home with teens, adults and she is the only pet.

A wonderful Dog, full of energy and love. She has the power to drag you around the block if you’re not careful. We worked on kennel exit/enter in a polite fashion. She loves treats and learns very quickly. I worked again with Casey on March 25th, she responded quickly to me and remembered her lessons from the previous week.  She is an amazing Dog. I hope her new owner will continue private training lessons with her to bring out her full potential.

Casey has officially become “Lady” she has gone to her forever home .  Lady comes back on Sundays to visit all her Dog buddies and play with her human Rescue family.  This is such a great transition step for Dog and owner. C.A.R.E. has a Pawsitivily Grrrreat outreach and after adoption program.

  ADOPTED