sliding doberman

AN INTERVIEW WITH VICTORIA STILWELL by John Bell Young | Life With Dogs

AN INTERVIEW WITH VICTORIA STILWELL by John Bell Young | Life With Dogs

Hands Off when your dog jumps up

Patricia McConnell has these words of advice about dogs jumping up:
"Avoid doing what comes naturally, which is pushing dogs away with your hands. Dogs respond to this as if you were playing, and leap back with even more enthusiasm. It's so very common for people to say "down" when dogs jump up on them. But think about is: down isn't the problem, it's jumping up in the first place! All dogs are going to go down eventually! Besides, aren't you teaching your dog to lie down to "down?" Using the word to mean two different things -lie down and don't jump up - is just another way to confuse your dog."

Rescued puppies will need homes…potential owners asked to register

Rescued puppies will need homes…potential owners asked to register

Left behind

The Tea Bag as a first aid tool

Approximately a month ago, at a time when all were plagued by flies and horseflies, Boss, one of our horses started showing signs of an infection of sorts in one of his eyes. It looked sore and was an obvious source of irritation to him. It just so happened that the horse dentist called over during that time and recommended I put a used, wet (obviously cold) tea bag on his eye. So without any hesitation I made myself a cuppa and started the tea bag treatment. After 3 applications, voila Boss’s eye showed a great improvement.

You may well ask why I am sharing this with you as this page is all about dogs. The answer is quite obvious, when you have a terrier, that is. Smudge, one of our two terriers just love hunting around in the hedgerows and quite often come home with thorns in her ears and yes, you guessed it, runny and sore eyes.  Two days ago the little princess promptly appeared with extremely sore eyes, more so than usual. So out came the teabags and again, voila, the treatment worked.

I am not suggesting that you ignore what you feel might be worth a trip to the vet and I will never suggest substituting veterinary treatment for layman advice. Should you however find yourself in a situation that the teabag treatment might help until such time as you can get to the vet, why not give it a go.

 Healing properties of the tea bag

Should you be the Alpha Dog?

If this is a topic that is of interest to you this might be a video worth purchasing Alpha dog

One reason why puppy classes are important

For the single pup in a family home it is vital they have access to adult dogs to continue the parenting role and develop good communication skills. More behavioral problems in adult dogs can be traced back to the absence of this lesson more than any other single factor. They simply do not know how to say "hello," or how to say "hi-but-not-today-thank-you." - Kay Laurence

SIRIUS Sniffer Workshop

Saturday and Sunday saw me and Clyde attending a two day SIRIUS Sniffer Workshop at Dog Training Ireland, Blanchardstown. It was a great thrill to see the International trainer, Kelly Dunbar, utilising the natural instinct of dogs to sniff and turn it into a challenging game where the dog has to switch from using its brain to using its nose.  

Instead of stopping your dog to smell, like almost all of us do almost all of the time, why not allow him to use this, his strongest sense, remember that dogs “see” through their noses similar to how we see through our eyes.  You, as handler, can decide what is appropriate in what circumstance but don’t stop your companion from “seeing” his environment totally. 

CIRIUS Training

Lawn Burn: The Cause & The Cure

Lawn Burn: The Cause & The Cure

Teach Your Puppy to Play Tug of War

Teach Your Puppy to Play Tug of War

The Danger of Incorrect use of Training Aids - Part 1

Last week I took my dogs for a walk along the Slaney River, an amazing walk, with a variety of people with and without dogs, making use of the route.

Not too long after we started the walk I saw, with great delight, a guide dog pup in training walking toward us. Guide dogs are one of my great weaknesses, such a fantastic vocation for amazing dogs. I digress, as we got closer to the oncoming walker and dog my heart sank. The poor dog was walked in a Halti Head collar, now before I get some people’s hackles up, Halti collars can be very good, once the dog has been adequately conditioned to wearing the head collar and, like all other training aids, are used correctly and the user is cognisant of the potential problems that can coincide with the specific training aid.

Let me explain what I saw, the nose strap was pulled right into the dog’s eyes and it was very obvious that the dog was experiencing distress.  It is also important to point out that apart from the immediate distress and definite possibility of future eye problems,  this level of distress can cause longer term problems for the dog, in that he/she can start showing an aversive reaction to the head collar which in turn can lead to it shying away from going out on a walk. For a future guide dog this can cause major, major problems, even to falling out of the training programme.

As part of the process of choosing the training aid that will suit you and your dog it is vital that you investigate the advantages and disadvantages of each aid you consider.

I will share some facts on training aids with you during one of my next postings. 

Travel Sickness

Earlier this week a friend asked what she could do about her pup getting car (travel) sick. I gave my normal advice when the topic comes up: To use a travel crate or something similar and cover the crate to prevent her seeing out. I have found this to work for me before. She was happy to report back that after using a box for Ruby to travel in she had her first “sick free” journey.

But Ruby’s travel sickness made me think about highlighting some more tips to try and prevent what can be very stressful for you and your dog:

·         Do not feed your dog just before travelling

·         Allow plenty of fresh air into the car

·         If you are undertaking a long journey use regular comfort stops and give your dog fresh, clean water

·         It is always good to introduce your new pup to car travel gradually, from an early an age as possible, taking short trips

·         Create a positive association to travelling for your dog by linking it to an activity such as going for a walk, going to the beach, etc.. By doing this you can alleviate any stress associated to car travel

·         If your dog as already experienced a number of bad experiences stop taking him in the car for a week or two then, if possible, use a different car when starting to take him on trips again

If your dog continues suffering from motion sickness do and see your vet. There are anti-nausea drugs that can help. 

Rules about Crate Training

Crate Training Made Easy
by Pat Miller

A crate, or, in other words, short-term close confinement, can be used to help dogs teach themselves two very important skills. The first is eliminating only when and where it is appropriate. The second skill is keeping out of trouble - behaving appropriately in the house. Without these two skills, a dog doesn't have much of a chance in this world.

A crate is inappropriate for long-term confinement. While some puppies are able to make it through an eight-hour stretch in a crate at night, you should be sleeping nearby and available to take your pup out if he tells you he needs to go.

During the day, a puppy should not be asked to stay in a crate longer than two to four hours at a time; an adult dog no more than six to eight hours. Longer than that and you risk forcing Buddy to eliminate in his crate, which is a very bad thing, since it breaks down his instinctive inhibitions against soiling his den?

Learning the Stay Cue | Teacher's Pet With Victoria Stilwell

Training clip for the week

To carry on from yesterday's topic of Sensitisation we are travelling south to the tip of Africa where we are going to take a look at Animal Behaviourist, Cara Williams', input on the topic:

Aim for Habituation not Sensitisation.

by Cara Williams MA - Animal Behaviourist

---

HabituationWhen we teach our animal companion to not be fearful of novel, possibly threatening situations or objects, we are using habituation. By gradually presenting the situation/object so as at no time is the animal's fear reinforced, the animal learns that it is 'ok'. Habituation requires:

• The gradual presentation of the situation/object
• It be carried out in a variety of different environments and contexts.
• The situation/object to be presented often so the animal does not revert to his original fearful response.

Our animal companions can be habituated to various situations that they need to encounter on a regular basis.

Horses can become habituated to:

• People
• Other animals (dogs, cows, pigs, sheep).
• Veterinarian procedures
• Hoses
• Trailers
• Rugs etc

Dogs can become habituated to:

• People
• Other animals (dogs, sheep, cats).
• Veterinarian procedures
• Grooming
• Cars
• Hoovers etc

Cats can become habituated to:

• People
• Dogs
• Veterinarian procedures
• Being groomed etc

Sensitisation Sensitisation is the opposite of habituation. When our animal companion is sensitised to a situation/object, the more it is presented the more fearful he becomes. This is because the fear is reinforced through, for example, pain or surprise. As far as the animal is concerned, the fearful response is justified and so the response strengthens. Sensitisation not only causes the animal to be fearful of the particular situation/object in any environment, when the animal is sensitised he reacts fearfully to other aspects of the environment and his ability to learn or listen to you is reduced. If the rules of habituation are ignored, we risk our animals becoming sensitised to that we want him to accept as being safe.

We are in the midst of a thunder storm. Not very common in Wexford Ireland. Sensitisation is one of the topics that we are currently covering in the Train the Dog Trainer course, and having not one but two dogs that is showing all the classic signs of Sensitisation and most probably you yourself have a dog or know of a dog suffering from this quite common phenomenon I think it appropriate to focus a little on the subject. 

What causes a dog to show such strong reaction to stimuli such as thunder. Sensitisation is a reaction to stimuli, where in most, but no all circumstances the dog will become accustomed to the noise (habituation) it does happen that some dog's senses increase to the stimuli and extreme levels of fear can be experienced. Continued exposure to the stimuli will not decrease reaction, habituate, but instead the dog's reaction becomes more extreme. 

At this precise moment of time I cannot continue on the topic of sensitisation as I am trying to calm the two dogs (the thunder storm has increased in intensity) and I have three horses that may or may not need to be calmed as well. However, I will get back to the topic and have a look at what can be done to prevent is from occurring in the first place and what we can do to try and diminish the effects.  

As of yesterday, and for the next two years, I am a certified Canine First Responder. I hope I never have to use my newly acquired skill, but should I need to I am confident that I can give on the spot first aid. 

Canine Assistants

Amazing dogs and well worth taking the time to watch this clip

Choosing an Effective and Humane Collar | Teacher's Pet With Victoria St...

Having had a dog that lost his sight I know just how valuable the advice in this link is.http://www.cesarsway.com/dog-care/senior-dog/Preparing-a-Dog-that-is-Going-Blind-or-Deaf?utm_source=BlueHornet&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Aug12NL_2

There is no doubt that the interactive Kong toy works as show here by Smudge. We have never seen Smudge show any interest in any kind of toy, interactive or otherwise. Only "problem" is she is resource guarding and the others just don't have any chance to share the new toy. 

A new tip was posted on the Training Page. Have a look and please leave your comments or input. 

Dog Training Collars & Harnesses : Fitting an Easy Walk Dog Harness

A great product for bigger dogs and dogs that pull, but as always fitting is very important. 

Clyde with his new, fitting image as a scholar 

Clicker training lesson 1: Introduction to the clicker and establishing eye contact completed. Well done Clyde.
It seems that it will take a while longer with Digit as he is showing and aversive reaction to the clicker sound. I might have to re-think the training method for Digit. I will give it to the end of the week, just doing clicker introduction with him. 
Any ideas that can help? 

Gus vs. Pool

Here is something to remember when you get your new pup: A puppy is like a sponge, he will soak up an soak up cues from his environment. It is so important that you feed this little sponge, especially during this early stage of his development. You do not want that little brain to "dry up". Not stimulating your pup mentally can bring as many problems as not keeping him physically fit.  

Hi all Gorey/Raheen and locality friends. Any help you can give towards the NWSPCA's food appeal will be greatly appreciated!


NWSPCA URGENT APPEAL!!
‎4 June at 14:00 at NWSPCA Animal Welfare Centre

Today sees the change of our "Monthly Discussion" Page to our brand new "Training Tips" page. Please go and have a look at our new, interactive page. I am really looking forward to learning more with every entry on this page. Please join our page and share your knowledge. 

CUTE! Little Boy and His Dog

Absolutely lovely video!

I am currently undertaking a certification course in basic dog obedience and behavior management. During the course of my studies I have come across and will continue to be exposed to fantastic training material. I will en devour to share some of the tricks of the trade with you as I go through my continuous training. Probably one of the best training aids you can invest in is a clicker. See the recommendation below:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000W7MK68/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=crackingshoes-20&link_code=as3&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B000W7MK68

A(nother) Toast to My Mom, Karen Pryor, on Her 80th Birthday

Do read the tribute below. A more than fitting birthday tribute to an amazing woman. 

A(nother) Toast to My Mom, Karen Pryor, on Her 80th Birthday

Single Person Nail Trim

This is a video that is well worth watching. Forcing the dog to submit should never be your approach, take your time, it will pay off. 

In my quest to becoming a fully qualified dog trainer, I am happy to say, I completed Units 1 & 2 of the "Train the Dog Trainer" Course. 
The course curriculum covers a range of subjects:

• Evolution of the Dog
• Learning and Training
• Training Equipment
• Training Procedures
• Puppy Training and Socialisation
• Group Training Classes
• Specific Dog Training for Organisations and Industries
• Problem Behaviour Management

I will keep you all updated and hope to expand my Training Paws into the South East

[FULL] Winner Ashleigh and Pudsey - Britain's Got Talent 2012 Final

Well done Ashleigh and Pudsey from all at Muckyhound!

Today saw the start in my journey to becoming a qualified dog trainer. I will keep you posted and try to share some bits of information as I travel this road. 

Feeding time for the dogs

Clyde our 20 month old Staffie X Rottweiler aka "Raffie" quite often amuses himself by playing with one of his numerous balls. He has a knack of seeing when he is being filmed and then stopping his play so please excuse the quality of the video, I had to improvise. 

Happy dog playing with ball   

Our little Smudge have been loving the great weather. She has been out almost straight after breakfast and back just in time for dinner. Brilliant to see her roaming around and loving being a terrier. 

What a great Muckyhound social walk this morning. We had 8 dogs and 4 humans on the walk so I can safely say that our little group is busy expanding. I hope to post some picks after our next walk. 

My Aunt shared this lovely photo with me and I just could not resist sharing it.

Horse vs pitbull: Tug of War

What and amazing view from Tara hill. I took this a couple of weeks ago while on a nice Doggie walk with Rebecca, Bree, Bella and Rufie. 

I don't think so, that is my bone!

Clyde having a little break

Clyde loves playing with his friend Josh

Just having a little Siesta after a busy afternoon of playing

Yesterday we decided to go for another walk on the beach and through the woods. Clyde was beside himself when he was allowed to say hallo to some new doggy friends in the woods. While the humans talked he made the best of the time with his new friends. I am so sure he smiled from ear to ear! I posted a very good photo on our Facebook page of just that, a smiling dog. Why not have a look.

http://www.lifewithdogs.tv/2012/03/dogs-are-awesome-infographic/

This is what happens when you give a lift to a "little furry creature", aka Mr/Mrs City Rat

Can anybody tell me why my Staffiex gets such a fright when anybody sneezes?

Training your dog with commands of "no" or "quiet," said in a firm voice, can be very effective. Be sure to give the command while your dog is barking and then immediately reward your pet with praise as soon as he or she musters a moment of silence.

Chalky, Rick Stein's dog, not happy.

I saw this while watching Rick on "My life in Books" and just could not stop laughing.

HILARIOUS - Dog takes a dump on TV

The Muckyhound Pack on today's Social Dog Walk and the beautiful surroundings of Tara Hill.

The guys soaking up the sun while the human toils the soil.

New month so a new discussion page is on its way. This month we will be focussing on the advantages of social walking clubs and we would love to hear your opinions and experiences of social walking clubs. Join the blog and leave your comments.

FACT: Turkey and chicken bones do not make a safe snack for dogs. The small bones present a choking hazard. They also can splinter and, if swallowed, pierce your dog's gastrointestinal tract.

Social Dog Walk starting tomorrow in Gorey. Looking forward to meeting up with Wally and Rufie, and their humans

Before the games commence.... lets all stand to attention for the national anthem

The number one rule in our house, no dogs allowed on the sofa. And believe me when I say....... absolutely no exceptions allowed!

If your dog has a tendency toward being overweight and you feed free-choice (leaving the bowl of food out all the time), it may be time to put him on a feeding schedule so that he is not grazing all day.

Muckyhound

Muckyhound

RIP Suzie. Beloved companion of Maria Storme and her family in South Africa

FACT: Ingested in even small amounts, chocolate can be poisonous to your dog. Two substances in chocolate, caffeine and theobromine, can elevate your dog's heart rate and cause seizures or respiratory and heart failure.

A very special thank you to all the staff at Petmania Carlow for arranging the Social Dog Walking club. A great time was had by all, human and canine today. Looking forward to next week!

Muckyhound

Muckyhound

Dog agility: That's the way to do it

A very sad goodbye was said to our beloved Cola this weekend. RIP our lovely "white fang"

Hi all, our discussion page for February is up and ready for any comments or input. This month we are focussing on Dog Scootering, never heard about it..... go and have a look!

Very exited, we found a new route in the woods this morning on our way back from our walk. Can't wait for tomorrow to go and explore. Aren't dogs great to get you out of the house to see and experience new things.

Yesterday I decided to go for a long walk with Bonnie on the footpath from Gorey to Courtown, only she came into the house this morning smelling like nothing you would like to smell. So after an emergency bath we set of and had a nice hour and a half walk. What a good girl she is.

We found a great new track in the forest this morning, bit of a climb but well worth it, and the best of all, the pack is well exercised.

I am back with my pack after a wonderful holiday in South Africa. Coming soon..... some African experiences!

The Muckyhound site has been very quite as I am in South Africa at the moment. That however does not mean I have not been around any dogs. I experienced a very rare moment when we came across a pack of wild dogs in the Kruger National Park

House training and basic obedience training are the first and often the most difficult part of training your dog. To help we have selected a number of  highly rated training aids. Have a look at the official Muckyhound site for more information. 
www.muckyhoung.com

We received an email today from Dogster informing us that Smudge was chosen for today's Diary of the Day entry. She is featured on the Dogster community homepage, complete with picture (see below), name and title!! 

Muckyhound started highlighting five star rated dog health products. Why not go and check it out on www.muckyhound.com

Scavenger of note

There is no doubt that Clyde, although not the brightest of sparks, is indeed the best scavenger in the pack. Where he got the "treat" for today I don't know but I can tell you one thing, it left a less than pleasant smell on Bonny who insisted on carrying the odour around with her....... that was until I got hold of her and gave her a good scrub. 


I suppose you won't be very surprised to hear that Smudge followed Bonnie shortly after. 

Dog Agility

Dog Agility, what a fantastic topic to kick off the new year. Please have a look at the Monthly discussions page and join in the discussion on this very popular dog sport.