Clicker Training

Clicker training is the big thing. It really is. It is not as easy as it sounds. Timing is everthing. The clicker is just to mark a behavior you want. If your timing is off you can mark a behavior you don't want. The clicker also is a promise of a treat. When I have the clicker on my wrist, C.C. is known to hit it, just a reminder that she want to do anything. Find a good class and give it a try, you might be suprised.

Long or short haired dogs

As you can see I have shelties. They do have alot of hair coat, but they really only shed out twice a year. So a good brushing seems to keep them in good shape.
So then there are those short hair breeds, they shed and shed all year long. I have a friend that has Labs. She has dog hair and more dog hair.
I should mention those breeds that need to be clipped, such as poodles. They look good after a trim, but look out when they start to grow out.
Something to think about the next time your looking for a dog.

The Martha Show

Well, I just went to Martha's blog and entered the blogging contest. This is new to me, but I am having fun and hope I make people think.

Dogs running away

How many of you have dogs running away from you? It seems to be a common problem. Here is a simple trick to change that behavior. You need to make you better than anything else.
Practice in the house first than move to the fenced in yard. Get some really good treats. This can be spam or cheese, what ever they really like.(make your treats pea size) Don't practice after they have eaten, you want them to be hungry. Start by calling their name and when they look give a treat. After a few times, go to a different room and call them, when they show up they get a treat. After you have this going good move to the yard. This isn't a quick fix. You are trying to change a behavior so it takes time and practice to make it better. Treats aren't for ever, but it's start, you slow up how often they get the treats. You want to keep them guesting. I hope this will help some of you out there. Good luck.

Designer Pups

I have been around the dog world for quite awhile and I don't understand the big todo with the designer pups. No matter how you put it together they are still just mixed pups. The problem with the mixed pups, no one is considering the genetics. Real simple it's not just what you see you are going to get. I know a gal that is breeding Cocapoos. She is trying to breed them smaller and smaller. Her problem is on those very popular pups are their knee caps. They keep coming out of the socket which means they have trouble walking and then end up with surgeries. I'd say that is more than most people want. And she gets a pretty penny selling them. Worse of all she knows this could be a problem and she is selling those pups. People are calling her all the time.
Then there is the Labardoodle or the Goldendoodle. I know a few of these sweet dogs. I can't help, but wonder if the breeders (????) have taken the time to check out hips on their dogs before using them to breed. You know like OFA's on the parents. What I mean is if the parents have had their hips x-rayed to be sure they are not displace tic. I would bet not.
The long and short of it. If you like surprises than a mixed breed is great. But instead of supporting those questionable breeder's look at the shelters. And if you know what you want, look for a good breeder. One that will take time to talk. And not just interested in selling a dog.