Tranquility in The Lake District if you know where to go !

Right now we have some wonderful dogs staying. Tan & Storm, who have been with us for several days, were joined this morning by 9mth old Springer Spaniel Barney. Hes a real livewire but very responsive to commands, both verbally and with a whistle.
Meanwhile Tan and Storm are both great to have around, with the latter being happiest when a stick is thrown for her. This habit has even generated some interest from Honey ..... who settles for twigs, for obvious reasons.
Todays photograph was taken within The Lakes. But despite this being school holidays, we didnt meet anyone.
For an enlarged photo, please click on the smaller one.

Janet

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Happy Birthday Jasmine

Well this past Tuesday was Jasmines fifth birthday.  I can not begin to tell you what a great adventure owning her has been, but I will try my best.

When I first started looking for Jasmine I knew virtually nothing about schutzhund and also the health problems that the breed can possibly have.  I looked for a breeder but did not really know what to look for.  So, like most first time buyers, I hit the newspaper and started reading the classifieds.  I saw several dog listings on there and one that happened to be close to my price range.  So I debated about calling at first. Till a few days later I finally worked it up in my mind to call. So, I ran down to the breeders home and saw several German Shepherd dogs running in the yard but no puppies.  Eventually the breeder made it home and I was introduced to the puppies.  Now I knew that I wanted a female.  When they young puppies came running out I can not explain what a great feeling that was.  They were all filled with so much life!  They jumped and tugged at each other as they worked their way to me.  Finally I am covered in dog fur and enjoying the wonderful smell of puppy breath.  In the process one little girl stood out to me.  I wish I could remember exactly what caught my attention about her, but it was an impression that was the start of something more special than what I could have imagined.  She was then carried off to be cleaned up and I waited in the breeders home with my family.  All of us were so excited of the new life that was about to begin.  The new puppy came out nice and clean and ready to begin her new life.  I finalized all the paperwork and now it was off to the pet store. 

We made it to the pet store and I picked up her first toy, her first bag of dog food and a crate that would rest next to my bed.  At this point the debate had begun.  We all searched for a name but no one could pick one that we all liked.  Finally, about five miles from home, Leo, my brother, Says it... Jasmine.  Yup this was what this little dogs name would be.  To this day when I say that name it still brings a smile to my face.

Fast forward several years through many happy moments and some very trying times, she is still here with me.  She is always happy to see me.  I admire how she deals with each situation.  She is so gentle with children but at a moments notice, she is ready to defend me without regard for the consequences.  I have to tell you folks, this is what a German Shepherd Dog is all about. 

So to my very wonderful dog:  Thank you for being you.  May God continue to teach me about love each time I see you.

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Meet Darcey the Weimaraner

Meet Darcey, a young Weimaraner who is in for a month long residential training course.
She was a little anxious on arrival but has completely settled in and is totally relaxed around the other dogs, which is always a great sight to see.
As you can see, June days dont guarantee sunny days and balmy weather - on the contrary, Im actually wearing a few layers to keep warm !

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Jenson

I thought I would post a photograph taken today of me training Jenson, a 6 month old Labrador.
He came with his owner for some basic training and I have to say is a quick learner.
I have to say however, that he is easily distracted - looking at this picture. He really should have had his eyes on me, not some strange man with a camera !
Janet

"Jenson " !!

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Weve landed !

Three days into our new address and finally the boxes have gone and we’re beginning to feel at home.

The only sour note is that our internet connection has gone into cyberspace and beyond - hence this is being written from the village Post Offices "internet cafe".

However, on a positive note the first dogs here are wonderful.
Poppy, a beautiful orange roan Cocker Spaniel and Harry, a very expressive Italian Spinone have arrived over the last two days.

My trio of guests is completed by 18 month old B.B., a fantastic black Cocker Spaniel. She arrived today after I’d been walking Poppy and Harry. We enjoyed one of the many
beautiful walks nearby. The autumn colours have arrived in abundance and the seasonal change makes for some interesting smells for the dogs as they explore through the leaves.

Tomorrow we’ll be out and about again and I for one am looking forward to it !

Honey has to be there ! Poppy on the left and Harry on the right

Run !

Calm before the storm

And the storm !!

 

 

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Cropped Docked and Chopped

In today’s society cosmetic surgery is a widely popular and socially accepted practice. This is also true in the dog world but I think there is a big distinction between someone making the choice to get surgery done on themselves and doing it to an animal that cannot speak up for itself. Indeed, dogs don’t get a say about whether or not someone will lop off hunk of their ears or tail. Although I can’t read the minds of dogs, I’m pretty sure that given the choice, they would shout a hearty “NO!” to the question of ear cropping and tail docking.

Dogs were originally selectively bred to perform certain tasks for humans and we did everything in our power to make sure they did their jobs effectively. To make hunting dogs more efficient we docked their tails so that they would suffer fewer injuries to their tails when running through thick brush. Guard and fighting dogs got their ears cropped so that their opponents (both human and canine) had less to grab onto.

Although I understand the purpose that man originally cropped the ears and docked the tails of various breeds, I still have a hard time accepting it. I believe that we are truly blessed to have dogs integrated into the human world and that we should appreciate our unique relationship with this once wild animal with gratitude – not by taking a scalpel to their bodies for our selfish purposes.

Even if I was to go along with cropping and docking for the purposes of enhancing the dogs abilities to accomplish the tasks they were bred for, why the hell would you do it to dogs that are used as family pets? Chopping off the tails of Weimaraners and Doberman Pinchers, and hacking off a large portion of a Pit Bulls and Boxers ears serves no purpose in the everyday life of the pet dog. It’s done only so the dog will look like the breed standard, which was created a long time ago by very different kinds of dog owners.

Besides my obvious objection to putting a dog under anesthesia unnecessarily to remove pieces of a living animal for appearance reasons only, loosing part or all of their ears and/or tail greatly compromises their ability to communicate. A good portion of a dog’s body language is conveyed with the position of the tail, as well as the orientation of the ears. There have been studies done that have found that dogs with docked tails can be significantly handicapped in conveying fear, caution, aggression and playfulness. The main way dog’s communicate and build their relationships with one another is through body language, and when part or all of their ears and/or tail is missing their ability to signal to other dogs socially is greatly hampered.

Now that most dog breeds in the U.S. are not being used for their original purpose and are being bred to be pets, I think it’s time that the general public demand that breeders and kennel clubs re-evaluate the standard. Let’s stop this needless mutilation of our dogs and rethink what we are really doing. Instead of going along with cropping and docking just because that’s been the tradition, let’s think what’s really in our dogs best interested and do right by our dogs.

Dog’s put up with a lot of our human foolishness on a daily basis, so let’s start treating them with the love and care that they deserve. Let’s raise the bar of our compassion and better shape the course of our relationship with our pals, the domestic dog.

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Birthday Bash for CCO Kiyo!

Birthday Kisses!

It all began a little more than 5 years ago... a once-loved Goldie was left at the shelter, reasons unknown. One day his Buddy and Meme (roughly pronounced as "mur-mur") came, they connected, and now here we are... this is Kiyos family!

Kiyo thanks all his friends for their birthday wishes and woofs! And Aunty Irene for her special birthday song...
"Happy Birthday to you
You will always look cool
Happy Birthday, dear Kiyo
We will always love you"

Buddy decorating the place

Presies!!! Fun one from Buddy, something intellectual from Meme,
food for the soul from Aunty Irene

Guess which is for Kiyo...
 and which is for Buddy, Meme and Chichi?

All set for the birthday pup!

I can handle flames...

Better check in with Meme for further instructions...

You dont often see Chichi, but she looks after me too!

The best of buddies

Chuckling and learning together

A gentle kiss for Chichi

A banana and carrot muffin, sir?

Yes, please!

Piece of cake... er... muffin

I have to concentrate...

Play time at last!

Bits of muffin cleverly hidden in my new Dog Spinny

We had sparklers too! 

Tee-hee! You light up my life?

A happy day!

New bedtime companion

Cool is my middle name :)!

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One lovely Cocker Spaniel

A well rounded and confident dog reaches that stage by virtue of being socialised, or as I say, "shown the world", albeit in a controlled way.
But how many dogs grow up and develop in the company of a Norwegian Fjordhorse as it enjoys some breakfast - and how many actually want to share it ?!
Well Charlie, a 6 month old Cocker Spaniel is one such dog. Very sad circumstances have forced his owner to put him up for adoption, and who snapped him up ? My daughter Rachel. Since the two came together they have become inseperable!

"Save me some ............... please

Heavy rains meant that the River Lowther broke its banks, with the evidence being seen far and wide - not least in our fields !

Where did we put the buckets when we moved ?

But theres always one - or two - dogs who thrive in these conditions.
With an ability to sniff out water in the driest of places, Chester didnt need to look too far to find the stuff.
How can I explain his reactions . . . . . Ill let you decide !

One dog having fun !!

"Got it !", says Milo

Not to be outdone, Milo the Black Lab was also having a great time. In truth the two played constantly, either chasing after the ball or running around having fun. Unfortunately the difference in their colours, coupled with the dullness of the day, meant that no photos of quality could be taken of the two together ....... youll just have to believe me !

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Nothing beats a walk in the rain bitter winds and more rain !!

Back to work after a few days holiday and straight into some real December weather. Cold, snow, gales and rain ... plenty if it. !!

However, with some fun dogs staying, exercising them in the elements is of little consequence ..... other than the fact that I have a never ending pile of towels which need to be washed and dried.

I have posted a number of pics as they relate to the last few days and involve different dogs.

Wednesday I had Jake and Tilly staying with me. This was just for 24 hrs so that they could get to know me a little before their long stay in the New Year. The grey skies over the snow covered Pennines gives some idea as to how bitter conditions were for us.

Jake and Tilly

Were now walking into the wind !

And of course you can imagine who is there with me ..... a certain little Chihuahua ! Looking at this photograph made me realise what a little thing she is. Honey is such a fantastic dog who adores playing with guest dogs .... until they get a little out of hand, when I suddenly hear a different noise from her and know the offender has been snapped at !

Where youll see Jaffa youll find Honey

On Thursday it rained ... and rained ... and rained ..... oh, and it was windy as well !!!

Standing with my dog Tilly (my right) and Brook

 

But with the right clothing on things werent too bad ..... until I decided to ignore the puddles and just walk through, however big the obstacle.
Now I realise why the dogs were on either side of it !!! 

"Why are you there Janet ?", asks Brook

Beaten !

After quite a prolonged wet spell, the fields are flooded in places, which for some dogs is perfect. Two such characters are Isla and Brook. The photograph below sums up perfectly the fun these two have when out with me. Although they may appear out of control, theyre anything but. Both are highly responsive and do as instructed.

Brook makes a hasty retreat to avoid being a landing spot for Isla !

Little Boris and Polly have also been my guests. Initially they were wary of other dogs but after a little socialising in the house and garden, off we went for a walk where things went very well.

Young Boris

Boris bonded with me very quickly, allowing me to take his lead off whereupon  he strutted about. With Polly not showing the same signs of being linked into me as Boris, I felt it unwise to allow her total freedom. However a longline allowed her to enjoy walks away from me - but with me still in control.
 
Janet

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Have I Introduced Archie To You

Well my week in Scotland has come and Im afraid to say, gone.
But what a time. Accompanied by my daughters Fran, Rachel and a very good friend, we had a wonderfully relaxing time spent doing as little as possible.

Relaxed - but Tillys nose keeps working !

Since being back, Ive had behaviour problems to attend to in Settle, Ulverston and 3 much closer to home.
And now Archie has come to stay. Who is Archie ? Well, maybe thats a question Honey would like to answer, because hes taken an interest in our little charmer though Im unsure as to whether its for friendship or to keep him tied over until the next meal. You see Archie is a male Rhodesian Ridgeback and with it, one of the most powerful dogs Ive dealt with ...... potentially !
Thankfully Archie is too much of a gentleman to be a bully to anyone or anything.

Janet

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Disrespect Ummm I think so !

My comments about Archie being a gentleman are a little off the mark !
While talking to a very good friend in the kitchen, he decides to walk in and try and relieve himself on her !!!
After years of working with dogs, this is a first - and hopefully the last.

Butter ...... melt ....???? !

Staying with me at the moment is Jaxon, a Cocker. Jaxon wasnt terribly sure of things over the first couple of days but since then hes really been enjoying himself. After his daily walks he lays by my chair sound asleep in the evening .... providing hes not being bothered by Honey !

Janet

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Coniston Country Fair

Last Sunday I had a very enjoyable day at the Coniston Country Fair, where Id pitched my Cumbria Dog Training stand for the day.
Fran came with me and of course where Fran goes, Maddie goes to.
Thankfully the weather held and we met some lovely people. With Coniston Lake behind us, there cant be many shows with a more beautiful backdrop.

Making new friends and with Maddie to my left

A recent guest has been Olive - aka known as Honeys playmate (poor Olive!).
These two play non stop, both inside and outside the house, and it was noticeable that the day after Olive had been collected, Honey did nothing but sleep. Dont worry about the fierce Chihuahua - when the going gets too hot, she can be seen running under the car for safety. Honey 1 - 0 Every Other Dog !

Honey chooses Olives left ear for dinner

Meanwhile, taking a leaf out of the The Three Bears nursery rhyme, Honey decides that a larger bed fits quite nicely, thank you very much! The fact that my new floor is not being laid until next week is quite incidental.

What is that down there ?

With the Country Show season in full swing, my next date is this coming Saturday at the Penrith Show.
I hope to see you there.

Janet

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House Training A Puppy Click Here!

House Training A Puppy by Charlene J. Nuble

Puppies are the cutest things, but they can be really annoying when you have to house train them. The first thing to remember when house training a puppy is to not punish your puppy, because everything it learns in puppy-hood will carry over to dog adulthood. You want your dog to be friendly and happy, not uptight and angry at you all the time.

The first step to house training a puppy is to observe it. When does it relieve itself? Where does it go? What does he look like when he has to relieve himself? Does he wiggle, wag his tail, sniff the ground, or run around? Look closely for these warning signs so that if you see your puppy doing this inside your house, you can stop him or her by blocking your puppys way, or putting your puppy outside immediately before it can wreak further havoc.

Let your puppy love the dirt of the outdoors. When the weather is cool, stay outside and take your puppy with you. Do this after your puppy eats, and your puppy will eventually get the idea that he or she has to poop in a certain place, and nowhere else. To help reinforce house training a puppy, dont leave until your puppy finishes its business.

Puppies and dogs in general dont like their sleeping area to be soiled, so make sure to put your pet in a clean place to sleep when house training a puppy. These are only a few tips that you can follow when doing the training. For more information, talk to your vet.

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About the Author

Charlene J. Nuble. To learn more about House Training A Puppy... Click Here!

Click Here!

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Training a Puppy on a Lead

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Training a Puppy on a Lead, may be a crucial part of training their Puppy to be safe, and obedient.
Their are many ways to training your dog on a lead, and many of these ways are incorrect. The main reason people fail, when it comes to Training a Puppy on a Lead, is because, its not considered part of Training a Puppy, and it should be.

I have had this problem, and im sure, almost every Dog owner has. You need patience, as with all Dog Training, because it will not happen overnight, unless you have access to Cesar Millan.

The most important step you must understand, is that walking your Dog, cannot be part of Lead Training, it simply wont happen. If you take your Dog for a walk, without teaching it the basics inside its boundaries, it will likely, pull and pull, until you reach the destination, and hes let off, to run like crazy.

Training a puppy to walk on a lead is hard work, and like we said, you need patience and understanding. You can purchase many training aids, but they seldom work.
Like we said above, teach your dog the basics of being on a lead inside, or near your home.
When he or she understands the simple rules, then take him further outside of his boundaries.

Training a Puppy on a Lead Accessories.

Coastal Pet 3/4 " No Slip Collar Adjustable 14" - 20" inch Blue

Outward Hound Quick Access Treat N Training Bag

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