It's a new post

It seems a waste of time to keep a blog, not a website, while there is such widespread use of Facebook.  So this will be the last post for the blog.  When I get a website, there will be a blog embedded but just want to consolidate.

Cheerio!

Find us on Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/homedawg.educationllc

Mentoring and breaking through the glass ceiling

If you want to learn something new... 

If you want to take your learning to a higher level...

If you want to do anything, you need a mentor.

This is my philosophy.

On the other hand, don't let the teacher limit your potential to excel.

Push the envelope and test out many theories.

Look for the learning experiences from every person's opinion.

I am heading to my first national dog centered conference.  So far, many of the people I have interacted with leading up to the conference have left a sour taste in my mouth.  But I am keeping an open mind and learning all I can.

When embarking on a new dog training experience, the more information the better.

Enjoy the experience!

Pet Food Recall

Affects a new food I just endorsed.  I don't know about you, but I don't keep the bags so I can't tell if my bag was contaminated.  So far the Bulldog tummy is handling it just fine.

The Kirkland Signature products included in the recall include:

• Kirkland Signature Super Premium Adult Dog Lamb, Rice & Vegetable Formula (Best Before 
December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013)

• Kirkland Signature Super Premium Adult Dog Chicken, Rice & Vegetable Formula (Best Before 
December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013)

• Kirkland Signature Super Premium Mature Dog Chicken, Rice & Egg Formula (Best Before 
December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013)

• Kirkland Signature Super Premium Healthy Weight Dog Formulated with Chicken & Vegetables (Best Before 
December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013)

• Kirkland Signature Super Premium Maintenance Cat Chicken & Rice Formula (Best Before 
December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013)

• Kirkland Signature Super Premium Healthy Weight Cat Formula(
December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013)

• Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain Salmon Meal & Sweet Potato Formula for Dogs (
December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013)

To determine if their pet food is recalled, consumers should check the production codes on the back of bags must have both a number “3” in the 9^th position AND an “X” in the 11^th position. The best-before dates for the recalled brands listed are December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013.  

The most valuable lesson your dog learns

Training needs to become a thinking game for your Home Dawg.

When the lightbulb comes on and your Home Dawg realizes they can EARN their own treats, 

then you have a student and the fun begins!

This is the most exciting thing your Home Dawg will ever discover.

excerpts from Ian Dunbar's "Before & After Getting Your Puppy" a must read for all Home Dawg Parents

Beat by a Peke

How does a GORGEOUS Doberman get beaten by a Pekinese?!?

You can tell who my favorite was at The Westminster Kennel Club Show 2012.

If you are not a dog show watcher you might wonder how they judge these dogs and why a certain dog wins over another.

There is a breed standard set by the American Kennel Club.  Each entrant is judged against the standard.  After deciding which dog is a great representation of the breed according to that standard, they are judged against each other to compare which comes closer to the standard.

Dobermans compete against each other in Breed judging.  Dobermans then compete against all the other dogs in the Working Group.  The best representation (according to the Breed's standard) from that Group then proceeds to Best in Show where all the Groups are represented in one ring.

Dog shows are a way for Breeders to improve and also keep the look of the Dobermans we recognize.  If there were no standard, there would be so much variation that  a Doberman would no longer look like a Doberman.  He might look like a Rottweiler or a Great Dane or a Chihuahua.

And besides that, who doesn't love to see 25 Dobermans all together in one ring right?!?

Breed Judging Westminster 2012

Happy Showing!

This is garbage

The following "rules" are a small sampling of the misinformation being fed to dog owners today.

8. You should not lay on the floor to watch TV when the dog is around and no one should roll around the floor playing with the dogs, as a human should never put himself in an equal or lesser height position than the dog. 

9. You are the one who greets newcomers first, the dog is the last who gets attention (the pack leader is the one who greets newcomers and lets the rest know when it is safe to greet the newcomer)

10. If a dog is laying in your path, do not walk around the dog, either make the dog move or step over the dog.

11. During the time you are establishing your higher pack position, no hugs should be given to the dog by you, as a dominant dog may consider this a challenge of power.

There are much more effective, fun, loving, and sensible ways to establish leadership with your Home Dawg.

#9 As long as this is not taken to the extreme, "rule 9" can be used.

If any of these rules were given to you in the course of your training, call us.  We can help!  Don't hang out with that silly pack.  Follow the leader and have fun along the way.

Discomfort

If you want to change a behavior, make the undesirable behavior uncomfortable for you Home Dawg.

If the couch is not comfortable, your Home Dawg won't want to lay on it.

It chewing on your shoes is not comfortable, your Home Dawg won't enjoy it.

Discomfort does not mean using aversives.  It means using enough pressure, that the situation is uncomfortable.