DOG SENSE September 21st  2006	To purchase a copy of "Instant Dog Obedience" and get some  real cool bonuses click HERE
Welcome to the latest Newsletter.  If you would like to read previous issues of my Newsletter, please go here If you fancy exploring this site further, then go to the resources page which you can find here where you will find links to all sorts of valuable information, such as articles, my blog, charities and much more.  If you refer others to this site, which you can do from that resources page, I will send you a FREE Screen Saver with beautiful pictures of dogs from my readership.  I want to build a second screen saver with pictures of YOUR dog(s).  So why not send me a picture with some short details about your dog (its' name, where it lives, any story about how you acquired him or her and what made you chose them etc.).  All I ask is that you add the words "there are no usage restrictions with these photographs", so I know there are no copyright issues to contend with.  Send your details to me at info@trainingdogsrus.com Many of you have sent in your pictures, but to make the screen saver more beautiful and rich it would help to have some more.  REMEMBER, all those who send in their photographs will get a copy of the new screen saver completely free of charge, which will contain your pictures within it of course!  You will not want to miss this one.  A great video of a real cool dog! Just click on the "Video of the Week" image opposite Enjoy!
This Week's News

MySpace Entry Threatens To Kill Dog On Internet A professor's assignment to make his dog famous took a dangerous turn when someone threatened to kill the dog on the Internet.  The assignment at Virginia Commonwealth University involved the professor's pug, Oscar. For the full story and a story video click here

Man sans pants steals dog, truck, wreaks havoc ! It’s not everyday that a drunk man without pants steals a dog and crashes a stolen dump truck into oncoming traffic. Highway 20 just north of Oak Harbor was the scene of the bizarre and senseless accident last Friday afternoon. For the full story click here

Retirement not sitting well with decorated former police dog Like a lot of people, Vader the Midvale police dog who retired earlier this summer struggles with making such a major transition.   "I think it's starting to sink in," says his handler, Midvale police officer Jared Richardson. "The first couple of days I left him home were hard on both of us." Richardson slipped out of the house that first day. Vader, sensing the K-9 police car was gone from the driveway, spent the rest of the day frantically searching for his partner. "You can't question his heart," Richardson says. "He really loved his job."   Read this lovely story here

Now for this week's tips and advice

In This Case The Dog House Is A Crate

Nowadays the crate is seldom used to train a wilful and destructive pup, but it is both a kind and very effective way of quickly training bad manners out of any dog – even an older one. You should try it.


My lucky neighbour has the most adorable new puppy called Daley. He’s four months old, part Jack Russell and part little monster, but unbelievably cute. And that’s the problem. Little, affectionate, playful, utterly adorable Daley has just chewed up her new, designer, oh so expensive kitchen – the one she has waited years for – the one she sold her soul to get and worked all hours for it.

Oops, Daley really is in the dog-house. My neighbour, Barbara is beside herself because she is at once, very annoyed and at the same time, can’t bring herself to discipline Daley sufficiently to break him of such bad habits. Daley on the other hand is an absolute master at both exploiting the situation and getting all the attention he craves (and quite clearly, thinks he deserves). So my money’s on Daley to win this round.

You see, much as I have tried to tell Barbara, that Daley’s behaviour is caused by attention seeking and getting it on demand – she still thinks he will grow out of it. She is even considering castrating him to help matters along. Oh boy – is she going to be disappointed and Daley, although he may be able to howl in Soprano, will likely be none the wiser when her expectations are not met. I understand that her new bedroom furniture is soon to be fitted – I wonder if she will allow Daley to redesign that for her aswell?

This is where the problems really start. What will this destructiveness turn into as he gets older and stronger. Will his kind and loving mistress always think him adorable when his bad manners are not curbed – even though I am not sure how she expects this to happen. Perhaps she thinks that Daley will enrol himself in puppy classes or night school.

Well, I have had my say. A cage says I, that’s what he needs. That will sort him out, and in the gentlest possible way. Here’s the advice I gave her. It’s worked for me several times, so I think its a great way to train a dog.

All puppies, just like their ancestors wolves, need a den. Pianos and tables make great dens, but furniture doesn't have sides for confinement. Laundry rooms, spare bathrooms, and even playpens are too big for a puppy den because there's enough room in these enclosures for the pup to defecate or urinate in one area and still have room to play or sleep without stepping in the mess.

A modern den can be a fiberglass or wire crate that can be kept in any room in the house. It should be barely large enough for the pup to lie down comfortably. If your pup is one of the large breeds and you don't want to buy several crates as he grows, buy an adult-size crate and partition it so it fits his current size. Shop around for a bargain, get one second hand or at an online auction site, because they often appear. Barbara wouldn’t even have to buy one as another neighbor has even offered to lend her one for Daley.

The crate is a great multi-purpose piece of dog training equipment because it can be used for several purposes:

Housetraining
Simply take the pup outside after each nap or meal. Do not play with him until he has done his business. If he hasn't relieved himself in about 10 minutes, take him back inside and put him in the crate. Repeat the routine in 10-15 minutes. Remember, no play until the pup does his business and lots of praise when he gets the idea.

Protection from excited toddlers.
Children need to learn that the pup needs some quiet time. A blanket over a wire crate will help a child understand that it's time for Daley to rest.

Playpen for puppies when you're not home.
If you need to take the kids to school or go to the grocery store, the pup that's crated will not chew up the kitchen, the furniture or wet the carpet while you're gone. If he has already wet the carpet or chewed the furniture, you can put him in the crate and issue a stern warning that there'll be no more of that going on.

Sanctuary for the over-excited pup.
Don't let Daley run amok through the house, terrorizing the cat, the kids, the furniture and the kitchen, and don't feel guilty about restricting his freedom. Sending the pup to his crate is somewhat akin to sending a child to his room: he feels comfortable there and he knows you are angry, and you have a chance to recover from his outburst.

After the pup is housebroken, leave the crate open during the day. You'll find that the pup will nap in the crate by choice. You can continue to put the pup in the crate when you'll be away from the house as long as you don't leave puppies and young dogs confined too long and make sure they have plenty of exercise when you are home. People (Barbara) often cringe at the thought of putting their beloved pet in a box or cage. They think confinement is cruel. After all, people don't want to be enclosed in a space they can barely turn around in. But puppies aren't people. Their wolf ancestors found comfort, safety, and shelter in their dens, and modern dogs find comfort and satisfaction in their own space as well.

So, please bear this in mind when you have a new pup to train. Daley really will not mind it and neither will they. Sure he will cry a bit at first. If small children and puppies could have their way, they'd choose to run free all the time without any restrictions.

Unfortunately, because they don't have the maturity to handle that freedom and keep themselves out of trouble, they have to learn to accept periods of confinement. The key word is "accept" - it doesn't mean they'll like it right away. Most dogs bark and complain during the first few days. Once they begin to accept this new restriction on their freedom, they quiet down and learn to enjoy it.

Growing puppies alternate periods of activity and rest throughout the day. There's no reason they can't do their resting in a crate, like a baby taking a nap in a playpen or crib. By keeping the puppy on a regular schedule of feedings and exercise, you can control his natural rest periods. If you put the puppy in his crate when he's already tired and ready to settle down, he'll get used to his new "bedroom" faster.

In the beginning, he should only be expected to stay in the crate for 2 hours at a time and overnight. During his periods out of the crate, your puppy needs plenty of playtime and attention. I like to give puppies at least an hour between crating periods where they're played with, loved, allowed to explore and romp. This burns off their boundless puppy energy and helps them understand that crating is only a temporary thing. I also make sure that their special toys and treats help make his "room" a pleasant place to stay. Give the puppy a small treat every time he has to go into his crate. Better still, toss the treat into the crate so he can jump in after it. If you want him to learn to go in the crate on command, say the word Kennel when you toss in the treat. He won't understand right away but before long he'll put three important things together in his mind - "Kennel" + Crate = Treat!

So, that was my advice to Barbara. I am not sure if she will take it but I am hopeful. Judging by the trouble she was having walking Daley yesterday his puppy energy as far from exhausted, and that new bedroom cannot be far away.

Warmly Debbie Boffa Author of “Instant Dog Obedience” http:www.trainingdogsrus.com

BOOK OF THE MONTH Labrador retrievers are generally considered even-tempered, calm and reliable;and then there's Marley, the subject of this delightful tribute to one Lab who doesn't fit the mold.

P.S.  Do let me have photos and a short synopsis for future "Dog of the Month" features - I am sure your dog deserves the title! 

 

 

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