Brandon Update

*(Written by Brandons Raiser)*
Hey guys! Im so sorry its taken me so long to give yall an update, I know you guys are all worried about Brandon (just as much as I am) but Ive been waiting to give an update about Brandon, since we still dont know whats wrong with him.
So Im including in this post just about all I currently know about Brandon (which isnt much!).
Please know in advance that not only are we not sure whats wrong with Brandon... but Im not great with understanding all these technical terms/tests... and may miss use/type one!
Lets start with last Wednesday:
Brandon had an appointment with a Specialist on March 7th, shortly after he had an ultra sound down, they soon decided (after getting permission from the guide dog school) that theyd like to do further tests on Brandon and wanted him to stay there for a few days. Brandon is STILL currently being boarded at the Specialist and has been there since last Wednesday. They also determined that something didnt look right on his liver, and wanted to do more tests on that too.
Thursday: We got the results back for his "BUN #" which showed he had a REALLY low BUN number and they were afraid he had a serious liver issue (thinking it might be "liver shunts") so theyd do a "Bile acids test and liver ultra sound to determine if a liver shunt/etc is his problem.
* If Brandon did have a serious issue with his liver (or "liver shunts") he would most likely have to be released from the program*
Saturday: The test results came back from his Bile acids test normal, which means Brandon doesnt have a liver issue or liver shunt, though this was quite exciting to hear (since Id rather him not be released from the program) I also am quite worried that we now have no idea whats wrong with him. We were told we wouldnt know more until Tuesday, which his personal vet gets back in town & can determine were well go from here.
Tuesday: Brandons personal vet called on Tuesday (yesterday) to explain what the next steps will be. We are now back to square one and considering all our options (thinking it could be a serious infection... that wasnt noticed on all the tests). They will be starting Brandon on a more "powerful" antibiotic, decreasing his water intake (even creating a schedule for him), and monitoring him closely. The vet got permission from the guide dog school to board/keep Brandon there till (at least) Friday, so they can see how this works.

So thats the update about Brandon and thats really all I know at the moment... We still dont have any clue whats wrong with Brandon, but Im going to hope/pray/keep my fingers crossed that the few things they are trying now will work.
Thank you for thinking about Brandon, being concerned, praying for him, crossing paws/fingers and PLEASE continue all this :)
I seriously thought after the Thursday results, that I would soon be doing a post on here saying Brandon was released from the program... but decided to wait a few more days to make sure. Then after finding out the Saturday test results, I thought Brandon might still have a chance.
So as you may have noticed, things can change in a matter of just a few days... Im just going to hope it keeps changing for the better!
If all goes well, Brandon should be coming back this Friday, but Ill be sure to keep you guys all updated!
-Brandons Raiser

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The Photos

Now that the scanner is finally working, Im able to upload the pictures/letter Rudy sent me.

I should be receiving Rudys harness picture in the next week or so, and Ill be sure to post it:)

Enjoy the photos/letter below!

Rudys Raiser

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10 Simple Dog Training Tips You Cant Ignore

A well behaved and well mannered pup can be the envy of any dog owner. Sitting, heeling and waiting on command are impressive tasks for our four legged companions to carry out. Basic obedience training is something that just about any pet owner can carry out with relative ease. Patience and confidence will be important factors in your success.

Make no mistake, those well behaved dogs you envy did not learn those commands overnight. It takes practice, patience and some discipline from both you and your dog.

Whether youve just acquired a new furry friend, or youre looking to teach an old dog new tricks, there are some important things you need to know. Im going to share 10 simple dog training tips that will help you achieve your goals.

Keep a Positive Attitude

Dogs can pick up on fear, anxiety and frustration. Keep that in mind during your training sessions. If you begin feeling frustrated or stressed, you may want to give it a go at another time. Its okay to cut a session short and pick it up later. Creating a positive environment will yield better results. Otherwise, you may wind up inadvertently instilling fear in your dog.

Be Confident and Take Charge

Remember, dogs naturally live in packs. A pack needs a leader who is confident and is not afraid to take charge. Make sure youre the one filling this role and your dog will feel more secure.

Reward Good Behavior

Reward your dogs good behavior with treats! You should have a good idea of what kind of treats your dog really enjoys, so be sure to stock up on them. The more they enjoy the reward, the more incentive they have to follow your commands.

Never Stop Training

Its important to reinforce your training and continue on with new commands throughout your dogs life. They never stop learning, so you should never quit teaching!

Keep Your Sessions Short

Have a goal in mind for each session. Keeping it short will prevent frustration. End each session on a positive note for best results.

Bond With Your Dog Through Play

Play time is fun not only for your dog, but for you as well. Enjoy this time with them! Playing also reinforces the bond the two of you have.

Think Like a Dog

Try to think like your dog. Getting down on their level may help you better understand the best way to go about your sessions.

Correct Timing is Key

Knowing when to praise your dog is a key factor in training success. Reward your dog immediately for good behavior. The same goes for negative reinforcement. The moment your dog does something you wish to discourage, firmly tell them "no" and correct the behavior. For example, if your dog attempts to jump up on someone who has walked in your home, immediately tell them "no" and ask them to "sit." Upon sitting, immediately reward them with a treat. Clickers can be wonderful tools for timing.

Be Consistent

Its important to be consistent and repetitive with your training. Choose the word, phrase, or hand signal you wish to associate with the command before beginning your sessions. Always use the same phrase, word, or hand signal with each of your sessions associated with that command. If possible, use the same tone of voice as well.

Be Realistic About Your Expectations

Remember, training your dog takes time and patience. Dont expect behavior to change overnight. If there is a behavior you wish to correct, take into consideration how long your dog has been behaving this way. The longer you have let the unwanted behavior go on, the longer it takes to correct.

Be patient and keep going! Be as stubborn as your dog when it comes to training. As with anything in life, success takes time and work to see results. Start with the basic commands of "sit," "stay," "heel," "lay down," etc. They are easy for your pup to pick up on and will give you the confidence boost youll need to continue on.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6862446

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Christmas Shopping 101

Since all of you guys are most likely trying to finish up your Christmas shopping, I think I should give you a few tips to make shopping WAY more fun.
To start of with, make sure to ALWAYS stop for mirrors when out shopping, you never know how cute you may look:
?

Picture of Brandon and I in the mirror

? Moving on; when you (or your shopping friend) comes across something that you (they) REALLY want, look at the price tag first - cant afford it? Just look away... (this is when the "ignore it" command would be useful - more fur the humans than us pups!)
?

Picture of Brandon laying down beside the purse section at Belk - hes completely ignoring the purses

? After shopping for a while, make sure to stop at the food court and get a little "fuel" in you - of course, that doesnt ever help me AT ALL, since Im not allowed to eat any of that human food...

Picture of Brandon in a sit-stay under the table at the food court

And when your raiser (or friend) has her (or his) hand full of shopping bags and wants to go into yet ANOTHER store, just give them this furry cute look...
?

Picture of Brandon in a sit-stay giving his "puppy face" look to the camera!

?Trust me, it ALWAYS works!!
I do hope you will be able to take some of my "advice" and put it to good use on your next shopping trip!
Just remember to use that "ignore it" command on something you really dont NEED :)

- Brandon

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Getting The Right Attitudes In Conducting Dog Training

Having the right attitude towards dog training is among some of the most important aspects to successfully train your dog. Sometimes you may not realized it but it is having a wrong attitude that could be the case on why your dog continues to have that behavior problem and the problem is still there despite efforts you put in to train your dog.

It is not the techniques that are wrong but rather your attitude in doing the dog training. You see, dogs are very sensitive to your emotions - more than you might want to believe. Hence the failure or success when you train your dog starts right there in your head!

If you are having problems in your dog training, think about it again. Did you conduct the training full-heartedly or you did the training just half-heartedly because you have to do so? When training your dog, di you just go through the dog training quickly so that you can get back to finish your never-ending reports for your boss?

Are you using a certain dog training technique from the program you have just bought and you are in doubt if the technique you use to train your dog is going to work but you still do it anyway because you have already paid for it?

Well if those are the attitudes you have, then its not going to work. This is because success in dog training will depend first and foremost on your attitude, state of mind and how well you understand and apply the following principles or concepts:

Your Dog Is An Animal

Despite the fact that your dog is very attached to you and you consider him a part of the family, he is still not a human. He has to be taught and train on what to do and what he can or is allowed to do. Your dog also learns through repeated steps, so you will also have to be patient when you train your dog.

With his animal instinct, your dog sometimes may exhibit behaviors that are not acceptable to you. Normally there will be a tendency to punish the dog for the bad behavior. If a punishment is needed, remember not to use harsh punishments but rather use the opposite that is reward for good behavior as a positive reinforcement to inculcate good behavior.

There Is No Free Lunch

When dealing with animals your dog included, know that they do not understand something such as free treat. Sometimes you may be tempted to pamper your dog but training your dog is an ongoing process. So from now on, make sure that you get your dog to work for every treat he gets. Consider that as an ongoing dog training process for him. This is because if you spoil your dog by giving him treats without him putting any effort to get it, he may think that he is entitled to those treats and may choose not to listen to your commands.

Who Is The Boss?

Dogs are basically pack animals. What this means is that by their natural instinct they will follow the leader of the pack. By their natural instincts, they will also try to become the leader. To be successful in dog training and to have your dog listen to you and obey your commands, you must be the leader to your dog.

However you must also be careful and see what type of dog breed your dog is. Blindly applying the leadership principle if you have a naturally assertive dog breed like the Jack Russell terrier breed may result in a disaster.

To learn the techniques on how to be the leader to your dog, check out this dog resource site which has a very good eBook on how to be an alpha dog (leader to your dog) to even assertive dog breeds like the Jack Russell breed.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6801668

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Dog Training Tips Anyone Can Apply

Dog Training Tips

If youre looking for some good dog training tips, then you have reached your destination. Before we get into some cool dog training tips, you should first understand what your dog actually needs from you in a training situation and then learn how to give it to them. Most dog owners make the false assumption that a dog is much smarter than it actually is. In reality, a dog simply reacts to you. It wants to be part of the pack and it wants to be accepted, but its still an animal with animal instincts.

So, I say if you want to change any negative behaviors, the absolute best way to approach your dog is NOT to scold them or yell at them, but to focus on changing how they express those instincts.

Core Dog Training Tips

There are a few basic things that every dog owner should consider when training their furry friend. These tasks can make dog training so much easier, Im not lying.

Crate Training - Crate training provides your dog with a home that it can call its own. Also, try to remember this, a crate should never be used as a punishment. Make sure to spend time at home with your dog in the crate so he can get used to it. As most dog training tips will tell you, a crate can make house breaking, bark reduction, and anxiety issues much better.

Leash Training - I know what youre thinking, dogs and leashes do not go together well. And Im here to say youre wrong. The most important thing you can do is teach them to reach a controlled, calm state and NOT forcing the leash on them. This controlled state will allow them to respond to your commands without getting too excited(or frightened) about the upcoming walk. Most dogs with leash issues are simply allowed to run around outside and pull. If your dog pulls on the leash, make them sit and wait by your side before walking again. In short order, they will associate that pulling sensation with the stop of their walk.

The Alpha Position - Ah, this. Surprisingly, the most important dog training tips relate to the position you hold in the house, yet most dog owners dont even know this. Despite what most people think, dog training is not the burden of your dog. He doesnt know what you want and doesnt generally understand what youre saying(he is a dog after all). It is on you to teach your dog that YOU are pack leader and YOU have control of the situation. They can then relax, follow your commands and stop worrying about who will protect them.

Obedience Training - Another dog training tip youll get can come from an obedience class. These classes teach new dog owners how to maintain the alpha leadership position in their household, display control over their new pup and give them specific, strong commands. If you have a new puppy or are simply having trouble controlling your older dog, consider an obedience class to supplement your home training.

The Importance of Consistency

The one thing that all dog training tips have in common is the need for consistency. Its so simple yet iss always overlooked. Much of what dogs learn is in response to a repeated, consistent environment. If you only make them sit before going out when you have time for it, they will get confused and excited and stop following your commands. If you set a rule, be consistent with it and ensure everyone in your home does the same. Good dog training can actually be harder for you than your dog, but it is almost always well worth it.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7245039

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almost Wordless Wednesday Furry New Friends

Picture of Brandon with my sister, our friends from GA, and I; we (including Brandon) went to stay with them for a few days.
Brandons Raiser

Ive got such cool friends in GA (see above), and fur some reason while the photo was being taken, my raiser WASNT holding me!?!? (shes the tallest one... in the back).

AND a furry EARLY Happy Thanksgiving to all you guys :) Im thankful fur all my awesome friends and my amazing raiser!

Brandon

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A Few Updates

Hey guys!
As you may have noticed already, Ive been quite busy lately... and havent had time to blog... or visit any of you guys (sorry!).

I wanted to do a (somewhat) quick post today, and give a couple updates.

First off:
The guide dog school has just started neutering/spaying (some) of the guide dog candidates (the only reason why they werent being spayed/neutered, was the fact that all the dogs from SEGDI were in the "breeder program" too - but the school has decided to go ahead and start spaying/neutering more pups).

Since Ive had some recent medical issues (and my raiser thinks Im developing an allergy to corn), the school has just told us that Im to be...

NEUTERED. Yep, that "big" dreaded word... but more news on that later.

And another quick update... but WAY more exciting :)

My raiser has had some friends over for the last couple days... and they LOVE me! Im really enjoying all the extra attention :)

Furry Friday Kisses!

Rudy - the dog with a blog

My New Friends :)

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3 Dog Training Tips That Work See a Difference Today

Do you think your dog needs obedience or some help calming down? Well I am going to help you solve these problems with a few Dog Training Obedience Tips.

Whether you have a puppy or an adult I can help. For example, if you have a puppy and you are trying to house train him you never want to rub his nose in his urine if he pees on the floor. This is a big DONT! If you do this the dog doesnt learn anything. It will actually frustrate and confuse the dog more and this then leads to a stunt in the dogs learning. If this happens you are only making the training process harder for yourself.

1.All dogs want to learn, but the trick is teaching your dog the correct habits to learn.

Without the guidance of their leader (you), dogs learn bad habits because they have never been told different. That is where you come in at. You need to be the aplha male for your dog to follow.

2.You can help your dog learn good habits from my Dog Obedience Tips.

Always be firm when you are training your dog. Be specific and make sure your dog knows what he/she is supposed to be doing and also make sure that the correct way to be doing whatever you want them to do is obvious.

The last thing you want to do is confuse your dog. Dogs know only "dog language" and when training them you have to be patient because we have to convert them to our language. The most important thing that you need to remember when training your dog is to stay calm and dont get frustrated. Even if you dont know what you are doing put on a front for your dog and act confident because they will notice that.

3.If you act like your lost your dog wont trust you or rely on you for help.

Also if you are going to get on to your dog make sure you get on to him whenever he is doing something wrong. Dont punish him twenty minitues after he has made a mistake. That is like putting your kid in time out when you dont even know what he or she has done. So remember these tips when trying to train your dog because Rome was not built in a day and neither was training your dog. Trust me, its easier than you think!

I wish you the best of luck with the new tips and techniques I have given you. If you give up you will never get anywhere and your dog will never learn anything.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6917113

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Um Why am I NOT In The Picture

Hey furry friends!
My raiser was asked to do a review for Easy Canvas Prints, and from what she told me - she was quite excited about it!
She took FOREVER deciding on what picture she was going to pick... but in the end, she picked a picture of her & her sister. She still had many other pictures she wanted to use, so she asked Easy Canvas Prints if she could possibly review 2 canvas prints. When they told her yes, I was soo excited... because I just knew she was going to pick a wonderful picture of ME.

But when that package came, and those amazing canvas prints were pulled out... there was NOT a single thing that had to do with a black doggy. She ended up using the other one to give to a friend.

I told her I shouldnt be reviewing items on this blog, that dont have to do with ME, but she says that "us raisers" would like some cool things too.

Since this canvas has NOTHING to do with me... Im going to hand the blog over to my raiser real quick:

Hey guys!
As you may already know, Rudy isnt to happy with me picking a picture without him in it - Im so sorry about that! (Maybe next time Rudy!).

I would just like to say some quick words about the canvas/order process.

First off, not only do the canvases look amazing, but they are so easy to order! (hey, if I can do it... anyone can!).

Its very easy to place a order with Easy Canvas Prints, and it only takes a few minutes!

They have many different fun settings when designing your very own canvas style, and I really enjoyed doing it!
Shipping was very quick; and you will fall in love with it when you open the package!

These make GREAT gifts for family/friends, and really spice up a room!
A huge thank you to Easy Canvas Prints for letting us do a review!

Back to Rudy...

Thanks for that wonderful review... that still had NOTHING to do with me.

I did get to attend a wonderful puppy meeting Thursday, and will be sure to post pictures soon (we even took a "live distraction" with us to the puppy meeting... one of my raisers baby goats!).

Have a wonderful Saturday!

Rudy - The dog with a blog

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Dog training

Welcome to my blog site. I have been helping people for years with training issues with their dogs, as well as training my own. I currently own three German Shorthair Pointers, one generic farm dog, and a special mix affectionally known as a "Dobador Retriever".

Years ago, we waited to train our dogs until they were 6 months of age. So much valuable time was lost, and studies have shown that it is much more beneficial to start at 10 weeks. Early dog training was primarily adversive or corrective, which was made popular by William Koehler. Koehler started in the military and then was recruited by Walt Disney to train dogs in their popular films. His methods were primarily use of the choke chain, and using corrections with the chain for unwanted behavior, and then praise with no correction when acceptable behaviors where attained. It was a functional form of training- given the lifestyle and how we as society viewed our dogs.

There was a quiet revolution occuring in the dog training world. Positive reinforcement was creeping into the canine world, and probably one of the most notables was Barbara Woodhouse, a british dog trainer, whose higher-pitched, almost annoying, Waallkkkeeeesss command caught our attention. Many dismissed this training as "parlor training" or "womans training" training with no substanance. Later, with clicker training, and noted behaviorists such as Dr. Ian Dunbar, positive training began to take shape and gain in popularity.

I have learned both methods, used both methods, and still do to this day. However, I will say with having a few hundred dogs and owners under my wing, I have to say that the positive reinforcement is the hands down the better route to travel. If you do need to do a correction, it has so much more impact if you have a solid foundation built on positive reinforcement. But, if the dog handler is really thinking through the desired action of the dog, and encourages the dog to perform the acceptable behavior, and rewards the behavior, the dog is more likely to repeat the behavior. If we get into trying to correct unwanted behavior, you still leave the dog guessing as to what the desired behavior is supposed to be, thereby, sometime prompting another unwanted behavior. This really adds to training time when you thing about the dog doing several attempts at a task, and failing, and being corrected, and failing.....would you want to work in those conditions?

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My Raisers Graduation!

Im so furry sorry its been so long since my last post, I feel like Ive lost all my friends! I sure hope youre still out there... somewhere!
Our summer has been crazy hectic, and weve had very little down time for "extra" things - my raiser still cant understand that if shed just give me the password... I could totally get on and blog anytime... guess shes worried Id overload you with cuteness!

 My raiser had her high school graduation a few weeks back (home schooled her entire life!) and one of her main goals, was to take a guide dog puppy across stage with her (since thats pretty much been her life for the last 6 years!). Thankfully I was able to fill that role and was there right beside her the entire time, providing all the morale support needed.
 My raiser was so very proud of me for actually sticking it out and not getting anxious or bored with the long ceremony and best of all... not bothering the other graduates!
 Pictures below were taken during graduation, hopefully Ill post her senior pictures (that have me in them!) soon.

One more major update before I go... my raiser received word from the guide dog school that I was to be neutered, so I was taken to the vet last week... my raiser is quite happy about this, as she seems to think it will "somewhat" help some issues Ive been having.
Missing all of you guys very much, so sorry its been so long! Please know that Im really still here :)

 -Brandon

Cute picture of Brandon in coat in a down stay, staring up at the  camera

Up close picture of Brandon sleeping at my feet during graduation

up close picture of Brandon sleeping at my feet during graduation

Picture of Brandon in a sit-stay during graduation, looking back at the camera , wondering if  its ever going to end!

Picture of Brandon and I starting to walk down the stairs - Brandon is thinking  "mom, we can take all these stairs in one large jump!"

Picture of Brandon and I walking down the stairs

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Happy Valentines Day and a furry fun GIVEAWAY!

Hey furry friends!
By the time youre reading this... Ill be off at "puppy camp" having a furry blast. I was so sad that I wouldnt be here for Valentines Day, and really didnt want my raiser (or Al) to do the Valentines Giveaway... so I decided to do a"Scheduled post", and write it before leaving :)
Enough about boring old news, I want to wish ALL my furry followers...
A VERY HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!

I hope you all sent something to that "special one" in your life... for me, its my furry cool puppy raiser - and I decided to give her early Valentines Day slobbery kisses!
Sadly though, I cant give her any kisses ON Valentines Day, due to the "puppy swap"... but early is better then never.
And now on to the GOOD part.
My raiser decided at the very last minute, to let me do a Valentines Giveaway. She was so late in telling me the good news... that I wouldnt have enough time to end the giveaway before, or on Valentines Day - so instead, I decided Ill start the giveaway on Valentines Day, and it will end when I return from puppy camp.
Wanna know the prize??
TWO furry cool followers will win...
- A Valentines themed stuffie (complete with a squeaker and crinkly sounds)
- A "Love me, Love my dogs" bumper magnetic for the humans car (thanks to Build a Sign)
- Some tasty homemade doggy treats



Yes, you did read that right... my raiser is letting me open this giveaway for TWO lucky followers to win - and both winners will receive a doggy toy, bumper magnetic... and DOGGY TREATS!
The rules are very simple:
- Please be a follower of my furry cool blog
- To enter, just leave a comment on this post! (if youd rather not be entered in the giveaway... please let me know in the comment)
- The giveaway opens 2-14-2011 (TODAY) and will end 3-1-2011 (after I return from puppy camp)
- If you would like to post this on your blog... thats furry fine by me!
- Wanna extra chance to win? Leave ANOTHER separate comment, with a short/long story of when you first met your pet/human (if there is more than one doggy/pet doing the blogging... you get EXTRA entries... just leave a separate comment for each pup/pet!)

See how simple those are?
As long as youre following my blog... and leave a comment, youre entered! Its that easy :)
And if you want more chances to win... make sure to leave another comment with the first time you laid eyes on your furry cool human (or pet) - or what made your parents decide to claim you as their own (adopt/buy/rescue/helping a friend).
*Giveaway ends on 3-1-2011
My raiser will be sending out reminders, and we have yet to decide how the 2 winners will be picked... but I know my raiser will let you all know on that, when she decides.
If you have any questions please let my raiser know (guidedogawareness AT yahoo DOT com), I know shes looking forward to seeing all the entries!
Happy Valentines Day, and happy entering!

**If you do NOT have a blog for me to contact you by IF you win, PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR EMAIL IS AVAILABLE IN YOUR PROFILE... IF NOT, PLEASE LEAVE IT IN A COMMENT**

Rudy - The dog with a blog

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Snowy Day!

SNOW... SNOW.... SNOW!!!
thats right, its a super snowy day here at our house. 
I have discovered that snow is a glorious, wet, and exciting treat to eat!  I found it to be very tasty.
Snow is also amazing to play in, I never knew you could have so much fun!
Do any of my furry followers have any snowy white goodness?

-Pal

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Greetings from Florida

Brandons harness picture has arrived, and oh does my sweet chubby boy look all grown up and handsome!

I also received a letter, and a "post-card" from Brandon, it looks like hes enjoying the sunny state :)

I cant believe its already been 2 months since Brandon headed IFT (In For Training), I still miss him dearly, but Im so excited to finally have his harness picture. 

Dont forget to enter our Angry Birds dog toys giveaway, it ends THIS Sunday, and the winner will be announced on Monday (11-17).

-Brandons Raiser   

Picture of Brandon staring straight at the camera in a sit-stay, while wearing his harness

Picture of Brandon running, which was then photo shopped to have a beach background, with the text "Greetings from Florida" up in the right hand corner

Copy of the letter that "Brandon" sent me, stating that he passed his medicals, will be moving up into  a new kennel, and will meet his trainers.

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Bed Training with videos!!

I betcha you never knew that there was a command for "BED"!
You may think that every dog knows that command by heart... but maybe not the exact way I do :)
What is the command bed"?
When my raiser gives the command "bed" Im to find the closet dog bed and lay/sit/stand on it... until Im given the command "okay/take a break/come". This ISNT a "stay" command - as Im allowed to play on the dog bed... and get up and move around (as long as some part of my body is touching the bed... Im good!).
This command is quite helpful for my raiser when we have company over - eating dinner - playing games - watching TV - cooking - etc :) I can stay on the bed for a short time of 1 second... or a time of 2+ hours... all depends on what my raiser tells me!
Ive known this command for quite awhile (back before November 2010), and my raiser thinks it is one of the best commands I know!
I can do this command on different beds... in different rooms... and with different people.
(Please not that this command is not a "have to" in the guide dog book - its something the raisers CAN teach the dogs if wanted).
Enjoy the 2 movies below of me doing the "bed" command - both are in 2 different rooms, with 2 different beds.

Furry Thursday kisses,

Rudy
The dog with a blog

(Movie of Rudy doing the "Bed" command in the dinning room - when I say "bed" he finds his bed and stays on it til I say "okay or come")

(Movie of Rudy doing the "bed" command in the living room; with a different bed)

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Inclement Weather Activities Series Tug of War

Although the temperature these days has been pretty agreeable, bad weather will happen now and then. Be it rain, snow or a heat wave, these occurrences can make exercising your dog a challenge. Without adequate exercise, your dog may act out due to boredom and frustration but fear not!! With the right tools, a little ingenuity and strict rules you and your dog can have a blast playing all kinds of games.

Tug of War is just one of the many games that provide fun ways of training your dog and reinforcing the human-canine bond. Playing Tug of War will get your dog good and excited. Remember that it’s normal for your dogs to growl mildly when excited. Make sure you enforce all the rules to prevent the fun and excitement from crossing the line.

Before you begin playing Tug, choose a release command such as “Drop."  Also, get a toy that is only for playing Tug of War. This makes the toy extra special to your dog! Consider the toys length, as it should be long enough to keep your hand from ending up in your dog’s mouth.  Make sure you play in a dog-proofed area in your home.  This is a roomy space without breakables or anything that may cause injury if bumped into.

Time to play!

1. Ask your dog for a Sit or a Down before you begin the game. Then start the game by saying “Tug” and continue to encourage your dog by saying that word a few times more.
2. Periodically tell your dog to stop the game by saying your release command and then ask for a Sit or a Down again. When your dog calms down for a few seconds resume the game by saying “TUG”.
3. ABSOLUTELY no contact with your dog’s teeth is allowed. Should your dog become overly excited and accidentally put his teeth on you, the game should end immediately. Let your dog know this hurts by saying “Ouch!” and put the toy away for a little bit. Avoid being angry and instead act disappointed. This lets your dog know that you want him to be more careful. If the same mistake continues to happen, then the game should end for the day. 

Letting your dog "win" is fine!  This builds confidence and is a nice way to say "Thank You!" to your dog for minding his manners.  The exception to this rule is if your dog misbehaves.  If he doesnt want to play by the rules, then you should be the one who ends up with the toy.

So next time you become stranded indoors give Tug of War a try. Keep visiting the Zen Dog Training Blog for more Inclement Weather Activities!

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Video Blog Post Cute Puppy Video

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Home Alone Training

Meet Sully!

Sully the old English sheepdog has traveled the world with his owners. He lived for many years in Europe and now resides in the heart of Boston. Being a very dog-friendly city, Boston is filled with all kinds of people that are big admirers of canine companions. On any given walk theres a plethora of folks just itching to say hi to Sully.

The etiquette where Sully was living in Europe was quite different. Most of Sullys European neighbors were comfortable with dogs, but were more "hands off" than Bostonians. Imagine Sullys confusion when his walk suddenly included groups of strangers waiting to manhandle him! In addition, one of Sullys owners is frequently away on business, so most of the time its just him and one other person at home.

Sully reacted to this new enviorment by barking at anyone "strange" and desperately trying to avoid being left alone. He became anxious about being home alone. This was a problem for many reasons, mainly because Sullys owner could hardly walk out the front door to collect the mail.

Having the right tools for the job at hand is a big factor. Having to deal with Sullys barking when a construction crew needs access to the home was a monumental task. We suggested using a tether for Sully when people came over to the house. A tether is simple a leash or cable tied to something secure to prevent a dog from getting to the door when a visitor arrives. This is a way to manage the behavior. It was also very helpful for Sullys owners to give him a delicious bully stick when they needed to step out for a brief moment to curb some of his anxiety. Together these tips helped Sully feel more comfortable in his new environment.

For more information about tethers and Home Alone Training, visit Zen Dog Training Online.

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Contact with Toby

(Written by Rudys Raiser)
Ive been counting down the days that the "3 month no contact" (with Tobys new owner) will be up - and just last week, the 3 month wait ended!
I just received a email back, from Tobys new owner - which (of course) has made my day :)
For your reading pleasure, Im including (some) of the email below:


"*******:
I am going to start out with a couple of pictures of Toby with his new family and a picture of Toby with me next to our Search and Rescue Truck. Toby is progressing VERY well with “specific scent tracking” and area searches. Once he has finished his “live victim” search training I will also train him for firearms search and explosive detection to assist me with my duties at the Sheriff’s Office. Toby has a fantastic disposition….I have been able to take him with me everywhere that I go. He is naturally curious but never unruly. I will keep in touch with more photos and updates. He definitely came from a loving and caring puppy home.

******"

I was so happy to read that email, and Im very glad to have contact with Tobys owner!
Thank you so much to Tobys new owner, for sending me this email, Im looking forward to keeping in contact with you!

Toby will be turning 2yrs old THIS coming Sunday (March 27th), so a early Happy Birthday to him!

Rudys Raiser

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Wagon Ride!

My raiser took my on my very first wagon ride recently, complete with an "up close sniffing" with her horse - thats right, I got to MEET the horse!!
"Patches" was very friendly and I really enjoyed meeting her; Im thinking I may ask fur my very own horse when my birthday roles around!
The wagon ride was soo fun, and my raiser did an amazing job at both driving AND controlling me... with no help from others!
It was a great experience, and now I can brag about it to the other guide dog puppies :)

I want to apologize for not visiting any of you guys recently, Ive been super busy lately and I hope that my raiser & Is schedule settles down some, but knowing her busy life... that will never happen!
So even if Im not commenting on or visiting your blog, I do love you guys and hope to be reading about some of your adventures soon!

Enjoy the pictures below,

-Brandon


Mommy, can I sniff it???

Picture of Brandon staring at the horse (Patches) & wagon, my sister is holding the horse and a farm visitor is also beside her

Let me touch it...

Picture of Brandon trying to decide whether to sniff Patches or not

She smells like a horse...

Movie of Brandon sniffing Patches

*Please note that Patches has been introduced to "new" dogs many a times, and doesnt mind them at all (shes a petting zoo horse) - so this is/was old news to her and we were not worried  or unsure (at anytime) that Brandon may "spook" or "scare" her.

OMD, shes the size of King Kong!

Picture of Brandon staring up at Patches

FINALLY, my wagon ride :)

Picture of Brandon & I sitting on the wagon (aka: the buckboard)

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