National Dog Bite Prevention Week - May 17-23rd

The importance of Leash Manners . . .

The same as marijuana is considered a "gateway drug" loose leash can be considered a "gateway behavior".

It is very unusual to see a dog that walks nicely on a leash that has any behavior problems.

If you are struggling with your dog, don't try and train loose leash. Just make it happen. Pulling is forbidden, so don't allow it, ever, past the age of about twelve weeks.

A trainer once said to me "Why would you allow that to happen?" While the comment stung at the time, he could not of been more right. While I did not possess the solution to the problem, I lost all of my presence and belief that I could stop it. My defeat, in turn, made the problem exponentially worse.

Sometimes I need to find my inner little-girl, stomp my feet and say "You will not". As a kid I had much more determination to not allow something I didn't want. Yet as an adult, defeat can sometimes overwhelm us. We all need to find that inner determination, which in turn gives us mental-presence. We need to quit being victims, allowing our dogs to do stuff to us. Rather, we need to be determined leaders, stand tall, and take control of the situation, even when we have no clue how to fix it!

Monique Anstee

Victoria, BC

Capturing Calmness - "How to train calmness in dogs"

Teaching your Vizsla to be "calm" or settle can seem overwhelming for this busy breed, but it really is necessary. Great instructional video.  

Dogs are Great People Trainers by The Naughty Dogge

Dogs are Great People Trainers:Dogs are such good teachers, and can train people to do the most bizarre things. And in...

Posted by The Naughty Dogge on Wednesday, 15 April 2015

We're 7 1/2 weeks old!

The Easy Riders waiting patiently (for about 1/100th of a second) for dinner. 

7 Week Puppy Photos!

The Easy Rider's photo album has been updated -- finally had a chance to take a bunch of photos with a real camera and post them.  It is not "easy" raising six 7 week old puppies, four adult dogs and working full time!  Phew, I am exhausted. 

Link to Puppy Photo Album:  http://karenlake.smugmug.com/Moonlight-Vizslas/2015-Baci-x-Lyra-Litter/The-Easy-Riders/i-FcHRXJ4

**** PLEASE READ AND ACKNOWLEDGE **** All photos and content © 2015 Moonlight Vizslas / Karen Lake **** Please don't use any images herein on websites, blogs or ANY media without my explicit permission. ****

We're 7 Weeks Old!

Top Row: Ace and Ben

Middle Row: Indie and Harley

Bottom Row: Ariel and Opel

Puppy Enrichment Article

Fabulous article and video on how breeders can provide the optimal enrichment environment to puppies. Snippet (and link) below:

The Enrichment Triple Crown

1. Stimulating living area - for example, toys, visual objects, different types of footing,different sounds, and social interaction. Breeders have done a great job with this in recent years, and there are even a number of commercial “play pen” type products available for puppies.

2. Exercise - Including adequate space to move as much as the puppies wish to, “jungle gym” type challenges such as climbing and outdoor exercise, when possible.

3. Problem solving and learning - “Active” training challenges, where the puppy is presented with a problem or training task, and then asked to solve that problem for a reward. This is as opposed to “passive” challenges usually provided by breeders in the form of toys and interactive objects. Interestingly, it appears that the task has to be motivated by positive reinforcement for neural benefits to take place. Apparently, the hormonal effect (cortisol release) caused by corrections or aversives inhibits the growth and survival of brain cells.

Read the entire article:  http://www.puppyculture.com/the-enrichment-effect.html

Go Home Day is not to far away!

I always enjoy putting together my Go Home Bags -- and putting together some fun stuff for the Easy Riders is no different. 

Each Moonlight puppy leaves with our "world famous" bag of goodies which includes: a fleece blanket (not shown), toothbrush/toothplaste kit, Kong, plush toy, lots of chewies (bullies, kneecaps, ears, etc), horn, and lots of puppy training/raising/socializing handouts (not shown) and a tote bag. All of this ensures the owners can hit the ground running and get onto socializing and training their new puppy.

Note:  Senior Kong because I like the softness of the rubber, it is more durable than the Puppy version and chewier than the Regular version.  

Playtime

Ace and Indie

Silly babies playing in the cardboard box -- pffffffttttt

Ariel "looking up" to her Aunt Cordie

Sign of a good playtime -- nap time!  Indie was taking a nap alone in the crate (next to the bed).

We're learning to love our crate!

All six Easy Riders share a crate while the Kuranda dog bed next to the crate, is empty.

Crate training is the only way to housebreak a puppy and once you establish the crate as their safe haven raising a Vizsla goes much smoother. 

Is it Friday, yet?

A very sleepy and -- very cute Ace.

Properly Socializing Your Puppy - Whole Dog Journal Article

Young puppies have an important behavioral “sweet spot” between the ages of 8 and 16 weeks. During this critical period, your dog builds her impressions and attitudes about what is normal and acceptable. At this time more than any other, positive experiences with the world around her build a solid foundation for the rest of your dog’s (we hope) long life.

Read the entire article:  http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/16_12/features/properly-socializing-your-puppy_20878-1.html

New Owners:  Please consider buying a yearly subscription to the Whole Dog Journal.

Thoughts on socializing your puppy --- it is an art not a science . . .

Puppy Raising:

The hardest part of raising a puppy is not to stifle them. Yet we must be there to protect them every step of the way. Finding that balance, between freedom and protection, is a difficult one to find. We want to tend to their every need, and cuddle away every whimper, and when we do, we stunt their emotional growth. We keep the fearful ones fearful, and the bold ones simply find us irritating.

Our puppies must learn to problem solve, and work out their own difficulties. Our job is to find the balance of when to help them, when to give them a kiss and a nurturing shove forward to work it out on their own, to know when to laugh at them for the dumb error that they just committed, when to force them to succeed and then reward them as though it was their own brilliant idea, and when to simply protect them and keep them safe. 

When raising a puppy, I use what they offer to build their confidence. My past two weeks have been spent with two wonderful baby boys. Both are needing help dealing with big adult dogs at the park. Both pretend to act over confident and 'cool' when they really would rather climb inside my jacket and be carried! Growing up is scary, and my understanding and help, and hand-holding, has given them the courage to act like stellar lads. 

My first little man had a fabulous temperament, and fabulous raising thus far, so he only needed teasing reminders such as "Grab your Ball" when passing a dog. By keeping his mind on the soother in his mouth, his manners were spectacular, and he had the confidence to move on past temptation. 

My second little puppy could not have been more different. He had no social skills, and only confidence through his teeth, so pretended he was the biggest and toughest dog in the world. He needed to be carried past dogs and see them from the safety of arms. Then he needed to be on the ground, with hands guiding him, reminding him that is was me and him against the world. Now we are at the stage of going past the dog, and throwing a cookie in the direction that I want him to go (straight past). I am giving him a reason to leave the encounter. I'm not forcing him. It is his choice to leave (so he keeps all his power). I've just presented a darned good reason why he should leave. This little man has given me his heart and soul. He tries hard to please - but he has no idea how to behave. It is my job to show him how. Because of all that he has missed, he is never going to be the role model at the dog park. But he can learn manners, and how to be a well adjusted, confident adult, by being schooled on what is wanted, and by watching my well behaved adult dogs demo for him.

We are repeatedly told that dog training is science. I disagree. I think it is more like art. Each dog is a blank canvas, and it is up to us to create our perfect dog. We are given a topic, and then the creation is left in our own hands.

There certainly is a scientific component to it; If you do this - you will get that. But first you must envision your canvas so that you know what you want to create, and then you use your science to help you get it. 

This is the reason that if you present one problem to ten dog-trainers, you will get ten answers. All might be right, but each trainer will create a very different canvas, depending upon what they saw.

Monique Anstee

Victoria, BC

www.naughtydogge.com

The myth of "normal" dogs . . . Future owners - please read this (twice!)

Recently, a colleague and friend posted a picture on FB accompanied by a caption saying something to the effect of "does anyone have 'normal' dogs?" indicating that her dogs had a variety of issues which she was dedicated to working with - separation anxiety, noise sensitivity, fear aggression, etc. "All I ever wanted was a normal dog!"

I hear this a lot in my practice and am forced to ask, "Really? You really think you want a 'normal' dog?!"

What exactly is a 'normal' dog?

Here are some characteristics of normal dogs:

• normal dogs bite
• normal dogs have no standards as to appropriate elimination sites with the exception of "where I sleep is out of bounds"
• normal dogs do not come when called if something more interesting is going on
• normal dogs default to responding to new stimuli in their environment fearfully. Fear is a survival adaptation and keeps a dog safe.
• normal dogs chew, dissect, and destroy things
• normal dogs resource guard
• normal dogs bark and growl
• normal dogs dig holes
• normal dogs hump legs
• normal dogs vocalize when left alone
• normal dogs chase squirrels, deer, and cats
• normal dogs kill small animals
• normal dogs pull on the leash
• normal dogs often like to run around as fast as they can, even if they knock over small children or grandma in the process
• normal dogs lift their legs and pee on trees, even when we bring those trees into our houses and put lights and ornaments all over them
• normal dogs like to sniff EVERYTHING - crotches (human and canine), fire hydrants, trees, bushes, gopher holes
• normal dogs eat poop
• normal dogs tear up the garbage, counter surf, and eat expensive panties or heels
• normal dogs roll in poop and dead things
• normal dogs do not like every dog they meet
• normal dogs do not want to be hugged, kissed, touched, or stared at by every person they meet in every situation
• normal dogs don't like having their nails trimmed, mats removed from their coat, or grooming
• normal dogs don't naturally love being crated
• normal dogs don't naturally love wearing sweaters, being carried in purses or strollers, or wearing booties

Looking at all these things that normal dogs do, how many of you want one? All of these things are NORMAL DOG BEHAVIORS. If humans did not intervene, these are the things that dogs would do naturally. I'd argue that very, very few humans would even know what to do with a truly "normal" dog if they came across one. Normal dogs do not make good pets.

What we want in a pet dog is abnormal behavior. We want a creature which has evolved for millennia as a hunter to act like prey doesn't matter. We want dogs to learn to go potty outside the house, even when we bring doggy bathrooms (trees) into our homes as holiday decorations. We want dogs to like every dog and person they meet. We want dogs to be silent animals. We want dogs to walk politely on a loose leash, even though our walking pace is comparatively very slow. (Have you ever been caught behind someone who moves slowly when you're in a hurry, either walking or driving? Frustrating!) We want dogs to never bite, no matter what, even when they are harassed, abused, and neglected.

What we want from dogs are behaviors which are ethologically incompatible with their evolution as a species. We like dogs, but not their "dogginess." Normal dogs end up in shelters for just this reason. Abnormal dogs get to stay in their homes.

Part of the problem is also in what is defined as "normal dog owner" behavior. "Normal" dog owners:

• don't take their dog to class
• don't go out of their way to socialize the dog extensively and appropriately during puppyhood
• place their dog's physical and mental stimulation needs somewhere around #894 on their list of priorities
• don't manage their dogs to prevent rehearsal of bad behavior
• focus on what their dog is doing "wrong" and ignoring the dog when he does the "right" things
• don't train their dogs and then blame the dog for misbehaving
• expect dogs know the difference between "right" and "wrong" naturally
• look for a quick fix to behavior problems
• choose to confine the dog to the back yard, turn him into a shelter, or have him euthanized before consulting with a behavior professional to address the problem

Normal dog owners get normal dog behaviors. Abnormal dog owners are proactive about preventing behavior problems and address any new problems as soon as they are noticed. If they don't know what to do about a problem, they research to find a good trainer who uses dog-friendly training methods. They exercise and train their dogs, even if they are busy. They make spending time with the dog and helping him thrive a priority.

While no dog is perfect, realizing that virtually everything we expect of dogs is unnatural for them highlights the need for training. Part of what makes dogs so wonderful is the fact that they are generally more than happy to exchange behaviors which are rooted in hundreds of thousands of years of instinct for an owner that will spend a few minutes a day training them to offer alternative, incompatible, and socially desirable behaviors.

Dogs don't come "perfect," whether they are brought into the home as puppies or as adult dogs they need training. Well-behaved dogs rarely happen by chance, they are usually well-trained dogs. "Bad" behavior in dogs is not bad behavior to dogs, it is simply normal behavior. I think that society does dogs a disservice with the assumption that "good behaviors" are the norm and "bad behaviors" are aberrant. It is the dogs that pay for this misunderstanding, often with their lives. It's like something out of the Twilight Zone.

Carefully review the list of normal dog behaviors above. If these are not the behaviors you want, you need to train your dog to offer abnormal behaviors. In doing so, you will leave the ranks of "normal dog owners" and join us crazy folks in the "abnormal dog owner" realm.

It's not so bad - we have lots of treats, toys, and fun here with our "abnormal dogs!"

---

Published 2010 - http://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/the-myth-of-normal-dogs

Puppy Visit #2

The Easy Riders had a second visit today, this time Carole and Mike -- they've owned three Vizslas prior and are excited for a new Vizsla puppy to love on.  We had a great visit talking about all the fun they had raising their former dogs and the typical Vizsla antics -- breaking tails, destuffing couches, jumping fences, you name it!  ;)  

THANK YOU Carol and Mike for the amazing wine from Cane Rosso Vineyards - complete with Vizslas on the label.  Lovely Lyra didn't want to miss a photo opp -- here she is posing with the wine (she will "will work for food!").

Puppy Visit #1

Opel (Indie asleep)

Shane with Ben aka Benelli

Harley

Shane and Ben

The Easy Riders had a visit from on of their future owners, The Scott Family -- who incidentally own Leo -- Lyra's littermate.  They are excited about a second Vizsla and it was great to have them over and visit the puppies. And, thanks again Jennifer for the AMAZING CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES! 

ATTN: Future Puppy Owners! ;)

Please read the entire website -- get ready it's your TWO WEEK COUNTDOWN!

The Ultimate Puppy - http://www.ultimatepuppy.com

Puppy play, etc.

TUNNEL TIME! Benelli aka Ben loves the tunnel!  He was the first to go through.

Opel and Indie waiting for seconds ;) 

Bro/sis duo taking a nap, Ace and Indie

Puppy Exercise and Growth Plates

A tired dog is a good dog, right?  Well that is not necessarily true for puppies.  

The following diagram has been widely circulated on Facebook and provides an average age -- lower end being small dogs and the upper end large dogs) -- in which the closures occur.  I send home detailed exercise guidelines with my puppies.   

Injuries to the growth plate may not heal properly or not heal in time for the puppy to grow up straight and strong.  Injury to a growth plate can result in a misshapen or shortened limb which, in turn, can create an incorrect angle to a joint which can make the puppy more prone to yet more injuries when he grows up. 

Additional reading:  "Puppy Fitness that Fits the Puppy - Age Appropriate Guidelines" by Jane Killion http://www.puppyculture.com/appropriate-exercise.html