My Training Philosophy

There are always ongoing debates about how to train your dog. There is positive reinforcement, give your dog commands, don't talk to your dogs, show them who is boss, and then there is the psychics that try to "speak to your dog" to understand how they want to be trained.

I have spent 17 years working with dogs and have tried a bit of everything. To sum of my experience on what works for training your puppy, rescue dog, or an old dog some new tricks is..... do what works for YOUR dog. 

I have had 5 dogs of my own and each one has had a different history, different personality, and all have responded differently to training. Each of my crew had strengths and weakness, some were fabulous healers, others were agility gurus, and some has special tricks that they just picked up. Sasha my first Rottweiler could turn a Doritos bag inside out with out tearing it, you can't learn that in puppy class :)

What I do believe though is whatever school  of thought you use, the core fundamentals of training are universal,

a) BE CONSISTENT (for gods sake don't confuse the little bugger)

b) BE FAIR (don't train when your angry and frustrated)

c) BE CLEAR (what  are you are trying to communicate to your dog)

d) FIND WHAT MOTIVATES THEM AND USE IT (whether it be treats, praise, a toy)

e) and HAVE FUN (there are so many ways to get the message across- do it so they don't know they are learning)

......and my golden rule when training puppies "if it's not a cute behavior when they are fully grown, don't let them do it because they are a puppy".

All of my dogs picked up commands at different rates, and old dogs can learn new tricks (the key in Rottweilers though is if THEY want to learn it- stubborn little black and tans). Each one of them all had skills they were fabulous at- and other skills they down right suck at (Rugby I swear I won't tell them you you are the worst fetcher of sticks - Labrador Retriever my ass). 

Bottom line- dogs like people, they are individuals. When training your dog teach them lots, love them lots, and be forgiving to them; If you want a robot dog- get a border collie!!!

Stela and the rescue dogs

My best friend got a dog today, she was one of 23 dogs that were brought up from Ohio to save from their fate of death. The Cambridge Humane Society was the caring people responsible for saving her and 22 other lucky dogs. You can see in the pictures the delight on not only her face but that of Melanie's as they start their adventure together. 

I have been in the same spot Melanie is today, 3 times. I have adopted 3 rescue Rottweilers and know all too well that emotions that are synonymous with adopting a rescue. With a rescue dog you truly never know where thy came from or what you are getting. I have been so blessed with my 3 rescues that they have all been gems.

Sasha was my first in 1996- a 2 year old female; she never knew when her next meal was coming and was left alone for 16 hr days. She went on to win German titles in showing, and was a obedience champion. She was my first dog and will always be my little "lumpy".

Then in 2006 after I lost Sasha to a stroke, I rescued Rion, my blind boy. I had him only for one year before I lost him to Cancer, but, he gave me so much in such a short time. He taught me patience and although he was approx 50% blind, he had 150% heart and gentleness.

Now I have Kona, I speak a lot about my big boy and everyday I fall more in love with my King Kona. Each month the trust and personality grows, and the fears from his past life fade. I am grateful for all that my rescue dogs and adopted dogs have taught me. What little I give them with shelter, food, and belly pat, I can't put into words the unconditional love and warmth I get paid with daily. 

Good luck Melanie and "Stela" (means star in Latin) on your new adventure to a lifetime filled with learning, trust, bonding, and LOVE!!

There is no bond greater than that of a girl and her dog.

Sasha

                                         Rion                                   Kona

The launch of Doggyfitness

Today was the official launch of Doggyfitness. This friends and family class was a small class, but, a huge success. Not knowing how the dogs would be with the variety of running, agility moves, and people full body exercises- they did awesome. The crew and their fuzzy shadows paced themselves and I think we all had a blast trying too get our butts in shape. The level of class was "Couch potato no more" and was an intro class that had people and pets moving and the teams having to keep a close eye on each other to handle the course. Ann took a tumble (but her dog made the jump), Elisha is now going to become a marathon runner, and Adrienne will never look at a tree stumps the same way.

This was an awesome start to the many classes to come, and I want to thank everyone for being patient and such a great sport in my "little dog project" called Doggyfitness. 

FYI stretching and ice will be your best friend in about 8 hours ;)

Stylin dogs

I am a junkie for the newest toys and collars for my crew. Last year I was told about these collars and to check out the website- i fell in love. I ordered my first Blocky Dog set of collars for my Rion and Rugby. I retire my dogs collars once they pass (like a hockey hero only the fuzzy kind) so had to retire Rion's when I lost him in April. I love my dogs to match, so I got my second round of collars this spring for Rugby and Kona.

Blocky Dog collars are the most durable, functional, and stylish collars I have ever owned. You custom design each one, and there are tonnes of combinations to match the personality of your faithful buddy. I have no benefits of mentioning these collars (no kick backs) I am just sharing with you a collar that will last the life of your dog. I can't say enough about how they hold up to the mud, rain, and heavy play sessions between my 2. Rebecca and the Blocky Dog crew deliver a quality product that is worth every last penny.

Check out the site http://www.blockydogs.com

Above are my two sporting their stylish collars, and my baby Rion before I had to sadly retire it. 

FYI~I have another set of custom leashes on the way too (I'm pathetic I know).

Iron Dog Challenge and the working dog

Yesterday was the second annual Iron Dog Challenge for K9 teams in the GTA. Dog teams from Peel, Toronto, York, South Simcoe, Barrie, Orangeville, and a few other Police forces came to show off their physical skills at Claireville Conservation Area in Brampton Ontario. The teams ran a grueling course that began with a 6 ' wall both Canine and Handler had to get over, then a double jump, a shooting target component, a boating task, dog carry and finally a suspect apprehension component. This was all under the ticking of a stopwatch.

These teams despite a few hiccups with getting lost in the conservation (unknown people had taken down course markers) did fantastic. It was phenomenal to see some of these teams to run the rough approximately 5 km terrain and complete all the above components in record times of about 20 minutes. I believe that fastest time was near 17 minutes- unbelievable!

This day was one for fun for the K9 teams and more for bragging rights, a nice change for the chaos they are usually facing in apprehending suspects. K9 teams in the GTA are used none stop for apprehension of suspects, locating evidence, detecting contraband, cadaver and explosives searches. They are a "behind the scenes" resource in LAw Enforcement that are irreplaceable.

Hats off to all the teams that participated yesterday and all K9 teams that face the everyday challenges involved with Police work. This resource when seen in action is one of awe; to see man and dog work together under such circumstances is a true definition of a bond. 

Working dogs in general are an integral part of our society from Seeing eye, Autism dogs, Drug and Firearm detector dogs, Cadaver dogs and Arson Dogs. These teams often don't get the recognition deserved for their countless hours of training, working, and getting the ultimate job done. 

Here is my salute to K9 teams of all facets; they enrich lives of so many. I would especially like to salute to all the working dogs past and present in light of it being a 9/11 anniversary. 

"The bond with a true dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth will ever be"

Konrad Lorenz

Parrot

<---- This is Kona and Parrot.

Anyone that knows me, knows that I spoil my dogs with all the best collars, beds and toys. I have bought toys to entertain them, stuffed toys, squeaky toys- countless dollars on every type of gadget for my fuzzy kids.

Parrot is a squeaky rubber toy that entertains my "killer" Rottweiler (and by killer i mean he will roll over and MAKE you pet his belly for hours). This stupid little parrot makes the most annoying sounds and smells like latex, so guess what naturally became Kona's absolute favorite toy? I did not scan the stores for hours, or order it online, or find a unique specialty store that only carries eco-friendly dog toys. Parrot came from the left overs of a garage sale. My neighbors had a yard sale; weird that no one would buy this ugly toy, and so he came to rest in a box that said "free stuff" by the curb. 

I found the little squeaker in the box and thought hmm I'm sure one of the 4 dogs will like it. (Call me a garbage picker if you want). Kona doesn't play much- its sad but I don't think in his past he learned this skill. He is slowly learning and Parrot has been the key to open that part of his life. He throws that poor rubber thing for ever, drops it and pretends parrot is stalking him, and then pounces to get the upper hand. 

Go figure a free rubber ugly parrot was all it took to bring the puppy out of my 120 lb Kona, while the toy box filled with paid for toys sits collecting dust. Stupid parrot.

Before and After

  
April 10, 2008                                   Aug 31, 2008

On September 10th it will be 5 months since I rescued my big boy Kona from Michigan. I had just lost my 3(ish) year rescued Rottweiler "Rion" to an aggressive cancer called Histiosarcoma on the 7th of April of this year. I was talked into looking at another sad case when I contacted the Rottweiler rescue to notify them about my sudden loss of Rion.

I trekked to Michigan and took in this 113 lb beast named Otis. Otis had be running free through the streets of Michigan and had been picked up by the SPCA. They tried all their might to bring out the aggression in him to make the decision easier to euthanize him. Instead he had none and thus they tried to place him into a home. Time came and went and no one would adopt this beast. He limped terribly and was very shy due to an obvious history of abuse. To this day if you stomp your foot he drops and cowers. Otis's time was about to run out as he was next in line to be gassed. Luckily Rottweiler Rescue of Michigan snatched him up before that could happen. https://www.msu.edu/~silvar/rottweiler.htm.

So Otis (then renamed to Kona) came to Canada. He was fat, lazy, and had a severe limp in his front left foot that the Vets had stated would never heal as its a stretched ligament that was never treated. His back end was weak, he could barely make it around the block without lying down, and was in general in poor health,

Along came me and Rugby and boot camp......

I have been walking, free running, and just recently swimming with Kona. He is up in weight to 119 lbs but is solid and in shape. He can pretty much our run Rugby, he swims like a Labrador, and lives for his long daily walks. His coat is shiny and smooth (the ghetto coat i call it is 90% gone), he is bright, his limp is gone, and he is full of energy and overall just a happy dog. His obedience is still coming along as he sometimes flashbacks to his free running days in Michigan; Its a funny sight me running full speed after him to pull him back into reality- man he can run now!

Above are pictures of my sweet meat head Kona. I think it says all how far he has come in 5 months with exercise, great diet, and a whole whack of love!