previous kennel cough update only applies to church langton members

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Help prevent and treat Canine obesity

Obesity is No Laughing Matter

Happy new year!  Tradition which dates back to the Colombia - British 153 dictates every 365 days or if you try to kick bad habits and begin their new life!  What kind of resolution did you this year?  It is likely because its already January 3, most people have already failed in what they wanted to accomplish.

I kicked accustomed to once a year commitments, there are many years each new year, but still me pining for the idea.  The idea is simple and magical. It is monitoring in this way takes determination and desire!

At the dawn of this new year I allows you to account for the impact of obesity on your furry friend.  Obesity is an epidemic not only with humans in our country, but in our pets.  We believe that, to the indulgence is a form of love and that is why we provide not only, but sometimes encourages indulgence in our animals.

Additional books a burden on virtually all organs of the body not only in ourselves, but our pets.   Overload of bodies often leads to disease and death.  Specifically obesity may lead to the:

Fat diabetes may be dead your DogDamage joints, bones and a decrease in pressure blood ligaments (especially in large dogs) cardiac diseaseIncreased (Yes dogs may also suffer from hypertension) anesthesia liver functionDifficulty breathingDecreased staminaHeat intoleranceIncreased riskDigestive disordersImmune dysfunctionSkin hair and layer problemsIncreased cancerDecreased quality and lifetime risks

I want that my best friend to be around as long as possible.  I want as his life to be full of fun and excitement.  I dont want to administer beatings of insulin or medications that can be avoided or to be shorten her life with every meal and to deal with.  During the indulgence of food has a price, and I am not prepared to pay with my friend lives.

Prevention

Power supply:

A normal healthy dog is always hungry!  This is how the wild dog adapted and survived, but this does not mean that your dog is hungry.  Dogs have different nutritional needs and the amounts of their lifetime.  Active young and dogs working dogs require more calories and protein than couch potatoes and older dogs.Recommendations on the back of the bag of dog food is prepared for an intact male working dog.  Most of us have no dogs that are intact (I hope) and certainly have no active test field, or police dogs.  If we can reduce the amount we use and recommend the bag.Food meals is an another easy way to reduce intake.  Just as we could deliver more if we take the set of tokens bag to snack in front of the TV, because were bored, your dog probably more indulges if food is excluded throughout the day.

Exercise:

Provide exercise!  Exercise has benefits for the heart and muscles and his mind!

Regulate her weight:

POP in for a veterinarian hello fast and weight verification!  This is a quick and easy way to make less traumatic vet visits and to maintain a healthy weight!

Limit or eliminate the treats:

I think thats treats to my advantage while training, however I adjust meal of my dog at the time of the meal if we had a big day by reducing the amount of food that I give.

Beginning of a weight loss program

If your dog is already more weight, it is time to consider a weight loss program here are the steps, you need to succeed.

Visit your veterinarian:

Certain medical conditions can cause gain weight in dogs, and as with humans doctor should evaluate your dog before starting an exercise regime.  Your veterinarian can help you determine a realistic goal weight and chronology.Normally, we recommend starting by measuring the amount, the dog was currently giving and depression by ¼.  We also recommend giving charges or frozen green beans (not preserved not because there is too much salt) as filler to help your dog to feel full.

Monitor progress:

Make a chart and monitor your success!

Ive found often difficult to maintain my own success when it comes to my relationship with food (although Im proud to announce the I am currently training for a half marathon).  I wish that someone could feed me in small doses and control my access to food!  But I control is what my dog eat and its capacity and access to exercise.  I think of it as a gift, I can give to him and myself, the long life of quality gift spent together!

So heres my challenge you for the new year to come, to choose something simple on living with your dog and change for the better.  Spend more time together, or swear some weight and exercise together!

View the original article here

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A Boston Terriers Tale an update

The most popular article on this blog, judging by the number of views, is A Boston Terriers Tale.

I just got this picture from Mooses owner. Id like to share it and his e mail with you.


Doug,

I wanted to wish everyone at PPMIM a happy holiday season and give you an update on Moose. I would imagine a lot times in your business, you work with a dog and then owner and K-9 disappear and you never know the rest of the story. Moose as you remember was an adopted dog and a very troubled one due to 15 months of abuse. He had severe
fear aggression toward large dogs and men. I m happy to report, thanks to PPMIM, Moose continues to be a success story. He no longer has any fear aggression towards large dogs or strange males and hasnt for over a year. All the group therapy and continually practicing the principles learned has paid off with huge dividends. Moose continues to be an ambassador for the Boston Terrier breed. At the dog park he spends the entire time racing from dog to dog as if he is the official greeter. He really has turned into an amazing dog. Moose has demonstrated a passion for frisbee and runs side by side with his sister Lily(lab pit mix) like a veteran. In his down time his favorite thing to do is snuggle. I have attached several photos of Moose doing what dogs are supposed to do.. just enjoy life. Thanks again for providing a safe and controlled atmosphere which allowed Moose to shed his fears and become a normal, life loving companion.

David

Id like to take a lot of credit for this, but it was a good owner, comminted to his dog, hard work on both their parts, and a solid system that made this happen. I just got to see the results.

Doug

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KENNEL COUGH UPDATE DISGUST !!

A very big thanks you to Mike Thorn  (Country Vet) for not only coming out to Church Langton yesterday but also for being generous in offering a greater than 50% discount on the price of the vaccination. His efforts were appreciated by the dog owners that came. Some poeple declined the offer as they had already booked in with their own vet later in the week. The average cost of a kennel cough vaccine is between £32-£37 pounds according to our research.

One lady asked me if she thought her vet would be upset if she had her kc jab elsewhere for £15. I pointed out that if he cared for her dogs welfare he would have offered a generous discount in the first place. I have been informed this week that the mark up on animal drugs is about 400% but have yet to see the evidence, although most people who farm will tell you that this is a true reflection.

One bertie member rang me to ask if while she was bringing her dogs for a vaccination Mike would mind looking at a growth that one of the dogs had. Last year she had a similar growth removed for about £200 plus and the same operation this year was quoted at £500 plus. Not only that but she was also charged a consultation fee of £26. Mike examined thoroughly, wanting to make sure his diagnosis was accurate and confirmed he had removed a smimilar lump (a wart) on a labrador at a local farm for £15 but if the dog was take to the surgery the cost would be £80. I wonder if this ladys vet will be upset if she goes to another vet? By the way Mike did not charge her for this consultation.

Recession or not we keep paying out for vet fees and they keep taking the money.

Just for good measure Mike was brilliant with both the dogs and also the owners, something that many people report is lacking from their vet.

Next year we will organise a clinic before a problem arises.

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Sorry Ive been gone so long

Back in 2006 I opened Pikes Peak Manners In Minutes when I retired from the Sheriffs Office.  This was never supposed to be a full time job, just something for an old cop to do.  The goal was about a thirty hour week and enough income to pay the bills.

And that is what it was until 2012.  Suddenly I was working six or seven days a week anywhere from 40 to 70 hours. 

As a result this blog fell by the wayside.  It wasnt that I didnt have something to say, it was finding time to say it.

Ive grown as a trainer and as a result at any given time I have about 60 to 80 dogs that I am working with.  Neighborhood pack has grown from one session a week to four.  Some days I get here at 9 and dont get home until 8 or 9 at night.

But this has become a very rewarding way to spend my retirement.  I get to watch so many dogs change and so many owners improve their skills.

Ill try to be better about posting things that may help you. 

And now I have to go work with a dog

Doug

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Nij Vyas Sheepdogs Blog Beautiful Sheepdogs Border Collies in training

Nij Vyas Sheepdogs Blog: Beautiful Sheepdogs / Border Collies in training: This video can also be seen on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tumhp4O_lR0&feature=related If you like this video please would yo...

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KENNEL COUGH UPDATE

Having spoken to a vet this morning I can confirm that the information given in our handout is still applicable although I would clarify that after the coughing has stopped, in the some cases dogs can still be infectious for up to two weeks. In extreme cases this can extend to up to three months.

If your dog has not been vaccinated against kennel cough and contracts the disease it is worth having the vaccination immediately as it will help to shorten the length of the infection. In the vast number of cases there is nothing to be worried about and only the very young and old dogs can sometimes have  complications.

I am currently awaiting further advice from a vet regarding a safe vaccinating programme. I have attempted to contact all the members from the Church Langton club however one member has not completed the contact details on the form and as such this makes it difficult for us to make contact. If anyone has not heard from us would you please get in touch.

The proposed plan is that the Beginners will have a talk this week with no dogs being present, which was scheduled for next week and the Intermedates will close. Members will be advised as and when new information becomes available. If in the meantime your dog does contract kc then please inform us and seek veterinary help. It would also be a good idea to use the following:

1 Denes Garlic tablets

2 Apple Cider Vinegar in the drinking water

3 Colloidal Silver either sprayed directly into the mouth or in the drinking water. See our links page and if ordering mention me and the club.

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Bertie Dog Training at Oadby and Church Langton

Bertie are now enrolling for the Market Harborough Church Langton dog training course commencing 23/02/2012. Please us on: nij@bertiedogs.com

Bertie are now enrolling for the Oadby dog training course commencing 24/02/2012. Please us on: nij@bertiedogs.com

The venue is ideal for Leicester, Gt Glen Kibworth and Wigston.

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Bertie Venue change

We have once again managed to secure the Oadby United Reformed Church for the Intermediate one class so classes will change from Tuesdays to Wednesdays as of the 11th April.

We are still holding out for another venue in Wigston and news will follow as soon as we are informed.

Both intermediate classes are performing really well at the moment and we look forward t seeing the dogs move onto the inter two class.

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Making the command sit a Pavlovian response

While I do not use much food when I train a dog, I do use food to condition a response to the word “sit”.  I do this for a specific reason, to be able to disrupt a dog’s prey drive when all other commands fail.

A dog quickly learns that if I have a piece of food in my hand, the dog will not get the treat until he or she sits calmly facing me. 

In order to look up, a dog has to sit down.  So if I show the dog a treat and then lift my closed hand, the dog will sit down to see the hand holding the food.  I am very careful not to say “sit” as I raise my hand.  If I say “sit” as I raise my hand, the food becomes a bribe.  You sit down and I will give you food. 

But when the dog sits I give it the food as I say “good sit.”  What I am doing is programing a Pavlovian response to the word.  The dog associates the word sit with the pleasure of the food.  He also associates the act of sitting with pleasure.

After a couple or repetitions, the dog will sit when I raise a closed hand over his head.  Now I do not always have a treat in my hand, and the dog has a good enough nose to know whether or not I have food.  But hope springs eternal in a dog.  The dog sits for me since he knows the only way to find out for sure if I have food, is to sit still.

In my group classes, called Neighborhood Pack, I can stop almost any behavior just by walking over to the dog and holding my hand over his head with the fingers close.  The dog stops the unacceptable behavior to find out if I have food to offer.

This then becomes useful when my clients are out with their dogs.  The word sit can often change behavior, especially behavior in prey drive, when all other commands fail.

A dog may go into prey drive when it either feels threatened or sees prey.  Prey drive is a part of the fight or flight response.  When you dog goes after a rabbit, a deer, or another dog, it is in prey drive.  And prey drive actually causes bio chemical and physiological changes.  The dog’s eyesight, sense of smell and even hearing narrow on just the object of the prey drive. 

When all else fails we give the command “sit” and the Pavlovian response to that word is often enough to get the dog out of prey drive and back under control.

You can practice and reinforce this command every day.  When you feed the dog, raise its dish.  When it sits tell him “good sit” and then put the dish down.

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Update from Andi and Family

I worked with Andi and his very committed family with their dog Fletch two years ago and back then it was it was impossible to work him, let him off the lead and trust him with other dogs. Now things are a lot more different.

Here is an update from Andi:

Hes now off the lead on a daily basis on the park! I feel that this summer we really turned a corner with him. His recall is usually excellent and on some walks he socialises with up to ten other dogs.

Occasionally his chase instinct gets the better of him and hes gone. At first it was difficult to just let him go and not call him. But now i carry on walking and watching until the chase has died down and then call/whistle and hes usually straight back at high speed.

I feel some of this is simply down to him having matured and slowed down a little. But would like to think that some of it down to us and Bertie dogs hard work. Whatever the reason hes a pleasure to take out these days. Well, most of the time!

www.sheepdog-training.co.uk

www.bertiedogs.com

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