Nail clipping. This is a topic that most people despise. *I* despise it. For me it ranks right up there with clipping a baby's nails. I cringe and get squeamish just thinking about it. Really. The worst thing for me is when I clip them back too far and hit the quick. The dog yelps and pulls back, I freak... its just not pretty.
Well, first off, let me just say that if you're in that 2% of owners who dont *mind* doing nails - good for you. You're ahead of the game. You keep your dog's nails clipped back and shaped and do it on a regular basis. You're in the group of people I simultaneously am proud of and despise.
For the rest of us who don't do the deed as often as we should and hate to do it when we do, here are some helpful tips:
1. Do it more frequently and in small increments. The dog's quick will shrink back as you clip the nail back, so eventually, you will have nice, short nails and not worry about the quick.
2. Do it after a hard play session. Let them calm down first, of course. But doing it when your dog is tired means (generally) they'll be more relaxed and less resistant to your efforts. I'm blessed, really, Ranger never puts up a fight no matter when I do it. He's the model dog when it comes to letting me clip his nails. Then again, I've been playing with his feet, paw pads, nails, etc since he was 10 weeks old. it makes a huge difference. Getting your dog comfortable with you touching him anywhere will be a huge help not only in nails and teeth, but also when the vet does checkups!
3. If your dog is one of the many who is particularly skittish of the clippers, let them sniff the clippers first. Letting them sniff, lick, and generally figure out what these things are is a good positive introduction. Then get ready with tons of patience as you sit and patiently do one or two nails at a time. It may take a few days at first to do all the nails and you may feel like you're just on a never-ending rotation of nails by the time you're done, but trust me, you'll have a much more confident dog for it!
4. Make sure to have the "quick stop" on hand! If your dog's nails are white or opaque, you can probably see the quick (the thin red/brown line that runs in/through the nail. You want to stop just before you get to that point leaving a little nail beyond it. If you are one of us unfortunate souls who has a dog with jet black nails, you'll likely need the quick stop (or cornstarch or baby powder) until you get used to your dog's nails and how to find the quick. -- The general rule of thumb is to look at the clipped tip of the nail as you clip it back, doing it in small little snips, until you see a black spot appearing in the white center of the nail. That's the start of the quick and THAT is what you want to avoid cutting! If you do happen to nick the quick and you see blood, dont panic. Just coat the bleeding end of the nail in the antiseptic powder and it should coagulate quickly. Yes, it is painful for the dog when you nick their quicks - kind of like when you cut your own nails too short or rip a nail back beyond the nail bed - not pleasant. But, your quick, calm reaction will help reassure your dog that life will not end. Remember, you're the pack leader. If you don't panic, you're sending them the signal that they don't need to either.
An alternative to the nail clipper is using a dremel to file down the nail. This is a great maintenance thing for when you have the nails clipped back, but I find it tends to take a LONG time to grind down nails that are already way too long! There are quite a few dog-specific dremel tools out there (think PediPaws) but truthfully, getting an actual dremel is probably comperable in price when you factor in the batteries you'll be buying for the PediPaws and the length of time it takes to get the job done. The dremel I have is the 7.2 volt rechargeable cordless. I find it more than meets my needs (when I'm good about keeping the nails trimmed back and just have to do maintenace filing!) Dremel does now make a 'pet' version of their tool, but it uses 4 AA batteries. I dont even *want* to know how many batteries I'd go through!
With both the dremel and the clippers you'll want to remember to have the antiseptic powder handy, just in case. Remember, its easy for a dog's nails to get too long and for their paws/pads to become inflamed and irritated, or, worse yet, to ooze. If you see any of these signs, please take your dog to your vet as soon as possible!
If you're still squeamish about doing your dog's nails, call your vet's office and ask if they clip nails. Most vet's will do it free or for a nominal fee (in this neck of the woods its something like $5). You may just find it well worth the $5 to reduce the stress on you and your dog! If you go at a relatively slow time, many vets and techs are more than happy to demonstrate the proper techniquest for you so you can see it first hand and even help coach you through doing a nail or two yourself.
Jessica and Ranger
Lunar K9s Service Dogs Team #2
Thursday, July 29, 2010
General Training: Oh me-yo Oh my-yo... Oh nooo!
Normally, Pawnation is a site I can get behind. Today's post, however, I just cant.
Oh yeah, they said that. Its an article on what human foods are safe and healthy for your dog. I'm really good with that. People should be educated about what human foods *can* given to their dogs. BUT - these foods should be used as treats during training, possibly stuffed in a kong (peanutbutter, sunflower seeds, shredded chicken, etc make a great kong stuffing!) or as an additive/substitute for some of their regular dog food.
You should never, ever, *EVER* give a dog food from your table. NEVER reward an undesireable behavior - which, I think we can all agree, begging is no matter WHAT household you're in! No one wants to have a dog begging at the table, especially if you're hosting friends! Remember, if it would not be ok when people come over, you need to make sure its NOT ok when no one is at your house.
Pawnation is, in general, a wealth of great information for dog people. I support it 99% of the time. *THIS* time, however, this is a statement I just can't get behind. The article would've been re-post worthy if not for that sentence. --- Today Pawnation's editing staff gets an 'epic fail' from Ranger and I.
Jessica and Ranger
Lunar K9 Training
"But you're only human, and sometimes it's hard to resist your dog's sweet stare as he begs you with his eyes to share some of your delicious homo sapien cuisine."
Oh yeah, they said that. Its an article on what human foods are safe and healthy for your dog. I'm really good with that. People should be educated about what human foods *can* given to their dogs. BUT - these foods should be used as treats during training, possibly stuffed in a kong (peanutbutter, sunflower seeds, shredded chicken, etc make a great kong stuffing!) or as an additive/substitute for some of their regular dog food.
You should never, ever, *EVER* give a dog food from your table. NEVER reward an undesireable behavior - which, I think we can all agree, begging is no matter WHAT household you're in! No one wants to have a dog begging at the table, especially if you're hosting friends! Remember, if it would not be ok when people come over, you need to make sure its NOT ok when no one is at your house.
Pawnation is, in general, a wealth of great information for dog people. I support it 99% of the time. *THIS* time, however, this is a statement I just can't get behind. The article would've been re-post worthy if not for that sentence. --- Today Pawnation's editing staff gets an 'epic fail' from Ranger and I.
Jessica and Ranger
Lunar K9 Training
Monday, July 26, 2010
General Training: Little Dog Syndrome and the Leader of the Pack
While I was in the hospital, I had several nurses who each had dogs. Of course, this leads to the "how do I..." questions. Bless their hearts!
Nurse #1 tells a story about her little (toy-sized) dog who is a toy hoarder, yappy, and bolts. I look at her very seriously and say "She's spoiled." The nurse blinks twice and replies sheepishly, "well, yeah, maybe a little." I proceed to describe all of the things that the dog does - or doesn't do - and all of the things the owner likely does and the nurse's jaw drops. "You're dead on right. That's exactly it. That's my dog. How do you know?" I tell her my "secret" is simple.
I. Understand. Pack.
I understand that a small dog doesn't really KNOW its a small dog and therefore is allowed more freedom and leeway than you'd expect out of a larger dog. A small dog doesn't understand why the supposed pack leader is making baby noises at it. It only understands one thing - its a dog. Its not a baby, its not a child. Its a dog. *Because* its a dog, it only comprehends dog pack mentality. It has no concept of relativity of size.
People get small dogs for a variety of reasons. Most of the time they want the companionship of a dog in a tiny package. The problem with small dogs filling that role is that *typically* speaking the owners tend to baby and spoil them because they're "just so adorable and cute!" The owners also don't immediately put an end to obnoxious and nuisance behaviors because, well, the dog is only 10 pounds!
Wrong.
The mantra for small dog owners is this: "If it would not be acceptable in a larger dog, then it is not acceptable in YOUR dog."
No one likes going to visit someone only to be greeted by a pack of yapping, unruly and undisciplined little squeakers! (I'm getting a migraine just thinking about it) Good manners are good manners - period. As the pack leader you must have a standard of expectation for your pack - whether its an only-dog 10-pound Papillon or an 80-pound Beauceron. Once you establish your baseline, you have to remember that dogs are black-n-white creatures. Its either 'yes, this is ok' - or 'no, it is not acceptable' - there are no 'maybes' or 'sometimes' for dogs.
I've seen a 15-pound Jack Russell Terrier bite an 8-year-old child in the face. If you think your dog cant be JUST as dangerous and terrifying as an untrained 80-pound golden or boxer or newfie - think again. That child was taken to the ER where he had 20 stitches. And before anyone says 'it was all the dog's fault,' it wasn't. The dog was undersocialized, spoiled and then ignored repeatedly, had not been taught any manners or rules and was acting on pure instinct. The dog's fault? Hardly.
So, for all of you 'huggle, snuggle, umpkin, poo' people out there with your trendy toy-sized dogs who think they run the roost, stop and realize that not only are you NOT helping your dog by babying it and treating it like a baby, you're hurting it because you're forcing it to do the only thing it instinctively knows - step up and assume an alpha role. In the absence of leadership, even a timid canine will take a stand - but its stressful on them and they have no context at all for how to BE a leader, so their fear gets channeled into acting out and aggressive behaviors. They're scared and unsure - NOT their faults.
So, next time Schnuckums starts yapping up a storm at you, or lunges on your guests as they walk in or even jumps up onto the couches uninvited and unceremoneously scoots you over - remember, they only know they're a dog. They're doing what dogs do. YOU need to do what alpha leaders do and start taking control of the situation by teaching them what is and is not acceptable.
Ten pounds or 100 pounds - all dogs need the safety and surety the fundamentals of dog training provide.
Jessica and Ranger
Lunar K9 Training - Service Dog Team
Nurse #1 tells a story about her little (toy-sized) dog who is a toy hoarder, yappy, and bolts. I look at her very seriously and say "She's spoiled." The nurse blinks twice and replies sheepishly, "well, yeah, maybe a little." I proceed to describe all of the things that the dog does - or doesn't do - and all of the things the owner likely does and the nurse's jaw drops. "You're dead on right. That's exactly it. That's my dog. How do you know?" I tell her my "secret" is simple.
I. Understand. Pack.
I understand that a small dog doesn't really KNOW its a small dog and therefore is allowed more freedom and leeway than you'd expect out of a larger dog. A small dog doesn't understand why the supposed pack leader is making baby noises at it. It only understands one thing - its a dog. Its not a baby, its not a child. Its a dog. *Because* its a dog, it only comprehends dog pack mentality. It has no concept of relativity of size.
People get small dogs for a variety of reasons. Most of the time they want the companionship of a dog in a tiny package. The problem with small dogs filling that role is that *typically* speaking the owners tend to baby and spoil them because they're "just so adorable and cute!" The owners also don't immediately put an end to obnoxious and nuisance behaviors because, well, the dog is only 10 pounds!
Wrong.
The mantra for small dog owners is this: "If it would not be acceptable in a larger dog, then it is not acceptable in YOUR dog."
No one likes going to visit someone only to be greeted by a pack of yapping, unruly and undisciplined little squeakers! (I'm getting a migraine just thinking about it) Good manners are good manners - period. As the pack leader you must have a standard of expectation for your pack - whether its an only-dog 10-pound Papillon or an 80-pound Beauceron. Once you establish your baseline, you have to remember that dogs are black-n-white creatures. Its either 'yes, this is ok' - or 'no, it is not acceptable' - there are no 'maybes' or 'sometimes' for dogs.
I've seen a 15-pound Jack Russell Terrier bite an 8-year-old child in the face. If you think your dog cant be JUST as dangerous and terrifying as an untrained 80-pound golden or boxer or newfie - think again. That child was taken to the ER where he had 20 stitches. And before anyone says 'it was all the dog's fault,' it wasn't. The dog was undersocialized, spoiled and then ignored repeatedly, had not been taught any manners or rules and was acting on pure instinct. The dog's fault? Hardly.
So, for all of you 'huggle, snuggle, umpkin, poo' people out there with your trendy toy-sized dogs who think they run the roost, stop and realize that not only are you NOT helping your dog by babying it and treating it like a baby, you're hurting it because you're forcing it to do the only thing it instinctively knows - step up and assume an alpha role. In the absence of leadership, even a timid canine will take a stand - but its stressful on them and they have no context at all for how to BE a leader, so their fear gets channeled into acting out and aggressive behaviors. They're scared and unsure - NOT their faults.
So, next time Schnuckums starts yapping up a storm at you, or lunges on your guests as they walk in or even jumps up onto the couches uninvited and unceremoneously scoots you over - remember, they only know they're a dog. They're doing what dogs do. YOU need to do what alpha leaders do and start taking control of the situation by teaching them what is and is not acceptable.
Ten pounds or 100 pounds - all dogs need the safety and surety the fundamentals of dog training provide.
Jessica and Ranger
Lunar K9 Training - Service Dog Team
We got the call!
We got the call on Friday from the Americorps program we've been interviewing for (or, one of them anyway!) - The position I'm being offered is in a different section of the Vandy Health Services, but it deals with outreach to outlying women/children in rural settings. I'd be liason to 18 program sites in 4 states doing monthly progress reviews/updates, bulletins, website development, etc. Lots of office work, but its a very dog/kid friendly office and, honestly, I'm probably much better suited to an office position right now all things considered.
I'm going to touch base with the director of the MIHOW program again when she gets back from vacation next week, but I'm feeling pretty good about it and I like what I'm reading and seeing about their program. The position wouldn't start until the beginning of October, so I have a little time to prepare as well.
Wish us lots of luck and good, positive energy. I'm terrified about going back to an office environment again - especially doing it for the first time with Ranger coming with me every day! I'm sure he will be a rockstar about it and totally mesh with things. I'm still nervous about it - its change and we all know I hate change and this is on the order of cataclysmic change! Its also a 10-month commitment which isnt really *that* bad. (that's what I keep reminding myself anyway!)
It also means that Ranger and I need to keep pushing forward and working on our training more. I've identified situations in which he's 'jumpy' so I really need to get the PVC out and run him through some of the agility things to build his confidence up. We also need to get out more and immunize him to the situations he has problems with. He's an alpha male dog and no matter what I do and no matter how strong of an alpha role I take, I cant change the fact that I'm a female and his instinct is to guard and protect me. I wouldnt mind him checking out behind my back - but turning all the way around so he's FACING the noise, that's not working for me! Oh well, more work on focus and ignore is in store for us!
Jessica and Ranger
Lunar K9s Service Dogs Team #2
I'm going to touch base with the director of the MIHOW program again when she gets back from vacation next week, but I'm feeling pretty good about it and I like what I'm reading and seeing about their program. The position wouldn't start until the beginning of October, so I have a little time to prepare as well.
Wish us lots of luck and good, positive energy. I'm terrified about going back to an office environment again - especially doing it for the first time with Ranger coming with me every day! I'm sure he will be a rockstar about it and totally mesh with things. I'm still nervous about it - its change and we all know I hate change and this is on the order of cataclysmic change! Its also a 10-month commitment which isnt really *that* bad. (that's what I keep reminding myself anyway!)
It also means that Ranger and I need to keep pushing forward and working on our training more. I've identified situations in which he's 'jumpy' so I really need to get the PVC out and run him through some of the agility things to build his confidence up. We also need to get out more and immunize him to the situations he has problems with. He's an alpha male dog and no matter what I do and no matter how strong of an alpha role I take, I cant change the fact that I'm a female and his instinct is to guard and protect me. I wouldnt mind him checking out behind my back - but turning all the way around so he's FACING the noise, that's not working for me! Oh well, more work on focus and ignore is in store for us!
Jessica and Ranger
Lunar K9s Service Dogs Team #2
The Hospital - Round 2
As some of you know, Ranger and I had another lovely stay in the hospital last week. This time, though, I went prepared for a stay!
We went armed with the Precision Pet SnooZZy Sleeper Bed, Black , the Wubba, the Wobbler, and antlers, we went in for blood work and stayed for 2 days. Yup, I was down a few pints again! This time we landed on the second floor. Nurses were *amazingly* nice. We're so blessed to have had so many good experiences with great nursing staff!
The Precision mat worked SO much better this time. We'd been using it at home, so he knew at the hospital that it was *his* place. (Note: if you're taking your dog on vacation this summer, it is a great idea to start using one thing constantly that you will be taking with you so the dog acclimates to that. It will make his time in new environments (be it hotels or relatives' houses) much less stressful for you and your dog!)
He was quite vigilant while they managed to have to replace 4 IV sites. No, I'm not kidding - I blew out 3 sites. My arms are still bruised from 2 of them. He really was not a happy monkey about me having those! I will say, though, he was very very good about staying down and in his place on the mat and just raised his head up to lay it next to me while they did the IVs and vamp'ing. He, of course, didn't eat very much and without his trusty water bottle, he wasn't so thrilled about the drinking part either. He has really taken to his Lixit Dog Water Bottle (which we got at Prairieland Feeds in Savoy, IL!) at home and I find it really helps him regulate his own drinking throughout the day. That's quite a feet for my little camel!
He went out with 2 terrific nurses while we were there. I sent him out on his Gentle Leader and they said he did great, but couldn't wait to get back to me! LOL. Even G.T. showed up while I was waiting in the ER and she took him out for the last time that night after I was settled in my room and she said the same thing - he just wanted to get back to me. Far cry from the dog I had 2 months ago!! The bonding exercises seem to have really helped in a lot of ways - in other ways, well, we'll save that for another post!
They replaced my blood (again) in a much quicker fashion (we're getting this down to a science!) and that was that. Had a followup 2 days later with a new doc and *everyone* in the office loved Ranger. (He's SUCH a flirt!!) He did great in a down/stay while I was on the exam table (though he was a picklehead about getting to the down/stay in the first place - it was an 8am appointment, no time to run him tired before hand, and I was anxious as all hell - so he was not exactly in the most centered and focused frame of mind!) But, all things being even, he didn't do a bad job at all.
So we're back home, he's curled up on his SnooZZy Sleeper mat next to my bed, and we're trying to get back into some kind of routine. I have meds to take 4 times a day and we're working on him being my reminder for those. Its the 2 during the day that we have trouble remembering! (I know I could just set an alarm or something - but I shut those off, think about taking the meds and then forget to do it anyway!)
Keep good thoughts for us please as we keep stepping through this long (and tedious) process of healthcare puzzles. We definitely need lots of patience!
Jessica and Ranger
Lunar K9 Training SD Team
We went armed with the Precision Pet SnooZZy Sleeper Bed, Black , the Wubba, the Wobbler, and antlers, we went in for blood work and stayed for 2 days. Yup, I was down a few pints again! This time we landed on the second floor. Nurses were *amazingly* nice. We're so blessed to have had so many good experiences with great nursing staff!
The Precision mat worked SO much better this time. We'd been using it at home, so he knew at the hospital that it was *his* place. (Note: if you're taking your dog on vacation this summer, it is a great idea to start using one thing constantly that you will be taking with you so the dog acclimates to that. It will make his time in new environments (be it hotels or relatives' houses) much less stressful for you and your dog!)
He was quite vigilant while they managed to have to replace 4 IV sites. No, I'm not kidding - I blew out 3 sites. My arms are still bruised from 2 of them. He really was not a happy monkey about me having those! I will say, though, he was very very good about staying down and in his place on the mat and just raised his head up to lay it next to me while they did the IVs and vamp'ing. He, of course, didn't eat very much and without his trusty water bottle, he wasn't so thrilled about the drinking part either. He has really taken to his Lixit Dog Water Bottle (which we got at Prairieland Feeds in Savoy, IL!) at home and I find it really helps him regulate his own drinking throughout the day. That's quite a feet for my little camel!
He went out with 2 terrific nurses while we were there. I sent him out on his Gentle Leader and they said he did great, but couldn't wait to get back to me! LOL. Even G.T. showed up while I was waiting in the ER and she took him out for the last time that night after I was settled in my room and she said the same thing - he just wanted to get back to me. Far cry from the dog I had 2 months ago!! The bonding exercises seem to have really helped in a lot of ways - in other ways, well, we'll save that for another post!
They replaced my blood (again) in a much quicker fashion (we're getting this down to a science!) and that was that. Had a followup 2 days later with a new doc and *everyone* in the office loved Ranger. (He's SUCH a flirt!!) He did great in a down/stay while I was on the exam table (though he was a picklehead about getting to the down/stay in the first place - it was an 8am appointment, no time to run him tired before hand, and I was anxious as all hell - so he was not exactly in the most centered and focused frame of mind!) But, all things being even, he didn't do a bad job at all.
So we're back home, he's curled up on his SnooZZy Sleeper mat next to my bed, and we're trying to get back into some kind of routine. I have meds to take 4 times a day and we're working on him being my reminder for those. Its the 2 during the day that we have trouble remembering! (I know I could just set an alarm or something - but I shut those off, think about taking the meds and then forget to do it anyway!)
Keep good thoughts for us please as we keep stepping through this long (and tedious) process of healthcare puzzles. We definitely need lots of patience!
Jessica and Ranger
Lunar K9 Training SD Team
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Not your ordinary post
Today's post is a unique one. Not something you'd expect to find on a dog traning blog.
I just can't help myself.
Today, I'm going to give in to my baser instinct - and give a book review! Oh, I hear you all now... but wait... its dog related!
Two days ago Nora Roberts' "The Search" hit the shelves. As its my birthday this week, and as I always need a birthday book, and as I LOVE Nora Roberts - it was preordered and delivered directly to my Kindle on Tuesday morning. Two days I waited. I can't imagine why now!
The heroine is who I hope to some day be. A happy, cheerful, no-nonsense dog trainer who owns her own training school, teaches advanced training, and, oh, by the way, has 3 gorgeous labs - all certified S&R dogs (for those of you NOT up on your doggy lingo, that's search & rescue!) Of course she has a past, she wouldn't be who she is without it - but she's good with it. She's made a good life. Enter the romance - one very sexy carpenter with a 4-month-old problem that happens to have 4 legs, no skills, and a bad eating disorder compliments of a worried mother who said it was either a wife or a dog! He kept the dog.
In what has become SOP for Nora Roberts' longer, suspense/romance/thriller novels, this one is divided into "parts." What's NOT SOP for her work - what I wasn't prepared for - was the level of insight and absolute attention to detail she gives. The perfect jabs at new dog owners and their own bad behaviors coupled with such extraordinary writing, you not only "get the gist" of the dog training technique, you feel like you're right there with the heroine as she scolds, cajoles, and soothes you into *her* way of dog training. Yes, you might even find you learn a new trick - or ten - just from reading.
I'm going to take my favorite body warmer, I mean 4-legged companion, and return now to part 2 of "The Search." I will, however, leave you with this:
"The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him
and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too."
~ Samuel Butler, as re-quoted by Ms. Nora Roberts.
Jessica and Ranger
Lunar K9 Training
I just can't help myself.
Today, I'm going to give in to my baser instinct - and give a book review! Oh, I hear you all now... but wait... its dog related!
Two days ago Nora Roberts' "The Search" hit the shelves. As its my birthday this week, and as I always need a birthday book, and as I LOVE Nora Roberts - it was preordered and delivered directly to my Kindle on Tuesday morning. Two days I waited. I can't imagine why now!
The heroine is who I hope to some day be. A happy, cheerful, no-nonsense dog trainer who owns her own training school, teaches advanced training, and, oh, by the way, has 3 gorgeous labs - all certified S&R dogs (for those of you NOT up on your doggy lingo, that's search & rescue!) Of course she has a past, she wouldn't be who she is without it - but she's good with it. She's made a good life. Enter the romance - one very sexy carpenter with a 4-month-old problem that happens to have 4 legs, no skills, and a bad eating disorder compliments of a worried mother who said it was either a wife or a dog! He kept the dog.
In what has become SOP for Nora Roberts' longer, suspense/romance/thriller novels, this one is divided into "parts." What's NOT SOP for her work - what I wasn't prepared for - was the level of insight and absolute attention to detail she gives. The perfect jabs at new dog owners and their own bad behaviors coupled with such extraordinary writing, you not only "get the gist" of the dog training technique, you feel like you're right there with the heroine as she scolds, cajoles, and soothes you into *her* way of dog training. Yes, you might even find you learn a new trick - or ten - just from reading.
I'm going to take my favorite body warmer, I mean 4-legged companion, and return now to part 2 of "The Search." I will, however, leave you with this:
"The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him
and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too."
~ Samuel Butler, as re-quoted by Ms. Nora Roberts.
Jessica and Ranger
Lunar K9 Training
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