Thoughts on 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

Go Home Day is approaching!

Time to put together the Moonlight Vizslas "Go Home Bag" for the Girl Gang/Seeing Double Litter! Time flies when you're having fun! 😁 Each bag includes good stuff to get each pup started off right in their new home...chewies, soft blankie, handouts on puppy raising/training/socializing, treats, stuffed toys, toothbrush/paste kit, Kong and MV tote bag!

Busy Week for the Girl Gang

Hey what's in there?

Bitey time! 

Posing for a group photo :) 

Enjoying the patio-obstacle course

Ramps and ladders and toys, oh my!

Am I doing it right?

ATTN: Dog Owners --- Stop Being a Circus Animal

ATTN: Dog Owners -- Stop being a circus animal. Be a leader, a teacher, a "parent" to your dog instead of making excuses for the "tricks" they teach you to do. Stop saying, "my dog doesn't like" or "my dog can't." As a breeder (and dog owner) this is my #1 PET PEEVE. Dogs are Great People Trainers:

Dogs are such good teachers, and can train people to do the most bizarre things. And in turn, people make up the most bizarre reasons for what their dogs have trained them to do.

I've heard of dogs that can't travel in the car, or lie flat, or have their feet wiped, or wear a certain piece of equipment (or costume), or who doesn't like their people hugging .... the list goes on.

Usually our reasons all exist because our dog's have trained us well. They have taught us that they will not cooperate if ______ is present. But really, this has nothing to do with that particular moment. It has to do with our dogs not being willing to take our suggestions. In other words, they are disrespectful. Or probably more to the point, your dog won't take your suggestion because you are not worthy of being respected. This all starts with you.

You must be willing to change in order to get a dog that cares what you think. If you don't follow through, all of your wishes and dreams about having a happy, cooperative dog are for nought. They will not be happy and cooperative if you are not willing to change, and become worthy of being respected.
Here is a funny video, that will prove my point!

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=799153936809005

Monique Anstee
The Naughty Dogge
http://www.naughtydogge.com

Puppy Fitness that Fits the Puppy - Puppy Culture Link

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

Please refer to the Puppy Culture's Exercise Guideline for Puppies 

(Link: https://www.puppyculture.com/exercise-chart.html) 

Future Owners - Please read "Puppy Fitness that Fits the Puppy - Age Appropriate Guidelines" by Jane Killion http://www.puppyculture.com/appropriate-exercise.html

Dr. Jean Dodds Vaccination Protocol

I sent an email to the Future Puppy Owners today but wanted to share this important info here as well.

2016 DODDS VACCINATION PROTOCOL FOR DOGS

The following vaccine protocol is offered for those dogs where minimal vaccinations are advisable or desirable. The schedule is one I recommend and should not be interpreted to mean that other protocols recommended by a veterinarian would be less satisfactory. It’s a matter of professional judgment and choice.

9 - 10 weeks of age

Distemper + Parvovirus, MLV

e.g. Merck Nobivac (Intervet Progard) Puppy DPV

14 – 15 weeks of age

Distemper + Parvovirus, MLV

18 weeks of age

Parvovirus only, MLV

Note: New research states that last puppy parvovirus vaccine should be at 18 weeks old.

20 weeks or older, if allowable by law

Rabies – give 3-4 weeks apart from other vaccines

Mercury-free (thimerosol-free, TF)

1 year old

Distemper + Parvovirus, MLV

This is an optional booster or titer. If the client intends not to booster after this optional booster or intends to retest titers in another three years, this optional booster at puberty is wise.

1 year old

Rabies – give 3-4 weeks apart from other vaccines

3-year product if allowable by law; mercury-free (TF)

Perform vaccine antibody titers for distemper and parvovirus every three years thereafter, or more often, if desired. Vaccinate for rabies virus according to the law, except where circumstances indicate that a written waiver needs to be obtained from the primary care veterinarian. In that case, a rabies antibody titer can also be performed to accompany the waiver request. Visit The Rabies Challenge Fund for more information. 

W. Jean Dodds, DVM

Hemopet / NutriScan

11561 Salinaz Avenue

Garden Grove, CA 92843

Source: http://drjeandoddspethealthresource.tumblr.com/post/147595920886/dodds-vaccination-protocol-dogs-2016#.WCtW_KIrKu4

More visitors!

The Girls enjoyed a visit from friends and god-doggie-parents Carol & Mike. Safe to say we wore them out 😉

Almost 6 Weeks old - time flies when you are having fun!

Top Left: Syke, Middle Left: Saywer, Bottom Left: Scout, Top Right: Sutton, Bottom Right: Sandie

Make Your Life Easier -- start training from DAY ONE

Every puppy comes to their new home with an inherent desire to follow. They are always underfoot and look to you for guidance and entertainment. Then something happens...they turn 16 weeks and realize that they can be independent.

If you do it right, teaching your new puppy to come back when called is the easiest skill to solidify. Your puppy is already showing you the desired behaviour. All you need to do is reward it, praise it, solidify it. By rewarding their desire to follow, you are creating a solid foundation on which to build your recall. If you wait until they are 16 weeks old, you will have to work exponentially harder to make recalls fun and rewarding.

Make life easier for you and your new pup - start training from day one and always reward the behaviors you like.

Erinn Lee Dog Training

http://www.erinnlee.com

Where is the "Puppy Cam" you ask?!

Sorry friends, family and followers of the Seeing Double Litter blog, the Puppy Cam has not been running while I've had various dog sitters and days working from home.  Next week is also busy with work meetings so the Puppy Cam may be sporadic (if at all).

Please check Moonlight Vizslas on Instagram or the Puppy Photo Album for the latest Girl Gang puppy fix. Thanks for your understanding. 

Practicing our "sits"

The Girl Gang loves their "kitchen time" and it's an easy place to practice "sits". 

Baby Sutton practicing "sit"

Attempting a "group sit" - 5  1/2 week old pups

L to R: Sutton, Sawyer, Sandie, Scout & Skye

Puppy Housetraining -- the biggest challenge, or is it?

Successful house-training is one of the first things parents of a new puppy need to accomplish, and even though the process can be time-consuming, it does not have to be daunting. With a combination of consistency, common sense, and positive reinforcement protocols, you can quickly train any puppy to toilet appropriately.

Crate Training

Crate training is the ONLY way of encouraging puppies to hold themselves for longer periods of time and keeps puppies safe when unsupervised. If you use the crate correctly, it will become a safe space for your puppy as well as a highly effective toilet training tool.  

Stay Alert!

Regardless of which method you use to housetrain your puppy, remain especially vigilant and prepared for a pup to eliminate at the following times:

•     Immediately after meals or water
•     After training sessions
•     Immediately after waking up
•     After vigorous play
•     When overly excited

You must have TWO EYES on the puppy AT ALL TIMES -- or they need to be in their crate. 

What Not to Do:

• Never scold a pup or adult dog for toileting inappropriately and never rub his nose in or near his mess. Dogs do NOT toilet inappropriately out of spite. You will only cause your dog to fear you and toilet in secret or when you are out of sight.
• Leaving poorly house-trained puppies or dogs in the home unsupervised sets them up to fail unless they are in a safe area.

Teach a "Go Potty" Command

• You should be taking your puppy outside to eliminate so that you can offer appropriate praise. Incorporate at "Go Potty" command so the puppy quickly learns to do their business.  I find this command invaluable for travel when a quick pit stop is needed.

Teaching "recall"

Teaching your dog to come to you when you call h/she (also known as the recall) is the most important lesson you can teach a dog. A dog who responds quickly and consistently when you call her can enjoy freedoms that other dogs cannot. H/she can play in the dog park, hike with you in off-leash parks and keep out of trouble in most situations. Consider a situation when you don't intend to have your dog off her leash --- collars break, leashes slip, gates or doors are inadvertently left open. When an accident happens, having a reliable recall could very well save your dog’s life.

Teaching your dog to "Come When Called" by Dr. Sophia Yin

https://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/teaching_rover_to_race_to_you_on_cue/

Puppy Development - Weeks 5 to 7

Socialization Period (Weeks 5 to 7)

SOCIALIZE, SOCIALIZE, SOCIALIZE!

The more things the puppies can be introduced to during this period the better socialized the puppy will be and the less fearful of day-to-day encounters. The Girl Gang has had many visitors, dog sitters/friends visit, car rides thus far --- and have heard neighborhood noises like garbage trucks, tree trimmers, dogs barking, met my other dogs (and several Vizsla relatives) and have had tons of new experiences in and around the house. 

Under socialized dogs are shy and fearful; I work hard to make sure my puppies are well socialized. (in addition to breeding for sound/stable temperament) This process goes on for months (and forever, really) after our adoptive families take their puppies home. It is the responsibility of the new owners to continue this process and not just keep their new puppy at home.

Each puppy must attend 6+ more weeks of group puppy classes (should begin by 10 weeks old) and I send home tons of handouts on how/where to socialize and numerous checklists.  Puppies must meet 100 people in the first 100 days they are in their new home (people of all sizes, shapes, ages, etc. wearing hats, glasses, wheelchairs, etc.).

It is VERY important that new puppy owners continue the socialization process to assure a well socialized dog when they mature.  This needs to start from DAY ONE -- socialization is critical before 20 weeks old and for Vizslas it is a lifelong process. 

Visitors!

The Girl Gang enjoyed a gaggle of visitors this weekend, some photos from their visit, here and more on the Puppy Photo Album link. 

Sutton the cinnamon bun

Skye and her puppy dog eyes

Sandie getting in some serious cuddle time

Skye learning to be a lapdog

Saturday - Jen and her family came from San Luis Obispo, and local friends from my work stopped by

Sunday - New puppy owners Jenn and Jon came up from the LA area to meet the girls and vice versa!

The girls also had some individual playtime in the house to boost their confidence levels and work on potty training. All in all a fun and exhausting weekend!

Why Dogs Misbehave

Why Dogs Misbehave

1. Lack of Understanding

Some communication is so unclear that it is a miracle that dogs are able to meet any of our requests!
Sometimes they simply have no clue what we want of them.
And generally we keep asking the same thing, only with a louder voice, and more forceful actions, not realizing that the explanation needs to be delivered in a different way.

2. Lack of Motivation

The dog is not motivated to do it. Lack of motivation can come from a variety of reasons.

My favourite that I like to pick on clients for is plain and simply “owners are boring”. Dogs have too many rules, and are never actually allowed to be dogs. The owners are incredibly dull, always trying to suppress their dogs from actually being dogs! Because of the constant rules, when the dogs finally get a taste of freedom, you will lose all control, as there is no way that you can compare with a running-rabbit or great dog-game. Please remember that the entire purpose of giving rules is to give freedom.

Other reasons are rewards are predictable and always present. If you ask your dog to come ten times, and each of the ten times he gets a piece of cheese, it won’t take him long to realize the food is always there, so skipping an occasion to chase a rabbit won’t kill him. But if the food is only sometimes there (variable reinforcement schedule) then he has a reason to find out if maybe this time he will get something. We want to turn our dogs into little gamblers. It is worth coming, just to find out if this time something might be given.

In addition to this, our rewards themselves are dull. Cheese? Every time? Nothing is good every time.

How about having boring kibble, some cheese, a few pieces of hot dog, and three meatballs in your pocket? If the first reward is kibble, the second is a meatball, the third nothing, fourth nothing, and the fifth a hot dog – wait and watch the speed of your motivated dog. Keep them guessing!

Now, while this sounds like way too much work, it isn’t. All it means is on treat cutting days, you have seven zip-lock bags, and you put some of each in each bag. Toss the bags into your freezer, and grab a bag for each training session.

For all of your diligent treat preparers, once in a while pull your zip-lock out of your freezer, have it on you, and don’t dispense one single treat.Teach them that while the food might always be there, it doesn’t mean that receiving will always happen.

Feeding treats should not be an expectation your dog has of you. It is a reward given, only when deserved. Second commands never get fed. Mediocrity does not get fed. Only brilliance does. And brilliance is defined as being ten times better than last training day!

3. Lack of Respect

Quite simply, the dog does not respect you. Would you take advice from someone that you think is an idiot? Well, neither will your dog. Respect is a beautiful thing, that will only be given when earned.

Your dog must care what you think before he actually chooses to follow your instructions. So many of the dogs that I see are coddled spoilt brats, and the saddest part is they are unhappy.
Your dog deserves to be happy. He deserves to have rules and boundaries so that he can be successful with his responsibilities.

Don’t become a pez dispenser for treats in an attempt to fake respect. A pez dispenser is exactly that – and you will have no relationship with your dog at the end of pez-dispensing. When your treats run out, so does your dog’s interest in you. This really is not the dog’s fault, but your own.

4. Relationship Problem

Some dog's have past baggage. And some dogs with a past have handler's who still carry their past, even though they've long since let it go. Or sometimes our puppy Labrador Retriever is constantly measured against our thirteen year old Labrador that just died.

To have a healthy relationship with a dog means you must be worthy. And for your dog, you need him to be the best that he can be, by building his strengths, lessening his weaknesses, and being his fearless coach, showing him how life should be lived.

Happy Training Everyone.

Monique Anstee
Victoria, BC

10 Reasons Not to Use a Retractable Leash (sometimes called a Flexi)

10 Reasons Not to Use a Retractable Leash

1. The length of retractable leashes (name brand: Flexi), some of which can extend up to 26 feet, allows dogs to get far enough away from their humans that a situation can quickly turn dangerous. A dog on a retractable leash is often able to run into the middle of the street, for example, or make uninvited contact with other dogs or people.
2. In the above scenario, or one in which your pet is being approached by an aggressive dog, it is nearly impossible to get control of the situation if the need arises. It's much easier to regain control of – or protect -- a dog at the end of a six-foot standard flat leash than it is if he's 20 or so feet away at the end of what amounts to a thin string.
3. The thin cord of a retractable leash can break – especially when a powerful dog is on the other end of it. If a strong, good-sized dog takes off at full speed, the cord can snap. Not only can that put the dog and whatever he may be chasing in danger, but also the cord can snap back and injure the human at the other end.
4. If a dog walker gets tangled up in the cord of a retractable leash, or grabs it in an attempt to reel in their dog, it can result in burns, cuts, and even amputation. In addition, many people have been pulled right off their feet by a dog that reaches the end of the leash and keeps going. This can result in bruises, "road rash," broken bones, and worse.
5. Dogs have also received terrible injuries as a result of the sudden jerk on their neck that occurs when they run out the leash, including neck wounds, lacerated tracheas, and injuries to the spine.
6. Retractable leashes allow dogs more freedom to pull at the end of them, which can look like aggression to another dog who may decide to "fight back."
7. The handles of retractable leashes are bulky and can be easily pulled out of human hands, resulting in a runaway dog.
8. Along those same lines, many dogs – especially fearful ones – are terrorized by the sound of a dropped retractable leash handle and may take off running, which is dangerous enough. To make matters worse, the object of the poor dog's fear is then "chasing" her, and if the leash is retracting as she runs, the handle is gaining ground on her – she can't escape it. Even if this scenario ultimately ends without physical harm to the dog (or anyone else), it can create lingering fear in the dog not only of leashes, but also of being walked.
9. Retractable leashes, like most retractable devices, have a tendency to malfunction over time, either refusing to extend, refusing to retract, or unspooling at will.
10. Retractable leashes are an especially bad idea for dogs that haven't been trained to walk politely on a regular leash. By their very nature, retractables train dogs to pull while on leash, because they learn that pulling extends the lead.

Full Article: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2014/06/11/retractable-dog-leash.aspx?x_cid=20141014_ranart_petretracableleash_facebookdoc

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

Dog Parks and Puppies -- JUST SAY NO!

Perfect example why I'd rather to go the dentist, than a dog park.  Read: "Well Socialized? No, Well traumatized."  http://www.whenhoundsfly.com/well-socialized-well-traumatized/

In the opinion of many other dog behaviorists "dog park" is a four letter word as far as puppies are concerned.  I share these sentiments.

More reading "Welcome to the Frat Party a/k/a I'm not Socializing my Puppy that Way so Go Away" by The Dog Snob blog (https://thedogsnobs.com/2013/08/13/welcome-to-the-frat-party-a-k-a-im-not-socializing-my-puppy-that-way-so-go-away/). Excerpt below:

"Regardless of how you feel about adult dogs at dog parks, I think there is one thing we can all agree on. Puppies do NOT belong at dog parks. Period. End of story. Why, you ask? Let us count the ways. Illness. Injury. Stress and fear responses. The list goes on and on. Dog parks are like frat parties. They are full of loud, rude, clueless, and overstimulated individuals who only get worse when part of a large group. Plus, farting and humping is not only allowed, but encouraged. "

Please find alternative ways to both exercise and socialize your puppy, and please ask me if you have any questions.

Our first dremel nail session!

Mommy Zene and pup paws

Zene and puppy paws

Notice the tips are filed (using a grinder, i.e Dremel)

Around here, Sunday is NAIL DAY...without fail!  The Girl Gang will be three weeks tomorrow, Monday, October 24th.  This weekend I started them on the dremel for their nails, for me it is easier because I don't have to be so "precise" as I do with human nail clippers.  

More on the "why" nail care is critical to canine health from the AKC Canine Health Foundation. 

"Feet on the Ground" - http://www.akcchf.org/educational-resources/library/articles/feet-on-the-ground.html