Happy New Year!

This is one of our puppy clients at the animal clinic I also work at. Is he not the most adorable puppy you have ever seen? OK so I may be biased since he is a pug. But seriously, the smile is 100% real, no photo shop needed. How can you not love that face? It makes me all warm and fuzzy inside so in the spirit of the New Year and happy thoughts I thought I should try passing that feeling on to as many people as possible.

I suppose I should share some thoughts about my plans and resolutions for the new year. In light of how the second part of this year went for my crew, I have decided to keep them fairly easy. I find simplicity helps one stay on task. And not knowing what tomorrow will bring with our Missy has me wanting to keep things flexible as much as possible too.

First I vow to finish more of my dog related reading. No more starting another book until the last one started has been finished. This means that I will not buy another dog training or behavior book (gasp!) until I am all caught up. This one might take some discipline on my part since I have a slight book addiction to battle here.

Second I vow to finally start on my project of working through the 101 dog tricks book with Jenny and Jack. January is a good time to start since it is http://www.trainyourdogmonth.com . Things with Missy got me side tracked but we are in a holding pattern now so I think it is safe to buckle down and begin. It may be slow going but anything is better than nothing right? (and yes I plan on sharing video of our progress)

Third I vow to get Jack out more. I feel like he has drawn the short straw lately and he is bored. One of the things I plan to do with him is participate in http://www.idita-walk.com It is a fund raiser for youth programs and has the added benefit of promoting exercise for dogs and their people. And I have a thing for the real Iditarod dog sled race so it will be my mental connection to those dogs and racers. (With much less hardships to face on my end for sure - for others with a similar interest in dog sledding I can highly recommend the book "Winterdance" by Gary Paulsen. It is laugh-out-loud good and one of my all time favorite dog books.)

Fourth I vow to make more time for tracking and fun with my own dogs. The downside to training other peoples dogs regularly is that is sometimes sucks the energy out of me for my own crew. It's much like the carpenter that lives in the unfinished house. We know there is work there to be done, but we can live with it the way it is and only do what we can fit in during our spare time. If we feel like it. I just need to make a better effort to create more of that spare time for my dogs. They deserve it after all.

As to goals for the business they are about the same, continue to provide excellent training and behavior information to all my clients. I do need to look over and possibly update a few of my hand outs. Sometimes as I learn new things the information I provide changes. I will also continue to attend seminars as they come up. I believe a good trainers learning never stops. I also need to start rattling the cage at the prison to get K-9 Corrections up and running again. They still haven't gotten me any handlers but I heard they have a new warden that is interested in continuing the program. I have to admit I love sharing my knowledge in that forum and have been pleasantly surprised at some of the handlers I have had in the past. They have done a great job. I only hope they continue sharing the knowledge when they get released. I also hope to get them to accept pitbulls in the program this time around too. I think it is long overdue.

Last but not least, I vow to not let myself expend any more energy on unproductive endeavors. Life is to short to waste anymore of it. Nuff said.

So Happy New Year from my house to yours. May it be a good one for all of us.

Nearly Wordless Wednesday

"Can we go in now?" The girls aren't into the cold that winter brings.

An adjustment of Missy's meds have her feeling great. She is back to playing with the other dogs and even chewing her bones again. I am very grateful she had a comfortable Christmas.

Jack on the other hand loves the winter weather and snow and would stay outside all day if I let him.

Some family dogs

A couple of photos I snapped at a family gathering on Christmas eve.

This is LuLu, my aunts yorkie. She has a great "Bang, play dead" trick under her belt.

Here is Logan (far right-malamute lab x) my cousins dog, and Buck (on left-lab siberian husky x) my uncles dog doing their sit pretty trick together. How cute are they?

The end of year vent post

I have a blog stalker.
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But some of you already knew that. It is most of the time simply an annoyance. I try to not acknowledge that she is there but she is. She reads my blog regularly and likes to comment on occasion. (check out the last few post comments to see for yourself) Sometimes I let the comments through because it shows how she acts. Perhaps I shouldn't but she keeps accusing me of things so I find it is my only defense. Let everyone see the stuff she says to me and judge for themselves.
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She even has a link to this blog on hers under "worrisome" so that others know what she thinks of me. A fact I find pretty funny since this gives people the opportunity to read about positive methods. (Thank you for this BTW!) But I am in good company there since she also thinks Jean Donaldson and Patricia McConnell PhD are also on the worrisome list. She also routinely attacks others in the positive training field as well. People like Dr. Ian Dunbar and Dr. Nicholas Dodman. You know, people who have no clue about dog behavior. (insert eye roll here)
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I find it odd that she wastes her time attacking me. I am not in direct competition with her, we do not share an area at all. We don't even share training interests! (She shows in competition obedience, I do not nor is it my goal as I have admitted in past posts.) I guess being online makes is in the same area to her however. We do seem to use different methods in training from what I gather from her training posts and from videos I have watched with her doing e-collar training. (cringe-worthy in my opinion) I admit that there are many ways to train a dog. I've even used some of those methods in the past. She has accused me of "drinking the kool-aid of the positive reinforcement cult" in response to my thoughts on positive training vs the other methods. Guilty on that count I suppose, though I don't remember any Kool-Aid at our secret meetings. I'm sure it must be from the brain washing.
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Guess what people, I prefer positive training. I don't keep it a secret. I try to explain why I like it and why people should use it over the alternative because NEWS FLASH, this is MY blog! It is where I get to talk about things I know and love. If you don't like these methods, or my thoughts, DON'T READ IT! I'm sure there are many other blogs you can find with like minded people out there. Go read them and jump on their wagon. Please. I'm sure they will enjoy your company. (unless they already gave you the boot too)
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What I also find hard to understand is the need to tear me down at every turn. She accuses me of doing this to her but all my comments directed to her (on another blog-Maine Pets link found on right) were only in response to things she has said to me first. I simply made the mistake of disagreeing with her about the availability of dog training seminars in the area. (Seriously, that is what started the whole thing in October of 08, silly no? My kingdom for a time machine.) Sadly she got booted from that blog recently for her unprofessional conduct and all my proof in the form of those posts are now gone for the general public to find. She made it personal instead of simply disagreeing with the training methods and just keeps coming back at me.
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She didn't just target me either, she also came after people who's blogs I read and comment on as well. (Sorry Katie!) Apparently anyone she disagrees with she likes to attack. There is no such thing as an adult dialogue with her where you agree to disagree. I know because in the beginning I tried. She is a master of twisting words and intentions.
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I have to say this is seriously pissing me off.
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And before she screams "libel" at me once again and threatens to sue me, again, I ask you to find just ONE reference to her by name on this blog. I even have a nice search option to help with that. Go ahead, look her up. You won't find it because it isn't there. Never happened. She shows herself with her comments to me instead.
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As to her claim that I tear down other trainers, the only one I can think of is Cesar Millan who is a public figure and yes I disagree with him and his methods. I do not however, attack him personally, just the method he uses. See that part about this being MY blog?? Yup. My blog, my opinion. It lets me say what I want just like she does when she references other trainers (mostly negatively) on her other blog routinely. (Including myself who she HAS named as an example of a bad trainer. Hmm maybe I am the one who has cause for a libel suit??) The only other trainer I have referred to stayed anonymous as trainer X so I could get correct information out there in rebuttal to bad info being given out in the first place.
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I do not name trainers nor tear them down. You know why? Because I believe in my methods and the training I do. I do not need to tear others down in order to look better. I am confident in the services I provide. Talking about others is so high school and unprofessional that it astounds me that someone who claims to be a professional in the business is doing it.
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It also annoys me greatly that I am once again having to post about said blog stalker. I feel it is unprofessional for me to do. However I am determined to not simply roll over and take it any longer. This is however the very last time she-who-shall-not-be-named is ever referred to again. Her comments will all be blocked and NOT even read in the future. I do love my delete button. Wait, strike that. I may keep them for my files so I have proof of the idiocy if ever needed in the future. (She keeps threatening these lawsuits, I say bring it on.) I am no longer going to continue to waste one more second of my life on this childish crap if I can help it.
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So this is my end of the year vent. No more reinforcing what clearly to her is positive attention. To some people even negative attention is positive after all. (this applies to dog behavior as well) Enough is enough and though she may find some fun in it I do not. Nor do I find it productive in any way. If she wants to present herself in that way to the general public she can have at it.
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There is a saying that seems to apply here: "There is no sense in fighting with a pig. You both get dirty but the pig likes it."

Passing on a great article.

The winter issue of Off Lead & Animal Behavior is out. http://www.off-lead.com/ Go to the website to read the whole magazine. (I LOVE that feature BTW.) Now while I can't say I agree with all the articles in the mag, I LOVE the one at the very back "The rules of the pack and other tales" by Gary Wilkes. Here is a direct link: http://www.off-lead.com/winter_09/frames/winter09_frame.html#/54/

I do find it odd that such a great article shares magazine space with other fodder advocating pack leadership and the like, all which go against this brilliant tidbit. Kinda confusing to the average dog owner if you ask me. Perhaps this will shed some light on the subject to some of the other contributors and readers however. One can only hope.

Follow up on the akita movie

According to this website, the akita movie I was gearing up may be going straight to DVD instead: https://www.hotmoviesale.com/p195921/Hachiko-A-Dogs-Story.html I had spoken to my local movie theater manager and he said it was listed as a limited release. I see the DVD release date is March so maybe they will still show it in some theaters first. It looks like those flyers may need to go to the movie rental store as my plan B if it doesn't come here to the boonies.

Kinda wishing they would do a special edition, the original Japanese version (was black and white and subtitled in English) along with the new Americanized version. It would make a great two pack set. I would be even more excited if they let Akita Rescue do an educational blip at the beginning or end of the movie.

Hey I can dream can't I??

Me with my crew

When my sister was over yesterday I pressed her into service as my photographer. Aside from my shirt needing some straightening I think it came out great. The dogs look fabulous and this was only the second shot. I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend.

A walk in the woods

Minos is way faster than he looks.

We saw lots of deer tracks.

It was a great walk until a loose male siberian husky decided to join us. With no owner in sight we fortunately saw him rushing down the hill towards us targeting Jack before he reached us. Once upon a time this would have given me heart failure. This time I calmly stepped in front of him, to be between him and Jack, and started yelling NO! so he at least slowed down. (A dog charging up to another dog to say hello is considered very rude in dog language so never let your dog do this if possible.) He still came up to Jack and there was a small scuffle until I gave Jack a "leave it" command and Jack backed off. Then it was a more normal greeting with the sibe deferring to Jack but then targeting Minos.

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We tried catching him so we could read his tags but he growled at us so we ended up shooing him off instead. I hated doing that but our options in the middle of the woods with a growling unknown dog were limited. We scrapped the rest of our walk not knowing if he would come back. Once we got back to our vehicles we noticed an unattended van nearby with a dog related license plate. Maybe the owner? Of course I didn't think to take a photo of the dog at the time. (I was clearly thinking about other things in the moment.) Hopefully they found their dog if he was missing or at least caught up to him on their own walk. It was somewhat aggravating.

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On the upside Jack and Minos had a great time before that happened. I was also very proud at how well Jack listened to me. Normally an unknown male dog being pushy with a male akita won't have the best outcome. Akitas can be known for same sex aggression towards other dogs if not super socialized when they are young. Even then some will not get along with all other dogs. Jack is actually pretty good if introductions are done properly. I wouldn't walk him off leash otherwise.

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If it happens again I will try to think to take a photo of the dog. Or even video of him in action. At the very least this can be proof of the problems he was causing if the owner won't be responsible. (and maybe they are and the dog simply got loose) I sincerely hope there won't be a next time. It takes the fun out of the walk for me.

My new obsession

The new collar I ordered for Jenny arrived the other day. It is so beautiful I wish I needed to wear a collar so I could have one too! Check it out:

It is called Retro Flower in Strawberry Mousse. Isn't it yummy?

I bought it from the same company that sent me the Freedom No Pull Harness to try out. http://www.wiggleswagswhiskers.com Their collars are drool worthy and must be seen to be believed. I am in love with all the options they have including a martingale style with an on and off snap buckle. I have never seen that before. (love it!) All collars are custom order. You can get exactly what you want. Oh and with a matching leash too if you like. (I am such an enabler!)
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It may be to big for Jenny though because I bought larger than they recommend on the website. In my defense I ordered it after an incident with a choke collar and was in an emotional "that will never happen again!" state. To make a long story short I fell while she was on leash and wearing a nylon choke collar and thought I had cut off her airway to long in my uncoordinated attempts to get myself right side up. (I am a true klutz.) After discussing with friends we think I probably didn't but it freaked me out anyhow. She certainly didn't act different after the incident or was scared in any way. (thankfully) At the time of ordering I wanted the brass hardwear to be able to touch at it's tightest to avoid that in the future. And I wanted it wide to avoid injury to her trachea.

She still rocks it.

I'll probably just order another one in her recommended size if this doesn't work for us. (heck I'll probably order another one anyhow just because they are so beautiful) The other dogs need their own as well. Great, now I have another new addiction. Dog collars!!
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Speaking off addictions, I added some books to my bookshelf. Check out my book blog if interested in finding out more about them.

Merry Christmas from the gang!

Jenny says, "I ain't wearing no stinkin bow!" How about a photo in front of the tree instead?

Merry Christmas from our house to yours!!!

Wordless Wednesday

I can't believe I have to write this post

Some of my readers know that I was targeted awhile back by another trainer and online "stalked" so to speak by her. I had simply put forth another viewpoint on training and education and instead of simply disagreeing and attempting an adult dialogue about it, she got insulted and started attacking me. This happened through this site, another site and through e-mail. It was online bullying at it's best. She is the reason I, and others in my bloglist, had to go to moderated comment status.

Sadly it wasn't just myself either, she routinely attacks other positive method trainers, and pet owners, as well. Basically anyone she disagreed with. Now she has been banned from a public pet site due to her conduct there. This is a professional trainer mind you. (Remember how I said anyone can hang a shingle due to this being an unregulated field?) Part of me is bummed about it because in all her posts there people could see for themselves how this all started. It was proof of my own actions as well as hers. I had reached the point of realization that an adult conversation wasn't possible so I had stopped interactions with her. (Don't reinforce what you do not want for behavior after all.)

But that is not the reason for this post. This is instead an open message to her: Be aware that posting comments under another trainers name on other websites IS traceable!! Your ISP can be tracked. That means my own ISP will be the same as well. So I can also prove when something is sent by me or not. Online pretending can only go so far. So it is easy to prove the area (at the very least) that something gets posted from. Because apparently you are unaware of this fact.

Now how ridiculous is it that I have to write this post at all. But this is what we, the people she has targeted, are dealing with. I just do not know another way to address the issue. I find the whole thing repulsive that I am forced to sink to this level as a way to protect myself. (and speak up for others)

It is mindboggling that this is an issue at all. If this trainer believes in her training program so strongly why is she wasting time with this other stuff? Heck I am not even in her area! I just don't get it. And I find it all very sad. I am sad to waste readers time on this but I have no other way to get this info out to her because I refuse to e-mail her and do NOT want any more e-mails from her. I have had enough.

So if ANYONE gets a message from me, or other trainers that seem hateful or unprofessional, check it out. It may not be from the actual trainer in question, but a part of a this woman's attack plan.

Sad, sad, sad.

Snow Day!

Missy is not impressed.

Score 1 for us.

This is one very lucky cat.

This poor cutie was delivered to us by a local animal control officer to be euthanized. She was a stray that the shelter couldn't take in due to space issues. Well it turns out she is also quite pregnant. We took pity on her since she is friendly, healthy and very adoptable. Fortunately for her there is a cat rescue in the area that specializes in pregnant homeless mothers that made space for her when we plead her case. As a hat tip to the season we named her Holly. It was a great team effort by our staff and it makes me happy that I work at such a place. The rescue promised us an update after delivery.

I do love a happy ending.