Jordan Lake Training Trip

As often as we can when the weather is nice, I like to get our Board &Train clients dogs out to the Lake.  Many of them haven't had a chance to run around rurally and if they have proven their off leash reliability they are allowed some doggy run time with our guys.  (If they aren't ready for that then we go with a 30-50' long line so they can still swim/run.

While we certainly want everyone to enjoy themselves, dogs included, it is important that they are still listening while there so we always reinforce good behavior - especially for the new dogs.  Here Tracy has a rapt audience...to be able to break them off from swimming and playing to recall and sit politely is always good practice.  

We always go to the very back of the inlet where it curves back on itself and we can give the dogs a little more freedom to roam.  Here we can see them all a little too far out and do a quick recall...

And who was the first one back - CHARLIE!!!




After about 45 minutes of hard play, water retrieves and obedience practice - Charlie and Ayla are done.

Time to round up the crew and head back to the farm!

Coco Update

So Coco finished his month here and we hadn't gotten as far as I wanted with him.  I offered his Mom another 2 weeks free since the first two weeks we couldn't do much training at all.  These two weeks have really made a difference.  

Somewhere around week 4 we started to turn a corner and look at him now!

He is so much more relaxed and calm.  And his recall is amazing - even with farmyard distractions.  His reaction to the doorbell was pretty severe - but we are working on that as well.

PAWTENTIAL PROFILE: CHARLIE

Name:  Charlie
Breed:  Rat Terrier / Basenji mix?
Sex:  Female
Age: 12 months

Duration: 4 week Board & Train

Reason for B&T:  General obedience work, leadership issues




Background:  Charley is a feisty rescue who just needs a little polishing. She has begun to growl at her owner if she doesn't want to move or go to her bed, jumps like a little kangaroo, barks like crazy, annoys her Dachshund brother and is just generally a little wild and free.

What we are working on during her stay:

OWNERS REQUESTS:
* Basic Obedience - she will be completing Big Dog University 101 - Look, Leave It, Touch, Sit, Down, Stay, Wait 
* Loose Leash Walking - currently a very forward, zig zag type puller
* Recall - owner says she has an unreliable recall and has not trusted her outside off leash
* Jumping - when excited she jumps and scratches
* Barking - can be a little overzealous about "intruders"
* Dog Social Skills - she doesn't know when enough is enough and can get too rough with other dogs - esp her housemate Brooks, a Dachshund who has already had back issues

Introducing Charley:

UPDATE - Bubbie Week 2

Bubbie continues to make progress here at the farm.  Some of his biggest strides this week have been in handling everyday stresses and gaining confidence around the other dogs.

There was a time, not so long ago, that he would ferociously chase and go after any dog that came close.  He is developing relationships now not only with the small dogs he rooms with but just today he played with one of the big pups - Piper.  She is almost 30lbs and while unsure for most of it, he offered some play behavior that we hadn't seen before.  We are very proud of his progress.

Another step in his rehabilitation is his offleash work.  He has been very reliable around here, but today we ventured back to the lake to work with him offleash.  His owner came with us to spend some time with her boy and was very impressed with both his offleash behavior and his recall.  He even did a recall from the shore to her in the water!  Good boy Bubbie!

Archie & Bella Field Trip

Today we headed out to Raven Rock State Park with 7 of the dogs for a hike.  Raven Rock is about an hour from the farm and looking at it online it looked like a nice hike along the Cape Fear River.  We got a map and planned to do the Campbell Creek Loop Trail and head out to the falls.

We got there around 1:30pm after a very good van ride from the dogs.  Archie & Bella rode very well and waited beautifully when I opened the back of the van.

We hit the trail heading out to the falls in much warmer, humid weather than we anticipated.  Needless to say we were sweating bullets!

The dogs were all very well behaved.  Archie and Bella started the trail in typical Lab pup excitement.  I put Bella in a waist loop and Archie was on umbilical.  Once we got going they really settled into stride and by a few miles in were walking beautifully.

Overall they did a fantastic job!  

Pawtential Profiles: Archie & Bella

Names:  Archie & Bella
Breed:  Lab x
Sex:  Male & Female
Age: 7 months

Duration: On trial week then possibly 4 week Board & Train

Reason for B&T:  Recall, Loose Leash Walking & General House Manners

Archie and Bella are with us until the 11th on a trial Boarding basis.  Like any young large pups, they are full of enthusiasm and manners like not door dashing and keeping all paws on the ground are a bit lost on them.  But that is what we are here for!

Initially a little shy around the Pawtential Pack - they have warmed up nicely and their favorite is Luka, a rescued Giant Schnauzer x and the newest additions - the now 4 month old Australian Shepherd x Border Collie pups.

Boarding at the Pawtential farm can be quite exciting with all the farm animals next door.  Archie especially is interested in the guinea fowl making a ruckus this morning while we were out on the porch.

Bella meantime was finding out that the glider seat was not such a stable bench after all...

And then it was a case of Monkey See, Monkey Do as Luka and Piper decided to give it a try...

Archie was not too sure about Piper who has a bit to learn about doggie communication...

In the end, everyone had a good play session but were more than happy to get in out of the wet and settle down with some breakfast and a good bone.

Bubbie Update

Bubbie has been with us a few days now and is progressing well.  Ariel has taken the lead with him and has been working hard with her small dogs to make him feel at home.  She is working to begin building his confidence and to start changing his thoughts towards new people and situations.

Pawtential Profile: Bubbie

Name:  Bubbie
Breed:  Chihuahua
Sex:  Male
Age: 18 months


Duration: 4 week Board & Train


Reason for B&T:  Aggression, shyness and general obedience work



Background:  Bubbie was adopted 3 months ago from a puppy mill/hoarding situation where 100 dogs were rescued.  He has had very little socialization and appears fearful of new people [esp men and children], new situations and larger dogs.  He has bitten his new owner several times to the blood, several other people have been nipped or bitten and in general he is a bit of a nervous wreck.  


What we are working on during his stay:
**Aggression cannot be fixed in such a short time so we are working on the foundation for a calm, more confident dog which will make it easier to help him relax in new situations.**


OWNERS REQUESTS:
* Basic Obedience - he will be completing an expedited Big Dog University 101 - Look, Leave It, Touch, Sit, Down, Stay, Wait 
* Loose Leash Walking - currently a very forward, lean sideways into the harness type puller
* Recall - owner says he has an unreliable recall and has not trusted him outside off leash
* Sharing Attention - if owner is holding another pet - he gets frantic and begins barking & jumping at her until the other pet leaves
* Housebreaking - having at least one accident in the house every day - sometimes several
* Paws Up for Pickup - owner having difficulty catching him to take him anywhere - teaching him to put his paws up on the leg to be picked up


Introducing Bubbie: