PAWTENTIAL PROFILE: HARPER

Name:  Harper
Breed:  Doberman Pincher
Sex:  Female
Duration: 2 week Board & Train

Reason for B&T:  Mostly boarding with an emphasis on getting a better loose leash walk and working on her dog/dog skills.

Harper can get a little overzealous in her play and sometimes that turns a bit nasty.  We introduced her to everyone here gradually and after the first day I have to say she has been very good.  



After a play session in the yard we took Piper and Harper to Tractor Supply to practice around distractions.  What better distraction than peeping chicks!  

She did some beautiful Stays, Looks and some great LLW as well!

Early Puppy Development - Phoenix

Phoenix has been doing so well...she has met tons of people to ensure her socialization is where it should be, has played with several of the dogs in my classes - both large and small and is really developing into a confident and bright pup...

Sophia Yin recently released an article that I think sums up my feelings on how important it is to get your pup out and about in a safe way.  Sequestering them until they are 4-6 months old will not only make it harder for them to relate to people and other dogs but greatly increases the chances of them having fear based issues in the future...


Here are a few highlights of the past few weeks!

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: