Simple Bonding

A dog, like many other things, can give you great pleasure. But like many other things, your dog requires an investment of your time, time that is often very difficult to spare. Investing a half hour of undivided attention twice a day with your puppy every day will result in an adult dog that is well disciplined and a joy to have around. Your puppy would love to have ALL of your time, which (obviously) is impossible to do. There is an easy way to give your puppy a LARGE block of time that will not be terribly disrupting to your life. We think of our sleep time as time that we can accomplish nothing else but actually it is a great opportunity for you puppy to bond with you. NO, I am not talking about letting your puppy sleep in your bed. I know that many people do that but not me!  

If you will move your new puppy's crate into your bedroom so that the pup has a 'den' right beside your bed then the pup will know that you are close throughout the night. Your puppy will take comfort in hearing your breathing (yes, even your snoring) and will actually be growing more attached to you as you both sleep.  This is a multiplying factor for your twice a day training time because in the dog's mind you have spent ALOT of time with him or her through the night. As your puppy outgrows the small crate, if you have room you can switch to a larger crate. If there is not room for you growing dog to have it's own den within your bedroom you can fasten a sturdy eyescrew into the baseboard of the wall close to the bed. Make a six foot tether that fastens to the eyescrew and has a snap for the dog's collar. When you go to bed, attach your dog to the tether so that you will not lose sleep wondering if the young dog is wandering off and getting into trouble in the night. By the time she or her has reached 12-15 months old, they should be accustomed enough to their sleeping place and mature enough to be trusted to be free through the night.  This is a great way to build the dog's relationship with you while you sleep . . .  a 'two-fer' (two for one . . .  sleep & dog bonding) or a 'three-fer' if you consider your dog's presence as a security factor in the night.

Until next time . . . .   Eliot     www.rosehallkennel.com

A Dog's Life

A dog's life . . . laying around in the shade.  They've got it made! . . .  Don't they?

A truly content dog is a dog that regularly has opportunity to be satisfied in accomplishing something . . .  duties, or chores . . .  a dog thrives when it has a purpose and something to 'look forward to.'

Several of our dogs go with me each morning when I feed the cattle.  It's their chore.  I call them by name and tell them that it is 'chore time' and that we 'must' go and take care of the cows.  These dogs know the routine and show evidence of discontent if the routine is broken.  If for some reason one dog must be left behind, it acts as if it's being punished.  If another dog takes it's place there is real distress.

You may not have farm chores that you can include your dog(s) in but you can set aside a small portion of your day in the morning and evening to have a routine with your dog.  In that routine, work in some training exercises or other 'tasks' that your dog can look forward to accomplishing.  Praise your dog profusely when the tasks are completed and you help your dog feel fulfilled.

Boy or Girl . . . what does it matter

Most people have their mind made up about the gender of the puppy that they want.  All too often they have made their decision with incorrect information about the differences.  There are many more people who desire to have a male dog than a female. One of the most common reasons stated is that they want a 'BIG' dog for protection,

'BIG' dog is a relative concept.  Rosehall GSD's males run between 90 and 140 pounds . . .  not those are BIG dogs! . . .  but not like some of the Great Danes or other huge breeds.  Rosehall females run between 70 and 90 pounds with some reaching 100 or more pounds when mature (lean.) That is still quite a large dog . . . larger than the standard male German Shepherds.  So you can have a BIG dog and have a female.

On the matter of protection . . . usually the matter is deterrence, rather than 'attack' capability. The male dog generally will make a better personal protection dog for someone who has the dog traveling with them.  The males tend to be somewhat less territorial and more loyal to an individual.  The female has a natural 'nesting' instinct that makes them generally more protective of their 'home turf' and therefore more likely to be the protective 'watch' dog at home.

When things go 'bump' in the night around here . . .  it's me and our 115 pound girl Essie that go and investigate!  I have no doubt that she will 'watch out' for me should the need arise.

I learned a lesson.

Notice that Mia is wearing a pink collar in this photo.  Our practice at the kennel is not to use collars on any of our dogs unless we are working them.  The reason for that is that it removes the possibility of a dog accidentally injuring itself or another while at play by getting a tooth or paw caught in their own or another dog's collar.

However we always use a collar of some sort when working with a dog, especially while doing training exercises . . .  or 'school' (as we call it.)  The pink collar in this photo is Mia's 'dress up' necklace.  Her training collar is chain collar with a pink shoe lace thread through it.

The interesting lesson that I learned was that Mia quickly learned that the 'training' collar was for school and the 'dress up' collar was for going someplace or for play.  I found that Mia was a quick learner and performed her school lessons very well.  I also found out that Mia obeyed well in her 'school' mode but not much at all in her 'play' mode.  She had learned that with the different collars I had differing sets of expectations.  I was very frustrated with her until I figured out what was going on in her mind.  I began using random collars for her 'school' sessions and within a week  I was getting much more consistent obedience from her regardless of the setting.

I learned my lesson and Mia's grades went up!

Until next time . . .   Eliot    www.rosehallkennel.com

Training snacks

I prefer to train without food incentives or 'treats.' I give LOTS of verbal praise and stroking and hugging as rewards to try to build in my dog a desire to please me.  There are, however many, many trainers who use and recommend a food treat as a reward in early puppy training and the method has proved effective for countless puppies. 

If you choose to use a snack or a treat for training, here is an inexpensive and easy way to make your own dog treats.  Slice a hot dog (all beef or chicken hot dogs work best) into 1/4 inch rounds. Place on a doubled paper towel on a plate in the microwave with a paper towel covering them. Microwave on high for 20 seconds turn over and microwave another 20 seconds. Repeat as needed until the rounds are dried and leather-like, not crispy. Different kinds of hot dogs and differing microwaves will require differing times.  Experiment with shorter times first as you can always repeat until you achieve the desired leathery consistency.  Store your home made treats in zip-loc type bags in the fridge until needed.  These make a great, inexpensive dog treat for any occasion. I haven't found a puppy or dog yet that wasn't enthusiastic about these treats.  Do not over feed! You can break the treats in half or cut them in quarters and still make your pup happy.

Until next time . . .   Eliot     www.rosehallkennel.com

Puppies coming!

We're waiting on new puppies.  We know the 'season' the pups will arrive but not the day or the hour so we wait and keep close check on the momma. 

Normal gestation is 63 days from the 1st breeding although 'full term' is 58 days.  In other words the puppies are fully developed and viable by the 58th day.  Since gestation is so short every day is important and even a couple of days short of day 58 can mean some real challenges for the puppies' well being.

Each girl seems to settle into a 'normal' gestation for them so after the 1st litter or two, we can kind of predict what day we expect whelping to occur. We're careful to start checking for body temperature and apatite  changes a couple of days before our expected date.  If the x-ray that was taken the week before our expected date doesn't give us any cause for concern about complications, we (not so) patiently wait on momma to begin her labor.  It is unlikely that serious labor is imminent if she is still eating well.  The drop in body temperature is an indication that whelping is close although even this can have a couple of 'false alarms.'

Once labor begins the 1st puppy may be hours away although some moms have much quicker deliveries.  Another variable is the overall length of the whelping process.  A litter may be completely delivered in 6-8 hours or in some cases the process goes on much longer.  The longer the labor is drawn out the more exhausting on the mom (and the human attendant.)

Once all the pups are birthed a whole new set of challanges begin for both the mother dog and the kennel attendant but life will have arrived and the thrill of new puppies begins!

Every dog owner is a vet nurse.

Such a cute puppy!  Can't imagine her getting into trouble . . .  ooops! In the blink of an eye this little cutie can end up with an 'ouchie!'  . . .  Some accidents/injuries and illnesses most definitely require the medical attention of the vetrinarian professional.  It is so very important to have good relationship with one or more competent vets who are able to communicate well with you about the needs and treatment options for the best care of your dog whether routine care or in emergencies.

There are, however, many instances where your pet will need some sort of first aid care or treatment when it's not feeling well or follow up care after being treated at the animal hospital . . .  care that you should be prepared, equipped and able to provide. 

First of all don't hesitate to ask your vet for advice while you are there for routine check ups, etc.  The vet or vet tech should be willing to provide information about your home treatments of minor cuts, scrapes, bumps, etc. and what to look for that would indicate a trip to the clinic is warranted.

Secondly, get and keep handy a good book that covers dog health issues.  Know what the 'normal' body temp is supposed to be and have a thermometer handy to use for diagnostics.  Read up on how to clean and dress a cut or wound and have supplies handy.  Also know when a wound is beyond your set of skills and when you need professional help.  Not all injuries or illnesses require a mad dash to the doctor.  You should be capable of taking care of your dear pet in most all little boo-boos and minor illnesses.  If you have raised or are raising children you know what I'm talking about.  Don't confuse the child and the dog . . .  there are some differences in some treatments but it is not that difficult to become confident in providing good treatment and care for your dog just as you did or are doing for your children.  In some cases you may be surprised at how similar the two can be!

Until next time . . .   Eliot

Rosehall Kennel carefully breeds the large, old style, family friendly straight back German Shepherds and has placed puppies with great families and in work situations throughout the US and Canada and into Mexico.  Check us out at www.rosehallkennel.com and follow us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/RosehallLargeGermanShepherds