Rant: Retractable/ Extendable Leashes

Nothing more in the world drives me crazier then retractable leashes. Their horrible for training and normal walking. Their is nothing worse then trying to drive and someones dog is in the middle of the street as I am trying to turn and they are 15 feet away ... there should be limits for stupid people maybe 4 feet... if that... then there are the elastic ones that extend. There is no way anyone can correct a dog without it extending. Then their is the danger that as the leash is extending the dog gets a running start say after a squirrel and takes you down... I thought leashes were supposed to make people safer. In any case thats my rant for the day. Until your dog learns manners they shouldn't be allowed uncontrolled freedom. Then their are the people who say that you can just lock flexi leashes to them I say whats the point of buying a $20+ leash if a $5 will do the same thing. Any case to each their own.
~Happy Tails~

Doodles first rat :)

Needless to say that it bit him on the nose.... always be sure your dog has vaccinations lol. In any case I was surprised we found anything in knee deep water and mud. Most of the rats are far gone and we have pretty much squeezed most of the rats out of this farm. Zippi is a wonderful dog to work with and I was glad I got to go home after a few years and work her again. Apparently ratting is like riding a bike she took no time in instructing me where to dig and where the rats are. Even underwater, I am always amazed by a dogs nose, she could sniff them out. Doodles was cold and soaked ( as was I  ) and got bit on the nose but he still gave the dead rat a what for and a good shake after it was dispatched. We may have some issues getting his confidence back but we all have to get bit on the nose once.

~Happy Tails~

Something about dogs...

They were made with joy in their heat and the want to share it.

~Happy Tails~

Agression is nuthin!

Seriously, aggressive dogs are trouble but what I cant deal with are timid dogs. Usually people look at me like I am crazy but there is nothing that I hate more then a super timid/ shy dog. People never really see these dogs as a problem but dealing with a timid dog is just as dangerous as dealing with a truly aggressive dog. They are quick to respond with snapping just as aggressive dogs. The biggest problem I have with them is being firm and consistent with a aggressive dog gets you places being firm and consistent with a timid dog really wont do much. Only time heals those types of dogs. I always get the comment saying that positive treat training helps a ton. But truly timid dogs will shut down and treats will get you no where in key situations. Helping a timid dog like I have stated before requires lots of time and patience to build up the dogs confidence but I have never found an owner who was willing to work out the timid/shy out of their dog completely. They dont see it as a serious problem. Please avoid this problem by giving your dog confidence (however be sure that its confidence and not free rein which leads to other issues ).
And usually I end up with anal glad juice all over me...

Here is a good article for more reading:  http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1391&S=1&SourceID=47

~Happy Tails ~

All the same...

When your dog goes in the tub it doesn't matter what kind of collar its wearing because they all have to come off.

What a nice shit...zu

Today again was filled with wet snow and dirty dogs... usually cute little dogs have the worst manners but there was a rather sweet shitzu who was very willing to have me pull on his hair. There is nothing really as therapeutic as undoing matts out of a dogs fur. At least when it is cooperating. I am thankful that the owners at lest took the time to train their bug-eyed scruffy little dog to be nice. It says a lot about an owner how a dog acts behind closed doors. This dog said nice things about their owners.

Service Dogs.. are not helpful

Today again I had to go clip the nails of a service dog... now before I continue let me tell you some short stories about service/police dogs I have had to work with...
There was a police lab that had strong aggression to other dogs and would attack them.. a lab I mean really?!
There was another service lab that had  a fear of riding in elevators... like to see it navigate the owner up the stairs...
There was a lady (service labs see a patterns? lol) that had some service puppies but you could never make them do anything and asked someone to clip its nails... needless to say the dog didnt want to have its nails clipped (what puppy does?) but sense you couldnt MAKE the dog do anything it didnt wanted to the dog ended up winning. I suppose you can let the dog run fast on asphalt has the same effect...
There was a police dog who hated water (guess how that bath went?)
So again here I was trimming the nails on a very unhappy service dog and I have come to understand that for some reason people forget basic manners on service police dogs.