Monthly Archives: November 2009

So You Want a Doberman Pinscher?

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We have trained a lot of Dobermans in our in-kennel program and private lessons. There are a few things you should know and consider before making this your family pet.

If you have never owned a dog before, this is not the best breed to have as your first dog. This dog needs an experienced dog owner that has had experience with large powerful breeds that can give clear and consistent rules.

Dobermans are often highly energetic dogs, so when selecting this breed you need to have ample time in your daily schedule to give it adequate exercise. They need an opportunity to run off–leash and exercise to naturally get out burst speed. From our experience Dobermans that are understimulated with both physical and mental exercise tend to create undesirable behaviors like excessive barking, chewing and destructive behavior and anxious whining.

It is also important to purchase a Doberman Pinscher from a reputable breeder. Dobermans have been over bred in the USA resulting in poorly bred Dobermans with increased anxiety, aggression and health issues. Some of the best Dobermans that we have had the opportunity to work with and train have been imported dogs form Europe or dogs form working import lines. These dogs seem to have a better overall temperament, are healthier and more intelligent. If you are considering getting a Doberman for personal protection or competition work, we strongly recommend selecting a dog form import or working lines.

So if you decide a Doberman pinscher is the dog for you, we encourage you to socialize this dog as much as possible and to start training the pup when they are young. Well-socialized Dobermans get along with children and other animals well. We can’t express enough the importance of proper socialization with puppies and adult dogs. Under-socialized Dobermans can be fearful of people and show aggression towards other animals.

Hitting or getting physical with this dog or any dog is unacceptable and will create more problems for you. Always seek professional dog training to learn how to properly and effectively handle your Doberman Pinscher.

Bringing Your New Puppy Home

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Bringing your new puppy home is an important part of the life you will live together. This may be the first time the puppy has been away from his/her mother and siblings. An older dog, after spending time in a kennel may be intimidated moving into a new home. Before you bring your puppy home you need to prepare your home, your family and yourself for your new life. Before bringing your new pet home it is best to pet proof your home.

Outside
Inspect plants growing in your yard. Make sure none of them are toxic. If you are not sure take a sample to a nursery and have it analyzed. If it is toxic remove it or plant it in an area your dog will not have access to. You may even fence in a certain area containing your plants to protect them and to protect your pet. If you have a garden, fence it in. Puppies will dig up the soft earth and uproot your vegetable plants.Tomato vines are toxic and puppies might chew on them. Remove pest poisons and don’t fertilize or use weed killer prior to bringing your pet home. If you have a fenced in yard, make sure the puppy can not squeeze through slats. Make sure your puppy can not dig his way under your fence. Remove items from the yard that might pose a danger to your puppy.

Garage
Put chemicals and other harmful things on shelves or cabinets
Clean floor of car spills….especially antifreeze.

Inside your Home
Remove everything from the floor.
Place shoes in the closet
Put pillows, games and toys out of reach
IF HE CHEWS ON IT……..IT’S YOUR FAULT
Your puppy (until he/she is trained) should not have access to any of your belongings and never be allowed to have free run of your house.

Bedroom
Keep books, clothes and shoes off the floor.
Close closet doors firmly
Keep your bedroom door closed so the puppy does not wander in
Remove medications, vitamins, etc. from nightstand….Put them in a safe place
If you have children clear the floor of toys…..Teach your children and your puppy that the puppy should not play with the children’s toys. The puppy can play with his own toys. This is an important lesson and needs to be reinforced.

Bathroom
Keep medications in medicine cabinets
Keep shampoos, soaps and all toiletries out of the puppy’s reach
Put glass or plastic containers in a safe place….do not leave products on the bathtub rim
Make sure your wastepaper basket out of reach, or make sure it has a lid that the puppy can not get into.

Kitchen
Keep cleaning products in a safe place. Make sure cabinets are secured
Keep trash can out of reach…or make sure it can not be opened by the pup…..garbage can be toxic to a pet. Chicken bones, plastic bags and a host of other goodies can be fatal to your puppy.

Living Room
Put decorative pillows, candles, magazines etc., out of reach
Make sure stereo wires, computer cords are out of reach
Keep plants in a safe place-puppies will chew on them
If possible do puppy proofing and shopping for your pet a week in advance. You don’t want to have to rush out for products.
Schedule a vet visit a couple of days after your puppy comes home. This way he can settle in before being exposed to new things.

If possible take a few days off work. You will need to establish proper behaviors and house training. If you are getting your pet from a shelter and can not take time off try to visit the shelter on a Friday so you will have the weekend to spend with your dog. Puppies and adopted dogs are not instantly programmable. They require planning, time and patience.

Here is a shopping list for your new pet:
Urine Cleaner or water and vinegar mixture
Disinfectant
Appropriately sized bed
Appropriately sized crate
Food and water bowls
Food
Collar and leash
Grooming supplies
Child’s gate

Have a talk with Family Discuss the following:
Training
Chores and Responsibilities
Set up house rules (is dog allowed on furniture, where will he sleep, where will food and water bowls be kept)
If you have children teach the children how to behave around the puppy.

The first few nights expect your puppy to cry. They miss the comfort of their mother and siblings. Resist the temptation to “rescue” the puppy. Leave him alone. He will adjust. It is OK to let the pup sleep (in a crate) in your bedroom so you can monitor when he/she has to go out. If he has to relieve himself take him out (without a lot of fuss and talk). Allow him to go, put him right back into the crate.

Bringing the Pup Home To Existing Pets

Most dogs can learn to accept and enjoy other dogs. Some dogs get along better with the opposite sex, some get along with both sexes and some get along with same sex. Adult dogs generally tolerate puppies more than they tolerate adult dogs. Puppies normally do not pose a threat or challenge an older dogs authority allowing the older dog to set boundaries. Sometimes puppies ignore the older dogs wishes and must be reprimanded by the older dog. For this reason they should be supervised until they work out a peaceful resolution. If the older dog chases dogs away or isn’t used to other dogs you should introduce the older dog to your new puppy in a neutral location (a park). You will need someone to handle your older do while you handle the puppy. Allow the animals to see each other from a distance and gradually decrease the distance. Allow them to sniff and investigate. After this is over walk the dogs in a relaxed way, but keep a safe distance between them. If you don’t have help you can introduce the pets by putting the new pet behind a fence and allow them to investigate each other (sniff). If they seem friendly allow them to meet.
Do not neglect the older dog
Do not be overly affectionate to the new dog
Accept that the older dog will discipline the puppy (this is normal as long as the older dog does not show signs of aggression)

Do your research before you obtain a puppy or an adult dog. Know the breed temperament, activity level, trainability, and know what the dog is bred to do. Know what you are looking for. Buy a dog that will fit your lifestyle……Don’t buy a mastiff if you are looking for an avid running partner.

Robinho continues to clean up Kingsland, GA

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Recently, K-9 Robinho (a black labrador retriever trained by Highland Canine Training, LLC) and his handler Eric Koenig of the Kingsland Police Department in Georgia nabbed another local drug dealer. The case began with a traffic stop for failure to give a signal. The driver was excessively nervous and upon request would not give consent to a search of their vehicle. Robinho was deployed and sniffed the vehicle intently. He alerted by sticking his head up and into the driver side wheel well compartment near the tire and then he came to a sit. The behavior from the trusty labrador was definitely BAD NEWS for the driver of the car.

68 pounds of marijuana located by K-9 Robinho of Kingsland, GA Police

68 pounds of marijuana located by K-9 Robinho of Kingsland, GA Police

This canine alert led to the immediate opening of the trunk where 68 pounds of marijuana was found bundled with numerous layers of plastic and fabric softener sheets. None of the officers could smell any odor from the marijuana even with their faces literally stuffed inside the trunk. This just to demonstrate how well the driver had concealed the odor of the drugs and how acute Robinho’s nose is at finding odor.

Congratulations to Eric and Robinho for a job well done. Keep up the good work!

How do I choose a dog or puppy for my family?

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We often recieve calls from potential clients wondering where and which breed of dog they should choose for their home. Here is a list of questions you should ask yourself before purchasing/adopting a dog:

1. Do I need a puppy or an adult dog for my home?

Many people choose a puppy, because they are so adorable, only to find that they don’t have the time that is required as they first thought. The crying, the chewing, the potty training can all be a huge responsibilty to train dogs through! Often, people like the satisfcation of adopting an adult dog since more often these phases have already come and gone. So make sure you know what you and your family can commit to.

2. Do I have time for socialization?

Many people don’t understand the importance of socialization with dogs of all shapes, sizes, and ages. Obviously, puppies need the most socialization during all those stages of development. People often forgot that adult dogs and companion dogs (small house dogs) need just as much exposure to the outside world as puppies do. Meeting and greeting new dogs big and small, riding in the car, meeting new people young and old, strange noises, traffic, health exams, farm animals are all things dogs should be exposed to for a well-rounded companion.

3. Am I financially able to support my new dog?

Especially with strays, we want to save them all! However at times we may not be the best fit for the dog(s). Vet bills, flea medication, heartworm pills, food, toys, treats can add up fast so make sure you are able to provide financial aid to take care of your new companion. Also grooming can be a factor when totaling expenses for your new dog.

4. Which breed of dog or energy level of dog would best fit my lifestyle?

Often times dog owners get in over their head by choosing the wrong type of dog for their or their family’s lifestyle. If you are more a a laid back family that doesn’t participate in outside activities a small companion dog or mastiff type breed may be a good choice for you. That doesn’t mean that these dogs do not need stimulation and/or training, it just means they are a little lower maintenance.

We recently had a client call about purchasing a Doberman Puppy and was deciding between a working line breed or a show line breed (less energy). Given the background and lifestyle of this client (very active) and his dedication to training for the dog we recommended the working line puppy. Thor was brought us at 16 weeks old and we immediatley began working on his on and off leash obdience. Thor was a very strong puppy, very mouthy, and full of energy. So we incorporated both food and his tug, along with the remote training collar for his bootcamp dog training program and it worked out great. The owner was able to have control over the dog with little pressure and Thor was able to have fun during his training sessions!

Choosing the right dog breed and/or energy level for your lifestyle will save you more headache later on. Trying to make the wrong type of dogs fit into your lifestyle often ends in dumping them at the pound or worse euthansia, so make sure you get it right the first time.

5. Should I go ahead and get a litter mate for my new dog?

Many people go to choose a new dog and see their siblings and/or other dogs at the adoption center and usally on impulse go ahead and get two! It is very hard to resist this temptation, however, we generally do not recommend littermates. Pet owners are under the impression that the two dogs can keep each other entertained and out of trouble while they are away, and that’s not genrally the case. The dogs can get so comfortable with each other that they don’t understand how to socialization with people and or new dogs.

We recently had two labrador retrievers that were litter mates and were very unruly. They chewed up furniture together, got into trash together, had small aggression issues over possessions and were almost impossible to walk out in public. When the dogs arrived we noticed that they did not know how to meet and greet other dogs and really could care less about playing with them.

These are all huge factors when choosing your forever companion, so don’t hesitate to call a professional dog trainer for advice or consultation about which dog is right for you and your family!

Cheyenne – Another Second Chance Success!

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Cheyenne is a Border collie mix that the Iredell County Humane Society obtained in their program over 1 year ago, and had not been able to find her a forever home. Cheyenne was an adorable dog, but had no manners and a little snappy when meeting new dogs at times. Cheyenne’s foster mom said that she was a great dog, but at the adoption fair’s a Pet Smart, Cheyenne would jump all over the potential prospects and unfortunately, steer them away. We decided this energetic Border Collie mix would be a great candidate for our Second Chance Program.

We decided that our In-kennel Training would be the best option for Cheyenne since we diagnosed her “snappy” behavior as that she was simply not socialized properly by previous owners. When client dogs come up for in-kennel training we are able to socialize them with dogs of all shapes and sizes in a controlled environment, which we have found great results with. Cheyenne was taught to sit, down, come, stay, place, and of course we worked on those behavior issues in just a matter of weeks!

When it was time for Cheyenne to leave Highland Canine and find her forever home, we gave her foster mom a call and asked her if she would be willing to spend a little time with us and go over how she was trained. We have found that our rescue groups/fosters that continue working with our second chance dogs are able to place them much faster, with no real set backs to their training. So, we were very pleased to hear that Cheyanne’s foster mom would come up and learn to work with Cheyenne to maintain her training!

Cheyenne

Cheyenne returned to her foster home and the very next Saturday was another adoption fair at Pet Smart. A very nice couple approached to take a closer look at Cheyenne the and the foster was able to brag about how Cheyenne had just finished her school learning basic obedience. The couple then asked if the foster could show her a little of what she knew, the foster said that Cheyenne performed beautifully, as if on cue, and that was the beginning of her journey to her forever home. Cheyenne is doing quite well now and we get updates and pictures of her new life periodically. It is really amazing to see a plan come together with so many chipping in and have a wonderful ending!