When people in the US first started taking their dogs to dog training classes, the vast majority of the knowledge of dog training came from training dogs for the military.  This meant that they used aggressive methods designed to train the dogs as quickly as possible with a high rate of failure. These methods were developed using a limited set of breeds.  Those dogs were viewed as tools, not as pets or companions.

Most of us are here because we want to have a companion in our house that is a joy to live with.  As healthy social creatures we don’t feel happiness when we use force or violence.  We all prefer to have choices, just like our dogs, and how much better do we feel when we see someone we love making a decision out of love?  When compulsion is used we take away the opportunity for the dog to make decisions because any action other than the expected behavior results in pain.  Some dogs can be trained very effectively with these methods.  The problems lie with the dogs that are too small to safely use these methods, dogs with sensitive personalities and people who want to have an enjoyable experience training their dog.  For those who wish to go beyond there are some tricks you just can’t train using fear of pain. (more…)

“You are what you eat.”
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If you are interested in learning more about how dogs communicate then this is a great power point designed for you.    Go ahead and print it out, make notes, write in experiences you’ve had and see what triggers your dog.  Many times we think we know what is going on in our dog’s head and this will give you confidence in knowing more about how your dog is feeling when exhibiting certain behaviors.

What are the most important signs to look for?

What is it about a look that a dog gives me that lets me know how he is feeling?

http://www.bluedogtraining.com/forms/Canine_Body_Language_with_Stress_and_Arousal.pdf

Thank you BlueDogTraining.com for this great information!

Check your local pet store for these items – or if you can’t find them click the links to find them online!

Dog Bone Cookie Cutters

For those who like to make their own dog treats! (more…)

More snow is just around the corner! Skijoring is a sport like mushing – but you only need one dog instead of a team. If your dog already pulls you have a headstart on the rest of us becuase in this sport your dog actually pulls you. There is a little training involved but once your dog gets the hang of it he might become an addict! (more…)

B.W. Barkery has your Christmas gifts for all your dog lovin’ friends that only treat their pets to the healthiest treats! Made in Hayden – you can check out their Etsy site to see all that they have for sale by clicking on the picture:

Does your dog like their treats?

Impact Case and Container makes some long lasting, collapsible crates right in Rathdrum!

Call 208-627-8134 or 208-265-5700 for more info or to sign up!

Click here for the application.

Handhills Tuff N Up is a great product to help out dogs with cut, torn or worn down pads. This is a solution that you put on your dog’s pads to help your dog’s feet “tuff n up” and prepare for the snow or just for a long hike or a jog on pavement. I have more than one friend who took their dog for a bike ride and their dog ran until he had worn his pads so low they actually bled – a lot. Sled dog mushers, sheep herders and agility people all know the importance of keeping their dog’s feet healthy and are proactive about it but it is just as important for weekend warriors. This product is safe and doesn’t have any artificial dyes like similar products out there. If you herd you know Handhills out of Coeur d’Alene and they only sell products that they use on their own dogs.

Click here to visit their website where you can order online. I love the photos they have of how fast pads heal with Tuff N Up!

2011 Sled Dog Clinic flyer

Have you seen this video?

Take a look at what that sweet lab is doing – squinting, wagging her tail, looking away… All of these behaviors are appeasement behaviors, things dogs do in order to avoid making us mad. It has nothing to do with (more…)

EZY Dog has a great line of products that you have probably seen at your local pet store but did you know that their headquarters are here in North Idaho? The makers of the first shock absorbing leash (for anyone who doesn’t want their shoulders pulled out of their sockets) with a great handle that is soft on your hands. Or if you are looking for a collar that wont stink after being worn for a couple of months these guys have some great solutions. Known for their outstanding leashes, harnesses, and collars they offer a lot more. Check out their site to see all they have to offer!

Thorne Research Pet Vitamins/Supplements Made just a few minutes west of Sandpoint these vitamins are probably the freshest vitamins you can buy for your pet – or yourself for that matter! After my doctor recommended them to me I realized they made products for dogs as well. Check out what they have to offer your pets who need a little extra boost or for those of you wanting to get a preventative edge for your dog.

Does your dog love local treats as much as you do? Here is a list of some of the local goodies available:

Pine St. Bakery
Fresh dog treats daily!
710 Pine Street, Sandpoint
(208) 263-9012

Libby’s Best Dog Bakery
Made locally in Hayden, Idaho these USDA certified organic dog treats
are sure to please even the most finicky of pups! These wholesome
treats come in assorted shapes, including bone, heart, and cat and are
1-1.5 inches in size. Available in 8oz boxes.

Sweet E’s
All natural pet treats
Coeur d’Alene
(208) 930-4350

Valentinos
Dog Biscotti
219 W Canfield, Coeur d’Alene
(208) 772-0220

This is a tough question and really the answer depends on what kind of dog your dog is playing with. Is your dog well socialized? Is the dog your dog is playing with fluent in dog language? (more…)

Here is an article that talks about the use of shelter animals as testing animals. We all know that without the use of animals we wouldn’t have a vast number of medical surgeries available to us now. But when it comes to our pets being used as test subjects things change. Especially when our pet is microchiped.

This article talks about an adopted dog that later got lost and was sold to the University of Utah as a test subject for students learning how to do heart bypass surgery. But the shelter who picked up the dog never contacted the name on microchip. Because of this the university will now by test animals from specialized breeders. Yep, you read that right. These breeders make $1,000 for every cat and $2,000 for every dog! Our shelters are packed and we have breeders making a killing on selling dogs to laboratories. I don’t like the idea of shelter animals being used for testing, but if the shelter is going to euthanize the animal anyway it makes sense that it would serve a purpose and make it so that our doctors can save our lives. To me, the bigger crime here is people breeding animals to be test subjects!

Click on the photo to read the full article:

At least the shelter animals have a chance at life.

What do you think? What would be a better solution?

Maximus has had a great week! This boy has caught four bad guys in just three nights! Check out the article at KXLY:

Everyone had fun on Saturday when dogs were introduced to herding sheep and ducks!
Here are some more of the participants:


Dogs were brought in with sheep or ducks with their owner and a trainer to see how they reacted. Some dogs showed a lot of interest and immediately started to circle or drive the sheep. Others were unsure about what to do or if they were ‘allowed’ to interact with the sheep. Dog that did show appropriate interest were given a title from the AHBA. These ‘Herding Capability Tested’ dogs will hopefully get to do some more herding!
Some other dogs and their handlers went out for their ‘Junior Herding Dog’ titles and they did a little more with the sheep and ducks. Here is a video that shows one of the runs on the ducks. You can see how keen she is on the sheep and doesn’t notice the ducks at first.

Thank you to everyone that made this event possible!

Did you get to go? What did you think?
Check out this article on the Leashes and Laces event:

As we all know Search and Rescue dog teams have been deployed to Japan to help find survivors of the aftermath. Here is an article about some of the teams from the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation. This group rescues dogs out of shelters and trains them for Search and Rescue. Sandpoint has even had a dog sent to them from the Panhandle Animal Shelter! They take dogs that are highly driven from all over and bring them to their facility in California for a year of training before being handed over to their new handler. If you would like to donate to the foundation click here.

If you’ve seen this movie you will most likely remember the part where the mom, dad and aunt are siting at a booth talking about Tula’s future. Check out the sixth minute of this video and you’ll see how it unfolds…

How does this connect with dog training? (more…)

Hello everyone,

Eichardts, Laughing Dog and Pend Oreille Winery are determined to help us raise money to pay our crazy heating bill! They are planning an impromptu event this Saturday, March 12 from noon until close to raise the funds…their goal is $5000! Come have a great time, support a wonderful cause and a true community driven effort by our dedicated local businesses. If you can’t come, but you want to show your support, you can make a donation by clicking here be sure to write a note stating (Laughing Dog event) and we’ll add it to their total.

The event is $20 per person. The price of admission includes food from Eichardts Pub, a drink, raffle tickets and a whole lot of fun! Dogs are welcome to attend.

We would appreciate volunteer assistance (bringing adoptable dogs and people working the door), donated items for the raffle and your help in promoting the event. Please forward this email!

Event Details:

Location: Laughing Dog’s New Brewery on Fontaine in Ponderay next to Papa Murphy’s
Date: This Saturday, March 12
Time: 12:00p until close
Price: $20.00 per person

I hope to see you there,
Mandy

Mandy Evans
Executive Director
Panhandle Animal Shelter

Trainers

Randy Curliss
Dover
(208) 263-4633

Hand Hills Border Collies
Norm Close
Coeur d’Alene
(208) 665-1670
(208) 215-4630

Groups

Ewe Quack Me Up

Annual trails in the north Idaho area

Riv Memorial – spring, Sandpoint
Davis Memorial – fair time, Sandpoint
Labor Day trial – labor day weekend, eastern WA

March 19th and 20th, Saturday and Sunday, Dean Calderon will be holding a clinic at:
BARWALT TOOL COMPANY, 5171 East Seltice Way, Post Falls, Idaho. Dean Calderon will be working with 10 dogs, 2 dobermans and 8 GSDs, three of which are worked by handlers that compete nationally and internationally. Each day he will be working with all dogs in both disciplines. The cost is $50 for both days as a spectator. Check out the brochure for more information!
Calderon Brochure

To celebrate a new begining there will be a raffle and auction to benefit the community! Check out all of the information here: