Amazing Story - BC missing for 3 years

A border collie from Oregon that went missing 3 years ago has been reunited with her family!  To see this amazing and heart warming story click on the link below!

Border Collie home after 3 years missing!

Please check back later today for a special blog about what to do if your dog goes missing.


Wags n Kisses

Video Lessons

I am now offering virtual training lessons via Skype and similar programs.  Submit a request to politepawz@verizon.net for more information.  In the growing world of internet instruction I have had great success with the few virtual lessons I have done for some friends who have moved out of the area.  The cost is minimal and you'll still see great results!  I will also be putting up a YouTube channel that will host common problem solving tips =]  Just another way for me to be doing what I love!

I look forward to hearing from you guys!

I need your help!

Hey guys,
I need some in put from you, the readers on any areas you would like me to write on.  Tomorrow I will put up a piece on choosing the right puppy for your family.  Then I'll spin off in the afternoon with how to choose an agility puppy for those of you who compete. I'll cover basic manners and training too.  I would like to cover topics that my readers need help with.  You guys help me just by being here so I'd like to do anything I can to help you.   Please feel free to submit your training questions in the comments section or email me at politepawz@verizon.net

A neat twist on "Give Paw"

Most dog owners at one time or another have taught their dog to shake or give paw. A fun twist is to teach your dog to "high five". It is just what it sounds like and in some cases can be easier to teach!

I'll use "Fido" as our dog for these instructions.
Step 1: Have Fido sit in front of you
Step 2: Put your hand up in front of you about level with Fido's nose Step
3: In an excited voice say "Fido, high five!" while moving your hand in a forward petting motion. This motion will encourage your dog to paw at your hand.

When Fido paws at your hand reward and make a big deal. This is a fun and easy trick that most dogs will learn quickly. So go ahead and give it a try and send in your pictures or videos!

Great Chat Session!

Thank you to those of you who joined in on the chat session!  We had a great Q&A and a whole lot of fun! Remember to share the blog and the radio show with your friends so we can get more input and help more people!

See you next time guys!

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Life With Dogz Online Radio by Life With Dogz | Blog Talk Radio

Life With Dogz Online Radio by Life With Dogz | Blog Talk Radio

New Internet Radio Show!

Tune in tomorrow at 2 pm eastern time to www.blogtalkradio.com/lifewithdogz

My brand new interactive internet radio show!  You can call in with questions or just listen to the topics of the day!  You'll hear training tips and tricks, intros to some awesome dog sports, great ideas for fun stuff to do with your pooch and more!  Call in with any questions you may have regarding any training/behavioral issues!

Introduction to Rally-O

Rally-O is a fun, positive dog sport for dogs and their owners. It is based on obedience and focuses on basic to advanced exercises. Dogs and their handlers enter and go through a course where signs indicate the exercises that they need to perform. These exercises include : Sit, Down, Come-Sit-Front, Figure 8, Send Over Jump and many more. Unlike traditional AKC obedience handlers are encouraged to talk to their dogs and give praise while going through the courses. Also, the instruction does not come from the judge but rather the signs. Dogs of all ages and breeds can be registered and compete in Rally-O, yes that means mixed breeds too!

The first time I was introduced to Rally I was completely in love! It is a fantastic way to get involved in something fun with your dog. It is also great for young children learning how to handle and older dogs who need something fun and easy to do. In order to compete in Rally-O your dog should have an understanding of basic obedience commands. They will also need to know the other exercises that are used in the 3 levels of  Rally. Exercises for levels 1 - 3 can be found HERE on the right side of the page.  There are bonus exercises for each level, and they also offer Puppy and Veteran classes as well.  As an owner you will need to register your dog for Rally.  Right now Rally is in the process of being transitioned from ADPT to USDAA so click HERE to stay updated on how and where you should register your dog for Rally.

For each course completed successfully with a passing score you will receive a "leg" or point towards your title.  You will need 3 legs to earn your title.  I have posted a chart of titles and requirements at the bottom of this blog.  Titles range from levels to championships.

AKC also offers Rally-O however in order to participate in AKC Rally, your dog must be AKC registered or have an ILP number which you can learn about HERE.  ILP allows you to register a purebred dog that cannot otherwise be registered with AKC in order to compete in certain AKC dog sports.  There are certain limitations so please follow the link above if you're interested in getting an ILP for your dog.

Rally-O is a great sport for dogs and people of all ages.  It is fun, positive way to build a stronger bond with your dog and just have a great time!  So get out there, get training and have a blast!!

If you ave any questions about Rally please direct them to the comments section and I will answer them for you!

RALLY ON!

Rally titles and requirements:

Title	Title Name	Titling Requirements
RL1	Rally Level 1	A dog must earn three qualifying scores in Rally Level 1 A under at least two judges.
RL1X	Rally Level 1 Champion	Requires an RL1 and 10 additional qualifying scores in Rally Level 1 B. For each set of 10 qualifying scores, the RL1X will be designated as RL1X2, RL1X3, etc.
RL2	Rally Level 2	Requires an RL1 and three qualifying scores in Rally Level 2 A under at least two judges.
RL2X	Rally Level 2 Champion	Requires an RL2 and three qualifying scores in Rally Level 2 B under at least two judges. For each set of 10 qualifying scores, the RL2X will be designated as RL2X2, RL2X3, etc.
RL3	Rally Level 3	Requires an RL2 and three qualifying scores in Rally Level 3 A under at least two judges.
RL3X	Rally Level 3 Champion	Requires an RL3 and 10 additional qualifying scores in Rally Level 3 B. For each set of 10 qualifying scores, the RL3X will be designated as RL3X2, RL3X3, etc.
RLP	Rally Puppy Level	A puppy must earn three qualifying scores in Rally Puppy Level A under at least two judges. Puppy Level is open to all puppies between 6 and 12 months old. After reaching their first birthday, puppies who have previously earned one or two qualifying scores in this class may continue to be shown for a maximum of 6 months in order to complete the Rally Puppy Level title. The RLP is not a prerequisite for the RL1.
RLP1X	Rally Puppy Level Champion	Requires an RLP and 10 additional qualifying scores in Rally Puppy Level B. For each set of 10 qualifying scores, the RLP1X will be designated as RLP1X2, RLP1X3, etc.
RLV	Rally Veteran Level	A dog must earn three qualifying scores in Rally Veteran Level A under at least two judges. Veteran Level is open to all dogs over the age of 8. Dogs entered in the Veteran class may also be entered in the RL1, RL2, and/or RL3 levels (A/B classes).
RLV1X	Rally Veteran Level Champion	Requires an RLV and 10 additional qualifying scores in Rally Veteran Level B. For each set of 10 qualifying scores, the RLV1X will be designated as RLV1X2, RLV1X3, etc.

Title	Title Name	Titling Requirements
ARCH	APDT Rally Champion	Any dog who has earned an R1 title may begin qualifying for the Rally Champion title. Using a point schedule based on score, a dog must earn 100 points in the Level 1 B and Level 2 B classes. The higher the score, the greater the number of points earned. At least 30 points must be earned in both Level 1 B and Level 2 B, while the remaining 40 points may be earned in either class. In addition, at five APDT trials, a dog must earn scores of 190 or higher in both Level 1 B and Level 2 B (double Qs).
ARCHX	APDT Rally Champion Excellent	Requires an ARCH and an additional five double Qs in Level 1 B and Level 2 B with scores of 195 or higher. Each set of double Qs must be earned at the same trial.
ARCHEX	APDT Rally Champion Extraordinaire	Requires an ARCHX and an additional 10 double Qs in Level 2 B and Level 3 B with scores of 195 or higher. Each set of double Qs must be earned at the same trial.
ARCHMX	APDT Rally Master Champion	Requires an ARCHEX and an additional 10 triple Qs in Level 1 B, Level 2 B, and Level 3 B with scores of 195 or higher. Each set of triple Qs must be earned at the same trial. For each set of 10 triple Qs, the ARCHMX will be designated as ARCHMX2, ARCHMX3, etc.

My Book

Hey guys, Last year I put a book together using the techniques that I have used over the past 10 years. It covers topics such as housebreaking, socialization and basic commands. I am now working on converting it into an ebook and will need a handfull of people to proofread it. These proofreaders will receive a copy of my book for free and will be the first to own it. If you are interested in proofing my book, "Polite Paws" please email me at politepawz@verizon.net. Thanks guys!

Dog Friendly Beaches

I was trying to come up with a way to list dog friendly beaches, but realized that it would take hours and hours to compile the list for the United States. I don't want to just focus on NJ (where I'm from) because I'm hoping that this blog is reaching people all over the place! (So share, share, share! ;]) So if you want to take your dog to a dog friendly beach just leave your state in the comments section and I will do a post with the list for that state! General Beach Etiquette: Always keep your dog on a leash where there is a leash law Always, ALWAYS clean up after your dog Only let your dog visit people or other dogs unless welcomed or unless you ask if its okay Make sure that if you take your dog to an off leash area that he/she is well behaved and that you have complete control with the use of your voice Never leave your dog unsupervised Keep in mind: You should always bring plenty of water for your dog whenever you travel, and especially at the beach. Drinking too much saltwater can cause diarrhea and vomiting. If your dog has light skin and/or a pink colored nose apply sunscreen to avoid burning. The spray bottle sunscreen works especially well for dogs. Bring toys, towels, poop bags, treats, and whatever else you need to have a great time at the beach and a relaxing ride home! and remember if you're in NJ, keep your pet restrained in the car with either a doggie seat belt or leash. See my post about the NJ doggie buckle up law HERE

Choosing a trainer

Every day dogs across the country are given up to shelters or rescue organizations because of behavioral issues. As a dog owner, training should be on the top of your list. Whether you are bringing home a new puppy or dog, training should begin on day one. Choosing a trainer to help you help your dog to become a well mannered, outgoing and wonderful member of the doggie community should be something you give a lot of thought to. First things first, do your homework. Decide what you want from your dog and how you want to achieve it. There are many different training methods available today but unfortunately some trainers are still stuck in the past using "forceful" methods. Dog training has grown and evolved over the years and most of the more successful methods are now based on positive reinforcement. I would suggest you look for a trainer who follows that rule. In your search you are bound to come across some people who have trained their own dog and declare themselves a dog trainer. Maybe their dog is fantastic and incredibly well behaved but not every dog is the same. In fact most dogs need little individual changes and adjustments in training. 99% of the time these "self proclaimed trainers" will not be able to train a dog that has a personality completely opposite from their own dog. This is why you need to really do your research and find an experienced trainer with proven results that will let you watch a session and contact references. You can choose to attend classes for training or have a trainer come into your home. The advantage of attending classes is that your dog will be learning while around other dogs. If you are going to do in home training, your trainer should at some point have a dog that come in and work together with your dog so that they understand that just because there is another dog around it doesn't mean everything they've learned goes out the window. That being said, socialization is a huge part of training and should never be taken lightly. You will likely come across trainers who are certified and those who are not. There are many classes available now for dog training but don't bypass a trainer solely because they don't have an alphabet after their name. Many trainers have been involved in the dog world since childhood and have learned through hands on experience throughout their lives. I find that these trainers are the most effective and provide the best results. This is not to say that someone who has decided later in life to take classes and become a trainer is not good at what they do, it is just my preference from what I've seen over the 10 years I've been training and showing. So before you call the first trainer you come across, do some research and know what you want from your training experience. Please direct any individual questions regarding training to the comment section or email me at politepawz@verizon.net

85 degrees where I am

Sure its hot all over too. Remember to give your fur children water and don't leave anyone in a car! Great day to take your pooch swimming if they like the water. State parks are a great place to do this, most if not all are dog friendly!

"Pet Buckle Up Law"

If you live in NJ you should be aware that there was recently a law passed regarding dogs riding in the car.  Under this law anyone who allows their dog to ride loose in the car is in violation of an animal cruelty law.  The driver will be subject to a fine of $250 to $1000 and up to 6 months in jail.  You may also receive a ticker if your dog is:

-riding with his/her head out the window

-in the back of a pick up

-sitting/laying on the driver's lap

From what I took out of this article you do not have to run out and purchase a dog specific seat belt, but can use your leash to restrain your dog.  If my dogs are not riding in their crates I tie a not in the middle of the leash and close it in the door.  The knot ends up on the outside close against the door, not flapping around.  I usually leave about 1 foot of leash so my guys can sit, lie down and turn around comfortably.  

So Jersey driver's be mindful of this law to save yourself a lot of heartache.  Even non-Jersey residents can get this ticket so no matter where you're from if you're driving through the garden state with your pooch, buckle 'em up!

**Note** 

This post is solely for the purpose of notifying those of you who travel with your pets.  You can find more information on the web by simply searching for the law.  I have kept my opinion regarding this law to myself for now but please feel free to vent in the comments section!

Housebreaking

When you bring a new puppy home one of the first things you should be thinking about is housebreaking.  I think every dog owner, new or experienced understands the importance here.  None of us want a dog that is going to poop and pee in our homes!  You are sure to find thousands of housebreaking methods on the internet and many of them are tried and true and many of them are complete nonsense.  3 very important words to keep in mind when housebreaking your puppy are:

Schedule
Consistency
Supervision


Whenever I'm housebreaking a puppy I always have set schedules for feeding, watering, walks and playtime.  Each of these schedules stay the same throughout the housebreaking process and generally throughout the puppies life since I have used the same one for so long.  Most of my clients are very receptive to scheduling and integrate the puppy's schedule into their own.  Some however cannot understand only feeding and watering at certain times rather than leaving it down all day long for a loose puppy.  I can tell you these owners quickly learn the hard way that there is a sure reason for scheduling.  It will not help you to try to conform to a schedule that is completely off balance from your personal schedule, but I would hope if you are a first time owner bringing your new puppy home that you expect to be up early, stay up a little later and even have to get up once or twice in the middle of the night.
Instead of giving you a sample schedule with times I will give you 3 rules to follow that you can mold into your schedule.
Rule #1:  Your puppy needs to go out FIRST thing in the morning.  That means as soon as he comes out of his crate/gated area/or wherever he stays at night.
Rule #2: Your puppy will have to go out after each meal/drink.  Young puppies should eat 3 times per day.  In the morning, afternoon and evening.  After your puppy finishes eating take him/her directly outside.  If you are going to leave water our throughout the day you will need to keep a close watch on when and how much your puppy is drinking.  I generally place water down every 2 hours so that I know when my puppy is drinking and can take them directly outside afterwards.  (You can choose either way to water your puppy and should NEVER withhold water to avoid accidents.)  Your puppy should not have access to water 2 hours prior to bedtime to help avoid accidents in the middle of the night. You should choose one spot that you want your puppy to potty and a good rule of thumb when taking your puppy outside to potty is planning to be outside for at least 15 minutes.  Take your puppy directly to your chosen potty spot to prevent unnecessary dilly dallying. 
Rule #3: Your puppy should only be loose in the house only when you can keep watch him.  If he starts sniffing and circling this is generally a good sign that he needs to go out.  You will learn your puppy's signs for needing to go out.  Pay close attention and try to pick up on these quickly, they will make knowing when your pup needs to go out much easier. Puppies that are unsupervised can and WILL get into trouble, whether it is an accident or chewing a favorite toy or personal item.  So supervision will prevent a whole variety of "accidents.
It helps to write down your puppy's new schedule, especially if there will be multiple people involved with his/her life.  This way everyone will know the schedule and there will be less chance of different people doing different things while your pup is learning.  Once you have your puppy's schedule down be consistent and stick with it.
Following these 3 rules will help you get on the right track to housebreaking your puppy pretty quickly.  For individual questions/concerns regarding housebreaking please leave a comment or contact me privately.