Bark Busters - The truth will be told

One of the things that impressed me the most when I started looking for answers was that the best information I found out there was free. For instance "Flying Dog Press" Suzanne Clothier's website contains free articles she has written that cover many important topics. Topics that people are often seeking answers for when they run into problems. Her love for and compassion for animals and their owners is tangible in everything she writes. Then there are the awesome articles written by various trainers on the Clicker Solutions web site. Once again the training articles are free.

I was reading through a dog discussion forum today and came across this post form someone who shared her experience with Bark Busters. Having never had any first hand knowledge of their approach, as the price alone made me think twice, I was interested in what she had to say. You can read Tricia's post here, and here was Bark Busters response (also see comments). Personally I am still glad I kept looking for other options when a Bark Busters trainer was recommended to me.

As I've said before there is no quick fix, there are no short cuts, the promise of a "lifetime guarantee" is absurd. What you should look for is a trainer who can go the distance with you to help you train your dog the first time with out charging you "an arm and a leg". Dogs are group, family, (yes I'm intentionally avoiding the word "pack") animals. Apart from dog-dog indiscriminate aggression which I will not even venture to offer comment on as I have no training on that very serious issue. It has been my experience that most behavioral issues are best addressed in a group setting. When adolescence issues are most evident around other dogs than they need to be addressed by a very competent trainer in the presence of other dogs. Everything from asking for focused attention, walking on loose leash, coming when called, and polite greetings with other people, are all best taught with the distraction of other dogs and people.

Update 11/17/06:
Here's another first hand experience with a "Bark Busters" Trainer. This one once again confirms my point. Dog trainers are not all of a sudden bullet proof because they are "Bark Busters" trainers. They are human like the rest of us, and it is our responsibility as responsible dog owners to be proactive in the care and training of our dogs. I know a tremendous amount more now about raising and training dogs than I ever did before acquiring my two dogs and I'm not done learning. There are great resources out there for those of us willing to take the time to find them. And the rewards far out way the effort!!

Some Dog Product Updates

First, there was the raised triple feeder I ordered from Creative Treasures. Here's what Mario made for us. I love it. The dogs love it and we couldn't be happier. Thank-you Mario!!



I also posted a while back regarding the Silverfoot Martingale collars.

They were "leaving a grey stain on the underside of the dog's necks. I then realized that the metal portion of the collar is plated metal verses solid stainless steel - what a disappointment!!"

Well the products I ordered from Bo'Sun arrived and I put the collars back together with the much improved hardware. Here's a picture of what it looks like now.
This once again proves to me the awesome power and utility of Google. I would never have found Bo'Sun without them. A couple searches and than armed with the knowledge about different types of stainless steel I did a search for the type I wanted and up popped Bo'Sun's website. They were awesome to deal with, with fabulous customer service reps that answered the phone. So little me with no marine or metal hardware knowledge finds exactly what I want all in a matter of seconds. You can do it too.
All you have to do is start here:

Happy searching, learning, shopping, blogging!

Part 3: Raising two Labrador Retrievers "at the same time" - A few things we have learned

I started this topic here and continued it here in responce to a reader's question as to what we had done specific to having a two dog houseold and raising two puppies at the same time.

Today I found a nice article on the web that addresses this topic very well.

• "DOUBLE TROUBLE . . . Raising Two Puppies At Once!", by Nancy Vollmer.

Many of the pit falls listed here we saw first hand and had to address as they came up. I hope you find the information helpful.

Another good article can be found here:

• "Raising Siblings" (Littermates) or Raising 2 Puppies at the Same Time, by Leah Spitzer

Yes, even the experts say you have your work cut out for you.

Is it worth it? Yes, it is!! Here is another womans perspective on the joys of a two dog household.

• "Two Dogs vs. One Dog", by Karen Shanley

Part 2: Raising two Labrador Retrievers "at the same time" - A few things we have learned

I started this topic here and am adding to it today.

Riding in the car:

• Don't - Have you ever gotten out of your car in a parking lot only to be accosted by the dog in the car next to you. The ear piercing barking is enough to make you jump out of your skin. You think for a minute you have entered the world of Steven King and "Kujo" is alive in the car next to you? Perhaps this perspective comes from my overly concerned mind but the responsibility is completely on us as dog owners. Weather we want to realize it or not dogs can be a huge liability especially given the ignorance and lack of understanding that exists out there in the public regarding dogs. Some like to call it the "Lassie Syndrome", perhaps the "Disney Fantasy" is better. Dogs are complex creatures and considering that as young dogs they are still learning about the world around them they can be unpredictable.
• Do - When it comes to riding in the car, even from the very first day, our dogs had to lie down and remain lying. Despite the always adorable looking, wind blown dog head out the wind, this is often accompanied by the barking over excited running back and forth between the windows dog as well. Well with two dogs that just wasn't happening for us. Perhaps later when they've matured a bit the restrictions can be loosened. For now however, our dogs are conditioned to lie down and remain down while in the car. For me it is much safer for driving, much safer for them, and it has been much more pleasant for others who may ride in the car with us. Despite their ever "adorable-ness" to me, not every one appreciates having their face bathed times two every time they ride in my car. I like to take my dogs everywhere I can. The rule is so rock solid that despite their eagerness to greet and get acquainted with a new friend in their car, once I say "lay down" down they go and down they stay even though they are in the very back of the car and I'm in the front seat. This has also carried over to when they are left in a parked car in the parking lot. No "Kujo's" here thank goodness!! What ever you personally decide to do just "be safe" and remember it's us who God has granted the higher intelligence and we need to take that responsibility seriously when caring for our dogs.

Once again my only disclaimer on this is that some of the rules and boundaries we have at our house are because we live in a neighborhood where we want to be conscientious of those around us, we want to share the limited open space respectfully with others, and we want the dogs to be able to politely join us out in the community.

Ian Dunbar: The Original "Dog Whisperer"

Check out this awesome article. Just click on the image above.

Update: 12/15/06
Here's another article you may be interested in: "The Dog Whisper" by Malcolm Gladwell

Gorgeous Hemp Blanket

Check out this beautiful dog blanket. You'll be making it your own I'm sure. And to think you will be earth friendly every time you snuggle up with your dog this winter.

Just click on the image to link to "Robbins Pet Care."

As you see by the colors shown you have more than just one perfect decor complimenting option.

"Moments" . . . and other bits of advice

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,
but by the moments that take our breath away"

Posting this month has gone a bit slower with my schedule getting fuller as the holidays approach. For those of you who have become regulars here I'll do the best I can over the next couple months.

I captured a fun moment this morning and had to share it. For those of you in a "multiple species" household you'll appreciate this moment even more. For a bit of background you have to understand that we have had our cat for 9 1/2 years now. So, she had been an only child for 8 1/2 years before the puppies came along. We were worried how getting "a" dog would affect her as we were only intending to get one when we first started planning. Then we came home with two and although we set some very clear boundaries with the puppies I know we rocked her world!! Her favorite time of day was after 9pm when the puppies were crated and she was once again "queen" of the house. On her part she has thrown countless soft punches at Shelby's nose as she has had no patience for his often over excited over exuberant interest in her. As he has gotten older and showed more reserve we have allowed him to learn on his own what she is capable of. To her credit she has been a very generous teacher. Never has a claw been thrown and not a single scratch has scarred Shelby's often much deserving nose. To my surprise several months ago I realized that "Bella's" favorite spots in the house had begun to include the dogs beds, especially Nutmeg's crate. The sun often leaves a perfect 2 hour sun spot in the middle of the crate that any cat would purr over. So this morning when I discovered her in Shelby's crate I began to realize that not only does she like the dogs beds but she is quite comfortable with sharing the house with the dogs. To his credit when Shelby came down the hall with me he completely left her alone. He looked at his bed which he was headed to while I finished getting ready, turned and plopped down on the hard wood floor outside. Needless to say I was very proud of him Although in theory Bella was "trapped" she never flinched as Shelby came down the hall and stood just outside the crate for a few moments. All in all our family is settling in quite nice and that is always a good thing.

On a Product review side note . . . "Orvis - Tuff Chew beds and bed covers"
Those of you with dogs that chew can appreciate the struggle we went through as the puppies went through their "teething phase". I think it's one of the stages where you often forget how bad it was once it's over unless your couch or favorite pair of shoes fall victim. Luckily nothing that drastic happened in our house. The worst Nutmeg did was chew a comforter corner. It was a Laura Ashley comforter that I had since college and being twin size it had not had a resting place for 10 years now. It was time for it to go anyway. However, what was a struggle, was keeping a bed intact in their crate. When the toys and chew bones didn't keep them from chewing through the fake "lambs wool" crate pad we switched to the "Tuff Chew" beds from Orvis. Ok, not so tuff!!! We went through 4 covers before I gave up. I tried a couple nights with no bed but the whimpering and cries coming from Shelby's crate found a soft spot in my heart after 3 nights. I had to do something!
My solution:
I finally went to the local fabric store and found some sturdy cotton upholstery grade cloth and made my own. I think the material I got was a remnant from a Martha Stewert Home decor line of fabrics. The directions for care were not shown but with 100% cotton I figured I'd pre-wash it and cross my fingers. The scrap piece was 75% off original and I think I only payed $7 for more than enough for both crates. Here's the trick - I had my husband cut a plywood board so that it would sit in the bottom of the crate. I then sewed a pillow case that would fit around the board as well as the cushion on top of the board. The board held the edges of the bed down so they could not be gotten to for chewing. Two staples from a staple gun secured the flap on the underside yet keeps it easy to remove for washing. Throw up accidents and other messes can easily be addressed with little hassle. The poly filled cushions can easily be washed and is the only good thing to come from the Orvis beds. However, the cushions as well could easily have been hand made with a few simple supplies from the fabric store. Once the bed was back in place we were finally done with chewed beds. Granted it does help if your husband has a table saw and plywood laying around and you have a sewing machine, but those details are minor. Most hardware stores will cut down plywood for a small additional fee. Some sewing shops have employees that will do sewing jobs on the side. Considering how simple it is to sew a pillow case I'd find it hard to believe that it would be more expensive that replacing 5 more beds in the long run. As you can see from the picture above the "blue" covers are doing fabulous and have done just fine since that dogs were 7 months old. They now get an extra bed on top because I'm a softy and they have gotten past chewing their beds at night. Thank-goodness!!!

(p.s. For those of you getting feeds from by blog, I don't know why this was back in drafts - I just found it today.)