Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Dinner with the dogs

I have written many times about the importance of adoption and even about the local heroes of dog rescue. I would like to ask you to join me in the support of a local group of dog rescue heroes and the dogs whose lives they save.

BullyWag is having a fundraiser on three different Fridays in August. See the picture of the flyer above for the dates.

The fundraiser is being held at Ruby Tuesday's location in Newnan, GA. This is not much of a drive for any of you in the Atlanta area. On these Fridays, if you mention BullyWag to your server or your bartender, 20% of your Bill will go to BullyWag (and please don't forget to tip your server and/or bartender).

Many of the BullyWag dogs will be there. If you are looking for a new pack member, I encourage you to stop by!

Thirty One Bags will be on-site and a full 10% of sales will go to BullyWag. 

Copper and I will also be there to demonstrate loose leash walking and some of the positive reinforcement techniques that we teach. I will also give free consultations. I always provide discounted services for adopted/rescued dogs.

I will also be bringing our tiny foster beagle, Penny to the event. If I have room in the truck, I may also bring little Cody the Beagle who is the latest dog that the Lovely Shane and I adopted.

So, I look forward to seeing all of you there!


Till Next Time

-William-

William Moore 
William Moore Canine Training
fayettedogtrainer@gmail.com
678-702-4791



Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Progress report on our foster dog, Penny the tiny Beagle.

 I am not sure if you can tell in these pictures but, little Penny is making great progress! She is filling out. I really do think she is putting on weight though I have not weighed her. Believe it or not there is no scale in the Dog Trainer Shack, not even a bathroom scale. I suppose, at some point we should get one but it is not exactly a high priority in our lives right now.

She is eating like a little horse! As is typical with Beagles, she loves food. She is led by her little nose!


 As I mentioned in a previous post, I have been using Nutri-Cal in an attempt to put some weight on this little girl and I think it is working.

She is the first dog that I have ever seen that does not like Nutri-Cal right out of the tube. I take two small treats and make her a Nutri-Cal sandwich with them. She loves that! I have been doing this two or three times a day.
As you can see in the picture, she loves her new foster brothers, Copper and Cody, here they are relaxing in the back yard at the Dog Training Shack.

The Lovely Shane recently took her on a little trip to her parents house. She did this to see how well little Penny would get along with her parents toy poodle (Benny). We were also curious how well Penny would do around our grandson.

The Lovely Shane reports that Penny did great with the grandyoungun (for those of you who do not live in the south, that means grandchild). However, Penny was very vocal around Benny. She did not really like him getting in her face and barking. I suppose I would have been vocal too in her position.  However, this indicates that Penny may not be great around toy breeds. I think they probably make her anxious and nervous. This is something that may get better with time and more (slow and controlled) socialization with toy dogs.

Penny seems to be very willing to learn. Here is a video that I made of me and the Beagles. We were working on waiting at the door. Penny saw Copper and Cody working on that behavior and she joined in the fun. She did very well for a first attempt. Then we came in the house and the Beagle boys and I were working on "leave it" and Penny joined in with us again. For the first attempt, she did great!


Penny does still need some work on behavioral stuff though. It is all fairly minor things such as, she likes to jump on you for attention, we are working on this.  She also likes to nudge you with her nose when she wants to be petted. I discourage this behavior because, I should be the one who pets her, not the other way around. But, as I wrote, all this is minor. She is overall, a very sweet and fairly polite and well behaved little girl!

Penny is scheduled to be at Petco in Peachtree City  this Saturday. She will be there from around 11 till around 4. If you are interested, please stop by the Bully Wag table and see her. 

She will also probably make an appearance at a fund raiser for Bully Wag in Newnan on Friday. I will post updates here as we get closer to Friday.

If you would like more information on Penny or on adding an adopted dog to your pack, please contact me at anytime!

Also, if you have recently added a new member to your pack, I will be happy to help you with your in an effort to make your new little guy or girl a polite and well behaved dog.

Please also contact me with any questions/concerns. As always, my goal is to help you train a polite and well behaved dog!

Till next time

-William-

William Moore
William Moore Canine Training
fayettedogtrainer@gmail.com
678-702-4791

Monday, July 29, 2013

How much does it cost to get the help of a professional dog trainer?


The most often asked question I get lately is : "How much does it cost to train my dog?". This is a bit of a tricky question. It is sort of like asking a mechanic, "How much to fix my car? " when he has no information about what sort of trouble you are having with your vehicle.

There are different approaches to dog training and different methods. Which one is right for your situation is largely dependent on your ultimate training goals and the temperament and sometimes history of your dog. The cost also depends upon your expectations regarding the Trainer and the level of personal attention you will receive.

As I mentioned in an earlier post on Polite Dogs and Happy People, I provide in-home training services. I actually come out to your home and work with you and your dog. This has at least four advantages:

1. I can observe the dog in the environment in which he/she lives.
2. I can work with you to tailor a training plan to the unique needs of you and your dog.
3. You get my full attention, as opposed to group class settings where the Trainer is working with multiple dogs and people.
4. I can work with your schedule (i.e. lessons schedules are very flexible, we can meet at different times each week if needed.)

If you live within 20 miles of my home location in North Fayette County Georgia, the following is my general pricing schedule:

  • $75.00 per session
  • $405 for six session package (payable in advance)
If I have to travel outside the 20 mile perimeter that I mentioned there are additional expenses:

  • $0.80 for each mile over 20 miles and under 100 miles (round trip)
  • Over 100 miles contact me for a travel expense quote.

I provide a 10% discount for adopted/rescued dogs.


Okay now you know what I generally charge. 

Before you get "sticker shock" and run away screaming consider this:

Yes, I realize that you can go to your local big pet store and get six lessons for about $109.00. I used to teach these lessons at Petco in Peachtree City, Georgia. They are not bad and I will not hate you if you patronize these places. but you need to make an informed decision. 

Here are some things to remember about the big pet stores and their training:

  • They will not allow dogs with aggression (dog/dog or dog/people) in the classes.
  • They will not allow anxious dogs in the classes.
  • The trainers are encouraged and in some cases forced to teach only large group classes
  • These classes are intended to be a sales tool for the store. They are used to market and sell dog related products. This is not necessarily bad but, it is the reality. Petco did this when I was there and I interviewed with Petsmart and it was very apparent that they do this too.
  • The experience and skill of the trainer varies very widely from store to store. If you choose to do this type of training I very strongly suggest that you observe a class before you spend the money.
  • There is a structured lesson plan (curriculum) while this is not an inherently bad thing. It does not lend itself readily to individualized attention. When I worked at Petco, I had to teach certain things in each class. I did have some latitude to deal with individual students situations however, I did have to teach what was in the curriculum whether or not it made sense for an individual dog.
I will never use my sessions in an attempt to sell you a product. My lively-hood comes from helping you to train your dog to become a polite little girl or guy. It does not come from how much dog food ,no-pull harnesses, leashes, treats, crates, etc. that  I sell.

I will not turn your dog away simply because of aggression or anxiety . In fact separation anxiety is something with which I deal frequently! We will develop a plan together to deal with it properly.

I do not have a set curriculum. You and your dog a unique. Your dog training should be tailored to your needs. No cookie cutter training here.

But, I can not even come close to matching the price of these big box pet stores. No independent professional trainer doing individual lessons can match them. They are making almost no profit on Dog Training directly.  They expect to make their real profit on your product business. They actually told me in the Petco internal Dog Trainer Training that you, as my Dog Training student are "captive" for at least six hours in the store and suggested all sorts of ways for me to sell you products. Good or bad, this is the truth of the matter. They are not making much money on the classes, the real money is in what you buy when you are in the store for the six lessons!

And yes, I realize that they have an option for "individual lessons" for about $60.00 each. These are still aimed at selling product. And the restriction on aggression/anxiety remains. These individual lessons are still in the store.

My motivation is helping you to train your dog to be a polite, well behaved little girl or guy. It is not about selling you product!

There are also other organizations that provide in-home training. I caution you to be careful particularly with the franchise outfits like Barkbusters. These are not bad people but, they have their own "cookie cutter" like technique. The quality of the trainers also varies widely from one franchisee to another.

I find the following from the Bark Busters web page franchise section particularly alarming:

" I don’t know much about dog training. Can I still be a Bark Buster?
Yes. Bark Busters provides a comprehensive training at the launch of your business. This training program takes place 
at the National Training Academy outside of Denver, Colorado and provides a great deal of hands-on work with dogs, as well as providing practical knowledge about how to successfully operate a dog training business.
  
How do I become a trained Bark Buster?
All Bark Busters go through a comprehensive training program located at the National Training Academy outside of Denver, Colorado. After completing the training program, you will be fully prepared to launch your business immediately. We will also work to publicize your business and drive customers to you from your very first day of operations. "

It appears that you do not need to have even ever owned or cared for a dog in your life. If you have the almost $70,000 franchise start up fees and complete their training you are a "Bark Buster". I am really not bashing them, I just don't care for the business model. I am unsure how they would handle a dog that does not fit the cookie-cutter.

And, by the way, Bark Busters will cost you, in the end, significantly more than my services would. 


I know this post seems like thinly veiled advertising of my services and to a large extent that is true. However, cost is a frequent question that I get. I really hope this post clears things up for you on cost.

If you have questions/concerns, please contact me at anytime.

Till next time

-William -

Wiliam Moore
William Moore Canine Training
fayettedogtrainer@gmail.com
678-702-4791







Sunday, July 28, 2013

Meet the breed : Corgi

Our pretty little girl, Cuddles, is a Corgi mix. We are not sure exactly what other breeds make up her heritage but, we know she is part Corgi.

The cute little guy in the pic here is a Cardigan Welsh Corgi. You can not really tell in Cuddles' picture but their tails are similar .

The handsome guy in the picture here is a Pembroke Welsh Corgi. He bears the most resemblance to our little girl, Cuddles. However, a major difference between the Pembroke and the Cardigan is that the Pembroke does not have a tail.

The adult male height is 10" to 12" with the female being slightly smaller. The adult male weight is approximately 25 pounds with the female being slightly lighter.

Some Corgis, as with our little girl Cuddles, are born with longer hair than the guys in our pictures here. People who are familiar with the breed call these "long hair" or "fluffy" Corgis.

The Corgi is very likely descended from several breeds including: Keeshound, Pomeranian, Schipperkes, and Swedish Vallhund.

As you may have guessed, the Corgi breed originated across the pond in the area that we now call the United Kingdom.

The Cardigan is the older of the two Corgi varieties. The Cardigan, is believed by some to have originated with the Celts as early as 1200 BC. The Pembroke is believed to have originated with a group of Flemish folks who were employed as weavers to the Celts. This probably occurred in the 1100s BC. For those of you who attended public school within the past 10 years,  1100 BC is later than 1200 BC (it is beyond the scope of this post to explain this but, just trust me :) )

Corgis are part of the classification of working dogs that we call herding dogs. They were likely first brought to the USA in the early twentieth century (AD). They were used for driving cattle. They were also used for hunting small game and for guarding livestock.

The Corgi is especially well suited for livestock herding due to its relatively low stature. It can nip at the heels of the livestock and easily roll out of the way to avoid being stepped upon.

These guys are very loyal dogs. They can be pretty intelligent as well. They are very protective of their people. Believe it or not they make pretty good watch dogs as well. Our little Cuddles lets us know whenever any intruder is anywhere near the property here at the Dog Trainer Shack. She is also very protective of The Lovely Shane!

The Corgi is very prone to unwanted guarding behavior as well. Cuddles, for instance, tends to guard her food bowl ( a habit we are working to break in her). They tend to naturally, perhaps even instinctually , be wary of strangers. For this reason. it is important that they be properly socialized at a very early age!

The Corgi, as is the case with most dogs from the herding groups, tends to try to herd people. They will nip at your heels, etc. in an effort to move you along. For this reason, it is very important that obedience training begin early. The Corgi needs to see the human as being in charge. This needs to be taught, through proper positive reinforcement training methods, at as early an age as possible.

It is important that the Corgi get plenty of exercise. Because it is naturally a herding dog, this is very important. The Corgi will not be happy of he is not exercised properly.  I strongly encourage Corgi owners to walk their dogs at least once a day using proper loose leash walking technique. It is important that the Corgi knows that the person is in control of the walk and not vice versa.

My experience with this breed is that they can be easy to train if the training begins early. It is always important, with any dog, that training be consistent and routine. This is even more important with the Corgi than some other breeds. They really need the structure. These guys are generally eager to learn. They can also be very strong willed (however, this varies from dog to dog).

Corgis are generally good with other dogs. However, they do not like other dogs invading what they perceive as their space. I have also found that, particularly in Cuddle's case, and generally with most other Corgis, they get along best with dogs their size or smaller.

Cuddles gets along well with Cody the Little Beagle and Penny the Tiny Beagle but, she does not get along as well with Copper the Whopper Beagle. The Lovely Shane and I really believe that this is because of Copper's size. Penny and Cody are both a little smaller than Cuddles. Copper is a little larger than Cuddles. Cuddles will bark at Copper when he gets to close to her food dish or just generally too close to her. Often Copper barks back and I have to intervene to get them to be quiet. We are working on this and it is getting better but, it never happens with Cody or Penny.

So, in summary, the Corgi is a very loyal dog. They are generally good with their own people but tend to be wary of new people. They are generally good with other dogs of their size or smaller. They are very protective of their people. They require a lot of exercise but because of their small size they can be a viable consideration for apartment dwellers.

If you are looking for a new member of your pack the Corgi may be a good choice if you can devote the time needed for training and exercise. They can be very sweet and loyal little guys and girls!

As always, if you are looking for a new member for your pack, please, please consider adoption! There are may sweet little guys and girls (some of them Corgis or Corgi mixes) who desperately need good forever homes!

Please understand, I am not necessarily against breeders. There are some great ones out there. I will not be mad at you if you patronize a good breeder. I simply ask that you consider adoption first. By the way, I always offer discounted training services for adopted dogs and their new people!

If you are considering adoption and need the names of local rescue groups please contact me and I will be happy to get you together with someone who will be happy to help you find the perfect dog for your pack!

Please also contact me with your training needs or with any dog related questions or concerns!

Till Next Time

-William-

William Moore
William Moore Canine Training
fayettedogtrainer@gmail.com
678-702-4791










Thursday, July 25, 2013

Welcoming a foster member to the pack.... Penny the tiny Beagle!

The Lovely Shane and I are trying something new. Today we welcomed a new foster member to our pack.

Penny is a tiny beagle. She is about a year old. She was rescued by Bully Wag from a  shelter in rural North Georgia. Because the shelter is in such a rural area the kill rate is comparatively high. She just got back from surgery today. She was spayed and had a hernia removed. She is doing pretty well from what we can tell. She is very underweight. We are going to work on putting some weight on her. I don't think it will be too difficult.

For at least the next couple of days she will be mostly resting to recover from her surgery. After she gets to feeling better, Copper and I will begin training with her. We are very encouraged because she is already responding to her new name. By the way, Michelle picked the name, Penny, because she has a copper like coloring on her head. Since Copper is more of a boy's name and Michelle already named one of her rescue dogs Copper (my demo dog, Copper Whopper) this new little girl was named Penny like the copper colored US coin.

Very soon we will be taking her to Petco in Peachtree City on Saturdays from 12-4pm. She will be with the other Bully Wag dogs. Her first trip to Petco will be Saturday August 3, 2013.



Her appetite seems to be very good. Tomorrow I am going to stop by one of the local pet stores and get her some Nutri-Cal. Nutri-Cal is a high calorie vitamin supplement. It is great for putting on weight and stimulating the appetite. It is a thick syrupy paste. The dogs really seem to love it. They will usually eat it right out of the tube.

I often recommend Nurti-Cal to people who have dogs that need to gain weight. But, if your dog has a health problem that is causing him/her to loose the weight always check with your veterinarian first.

In Penny's case the weight loss is most likely from malnutrition.

I do not normally encourage people to use a name brand when a generic is available however, in this case I always recommend the Nutri-Cal brand. When I worked for Petco, in my experience with customers, the Nutri-Cal worked much better than the Petco generic. It is worth the extra cost.

I will keep all of you posted on Penny's progress.

As always, if you are planning on adding a new member to your pack, please, consider adoption. If you are interested in adopting a cute little Beagle girl, please contact me or Michelle Crampo at BullyWag for more information on Penny and adoption in general.

If you have a dog related question or have any dog training needs, please contact me.

Till next time

-William-

William Moore
William Moore Canine Training
fayettedogtrainer@gmail.com
678-702-4791


Wednesday, July 24, 2013

What do I do if my dog gets into something that is poison?

Sometimes, no matter how careful you are, your dog may get into something that is poisonous to him/her.

About a month after we adopted Copper, while we were away from home, he managed to open the cabinet door under the kitchen sink and got into some roach tablets. In fact the picture shows the actual box he got into. These tablets are mostly boric acid. The Lovely Shane and I were very concerned because Copper was vomiting when we got home. 
It is important that you know what to do in an emergency like the one I described above. I strongly suggest that you call the Pet Poison Helpline immediately. The 24/7 Telephone number is 800-213-6680.
There is a $39.00 per incident charge for the call but it is well worth the money. If you have to take your dog to the emergency veterinary hospital they will always call the helpline and bill it to you anyway. Once you call the Helpline, they give you an incident number that you can pass on to your emergency vet. The Helpline will inform you if you need to immediately take your dog to the emergency veterinary clinic.

In Copper's case, he did not ingest enough of the poison to be life threatening. He was, however, very sick and I stayed up all night with him. The nice people at the hotline gave me detailed instructions on how to treat Copper and what to look for as signs that he was not recovering as expected. I could call back as many times as needed on that incident without additional charges. After a long night, Copper recovered fully. I never knew a dog could vomit that much :) . 


There are more than things than insecticides that are potentially poisonous to dogs. For instances grapes and raisins are not good at all for the little guys. There is a searchable list on the Pet Poison Hotline website. I strongly encourage you to look it over soon. 

Regardless of what anyone tells you, please, please, please do not use home remedies here. Call the helpline and follow the instructions that they provide. Do not try to induce vomiting or feed the dog until you talk to a professional on the helpline.  There is a very good list of emergency instructions on their website. I strongly suggest that you become familiar with them before an emergency occurs. And, for your dog's sake, please don't wait, call immediately!



It is also a great idea to know the location and phone number of your nearest emergency veterinary clinic. If you live near the Dog Trainer Shack here in Fayette County, Georgia. Your nearest one is likely Southern Crescent Veterinary Emergency Clinic.  They have a few locations. The one in Fayetteville, GA is at :

1270 Highway 54 East
Fayetteville, GA  30214.  
The phone number is: 770-460-8166.

I hope you are never faced with this sort of emergency. But, if you are, it is great to be prepared ahead of time!

Please contact me if you have any training needs or dog related questions.

Till Next Time

-William -

William Moore
William Moore Canine Training 
678-702-4791
fayettedogtrainer@gmail.com















Sunday, July 21, 2013

Polite Dogs and Happy People

Polite Dogs and Happy People...

This is the real reason I am a Dog Trainer. It is my goal to help you teach your dogs to be more polite little guys and girls. Polite dogs lead naturally to happier people. It is stressful to live with a dog who misbehaves constantly and is out of control. It can be embarrassing to have a dog who pulls on the leash and does not behave well on walks. It is downright frustrating to be unable to get your dog's attention when you call his name.

These may sound, to some of you, as superficial problems. They really are not. If your dog is not polite and obedient, it is very frustrating and stressful. In a lot of cases, these frustrated owners eventually give up on the dog and the dogs in some cases wind up in shelters. I don't have to remind any of you that dogs who end up in shelters are often killed.

If you have one of these dogs please do not give up hope! It would be dishonest of me to tell you that it is always easy to train a dog to be a polite little guy. There are some frustrating cases. But, with determination on your part, the proper guidance, and consistent work incredible transformations can occur!

When I am out in the community, I, many times, see people with dogs that are not polite. It is not that the dogs are bad it is just that the people have not been consistent in their training or they are using inappropriate or ineffective methods of training.

I tell people all the time that dogs are not complex. They are not trying to spite you or to be difficult. They just, in many cases, are confused and do not understand what is expected of them. 

Since dogs are not really complex thinkers, they do not really understand even slightly abstract concepts. The dog is pretty much always focused on the present. This is why it does no good to scold a dog for something that they did while you were away. They will be confused and not connect the scolding to the past event. This can be very detrimental because they will likely connect the scolding to something that is occurring in the present and get the wrong message entirely.

In my experience, dogs do much better with positive reinforcement. In very basic terms, you reward the behavior you want to keep and you give the dog no reward or affection for the behaviors that you want to stop. It is a little more complex than those couple of sentences but, that is the basic idea. My advice is to provide a positive alternate behavior for the negative behavior that you are trying to stop.

I am more than happy to guide any of you through this process of training to get a more polite and better behaved dog. 


I have some new brochures that I give to prospective clients that I meet. Many of the local veterinarian offices, groomers and pet stores also have some of my new brochures  The reason I mention them is that the concept of "Polite Dogs and Happy People" is very prominent in this new material. It is my focus and my aim is to help you to achieve the goal of a more polite dog.

I do not take a "cookie cutter" approach to training. Your dog is unique. You are unique. Your family is unique. Your pack is unique.

Each dog has unique needs. Each of my clients have unique goals. Each dog has different and unique behavior issues.

Therefore...... I work with you, my client, to form an action plan to address your specific and unique training needs and goals. 

I also work with your schedule. I can be very flexible on scheduling. We do not have to meet at the same time every session. If your work schedule changes, my schedule can change as well.


These are the things that set me apart from my competition in the Dog Training Business. The big box pet stores (Petco, Petsmart, etc.) offer group classes. These are not bad dog trainers and I am not bashing their methods. But, they all work from a curriculum.  I worked from the same type of curriculum when I was employed as a Dog Trainer at Petco in Peachtree City, GA.  It is not a bad curriculum.... but, even though I had some flexibility,  there were certain things that I was forced to teach in every class that were not really applicable or helpful to every student. And there were some things that I could not teach because of the structure of the classes and the store environment. As an independent, in-home trainer, I no longer have those limitations.

I work with you in your home. This is where the dog lives and this is where I can best observe and get a much better handle on your dog's unique situation.

So, please contact me at any time. I would love to help you achieve your goal of a polite dog......and ultimately make you and your family happier people!

Till Next Time

-William-

William Moore Canine Training
678-702-4791
fayettedogtrainer@gmail.com


Friday, July 19, 2013

Meet the Breed: Labrador Retriever

 The Labrador Retriever, or simply abbreviated as "Lab", is one of my favorite breeds.

The cute little girl on the front seat of the truck belongs to my brother Stan Moore. (By the way, if you need a sign of any type, he is about the best in the business). This little girl is Bailey. She helps my brother with his sign business. She is very often on the front seat of the truck next to him or in the shop supervising his work.

The black Lab in the other picture with her belongs to my niece, Olivia and her fiancee, Dale. His name is Buck.

The Labrador Retriever is a member of the group that we refer to as sight hounds. They were bread to retrieve birds.  Generally they love nothing more than chasing things. They love to play with tennis balls and flying discs. They are generally very energetic little guys/girls.

The adult male Lab height is about 23 inches. The females are generally a little smaller. The adult male weight is generally about 70 pounds with the females being slightly lighter.

There are four colors of Lab. They are Black, Yellow, Chocolate, and Silver. Buck is a Black Lab, Bailey is a Yellow Lab, and the patriotic pup in the picture is a Chocolate Lab. The little guy standing in front of the privacy fence is a Silver Lab.

In my experience, these dogs are generally great fun to train. For the most part, the ones I have had the pleasure of working with, have been very intelligent. They are generally very eager to please the people. They seem to really want to learn.

They also seem to really need the dog/human interaction. They love people and are loyal. They are also generally very affectionate and good with human children.

Because they are so energetic and affectionate, it is really important to begin socialization and training early. They are good with people but sometimes, as puppies, they can be a little nervous around people so, the socialization needs to begin early.

As puppies, these guys have, in my experience, been very easy to housebreak.

In my experience, the adult lab (male or female) is pretty strong. For this reason, it is important to train them to walk properly on-leash early. It is also important to address the typical puppy behavior (nipping, jumping on people, etc.) early while they are still relatively  small physically.

These little guys need a lot of exercise. They also need the person to be in control. They really look for the leadership of people and they need this leadership.

Please understand, by leadership I do not mean be abusive, violent or physical with them. I simply mean that it is important that you remain assertive. For instance, the Lab loves to play. You have to be consistent about not letting them jump on you or do any other impolite behaviors. I can teach you methods to control them and make them polite dogs without hurting them.

Since the Lab is a relatively large dog and needs a great deal of exercise and mental stimulation, it may not be the best choice for apartment dwellers.

I tell people that the Lab remains a puppy for several years. I do not mean that they are physically a puppy this long. What I mean is they act like a puppy for several years. They remain very energetic and playful well into adulthood. This is one reason I like the breed so much!

Because these dogs learn so quickly and are so eager to please, they are often trained as service and therapy dogs.

If you are searching for a dog that is easy to train, fun to play with, and very loyal, the Lab is certainly worth consideration for an addition to your pack.

I have found that mixed breed dogs that are part Lab generally keep most of the Lab traits (of course this varies from dog to dog).

I could not end this post without a picture and mention of one of the sweetest dogs I ever had the blessing to have in my pack. The dog on the bed in the picture is my old buddy Critten. Critten was a Lab mix. We think she was mixed with one of the so called "Pit-Bull" breeds. Although we were never certain of what her ancestry consisted.

Critten was full of energy well into her adult years. She was also about the most obedient and easy to train dogs I have ever seen.  I had to exercise her a lot! She loved to play fetch with anything and could literally play for hours.

Well, as I always tell you, if you are considering adding another member to your pack, please, please, please, consider adoption. There are many really good Labs and Lab mixes that need forever homes and would love to go home with you and join your pack!

There are plenty of good Labrador Rescue Groups, if you want a purebred Lab. There are also plenty of good general Canine rescue groups. See my earlier posts on the heroes of dog rescue for more information.http://fayettedogtrainer.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-local-heroes-of-dog-rescue.html and http://fayettedogtrainer.blogspot.com/2013/06/another-local-dog-rescue-hero.html

Please understand, I am not bashing breeders here. There are some very good ones. And like with any other business there are also some very bad ones. If you decide to buy from a breeder please research them well. Talk to other people who have bought dogs from them. Visit their facility if possible. Ask to see the parent dogs.

When you get your new pack member, please contact me for any training needs or other questions that you may have. I specialize in adopted/rescued dogs and would love to help you and your new pack member! I also have a great deal of experience with new puppies so, if you buy from a breeder, feel free to contact me at any time as well!

Till Next Time

-William -

William Moore
William Moore Canine Training
678-702-4791
fayettedogtrainer@gmail.com




Monday, July 15, 2013

Please don't leave your dog in the car this summer!!



I know it is tempting to leave your dog in the car if you are just making a quick trip into a store or something like that. Please be careful. I very strongly recommend against this even if you have the air conditioning and engine running.

As you can see from the chart, the temperatures inside the vehicle can rise quickly. Even with a window partially open it can get really hot, really quickly.

So, you ask, what is the problem with leaving the air condition and engine running? I realize that with two keys it is easy to lock the vehicle and do this. However, please re-think this as well. Automobile air conditioners work much better when the vehicle is in motion. More importantly, they have been known to fail.

When I lived in the Tampa Bay Area, one of the local Sheriffs did not like dogs inside the offices. He required the K-9 handlers to leave their animals in the patrol vehicle while they were in the building doing paperwork,etc. They always ran the air in the vehicle. Well, one day, one of the air conditioners on a patrol vehicle failed. A poor dog died. Well you would think the simple solution would be to simply allow the service dogs in the building. Well apparently not to this Sheriff. He spent many, many tax payer dollars to outfit all the K-9 vehicles with redundant air conditioning systems in an attempt to prevent another dog death. This has been many years ago. I am not certain if the redundant air conditioners really solved the problem.

So, please be careful with your little guys.

If you see any signs of heat stroke or heat related problems in your dog, please get him/her to the veterinarian as soon as possible.

The Humane Society lists the following as symptoms:



  • heavy panting
  • glazed eyes 
  • a rapid pulse
  • unsteadiness
  • a staggering gait
  • vomiting, or a deep red or purple tongue.


  • If you notice these symptoms in a dog who has been exposed to heat, please take the following actions immediately! :

    After you get him/her out of the heat, do this

    1. Gradually lower his body temperature by applying 
    cool (not cold) water all over his body or soaking 
    him in a cool bath. 

    2. Place cool, wet towels over the back of the neck, 
    in the armpits, and in the groin area. You may also 
    wet the ear flaps and paws with cool water. Direct 
    a fan on the wet areas to speed evaporative cooling.

    3. You may offer fresh, cool water if your dog is alert 
    and wants to drink. Do not force your pet to drink.

    Now get him/her to the veterinarian!


    This is really a serious matter! Many dogs die in cars this time of the year.

    As I have mentioned before, there are many retail establishments that allow well behaved dogs.

    For example:

    Copper and I were blessed to have the company of The Lovely Shane today. The Lovely Shane accompanied us on a Dog Training sales call and a Handyman estimate trip. We also did an errand or two.

    Here are the places that we took Copper today:


     These are new friends of ours. This is a really cool store! I suggest that you all visit when you have a chance! They have fresh baked treats. They can even bake a cake for your dog's birthday! They also have a wide selection of exclusively made in the USA treats and Food.
    And best of all, they really are passionate about adopted/rescued dogs. 

    • Big Lots in Fayetteville, GA 
    • Michaels in Fayetteville, GA
    • Radio Shack in Fayetteville, GA (the one in Hudson Plaza)
    None of these establishments asked us to leave. In fact, I think the staff at each of them enjoyed having Copper in the store.

    As long as your little guys and girls are housebroken and well behaved, there are rarely issues. If you need help with housebreaking or the behavior of your dogs (pulling on leash, etc) please contact me. Copper and I will be happy to help you!

    Till Next Time

    -William -

    William Moore
    William Moore Canine Training
    678-702-4791
    fayettedogtrainer@gmail.com






    Saturday, July 13, 2013

    More dog supplies on a budget.

    The Lovely Shane and I recently attended a local Yard Sale. One of the items that I picked up is the red travel bowl that is setting on my work table in the office of the Dog Trainer Shack. This bowl is brand new, never used. It came with the tag attached that is setting to the right of the bowl. I paid the modest sum of $1.00 for this bowl. I could have probably negotiated a lower price but it seemed fair to me.

    I am telling you about our yard sale trip because if you visit a few yard sales, you can find some really good bargains on dog supplies. Of course you will visit a lot of sales in which you find no bargains and perhaps not dog supplies at all, believe it or not, some people do not have dog packs at their homes ( I know this is a shock to some of you, as this particular concept was to me, but it does happen :) )

    Just for fun, I looked up this travel bowl on the manufacturers web site. Apparently the red one is no longer available but they have one in slightly different color that you can order for $12.99. So, The Lovely Shane and I saved $11.99.

    I wrote this to encourage you to always look for bargains like the one I describe here. I am going to use this bowl to more easily provide traveling water for my little buddies. However, if you come across a bargain like this and you can not use the item, I strongly suggest and encourage you to purchase it an donate it to one of our local heroes of dog rescue. I am sure they would love to any supplies you can provide for their foster dogs!


    At this point, I normally tell you to contact me for your dog training needs then I close the post.  Please do, as always contact me regarding your dog training needs or any questions/concerns you may have. However, I want to mention something personal here.

    The Lovely Shane and I attended a funeral today. My Father's sister, Alice Ruth Brown recently died. She had been battling various illnesses for sometime and died as a result of a recent bought of pneumonia from which she was ultimately too weak to recover.

    I mention my Aunt Ruth here because she was a real dog person. She loved toy breeds and miniatures. As a child I remember many times visiting with her in her living room  while a chihuahua or a miniature dachshund sat in her lap getting petted.

    I got my first exposure to toy breeds and miniatures from this wonderful lady. She once gave us (my brother, me and my parents) a miniature dachshund girl named Baby. I have very fond memories of Baby and of my Aunt Ruth. The world needs more people like her! I already miss her. But, her suffering is over and she is in a far,far better place with our Lord!

    Have a great weekend!

    Till next time

    -William-

    William Moore
    William Moore Canine Training
    fayettedogtrainer@gmail.com
    678-702-4791


    Thursday, July 11, 2013

    Meet the Breed - Beagle


     Okay, those of you who know me well know that I could not put off writing a "Meet the Breed" about my favorite breed, The Beagle.

    I have raised, trained, owned, and been around these little guys for most of my life. Let me begin by stating that even though I really love them, they are not a breed of everyone. Let me tell you a little about these adorable little guys:

    This breed has been around for a very long time. There is some controversy over the precise origin of the breed.

    As with the almost all hound breeds in this country, their origin can be traced to England. I will not go into all the details of the history of this breed here. There is some very interesting information on the Internet. A good place to start, if you are really interested, is wikipedia.

    The Beagle is a part of the group that we call scent hounds. They use their sense of smell to track game. In this part of the world (Georgia and the Southeastern USA) they have long been used to hunt rabbits and small game.

    The AKC has recognized the Beagle since 1885 ( a couple of decades after the war of northern aggression :) ). The official standard for the breed has two sizes. An adult height of 13 inches and an adult height of 15 inches.

    The AKC lists a variety of coloring and markings.In my experience, it seems that, by far the most common is the tri-color black tan and white. That seems to be the marking and coloring of both of the guys in my current pack. Copper also has some ticking. He is also bigger than 15 inches so it is possible that he is a mix of something other than Beagle (but don't tell him that).

    The physiology of the Beagle is interesting. They are capable of sounding in at least three different ways. They can bark like any other dog. They can howl like other dogs. They can also bay. To do this they sort of stretch out the throat by holding the head up. A really cool gift that God gave the Beagle is that each Beagle has a slightly different baying voice. This makes it easy to identify which dog is on the trail when they are in the field. Rabbit hunters really like this about Beagles.

    This is also one thing that makes the breed not a good fit for everyone. Most Beagles are quite vocal. And they do not really have a low or inside volume. It is a really pretty sound to those of us who have an affinity for the breed but people who have close neighbors, like those of you who live in apartments, may not find the sound quite so pretty.

    These little guys are generally very affectionate. They are good with people and usually good with children. They are loyal.

    Most of the Beagles that I have encountered are pretty good with other dogs as well. This can, however vary from dog to dog. Boomer, a Beagle that I had years ago was abused as a puppy. I adopted him when he was 9 months old and kept him until he died around 16 years old. He was never great around other dogs or around children. But, I suspect this was due, in large part, to his abusive puppyhood.

    Many people refer to the Beagle as "determined" in most cases, I think "determined" is hardly a strong enough term. Most of these little guys are downright stubborn. They are sweet but can be very stubborn.

    I realize that as a professional dog trainer, this may sound like self-promotion but, what I am about to tell you is the Gospel truth about these little guys. They require a great deal of mental and physical stimulation. And because they can be so "determined" or stubborn they require consistent training.

    These guys are generally really happy when they are training. They can learn new behaviors and they actually learn pretty quickly with the proper motivation (treats).

    The Beagle like most scent hounds is ruled by his nose. These guys love food! They are constantly searching for food or for something interesting to track and chase. This is really the Beagle's life. It is instinctual and at times really cool to watch.

    Because they constantly search for food, you must beagle proof your home. If you don't you will regret it. See my previous blog post about Beagle-proofing.

    As adults, when the Beagle is not searching for food or game he is resting or sleeping. These little darlings do not exercise on their own. The combination of this determined drive to find food and equally determined drive to not exercise is why you see so many overweight and frankly obese Beagles.

    You must provide exercise for your Beagle! It is not enough to just let him out in the fenced back yard. He will sniff around out there for a while... maybe chase a rabbit or chipmunk.. then he will lie down and sleep. I have seen this many times :). You really have to take them out on the leash or do some sort of interactive exercise in the fenced yard. This is another reason that the Beagle is not for everyone.

    Also, because the Beagle is so driven by his nose, once he gets on the trail of something, he sort of has tunnel vision. He is also very good at escaping a fence or containment device. I strongly recommend that you not, under any circumstances leave your beagle unattended in a fenced back yard. He will find his way out. Boomer once scaled a six foot chain link fence. He just climbed right over.

    The Beagle can be one of the most affectionate breeds you will ever encounter. As I have written before, my guys know when I am sick and will not leave my side until I feel better. It is really a cool thing to see. These guys also have quite the personality. Some are outgoing and very friendly like Copper. Some are a little more reserved but affectionate like our little Cody.

    If you can live with the cons that I have mentioned here, the Beagle will be one of the best little buddies you could ever hope for.

    Remember, if you are seriously considering an addition to your pack. Please, please, please consider adoption. Also consider adopting an adult dog (these guys are generally wonderful and do not get homes as quickly as puppies). If you need the names of some good rescue organizations contact me or see my previous posts on the heroes of dog rescue.http://fayettedogtrainer.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-local-heroes-of-dog-rescue.html and http://fayettedogtrainer.blogspot.com/2013/06/another-local-dog-rescue-hero.html

    Let me be clear. I have nothing against breeders. There are some great breeders out there. I will not be mad at you if you use one. I just ask you to consider adoption. There are so many really good guys that need a home and many of these sweet little guys are euthanized every day because no one will give them a home. And I provide discounted Dog Training Services to all adopted/rescued dogs, perhaps that will be an incentive to you as well :) .

    If you have questions about the suitability of a Beagle or any other breed to your pack, please contact me anytime.

    Till Next Time


    -William-

    William Moore
    William Moore Canine Training
    678-702-4791
    fayettedogtrainer@gmail.com














    Take your dog with you!

    It has been an overcast but otherwise pleasant day  today here in the Fayette County, Georgia Area.

    I thought it would be the perfect day to take my buddy Copper to work with me.  As many of you know, I also own a Lawn Maintenance and Handyman business. Today I had a few errands to run and a yard to mow. 

    I never take dogs with me if the weather is really hot and I take plenty of water for my buddies.  I took Copper today, rather another member of my pack, because we have not been on an outing together recently and he really needed the exercise. It has been really rainy lately and we have been forced to do our exercise indoors and Copper really loves the outdoors!

    Years ago when I first bought my cargo trailer, I installed a couple of cargo rings that I could use to tether dogs while I work. Critten and Grace, past pack members really loved to go to work with me as well. Critten is the Labador/Pit Bull mix who is in the Green Truck (1969 Chevy C/10) waiting for me. Grace is the cute little Beagle who is wearing the blue harness and resting on the couch. I really miss these guys. I had to leave them in Florida with my ex-wife after a divorce years ago. But, they have a good home.

    As I mentioned in a previous post, there are plenty of dog friendly places to take your dog. Today, we went to Lowes in beautiful Fayetteville, GA where Copper helped me pick out trim for a bathroom project and get oil for my 2 cycle gear and string for my string trimmer. We also went to Mile's Ace Hardware in Peachtree City where we picked up a filter for the heat pump at the Dog Trainer Shack.

    Everywhere we went people greeted Copper warmly. He is always happy to let people pet him and tell him what a handsome boy he is. And he really likes to show off his loose leash walking skills and the wait command.

    The point of this post is to encourage you to take one or two of your pack with you when you go out to run errands.This is provided that they do well on leash and are polite and well behaved. They love the excercise and it is good socialization for them.  If you have trouble with your dog on leash or if your dog has behavioral problems that make outings stressful, please contact me. Copper and I will be happy to help you!

    People are usually surprised when I tell them the places I have taken Copper.  I never take him to restaurants, bars, or anyplace that serves or sells food items. I understand that most health codes prohibit this unless your dog is a service animal. But, I take him anywhere else. I just walk in with Copper. If the staff at the establishment ask us to leave, we respect their wishes but that very rarely happens. If your dog is well behaved and housebroken, he/she is welcome almost anywhere you are welcome or at least this has been my experience. There are some exceptions but this is the general rule of thumb that I follow.

    Bed Bath and Beyond, for instance has a wonderful pet friendly policy. They welcome any well behaved pet. A lot of people do not realize this. I do not frequent this store but the Lovely Shane and I do sometimes take Copper there and look around.

    Most Pet Stores obviously have a pet friendly policy. However, be very careful in these places. Many times people do not have the control that they should over their dogs. Often times they take dogs to these places that have behavioral issues that should have been addressed long before they were out in public. As I have mentioned in a previous post, remember the 3 foot rule when encountering other dogs. Always maintain 3 feet of separation between your dog and any stranger's animal. If the other dog looks aggressive, stressed or agitated, I maintain much more than 3 feet of separation. Also the staff at many of these pet stores, unfortunately, simply do not seem to know how to deal with a dog fight incident. See my recent post regarding a fatal shooting of a dog by a Petco employee in Texas for more insight.

    Also, remember, if you need Lawn Maintenance services in Fayette County, GA or surrounding areas please contact me! My company does all sorts of lawn maintenance in addition to Carpentry Repairs, Light Plumbing Repairs, Light Electrical Repairs, Painting, Fence Installation and Repair, etc.

    Have fun with your dogs! Take them with you!

    Till next time

    -William -

    William Moore
    William Moore Canine Training
    678-702-4791
    fayettedogtrainer@gmail.com

    William Moore
    William Moore Lawn Maintenance and Handyman Services
    678-702-4791
    fayettelawnmoore@gmail.com









    Tuesday, July 9, 2013

    Meet the breed : Plott Hound

    Today I thought I would start something new. I am going to regularly write posts about different breeds titled "Meet the Breed".

    I will give you some information about my experiences with dogs of the breed or mixed with the breed and give you some of the general characteristics of the breed.

    My intention here is to provide you with information regarding different breeds. Perhaps this will be helpful to some of you who are considering adopting or purchasing and new member of your pack.

    Today's topic is the Plott Hound. This breed is very popular in the Carolinas. It is a scent hound that was bred for hunting mostly larger game. I understand they are used a lot to hunt wild Boar. Although I am told they make great coon hounds too.

    An interesting bit of trivia: I am told that the Plott Hound is the only American Hound Breed that does not have British ancestory. It is actually German in origin. In the 1750s just before the war of northern aggression :) , a guy name Jonathan Plott decided he wanted to move from his home in Germany to the USA. The story goes that Jonathan's brother came with him but, tragically, died in route.

    Jonathan brought with him five Hanoverian Hounds. Jonathan settled in North Carolina. There he began breeding his dogs with some of the local dogs. It is said that Bloodhounds were one of the breeds that he mixed with his dogs. Eventually his dogs became the Plott Hounds that we know today.

    You can read about the AKC standards for this breed at http://www.akc.org/breeds/plott/index.cfm .

    There are a variety of markings and colors in the Plott Hound breed. I am partial to the brindle pattern of the dog in the picture.

    The adult Plott Hound is generally about 22 -24 inches high and weighs about 45-55 pounds. I have seen a couple of them a little bigger than that though.

    These guys are beautiful, muscular hounds. They are very energetic. They learn very quickly and generally really want to please their people.

    Like a lot of hounds they are quite vocal. So, they may not be a great choice for the apartment dweller.

    They are generally very affectionate to people and good with children.

    The voice of the Plott Hound is oddly high pitched. It is not what you would expect from a dog of it's size but it is a really cool sound (to me anyway, but I am quite partial to the sound of a hound's voice).

    These guys, even as adults, are extremely energetic. They need a lot of exercise.

    Because they are so energetic, it is important to socialize them at an early age and to get the obidience training. They can be taught at any age and can be very well behaved and polite little guys but you have to be consistent and work at it. The earlier you start the easier it will be.

    As with a lot of the hounds, these guys do not do well off leash. They will wander off on the trail of game or something and it will be difficult to call them back.

    I had a female Plott Hound Puppy named Sadie to attend my Puppy 1 and Puppy 2 classes when I worked at Petco. This was one of the most intelligent and easy to train dogs with which I have ever worked. She was energetic and at first loved to pull the leash. But by the end of the classes she was doing very well! Her desire to work and please the people was remarkable. But her people exercised her a lot! That is a requirement that I can not stress enough.

    If you want a really sweet, loyal and energetic companion. The Plott Hound is certainly worth consideration.

    If you have any questions about a suitable dog for your pack or if you have training needs, please contact me at any time.

    -Till Next Time-

    William

    William Moore Canine Training
    678-702-4791
    fayettedogtrainer@gmail.com