Socialization -- the most valuable gift you can give your dog

Guest Blogger: Dianna Young of  Camano Island Kennels

Years ago I attended a school for dog trainers in West Virginia. I'll never forget the day a call came in from an official at a nearby county jail. A felon had escaped, and our help was needed to round up the escapee.

Residing at the school was, Floyd, one of the most talented bloodhounds in that entire section of the Appalachians, and it was this dog’s help that the caller really sought. As Floyd's chosen handler, we set out together and I soon found myself huffing and puffing up a steep ridge behind that amazing dog. The way he was snuffling his hound-dog heart out, I figured it was only a matter of minutes until we had this guy up a tree.

But as we crested the ridge, that old boy stopped dead in his tracks. Floyd melted into what we call “passive immobility,” and refused to take another step. Forget about the prisoner’s trail. We had lost him for good.

The reason? A herd of harmless cows that stood gazing dully at us from just over the brow of the hill. This phenomenal bloodhound never had seen cows before, certainly not an entire herd, and his first encounter with them had just overwhelmed him.

This is a great example of why it’s so important to socialize your pup properly to as many things as possible while you have the chance. A cow can be a scary thing if your dog's never seen one before!

Socialization is the act of introducing your pup to situations and experiences, and teaching him or her to deal with them in a calm and confident manner. It is the foundation for any dog’s life, whether he’s a service dog, a hunting dog or a companion animal. Socialization is the imprinting on his mind of resource material that he will use throughout his life.

You won’t have long to do the job right, either. The critical socialization period for any dog is the 63 days of its life between seven weeks and 16 weeks of age. This is the period when socialization will leave the strongest imprint. The window starts to close rapidly after 16 weeks, and although your pup still will be able to receive information, it will not do so as readily or as effectively.

What are the things to which you want to introduce your dog during this impressionable period? Everything you can think of. Introduce him to people, to other dogs, to farm animals and wildlife, to noise and confusion.

Dogs that aren’t properly socialized to people, for example, often grow up to be biters. They may be accepting of members of their human family but at the same time react to people outside their own pack with aggression that’s based in fear. To avert this, take him where people gather. Visit parks and street fairs. See that he’s exposed to different kinds of people; women and men, children of various ages, various ethnic groups. Children are a particularly important category, especially running, shouting children. If you have none of your own, borrow some. Utilize nieces and nephews, or introduce your pup to neighborhood kids or to the Little League team that plays on Saturdays in the local park.

Your pup doesn’t have to actually meet the people you expose him to. He just needs to know that they are out there; that there are lots of people besides the handful who exist inside the security of his own four walls, and that they don’t pose a threat to him.

If you enjoy riding in your car with your dog, start your pup early. Some dogs get to ride in a car only once a year, to go to the vet’s office for booster shots. That can be quite an ordeal for all involved.

Introduce your pup to loud noises. Take him down to the station to watch the Amtrak come through. And if you’re rearing a future gun dog, you’ll want to expose him to the sound of gunshots, of course.

How should you conduct your dog’s exposure to new things? First, put a collar on your pup and attach it to a six-foot leather leash. This puts your pup into a controlled environment, and puts you in control of the environment. Then, think about your own behavior. This is absolutely critical, because you will tell your animal how to feel about what he’s experiencing, whether it’s fireworks, gunfire or a screaming ambulance. He will look to you for leadership, and will take his cue from your demeanor.

When you take him down to see the Amtrak train come by, for example, it’s important that your pup see that its noise doesn’t alarm you or repel you. Don’t pick him up at a critical moment; your dog has to experience life on his own four feet, whether he’s four pounds or 150 pounds. Your goal, however, is to redirect his mind while he’s experiencing something new.

Since a dog can focus on only one task at a time, give his mind something to work on while he’s undergoing the new experience. If your dog has had obedience training, this could be as simple as holding him in a “sit” position. If he’s busy holding a “sit,” he doesn’t have the ability to focus on a train that may make him feel insecure. If he’s not that far advanced, you can distract him by attempting to show him how to sit, or by directing his attention to a treat in your pocket or to a toy.

The hours that you invest in proper socialization when your pup is in the open-window period will pay off in many years of rewarding companionship with a stable, dependable, enjoyable canine companion.

Dianna Young is a certified, professional dog trainer and canine behaviorist who operates Camano Island Kennels Dog Boarding, Grooming and Training Facility and Stella Ruffington’s Doggy Playcare in West Seattle. She can be reached at http://www.camanoislandkennels.com/ or http://www.stellaruffington.com/.

Save the Kitchen Scraps!

Initially I was thinking this super-cool kitchen/garden product had NOTHING to do with pets. Rather, it was about converting smelly kitchen scraps to high quality plant food in days (similar to the pet waste recycler product I wrote about last April...which uses the same hungry micro-organisms to convert pet waste into nutrients for your ornamental gardens).

But I've changed my mind.

The kitchen waste recycler IS pet-friendly. Here's why:

• Kitchen scraps will no longer lure your pets to the garbage can
• Kitchen scraps won't be rotting in the outdoor garbage either, so won't attract the neighbor's pets or wild animals
• You'll be able to make and use pet-safe, organic, odor & chemical-free nutrients in your garden

And it's people-friendly too:

• No more rotting kitchen scrap odors!
• Prevent a bill from the plumber because you put something down the disposal that didn't "dispose"
• Don't need to buy plant fertilizers because you make your own
• Send less waste to land-fills...reduce your garbage bill
• Economical. You'll spend a few buck a month on microbe flakes
• Healthier soil allows for better water retention and healthier, disease-resistant plants 

For the pet-owner/gardener/budget-conscious/semi-conservationist, this product is a missing link.

I met with the inventor, Larry Green MD PhD, recently on his way back from Canada. He told me the Canadian waste management folks are very interested in his invention. So much so, they're considering giving one to each household to reduce landfill waste.

The trick will be getting people to use it...sort of like recycling. It can take awhile for some folks to jump on board. But once it catches on, it will save the municipalities a TON...not to mention being good for the earth vs. a being a burden on it. In fact, used regularly, the Bokashi system will lessen the weight of your garbage by 20 - 30%.

The word Bokashi is Japanese for fermentation and has been practiced there for hundreds of years. The method,  when done properly, breaks down scrap material with natural micro-organisms until it's safe to put in the ground where soil microbes complete the work. The micro-organisms are so safe you can eat them (I am told). And in the right conditions (dark, temperate, moist) they do their job in days vs. weeks or months as would be the case with even the best composting methods...and with a LOT less work.

AND, here's the "cool" part: You can ferment practically anything - even left-over meat and fish. This is the kind of stuff our pets LOVE to get into. And it's the kind of stuff that starts to reek after a day or so...especially in warm weather.

The process is so EASY, even someone as lazy as me can do it.

The kit comes with two very well-constructed receptacles. When you add your kitchen waste, sprinkle the microbe flakes on top, put the ceramic plate on top (to keep air out), then screw the lid back on. Once full, let sit for seven days while you use the second container. When the second one is full, dump the first one in the ground to complete the fermentation process, and now you start over.

Notice the spigot on the side. That is to drain off nutritious microbe "garden tea". Your plants will go crazy for this stuff. Off the shelf, garden tea is very expensive. Now you can make your own.  

We are selling the kitchen and pet waste recyclers at the Flower and Garden Show this weekend. If you swing by our booth # 953, you'll be able to carry one home for only $119.00 plus tax and save on shipping.

If you'd rather have one show up on your door step in a couple days, click here to order one through our store. It'll cost $10 - $15.00 for shipping/handling.

Check out these videos to watch the simple process.

Guest Interview: Reading with Rover Founder, Becky Bishop

Becky Bishop, well-known for her success as co-owner of Puppy Manners, a premier training and boarding facility in Woodinville, shares the challenges, successes, history, and future goals of her 10 year-old foundation, Reading with Rover. You can also learn about Reading with Rover when featured on King 5's Evening Magazine on Wednesday February 23rd.

What inspired you to create Reading with Rover?  I would love to say that I created RwR for children but truth be told, I did it for my dog, Boomer. I was volunteering at the time at hospice with Boomer a very calm, sweet, chocolate Lab. But I could tell working with the terminally ill was not Boomer's calling. He would get depressed with all the sadness surrounding him. But when children  visited, he would light up, wag his tail, and the expression on his face changed. 

Boomer reads a book.

So when Mei Mei WU, a librarian in Bothell, asked if I could help start a program where kids read to dogs, I jumped on it because I knew that it would be something that Boomer would really enjoy. Of course, I love it as well and RwR is for the kids, we just let Boomer think it was for him.

How did you come up with the name?  I wanted it to be something fun and not formal or scary like "Canine Reading Program." I have to give Mei Mei Wu, credit here. She came up with Reading with Rover and I love it! 

Give a lab a book!

What was your vision when the program started?  My initial vision was for all libraries in King County to have a RwR program. But that changed just after we set up our second library on Mercer Island. I received  a call informing me that the King County Library System dismissed our program as well as others and implemented a strict no dog policy. Overnight we were gone. Everyone, including the librarians were in tears.

After a week of sulking, I decided to take RwR to schools and bookstores and offer it, instead, as a program for children with reading challenges. My goal changed and I was re-inspired  to work with children with special learning needs within the school districts.

Has your vision changed as the program has developed?  Our dogs now  help kids with autism, cerebral palsy and other learning and physical challenges. We have branched out from dogs that lay there and listen to children read to dogs that inspire kids to walk and talk. We became a non profit in 2004 and have donated thousands of dollars to children of lower income families to help with educational needs. We also purchase books for the schools where we volunteer. These are books the school could otherwise not afford. 

What are your goals for the future? We would love to have more sponsors or more corporate sponsors like Invisible Fence Northwest that could help take us to a higher level. We want to make a RwR DVD and have those available everywhere in the Seattle area so more people can be aware of who we, what we are, and how they can become involved with their dog.

What has been the biggest challenge in managing this program? Fundraising as well as finding RwR teams and the time to test them is our biggest challenge. I work full-time with my company, Puppy Manners®, and also invest 20 hours a week into RwR as Executive Director. We have a list of schools that want a therapy dog program. Although we have many volunteers, we don’t have enough teams (a handler and a dog) to fulfill that need.

Please describe one of your most memorable RWR stories/moments. I was at Rose Hill Elementary school where I do my weekly reads with my black lab, Bloo. A little boy came in to read to him. The boy had thick black rim glasses, socks that did not match, his hair not combed, and basically unkempt. He sat down and after a long silent petting session, followed up by a hug, he whispered , "I love you Bloo."   I asked him why he loved Bloo so much and he said, "Because he never makes fun of me." That memory, even now, causes me to tear up. The thought that my dog could offer a child a moment of freedom from any pain was more than I ever thought possible.

How can pet owners support Reading with Rover? We would love to have people consider donating to RwR. We are a non- profit and rely on donations. We do not charge for our reading programs. Money we collect goes to help educate people and their dogs as well as to provide educational material for children of a lesser means. 

Also just spread the "Woof" about the program!  If you have a nice dog or your neighbor has a nice dog, consider volunteering with that dog. We also help homeless dogs achieve goals no one ever thought possible and we need volunteers to help us train them. Please contact us if you'd like to join in the fun!

Check out the a Reading with Rover video here!

Ode to Andee the Wonder Dog

I knew when I awoke today that I'd be saying good-bye to my dear companion and work partner, Andee. When Andee was diagnosed with cancer the afternoon of June 5th, I was told he wouldn't have much time. But I was given a gift. Seven months...almost to the minute. When Andee didn't eat yesterday, and barely the day before, I knew the end would be this week.

Over these seven months, Andee had good days and bad. On the bad I'd wonder if the end was coming. Then another good day would follow. Animals are very clear about the end. I knew there would be no question when the time came. This morning Andee made it clear.

I talked to our vet a month ago about options. I had promised myself that when the time came, I'd have my vet come to my home rather than bring Andee to the clinic. I called this morning and arranged for him to come at 2:20 PM. But an emergency C-section pushed our appointment to 5:00.

Andee was ready. He could not get comfortable, seemed confused, and was having difficulty breathing. I found myself wishing for the end to come as soon as possible. I kept looking at the clock wanting it to say 5:00 and was pained by the thought of Andee having to wait for three long hours. Then, sometime between 2:00 and 2:30, Andee passed.

Andee's first portrait

Andee came into our lives 8 years ago. A neighbor found him wondering the neighborhood and spent all afternoon driving around asking people if they recognized him. No luck. I was walking Molly and it was dark already when she drove up to me with Andee in her back seat and asked me about him. She told me she couldn't take him home and I knew the shelter was closed.

I offered to take the dog for the night...which after doing my legal duty to find his previous owner, he became part of our family...and my new work partner.

Andee learns his job 2003

As annoying as Andee could be, he managed to charm dogs and people alike. Customers would say, "Just drop him off when you're in the area," "I wish I could bottle him up," and "Andee's invited to come by any time." Notice it was not ME getting the invitation. But as Andee's mom, I was proud of his popularity and grateful for the experiences we shared as work partners.

Andee Summer 2010

Years ago a co-worker gave Andee the title "The Wonder Dog".

But it is no wonder to me why he'll be missed by so many.

A Calico Named Callie

This is my cat Callie. She's the one on the left. I brought her over to meet a real-life Callie last February. Callie (the real one) was adopted by a lovely retired couple from NOAH (Northwest Organization for Animal Help). Callie instantly became a cherished family member. I met her shortly after she climbed out of her new yard to explore the neighborhood. I was asked to prevent her from ever doing so again.

Callie didn't like me very much. Now I wonder if it had anything to do with the photos I took. The instant I walked through the door to work with her, she'd run and hide under the bed or in the back of a closet. So Callie's owners started a new procedure of closing all interior doors before I arrived. Callie's dislike of me made for some good jokes. "She knows you are to blame for all this!" and "She knows what you do!" Perhaps she did.

Callie quickly learned her boundaries and started using the cat door to access the gardens, patio, and gazebo. This made her very happy..especially in the early morning which was her favorite time to be outside.

Our design kept the squirrels and birds safe too by preventing Callie's access to the feeding area. Since 17% of the wildlife injured and treated at PAWS is cat-related, Callie's owners wanted to do their part to keep all visiting creatures safe. 

We also made sure that Callie would not go out the front door into the front yard. Callie could go right up to the door but not through it. This was important because the afternoon sun warmed the area just inside the front door and Callie loved curling up right there.

Sadly, Callie developed an incurable respiratory illness earlier this year and passed away suddenly and the young age of four. Her owners generously donated her Microlite collar back to NOAH to be used as a fundraiser in her memory. I dedicate this post to a beautiful Calico named Callie. Thank you for the love you shared with so many in your short time here.

Thankful for Happy Moments

I would normally use the word "shocking" to jokingly describe the static discharge generated by our training products. But a few weeks ago, "shocking" or more precisely, "in shock," more closely described my state of being when I was told Andee had lymphoma.

Andee was his normal self on June 3rd when I left for work. My husband arrived home first and called me to say he thought there was something wrong with Andee. 

I raced home (inconveniently pulled over for going 60 in a 50mph on the way), to find Andee in great distress. Instead of his normal loud and obnoxious greeting, he didn't make a sound. His ears were back and his tail was down. I instinctively felt the lymph nodes in his neck. They were swollen.We Googled the address for the Mount Vernon animal hospital and left.

What's normal for Andee (a bonafide foodie) is to willingly plow through any doorway (because there MIGHT be food somewhere inside) but for the first time in his life, he was terrified to go through a door...the front door of the animal hospital. He was so anxious, I was afraid he'd run down the street if I didn't have a firm grip on his leash. Andee would not move away from the car. I was at a complete loss. Fortunately, a staff person saw me struggling with my 90-pound boy and came to my rescue. Together we eventually managed to get him inside.

Once in the exam room, Andee promptly hid under the sink. Then he tried squeezing under a chair. It was disturbing to watch. After the doctor examined him, she explained it was probably one of two things: a rare infection (unlikely) or cancer (likely). She said they'd take blood and biopsies and I'd know the next day. I told her I didn't believe it could be cancer. He was perfectly healthy.

When my vet called the next afternoon, she said all nine biopsies confirmed lymphoma. That's when I went into shock. She also said there's no telling how much time he has left. Days, weeks, or months if we're lucky (I'm feeling lucky). She said the cancer will eventually make it difficult for him to breath and will impact all his organs, so we'll need to decide when to euthanize him.

For treatment we opted for Prednisone over chemo. And thankfully, Andee's doing quite well. Each time I hear him bark or howl, see his tail wag, or hear him get up to follow me into the kitchen for a hopeful snack, I'm happy. With any luck, there are many more happy moments to come.

Finally...a simple, affordable pet health insurance.

Just after I graduated college, I became an insurance agent and bought my first life insurance policy. It's hard to sell something you don't own, so even though my chances of dying were slim, I bought one anyway. I still own that policy...in fact, I own lots of insurance policies now. And if you knew how much I spent on insurance every month, you might say I'm an insurance junkie. But it helps me sleep at night. And that's important.

Years ago when Max broke his leg (see post "Max the almost 3-legged dog") I didn't have pet insurance. I used a combination of American Express and Care Credit to manage the $6,000 debt. I'll never forget how painful that was. At least Max wasn't alone in his suffering.

Sometime later, I purchased VPI pet insurance for all three dogs with annual premiums ranging from $212 to $537. There is a $50.00 deductible and 10% co-payment per incident or illness. I've used it a few times recently and here's how it paid out:

• Two years ago Molly developed some weird intestinal problem. Vet bill: $1642. Reimbursement: $609 or 37%.
• Last Fall Andee had a simple laceration that required stitches. Vet bill: $267. Reimbursement: $160 or 59%.
• Last December I discovered a large diffuse mass along Max's ribcage. Total vet bill to diagnose and remove the tumor was $908 and my reimbursement was $273 or 30%.

I was disappointed by the low pay out. In fact, after I received Max's reimbursement from his tumor removal, I studied the four-page benefit schedule to figure out how it was calculated. Then I called VPI thinking there must be some mistake. I was told that if I'd purchased the "Superior Plan" for another $184 per year, my payout would have been much better. But guess what? Molly had the "Superior Plan" (with an annual price tag of $537) when she was treated for her intestinal issue and I was only reimbursed at 37% (see above).

When it comes to pet insurance, most of us think of it as a luxury, but a luxury we are hesitant to give up once we have it. Just like Invisible Fence Brand. Once you experience the peace of mind that comes from having it, you don't want to live without it.

Recently I switched to what I feel is a better insurance plan. Something simple and predictable: Healthy Paws Pet Insurance. The company was started by a couple of local pet lovers with extensive insurance backgrounds and backed by a financially stable highly-rated parent company. Their goal is simple: offer straight-forward coverage to pet parents who want to ensure their pets receive the best medical care without breaking the family budget.

Healthy Paws coverage isn't calculated from a complicated benefits schedule. It's simple. You build your own plan by choosing one of four annual deductibles and one of three coverage reimbursements. Your premium also depends on the age and breed of your pet. Not surprising, young mixed breeds are the least expensive.

When you submit a claim for coverage,  you know exactly what you will pay and what Healthy Paws will pay. There is no guessing. I am happy to report that Andee now has Healthy Paws Pet Insurance. Max and Molly still have VPI because they have pre-existing conditions that would be excluded under a new policy.
Click here to find out more about Healthy Paws. Enter promo code "IFNW" to receive a 10% lifetime discount courtesy of Invisible Fence Northwest.