How To Train A German Shepherd Dog Read The Secrets

How To Train A German Shepherd Dog Read The Secrets

Now you are the proprietor of a German shepherd. This is one of the most lovely, welcoming dogs there is. It is very famous with countless persons, and it makes a decent regulator. Still, they are dissimilar from other dogs, and they necessity specific German Shepherd dog exercise in order to let them to fit in healthy with your domestic.

Big, solid, and fit, these dogs want quite a bit of inspiration on a psychological level. They also want a lot of workout. Good German shepherd dog exercise will probably nasty you can get your dog to prepare almost everything you wish. German Shepherds do well best when they face actions that task them. They are very prepared to serve persons and make persons cheerful. Many police militaries use them as facility dogs. When they get named into the act, they can't be coordinated.

Once German Shepherds are young, they can be rather disorderly. They might hit over kids so it's a decent idea to discourage them from flying up if they get happy. If you permission the dog home alone, it may harm your stuff. It can use its large teeth and claws to fix the injury. Recall a German shepherd doesn't actually become fully adult until it's about three years old. You have to be persistent and reliable with his exercise. You need to expose the dog to lots of persons and other dogs in instruction to socialize him. This will also stop the dog from evolving aggressive personalities.

You might poverty to enroll the dog in a exercise lecture or at least get physically a good leader that can take you through German Shepherd dog exercise stage by stage. You should jump this at a young time of life. If you study enrolling your dog in a bat, you'll discover that numerous clubs allow dogs to link when they are only a few months childhood. This working out class should be pleasant fun for your dog. It will permit him to play and meet people, while it will too communicate him what is permissible and what isn't. These brands for some valued incentive to your exercise.

Extra thing you need to consider as share of the German shepherd dog exercise is the fact that your German shepherd wills necessity to be groomed frequently. They hut a lot of mop. They shed about once each year. You have to be ready to have dog fur all over the home, on your dress, across your equipment and even in your diet! Get yourself a decent vacuum domestic.

You necessity your German Shepherd to admiration you. It's not a decent idea to use penalty to make this occur. Give the dog a ration of love and a lot of compliance exercise. That is how you'll make admiration. The dog has a countless sense of attachment. He needs your care and he'll prepare whatever he has to in instruction to get it. He may not be loving, but it doesn't nasty he doesn't affection you. It's just their wildlife to act sort of royal and honorable. Occasionally they get stupid if no one is observing.

It takes certain time for the German shepherd to reach maturity. You have to be ready to give certain firm correction. They are lively dogs, so you will have to deliver a place for them to track. Let them travel their environment with their large, lovely noses. You can even attempt to bring in additional dog to let them become the right amount of workout. You don't lack to draw the dog to the household or confine him too abundant.

Let your German shepherd be with persons, meanwhile they thrive on company. They may choice one domestic member as their preferred. You can usage this to your benefit when exercise them. It can be incomes of satisfying them for good conduct. Your kids may loosen all your good work when you're exercise a German shepherd pup. Kids aren't firm with pups. You need to attendant the kids to show the dog in what way to behave fine.

Your German shepherd can be as pleased and famous as he is intended to be. If you increase him well and safeguard that you give him superiority and specific German shepherd dog exercise, he will brand you a glad proprietor with many enjoyable memories. You can't have a healthier associate than the German shepherd. You just want to get ongoing on your exercise and make this dog all you hunger him to stand.

COULD YESTERDAYS GRAND VICTORS BE TODAYS GRAND VICTORS?

Are you of the belief that if a German Shepherd Dog is a good one that he can win in any ring (All Breed and Specialty)? There are some specialty people that wouldn�t be caught dead in an All Breed ring and there are some all breed people that never show their dogs in a specialty ring. Some specialty people feel that the reason some all breed people won�t show in a specialty ring is because they know their dog won�t win there. These same specialty people feel that those all breed dogs are not of the quality of dog that wins at a specialty show. Who�s right? Who�s wrong? I don�t know but I do know that there are some great dogs in our breed that can and does win at both of these types of shows!

Like in many things in today�s society, there seems to be a division even among dog show people. Many people put our German Shepherds into two different categories when it comes to show dogs and that is specialty dogs and all breed dogs. Some don�t believe that a good dog will win anywhere. They are of the belief that a good dog is in the specialty ring��period! These same people expect that the specialty dogs are the ones that you�ll see competing at the National level�.that is the National Specialty Show at the end of the year that is put on by the Parent Club (GSDC of America). They do not expect or think of the all breed dog competing at this level. But indeed, there are those dogs that have won high honors at an all breed show like taking Group 1st and Best in Show competing at the National Specialty show and many times winning top honors as well.

Recently I was thinking about some of our top winning dogs of the past and was looking at some of their pictures. It got me to wondering that if some of the �greats� of the breed were alive today, how well would they do in the ring against our present dogs? Do you think that they would still be the top winning dogs that they once were?

Let�s take for instance one of the all time history making German Shepherds in our breed. That is GV Ch Lance of Fran-Jo ROM. Why do I call him all time history making? He wasn�t in my opinion (by looking at his picture) that extraordinary looking. But this dog more than any other dog in the history of our breed changed the look of the German Shepherd forever. Gone was the boxy, square looking dogs of the earlier years. He introduced a more sloping top line and with a more extreme hindquarter. The way the dogs were stacked when they were set up was completely different from the years before. Lance produced a prettier standing animal. If Lance was shown today, would he, could he still be crowned the Grand Victor?

Would the extreme front and rear of the GV Ch Mannix of Fran-Jo (a Lance son) make him a competitive and winning dog today? How about the beautiful breed type of GV Ch Woodside�s Nestl�s Quik, would he still stand out today?

And what about some of the great producing bitches of yesterday? Think that they would be great producing with today�s blood lines? How about Lance�s mother, Frohlich�s Elsa v. Grunes Tahl ROM. She wasn�t a bitch with much angulation at all but she produced her famous son that was dominating in this area. Her father Ch Riter v. Liebetraum had even less hindquarter. Where did all this hindquarter come from then?

How about Cobert�s Melissa ROM who never made her championship but produced some top champions including GV Ch Lakesides Harrigan ROM, Sel Ch Cobert�s Reno ROM, Sel Ch Lakesides Gilligan Island ROM, etc. Would she still be able to produce top winning dogs today?

Does the style of a great dog change from decade to decade? And if it does change, should the standard be re-written to keep up with this change? Just a thought and question for you��what do you think, would the great ones of yesterday be great ones today?


My rating: A good German Shepherd never goes out of style: (4)

BLOOD, SWEAT AND TEARS!

Yesterday I offered to print an article about anyone's German Shepherd Dog rescues as I believe the work that is done to even rescue one dog is a miracle in itself. True to his helpful nature and his love and dedication for the breed, Bruce McElmurray wrote to me and asked if I would like him to write an article about Connie Williams rescue in Central Colorado. She's also the owner of a rescue list that I send this blog to. I am delighted that Connie consented for Bruce to do her story and have me print it here. Thank you both for this article so the public can get a better understanding of what it is you do.  So the following is Bruce's article about Connie and her rescue efforts.

The face behind the rescue:  Connie Williams

This is about the rescue that I volunteer with, 'German Shepherd Rescue of Central Colorado Inc, a 501c3 state licensed corporation'. Connie Williams, Executive Director, lives on top of a mountain in central Colorado, where she runs the all volunteer rescue organization. Since I don't know about other rescue organizations I will write about the one I am familiar with and what it does from my viewpoint. Connie has several German Shepherd dogs of her own from when she used to show, train and breed German Shepherds. Rescue does not really allow time to do anything but rescue and eat and sleep, so those passions of hers to breed, show and train have presently taken a back seat to saving dogs in need.

Christmas puppy abandoned at 12 weeks and left with a neighbor:

So much goes into the actual rescue of a dog facing death that it is hard to find a starting place As Executive Director she usually starts her day off with reading e-mail, where she gets requests of owner surrender, or volunteers from shelters sending requests for rescue for dogs. Also adoption applications are reviewed and transports in progress and the other daily demands. There is also a web site sponsored by German Shepherd Rescue of Central Colorado that is an extensive network established for other rescues to communicate and facilitate rescues. The rescue also has its own page on Pet Finder for those looking to adopt a GSD. The rescue adopts out to Colorado and several surrounding States. I believe Connie's day starts out like most, where she has to tend to her GSD's as well as the rescues she has on hand. After being fed, watered, and attention given then she can grab a bite to eat while she does computer time and looks for dogs to rescue. Computer time can be exhaustive but there is no extensive time available as other things will not wait.

Another rescued dog - "Black Jack!"

Connie has been involved in rescue for several years and is the go to lady for questions from the various rescue sources due to her many years of experience with the breed. When a rescue is coming in Connie usually goes to pick the dog up. The information on the GSD is reviewed and a file started, the dog fed, watered and settled in. She usually allows a few days for the dog to adjust and settle down from the ordeal it has been through. Then there is the bath, clean up and nail trim where she examines the new rescue carefully. From day one she is silently evaluating the temperament, behavior and demeanor of the new rescue. What commands does the dog know, is it house trained, does it have any injury, deformity or illness. While doing all this the other rescues and her own dogs are competing to get her attention. Even though Connie has been a trainer, breeder and competitor for 40 years she has always rescued dogs in need during that extensive time period.

This is Stryker - before and after his rescue - tied up and left to die:

Then the new rescue has to be checked by a veterinary clinic and will be spayed or neutered if not already. She will then microchip the dog and if the new rescue is in need of training that process will be started. She has a master military trainer that comes on occasion to help her with this. By now this new rescue is her special dog. I'm sure she has some memorable dogs in her many years of doing rescue but from what I have observed, each dog when rescued becomes her very special dog. If the dog has infirmities or medical problems it goes on a special program which Connie then administers.
 
"Shadow" and Rob:

Often when I talk to Connie she is in bed with her feet up to relieve the pain in her back/neck from all the work required in taking care of so many dogs. Even though in frequent pain she does not stop tending to, feeding, cleaning up after, training and grooming these wonderful and extremely grateful dogs. She does this 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year. Add to this her lung problems, it is a personal sacrifice to function for the dogs. Vacations are the rare opportunity when she gets to watch a program on television all the way through. As you can see, being Executive Director is a hands on working position. The rescue has a few volunteers like myself that help where we can. I process her applications and investigate the potential adopters to make sure they are capable of providing a loving forever home for the rescue. The rescue has some volunteers who foster dogs, and some who manage the web site. One volunteer is a master trainer who volunteers also. When it comes down to the grunt work however, there is only Connie.

Once I complete the application investigation I send the information back to Connie with a recommendation and she then reviews it and if she has a dog that would suit the potential adopter she contacts them to arrange a meeting with that dog. She has much to consider as many adopters have small children, other dogs, cats, hamsters, rabbits, and specific traits, colors, size that they want in a dog. They live in private homes, apartments, mobile homes, etc. Many are likely not to get a dog because of their unreasonable requests and expectations but Connie strives to match dogs to adopters that are suitable.

About half of those wanting to adopt a GSD are qualified or suited to adopt a rescue dog. The dogs come from varied circumstances and some were severely abused, emaciated, some no longer wanted, some abandoned and left to die...and just about every conceivable condition and circumstance. Connie lovingly and with devotion tries to rescue as many as she can and make sure they get the loving homes they deserve. To be able to sleep at night this aspect requires a crystal ball to see into the future, an on site evaluation, and judgment. That dog's future rests in her hands.

So how do you describe someone like Connie who devotes her life to saving at need dogs? A woman with a neck/back problem that needs surgery along with serious asthma and lung scarring struggles through each day for the benefit of the dogs. I have heard her say many times that she will keep going as long as she can because there are GSD's that need saving. Words seem somewhat inadequate to express this type of devotion to the GSD breed.

I'm writing this instead of Connie because she would never see this from my perspective as a volunteer. She would relate to you the nuts and bolts of how rescue is done, and omit the personal sacrifice and daily struggles aspect. In the old west they used a term "born with the bark on". Well, Connie Williams was born with the bark on. She is tough as nails, sometimes harsh - probably because she has seen the result of the worst of human kind and what they can do to their 'pets'. Just from my limited exposure I have seen a little of it and it makes my blood boil. But take time to get to know her and once you scratch through that bark you find a compassionate heart, someone who can take the most abused dog and love it and nurture it back to health - both mental and physical. Doing what she does requires a tough exterior to preserve your sanity. As long as there is another dog out there in need, Connie and others very much like her grit through the pain, inconvenience, emotional drain and will do their very best to save that German Shepherd and put it in a loving home.


From the book:  "SEARCH AND RESCUE DOGS: TRAINING THE K-9 HERO"........ From the devastation of the World Trade Center to earthquakes in Central Asia, search and rescue dogs have proven invaluable in helping to find victims of disasters�whether man-made or natural. 

• Clear, step-by-step lessons on training your dog for a variety of search and rescue operations
• Ways to keep your dog�and yourself�safe in the face of disaster
• Practical information on procedures and equipment for dogs, handlers, and human volunteers
• The ultimate experience of the interdependence of Human and Dog

My rating:  GSD Rescues:  (4)

NOT CREATED FOR BORING SAMENESS

I confess that the title of this article wasn�t the brain child of myself, but came from a program I was listening to over the week-end. It got me to thinking of how it applies to us and our dogs.

One of the great things about the German Shepherd Dog is that he is so versatile. If you don�t want to show him in conformation shows any longer, you can train him for obedience trials. If you don�t want to do that, you can just enjoy him as your family pet. He wasn�t born for just one thing. Take him for hikes, take him camping, boating, fishing, jogging or even for rides in the car. He�s not picky. Whatever it is that you enjoy doing; the German Shepherd Dog enjoys doing it with you. There probably isn�t a better companion dog than this breed! Truly this dog�s happiness comes from his interaction with his owner!

How much of your dog�s brain is being utilized? Do you provide him with the stimulation that he needs to develop his fullest potential? How many of these dogs die never knowing what it is to come out of a kennel and go for a walk with their owners? How many fetch a ball? In fact how many of them even know what a ball is and what to do with it?

If your dog was hooked up to one of those brain monitors in the hospital, would a straight line appear all across the screen indicating that he�s brain dead? Or would there be a lively zig zag running across the screen indicating that this dog�s brain is well and very much alive because his owner recognized the need for stimulation in this dog�s life?

Do we owe our dogs anything more than food, water and shelter? Does our responsibility to them extend further than the heat in their kennels in the winter and the air-conditioner in the summer? Is that enough? Do we owe them more than this or are we of the mind set that their basic needs are being met and they�re only a dog and some of us put too much time into �humanizing� them?

So what does that mean��.humanizing them? It would seem to some beyond the three essentials (food, water and shelter) anything more would give the dog a more human nature than that of an animal. So does he need more than the essentials to live? No he could and many do exist just on the essentials. Day in and day out, the same old/same old! After all some would argue, he�s an animal and his basic needs are being met so what more could he want?

To agree with this mind set would be to ignore the very nature of the dog and that is foremost and above all else the reason for his existence in the first place. That is to be a companion to man. Very simple. Very basic. He wants and needs to be with his owner. Once his basic needs are met, his primary goal is to be with his master. Now if one owns a kennel full of dogs, that�s not going to happen too often for most or them or even a few of them.

I�ve read that the brain of a German Shepherd is equal to the brain of a seven year old child. Gee, considering that most of what we learn, we learn in the first five years of life, means that this breed of dog has the capacity to learn so very much. How many of them are being taught all that they can learn? How much stimulation do they receive lying on the floor of a kennel? Very little.

We now know that the dog is capable of more than having an intelligent, teachable brain. We now know that he is also very capable of emotions and feelings. He�s sad when he loses one of his own kind and sad if he should lose his owner. He mourns losses just like we do. He rejoices in companionship with his kind and our kind.

When�s the last time you looked into your dog�s eyes and seen that there is a whole lot more going on behind those �Hershey Browns� then just a dumb dog looking for a treat from his owner? Get close to a dog and he anticipates your every motion. He responses to your every mood. Sometimes it�s as if he knows you�re going to do something before you do! They have this uncanny ability to read us better than we read ourselves.

When you have a �love affair� with your dog�..that is letting him participate in your life, the enrichment that he brings to it would never have been fully realized without him having your permission to truly live his life. In this writer�s opinion a dog that lives his life ONLY in a kennel has never truly lived, rather he�s existed in a small fenced in area in a great big world because his owner didn�t invest the time it would take to realize his dog�s potential. Just imagine what that would be like only being able to walk back and forth, day in and day out and you had the intelligence of a seven year old kid? Now that�s called sad�..


From the book: "HAPPINESS IS A CHOICE"....Kaufman, director of the Option Institute and author of A Land Beyond Tears ( LJ 4/1/82), contends that if you change a belief or attitude you can change your life. A decision to pursue happiness, he claims, can improve relations with others: "We can engineer our own responses, choosing love over hate, peace over conflict and happiness over depression." The first five sections relate Kaufman's philosophy and offer stories of clients' successful changes while in therapy. Section six has short chapters detailing shortcuts to happiness. The book has a four-page bibliography and two pages of additional readings. A cut above most self-help books; recommended.


My rating: Teaching and training the GSD: (4)

WHAT IT ALL COMES DOWN TO

I would say that I�ve read hundreds upon hundreds of quotations and little sayings. I just love discovering some profound �words of wisdom� in a sentence or two or even a short paragraph. It�s always nice to see credit given to the original author of these quotations but sometimes the author is unknown but not any less worthy of having his thoughts shared with those who care to keep him company. So here�s a piece that I ran across recently and how I�ve added my own �words of wisdom� to include my thoughts about the German Shepherd Dog and his people!

The most destructive habit..............................Worry

We breeders have a tendency to worry about if a puppy is going to grow up and realize the potential that we saw in him from the time he took his first step. Sometimes we need to sit back and let the youngster grow up even if it takes him a few years to do it. No one says he has to become a champion from the puppy glasses. Practice patience!

The greatest Joy.................................................Giving

There is nothing more rewarding than giving to those that are on the receiving end of ones generosity. Nowhere is this more evident than with those that help the German Shepherds that are discarded and thrown away like garbage. Rescue is another word for �Giving!�

The greatest loss........................Loss of self-respect

When we see some people doing whatever it is that they feel they need to do to win whether it�s dying a dog�s coat, cosmetically changing a dog�s appearance, using drugs to enhance a dog�s attitude in the ring or buying a judge with favors then it�s time to re-evaluate why you are showing in the first place. When one resorts to underhanded politics to win or get ahead, then not only do they lose people�s interest in their dogs but lose their self-respect among their peers. Once they�re found out, people avoid them like the plague. Selling out to the devil is never a winning proposition!

The most satisfying work....................Helping others

We too often hear of all the bad things other people are doing and unfortunately not enough of all the good things people are doing in this breed. When�s the last time we thanked the rescue workers for all that they do? How about all the many, many volunteers that make up the Parent Club, The German Shepherd Dog Club of America? Thank you�.just two little words that mean so very much!

The ugliest personality trait....................Selfishness

When those few in the breed are only concerned about what�s in it for me than the whole breed suffers because many people will believe that this is what the people in our breed are all about. When the needs of certain people become before the needs of the breed than we are viewed as people that don�t really care and only want what we want.

The most endangered species........Dedicated leaders

Oh my goodness nowhere is there truer in our breed than right now. The Parent Club of the German Shepherd Dog Club of America is in need of strong, dedicated leaders that can lead us out of the darkness of �behind closed door� meetings and bring the club of the greatest breed of dog on this earth to the membership where it belongs!

Our greatest natural resource....................Our youth

We need to remember that our youth are the leaders of tomorrow and the guardianship of the German Shepherd Dog and its clubs and dog shows. Treat our youth kindly, guide our youth and help make them the type of people that can take the responsibility of this great breed to future generations to flourish and grow.

The greatest "shot in the arm"...........Encouragement

Encourage and help the new person so they will look forward to carry on the tradition of responsible German Shepherd Dog ownership.

The greatest problem to overcome........................Fear

Do not fear something that hasn�t even happened because 99% of the time it won�t happen anyway. So do that breeding. Show that dog. Volunteer for that committee!

The most effective sleeping pill.............Peace of mind

I love this one. When you are honest about your breeding program, about your showing ethics, about your involvement in this breed, then you know you�ve done it the right way and indeed sleep will come easily.

The most crippling failure disease....................Excuses

He tried to bite the judge because he had an upset stomach that morning. He didn�t win because the judge is a crook instead of really; truly looking at and evaluating your dog��he�s just not that good!

The most powerful force in life..............................Love

If you don�t know what love is after owning one of these fabulous dogs then you better go out and buy yourself a marble statue which has absolutely no redeeming value whatsoever no less capable of giving you any love!

The most dangerous pariah.............................A gossiper

Do you want to know what a gossiper is? Come follow me, let me introduce you to some of the worlds best��welcome to the world of dog people!

The world's most incredible computer..........The brain

Put your brain to good use and you�ll own a good dog. Put your dog�s brain to good use and you�ll own an incredible dog!

The worst thing to be without................................ Hope

If you don�t come into this breed with hope in your heart, then you�re surely get what you�re expecting��nothing!

The deadliest weapon.......................................The tongue

See gossiper��some lives have been destroyed by a vicious tongue!

The two most power-filled words......................."I Can"

You�ll do in this breed (and life) what you believe �you can!�

The greatest asset......................................................Faith

Believe it can be done and it will be!

The most worthless emotion................................Self-pity

�Oh if only my dog was bred by so and so. If only my dog had better bitches bred to him. If only I was friends with the judge, then my dog would win.� Cry me a river!!

The most beautiful attire.....................................SMILE!

Be more friendly, being more approachable. Smile when you don�t even really feel like it. You�ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain. People like happy people.
The most prized possession.............................. Integrity

Never sell yourself short to win a dog show or breed to a dog because everyone else is doing it. Be true to yourself!

The most powerful channel of communication.....Prayer

Yes it takes a good dog to win, but sometimes it takes a little bit of luck and a whole lot of prayers!

The most contagious spirit..............................Enthusiasm

Everybody loves a winner is not necessarily true in the show ring, but even when there are those that are not happy for your win, show your enthusiasm for the breed anyway. Who knows, they just might hate you a little bit more!!!


From the book: "THE BOOK OF POSITIVE QUOTATIONS"....This book is the best I've seen....on positive quotes and inspirational ones....If you're into inspirational quotes and want them broken down by category, this is your book.


My rating: Raising, breeding & showing dogs with integrity: (4)

IS A CHAMPION BORN OR MADE?

When I see all of the titles that some people have attached to their dogs names in the front of it as well as the end of it, I�m totally amazed. These breeder/owners are truly utilizing everything that is available to them to get their dogs titled whether its conformation, obedience, hips/elbows, or heath and temperament. This then is truly a partnership. The dog is genetically born to be what he will be, but it is the owner�s true dedication to ensure that her animal will be that and so much more!

I remember one of the icons of the breed wrote to me privately about something I wrote one time and he told me that he is the creator of the puppies that he produces. He is the genius behind their greatness! He was certainly very successful and his dogs are behind many of today�s top winners but his words made me stop and think. I think the word �create� made me uncomfortable. I think one may say that they are the �mastermind� behind their dog�s greatness. One may say that they are responsible for the combination of the bloodlines that their dogs have. But I don�t know that I agree with the theory that man creates the dogs that he owns. We can�t create the DNA combination that our dogs carry in their bloodlines. Sure because we are their breeders, we chose the partners for our dogs and therefore are responsible for the bloodlines that our puppies have, but we can never take credit for the combination of those genes because we just don�t know which ones will produce the finished animal. That is up to the true creator to establish that.

I believe that breeders can produce some outstanding dogs. The dog may have every wonderful physical and mental attribute that one may wish for. He may be the best side gaiting dog you ever bred. His coat, his pigment, his secondary sex characteristics may be everything that you are looking for. Then you put him on a lead and he plods along side of you. You�ve even sent him away to be trained. You�ve taught him how to bait, you�ve rung the bells, you�ve coughed, you�ve clapped, you even did the occasional cart wheel or two at ring side to get your �uninterested� pooch�s attention. He may look in your direction like you�re crazy, but he still plods along side his �very expensive� handler. This is indeed the type of dog that makes you want to pull your hair out. He is everything you�ve ever wanted to breed for, but his lack of attitude challenges that assessment!

A champion quality young dog may be sitting in your backyard right now and no one will ever see him in the show ring. Oh you tried several times showing him, but it became clear to you that he was far more comfortable at home then running around in circles in some dirty old ring. This is every breeder/exhibitor�s nightmare. No attitude means his chance of winning his championship title is slim, but not impossible. If he does attain the title, you�ve probably vowed never to even try to put him in the specials class because getting him his championship title just about cost you your sanity.

So many young dogs may be born for greatness but will never realize his full potential because he has made up his mind that showing is just too darn boring and a waste of his precious time. I am a firm believer that you can�t put attitude in a dog. Either he has it or he doesn�t. It�s just like some people. Some people are very �out there� and jumping from one thing to another. It seems like they never can sit still. Then you have others that seem like they�re �half dead.� The sky could be falling and they wouldn�t even know it was happening. It�s no different with the dog.

I believe that the potential for a champion may be bred into him. I believe that the breeder/exhibitor is responsible to give her animal every chance to utilize that potential to become the best that he can be. I don�t believe however, that you can make a dog a champion without his cooperation.


My rating: Show Dogs need a good attitude for the conformation ring: (4)

HELPING A CHILD SAY GOOD-BYE TO "BABY DOLL!"

It�s bad enough that we as adults have to deal with the death of a beloved pet or have to face the decision to have them put them to sleep, but helping a child deal with it makes it a whole lot harder.

I�m dealing with this right now. I mentor a teenage girl who is problematic and emotionally immature to begin with. She comes from an abusive background and was taken away from her mother and doesn�t know her father. For the last several years she was raised by her beloved grandparents. Both of them died last year and in their will they left her their old dog, "Baby Doll." No she�s not a German Shepherd, but nevertheless loved just the same. This girl has this very old dog and a much younger one as well. To make a long story short, just recently "Baby Doll" was diagnosed with cancer and she hasn�t been doing well this past week. She�s been to the vet and has an appointment to be put to sleep this Monday.

As I said this girl has many problems to begin with and especially has an abandonment issue. On top of it she is in a special needs class in high school where she is bullied and picked on. I correspond with her every single day (and I never met her, nor does she live in my state), but she�s attached herself to me and I try to be there and help her the best that I can. She has been very challenging to say the least. But now she�s has been handed another blow and that is dealing soon with another loss, her beloved grandmother�s dog. The only love this child knew was the love of her grandparents and now losing their dog is just about too much for her.

So she�s asking me a million and one questions to help her understand about the process of putting an animal to sleep and wondering if "Baby Doll" will go to Heaven. Oh if only I had a magic wand and could make the pains of the world go away��but alas, that�s not ever going to happen.

So having to prepare her for Monday and the �putting to sleep� of "Baby Doll" is one of my more challenging things that I have to deal with especially because she�s there and I�m here. She will be confused and even frightened by seeing the lifeless body of her dog after the euthanasia is performed. She told me that she�s decided to stay with her when they put her to sleep. I don�t know if she�ll be strong enough for this, but she was with her grandmother when she died as well and she�s still carrying the weight of that around her shoulders all the time. I know God put this girl in my life for a reason, but "Oh Lord, this one keeps me on my knees!"

It is best to be honest with a child about his terminally ill pet and the decision to euthanize him. Just realize that they are an appropriate level of details that should be related to the child depending upon his age. Very young children need to know that this is final and that their pet isn�t going to wake up or come back home with them.

To say that the pet "went away" or is "in heaven" without offering any other details can also confuse children. Older children need to know the reasons why this decision is being made, and why it is humane for the suffering animal.

To be or not to be present at the actual euthanasia is a question many adults wrestle with. This is a personal decision, and one that should be discussed with your veterinarian. When children are involved, some veterinarians do not allow children under the age of 5 to be present for the actual euthanasia. Some feel that very young children have a hard enough time understanding the concept of death and that witnessing the event does not make it easier to understand or cope. Even kids up to the teenager years can have a difficult time understanding the reasons why and the emotions involved with the act of euthanasia.

It is important to realize that when the humans (adults and children) are upset, the pet is, too. While difficult, it is important that the humans try to lend support and comfort to their animal friend in this last time of need. Seeing their humans upset may upset the pet, too.

Children may take a longer time to grieve and get over the loss of a pet than adults do. They may get depressed, act out or be gloomy which is normal and with time should go away. There are warning signs of severe or prolonged grief which need to be addressed depending upon the child�s age, relationship with the pet, emotional maturity, circumstances involved with the death, etc. Some of the signs of grief in children may include: not interested in usual activities, withdrawing from friends and family, eating considerably less than usual, reverting to pre-potty training or bed wetting, afraid of being alone or going to sleep, nightmares, and preoccupied with thoughts of death.

It is important that the child not be belittled for grieving the loss of his pet. It is not the wise parent that makes little of the loss of a pet by saying, �Oh he was old anyway, or we�ll get a new one tomorrow dismissing the child�s relationships with his pet. It does not matter how insignificant the pet was to adult. If the pet was important to the child, then the parent needs to recognize that and accept the child�s feelings and emotions.

To help the child have some kind of closure, a parent may want to have a ceremony for the pet like a burial or memorial service in the backyard. Perhaps the pet can have a gravestone where he is buried. Maybe he can be buried under a special tree. Maybe the child can decorate the urn of the pet�s ashes. Perhaps he would like to draw a special picture of his pet. Buy some balloons and put little notes of love to the animal inside and blow the balloons up and let the child release them in the air as if he were sending a message to his pet in Heaven.

Should you buy a new pet for your child? It�s normally not a wise thing right after the loss of one pet. One pet cannot replace another. The child needs to go through the grieving process, say his goodbyes, let go and then start to heal before he thinks of getting another pet. Normally he�s ready for another one, when he starts talking about having a new pet.

So soon "Baby Doll" will join the other beloved pets in "Dog Heaven" and we here on earth are left to grieve and miss them and wonder why until the good Lord sees fit for us all to be reunited once again!


From the book: "WHEN CHILDREN GRIEVE" - It would be a pity if this interesting, humane, and practical book were read only by parents of recently bereaved children--for two reasons. First, the book is about grief in a broad sense. Its lessons apply not only to the child whose pet, aunt, or parent has died, but also to the child whose parents have divorced, who has suffered a debilitating injury, or who has experienced other forms of traumatic loss. Second, let's face it: every child will suffer a loss at some point, so it behooves parents to be prepared in advance. As the authors say, "our task as parents is to prepare our children to deal with the experiences they will have."


My rating: Acknowledging and accepting the child length of grieving: (4)

THE TELLINGTON T TOUCH

I�ve been interested in this subject for awhile. I know how important therapeutic touch can be for us humans. It would only stand to reason that it would be important to our companion animals as well. Just look how good our dog feels when we pet and stroke them. Some of them live for the time that we give them affection and attention. It�s what they thrive on.

Having been trained as an esthetician I know the importance of massage to make a client feel relaxed and comforted. It helps reduce their blood pressure and for the hour or so that they are receiving this relaxing massage, they can literally tune the world out of their thoughts. I personally feel if people got massages, the world would be a better place to live. No I�m serious. We run around with tight muscles in our neck and shoulders where all the tensions and stress of the day accumulates. Every worry that you have will eventually present its ticket to your body in the form of tight muscles, headaches, stomach problems and gastro-intestinal illnesses. I strongly believe along with other environmental health triggers that the mind/body connection helps determine how we feel. Well the same thing can be said for our dogs. Of course they�re not carrying the world upon their shoulders, but they do get stressed just the same.

I remember the first time I ever received a professional massage was when I was in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Hotel. I had planned on getting the massage and then going to the swimming pool. When I was finished receiving the massage, I was so weak and relaxed that all I could think of doing was going back to my room and sleeping. The swimming pool was the last thing on my mind. Just see how wonderful our world would be if everyone got a massage!

The Tellington T Touch system was developed by Linda Tellington Jones, PhD who is an internationally recognized animal expert. The Tellintong T Touch system is a method based on circular movements of the fingers and hands all over the body. The intent of the TTouch is to activate the function of the cells and awaken cellular intelligence - a little like "turning on the electric lights of the body."

The TTouch is done on the entire body, and each circular TTouch is complete within itself. Therefore it is not necessary to understand anatomy to be successful in speeding up the healing of injuries or ailments, or changing undesirable habits or behavior.

This method based on cooperation and respect offers a positive approach to training, can improve performance and health and presents solutions to common behavioral and physical problems. It also helps establish a deeper rapport between humans and animals through increased understanding and more effective communication.

Using a combination of specific touches lifts, and movement exercises, TTouch helps to release tension and increase body awareness. This allows the animal to be handled without provoking typical fear responses. The animal can then more easily learn new and more appropriate behaviors. By using the TTouch and a variety of other tools, like the Confidence Course, you can assist the animal in experiencing self-confidence in previously frightening situations. Even the most difficult problems are often eliminated. You can also learn how to apply the Tellington TTouch to assist with recovery from illness or injury, or just enhance the quality of your animal's life.

The Tellington TTouch can help in cases of:
� Excessive Barking & Chewing
� Leash Pulling
� Jumping Up
� Aggressive Behavior
� Extreme Fear & Shyness
� Resistance to Grooming
� Excitability & Nervousness
� Car Sickness
� Problems Associated With Aging

I confess I�m not familiar with the techniques of the Tellington T Touch, but with the massages that I give my dogs, they�re not complaining. Some dogs even love it when you massage their toes. After all the feet carries the weight of the body. With one of my dogs, all I have to do is touch her and she collapses at my feet ready for me to work my �magic� on her. Sometimes I feel like telling her she�s a lot younger and healthier than me and I should be the one laying down getting the massage. But somehow I don�t think she understands me and if she did, she wouldn�t want to relinquish her position of receiving the massage anyway!


From the book: GETTING IN T TOUCH WITH YOUR DOG - Animal bodywork expert Linda Tellington-Jones's latest offering is Getting in Touch with Your Dog: A Gentle Approach to Influencing Behavior, Health, and Performance. Tellington developed the Tellington Touch Method (TTouch) throughout her 40-year career working with animals. Here, she offers a way to effectively influence dogs' behavior and character, as well as their ability to learn. The guide enforces mutual respect between dog and owner, stressing a relationship based on appreciation and friendship rather than dominance and submission. By using a specific combination of Touches (there are 22 altogether) and performing exercises, Tellington insists dogs' performance, health and behavior can improve.


My rating: dog massage: (4)

"I JUST DROPPED IN TO SEE WHAT CONDITION MY CONDITION WAS IN!"

I think I�ve mentioned that I love music and their lyrics as well as my love of quotations. The title of today�s blog article is from an old song that Kenny Rogers made popular many years ago. Aww��.�the genus of a song writer�s quick wit and imagination!

Several months ago I wrote about taking care of ourselves as we hit our senior years. We are all concerned about our aging dog�s health, but if we are not healthy ourselves taking care of a breed like the German Shepherd Dog can prove very challenging indeed. I bring this subject up again because of an e-mail letter that I read on one of the rescue groups that I send this blog to. A woman wrote that she didn�t feel that she could take care of a rescue like the German Shepherd Dog. She felt she was too old to take care of a dog. I think she said that she was 60 years old or in her early 60�s. So she was being honest and this is how she felt. Well many people wrote in response about this subject of the mature person taking care of this breed. I think everyone who wrote thought that the woman�s age should not have been a deciding factor about taking care of a rescued dog. Some went on to tell of many wonderful people in their advanced senior years happily and capably taking care of a dog or two or even more. But one must remember that not everyone�s circumstances are alike.

So I thought I would re-visit this subject again. Like the breed that we all love, some of us age better than others. While we may read of the 80 year old woman who just graduated from college or the 72 year old man that just ran the Boston marathon, those numbers are fewer than what the average person of this age is doing. Few (but some) may say that they are feeling better now than they ever did when they were in their thirties. However, this is just not the normal confession of a person over sixty.

Taking care of and raising a German Shepherd Dog is work��period! It is not all fun and games. It�s not just about throwing a ball to �Shep� a couple of times a week or teaching him how to sit or roll over. It�s a lot more and then some. Because each of our dogs like ourselves is individuals, they learn differently, they react differently, they age differently, and the one constant is that they challenge us differently. It�s just like kids. Some kids never give you any problems and are a �dream come true� when raising them. Then there are those that keep you down on your knees visiting God in prayer more then you ever did in your entire lifetime. Well it�s the same thing with raising a German Shepherd Dog. They all might be labeled a German Shepherd, but they�re all not cut out from the same mold.

In an ideal world, we humans will age well. We won�t be troubled by arthritis or other crippling physical and mental disabilities. We will not have had suffered a car accident or an accident on the job. Depression will not have immobilized us. Our life�s partner will remain healthy as well and we�ll both take that trip to the �pearly white gates� of Heaven at the same time. Our dogs will live to be a ripe old age of 15 or 16 with never a moan or a groan because arthritis is keeping them from doing the things that they love. His hearing will be as sharp as when he was a six month old puppy. He�ll eat well until the day he dies and he�ll slip away to the �Rainbow Bridge� while peacefully sleeping on his soft warm bed. Yes this is in an ideal world!

But what about reality? How does it work in the real world? What about those of us who don�t age well? What about our dogs that don�t fair any better? Maybe the sixty year old woman has all she can do to get out of bed in the morning. We�re not walking in her shoes��.or moving around in her body. Maybe our grandmother doesn�t look a day over fifty, but this woman may feel several years over seventy. We all know what we are capable of doing. What feels right for one person may not feel right for another person.

Because all German Shepherds are not created equal��because they all come from different pedigrees��..and if you are adopting a rescue dog��.we don�t know how he was raised. Some in this breed make wonderful house dogs and you wouldn�t even know that they are there. Well except when you want to use the bathroom and you notice a shadow following you. But let�s face it, some dogs make excellent house dogs and others do not. Case in point, most of you know that I own three bitches. I own the mother dog and her two daughters. The mother dog is my constant companion as she�s my house dog. Her two daughters are the �Wild Childs!� Would they make good house dogs? No, no and again no. Oh they�re in the house a few times a day and when they are, its total chaos�s. Their mother was very easy to train. Her daughters are much wilder than she ever was. �Bu� can never sit still and her sister �Jess� imitates everything that she does. Now my house dog would be great living with a senior citizen. Just give her love 24 hours a day and feed her and she�ll be happy and content. Would her daughters be good companions for a senior citizen? NO! They might put her in an early grave!

Another thing to consider is the financial responsibility for the senior citizen especially if she�s living on a fixed income. Taking care of dogs is expensive. Some are wondering how they�re going to feed themselves no less a dependent animal.

Don�t get me wrong, I�m not saying that all people over sixty have one foot in the grave! Not at all. Many people are healthy and strong and have taken good care of themselves and are aging very well. But there may come the day that age does get in their way and I don�t care how well someone ages, he isn�t what he used to be. Each step becomes more calculated. A dog not only needs his basic needs to be met, food, water and shelter, but he needs a fair amount of exercise to keep him healthy and strong. If the human isn�t up to that then both of them may suffer.

On the other hand, a dog can be the greatest gift for a senior for many reasons. A dog can give the aging owner a reason to get up out of bed in the morning to begin with. The dog can provide comfort and companionship to an otherwise lonely person that may have said good bye to some important people in her life. A dog can provide hours of entertainment and laughter to someone that might need a good laugh once in awhile. Taking care of a dog can take one�s mind off of her own problems and help soothe a weary soul.

So not everyone�s conditions are the same. Some age well. Others do not. Some are financially secure. Others are not. Before you take on the added responsibility of a dog, check out �what conditions your conditions are in!�


Taken from the Audio CD..."21 NUMBER ONES"..........The gravel-and-grits voice of Kenny Rogers ultimately came to define the "Urban Cowboy" era of pop excess, even as the earlier "Lucille" and "The Gambler" were some of the most galvanizing story songs in country music's history. Looking back at this body of hits, it's easy to poke fun at the treacley "You Decorated My Life" or wince at the cheesy string arrangements on "Through the Years." It's also natural to wish Rogers had never heard of Sheena Easton, his misguided duet partner on "We've Got Tonight," and recorded more with the soulful, sad Dottie West ("Every Time Two Fools Collide") and the randy Dolly Parton ("Islands in the Stream"). (A bonus track, "Don't Fall in Love with a Dreamer," pairs him with old pal Kim Carnes.) As the years went by, Rogers got fatter, lazier, and more content to make crappy TV movies and wallow in the flaccid sentimentality of adult contemporary pop ("Buy Me a Rose"). He also got smug--the worst of sins for a man in his business. But behind the microphone, he always knew how to make even the hoariest of lyrics resonate with feeling. And at his peak, he was the perfect male country superstar, equal parts swagger and sweet, sweet promise. --Alanna Nash


My rating: The German Shepherd Dog is right for everyone: (1 - 4), Senior Citizen raising the German Shepherd Dog: (1 - 4)

WHAT TYPE OF PEOPLE OWNS THE GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG?

Is there any one personality type that chooses to own a German Shepherd Dog? Do we all have similar personality traits? Absolutely and totally no we do not! Are our personalities anything like the breed that we love? Are we a noble, proud and loyal bunch of people? Can we be trusted no matter what? Will we come to the defense of those that we care about? Are we intelligent and do we learn quickly? One shoe most definitely does not fit all when it comes to those people that own this breed. But there must be a reason why we chose the breed that we do. They must answer some type of need that we have when we decided that the German Shepherd Dog is the dog for us.

So who is it that owns this �King� of dogs? It�s the lawyer, the doctor, the secretary, the nurse, the homemaker and people just like you and me. It�s the outdoors type of person. It�s the couch potato. It�s the friendly, �wish he was your best friend� kind of person. And it�s also the �no good for nothing� kind of person as well. Yes this dog is universal in his appeal to the general public.

One person may include his German Shepherd Dog in all of his activities with his family. The dog may have sleeping rights to juniors bed at night or may be found curled up at the bottom of the bed lying next to his master�s side. He may be treated like one of the kids of the family. He swims in the pool, sails the ocean with his master, goes fishing down at the pond, and he even eats left over steak once in awhile. He competes for as many toy�s in his dog chest as little Johnny has in his toy chest. He�s made a fool of when it�s his birthday and gets gifts wrapped up in pretty wrapping paper and bows. We may even bake a cake for him. And then again we may even take pictures of him in a totally ridiculous looking hat we made just for him. Yup, we humans sometimes have a way of trying to humanize our dogs! Some of us readily admit it while others do these �cute� little things for them behind closed doors just in case the men in the white coats are on the prowl that day!

Then there are those owners that treat �Duke� like, �Yeah, so what, he�s just a dog!� He never gets to come into the house to receive the attention that he�s dying for. He doesn�t even know that his master has little Susie May and Dexter Lee as the children in the family. Heck he doesn�t even know what children look like. His �home� probably consists of some old broken down dog house held together by very rusty nails that soon will be giving way to old age and then Duke won�t have a dog house at all. He doesn�t even have the benefit of a fenced in yard to play in. Oh there�s lots of property here alright, but he never gets to explore it. In the ten acres or so his master owns he�s only been on 20 feet of it. His chain is too strong even for his powerful body to break free from. When supper time rolls around, he anxiously awaits his Wal-Mart�s brand of food that his master got on special this week. Steak, what�s that? It would probably me a shock for good old Duke�s system if a piece of it were kindly thrown his way. Toys, bones, swimming pool, boat, a warm bed...............not in this dog�s lifetime!

There are also those people who own this breed that kennel their dogs. The dogs are well fed, watered and vaccinated. They�re warm in the winter and cool in the summer in their climate controlled dog kennel. They exercise on cement or dirt flooring by chasing the dog next to their dog run. They�re fed a decent to high end quality food. They get fresh air and sometimes are even taken out to be played with. Some of them are trained to be show dogs or obedience dogs. Many of them are used for breeding purposes. Most of the time, they belong to caring owners. But sometimes they are owned by owners looking to make money by breeding their animals over and over again until they�re all worn out. The latter are what some would call puppy mills. These are not true lovers of the noble German Shepherd Dog.

Is it the strong type of personalities that own this breed or is it the more kindly, friendly type of person you�ll see walking proudly besides his dog down the street? Are these people sweet natured or mean spirited? Well actually you�ll see both types that own the German Shepherd Dog. And you know what because of the nature of this animal; they love their master no matter what. They adore the attention that they get from the warm, loving, nurturing master that owns them. There isn�t too much that they wouldn�t do for another belly rub. On the other hand those that are owned by the cold, �go away don�t bother me� type personality equally or even more so vies for the attention that his owner is giving to something else and not to him. The German Shepherd thrives on attention from his loved one even if that loved one is incapable of giving it to him. It is his mission in live to change his mind.

Then there are those types of people who have no love at all to give. To this type of personality, the German Shepherd is a money maker. He is after all the second most registered dog in the American Kennel Club. There�s no denying his popularity and in some peoples minds his money making capabilities. This dog was never bought to throw a ball to and to discover the true meaning of what it is to be �man�s best friend.� The dog is the owner�s property to do whatever it is he wants to do with him. Just as long as he�s making money from him, that�s all he cares about. It�s as if the dog is his tenant and he pays �rent� to stay in his kennel or make-shift dog run or mud hole by �spitting� out puppy after puppy. It�s like the dog and man have what used to be called the barter system. I want this from you so in order for you to get it, you have to give me something in return. There are no free rides here for this dog. This dog is paying (literally) for his time on this earth.

So there you have it. There are many wonderful people that own this beautiful breed of ours and know the true value of ownership of the German Shepherd Dog. They have developed and maintained the integrity and beauty of the breed. The others, although thankfully fewer in numbers have used and abused this dogs worthiness for their own financial gain. I don�t think, but I know that I like the first group of people a whole lot better than the second group of people! Oh yeah, if the German Shepherd could talk, I know he�d agree too!


From the book: "PLEASE UNDERSTAND ME: CHARACTER AND TEMPERAMENT TYPES"......Does your spouse's need to alphabetically organize books on the shelves puzzle you? Do your boss's tsunami-like moods leave you exasperated? Do your child's constant questions make you batty? If you've ever wanted to change your mate, your coworkers, or a family member, then "Put down your chisel," advise David Keirsey and Marilyn Bates in this book of personality types. We are different for a reason, and that reason is probably more good than bad. Keirsey and Bates believe that not only is it impossible to truly change others (which they call embarking on a "Pygmalion project"), it's much more important to understand and affirm differences. Sounds easier than it is, you might say. Well, this book is a guide for putting an end to the Pygmalion projects in your life and starting on the path to acceptance.


My rating: Accepting other peoples differences: (1 - 4)!

DOG BREEDING PROBLEMS - (Conclusion)

Mastitis is an inflammation and infection of the mammary glands. I only had this happen once to one of my bitches. It was very painful for the bitch and lots of work for me. One of my breeder friends is going through this now with one of her �first time mother� bitches. It got so bad for her bitch that she was bleeding and now she has had to take the puppies off of the mother at two weeks of age and has been bottle feeding the new babies.

Mastitis if localized to one gland by show no signs of illness. If it spreads throughout the mammary gland, she may show signs of illness. The bitch�s mammary glands should be checked daily for signs of warmth, pain or hardness. Her milk should also be checked daily for color and consistency. If the bitch has mastitis her milk may be off color and clumping. She may run a fever and even refuse to nurse her puppies. Upon diagnosis of the condition, treatment will depend on the severity of the condition. Treatment may include antibiotics, hot packing the affected glands and milking out the affected glands. If the milk remains normal, the puppies can continue to nurse from the affected gland.

When the uterus gets an infection and inflammation it could be caused by a condition known as Metritis. The symptoms will usually be noticeably 3-7 days postpartum and include fever, foul-smelling vaginal discharge, lack of appetite, listlessness, lack of maternal instincts and decrease in mild production. A diagnosis is confirmed through blood work and x-rays. The reason an x-ray is done is to make sure that no fetuses have been retained. The treatment for a bitch that has metritis is antibiotics and fluid therapy. Having the bitch spayed is curative if she is able to handle the surgery.

Pyometra is an infection in the uterus in which the uterus fills with pus. This is typically seen 2-12 weeks after a heat cycle. The symptoms you may see are vomiting, listlessness and an increase in drinking. If the cervix is open, a discharge from the vagina is seen. If it is closed then no discharge is seen. A diagnosis is made by a physical exam, blood work and x-rays. Ideally a vet may want to spay the bitch. If the bitches� condition is caught early enough, she will need to be stabilized before surgery is attempted. If the breeder wants to keep this bitch for breeding, antibiotic therapy could be tried, but it usually is not successful.

Subinvolution of placental sites occurs when the uterus does not fully repair itself after delivery. This results in a vaginal discharge beyond the normal six weeks postpartum. Usually treatment is not necessary as the bitch is healthy and able to become pregnant again.

Because subinvolution of the placental sites, metritis and pyometra may all have a vaginal discharge, a proper diagnosis is necessary as metritis and pyometra need to be treated.

When uterine prolapse occurs, the uterus is pushed out of the body through the vagina. Treatment consists of manual replacement of the uterus or an ovariohysterectomy (spay).

Normally in a bitch the size of a German Shepherd, retained placentas a rarely a problem. Usually the placenta is passed within 15 minutes of each puppy and the bitch may eat it. Treatment may include an oxytocin injection.
Sometimes a mother will show a lack of maternal instinct for her puppies. I have never had a bitch do this although I had one bitch that was what I call a �dense� mother. She�d nurse and clean her puppies just fine, but lack of normal German Shepherd intelligence is something she didn�t display when it came to taking good care of her babies. She was very people oriented and cared more about you coming in to greet and pet her than nursing her babies. She would stand up in the whelping box and step all over her puppies. I leased this bitch and although beautiful in breed type, she was in �another world� when it came to true German Shepherd intelligence.

Some think that a lack of maternal instinct for a bitch to care for her puppies is due to genetics and the amount of maternal drive the bitch�s dam showed for her offspring or it could be illness or stress due to the owners own level or stress or poor environment. Sometimes a first time mom will need several days to find out what her role is being a mother and will need assistance from the owner in helping her until she does. She may need to be made to lay down for the puppies to nurse and be praised when she shows interest in the puppies. If she is going to come around and care for the puppies, it should occur within several days.

Also sometimes if a puppy is very large or is not positioned in the birth canal correctly, the bitch may have a difficult time delivering the puppy. I�ve seen puppies stick their little heads out of the birth canal only to be sucked back up inside the mother again. This always makes me nervous. You have to wait until the bitch produces another contraction and many times you will find yourself having to gently grab the puppy and pull when she is having a contraction. This can be painful and a tough birth for her and hard on you if you are delivering the puppies by yourself. It�s always better if you have the assistance of someone else so that they can hold the bitches head while you gently remove the puppy. No matter how gentle you are, the �momma� dog is going to feel pain.

So although most German Shepherds don�t have too many problems when it comes to whelping a litter, sooner or later you will run into one that does. Good luck and here�s wishing all of you happy and healthy litters of newborns! Oh yeah, the next time a pet person asks you �Why do you charge so much money for your puppies,� show them this article!!!!! Who ever said there was money to be made breeding dogs hasn�t tried it yet.


From the book: BREEDING BETTER DOGS....DogRead book of the month March 2002 This book was chose to be on the prestigious 'DogRead' ... as a book selection of the month. We only do 12 books or videos a year. The author comes on line for the whole month to answer questions on the book. To be selected for this group means the book or video MUST be one of the very best it its field. treshell owner DogRead..........This is an exceptional book. Easy to understand, gets you involved and interested in a subject that might scare a few away. I love it and often go back to remind myself of the basics.


My rating: Breeding should be done by educated breeders: (4)

PUT ME IN COACH

PUT ME IN COACH
By
Barbara J. Galasso


The hallways are alive with activity as the doctors and nurses rush to do their duties. People come and go to pay their respects to the ill. Announcements are made over the intercom calling Dr. James to come to the third floor. Patients are pushed in wheel chairs to their next CAT scan appointment. And so the day goes on as all the days before at the North side City Hospital.

The sun tries to sneak its head through the cloudy grey morning sky with little success. The quiet peace of morning is interrupted by the shrieking sounds of the ambulance rushing down the street heading to the back entrance that leads to the emergency room. People who live in this neighborhood are all too familiar with this unnerving sound of doom as they peek out their windows more from habit than curiosity. They've seen enough to satisfy their curiosity in the past, but today they bring a young boy in.

"Doctor, our son, how is our son?" the father anxiously asks as his wife clings to him for support. The doctor looks tired as he comes out of the operating room. "Well the good news is that your son made it through the operation just fine", he tells the anxious but relieved parents. The mother almost collapses from exhaustion. "Yes, do sit down", the doctor tells them. You've been through a great deal of stress. It seems when your son, was hit by that car on his way to football practice, it threw him and he landed on his back. He has extensive damage to his vertebrae, severed nerves in his legs, a broken collar bone and a dislocated hip.� The mother lets out a gasp and begins to cry.

"What's the prognosis, Dr. James?� the father asks. "Well I'll tell you Mr. & Mrs. Baxter, Johnny's not going to be able to play football for a very long time, if at all. He's going to need extensive physical therapy." "Oh no, Mr. Baxter says. Football is his life." Mrs. Baxter breathes a sigh of relief just happy that her son is alive.

The first few days pass and Johnny is heavily sedated because of the pain he sustained from the accident. When he wakes, it's decided that the father will be the one to tell him about the seriousness of his injuries. The mother sits quietly by his bedside as the doctor stands in the far corner of the room over by the window. Dr. James is rather thankful for the noise that the radiator is making today as it drowns out some of the words that are spoken between father and son. But it's not nearly loud enough when the father tells his son, "Johnny, you may never be able to play football again." A loud hysterical shriek can be heard coming from Room 56. Dr. James then decides he needs to step in. He tells Johnny there is a 50/50 change he can resume his life with physical therapy. "And what are my chances of every playing football again?" he cries. "That my son, I can't guarantee you.� Johnny yells at all of them to get out of his room and leave him alone. He decides to suffer his grief by himself as only a 16 year old boy can do. He sobs aloud, and even with his door shut, his broken heart is shared by those who walk past his room.

For the next few days, Johnny refuses all food and is forced to be fed by IV again. He pulls the needle out from his already very black and blue hand. The nurses keep reporting his uncooperative behavior to the doctor. The doctor sends a physical therapist in by the name of Mr. Hardy to talk to him. He tells him that in another two weeks, they will begin their work. "What's the use? Johnny screams. I'm a cripple". Don't play with me Doc. You know I don't stand a chance in hell. He rips off his blankets and says, Just look at these legs. Where the hell do you think I'm going with these?" Mr. Hardy tries to reassure the boy that it's his attitude that needs fixing and not his legs. "You want to get well he asks him. Then change your attitude. I'm not here to tell you son that you're ever going to play football again, but if you have a defeatist attitude, that's exactly where you will remain.....defeated!"

The next day as Johnny lays staring at the TV screen, a small knock is heard tapping at his door. "Might as well come in, he shouts out. Everyone else does." The door is pushed open and a young girl Johnny's age comes in led by a big German Shepherd Dog carrying a magazine in his mouth. "Hey, he screams. What's that dog doing in my room, and who are you?� he demands. "Hi Johnny, my name is Cindy and this here is Spike," she tells him. He's a therapy dog and he just loves to pay visits to see all the people in the hospital," she tells him.

Spike with his tail wagging and a glisten in his eye, goes over to the bed where Johnny is watching him with a scroll on his face. The dog gently places the magazine on the bed and looks Johnny straight in the face and lets out a friendly bark. "Get that beast out of here, he sarcastically tells her. I don't need a flea bitten dog in my room. Can't you see I have enough problems already? Now take him and yourself and get out of here."

As the last sentence comes out of his mouth, the physical therapist comes back into the room. "Remember what I told you about your attitude son? he reminds him. "It's all in your head, it's all in your head, and he repeats himself. You want to get better? Then change those thoughts in your head. This dog will be part of your rehabilitation. He will be helping you to walk again. That's if you decide that you want to walk again. Or you can lay there and feel sorry for yourself and never walk again. It's your choose. 50/50 chance? How about putting the odds in your favor son?" With that, Spike comes over and nudges Johnny's hand looking for a pat on the head. Johnny's first inclination is to pull his hand away, but he catches the eye of Mr. Hardy, and thinks better of it, and begrudgingly pats the dog on the head instead.

The next day a wheel chair delivers Johnny to the physical therapy room. Mr. Hardy is waiting for him. "Good morning Johnny he says to him. Glad to have you with us today. Let me tell you son, this is going to be tedious, repetitious, and painful work, day in and day out. There will be only one day of rest in between and that will be Sunday, and that's the day you�ll pray for relief from me. I'm here to drive you and to push you, and I push hard," he tells the boy. I want you to think of me as your coach just like you had a coach for your football workouts. Well this is going to be your physical therapy workouts." Johnny interrupts him. "Where's that big dog Spike fit into all of this?" he asks him. He tells him, "He's going to be your legs, your brain, and your direction. He will wear a harness that you will hold onto and he will lead you until we feel that you're strong enough to stand and walk on your own. We already know you're up for the challenge because you showed up here today for your first try out. Football practice is in session son. So let�s get to work shall we?"

The days and weeks pass by slowly with set backs and failures. Johnny gets more and more discouraged. But Mr. Hardy pushes him even harder. They put him in the water therapy tank and then take him out and massage his legs. They stand him up and have him hold onto the walking bars on the side of the mat. "Come on boy, move those legs," Mr. Hardy shouts out to him. His legs never budge.

Mr. & Mrs. Baxter feel Mr. Hardy is driving their son too hard and complain about it to Dr. James. Dr. James has a talk with him about it. Mr. Hardy tells him, "Sir, this boy's got a physical problem. We all know that. But I need to re-train his thinking again. I must get him out of this "I can't do it anymore attitude.� I know what I'm doing here sir." Dr. James say's �All right Mr. Hardy. I trust you. You're the best in the business. If this boy is to walk again, you're the man for the job." Mr. Hardy corrects him and says, "Sorry to disagree with you Dr. James, I won't be the reason Johnny walks again. It's all up to him. It's in his hands. He has to have the will to want to walk again. I can only give him the tools to do it with."

One day Spike is lying on the floor when Johnny comes in for his physical therapy session. Something is different today. Normally soothing, relaxing music is playing. Today is different. Today Johnny hears an old rock and roll song blaring over the speakers. It's music from his parent's generation but he recognizes it because it used to play in the locker rooms before a football game. He hears the familiar pulsating beat of �CCR� singing but for some reason, he can't quite remember the words today. Spike decides to get up from his resting place and goes and pushes the boy in the behind. "Hey, watch it before you make me fall,� he yells at the dog. Mr. Hardy watches silently from a distance. Spike nudges him again and this time, takes a little nip at him. "What's the matter with this crazy dog, Mr. Hardy?" He asks him. Mr. Hardy just shrugs his shoulders as if to say, "I don't know." Spike goes behind a chair and Johnny sees he's picking something up and when he turns around, he sees he has a football in his mouth. "Hey, be careful with that, or you'll puncture it with your big teeth,� Johnny says angrily.

Spike drops the ball about two feet in front of Johnny and starts to bark at him. Then the dog goes to the boy and starts to pull on his pajamas. "Hey, Mr. Hardy this dumb dog is going to make me fall," he protests again. Mr. Hardy says, "Looks to me like he wants you to play with him," he says and continues to do his paper work. Spike barks at Johnny again and pulls at his pajamas even harder this time. "If I could only get my hands on you," Johnny says. He can feel his face flush with anger. Spike picks up the ball again and stands there looking Johnny straight in the face with that never ending wag of a tail of his challenging him to try to take the ball from him.

Johnny tries with all his might and feels himself start to fall. Naturally his physical therapy aides are there with him through this whole ordeal. He shrugs off their help, and he concentrates with all his might as the dog continues to stare at him with that confounded football in his mouth. Johnny is mumbling something to himself now. Again he tries to move his legs. The aides are watching as they witness a small half of an inch movement of his legs pushing him forward. They look over to Mr. Hardy, and he stops them from saying anything by raising is hand in the air and the other he brings to his lips indicating for them not to say a word. Johnny pays no attention to them as he focuses on Spike with the ball in his mouth. Another half inch he propels his body forward. And then another half inch. And then another. He is now one foot away from the dog. The dog picks the ball up, walks over to him and drops the ball at his feet. As Johnny starts to collapse, his aides catch him. With that he turns to look at Mr. Hardy who gives him a wink and a �high five� as he hears the final lyric to the song he was trying to identify earlier..............."Put me in coach, I'm ready to play........today.�


From the book: "WHEN LIFE IS HARD"....When life is hard, you know, really hard, we often spend all our time pleading, begging, yelling, refusing, and questioning. While none of these things are necessarily unusual, they are missing the ultimate point. When life is hard, when things get ugly, when all hope seems to be lost� that is when we are able to display the superiority of the life lived in God. It is in those moments of despair, when we question what is happening, when we don�t know what to do, when some trials never�seem�to�end, that we can lean most heavily into God�s promises and truths. Working his way through five questions we've all had run through our heads trusted pastor James MacDonald helps us to understand what we should do now. We begin the journey by looking at different types of "trials" and figuring out exactly what we're dealing with and recognizing that God certainly knows. Second, the obvious question: "Why?" God sees us going through trials and we long for two things: for them to be over and to know why they happened in the first place. Next, we need to know what to do with these trials when they come (and they will most certainly come). Fourth, we have all wondered it, can trials be refused? Are God's purposes really being fulfilled in the midst of this trying time? And lastly, God reveals Himself to us through these trials. . . and sometimes, they just don't ever end. Why doesn't this trial go away? God refines us. Often in so many ways that we can't even see. Should we just try to weather the storm? Or is there something greater in God's vision for these difficulties? God told us to expect trials�don�t be surprised when they come (they are on purpose). Grow when they come. Find hope when they come.


My rating: German Shepherd Dogs as therapy dogs: (4)

"STINKIN' THINKIN"

So the man pulls up in my driveway in a Lincoln sedan. He looks at my puppies. He asks how much? I tell him. He looks shocked. He says to me, I can buy a German Shepherd puppy at the pet store for �such and such.� Why should I pay you that much? My reply to him is, �You could be driving a broken down second hand car instead of the Lincoln that you drove here with. It�s obvious; you get what you pay for. I tell him of the bloodlines of my puppies, the health guarantee that I offer and my return policy if he�s unhappy with the puppy. Bottom line��he�s only interested in the purchase price. I tell him �Do yourself a favor, if you are looking for something for nothing, adopt a dog from a shelter.� He keeps the Lincoln. He drives away. I keep the puppy until the better person comes along. I am looking for a forever home for my puppy. He�s looking for �bargain basement prices� ��..�stinkin� thinkin�!�

So I call up the �nose up in the air�thinks he�s better than most� handler who is in charge of the Grand Victor�s stud services. He campaigns the dog as well as keeps him at his kennel for stud services. I tell him I want to breed my champion bitch to this dog. He gives me an �attitude� and is unwilling to cooperate with me about the day the bitch needs to be bred. Nope he can only do it on this one day. Take it or leave it. I leave it! I wonder if he ever told the owners of this dog that he didn�t breed the Grand Victor to this top producing champion ROM bitch��..�stinkin� thinkin�!�

I need a handler for my dog at the upcoming four day week-end shows. The judges should be great for my dog. So I call the handler and tell him I want to enter my dog at these shows. He tells me he can�t take him that week-end. He MIGHT be showing �so and so�s� dogs there. But I tell him, these judges really like my dog. They�ve already put him up in the younger classes. I think we have a great shot to win under them. I know the dogs he�s taking and the people that own them. They have lots of money, but their dogs are not as good as mine. I can�t convince him. I get another handler. We show. They lose. We win. Now handler number one isn�t talking to me because we just beat him at his own game��..�stinkin� thinkin�!�

Your friend owns a lovely young stud dog. He�s a very well bred dog. He hasn�t really proven his worth as a producer yet because he�s so young and hasn�t been bred to that much yet. You own a beautiful young bitch. She too is well bred. Your friend wants you to breed your bitch to his male. You don�t want to. Oh, both are lovely animals, but they don�t complement one another very well and you need improvement in your bitch in an area that the stud dog lacks as well. Your friend doesn�t want to hear it. You two are friends and he feels that you should breed to his dog based on that friendship. Your bitch comes into season. You breed her to another dog. Your friend calls you a traitor and isn�t talking to you anymore����stinkin thinkin!�

You get your judging license and are asked to judge a specialty show that is known to pull 4 or 5 point majors. The attendance is huge and some well known pillars of the breed belong to the club that asked you to judge. You�re excited and honored and can�t wait for the day to arrive. In walks one of your closest friends dogs that you recognize right away as she�s calling her dog to get his (and your) attention while his handler is setting him up. You really think he�s a nice dog, but you really love the dog standing behind him better. You go with your gut and pick the other dog hoping your friend understands. She doesn�t��.she�s not talking to you anymore��.�stinkin thinkin!�

You belong to many different German Shepherd e-mail lists. It�s not uncommon for people to come on those lists and brag about all their wonderful achievements and show wins. You being of the good natured spirit that you are, find yourself writing one congratulation note after another. Sometimes people thank you. Other times they ignore your social graces all together. The following week-end your dog wins his first major. You�re excited to share your joy and post your own brag. You�re lucky if you receive one �Way to go kid� from someone����.�stinkin thinkin!�

You share your opinion about a certain subject that everyone is talking about. Because you haven�t been around very long, you�re met with the mentality of �I�m right, you�re wrong� and your opinion has no merit. You�re intimidated, so you keep your mouth quiet and you don�t get a chance to say what�s on your mind for fear you�ll look like a fool���.�stinkin thinkin!�

You buy a puppy from a well bred litter. You have high hopes for this youngster�s future. You show him at some local shows. He takes a third and fourth place ribbon. You let him mature and then bring him back out again. Time hasn�t been on his side. The well bred promising puppy is a losing adult. The breeder won�t take him back or refund your money. And no he�s not going to replace him with another puppy. You�re furious, but there�s nothing you can do about it, so you take it out on the dog. He no longer gets all the attention that you once lavished on him���..�stinkin thinking!�

I�m way up here. You�re way down there. I know best. You don�t. I�ve bred all these champions. You�ve bred just one. My dogs finished in the specialty ring. Yours finished in the All Breed ring. I�ve been in the breed for over thirty years. You�ve only been in the breed for five years. Therefore, I know and you don�t know. I�m the big shot. You�re the little shot����stinkin thinking!�����.sometimes the big shot gets run over by the little shot����ahh�..and history is made!

From the book: "HOW TO WIN FRIENDS AND INFLUENCE PEOPLE".......This grandfather of all people-skills books was first published in 1937. It was an overnight hit, eventually selling 15 million copies. How to Win Friends and Influence People is just as useful today as it was when it was first published, because Dale Carnegie had an understanding of human nature that will never be outdated. Financial success, Carnegie believed, is due 15 percent to professional knowledge and 85 percent to "the ability to express ideas, to assume leadership, and to arouse enthusiasm among people." He teaches these skills through underlying principles of dealing with people so that they feel important and appreciated. He also emphasizes fundamental techniques for handling people without making them feel manipulated. Carnegie says you can make someone want to do what you want them to by seeing the situation from the other person's point of view and "arousing in the other person an eager want." You learn how to make people like you, win people over to your way of thinking, and change people without causing offense or arousing resentment. For instance, "let the other person feel that the idea is his or hers," and "talk about your own mistakes before criticizing the other person." Carnegie illustrates his points with anecdotes of historical figures, leaders of the business world, and everyday folks.


My rating: Being kind and helpful to one another: (4)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE TEMPERAMENT TEST?

I love seeing that more and more of our German Shepherd Dogs are receiving many different working titles next to their registered name. It�s also encouraging to see many different health certificate numbers behind his name as well. Heck some dogs have so many titles included in their name that it takes a couple of lines just to type it all out. Most of the time, I confess I don�t even know what many of those titles mean. I do know that these dogs have worked very hard for those titles and that their owners need to be commended for the dedication that they put into bringing out the best in their dogs.

One title that has always fascinated me is the temperament test title. This is where the dog is put through a number of tests to help determine the temperament of the dog. Many owners proudly display this title next to their dogs name certifying that their dog has the ideal temperament according to the German Shepherd Dog Club of America�s standard.

I�ve read through the requirements that the dog needs to pass to receive his certificate on the parent clubs website. Because I don�t have permission to print out the test here on my blog, I will briefly give you an overview of the test. I suggest if you want to know more about it that you visit the German Shepherd Dog of America�s website for full details.

Basically the dog will be tested in different situations to see how he will react to certain stimuli. He will be tested with strangers to see how he approaches each situation. He�ll meet non-threatening strangers as well as those that are more threatening towards him. He will be tested with visual as well as audio stimuli to see his reaction and if he does have one what is his recovery time will be. He will be tested to see his reaction to gun shot noise and an umbrella opened up in front of him when he least expects it. This helps to see if the dog has good steady nerves and how he handles things either in his everyday life or when things happen out of the ordinary.

We�re all proud of the fact that we own one of the most intelligent breeds of dogs capable of doing most anything that we ask of them. My question is this to those that have put their dogs through these trials. Because the German Shepherd is such a smart dog, can�t he be trained to do these tests in order to pass and get his certificate? Now this isn�t to take away from those who own dogs with wonderful temperaments and have passed these tests. I�m just concerned more about those dogs that have been trained to pass them that don�t have such wonderful temperaments. In your opinions, do you think that some dogs that have been certified temperament tested do not really have good temperaments at all, but instead are very well trained by professional trainers? As I said, I�m not trying to take away from those dogs that indeed have wonderful temperaments and they have the certificate to prove it.

Because there is a description telling owners what their dogs will be tested on, I feel that there is no element of surprise if the dog can be trained ahead of time for all of these things. Wouldn�t it be more accurate if they changed some of the things that the dogs have been already trained for? In other words if he�s been trained to have an umbrella opened in his face, can�t they substitute this with something else?

Many years ago I had a professional trainer come to my house looking to buy a puppy. He wanted to see the pups mother. I told him that she was a very devoted and protective dog towards me. He asked me if he could check out just how protective of me she was. So I agreed. We took her out on my front lawn with me holding her on her leash. He put a black long cape over his shoulders and hid his face as he came walking towards us. Well it didn't take long for "Pepper" to hit the end of that leash with her teeth fully exposed. She was ready to "rock and roll" with this guy. He went back to the other side of the lawn and removed the cape. He told me just to keep her on a loose leash, which I did. He walked over to her and me in a friendly matter making small talk. He reached down and petted her on the head and she was no longer snarling at him. He told me, "Now that's a great mind!" She was never trained to do any of this mind you. It was just her natural instinct.

I admit I�ve never had the privilege to actually see one of these trials. It has got to be fascinating to watch. I could learn something from it, I�m sure. So as I said, I have a tremendous respect for those that work with their dogs and train them to realize their ultimate potential. I would just like to know what some of you think of the temperament test and if you think it truly measures the temperament of some dogs?

My rating: temperament testing: (3 - 4)