Herding Dogs

I LOVE Herding Dogs! Obviously my Favorite is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, but all herding dogs are spectacular!

The Beautiful Border Collie has been scientifically proven to be the smartest breed of dog in existence today.


The Corgi was originally used to herd cattle because they are so low to the ground, and able to turn on a dime, that they were well out of harm's way if the cattle would kick at the dog.


The Australian Shepherds (which are actually an American breed) have agility that is simply amazing, as well as an intelligence that makes them easy to train.


The German Shepherd is one of the most versatile herding dogs. They have been used for many more jobs than just that of their origin in the pastoral group.


One of the many facets that all herding dog breeds have in common is a keen intelligence. They have been bred to be the smartest of all dog groups. The down side of having such an extremely intelligent animal is that they need mental stimulation much more than some other breeds. Just physical exercise, such as walking, is not enough for these breeds. They need a "job" to do, lest they become under stimulated mentally and develop bad behaviors. I have trained Banon, my Corgi, in both agility and fly ball. While she has never competed in either event, the regular training of a more mentally challenging exercise helps keep her well balanced.

Border Collies are not suited to being pets. They need constant stimulation and firm training, otherwise they may become snappy if bored.

Corgis are less likely to snap than Border Collies, but still are not an ideal pet for young children. Yes, that may seem hypocritical, but keep in mind, I am a Behaviorist and Trainer. Also, my dogs and my children are never together unsupervised.


German Shepherds are an extremely loyal breed, but if kept as a pet, they too need firm training and regular exercise.

Australian Shepherds have a more even disposition and are well adapted to family life. However they are by no means exempt from the firm training necessity.



Owning a herding dog, whether pure bred or mixed, is a great joy. They are fun, energetic, loyal, and protective. The trick is to make certain, before getting a herding dog, that you, as the pack leader, have plenty of time to train and exercise the dog.

There are many herding breeds to choose from. I only listed four of the more commonly owned for the sake of time. Here is a short list of other breeds to consider and research if you are interested in getting a herding dog.
Australian Cattle Dog
Bearded Collie
Belgian Shepherd
Briard
Rough Collie
Smooth Collie
Kelpie
Old English Sheepdog (often confused with the Bearded Collie)
Great Pyrenees
Samoyed
Shetland Sheepdog

Kids and Dogs

"Would you ask your third grader to drive to the store and pick up a few groceries for you? Or perhaps get dinner ready for the family by six o'clock? Why not? After all, your child has ridden in the car and accompanied you to the supermarket many times and knows all about buying groceries. He/She certainly has watched you prepare and serve hundreds of meals on a defined time schedule. But of course, your child does not possess the maturity, focus, or judgment required to drive a car, shop responsibly, or pull a timely meal together."*

Training a dog or puppy to be a well adjusted, balanced member of your pack requires lots of mature thought, planning, focus, and judgment - attributes most commonly found in adults. Although kids benefit from the companionship of a well-trained dog, the job of producing such a dog belongs to grown-ups.
**
A well-trained and properly supervised dog brings joy to adult and young family members alike. Even toy breeds should not be handled by young children. Just because they are "toy sized" does not make them TOYS.




*Quoted from The Siberian Husky by Lorie Long
**Thanks to Kevin for this pic of his darling girl and their dog!

Rub-A-Dub-Dog

I was an apprentice to a dog groomer for a short time a few years ago. One thing I noticed during that time was that people either had their dogs groomed too often, or not often enough. Very few dog owners had the balance down for how often a dog NEEDS to be groomed.

First off, grooming does not always entail getting their fur trimmed, or shaved. That depends more on the breed and how long or short the owners prefer their dog's fur to be "styled". A good example of this is the Yorkshire Terrier, many owners prefer to keep the fur short, but there are some who appreciate that this is a long haired breed and maintain the long glossy coat. Both are cute! It is strictly owner's preference.

However, all dog breeds should have regular bathing. Dogs don't need to be bathed as often as humans, thank goodness! The best rule of thumb is twice a month in the summer, and once a month in the winter. This helps with shedding, as well as maintaining good health. You should brush your dog at least once a week, for short haired breeds, and twice a week for long haired breeds. When you bathe/groom your dog too often it depletes their coats of natural oils that they need for healthy skin and fur. If neglected and not done often enough they are at risk of a variety of parasites and skin disease. Also, don't forget to trim their nails regularly! Over grown nails hurt your dog and can even prevent them from walking normal.

You don't have to spend a fortune to bath/groom your dog. Most dog shampoos are pretty cost effective at your local Target or Wal-Mart. Make sure you use DOG SHAMPOO, not human! Dog shampoo is specially formulated for dogs skin and coats. For dogs that are mostly or all white you can buy a special shampoo (that is actually blue in color) that really brings out the brightness of their fur.

Don't forget to make sure you thoroughly dry your dog's coat before letting them go outside in cold weather!

If your dog has a skin condition or parasites, see your vet immediately. Failing to do so only prolongs your dog's suffering, the problem becomes worse and more expensive to treat, and it is also a form of CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE!

Regular grooming is just as important as food, water, and exercise for your healthy, HAPPY dog!

The BEST Breed?

A reader of my blog recently asked which breed of dog she and her family should get. They have children under 5 and wanted to know which breed would be best suited for such an age group. I have two children - both under the age of 5 - and while I own a Welsh Corgi and a Siberian Husky, I would not recommend those breeds in most cases of where young children are involved in the equation. My dogs are great! Don't get me wrong, but I'm also a trainer, and my children have minimal interaction with my dogs.

For a family with young children, I would highly recommend a Labrador or a Retriever. Those are the most tolerant and patient breeds I've come across yet. Though many breeds can do just fine with children, these two stand out to me as the BEST.

Keep in mind though, that the Labs and Retrievers do not fully MENTALLY mature until they are about 5 years old. I would not recommend getting a puppy of either of these breeds unless you have lots of time, and patience yourself. But the animal shelters are always full, and most of them have a variety of Labs or Retrievers to adopt.

Most people think it is easier to adopt a puppy than an adult dog, but it's really not. Regardless of it's past any dog (at any age) can be taught new things and adapt quickly to a new family.

The best chance of success lies with the owner who regularly walks their dog(s). Daily exercise helps drain energy that could become destructive energy if not properly channeled, and helps establish a bond between the Pack Leader (which SHOULD be the OWNER) and the rest of the pack.

All Reasons For It

I have a friend who is thinking about getting a dog, but she is hesitant because she has NEVER had a dog before. Her family can afford it financially, and she has the time to take care of a dog, so I have been encouraging her to get one.

Here are a few reasons WHY (if you can afford it) you should get a dog:

1. Owning a dog can lower your blood pressure.
2. Kids who grow up with dogs are less likely to develop asthma.
3. Dogs can provide protection (well, not the Toy Breeds).
4. Dog owners who walk their dogs regularly (like they SHOULD) benefit from the exercise.
5. Dogs are the BEST listeners.
6. There are so many different breeds, it's not hard to find one that fits your lifestyle.
7. Dogs love unconditionally and are very loyal - Take good care of them, and they will take good care of you!

"Look Mommy, a SNOW DOG!"

As the owner of a Siberian Husky, I cannot tell you how many times I have heard some little kid yell that statement. And then, they rush over to pet my "Snow Dog" because he "looks just like the one on the movie!" But guess what? He is NOT the one on the movie...or ones, rather as they use more than one look-a-like for the animals in the movies these days. Nope, he is just a regular Husky. And, albeit he has a trainer for an owner, he is STILL CAPABLE OF BITING!

I am sure I'm not the only person who has problems with this. Anyone who owns a Husky, Malamute, Dalmatian, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Border Collie, Saint Bernard, Rough Collie, or any other breed that has been on the Big Screen in the last decade or two has this problem. So I'd like to break this blog down into to parts.




Part 1 - To the people who see these breeds of dogs in the movies:
Do NOT run up to ANY dog assuming that you can pet it. Teach your children to NOT run up to ANY dog assuming they can pet it. As I have said before, and will say only thousands of times over, ALL DOGS ARE CAPABLE OF BITING! You wouldn't like it if a complete stranger ran up to you and wanted to touch you! Dogs don't like it either. Regardless of what famous dog they look like, stay a safe distance away until you have gotten the owner's permission to approach!



Part 2 - To the owners of the "famous" dogs (rather, their look-a-likes):
Just because people every where recognize your dog does not mean that you have to let them approach your dog. One problem I have come across with my clients who own Huskies is that too many people are becoming familiar with the dog and then the dog runs off to "visit" other families that it has become familiar with. I have NEVER had a problem with Xander running off, even when I accidentally left the gate to my backyard open one day. Contrary to popular belief, Siberian Huskies are loyal to their owners, or their PACK, when they recognize the pack boundaries. I am asked on a daily basis by children and adults alike if they can pet my dogs. I allow them on RARE occasions to pet Banon, my Corgi, as she is the better "balanced" dog as far as training goes. People protest that they want to pet the Husky, because "he looks just like a Snow Dog". TOO BAD. He is MY DOG, and he is in CONSTANT training. I'm not running a petting zoo! As Pack Leaders we are the ones who PROTECT our pack...and in return they are loyal only to OUR PACK, the way it should be! Now some of you might have a hard time being rude to strangers. So when someone asks if they may pet your dog, if you are not working on the dog's socialization that day, it's okay to say "No, I'm sorry, he/she is in training" and continue walking. (I do try to make it a point of politely thanking the people who ask nicely though, as opposed to the people who just rush up to us)

A New Dog Is NOT Just An Exciting New TOY!

When considering getting a new puppy or dog there are many factors that should be taken into the equation. What is your current family situation? Will that family situation change dramatically in the next 12 to 24 months (i.e. get married, new baby, moving, divorce, etc.)? What type of home do you have? Do you rent or do you own your home? Adopting a dog should not be done on a whim. You wouldn't adopt a child (nor can you) on a whim. Many people do not realize that a dog is a 24 hour 7 day a week, life long (as long as the dog's life) commitment. And sadly, because many people do not take these factors into consideration, we have a surplus of good dogs without good homes. Here are just a few things you should know BEFORE (but if you are reading this after, that's okay...it's good to know either way) you bring home a furry friend.

1. What breed would be best suited in your living environment?


2. Will your dog live mostly indoors or outdoors?


3. What things around your house could a dog get into that would make it sick?


4. Who will care for your dog if you are suddenly unable to do so?


5. Will the dog get along with other pets you already have?


6. What time of day will you set aside to exercise and socialize your dog?*


7. Do you or anyone in your family have allergies or asthma?


8. Do you have enough income to budget in for a dog?**


9. Do you want a dog for show, breeding, or just companionship?


10. What other breed(s) of dog do you currently own and will it be an even match up?***

* This is an important question that MOST dog owners never even think about. ALL dogs require some form of exercise and socialization! (Unless you are planning to turn your dog into Cujo - in which case I would advise against EVER getting a dog) Dogs should be walked every day to keep them physically and mentally healthy. Socialization is a must too so that your dog can get along well with other people and other animals. (Extra Tip: Exercise them BEFORE you Socialize them, it makes the process easier!)

**What?! Budget for a dog?! YES! Some one once said that a FREE puppy is the most expensive thing you will ever own...I'd like to give that person a Noble Prize! Dogs can be a very expensive addition to the family! Many people fail to realize this when they just see someone giving puppies away in the Wal-Mart parking lot and decide to take one home! There are many more things a dog/puppy will need during the course of its life than just food, water, a collar (and ID Tag) and a bed. Dogs need vaccinations - ANNUALLY. Puppies need them every couple of MONTHS for the first 8 months. They need dental care, and grooming. They need flea, tick and heart worm prevention. This "maintenance" is certainly not free...it can be very expensive. But to ignore any of these facets is just plain negligence. And, in case you are not aware, negligence is considered a form of animal cruelty and is punishable BY LAW! Also, if you are not going to INTENTIONALLY breed your dog, you should get it spayed/neutered (guess what, those are not free either) because we already have too many unwanted dogs out there!

***We have all see that cute picture of a Great Dane looking down at a little Chihuahua. Aaawww! But in reality, that Dane could step on the Chihuahua and kill it easily. I don't think any breeds "can't" get along, but if you have a St. Bernard and you bring home a Papillon, be smart enough to realize that accidents happen, and the bigger breeds can easily hurt or kill the smaller breeds, without doing so on purpose.

So, as great, and fun, and exciting as it is to get a new dog/puppy, please do not do so lightly. It's a responsibility, not a TOY!