Well Mannered Mutts

FREE e-books about puppy training

2012-01-21T17:52:00.000-08:00

A new program has been launched by Ian Dunbar. This program is to help people who are considering getting a puppy or already have one.
You can download two e-books titles
Before you get your puppy & After you get your puppy.
Go to www.dogstardaily.com click on downloads (upper right).

Group classes for 2012

2012-01-03T17:13:00.000-08:00

Group classes have been suspended at this time.
Private lessons for all levels and consultations are available.
wellmanneredmutts@gmail.com
707-621-3647

Why your pup should be 8 weeks of age before you adopt

2011-09-02T15:02:00.000-07:00

In a study by L. Pierantoni, M. Albertini, F. Pirrone it showed that puppies taken from their mother and littermates earlier than 8 weeks of age were more prone to developing behavior problems. Below are the findings. The first number represents pups removed early from the litter that developed behavior issues. The second number represents pups that remained with the litter until at least 8 weeks but also developed issues.

Destructiveness: 47/16
Excessive Barking: 63/21
Fearfulness on walks: 53/7
Reactivity to noises: 81/39
Toy possessiveness: 34/4
Food possessiveness: 34/7
Attention-seeking: 87/49
Aversion to strangers: 60/24
Stranger aggression: 23/4
Owner aggression: 17/9
Play biting: 28/3
Tail chasing: 14/1
House Soiling: 26/10

Dog Food news

2011-08-25T13:40:00.000-07:00

www.dogfoodadvisors.com
How does your dog food rate?
check it out to see if you are feeding your dog a quality food.

WARNING- TOXIC TO DOGS

2011-07-08T10:58:00.002-07:00

An additive called XYLITOL commonly found in sugar free gum and other foods is highly toxic to dogs.
It causes liver failure and can be fatal. Be extra careful to keep any food items containing Xylitol away from your dog.

Where to Board your dog when on vacation

2011-06-15T11:20:00.000-07:00

I am frequently asked 'Where is a safe and fun places to board my dog?' I hear from a lot of clients as to their experiences with different local doggie daycares and boarding facilities. I have compiled my top three recommendations for places based on personal experience and client input.

DONNA BLAKE'S STAY AND PLAY DOG CARE in Willits. 707-459-1377 stayandplaydogcare@hotmail.com This is the first place I try to take my dogs to if I can not take them with me. This is a home environment with several play yards and a large play room. The dogs are well cared for and only crated at bedtime. Donna is an obedience trainer and has completed canine behavioral courses. Your dog will come home to you happy and tired. She takes care of the dogs with a lot of love.

KINGS KASTLE in Cloverdale. 707-838-2785 www.kingskastlellc.com kings_kastle@comcast.net
Colleen has years of experience with dogs and is very knowledgeable. Your dog will roam around free with other dogs and there is 24 hour supervision. Kings Kastle is conviently located off Hwy 101 which makes it a snap for pick up and drop off if you are travelling in that direction. Her specialty is social rehabilitation.

BEST IN SHOW in Ukiah. 707-463-8400. Located near the fairgrounds this is a traditional boarding facility with an exercise pen. Teri Vagt is excellent at what she does. She also boards cats (my cats stayed there and seemed very happy) and is an excellent groomer.

Book Recommendation

2011-06-02T10:24:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for a book that will help you to understand dog better, I recommend the Dog Vinci Code by John Rogerson.

Also The Art of Raising a Puppy & How to be Your Dogs Best Friend by the Monks of New Skete.

What type of dog is right for you or your family?

2011-05-14T09:37:00.000-07:00

This website will help you to determine what type of dog would be a good match.
www.breedbreakdown.com

Johnny Carson - Jimmy Stewart - Beau Poem

2011-02-14T21:34:00.000-08:00

How to register for a class

2010-12-27T17:43:00.000-08:00

HOW TO REGISTER
Because some classes fill up quickly and I try to keep the number of students to 8- 10, it is important that you PREREGISTER for the class. Enrollment is by a first come first serve basis. Please download the registration form on the home page, (right hand side in mid page) Attach a check for the amount of the class and send it to the address on the form. If you are unable to download a form, I will send one to you but this may delay your enrollment.
I always have a waiting list for people wanting to attend the next class, however once you are contacted, you still need to register. Thank you for your cooperation. I want your dog training experience to be a good one
*******************************************************************
wellmanneredmutts@gmail.com
707-463-3647

A Christmas Story

2010-12-06T10:52:00.001-08:00

Hi friends and family,
Bobbi and I had an eventful weekend and Fritz has had his first solo adventure. We are on a road trip with two of our dogs, Fritz (a 5 month old Jack Russell) and Gabriel (4 year old Viszla). Apollo, our German Shepherd, is at home with a friend receiving some serious physical rehab after a double rear leg surgery.
Yesterday afternoon, Bobbi was at one the home of one of her sisters out on a busy country road near Ukiah, north of San Francisco. At one point during her visit, another sister's dog wanted to go outside. Of course Fritz decided that he had to go out as well. The house is far from the road with a fence along most of the property. In the back of the house is a creek overgrown with brush. There is a horse corral, with 4 horses, a barn and next door there are geese, pigs, a donkey, goats, cows - a petting zoo.
Bobbi and her sister thought that Fritz would be okay with the other dog as he had been running around and is used to most of these things around her ranch. He'd also been on a 6 mile run with Bobbi earlier in the day, so he wasn't too full energy. He was out for about 5 minutes before Bobbi decided to go check on him. Her sister's husband and father-in-law were also outside - working - not paying attention to the dogs.
We aren't sure what caused him to take off. It might have been the tractor that started up or a feral cat that he decided to chase but he took off toward the creek.
We had about 5 people walking and calling for him all that early evening into the dark. The temperature got down to freezing. Her sister's husband walked the creek in his waders. There was no response. Bobbi and I decided to sleep in the car with Gabriel with the door open just in case he returned. That was chilly. We gave that up due to sore backs and hips and frozen feet - not much room in a Honda Element for someone just 5'10 to stretch out. About 1:30 am we moved onto the couch in the house. Bobbi got up a couple of times during the night and did the walk and call with Gabe. I slept a little.
Another of Bobbi's sisters, Ruth, called Sallie Palmer the day we lost him. She has a German Shepherd tracker, Skete, (a Monks of New Skete dog) that she has used successfully to find several dogs in the area. She left messages but didn't speak to her until this morning.
I met Skete this morning and got a face full of kisses. A very sweet shepherd. Oh, and Sallie was nice too (no kisses).
By this time we had very little hope that he was still alive. There are red tailed hawks, coyote, and not sure what else out there and Fritz is not a big boy at 5 months.
At around 8:30 this morning Bobbi and Sallie searched the creek and picked up the scent but it petered out, so they headed the other direction and went up the road to the right and search the fields along the road. This continued into the afternoon. I went back to the house where we were staying and made coffee and got my computer to make up flyers.
I had finished the flyers around 12:30 this afternoon. On the way back to the house where we lost Fritz I stopped at the nearest vet to leave one of the lovely new 5x7 cards with the photo and info on it. Just as I left the vet, I got a phone call. They had found him and he was fine and with Bobbi.
Bobbi, her sister Ruth and Sallie had finished the fields to the right of the house and had decided to start up to the left. There was a B&B that had reported dogs barking about 6 pm last night and a field near there. The two of them discussed whether or not they should drive to the field and decided not to. That was the first good decision. On their way there, Bobbi decided to cross the highway (a busy two lane) and walk up to another house prior to the field they were headed to. Since she had to wait for her, Sallie decided to have Skete search another field where she was waiting. Skete tugged on the tag Sallie carry's to tell her that he had found something, so Sallie let Skete off the leash. By this time, Bobbi was back with her and Ruth.
Skete almost immediately headed into the tall grass in the field and a small white head popped up. When Fritz saw this big German Shepherd coming, he ran, tail tucked, toward the creek - then he turned to face Skete. Then Bobbi called him and Fritz ran like a bullet past Skete to Bobbi, tail wagging and jumping.
It was a Disney movie scene according to a couple of other observers.
When I got back to the house, everyone was outside (except for Fritz and Bobbi) with big smiles and lots of tears. I gave Sallie the biggest, tightest hug I could come up with and then followed up with Skete. He's my hero.
I spoke to Sallie and she has an interesting background as a police dog trainer...you can read all about her in here website.http://www.wellmanneredmutts.com/index.html
I had thought that we were going to have the worst Christmas of our lives, and got the best one instead.
- alan

The Language of Dogs- what does the barking mean?

2010-11-18T10:39:00.000-08:00

RECOMMENDED BOARDING FACILITIES

2010-10-21T11:08:00.000-07:00

If you want a loving home environment full of fun for your dog, I recommend the following establishments;

Michelle Friedman's
WHO LET THE DOGS OUT
in Potter Valley.
707-743-1225
This 13 acre ranch is a dog's Paradise. Michelle will lovingly take care of your dog as if it where her own. Lots of TLC. The prices are very reasonable. Pick up and delivery arrangements can be made.

Donna Blake's
STAY AND PLAY DOG CARE
in Willits.
707-459-1377
Her home has been transformed into a Doggy Disneyland. Your dog will romp and play with other dogs in a large yard and indoor room. Your dog will go home worn out and happy. Resonable prices. Arrangements for pick up and delivery.

ARTICLES

2009-01-20T14:58:00.001-08:00

Articles on training and behavior can be found at http://www.canineprofessionals.com/ . Seperation Anxiety, Bolting out doors, barking, come when called, etc. check it out.

Articles written on a variety of dog training topics can be found at:
http://www.rainbowag.com/. Under menu click on rainbow wag. The current article will be displayed and previous articles will be listed. Happy reading.
If you have a topic to suggest for an article, please let me know. wellmanneredmutts@gmail.com

For an excellent article on car safety http://wachusett.pssweb.net/Test%20report%20pets%20in%20cars-1.pdf

Quick & Easy smelly dog treats

2008-10-29T11:20:00.000-07:00

Recipe for LIVER OATMEAL training treats.
Your Dog will love these!

1 container of liver ( any kind approx. a pound plus)
2 Cups quick oatmeal (may need to add a small amount more)
1/4 Cup water

* You can add more flavoring if you like such as maple syrup, BBQ sauce, etc.
Preheat oven to 350.
Turn on the fan...This is liver after all.

In a food processor or blender puree the liver. If you are queasy try not to gag. Add the quick oatmeal and water. Blend well.
Spay a cookie sheet with non-stick oil. Spread mix evenly onto cookie sheet. You may want to cover the pan with a layer of foil. For crunchy treats do not cover.
Bake at 350 degrees for 1/2 hour. Let the treats cool in the oven or on counter. Take a pizza cutter and cut into small squares. Refrigerate treats or allow to completely dry out.

SERVICES OFFERED

2006-05-12T20:08:00.000-07:00

IN-HOME TRAINING
PUPPY- HEADSTART (for puppies as young as 8 week)
in the comfort of your home and in a safe environment.
We will show you how to get your puppy off to a great start.

BEHAVIOR ISSUES
Does your dog have issues and you can't come to a group class? We will come to you.
Grumpy dogs, ill-mannered mutts, separation anxiety, hyperactive, shy-pooches & more.
We can help.
Call today for a consultation 707-463-DOGS
GROUP CLASSES
Puppy class Must have proof of vaccinations or veterinarian approval.
Puppy Agility Introduction to obstacles
Level I Dog Training Starting at the beginning
Level II Dog Training Continuing Education
Canine Good Citizen preparation Preparing for that all important test

Service/assistance dog training and Public Access test preparation

Sign up with the City of Ukiah Parks & Recreation Dept. 707-463-6231

2005-09-09T11:26:00.000-07:00

My well mannered mutt