Heavy Heart

It is with a heavy heart that I write this next post. I want to make it very clear that I have the permission of the owner to write this. I will not post any names of the family or the dog, but I wanted to share this story with my group to raise awareness.

In a recent class we had, a new family and their dog attended for the first time. They had been struggling with their control of their dog for some time, and didn't know if they could afford one on one training for their dog.

The family said even though it was a class setting with Maligator Kennels, they felt they had very personal attention to their family and their dog. This naturally made us feel very good, and touched our hearts.

The family explained during the night, their dog began acting strange. The family watched and monitored their beloved dog, as they thought he was simply tired from some previous training.

As the night continued they noticed he was struggling more and more so they were going to take him to an after hours vet, to have him checked out. Before they could take him to the vet, and in almost an instant, their beloved dog passed away.

The owners have a very heavy heart, and are deeply saddened by their dogs passing, as it has shocked the family. The owners believed the cause may have been something the dog had ingested earlier in the day, and he was into some seeds earlier; but they are unsure of the cause.

Their owners expressed how wonderful the Maligator staff had been to them, and how wonderful our clients treated them when they were around, with tie dog. I believe her too, because I've said this before; we have the best clients of all.

I post this as a way to raise awareness to the dog owners in the world, especially my clients.

Now, I don't know if the dogs life couldn't been saved. But I do know, with a first aid kit, and knowledge of the situation, the potential to save a life is possible. This includes any dog. This includes YOUR dog.

Now, I also want to make it absolutely clear, I'm not saying the owners did anything wrong, because they didn't. They recognized their dog was acting different, and recognized he may need to go to the vet. They did everything they could have done for their dog, with the knowledge and the time they had.

It's a story which makes me grieve as I realize how much I love my dogs and my clients dogs. If I feel this way, I'm sure most of you feel the same.

I'm stressing this point because the chance to save your dogs life, may one day end up in your hands. Without some basic knowledge, and a first aid kit handy, this can be a tragic story for someone else, and I do not want this to happen in my lifetime again. I cannot express how important it is to know the basics, and to carry a basic first aid kit so you have the best possible chance to help your dog in an emergency.

The Maligator Team is supporting this family, and I've told them my clients, unequivocally support them as well. We want the family to know when they read this. We love them. We love their dog and we will continue to be on their side and help them through this time in their life.

Thank you all for the time you've taken to read this. My intention is to educate. Nothing more, nothing less.

Russ

Maligator Kennels

Understanding your breed

Sunday Tip: Understanding your breed. 

Before adding a dog to your family, you should take the time to understand the breed(s) you're interested in.

I have seen a lot of online posts lately from owners needing to find a new home for their dogs. We aren't calling out anyone in particular. We simply want to help people choose a breed which fits their circumstances. Our purpose is to let everyone know we are here to help you with your search for a canine companion.

For example: if you live in a small apartment, work two jobs, and attend school, it's probably not wise to find a dog who has an unquenchable energy (Belgian Malinois). The dog will destroy things, won't be able to sit still, and will probably cause you a lot of headaches.

Another example: if you are an active person, love to hike, run, bike, and camp, and you want your dog to participate in all those activities, you may not want the teacup poodle breed.

A third and final example: ff you are a clean-freak, have the perfectly manicured lawn, and the perfect house with hardly a speck of dust, you may not want to deal with a shepherd or husky, especially in May through August. Talk about hair. And just when you think you've talked about hair, talk about it again, because each day you comb them, you'll end up with enough hair to cover a large breed Chihuahua.

By no means are we telling you what to buy. If you absolutely love a certain breed and you can't imagine your life without one, then by all means you have our support. We want each of you to be happy, and we support your happiness. But if you're in the market for a dog, and it doesn't matter the breed or sex, and you're looking for a companion, consider what we've listed above.

Keep in mind, this is a service Maligator Kennels provides. If you're in the market for a new furry friend (no, not a cat), we will not only help research your breed, we will assist you at your request, with choosing the right dog from the litter. Russ is an expert in dog psychology. It's not always perfect, because they are puppies, but Russ can give you a good take which puppy might be best for your circumstances.

Also, understand puppies. Puppies of all shapes, sizes, colors and breeds. You are going to go through the puppy stage. No one can escape it. You will deal with chewing, whining, potty training, etc. They are puppies. This is what they do. Your job is to guide them along in this process, show them their boundaries, and work with them until they mature.

Hope everyone finds this informative and worth the read. Have a good Sunday, everyone.

Thanks everyone

Maligator Kennels

Kujo the German Shepherd

So it begins. We've taken Kujo in for a board and train for about a week. He will be learning some basic commands and working with Russ during that time. We are excited to have him and work with him.

Maligator Kennels

Heartworm Season

Hey everyone. Just a friendly reminder regarding heartworm. While Utah doesn't typically have a lot of cases of heartworm in dogs, it is still wise to get your dog on heartworm medication.

It's May, the month I start my dogs. The new dog park in Provo is open, and I hear it has a lot of mosquitoes, which typically carry disease.

Get your dog protected and get them on their heartworm meds. Right now, Amazon has a 6 month supply for dogs 51 to 100 lbs for only $32. You can't beat that.

Thanks

Maligator Kennels

YOUR DOG IS NOT YOUR CHILD

"Your dog is NOT your child. Your dog is not your baby."

I'm sure I have grabbed your attention. That was the point. To be clear, my purpose is not to offend any of you. It's not to call out any one particular person on their training methods. My purpose is very simple and genuine: to educate dog handlers and dog owners to treat your dog like a dog, and not like a child.

I believe in integrity. If you ask me for my opinion or my training advice, I have an obligation to you and your dog to give you the best advice I have to offer. It may not always be want the owner WANTS to hear, but, as a trainer, I have an obligation to tell you what they NEED to hear.

Without further delay, let’s get started on some of my key points. By the end of this article, I hope you have a greater understanding of setting boundaries within your pack.

PUPPIES:

Dogs are pack animals. It's in their genetics. It's who they are and how they function. When I buy a puppy, I do not take custody of the puppy before they are 8 weeks old. Now, having said that, are there circumstances where I have taken a puppy at 6 weeks? The answer is yes. But if it can be avoided, you should wait until the puppy is 8 weeks.

The reason for this is this is a very crucial time in the dog’s life. This is when they begin to learn boundaries. Wait? Did I just say as early as 8 weeks, the puppies learn boundaries? Their mother doesn't just let them get away with whatever they want because they are just so cute and cuddly? When a puppy steps out of line, such as plays too rough or goes where they should not go, their mother nips them, or shows displeasure in their behavior. The puppy begins to learn certain behaviors are not acceptable.

This is also when the puppies build their pack drive, and learn to coexist with other puppies. This is when they learn what is an acceptable way to behave around other dogs, and how to behave in a pack.

Knowing this, why in the world would we change that when we take them into our home? Why do we let these dogs get away with a lot of unacceptable behavior because "they are a puppy" or "they are just being cute?" Puppies need boundaries, not complete freedom. Having said that, are puppies going to behave just like puppies do? Yes. We have to be patient, but we have to enforce boundaries.

POSITION IN THE PACK:

Okay, here is where this gets a little tricky for some people. It's simple. Your puppy/dog is the LOWEST member of the pack/family, with very few exceptions. Basically, they are only higher if you are training the type of dogs I do, whose sole job is to answer to one person and one person only. My dogs are not family dogs. They are dogs who need to feel like they are the biggest, baddest things out there, with one exception: ME.

In a typical family, your dog is the OMEGA. The lowest member. They do not come before your actual children. They should move for everyone in the house. Your youngest child should be able to walk in a room and the dog should move out of their way and do whatever they are told by any other member.

They eat only when they are told they can. This is part of why "free feeding" is bad. This is not their food. It's your food. You captured it, you killed it, and you are going to ALLOW them to have some, but only when YOU are ready. You should allow your dogs to see you take their food away, when you say so. If you have multiple dogs, they should see you feed them both and take away from both, etc.

DOGS ARE DOGS, NOT CHILDREN:

Everytime I see a handler or dog owner pushing their dog in a stroller, or carrying them in a handbag, I want to scream. The don't need car seats, they don't need strollers and they don't need bags to ride in. They have legs and they can walk. Yes, even the little ones. Ironically, these owners are the same ones who call meor come to classes and wonder why their dog barks at everything, and why their dogs are afraid of every single living thing on this earth.

When you're walking your dog, specifically your small dogs or your puppy, and you are approaching another bigger dog, DO NOT PICK YOUR DOG UP. You are teaching your dog to avoid a problem. Your dog should be able to approach another dog and not fight, but be able to greet them appropriately.

If you see a dog who is foaming at the mouth and is going to hurt your dog or you, cross the street. Don't say anything to your dog. Just keep walking, but go in another direction, without giving your dog any cue as to whyyou changed course.

If you have a dog you allow to sleep on your bed, your couch or your chair, then do so, but only after you've allowed them to get to those places. There is no entitlement. You need to verbally signal the dog it's okay to come up. They get nothing just because they think it's owed to them.

Most of the time, owners are the reason for their dogs anxiety. You can not be a human batch of anxiety and expect your dog not to be the same. Treat them like dogs. It's okay if they get a little dirty. Give them a bath. It's okay if they eat their food off the cement. They are dogs. It's okay to make your dog go the bathroom outside. They are dogs. It's okay to make your dog be outside for the day. They are dogs, and they will love it.

CUTTING THE BRANCH, OR TAKING OUT THE ROOT:

Finally, to my last subject. I help rehabilitate dogs all the time. It's one of the highlights of my job. I love seeing a dog do better and seeing tears on the owner’s face when they get better.

I have seen a lot of posts about destructive behavior and giving your dogs "thunder shirts,"a pillow, or putting blankets in a crate with them. I've heard of oils and music and special massages for a dog??? (jury is still out on that one for me)

Okay. I'm not saying these things do not work, because they have some success. But all you're doing is cutting the branch. Once you cut a branch, another will grow in it's place somewhere and sometime. If you have a giant hole in your foot (like I've had) from your dogs, you don't put neosporin on it, with a Dora bandaid to try and fix it. All you've done is treated a symptom, which is bleeding. You haven't gotten to the root of the problem. As long as you don't have to see it or hear it, you assume it must be fixed. This is until you get a new problem, because you only put a bandaid on it and never got to the root of the problem to fix it.

Thunder shirts, oils, blankets, dolls, etc., simply treat a symptom. You need to fix the problem, get to the root. Then the dog begins to rehabilitate.

CONCLUSION:

Set boundaries for your dog. Do not allow them to push you around. When you give a correction, regardless of what type of correction is needed, MEAN IT. Don't simply say, "Hey hey hey, we don't do that." and then never do anything about it. Also, do not avoid the problem. Fix it. If your dog struggles with other dogs, bring them around other dogs. Don't reinforce the behavior simply by keeping the dog away.

I cherish all of you, and I think most people are very good dog owners and handlers. I hope this helps and I hope this gives you an idea of what I mean. I could go on for days, but quite frankly, no one would read a book I wrote, let’s be honest.

Thanks,

Russ Bishop

MALIGATOR KENNELS

Enzo the Malinois

I love my job. A little over a year ago, my wife and I began the planning stages of what is now Maligator Kennels. My wife and I agreed to buy a Malinois, so I found a reputable breeder within the states. I called the guy, told him my story and he told me he had just the male for me.

So I took the plunge. I bought the male and we named him Enzo (pictured below). When I got him, he was only 8 weeks old, and he was not cheap. We took a huge risk buying a puppy, just hoping he was going to turn out. Well, he turned out well in a big way.

Then today, just a short year later, I got a picture of Enzo's daddy. This is Graffitte. Yes I spelled that correctly for his name. I think I bought into a good gene pool. I'm so happy with the success we've had thus far and we owe a lot of that to our clients.

Enjoy the pictures,

Russ

Bitework With Apollo

Had a really good time with Apollo today. So did my two interns. Please enjoy.

Training With Apollo

Back to bitework training with Apollo this Thursday. It's been too long since I have seen that dog. Looking forward to Thursday.

Are Tennis Balls Bad For My Dog?

Should you let your dog play with a tennis ball? The answer is no. Tennis balls are bad for their teeth because of the felt. If your dog likes chasing a ball, get a rubber one, whether hard or soft, instead.

Thanks,

Maligator Kennels