Energy, Tools, and Kibble

As I sit here having my morning coffee, and Emma barrels around the corner at full speed, jumping on my lap with 72 pounds...then rolling me across the room in my wheeled computer chair, the idea of energy came to mind.

While she is like a six month old in her head....she definitely is not in size. Excuse me while I get the Kong wobbler
The Kong Wobbler
The Kong wobbler is for incredibly high energy dogs with a vast amount of curiosity....it is used for dog needing stimulation, dogs with Separation anxiety, dogs that gobble their food. It is an interactive game that keeps a dog entertained. They learn to manipulate the extra large kong to dispense one or two pieces of kibble at a time...which leads me to yet another subject...kibble.

Our Holistic vet here in Kansas City was privy to a study sponsored by Ducks Unlimited. As he had been recommending Blue Buffalo and some other high quality foods to his patient's parents, he reported the study revealed that there is a wonderful kibble on the market...one with wholesome ingredients, cranberries, blueberries, with or without grain. It scored highest or comparable in nutrition, and the cost was unbelievable. It is Costco's Kirkland Kibble....yes, I about fell off my chair.
And the cost is 25.00 per bag compared to the nearly 50.00 I was spending.

Back to energy...
Dogs all are born with energy/personality as we know it. When dogs come in, one of the first things I assess is energy. While I have obtained most of my information from the dogs themselves, the Cesar Millan's books and DVD's have lent insight to various methods to be tried and true. I have also found a new source from a trainer named Joel Silverman. I like Joel's information very much, and the color coding of dogs on a color spectrum is interesting. His idea is to curb the dog's energy through training to move towards the center of the spectrum. Yellow being the middle, on the right orange, then bright Red (Emma and Martha). On the left of the middle mellow yellow is green and blue. (Bramble and Abby) Baldwin of course is the yellow, and if I look at the history of all of my dogs...most have been yellow and Buddy an orange. We have been working with Martha with the tactile exercises used to calm a very hyper dog...and it is working! Emma is doing pretty well also. Bramble's energy is very nervous, unsure...we are working with him...he is better, using lots of treats for a shy dog such as Bramble is key.

But will be pulling out Cesar's books once again to work within myself to be able to work with him. The importance of confidence, moving forward each day...not allowing myself to even think of what he must have been through at the mill and beyond is critical. He is here now, in a home with a boy he likes very much. Time to move on, which he is doing little by little.

So check out Joel's new book "Take-2 Training Solutions for Rescued Dogs"
The other book is "What Color is your Dog" which is on the color coding.

Cesar's new book is very, very good
"Cesar's Rules"

Energy of the human must be greater than or equal to the new dog in your life. Cesar also recommends the new dog coming in be of lower energy than the existing dog in the household...if there is one. This has been tricky with adoptions where there is a much older dog already in the house. We have been very lucky to have placed our fosters into homes that are extremely active, and obedience work, nose work, agility is just part of the every day.

Then I come back to Emma...why is she such a perfect fit? What is it about Emma inspite of her rumbling thunder, do I feel so attracted to.
It dawned on me last night, it's Buddy...She is the female Buddy. Her huffing and puffing moving that ginormous body at full speed, her incredibly loving nature, her respect, and just the hole she has filled in my heart.

Mary Murray

Take 2-Training Solutions for Rescued Dogs

I wanted to share with you one of the best books I have read in a very long time.
"Take 2" by Joel Silverman provides a comprehensive manual for those adopting a new family member. For me, the entire book focuses on before the big day, to the first hours and beyond. Those of us in rescue want the very best for our dogs and puppies getting that second chance. And while we do offer support to our adopters along with a rapport of knowledge about their newly adopted pet, having this book included in the adoption packet seems like a pretty good idea. They will have the tools in this book to continue what we have started, and specifics on the big day, the first two weeks and further adjustment times.

As Joel states in his new book,
"The old rules don't always apply to adopted dogs, whose training and past behaviors may be a complete mystery. I acknowledge the special needs of these dogs and cover the training methods that really work for rescue dogs that hail from animal shelters, breed rescue programs, and humane societies."

Joel is absolutely right. Many of these dogs have baggage, heck we all have baggage of some kind. They do have a special need to establish trust and adjust to their new environment. Nearly all of our dogs come in with unknown history, if only they could tell us what they had been through.

I am most interested in the behavioral aspect of this book, and the color coding of the animals by energy. Those of you that know me, know I am big into energy/personality. It is crucial to all of us in our organization to always match the energy of the dog with the family adopting. Having the knowledge to work with their new family member when they change environment insures an adoption that is fulfilling to the dog, and the family.

As I write this, I just got beaned upside of the head with a flying extra large kong from red dog Emma. As Joel points out in this book, our goal is to turn Emma from a red (high energy) dog to a more manageable orange, and hopefully with training and behavioral work to a mellow yellow dog. Now with exercise, fulfillment, and a plan of action, I do think this is possible. Yellow may be a stretch, but a nice cool orange maybe? How 'bout it Emma?

Our newest boy here at our licensed shelterhome is Bramble. Bramble is from a high profile mill raid that took place in 2009. We believe he was one of the puppies taken with his litter that day, and was placed in an over crowded shelter while the courts took 10 months to decide the case. During this time it is reported by volunteers that the dogs received little or no human interaction besides feeding. For this reason, Bramble is classified as a green dog. Very cautious and afraid, he freezes with fear when exposed to a new experience and trusts no one. With the help of Joel's book, I have some new techniques in which to work with Bramble, gaining his trust. My son Reilly will be helping with Bramble with the use of treats, and extreme patience.According to the book, dogs like Bramble being extremely shy do well with treat training and patience, whereas dogs like Emma benefit from more tactile touch to calm them down. And he is absolutely right!




More information on color coding your dog's energy/personality and how to work with them is explained below in Joel's other book,
What Color is your Dog?


If you are a family thinking of adopting, you have the opportunity to prepare for the big day by buying this book ahead of time. Those that have adopted can start the behavioral training for their dog specifically at any time using the information in this book.

"Take 2" is book I couldn't put down. I hope you all buy the book, it is one of the best books addressing the needs of rescued dogs with specific techniques for each energy level. It is a tremendous resource for those of us that have only had rescued dogs and I highly recommend it.


Til next time....

Providing a Fulfilled Life for your Canine this Summer!

With the economy in such a mess, we all seem to be feeling the tightening of the purse straps. When before if your dogs needed about anything, they got it no questions asked.

Now it seems these days one must consider "if" it is really necessary. Before, if the rescue dogs need a new dog bed for their crate...no problem. Now I find myself skimming garage sales, going to Good Will or thrift stores looking for either these or padded blankets to fold. Do the dogs care? Absolutely not!

Seeking out a butcher with fresh meaty bones not only has saved me some cash for the rescue dogs.....but they enjoy them better than the bully sticks, teeth are cleaner, and they now all LOVE their crates.

So, one has to ask if the commercial products we so enjoy purchasing for our canine friends are really practical or even needed. Or is there a alternative that is even more natural, and less expensive?

I believe my need to provide quality in my own mind....clouded my creativity? As we improve our play yard here at our shelter home, providing a stimulating environment for the rescue dogs to interact while they wait for their forever homes....I have asked myself this many times.

As we put the dogs into more environments for socialization, events such as agility...dock diving....trips to the lake for training....doggie daycare, do I realize the environments are dependent on ones own creativity to enhance that environment.

Doing some research online and networking with others sharing ideas lately, do i realize the importance of networking for our canine friends.

Digging-
the turtle sandbox is usually always at a garage sale, usually with no lid...which is great! Or a kiddie pool filled with sand. Bury the toys under the sand and take the dogs out to the box. Encourage them to focus their excavating skills and perfect them in the designated area of the sandbox. Finding the toys under the same is very exciting for them and the focus is turned to finding the toy...not the digging.

Agility-
Our rescue dogs being a working breed love agility. For the shy dogs, it builds confidence...the praise they begin to crave, and as with any living being....we all want to succeed and please.
I ordered a very inexpensive set of equipment for my yard from DrsFosterandSmith.com
We had a gift certificate, and hey...why not> Agility set

However, pvc pipe with rebar put into the ground works well for weave poles. Jumps can be lawn chairs with a pvc pipe, tunnels can be found very inexpensive at the toddler dept online, or at thrift stores and garage sales. Nothing fancy...again, the dogs don't care...and it is more mentally stimulating. A variety of games are great for the dog.

Dock Diving-
We are relatively new to DD...we belong to MoKan Dock Dogs and have started our pup into the sport. This is a very inexpensive sport that is family oriented. Get together with friends and families for practice at our lake get us out into the fresh air, enjoying each others company....and watching the kids with their dogs, and the dogs with extreme talents is so much fun. Go to DockDogs.com to find a chapter near you.

Daily Walks/runs on leash-
Daily walks and runs on leash are the mainstay of our rescue rehabilitation. The backyard is just a large kennel with walls, so don't think this will suffice for most dogs. Most of our dogs come into rescue from either backyard hobby breeders that don't know when to quit until authorities tell them...or high kill shelters in rural areas. Most of these adults have never seen a collar or leash, so the challenge is to get it on them in the first place. We use a device called an Easy Walker harness.
"I've tried harnesses in the past, and they don't work", you say? Well...this is not a harness in the traditional sense. It is made by the company that represents the Gentle Leader. What I have found to be true with all of the tools in my training box, that this and the Ilusion Collar work very well. The Ilusion collar needs to be adjusted and my hint is to start the straps through the buckles before slipping it over the dogs head, then adjust. The Easy walker you do adjust, as it comes in a variety of sizes...but once it is adjusted, the dogs learn to put their feet in, and go.
The Easy walker has a clasp on the chest. So logically the dog really cannot get ahead of you.

The photo above is from one of my adopters Dr. Gaylene Geisler, DVM and her new puppy Kiera. The exercise ball sitting in the corner of the room is getting a workout from Kiera and the horses. Hey! Do I have one of those sitting around here? This looks like tremendous fun.

The whole idea of this post is to encourage us all to be creative with what we have in a tough economy. To know the dogs don't care...games are fun, it can be a noodle from the pool to create a jump between lawn chairs....hey! That is another idea.
So please share some of your ideas. This could be a subject so many owners and their special canine friends can benefit from!


As I put on my thinking hat for more ideas, I ask you to please comment and share your ideas. The networking and brainstorming for ideas outside to make your dog's day would be most welcome.

Mary Murray
Executive Director-GWP Rescue, Inc
GwpRescue.com
Edie and Baldwin with the Flirt pole