Oh dear...Not another one

Offering my advice on the purchase of a puppy has kicked off yet another debate on good old Facebook.

Granted, I was not asked for advice, but the suggestion of "Please be careful, this breed [Japanese Akita] can be dominant, and require lots of patient training," led to a few people taking digs at me and the validity of the course I am studying.
Unfortunately, I can't copy and paste the conversation here, as it has mysteriously vanished, but briefly, it continued something like this:
Them: "It isn't how dogs are bred, it is how they are brought up."
Me: "While this is partly true, studies have shown that genetics play a role in the development of inappropriate behaviour."
Them: "I would like to know where you are studying, because your facts are wrong. Anyone who knows dogs knows that you have to assert yourself by pushing them to the floor, and pinning them down until they submit."
BOOM! There it is. Once again, the influence of a certain TV trainer has reared its ugly head and is putting people at risk of a serious bite.
This misguided individual (aged somewhere around 20) has indeed had dogs, but the one that myself and my father had the opportunity to meet a fair few years ago, decided one day that he didn't like my dad, and actually bit him. It was not bad enough to warrant medical attention, it was more of a "You turned your back on me, so I'm gonna bite you in the butt and run," kind of nip.
Now, this person would only have been young at the time, so would not have been able to understand just how dogs think.
Now, however, as a dog owner, they should have a better understanding of canine behaviour.
But no. Instead of reading a few of the thousands of books available on the subject of behaviour, how it develops etc, such as the wonderfully insightful "Think Dog!" by the late, great John Fisher, this person, and many people like them, continue to just get dog after dog without researching the breed, or knowing how to effectively, and SAFELY, deal with problem behaviours.
The conversation continued, where my education, and my ability to raise dogs was put into question. It was even suggested that I don't even own dogs (let alone large breeds), so how would I know about them?
Well, owning a very strong-willed German Shepherd has certainly pushed my buttons at times, including when he went through his challenging phase. But by remaining calm and patient, and following the advice of the great minds in animal behaviour, (Karen Pryor, Gwen Bailey, etc etc) we came through it with a loving, gentle GSD. He hasn't lost his playfulness or lust for life, he just knows that good behaviour is rewarding, bad is not. I have never had to raise a hand to him, and would never EVER consider doing what is becoming known as an "Alpha Roll."
It is dangerous, ineffective and just plain stupidity. Not only do you risk making the behaviour worse, you put yourself and those around you at significant risk of being badly bitten, or even killed.

We so desperately need for those still living in the dark ages to be re-educated. Otherwise, our rescue centres are just going to continue battling against the inevitable, trying to re-home dogs that have been left with behavioural issues because of uninformed owners.

Thankfully, most rescue centres are very thorough in their questioning of owners, and will not allow the dogs to be homed with just anyone.
Isn't it about time to introduce a compulsory short course in care and behaviour before anyone can take on a dog? Or other animal, for that matter?
Your thoughts? Read More!

Forest of Dean Quiz Sheet

I have uploaded the Forest of Dean Quiz sheet that I ran for the Hounds for Heroes fundraiser, so if you would like to have a go, it's here!

Obviously, the winners have already been drawn, so it's just for a bit of fun!

Click here for the quiz sheet

The answer sheet is below, but don't be a spoilsport!! You aren't allowed to look at them until you've finished the sheet!!

Click here for the answers!!

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Hounds for Heroes Fundraising Success!

On Sunday 27th June, myself and a group of volunteers ran an Afternoon Tea event at the Community Centre in Lydney, in aid of Hounds for Heroes.
And I am pleased to announce that we raised over £300!

As well as offering tea and coffee (with a biscuit of course!), we also had numerous other stalls:
Home-made cakes, scones, and fresh raspberries (very yummy!)
Guess the name of the teddy
Bric-a-brac and books
Beautiful handmade beaded jewellery
Photo-gifts, cards etc,
A tombola
And a raffle.

Prizes in the raffle included vouchers for Vision Photography in Lydney, and Rebecca Cox Photography of Coleford, A voucher for Country Meats in Lydney, a ladies handbag, four free classes at Club Ginger in Lydney, a voucher for The Real Deal Pie and Cake Co. / Coffee Local of Lydney, A scented gift set, a bath gift set, and a tray of cuppa related goodies!

We also ran a Forest of Dean Quiz sheet, which proved incredibly popular. So much so that we extended it to three prizes instead of one! The questions were all cryptic clues that led to the name of a town, village or tourist attraction in the Forest of Dean. I will make it available asap on here so you can have a go. Of course, you won't get a prize, but it is a bit of fun!

Even though we were up against the England football match, we still managed to raise over £300. I'm sure if we had more publicity, we could have raised some more. However, £300 exceeded my goal for the day, so the hard work really did pay off, as every penny raised will be going to Hounds for Heroes for their "Puppies on Parade" appeal.

Now for the thank you's!! (Please bear with me!)
First and foremost, I would like to thank everyone that popped in for a cuppa and a slice of cake on the day, those who brought the quiz sheet, and those who donated their hard-earned money for such a good cause.

I would also like to thank everyone who helped out on the day by running a stall, volunteering their time to help the event succeed, and especially to those who made the delicious cakes!

A special thanks must go to Councillor Bill Osbourne and his wife who, although they were unable to attend on the day, donated home-made scones and jam, fresh eggs, and two large trays of raspberries, which, I can assure you, were heavenly!

I also must thank all of the local businesses who very kindly donated vouchers, essential items, and prizes for the raffle:
Co-op of Lydney,
Tesco of Lydney,
Harry Tuffins of Lydney,
Scott Shoes,
Club Ginger,
Country Meats of Lydney,
Vision Photography,
The Real Deal Pie and Cake Co. / Coffee Local,
Bah Humbug,
Poppies Florist,
and Rebecca Cox Photography.

Once again, a big thank you to all!!

For more information about Hounds for Heroes, please visit:

www.houndsforheroes.com
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Hounds for Heroes: Support just keeps on growing

The campaign to raise money for "Hounds for Heroes", the charity set up by Allen Parton to provide trained assistance dogs for injured armed forces and civilian emergency services personnel, is already gaining momentum.


Since it's launch, people the country over (myself included!) have been offering up their support through various fund raising events, ranging from raffles to dog shows, and photography competitions to a special charity ball, which took place on 17th April 2010 at Jury's Inn, Birmingham.
Organised by Lynda Cain and Steph Colquitt of Hounds for Heroes, attendees were treated to a three course meal, with talks from Wayne Palmer, Chairman of Hounds for Heroes, Paul Ross from Help for Heroes, and Matt Croucher GC, author of the best-seller, "Bullet Proof", who was awarded the George Cross for his acts of bravery whilst serving in Afghanistan.
An auction followed, which included prizes such as a signed Man Utd football, a 'Platinum-Deluxe' make-over and photo-shoot, and tickets to a variety of shows, before the disco had people dancing into the night.
In total the evening raised an incredible £4325, which has been split between "Hounds for Heroes" and "Help for Heroes" - both very worthy charities indeed.
For more information, please visit www.houndsforheroes.com

Also aiming to raise funds are a brave bunch of "Canicross" runners. Canicross is the latest doggie sport that is sweeping the country, which involves using specialised leads so you can safely run with your dogs. Simon(42) and Cushla Lamen(40), Nicky Hutchinson(49) and Mark Dunbar(47), along with their canine companions, will be running five marathons over five days, from Ilfracombe to Bulford, as part of the Project 65 Forces March, taking place between 27-31 May 2010. For more information about the Forces March, visit www.project65.net
Information about Canicross can be found at www.canicross.org.uk

Cyclists from specialist supermarket Waitrose are also rising to the challenge by taking a trip to Paris, with the proceeds going to Hounds for Heroes. The group, from Petersfield, Hampshire, took part in a photo shoot on 14th May 2010, which included members of the Royal Navy, British Army, RAF, Police force, Fire brigade and Ambulance service, as well as local MP's, Allen Parton with EJ, and adorable reservist puppies, Blaze, Sarge, Gunner and Colonel. Photo's of the day can be found on the Hounds for Heroes Facebook page. ( http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=153732569277 )

One more notable name that must be mentioned is PC Katie Johnson, of Lancashire. On New Years Eve 2007, PC Johnson, a police dog handler and trainer, was shot during a violent robbery at a pub in Bamber Bridge, Preston. She states;
"I became aware of the charity during my recovery period when I read Allen Parton’s (founder of Hounds for Heroes) book."
After contacting Allen to tell him how inspiring his story was, they stayed in touch, and PC Johnson was "honoured" when Allen invited her to become an ambassador for the charity.
"I am absolutely delighted that Katie has decided to get involved and believe she will be a huge asset to the charity." says Gulf War veteran, Allen. "Her knowledge and love for dogs is vital and I think she will be able to provide that link between the charity and police forces across the United Kingdom."

The Hounds for Heores Puppies on Parade appeal is aiming to raise £100,000 to purchase and train five Labrador puppies up to a standard that will assist injured or disabled people.

"Hounds for Heroes is about enablement, independence and an enhanced quality of life for so many injured personnel. We are here to make a difference" says Allen.

For more information, or to lend your support, please visit www.houndsforheroes.com

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Endal: How one amazing dog is still changing the lives of injured services personnel. (UPDATED)

Most people in the doggie world will know the story of Endal, an assistance dog who captured the attention, and hearts, of people the world over, with the amazing story of how he gave owner Allen Parton, a Chief Petty Officer serving in the Royal Navy during the Gulf War, the confidence and independence to rebuild his life, and relationships, after a devastating accident left him with physical and emotional injuries.

After the accident, Allen lost many of his memories, including those of his wife and two children, as well as the use of his legs. Confined to a wheelchair, Allen became completely dependent on others. Being a highly intelligent man, he struggled to accept this, and found himself sinking into despair. That is until one bundle of golden fur adopted him.

While attending Canine Partners, a charity that trains assistance dogs for the disabled, Allen formed a unique relationship with a yellow Labrador called Endal. And the rest, as the say, is History.

Endal looking deservedly proud

Sadly, Endal passed away in Spring 2009, but his legacy lives on in the charity "Hounds for Heroes", a dream come true for Allen Parton.

The charity has been set up to train assistance dogs specifically to give injured Armed Forces and Emergency Services personnel the freedom and independence that Allen himself gained from one special little dog.

The charity is still very young, and a group of dedicated volunteers are working tirelessly to raise enough funds to purchase and train the first dogs. Please visit the website (www.houndsforheroes.com) and donate what you can. You can also order a set of dog tags engraved with the Hounds for Heroes logo from eBay. The link can be found on the website.

Allen with EJ (Endal Junior), whom Endal took under his wing before he sadly passed, continues Endal's legacy by providing Allen with independence and companionship. EJ is one of the first dogs to be trained by "Hounds for Heroes."

I would never pretend to understand the hell that our brave servicemen and women go through on a daily basis, especially those injured in the line of duty. However, I do know that dogs can have a profound, positive effect on your health and well-being.
Please lend your support to this wonderful cause.

Below are some photo's of Endal during his day-to-day life as an assistance dog.
I would like to say a big Thank You to Allen Parton for a lovely email, and for sending these photographs.

Endal on a shopping trip.

One of the many tasks that this incredible dog undertook on a daily basis.

Endal's dedication to Allen meant that no job was to big, nor to small.

Endal helping Allen at the cash point machine; it was this display that drew the attention of the media.

Due to his injury, Allen had no memories of his wedding to wife, Sandra. But after Endal gave Allen his confidence back, the couple decided to have a "second wedding" that, after all they have been through, was well and truly deserved.

"Endal" by Allen and Sandra Parton, tells the full story of this extraordinary dog, and is a must-read.

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R$PCA - How your donations are spent

Like all dog lovers, I was absolutely shocked to read about the R$PCA's use of a captive bolt gun to put down 10 German Shepherds in Pontardawe, Swansea Valley, South Wales.

The rescue organisation were called in by a family member after the owner of the Shepherds had passed away. The family were apparently told that they should contact other rescue organisations, as the dogs would almost certainly be euthanised if the R$PCA took them. However, both the German Shepherd Dog rescue and The Dog's Trust have stated that they were not contacted by any one with regards to this matter. The R$PCA were again contacted by the next-of-kin, at which point they went to the property. Once there, the dogs were "assessed."

In an official statement, the R$PCA claimed that "none of the dogs were at all suitable for re-homing due to concerns about their aggressive behaviour and lack of socialisation with people. The dogs were also suffering from a severe skin condition"

Following a discussion with 8 other officers, it was decided that the dogs should be euthanised using a captive bolt gun, as this would "minimise distress to the dogs, while also being the safest method for those people responsible for dealing with the animals"

How is this not distressing?? Who are they trying to fool??

A captive bolt gun is the weapon of choice in slaughterhouses. That's right, they are used in the killing of COWS. But that isn't the worst of it. The bolt gun does NOT kill the animal outright. It is placed against the head, and stuns the animal, creating a hole in the head. To finish the dastardly deed, a rod must then be forced into the animals brain. It is bloody, painful and downright CRUEL.

A spokesperson for the organisation said that "Restraining the dogs and then shaving a limb to prepare for a lethal injection would have caused these animals unnecessary suffering, due to the animals suffering from a severe skin condition"

HOW IS THAT WORSE THAN PINNING A DOG DOWN, SHOOTING A HOLE IN ITS HEAD, THEN STABBING IT IN THE BRAIN???

I fail to believe that these dogs could not have been helped by organisations such as German Shepherd Dog Rescue, and I am positive that many people, myself included, would have offered whatever help they could give to save these poor dogs.

They were somebody's pets. They were loved and cared for, and regardless of a lack of socialisation, should have been given a chance to have a full and happy life. Instead they were cruelly and unnecessarily slaughtered.

Unfortunately, many people are still donating thousands of pounds to the R$PCA, some of which goes into the pockets of the inspectors responsible for this vile crime.
Many rescue organisations rely on small donations to keep afloat, and which are run by volunteers who often work long hours for absolutely no money. These are the people who truly care about animals, dedicated to do whatever they can to help.
The R$PCA, on the other hand....well, I will say no more.

Please take a few moments to click on the link below and follow the instructions to sign the petition. (On the "News" page)

http://www.manytears.co.uk/

There is also lots of information on what else you can do to raise awareness of this crime.

We need to stop this cruelty NOW, before more innocent dogs are needlessly killed by those who are supposed to be helping them.

How would you feel if it was your pet?


NOTE: Due to bullying and threats of legal action by the high paid lawyers employed by the R$PCA, it is now very naughty to use the acronym of the organisation.
A letter to Jayne Shenstone of the German Shepherd Rescue, from an R$PCA lawyer states:
"the protection afforded by the trade mark registration process and the Trade Marks Act 1994 effectively covers the use of the RSPCA acronym in upper and lower case"
Therefore, as you may have noticed, I've had to tweak it a bit!
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Please listen to the owner.

As someone who grew up around dogs, from A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel that came to live with us when I was one year old, to German Shepherds owned by family and friends, I have never been one to fear dogs. However, I have also been taught about the dangers of approaching strange dogs.

Luckily, I have never had to experience a dog bite, but thanks to my parents educating me from a young age, I have never put myself into a situation where I could get hurt. If I see a dog who I am familiar with, I have no problem approaching them. I remember when I was around 8 years old seeing my uncles German Shepherd in their car, at the local market one day. The window was open a crack, and Timmy was barking. He was a large dog, but was in fact very gentle. Knowing him well, I walked up to the car, talking to him as I got closer. Voices all around me were saying "Look at that silly girl," "She is going to get bitten," and things like that. However, I ignored them, and put my hand up to the window. Timmy immediately stopped barking, wagged his tail, and licked my hand through the crack in the window. At no point was I at risk of being bitten, and I knew that, because I knew Timmy well.

Being a dog lover, though, I often stop to admire other, unfamiliar dogs. Walking straight up is a no-no. I always approach without acknowledging the dog, and engage the owner in conversation. I then ask them if the dog is okay with strangers, and if it is ok to stroke them. Even if the dog appears friendly, it is better to be safe than sorry. It is also common courtesy, as the dog may be undergoing some form of training, such as to become a guide dog.

With that in mind, I would like to tell you about a recent experience with my own dogs.

Both of my GSD's have fear-related problems when it comes to men. The male is scared that he is going to be hit, so will get defensive if approached in a threatening manner, and the female is scared of everything. She will run a mile if you even look at her. But many of us who are part of the dog world know that, if escape from a situation is impossible, for example, if the dog is on a lead, or cornered, then they can become fear-aggressive. The advice I always give to people that come to the house is "Ignore them, and they will get used to your presence. Don't, under any circumstances, corner them, or anything like that." After a short time, both dogs will approach, and a little while later, are usually on their backs having their bellies rubbed!! It is purely fear that any man is going to hurt them. They love women, (they live with myself and my mother), but are mistrusting of strangers. However, many of my female friends will just knock and walk in to our house, as the dogs are no threat to them. They enjoy the company and attention!!

However, when out walking (they are ALWAYS on their leads and head-collars, as they are large dogs, who can look threatening, even if they are not), I always ask people not to approach. There is no real reason why I do this, other than the fact that there is a POSSIBILITY that they may view people as a threat. Unfortunately, it was proved that this is a very real possibilty.

I had walked both of them up to the vets to have them weighed, which is a regular thing for me, just to monitor their weights. Most of you will know that even the most fearless of dogs will turn into a quivering wreck at the word "VET." But it all went smoothly. It took a few moments for me to coax the male onto the scales, but he was fine, even with the nurse handling him.

Needless to say, they were very happy to get out of there, and were trying to pull me down the road as fast as possible to get away! So i decided to walk around to my nans, who lives nearby, to get them a drink, and calm them down. They were wonderfully behaved, even though they do not go there very often.

Once they were relaxed again, I set off for the walk home. I managed to get out on to the street, before problems started. Across the road were a gang of boys, the older ones being around the age of 16-18, the younger ones being around 12-14. One of the younger boys spotted the dogs straight away, and shouted "Hey, look at those dogs! I want to stroke them!" At this point, I politely pointed out that I am working with the dogs behaviour, and please do not approach them, as they are scared of males, and not having an escape route, it could be a bad situation. I spoke to one of the older boys, who said it was fine, they understood, and it was no problem. So we carried on walking down either side of the road. After several feet, the same young boy shouted again. "I'm going to stroke the dogs!" Before I had the chance to respond, he ran across the road towards us. Immediately, both dogs viewed this as a threat. The female began barking, urinated and span in a circle, trying to escape. Her vocalisations were high-pitched and she was trying to hide behind my legs. The male did not make a sound, nor did he make any move towards or away, although he was tense, and his tail was tucked between his legs.

Thankfully, as soon as the female began barking, the boy stopped. I corrected the dogs behaviour appropriately, then turned back to the boys. One of the older ones was already shouting at the younger boy, telling him that he should not ignore what the owner says, and that if he had got bitten, it would have been his fault. Of course, at this point, my mind was telling me that if he HAD been bitten, my dogs would have been to blame, even though it was in no way their fault. I had explained the situation to him, and he chose to ignore my advice. I do everything I can to make sure my dogs are not a threat to anyone, but it takes some effort of others to do this. I do not want to have to have my dogs put to sleep as "Dangerous dogs" because someone refused to take my advice. Yes, they didn't know that I am a student of canine behaviour, but they did know they are my dogs, and I know them.

At a point when I thought I couldn't feel any worse about all the effort I am putting in to training the dogs, I noticed an off-duty policeman, who lives at the bottom of the road, walking up on the other side of the road. I thought to myself "Oh great, now he is going to say he is reporting the dogs or something, and they are going to be in trouble." I felt like crying, until he got to the boys, and said to the one who had approached "You stupid boy! You could have been bitten by those dogs! You do not approach any dogs, especially running at them, if you do not know them!"

I looked at him, and started to apologise, hoping for, well, I don't really know what I was expecting. However, he stopped me mid-sentence to reassure me that I did not need to explain, he saw what happened, and the boy was at fault. I apologised again, thanked him, and breathed a huge sigh of relief. Even a policeman did not blame the dogs for their reaction.

I walked them home without any more problems, and once I got in the house, I cried. I have dedicated so much time into helping the dogs overcome their problems. The improvement in them is incredible, even though it has taken a lot of time, but there is always a chance that the behaviour could re-emerge, given the situation and opportunity. I try my best to avoid this, but some people seem to think it is okay to ignore the person who obviously knows what is best for their dog.

It is all down to education. I believe it is very important for children to learn respect for animals and people alike from a young age, and appropriate behaviour towards these animals. My 4 year old cousin is fantastic with the dogs, because she has been taught to be respectful. The male shepherd loves her to pieces, and will do anything she asks. It is wonderful to see him with her, although obviously I still keep a very close eye on him.

More effort should go in to educating youngsters, at home and at school. Dogs are always going to be a part of life in this country, but thanks to the idiotic minority, those of us who truly care about them, and what is best for them, are going to end up being punished for their stupidity.

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Looking for a new dog? Please Read.

Are you thinking about purchasing a new dog? Getting a cute little puppy to love and cuddle?

Have you considered rescuing one of the many dogs that are abandoned and mistreated every year? If not, please reconsider.

The majority of dogs in rescue centres are there through no fault of their own. In times like these, when the whole world as tightening the purse strings, many dogs are being abandoned simply because the owners can not afford to keep them. These poor dogs then spend months in small cages, waiting for someone to throw them a lifeline, and although most rescue centres do their best to care for the animals, this can have a detrimental effect on the dog and its behaviour. When someone finally notices them, some behave in a way they normally wouldn't. This gives them even less of a chance at being re-homed, and they end up living out their lives without the TLC they truly deserve.

Taking on a rescue dog is a wonderful thing, and it gives you a sense of fulfilment.

However, I understand that some people are reluctant to take on a dog that has a history, and possible behavioural issues. After all, everyone wants a well-behaved companion. But is it really that different from getting a puppy? Mostly, rescue dogs are house-trained and have some basic training. However, a puppy requires house-training, obedience training, and they demand a lot more of your time than an adult dog, who is usually happy to just curl up in front of a warm fire. Yes, it is recommended that you continue their training, teaching them manners, as well as other things they may not have learnt, but patience will always pay off. It's a wonderful feeling when that trick you've been practising comes together, and you can show your family and friends just what your dog can do.

Before you purchase a puppy, please consider the 100's of dogs that are in rescue centres every year. The staff will do their best to match you with a dog that suits your lifestyle.

Contact your local centre for more details.

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Bad dogs?

I'm sick of hearing about German Shepherds gone bad. When you hear about dog attacks in the news, you can almost Guarantee it will mention German Shepherd, Rottweiler or Staffordshire Bull Terrier. People are led to believe that all dogs of these breeds are viscious brutes who can not be trusted around humans.

Newsflash: THEY'RE NOT!!!!

I, myself, own two German Shepherds (one purebred, one part Samoyed), and I know several people who own, or have owned, this breed.

They are immensely loyal, easy to train, protective when they need to be, and make great family pets - IF they are brought up correctly, as is the case with ALL dogs.

My GSD cross, (the bitch) has been with me for over two years. She was 11 weeks old when I had her from a rescue centre. Her training began straight away with puppy classes. After sailing through them, I kept up her obedience training, as well as moving on to teach her tricks and agility. She is a lovely dog who, although a little bit timid around strangers, would never hurt a soul. She loves running around with children, never chasing them, but will happily lie down quietly when she is told to.

On the other hand, my male GSD came to me about a year ago at the age of one. His previous owners had left him to his own devices, locked up all day with nothing to do other than chew the kitchen floor, door frames and whatever else he could find. 

When he came to me, he would not even sit down on command. He was also very frightened of men, owing to the fact that instead of being taught the difference between right and wrong with the proper techniques, he was punished harshly for doing things he was never taught NOT to do. This, of course, led to more bad behaviour, as it seemed to be the only way he could get attention.

Most people would view this as a problem. I saw it as an opportunity to gain some experience for my course.

To make a long story short(ish!), in just over a year, he has learnt basic obedience, several fun tricks, and he loves people coming to the house. Although he still needs some work where men are concerned, he is mostly a happy-go-lucky dog. 

Statistically, more people are bitten by Jack Russells than they are GSD's. However, because of their smaller soze, these attacks go mostly unreported. 

More often than not, you will find that the owners of these aggressive dogs have trained them to be this way, especially Bull Terrier-types, who are often used as status symbols. 

Dog ownership is a privilege, and only those who truly understand the needs of a dog should be allowed to keep them, even if that means bringing back a license. This would help to prevent bad owners from turning such wonderful creatures into the monster's that many (mostly cat owners or petless people) perceive them to be.

All you need is a bit of time and patience. It may surprise you when you see exactly what your dog can do when YOU make the effort.

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