Update from the Whelping Box

Here’s the update from the Whelping Box:

We are adorable, chocolate Australian Labradoodles. There are 7 puppies in this litter-6 boys and 1 girl. We’re all ONE WEEK OLD now. You might think we haven’t been doing much for these first seven days of our lives, but we’ve been quite busy. Just look:

• We lost what was left of our umbilical cords (what a nuisance — glad that’s gone!)
• We’ve discovered that we have hind legs that work.
• We’ve all more than doubled our weight, just as we should.
• We have round rumps now (unlike those bony bottoms we had when we popped out)
• We can squiggle like salamanders and we can push with our back legs, too (instead of just pulling ourselves with our front legs like we did before).
• We’ve learned how to find each other now (we sniff and feel our ways to each other).
• We can make a puppy pile!  (Oooooo…so roasty toasty warm!)
• We’re experimenting with making noises. We grunt and sigh and sing and call out for Momma Fiona. We yelp when Momma Fiona steps on us, and we sometimes bark in our sleep (but we don’t know what that is yet).
• We’re all willing to be cuddled regularly, too.
• We sleep 90% of the time now, and we’re mostly happy and content.

Speaking of sleep, that’s enough for now.  *yawn*  We’re tired, and we gotta get back to the hard work of growing. We’ll check in with you next week for another puppy report.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Puppies!!!

Fiona produced a litter of 7 puppies last night-January 4, 2013! There are 6 boys and 1 girl in this litter! They are all medium-sized, chocolate-colored, fleece-coated Australian Labradoodles! Beautiful dogs that are non-shedding, hypoallergenic, and highly intelligent!

As breeders of these extraordinarily friendly family companions we want to extend to others the joy and companionship these dogs bring into our lives.

The Labradoodles are so popular because:

• Extraordinarily friendly family companions
• Non-shedding
• Social with people and other dogs
• Playful and witty in personality
• Allergy friendly
• Eager to learn and please
• Excellent water dogs and retrievers

As a small family breeder our dogs and puppies enjoy socialization by our family. As part of our family, our doodles not only enjoy our property they also join us at all kinds of extracurricular activities, such as football, and swim team, which also allows us to socialize our dogs in the public too.

Feel free to contact me at the following for more information!

Phone- 1 (307) 413-5891

Email-clancyaussiedoodles@hotmail.com

Clancy Aussie Doodles on Facebook- www.facebook.com/ClancyAussieDoodles

Pinterest- http://pinterest.com/clancydoodles/

Our pictures on Flickr- http://www.flickr.com/photos/clancyaussiedoodles/

Puppies!

We have an upcoming litter between our Lady Fiona Clancy and Aussie Doodles’ Canadoodle Sable Kodiak.

We are expecting for the litter to be born in late December/early January. We are accepting deposits for this litter now!

Here are some pictures of the puppies from their previous litter!

Starting Your Day Off Right…

…With an adorable fluffy Australian Labradoodle face!

The Human-Canine Bond

Photo © mollypop on flickr

Dogs have long been considered “man’s best friend,” and they have certainly earned the title. The bond between humans and canines is unmistakable. Since the domestication of the dog, people have been drawn to them (and they to us). Dogs have helped us in so many ways and expect little in return. They have hunted with us, kept vermin and pests away, served the military and police, assisted the disabled, and faithfully remained our loyal companions. In turn, we care for them and maintain good quality of life. This is more than a fair trade. In fact, it is a downright bargain. How did this bond become so strong? What can we do to preserve and strengthen it?

A Brief History of the Domesticated Dog

The mysterious history of dogs has been revealed primarily thorough archeological research. Evidence of prehistoric dog-like creatures shows us that the evolution of the dogcan actually be traced back millions of years. The transition of some wolves into dogs probably began upwards of 100,000 years ago, but the domesticated dog likely dates back anywhere from 15,000 to 30,000 years. Some believe that humans set out to domesticate dogs by “breeding” for specific traits, though this may not actually be the case. By nature, dogs are scavengers, so one theory suggests that dogs began to follow human hunters for food. Regardless of how it all started, the human-canine bond has blossomed and strengthened over time and will likely continue to grow.

What Dogs Do For Humans

Companionship is perhaps the most universal thing that dogs give us, but this is only the beginning. Scientific evidence has proven that many health benefits come along with pet ownership. Our dogs help us relax, lower our blood pressure, keep us active and more. Dogs happily work for us, too. Service dogscan assist those with mental or physical disabilities, work as search-and-rescue dogs, guard valuable  property and protect us from harm by sniffing out threats and criminal activity. Even our companion dogs can be trained to proudly defend our homes and families.

What’s In It for the Dogs

The domesticated dog has evolved to be quite dependent upon humans. Though dogs can still often survive in the wild, they thrive with the care humans can provide. All we really need to do is look out for our dogs’ best interests. We must be responsible dog owners and we fulfill their basic needs- food, shelter, health care and so on. We train them so they understand their jobs and they find joy in this. It is truly a win-win situation.

Preserving and Strengthening the Human-Canine Bond

The bond you have with your dog begins the moment he comes into your life and never stops growing. However, there are ways to reinforce the bond throughout your dog’s life. Participation in activities with your dog is the best way to do this. It can be as simple as a training session, grooming routine, playtime or exercise. For more structured bonding, you can join an obedience class, start training in dog sports like agility and flyball, or participate in dog shows. One of the kindest ways to bond with your dog and allow your dog to bond with others is to get involved with pet therapy. If your dog is right for therapy, he can visit people in hospitals and nursing homes or help children read and learn. Your dog may be able to help benefit the health and lift the spirits of people in need, all while having the time of his life. No matter how you strengthen and preserve the human-canine bond, remember that it benefits the health and well-being of both you and your dog.

Forever Homes-Norman (Brogan)

This is a letter from one of our clients who received one of the puppies from Canadoodle Sable’s Kodiak and our very own Lady Fiona Clancy’s litter. Norman arrived at their house on June 20, 2012, and they absolutely fell in love with him. Norman currently has a siblings available-Aiden. Check out our “Available Puppies” page for more details. Below the letter are some pictures of Norman from week 1 at our home to week 9 at their home. We are so proud of how well Norman is doing and what a testament he is to this amazing breed. We are so happy to hear about Norman’s speciality training and what an impact he has made.

July 9, 2012

Dear Clancy Family,

 

This is a just a note to let you know how well Norman is adjusting to his new home! If dogs could talk, we are pretty sure he’d tell you hit he the “adoption” jackpot. He gets more attention, has more toys, blankies, and treats than most babies…I am just sure of it!

 

Words really cannot express our sheer joy with Norman. It’s really odd to even hear myself say this because my husband and I are not “dog” people, in fact, we are not “animal” people. For 15 years, we’ve been adamant in telling our children that they could not have a dog. Mainly because my husband has allergies and I am a neat freak about our house. These two major obstacles have become non-issues since we have acquired Norman. He is hypoallergenic and non-shedding! What a bonus!

 

We decided to give in to children’s request after finding your ClancyAussieDoodle page on Facebook and speaking with you. We loved how you made yourself available to answer all of questions and concerns over the course of several months. We were impressed at how seriously you took your job as a breeder and how many questions you asked us to ensure that Norman would be a good fit with our family.  It is beyond obvious that you love what you do…your passion is evident.

 

You see, we don’t even consider Norman a dog…lol…he has so many human characteristics, it’s uncanny. He loves people…the more he’s around…the happier he is. He doesn’t bark(as long as he is not alone), he is well on his way to being potty trained (at just 10 weeks old) and he’s doing amazing in obedience school. In fact, our trainer, has repeatedly commented on how well-behaved Norman is. He mentioned that he’s never seen a Doodle quite like Norman – he said all the Doodles he’s ever worked with were happy but very hyper and had trouble obeying rules. We find just the opposite with Norman. He adapts well to all environments and clearly understands the word, “no”.

 

He’s so much fun and easy to train! We have taught him how to ring a bell when he needs to potty, how to stand jump up on a platform for a treat, how to stand on his back two legs and hop for a treat, and jump through a hula hoop! We are now working on teaching him how to walk on a balance beam…no joke! He loves being active and has no problems keeping up on our daily family walk of 2-3 miles!

 

Our plans are to continue obedience school for the next 6-12 months so we can get him certified as an AKC  STAR puppy, then on to hopefully earning the AKC Good Canine  Award.  Finally, we hope to get him certified as a therapy dog so we can take him to visit sick kids and the elderly at nursing homes and assisted living facilities! Our trainer says, Norman is well on his way to achieving all these goals!

Thank you from the bottom of our happy hearts! Norman has been such a blessing to our family. He is amazing because you are an amazing breeder. Please do not hesitate to give our name as a referral!

 

Most Sincerely,

Michelle and Joel Tjelmeland

Owners of tjelmeland.com, e-websmart.com and founders of www.ciafonline.org 217-498-1073

 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Jackson Hole, WY-4th of July Fireworks Cancelled

Jackson Hole Fire/EMS staffers announced Monday that they won’t allow public fireworks displays at Teton Village or Snow King Mountain to celebrate Fourth of July.

Chief Willy Watsabaugh said the fire danger for the area is too high to allow the Independence Day events. He said the fireworks displays likely would divert too many firefighters from other areas of the valley.

“When we look at the risk analysis on this, it makes sense to stop this now,” he said early Monday evening.

He said he didn’t see a good alternative that would allow the displays to proceed.

Watsabaugh delayed his decision for much of Monday, deflecting questions from town and county officials throughout the day until he received additional test results about potential fire activity. Private fireworks are prohibited throughout the county, but the ban on the public events was uncertain.

Watsabaugh received some tests results late Monday afternoon that showed that Snow King is in the 97th percentile when looking at how likely it is for a large fire to spread in the area, he said. The test he cited measures the likelihood of combustion, moisture content and historical data for dead and downed fuels.

“We are in very high fire danger,” he said.

The decision comes as state and local government officials ramp up efforts to prevent fires, issuing new restrictions and trying to set money aside to pay for potential firefighting efforts.

Town and county officials Monday approved a partial fire closure, which carries with it new restrictions. It was set to take effect at 6 a.m. today.

Under the closure, residents are not allowed to:

• Build campfires within 25 feet of any structure or brush or tree-covered area unless it’s in an established campfire grate or ring;

• Operate a chain saw without an approved spark-arresting device, a chemically pressurized fire extinguisher and one round-point shovel at hand;

• Openly burn trash, grass, brush or tree cuttings or construction debris;

• Use a welder or torch or other types of open-flame device unless they are in a cleared area that is at least 10 feet in diameter and a chemically pressurized fire extinguisher is at hand;

• Use explosive devices that require fuse blasting caps, tracer bullets, rockets or model aircraft that use propellant-type engines.

Additionally, residents aren’t allowed to smoke unless they are within a developed recreation site, an enclosed vehicle or building or are in an area at least three feet in diameter that has been cleared of any flammable material.

Watsabaugh said the high fire danger in Teton County is coming earlier in the year than it historically has. County staff estimated that the fire risk is two to three weeks earlier than in years past.

He said he couldn’t recall ever having to ban fireworks displays because of fire danger.

Bridger-Teton National Forest and Grand Teton National Park officials already approved partial fire closures. On Monday, Gov. Matt Mead issued a statement urging residents across the state not to use fireworks and open fires.

Mead sent letters to every county in the state, asking that they impose fire restrictions.

The Fire/EMS department currently has four firefighters in Big Piney. They drove an engine to the area last week and have been helping battle the Fontenelle Fire.

Two firefighters have been at the site since last week. Other firefighters from Jackson have rotated in to help out.

“We’re just trying to keep a watchful eye here,” Watsabaugh said. “We don’t want to have a lot of our resources away from the area.”

For information about fire restrictions, residents can call 866-221-6441 or visit www.tetonwyo.org/fire.

For more articles and information about the Jackson Hole area check out this link to the Jackson Hole News & Guide http://www.jhnewsandguide.com/

The Dog Days of Summer

If you think these past few days have been unbearably hot as you spent a minute or two outside your air-conditioned home or office, think what it would feel like to be cooped up inside a car parked in the sun.

While you’re wearing a fur coat.

With the windows most of the way up.

With no water to drink or even a hint of a breeze.

And no way out.

After just 10 minutes in a car on a 95-degree day, the interior temperature reaches 114 degrees, according to a San Francisco State University researcher. After just 20 minutes, it’s 124 degrees in there.

“If you have to go somewhere, taking them (your dog) with you is not a good idea,” said Jason King, chief animal control officer at the Humane Society of Henderson County. “You can come back to a dead animal if they’re in there too long.”

Even if you’re just running to a store or to somebody’s house on what you think will be a quick errand, leave the dog at home. “It’s dangerous out there,” King said.

So far this summer, local animal control officers haven’t had too many heat-related complaints, King said Tuesday, just a day before the afternoon temperatures started their climb into the 90s and eventually to this weekend’s triple digits.

To keep these types of incidents to a minimum, shelter operations director Josh Cromer encourages people to not only look out for their own pets and to bring them indoors whenever possible, but also to keep an eye on their neighbors’ outdoor animals as well.

“If you know your neighbors have outside dogs and you’re home during the day, go over and check on them,” Cromer said. “Go give them water and make sure they have access to shade.

“That’s the responsible thing to do,” he added.

By law, an animal’s owner is required to provide a regular supply of fresh drinking water and a place for the animal to go to get out of the sun.

But that’s just the minimum that should be done.

Taking the pet into an air-conditioned home or a cool basement is the ideal solution, but if that is absolutely impossible, “be diligent on checking their water constantly,” King said. “You are going to have to fill it up more.”

Shady spots are more important than ever during extreme heat.

“You wouldn’t want to be out all day in the direct sun with no water,” King said.

“These living, breathing creatures get hot, too,” he said. “They need a way to get cooled off.”

And while people are encouraged to help their neighbors’ pets, if the situation is an ongoing problem, there may be no choice but to report the offenders to authorities.

Not providing water and shade for pets “is a crime. It falls under cruelty to animals,” King said. “If you are not doing this, you will get a visit from us.”

While the dogs and cats living at the Humane Society of Henderson County are kept in air-conditioned areas, the dogs also need a break from their kennels and a chance to get some exercise in the shelter’s fenced-in yards.

If you’d like to give the pups a fun way to cool off, the shelter is accepting donations of small kiddie pools in which the dogs can play and splash during hot summer days.

Cromer said that at the Franklin County shelter where he previously worked, the facility had numerous small plastic pools for the dogs to enjoy.

In addition to the wading pools, the Henderson shelter could also use donations of large stainless steel buckets to fill with water for the dogs to drink when they’re outside.

Temperatures are expected to continue to be in the upper 90s this week, with overnight lows in the mid-70s, so while you may enjoy attending the Fourth of July fireworks in downtown Henderson, it would probably be wise to leave your dog at home.

Many dogs don’t like the loud noises that fireworks make.

“If you know you have a skittish dog, it’s probably best to put it inside (your house) and let it feel a little more secure” than outside with a crowd as the loud booming fireworks light up the sky, Cromer said.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals web site agrees that home is the best place for dogs during fireworks shows.

“Please resist the urge to take them to Independence Day festivities,” says a news release on the ASPCA site. “Instead, keep your little guys safe from the noise in a quiet, sheltered and escape-proof area at home.”

The is the High Temperature Forecast for July 2, 2012.

The First Day of Summer

The Northern Hemisphere welcomes the first day of summer on June 20 or June 21 depending on your location.

The astronomical beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere is marked by the June solstice. Depending on the year, the day that marks the official start of summer can be June 20 or June 21. The following is a list of exact dates and times for upcoming and previous summer solstices:

• June 20, 2008 at 7:59 pm EDT
• June 21, 2009 at 1:45 am EDT
• June 21, 2010 at 7:28 am EDT
• June 21, 2011 at 1:16 pm EDT
• June 20, 2012 at 7:09 pm EDT
• June 21, 2013 at 1:04 am EDT
• June 21, 2014 at 6:51 am EDT

Now I know that I need not post for the exact day, and it is not because I am lazy. It is simply because it completely blew my mind. I had planned to do a post about the beginning of Summer but when the day arrived I completely forgot until now. So here it is, my post about the first day of Summer.

Dogs and the Summer Season

The intense summer heat is certainly nothing to keep cool about, especially when it comes to man’s furry best friend. We humans aren’t the only ones to complain about the scorching sun. Dogs, too, need comfort from the harshness of the tropical climate, sometimes even more than humans.

Attention, all pet owners! Protect your beloved pooches from heat stroke by keeping in mind these simple tips from Dog Whisperer Caesar Milan.

Tip #1: Schedule walks wisely

Heat varies at different times of the day. When taking dogs out for walks, keep in mind that the coolest times of the day are usually in the morning or at night. The summer heat is not the only thing dogs battle against, but the hot asphalt that can burn their paws as well. Dogs release heat through their paws so allow dogs to wander in grassy areas rather than on cemented roads.

Caesar shares that doggie boots are an effective way to protect dogs’ paws. While dog shoes are uncommon in the Philippines, pet owners must be sensitive in checking for discomforts or irritation dogs may experience with their paws.

Tip #2: Keep dehydration in check

Dogs, unlike humans, cannot sweat; and a tell-tale sign of sunstroke is excessive drooling. A dehydrated dog will become weak and sluggish with bloodshot eyes. If the skin is lifted, it takes longer than usual to go back to its normal position.

An effective way to keep dogs hydrated is to carry around water bottles whenever taking them out for walks. Be aware that dogs absorb heat differently; dogs with dark coats and dogs with more fat and body mass absorb more.

EYES HAVE IT. They cannot talk, but their eyes can communicate what they need. Photo of Frodo by Christian Panganiban.

Tip #3: Let them swim, let them be

Be creative with ways to keep your dog cool. Small kiddie pools or basins are effective ways to lower their temperature. When spraying dogs with water, concentrate on their paws and their belly, keeping in mind that dogs cool from the bottom up.

Summer is a season of fun under the sun, and what better way to celebrate it than to splash around in the ocean. Try taking dogs out for a swim once in a while. Not only is it an effective heat repellent, but a great bonding activity as well.

By instinct, dogs dig up holes in the ground to find a cool place to lie down. Allow them to exercise their animal nature while letting them have fun in the process. Discover a shady area where your dogs can dig.

Tip #4: Not in cars, please

Leaving dogs in a parked car is a no-no. A car’s interior collects more heat than the outside environment. Moreover, dogs are prone to claustrophobia and may get overly excited by passers-by, thus increasing the risk of dehydration.

The summer heat is not something to be dreaded if one knows the proper way to handle it.

NATURE’S PET. We’re used to seeing them in the hiking and walking around town here in Jackson Hole, but dogs are very much nature’s children, too. Let them walk and run on cool grass and they will love you for it. Photo by Roopak R Nair.

Travelling buddies

Summertime is vacation time, and when choosing to bring along dogs, there are several things to keep in mind in order to make the journey hassle free, not only for pets, but for the owners as well. Web MD shares several tips to make your dog’s journey as fun as the destination.

Much like how motion sickness is more commonly experienced by children, puppies and young dogs are more susceptible to vomiting and nausea. This is usually linked to the puppies’ undeveloped ear structures used for balance. Most dogs outgrow this however; it is not unlikely that a dog will associate traveling with vomiting. It is then important to make the ride as comfortable as possible.

MOMMY, YOU THERE? Dogs see us as their protectors. And as their owners, we are responsible for protecting them. Photo of Frodo by Christian Panganiban.

Signs of dog motion sickness are inactivity, slowness, uneasiness, yawning, excessive drooling, and vomiting to name a few. Make sure your dog is facing forward, preventing it from sticking its head out the window. Lowering the windows by a portion will also help balance the pressure from the outside and the inside. Another effective trick is lowering the dog’s food intake before the trip and giving small treats (best if sugary) right before the voyage. Like in humans, this will lessen and prevent the feeling of nausea.

The most important thing to remember is to know your dog and find personal ways to make the trip easy and enjoyable.

Puppy’s First Week at Home

Start housetraining your pup the moment he comes home.  It is important, and surprisingly easy, to train your puppy without him making a single toilet or chewing mistake.  Each mistake will make training considerably more difficult. Puppies quickly establish toilet habits and even a single mistake heralds many more in the future. Also, punishing puppies for soiling the house or making chewing mistakes inadvertently teaches them to soil the house or chew on shoes while their owners are away (and therefore, cannot punish). Remember, good habits are just as hard to break as bad habits and so, housetrain your puppy from the outset.

Confinement is the secret to errorless housetraining — using a doggy den and a puppy playroom) to make sure your unsupervised puppy will not make any mistakes. The whole point of confining puppies while they are young is so that they will be able to have as much freedom as possible when they are older.  Alternatively, if you let your new puppy roam free and form bad house-habits, you will no doubt confine him as an adult. Also, of course, make sure you teach your puppy to love his den and playroom.

With the proper use of a doggy den it is very easy to predict when your puppy will need to use the toilet. This means you can take your puppy to your chosen toilet location and know they will promptly pee or poop so that you may reward them extravagantly and play with them indoors, knowing they won’t have an accident.  Additionally, you are in complete control of what objects they have access to in their confinement areas, so they may learn to chew only appropriate items.  Hollow chewtoys stuffed with food will teach them what is appropriate to chew, and reward them for quietly enjoying some appropriate recreational chewing.

Regular, early confinement will help your puppy learn to enjoy spending time at home alone.

You need to ensure that an errorless housetraining and chewtoy-training program is instituted the very first day your puppy comes home. During the first week, puppies characteristically learn good or bad habits that set the precedent for weeks, months, and sometimes years to come.  Never forget, good habits are just as hard to break as bad habits!

The Very First Day Your Puppy Comes Home

Your canine newcomer is just itching to learn household manners. She wants to please, but she has to learn how. Before the young pup can be trusted to have full run of the house, somebody must teach the house rules. There’s no point keeping house rules a secret. Somebody has to tell the pup. And that somebody is you. Otherwise, your puppy will let her imagination run wild in her quest for occupational therapy to pass the time of day. Without a firm grounding in canine domestic etiquette, your puppy will be left to improvise in her choice of toys and toilets. The pup will no doubt eliminate in closets and on carpets, and your couches and curtains will be viewed as mere playthings for destruction. Each mistake is a potential disaster, since it heralds many more to come. If your pup is allowed to make “mistakes,” bad habits will quickly become the status quo, making it necessary to break bad habits before teaching good ones.

Begin by teaching your puppy good habits from the very first day she comes home. Your puppy’s living quarters need to be designed so that housetraining and chewtoy-training are errorless.

Be absolutely certain that you fully understand the principles of long-term and short-term confinement before you bring your new puppy home. With a long-term and short-term confinement schedule, housetraining and chewtoy-training are easy, efficient, and errorless. During her first few weeks at home, regular confinement (with chewtoys stuffed with kibble) teaches the puppy to teach herself to chew chewtoys, to settle down calmly and quietly, and not to become a recreational barker. Moreover, short-term confinement allows you to predict when your puppy needs to relieve herself, so that you may take her to the right spot and reward her for eliminating.

From the moment you choose your puppy, there is some considerable urgency regarding socialization and training. There is no time to waste. Basically, an adult dog’s temperament and behavior habits (both good and bad) are shaped during puppyhood — very early puppyhood. It is easy to make horrendous mistakes during your puppy’s first few weeks at home. Such mistakes usually have an indelible effect, influencing your pup’s behavior and temperament for the rest of his life. This is not to say that unsocialized and untrained eight-week-old pups cannot be rehabilitated. They can, if you work quickly. But while it’s easy to prevent behavior and temperament problems, rehabilitation can be both difficult and time-consuming, and it is unlikely that your pup will ever become the adult dog he or she could have been.

Mistakes

If your pup is ever left unsupervised indoors he will most certainly chew household articles and soil your house. Although these teeny accidents do little damage in themselves, they set the precedent for your puppy’s choice of toys and toilets for many months to come.

Any housesoiling or chewing mistake you allow your puppy to make is absolute silliness and absolute seriousness: silliness because you are creating lots of future headaches for yourself, and seriousness because millions of dogs are euthanized each year simply because their owners did not know how to housetrain or chewtoy-train them.

You should treat any puppy housesoiling or house-destruction mistake as a potential disaster, since it predicts numerous future mistakes from a dog with larger bladder and bowels and much more destructive jaws. Many owners begin to notice their puppy’s destructiveness by the time he is four to five months old, when the pup is characteristically relegated outdoors. Destruction is the product of a puppy’s boredom, lack of supervision, and a search for entertainment. Natural inquisitiveness prompts the lonely pup to dig, bark, and escape in his quest for some form of occupational therapy to pass the day in solitary confinement. Once the neighbors complain about the dog’s incessant barking and periodic escapes, the dog is often further confined to a garage or basement. Usually though, this is only a temporary measure until the dog is surrendered to a local animal shelter to play the lotto of life. Fewer than 25 percent of surrendered dogs are adopted, of which about half are returned as soon as the new owners discover their adopted adolescent’s annoying problems.

The above summarizes the fate of many dogs. Without a doubt, simple and predictable behavior problems are the number one terminal illness for domestic dogs. This is especially sad because all these simple problems could be prevented so easily. Housetraining and chewtoy-training are hardly rocket science. But you do need to know what to do. And you need to know what to do before you bring your puppy home.  Make certain that your puppy does not develop life-threatening behavior problems.

If you already have a puppy and feel that you are behind, do not throw in the towel. You must acknowledge, however, that you are behind and that your puppy’s socialization and education are now a dire emergency. Immediately do your best to catch up. Immediately, seek help from a pet dog trainer. To locate a Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT) in your area contact the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.

Maybe take a week or two off of work to devote to your puppy. The younger your puppy, the easier and quicker it is to catch up on her developmental timetable and minimize losses. Every day you delay, however, makes it harder.

Good luck!