Housebreaking your Dog the right way

Housebreaking is training the puppy to defecate in your desired spot/area. When a bitch gives birth to puppies, it cleans their urine and feces and digests it. As the puppies begin to grow old (at almost four to five weeks), they begin to go outside their sleeping area/den to defecate in an outside spot. This is a natural behavior of dogs. However, when you have a puppy at home, you need to make sure you handle its natural instincts in such a way that they meet your house rules. 

Why is Housebreaking Important?

Many puppy owners feel that as their pup grows old, it’ll learn to defecate in an appropriate spot itself. The thing that we, as dog owners, need to realize is that a dog’s natural instinct contradicts with our rules. It is important for the dog to learn your rules, as you are the leader of the pack now. Without training housebreaking to your dog, you will be left with poo and urine all over your house.

Animal of the Den

Dogs are descendent from wolves and wolves live in dens. They use their den for sleeping and resting and when they need to relieve themselves, they go outside the den. The reason that dogs go outside for defecating purpose clearly shows that they do not like to make their sleeping or living place dirty. This is a great habit of dogs which gives dog owners a clue that they can easily use this tactic to house train their dogs.

Turning a Crate into a Den

Housebreaking should start when your dog is six weeks old. This is the best time to train the dog the way you want and make it follow the rules of the house. During this time, a crate is the most useful training tool that you should make use of for the puppy. When you start crate training your puppy at a very tender age of five or six weeks, it will begin to take the crate as its den. 

Denning animals feel safe and secure in their dens. Therefore, crate training will make your puppy feel the same way. However, you will need to make sure that the puppy is put inside a proper sized crate. Puppies are mischievous and full of energy. They want to play and socialize. Therefore, a big sized crate will only make your puppy destructive and give it a lot of room to move around and eliminate. The size of the crate should be big enough to let the puppy turn around and sit comfortably. When your puppy will be in the crate, it will avoid eliminating in it because it will make the place dirty. 

A puppy will defecate in a crate if it is left confined for long hours. Putting your dog in a crate for little time will help make the housebreaking process easier. Once your puppy has learned its lesson and is comfortable staying in a crate, you can begin to open more space to it. Do not give the whole house to your little puppy, as it will eliminate in areas far from its room.

Feeding the Right Diet

A great part of a puppy’s housetraining depends on the type of diet it eats. Although there are many options in the market, you have to make sure you avoid feeding it dry or canned food. The discussion on dry and wet diet has been around for long. However, what dog owners fail to realize is that these foods can disturb the dog’s natural digestive process. 

• Dry dog food or kibble can cause dehydration.
• Wet or canned food can cause diarrhea.

The key point that dog owners need to consider is that Mother Nature has created dogs for the wild where they hunt and eat raw meat. Therefore, feeding your dog anything other than what its digestive system is designed for will result in disturbance in the digestive system. This will cause housebreaking problems as the dog will not have a proper time to eliminate. 

When you feed raw meat or home cooked meal to your dog, it will need to eliminate thirty minutes after consuming the food. This means that you will need to take your dog in the backyard after its meal time. When you put your dog on the leash and take it outdoors every time it eats food, this practice will register in its mind as a routine task. Therefore, after several days of training, your dog will learn to eliminate outside. 

Another thing that you need to take care of while housetraining your puppy is to never leave its food outside for the entire day. Puppies don’t need to eat a lot and if you leave the food outside at all times, it will adopt irregular eating habits, which will result in disturbed bathroom schedule. To avoid situations like these, make sure you designate a timeframe for your puppy’s meal time. Put your puppy’s food bowl in front of it for  20 minutes and pick it up when the time is up. This is a great way to make your puppy used to a fixed meal time, resulting in fixed bathroom time. 

Recognizing Good Behavior

Housebreaking isn’t only about correcting your dog, but it is the way that you motivate and encourage the dog to adopt the right behavior as well. The best way to reinforce any behavior is to encourage the dog by giving it a bone to chew on or by simply showing affection. The dog will then begin to connect recognition with a certain behavior, which will make it repeat that behavior for getting love and affection from you.

Don’t Pick Up Feces in Plastic Bags

Another habit that many dog owners have adopted is to pick feces of their dogs in plastic bags to keep the roads, grass, and parks clean. Although, it might seem like a responsible act, it is still a bad habit as many owners just leave these bags hanging on trees and placed besides pathways. This is something that is far more dangerous than leaving the feces in the open. Plastic bags are very harmful for our environment. Therefore, do not develop this habit as it is only going to do more harm than good. 

Housebreaking becomes easy when you start training your dog at five weeks of age. However, the key is to be consistent and patient during the training process and make use of crate in an appropriate way. Once your dog learns that eliminating inside the house or in prohibited areas is bad, it will adopt the habit of going outside on its own for defecating. A housetrained puppy grows up to become an obedient dog that follows your commands without causing any problem.  Read more www.ccprotectiondogs.com

What is Better for your Dog : Chain or Kennel

There has been a great discussion on the use of kennel and chains, and many dog owners are unable to make the right choice. Many owners are under the impression that dogs can be better handled if enclosed in a kennel. They believe that a kennel is safer and restricts the dog from running away or from making their home a mess. However, if we look at it from the dog’s perspective, we would understand that caging dogs in kennels is cruel and has no effect in keeping the dog from misbehaving.

So, what do you think is better for your dog? Do you think your dog feels more comfortable in an enclosed space or an open one? Let’s find out what is better for your dog.

The Kennel Theory

There are a lot number of people who prefer to put their dogs in kennels. The main reason behind this preference is that kennels are more spacious. Therefore, dog owners believe that their dogs will have enough room to move around, relax, and play. However, the thing that they fail to realize is that kennels make dogs uncomfortable and aggressive. 

When you lock up a dog in a kennel, you make it feel insecure and alert. The dog feels that it is in trouble or forced to live in a small space. This feeling makes the dog hyper and aggressive, and the dog tries to find ways to escape. Just put this scenario on yourself and imagine you being locked up inside a small room. So, would you sit and relax or would you try to find ways to escape? 

Kennel interferes with a Dog’s Needs

Dogs are social animals and they love to make friends, run around the house freely. Therefore, confining them into small cages is never an ideal scenario. Moreover, they have physical needs that get disturbed when they are caged in kennels. Dogs also need mental stimulation and lots of exercise, which it doesn’t get due to being caged in a kennel.

There are many dog breeds that are calm by nature and do really well in a kennel. However, it is morally wrong to confine dogs in small spaces that deprive them of their most basic mental and physical requirements. Although it might seem like a good idea to put your misbehaving dog in a kennel, but the consequences to that may be detrimental. 

Dogs are not made for kennels. They are extremely social and affectionate. They also love to move around in the house freely, which is impossible when put in a kennel. Another disadvantage of putting your dog in a kennel is that it will try everything to break free from it. The dog might scratch, bite, dig, and chew the kennel to escape, which is a red sign that tells you that the dog is losing its mind. 

The Chain Theory

Seeing your dogs in chains might be the most horrible sight, but in all honesty, it is far better than putting the dog in a kennel. Many dog owners do not like to chain their dogs because they believe that it is cruel. Instead, they put them in kennels so that they get enough space to play. As appropriate it might sound, there are many reasons to not to put your dog in a kennel. So, why are chains better and doesn’t make the dog feel suffocated in them? 

Many might say that chaining dogs is inhumane and cruel. However, if you compare and contrast a chain to a kennel, you will come to a realization that chains are better than kennels. Chains are better as they do not restrict the dog’s actions and movements. They provide more freedom and room to the dog to run, jump, and play. Moreover, chains keep the dogs in control and are used to keep the dog in its limits. 

However, there are certain rules that dog owners need to follow in order to keep the dog calm and comfortable in a chain. The chain that you choose for your dog should be of proper length. The dog should be able to move freely without getting hurt. The material of the collar also holds a lot of importance as a bad material will suffocate or hurt the dog. The preferred collar material for a dog is leather or nylon. When putting your dog on a chain, make sure it is not wearing a choker collar. Chokers are tight on the neck of the dog and if the dog tries to struggle or run with a chain attached to a choker, it might injure its neck or choke itself. Therefore, to avoid any disastrous situation, make sure you never pair the choker with a chain.

 Dogs in an Open Yard

There might be some dog owners who would try to find a third option of  open yard. Of course it sounds right to have your dog in your open yard, but it has its own pitfalls that you must be aware of. If you want to provide freedom to your dog by  the yard fence or in an open space, you will drive it crazy. Dogs won’t do really well with that much freedom and will try to escape through the fence. 

The open environment is like a freedom call for the dog and it will exhaust itself by trying to break free. Therefore, if you think that going with this option is better than kennel and chains, you need to reconsider.

The Final Verdict!

Max von Stephanitz was a German dog breeder who did not believe in dog kennels. He criticized the organizations and people who promoted the concept of kennels without knowing the effect that they have on dogs. He also attacked humane societies and kennel clubs in his criticism by saying that the name ‘kennel clubs’ itself should be an eye-opener for the people that want to associate with them. 

The reason that he did not support kennels was that they deprive dogs of their basic necessities. Although kennels are used to manage dogs and control their behavior, they have nothing to do with any of it. A dog in a kennel is helpless, scared, and defensive. Putting such affectionate animals in kennels is injustice to them. Therefore, if you want to leave your dog at home or in an open space, go for chains instead of kennels.  Read more www.ccprotectiondogs.com

German Shepherd - A Herding Dog ?

Introduction

Tending Style or HGH sheep dog training that involves GSD for sheep herding, has become quite popular these days. Also developed has the controversy that the GSDs are biting sheep. 

HGH vs. Sheep Herding in U.S.

HGH training took form in European countries where sheep are free to graze because the only fences that exist are the ones that keep the flock out of a neighbor’s field. In America, Border Collies have been used to herd sheep since the sheep are kept in fenced pastures. While the Collies are completely capable of gathering the sheep into a flock at the master’s call, GSD are not! Since the Tending style trains the sheep to follow the shepherd, the dog is only present there to police the sheep and keep them sheep within the borders defined by the shepherd.

Caveats in HGH being applied in the U.S.

• Not enough dogs for a large flock

• Sheep starved overnight 

• Dog can control only through grip or bite

• Often not taken into consideration, sheep’ stubbornness

An HSH trained dog:

• Will only bite the wool and not a sheep’s legs or head

• Will not shake their head while biting

• Will select an adult over a kid sheep to grip!

 When the American dogs, trained to stay away from gripping try to control a flock, the sheep do not recognize their authority. Completely eliminating gripping from the HSH program will only result in its failure. I hope AKC take this factor into account when sanctioning trials. Read more www.ccprotectiondogs.com

The GSD Police Dog

Introduction to the GSD 

A PSD’s job has underwent a drastic change:

• Either it is a part of the K-9 Team involved in Search and Rescue missions in rural areas, or

• Part of a specialty unit involved in apprehension of armed suspects on the run in an urban are, or

• Somewhere in between the two! 

Throw drugs, explosives and a myriad of modern ways crime is committed today and you end up with a range so diverse that the modern GSD finds difficult to breach.

A Sorry State of Affairs

It is traditional to choose canines bred as working dogs as PSDs, which has created a huge demand for GSDs, Malinois, and Dutch Shepherd varieties from countries, like Holland, Germany, and Belgium. Unfortunately, the increased demand has in no way increased production of serviceable German Shepherds. Plummeting numbers of GSDs as PSDs tell the story all too well! 

Theories abound for this failure. Some of them are mentioned as follows:

• The GSDs are now primarily being bred for the show ring with not much attention given to presence of working traits in the breeding stock.

• Sport’s failure in weeding out the less desirable characters from the gene pool.

• Less than optimal selection in the Korung:

lack of fighting instinct, absence of play drive evaluation, or Schh scores used to qualify a breeding candidate.

GSDs Lose Their Status

The once sought after GSDs are being passed over by handlers in face of the demand from many agencies for alternate breed PSD's. This has occurred mainly due to two reasons:

• Few individual GSDs now have sufficient drive that enables them to excel at duties of a PSD.

• Additionally, diverse environments and a variety of tasks now involved with PSDs has made things complicated. We expect the PSD to work with SWAT Teams. In such cases, small security deficiencies, minute changes in sound sensitivity, as well as, the changing nervous threshold can lead to huge prices being paid.

Demand for Control

Society, today, demands the PSD be controlled and the handler — and other concerned parties — be safe while in pursuit of armed/violent suspects on the run from the law. This had led to increased demands made over the temperament of the PSDs, as well. A controllable canine is the result of more than just training, it also requires the animal in question to be tough and brave, — all of which used to be synonymous with the GSD in the past.

A Need to Evolve

Scent training now incorporates areas, which had not been required of a GSD previously. 

• Learning to differentiate between the suburbs and urban areas is one such area. The GSDs must be able to search uneven terrains, as well as, maneuver through crowded areas and be able to pick a scent from the multitude of smells in such areas. 

• Other new things to learn for the GSDs were sniffing out drugs — storage, import or even distribution —, body dumpsites, suspected arson etc.

• Recreational areas in the wilderness have also added to the load of the GSDs since people who take off to these areas often require rescuing.

• Worldwide threats — whether precipitated by natural disasters or terrorist attacks have further extended the list of things to learn.

However, scent work through training has not yet been standardized. Producing a progeny trained in this type of work is thus difficult. I have heard that the German Police has considered addition of retrieval exercises to the Korung for breeding candidates; however, a corresponding test has yet to be added by the SV. Such a test would have a wide range of applications.

Solution to the Plight of GSDs

Working Show-dog supporters insist that all trained dogs must be on par with the standards of the show they are running. On the other hand, breeders insist that will damage the GSD stock even further. Once we have come to accept that there is a problem that requires solving, we can see both sides of the picture. Let us examine possible solutions:

• Follow the German Police, Northrhine-Westfalia’s lead. Development of breeding programs for both GSD, as well as, the unregistered Malinois dogs from out of Holland. With the common aim i.e. provision of well-bred and healthy PSDs, the state now breeds the lion’s share of PSDs currently in use. In the U.S., though the local law enforcement relies too much on the products of imports or the result of hobby breeders.

• Max V. Stephanitz introduced the GSD only because of its working ability. Candidates chosen to be included into the ranks of PSDs should be strictly checked. Animals that do not meet the mark should be rejected, even if that means all the GSDs are declared unfit for the job!

GSDs in Danger

The GSD make excellent:

• guide dogs for the blind,

• search and rescue dogs

• protectors of homes

• companion dogs

However, their pièce de résistance has always been their excellence in the police canine arena. Other breeds traditionally used to herd cattle may be much better at their job than the GSD but nobody beats them at police work. With demands of appealing physical appearance flooding in, the entire picture could change! Law enforcement might give up on GSDs entirely, turning them into lapdogs for the wealthy and eccentric which is entirely against the GSDs nature. Read more www.ccprotectiondogs.com

Dog Aggression

Introduction

This article addresses one of the problems commonly experienced by dog owners – unwanted dog aggression. This article explains three of the causes of canine aggression but by no means, consider them the only causes since there are more than 20 categories, the scope of which is beyond this article.

Aggression Triggers

Rank Drive

It is difficult to explain the intensity a dog’s pack drive can take to a new owner. Since it is innate, it will definitely affect how a dog behaves when brought home and made to interact with family members.

If you think your dog should be taught that your children rank higher in the pack, then you are looking at this the wrong way. Imagine trying to make a dog feel inferior to a two-year-old. It is not doable, instead teach your dog that your child is always off limits. You can do it the way I did – by making sure, the dog is never alone with your child – or through training that starts with always having the dog on a leash, even inside the house. Correcting the dog, either verbally or in some other way, is another way to reinforce the lesson, every time you see him display unwarranted aggression.

Attack by other dogs

When a dog has been scared or badly hurt by another dog, he will become aggressive. One occasion like this can lead to life-long aggression. It is very similar to how we will behave, had we been mugged, or after an episode where our personal space and safety have been violated. 

We know you are always concerned about the safety of your dogs but do not always realize that a dog in the presence of stranger dogs is an aggressive dog in the making. When taking your dog to a park, understand that any of the dogs there could have dominance issues that translate into aggression.

Your dog, no matter what age he is will look to you for protection and leadership when under threat. Do not make the mistake of thinking your dog needs to learn how to protect himself and wait for him to act tough. If you stand by and allow a strange dog to hurt your dog, he will take it to mean that since he has to protect himself, he should respond through either a fight or flight. If they act aggressive and scare the incoming dog away, the aggressive display will keep increasing in intensity with every such occurrence. It is something that I always practice.

Multiple Dogs

Having more than one dog in a household is entirely possible; however, you need to realize that while controlling two dogs is manageable, a third dog’s presence forms a pack. A dog pack’s establishment will skew the balance and the animals will form their own pecking order shortly. While it may at times, work out peacefully, with every dog understanding where they stand, sometimes a dogfight may also break out while establishing dominance.  Read more  www. ccprotectiondogs.com

Dog's Thyroid Glands

Introduction to Hypothyroidism

A condition resulting from the malfunctioning of the thyroid gland, leading to too little circulation of the hormone it produces. Idiopathic Hypothyroidism is one of the most common types seen in animals. This type of hypothyroidism is characterized by the absence of any biological reason for the malfunctioning gland. Familial thyroid inflammation – thyoiditis – is a close second. When left untreated, hypothyroidism can turn into a debilitating disease while it is curable, if treated properly.

Disease Symptoms

Initial symptoms of hypothyroidism include:

• Hair loss – tail or flank 

• Desiccated, scaly skin

• Brittle hair that has lost its shine,

• Bleached coat

• Oily skin

When allowed to go untreated, other symptoms may develop. Your canine will:

• Become overweight and lethargic

• Look for warm places to settle down

• Have cold, clammy skin

• Experience a drop in libido

• Go through a protracted anestrus or an abbreviated estrus

Disease Identification

Prior to diagnosis, your veterinarian will run a blood test and then prescribe medication on confirmation of the disease. Soloxine – Levothyroxine Sodium –tablets are a vet’s usual preference for this disease. He will most likely direct you to administer the tablets, once or twice daily.

Improvement in health is expected within two to four weeks while the dog’s coat will take longer to heal – it could take as less as one month to as long as six months, based on his hair growth rate.

Following Up

After a time of four to six weeks, go in and hand over a blood sample to your veterinarian as part of the follow up procedure. After the blood test, he might adjust the dose, so that proper thyroid blood levels are reached. Routine check-ups are required, if you want to keep your canine healthy and happy. Read more www.ccprotectiondogs.com

What Drives - Prey or Defense ?

Introduction

We have heard of the days when administering drugs, like Ridlin and Prozac, to our children, prescribed by a psychologist, was considered an acceptable practice. Society today frowns on drugging children, but now, the so-called dog psychologists have taken over. They put our canine friends through a very similar indignity with almost the same drugs! 

K-9 Drives

Today, everybody seems to be an expert on the subject of K-9 drives. The ever-changing opinions do not stay the same for too long. However, I have always believed a dog is driven by two things – his prey and defense. His drive for prey would be the one during play while the drive to defend is a serious one.

Philosophy of Working Service dictates that while a wolf may be considered a pack animal, a dog cannot, since dogs have been known to leave their littermates and follow humans. A true pack animal, like the wolf, would avoid humans and stick to his own breed. Just as socializing with your colleagues at work does not make you a party animal, a dog that can work with other dogs is not necessarily a pack animal, based on just this criterion.

Personifying Dogs

Trouble starts when humans begin crediting dogs with human emotions or as having human traits. This is just as silly as thinking a human could possess canine traits. At the top of the list is the level of discernment that a dog can have. Humanizing the dogs has led to creation on multiple drives. Some of which that I have come across during my research are explained here.

Contradictory Terms and Misconceptions

Let us look at the term drives first. Initially described as "subconscious impulses to react to stimuli", this term curses the dog to exist as a creature unable to think. Overreaction to stimuli is a very real possibility that most kennelized dogs display but it is only a result of excessive kennelization, instead of allowing the dog to socialize. A dog’s innate drive has nothing to do with its response to stimulus, rather it is dictated by the environment.

Next up is the word temperament. Used to describe a dog's attitude towards life, and its qualities of a thinking animal, this term is contradictory to even the existence of drives. If this confuses you, as a handler, imagine what the dog feels like!

When asked to describe courage, most people would say that it is the absence of fear. However, to me not being afraid of objects or situations does not make you courageous, it makes you stupid! I believe courage is facing one’s fear and mustering the strength to work even when afraid. Veterans will tell you both courage and fear go hand in hand.

Types of Drives

• Hunt, Tracking and Air-scent 

Described as the need to pursue objects not within sight, they essentially mean the same thing. Attesting to that is the fact when tracking a dog who is hunting for a man’s scent during a Search & Rescue mission, most trackers will see the canine will use all of the senses at his disposal. Giving three names to a single drive only adds to the confusion of the handler and consequently, the dog.

• Retrieve

Described as the drive that allows a dog to bring an object back to his handler. I consider this a sporting term much the way forced retrieve is one. Since we often dogs refusing to retrieve stuff, we can say that this is an obedience exercise not dissimilar to other training exercises. It has nothing to do with the subconscious of a dog.

• Prey

Described as the subconscious need to bite and kill his prey. It is also displayed in a dog’s refusal to let go. We need to understand one crucial thing – if a dog is biting to kill, he is not playing anymore! This example will illustrate the difference between defensive and play modes. A dog chasing a cat is in play-mode or nonserious while the cat is fleeing for its life and is defensive or serious mode. 

• Rank

• Survival/Flight 

• Homing 

• Play

The subconscious need for physical contact with other packmates.

• Pack

Described as the subconscious need for emotional contact with the packmates.

• Activity

The list goes on and on. For an animal that is under the subconscious control of these drives, a dog seems to have a lot of them! He seems to me, a very complicated creature.

Further Collusion through Misinformation

Men and dogs have worked alongside each other in complete harmony. Misinformation like the “drives” is bent on destroying that human-dog relationship. Under stress or during intensive work, neither man nor the dog can indulge in such folly and must fight to survive.

Dogs were a part of defense during World War II; their dexterity amazed more than one person back then. The reason for a relationship that worked was that it was necessary. They did all they could to survive, instead of theorizing things that did not even exist!

Room for Improvement

I firmly belief a dog is driven by prey – play – and defense – serious. Reiterating this only means that I refuse to add confusion – whether on the training field or in my life. An unstable environment and misguided human attitude are the creators of K-9 problems. When training with your dog, try to think of the reason for each step of the training, even if constructive. Think on the practical applications, instead of theorizing about stuff or following blindly. Since I work in the field every day, I consider it the right thing to always ask, "Why?" Read more www.ccprotectiondogs.com

The Misconception about Dogs

Introduction

There is a widespread belief that a dog considers his owner/handler to be another dog. I disagree with this notion since I know dogs to be remarkably intelligent creatures who know how to distinguish between humans and their own kind. 

Another bone that I have to pick is my dog putting me at the head of a pack that does not even exist! Here are some reasons to support this claim. Whether they seem to be of sound logic or not, you be the judge.

Dogs are Social Animals

Firstly, the domestic dog is no more a pack animal but a social one. Let us look at a true pack animal – the Wolf. He behaves in a very particular way by choosing to shun the company of humans and prefers living with others of his kind. Even when you see one in captivity, people’s presence bothers him. Imagine the horrifying implications of such Jekyll & Hyde – wolf hybrids – on sale to the general public! Now compare that to a dog; he will follow his owner while leaving his littermates behind.

The bond between a dog and his human is one of the most natural bonds there is. It is unique yet very clearly present. However, when man, in his folly, considers introducing abstract concepts like drives or attempts to be the head honcho/ alpha of the “pack”, he throws the balance off by adding a third wheel to the equation!

A dog’s superior sense of smell is so amazing that he uses it to differentiate between minute scents. A master of reading body language, he can also detect the presence of death, evil, cancers, and even seizures before they even happen! How can I keep from cringing when I observe a human being mimic a dog’s actions or canine rituals to dupe the dog into thinking that they are dogs too? Such clownish displays aimed at establishing a sense of superiority over a canine just make me laugh!

Conclusion

A dog knows his role better than a human does. The social instinct draws a dog away from his siblings towards a human voice, not the pack instinct. He freely gives his commitment and is the only animal to do so. Why conquer something that is a gift to us? Read more, www.ccprotectiondogs.com

A Dog's Natural Ability

Many dog companies have been importing and selling Sporting and Schutzund dogs under the label of Protection dogs. Breeds like the German shepherd gained a somewhat bad reputation because of how these dog jockeys have mistreated them and then condemned them after earning so much money. These so-called trainers do not have the slightest idea about how to breed or even work with true Protection dogs! 

Before attempting to get into this assortment of problems, I want to clear a widespread misconception – a bite where a dog uses his canines is a bite out of fear. It could not be more misleading – do all predators, like tigers and lions, bite out of cowardliness or fear? Why possess canines, if a predator is supposed to use its molars to bite down? 

The unnatural way dogs are taught to deliver full-mouthed bites is against their nature. A real bite from a dog will never involve using his molars; instead, he will use the canines that God has given him for this very purpose when push comes to shove. Telling a boxer he is a coward if he uses his fists to punch will not make this teaching right.

This misinformation has gone on for too long and has wreaked havoc on the German shepherd breed, so much so that the breed has become twisted, warped, and rendered completely useless.

Several news articles are reporting that the German police have stopped using German shepherd dogs on the force. Now, they are attempting to cross-breed Malinois and German shepherd dogs in order to achieve capable Protection dogs. 

A sporting dog is not a Protection dog, no matter how you try to justify this claim. I have always tried to stand by this conviction and most of the time; I have been alone in this. If we continue to watch as by-standers, we will be letting those very “trainers” murder another capable breed, like the Malinois or even the Dutch shepherd dog the way they have ended the usefulness of German shepherds! Read more, www.ccprotectiondogs.com

Schutzhund as a Sport

Introduction

The United Schutzhund Clubs of America is a dedicated organization working to protect and preserve the German shepherd’s heritage and lineage through Schutzhund training.

History

Schutzhund – Literally, “Protection Dogs” – has his roots in Germany. Back then, breeders used to select only the best quality dog after critical evaluation for their breeding programs. It was used to instill the principles of protection, obedience, and tracking in dogs.

The Training

Even today, a bred German shepherd dog requires a Schutzhund title. There are three types of titles:

• Novice or Sch H I,

• Intermediate or Sch H II, and

• Master Sch H III

Now a sport that has become extremely popular, the Schutzhund is still relevant today as a breed test. Even today, Schutzhund displays the adeptness of trained canines in several fields, such as:

• Utility

• Intelligence

• Endurance

• Courage

• Trainability

• Scent Ability

The Sport

The sport, which is quite popular in North America, consists of various mandatory rules and regulations. A few examples of these rules are as follows:

Entry Age 

• 18 months for SchH A and SchH 1

• 19 months for Sch1-1 11 

• 20 months for Schl-l 111

• 16 months for FH

• 12 months for B

Judges

One judge may only evaluate 10 to 12 dogs per day. More dogs might be entered into the trial, if more judges are brought in or the duration of the trial is extended.

Candidates

• Canine entrants must be completely healthy and tested for impartiality and sureness.

• A dog may only take part in only one Schutzhund degree per trial.

• Dogs awarded degrees prior to a trial must complete a four-week waiting period before applying for the next degree.

• Participants must follow judge and the trial committees’ instructions.

Handlers

Poor sportsmanship leads to expulsion. Handlers must conduct themselves and their animals with impeccable behavior.

Scoring

The highest possible score for all phases is 100 that becomes 300 for all three phases.

Please keep in mind that these are just a few of the rules. Read more www.ccprotectiondogs.com

Your Dog's Eyes

Introduction

Keeping your Personal Protection Dogs in the pink of health should be your top priority. Among other problems is a health condition that is marked by cloudy eyes in dogs. This affliction is called keratitis and is caused when the cornea gets inflammation, turning cloudy.

Causal Agents

Common strains of bacteria that are to blame for keratitis are Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Pseudomonas.

Symptoms

The disease can be recognized by the presence of:

• swollen and matted eyelids

• hurting, reddening of eyes

• watery eyes

• squint

• light sensitivity

• eye irritation

• eye discharge

• cloudy eyes

Breeds Under Threat

A breed that is more likely to suffer from keratitis is the boxer – easily recognizable by its short nose and prominent eyes.

Description of the Disease

An infection bacterial in nature, keratitis is the result of a corneal ulcer going even worse. Due to the obstructed iris and pupil, only a limited amount of light can enter the dog’s eye.

End Result

The disease could cause loss of cornea layers, which makes it imperative that you stay vigilant and look for signs of the disease. The signs might not be too obvious at the onset of disease.

Solution

When you notice the signs, try to get your canine to the vet, immediately. An eye examination will include the vet inspecting both the eyes and the cornea. They will be looking for telltale corneal erosions. 

Treatment

On diagnosis, the severity of the disease will dictate the vet’s approach to rectifying it. Deep or worsening corneal damage could require hospitalization and surgery or frequent medical treatment. Alternatively, antibiotic could be prescribed.

Always be vigilant when it comes to the health of your Protection Dog – after all, a healthy dog is an active dog! Read More, www.ccprotectiondogs.com

Real Protection Training Versus Sport Training

Introduction

Instead of hiding what is broken, we should always try fixing it. That is the case with the police service dog forum. The price that we are now paying for it is making it difficult to overlook this truth!

Poor Training and its Result

Cases of unprovoked bites and dog attacks by police service dogs are being reported more and more often these days. On the other hand, I have also come across reports of police service dogs who had been killed while in the line of duty. The report mentioned stab wounds as the cause of death but I disagree. Poor training got the canine killed – his training led him to hold on to the unarmed limb of the suspect after a “sport” bite. 

Officers of a neighboring department shot another police service dog during a drug raid when attacked by him. Again, the cause of death is listed as gunshot wounds; poor training is the real culprit.

Poor Training and its Result 

What limits the effectiveness of a police service dog while in the field? Departments like the one in California are now downsizing to 2-3 dogs per K-9 unit because of their ineffectiveness. Poor training, handling which hampers a dog’s decision-making ability under stress. Most of such dogs, as well the handlers, are certified but what does a certification like that prove? Does it help you against the bad guy you are tracking? 

Old vs. New Training

The feats performed by the German K-9 Units in the World Wars let us know in no uncertain terms how effective – and dangerous – a dedicated handler could be when paired with well bred and well trained dogs. Technology has seen unimaginable advancements today, but when it comes to using K-9s as police dogs and their breeding, we seem to be regressing. An effective Personl Protection Dog is only as good as his handler. 

Protection Dog Training 

Do we see the truth easily? It tells us that the dogs on the street are ineffective. Poorly trained handlers and handlers who cannot function under strain are decimating their usefulness even further. 

Protection Dogs being of the oldest and natural dog training incorporates handler-dog communication in it. Its effectiveness can be seen very clearly, when a handler is able to work and communicate while under stress. However, unlike the towel tug and the ball, you need hard work with dedication to achieve that sort of communication with the canine. Working services uses truth and just truth as its prop. This form of training uses the natural bond between a dog and his handler. On the other hand, the sporting method has cost lives and continues to do so! To read more visit, www.ccprotectiondogs.com