Hand Feeding Your Cairn!

Greer fka CP Raelynn is delighted to be hand-fed when she stops at the local pet shop, but did you know that hand feeding at home for the first few weeks or months can make all the difference in the world as far as establishing your leadership role and gaining the absolute trust of your new Rescued Cairn?

Editor’s Note:  I hand feed treats throughout the day, as recommended below.  All treats come directly from my hand – Never from the floor!  I prefer to hold the dog in my lap at regular meal times however, have them sit patiently looking at the bowl in my hand, then say “OK!” when I let them start to eat.  This way I have one hand on the dog at all times and the other hand holding the treasured food bowl.  It is an excellent way to bond and establish trust.  When the meal is done and I set the bowl down, I always bring my free hand to the dog’s face and gently stroke (or groom!) for a few seconds, then continue to sit for a few moments, allowing the dog to relax fully.

By Michele Ryan – Rowdy Rover Blog

Work To Earn = Better Focus!

I wish the dog trainer I had in 1991 told me to hand feed my two pups!  Since 1991, I have been hand feeding my pups and dogs, for trust, bonding, training cues, and if they needed a “check in”.  As a trainer, I always tell my pet parents to hand feed their pups for a while, or their teen/adult dogs if need be!  Below are the reasons why it’s such a great idea!

Hand Feeding: The foundation to a good working relationship.

Hand feeding isn’t the answer to all behavioral problems, but it is a way to take a dog that has trust issues and turn them around.  So whether your dog has a specific phobia or is shy around people, hand feeding is the first step to changing those behaviors.  For people that are training to do competition dog sports, hand feeding is the way to get the dog to bond to you to the point that they never take their eyes off of you.  For people that just want an all-around great pet, hand feeding is one of the steps I recommend.  It’s for any dog, any owner that wants a special bond with their dog.

In order to make training fun and enjoyable, it must be rewarding.  If your dog doesn’t care one way or the other about treats, doesn’t like to play with toys and won’t bother to walk across the room for an ear scratch, how are you going to reward him?  If he sees no reason to work for what he gets because it’s always available, gets it on demand, or is easily stolen, changing his meals to scheduled feedings and teaching him to work to earn can help repair a rocky relationship.

Why hand feed?

If you do this for the first 6 months of a dog’s life, you will have a dog that is more bonded to you than you have ever had before.  Training will be extremely easy with those dogs.  It’s just getting people to actually do it.  Most people say they just don’t have time.  But it doesn’t take much more time than putting food in a bowl for the dog.  This is also a great way to work your training cues while hand feeding.  Remember the “Nothing in life is free” rule!  It’s easy to have a well mannered dog, you just need to put the time and commitment into him or her! 

Hand feeding teaching the dog to focus on you!  You control the food, the goodies, the treats.  And you are making them work for it, even better yet!   This makes for a non demanding dog, or a request barker later.

If your dog is pushy, bossy, or rude, hard to motivate, disinterested, or has its own agenda, (or even if it isn’t) hand feeding will improve your relationship with your dog.

Hand Feeding:

• Teaches your dog that all good things come from your hands

• Teaches your dog to have manners around food

• Teaches your dog to drop everything and come when called

• Slows down a fast eater

Hand feeding is an important element in Caruso's training routines

So how do you do this?

Find a spot on the floor, this can be where your pup or dog eats now, or better yet, for socialization, you can feed him in different areas of the house.  Put the dog food in his bowl.  Hand out the kibble here and there without asking the dog to do anything.  If the dog naturally comes to you, immediately give the dog some of it’s kibble.  If they are sitting there staring at you, give them a few pieces.

Make sure NOT to reward bad behavior.  If you give a dog kibble that is jumping up, barking, pawing at you, or misbehaving, then you reward that bad behavior, and you don’t want that. I ask that the dog is standing or sitting patiently, acting calm before I hand feed them.

Once the dog has the routine down, start asking the dog to do things for the food.  Sit, watch me, down, shake, spin, and so on.  Great time to work in your training skills you learned in class!  So in the end, they are working for every kibble they eat.  Remember the “Nothing in life is free” rule: Dogs want a leader, and they want a job.  By hand feeding like this, you accomplish both.

It doesn’t have to be just one person in the house that is feeding the dog as long as the food is pre measured so you don’t over or under feed the dog.  Kids do really well with this.  And you wouldn’t believe the bonding and understanding that kids and dogs have when they have hand fed.  This will also help with the recall.  A dog that is hand fed will almost always come to your hand if you put it out.  You just better not try to trick them too many times by not having food in it or they get wise to this trick!

Have you ever seen the dogs that never take their eyes off their owners?  Hand feeding is the way to accomplish that.

Yes, hand feeding can be a pain.  And yes, you have to be committed to doing it for months to make it work.  But once the routine is established, then it becomes much easier.

And you will have a much better dog because of it.

Now that is worth it to work the work to earn rule!

Read the original Blog Post here:

http://train-pawsitive.com/work-to-earn-better-focus/

Trust - A Deadly Disease

Author unknown

As you now know, Col. Potter Cairn Rescue Network was created because a special Cairn Terrier was killed by a car.  Please read this and remember to always keep YOUR new special family member safe, in memory of the Colonel.

 

There is a deadly disease stalking your dog, a hideous, stealthy thing just waiting its chance to steal your beloved friend.  It is not a new disease, or one for which there are inoculations.   The disease is called "Trust".

 

You knew before you ever took your puppy home that it could not be trusted.  The breeder who provided you with this precious animal warned you, drummed it into your head.  Puppies steal, destroy anything expensive left in their path, chase cats, take forever to house train, and must never be allowed off lead!!

 

When the big day finally arrived, heeding the sage advice of the breeder, you escorted your puppy to his new home, properly collared and tagged, the lead held tightly in your hand.   At home, the house was "puppy-proofed".  Everything of value was stored in the spare bedroom, garbage stowed on top of the refrigerator.  Cats separated, and a gate placed across the living room to keep at least one part of the house puddle free.  All the windows and doors had been properly secured, and signs placed in all strategic points reminding all to "Close the door!"

 

Soon it becomes second nature to make sure the door closes nine tenths of a second after it was opened and that it is really latched.  "Don't let the dog out" is your second most verbalized expression.  (The first is "NO!")  You worry and fuss constantly, terrified that your darling will get out and disaster will surely follow.   Your friends comment about who you love most, your family or the dog.  You know that to relax your vigil for a moment might lose him to you forever.

 

And so the weeks and months pass, with your puppy becoming more civilized every day, and the seeds of trust are planted.  It seems that each new day brings less destruction, less breakage, less leakage.  Almost before you know it, your clumsy, wild puppy has turned into an elegant, dignified friend.  Now that he is a more reliable, sedate companion, you take him more places.  No longer does he chew the steering wheel when left in the car.  And darned if that cake wasn't' still on the table this morning.  And, oh yes, wasn't that the cat he was sleeping with so cozily on your pillow last night?

 

At this point you are beginning to become infected, the disease is spreading its roots deep into your mind.  And then one of your friends suggests obedience classes, and, after a time, you even let him run loose from the car into the house when you get home.  Why not, he always runs straight to the door, dancing a frenzy of joy and waits to be let in.  And, remember: he comes every time he is called.   You know he is the exception that disproves the rule.  (And sometimes late at night, you even let him slip out the front door to go potty and then right back in.)

 

Years pass-it is hard to remember why you ever worried so much when he was a puppy.  He would never think of running out the door left open while you bring in the packages from the car.  It would be beneath his dignity to jump out the window of the car while you run into the convenience store.  And when you take him for those wonderful long walks at dawn, it only takes one whistle to send him racing back to you in a burst of speed when the walk gets too close to the highway.  (He still gets in the garbage cans, but nobody is perfect!)

 

This is the time the disease has waited for so patiently.  Sometimes it only has to wait a year or two, but often it takes much longer.  He spies the neighbor dog across the street, and suddenly forgets everything he ever knew about not slipping outdoors, jumping out windows or coming when called due to traffic.  Perhaps it was only a paper fluttering in the breeze, a squirrel, a passer-by, or even just the sheer joy of running....

 

Stopped in an instant.  Stilled forever - your heart is broken at the sight of his still beautiful body.

 

The disease is trust.  The final outcome: hit by a car.

 

Every morning my dog bounced around off lead exploring.  Every morning for seven years he came back when he was called.  He was perfectly obedient, perfectly trustworthy.  He died fourteen hours after being hit by a car.  

Please do not risk your friend and your heart.

 

Save the trust for things that do not matter.

 

Please read this every year on your puppy's birthday, lest we forget.

 

From A Pauper To A Princess - The Journey of a Puppy Mill Dog (Entry 6)

Karen, one of CPCRN's foster mentors, has graciously allowed us access to her diary documenting the journey of Flopsy, also known as Rusty, from the puppy mill to her forever home. The diary will be broken up into short sections and posted. Check back for new entries in the series entitled "From A Pauper To A Princess - The Journey of a Puppy Mill Dog". (Previous Journal Entries: Entry One, Two, Three, Four, Five)

5/4/07
A Glimmer of Hope! This afternoon, Tony called me at work to tell me that Rusty ZOOMED for about 20 feet, twice!! He said it was quick, but for a minute, she wasn’t pacing, but ZOOMING! When I got home from work, I went outside for a while with the dogs, no zoomies for me. When we returned home from dinner/shopping, I took everyone outside for a quick potty. I saw her zoom!! One more tiny step in the right direction. This evening, I was telling Tony that Rusty is going to learn to trust us and then she will have to start all over, when she is adopted. At least I know Rusty will not be nearly as terrified as she was when she first arrived with us.

Rusty is going to need a very patient and understanding adoptive home. I will need to ask them if they are willing to give her lots of time and work with her on gaining her trust. A person who expects instant gratification, will not be the right one for Rusty. Also, a person who expects Rusty to act like a “normal” Cairn, will be disappointed. Rusty needs someone with a true “rescue spirit,” not someone who just wants to adopt a Cairn. If I let Rusty go to a home with high expectations, I will have failed her, as a foster mom. I am on the side of my foster kids and know them better than anyone else, therefore I know what’s best for them.

I only wished every adoptive home was like me and could accept these little mill kids for who they are and not forget where they came from. Years of suffering and neglect cannot be erased in a matter of months and it will not disappear all together. I think that is what makes my mill babies special to me.

5/5/07
I am noticing that Rusty is keying into our fur kids’ behaviors more and more. This afternoon, while I was laying on the grass, Rusty went over to where Starry was, wagged her tail at Starry, then proceeded to watch what Star was doing. She was eating grass, so Rusty decided to give it a try, too!

When all of the girls were peeing on top of each others’ pee, in the grass, Rusty joined in and did the same.

When I was giving the kids some egg today, Rusty kept peeking around the kitchen island. She wants so badly to join in, but the poor little thing is so emotionally torn on whether to trust or not.

5/6/07
Boy, does this girl love to take rides! This evening, we went to get an ice cream cone and took the dogs with us. Rusty likes to look out the window, watching the world go by. Her favorite spot is next to the door. She just seems to forget about all of her worries, when she is in the truck.

Day-by-day, Rusty is getting easier to catch. We don’t have to play tag nearly as long as we did in the beginning.

Rusty still doesn’t like to be left in her crate, when I leave the bedroom. She makes sure her protest is loud and clear.

I truly believe that Rusty is going to be ready for adoption much sooner than I originally thought. Especially, if the right home comes along for her. This morning, when Tony was called into work, I put britches on the girls and let them into the carpeted living area with me, while I watched a movie. Today was the first time Rusty relaxed in the L.R. and laid down on the large dog bed in front of the hearth. I couldn’t believe it, she was actually relaxing! We have done this before, but she paced in and out of the L.R. the entire time I was in there. Now, Rusty would still jump up and run away, if I made any movements. However, she would return to her spot and lay down again. She really wants to be a part of the group, but fear and lack of trust, continue to pull her away.

To Be Continued ...

From A Pauper To A Princess - The Journey of a Puppy Mill Dog (Entry 4)

Karen, one of CPCRN's foster mentors, has graciously allowed us access to her diary documenting the journey of Flopsy, also known as Rusty, from the puppy mill to her forever home. The diary will be broken up into short sections and posted. Check back for new entries in the series entitled "From A Pauper To A Princess - The Journey of a Puppy Mill Dog". (Previous Journal Entries: Entry One, Entry Two, Entry Three)

4/22/07
No changes today, in fact we had a little set-back in Rusty’s confidence. I am trying to teach her the word, “stop” so she knows when we stop on the leash, it also means stop off the leash.

Rusty is just one frightened and confused little girl. She is going to need a very patient and understanding adoptive home.

Rusty does not know the joy of toys or playing with the other dogs, yet. When Rusty is frightened, she will not take any treats from me, she turns her head away.

Rusty continues to wake me in the middle of the night, she does not like her crate and I think she’s afraid she will never get back out of it again.

Rusty continues to have no accidents in the house!

4/23/07
Today, I decided to leave Rusty out of the x-pen while we are at work. I left the door open to the pen, so she could go in and out of it while I was at work. When Tony got home from work, all was well, so I think Rusty has graduated from being in the pen all day.

Tony and I spent a lot of time laying on the grass this evening, playing with our fur kids. Rusty was avidly watching us. The minute she would notice us looking at her, she would scurry away. What was cute, is she was inching her way over to us and stood there for a few minutes. You can see the torment in her face, as I think deep down, she wants to join in with us.

We had a beach towel laying on the grass next to our larger blanket. My back was to the towel and Rusty can over and laid on the towel. She really wants to be a part of us.

We took Rusty for her first walk outside of the yard. Of course, she was double leashed for extra precaution, because I know we’d never catch her if she got away. Rusty’s walking practice in the backyard has really paid off; she did wonderfully!! I couldn’t believe how she would just trot along with everyone else. She only hesitated a couple of times, but there was no sign of struggle on the leash. This activity might just be the confidence builder she needs.

4/26/07
I decided to lay back a little with Rusty and not push her too much. I wanted her to just watch us interacting with the other dogs.

Rusty is getting a little easier to catch, but not by much. She still skitters away, until she finally gives up, knowing that we aren’t going to stop.

We have taken Rusty on walks the past couple of days and she is doing quite well. I am trying to build up her confidence with the walks.

Rusty has done well being left out of the x-pen with our dogs, while we are at work. She is using the doggy door to go outside and potty.

She still refuses to eat her meals in front of me, but I think that will change with more trust. McDuffy has tried to play with Rusty a couple of times, but she hasn’t a clue as to what he is doing and will move away from him.

This morning, Rusty came right in the door with the others, but she hasn’t done it again, since. I think she was as surprised as I was. I usually have to hide or remove myself at least 20’ before she will go in or out of the door.

To Be Continued ...

From A Pauper To A Princess - The Journey of a Puppy Mill Dog (Entry 3)

Karen, one of CPCRN's foster mentors, has graciously allowed us access to her diary documenting the journey of Flopsy, also known as Rusty, from the puppy mill to her forever home. The diary will be broken up into short sections and posted. Check back for new entries in the series entitled "From A Pauper To A Princess - The Journey of a Puppy Mill Dog". (Previous Journal Entries: Entry One, Entry Two)

4/19/07
Well, new day and we are back at square one. Rusty seemed to forget what trust she gained yesterday.

She still didn’t mess in her pen when we were at work. After work, we got out the x-pen and set it up in the grass again. We laid in there for over an hour, then we took “walks” around the yard. I put Rusty back in the pen and groomed Holly, while she watched.

I forgot to mention that before I went in the pen with Rusty, I was in the house changing and checking emails. Rusty was whining and jumped over the x-pen! I think she could be a potential escape artist.

When we went back into the house, I put Rusty in her x-pen and she went to sleep in her bed.

I think the x-pen in the grass is going to have to be a part of our daily routine for quite a while. Whatever was done to Rusty in the mill had to be pretty bad, because she seems to have the spirit knocked out of her. She carries around a blank expression on her face and doesn’t wag her tail at anything.

One more note; I took cheese into the x-pen and Rusty would turn her head if I tried to give her a piece, so I put it on the towel and she ate it. I gave her a few pieces this way and she seemed to acquire a taste for it. I tried to hand feed her again, she looked away, then turned back, licked the cheese then gently took it and dropped it on the ground before eating it. It seems as though she doesn’t know how to manipulate the cheese in her mouth to eat it right after taking it from me. She repeated this a few times, before we ran out of cheese.

4/21/07
Rusty woke me early this a.m. When she wants out of the crate, she wants out. She went out and did her business. I was still tired, so I went back to bed. Rusty was upset and wanted to come in the room with me. I brought Starry, McDuffy, and Rusty back into the room and we all went back to sleep.

We took a drive to the vet’s office to have the buttons removed from her ear. Rusty did really well in the truck. She mainly sat and looked out of the window. She seemed to enjoy the ride. Dr. S. didn’t remove the buttons yet. She said it was too soon, so we will go back in a couple of weeks.

Back home, Rusty is still doing her pacing in the yard and kitchen, but it doesn’t appear as frantic. I think we are beginning to make real progress with trust. I believe spending all of the time with her in the x-pen has helped.

When Rusty was doing her trotting around the kitchen island, I called her as I approached. She ran the other way, so I turned and met her on the other side and spoke gently to her. She stopped and dropped to her belly and let me approach! I gave her lots of praise and scritches, then turned and walked away. I repeated this several times throughout the day. I am so pleased that she is finally stopping for me, even thought it’s not immediate.

Rusty is also continuing to reluctantly take treats from me. She really likes the cheese and bits of boiled chicken breast.

Rusty still hasn’t had a potty accident in the house! This may change as she develops more confidence, or maybe not!

To Be Continued ...