Selecting the Proper Puppy for Police K9

By Adam Witherspoon

Training Director

Shiloh K-9 Dog Training Services LLC

          I recently imported two German Shepherd Pups from Holland.  One was already sold as a protection dog for a family and one to be trained as a dual purpose K-9 if he could do the work.   Well seeing the people who purchased the protection dog paid for the pups (I simply took my markup and imported another at the same time saving me the shipping) I let them pick their pup out of the two.  They never once asked me for advice as to which one would do better for them, they simply liked the one with the darker mask.  Two days before a friend of mine who occasionally helps me told me he liked the one they picked as well.  I told him I liked the other for my purpose and that the pup they picked would work for them just fine.  They wanted a protection dog, I wanted a dual purpose dog.  Two TOTALLY different arenas of work.  A couple of weeks later the puppy I liked was running circles around the other, both with equal amounts of training work, just my pup had more natural drive for multi facet work.  Both doing equally well in the biting on the tug, just pup b (my pup) doing much better and with better focus on retrieving  than pup A.  Also pup B had more focus on the bite work than pup A.  So why?  What made me like pup B more than pup A?  Lets look at it and find out.

            First keep in mind that a puppy at 13 weeks of age is always a risk.  You want to avoid purchasing pups for police k-9 work it at all possible.  Too much chance of them fizzling out.  Since however we are talking about pups lets look at them.    When the pups got off the plane, you couldn't tell who was better.  They were both equally active, neither were affected by their new environments, they just seemed like really sound pups.  Pup A was even more environmentally sound than Pup B.  Out in our training center Pup A continued to work and tug when I cranked up a leaf blower inside.  Pup B ran to hide.  BUT, pup B ran and hid with this kong in his mouth and NEVER dropped it.  Also Pup B would retrieve his kong anywhere.  Pup A lost interest in about 10 mins.  Pup A will make and is starting to make a great protection dog, but a dual purpose dog he is not.  PUP B is .  All the way no questions.  After a few exposures to loud noises, high surfaces, and slick floors pup B is jamming right on along, where pup A is still having difficulty focusing.  He improves daily, but is no where near the level of pup B.  When selecting a puppy, you want to look for natural prey drive.  Soundness in all environments is very important, but dont pick the first one that picks up a kong or tug rag.  Make them work in VERY short spells, about 2-4 mins, multiple times in a day.  Watch for the one that keeps focus on the task at hand each time.   Dont worry about noises or floors just yet.  Those problems can often be corrected by a little exposure.  Just dont pick your first instinct without checking them all out.  My first instinct said I wanted PUP A but after a closer look, PUP b was the clear choice.  Anyone with any questions can feel free to contact us at 336-949-3157 or email us at info@shilohk9.com

I’ve got the “Tear it up” blues!!

By Adam Witherspoon

Training Director

Shiloh K-9 Dog Training Services LLC

          Shoes, socks, washrags, bath towels, remotes, underwear, cell phones ,even a satellite dish are just a few of the things that people have come to me with telling me their dogs have destroyed.  Often they tell me that this has been going on for quite some time, and they have tried everything to get them to stop.  The problem is that if they don’t know the cause of the behavior, then they will never know the appropriate action to take to get the behavior to subside. 

          So what causes this?  Well, there are a number of contributing factors to destructive behaviors in dogs.  Boredom, separation anxiety, dominance, sore teeth (with puppies), lack of proper nutrition, all can be a contributor of destructive behavior.  However of all these factors, they all share a single common denominator.  A LACK OF BOUNDARIES!!!  So many times I see people get so upset with their dogs, and this confuses me.  They act as if what the dog does is personal.  This is just simply not true.  I have a couple under our tutoring right now who swears up and down that their two German Shepherds show emotions like jealousy, stubbornness, and many other emotions that just are not that important to dogs.  This is so unfair to put this label on the dogs because they simply don’t understand human emotion.  Yes they feel love, loyalty, and a desire to please, but for different reasons than we think.  The key here is to “think like an animal”, not a person.  Only then can we begin to define the reasons behind destructive behavior, and offer a viable solution.  So we can determine that our dog’s have a lack of boundaries.  Typically this is because we don’t put boundaries into place from the beginning.  Letting the dog have the complete freedom or your entire house at all times is an example of this.  Definitely not something you would let a young puppy do.  In human society do you let a 2 or 3 year old go anywhere in the house with out knowing where they are or what they are doing.  Good parenting would say keep an eye on the child to make sure they are not doing something harmful to themselves or your property.  So ask yourselves why you would let an animal that lives in your house do the same, and they have neither the ability of speech or reason!  They will never be able to decipher what is allowed and what isn’t. 

          So how do we fix this?  1.  Establish boundaries.  Don’t let your dogs jump on you without your permission or an invitation.  Don’t let them sleep in your bed, (I have always been a strong advocate against this!) stop excessive barking, and limit the amount of free time in the house.  All of these things are difficult at best to do on a consistent basis, but they are necessary, as to establish your place as their leader.  2. Offer viable alternatives.  Long walks on short leashes, access to 1 (ONE) dog toy at a time, and never ever use old socks or shoes or any of your other items as toys.  The dog will never learn that your things are off limits with these types of things for toys.  The one and only toy we recommend is a Kong.  You can get one at Pet Pros in Eden, and we have them as well occasionally. Either of us can show you the appropriate use of a Kong, as well as the proper size, and type.  After consistent practice of some of these basic things, you should see a decrease in your dog’s destructive behaviors.  Call us anytime to get help with this or any other behavioral issues.  Our website is www.shilohk9.com .  Till next month we wish everyone a glorious new year!!

By Adam Witherspoon Training Director

So I am trying to housebreak my new pup I got recently or over the holidays.  Should I use a pee pad to help me with this?  Well there is one clear answer to this. 

I am told all the time “Well Adam we are using the pee pads and sometimes the dog uses them and sometimes he doesn't’t.”  Their ultimate goal is to get the dog to do it’s business outside, but yet they give the dog encouragement to go inside but putting an odor attractant pad inside.  Is the light turning on yet?  You take an animal that can’t reason and cannot make intelligent human decisions (because of coarse they are an animal) and expect them to be able to differentiate between going outside and going on a scented pad inside.  It cannot and will not happen.  In my 15 plus years of working with animals I have never heard of a single case of pee pads working to house train a dog.  They are messy and they stink, not to mention the unsanitary results you get in your house.  So what do I do?  Well to start a crate is a much better investment, easier to clean, and serves a true purpose.  Anyone can call me anytime at 949-3157 and I will explain the differences and how to use the crate.  However ANYTHING is better than a pee pad.  There is one way to use a pee pad properly but not worth it so I wont even go there.  If your dog simply wont go outside, then the dog has trained you, and we need to talk.  So everyone take care, if you have unopened packs of pads, take them and get your money back and call me so we can get you going on the right track.  Till next month, email me with your questions.  We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season, and look forward to bright and prosperous new year!

Training Devices: Which one is right for me?

            I get asked all the time which collars or harnesses or leashes are best for training?  Well to answer that question in a nutshell, they all are.  Some however are better than others for particular situations.  It really depends so I will try to cover as many as possible.  1. Flat collar-  This is your standard run of the mill collar that everyone has on their dog.  You can buy them anywhere pet supplies are sold and they are very good multi use tools.  However for a dog that pulls hard on a leash, it takes a skilled hand and lots of patience to use one of these.  2.  Choke Chain-  I do not recommend anyone use a choke chain without the supervision of a professional trainer.  They cut off blood and air flow to the head, and not used properly can inflict serious harm on the dog.  3.  Head collar (sometimes called Halti or Gentle leader)  Once again I don’t recommend these collars for anyone without a professional trainer’s supervision.  Difficult to put on, and tedious to say the least, they close the dogs mouth like a muzzle when pulled, and it takes away the dog’s only line of defense-its mouth.  Please Please consult with a professional trainer before using one of these.  3.  Pinch or prong collar-  Now these I really like.  A natural source of correction, good for almost any situation.  When people see them they cringe and something to the affect of “Oh my GOODNESS” as if to say “I cant believe you are gonna put that on my dog!”  Well they are misunderstood, and if you watch me use one with almost any dog, you will be amazed at the difference in your dog!  4.  Electric or shock collar-  One of the greatest inventions since sliced bread IF USED PROPERLY!!!

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE ONE OF THESE ON YOUR OWN if you have never had instruction with one before.   Unrepairable phsycological can be done if used improperly, but used properly, they can create the ultimate in dog/owner relationships. 

            Having listed all of these devices, let me say this.  Any training device can be abused and should be used with great caution and the utmost care.  Consulting a professional trainer is always the best idea before using one.  Used properly any and all of these devices can do wonderful things for your dog.  Used improperly, they can create distrust and physical damage, as well as get you bitten or hurt as well.  If anyone has any questions about any training device please feel free to call us at 336-949-3157.  We will be happy to answer any question we can. 

Should we punish our dogs?

By Adam Witherspoon

Training Director Shiloh K-9 Dog Training Services LLC

www.shilohk9.com

     Recently we had a dog come to us to stay for a month that had severe submissive peeing issues.  Every time I would reach just to put a leash on the dog, he would pee puddles all over himself.  This dog is still with us and doing much better, BUT why was he doing this?  After further investigation, we learned that the owner had popped the dog with a newspaper whenever he had an accident.  This dog is now 5 months old.  He was 2 months old when he was getting popped.  It will take a LOT of work to get the dog over this condition fully, but it just doesn’t make sense to strike a dog for any reason.  It will create not just submissive peeing, but fear aggression, a dog that wont come when called, etc… Let me explain.  As people, we have what is called a sin nature.  Regardless of your religious belief, we have it.  We do things wrong intentionally for the purpose of self gratification.  Dogs do not have this.  When they do things, that are wrong to US not them, they do this out of instinctual survival.  NOT for self gratification.  We must learn to CORRECT our dogs, not punish them.  To correct is to stop one behavior and give them something else to do.  For example, if a dog jumps on you, you correct them by giving them a light knee and knock them off, then tell them to sit and stay.  Now the North Carolina Dept of Corrections is truly an oxy moron.  When someone leaves there, statistically they have a great chance of returning.  This is punishment.  Not correction.  Correction in it’s true form will prevent a bad behavior from happening again.  We often hear the phrase when someone is released from prison that “They have paid their debt to society.”  Well dogs have no debt to us.  WE domesticated them.  They didn’t come to us and ask to live with us.  It is we who have a debt to them, which is to provide for their needs.  Remember next time your dog does something to drive you up the wall, ask yourself, “Is this normal dog behavior, and not human behavior?”  Dogs cannot and will not ever be able to provide human behavior, because they are not humans, they are animals.  Treat them as such and you will have a happy long relationship with your dog.   

Humanizing your dog, a good or bad thing?

By Adam Witherspoon Training Director/Owner

Shiloh K-9 Dog Training Services

     Nine times out of ten when someone comes to me with a problem with their dog, the problem is not the dog.  It’s the owner.  Large chain pet stores, mail order magazines, on line stores, T.V. commercials, every where we look we are constantly being drawn to try to humanize our dogs.  Providing all the comforts of life that a human would expect, and the dog is completely and totally overwhelmed and confused by this lavish amount of affection that he/she is being shown.  The dog cannot recognize this type of affection for what it is, it can only see this as weakness or submissive.  A client told me just last night that the dog acts wonderfully at our center and on walks, but at home, “My Goodness” .  After a few minutes of Q&A, we quickly deduced that the problem was her frustration in the dog because the dog did not act like she wanted all the time… Like a human would.  At our center, the rules were the same always, and while she was walking, the dog was happy because she knew her owner was happy with her, and she was doing something dogs naturally do, WITH RULES AND BOUNDARIES!.  WALK!  Not just walking but walking beside her a half step behind.  Following, not leading.   People let their children out in the back yard to play and lots of times, this pleases the child and the exhausted parent, but let a dog out in the back yard to play and “get exercise” and the dog stays at the back door barking, well #1 it’s not a natural thing for a dog to be alone (dogs live in packs with multiple members and therefore crave companionship)and #2  in a large confined area where he or she is vulnerable to a predator because there is no means of escape.  Yet we expect our dogs to be happy while experiencing human behavior.  Why would we expect a dog to act or behave like a human?  They are animals.  Animals first.  Animals foremost.  When we expect human behavior from a dog, that’s where confusion sets in for the dog, and the dog tries everything it can to please us but to no avail.  So to answer the question as to why, well it’s a simple answer that sometimes clients get offended by but by the time we are finished talking about it, they understand.  Selfishness.  No if ands or buts about it.  It is very selfish of us to expect our dog to make US happy while demanding something of the dog that is so far from natural, and then punish the dog if he or she cant accomplish OUR desires.  Something as simple as putting a blanket or bed in the crate for a dog.  We don’t do this for the dog.  We do this to satisfy our own guilt (selfishly)  that the dog is laying on a hard plastic or metal surface and “Might get cold!”  When in actuality the dog lives in a den in the wild which the crate serves as, but he or she will not go get a blanket to put in there with them.  They have a coat to keep them warm, and most times you will see a dog either chew up the bed or blanket, or  push it off to one side of the crate and lay on the cool and comfortable side of the crate.  So let’s do lots of walking with our dogs properly, not spend the hundreds of dollars every year on the Amenities of life for a dog that they will never understand and take the time to learn about what our dogs really naturally desire rather than what we desire for them.

The money you will spend on your dog for lots of guilt admonishing, would be much better served by sending your dog to a day care, obedience training, or grooming.  Till next month, and email me with your questions at adam@shilohk9.com.  If you go to our website at www.shilohk9.com and email the questions, I will personally answer all of them even if they don’t get used in one of our articles.  Everyone enjoy your dogs!!!!!

Feeding for the Long Haul

By Adam Witherspoon Training Director Shiloh K-9 Dog Training Services

            There must be a million different kinds of dog food out there, each one claiming “recommended most by vets” or “good for life” or some other catchy slogan.  While some are true, and some may be stretching it a bit, it is up to us as owners and leaders of our dogs to provide them with a quality diet that will also help considerably in training.  So which one is good and which one is bad?  Well to keep the fires at a minimum I will not name names only to say my personal favorite dog food is anything by the Iams company.  Now there are lots of other good foods out there.  However I have found through my experience that cost, availability, nutritional value, and an awesome looking coat are just a few of the perks of their food.  I am not putting in a plug for them, and as much as I recommend their food they should be paying me, but it really is good stuff.

     Some things to look for when choosing a good food for your dog.  1.  His (and I will refer to all dogs in this article as male, female in next months article) age.  You have puppy-up to one year old, adult- 2-7 years old, senior 7 years and up.  Also you have weight control, and many prescription diets that we won’t concern ourselves with now.

But match the food with the proper life stage of your dog.  2.  Ingredients.  I look for the first 3 ingredients.  If Chicken, Beef, or Lamb is not the first ingredient, I leave it alone.  This excludes a lot of grocery brand and some premium brand foods.  I look at it this way.  Waste in is waste out.  If your dog is eating junk, it is going to poop a lot.  If it is eating a good quality digestible food, then it will poop less.  You will feed less, You save money, and he feels better!  Ingredients are key, and I won’t buy a food that doesn’t contain some level of omega fatty acids.  These are what makes a dogs coat shine.  So look out for the “ground yellow corn”, and ask yourself this, “If my dog was living in the wild would it go and grab an ear of corn off of a plant? Or would it go hunting?”  Ahhh now the light turns on, and we can make a good decision. 

            I am not a spokesperson for any particular food and I don’t knock any brand of food specifically, some are just better than others.  That decision is yours, but remember this.  Be consistent.  Don’t give them a different flavor every week.  They don’t need or want this.  This will only give them a mild case of upset stomach, and doesn’t make them love you any more.  Be consistent.  You all keep your questions coming to adam@shilohk9.com or feel free to call us at 336-949-3157.  Have a great September and we will pick a training question for next month’s article.

I GOT A PUPPY FOR CHRISTMAS!

By Adam Witherspoon Training Director

     So you got a puppy for Christmas!!!  Now what?!?!?  Last month I talked about selecting the proper puppy for Christmas.  Well now that you have one let’s look at what we can do to start the process of puppy ownership and make it a very happy one.  In this article we will discuss proper care, preventive tips, and of coarse TRAINING!

     Well, I guess the first thing you should do is if you don’t have one, go get a crate!  It doesn’t matter if your dog is indoors or outdoors, a crate will be essential in your dogs mental well being. Pet Pros in Eden is a great place to buy crates.  They have a great selection.  Remember dogs are animals that live in dens, and need to be provided its natural setting.  The crate is a den.  I highly recommend a travel crate over a cage type crate.  Lot’s of time in the crate for the little tyke is important.  There should be no sleeping in the bed, (let the dog sleep in it’s crate!) and no unsupervised (direct supervision) out time.  This will help tremendously with housebreaking, as well as provide the puppy a sense of security knowing it is safe from predators.  Remember you have a small animal there not a person. 

     You should get your pup to vet as soon as possible.  Even if the breeder has given the pup it’s first shots, don’t take any chances.  The vet can also detect any other health problems in most cases and you will have peace of mind knowing you have a good healthy pup.  Your vet can recommend proper food and care, and also it gives you a chance to establish a relationship of trust with your vet of choice, (we recommend them all in RockinghamCounty, they are all very good) as well as some socialization time.    

     Another thing you can have handy is a squirt bottle with water only.  If the pup decides it wants to jump on you, chew on things it shouldn’t, bark excessively, or bite on you, a simple spray from a water bottle (a jet stream, not mist) will usually stop this and teach it not to do these things. 

     Finally training.  Get your pup into a good training program.  This will ensure a lifetime of happiness and fun, as well as prevent problems from ever occurring to begin with.  We offer a puppy kindergarten and puppy obedience class that is both effective and affordable.  We are extending a %10 discount through the month of  January on all our programs, and will be happy to help you with your new family member. 

     We truly hope everyone had a Joyous Christmas and wonderful New Year.  Continue to email us with your questions at info@shilohk9.com .

Why Can’t Everyone Just Get Along?

By Adam Witherspoon

Training Director Shiloh K-9 Dog Training Services LLC

            Martha writes us with a question about her 2 dogs.  One dog (dog A) has been with them for 5 ½ years.  Dog B has been with them 3 years.  Dog A originally lived with a dobie before dog B came into the picture.  When dog B was brought home, he was extremely malnourished.  Dog A after 3 years still will not accept dog B.  Why?

          Well not having seen the two together I cannot give a definite answer, but I have a pretty good idea.  The first thing I would say is that they were not properly introduced.  Many people believe that if they have a dog already, and decide to get it a playmate, the first dog should automatically accept the second and like it.  Once again we start expecting human behavior from an animal, or rather supernatural behavior.  Many times people don’t get along when you do this with people.  Why think that a dog would just accept another dog without properly introducing the two?  This should be done under professional supervision only as to avoid fights.  However I would not introduce the two if one is in a physically weak state.  Now Martha didn’t specify weather that was done or not, but NEVER introduce two dogs who will live together and the new one is in a physically weak state.  The dog already there will always view the other as a weakling and not a suitable addition to the pack. 

So they are together now and what can we do to help remedy this?

·        Don’t show any favoritism to one or the other.  This creates competition

·        Take the dogs for daily walks TOGETHER.

·        Feed the dogs at the same time in the same room…on leashes if necessary

·        Give the dogs equal amounts of your attention

·        Always correct the bad behavior but the correction cannot be harsh otherwise the dog starting the problem will begin to associate the other dog with automatic correction and will want to avoid the other dog permanently.

·        Call us at Shiloh K-9 336-949-3157 so we can get some more details and make more suggestions to help you

Remember these are animals not people.  Expect the unexpected.  Their world and ours are totally different.  They have acquaintances for totally different reasons than we do.  Till next month everyone get out and take your dogs for a walk and enjoy this beautiful weather we are having!!  Feel free to continue to email me with your questions to info@shilohk9.com

The “Pit Bull”…Myth or Maniac?

By Adam Witherspoon Training Director Shiloh K9 Dog Training Services

            “That’s a Pit Bull!!”  How many times have we heard this?  Well to be honest, enough is enough.  There are so many uneducated opinions about Pit Bulls floating around out there that it has really given an undue reputation to the breed.  People focus so much on the breed rather than the fact that this is first an animal, second a dog, third the breed.  So why all the hype.  Well for this area it all started a few years ago when a precious young girl was killed by a pack of Pit Bulls that were in training for fighting purposes.  Such a terrible tragedy, horrific and unnecessary, yet the first thing we did as a community was blame the dogs.  Not fair people!!  The dogs were a product of their environment.  If a young person is only taught crime in their lives growing up, then it would be reasonable to believe they will commit crimes as adults.  Pit Bulls are a “gladiator” breed and yes were developed for sport fighting.  However, I have seen more people injured from Chihuahuas then I have Pit Bulls.  Min Pins are another example of a feisty small breed that account for more dog bites than pits do.  I have a 12 week old pit bull puppy at my facility now that is the sweetest dog you would ever want to meet.  The funny part is when people see her, they don’t even know what breed she is.

When a dog, regardless of the breed is brought up in a manner

Suitable for human interaction, then I don’t care what the breed is; they should be fine around people and other animals.  However take a dog of any breed and abuse it, treat it cruel, or isolate it and you will have a dangerous dog no matter if it is a pit bull or a poodle.  For people to think that “Black Listing” a breed will solve any of the problems with how dogs are treated is so far off base it isn’t worth the time of even entertaining the thought.  Let’s be realistic people.  Pit Bulls are not the problem in this county.  Their owners are the problem!!  I have seen many people walking Pit Bulls in town attached to a huge Log Chain or a 50,000 lbs test rope. I could walk any of these dogs with a simple slip lead and they would walk beside me in a matter of minutes.  Not demonstrating the “Ski Boat Syndrome” where the dog is the ski boat and I am the skier.   Here is our problem.  Singling out one breed for all of an areas dog problems like some are trying to do, solves absolutely nothing.  Singling out and prosecuting abusive owners will solve almost the entire problem.  The TV news and most papers will run so hard with an animal abuse case that your heads will spin.  I think we need to address this as a law enforcement issue, not a breed issue.  Most Pit Bulls are outgoing and sweet, not the man eaters that people perceive them to be.  So folks, let’s put them blame where the blame is deserved.  Not on a specific breed of dog that if properly raised can be great companions.  Till next month, everyone enjoy your dogs!