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Hi Folks!

Well this month is moving way too fast for me too keep up. I think that must be a January tradition. We put off so much during the holidays only to regret it when the first of the year rolls around. Every year I promise myself I won't repeat this decision, but low and behold, I repeat the process annually.

Am I the only one who's noticing all the stories in the news recently about the terrible things that are happening to dogs? There was a woman in the Midwest who had over one hundred German Shepards and Belgian Malinois living in her house in a puppy mill operation. There were the teenagers who threw a Dalmatian/Lab mix out of a car at 80 MPH. The list goes on and on.

Now, the Chinese government is systematically destroying companion dogs to prevent the reemergence of the SARS epidemic. They started with coon dogs but will not state the exact reason for the decision or whether it will flow over to other breeds. I am not sure of the process they are using, but some of the pictures I've seen online make me shudder.

I am continuing to work with the Chongqing Dog Club of China, evaluating the breed and feel we'll remain on schedule bringing in the first puppies to the States in the spring. My hope is the recent extermination of dogs in China will not hold up the process or make importing them an issue for us here. Fingers crossed.

Now I know all this sounds gloom and doom, but I'm trying to look at it as a wake up call for those of us here who love these splendid beasts. Our dogs give us so much, so, if you do nothing else today, give the pooches a huge hug and make sure they know how much you appreciate them

Well, that's it for now. I'm outta here. Have a great week and as always, keep the letter coming, they are truly appreciated.

Cheers!

Christopher

P.S. If you have a chance, and like the master-dog-training web site, stop by Alexa and write up a review for the site and the newsletter. I truly believe the more people we reach, the more dogs we will be able to help. Thanks!

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Dear Mr. Aust,

Thanks for the great newsletter! I look for it every week and it is the first thing I click when it comes in.

About a year ago, my wife and I got a mixed breed dog, and I mean mixed, that has been the joy of our life. We originally saw her wandering the neighborhood and started leaving food out for her. She was a little timid at first and very malnourished. Since then, she has really come around. She loves everybody and gets along pretty well with other dogs once she has been introduced.

Here is the problem. My wife and my work schedule overlap during the day so the dog is left alone for about three hours a day. When she is alone, she becomes destructive. She chews up laundry, pillows, and shoes. Mostly, she doesn't chew them up, but will simply rearrange or drag out things into the middle of the room.

We had her crate trained, but she gets very depressed when left in the crate and mopes around the rest of the day. She is never put in her crate as punishment, she simply doesn't like it. We love her dearly and she is always with us when we are home. We carry her around and she sits on our lap when we watch television.

We think she is just bored without us here and wanted to know if getting her a friend for when we are gone will help. Maybe if she had another dog to play with, she wouldn't redecorate the house. What do you think?

John L.
Ontario, Canada

We all know dogs are pack animals with definite social needs. They need companionship and interaction to be truly happy and content with their lives. They also need to feel comfortable with their pack position and feel a sense of purpose within the family pack. I don't think anyone would dispute this claim.

There are several reasons to get a new dog. You may simply just want another one. Maybe you have a big dog, but would also like a lap dog. It could be you want to give a gift to a child to teach them the responsibility and duty we have to care for an animal. Getting a new dog to curb the inappropriate behavior of a dog already in the home, is one of the worst decisions well-meaning dog owners can make.

Whenever we bring a new dog into a home that already has a dog in place, the existing dog needs to be Alpha over the new dog. This is consistent with pack protocol, positioning and the natural instincts of a dog. It is no different in wild packs. When a new dog is allowed to enter a wild pack, they will remain subservient to the other pack members until the pack leaders allow them to step up to a higher status.

Now, if we bring in another dog that holds a lower pack status than the existing one, what do you think the new dog is going to do? He will mimic the existing dog. The existing dog knows the ropes, and the new dog knows this. He also knows his job is too fit into the pack. By emulating the existing dog, the new dog feels he is working towards a higher level of acceptance by the pack leaders.

Look at it like this. What happens when a child goes to a new school? The other kids are established in the environment and the new kid isn't. At first, the new kid basically holds no status with any group until he makes a move to fit in somewhere. Now if the new kid is yours, who would you want your kid to hang out with? The kid who is well behaved and gets good grades, or the little booger who knows the proper placement for a thumb tack on the teachers chair to ensure maximum penetration?

Bringing a new dog into a home with a problem dog could help. It has been my experience that this is the extreme exception rather than the rule. Normally, all you're going to get is two dogs that misbehave. The best thing to do is redirect the behavior of the existing dogs behavior, then introduce a new dog.

Now for the purposes of this discussion, we will assume the dog's behavior has been corrected, as I am sure you've read my previous articles on chewing and separation anxiety, J we have to look at when it is safe to bring the new dog in. Just because the problem child has been good for a couple of days or even a week or two, doesn't mean they won't have a relapse with the introduction of a new dog.

I recommend only bringing a new dog into the home once the existing dog has been acting appropriately for three weeks to a month as a minimum. This will indicate the existing dog is well on his way “to recovery” and lessen the chance of the old behavior returning. Additionally, you want the introduction of the new dog to be slow and easy. Take the time to prepare your existing dog for the new arrival.

If the existing dog has had recent behavioral problems and isn't used to other dogs being in the house, you need to acclimate them to the idea. Invite over friends who have dogs and allow their dogs to roam the house with yours. Watch your dog's reaction and see how he behaves in response to sharing his space. Make sure your dog's food/water bowls and bed are picked up off the floor before the arrival of the visitors. If the dogs are playing vigorously, put a different water bowl outside, or in a different area than your dogs bowl usually is, to give them a drink.

If your dog is not used to being around other dogs at all, they will need to be socialized to other dogs long before the new dog arrives at the house. This is not only to make it easier for both dogs to adapt to each other, but it also reduces the chance of two dogs fighting when they are suddenly forced to share their space.

We all want our dogs to be happy, well adjusted and love their home, but don't think adding a new dog to the mix is going to solve your behavioral problems. More than likely, all it is going to do is double them.

This article may be republished using the following attribution box:
------------
Copyright ©2004 Christopher Aust, Master Dog Trainer & Creator:
The Natural Cooperative Training System (NCTS) for Dogs
The Instinctual Development System (IDS) for Puppies
Subscribe to the BARK 'n' SCRATCH Newsletter: subscribe@Master-Dog-Training.com
VISIT NOW: http://www.Master-Dog-Training.com
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If you were to fill a schoolroom with a large group of dogs, the Boxer would be the class clown. Their high-spirited, inquisitive, joy-filled high energy is reminiscent of a Robin Williams Special without the undue profanity. Their energy and natural curiosity are often mistaken for mischievousness, as they are a breed that feels an absolute need to be, "in the know," about everything going on around them.

The Boxer is known for their extreme loyalty and affectionate behavior and seems to have a true dedication and love for children. They make wonder family dogs and will adjust well to other animals in the household if properly introduced.

The breed is fairly old and is a cross between the German mastiff breeds called the Bullenbeiszer and Barenbeiszer. Later the bulldog was introduced into the breed, however the type of bulldog is not known. They were primarily used for hunting, cart pulling, bull baiting and cattle dogs. Their ancestors were known for being quite aggressive in large contrast to the modern version, which is quite the opposite. In fact, I have never seen or heard of an aggressive Boxer. Not to say they don't exist, I've just never seen it.

The name for the breed is English despite their German ancestry. It was given to them for the way they use their paws very much like a human uses his hands to bat things around. They will slap around their toys, food bowls and anything else that grabs their fancy, in much the same way a cat will play with a string. They will also “pat or box” your chest when they jump up to give you a kiss.

The manner in which they use their paws and their curiosity is so unusual and comical that I think this is the main reason they are found so appealing to the masses. It also shows an incredible intelligence. These are smart dogs! Sometimes, too smart. For this reason, they require training from an early age not only to protect your personal household items, but also to keep them from injuring themselves.

These dogs love to jump and, to top it off, they have an affinity for it. For this reason they require a house with a yard and high fence, preferably one they can't climb. I have seen numerous stories of Boxers jumping over and/or scaling six-foot fences. They should not be kept in an apartment unless there is always someone home and they can be given a LOT of exercise. Without plentiful exercise, they will be come bored and possibly destructive.

The Boxer's body is compact and powerful and the shiny, close-fitting coat comes in fawn, brindle, white and various shades of red, with white markings. White Boxers cannot be registered with some Kennel Clubs. The tail is usually docked. Ear cropping is optional. (Leave the tails alone. It adds to their character) It's head should be in proportion to its body, lean and unwrinkled. Its lower jaw extends beyond its upper one, curving slightly upward. Neither teeth nor tongue are to show when the mouth is closed.

The nose is large and black with very open nostrils. Eyes dark. The neck should be round, strong, and muscular, without dewlap. The body should be square. The tail is carried high. Its front legs should be straight and parallel. They range in height from 21 to 26 inches (52 to 64 cm.) and weigh from 50 to 70 pounds (23 to 32 kg.).

They can have a few medical issues such as hip dysplasia, epilepsy, cardiomyopathy and some allergies. Some are prone to deafness, but this is generally found in the white-coated strains, which happen to be unregisterable with many kennel clubs. They are also known to drool and snore, but hey, who isn't? They have a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. As a result of their thin coat, they will do best in a temperate climate.

The Boxer's smooth, short-haired coat is easy to groom. Brush with a firm small horse brush, and bathe when necessary. A high quality skin and coat conditioner should be used after bathing to prevent the shin from drying out. This breed is an average shedder.

While it isn't seen often in the US, the Boxer would make an excellent agility, long jump and competitive Frisbee™ or disk competitor. They have a strong desire to work and love to be affectionately rewarded for a job well done. In fact, it is quite surprising you don't see more in open breed competitions. They could easily sweep all the awards.

Plenty of exercise, consistent training and a high protein diet will produce a top-notch family/companion dog and/or competitive champion. Use care when purchasing this breed and pay a little extra money to ensure you are receiving high quality stock.

If you like to laugh, have the room and love affection, the boxer will make a wonderful addition to your family. They will be gentle with the kids and protective of the home. Pretty darn hard to knock a dog like that.

Breed requested by Patsy Goins

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1. My life is likely to last 10 to 15 years. Please remember any separation from you will be very painful.

2. Give me time to understand what you want from me. Do not break my spirit with your temper, though I will always forgive you. Your patience and understanding will teach me more quickly those things you want me to learn.

3. Have me spayed or neutered.

4. Treat me kindly, my beloved friend, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for your kindness than mine. Don't be angry with me for long, and don't lock me up as punishment. After all, you have your job, your friends, your entertainment. I have only you.

5. Speak to me often. Even if I don't understand all your words, I understand your voice when it's speaking to me. Your voice is the sweetest sound I ever hear, as you must know by my enthusiastic excitement when your footsteps fall upon my waiting ear.

6. Please take me inside when it's cold and wet. I'm a domestic animal and am no longer accustomed to the bitter elements. I ask for little more than your gentle hands petting me. Keep my bowl filled with clean water; I cannot tell you when I'm thirsty. Feed me good food so that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to be by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to share with you my life, for that is what I live for. However you treat me, I'll never forget it.

7. Don't hit me. Remember, I have teeth that could easily crush the bones in your hand, but I choose not to bite you.

8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I am not getting the right food, I've been out in the sun too long, or my heart may be getting old and weak.

9. Take care of me when I get old. You will grow old too.

10. When I am very old, when I no longer enjoy good health, please do not make heroic efforts to keep me going. I am not having fun. Just see to it that my trusting life is taken gently. And be with me on that difficult journey when it is time to say goodbye. Never say, "I can't bear to watch." Everything is easier for me when you are there. I will leave this earth knowing with my last breath that my fate was always safest in your hands. I love you.

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To show off, the engineer called to his dog: "T-Square, do your stuff." T-Square trotted over to a desk, took out some paper and pen and promptly drew a circle, a square and a triangle.

Everyone agreed that was pretty smart.

The Accountant said his dog could do better. He called his dog and said: "Slide Rule, do your stuff!" Slide Rule went out into the kitchen and returned with a dozen cookies. He divided them into 4 equal piles of 3 cookies each.

Everyone agreed that was good.

The Chemist said his dog could do better. He called his dog and said: "Measure, do your stuff." Measure got up, walked over to the fridge, took out a quart of milk, got a 10 oz. glass from the cupboard and poured exactly 8 oz. without spilling a drop, then returned the milk carton to the refrigerator.

Everyone agreed that was good.

The three men turned to the government worker and said, "What can your dog do?"

The Government worker called to his dog and said: "Coffee Break, do your stuff." Coffee Break jumped to his feet, ate the cookies, drank the milk, pooped on the circle of paper, sexually assaulted the other three dogs, claimed he injured his back while doing so, filed a grievance for unsafe working conditions, put in for workmen's compensation, and went home on sick leave.

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Thank You For Reading!  Have a Terrific Week!

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