Philly Pack Mentality

http://www.cracked.com/article_20831_6-dog-breeds-with-secret-superpowers.html/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=fanpage&utm_campaign=new+article&wa_ibsrc=fanpage

6 Dog Breeds With Secret Superpowers It turns out humans have bred all sorts of weird superpowers into these animals to help them do our bidding.

http://www.amazon.com/Chaser-Unlocking-Genius-Knows-Thousand/dp/0544102576/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1389737290&sr=8-1&keywords=chaser

Rasta representing South Philthy!
Now is a great time to get ypur dog outside, just don't let fleas and ticks get ya! There are many prevention tools out there, K9 Advantix is the best one in my experience, does anyone else know of a good one?

Collars and Control Devices: A Ruff Guide

1. Slide-Loops: Ropes, Chains, etc. -

I start with my preferred type of collar where the dog put his head through a simple slide loop. The handler proceeds with the dog on whichever side is set up to correct and release smoothly. Remember: chains and ropes only work to effectively when in the proper position. The reason I prefer chain collars is because they are low-friction, meaning that when the correction is over, the loop relaxes with ease. Also, the sound that the metal on metal makes when the handler issues a correction will eventually become a correction in and of itself.

To remain effective, the collar must stay elevated on the neck, nestled between the back of the jaw and the neck muscles and scruff. As many of you may know, this is the spot where fellow pack members would give a firm nip to change inappropriate behavior in a pack member. The challenge is to keep the collar resting where it must, with light pressure, without causing a state of 'constant correction' which will lead to pulling, confusion and frustration for both human and dog.

I find the chain to excel because of the ease with which one tightens and loosens the collar loop. These small movements can be the difference between a quick and effective correction and a situation where anxiety and tension will grow, so it's best to have someone familiar show you how to use the chain collar properly (trust me, I thought I knew everything about it as well - then I learned more.)

MaX

The Thrown Bone: Tips, Tricks and Tools

Know the intended use and associated techniques of the collar that you choose! Many of my clients have difficulty walking their dogs. This difficulty arises when the collar is not an effective tool to communicate. We can avoid this breakdown and confusion by selecting the proper tool for the job - there are several different options for leashing, each with their own pros and cons.
When people ask me what collar/leash is the best, I like to take the opportunity to educate them on the different functions, features and benefits of each one. There are many training and behavior steps to take when introducing ANY kind of collar - far too many to type here.
There will be more on this topic when I get some pack feedback - feel free to Email or FB message us with questions and shared experiences. Next post will be a simplified look at each option.

- MaX

"There was a study of body language signals in wolves and several domestic dog breeds at the University of Southampton in England. Of the breeds sampled, it turned out that golden retrievers had retained more of the wolf’s body language than all the other breeds in the study except the Siberian husky. Goldens even bested German shepherds in this regard."

- retrieverman.net

Shanti Shanti Shanti

so much love

ya boys back in the day!

The Thrown Bone: Tips, Tricks and Tools

If you have limited time or want to enrich your walk, try a dog backpack. It will help spend energy and add to your dog's sense of purpose (their 'job'.) This combination of psychological and physical exercise can make quite a difference in the walk experience, plus you will always have necessities like plastic bags, water, toys, etc.
Here are some nice examples of from REI, but you can get them from many different places and brands. The one that my dog wears is a Kelty (~$40.)

http://www.rei.com/search?search=pet+packs&origin=Google&cat=40003658&hist=search%2Cpet+packs^cat%2C40003658%3APets%2C+Toys+and+Picnicking

German engineering

Rasta & Jordyn

!!! DOGS !!!

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