Mk9's "Stop & Go" Game for the family

Throughout our days, there is a learning experience in just about everything we do. Here at them mk9 home we love to make learning fun, for all.

Since we have a multiple dog family, we love to designate "one on one time" for each of the pups. "One on one time" helps strengthen bonds between you and your furkids. 

Today is Bella Vita's day for some special one on one time. During our walks we like to play a little game called "Stop n Go". Dylan (aka Monster) is in charge of the orders and mom has to help Bella Vita listen.

On our walks Monster will randomly say "Stop". When he does we all have to stop, but Vita has to not only "stop", but "sit" and "look" at mom. Then we continue on when Monster says "go". Sometimes Monster has us stopping and going every two feet lol.

What this game does is, well, #1 causes Dylan to laugh like crazy because of all the fast random stops, but it helps Bella Vita work on her basic commands. Walking on a loose leash, sitting every time we stop and looking at mom for the next move.

The randomness of Monsters commands also keeps Vita (and mom) on her toes watching and listening for what we may do next. In turn keeping Vita's attention on us and not the dogs in the house next to us barking mad through the window.

**Rules are:
-Little Monsters must hold moms/dads hand.
-We never "stop" in the middle of any street.
-We must look both ways before crossing streets.
-Mom makes sure we have plenty of tasty treats on hand for Vita and she keeps those "good girls" coming.
-Make sure you change the pace of the walk.
-When you start to walk, make sure your dog is looking at you and always lead with your left leg. (the leg closest to your dog). 

Have fun on your outings all and enjoy your family. 
www.modifiedk9.org

Busy Bulls & a Box

As you all know, treat/food dispensing dog toys can be a bit pricey at time. Unless you find a killer deal on amazon. Even then, they tend to add up (especially with chewers). So what do we do to keep our fur kids happy and busy while we save up?

We utilize what we have at home.

Thankfully, our dogs are easy to please and appreciate anything we do for them. Which in turn makes it very easy for us humans to accommodate to their need for some mind stimulation. Here is a fun way to use a few things you may have laying around the house. It will keep those fur kids occupied, especially on a days you prefer to be indoors. No to mention, it will keep up entertained. ;)


What you will need to gather up:


1. An empty box - size depends on your dog











2. A old blanket, sheet or shirt. - You can use any type of cloth you may have laying around and do not care about. It gets a bit torn and tattered with what is about to go on. The amount of cloth items you use is up to you.




3. We use the kibble we feed our dogs. - You can use treats, baby carrots or anything your dogs finds tasty. You will want to use a good amount to keep your dog occupied and interested, so that is why we use their meal time measurements.







4. Put the kibble / treats in the cloth - You will want to tuck it, roll it, twist it and add it to different sections of the cloth you are using so your pups will have to dig through it and have a bit of a challenge.

5. Place the cloth with the treats inside the box and a few extras - Place some kibble/treats throughout the box, on and around the cloth.










6. Fold the top of the box closed - Ask your pup to "sit", to "down" or to "wait" for their game to begin. Once they are waiting patently,  tell them to take it or get it. . .

Bella Vita

Brad Pit

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Thanks all for looking. 

Come when called. - Recall Game

We use the clicker (or marker) during a lot of our training sessions. When we use the clicker we never us it to attract our dogs attention. The clicker is used when our dogs are doing the exact action we want.

Today we are going to fill you in on a fun game we do with our pups to teach them how to come when called. This exercise will help your dog understand to come to you every time you call them.

Pick a spot that is safe, fenced in or even start in your home so your pup can't get away from you if they get distracted. Start off with two people standing about 8-10 feet apart from one another. Each person will have some soft, small sized treats and a clicker. We like to use Natural Balance food rolls for our dogs training.

When everyone is ready start calling your pup with the word "come" or "here". Make sure everyone uses the same word in a happy tone. When the pup comes to you click, put your hand on the dogs collar and give him/her the treat.

As your pup learns the game, start increasing the distance and the distractions. You will want to start of at a short distance with little to no distraction at first to help your dog succeed in this game. Have fun and make the training sessions short. Making sessions short will keep your pups attention and your pup will learn to stay focused. Too long of a session and your pup can get distracted easy. You always want to end on a good note and the command you asked of your dog.

Tips on when to call your dog:

-Never call your dog for negative/bad things
-Never call your dog and then lock him up for the day to go to work or leave the house.
-Never call your dog to come in from play time, instead go get him.
-DO call your dog for positive/good things like dinner time, treats, walks, car rides, games, play, cuddle time ;)

When you teach your dog to come when called remember you may need it one day to save your dogs life so every time you call your dog it MUST be related to something positive. Then watch them come flying into your arms.

Pearly Whites

Our k9 friends need dental care just as much as we humans do!
 Overall health is so important in all of our lives. Proper nutrition, exercise and routine "grooming".  Unfortunately, dental hygiene for dogs is sometimes overlooked. So next time you go to brush your teeth have you pups following you into the bathroom and pay attention to their pearly whites as well we your own. ;) Catching teeth problems early in your dogs will help avoid severe dental disease.

Your veterinarian will also take a look at your dog’s pearly whites during routine exams, make sure you visit your vet every 6-12 months for wellness check-ups and watch for signs such as: 

-Halitosis (bad breath)

-Increased salvation

-Calculus/Tarter (hard coating on teeth that is usually yellow or brown in color - plaque build up

-Bleeding gums 

-puffy/red gums

-Crying out when chewing or Reluctance to chew

-Loose or missing teeth etc. . .There are several things you can do to help keep your dog’s teeth in good shape. Make sure you start dental routine as early as possible in your dog’s life so he/she get used to having their teeth brushed and inspected. Brushing your dogs teeth is another good way to help keep those pearly whites in tip top shape, but if you do brush them yourself here are some important "need to know" tips. . .

#1. Before you begin, make sure to ask your vet to show you some techniques to make brushing your dogs teeth easier on your dog and you. 

#2. NEVER brush your dog's teeth with human toothpaste. your dog can get very sick from this. Make sure you use toothpaste MADE FOR DOGS. You can pick this up at any pet care store. So, NO human products for your dogs. Period.

#3. Start out brushing your dogs teeth with finger brushes. These are not as awkward as hard brushes and it can help ease your dog into having their teeth and gums cleaned. 

#4. Daily brush is recommended as plaque will turn into tarter within 24-48 hours.

#5. if you are not able to brush your dogs teeth, look into an oral rinse MADE FOR DOGS. 

#6. Dental treats are another good option but should not replace teeth brushing/cleaning.

Being 'hands on' with our dogs can help them have an easier time at the vets office for exams. Groom your dogs coat, bathe your dogs, clean their ears, cut their nails and brush their teeth regularly. May seem silly, but these are things our fur kids need to live healthy lives and these are the kinds of things we do for our family. So, happy care taking everyone - your dog will thank you for it . . . so will your vet and your wallet ;)
Check out these links for more info:

Chronic bad breath in dogs

Your dogs basic needs

Importance for Dental Care for your pets

Police Respond to Vicious Dog in Baltimore City

Here at Mk9, we receive a lot of emails and messages about Pit Bull and Pit Bull type dogs. News reports and stories from all over. From both sides of the spectrum as well. The good, and the bad. When we find the ones we believe will do good to help further the education of the general public, we "Share" them with hopes that people will be influenced, and motivated to see Pit Bulls and their owners for what they are, and not what the Media would make them out to be.

Today, we received a rather interesting story from a gentleman in Baltimore. It was a story about a Vicious Dog call, and the Police Officer who answered it. The interesting part is, the gentleman who sent the story IS that Officer who answered the call. So here is the account, from the source;


Hey,

I'm a Police Officer in Baltimore City. I am originally from Wilkes-Barre, and I am a fan of your organization and Pit Bulls. Today I received a call while on duty about a vicious dog chasing kids. When I came on the scene, I noticed people yelling out their windows at the dog. I followed the dog into an ally to see how it was acting. Going on my own approach, being a dog lover, I got out of my car and called the "vicious dog" over to me. The dog came over with it's tail between it's legs and panting. I grabbed my water bottle and the dog sat down next to me and began licking my pants. I started giving the dog water. I brought the dog over and waited for the pound to show up. My partner was not a fan of dogs and was startled by my approach. I suggested to him that this dog cannot be put down, and should be taken to a shelter. We took it upon ourselves to take the dog to the shelter, and transported it in the back seat in the back of our patrol car. Then I decided that I wanted to keep the dog, and spoke to the shelter about the steps to take to adopt it. The dog was originally kept outside and was filthy, and now it just might have a new home. I know you like positive pictures so I have attached a few. Have a great day and keep up the good work!

Officer Dan Waskiewicz
Baltimore City Police

When we heard this story we could not help but SMILE, and maybe do a tail shake or two! :)

Then we got to thinking more about it. How awesome is this story! Not only does it have a happy ending to it, but there are also some major applause points:

Instead of assuming the dog to be vicious and shoot it dead, (as we see so many times before) he analyzes the situation, and sees a nervous dog that needs help.

Instead of letting animal control pick up the dog, and let it disappear, or be put down, he personally takes it to a shelter, IN HIS CRUISER!!!

Finally, he offers the pup a new forever home!

So we at Mk9 would like to say Thank You! Officer Dan, for taking the time to be patient and give a dog a chance. And step outside the stereo types and see this for what is was. A loose dog who was nervous, and needed someone to help. Not someone to yell at him and assume him to be dangerous.

Here is "Bo" with his new family. A perfect picture of a perfect ending or an amazing new beginning. 

Photo by Dan Waskiewicz

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