Tie Downs

Brad Pit & Johnny Royal: "Ha Ha, Uma's on a tie down."

Tie down is another "structure" method we use for the new dogs that enter our program. A tie down, helps the dogs adjust to in door living. It comes in very handy to us since we can not have the dog on leash with us at all times. (Not when chasing a 3 year old and a few other dogs around). 

The tie down's allow us to be hands free, but it also allows the new dog to be involved in all that is going on in our home. Our mentor dogs can walk freely around the new dog with out getting pounced on for play ever 5 seconds, our kiddo can walk passed without having his snack taken off of him or be smothered in kisses every 2 seconds.

Tie downs are a useful tool to help manage dogs that may jump on people, that need house breaking , play a bit too rough with us or our dogs and for dogs that like to jumping on furniture as they please. Tie downs limit your dog's "rude or inappropriate behaviors" and get them adjusted to every day in door living with the rest of the family. Another plus is that, they can be used for is meeting the resident dogs and even the cat.

To make a tie down get a 4-5 foot piece of cable wrapped in plastic with clips at both ends. Attach one end to an eye-bolt and screw it into the baseboard of your wall. Attach the other end to your dog's flat buckle collar or martingale. With Uma we used an extra leash we had and wrapped it around a very heavy piece of furniture. (She doesn't chew the leash other wise we would use the cable like we had to for Johnny when he first came into our program.)

If you use "Uma's way" MAKE SURE that your dog can not pull the furniture around the house or chew on it. Tie downs should only be used when you are home as well, this way you can keep an eye on your pup and make sure they are not getting themselves into any trouble.

In the dogs tie down space, put their bed and some chew toys to keep them buys. Frozen Stuffed Kongs work well as they are learning to adjust.

Let us know how this works for you and if you have any other tips regarding tie downs :)

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. 

We ((LOVE)) routine! -and so do the dogs!

A solid strict schedule = structure, patience & obedience 

Even after a short time the new kid Johnny is picking up on our routine.

We try as best as we can to keep the pups schedule the same every day.
They wake up at a certain time, go out at a certain time, eat at a certain time, train at a certain, play at a certain time and even cuddle at a certain time.

With a schedule along with the "nothing is free" method we help the dogs become more balanced, calm and content.

They get to know what is coming next.
This schedule helps them replace their anxiety or bad behavior issues with patience and understanding of how things run around here.

We are the leaders and they are our pup scouts.

Feeding time:

After the pups all do their business they head back to their crates, their food is placed in front of them and they are told to WAIT as we close the door and do the same for the next pup.

After all the food is down, doors are closed and they are "waiting" nicely we tell them all "OK" and they are free to enjoy their meal.

NOTE:
We feed ALL of our dogs in their crates at ALL times.
This allows them space to eat their food as they will with out being burdened by another dog or devouring their food in a fast manner because there is another dog scouting out their meal.

Crating at feeding time will prevent any unnecessary spats and after they finish their meal they get to relax & digest until it is time to go out for their morning walks and training session.