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The much anticipated arrival of your new puppy is an exciting event--  especially if you have never owned a dog before.  There are many different things to be considered before Spot comes home. What food should I get for him? Which toys will hold up to a vigorous chewing puppy? Should I get a crate? Collar style? Hopefully this post will answer some of those pressing questions.

Food:  Each breed and size is going to have a different required amount of food.  However, there are some guidelines that apply to all.  Don't leave the food down for your dog to graze on all day.  Feed your dog his portion in his crate (this helps to associate positive feelings with the crate) and leave him there.  After thirty minutes to an hour, take your dog directly to his spot and give him the elimination command.  This helps cut down on accidents as well as helps your dog to be regular.  We feed two times a day (three when they're younger).  Our favorite foods are either Diamond Naturals Chicken & Rice, or one of the Kirkland Signature Natures Domain.

Toys: There are SO many different choices and variations for dog and puppy toys on the market. First of all, Many vets and pet stores will do their best to convince you that rawhide chew toys are healthy for dogs. This is majorly incorrect! Dogs are not able to digest rawhide.  The process that is used to make rawhide is highly toxic for any animal. Here is a link to a cute video about how rawhide products are made. We would recommend any Kong toys. Another natural alternative to rawhide are antler chews. They are completely natural, and the dogs love them! They are very clean, and don't have the mess that some natural dog toys have.  We also sometimes will get knuckle bones from the grocery store for a very special treat.



Crates: Dogs are den creatures.  We believe that crate training is highly important in a young pup's life. A crate gives them a place to call their own, and somewhere to go when they need time to themselves. It is also a place for them to sleep at night that keeps them out of trouble. While they will whine the first couple nights, stick to your guns and don't let them sleep with you. This will begin to teach the dog to settle, and prepare him for car trips in the crate or time at the kennel while you are on vacation.

Collar & Leash: Just like everything else, there are many different variations in collar and leashes. Our favorite collar style is called a martingale collar. This style provides more control over your dog without the choking effect of a slip collar. First choice for us in the leash world would be a multifunctional leash. They are very versatile and handy to use.

Beds: Soft cushy dog beds look so comfortable for your dog. And they are! But we've found that if you pair a puppy with a stuffed bed it often results in room that looks like it's covered in snow! The best choice we have found is what is called a Kuranda bed. Orthopedic, chew proof, and super easy to clean it is by far the best bed we have found for our dogs. This bed is what we use to teach place. It works perfectly because it is raised off the ground so the pup is either off or on the bed. No more slowly creeping away.

The addition of a puppy to your home is sure to bring much joy, laughter, and fun. But don't forget to be prepared for your new fur ball before he arrives! Everyone will be much happier if you do.

Service dog rights

As we have placed more and more dogs with clients,  questions involving a service dog's rights are constantly popping in our email, social media, texting, and voice messages. That's great! It means people are wanting to know the right way to do things, and are trying to stay informed. So, we decided a post with FAQs and answers would be a fantastic idea!  There will also be links to more information at the end.

These questions and answers are taken from the ADA website (www.ada.gov) and our good friend at www.k9wings.com

Q1 What is a service animal?

A: Under the ADA, a service animal is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to do

work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the dog must be

directly related to the person’s disability.

Q2 What does “do work or perform tasks” mean?

A: The dog must be trained to take a specific action when needed to assist the person with a disability. For example, a person with diabetes may have a dog that is trained to alert him when his

blood sugar reaches high or low levels. A person with depression may have a dog that is trained

to remind her to take her medication. Or, a person who has epilepsy may have a dog that is

trained to detect the onset of a seizure and then help the person remain safe during the seizure.

Q3 Are emotional support, therapy, comfort, or companion animals considered service animals under the ADA?

A: No. These terms are used to describe animals that provide comfort just by being with a

person. Because they have not been trained to perform a specific job or task, they do not

qualify as service animals under the ADA. However, some State or local governments have

laws that allow people to take emotional support animals into public places. You may check

with your State and local government agencies to find out about these laws.

 

       Q4 Are service-animals-in-training considered service animals under the ADA?

        A: No.Under the ADA, the dog must already be trained before it can be taken into public

       places. However, some State or local laws cover animals that are still in training.

       (Be sure and check with your state on these laws!)

 

Q5 Does the ADA require that service animals be certified as service animals?

A: No. Covered entities may not require documentation, such as proof that the animal has

been certified, trained, or licensed as a service animal, as a condition for entry.

Q6 My city requires me to register my dog as a service animal. Is this legal under the ADA?

A: No. Mandatory registration of service animals is not permissible under the ADA. However, as stated above, service animals are subject to the same licensing and vaccination

rules that are applied to all dogs.

Q7 Are restaurants, bars, and other places that serve food or drink required to allow service

animals to be seated on chairs or allow the animal to be fed at the table?

A: No. Seating, food, and drink are provided for customer use only. The ADA gives a person with a disability the right to be accompanied by his or her service animal, but covered

entities are not required to allow an animal to sit or be fed at the table.

   

 Q8 Do apartments, mobile home parks, and other residential properties have to comply

        with the ADA?

       A: The Fair Housing Act is the Federal law that protects the rights of people with disabilities

      in residential facilities. For information or to file a complaint, contact the       U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development at 1-800-669-9777.  

          

      Well, that hopefully answers some questions you may have had, if you have more 

      please go to www.k9wings.com and look for the links button.  Also, you can go to the 

      ADA website www.ada.gov or call toll free at 800-514-0301. 

Break Time

This post has nothing to do with resting, but everything to do with relieving.  One of the  basic functions of dogs, and one of the most frustrating issues of the owner of the untrained dog, is eliminating.  We call this "taking a break."  However, with consistency and attention, you can equip your dog with the skills to eliminate on command.

Meal Time:  By keeping meal times consistent, you establish routine and predictability in your dog.  We feed our dogs every morning after their initial "break".  We feed them the same amount every meal.  Normally, they wolf their food down in minutes; any uneaten kibble is removed from the crate and not offered again until dinner (or for training purposes).

"Good break, puppy!"

Break Time:  After we've finished our breakfast, we have someone on duty to take the dogs out for another "break".  Generally, this is about an hour after feeding. This has allowed the dogs to consume and digest their meal.  The person on duty leads the pups over to the "Break Area" and says, "Take a break."  Because we have done this every single time since we moved here three months ago, the dogs know that this is where they eliminate and they are ready to perform.  We just count seven "poops" until we know that everyone is finished, and then we take them up to the kennel for their morning session.

Every time we transition the dogs from crate to kennel, kennel to crate, or take them for a training session, we visit the "Break Area" for them to do their business.  This establishes routine and quickly forms a habit for them.

This week I took a young pup to town to be my shopping buddy.  At this point our pups are just over four months old.  He looked so handsome with his black coat gleaming under his red "Service Dog in Training" vest.  Between stores I told him to "break" in a designated place.  I was so proud of him when he immediately began doing his thing.  Confidently, I entered the store, assured that he wouldn't be doing anything naughty once inside.

Dogs instinctively like to keep their "den" clean.  We rarely have messy crates (I can only remember cleaning two since we've been here), and when they do have an accident it's either because of a sick dog or a handler that waited too long.

Training in public

Canines are creatures of habit and will eliminate in the same area, even without being trained.  Their sensitive snouts can smell things that we can't, and will find the odors associated with elimination.  That's why it's imperative to clean any messes in the house immediately and thoroughly, because they will return to that spot and do it again.

And finally, when you do take your dog into public, be prepared.  We always have little doggie bags tucked away in our service vests for public breaks.  This is just being responsible and respectful of others.

Well, it's been an hour since the dogs were fed, so it's time to go "take a break"!

Socializing at a Family Fun Day

Puppy Pictures, One Month

The puppies are growing fast, so here are some updates.  They are starting the weening process this week and are LOVING the puppy mush. Jackie is also happy to have more free time away from the pups. 

Tioga is off to Colorado to serve...

Sometimes things don't turn out the way you think they will.  This has been the case for our sweet Tioga.  When we acquired her last October, we intended to use her as part of our breeding stock.  We loved her solid, cheerful disposition, and she brought such delight to our team.

As we do with all of our breeding stock dogs, we had her genetically tested to ensure that she would not have any genetic issues with her eyes or hips.  Imagine our sadness when Tioga's results came back showing that she was "affected" with PRA-- bottom line, Tioga may eventually go blind.  With this information, we could not use her to breed nor could we in good conscience place her as a medical service dog.  So what to do with the precious creature?  As lovable and solid as she is, we really desired for her to "work", and not be re-purposed as a pet.

We started thinking about therapy dogs.  It seemed that this would be the perfect new job for Tioga, since their jobs are not to provide medical support, but comfort and emotional support.

Tioga has now left us to go and serve someone for the rest of her life.  Today Tioga arrives in Colorado to meet her new master, Amy, who serves others in the name of Christ using therapy dogs for Canines for Christ.  This wonderful creature will be greatly missed around our home base, however, it is great to know that she is on her way to serve and change another life for the better.

Tioga is a "bomb proof" dog.  We have dropped a pan near her sleeping black head and she barely acknowledged it.  Yet, as soon as you say her name she will jump up from a deep sleep, ready to assist you in any way you might need her.  Tioga is a great dog that will bring MUCH joy and peace to many in her new role as a four-legged ambassador for Christ in Colorado.

Baby pictures!

 I promised that I would post pictures of our nine little blessings, so here they are!!  They are all still healthy and growing fast.

In the whelping box, waiting with an anxious mother

Puppies!!!!

That wore me out!

Puppies!!!!!!

We have puppies!!!!!!!!!  Jackie delivered nine beautiful puppies during the night!!  All went well and we have five blacks and four gorgeous chocolates.  Three of the blacks are females and two are male, one of the chocolates is a female and the other three are males.  The ratio of males and females is very even and everyone is completely healthy.  We are very blessed.  Go to our website to learn more about us and what we do at dutydogs.com

Waiting

Jackie, our pregnant chocolate girl is in labor today.  This is the 61st day of gestation and she is ready to be done with this whole thing.  However, she has been a happy girl through her whole pregnancy.  She has been restless and uncomfortable throughout the whole day and wanting someone with her at all times.  Looking forward to the coming days, and I will post once she has delivered.    

June puppies! April discount.

Jackie and Bailey are proud to announce, Lord willing, we are going to have puppies in late June.  We are projecting their birth to be in the last week of June.

Our 25% off a DAD sale comes to an end as April closes.  Please visit our Duty Dogs website and send in an application for your Diabetes Alert service dog.  In order to receive this significant discount you will need to be under contract by next Wednesday, April 30th.  

Treating a Low Blood Sugar

When a diabetic is experiencing a dangerous low blood sugar there are times when they are unstable on their feet.  At times like this, the diabetic can have their Duty Dogs DAD get something to help bring their blood sugar levels back up.  In this example, we show Bailey, an 18 month DAD from Duty Dogs, retrieving a juice from the fridge for a 10-year old boy. 

Newspaper article

We have news!!!  The local newspaper has decided to do a article on our dogs and business. Here is a link to the story on the Sierra Star newspaper website.

Jackie

what now?

Say hello to Jackie!  She is our petite, sweet, 14 month old, dark chocolate lab that we acquired from Chilbrook Labradors in West Virginia.  We chose to add her to our breeding program because of her great lineage. Jackie has 13 generations of service dogs in her history!  Her father Ranger, is an amazing dog. Being a champion in nearly every way possible, he is a spectacular dog!


Jackie is being trained as a DAD (Diabetic Alert Dog) service dog.  This training is great for intelligent Jackie, as it gives her a job to do. It also gives her a future as a possible DAD, because we can place her as a DAD when we are finished using her in our breeding program.   This training benefits everyone.  She has also learned helpful tasks such as getting a juice out of the fridge and bringing the blood glucose meter to her handler.

at the dentist

We are very proud of our hardworking agile girl and are looking forward to seeing her puppies in the future!

Bailey and Jackie

   

training

working

Introducing: Duty Dogs

Years ago our 4 year old son was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.  Thus our journey into the Diabetic Community began.

Initially, we were shocked and somewhat dismayed at the thoughts of a life with diabetes management playing a central role.  However while at Children's Hospital we quickly realized the fact that our son's disease was manageable.  This was not necessarily the case for many of the boys and girls who watched prone in their beds as he rode around the halls on the hospital tricycle.  I was struck at the understanding that soon we would be taking our son home and many of these children would not return to their earthly homes.  This acquiescence began the process of God building gratefulness in our hearts for our son's condition of insulin dependency and for the tools used to enhance management.  We thank Jesus for the many tools at our disposal helping overcome the challenges this disease presents.

The most unique tool is a K9 monitor, Bailey.  Known as a Diabetic Alert Dog or more accurately a Diabetes Alert Dog.  We are proud breeders and trainers of these wonderful canine assets.  You can see more about our Duty Dogs by going to www.dutydogs.com.  Diabetes alert dogs help diabetics by smelling their changes in blood glucose or blood sugar.  The dogs can be trained to alert on highs or lows.  Thus helping to mitigate the extreme swings that are found in every T1D's life.  Lowering the peaks and raising the valleys of these extremes will help to lower the A1C results, thus lowering the risk of long term complications consistent with the disease.

This can be especially helpful for diabetics who suffer from hypoglycemic unawareness.  This condition causes one to not realize when their blood sugar levels are dropping dangerously low. Type 1 Diabetics who suffer from this condition are often found in need of support from the wonderful servants tied to the 911 services.

We are delighted to train dogs specifically to serve people with this condition.  A diabetes alert dog can help a diabetic return precious liberty and peace of mind back to their life.  These wonderful K9 monitors often allow the trips to the ER to be dramatically reduced for their diabetic handlers.

For more information on the offerings of DAD dogs visit our Duty Dogs website.