Training Goldendoodles

What is important to know is that every dog must know the basic commands and must listen to you, especially in situations where other people are afraid of your pet. Do not play “aggressively” with your dog, as he can easily conclude that he should behave in other situations as well. Of course, that means that we always need to have certain things on our mind while training out pet.

Keep dogs away from small children they do not know. Both dogs and children can be frightened by sudden reactions. Explain to the children whether or not they can pet your dog.

Don’t scare the dog by taking it where there is loud music or simply follow the dog’s body language – if the dog has wagged its tail it is a sure sign that it is scared, scared or angry and that it is time to get out of the crowd. We know you love your dog, but there are places that are not for him.
As we know, the goldendoodle breed was created by crossing a poodle and a golden retriever. The goal was to create a hypoallergenic dog that would have all the qualities of both breeds. These dogs are very intelligent, friendly and easy to raise and train.  They adore children, people and other dogs. They need a lot of movement so they are not recommended to people who aren’t active. With average and above-average energy levels, Goldendoodles require daily exercise and love to go for walks, running, walks and swimming. Their playful nature and retriever genes make them great partners as well. Owners should aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. A fenced yard is ideal for goldendoodles to rustle, but you shouldn’t keep them there all day. Whenever possible you need to take him out and train him how to behave while being outside that yard.

This would be an easy task also, because goldendoodles are intelligent and have a strong desire for obedience. Because of their obedience, they are very easy to train. It helps if you start their training early. They are easy to train, but require early socialization to avoid shyness. They respond best to positive, rewarding workouts and will be happy to show off their tricks for a delicious treat. Try that and you will see the results.

Without training, you can expect them to roll out the toilet paper, that you will miss the Thanksgiving turkey and the sofa cushions that will be arranged on the floor. Of course, goldendoodle’s playful nature is also quite charming. But, still most of us aren’t prepared for this type of behaviour.

The basic training consists in teaching your pet from the very beginning to perform a certain action on a given command, and to strengthen that action by repeating it. Prolonged repetition creates a habit and the dog mechanically performs a certain action on a given command. Training is successfully completed when the dog on precise commands performs precise actions that are planned for that command and always without error. This is also why you need to train your goldendoodle while he or she is still a puppy.

Goldendoodles have been used as pets, agility dogs, guide dogs, therapy dogs, diabetic dogs, as well as search and rescue dogs. Their love and patience have made them a popular choice for family dogs in recent year. he first three dogs to win the American Kennel Club obedience champion title after its introduction in 1977 were golden retrievers, proving their loyalty and ease of training. Poodles were originally bred as retrievers and water dogs, and both breeds scored in the top 5 among150 smartest dog breeds. These genes are passed on to goldendoodle, so owners can be convinced of a sporty, intelligent and obedient companion. So, don’t worry at all, because obviously your pet will obey every command you give to him. The training will go smoothly and you will be satisfied because your dog will follow all your instructions.

Conditions For Canine Health

Corneal health starts at the adnexa of the eye. Every eye exam should begin with a thorough gross examination of the patient at rest, along with appropriate preliminary diagnostics. Good eyelid conformation, as well as appropriate tear production and quality, are crucial for the lasting health of the cornea. There are many breed related conditions, especially in the dog, that should be addressed by a veterinary ophthalmologist early on for treatment to prevent the development of corneal damage and promote the lasting health of the cornea. The following are some examples of such conditions:

Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS) is a quantitative tear film deficiency disorder that is most commonly seen in dogs as an immune mediated condition. KCS can also be neurogenic, drug-induced, or secondary to systemic disease, such as distemper or other metabolic diseases, such as hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, or Cushing’s disease. This is a common disorder diagnosed in dogs, which is why it is crucial to perform a Schirmer Tear Test (STT) on every patient presenting with an ocular complaint. In a normal dog, a STT should exceed 15mm in 60 sec. Diagnosis of KCS is based on a STT of <10mm/min; however, a STT of 11-14 mm/min is suspicious of the disorder. Clinical manifestations of KCS include conjunctival hyperemia, mucoid to muco-purulent discharge, keratitis, blepharitis, and even corneal ulceration. Patients with underlying systemic disease, such as diabetes mellitus, are at an even higher risk of developing severe corneal ulceration due to presence of decreased corneal sensitivity in addition to KCS. Therapy for KCS includes lacrimostimulants (i.e., Cyclosporine A or Tacrolimus), lacrimomimetics (i.e., HA containing ophthalmic ointments), prophylactic antimicrobials, mucinolytic agents (i.e., Acetylcysteine), and anti-inflammatories (i.e., topical steroids, if no concurrent ulceration is present). The use of tear replacement ointments containing HA or cross-linked HA can be helpful in the prevention of severe corneal ulcerations in these cases, especially during the initial four weeks of treatment due to the delayed onset of action of the lacrimostimulants. Severe cases, such as neurogenic KCS or cases which are refractory to medical management, may ultimately require a Parotid Duct Transposition in order to maintain appropriate lubrication of the cornea to prevent the development of severe corneal ulcers secondary to KCS.

Euryblepharon (aka Macropalpebral Fissure) is a congenital condition where the eyelid fissure is larger than normal and causes increased scleral exposure. This condition is commonly seen in both large breed dogs and small brachycephalic dogs. Euryblepharon is commonly associated with lagophthalmos, pigmentary keratitis (brachycephalic dogs), and entropion/ectropion (large breed dogs). In canines, the length of the eyelid fissure when stretched should measure approximately 33 mm. For the diagnosis of euryblepharon, the fissure will measure 5 to 15 mm longer. Referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist is recommended for evaluation and surgical correction, which might involve a medial and/or lateral canthoplasty, keeping in mind that other more extensive blepharoplasty procedures might be indicated depending on the severity of the condition. Eye lubrication with HA-containing ophthalmic ointments can be helpful in the management of severe cases, or cases where lagophthalmos is present, until the condition is able to be surgically corrected.

Ectropion is a developmental condition where the eyelid margin is everted. This condition is most commonly seen along the inferior lid and is often diagnosed in large and medium breed dogs with accompanying secondary euryblepharon or canthal ligament laxity. Ectropion can also be an acquired condition often caused by other disease processes such as facial nerve paralysis, scar tissue formation secondary to previous trauma, or overcorrection from a previous entropion surgery. Ectropion predisposes the cornea to exposure keratitis, which can ultimately lead to corneal ulceration. Referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist for evaluation and appropriate surgical correction is recommended.

Entropion is most commonly a developmental condition where the eyelid margin is inverted, potentially leading to secondary trichiasis, blepharospasm, epiphora, enophthalmos, secondary conjunctivitis, and ulcerative keratitis. Entropion is frequently seen in young, large breed dogs secondary to their eyelid conformation; however, it can also be an acquired condition secondary to marked blepharospasm. Entropion arises due to excessive eyelid length (i.e. euryblepharon), lack of support of the eyelids by the globe (i.e. enophthalmos, microphthalmos, phthisis bulbi), excessive skin on the forehead and subsequent upper lid ptosis, and increased tone of the orbicularis oculi muscle (i.e. spastic entropion). Referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist is recommended for evaluation and surgical correction via the Hotz-Celsus surgical technique, and/or more extensive blepharoplasty procedures depending on the extent of the condition. Puppies can also develop a transient entropion during growth. The use of temporary tacking sutures can be utilized to save the cornea while they are growing. Permanent procedures are recommended if the entropion persists once they are full grown.

Trichiasis is a developmental condition where the eyelid hairs, or facial hairs, are abnormally positioned towards the cornea. This is especially common in brachycephalic breeds. Clinical manifestations include epiphora, pigmentary keratitis, chronic conjunctival hyperemia, and occasionally corneal ulceration. For severe cases, referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist is recommended for evaluation and appropriate surgical correction depending on the type of trichiasis that is present. Some less severe cases may be able to be managed successfully with the long-term use of eye lubrication using HA-containing ointments and proper grooming.

Distichiasis is a condition where there is abnormal growth of cilia through the meibomian gland openings of the eyelid margin. It is one of the most common inherited eyelid diseases in the dog and can involve both the upper and lower eyelid, and can be a unilateral or bilateral disease.  Distichiasis can be difficult to appreciate without the use of biomicroscopic examination. Some of these cases can be subclinical; however, if there is resulting keratitis, then referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist for evaluation and potential cryoepilation or electroepilation of the abnormal cilia is recommended.

Ectopic Cilia is a condition where there is abnormal growth of cilia through the palpebral conjunctiva. Ectopic cilia can appear on the superior or inferior eyelid and can involve one or both eyes. Clinical manifestations include blepharospasm, increased blink rate, epiphora, and are commonly associated corneal ulceration. Diagnosis of this condition can be challenging and requires the use of biomicroscopic examination. Treatment includes referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist for en-bloc resection +/- cryotherapy of the abnormal cilia due to the high likelihood of corneal ulceration and ocular pain that they can cause.

Healthy Dog Food Company

You can’t check out James Middleton’s Insta without catching a glimpse of his adorable dogs and now, he’s turning his greatest passion into a business with a mission to help furry friends around the world.

Middleton just launched a dog food company called Ella & Co and announced the news in a radio ad. The animal lover introduced the new concept of providing freeze-dried raw food with healthy, natural ingredients for every pooch.

On the website, the younger brother of Kate and Pippa describes Ella & Co as a “happiness and wellbeing company for dogs,” noting that each serving will provide vitamins, proteins and natural nutrients for a balanced diet.

Middleton named this company after his therapy dog Ella but was overall inspired to start it by all of his nine pets. “It became my mission to discover what I can do to repay even a small percentage of what they have been able to give to me,” he wrote on this site.” “I spent my time researching and thinking about how I can make their lives as healthy and happy as possible.”

You can start your very own trial providing your dog’s name, breed and size before choosing a recipe your furry friend would enjoy. The first delivery comes with a feeding guide, a measuring cup and eco-friendly reusable storage bags. And the best part? The delivery is completely free.

Siouxland Humane Society Dogs

 They weren’t able to pet them but some of man’s best friends paid a visit to a group of senior citizens.

Gracie and Brownie had to show their charm and warmth through the windows of the Bickford Assisted living facility on Sioux City’s northside.

While they couldn’t come inside, any type of pet therapy can have health benefits, like lowering blood pressure, reducing stress, and helping ease depression.

Kelly Erie with the Siouxland Humane Society told us, “we call this pet therapy with a twist, what is it’s us doing pet therapy outside so the residents can still see the pets. We know the connection people have with pets and pets have with people and right now is more important than anything so if we can put a smile on someone’s face or make someone’s day then that’s what we are here for and that’s what we are going to do.”

The pet team from the Siouxland Humane Society visits Bickford once a month.

Lockdown Pet Adoption

Kalamazoo County Animal Services

The Kalamazoo County Animal Services and Enforcement is reporting that 10 pit bull type dogs have been removed from a Kalamazoo home, with dogfighting suspected.

The investigation and cleanup was assisted by the Kalamazoo Humane Society (KHS), who says that an officer viewed evidence of suspected dogfighting during a visit to a home in the 400 block of East Frank Street on Saturday, May 16.

Officer Keith Myers visited the home after receiving a tip from the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) about loud barking coming from the home.

Following the execution of a search warrant, authorities discovered dogs, roosters, and hens in “deplorable conditions” in the backyard, as well as more dogs inside the home.

Ten pit bull-type dogs were removed, which is above the allowable limit of up to 3 dogs per household according to the city code.

According to the KHS, dogfighting is a felony in Michigan with a penalty of up to four years in prison, community service of 500-1000 hours, and possible fines of $5,000 to $50,000. Other violations can include owning, possessing, breeding, and selling dogs and equipment for fighting and baiting, as well as other activities commonly associated with the crime of dogfighting.

Officials say it is currently unknown if the birds are part of the suspected animal fighting activity.

No arrests were made on the scene, and the investigation remains active. Criminal charges are expected to be filed in connection with this case by KCASE.

The KHS adds that citizens can help stop dogfighting by reporting a large number of dogs, excessive barking from multiple dogs (inside and outside of the home), and dogs outside without adequate shelter, food or water.

Therapy Dog Gets Honorary Doctorate

An 8-year-old therapy dog named Moose was among the graduates at this year’s virtual commencement ceremony at Virginia Tech — and this good boy has a lot to celebrate.

Moose, who came to Virginia Tech in 2014, received an honorary doctorate in veterinary medicine on Friday, the university said. He is one of four dogs who work at the school’s Cook Counseling Center, serving as working therapy animals and ambassadors for mental health awareness. The Labrador retriever has aided in more than 7,500 counseling sessions and over 500 outreach events in his six years at Virginia Tech, according to his owner Trent Davis, the coordinator of animal-assisted therapy and a counselor at the center.

Recently, Moose has faced a challenging few months after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer just a week after his birthday in February.

The pup began radiation, chemotherapy and other therapies at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, a joint venture of Virginia Tech and the University of Maryland at College Park.

Moose continues to receive chemotherapy and has been given a “pawsitive” prognosis, the school said.

He has since has returned to work with canine colleagues Derek, Carson and Wagner, whose humans are all staff members at the counseling center, helping to reduce the stigma often associated with mental illness.

In 2019, the fluffy pup was honored with the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association’s Animal Hero Award, an honor given to an animal that has performed “a heroic act of service or provides daily outstanding service for humans.”

“Moose loves you if you’re super smart, and he loves you if you got an F. He loves you if you’ve been in the hospital, and he loves you if you’re a sports star,” Davis said of the honor. “Moose doesn’t care if you have a mental health concern. He doesn’t care if you got an A or a B or if you didn’t get into college … That’s got a magic to it.”

When Moose isn’t working, he enjoys swimming, playing a classic game of tug of war, and most of all, eating.

Paws Giving Independence

Paws Giving Independence is a service dog program based in Peoria that trains dogs to help people with various disabilities.

During the pandemic, training looks different and PGI is finding new ways for trainers to teach important skills.

“There’s still people out there that have disabilities and need these dogs,” said Michelle Yuen, director of animal intake and training.

Soon, the service dogs will help people in wheelchairs and alert owners to medical issues like seizures.

“These dogs really are essential workers,” said Yuen.

And training is key.

“Sometimes it can be the difference between life and death,” said Donna Kosner, director of community outreach, education, and applications.

So, Paws Giving Independence is getting creative.

“Our training has changed a bit with social distancing and just with the changing of the standards of groups,” said Yuen.

Virtual training sessions are helping dogs learn and practice skills during quarantine.

“A lot of our dogs have been training mainly at home, so the skills carry over at home is similar to in public but again it’s definitely not the same,” said Yuen.

Training in public is a huge part of working on service dog’s skills.

To help, Northwoods Mall is stepping up.

“We trained regularly at Northwoods Mall before all this happened, so the fact that they’re inviting us back here is really great,” said Kosner.

In small groups, trainers are now able to work with dogs, giving them real life experience.

“The dogs can practice still one on one with some of the skills that they need to learn,” said Yuen.

The trainers and dogs are making the current circumstances work in an effort to serve people with disabilities in the area.

“We’re really trying to find creative ways to get our dogs safely and keep the community safe,” said Yuen.

Leaders say they hope to continue training at Northwoods Mall while it’s closed to the public.

During this time, Paws Giving Independence is still taking applications and conducting interviews virtually.

Benji The Therapy Dog

Across the world, stories of dogs helping people fighting the coronavirus pandemic have emerged.

Only the other day, Benji, a 4-year-old Bernedoodle was seen in a video, that went viral, rollerblading on its owner Andrew Laske’s back.

The 70-pound canine has been spotted skiing, off-roading and even kayaking.

“This dude has seen a lot, he’s helped a lot and he’s made a lot of people smile,” Laske said. “Obviously, he’s my best friend.”

Benji is a therapy dog that has put its best paw forward with a virtual fundraiser and online hospital visits amid Covid-19.

The pooch helps people at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), but during the coronavirus pandemic, he and his owner have had to get creative to connect with the kids.

Benji is an adorable and very talented dog whose tricks have made him a viral sensation with an estimated 20 million views.

The Bernedoodle is raising money on Saturday for CHLA’s Walk and Play LA, which has now become a virtual fundraiser to benefit all programmes.

Between the therapy visits and now viral videos, Laske and Benji are trying to bring a little positivity with every post, like and share during an otherwise hectic times in our lives.

Pomeranian Helped Through Quarantine

Kiss is a three-pound, four-legged Pomeranian. She is an AKC-emotional support dog who has joined me at hospitals and in collaborations with organizations like ELEM/Youth in Distress in Israel, a nonprofit and a special consultant to the UN which provides life-altering support and services to at-risk Israeli youth.

Kiss is the Hebrew word for pocket and she is small enough to fit inside one. Spending more time with my dog during this time of quarantine hasn’t just provided an outlet for my creativity; it has given me time to reflect on how much she’s changed my life. When I got Kiss and started to spend time with her, I learned what other people have known for years, that it is wonderful to wake up to see a creature smiling at you, wagging its tail at you, or jumping up and down like a lottery winner when you get home.

But there was a time when I felt having a dog wasn’t in the cards for me.

I grew up in Jerusalem, the product of an Ultra-Orthodox environment. Dogs, like a lot of aspects of contemporary life including popular music, dolls, and movies, were forbidden.  The Torah states that it’s unkosher to socialize with dogs and that one must keep a dog chained, because these animals are known to cause “substantial and frequent” damage.

There were no dogs where I grew up and I never saw anyone with a pet in my neighborhood.  Even stray dogs were rare. Once on the Orthodox-Hasidic street of Sorotzkin where I grew up, a dog chased me on the way to the elementary school bus. I still remember being terrified that this dog was going to bite me. I grew up believing that all dogs——not just stray dogs——were to be avoided at all costs.

But, one day, I saw my friend’s small teacup Pomeranian and I just knew I had to get a dog like this. The teddy-bear like appearance made the dog seem friendly enough for me to overcome my lifelong fear and mistrust of dogs.

I’ve since learned that some dog lovers might not consider “Micro-teacup Pomeranians” to be “real” dogs. But just try to tell me that Kiss isn’t a real dog after all of the positive changes she’s made in my life.

When one grows up in the Hasidic community, one can have little contact with people on the outside. I wasn’t exposed to many non-Hasidic people and this lack of exposure intensified my natural shyness.

Having Kiss forced me to stop and talk to people I might never have met, or had the nerve to interact with, before. I found myself speaking to people from all walks of life — whether they were Jewish, Christian, Muslim or any other religion — all thanks to this little dog.

When people passed us on the street, they often told me how Kiss made them happy. This seemed fitting to me since the Hebrew word for dog “kelev” can be broken down into ke-lev “like the heart.” The Hasidic masters liked to remind us that “The Merciful One desires the heart.”

Working with kids has taught me a lot of lessons I’ve applied in quarantine. When a script calls for changes, the strong performer must adapt. So, too, did I learn to adapt when Covid-19 changed the script for everyone.

I replaced weekly dog-training sessions with a trainer to personal daily training sessions. I had more time to spend with Kiss so I started teaching her new tricks and reinforcing the old ones she already mastered.

Training Kiss can sometimes be similar to working with young performers — the director or producer needs to place them in the right role that takes advantage of their diverse interests and abilities. For Kiss, I have to find the right commands and choreography too. Some commands she eagerly follows while others seem to be a lost cause. One command Kiss has mastered is for a move I’ve called “Spin and Shalom” in which Kiss spins twice and stands at attention at peace.

I miss taking Kiss with me to parks and hospitals. But, as soon as I am able, I’m looking forward to taking her with me to more and more places with people whose spirits, like mine, need uplifting every once in a while.