Mod Dog Blog

Exploring our love for dogs and all that entails.

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Get out there and WALK!

Now for the reasons to get over it and take that chilly, dark, walk (or pull) around the artificial lake:

Energy. Beamer has tons of it. He attempts to leap into our arms when super excited, usually as a greeting ritual. Actually catching a 35 pound dog in a vertical leap I will leave to the circus performers. While we are at work we have a pet sitter come in to let him out for potty breaks twice a day. Unfortunately, she has trouble getting him to listen when she needs to leave and merely walks him through the yard on a leash. I can’t complain at $10 a day. This situation will change soon, but in the meantime he is not expending energy as he needs to during the day.

When my husband is home he takes Beamer for a walk in the desert. This can be an hour, to two hours, off-leash walk where Beamer will zig and zag through the desert, flushing birds out of the bushes. He walks 2 miles = Beamer running 10. An hour is a warm-up and he will challenge the command to jump in the truck afterward if not tired enough.

Barking; A New Hobby. He is barking at the northern neighbor’s yard for no apparent reason. I think it’s a tarp that has wrapped itself around a bush and it is creeping him out. Regarding the neighbors on the south side; they have a new statue of a little boy sitting in the yard now. Beamer feels this isn’t any more right than when they are working on their yard and ignoring him. He must let them all know. ”It’s creepy, please remove it,” he tells them at any hour of the day or night when let out. I’ve heard that dogs that get their “ya-ya’s out” don’t have issues with statuary or yard debris.

Defiant Adolescence. At nine months he is going through an adolescence that puts our son to shame. He ignores me when I call him to come in or hush-up, and fights like he is being pulled to his death if I take him by the collar, yet he will respect my husband’s voice when he growls “Get your butt in here!” Beamer needs a strong masculine voice. I need to connect with him as someone to listen to with some “Mom” time; perhaps with a pronged collar (j/k… maybe).

What do you do to motivate yourself out of the house when inside is more comfortable?

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Pretty cute website! This is Beamer.

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Pet Blogger 2014 Challenge

2014 has got to be the year. My numerologist said so. Okay, I don’t have a numerologist, but I did get a print out of my favored numbers. I found out that Beamer’s number is a “challenge” number to mine. That figures.

That aside, I have decided to participate in the 2014 Pet Bloggers Challenge. This is put together by people who blog about pets. Call me the arbiter of the obvious. I figure if I really work my blog this year I will be well on my way to fame and maybe a little affiliate money. A girl can dream. So here are the questions and my well thought out answers.

1. How long have you been blogging? Please tell us why you started blogging, and, for anyone stopping by for the first time, give us a quick description of what your blog is about.

I have been blogging, in earnest, for about 6 months. My initial reason was purely to do SEO for my e-commerce site, www.moderndoggates.com, but as I starting reading other dog related blogs and getting ideas, I found that it could be a creative outlet. Instead of a guide on how to pick the perfect pet gate it became a personal experience in the adventures of raising a Standard Schnauzer puppy. If I had known it was going to turn out that way I would have had more titles to choose from like: “Schnauzer Shenanigans” or “Baron Von Fur-N-Fang” or “Schnauzers Don’t Shed, My %^&*…”. Perhaps www.ModDogBlog.tumblr.com was for the best.

Humble beginnings.

2. Name one thing about your blog, or one blogging goal that you accomplished during 2013, that made you most proud.

Something that made me proud about the blog in 2013 was that one time I had 5 followers, according to Tumblr. Then, according to Tynt, people were copying things from my blog “Siren Cries of a Schnauzer Puppy.” People I didn't even know! Not entirely sure if that was a good thing, however.

Also, Kimberly from “Keep the Tail Wagging” made a comment on a blog and so did Pamela from “Something Wagging.” I was shocked. I felt like the kids at the cool table were noticing me.

Now, if only I can figure out how to get their comments to show on the blog page. It still says “0 comments” and you have to click on it to see them… I yi yi… The learning curve is kicking my butt.

 3. When you look at the post you wrote for last year’s Pet Blogger Challenge, or just think back over the past year, what about blogging has changed the most for you?

I didn't do last year's Pet Blogger Challenge. What changed is how I intended this blog to be focused; from simple informational guide to a personal journey.

4. What lessons have you learned this year – from other blogs, or through your own experience – that could help us all with our own sites?

I've learned that blogs need to be user friendly. Easy to subscribe to and comment on. And pictures really need to be in every blog, even if they are from a stock photo service or gifs. I’m thinking of buying a new camera as a business expense since my digital camera was made before Bluetooth and has as much memory as my feature-phone. I had a flip phone when I got it, if that gives you an idea on how old it is.

Beamer's cousins make for great photo subjects.  Note to self: I need to borrow that camera.

3. When you look at the post you wrote for last year’s Pet Blogger Challenge, or just think back over the past year, what about blogging has changed the most for you?

If you could ask the pet blogging community for help with one challenge you’re having with your blog, what would it be?

A challenge I would like to ask the pet blogging community about is this; what brings you out of a slump? If things aren’t going well in other areas of your life, how do you continue to write?

5. What have you found to be the best ways to bring more traffic to your blog, other than by writing great content?

Content is supposed to be everything, but if it's in a vacuum; no one will read it and is probably covered in dog hair. I think a blog needs the same kind of SEO like any e-commerce site.

Perhaps the hair will just blow away...

6. How much time to do you spend publicizing your blog, and do you think you should spend more or less in the coming year?

I haven’t really done any promotion to speak of and I need to add that to the list of things to do… anything is better than zero.

7. How do you gauge whether or not what you’re writing is appealing to your audience?

I use Tynt to check on the traffic. A decrease in interest would be determined by the lack of comments and sharing. -- Can ya tell I haven't had any experience in this personally?

8. When you’re visiting other blogs, what inspires you to comment on a post rather than just reading and moving on?

I post on other blogs when there is an experience shared that hit a chord with me and I want to share too. Sometimes it is in empathy to a problem or sorrow. If I think I have something helpful to say, I will. An invite to comment or question is encouraging.

Hi! Are those treats I smell? Have you ever been so hungry at the dog park that you smell treats? I mean, good treats?

9. Do you do product reviews and/or giveaways?

I have been thinking of doing a review of things I've bought for our pup and how I like them or where they went wrong. I’m anxious to see the day when I get stuff to review for free.

As far as doing a giveaway… ummm the gates are a little too expensive…but, I have plans to expand my product line, so I could finance a giveaway when I figure out how to do that.

Mom, you could give this one away. I won't mind.

10. When writer’s block strikes and you’re feeling dog-tired, how do you recharge?

I haven’t pushed myself enough to figure this one out. I need to do a Magic 8 Ball answer: Ask again later.

11. Have you ever taken a break from your blog? How did that go?

Have you ever thought about quitting your blog altogether? What makes you stay?

I have thought about chucking the ecommerce site first! I take too many breaks on the blog as it is. Right now I need to push to see if (when) I will get that far.

Come on! The gang is waiting at the park! Take a break, Mom!

12. What goals do you have for your blog in 2014?

Goals are to blog (at least pictures and blurbs) twice a week and more thoughtful (longer winded) blog at least once a week. I’m thinking of switching my platform to WordPress and learning how to work all the sidebars and customize. I really like to learn new tech as long as there is plenty of wine nearby. And work on my grammar.

Well, there ya go! If I was able to figure all the http links and get the pics in the right place I made it!  Here’s to a great 2014!

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Good Dog Park Days

Every dog knows a good day a the dog park should end this way.

Pushed the dog pillow right up to the...zzzzzzzz. (No worries, he was never in danger of getting to the plug)

As long as your time at the park doesn't look like this:

All right! Some Goldens to play with!

Hey! Where ya go'in? The fun is back here!

Some days it doesn't pay to leave your own backyard. Other times the action is so exciting that "Mom" never thinks to take a picture. <Sigh> I have to be alert to all the doggie communications going on to be sure Beamer and his friends are having a good time and not headed for a "cone of shame."

The only shame that Beamer usually has is for all the "hump" time he puts in. Some dogs don't mind and shell out the same to him. Which gives me some satisfaction that he can experience the dominance (non-violent) on the receiving end. Puts a dogs attitude in perspective.

I love it when we go to the park and the majority of the dogs are larger than Beamer. The dogs that match his energy and play style are always bigger. Being a sturdy, adolescent male puppy (8 months old), he likes to play rough, and will cross shoulders with dogs he can't even reach. Playing with larger dogs seems to even out the playing field.  The owners that have those dogs also seem to be happy and surprised that a dog Beamer's size is such a good playmate match. The best ones today were Max, a large GSD mixed with possibly an Akita, and an energetic Boxer that loved to box with Beamer. Both dished out jabs, left and right, with no one getting upset or over-stimulated.

Today was good on the human side too. The weather was beautiful and around 65 and sunny. The other dog parents were alert and aware (with one exception) of their dogs behaviors and stepped in when necessary. So our trip to the dog park ended with a tired pup like this and not a trip to the vet.

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The boy is getting older. He's a whole 5 months and he is getting a silver vest.

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The Holy Grail of Dog Training - Where They Pee and Poo

Your dog jumps through you arms expertly. He can out run you through an agility tunnel and anticipate the next move. With a hand signal he will jump to your side into heel position and wait expectantly but, is he house broken?

I would venture to guess that some of those dogs are not without flaws when it comes to where they decide a good pee should be had when no one is paying attention. It's the first thing on your mind when you take that bundle of fur and fangs home. More important than even a loose lead on a walk I would say judging, from the dogs in our neighborhood, anyway.

Our experience with Beamer has been a series of ups and downs. Just when I'm counting the days since the last accident I find a puddle in the hall. Apparently, my showering alone was an influence. Beamer can pee a good size puddle when we get home and turn around and pee 5 more times (yes, I counted) within another hour and a half!

I have twice watched him pee as he stood at the door waiting for me to come to the door. Stares me right in the eye as he lets loose. What the heck? Granted, he is only 5 months old, but he is defying all exclamations of "potty training your dog in just 4 days!" claims.

I guess I shouldn't jinx it and say it's been at least 2 months since the last poo in the house.

What house training challenges has your dog presented you with?

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Just a couple of months ago... that happened.

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Train the dog - Training you

We knew we would be investing more training time into Beamer than our previous dog. So much more information to be absorbed on the internet. We could see all the things we did wrong for Bishu that we had to make right for Beamer. Yes, we had a dog before the internet. We lured him into our cave one day and... ah well, for another time...

Training is 20 percent for the dog and 80 for the owner. I had the opportunity to have the undivided attention of our dog trainers this week when the other two dogs didn't show up for class. They were able to see what I was doing wrong or right and offer suggestions without distractions.

So many things to remember - cue words, that darn clicker (that won't fit my hand at the right time), the treats (that fall out of that same hand), position of the reward, correct hand signals (don't use the same hand shape/motion for sit as for stand), and the release/praise word (go; I mean okay, NO, wait - FREE!).

It is rewarding when the dog that could barely sit still for two seconds is doing two minute down-stays. It's entertaining when he leaps in the air when you give him a signal go to a finish, coming around behind you and leaping again in anticipation of a pea sized piece of hotdog.

It's disheartening when he can't stop teasing the other dogs in class and seems to have forgotten everything he learned in the 8 previous lessons and then pees in the truck on the way home.

I wouldn't trade if for my life before he came home. Ever.

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Vacation and the Schnauzer Puppy

We got back from our week in Oregon with the rest of my husband’s clan. I think I’m finally recovered. The trip is an event his folks puts together every-other year on the Oregon coast near Florence. The 4 siblings and their families come out and stay in “cabinettes” as you might call them, at an old fishing lodge. Our son came in from North Dakota to join everyone. It is a great time for our family to reconnect and catch up in person.

 This is the event we have been preparing Beamer for since we got him in June. The Dog Life Skills class, half days at doggie daycare, the dog park, puppy social hours at Petco, walking attempts around the neighborhood; all a part of preparation for this trip. We would be doing these training opportunities anyway, of course, but this had a deadline, a test, if you will. When we found he was reactive to people and other dogs (barking and lunging at people; hiding behind Mom’s legs in front of small dogs) our attempts at socialization became paramount.

The other members of the family all have dogs that would be there. Two Vislas, one Maltese mix, and two Chi’s. Our first stop would be to meet the Vislas (the Girls), Maddie and Gertie at their home in Northern California. We tried a neighborhood walk before we set Beamer on them in their home territory. It was a tenuous meeting at best. Maddie wanted to play, but Gertie wanted nothing to do with him. Beamer didn’t know how to back it off a step; ignoring the signals that Maddie was tired of his puppy teeth after awhile, and Gertie kept trying to warn him to back off with her curled lip and stiff position. It was interesting to say the least. Meaningful conversations were interrupted to the point of less meaning and more puppy corrections.

Beamer did enjoy their pool, however. This was his first real chance to swim free. He looked a little apprehensive when he could no longer feel the bottom, but he chugged along watching Mom intently on the shore and getting a boost up as he approached the steep edge. I wanted to get pictures, but my phone ran out of memory and the camera was too buried in the luggage.  

My dreams of calm dogs around a fire pit were waning. Beamer is not about to let a sleeping dog lie.

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Standard Schnauzer, Taz or Wizard?

This is the end of week two of the puppy in the house.  He has completely come out of his shell and wish he would put back the biter, chewer part.

Mighty Hunter

Beamer is a hunter and stalker of ants, beetles, and cockroaches. I was not happy watching him chase and bite at a large bug running across the patio. What if it bites back? Has it been poisoned recently? I stepped on the first one. I don’t even like to do that since they make a mess on my flip flops. Uuughh! Steve saw him finally eat one and he immediately went to the internet to see if that was a bad thing. Apparently not.  Uuuughh! Again.

Taz? Is that you?

Now, that’s not the big problem. During play, Beamer will get worked up and become a ball of teeth, claws and fur. We have to keep in mind to never let him get to that level and calm him down or leave the room. I know part of it is teething, but I’m looking forward to being able to just sit down and pet him without being on guard for his grab at my sleeve or arms or pants, etc…

Harry Dogger Apparates!

Beamer has discovered he can walk through our wrought iron fence like it’s not there. Fortunately, we all discovered this while we were talking to our neighbor. She is a dog lover and was happy to pick him up and hand him over the fence. Today he waltzed through the front fence and tried to get away from me. When I caught him he turned into the Tasmanian Devil. I unceremoniously held him away from me and marched back into the house. Sigh. We’ll have to take him on a lead into the yard from now on. Looks like I’ll have to find a martingale collar since he could slip out of his regular collar.

Back to the Books

We love our puppy. I’m sure he is going through a phase and we need to “bone-up” on the methods of living through it.

What stages of puppyhood did you find most challenging and how did you handle it?

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The Siren Cry of a Schnauzer Puppy at Night

The puppy is home. Our 10 lbs of apprehensive, Standard Schnauzer, named Beamer, is home. The first few days had us concerned. Why isn’t he cavorting as you would expect a puppy to do? And why don’t dogs become hoarse when they scream all night?

I knew our lives would be upended in some way. Going out to dinner without a second thought. Going to the store or to LA for some afternoon window-shopping. The lack of sleep was not entirely unexpected.  It’s just the number of nights it goes on.

The level of noise coming out of that precious mouth is the equivalent of a chainsaw. The guttural undertone puts an emo screamo band to shame.  The echo in our fully tiled and sparsely furnished home magnifies it so much we suspect other dogs are chiming in.  It may wake zombie dogs and cause them to find our house and free their beckoning brother from the cruelly furnished crate with dog bed, Kongs, and toys. What is there not to like, dear Beamer?

The option of putting the crate in our bedroom lasted all of three minutes when we arrived home at 1 AM after the drive from Idaho. Somehow putting the crate in the designated doggie playroom didn’t make it less noisy. Oh well! He’ll be over it by tomorrow. Not.

In desperation one night we let him just let him choose where to sleep in his play area. He cried not as long, still as loud, and not quiet enough to sleep well.

I would give up and just put his bed in the bedroom and tether him nearby but, we really need to have him used to the crate at night so when we go to Oregon to meet with the rest of the family in August, he can feel comfortable there. We will be in a family member’s home the first night and a motel and then an old lodge, with paper-thin walls, the rest of the week.

In re-reading Dr. Dunbar’s section on crate training, I may have wasted the days off I took from work. When Beamer was peaceful and asleep under my chair, I thought that was good! I WAS supposed to be putting him the crate, with “an intelligently loaded Kong” during that time to get him used to it, with me nearby.

Tonight is my chance to experiment. I’m buying a bigger Kong (the puppy size seems too small for him), loading it “smartly” and putting the crate in the bedroom again and see what happens.

How many sleepless nights did you go through with a puppy? Did you find a good compromise and what was it? I need all the info I can get!

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Sleeping puppy. Comfortable anywhere.

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Beamer is home! I haven't had time to get the photos from the first day onto the computer. They are on Steve's phone. But here are my sleep deprived attempts to photograph him.

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One More Week

The days are counting down. By this time next week our lives will be changed once again with another member of our family joining us. Still nervous, but not so bad since I have much of the supplies I need.

It has been determined that we will probably take off down the road back home after we pick him up. This will sidestep the possible agony of trying to quiet an anxious pup with people on the other side of a motel wall. My husband assures me that it won't be an all night, 13 hour drive from hell; I'm not convinced. I'm all for stopping at a Motel 6 about half way home. Surely the pup will be sleepy by then?

I  promised a picture. Here is the latest:

and...

Deary me! How to choose? I keep thinking - temperament, temperament, temperament. I also found out other people are coming to pick theirs out in person too! I thought we were the only ones! Do you think they would mind if we park in front of their house the night before? No?

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Stop me before I shop again!

Actually, there is always more needed. The crate is not pictured. Just found out the pups are all on Purina Puppy Chow. That will be changed little by little.

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Ah your blog is great! (I just wrote down the books you've mentioned, ops).

Thank you! Just starting out with the blog writing. I find it a little scary and yet cool that people respond. That means tons more are reading. Yikes!

Your dog is very cute! I have pictures of the 4 males that we will pick ours out from. I will post soon.

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My pile of dog supplies so far.

This doesn't include the huge dog gate that I haven't set up yet and the LED lite dog collar (it's blue light - yes, my dog will have street glow...).

I try to get stuff on sale or at discount places like Ross and Marshals. The matching REI dog collar and leash are a little big for a pup; he'll grow into them and it was only $10 for both! I love clearance sales...

Of course the pee-pads are US Army endorsed. What country loving pup would pee on anything else? How on earth did the Army come to endorse puppy training pads? The budget IS tight, I guess.

My husband thought the two little collars where a little girly. The puppy is a baby. Case closed. $3.50 for both.

So many other things to get. Dog crate, bed, life jacket for our trip to Oregon, enzyme cleaner, lighter leash, poo bags, water bowls (travel and home), and many more toys and food.

Is there anything else I should be getting?