Behavioural Topics - Consistency and Calm

In her latest behavioural topic article, Lisa Hird discusses how consistency and calm are essential traits when dealing with dogs.

Discover more about her work and experience on her website: https://www.dogbehaviourclinic.co.uk/

Consistency and calm

Consistency and calm are key lie skills, especially for young dogs. One of the first things we teach puppies is how to be calm. We don’t use cues or “tell” them to be calm, we just reinforce calm behaviour while managing our own body language.

Many dogs I work with are stressed and over stimulated. This is often mistaken for hyperactivity and over-excitement. We see this a lot in young dogs that have not had any life skills training and have instead, been bombarded with cues to “behave”. Very often we tell dogs to “get down” when they jump up – this can be rewarding for the behaviour and add to the excitement as we become more frantic (or frustrated) about it.

Traditional obedience training used to say the first thing you should teach your puppy is Sit!  Thankfully things have moved on since then and we now teach life skills such as how good it feels to be calm. Sit can be a useful cue for dogs to know for things like vet visits when needing blood to be taken but, using cues like Sit will drain the small amount of self control a dog has. Asking a dog to Sit when he is worried or fearful will just make the situation worse.

Mental stimulation, enrichment and quality sleep are also key in helping dogs be calm. Dogs need around 14 hours of sleep per day (puppies need more) and quality sleep is essential. 

Physical exercise will not mentally tire a dog and too much exercise can often lead to dogs feeling physically stressed and overstimulated. We can provide mental stimulation very easily at mealtimes, using interactive feeding toys instead of a bowl.

Health Topics - What is Canine Degenerative Myelopathy?

In the first of the new Health Topics series, Kathryn Everson explains what Canine Degenerative Myelopathy is. A terrible condition which sadly affects all too many GSDs (and other breeds), discover more below:

  

Tasty Socks

Here's the latest sneak peek at Lexi's pups.

Ada and Friends

Ada and friends practising recall with some distractions going on. Interesting training and enrichment are important aspects to improving the lives of the dogs we rescue. Ada is definitely a firm favourite of the team and supporters here!

Resident Care Dogs - Hugo

Sadly not all the dogs we rescue can be rehomed. This can be for various reasons, including health and behavioural, but even (no, especially) with these dogs we are committed to providing the life they deserve. Here we meet Hugo, whose unfortunate start to life has impacted him ever since.

You can help our care for these dogs by sponsoring one or more of them for only £20 per dog, per year. Learn more and submit a sponsorship request here - https://gsdwelfare.blogspot.com/p/sponsor-our-dogs.html 

German Shepherd Birthday Cards

 

These wonderful new German Shepherd birthday cards are now available from the German Shepherd Dog Welfare Fund. They are A5 sized and printed in colour. Priced at only £6 for a pack of 4, or £1.75 for a single card - they are perfect for friends and family (or even the dogs themselves!). Postage is £1 for mainland UK.

To order your cards contact me directly via email here: gsdwfonline@gmail.com Payment will be expected via PayPal before shipping.

All proceeds go to the German Shepherd Dog Welfare Fund to help rescue vulnerable GSDs and provide them with the life they deserve.

Behavioural Topics - Preparing for Veterinary Checks

 

In this second behavioural topic article from Lisa Hird she looks at how you can prepare a nervous dog for a vets visit. 

Discover more about her work and experience on her website: https://www.dogbehaviourclinic.co.uk/

Preparing for Veterinary Checks

Many dogs are nervous at the vets, especially dogs who have not been used to being handled with care. To get dogs used to touch and handling, we use a game of consent. We teach dogs to place their chins down on our knees if they are happy for us to touch them. When they feel uncomfortable, they learn to lift their heads and all touching stops. When they are ready, they can place their chins down again and we can proceed. It’s all about consent.

We start off teaching the game by simply rewarding every time the dog’s chin touches a towel that we have placed on an item at the right height for her.

We then use the same towel or blanket and place this on our knees, repeating the game.

We begin with just hand movement towards her.

After a few sessions of learning the game, we begin to introduce touch. Very slow and very brief. It is important that all touching ceases the moment the dog lifts her head.

One of the lovely kennel ladies is standing nearby and we are chatting - mimicking what might happen at a Vets. Sienna is a little distracted at times (she does like to know what is going on)!

Next we get one of the kennel workers to do the chin targeting while I carry out a pretend vet check. She soon gets into the game, and I can check her ears, eyes and teeth!

Meet Ace and join the Welfare Wagathon

Hello, my name is Ace. I am 5 years old and blind. GSD Welfare Fund took me in when I really needed help. While only 9 months old at the time I suffered a number of issues which they supported me with.

Everything seemed fine for a while, but unfortunately they noticed a problem with my eyesight. After being seen by a specialist they confirmed that I would soon be blind. But because of the stress of the situation, and other issues the operation I needed didn't happen. Welfare stepped in again and made the decision to keep me in their care. 

I’m not in kennels, and I now live in a house with a committee member. I love sleeping on her bed! GSD Welfare Fund has done so much for me, that I will take part in the Welfare Wagathon on 20th February. As I'm blind my carer will need to guide me and please sponsor me and help me raise funds so Welfare can help other dogs like me. 

We've set up a Facebook event to coordinate everyone taking part in the Welfare Wagathon, so join like minded people wanting to help our rescues receive the lives they deserve - https://www.facebook.com/events/447345883605405

Frolicking Pups on YouTube

We're pleased to announce that we now have our own YouTube channel - enjoy a short clip of frolicking pups to celebrate the occasion

Tia Pupdate - Learning New Games

Morning everypawdy. Tia here with a pupdate. I’m very excited to tell you that the hooman said I am a good girl. I used to have a real fun game where I would run as fast as I could and body slam the hooman and bite her as I was doing it. Oh how I loved that game. But then we played a new game. Every time I run hard at her instead of body slamming I sit in front of her and she gives me chimkin. 

It’s nowhere near as much fun but the chimkin is delicious. Now, I keep running up to her and sitting in front of her and guess what? I get more chimkin. I can’t lie I was slightly disappointed that I couldn’t play the fun game anymore but then the male hooman came outside and because I hadn’t played the sitting game with him I launched myself at him and bit him. He wasn’t happy but I saw the hooman smirk so I think it made her happy. There is no understanding these hoomans. 

Still, if the hooman thinks it’s funny I will carry on launching at the male hooman. I’m off to run at the hooman now but I will keep my 4 paws on the floor and get more chimkin. 

Love Tia. 

Lexi's Puppies Named

We recently posted about Lexi's pups born during the run up to Christmas and as you can imagine they are all delightful bundles of joy. If you haven't read the story of Lexi and Apollo then you can do so here A Surprise Ending to 2021

Both mum and dad are doing well, but sadly one of the pups passed during the first night. Although the whelping box had roll bars, and despite keeping a close eye on them, unfortunately, Lexi managed to sit on him. He was named Theo and now rests in Debbie's (GSD Welfare Fund's Chairman) garden. The other pups (4 boys and 4 girls) are finding their feet and thoroughly enjoying exploring the bright new world they've joined. They've all been named now, so please give them a warm Welfare welcome!

Resident Care Dogs - Beau

As part of our commitment for rescuing German Shepherds we undertake not to have them put down except if absolutely necessary - and most certainly not if they simply cannot be rehomed for whatever reason. In these cases we'll take on the permanent care for the dog ourselves, and the same occurs if we decide that it's not safe or appropriate for the dog to be homed with the general public.

You can help our care for these dogs by sponsoring one or more of them for only £20 per dog, per year. Learn more and submit a sponsorship request here - https://gsdwelfare.blogspot.com/p/sponsor-our-dogs.html 

We currently have over a dozen such dogs in our permanent care and this week we meet the lovely Beau.

Behavioural Topics - Getting Used to Grooming

Lisa Hird writes the first article (and many for the future as well) for a new series providing guidance on behavioural issues with dogs - especially those encountered with rescues. She is highly qualified and experienced and has successfully worked with us directly.

You can discover more about her work and experience on her website:  

https://www.dogbehaviourclinic.co.uk/

Tia Pupdate - Helping Out in the Garden

Morning everypawdy. Tia here with a little pupdate. I've had a very busy morning helping the hooman with the gardening. I’m worn out I can tell you! It was such hard work. The hooman tried to tidy the garden because one of the naughty ones had shredded some bits all over the place. While she did that I thought I'd work on the membrane sticking out of the naughty ones hole. 

I thought this would earn me extra chimkin. But you all know how ungrateful the hooman can be and she didn’t seem the least bit impressed by my efforts. I thought I had done so well because I'd pulled a huge chunk out. Apparently the hooman didn’t want it pulled out. Honestly it looks a mess the way it is now. If she'd let me finish then I could have made it much better. At least I have created a game to keep the naughty ones entertained when they come out here. Bye for now. Love Tia 

Welfare Welcome to Karma

Can we please give a warm welcome to the lovely Karma. She is 8 years old and is here due to the Ill health of her owner. She is working line bred so would better suit an experienced GSD person. So far she is coming across as a sweetheart but she is very reactive to other dogs so any potential adopter would need to be aware of this. She is being cared for by Uncle Lawrence 

To find out more about adopting one of our dogs please check here: https://gsdwelfare.blogspot.com/p/adopting-german-shepherd-dog.html

Tia Pupdate - Who Gives a Toss

 

Morning everypawdy. Tia here with a pupdate I hope you are all well. I’ve been having fun here. I’ve been playing the tossing game with the hooman. It was a bit different today. She tossed more chimkin when I was near the lid of the sand box. I kept hanging about hear it and she kept tossing so then I jumped on it. This obviously pleased the hooman because she tossed several bits of chimkin. She said this is called a jack pot. If you ask me she’s getting confused with being a crack pot. Anyway I did it several more times to show her how clever I am. Must go I can see she’s got a stuffed kong for me. 🐾🐾🐾

Doggy Pawems - Why Not Me

Debbie Hill (the GSD Welfare Fund's chairman ) talents also extend in other directions. Here is one her poems about a dog in rescue wondering why they are never chosen to go to their forever home.

Tia Pupdate - The Joy of Sticks

Morning everypawdy. Tia here with a pupdate. I hope you are all well. I’m afraid I am in trouble again! 

I discovered a really good game this morning. By pulling this “stick” off the pile it made some of the other “sticks” fall. The hooman being the moany moo she is, told me to leave it but I ran off with it. 

Then she ignored me, so I ran up to her with my stick to nudge her with it to get her to play. She didn’t ignore me then. She said some words that they didn’t teach me at puppy school. I haven’t got a scooby snack what she was on about. In fact I haven’t got any snacks because the hooman says I’ve put on weight. I think she should be the last one to talk about things like that. I’m off to see what else I can do to help now.

Lots of love Tia  

Ada Playing in the Sand

Ada. What have you been doing? What is that on your face?

I’ve been playing in my sandpit mum

But Ada. The sandpit is closed over

No mum. I found a new one

Oh… do you mean Will’s bag of building sand?

Yeh…. Me new sandpit mum

 

Welfare Welcome to Gino

How handsome is this baby boy? 

His name is Gino and he is 10 months old. He has joined Welfare due to his owners health conditions. He only came yesterday so we are still finding out about him. He pulls like mad on lead but that is the lack of being guided in the proper direction. He is being loved and cared for by Uncle Lawrence John so he'll soon be on the right road 

If you're interested in homing a rescued German Shepherd then read here for more information - Adopting a German Shepherd

Meet Gloria

This little beauty is Gloria. She is 15 months old was given up to welfare because she has EPI (EPI is Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, a condition that causes digestion and other related problems). The previous owner was unable to get her diet right and so she was underweight We’re pleased to say she has now gained weight and we have it under control.

Gloria would have to find a home with no other dogs or children, and someone with a good sense of humour, she's very naughty 

.

She is being loved and cared for by Auntie Rose 

Meet Reg

This gorgeous boy is Reg. He will be about 5 years old now. He came into Welfare through no fault of his own. We did find him a home but sadly it didn’t work out. Again this was through no fault of his own.

He would live with another dog but he is not good with cats. He can sometimes be reactive towards other dogs when he's on the lead .He's good with children. Being cared for by auntie Rose 

A Surprise Ending to 2021

Back in October 2021, GSD Welfare Fund received a call from a local vet asking us to take two German Shepherds that had been presented for euthanasia - a male of 2 years and a female of 18 months. The reason given was that a strange man had approached them in the street and kicked them so now they were aggressive towards men. The vets (quite rightly) didn’t think they deserved to be euthanised. 

When we arrived at the vets we met two very traumatised dogs. Both dogs were terrified. They informed us that the female was in season but they didn’t know how far along. Eventually, they were put in the van separately to start their journey to the boarding kennels. There we could rehabilitate them and help them to begin their new life. Within days they’d started to relax and making progress and continued to thrive over the next few weeks. 

On the 10th of December 2021, we visited the kennels to see our Welfare dogs and check their progress.  Apollo (the male) was brought out and it was like seeing a different dog. The kennels had worked wonders with him and he’d put weight on, appeared happy and behaved more confidently.

Apparently, Lexi (the female) had also gained weight - which we were all pleased about.  They went to bring Lexi out, and then suddenly called something that I couldn’t quite catch, so with the kennel owner we went to see what was happening. Lexi had just given birth and with another rapidly on the way!  You can imagine how shocked we were as from the time we collected them from the vets they’d been kept separated.

We estimated that she’d been mated in the few days before being taken to the vets. To say we were surprised and unprepared is an understatement! At 4.30 on a Friday afternoon, there are few places to go shopping for whelping equipment.   Our first thoughts were “Oh no. This isn’t right”. Unfortunately, a pup born in rescue is not the best start in life. Also, sadly at 18 months, Lexi had already given birth to a litter of puppies previously according to her vet record, so it wasn’t fair in her. 

This said a pup is already here and more on the way. There wasn’t anything we could do about it so we had to do what we could. The idea of an unwanted life coming into this world is an awful thought. We decided to embrace it and welcome these lives into our welfare family.  We sourced a heat lamp, ran to a DIY store and bought wood to make a whelping box. Luckily we already had vet bedding.  We also moved Lexi to a quieter kennel so it would be less stressful for her.

Ideally one of the committee would have liked to take Lexi home so the puppies could be reared in a home environment, but she wasn’t used to us and attached to the kennel staff so it would have been too distressing for her if we moved her. Lexi gave birth to nine puppies. Sadly one of them has since died, Lexi and the other eight pups are thriving and she is being a marvellous mum. She receives her own Tesco deliveries of chicken; fish and other nutritious foods so she provides enough milk to feed these gorgeous babies.  They have been named with a Christmas theme, and we look forward to sharing some of their progress as they grow.

Please note that we are not looking for homes for these puppies at the moment. If you are interested in adopting a German Shepherd with us then take a look here: Adopting a German Shepherd

Update

The pups have now all been named and you can meet them all here: Lexi's Puppies Named

Meet Bella

The beautiful Bella is 3 years old. She came in to us at Welfare aged only 7 months because she was going to be euthanised. She was so terrified it took months of dedicated care and attention before she'd let anyone touch her. 

Unfortunately because of her dreadful start in life she is now permanently scarred. Bella only trusts Auntie Rose so we made the decision not to home her. She will stay where she is happy and loved. 

Meet Brodie

Please give a warm welfare welcome to Brodie.

He is 5 yrs old and came into Welfare because there was a baby on the way. We found him in a bit of a state when he arrived. as he was very underweight and with suspected EPI. EPI is Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, a condition that causes digestion and other related problems.

He caused a bit of a stir because we were trialling a new kennel and they proceeded to tell us he should be euthanised because we shouldn’t spend that much money on vet fees. He was quickly moved to auntie Rose where we established he wasn’t EPI but was being fed a rubbish diet. He is reactive with other dogs and we're also dealing with a long term ear problem. He's great with people though!

If you're interested in learning more about adopting a rescue dog then you can read about it here: Adopting a Dog