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News
Fire season approaching!
SepTember 17, 2008 8:43 PM
YOUR ADOPTED GSP CAN COMPETE TOO!
Did you know that adopted dogs can be registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC) and compete in many different competitions including Junior Showmanship? You can apply for registration under the Indefinite Listing Privilege/PAL. Details are available on the AKC’s website at PAL@akc.org. In addition to Junior Showmanship, your GSP can compete in Agility, Hunt Tests, Rally, Tracking and Obedience Trials. If you’re interested in competing in any of these events, check out your local dog training center, many of who offer classes for agility, tracking and obedience. Kids may also compete with their dogs in these events.
If you have a child or grandchild aged between 9 and 18, Junior Handling is a great sport to get them involved in. Juniors compete in classes according to their age. They start in the Novice classes and after 3 First Place wins, move up to the Open classes. Junior Handling competitions are offered at all dog shows and are very popular, often attracting 40 young participants. The younger and novice classes are usually quite small, so it’s not too overwhelming for the beginner. Junior Handling teaches kids some important skills which they will find useful; develop their handling skills, learn about good sportsmanship and about dogs and dog shows. The AKC also offers a scholarship program for Juniors.
My son, James, has been competing in Junior Showmanship for the last 3 years and really enjoys the sport. It has developed his confidence, rapport with his dog and he has learned how to present her in the show ring with an audience. Many adult handlers take an active interest in helping Juniors and will offer tips and training sessions. Some of our friends have trained James in showing dogs and are usually available to give him a quick lesson before he goes in the ring. If you are interested in getting a child involved in this fun sport, please contact me. I would be happy to tell you how to get started and help with training your child. Fiona Hilyer. For more information on Junior Showmanship check out this link to the AKC’s website.
July 17, 2008 7:13 PM
Zonie Dog craves SoCal home
Gizmo is a 11 month old male GSP. He is the youngest of the four GSPs that were rescued from a shelter in Arizona back in April. The four GSPs, known as the Casa Grande Four, were slated to be put to sleep, as the shelter didn't even have them listed for adoption because they were 'wild and crazy huntin' dogs.’
Fortunately, with the help of National GSP Rescue, GSP Rescue of SW Colorado and several individuals in Arizona (who have since formed GSP Rescue of Arizona), GSP Rescue of California was able to save Gizmo and the other dogs from being put to sleep. While Gizmo is still very much puppy, he is attentive and responsive. As long as he finds a home where he can get exercise and training, he shouldn't be any trouble to his adopter.
See an online album of the Casa Grande Four
July 17, 2008 7:09 PM
the flash & megan fund
A previous Fundable.com action successfully raised the funds for surgery to repair the broken leg of Flash, the young male GSP rescued on Christmas Eve. Now that the broken bone has fully healed, Flash must undergo follow-up surgery to remove the pin in his leg. This operation will cost substantially less than his first surgery, but together with the costs of Megan’s surgery, it’s more than GSP Rescue can afford without adversely affecting the normal operation of the rescue.
GSP Rescue of Southern California, dedicated to finding homes for all adoptable German Shorthaired Pointers, and the GSP Club of the De Luz Mountain Empire, a proud sponsor of the rescue, are now asking for your assistance in helping to pay for Megan’s operation ($490) and the operation to remove the pin in Flash’s leg ($235). We’re looking for just 37 individuals to pledge $20 each so that we can meet our goal and write a check out to College Pet Clinic.
april 12, 2008 10:36 AM
Housing market having an affect on the GSP rescue
The following article was written by Beverly Joy-Karno, one of regular volunteers at GSP Rescue, after she witnessed several dogs being dropped off by their owners early in February 2008.
The rescue received three purebred dogs on Friday and another three on Saturday with more to come and not enough volunteers, foster homes and kennels to give the take on the daunting task of finding new homes for them. These dogs are not strays, they often have good training, good manners and know what it is to be loved and part of a family.
Our normal task at the rescue is to socialize, and teach some basic obedience skills to the strays and forgotten dogs so they can be adopted to that "forever" home, but what do you do when a dog that knows how to behave, sits crying at the gate to be reunited with his family? Do you have room in your family to adopt or foster? Please contact the German Shorthaired Pointer Rescue to learn how you can help. info@gsp-rescue.org
MArch 2, 2008 3:10 PM
AKC Enhances and Renames ILP Program as Purebred Alternative Listing
The American Kennel Club® has announced the enhancement and renaming of its Indefinite Listing Privilege (ILP) program. The new name—Purebred Alternative Listing (PAL) program—will officially take effect February 1, 2008. The new name more accurately describes the purpose of the program: allowing dogs that are ineligible for registration but are distinguishable as a member of an AKC registrable breed to participate in AKC Companion Events, AKC Performance Events, and AKC Juniors competition.
The ILP/PAL program is designed to address the various reasons a purebred dog might not be eligible for registration: the dog may be from an unregistered litter or have unregistered parents; papers may have been withheld or lost by its owner; or the dog may have been surrendered, lost or abandoned, then adopted by a new owner. PAL enrollees will receive a copy of Family Dog Magazine, a subscription to AKC's e-newsletter "Your AKC", a flyer from the breed's Parent Club and an attractive certificate denoting their dog's place in the PAL program. Also included will be information on AKC Pet Healthcare and AKC Companion Animal Recovery enrollment.
"We currently enroll over 3,000 dogs per year in the ILP/PAL program," said Assistant Vice President of Customer Service, Mari Beth O'Neill. "It is our hope that we can expand this number and the overall appeal of the program by offering added benefits and renaming the program with this more creative and friendly acronym. Welcoming more ILP/PAL dogs to the world of AKC events and privileges can only benefit both dogs and owners by providing educational resources and also exposing them to the joys of competing with your dog."
Dogs which currently have ILP numbers will retain their original numbers and continue to enter events under that number. PAL numbers will be issued beginning February 1, 2008.
More information about ILP/PAL: http://www.akc.org/reg/ilpex.cfm
February 26, 2008 6:48 PM
GSP Club of the De Luz Mountain Empire Board Meeting Monday November 12, 2007 | 6:00 PM Marie Callender's 11122 Rancho Carmel Dr (Carmel Mountain Rd.) Please join us to discuss next year's calendar of events, standing rules, and necessary changes to the bylaws. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to 760-945-4537 by Noon on Monday.
Family Volunteer Day Saturday November 17, 2007 Make plans to spend a few hours volunteering at the rescue. This is the same day that we have appointments and offer obedience training. Extra hands to work available rescue dogs are always appreciated. Bring the whole family!
Canine First Aid Clinic Saturday November 24, 2007 | 1:00 pm Mia Unson will be holding a first aid training class at the Rescue after obedience training. Learn what items should you have on hand in your first aid kit and how to use these items to treat your dog. Members are welcomed and encouraged to attend. Class is free but donations for the rescue will be accepted. Space is limited, please email Mia if you would like to reserve a spot.
Eukanuba Dog Show in Long Beach Saturday and Sunday, December 1-2, 2007 German Shorthaired Pointers (Sporting breeds) will be judged on Saturday. Group judging and Best in Show is on Sunday evening. In addition, the AKC Agility Invitational and AKC Obedience Invitational are held to find the nations top dogs in the world of companion events. For more information visit the AKC website or contact club member Fiona Hilyer.
GSP Club of the De Luz Mountain Empire Christmas Party December 16, 2007 2:00 - 6:00 pm Save the date for the Club's Annual Christmas Party, hosted by Rand and Christine Allan! For more information, please see the December Point of Light.
November 10, 2007 5:47 PM
TRAINING & ADOPTION APPOINTMENTS
Unless there any changes in the current fire status, we will have the weekly obedience class this Saturday at the rescue as well as any scheduled adoption appointments. Appointments and class are scheduled for 11:30 AM.
Thanks to everyone that has inquired about the welfare and status of the dogs at the rescue as well as everyone that called to offer assistance The offers to help were immensely appreciated.
wildfire update #3
Earlier today numerous people called or emailed after they heard the entire town of Bonsall had been evacuated. This was incorrect. Only the area of Bonsall north of Highway 76 was evacuated. According to the Village News earlier this afternoon:
A large part of Bonsall has been evacuated but not because of any imminent fire danger. Officials have decided that because of limited evacuation routes and the location of the town to all three fires in the area residents should leave. A witness on the scene was told by a sheriff's deputy it was only a precaution against residents getting trapped.
As of this evening (7:00 PM), the Village News reported the following:
North County Fire has reported a significant improvement in the fire conditions. Currently no flames are traveling upward into the air; All live fire activity is confined to heat on the ground. The velocity has dropped significantly and firefighters are beginning to feel coastal conditions coming in. Firefighters are still battling the heat in the Santa Margarita River Valley, from the Willowglen area to De Luz.
Full containment of the fire is expected Sunday, October 28th.
The portion of this fire that burned just north of Highway 76 and east of Gird Road has been the biggest concern for the safety of the dogs at the rescue. As of last night it was reported that there was no live fire action in this area.
We will continue to monitor all fires in the area until they are 100% contained.
Oktoberfest
In light of the current circumstances, the GSP Club of the De Luz Mountain Empire finds it necessary to cancel the annual Oktoberfest that was to be held this Sunday, October 28th, at GSP Rescue. The Raffle for Rescue will be held after obedience training on Saturday November 3rd at approximately 1:00 PM. Tickets can be purchased via Paypal until midnight, Friday, November 2nd or in person the day of the raffle. All proceeds will go to benefit GSP Rescue.
october 24, 2007 10:51 PM
reverse 911
The city and county of San Diego have been alerting residents via home phones to evacuate in the wake of various fires for several days. But city of San Diego residents can also register their cell phones to receive emergency alerts, such as an evacuation notice. To register, go here.
The county launched Alert San Diego—a technologically advanced version of Reverse 911 —last month and also has the capability to contact residents via cell phone. But county officials said they have yet to set up a Web site where people can register.
october 24, 2007 8:14 PM
wildfire update #2
Yesterday and today we have been closely watching the Fallbrook/Rice Canyon Fire which is NE of Jan's house and the Rescue. The fire became more of a concern when it jumped Interstate 15 just north of Hwy 76 yesterday. We were fortunate to have little or no winds yesterday (or today) in the area to drive the fire in our direction. The National Weather Service high wind warning expired at 3 PM this afternoon but a wind advisory will remain in effect until 6 PM Wednesday (Oct 24). Earlier tonight the Fallbrook Village News stated that 'areas including Reche Rd, Gird Rd, and Pala Mesa resort at this time do not have live fire action however extensive mop up is underway. and fire watch continues in those areas.' http://www.thevillagenews.com/story.asp?story_ID=26162
The Google Map, while it takes some time to load, will give you a better idea of the other fires in the area as well as the areas under mandatory evacuation. If you enlarge the map and find the area just south of Hwy 76, north of Gopher Canyon Rd, and west of I-15, you will see that the Rescue is in a small area that is not under mandatory evacuation. http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=114250687465160386813.00043d08ac31fe3357571 We will continue to monitor all the fires in the area. Those of you that have offered to assist by either transporting or fostering will be notified if we are alerted that we need to evacuate. Jan and all the volunteers at GSP Rescue would like to thank everyone that has called or emailed to express their concern. We will do our best to keep everyone updated.
october 23, 2007 9:16 PM
wildfire update #1
Around 11:00 PM on Monday night I left the house to fill the truck up with gas, something I failed to do earlier, and check on the fire that is burning NE of us. The sky was clear, there was little if any wind, and there even felt like there was some moisture in the air. When I drove up Lilac I noticed what looked like several small fires to the north in the area between Gird road and I-15. As I approached the Lilac Bridge (the rainbow shaped bridge over I-15) the sky was aglow. From the Lilac bridge, it was apparent that the fire was still very big just east of the interstate. While we are in no present danger, we will continue to monitor this fire (Rice Canyon Fire). A few photos that were taken on Monday of the Rice Canyon Fire:
October 23, 2007 1:14 am
Update: California Assembly Bill 1634
California Assembly Bill 1634, the proposed mandatory spay/neuter law, has moved from committee to assembly vote. This prposed law will affect every California resident who owns a dog or cat, whether is is a pet or competition animal. While very Club member is free to express his or her own view on AB 1634, the GSP Club of the DeLuz Mountain Empire does not at this time hold an official position. Club members are very strongly encouraged to carefully read and understand the bill in its entirety.
Be featured in a national magazine
Tell us your adoption or rescue story. There is a special bond between you and the pet you adopted from a shelter or rescue. Send in your best photos. Pets911 and Animal Wellness want you to tell us about your special bond! Send us your photo and include a brief description of how and where you met and why he/she is your favorite friend. The contest winner will be featured in Animal Wellness Magazine and get a chance to share their rescue or shelter story. What a great tribute to your special friend! Enter by June 15, 2007 for your chance to win. Photos will be judged by Animal Wellness Magazine. For more details on the contest and how to submit your story, click here.
Setting Your Dog Up for Success (from the NorthWest K9 Common Sense Training Series: NorthWest K9)
"Set your dog up for success by teaching your dog specific behavioral skills in a fair, consistent, and clear manner. Then incrementally introduce duration, distraction, and distance. If you continually "test" your dog beyond the scope of her training and abilities to see at what point she fails, then you are proactively setting your dog up for failure. Instead, take personal responsibility for making it possible for your dog to succeed each and every time. This is the art of setting your dog up for success."
… immediately for next year’s calendar. This will be our third annual calendar; the previous two have been the best fundraisers to date for the Rescue. Sponsor a month for $125 and receive two free calendars. Next year’s calendar will feature more available rescued GSPs than ever before. The calendar has helped create a greater awareness of rescue, not just on a local level but on a(n) (inter)national level. Our previous calendars were sent to purchasers all over the U. S., Canada, Europe, and Australia! The calendar also provides a list of active GSP Rescues all over the U.S. Next year we hope to create more awareness of the different dogs available for adoption at the rescue. If you are interested in participating, please visit the website or email Greg Williams at GSPRdeLuzMtn@aol.com.
GSP Club of the De Luz Mountain Empire
Early morning on Sunday, 20 November 2005, two GSPs displaced by Hurricane Katrina from New Orleans were finally reunited with their owner at the Escondido Humane Society (EHS). Late the night before, Gregory Booker flew in to identify and claim his dogs from the EHS.Brodie and Mille, both six years old, were given to him by his nephew. When he was evacuated, Gregory had left his dogs upstairs in his house with enough food and water to last three days as there wasn't any room in his relative-filled car to take the dogs. Upon his delayed return several days later, Gregory learned he had lost everything. The roof had blown off the house, the water level was up to the ceiling of the ground floor, and his dogs were missing. The SPCA had left a note stating that they had removed his dogs. However, when Gregory tried to contact the SPCA he wasn't able to get any information on where his dogs had been moved. Every time he called the SPCA he got the same recorded message offering no further information on how he might claim his lost dogs.
Gregory was most grateful for all our help. He’ll be taking Brodie and Millie to stay with a family member who has the capability of taking care of the dogs until Gregory is able to find a permanent residence. Over half of the "Katrina" dogs received by the EHS were found to be positive for heartworm. The EHS has received donations to treat and care for the remaining animals, and those that are in good health have been scheduled to be put up for adoption by the end of November. Unfortunately, not all the dogs are adoptable: some lack the proper temperament to make good pets, and others are still in poor health.
Greg Williams
Special thanks to the following members who were quick to respond with donations enabling the club to help reunite Millie and Brodie with their owner:
Richard Achee
WHO'S IN CHARGE HERE?
A lesson in becoming Alpha
"My dog just tried to bite me! All I did was tell him to move over so I could sit on the couch next to him."
"My dog got into the trash can and when I scolded her, she growled at me. What's wrong with her? I thought she loved me!"
"Our dog is very affectionate most of the time but when we try to make him do something he doesn't want to do, he snaps at us."
What do these three dogs have in common? Are they nasty or downright vicious? No—they're "alpha." They've taken over the leadership of the families that love them. Instead of taking orders from their people, these dogs are giving orders! Your dog can love you very much and still try to dominate you or other members of your family.
Dogs are social creatures and believers in social order. A dog's social system is a "pack" with a well-defined pecking order. The leader of the pack is the alpha, supreme boss, Top Dog. He (or she) gets the best of everything—the best food, the best place to sleep, the best toy, etc. The leader also gets to be first in everything—he gets to eat first, to leave first and to get attention first. All the other dogs in the pack respect the alpha dog's wishes. Any dog that challenges the alpha's authority gets a swift physical reminder of just where his place in the pack really is.
Your family is your dog's "pack." Many dogs fit easily into the lower levels of their human pack's pecking order and don't make waves. They do what they're told and don't challenge authority. Other dogs don't fit in quite as well. Some of them are natural born leaders and are always challenging their human alpha's. Other dogs are social climbers—they're always looking for ways to get a little closer to the top of the family ladder. These natural leaders and the social climbers can become problems to an unsuspecting family that's not aware of the dog's natural pack instincts.
Some families encourage their dogs to take over the "pack" without realizing it. They treat their dogs as equals, not as subordinates. They give them special privileges like being allowed to sleep on the bed or couch. They don't train their dogs and let them get away with disobeying commands. In a real dog pack, no one but the alpha dog would get this kind of treatment. Alpha doesn't have anything to do with size. The tiniest Chihuahua can be a canine Hitler. In fact, the smaller the dog, the more people tend to baby them and cater to them—making the dog feel even more dominant and in control of his humans.
Alpha dogs often seem to make good pets. They're confident, smarter than average, and affectionate. They can be wonderful with children and good with strangers. Everything seems to be great with the relationship—until someone crosses him or makes him do something he doesn't want to do. Then, suddenly, this wonderful dog growls or tries to bite someone and no one understands why.
In a real dog pack, the alpha dog doesn't have to answer to anyone. No one gives him orders or tells him what to do. The other dogs in the pack respect his position. If another dog is foolish enough to challenge the alpha by trying to take his bone or his favorite sleeping place, the alpha dog will quickly put him in his place with a hard stare or a growl. If this doesn't work, the alpha dog will enforce his leadership with his teeth. This is all natural, instinctive behavior—in a dog's world. In a human family, though, this behavior is unacceptable and dangerous.
Dogs need and want leaders. They have an instinctive need to fit into a pack. They want the security of knowing their place and what's expected of them. Most of them don't want to be alpha—they want someone else to give the orders and make the decisions. If his humans don't provide that leadership, the dog will take over the role himself. If you've allowed your dog to become alpha, you're at his mercy and as a leader, he may be either a benevolent king or a tyrant!
If you think your dog is alpha in your household, he probably is. If your dog respects only one or two members of the family but dominates the others, you still have a problem. The dog's place should be at the -bottom- of your human family's pack order, not at the top or somewhere in between.
In order to reclaim your family's rightful place as leaders of the pack, your dog needs some lessons in how to be a subordinate, not an equal. You're going to show him what it means to be a dog again. Your dog's mother showed him very early in life that -she- was alpha and that he had to respect her. As a puppy, he was given a secure place in his litter's pack and because of that security, he was free to concentrate on growing, learning, playing, loving and just being a dog. Your dog doesn't really want the responsibility of being alpha, having to make the decisions and defend his position at the top. He wants a leader to follow and worship so he can have the freedom of just being a dog again.
How to become leader of your pack
Your dog watches you constantly and reads your body language. He knows if you're insecure, uncomfortable in a leadership role or won't enforce a command. This behavior confuses him, makes -him- insecure and if he's a natural leader or has a social-climbing personality, it'll encourage him to assume the alpha position and tell you what to do.
"Alpha" is an attitude. It involves quiet confidence, dignity, intelligence, an air of authority. A dog can sense this attitude almost immediately—it's how his mother acted towards him. Watch a professional trainer or a good obedience instructor. They stand tall and use their voices and eyes to project the idea that they're capable of getting what they want. They're gentle but firm, loving but tough, all at the same time. Most dogs are immediately submissive towards this type of personality because they recognize and respect alpha when they see it.
Practice being alpha. Stand up straight with your shoulders back. Walk tall. Practice using a new tone of voice, one that's deep and firm. Don't ask your dog to do something—tell him. There's a difference. He knows the difference, too! Remember that, as alpha, you're entitled to make the rules and give the orders. Your dog understands that instinctively.
With most dogs, just this change in your attitude and an obedience training course will be enough to turn things around. With a dog that's already taken over the household and has enforced his position by growling or biting and has been allowed to get away with it, you'll need to do more than just decide to be alpha. The dog is going to need an attitude adjustment as well.
Natural leaders and social climbers aren't going to want to give up their alpha position. Your sudden change in behavior is going to shock and threaten them. Your dog might act even more aggressively than before. An alpha dog will instinctively respond to challenges to his authority. It's his nature to want to put down revolutionary uprisings by the peasants! Don't worry, there's a way around it.
An alpha dog already knows that he can beat you in a physical fight so returning his aggression with violence of your own won't work. Until you've successfully established your position as alpha, corrections like hitting, shaking, or using the "rollover" techniques described in some books will not work and can be downright dangerous to you. An alpha dog will respond to these methods with violence and you could be seriously hurt.
What you need to do is use your brain! You're smarter than he is and you can outthink him. You'll also need to be stubborner than he is. What I'm about to describe here is an effective, non-violent method of removing your dog from alpha status and putting him back at the bottom of the family totem pole where he belongs and where he needs to be. In order for this method to work, your whole family has to be involved. It requires an attitude adjustment from everyone and a new way of working with your dog.
This is serious business. A dog that bites or threatens people is a dangerous dog, no matter how much you love him. If treating your dog like a dog and not an equal seems harsh to you, keep in mind that our society no longer tolerates dangerous dogs. Lawsuits from dog bites are now settling for millions of dollars—you could lose your home and everything else you own if your dog injures someone. You or your children could be permanently disfigured. And your dog could lose his life. That's the bottom line.
Canine Boot Camp for Alpha Attitude Adjustment
From this day forward, you're going to teach your dog that he is a dog, not a miniature human being in a furry suit. His mother taught him how to be a dog once and how to take orders. Along the way, through lack of training or misunderstood intentions, he's forgotten. With your help, he's going to remember what he is and how he fits into the world. Before long, he's even going to like it!
Dogs were bred to look to humans for food, companionship and guidance. An alpha dog doesn't ask for what he wants, he demands it. He lets you know in no uncertain terms that he wants his dinner, that he wants to go out, that he wants to play and be petted and that he wants these things—right now. You're going to teach him that from now on, he has to earn what he gets. No more free rides. This is going to be a shock to his system at first but you'll be surprised how quickly he'll catch on and that he'll actually become eager to please you.
If your dog doesn't already know the simple command SIT, teach it to him. Reward him with praise and a tidbit. Don't go overboard with the praise. A simple "Good boy!" in a happy voice is enough. Now, every time your dog wants something—his dinner, a trip outside, a walk, some attention, anything—tell him (remember don't ask him, tell him) to SIT first. When he does, praise him with a "Good Boy!", then tell him OKAY and give him whatever it is he wants as a reward. If he refuses to SIT, walk away and ignore him. No SIT, no reward. If you don't think he understands the command, work on his training some more. If he just doesn't want to obey, ignore him. DON'T give him what he wants or reward him in any fashion.
Make him sit before giving him his dinner, make him sit at the door before going outside, make him sit in front of you to be petted, make him sit before giving him his toy. If you normally leave food out for him all the time, stop. Go to a twice daily feeding and you decide what time of day he'll be fed. Make him sit for his dinner. If he won't obey the command—no dinner. Walk away and ignore him. Bring the food out later and tell him again to SIT. If he understands the command, don't tell him more than once. He heard you the first time. Give commands from a standing position and use a deep, firm tone of voice.
If the dog respects certain members of the family but not others, let the others be the ones to feed him and bring the good things to his life for now. Show them how to make him obey the SIT command and how to walk away and ignore him if he won't do as he's told. It's important that your whole family follows this program. Dogs are like kids: if they can't have their way with Mom, they'll go ask Dad. In your dog's case, if he finds a member of the family that he can dominate, he'll continue to do so. You want your dog to learn that he has to respect and obey everyone. Remember: his place is at the bottom of the totem pole. Bouncing him from the top spot helps but if he thinks he's anywhere in the middle, you're still going to have problems.
Think. You know your dog and know what he's likely to do under most circumstances. Stay a step ahead of him and anticipate his behavior so you can avoid or correct it. If he gets into the trash and growls when scolded, make the trash can inaccessible. If he likes to bolt out the door ahead of you, put a leash on him. Make him sit and wait while you open the door and give him permission—OKAY!—to go out. If your alpha dog doesn't like to come when he's called (and he probably doesn't!), don't let him outside off leash. Without a leash, you have no control over him and he knows it.
Petting and attention: Alpha dogs are used to being fussed over. In a real dog pack, subordinate dogs are forever touching, licking and grooming the alpha dog. It's a show of respect and submission. For now, untill his attitude has shown improvement, cut down on the amount of cuddling your dog gets. When he wants attention, make him SIT first, give him a few kind words and pats, then stop. Go back to whatever it was you were doing and ignore him. If he pesters you, tell him NO! in a firm voice and ignore him some more. Pet him when you want to, not just because he wants you to. Also, for the time being, don't get down on the floor or on your knees to pet your dog. That, too, is a show of submission. Give praise, petting and rewards from a position that's higher than the dog.
Games
If you or anyone in your family wrestles, rough-houses or plays tug of war with your dog, stop! These games encourage dogs to dominate people physically and to use their teeth. In a dog pack or in a litter, these games are more than just playing—they help to establish pack order based on physical strength. Your dog is already probably stronger and quicker than you are. Rough, physical games prove that to him. He doesn't need to be reminded of it!
Find new games for him to play. Hide and seek, fetch or Frisbee-catching are more appropriate. Make sure you're the one who starts and ends the game, not the dog. Stop playing before the dog gets bored and is inclined to try to keep the ball or Frisbee.
Where does your dog sleep? Not in your bedroom and especially not on your bed! Your bedroom is a special place—it's your "den." An alpha dog thinks he has a right to sleep in your den because he considers himself your equal. In fact, he may have already taken over your bed, refusing to get off when told or growling and snapping when anyone asks him to make room for the humans. Until your dog's alpha problems are fully under control, the bedroom should be off-limits! The same goes for sleeping on furniture. If you can't keep him off the couch without a fight, deny him access to the room until his behavior and training has improved.
Crate-training
Dog crates have 1,000 uses and working with an alpha dog is one of them. It's a great place for your dog to sleep at night, to eat in and just to stay in when he needs to chill out and be reminded that he's a dog. The crate is your dog's "den." Start crate training by feeding him his dinner in his crate. Close the door and let him stay there for an hour afterwards. If he throws a tantrum, ignore him. Don't let your dog out of his crate until he's quiet and settled. At bedtime, show him an irresistable goodie, tell him to SIT and when he does, throw the goodie into the crate. When he dives in for the treat, tell him what a good boy he is and close the door.
Graduating from Boot Camp: What's next?
Just like in the army, boot camp is really just an introduction to a new career and new way of doing things. A tour through boot camp isn't going to solve your alpha dog's problems forever. It's a way to get basic respect from a dog who's been bullying you without having to resort to physical force.
How long should boot camp last? That depends on the dog. Some will show an improvement right away, others may take much longer. For really tough cookies, natural leaders that need constant reminders of their place in the pack, Alpha Dog Boot Camp will become a way of life. Social climbers may need periodic trips through boot camp if you get lax and accidentally let them climb back up a notch or two in the family pack order.
How do you know if you're making a difference? If boot camp has been successful, your dog should start looking to you for directions and permission. He'll show an eagerness to please. Watch how your dog approaches and greets you. Does he come to you "standing tall", with his head and ears held high and erect? It may look impressive and proud but it means he's still alpha and you still have problems! A dog who accepts humans as superiors will approach you with his head slightly lowered and his ears back or off to the sides. He'll "shrink" his whole body a little in a show of submission. Watch how he greets all the members of the family. If he displays this submissive posture to some of them, but not others, those are the ones who still need to work on their own alpha posture and methods. They should take him back through another tour of boot camp with support from the rest of the family.
Obedience Training
Once your dog has begun to accept this new way of life and his new position in the family, you should take him through an obedience course with a qualified trainer. All dogs need to be trained and alpha dogs need training most of all! You don't have to wait until he's through with boot camp to start this training but it's important that he respects at least one member of the family and is willing to take direction from them.
Obedience class teaches you to train your dog. It teaches you how to be alpha, how to enforce commands and rules, how to get respect and to keep it. All family members who are old enough to understand and control the dog should participate in the class.
Obedience training is a lifelong process. One obedience course does not a trained dog make! Obedience commands need to be practiced and incorporated into your daily life. In a dog pack, the alpha animal uses occasional reminders to reinforce his authority. Certain commands, like DOWN/STAY, are especially effective, nonviolent reminders of a dog's place in the family pack order and who's really in charge here.
A well-trained obedient dog is a happy dog and a joy to live with. Dogs want to please and need a job to do. Training gives them the opportunity to do both. A well-trained dog has more freedom. He can go more places and do more things with you because he knows how to behave. A well-trained dog that's secure in his place within the family pack is comfortable and confident. He knows what's expected of him. He knows his limits and who his leaders are. He's free from the responsibility of running the household and making decisions. He's free to be your loving companion and not your boss. He's free to be a dog—what he was born to be and what he always wanted to be in the first place!
When You Need Professional Help
If your dog has already injured you or someone else or if you are afraid of your dog, you should consult with a qualified professional dog trainer or behaviorist before starting Canine Boot Camp. Your dog should also have an exam by your vet to make sure there are no physical causes for his behavior.
To find a qualified trainer or behaviorist near you, contact your veterinarian or the American Kennel Club for a list of obedience training clubs in your area.
The American Kennel Club
American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior
Related Reading:
Mother Knows Best by Carol Lea Benjamin
by Carol Lea Benjamin
by September B. Morn
by Clarence Meisterfield
This article was written by Vicki Rodenberg, Chairman of the Chow Chow Club Inc.'s Welfare Committee. Uploaded with permission from the author, it may be reproduced for non-profit purposes with author's credit given.
Where do all these rescue dogs come from??!!!
During the
past three years, California GSP Rescue has identified 45 'known breeders'
of German Shorthaired Pointers, in Southern California alone, who produce
at least two litters annually.
Altering.
Adopting An Older Dog
Many of you can attest that Shorthairs mellow at around six years. It is actually better than growing with a puppy.
What we keep hearing is that people are reluctant to adopt a dog which "will only be with us for a few years and could be costly if it gets sick." It's a very reasonable concern.
There is also the price of grieving. To people concerned with losing an adopted senior in a shorter period, our reply is this: "We don't come with any guarantees, life is either short or long depending on many factors beyond our control. We do the best we can."
We hear from adopters of dogs which live for 18 years and others whose dogs succumb in years well short of what we'd like to call "fair." Did anyone grieve less than the other? Plain fact is, it was never about fairness; it's always been about your capacity to give and to absorb. Way we figure it, all things considered: a senior dog is less expensive that a younger dog anyway. Less wear and tear on the house. Savings of energy expended for training.
Emotionally it feels right; giving an animal the love and affection it deserved all along. Easy on the soul. A Zen experience which everyone on the planet should experience at least one, before themselves doddering off into the geriatric worls. We call it "The Senior GSP Insight Program." Old Guyz, $100, going fast to quality homes. Revelations at no extra cost.
Pet Insurance
Other than consumer awareness, a partial solution to rising vet cost, now available for ALL dogs, regardless of age, is pet insurance. With premiums as little as $7 per month, it's really affordable. Information can be had for the cost of a few minutes calling us: (760) 726-4813. You will also discover our list of adorable seniors you can enroll in the program.
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Saturday was a sad day. The brown colored young boy running along the fence as his family drove away would have melted a heart of stone. My weekly volunteer job at the California German Shorthaired Pointer Rescue brought home the point that it is not only your neighbors, friends and community members that are losing their homes, but many times their dogs also suffers the loss of a home. Many apartments and rentals either do not accept pets or do not have adequately fenced properties to accommodate active dogs. 
It turns out that Brodie and Millie were among 102 "Katrina" dogs removed from an overcrowded shelter from Gonzales, LA, and flown to San Diego aboard a Boeing 737 chartered by Steve Bing on 28 September. The EHS received 15 of these dogs. Fortunately Brodie and Mille had tags that helped the EHS to identify the owner through their veterinarian’s records. However, since Gregory had been displaced without any forwarding address or telephone there wasn't any way to reach him. It wasn't until he met someone from Petfinder.com several weeks later that Gregory learned that Brodie and Millie had been transported all the way to California.