Recently there was a post on Facebook circulating about what your dog’s sleeping position means. I don’t know how much of it is fact, but it was interesting and it got me thinking about dogs’ sleeping habits, as well as my own.

Since having my first dog (family/childhood dogs not included), Miley, I’ve always allowed my dogs to sleep with me. Miley had her own pillow next to mine, but after I got married and time progressed she started to simply share mine. My next dog, Sprite, never chose to sleep with me, always preferring the floor, even though he had the option. On the other hand my third dog, Ari joined Miley on the bed, always sleeping at the small of my back and under the covers unless it was cold out. On those nights she would burrow down to my feet.

Unfortunately, as they grew older I had to move them both to the floor for safety reasons. The separation was difficult.  I felt guilt as if I had abandoned them and it was harder for me to sleep without them. I told myself that I would never allow another dog in my bed…famous last words.

Boots was already old when she came to live with us, so we emigrated her to the floor next to the bed rather easily. When Luna arrived we maintained a strict “no furniture” rule unless you are invited, which included the bed. (A rule we still abide by – mostly.) Gradually though nighttime cuddles were replaced with permanent residence and once Ella arrived and graduated from sleeping in her kennel there was no going back.

I had forgotten how much better I slept with my girls with me (don’t get me started on how hard it is to fall asleep when I travel) even when Luna has to jump on and off the bed several times in the night to “check on” the cat. While I know I will have the day when she can no longer stay with me, I would never give up the time I have.

So where do your dogs lie at night?

Anyone who knows me (or has poked around this blog) knows that since getting Luna I have been a big advocate for dog training – whether it’s just the basics or onto higher levels. Since January is National Train Your Dog Month I thought I would share some tips for those just getting started and let you in on what Luna and Ella are working on now.
 
The first step is recognizing the importance of training your dog. This makes them more manageable in all situations, helps keep them safe, and leads to a happier, well-adjusted pup with a stronger bond towards you. I once mentioned the homework we had been given in Luna’s first intermediate class – learn what your dog was bred for, and this is still some of the best pieces of advice that I’ve ever been given. Once you know what your dog is more inclined to want to do naturally you can move on to the next step of finding out what kind of training will work best for you and your dog.
 
I recommend researching your local businesses to find a class that will suit your needs. While you can read books or websites to learn about training on your own, the on hand experience is immeasurable. My own research brought me to our local AKC training club, which I mostly chose because they offered training from the basics up to rally and agility. I never realized that it would also give me the opportunity to work with and meet with a wide variety of experienced dog handlers and trainers. Every trainer I have had has taught me something new, no matter how many times I attend a class.
 
No matter where you decide to go, or if you choose the on-your-own route, try to set aside some time every day to work with your dog, even if it is only for a few minutes. Luna attends class almost every week for two reasons, first it helps with her socialization with dogs and people and secondly, because she loves having a ‘job’. When we are not in class I work on basic commands such as “sit”, “down”, and “stand” several times throughout the day, particularly first thing in the morning and when I come home, and Luna knows there are no ‘free’ treats in our house! I also work with them during down times such as TV watching or waiting for pots to boil in the kitchen. Walks are also a great time to practice heeling and those same basics, and while I prefer to walk each of the dogs on their own, time doesn’t always permit me to give them that one on one attention.

Aside from the importance of time, I’ll just add a couple other tips to keep in mind as you start this journey.  A few I wish someone would have told me long before Luna ever came in my life.

• Don’t try to learn ‘tricks’ before having the basics down. I made the mistake of teaching Luna “roll over” one afternoon when we were still starting out. She picked it up fast – and it took me weeks to get her to do “down” again without rolling over.
• Teach both verbal commands and hand signals whenever possible. Even if you don’t plan on advancing past having a well behaved dog you may be grateful if in their old age when they can no longer hear you they can still respond to your signals.
• Choose your commands carefully and teach everyone in the house to use the same one. Some people use “down” to get off the couch, while others use “off”. Either is fine as long as you stay consistent.
• "Stay" and "come" are the most important commands you can teach your dog – and may be lifesaving someday. Come should always be a happy exercise so they will respond to it, make it a party when they do, and never use it as a punishment.
• Master the basics that are often forgotten, like “leave it”, “drop it”, “wait”, and “watch”.
• Keep training fun and know that if you are getting frustrated it’s time for a break. Always end a session on a positive note and don’t be afraid to try something new.

So how are Luna and Ella honoring Train Your Dog Month? Unfortunately, our normal classes are not being held due to a remodel that is taking place in the building we use, but we’re still keeping busy at home.
 
Ella is mastering the difference between "sit", "beg", and "dance".  "Dance" being her favorite go-to for treats.  It was a pose she naturally took from day one, so we’re incorporating it into her ‘tricks’. She’s also learning stronger responses to hand signals.
 
Luna is working on tricks more than commands right now. She’s learning "perch" (placing her front paws on an object when standing) and being taught to fetch her toys in from outside as Ella can’t stop taking them all out the dog door. We are also working on walking backwards for advanced rally.
 
Together they are working on routines of "sit", "down", and "stay" they do at the same time. The goal is to get them to respond only to the command they have been given. Luna is a bit of a pro, but Ella is still learning to wait for her name to be called.
 
As for Boots, she is just enjoying the old age benefit of getting treats simply because everyone else is, although her down/stay is pretty much unbreakable.

It turns out that hand stripping is a very (at least for the inexperienced) long process of removing the dead hair on your dog’s coat by pulling them out by hand or with the assistance of a stripping knife. The longer outer coat breaks off leaving the softer undercoat. I know what you’re thinking – ouch! Yet it turns out that this doesn’t hurt the dog, although Ella was a little squirmy during the process, but I imagine she would have been if I had shaved her instead.

By now you’re wondering, if this process takes so long, why not just shave her? In the past I shaved both Miley and Ari, and although not a professional groomer I was content with their appearance. For Miley I liked the way she looked cut – and Ari’s coat left untouched gave her a bit of a razorback that was so rough I hated the texture of it. What I didn’t know then was that shaving them was potentially damaging, or at least altering, their coat.

I never saw a change in Ari (but I also only shaved her around twice a year and never very short) but over the years Miley’s coat grew softer and lighter in color. I thought it was due to her aging, but was in fact the result of being shaved every few months for 10+ years.

Fast forward to Ella, whose coat is so unique that I didn’t want to chance losing any of her coloring. She also sheds very little and I love her texture, but she too was getting the razorback – although instead of it being one strip down the middle I felt like it was her whole coat.

Since it was a long process and I was inexperienced we drew it out over several days and in about three to four 30 minute sessions, with an hour break in between. As I said, Ella wiggled a bit, but with my trusty treats she didn’t do too bad. I did cheat by trimming her legs, belly, and tail by hand. Her tail was by far the most difficult as I didn’t want to strip the entire thing short and was forced to attempt to blend it.

All in all I’m pretty happy with the result, although I'm noticing some longer belly hairs in her after picture I missed. I’m pretty sure I’ll do it again in about six months, when I can’t handle the ridge any longer!

If you’re interested in learning more about hand stripping I recommend visiting handstripping.com, they had a lot of information and great before and after pictures.