Dog

Ruffwear’s Highlands Sleeping Bag

As a dog owner I try to take Loki (meet him here) on all my outdoor activities. Eventually I hope to use him as a bird dog (maybe even this year). However, for now I am just happy to give him as much exposure to as many outdoor activities as possible. Awhile ago I wrote about being unprepared for an injury Loki sustained on his first camping trip (catch up here). Following the idea of preparedness, I began looking at Loki’s kit to see if there were any other areas I could improve on. I discovered I didn’t have anything for Loki to sleep on.

This may not seem like a big deal (depending on where you live), but a foundational portion of our training is the “bed” command. Using this command I can have Loki retreat to a small pad (at home) where he will stay until I release him (unless he sneaks off). This could come in handy while setting up a camp, or gutting an animal. Additionally, when it gets cold at night getting Loki off the tent floor will keep him nice and warm. After looking around I settled on Ruffwear’s Highlands Sleeping Bag.

The Highlands Sleeping Bag is; oval in shape, has a slide zipper to expand the surface area (or seal your dog in), and a sleeve where an additional pad can be inserted. In short, it’s a mini sleeping bag designed for your dog. I’ll be honest, I was skeptical at first. Would my dog really use a sleeping bag? Turns out the answer is yes. At first I simply placed the zipped up bag on the ground in our camp and gave the “bed” command. Not surprisingly he looked around camp all confused (he was looking for that pad we have at home). I grabbed him by the collar and guided him to the sleeping bag, repeated the command “bed” and placed him on the sleeping bag. Once on the sleeping bag I praised him with good voice tones.

We repeated this a few times before he understood that this was now his bed. Once this was established I began catching him just laying on it. To take it a step further, I unzipped the bag and once I saw him on the bed I simply flipped the other half over him. Again, to my surprise, he just sat there tail wagging. By no means was it warm enough where I was to warrant actually zipping him in at night, but once I moved his bag into the tent he went right to it and laid down. It was his spot and he knew it.

Highlands Sleeping Bag Specifications (courtesy of ruffwear.com)

KEY FEATURES

Compressible, lightweight sleeping bag for dogs
Synthetic insulation insulates dog from cold air and hard ground
Polyester fabric shell is water-resistant, quick-drying and durable
Side zipper opens the bag wide for easy entry, zips closed to retain body heat
Stuff sack included for storage and compressibility
Four stake-out loops to secure bed to ground or to hang dry
Integrated pad sleeve accommodates the Highlands Pad™, creating the ultimate backcountry sleeping system
Fits in all sizes of Ruffwear’s Palisades Pack™
Machine washable

SIZING

Flat: 35 in x 26 in; 1 in loft (89 x 66 x 2.5 cm)
Stuffed: 12 in x 7 in (30 x 18 cm)
Weight: 1 lb 10.8 oz (760 g)

Reenforcing our “bed” command while outside our home was a big deal for us. It gave him some familiarity, and gave me increased control. Of course it didn’t hurt that it makes it far more comfortable for him than laying on the ground. If you are the kind of outdoor enthusiast who travels light, and stays out on overnight excursions I’d take a good look at this product for your dog. So far I am extremely pleased with mine. I will continue to test this product when Loki and I go out into the field. Should any weaknesses present itself I’ll be sure to do a follow-up.

(Featured image courtesy of Ruffwear.com)

Can Your Dog be Seen?

Depending on what your outdoor activity is, being seen is extremely important. Typically when you are hunting with a modern firearm your State will have specific rules with regards to the type of clothing, and even how many square inches that clothing must be worn. For example, here in Washington the regulations state, “Under the following conditions a minimum of 400 square inches of fluorescent hunter orange exterior clothing is required. It must be worn above the waist and be visible from all sides. A hat, by itself, does not meet this requirement”. The conditions referenced pertain to hunting big game with a modern firearm.

The idea of being seen isn’t something restricted to hunters. Mountain climbers, skiers, runners, and anyone who might find themselves in trouble tend to lean towards gear that could assist search & rescue finding them. Everything from jackets to ropes are manufactured in bright, unnatural colors just for this reason. One often overlooked consideration with this concept is your dog. Dogs are naturally camouflaged, smaller than a human, and are more likely to be confused with animals hunters are pursuing.

Ruffwear, a premier outdoor outfitter for your dog, has addressed this problem with the Track Jacket (high visibility reflective jacket). As with all Ruffwear products, the Track Jacket is a high-quality, durable product designed with dogs in mind. It is lightweight, and was engineered to be user-friendly. Using Ruffwear’s tension hook technology, once fitted, it literally took me 5 seconds to get this on Loki. I was surprised at how well it stayed in place. I took Loki for a walk, run, and threw some retriever dummies for him, all the while the Track Jacket stayed firmly in place.

Features (Detailed from Ruffwear.com)

High-Visibility blaze orange fabric with integrated reflective print design for maximum visibility
Three separate light loops for attaching multiple beacon safety lights
Streamlined design is easy to put on and stays in place
lightweight, low-profile tension hooks provide a quick and secure connection
durable, waterproof fabric

Measurement instructions are simple, and true to the actual product. Following Ruffwear’s guide you measure the dogs girth (slightly behind your dog’s front legs, all the way around the body). This product comes in three sizes: XXS/SS (12-22in), S/M (22-32in), and L/XL (32-42in). As with Ruffwear’s Slackline leash, and Chain Reaction collar, the Track Jacket has built-in reflective materials. This feature is extremely bright when exposed to artificial lights (headlights, or a flashlight), which can make the difference between being seen and being involved in an accident.

Another interesting factor with this vest was the easy with which Loki took to it. Usually when I introduce a new piece of gear to him there is a “resistance” phase that he goes through. Although I can’t wear the vest, I would say this is a testament to the comfort level of the Track Jacket. When I first introduced Loki to his E-collar, it took us a few sessions for him to stop scratching at it (maybe because the E-collar sits tighter than a normal collar?).

At $39.95 I put the Track Jacket at the typical price point for this kind of product. Some companies offer a similar product, but I prefer Ruffwear’s because of their choice of Blaze orange. Blaze orange is the standard for hunter safety, and it should make any hunter naturally hesitate. Even in instances where I am not required to have blaze orange on (bow hunting), should Loki be with me, I fully intend on having him wear this product. I’d rather be safe than sorry.

If you are in the market for a high visibility vest for your dog (you should be), then I recommend giving Ruffwear a look. Even if you don’t decide to go with Ruffwear, the safety of your dog should be an important consideration regardless of your activity. If you want to be seen, he wants to be seen. Do your canine partner a favor and invest in his visibility.

Quick Tip:

If your canine partner seems to have a hard time adjusting to the vest, there are a few simple things you can do. Remember to associate the vest with something pleasant when you put it on (praise, treat, etc.). Check your size, make sure it isn’t too tight, or to lose. Keep the initial exposures short, and fun. Put it on before the activity to help him adjust to it (put it on, and let him run around the yard with it). Before you know it your dog will be happily running around forgetting that he has it on.

Ruffwear’s Track Jacket can be found here. It can also be found on Amazon here.

Rainbows, Unicorns and Dogs that Bite

When I made the decision to begin my career professionally training dogs, I sought the help of a number of experts. After reviewing the curriculum of many well respected online and in person universities, I repeatedly found that the lessons tended to be lacking, one sided, or geared towards very specific goals. I was in search of a well rounded education, and it didn’t take long for me to realize that, in order to make that happen, I would need to find a wide array of trainers and mentors to lend their expertise.

I had worked with a number of professional trainers, competitors and behaviorists for just under a year before fate stepped in and gave me a hefty shove. I contacted a potential mentor, asking if I could volunteer in exchange for an apprenticeship. I remember his response like the call happened yesterday. First, he laughed. It was a cocky chuckle, and I could tell he had immediately written me off. Then, he told me that the only education I needed, I could get from a Belgian Malinois. He advised me to buy and raise a puppy for civil or sport protection work. He continued to instruct me to research working malinois breeders, and ask them for the “hardest”, strongest, most dominant male pup in their litter. Only after I had raised the pup for a year, would he consider allowing me to participate in his program.

Being new to the world of dog training, I was wildly naive. I approached this endeavor wide-eyed and still believed that “there are no bad dogs – only bad owners”, and “aggressive dogs were obviously that way because of past trauma or abuse”, and “love is all you need”. My world was about rainbows, butterflies and unicorns at that point. Given my gullibility, I took my “advisor” at his word, and began my search.

I researched 37 Working Belgian Malinois breeders across the country, and explained to each exactly what my advisor had instructed me that I needed. Many laughed at me. Some failed to respond. Others hit me with a sales pitch that made me feel like I was buying a used car. Some tried to steer me in a different direction, but most took me at my word and picked a puppy for me, the newbie, that was exactly what I thought I wanted.

When I finally settled on my breeder, Debbie and Ron Skinner of Les Ombres Valeureux Working Malinois, my gears shifted. Debbie didn’t let me buy what I thought I wanted. Instead, through numerous emails, she forced my focus to what I needed. While I approached the search looking for a hard, dominant male, I ended up buying a driven, biddable female with a good work ethic. Hallelujah!

I remember the day I picked up Cyrrah, my new Malinois puppy. One of the trainers there told me that these dogs weren’t like a typical pet.

“You don’t ‘own’ a Malinois,” she warned.

“A Malinois isn’t your dog…..” she continued, “a Malinois is your partner”.

As I raised my little hellion, I pushed those words to the back of my mind. All I had witnessed was a mouthy, bitey, angry little puppy with attitude, who abused me on a regular basis and who continually challenged my knowledge, patience, and tolerance. I shed blood, sweat, tears, and even more blood and tears. Oftentimes, I thought about giving up. I thought about placing her with someone who knew what they were doing. I felt hopeless.

This was no partnership. This was abuse, and I was the victim.

Can you imagine how I would have dealt with a strong, hard, dominant male? I’d likely be dead.

It took two years for me to fully understand the weight of the words “A Malinois is your partner”, and when I did, a wave of guilt and humility nearly ended my career.

In all of my training, I was constantly trying to control my unruly puppy. I was acting like she was simply a thing I owned, that I could bend and conform to my life and specifications. But she wasn’t playdough. In fact, she had a backbone, and she wasn’t about to tolerate my feeble attempts at control.

I was never “mean” to Cyrrah, but I never tried to work WITH her – I simply tried to force her to fit into a cookie cutter vision I had in my head of what a well trained Malinois should look like. In fact, I didn’t “own” her and she consistently attempted to put me in my place. Sadly, it took me two years to check my ego at the door and realize this.

Belgian Malinois are some of the world’s most elite K9 performers. As one of the more prevalent breeds utilized for law enforcement and military applications, these dogs possess the drive and trainability to take out bad guys, detect explosives, clear buildings, detect and respond to threats, search out drugs, and perform countless other tasks to help keep our country safe. Their bravery, independence, and strong will allow them to confidently enter a battle zone, and their heightened senses make them critical tools for detection, so their handlers can stay safe. However those attributes that make them excel at their work, also make them challenge a novice handler that is inadvertently unfair or unclear.

In my struggles with my young pup, I always pointed the finger at her.

“Maybe a Malinois is your partner….” I thought to myself often, “but this one completely hates me”.

In all actuality, Cyrrah not only wanted a partner, she needed one. I however, had too big of an ego for teamwork.

Cyrrah was one of the biggest learning experiences of my career. I now raise hard, pushy, dominant dogs and regularly select for those traits. Given my experience with Cyrrah, I can honestly say that a strong male in the “rainbows and unicorns” phase of my life would have ended me.

While my “advisor” attempted to lead me astray, he did offer some critical words of wisdom that proved to be the catalyst for substantial change and growth. The only education I needed, I could get from a Belgian Malinois. My ass and my ego were handed to me at a crucial point in my career, and only through that experience was I able to learn valuable lessons about teamwork, partnership, and dog training.

Thanks and stay tuned for more Malinois stories, training, and tips.

How To Prepare For The Arrival of Your Hunting Dog

So we have selected the type of hunting dog, the breed of the dog, and the breeder. Typically at this point there will be some down time before you get your hunting dog. Depending on when you made contact with your breeder (or if there is a waiting list), you could be waiting anywhere from a few weeks, up until the next breeding cycle (perhaps a year). Not to worry, there are plenty of things that need to be done prior to your pups arrival.

Establish who in the family is going to be the master. This should be the person who will be the primary hunter in the family. Although it will be expected that the pup will listen to all family members, there should still be someone whose word should be final about the majority of the pup’s upbringing, training, and care. The master should do most of the conditioning in the beginning (bathroom training included), helping to establish a bond between the two. Remember dogs are pack animals, as are hunting dogs, and they look to find the leader whom they will follow. If there is no one to lead them, then they will act however they want. You don’t need to be mean, instead be consistent and firm throughout all aspects. Remember this should be fun.

How To Prepare For The Arrival of Your Hunting Dog — Removable day pack, harness, collar/leash from Ruffwear. (Image courtesy of Ruffwear.com)

Determine where your hunting dog will be sleeping and get that space ready. Maybe it is in the garage, office, kitchen, or in a kennel. I decided that my pup would primarily be sleeping in our living room area. I purchased a crate (metal) and have already placed it where he will be sleeping prior to his arrival. Additionally, you should also sort out the day-to-day living conditions. Will your pup have free run of a fenced yard or will he use a kennel run. Using kennels or crates should not be considered mean or cruel to the pup. As long as you are removing your pup for regular exercise and not neglecting him, this confinement does more good than harm (prevention of diseases, fighting, destruction of property etc.).

Chose a veterinarian and book your first appointment. Do some research, go to the facilities and if possible, talk to the doctor. Make sure that they can/will treat your breed (some veterinarian offices specialize or restrict the kinds of animals they will service). More often than not, your breeder will require you to have a veterinarian visit within a week of your pups arrival. Additionally, consider pet insurance. Similar to humans an emergency visit for your pup could be costly. This is preventable with a reputable pet insurance company such as Trupanion (90% coverage). There are others out there, so shop around.

Last but not least, get some gear. The above images show some of the products available from Ruffwear. I recommend taking a look at their full line-up. Your pup will need: collars, leashes, bowl (indoor and outdoor), whistle, training equipment (specific to the kind of hunting you will be doing), and whatever else you decide to spoil him with. Your pup will be too small for choke chains or electronic correction/training collars (we will address these at a later time). Focus on things that fit him snuggly, without falling off. Also, remember to check the fits often, your pup will grow fast during the first 12-18 months.

Click to view part one, or part two of this series.

(Featured image courtesy of idahohuntingdogs.com)

How to Select a Hunting Dog

During my tenure with Customs and Border Protection I had the opportunity to work as a K9 Officer. I spent approximately 7 weeks on the East coast learning how to keep up with what my dog already knew (K9 School). My dog was trained to detect narcotics (marijuana, methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and ecstasy) as well as concealed humans. I always found it fascinating that a dog could differentiate between people riding in a conveyance, and those who were intentionally concealing themselves for illicit entry into the United States.

My intention with this series is to get you from pup selection through the first 12 months of training your hunting pup. I have a new puppy on the way and I will be following all the same principles that I am writing about. I will draw upon my personal experience as a K9 Officer, information from books and articles, and when I need extreme technical support I will hit up my dad, who is a practicing veterinarian.

Why get a hunting dog? For one, they will make you a better hunter. A dog’s olfactory acuity (sense of smell) allows them to find what we cannot even see. In K9 School, it was explained through the cheeseburger. Where you might smell a cheeseburger, your dog would smell ground cow muscle, pickle, onion, mustard, whole wheat bun toasted, tomato raw… You get the point. Another consideration is the overall enriching experience of working with a dog to achieve a goal.

Gun Dogs: An Introduction — This dog has flushed a pheasant for his hunting partner to knock down. (Image courtesy of gundogmag.com)

How to select a breed? First, you need the right tool for the job. I break gun dogs down into three groups, although there are more complex categorizations available: retrievers, flushing, pointers/setters. Retrievers are typically used to hunt water birds (ducks). These dogs have to be comfortable in water and remain still for long periods. Flushing dogs are used for hunting upland game (grouse, pheasant, etc.). These dogs will remain fairly close to the hunter and assist in aggressively flushing birds. Pointers are also used for upland game, however, when they detect their game they freeze in place (pointing), allowing the hunter to get into a shooting position. This allows them to operate further away from their human partner.

In addition to these three categories, there are versatile hunting dogs. These dogs were developed to search, point, track and retrieve (from land and water). These breeds are not as acutely developed for a singular task, so they may not display the same intensity (ex. pointing) as the breeds that are subject matter experts. However, they can be used in a more versatile manner.

Learn about the breeds you are interesting in prior to deciding. If possible, find someone with that breed or go visit breeders. Remember that other than the 3-4 months of hunting, this will inevitably and enjoyably be a family or personal pet. Take everything into consideration: kids, exercise requirements, work schedule, typical medical conditions, etc. Once you have done that, then you can move on to selecting a breeder.

(Featured image courtesy of cascadegriffs.com)