Horseshoe Lake Arkansas – Home of Ziggy the Amazing Goldendoodle

Zigg1Ziggie is one cool Goldendoodle! He’s riding Horseshoe Lake with a hot westie (West Highland White Terrier), Sophie!

Say, did you know there were multiple New Madrid earthquakes in 1811 and 1812?

The oxbow lake, Horseshoe Lake in Crittenden county Arkansas, was formed during the New Madrid earthquakes in 1811 and 1812.

Reelfoot Lake, located in Tennessee is another oxbow lake formed during the same period.

Alan J Turner – 21st Century Canine Relationship Specialist

How’s Bentley – Memphis TN

Private and Group Dog Training

Reactive Dog Workshops – Memphis TN

Mini Goldendoodle Puppy Training Plan

Mini GoldendoodleLiving with an untrained dog can be exhausting, for years . . . and years.

We often develop elaborate plans for ourselves and our families that include life stages, education, careers, finances, property, vacations, remodeling, and one-time events.

The key to planning any event is to understand your goals and expectations. Raising a mini goldendoodle puppy (or any puppy) is a chore!

People who have a clear idea of their expectations and goals have much more fun!

Here are a few questions to help you with your puppy training plan.

What do I expect to gain from the relationship with my dog?

How would I classify our relationship with my dog – master/slave, buddy/buddy, owner/property, senior partner / junior partner?

How will my dog’s life stages affect my family?

How long will my dog live?

Which skills will s/he need to develop?

Which behaviors make up the skills I desire?

Which behaviors should be first on my list?

Wouldn’t it be neat to develop a global training and care plan for your canine companion? To read more about puppy training plans, skills and behaviors, please visit this dogand page Dog & Puppy Training Plan-Obedience Commands

Happy Training!

Alan J Turner – How’s Bentley – Memphis TN

21st Century Canine Relationship Specialist

iPhone 3Gs Video ** Memphis Goldendoodle, Rosie, Loves to Swim

RosieToday,  I met with a marvelous pup, Rosie, the Goldendoodle. Rosie loves to swim!

I used my iPhone 3Gs to make the video.

Click the words below this sentence to see a video of Rosie swimming.

Rosie the Goldendoodle Loves to Swim

Here are the steps for teaching a dog anything you want.

  1. Condition a reward marker, a signal to tell your dog the instant he or she has succeeded.
  2. Establish a Rewards System, so your dog will be motivated to cooperate.
  3. Get the dog to perform the behavior (or some portion of the behavior) during very short, practice sessions.
  4. Mark the instant your dog succeeds.
  5. Reward your dog, reinforce the behavior.
  6. Refine the behavior through repeated, very short, practice sessions in many different areas.
  7. Add distractions so your dog will always perform the behavior.
  8. Practice the behavior in real life.

Basic Obedience Commads that all dogs should learn:

Attention, Sit, Here, Down, Stay, Go-to-Place, Leave-it, Walk on Lead

Alan J Turner – Dog Trainer

Animal News Network

Private and Group Dog Training in Memphis TN

How’s Bentley

Lucy the Goldendoodle in Mississippi River Flood – Memphis

img_0265Lucy was retrieving like a full blooded Labrador Retriever today! The 1.5 year old female Goldendoodle was quite excited to be splashing and running in shallow flood waters of the Mississippi River. She was absolutely on target and would not come back without the treasured stick!

Lucy quickly made friends, and competed with two other dogs, but Lucy always came back with the stick! GO LUCY!

I work with Goldendoodles and/or Labradoodles every week. They are a popular and excellent mix! The retriever genes fuel the gentle, cooperative, “Oooookay” attitude of a Labrador or Golden Retriever. The Standard Poodle genes might say, “Why should I?, What’s in it for me?” They are excellent dogs if you meet their exercise and stimulation needs AND provide basic obedience training!

I took these pictures of the Mississippi River in Memphis TN. The river is the second longest in the USA and the largest by volume.

Today in Memphis TN, May 17th, 2009, the river is above the 34 foot flood stage. It is expected to crest at 34.5 feet. At 35 feet, most of the land within the mainline levee system will be flooded. Yikes! The National Weather Service issued a flood watch.

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Alan J Turner, Companion Animal Behavior Counselor & Trainer, Canine Specialization

Private and Group Dog Training in Memphis, TN

Owner: How’s Bentley