The Orvis Dog Blog features informative posts on wide-ranging topics, including canine health, behavior and training, and the products your dog needs. Learn more about the Orvis-Morris Animal Foundation Canine Cancer Campaign, and our work supporting Petfinder Foundation’s dog rescue efforts.
We all love our new puppy, but not always that new puppy “smell.” Housebreaking a pup can be a challenge. But this Woman’s Day article gives tips from dog expert Cesar Millan, star of National Geographic Channel’s popular Dog Whisperer show. It makes housebreaking your new puppy a cinch. We listed the six steps below, but check out the Woman’s Day article to get the details.
The New York Times and others are running pieces on a dog that helped in the Bin Laden Raid. According to the NY Times, “The identities of all 80 members of the American commando team who thundered into Abbottabad, Pakistan, and killed Osama bin Laden are the subject of intense speculation, but perhaps none more so than the only member with four legs.”
The canine companions to soldiers are becoming more valuable. Gen. David H. Petraeus said last year that, “The capability they bring to the fight cannot be replicated by man or machine.”
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photo by Tim Bronson |
While Murph is doing exceptionally well in his training, let us not forget that he is a six-month-old puppy. I learned this valuable lesson today when I decided to make some changes in his living arrangements in the car. I bring Murph to work everyday, and he stays in the kennel in the car. Fortunately, I can park within steps of my office and I go out there at least three or four times a day to take a break and let him run. During lunch is my major training period around the woods and pond here at the Orvis headquarters.
Read MoreGolden retrievers and Labs are two of the most beloved dog breeds. But all dogs are great companions for all kinds of reasons. Now you have a chance to win a FREE Orvis Dog Bed because of your love of dogs! In the comments section below, leave your favorite breed of dog, or mixed breed, and tell us why you love it so much. Other visitors can can then “like” your comment by clicking the “thumbs up” next to it. The most thumbs up by 4 PM Monday, May 9, wins a FREE Orvis Dog Bed. Encourage your friends to vote! Have fun.
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As Murph nears six months of age, it’s time to take stock of what we have accomplished together. Right now he can do the following with very good (very good does not mean perfect) consistency:
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A couple of weeks ago I talked about Murph and putting his steadiness to sit and heel together on a single blind retrieve. Over the course of the last few days, I’ve been continually working Murph on his steadiness in every possible situation, but I want him to begin to understand what he’s here for. As I said before, at this point I don’t want to give him a bunch of retrieves for two reasons. One, his teeth are changing over, and two, I don’t want to get him hyped up on retrieving like I did with Pickett.
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Photo by Jennifer, Mansfield |
Win a FREE Orvis Dog Bed with your dog’s help! We thought we’d have some fun with today’s Dog of the Day post with a contest. In the comments section below, leave your dog’s name and the reason for that name. Other visitors can can then “like” your comment by clicking the “thumbs up” next to it. The most thumbs up by 4 PM Friday, April 15, wins a FREE Orvis Dog Bed. Encourage your friends to vote for your dog! Have fun.
Read MoreIt’s cold up here, although spring is finally starting to show up. There is still ice in most of the ponds, and I’ve still got snow in the yard. I had no intention of even trying to introduce Murph to the water until it had warmed up significantly and the water temps weren’t just above freezing. I certainly didn’t want to give him an. . .
Read MoreMurph sizes up his dummy photo by Tim Bronson |
This weekend, I took Murph with me when I took my son to play in a hockey tournament in Connecticut. Four games and four practices in a three-day period gave me a lot of time in the hockey rink parking lot to work with Murph on a number of things.
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Photo by Mimi Fersen |
The snow is melting slowly but surely here in Vermont. The sun is out every once in a while, and Murph, Pickett, and I have been taking longer and longer walks. The concept of heel seems to be firmly ingrained in Murph now, and I am using it every chance I get to make sure it stays that way. I used to just make Murph sit calmly for his dinner, but now that he understands heel, I call both him and Pickett to heel before every meal. I make them sit and wait while I place both bowls, then I release them separately by name. One act, three lessons: heel, patience, and name recognition.
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