This page is being developed for us all. I will place tips that I have and we appreciate anything that you think other folks would be interested in. As I always say, it is team work. We can all learn from each other. Tips & Ideas are to be about our four legged buddies, helping us to live together as well as tips for their health, better living and an aid in helping in the search of that new pup.

Use common sense when using these tips & ideas. Some might work for you while others might not. You are responsible for you own self and actions if you chose to use these tips.

Send your tips and ideas to our e-mail sapphirekennel@sbcglobal.net listing Tips and Ideas on subject line.

TRAVEL TIPS,  PUPPY SEARCH (PURCHASE) & RESCUE

*Travel Tips - A flannel backed tablecloth from the Dollar store serves as a quick seat cover and a good protector for flooring under crates when traveling. My daughter had new wood floors so I got this idea for my wire crate when I was visiting. Mom is not going to be the one to scar or damage the new floor.

* We use a spoon of Pepto-Bismol for stressed pups. An old breeder years ago taught me this and the vet confirmed it. It works well for a dog that has eaten something it should not have also. The pepto coats the stomach. (Again, common sense here. You should be able to tell if this is all it takes or you need a vet. If not go to your vet.)

* We have a packed travel bag for our pets consisting of paper towels, plastic trash bags, a few extra newspapers, moist hand wipes, and hand sanitizer. Add to this a water and food dish. When it is time to leave all we need is our food and a gallon jug of fresh water. The water serves as drinking water and to clean any mess up we may have with our puppy, crate or our hands. Also, I usually put the food in a butter dish with the lid on. This can be used as a food dish and sealed when finished.

*Puppy Search-I can sympathize with folks when they have made up their mind to get a pup that they want it TODAY. But, you would have to be leery of a breeder who always has a pup available that day. They would be over breeding their girls and have an extremely large number of girls available. That is a puppy mill.  Otherwise it just would not be possible.

I went to a fellow's place up in the mountains one day to take a look at his girl I had heard about. She was precious. She was seven at the time and after talking to him in length I found she had never missed a season coming in without having a litter of pups. He spoke of how much money she had made him. (He sold his pups out of the back of the pick up for $150.) She was in wonderful surroundings, lived in the house. This is not a puppy mill but poor breeding. One of those buying from a home breeder where the puppies are inside. I did everything I could to buy her, but he would not sell. He said he loved her, she was the best dog he ever had.

Also, I am going to make a lot of breeders unhappy by posting this, but if you know us by now, you know we live by our own heart and conscience. As I tell everyone, we are not politically correct. I had a breeder that wanted to tip me on "how she and others got rid of their older pups." She said they were advertising they took in rescues. I said "No way! You would be contaminating your kennel." She said "They did not actually take in rescues. If people called they said they did not have room to take one in. But, they do have one for adoption. It looked good and they could still move their older pups without papers at a good price." This is a tip she received from another "big time breeder".

I tell you this to let you know, do not buy on impulse. Get to know your breeder. You all should be a team for years to come. When our pups leave our place they carry our name and everyone will know it was bred and born on our place. I cannot imagine one of my pups out there and me not claiming it. Your breeder, local or cross country should be the same way. 

These tips should help you in your search. They are not things folks would generally think about.

*Rescue - I have folks call me almost on a weekly basis that have a rescue and ask about this or that problem. Most of them we figure out. I have rescue groups call with questions about the nature of this breed so we can get into their head. Most of these we figure out also.

One generalized point I would like to make. In my lifetime experience there is a learning curve of acceptance each dog makes and asserts when it comes to a new home. No matter the breed! I have found within seven to fourteen days a dog will become very territorial and try to dominate other pets. They can be vicious during this time. In their mind they have found a home. HOME!!! ...Den, something permanent and worth fighting over! They are initiating the pecking order (an animal thing). If we had lived on the streets and someone gave us a lap, blanket and food we would fight over that lap as well.

My point, expect this. It is natural. Do not be afraid or scared your sweet cuddle bug has turned into a Jekyll and Hyde. They will learn to share usually within a few days and then all should be well in that regard. If a dog does not know it can do something it usually will not.

BUT, Do not allow anything that is not acceptable, at all, no time, any time, period! Be firm! Never reward bad behavior by soothing or petting and saying it is ok. That is rewarding and encouraging instead. 

When a dog barks and chases someone off  they think they did a good job. That person ran away. It worked! Now they are being talked to about it and maybe the first one on one discussion for the day. Who said it was a scolding? It sounds like good old barking to them and almost as intense as they were. They appreciate the help. They would be happy for you to strut and wag your tail also if you had one.

The truth is no one knows what a rescued dog has done or been through before your household when it came in to the facility without an owner. I always tell folks to have a good trainer on hand or someone they can call up the first few weeks the dogs personality is coming forward. I believe this should be part of the adoption. If a facility is willing to adopt an adult dog there should be a free weekly training class at that facility for everyone involved to discuss issues, give advise and just generally be there for each other. Especially for adult dogs placed locally or when transported across country to a new home. Their mental stability over a time period of adjustment should always be monitored.

There are situations that can trigger unexpected behavior in rescued dogs. I do not discourage rescue. We have to rescue. All of us. I personally do not know of one person that has not taken in a stray or adopted a pet many times over. We have rescued long before the word rescue became a word just for dogs. Living in the country qualifies for a dumping ground for dogs and cats. If goldfish did not need water I am sure we would have some of those in the front yard one morning.

Anyone taking in an adult dog of any breed has a learning curve with the animal and that is just fact. If a person cannot dedicate themselves to the end why start to begin with. The dog will have to start all over and be taught not to do the bad habits now learned in the last new home as well.

Please, a good reference checked, long term, experienced trainer is worth every penny. A good trainer will also be upfront about their  experience with your particular breed. When I have heard a trainer speak negative of a breed I have questioned them further and found  in all actuality they are inexperienced with that particular breed. If that is the case find one that can work with your pet. You will be amazed at how well a good trainer will retrain you along the way.

One last thing when adopting, finances...

I received a letter in Feb from a young lady wanting to get her sweetheart one of my pups for Valentines. He had to have one. It had been his hearts desire for a long time and she wanted to surprise him. She said she would make payments, but they would have to not eat that week to get the deposit in. She did go in great detail and was very sincere. I read the letter to Bill and he asked me what I felt we should do with their request. It was just pitiful. I told him we would do them a favor and help them out.  We did. I kept the pup and they had groceries that week.  My pup also eat well that week.

A dogs life depends on shots and worming as much as food. They will die without them.