Today I want to talk about protecting your pup. From your baby. Cute as they are... babies are energetic, not so gentle, screaming little bundles of love and you may need to protect your dog from them. Please know that I'm saying this with all the love in my heart. I adore my daughter more than life itself but there is no doubt that my dogs need protection from her and from the myriad of other tiny humans running around our property these days.
At only 9 months old my little human is not quite mobile enough to do much damage but she is certainly interested in the dogs, dog bowls, the kennels, and various dog toys that are scattered throughout the house. Now here's the kicker... she doesn't get to enjoy all of these things 100% of the time. I, as the adult, have established something called boundaries.
That means if one of the dogs is sleeping, she doesn't get to crawl over and start bugging them. She is not allowed to play in their food bowls during dinner time. She doesn't get to use their kennels as a special little fort to crawl into.
Now I bet you're saying... but how am I supposed to be supervising that shit 24/7?! That's hard! Kids get into everything!
I'm right there with you mamas and dadas. This shit is hard. Kids are like tiny, very destructive ninjas. They can practically teleport from one place to the next. I understand you are trying your best and I'm right here with you to sympathize cause OMG kids will suck the very life and soul out of you. Sometimes you want to do whatever you can to get 2 seconds to yourself and if that means letting your kiddo crawl into the dog kennel then whatever, mama needs a cup of tea and 2 seconds of quiet.
But... what about your dog? Just as much as you have a responsibility to your kid, you have a responsibility to your dog and it is YOUR JOB to protect that safe space that their kennel is. You need 2 seconds of quiet? Yeah, they do too! They need that kid-free zone and it is your responsibility to give it to them. It is not their responsibility to tolerate the kid. See how that works? You are the adult. You set the boundaries.
This means management and management takes planning and time. Trust me, I have four dogs, I truly get that. I have a total of six dog kennels in various places in my house. I feed two of my four dogs in their kennels and when my daughter is more mobile I will feed ALL the dogs in their kennels. Why? Because my dogs deserve to eat their food in peace.
When my nephews (2 and 5) come over, 3 out of 4 dogs are put away in their kennels with frozen Kongs. Why? Have you ever spent any time with a 2 and 5 year old? Those kiddos are loud and unpredictable and while my pups are tolerant, they aren't thrilled at their quiet little oasis home turning into a full on circus. And that's ok. I don't need them to love screaming children. I need them to feel safe and secure in their kennels so I can enjoy my gorgeous, handsome nephews. This is a win-win for everybody. I get time with my family and I don't need to worry about the dogs knocking over kiddos or kids invading the dog's kennels. Meanwhile my dogs get delicious treats and some quiet time hanging out in their cozy little kennels. Are you getting the idea? I protect my dogs (for my dogs this means they get their own space that kids don't invade) and everybody has a great time!
As a society we seem to have this idea that a "good dog" tolerates everything. A "good dog" is great with all kids and all dogs and all humans and the list goes on. *Cue eye roll* This is definitely an entire post of its own but for now all I want to say on this subject is that a truly "good dog" is in the eye of the beholder. My dogs are good dogs and they don't need to tolerate the chaos that comes with multiple kids under 6. That is ok. Them tolerating kid chaos is ultra low on my list of good dog requirements. Them tolerating my daughter, waiting at doorways, having a good recall, walking well on a leash, these are all things I care about. Bottom line, a "good dog" has a lot of different definitions and that's ok!
Fun fact: My daughter does not get an all-access pass to my dogs 100% of the time. If they come up and interact with her, hell yeah, let the games begin! By games I mean her playing with their collars (because omg, this week shiny things are THE BEST THINGS EVER), getting licked all over, and generally squealing at them. If they move away, the game is over. If they are anxious, annoyed, or uncomfortable in any way, the games stop. End of discussion. No negotiating.
I can confidently say that all of my dogs have a great relationship with my daughter because of these rules. We protect them from her. They deserve just as much protection as she does and this way, everyone wins. We have a very happy baby and four happy, relaxed dogs who can escape to their kennels whenever they need a quiet space to curl up. God knows I would love a kennel of my own some days.
So here's the bottom line... Your dog and your kid can co exist happily if you just set a few boundaries. It is not your dog's job to tolerate the kiddo. We know you would always protect your kid from your dog and your dog should get the same consideration. Get some kennels, use those kennels. Maybe get a baby/puppy gate or two and your life could get a whole lot simpler and happier.
Now I must go because my daughter has sensed that I was about to finish this blog post and have time on my own and so, of course, she has woken up from her nap an hour early. >_<
]]>To say this irks me would be putting it mildly.
No doubt I will love my human child with all my heart. No doubt my friends and family will be inundated with pictures, phone calls, and text messages detailing my little one’s tiniest and most mundane accomplishments. No doubt I will be consumed with fussing over their milk intake, their comfort, and their ranking on a standard growth chart.
Does this mean I’m unable to continue to dote on my pups? Will their bowls remain empty for days at a time as I navigate the first true days of motherhood? The answer seems obvious but I will say it (or type it in this case) for clarity’s sake. No. Where is it written that I only have enough love to give to one other being?
Anyone who knows me knows that I am utterly and hopelessly obsessed with my dogs. While I know the dynamic in my house will change with the addition of my little mini me, that doesn’t mean I won’t be able to show love to my fur children as well as my less hairy child.
Some people don’t stop at this question though. Some like to take it a step further with the follow up inquiry of, “But HOW will you do it?” To these people I like to smile and say that I will simply hook the dogs up to the stroller like sled dogs to a sled and let them take the baby out so I can get some much needed rest.
To the people who question my ability to love and dote on more than one creature I honestly say this: Your question is far more reflective of your journey as a parent than it is mine.
I’m not saying I’m supergirl but I’m saying that as a girl with 12 animals, a supportive partner, and a slew of family and friends, I know how to love more than one thing at a time.
Please stop projecting your supposed failures as a parent on me. I would also like to point out with the gentlest of tones that you do the best you can. I'm positive the people asking these questions are only asking because they think they themselves failed in this account. To those people I say, stop being so hard on yourself. You may feel that you failed in some way but you did the very best you could with what you were given. If everybody made it out alive, you did just perfectly. Now, please, for my sanity, stop asking me these questions. Why not ask something truly interesting or useful? Like how strong my gag reflex is? Whether the thought my tearing from my V to my A keeps me lying awake at night?
It does by the way. It really does.
]]>That being said, I can't take on every single pup who applies and this breaks my heart. Before I announce our new models, I want to say thank you to all who applied. If you were not selected, please do not let it dissuade you from continuing to apply for model searches in the future. You are all beautiful pups and pup parents and I feel honored and grateful that so many of you applied.
Now for the exciting stuff! We are happy to announce our most globally diverse group of pups yet... from New Zealand to Canada, we are thrilled to announce our six summer models of 2019!
Hailing from New Zealand... The gorgeous Mocha!
Mocha is a stunning Springer Spaniel who has been a long time lover of our products. Her hobbies include hiking, getting really really muddy, looking gorgeous af, and hanging out with her many animal siblings.
Joining us once again from Germany... Pina!
Pina is fiercely gorgeous. Think Beyonce in a doggie body. This two year old pup has matured in a gorgeous and well behaved lady who knows how to work it in front of the camera.
Another pup we are welcoming back... London!
London wowed us the first time around with her stunning photography skills and we just couldn't turn down the chance to work with our favorite Canadian pup again! London is a gorgeous Sable Shetland Sheepdog from Canada who enjoys hiking and posing for her mom in all her gorgeous gear.
From the dusty heat of Texas, we welcome... Sir Winston!
Winston might be just a tad crosseyed but we are in love with his stunning personality and dapper good looks! A fantastic ambassador for Staffies, Winston makes friends everywhere he goes and it's easy to see why! How can you resist that face? Welcome to the team Winston!
Hailing from Boston we have... Koda!
Koda is an ultra dapper Pomsky (that's a Pomeranian mixed with a Husky for those who aren't up on their doggie breeds) whose fluffy tail and to die for eyes melted our hearts. This pup loves to be out on the town and recently showed his support by attending Boston's Pride Day. Now that's the kind of pup to bring home to the parents!
Last, but not least we have a pup from our native California... Chia!
Like a true California pup, Chia loves spending time at the beach when she isn't melting hearts with those big brown eyes. Chia was originally a street puppy in Tijuana, Mexico before her parents rescued her last year. If you sneak a peek at her Insta, you can clearly see she has been living the good life ever since. Chia you are too gorgeous for words!
]]>
Retrievers will forever want to retrieve (helllllllo ball obsession!), terriers are tenacious little pups that give new meaning to "like a dog with a bone," and herding breeds will always be looking for the next animal to maneuver. As it turns out in our modern day society these characteristics aren't always appreciated. That doesn't mean these are bad dogs. These pups are simply doing what has been genetically programmed into them for thousands of years.
This is probably a "duh" statement for most super dog savvy people but I think it is something that bears repeating over and over again for the average dog owner. No matter what breed of pup you are getting, they have some of their traits already hard-wired in and it is up to you to decide if that trait is going to be desired in your next pup partner. Do you have small children? Maybe think twice about a herding breed that might think your kids are just another herd of sheep to tend to. Are you up for the challenge of a protection breed such as a Rottweiler or a Cane Corso? That is a whole lot of a dog that has a ton of power and drive whether you choose to do anything with it (dog sports, personal protection, etc) or not.
Even if you aren't getting a purebred pup - this still applies to you! A border collie mix might very well still be a bit obsessive about keeping your kids in line. And... say it with me... that does NOT make it a bad dog. That makes it a dog that might not be the best choice for you if you have tiny ones running around. Notice that I say "might" because in the end it is you who needs to make that decision. Maybe you have a huge ranch and that pup is going to get all their herding needs taken care of and then some. I don't know your life but YOU do! That is why breed does matter!
Sometimes you get a freak of nature pup that goes against all logical patterns for the breed but most times... that isn't going to be the case. If you assume your pup is not the exception, it is the rule, you will never be in too much trouble.
I consider myself to be pretty dog savvy but even I have to catch myself sometimes when it comes to my own expectations for my own pups. Take for example, my sweet little terrier/Chihuahua mix Pippin. Pip is a born ratter. To say he has a passion for hunting rats is an understatement. When he knows he is about to go to work, he literally vibrates with enthusiasm. He does come by this ability naturally but I admit I have also encouraged it a fair amount by taking him to barn hunt competitions and adding a bit of training and commands to his already intense ratting nature. Pip does a lot of his rat hunting at my horse barn and I have enthusiastically encouraged this over the last year or so.
Recently, I went to the barn and I was tired and just wanted to get in and out as quickly as possible. Pip, however, was all about keeping up our usual routine of running through the grain rooms and tack rooms in search of rats to chase. I didn't let him off leash and made him stay tied up next to me and he was nightmare. He cried, he pulled, he was clearly anxious and I was in no mood for his shit. I was short with him and clearly today I was not a great dog trainer (or dog mom for that matter.)
Who was in the right here? Was I so very wrong to want my dog to be quiet and behave? Was Pip justified in his obnoxious shenanigans? On one hand, yes, dogs need to behave when in public and that means no pulling on the leash and no constant crying. On the other hand... I realized that it wasn't entirely fair of me to expect a dog as tenacious (hello that terrier side!) and drivey as Pip to immediately accept this huge change of routine. This was a dog who knew his job and knew the routine and was clearly anxious and upset that he wasn't getting to do one of his all time favorite activities that he associated with the barn.
This is partially about his breed tendencies (terrier owners, can I get a little empathy here?) and partially about all the training that I had put into him to encourage his hunting. I'm not saying he couldn't be trained to mellow out at the barn but that hunting instinct will always be coursing through his veins no matter what kind of training I do. Pip is who he is and that doesn't make him a bad dog. That makes him a fantastic barn hunt dog! That also makes him a poor choice for someone who has a rat as a pet.
I think this boils down to two points.
First, whatever mix of breeds Pippin in, he has some world class hunting instincts that are going to be there forever and always. All the training in the world won't change the fact that this little pup will move heaven and earth to chase down a small creature. When I adopted Pip I accepted that about him and while for some that might not be a great trait, I think it is amazing rodent control and I'm thrilled to not need to set out traps to deal with that issue.
Second, training happens 24/7 whether you are thinking about it or not. I was training Pip every time I encouraged him to chase a rat or even when I didn't necessarily encourage it, but I allowed it to happen.
In the end, if I didn't want Pip to have a meltdown whenever I couldn't devote the time to ratting with him, I needed to do some training. It wasn't fair of me to get upset with him for wanting to continue our established routine of doing his absolute favorite thing in the world. This isn’t to say I shouldn’t expect good behavior from my pups but when I had established a routine for months on end, I shouldn’t be surprised when my rambunctious little terrier doesn’t meekly and instantly accept this change.
Yet another lesson learned for me in the vast world of dog training. It all comes down to this... don't get a dog if you aren't ready to deal with their breed quirks. I'm not saying you need to embrace them whole-heartedly as I did with Pip's prey drive but I am saying that you can't be entirely surprised when your Sheepdog is trying to herd you in the kitchen. Be informed about what breed, or mix of breeds, your pup is before committing to them. Oh and, for the love of all that is good and holy, a Google search should not be the only stop in your information search. Call a breeder. Talk to a trainer. The internet is not the be all, end all for information. Case in point this blog, this is but one woman's thoughts and I will be the first to say, I'm not a professional! Just one girl with four dogs and a lifetime of enthusiasm for everything doggie.
]]>Make a post on Instagram and...
1. Tell me why you think you and your pup will be a fantastic modeling team
2. Tell me where you're located
3. Use the tag #lvmodelsearchsummer2019 AND tag my account @lovevioletcreations
Take a peep at some our current models, how gorgeous are they?
Questions about applying? Read our FAQ below and if you still have questions, feel free to reach out to us on Instagram @lovevioletcreations.
What are you looking for in a model?
We are looking for pups who are active on Instagram and who love to pose for the camera. All pups are model material, what really sets a pup apart is their parent's ability to capture their unique personalities in photos. To sum up, if your Instagram feed is full of sharp, clear images of your pup - you are going to be in great shape!
What are the perks of being a model?
We will send you a LV product of your choice for free and you get a 30% off coupon code to use at any time during your modeling stint with us. Your followers will also get a coupon for 15% off and for every 5 times your followers use your code, you get a free product! You will also get tagged and your code promoted every time we use your photos on our feed.
What is required of a LV model?
We ask that you make a post about our products (or share one of our posts!) a few times a month either on your story or on your page. We also ask that you snap a few high resolution pics of your pup modeling their LV gear. Lastly we ask that your account is public and that you aren't currently modeling for a company that would directly compete with our products. That means modeling for another company who sells dog toys is totally a-ok but modeling for another handmade company that makes sewn leashes and collars, not so ok. If you are unsure about this requirement, shoot us a message and we can help clarify.
]]>