Great Spirit Australian Shepherds - www.greatspiritaussies.com

11/08/2024

Have you heard about this new proposed Vet position. A Vet "Associate" (doing surgery) is new position at "Corporate Vets".

Very happy that we found a vet that is not tied to corporate. The hour drive, worth the time.

A common misconception about the proposed Veterinary Professional Associate is that it’s like a nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant in human medicine. It is not.

Learn why at KeepOurPetsSafe.com

A Veterinary Professional Associate (VPA) is not a mid-level provider like a nurse practitioner or a physician’s assistant is to a doctor. It’s mostly an online program with minimal training and would allow inadequately trained individuals to perform surgery after only an internship.

06/08/2024

Here is a good resource page of vector, "Natural Remedies", if you live in a problem area.

*Reminder even herding breeds who test normal/normal for the MDR1 gene can have breakout seizures and even death with some of the flea and tick medications, such as Bravacto and NexGard, etc.

Choose wisely. I have heard good comments from those who have used Food Grade Diatomacious Earth and Wondercide. (Amazon)

26/07/2024

A Good Reminder...JUST SAY NO!! You may havecto say no 3?times. You're taking the bread 'n butter out of their pockets.

The FDA is alerting⚠️ pet owners & veterinarians of the potential for neurologic adverse events in dogs and cats when treated with Flea & Tick drugs that are in the isoxazoline class.

Bravecto (fluralaner) tablets for dogs
Bravecto (fluralaner) topical solution for cats and dogs
Bravecto Plus (fluralaner and moxidectin) topical solution for cats
Bravecto 1-month (fluralaner) tablets for dogs
Credelio (lotilaner) tablets for dogs and cats
Nexgard (afoxolaner) tablets for dogs
Simparica (sarolaner) tablets for dogs
Simparica Trio (sarolaner, moxidectin and pyrantel) tablets for dogs
Revolution Plus (selamectin and sarolaner) topical solution for cats

A natural fix is Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth and Wondercide both
available at Amazon.

08/07/2024

“Panacur” is the best full spectrum wormer and it is safe for Australian shepherds.
(Shop by prices…Amazon, etc.)

25/06/2024

Good article on how to properly, cool a hot dog.
We keep a watch on big outdoor thermometers and don't have the dogs outside when it is too, hot. In most places in AZ during the summer, you won't see dogs riding in cars, because of the heat June-Sept. (Click on photo to read.)

23/06/2024

Sharing:
“I set this kennel in the back of my pickup for 15 minutes. Temperature outside is 89 degrees. Digital temperature gauge inside kennel was 104 degrees at end of 15 minutes. We pulled a large dog from this kennel in the back of a pickup ...body temp was 104.3 degrees! Please educate through sharing this.”

15/06/2024

When your dog comes to the dog kennel because you’re tired of him, because he bothers you, prevents you from going on holiday or other excuses...

He sits and waits.
He's waiting for you to come get him.

A second, a minute, an hour, a day, a month, a year --- he's waiting for you.

He doesn’t know why, but he’s waiting because he trusts you; because unlike you, he loves you.

Your dog is not a toy. Think twice before getting a dog. You have the responsibility of a living being and of a family member.

Think before you buy. Support reputable breeders who will match dogs with owners.

Author unknown

13/06/2024

Someone asked if I did ENS, formally known as Puppy Culture, formally known as puppy enrichment, socialization. So, I found a few photos of our puppy enrichment and socialization activities.

My favorite was Flash & Dream on the stairs. They were a hoot and could not be baited or sweet talked into stair walking. See, they are both grinning at me. Finally, the old fashioned method of the leash worked and they had a good run in the pond yard as their reward. ♥

What's your favorite Puppy Enrichment, Socialization activity?

12/06/2024

GROOMING VIDEOS ARE BY
Sandollar Aussies
1.69K subscribers YOU TUBE
How To Trim Aussie Tails
https://youtu.be/Gsm3OKxmP8Q?si=3gvIYhtCQJvUPlxj
How To Trim Aussie Ears
https://youtu.be/W08ejKcI0rA
How To Trim Rear Feet
https://youtu.be/ocDIUBCpehI
How To Brush Your Aussie
https://youtu.be/bUFCa9S8otA
How to Bathe Your Aussie
https://youtu.be/3RawwdR3_D8
How To Dry Your Dog
https://youtu.be/agQ9rvyOr8U
How to Use Grooming Scissors
https://youtu.be/YaGmwDqYchc
Aussie Grooming Tools and Products
https://youtu.be/BuEtyk8eP8c
Show Day Grooming
https://youtu.be/8RvQsnS7PRw
How To Stack Your Dog
https://youtu.be/VUsnAdkSj7g
Presenting & Baiting Your Dog (No A-Frame)
https://youtu.be/15qC98suUqE
How To Dremel Dog Nails
https://youtu.be/JcbRYkzPLO0

I have enjoyed learning "how to groom" from watching these Aussie Grooming videos from Sandollar Aussie from a few years ago. You might enjoy them, too. By learning a few grooming tricks, it can save you costly trips to the groomers. There are other grooming videos for more information to be found on You Tube.

Here are the tools that I like using:

I have recently changed to "Hashimoto brand shears": straight, thinning, and I❤️Hashimoto's curved thinning scissors...all “7 inch” and “Hashimoto brand shears from Amazon.

The wood handle “iplusmile brand 16 x16cm coat rake comb” is sturdy and will last for years. The coat rake comb removes the loose topcoat. Amazon

The LARGE size (orange) Chris Christensen "pin comb" is worth the investment. It removes the undercoat and helps to keep your house clean. Amazon

The Dark Brown wooden handle is a "Mars Coat King" Double Wide Dematting Undercoat Grooming Rake Stripper Tool Stainless Steel with Wooden Handle for Thick Coats, 18-Blade. I use this tool very sparingly to tame a thick winter coat. Amazon

Lastly the dreaded, orange handle “Millers Forge Dog Nail Toenail Clippers”. To make nail trimming easier try a little peanut butter smeared on a paper plate for your dog to lick or a bit of string cheese treat for them to enjoy while you finish off your grooming in style. Amazon

The wooden Chris Christensen brush is nice for final brushing and touch ups. Amazon

28/05/2024

This page is usually NOT about sales. But, I saw this Aussie weathervane and it is Aussie cool. 😎 The weathervane is from this company goodogz.com/products/australian-shepherd-weathevane

27/05/2024

Starting on August 1, all dogs entering the U.S. (including those that left the U.S. and are returning, and regardless of the country they are coming from) must be:
• healthy upon arrival
• at least 6 months of age
• microchipped
• accompanied by a CDC Dog Import Form receipt and required vaccination and veterinary documents.

Additional requirements may apply depending on where the dog has been in the last 6 months and whether or not the dog was vaccinated in the United States.

Use CDC’s Q&A tool (the CDC “DogBot”) to determine what rules apply to your dog: https://bit.ly/2rww2bq

26/05/2024

https://youtu.be/PECvz2tijRk?si=ksrvwtgxazvOETqB
Reposting…
I’m no pro; but this will give you the basics of grooming Aussie ears…give it a try. 😊
Ear Trimming: Australian Shepherd Great Spirit’s Sweet Alert “Flash” (3 mos.) with Linda Reau

Ear Trimming: Australian Shepherd Great Spirit’s Sweet Alert “Flash” (3 mos.) with Linda ReauAt 3 mos, I'm showing you the basics of grooming the Australian ...

07/05/2024

You might like to watch the 2024 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. 🐾❤️🐾 May 11, 12, 13, & 14
Viewing options are in the link.

03/05/2024

I know none of you would be so carefree on a puppy purchase, but this is a good read:
On buying a puppy... it has always amazed me that intelligent, university-educated people who are prepared to spend many weekends visiting car show rooms and test-driving vehicles want to buy a puppy in less time than it takes to purchase a toaster at Target. How about comparison shopping? Doing your research? Talking to veterinarians, and friends and workmates who own healthy, well-bred puppies? Everyone wants to go to a website, find the name of a model breeder who lives 20 miles away or less, and pick up a happy, freshly bathed puppy with a big bow around its neck. Preferably the same day! And you'll all live happily ever after. Guess what? I've bought defective cars and crummy blenders that came from well-known manufacturers. If you're going to bring a puppy into your home, don't expect anyone else to do your homework for you. Proceed with caution. Visit many breeders. Read books. Consult parent club websites whose content is factual and unbiased. Due diligence generally ensures happy results.
Thanks Allan Reznik

29/04/2024

Dr. Dodds says she avoids the following products: Comfortis, TriFexis, NexGard, Bravecto, Simparica, Simparica Trio and Credelio. She further advises readers to avoid Advantage Multi, ProHeart 6 and 12, Revolution, Revolution Plus, Coraxis and Sentinel, along with the Seresto collar. The latter was “recently associated with seizures, death and unprovoked aggression,” she says, and a warning has been added to its label.

“Food grade Diatomaceous Earth” is available at Amazon, Chewys, etc. It is safe for pets. It can be sprinkled around the home and yard and brushed into pet’s bedding and coat.

If you do not have creepy crawler’s then a “preventative” is not needed.

While in Western WA and in AZ we have been fortunate and have not needed any preventative flea and tick products.

23/04/2024

Thankfully, I have found a good vet. But, I choose to drive for a 2-hour round trip. He does not up-sell, we work together on the best treatment plan options, and the care is awesome.

I walked out of one corporate vet experience when the quoted bill doubled with add-ons, and the pain med protocol was not going to cut it for a surgery. Very glad, I walked.

Sadly, in corporate, the vets work for the home office; and not for you or your pet.

Moral of the story... Ask lots of questions and if something is not right for your pet, speak up.

As Americans spend more on their dogs and cats, veterinary practices have become attractive targets for corporations and private equity.

11/03/2024

Good to know that it can take up to 3 months time for a new dogs to settle in your home and learn your routines. ❤️

24/12/2023

Adopting an older dog? The dog will take time to adjust to their new environment. Understanding how your new pal processes change, can help with your very best bonding together.

24/12/2023

Puppies just like young children have predictable stages of development. At each stage of development there are important training milestones. AKC has prepared this one source of puppy development information.

From newborn to teenager, a puppy goes through lots of changes. What should you expect during puppyhood? See a puppy timeline of what happens and when.

29/11/2023

We follow Dr. Jean Dodds Vaccination Schedule. It is a good review. She also includes the science of “why” in her chart.

Aussies and other herding breeds can have increased risks with medications and vaccinations due to “MDR1”. So it is smart to weigh the benefit vs. risk when considering your dog’s medications or vaccinations.

Dr. Jean Dodds has suggested having the rabies vaccination alone and separated 30 days from additional vaccinations. We agree! Also, ask your veterinarian if a Benadryl tablet might help taken along with the rabies vaccination. (We had two MDR1 (m/m) dogs Comando and Malila that both looked like death warmed over from the rabies vaccination and the Benadryl tablet really showed improvement.) The rabies vaccination can be a tough one. For that reason, as Dr. Jean Dodds suggests, we separate the rabies vaccine from all other vaccination by 30 days.

Additionally, we have found it is difficult to find a veterinarian that stocks the 2-way vaccine: Distemper and Parvovirus. The 2-way (Nobivac DPv modified-live) can be special ordered online and ships cold packed through www.RevivalAnimal.com

Why is this knowledge important? Australian shepherds can be subject to cancer and epilepsy seizures. So we agree with Dr. Jean Dodds, that choosing vaccinations wisely can help our Aussies live a long and healthy life.

25/11/2023

Nov. 21, 2023 Many locations are reporting a mysterious dog respiratory illness: The NBC News article shares what you need to know.

DOG FLU TREATMENT PLANS

Dog flu may begin with coughing. Heavy coughing may lead to vomiting. That might lead to an emergency vet visit. An x-ray may show pneumonia.

CLAVAMOX with cough meds for a week, reported did not show much of a change.
Then, DOXYCYCLINE for 5 days that still did not work.

Finally, this dog flu treatment protocol was reported to work: ENROFLAXACIN, and
CLINDAMYCIN, with LOMOTIL (at night).

Scientists at the University of New Hampshire may have identified a pathogen that has sickened possibly thousands of dogs and killed some of them across the country.

25/11/2023

International Dog Shows are such fun! Read through the directions and find a dog show near you! Great experience & low key show to begin showing your dog. Altered dogs are welcome. You just might come home with bragging rights on your new champion.

23/11/2023

0’Zoomie time. Thankful for cooler AZ temps. 🍂🍁🦃🍁🍂

17/11/2023

Apples, yes, but no, apple seeds.

🍂🦃Happy Thanksgiving🦃🍂
From Great Spirit Australian Shepherds 🍁🧡🍁

10/11/2023

Recall on All Victor bags of kibble dog food has been issued. You may return Victor Dog Food for a refund.

04/11/2023

***THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE TAKING AN ADULT DOG INTO YOUR HOME!

This information can be applied to any dog of any breed at any age.

Too many adult dogs are lost within the first 48 hours of leaving their previous homes. Some will say accidents happen, yes they do, and they WILL happen if you leave room for them to happen….Meaning you should understand that as soon as these dogs leave the care of their previous owner they will become scared. This doesn’t mean they haven’t been raised right. This means that you are not their person and this new place is not their home. If you give them the opportunity to escape they will absolutely take it and they will NOT come to anyone they do not know.

Dogs can slip out of flat collars, harnesses and bite you out of fear to escape. The safest place for them is in a crate inside your vehicle. If they might need a potty break, it should only happen inside a securely fenced area. If they have an accident in their crate during transport, it’s a lot easier to clean up rather than trying to catch a scared dog on the run. If that dog is killed, you will look back and that pile of p**p in the crate will not seem like such a big deal.


❌ Don't take the dog out of the crate during transport unless absolutely necessary.
❌ Don’t try to walk the dog outside of a location that’s not securely fenced, just move them to and from in the crate.
❌ Don’t let the dog off lead at your home if you do not have a fenced yard.
❌ Don’t let the dog roam free in the home if the front door (leading to an unfenced yard) will be used frequently (this is a big concern with homes that have children running in and out)

The 3-3-3 Rule:

3 Days:

In the first 3 days after your new dog comes home, he is likely to feel overwhelmed with all the changes and may be scared. He might not want to eat or drink and may just curl up in his crate or hide somewhere and that is okay. Patience and setting them up for success is vital during this time period. Be sure to give them time & space to get comfortable and more familiar with their surroundings and routine.
It is important not to ask much out of them during this time, bonding will come so you shouldn’t try to force it. Things like calling their name over and over or trying to lure them to you with food/treats is a big DON’T. A better approach is to ignore them and let them come to you when they are ready.

3 Weeks:

After about 3 weeks, your dog will start to settle into his new home. He will feel more comfortable and start to figure out his new environment. He will get into a routine (don’t forget, you need to help with that!), and start to show you his true personality. Of course, that can have drawbacks and if your dog has any behavioral concerns, they will tend to manifest around this time. At the 3-week mark, it is a good time to invest in some training, teaching tricks, obedience etc. This will get his mind working and will begin to create a bond between you and him in a healthy setting.

3 Months:

After 3 months, your dog should be settled into their routine and feel completely comfortable in his or her new home. They should be developing trust in you and gaining a sense of security with their new family. And don’t forget brushing up and continuing to work on new tricks or skills is always a good way to continue to build your bond and keep them mentally stimulated.

Bringing an adult dog into your home can be very rewarding and the right move for those that just want to skip the puppy stage. However, it is a night and day difference between bringing home an adult vs a puppy….so you’ll need to weigh the pros and cons. Then be honest with yourself about your own capabilities. Both require time and patience. But with an adult you must be diligent and keep them safely secured until they accept you as their new family. Well even after, but with time, you can trust them with more freedom.

For breeders rehoming adults, I recommend placing a tracking collar on the dog that stays on for the first month minimum. For me, going forward the purchase of a tracking collar will be factored into the purchase price of the dog. A copy of this information will be sent prior to any agreement taking place.

** copied/edited

03/11/2023

Want to see some lovely Aussies showing at this years’ 2023 Australian shepherds ASCA Nationals in Byron, Texas? Join the Facebook group to view the posted livestream videos. 😊

24/10/2023

HOW TO HOLD A LEAD WHILE HANDLING DOGS IN CONFORMATION SHOWS 👍😊🙏

14/10/2023

NEW! DOG TRAINING SERVICES AVAILABLE Positive reinforcement-based dog training in and around Bellevue, WA, USA
Learning Together Dog Training with Claire Turner.
Website: https://www.learningtogetherdogtraining.com/
Email: [email protected]
Congratulations to Claire Tuner and her many accomplishments as a very successful dog trainer with her Great Spirit dog, Great Spirits Sweet Destiny “Bean” Int. ComCh Great Spirit’s Sweet Destiny RN SIA SCA SEA SWN CGCA CGCU ETD ATD-M (Flame x Rosey).
Claire has competed in and won in multiple titled venues. In addition, Claire has taught classes from teaching agility, obedience, tricks, and nosework. Claire has her AKC CGC Evaluator Certification and is currently working towards her CPDT-KA.
Now, Claire Turner is beginning her next adventure in starting her own dog training business. Claire will offer private lessons focused on dog sports, obedience, and behavior. Claire has proven herself as a self-starter and a winning dog trainer.
If you are looking for a great dog trainer and a real go-getter you would be wise to look into Claire Turner’s services and positive reinforcement-based dog training in and around Bellevue, WA called: “Learning Together Dog Training.”
Please reach out to Claire Turner at her website and email for more information regarding her services, availability, and pricing found on her website.
“Learning Together Dog Training”
Website: https://www.learningtogetherdogtraining.com/
Email: [email protected]

Force-free private dog training and walking in Bellevue, Washington.

16/07/2023

How to get started in conformation dog shows.

The official term for dog shows is conformation, referring to the act of producing conformity. Conformation has long been among the most popular AKC sports.