Dogs Rule Iowa

New Years Resolution for a Foster Dog

2010-01-01T19:44:00.004-06:00

I decided that if I had to make a new years resolution, so does Sheba. We all need goals, even dogs. I may not have taken into account that these goals will have to be maintained by me, but I'm sure Sheba will remind me of that. Off we go!

Resolution #1
Sheba will work on her social skills with both people and dogs. (Small animals will likely never be her friend, sorry.) We are going to start working on this goal immediately with a puppy visit from another foster German Shepherd dog. She has come a long way with dogs. The more social she is, the better her odds of finding a forever home. The people skills are not bad now, and she has really relaxed. As a purebred GSD, there will always be a tendency to guard the home.

Resolution #2
Learn some more new tricks and games. This is an easy one! Sheba loves to learn new tricks. Most German Shepherds pick up new brain games quickly and Sheba is no different. This year she learned every trick in my arsenal (in only a few weeks!) so I'm going to have to play my own brain game to keep her busy.

Of course Sheba's (and my) ultimate goal is to find her a forever home. Until then she will work on becoming more confident and calm in stressful situations. You can find out more about all the German Shepherds up for adoption by the MVGSDR here.

Oh, and if you happen to know any good brain games for dogs, be sure to leave a comment!

Easy game to play with your dog on cold days

2009-12-28T19:52:00.003-06:00

It's hard to stay outside for long on cold winter days. So pet owners need to entertain the dogs inside. A dog that gets bored will find trouble. Here is a fast and easy game to put together for your dog and you to play.

Get an old pillowcase (that you will never use on a pillow again) and the dog's favorite toy.

Take the dog to the area where you want to play.

Get the dog's attention by showing it the toy and squeaking (any small toy will work, but squeakers keep them interested).

Show the dog the pillow case and place the toy inside. Let it drop to the bottom of the pillow case and show the dog where it is from the outside (squeak it!)

Wrap and twist the pillow case around the toy for more fun.

Toss the pillow case with toy inside on the floor and give the "find" command (whatever you use: get it, find it, where is it... all work well, just be excited about it).

Help the dog get started by staying excited and repeating the command. Reach down and squeak the toy inside the pillow case if the puppy loses interest.

Set some rules to the game to help your pet learn commands. The dog is not allowed to destroy the pillow case to get to the toy. They have to learn to pick up the end and shake the toy out.

Teach the puppy to not bite hard (there is a huge difference in using their mouth as a tool and trying to destroy something). Correct the puppy when it tries to bite and pull. Say things like, "Don't bite", in short even tones right when the puppy bites hard.

There is only one solution to this game. The person must stay involved for corrections and excitement. Get on the floor if you can, dogs of all sizes love that. This game will exercise a dog's brain as well as it's body. They will realize that by taking one end and shaking vigorously with their head (which they love to do) the toy comes rolling out!

Some dogs love to string out the process once they understand. Let them! This is fun play time for you and your pet. Add variations (more toys, use a sheet instead, etc) if your puppy gets bored quickly after 'solving' the game.

Most of all, have fun and play with your dog!

I'll keep posting more games I play with my dog. Do you have any fun games you play with your dog? Leave a comment!

Ways to Keep Your Dog Active in the Cold Days of Winter

2009-12-27T00:49:00.002-06:00

It's hard to exercise too much outside when the temperature drops below freezing. Even the furriest dog's feet get cold quickly. Small dogs can't stand more than a few minutes out in the cold weather. Just because the temps drop does not mean the level of activity your dog needs drops. It's easier for small breed dogs to exert energy inside, not so much for large breeds.

Here are a few games and tips that Sheba and I are doing to get threw the cold winter days stuck inside.

Play inside when it's cold outside

Yep, just that simple. Choose a room with little or no furniture (or just cut a large path through the house with no obstructions) and go to town. Get on the floor with your dog and do some light rough-housing if you are able. This is really bonding for the dog, your pet will love it. The more excited they get, the 'hot laps' will start.
*make sure there are no obstacles in the way when the real running starts, tripping will cause a real injury.

Play doggy head games when it's too cold outside

Don't want to be too rambuncious? Try some brain games with your pet instead. There are some inovative new toys for smart dogs. Brain games for dogs are pretty easy and much more fun if owner and pet play together.

Try having the dog sit in the middle of the room and show them a piece of treat. Now hide the treat somewhere in the room while the dog watches. Tell the dog to "find" the treat. This is a great game since it enforces the sit/stay command and the find command. As the dog gets better, hide the treat in a different room.
*Never hide treats anywhere near toxins or places the pet can fall or injure themselves.

Teach and old or young dog a new trick
Spend the cold days teaching your pet new tricks. You build trust and strong bond when you spend training time with your dog. Start simple and work your way up. Use tiny pieces of a treat to entice the dog. Slice a hot dog into thin slices and offer just a tiny piece when the dog does what is asked (or close).

Take breaks for play. Both older dogs and puppies need breaks from training sessions. Keep trying until you see progress or the dog has learned the trick.

Sheba the snow dog!

2009-12-08T21:01:00.004-06:00

Well in the middle of an Iowa blizzard, Sheba the GSD is happy as a clam! Romping through the fresh snow is awesome! Who knew she had 4-wheel drive!

(but at the end of the day... it's still all business)

Sheba (GSD) in her first movie!

2009-12-05T23:11:00.002-06:00

This is Sheba the German Shepherd, playing ball (and having a ball!)

Visit mvgsdr.org for more information on Sheba and many other German Shepherd Dogs that need your help.

Sometimes a Dog Just Has to Run

2009-11-25T21:40:00.005-06:00

Sheba got to run her heart out this week when we went to a giant field. I love it when a dog gets that hard run going. Ears back, tongue hanging out, dodging invisible obstacles. We took some toys and I through as far as I could (which is not near far enough). Sheba the wonder GSD would charge off after at full speed grabbing the toy and running a little further for emphasis. What a good dog! She came back every time on the first call.

I took a clicker with us. I've never used a clicker to train a dog, but I've never had a dog that pays this much attention to commands. As we walked to the field, I clicked when Sheba walked nicely on leash (which is always, unless a squirrel threatens us!). Sheba's ears would perk with each click. When I said, "Good dog", I gave a click. When Sheba came back to me, I gave a click. She seemed to understand and when she ran without listening... she heard the click and came! Impressive for out first try at GSD clicker training.

Rain for the rest of the week.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Sheba the Wonder Dog to the Rescue

2009-11-14T21:46:00.006-06:00

Here she is, Sheba the German Shepherd wonder dog! She is about 3 years old and very active. Loves her squeak toys, but they have to be tough to stand up to her play.

Sheba has some small animal and dog aggression that we need to work on. She has shown marked improvement while on leash, but cannot control herself yet on her own.

Sheba is very active, as are all German Shepherds. We take at least 3 medium walks (25-30 minutes) per day, walking at a brisk pace. She could go longer, but my legs aren't there yet. She lays quietly while I work, only coming to me if called. There have been no incidence of chewing yet, but she has tons of toys and is passed the puppy chewing stage.

Sheba knows the follow commands: sit, stay, down (lay down), sit up (sit on hind legs), crawl, heel. She walks very nicely on the leash, with or without a pinch collar.

I'll continue to update all of Sheba the wonder GSD progress here!

Find out more about adopting a German Shepherd at Missouri Valley German Shepherd Dog Rescue.

Good-bye to Meucci: My Dog and Best Friend

2009-11-14T21:22:00.006-06:00

Sorry for the long hiatus from blogging. Meucci, my best friend and Cocker Spaniel passed away in August. I just have not been able to write anything since then. I was completely lost for a month.

This is a picture of the day he came to me, almost 11 years ago.

The house was so quiet without my dog. I had no one to talk to anymore. I started looking at Craigslist for a cat...maybe.

Then I saw an ad.

Looking for foster homes for German Shepherd Dogs (GSD) rescued in Iowa. The rescue is the Missouri Valley German Shepherd Dog Rescue or MVGSDR (mvgsdr.org)

I filled out the application thinking this could be too good to be true... a place needed a foster home just when I needed to foster a dog. After a few emails and phone calls, a home visit was set up. I met Molly and a few other GSD foster 'parents' ... and I was approved as a foster home.

Within a few weeks Sheba, a 3 year old German Shepherd, came to stay with me. I was so happy to have company and Sheba is happy to be stable for a bit. Sheba is an excellent GSD with a few issues we are going to work on. Dog and small animal aggression is her biggest fault. I will update on her progress here (faithfully, I promise).

So that is the story of how I lost my pet and best friend... and got a new friend that really needed one too.

Walking Your Dog For Exercise

2008-04-14T17:30:00.003-05:00

Think of your dog as a free personal trainer

Does the phrase “walk the dog” mean someone needs to open the back door at your house? We all need to exercise more and your dog gives you the perfect opportunity to work out.

Dogs naturally enjoy walking. There is a huge difference between walking your dog and letting it run around free in a fenced backyard.

Allowing your dog to ‘free-range’ is great in conjunction with a regular supervised leash walk. Dogs are migratory pack animals by nature, and are genetically built for walking at a steady pace daily. Not walking your dog daily is like giving your pet nothing to do, ever. Which usually is begging for trouble as a bored dog will chew, dig holes, climb fences… anything fun!

There could be no better personal trainer than your dog. What other personal trainer is going to treat you to a fresh air walk every day and curl up on your feet every night? No more getting yelled at by a big muscle-y person. When it’s time to walk, your dog simply looks (stares) at the leash and at you (and at the leash and at you, and at the leash and at you) until you have to make a decision. Walk or get a cat.

Once the decision is made (I assume that you are still a dog owner), the correct leash is critical. Do not use a long leash or extension leash for this type of walking. An extension leash is really only for dog parks and other large public areas that allow dogs. This article will help you choose the correct size leash:

Choosing the Right Leash for Training Your Puppy or Adopted Older Dog

For beginner leash training, refer to this article:

How To Leash Train Your Excited Puppy or Older Dog

When you are comfortable walking your dog in your yard, with your dog staying next to your hip or right behind you, you’re ready to go for a real fitness walk.

Like any exercise, start with repetitions of small distances. Think about the age and fitness of your dog, as well as yourself. Very young and very old dogs can’t walk long distances, and you probably can’t make them.

If I walk too far for my dog, he lays down and the walk is over for a while. At this point I can wait it out, or combine weightlifting into my fitness program and carry him home.

Start with short distances and gradually increase, remember it’s a round-trip. If you get tired before your dog, it may start to lead you and pull at the leash. This needs to be corrected immediately. Pull the leash taut to your waist and force the dog to walk at your speed. If your pet continues to pull the leash, slow down further (stop if you have to). Keep your pet right at your side, no matter what has its attention.

Your dog should follow you at all times, you are in control of the walk and the pace. If you have to slow down, your pet should automatically slow down. If you have trained your puppy well, it will go into an almost trance-like state when you are walking. Your dog will follow you anywhere (calmly) in this state. As (the dog whisperer) Cesar Millan says, “You are the pack leader”.

If your pet is in front of you, it is making all of the decisions (in its puppy brain). This is a huge opportunity for a puppy or dog that wants to see and smell everything right now. Since most dogs have short attention spans when left on its own, your pet will pull you all over the neighborhood.

Leash training your dog can’t be stressed enough.

After a short training session or two, you can have your own personal fitness trainer for the price of a bag of good dog kibble.

Reference
www.cesarmillaninc.com

My Puppy’s First Training: The Sit Command

2008-04-13T14:41:00.001-05:00

Train Your Dog To Sit Down When You Say, “Sit”

Training a puppy how to sit when you tell it to is one of the first things every new dog owner needs to learn.

Training should be a bonding experience for you and your puppy. If this is going to be your first dog training experience, this article may help you get off to a good start:

Preparing My Puppy For Obedience Training

Now let’s head to the dog training area that you have chosen and get started!

Put the dog on a collar and leash during training, you want to be in complete control at all times. (Leave all choke chains and other restraints to professionals.)

Get your dog’s attention

It’s always good to start with what the puppy already knows. In the above mentioned article, we covered the “look” command. So get your pet in training position and practice whatever training commands they already know (even if it is just looking at you).

Now that you have learned how to get and keep your pet’s attention, get the dog to look at you. This will signal the puppy that training is about to start.

Give no treat for the dog coming to attention, that is no longer the entire goal.

1.) Kneel down facing the puppy and slightly to the side, depending on the size of the dog. You need to be able to reach both head and tail.

Unhook the leash at this point.

2.) Hold one hand slightly above the dog’s collar (like a gymnast’s spotter), and the other hand above the dogs hindquarters.

3.) Now say your command “Sit”
State your command one time only in what should become your dog training tone. Your pet should be looking directly at you. Use a low, firm tone and be quick about it.

4.) Immediately after giving the training command, run your hand over the dog’s hindquarters and ease your pet into a sitting position. If you do this motion in a smooth pressured stroke, many dogs will sit on their own.

Do not fight or excite the puppy in any way during training. If nothing happens, and you are dealing with a Mastiff, start from step 1. Make sure that you have the dog’s full attention. State your command slightly louder this time.

5.) Once the dog sits down with little or no assistance, give a small piece of dog treat and a quick pat on the head. Then go right back into repetition.
Bring the puppy back to attention before every repetition. Remember, you have not given a release command yet.

6.) After the final repetition of the training session, bring the puppy back to attention. Have your pet look directly at you and hold your gaze, then say your release command (“Ok“, or “all done” will work, but use the same command every time). Give the puppy a piece of treat and leave the training area.

Try to train several times a day in short increments. Dogs love to train because all of the attention is on them.

After every training session, there should be a little playtime. Make sure you have some room to move around, get down on the ground or floor and really bond with your puppy. This is always the best treat, have fun!

Preparing My Puppy for Obedience Training

2008-04-12T22:56:00.002-05:00

How to Get Your Dog's Attention and Keep It

There is a difference between teaching your dog acceptable behavior and training your dog to obey commands.

Acceptable domestic behavior for a dog includes house training, crate training, leash training and proper social behavior. These are the first steps that need to be completed prior to obedience training or 'trick' training.
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How to Leash Train Your Excited Puppy or Older Dog

2008-04-12T22:50:00.001-05:00

Does your puppy sit down, back up or pull to shake loose of the leash? Or worse yet, does your older dog pull you down the street at breakneck speed when you put the leash on its collar? A few simple training sessions can help you walk your dog safely on a leash.
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Choosing Dog Toys that Will Keep Your Puppy Happy and Safe

2008-04-12T22:45:00.004-05:00

Checking puppy toys for safety issues is almost as important as checking baby toys. Puppies have sharp teeth growing in and need to chew. Most dog-toy manufacturers understand this. However, proper safety precautions are not always taken at the factory level.

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Choosing the Right Leash for Training Your Puppy or Adopted Older Dog

2008-04-07T22:54:00.002-05:00

By Christine Cameron, published Apr 07, 2008

Before you start leash training your puppy, make sure that you are using the proper equipment. Do not start with an extension leash; these are strictly for playtime walking. Your puppy or newly adopted older dog needs to understand that the person holding the leash is in charge of the walk direction and pace.

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Pinnacle Holistic Dog Food - Trout & Sweet Potato

2008-04-07T21:48:00.003-05:00

Pinnacle holistic dog food is made by Breeder's Choice Co. in the U.S. This is a review of Pinnacle Trout & Sweet Potato formula for dogs with sensitive stomachs.

Read Review

Oprah Winfrey’s Best Friend Dies - A Tribute To Sophie

2008-04-05T12:29:00.004-05:00

Oprah’s Cocker Spaniel Sophie dies at age 13

Television talk show icon and multi-millionaire Oprah Winfrey felt the pain of losing something that money can’t buy last month. Oprah’s black cocker spaniel, Sophie, died on March 10,2008.

On Friday (April 4th, 2008) the Oprah Winfrey Show started with a tribute to Sophie. Whether you have been a loyal Oprah watcher, or just happened to see the tribute, it was a tear jerker.

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How to House Train Your New Puppy or Adopted Dog

2008-04-02T17:26:00.004-05:00

Even Older Dogs Can Be House Trained

The biggest key to house training puppies is consistency. Everyone in the family needs to understand the importance of house training time, be consistent and use low serious voice tones.

The house training process for puppies and new dog adoptions should start the minute you pull up in your driveway. Even if your new puppy is house trained, it needs to learn immediately where to do it's "business". The car ride and meeting a new owner should be enough excitement for any pup to have to relieve itself.

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How To Clip Your Chihuahua’s Toenails and Survive

2008-04-02T17:20:00.004-05:00

Does it look like the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre after you trim your pup’s toenails? Follow these tips to ensure both you and your Chihuahua survive!

When you hear the annoying tap, tap, tap of your Chihuahua’s toenails carving up your hardwood floors, it’s time to trim the toenails. In some cases this can be a life altering event, both for you and your Chihuahua. It can actually be more of a bonding experience if done correctly.

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Introducing Your New Puppy

2008-01-17T16:41:00.004-06:00

So it's finally here! The day you bring your new puppy home! Everyone is so excited to be the first to hold and wrestle with the newest member of the family! Everyone, except that is, for the animals that already live there.
Introducing your new puppy to All of the members of the family is Extremely important. Just because they are domesticated animals, doesn't mean that they will accept a stranger (especially one as wiggly and excited as a puppy!) Bringing a new pup in can be very stressful on animals already in the home, an older dog can bring stress too, but the activity level is usually lower, so the stress subsides quicker. We'll get into working with the "new" pup later, for now I want to focus on the established animals. Here are some things to watch for:

Loss of appetite - watch small animals especially, the smaller the animal the less time the can go without food and water.
Vomiting / Diarrhea - Again, watch older and smaller animals more closely.
Severe Aggression - attacking other established animals and biting to cause harm.
Lethargy - this can lead to more severe conditions.

If your animal, of any breed, show any of the above signs to a Severe extent you need to take it to a licensed veterinarian. Always give it 24 hours (unless something is bleeding!) as excitement alone will show itself in every different way imaginable!
DO NOT yell at anyone during introductions. This is crucial to holding down the excitement. If you raise your voice all of the animals become more frantic. You must stay calm and in control, if children are present, they should sit on the floor and play quietly with ALL of the animals. Do not shun the established animals for the new pup! This will make them even less secure and force them to get your attention - somehow!!
Do Not give extra treats or canned food out of guilt. Animals do not use food to feel better, they Always do better when kept on the same food - if it works, don't change it! You can give a treat for being well behaved around the new puppy and for staying calm, but what your established animals want and need most at this time is Your Attention. So Pour It On!!
The last thing I will say about the established animals is that you cannot rush the introduction process. Every animal is different and will adapt (hopefully) in their own time. Sadly, sometimes new relationships do not work out.
Now let's talk about how to introduce the puppy! Remember that everything is new to the pup, including you. Depending on the animals you are introducing, this is when puppy will attach to a single human. Even if the pup has been around other animals, it has not been around your animals so be very cautious. One of two things will happen:

1.) Puppy springs into action and initiates first contact, usually trying to sniff everyone at once! The most likely reaction is defensive posturing from the established animals. This will usually cower the pup. If the pup does not show submission, you know that you have an alpha pup. You will probably have to watch the pup more than the established animals for aggression. Watch the other animals for signs of stress.

2.) Established animals spring into action to check out the new guy, and puppy cowers behind you in fear or yelps out. Watch the established animals for aggressive behavior. If they are just sniffing (with no growling or snarling) Let Them! Do Not "rescue" the pup, it's fine. The pup is finding out who is in charge at the animal level, and it needs to be done. Some dogs sniff and clean more aggressively than others (especially females that have had pups), as long as they are not biting, the pup will usually calm down quickly and start sniffing back.

Training new pups how to behave is fairly easy, they are learning new rules everyday for a while. The best thing you can do for your established pets is treat them the same as you did before! Give extra personal attention to those who need it and stay away from treats, they only help your guilt! At a stressful time, the last thing your pet needs is a rich addition to their diet.

Most of all have fun!

Taking Your New Puppy Home!

2007-12-11T11:20:00.003-06:00

Adoption day can be stressful for everyone. Some signs of this in your new puppy are; low grade fever, diarrhea, and temporary loss of appetite. While none of these are life threatening, you should watch closely for any severe signs such as; severe diarrhea/bloody stool, lethargy (pup is awake, but no energy to play), severe vomiting, dehydration (skin is drawn and dry with no bounce). Take your pup to a licensed veterinarian if it shows ANY severe signs!

Stop at the grocery store on your way home for some plain (not vanilla) yogurt. A teaspoon of plain yogurt on your pup's food will help settle its stomach and replace necessary bacteria they need for good digestion.

Try not to change food too quickly as this will lead to diarrhea, mix new food in with old food until the change over is complete. Hopefully your breeder or shop gave you about a weeks worth of food to take home, this makes it Much easier on your puppy!

Buy a kennel or have one ready when you get home. It may sound awful when they cry, but there are ways to avoid that. We will get into crate training in the next article! You will feel so much better (so will your pup) knowing they are safe when you are away or asleep!

The immediate urge for most new puppy owners is to call friends and family over to meet the newest member of the family. However, giving your puppy a few days to get used to their new surroundings (and all of the new rules!) is highly recommended. Short visits of just a few people watching, not handling, tend to be less stressful on young puppies. Remember that puppies too can become overtired, and exhaustion can open the door to immune system vulnerability just when they need it most.

I hope these tips help get you and your new best friend off to a great start!

Potty Training Puppies and New Dogs

2007-11-23T19:00:00.000-06:00

Potty training should be the first thing on your list...I mean the minute you get out of your car with your new pup, before you go into the house! Take the pup, no matter what age (presumably over 8 weeks old), to the place you would like them to "perform" and say in a CALM, FIRM TONE,"Go Potty", or whatever you feel comfortable with. How you proceed will depend on the pups reaction, remember every pup is different! If your pup proceeds to sniff the ground and investigate, say nothing and let nature hopefully take its course. If your pup is more tentative and climbs on your leg, back away (DO NOT bend over and pet the pup!) and say again in the same firm tone the command you have chosen. Try this 3 times, if your pup does not show any interest in sniffing around, Say Nothing...take the dog inside and be very calm and quite for a couple of minutes (this is a long time for a puppy!) set a timer for about 20 minutes, and Play...Play...Play! Try to keep your pups attention the entire time... when the timer goes off, take pup back to the same spot and repeat the process outside. Continue to repeat this process until you have a successful potty outside (even if pup has an accident inside in the meantime, Stay On Schedule!). When pup is successfull have a Huge Party, smother pup with affection and attention, then go right back inside. Until pup establishes that outside is for going potty, I do not suggest playing or being unsupervised at all! You need to continue this process until there are no more accidents, and Stay On Schedule! There are very distinct things that trigger elimination, the easiest one is that a pup goes potty Every time they finish anything...sleeping, playing, eating, if there is a break or change of activity, pup will probably take the time to go. So pay close attention at these times. When your pup has an accident (and it will happen) DO NOT SPANK/GRAB OR BECOME AGGRESSIVE with the pup. Do become aggressive and show disgust at the area the accident happened, grumble loudly and even growl while cleaning the area. Pups can tell from quite a distance that something bad happened there, and you don't even want them to sniff the area! Most all be patient and Consistant with your actions and tones.
View more dog training techniques at www.dogproblems.com

People Training First

2007-11-21T12:34:00.000-06:00

There is no breed of puppy that is easier to train than others. Every puppy is different and responds to different styles of training. Every handler is different, and gives different cues to dogs. Dogs have the ability to know how comfortable you are with the commands you are giving from quite a distance. If you are not comfortable giving the command, don't give it until YOU know that you are the commander. This is THE MOST important lesson of all! If you give a tentative command to a dog, he will at minimum hesitate if not disobey all together. Remember dogs live on instincts, they will not follow a tentative leader (nor would you!). Your new puppy (or new to your family older dog), WILL LISTEN to the person who speaks in the most dominant tones, so consistency is vital through out the family. This Does Not Mean Yelling/Screaming at them! You and everyone in the house should use low even tones when training. Have a confident feel to your body (even if you are several feet away dogs can sense tension/uncertainty). You should have the feel of "this is how things are done here, period".

2007-11-20T17:28:00.000-06:00

Welcome all to DogsRule! Please feel free to post anything about dogs and puppies here. If you have a question, I will do my very best to find the most helpfull answers. Please understand that all information in this blog is on a nonproffessional basis and alway consult a veterinarian for medical conditions.
So off we go into the canine world! We will touch on house training puppies (a lot more than just potty training!), trick training, general exercise and toys. As well as overall nutrition and health.
I would also like to put a call out for all pup pictures! Lets fill this place up with pictures of our best friends! I would like to introduce my nine year old Cocker Spaniel named Meucci. Talk about best buddies, Meucci and I have been through it all! He never doubts my decisions, just always knows he will fall asleep tonight at the foot of my bed. If he is awake, he is happy and has a ball in his mouth! In fact that is how he starts every single mornig, is with a "ball search". When he has them all rounded up, he lines them up and gives each one a good squeak. Then it's pretty much nap time(he is , afterall, a dog!)