Our new trick training movie is here, starring CHOPPER (English Cocker Spaniel - working type), his "big sister" Shakti (Shiloh Shepherd female), and his canine friends Eli, Lucy (both Shiloh Shepherds) and Brodie (Golden Retriever).

The movie includes multiple dog tricks and skills. Turn the sound on. Enjoy and please feel free to share (sharing is caring).

Amazing dog tricks (novice level) with Chopper, English Cocker Spaniel (working/field):

Some of the skills shown in the movie:

• backing up (1 and 2 dogs),
• beginning disc dog,
• come,
• crawl,
• doggy push-ups,
• down, drop it/give it,
• fetch/take it,
• get your leash (even with another dog around),
• hide in a box,
• hoop jump (or 2),
• jump over a bar,
• jump over knee,
• kennel up/crate (2 dogs at the same time),
• kisses, peekaboo,
• circle to my left side,
• pull on a rope,
• roll out a carpet with nose,
• shake hands (both paws),
• swing to my left side,
• sit,
• speak,
• spin circles (2 dogs spinning),
• stay,
• touch target (and surf the internet),
• touch my hand (both hands),
• tunnel,
• walk on a loose leash,
• walk the (big) dog
• and more (Chopper doing his "howdy!" trick, jumping over dogs, jumping on my back, walking on his hind legs and displaying some internet skills too...)

Today (February 26) is exactly 2 years after one of our dogs, Shakti (Shiloh Shepherd female) experienced a life-threatening medical condition - bloat (GDV). Thankfully, she survived and 2 years later we're blessed to have our happy and completely recovered and healthy girl with us. She's enjoying life and if you did not know about her past experience and if you'd meet her, you would never guess that she was nearly in the claws of death...

Shakti continues to do her work and help other dogs. She fully assists in training and helping other dogs to become balanced. She is her "little brother" Chopper's role model and his "cool big sister". She is a faithful and loyal friend to us all.

I want to take this opportunity to remind everyone about bloat. I hope that by sharing our experience which was traumatic, but fortunately had a happy ending, it will help to prevent your beloved dog(s) from experiencing bloat.

If you're not sure what bloat is and what the big deal is - please read our article (and especially if you have a dog that's in a higher risk of bloat - deep chested and larger dogs such as Great Danes, Irish Wolfhounds, Saint Bernards, German Shepherds, Shiloh Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, etc.)

Read article: Bloat happens... - A victory story about bloat recovery

- written by Aleksandra "Lexi" Hayden

FINE-TUNED CANINES is very touched to have received some very special gifts from one of our wonderful Clients, whose daughter (we did not have the pleasure meeting, but were told that she's a fan :)) made 2 personalized dog bandanas: one for Shakti and one for Chopper with their names embroidered on each bandana.

Chopper and Shakti enjoyed posing in their brand new bandanas (or as we call them "FAN-danas" as they were given by Shakti's and Chopper's fan :)) and here are some photos from our recent photo shoot. Enjoy!

Thank you so much for a beautiful gift and for thinking of FINE-TUNED CANINES! It means a lot to us!

Fun Fact: Did you know that FINE-TUNED CANINES has a Fan page on Facebook?

If you'd like to join and show the support for the work we do to help dogs and their humans, please click below and feel free to invite others. Thank you so much! We will appreciate it a lot!

Shakti and Chopper, FINE-TUNED CANINES training assistants, are enjoying the beauty of sunset, friendship and proudly pose wearing their bandanas/"FAN-danas" given by a fan

Eli, a Shiloh Shepherd male, is already enjoying staying at FINE-TUNED CANINES Board and Train camp in Southwest Florida

FINE-TUNED CANINES is thrilled to have another very special canine Board and Train camper and student, Eli, a Shiloh Shepherd male. From his "sweet home Alabama" Eli and his FANTASTIC, devoted and loving owners made the long trip here down to southwest Florida just for the purpose of providing Eli with canine education. It is truly an honor for us and we're excited about the new adventures that are about to begin!

In this photo, Eli is relaxing on a doggy bed that he has gotten used to in no time. This photo was taken about 30 minutes after Eli's owners left to go back home. As you can see, he's already quite relaxed and comfortable in his new environment. You go big pup! :)

Eli (Shiloh Shepherd male dog) that came to our Florida Board and Train program from Alabama is cuddling with his new buddy Chopper (English working cocker spaniel male dog)

Lucy, the Shiloh Shepherd female - FINE-TUNED CANINES Board and Train graduateThe year is almost over, and yet another dog got fine-tuned! We love working with all dogs of course, but shepherds are very dear to our hearts (as a Shiloh Shepherd is one of our pack members) and it was our great pleasure and joy to work with Lucy, a Shiloh Shepherd female, who was 14 months old at the time we started her training. Lucy even spent Christmas with us and her owner gave her the best gift: education. The fruits of her schooling will stay with her for the rest of her life.

Lucy is a very smart dog and learned things really fast and she has a lot of curiosity. Lucy loves to have a "job" and enjoys new fun challenges.

She successfully graduated from our FINE-TUNED CANINES Board and Train program and enjoyed the whole learning experience. She made new human and canine friends. Lucy also got lots of proper socializing experiences and had fun while learning good canine manners, elements of agility training and even how to use a treadmill!

Besides working with dogs, we truly enjoy working with their owners and it was our great honor and pleasure to be able to work with Lucy's owner who did a FANTASTIC job! We're cheering both for Lucy and her pack leader: keep up the great work! :)

More about Lucy, her adventures and and achievements soon...so stay fine-tuned!