The Impact of Early Handling on English Shepherd Puppy Development

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The neonatal period, comprising the first two weeks of a puppy’s life, is a critical phase for growth and development. While the mother dog (bitch) is primarily responsible for providing warmth, nutrition, and hygiene, the role of the owner in ensuring the mother’s well-being and inspecting the puppies for signs of illness or accidents … Read more

Farm Puppy Owner’s Manual
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Tony Bierman, "The Impact of Early Handling on English Shepherd Puppy Development," OBTESA, Accessed January 14, 2025, http://esbt.us/ee.

How To Build a Strong Bond with Your English Shepherd Puppy

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Abstract

Establishing a strong bond with a puppy is crucial for their overall well-being, happiness, and development into a well-adjusted adult dog. This article explores the various factors that contribute to building a strong bond between human caretakers and their canine companions, highlighting the importance of socialization, physical touch, mental stimulation, play, communication, consistency, positive reinforcement, empathy, patience, and quality time. By understanding and applying these essential elements, caretakers can foster a healthy and lasting relationship with their puppies, ensuring a happy, secure, and trusting dog.

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Tony Bierman, "How To Build a Strong Bond with Your English Shepherd Puppy," OBTESA, Accessed January 14, 2025, http://esbt.us/ee.

Puppy Bonding: From Novel Encounters to Enduring Friendships

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Social relationships are an integral part of an animal’s life, and puppies are no exception. When two puppies meet for the first time, they are confronted with the challenge of deciphering each other’s signals and behaviors. This article explores the process through which puppies establish social bonds, transitioning from complex problem-solving to simple habits … Read more

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Tony Bierman, "Puppy Bonding: From Novel Encounters to Enduring Friendships," OBTESA, Accessed January 14, 2025, http://esbt.us/ee.

The Startle Reflex: A Pivotal Milestone in Puppy Development

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This article explores the startle reaction to sound as a reliable and easily observable indicator of a puppy’s sensory development, particularly hearing. The emergence of this reflex is closely associated with various developmental changes, marking the end of the transition period and the beginning of the socialization period. The importance of exposure to diverse … Read more

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Tony Bierman, "The Startle Reflex: A Pivotal Milestone in Puppy Development," OBTESA, Accessed January 14, 2025, http://esbt.us/ee.

Balancing Genetic Diversity in the English Shepherd Breed: Perpetual Outcrossing vs. Bloodline Conservation

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Black and Tan English Shepherd

The long-term health and vitality of the English Shepherd breed depend on maintaining genetic diversity and minimizing inbreeding risks. This short article compares two approaches for achieving these objectives: perpetual outcrossing with a cognitive bias towards low Coefficient of Inbreeding (COI) percentages versus bloodline conservation. We discuss the pros and cons of each strategy … Read more

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Tony Bierman, "Balancing Genetic Diversity in the English Shepherd Breed: Perpetual Outcrossing vs. Bloodline Conservation," OBTESA, Accessed January 14, 2025, http://esbt.us/ee.

Successful Crate Training with Variable Interval Reinforcement

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Black and Tan English Shepherd

Crate training is an essential skill for puppies to learn, as it provides a safe and secure space for them to retreat to when their owners are away or when they need to settle down. However, training a challenging puppy can be a daunting task, as they tend to be curious, easily distracted, and resistant … Read more

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Tony Bierman, "Successful Crate Training with Variable Interval Reinforcement," OBTESA, Accessed January 14, 2025, http://esbt.us/ee.

Optimizing Dog Training Success: Breed-Specific Expertise, Personalized Strategies, and Operant Conditioning Fundamentals

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This paper explores the critical components of successful dog training, emphasizing the importance of breed-specific knowledge, individual dog assessment, and operant conditioning principles. By understanding the unique traits and predispositions of different breeds, trainers can tailor their approach to meet specific needs and capabilities. Additionally, recognizing the individual characteristics and history of each dog … Read more

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Tony Bierman, "Optimizing Dog Training Success: Breed-Specific Expertise, Personalized Strategies, and Operant Conditioning Fundamentals," OBTESA, Accessed January 14, 2025, http://esbt.us/ee.

First Friend Fact #83

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Black and Tan English Shepherd

Dogs have a unique “third eyelid” called the nictitating membrane. This transparent membrane is found in the inner corner of a dog’s eye and can slide across the eye for added protection or moisture. It helps to keep the eye clean and lubricated, while also shielding it from debris and injury. In some cases, the … Read more

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Tony Bierman, "First Friend Fact #83," OBTESA, Accessed January 14, 2025, http://esbt.us/ee.

Farm Dog Obedience Training Recipes

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Basic farm dog obedience training is essential to foster good behavior and enhance the bond between the dog and handler. This article provides a brief introduction to clicker training, then provides recipes for crate training, sit training, down training, recall training, stay training, leave it training, and heel training. Each training recipe includes a step-by-step … Read more

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Tony Bierman, "Farm Dog Obedience Training Recipes," OBTESA, Accessed January 14, 2025, http://esbt.us/ee.

Overcoming Choice Support Bias: How to Choose the Right Dog Food for Your Farm Dog’s Optimal Health

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This article discusses the concept of choice support bias and how it can influence a farm dog owners’ decisions regarding their dog’s food. It highlights signs that indicate the wrong dog food is being fed and provides a step-by-step guide for selecting the right dog food based on a dog’s specific needs. By understanding … Read more

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Tony Bierman, "Overcoming Choice Support Bias: How to Choose the Right Dog Food for Your Farm Dog’s Optimal Health," OBTESA, Accessed January 14, 2025, http://esbt.us/ee.