People who have more than two dogs are in a special club”

„People who have more than two dogs are in a special club…you know that two dogs are more than twice as much work as one, and that three dogs are as much work as you expected seven to be”  Patricia McConnell 

I belong to this unique (insane) group of people who have more then two dogs. I already have three and I plan to have one more (in three or four years) Do I agree with the above quote? Oh yes! I absolutely agree. Is there really such a big difference between two or three dogs? Or there is no difference at all? There is, a huge difference. I will try to show you how my life with G Team looks like and why I think a difference between two or three dogs is immense.

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“Lady and the Trump” – Gacek’s story

My first dog Yorkshire terrier Alibaba died in October 2009. My Mom could not handle his death for a long time and she did not want to hear about a different dog. On the contrary, I was really desperate to have a new dog to fill the emptiness after Ali.
At the end of December the decision was made; we will have a dog. My parents had very unrealistic vision of a dog after Yorkshire terrier – they made a condition that the size of a dog has to be so small that my grandma has to be able to carry him… My idea was quite different, I saw myself with a GSD rather than some midget.

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Never ending story – When will you finally get yourself a real sport dog?

When will you finally get yourself a real sport dog?
I have heard this question multiple times while being with Gapcio; at obedience seminars, competitions and trainings.
My answer is constantly the same; I already have three sport dogs! I do not want to get caught up in a lemming-like fervor to buy myself a “sport dog”, whatever that is supposed to mean. Usually, what the the authors of the above question had in mind was supposed to depreciate the “value” of Gapcio as a competition dog. Because he does not have a natural motivation and engagement or it could have been destroyed – he is an abused rescue. Nevertheless, you have to work really hard to make training fun for both sides.
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Harnesses madness!

Last month I wrote why I only use harnesses instead of collars.
My collection of harnesses is rapidly growing for a few reasons. First of all I am dog gear addict and I can not resist
buying new stuff for my dogs. Secondly all of my dogs are very different and Gunia has a very sensitive skin and most of the harnesses are rubbing her. Gacek hates most of the harnesses and he has discopathy in his neck. Gapcio is a Houdini and he can escape most of the models. Thirdly we practice a lot of sports where you need different type of harnesses; mantrailing, weight pulling, dog trekking.

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“I know that I know nothing”

If someone asked me one and a half years ago; how I would like to raise my next dog, I would answered right away, YES, it is going to be an obedience dog. Oh boy, I was wrong. If you ask me now, my answer will be totally different.  A year ago I started a trainer course (I will tell you which one when I graduate, but it is not in Poland) which has turned my beliefs, views completely upside down. When you add to this cooperation with one of the American trainers, you will see my head is almost exploding with knowledge. If I could adopt a new dog right now (I can not because G Team is too young and too crazy) I would not, besides of the above mentioned I would not adopt a new dog because I have no idea how I want to raise him. My ideas and view are undergoing massive changes. It is an amazing state of mind when each morning you wake up brainstorming new ideas. Every day I think about what I have just learned and how I can use it in my work with dogs. Step by step I am creating my own methodology and techniques. It is a lifetime process. Thanks to a solid foundations which I am creating right now, I will soon know what I want.

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Winter is coming!

Gunia is a warm lover. When the temperature drops below -3 Celsius I have to bundle her up. She has no fur on her belly, almost no undercoat and she is simply cold sensitive.
Boys maybe have more fur but since Gapcio has had a shoulder contusion and Gacek has discopathy they should not be exposed to very low temperatures.
When the temperature drops below -8/-10 Celsius they have to wear coats. What is more, when we are in the middle of the training and they have to wait in the crate, I do not want them to quickly get chill, when their muscles still being warmed up.

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Matrix, an ideal world with no place for mistakes.

Matrix, an ideal world with no place for mistakes.

Nowadays, we have created Matrix – the perfect world. A world were mistakes do not exist. A world with no room for mistakes. We are used to this ideal world. We want everything to be flawless, simple and perfect. We will settle for any alternatives. We simple reject them.

It is true for almost ev
ery aspect of our life. From a new smart phone, through human relationships to dog-human bonds We expect simple and immediate solutions. There is no place for defects in our world. We have no time nor desire to deal with problems.

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Hide and seek with Ruffwear boots

When I was looking for a nice pair of shoes for G TEAM, my first thought was to check one of the best and the most renowned brand in a dog‘s gear market – RUFFWEAR. Because we already have Ruffwear products – Web Master Harnesses and waterproof collars for all G TEAM members, I was convinced it will be the best possible choice. Our harnesses and collars are just perfect. After few years of extensive use in a very difficult conditions, like rain, snow, mud they have remained intact and look almost brand new. Ruffewar is actually one of my favorite dog‘s brand, so the choice was quite simple.

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Simply the best! Alicja Zmysłowska!

Alicja Zmysłowska for me, without a doubt the best! Not only as a dog photographer. Any picture she takes, no matter if a dog is in it, it is perfect and breathtaking. Despite her young age she is admittedly becoming the best dog photographer in the world. Her every single picture takes you to a magical world and brings out what is best and true in the model. I simple adore her photos, I can contemplate on them for hours. Her career is developing quickly and her work can be seen in exhibits in Los Angeles and soon in Canada and China.

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Your dog spine will be forever grateful!

01/13/2016 we are heading to Wrocław for our „”forced” trip. For a MRI and neurological consultation.

The topic of this article is very important for me and unfortunately up to date. Last summer except for amazing holidays, Gacek’s severe condition was revealed. While he was going wild on the beach, he suddenly squeaked and ceased moving. At first I thought it was our Gunia being a bull in a china shop, who hit him while running and he was just hurt. But minutes and hours passed and it did not get any better. Gacek was stiff. He did not want to eat, play, even be around us. Our way back home from the beach took twice as much time as usual, with Gacek lagging 10 meters behind. When we got home, he laid down under the chair. He was avoiding petting and behaved as if he was somehow paralyzed. The worst part was his neck. He had trouble with swallowing. I called the best veterinarian on earth and with her advice we went to see the local doctor. We did blood tests, all tick born disease tests and checked his overall condition. The blood tests were fine, the tick test negative. The local doctor said that he may have a salivary glands inflammation. He got some inflammatory drugs and we went back home. Next three days were terrible, he was feeling ill. He had difficulties with jumping on the bed or couch (which usually is not a big deal for him).

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