Discover How We Do It
This page covers the main aspects in the running of our working kennel.
Cleaning Ritual
Veterinary Care
Diet and Nutrition
Puppy Aptitude Test
Job Description
Cleaning Ritual
Veterinary Care
Diet and Nutrition
Puppy Aptitude Test
Job Description
Cleaning Ritual
By 7:30AM all of the working dogs are out of the kennel and onto their morning walks. This is when cleaning starts at Aethon Stud. As soon as the dogs are out, their beds and kennels are checked. After the thorough walk through, the waters are dumped, bowls rinsed clean and set out to dry while all eight kennels are vacuumed with our shop-vac. By the end, it's time to refill waters and prepare breakfasts. Dog bedding is checked daily and washed every Saturday while the kennels are bleached from top to bottom and squeegeed dry. Our dogs love Sunday, they stay outside all day working, training, and playing; rain or shine. All outside toys and equipment is scrubbed down with a biodegradable cleaner and the Nursery is especially cleaned with a gentle non-toxic cleaner and disinfectant every other day when it's in use. Plenty of time is allowed before the dogs are allowed back inside after the thorough cleaning of the weekend. We hold ourselves to a high standard of hygiene and care here, and we are good at it.
Our dogs are bathed once a month without exception. We make sure each dog is well accustom to the bathing process which includes everything a typical groomer would provide, minus the haircut: brush out, ear cleaning, nail trim, teeth brushing, and anal gland expression. Our working dogs are all old pros at bath time, and many eagerly hop right up into the tub when they enter the room. This is one of the only times our dogs ever receive treats, and they know it! We make it a fun and relaxing experience by taking the time to guide our dogs through the motions. We do not yank them about or force them to keep their paw up while attempting to overpower the dog. We HAVE to take the time to train our dogs to submit to bath time and to enjoy it. These dogs are trained to attack, and they are trained to WIN, so for us to try and arm wrestle one of these dogs into submission would be extremely dangerous, not to mention unnecessary.
Our dogs are bathed once a month without exception. We make sure each dog is well accustom to the bathing process which includes everything a typical groomer would provide, minus the haircut: brush out, ear cleaning, nail trim, teeth brushing, and anal gland expression. Our working dogs are all old pros at bath time, and many eagerly hop right up into the tub when they enter the room. This is one of the only times our dogs ever receive treats, and they know it! We make it a fun and relaxing experience by taking the time to guide our dogs through the motions. We do not yank them about or force them to keep their paw up while attempting to overpower the dog. We HAVE to take the time to train our dogs to submit to bath time and to enjoy it. These dogs are trained to attack, and they are trained to WIN, so for us to try and arm wrestle one of these dogs into submission would be extremely dangerous, not to mention unnecessary.
Veterinary Care
Dr. Gyan has been around the Morales family since Jacobe first started training dogs many years ago and has been our veterinarian of choice ever since. We have a great relationship with Dr. Gyan and his current student, Kim. Dr. Gyan is an independent veterinarian with a small practice and two employees. The one-on-one care he is able to give his patients truly makes him feel like a part of the family, and now that Aethon Stud is taking off into the breeding scene, he is sure to have plenty more chances to come around.
Our dogs do get vaccinated. After the initial shots up to one year of age, they then go every year or two after their last shot before returning to Dr. Gyan to get a titer - a blood test to determine whether a booster shot is necessary. If it is found to be such, they receive the shot for the corresponding virus or disease and that's the end of it. We are well aware that there can be supposed dangers of over-vaccinating and have taken our veterinarians advice per the time line between titers.
Stud dogs are checked regularly for health concerns in everything from having their blood drawn to joint checks. We work very closely with the veterinarian to determine long before the dog is chosen to be bred, if he should in fact produce offspring. Bitches, on the other hand, get checked by the vet soon after they arrive, within the first 4 days of coming to our kennel. If everything corresponds, breeding is finally then able to take place. We go through all of this trouble to make sure our boys are safe and any outside dog entering the kennel is free of diseases. A single infected dog could potentially endanger the performance or even the life of one of our high-security clearances. The dogs we train and own are very valuable and sell for upwards of $40,000, loosing even one to a preventable issue is unacceptable.
Our dogs do get vaccinated. After the initial shots up to one year of age, they then go every year or two after their last shot before returning to Dr. Gyan to get a titer - a blood test to determine whether a booster shot is necessary. If it is found to be such, they receive the shot for the corresponding virus or disease and that's the end of it. We are well aware that there can be supposed dangers of over-vaccinating and have taken our veterinarians advice per the time line between titers.
Stud dogs are checked regularly for health concerns in everything from having their blood drawn to joint checks. We work very closely with the veterinarian to determine long before the dog is chosen to be bred, if he should in fact produce offspring. Bitches, on the other hand, get checked by the vet soon after they arrive, within the first 4 days of coming to our kennel. If everything corresponds, breeding is finally then able to take place. We go through all of this trouble to make sure our boys are safe and any outside dog entering the kennel is free of diseases. A single infected dog could potentially endanger the performance or even the life of one of our high-security clearances. The dogs we train and own are very valuable and sell for upwards of $40,000, loosing even one to a preventable issue is unacceptable.
Diet and Nutrition
We feed a combination of wholesome raw meat and dry complete food to our adult dogs. Our dogs diet consists of about 45% dry food and 55% raw beef, chicken, or other animal. We prefer raw over kibble because a great deal of protein in commercial dog food is non-digestible. Popular companies use by-products, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives which do more damage than good to the dogs. A large portion of these companies also use protein from corn, soy, or wheat, all of which lack the proper balance of digestible nutrients. The muscle- to-fat ratio used to engineer these processed dry foods is on a wholesale scale; it is not specifically engineered to each dogs metabolism or daily calorie output level. Truth be told, it can't be, as each dog is an individual and has different feeding requirements that is not always cheap or easy to produce. Dogs who survive solely on a dry food diet, in our opinion, can not get a properly balanced source of energy in most cases. This is why so many dogs are over weight and gain weight on cheap food.
We put a great deal of effort into creating the healthiest and most efficiently digestible diet for our dogs. We rotate the raw meat fed to our dogs from chicken to beef in most cases, but will occasionally add other meat such as ram, sheep, duck, deer, salmon, or bison. Dogs do not do well on only a single type of meat, especially if it's only one part of the animal such as the muscle meat; the calcium to phosphorus ratios will be off greatly if they are left on this single-animal diet. To combat this, we feed muscle, kidney, and liver meat and treat our dogs to raw meaty bones instead of processed, pre-packaged brand dog treats. We also add in eggs and vegetables to their diet. Who our meat comes from is of top priority, as rancid meat could surely sicken or kill a dog. We use trusted local hunters and neighborhood companies instead of big name meat companies so we can easily monitor when the animal was butchered, where it has been stored, and what has been done to it.
We put a great deal of effort into creating the healthiest and most efficiently digestible diet for our dogs. We rotate the raw meat fed to our dogs from chicken to beef in most cases, but will occasionally add other meat such as ram, sheep, duck, deer, salmon, or bison. Dogs do not do well on only a single type of meat, especially if it's only one part of the animal such as the muscle meat; the calcium to phosphorus ratios will be off greatly if they are left on this single-animal diet. To combat this, we feed muscle, kidney, and liver meat and treat our dogs to raw meaty bones instead of processed, pre-packaged brand dog treats. We also add in eggs and vegetables to their diet. Who our meat comes from is of top priority, as rancid meat could surely sicken or kill a dog. We use trusted local hunters and neighborhood companies instead of big name meat companies so we can easily monitor when the animal was butchered, where it has been stored, and what has been done to it.
Puppy Aptitude Test
All of our puppies undergo the Puppy Aptitude Test when they are exactly 49 days old. Tests have been created to help determine a puppies likelihood of success in a given area of work since the 1930's when pups bred to be Guide Dogs were first developed. Two decades later in the 50's, tests were developed to calculate how quickly puppies learned, and in the 60's, tests were able to accurately determine submission and dominance tenancies that could reflect adult behavioral traits by testing dogs at 49 days after birth. Some refining has been done to produce the tests seen today around the world and have proven to be beneficial to breeders, buyers and trainers.
The test consists of 10 simple activities, each designed to pinpoint and enhance different behaviors. Each activity is scored on a scale of 1 to 6. The scores are not averaged, nor are they judged as best to worst. We check for the puppy's heart rate during the test, as this is an indicator how the puppy deals with stress and their energy level (High, Medium, or Low). The entire purpose of the test is to help select the right dog for the right person.
The test consists of 10 simple activities, each designed to pinpoint and enhance different behaviors. Each activity is scored on a scale of 1 to 6. The scores are not averaged, nor are they judged as best to worst. We check for the puppy's heart rate during the test, as this is an indicator how the puppy deals with stress and their energy level (High, Medium, or Low). The entire purpose of the test is to help select the right dog for the right person.
- Social Attraction - degree of social attraction to people, confidence or dependence.
- Following - willingness to follow a person.
- Restraint - degree of dominant or submissive tendency, and ease of handling in difficult situations.
- Social Dominance - degree of acceptance of social dominance by a person. Elevation - degree of accepting dominance while in a position of no control, such as at the veterinarian or groomer.
- Retrieving - degree of willingness to do something for you. Together with Social Attraction and Following a key indicator for ease or difficulty in training.
- Touch Sensitivity - degree of sensitivity to touch and a key indicator to the type of training equipment required.
- Sound Sensitivity - degree of sensitivity to sound, such as loud noises or thunderstorms.
- Sight Sensitivity - degree of response to a moving object, such as chasing bicycles, children or squirrels.
- Stability - degree of startle response to a strange object.
Job Description
Aethon Stud employes a few people, however, most of the staff has some family ties to the Morales or Collins family tree. We have Dog Trainers who are responsible for the training our dogs receive. They teach our green trained dogs imported from Europe and our new puppy additions after evaluating them to see which field they would succeed the most in. More information on our Trainers credits and previous experience requirements will be added later.
Decoys are a fun part of the job. Ever wanted to suit up and have an attack dog throw you to the ground? This is the job for those dare devils and thrill seekers with a serious work ethic and good physical condition. Training does take place to become an excellent antagonizer also.
Litter Companions are a mixed group of volunteers and employees whose primary job is to supervise and socialize the puppies to the largest variety of people, outfits, and objects as possible without overwhelming or causing fear in the puppies or dam. They act in a delicate manner to help facilitate the growth and bravery of each and every puppy. They are a vital resource to our breeding program.
Dog Walkers are paid employees who work part-time, four days a week, walking the residents at Aethon Stud. They are professional handlers and knowledgeable about all canine laws in the county. We train all of our Dog Walkers personally and offer to certify them once they have completed their training. Even if they do not wish to continue walking our working dogs, we will still gladly train and certify any suitable candidate after finishing our training course.
Cleaners are the people who, well, clean the entire facility. From every bowl to the walls and the outdoor equipment, cleaners are rotated out as each staff member is trained in the cleaning methods in use at the kennel and everyone is able to take a shift if needed.
Decoys are a fun part of the job. Ever wanted to suit up and have an attack dog throw you to the ground? This is the job for those dare devils and thrill seekers with a serious work ethic and good physical condition. Training does take place to become an excellent antagonizer also.
Litter Companions are a mixed group of volunteers and employees whose primary job is to supervise and socialize the puppies to the largest variety of people, outfits, and objects as possible without overwhelming or causing fear in the puppies or dam. They act in a delicate manner to help facilitate the growth and bravery of each and every puppy. They are a vital resource to our breeding program.
Dog Walkers are paid employees who work part-time, four days a week, walking the residents at Aethon Stud. They are professional handlers and knowledgeable about all canine laws in the county. We train all of our Dog Walkers personally and offer to certify them once they have completed their training. Even if they do not wish to continue walking our working dogs, we will still gladly train and certify any suitable candidate after finishing our training course.
Cleaners are the people who, well, clean the entire facility. From every bowl to the walls and the outdoor equipment, cleaners are rotated out as each staff member is trained in the cleaning methods in use at the kennel and everyone is able to take a shift if needed.