Rock Lifestyle

Nutrition

RLS places a lot of value on the correct and balanced nutrition. Much studying and learning has been done by RLS to ensure that they are providing proper diets. RLS’s adult dogs are fed Nutro Natural Choice High Energy Formula and the puppies are fed Nutro Max Puppy Formula. Bred bitches are fed a combination of the two, plus added nutrients. The Rocks also use small amounts of quality canned dog food to mix in with the dry food. All foods fed by RLS are high in quality and are recommended. The dogs' diets are supplemented, if needed, with quality multi-vitamins, skin and coat supplements, and/or joint maintenance products.

RLS provides their dogs with a variety of healthy treats, including biscuits, pigs’ ears, rawhide rolls and chips, and chewy treats. Sometimes lower quality dog kibbles are used for training treats. Garden fresh veggies and ice cubes are some favorites of the dams and puppies.

Adult dogs are fed once a day, weaned puppies are fed three to four times a day, and bred bitches are fed at least twice a day. All dogs have feeders hung in their kennels that are washed regularly. RLS uses clean and durable plastic buckets for water in most seasons and heated plastic buckets for winter. The dogs’ water buckets are all kept filled with fresh water.

Health Care

RLS is knowledgeable about dog health care (mental and physical) and ensures that each dog receives the care he needs. On top of grooming, conditioning, training, and nutrition, which are all a part of a dog's health, RLS also meets medical requirements. Dogs at RLS are kept up to date with DHLPP and Rabies vaccinations. The Rocks de-worm the Llewellins on a regular basis, check them over daily, and keep them in clean environments. If a medical problem is ever suspected, the dog makes a visit to their veterinary clinic. Because RLS takes excellent preventative care, the dogs have never suffered from parasites or serious illnesses. Pre-breeding health care includes physical exams, brucellosis testing, OFA hip testing, microchip IDs, and DNA testing.

Grooming

The Rocks always make sure that their Llewellins are kept clean and well-groomed, for the dogs’ benefits. Grooming is considered an important part of their health care because it removes dead skin, loose hair, dirt, and debris. Grooming also spreads the coats’ natural oils and increases blood circulation. All RLS dogs are regularly brushed throughout the week, and about once a week the dogs get their nails clipped and filed, ears rinsed and cleaned, and teeth brushed and scraped. Adult dogs get bathed outside at least once a month (depending on the weather), and the puppies are bathed indoors as often as needed. Before each hunting season, the dogs' coats are trimmed short to avoid excessive weed tangles.

Facilities

RLS is located on about four acres, in Hermiston, Oregon. Each Llewellin is kept in a large dog run with a carpeted, bedded, and heated doghouse, water bucket, and raised feeder. The kennels are cleaned at least once a day and are sterilized several times a year, or as needed, and waste is removed from the yards and graveled areas daily. Bedding and carpets are also washed on a regular basis, as are dog toys. During the time spent in kennels, the dogs are occupied with toys, chew treats, and Kongs. The dogs are never kenneled for longer than necessary but are generally not loose when they can't be supervised. They interact constantly with each other and with the Rocks. The dogs also love and get to spend time in the Rocks' house. During the summer, the dogs have a pool to keep cool in, and on cold or wet days, they have custom dog blankets to wear.

For litters, RLS has a whelping room that is located in the shop. It is a large, air-conditioned, and heated room with cabinets for storage and a screened window for more ventilation. There is a specially built whelping box placed in the room for the dam and puppies, and chairs and a cot for one of the Rocks. When the puppies are able to get out of their box, the cement floor is covered with a non-slip surface. The whelping room is kept clean and puppy-proof. The heated shop also has a washroom, with plenty of storage. There is a large sink that is used to washed supplies and puppies and a washer and dryer for towels, dog bedding, dog wear, and litter supplies. The washroom, too, is comfortably lit and heated and can be accommodated as a winter whelping room, if needed.

Training

At RLS, training is pretty relaxed and informal. It begins with house training and manners and basic commands, such as sit, kennel, and stay. Within their first year, daily interaction and non-stressful work will have paid off, and the dogs will know come, lay down, kennel, leave it, drink, and a couple other easy commands. The Rocks don’t push their dogs too hard or too fast; they try to set the dogs up for success, make training lessons frequent, quick, and positive, and use sense and patience. Successes and attempts are rewarded and the dogs are not reprimanded during training time, other than a guiding “no.”

RLS uses electronic collars after the dogs are trained; they are not used during the introduction of a new concept or command because the Rocks feel that pain cannot teach. With the correct and careful use of e-collars, the Rocks can "react" to certain actions of the dogs', making the animal dissociate the collar with the human and associate it with the action. If the e-collars are ever used to reprimand a wrong behavior, the shock or vibration is instant and short and only used if the dog can connect the known wrong behavior to the shock or vibration. More often, though, RLS dogs are reprimanded with a dominating look and firm "no." The Rocks use the electronic collars as a reinforcement or backup in the field, not punishment. RLS will not introduce puppies to electronic collars.

Training on a lead and check cord is a key element for RLS. The dogs are introduced to most commands on either one of these and they are also used to teach them to pay close attention to their leader. The check cords are used by RLS to introduce whoa, retrieving, here, etc. and are extremely valuable when training in the field because they allow for constant, physical contact and communication with the dog.

The Llewellins' natural ability to hunt and point is more finely tuned through training that generally ranges from puppy yard work, to pasture/field work, to farm field work, and then to the hunting field; however, the dogs are taken out to hunting fields when they are puppies and throughout the training process. The Rocks strive for complete training. Other than hunting and basic commands, RLS dogs are taught additional things, according to what best suits their personality and success level. The Llewellins are taught some agility, pulling, and searching commands, as well as some almost useless, but entertaining, "circus" tricks that they love to do. RLS dogs are not only happy but also versatile and intelligent, and as always, they excel in the field.

Wild Bird Hunting

Upland hunting is not a competition or a trial to the Rock family, but, rather, a much enjoyed tradition. During bird season, the Rocks take their dogs out as often as possible. The dogs hunt singly or in a brace. The hunts for pheasant and quail make for a fun and exciting time for the Rocks and their Llewellins. The dogs' safety and health is a top concern in the field, and they are checked over and groomed throughout hunts. The Rocks make sure that the dogs do not get dehydrated. If needed, the dogs will wear protective gear, such as vests. Dog first aid kits are always taken to the hunt for added precaution. All RLS dogs must have the experience and ability of hunting, or they are not used for breeding.