HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Let's face it. The last quarter of the year is a rough one for dogs.
In October, monsters, super heroes, and cartoon characters appear in the streets and on the sidewalks. The incessant ringing of the doorbell and knocking at the door triggers the sounding of the (canine) alarm. And although the humans in the family can usually bribe the intruders away with candy, your dog can become upset and hypersensitive to the arrival of people to your house.
Then, in November, a swarm of hungry relatives and friends suddenly appear at the house. Or, you and your dog travel to someone else’s house. Both situations yield an assortment of people that may or may not be familiar to your dog arriving throughout the day. Once again, the doorbell and knocking set in motion your dog’s excited-stressed-frenzied-hysterical behavior.
By December, Santa has to use the chimney, because anyone appearing at the front door is subject to frantic barking and jumping!
From a dog's perspective, this rash of home invasions is simultaneously exciting, alarming, and irritating. Unfortunately, once a dog has slipped into a highly agitated state, it's difficult to obtain calm, thoughtful behavior from him. The job of trainers (and responsible owners) is to prepare dogs beforehand so that holiday challenges are, well, less challenging.
We said it in November, but it bears repeating again: With only a few weeks to go before the tidal wave of holidays, we’ve put together a list of things to help you and your dog make the transition smoothly:
1. Ask us for our Holiday Survival Packet. It contains important information for you, your family, and your guests pertaining to your dog and training. This is the second year we’re making it available because we heard from so many of our students that it was a lifesaver!
2. ID ID ID! PLEASE make it a priority to get your dog a flat collar with “REWARD” and your cell phone number embroidered on it. Help the person who finds your dog to get in touch with YOU, instead of the police or animal control. My dogs each have one from Orvis: http://www.orvis.com/p/reflective-collar/3Y83?adv=127748&cm_mmc=plas-_-Dogs-_-3Y83-_-127748&kpid=3Y83-06-52&kpid=3Y83-06-52
3. Come to Dog PlayGroups. Our playgroups are a great opportunity for your puppy/dog to play in a safe environment while you learn to read the signs of proper (and improper!) play. In addition, you’ll go home with a TIRED dog!
4. Attend Class. We know the holidays are exhausting and that your “To Do” list becomes much longer, but if ‘dog training’ slides to the bottom of the list, his behavior won’t get any better and that will make your life even more challenging!
5. If #3 & 4 Can’t Happen, Consider Enrolling in our Playcare + FastTrack Program. Your dog’s day will include lots of long walks, playtime, a training session and some naptime. We understand that dogs need time to rest, and that non-stop stimulation can create a cranky dog!
6. Let Us Know How We Can Help! Whether you need a lesson sheet, a private lesson, a shoulder to cry on, or a ‘Pep Talk’, all of us are here for you 24/7. Literally.
DECEMBER SCHOOL SCHEDULE:
Wednesday December 24th All morning classes as usual. Closing at noon.
Thursday December 25th CLOSED
Friday December 26th Sunday December 28th – Classes and daycare as usual
MONDAY DEC. 29th – THURSDAY JAN. 1: CLOSED
Friday, January 2nd Classes and daycare as usual.
COME PLAY WITH US!
Every Monday at 6pm: Dog Playgroup
If you’ve never been to one before, this is our healthy alternative to a dog park. Our playgroups are safe, fun, properly structured, narrated and educational. We divide the groups into small dogs/puppies, and large dogs so everyone is playing in their proper “weight class”.
Here’s a sample of some of the important things you’ll learn at our playgroups. We’re hoping that when you put one together at your house, you’ll remember these VERY IMPORTANT RULES:
1. Keep your phone with you, but don’t take any calls. Focus on your dog and give the experience your undivided attention.
2. In case of an emergency – have a small air horn ready. If a fight occurs, this is one way to break it up that doesn’t involve putting your hands on the dogs.
3. After allowing your dog to play for 6 seconds, call him back to you. Did he? Great! Let him play and do it again after 15 seconds. Then 30, then a minute, then 3 minutes. If he’s coming to you every time, then he earns a longer play session. Sprinkle commands to him throughout the entire time so that you know that he’s still listening back to you. A dog who ‘hangs up the phone’ and isn’t focused on his owner is unlikely to respond to an important command like Come or Stay that would potentially keep him out of trouble.
4. Stop the party early. Over tired dogs are like over tired kids. They get cranky and that’s when fuses get short. Better to leave the park when your dog is still responsive to you and wanting more than when he’s over it and getting snarky with the others.
5. Never allow a high-speed game of chase to begin if your group exceeds 2 dogs. Although it looks like fun, games of chase can go really wrong, really quickly. The problem occurs because when multiple dogs join the chase, what started as a game can turn into a predatory attack due to overly high arousal levels.
6. Make sure that what you’re watching is actually play. Sometimes owners mistake defensive, deflective responses for play. Not sure? Call your dog to you and then release him back to his game. If he was truly playing, he’ll reengage the dog. If not, he was probably not having as good a time as you thought he was.
7. Check your dog’s collar. Loose fitting, choke chain and/or training collars are a no-no during play. Keep it simple with a snug fitting flat collar (bonus points if you’ve had it engraved to say REWARD + your cell number).
Sign up is limited and is open to students in our school only. PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL KATHY [email protected] to reserve your spot. Cost is $25.00
Upcoming Seminars:
BODY LANGUAGE WORKSHOP: Thursday, December 11th - 8-9pm
Think of it as “Interpreting The Native Language Of Your Dog”.
For humans to effectively communicate, we’ve devised an immense vocabulary, but dogs are limited to ‘words’ formed by their body parts. Because of this, the dog must re use “words” and depend on context and combination to form his “sentence”. Understanding what your dog is saying is extremely important to prevent bites, fights, and miscommunications between dogs and humans and dogs and dogs. People only, please. RSVP to Kathy at [email protected]
OFF LEASH WORKSHOPS (Indoor & Outdoor): Over the summer, we’ve had 50+ dogs graduate to “off leash status.” Yours could be next! Email Kathy or Stacey to learn more about our off leash training program and to find out whether you’re ready to start.
FIELD TRIPS WITH STACEY. AND SANTA!!
Our 4th Annual Field Trip Class to visit Santa at the Mall. Email her at [email protected] for time and location.
THERAPY DOG WORKSHOP
Please email Stacey at [email protected] for more details.
RALLY OBEDIENCE
We now have many of our students competing in Rally. Hooray! We have the following classes to help you succeed:
THURSDAY 7PM RALLY/AKC NOVICE LEVEL CLASS WITH KATHY
Having trained many of her own (and her student’s!) dogs to AKC’s Obedience Trial Champion (OTCh) titles, this class will teach you how to get any type of obedience title on your dog. If you’re not a currently in this class, please email Kathy at [email protected] for availability.
FRIDAY NIGHT RALLY RUN THRUS WITH JERRIE:
Friday, December 5th
Jerrie will be holding Rally Run Thru’s on select Friday nights. As someone who’s achieved many rally titles on her dogs, Jerrie knows how to set up a course that will build the handler and dog’s confidence as well as test their abilities.
In recent months, MANY of our students have competed in Rally trials and have come home with lots of ribbons! We’re so proud of them all, and remember the first day that they came to our school, just wanting a dog that would “listen to them.” Now they’re competing in Rally and earning titles with their dogs! Congratulations to all of them.
Cost is $25 and all proceeds will be donated to a local rescue group. Please call or email Jerrie: [email protected] for more information.
Let's face it. The last quarter of the year is a rough one for dogs.
In October, monsters, super heroes, and cartoon characters appear in the streets and on the sidewalks. The incessant ringing of the doorbell and knocking at the door triggers the sounding of the (canine) alarm. And although the humans in the family can usually bribe the intruders away with candy, your dog can become upset and hypersensitive to the arrival of people to your house.
Then, in November, a swarm of hungry relatives and friends suddenly appear at the house. Or, you and your dog travel to someone else’s house. Both situations yield an assortment of people that may or may not be familiar to your dog arriving throughout the day. Once again, the doorbell and knocking set in motion your dog’s excited-stressed-frenzied-hysterical behavior.
By December, Santa has to use the chimney, because anyone appearing at the front door is subject to frantic barking and jumping!
From a dog's perspective, this rash of home invasions is simultaneously exciting, alarming, and irritating. Unfortunately, once a dog has slipped into a highly agitated state, it's difficult to obtain calm, thoughtful behavior from him. The job of trainers (and responsible owners) is to prepare dogs beforehand so that holiday challenges are, well, less challenging.
We said it in November, but it bears repeating again: With only a few weeks to go before the tidal wave of holidays, we’ve put together a list of things to help you and your dog make the transition smoothly:
1. Ask us for our Holiday Survival Packet. It contains important information for you, your family, and your guests pertaining to your dog and training. This is the second year we’re making it available because we heard from so many of our students that it was a lifesaver!
2. ID ID ID! PLEASE make it a priority to get your dog a flat collar with “REWARD” and your cell phone number embroidered on it. Help the person who finds your dog to get in touch with YOU, instead of the police or animal control. My dogs each have one from Orvis: http://www.orvis.com/p/reflective-collar/3Y83?adv=127748&cm_mmc=plas-_-Dogs-_-3Y83-_-127748&kpid=3Y83-06-52&kpid=3Y83-06-52
3. Come to Dog PlayGroups. Our playgroups are a great opportunity for your puppy/dog to play in a safe environment while you learn to read the signs of proper (and improper!) play. In addition, you’ll go home with a TIRED dog!
4. Attend Class. We know the holidays are exhausting and that your “To Do” list becomes much longer, but if ‘dog training’ slides to the bottom of the list, his behavior won’t get any better and that will make your life even more challenging!
5. If #3 & 4 Can’t Happen, Consider Enrolling in our Playcare + FastTrack Program. Your dog’s day will include lots of long walks, playtime, a training session and some naptime. We understand that dogs need time to rest, and that non-stop stimulation can create a cranky dog!
6. Let Us Know How We Can Help! Whether you need a lesson sheet, a private lesson, a shoulder to cry on, or a ‘Pep Talk’, all of us are here for you 24/7. Literally.
DECEMBER SCHOOL SCHEDULE:
Wednesday December 24th All morning classes as usual. Closing at noon.
Thursday December 25th CLOSED
Friday December 26th Sunday December 28th – Classes and daycare as usual
MONDAY DEC. 29th – THURSDAY JAN. 1: CLOSED
Friday, January 2nd Classes and daycare as usual.
COME PLAY WITH US!
Every Monday at 6pm: Dog Playgroup
If you’ve never been to one before, this is our healthy alternative to a dog park. Our playgroups are safe, fun, properly structured, narrated and educational. We divide the groups into small dogs/puppies, and large dogs so everyone is playing in their proper “weight class”.
Here’s a sample of some of the important things you’ll learn at our playgroups. We’re hoping that when you put one together at your house, you’ll remember these VERY IMPORTANT RULES:
1. Keep your phone with you, but don’t take any calls. Focus on your dog and give the experience your undivided attention.
2. In case of an emergency – have a small air horn ready. If a fight occurs, this is one way to break it up that doesn’t involve putting your hands on the dogs.
3. After allowing your dog to play for 6 seconds, call him back to you. Did he? Great! Let him play and do it again after 15 seconds. Then 30, then a minute, then 3 minutes. If he’s coming to you every time, then he earns a longer play session. Sprinkle commands to him throughout the entire time so that you know that he’s still listening back to you. A dog who ‘hangs up the phone’ and isn’t focused on his owner is unlikely to respond to an important command like Come or Stay that would potentially keep him out of trouble.
4. Stop the party early. Over tired dogs are like over tired kids. They get cranky and that’s when fuses get short. Better to leave the park when your dog is still responsive to you and wanting more than when he’s over it and getting snarky with the others.
5. Never allow a high-speed game of chase to begin if your group exceeds 2 dogs. Although it looks like fun, games of chase can go really wrong, really quickly. The problem occurs because when multiple dogs join the chase, what started as a game can turn into a predatory attack due to overly high arousal levels.
6. Make sure that what you’re watching is actually play. Sometimes owners mistake defensive, deflective responses for play. Not sure? Call your dog to you and then release him back to his game. If he was truly playing, he’ll reengage the dog. If not, he was probably not having as good a time as you thought he was.
7. Check your dog’s collar. Loose fitting, choke chain and/or training collars are a no-no during play. Keep it simple with a snug fitting flat collar (bonus points if you’ve had it engraved to say REWARD + your cell number).
Sign up is limited and is open to students in our school only. PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL KATHY [email protected] to reserve your spot. Cost is $25.00
Upcoming Seminars:
BODY LANGUAGE WORKSHOP: Thursday, December 11th - 8-9pm
Think of it as “Interpreting The Native Language Of Your Dog”.
For humans to effectively communicate, we’ve devised an immense vocabulary, but dogs are limited to ‘words’ formed by their body parts. Because of this, the dog must re use “words” and depend on context and combination to form his “sentence”. Understanding what your dog is saying is extremely important to prevent bites, fights, and miscommunications between dogs and humans and dogs and dogs. People only, please. RSVP to Kathy at [email protected]
OFF LEASH WORKSHOPS (Indoor & Outdoor): Over the summer, we’ve had 50+ dogs graduate to “off leash status.” Yours could be next! Email Kathy or Stacey to learn more about our off leash training program and to find out whether you’re ready to start.
FIELD TRIPS WITH STACEY. AND SANTA!!
Our 4th Annual Field Trip Class to visit Santa at the Mall. Email her at [email protected] for time and location.
THERAPY DOG WORKSHOP
Please email Stacey at [email protected] for more details.
RALLY OBEDIENCE
We now have many of our students competing in Rally. Hooray! We have the following classes to help you succeed:
THURSDAY 7PM RALLY/AKC NOVICE LEVEL CLASS WITH KATHY
Having trained many of her own (and her student’s!) dogs to AKC’s Obedience Trial Champion (OTCh) titles, this class will teach you how to get any type of obedience title on your dog. If you’re not a currently in this class, please email Kathy at [email protected] for availability.
FRIDAY NIGHT RALLY RUN THRUS WITH JERRIE:
Friday, December 5th
Jerrie will be holding Rally Run Thru’s on select Friday nights. As someone who’s achieved many rally titles on her dogs, Jerrie knows how to set up a course that will build the handler and dog’s confidence as well as test their abilities.
In recent months, MANY of our students have competed in Rally trials and have come home with lots of ribbons! We’re so proud of them all, and remember the first day that they came to our school, just wanting a dog that would “listen to them.” Now they’re competing in Rally and earning titles with their dogs! Congratulations to all of them.
Cost is $25 and all proceeds will be donated to a local rescue group. Please call or email Jerrie: [email protected] for more information.