Before the 4th of July arrives, prepare your dog or puppy to tolerate fireworks noise. Go on YouTube and find a video of fireworks that you can play to desensitize your dog to the sound. I found this one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJ4KNrOsRLU
You can also play a sound CD of fireworks at very low volume in the morning and gradually raise the volume during the day. Hopefully, by the time the real fireworks come, your dog will just think it’s part of the CD.
If that doesn’t help, here’s some other helpful ideas:
1. Stay home! Don’t go out and risk your dog having a meltdown.
2. Play calming music or watch television while you’re home during the fireworks.
3. Have a container of fabulous treats in reach (so you don’t have to jump up to get them). Toys are also a good choice for dogs that love toys more than steak.
4. Whenever a firework goes off, close your eyes, breathe out calmly, grab a treat and give it to your dog (you may have to open your eyes for this). Feel free to toss a handful of treats on the floor. If it’s a toy, you can throw it.
Other tips: put on a Canine Gym Fit Vest, Anxiety Wrap or Thundershirt before the fireworks start. This shouldn’t be your dog’s first use of such a wrap (otherwise they’ll associate the wrap with the noises!). Use an herbal anti-stress supplement like Animal Essentials Tranquility Blend (try it out before the fireworks), and have calming oils (like lavender) diffusing in the room.
If you really must go out:
Take a long walk to exercise your dog before you leave. That helps increase the possibility of him falling asleep while you’re gone.
Leave him with music and/or television on.
Leave him with a full food puzzle (or several) to enjoy while you’re gone. If you have a Kong, you can fill it with peanut butter, baby food, canned pumpkin (go to http://www.kongcompany.com/recipes/ for more recipes!) and freeze it.
Or, if you don’t have time to prepare a frozen Kong, make a melted cheese Kong. Melt cheese in a glass container and then pour it into the Kong. You can also put a 1-inch cube (or a slice) of cheese into the Kong, microwave for 20 seconds (times may vary depending on your microwave), and swirl it around until the inside is coated with cheese. Remember to cool off the cheese before giving to him!
Events and Happenings In July:
SUMMER FAST TRACK PROGRAM (We’ll never tell!)
Our popular Fast Track program allows you to drop your dogs off at the school for a day of playing and learning. When you pick up your (tired and trained) dog, we’ll also send you an email telling you what we worked on, and include the lesson sheets that go along with it. Then when you’re at class, we’ll make sure that you’re doing what you need to do to keep the progress moving along.
So this summer, while you’re down the shore, at the pool, or in the city, your dog can be playing and learning and becoming the dog that you’ve always wanted him to be!
Here’s what students are saying about the program:
“We can’t believe the difference that we see in our puppy! The training that she’s getting from you makes life at home and the class that we take much easier to navigate!” – L.M Wyckoff
“My family was over for a bbq last weekend and asked who our ‘new’ dog was! Thank you for helping us help him make great strides in his training. It’s amazing how much quicker the training is going just by adding FT to our regular classes. Thank you thank you thank you!” – K.W. Ridgewood
“As you know, with 4 children and a spouse that is always travelling, making time to train our dog was limited at best. We managed to come once a week for class, but being able to train during the week was challenging. Your FT program has changed our lives by getting a lot of the training done for us. Plus we know that he’s having fun playing with his friends while he’s with you.” - R.N. Ramsey
“Our neighbors just signed up for classes and FT training with you because they couldn’t believe the difference in our dog in just one week! Thank you!” - M.L. Saddle River
“My husband thinks I’m the best dog trainer – let’s just keep this between us.” – F.J. River Vale
To sign up (spots are limited), please email Stacey at [email protected]. And don’t worry; your secret is safe with us.
JULY 4TH SCHOOL CLOSING DATES
We’re closed Friday July 4th through Sunday July 6th. Classes will resume as usual on Monday July 7th. During that time, if you have any questions or emergencies, please email Kathy or Stacey and we’ll get back to asap. Have a fun and safe holiday weekend!
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 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 few great reasons to join us:
◦ Much like active children, dogs thrive on fun and games.
◦ Dogs learn appropriate behavior by playing (correctly) with other dogs.
◦ Play reduces stress and curbs the potential for unacceptable behaviors ranging from anxiety (barking, chewing, digging) to aggression (growling, territorial protectiveness, biting).
◦ Structured exercises enhance mental capacity.
◦ Socializing reinforces good behavior. If your dog is unsure in social situations, he can slowly gain confidence in our structured and chaperoned environment.
Sign up is limited and is open to students in our school only. PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL EKIN [email protected] to reserve your spot. Cost is $25.00
Upcoming Seminars:
BODY LANGUAGE WORKSHOP: JULY 17th 8pm
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 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 Ekin at [email protected]
OFF LEASH WORKSHOPS (Indoor & Outdoor): Make this the summer when you finally have a dog with an off leash recall! Email Kathy or Stacey to learn more about our off leash training and to find out whether you’re ready to start.
FIELD TRIPS WITH STACEY 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 THRU WITH JERRIE:
JULY 18, AUGUST 1st and 15th
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. Depending on the weather, the class could be held at the school, or at an outdoor location. Cost is $25 and all proceeds will be donated to a local rescue group. Please call or email Jerrie: [email protected] for more information.
SUNDAY RALLY SIGNS CLASS WITH STACEY
A current Rally exhibitor herself, Stacey will help you understand and correctly perform the various Rally obedience signs. THIS CLASS IS FOR DOGS WITH BASIC OBEDIENCE SKILLS AND FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE UNFAMILIAR WITH RALLY SIGNS. Email her at [email protected] for dates and times of this class.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJ4KNrOsRLU
You can also play a sound CD of fireworks at very low volume in the morning and gradually raise the volume during the day. Hopefully, by the time the real fireworks come, your dog will just think it’s part of the CD.
If that doesn’t help, here’s some other helpful ideas:
1. Stay home! Don’t go out and risk your dog having a meltdown.
2. Play calming music or watch television while you’re home during the fireworks.
3. Have a container of fabulous treats in reach (so you don’t have to jump up to get them). Toys are also a good choice for dogs that love toys more than steak.
4. Whenever a firework goes off, close your eyes, breathe out calmly, grab a treat and give it to your dog (you may have to open your eyes for this). Feel free to toss a handful of treats on the floor. If it’s a toy, you can throw it.
Other tips: put on a Canine Gym Fit Vest, Anxiety Wrap or Thundershirt before the fireworks start. This shouldn’t be your dog’s first use of such a wrap (otherwise they’ll associate the wrap with the noises!). Use an herbal anti-stress supplement like Animal Essentials Tranquility Blend (try it out before the fireworks), and have calming oils (like lavender) diffusing in the room.
If you really must go out:
Take a long walk to exercise your dog before you leave. That helps increase the possibility of him falling asleep while you’re gone.
Leave him with music and/or television on.
Leave him with a full food puzzle (or several) to enjoy while you’re gone. If you have a Kong, you can fill it with peanut butter, baby food, canned pumpkin (go to http://www.kongcompany.com/recipes/ for more recipes!) and freeze it.
Or, if you don’t have time to prepare a frozen Kong, make a melted cheese Kong. Melt cheese in a glass container and then pour it into the Kong. You can also put a 1-inch cube (or a slice) of cheese into the Kong, microwave for 20 seconds (times may vary depending on your microwave), and swirl it around until the inside is coated with cheese. Remember to cool off the cheese before giving to him!
Events and Happenings In July:
SUMMER FAST TRACK PROGRAM (We’ll never tell!)
Our popular Fast Track program allows you to drop your dogs off at the school for a day of playing and learning. When you pick up your (tired and trained) dog, we’ll also send you an email telling you what we worked on, and include the lesson sheets that go along with it. Then when you’re at class, we’ll make sure that you’re doing what you need to do to keep the progress moving along.
So this summer, while you’re down the shore, at the pool, or in the city, your dog can be playing and learning and becoming the dog that you’ve always wanted him to be!
Here’s what students are saying about the program:
“We can’t believe the difference that we see in our puppy! The training that she’s getting from you makes life at home and the class that we take much easier to navigate!” – L.M Wyckoff
“My family was over for a bbq last weekend and asked who our ‘new’ dog was! Thank you for helping us help him make great strides in his training. It’s amazing how much quicker the training is going just by adding FT to our regular classes. Thank you thank you thank you!” – K.W. Ridgewood
“As you know, with 4 children and a spouse that is always travelling, making time to train our dog was limited at best. We managed to come once a week for class, but being able to train during the week was challenging. Your FT program has changed our lives by getting a lot of the training done for us. Plus we know that he’s having fun playing with his friends while he’s with you.” - R.N. Ramsey
“Our neighbors just signed up for classes and FT training with you because they couldn’t believe the difference in our dog in just one week! Thank you!” - M.L. Saddle River
“My husband thinks I’m the best dog trainer – let’s just keep this between us.” – F.J. River Vale
To sign up (spots are limited), please email Stacey at [email protected]. And don’t worry; your secret is safe with us.
JULY 4TH SCHOOL CLOSING DATES
We’re closed Friday July 4th through Sunday July 6th. Classes will resume as usual on Monday July 7th. During that time, if you have any questions or emergencies, please email Kathy or Stacey and we’ll get back to asap. Have a fun and safe holiday weekend!
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 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 few great reasons to join us:
◦ Much like active children, dogs thrive on fun and games.
◦ Dogs learn appropriate behavior by playing (correctly) with other dogs.
◦ Play reduces stress and curbs the potential for unacceptable behaviors ranging from anxiety (barking, chewing, digging) to aggression (growling, territorial protectiveness, biting).
◦ Structured exercises enhance mental capacity.
◦ Socializing reinforces good behavior. If your dog is unsure in social situations, he can slowly gain confidence in our structured and chaperoned environment.
Sign up is limited and is open to students in our school only. PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL EKIN [email protected] to reserve your spot. Cost is $25.00
Upcoming Seminars:
BODY LANGUAGE WORKSHOP: JULY 17th 8pm
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 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 Ekin at [email protected]
OFF LEASH WORKSHOPS (Indoor & Outdoor): Make this the summer when you finally have a dog with an off leash recall! Email Kathy or Stacey to learn more about our off leash training and to find out whether you’re ready to start.
FIELD TRIPS WITH STACEY 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 THRU WITH JERRIE:
JULY 18, AUGUST 1st and 15th
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. Depending on the weather, the class could be held at the school, or at an outdoor location. Cost is $25 and all proceeds will be donated to a local rescue group. Please call or email Jerrie: [email protected] for more information.
SUNDAY RALLY SIGNS CLASS WITH STACEY
A current Rally exhibitor herself, Stacey will help you understand and correctly perform the various Rally obedience signs. THIS CLASS IS FOR DOGS WITH BASIC OBEDIENCE SKILLS AND FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE UNFAMILIAR WITH RALLY SIGNS. Email her at [email protected] for dates and times of this class.