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Greetings!
 We're coming up on "back to school" season, and why should your dogs miss out on the educational fun? Pawsitive Results is offering our popular Rally for Fun class again, and introducing Puppy Kindergarten! Plus, if you have a well-trained, friendly pet and have always wanted to learn how to volunteer together at health care facilities, register now for the Delta Society Team Training course I'm offering in September. You'll find information about all of these classes here in this issue. You'll also get helpful tips on traveling with your pet, and the scoop on an upcoming canine eye and heart clinic. If you find this information helpful, please feel free to forward this newsletter to your friends. Give your dogs cookies from me!
Teoti Anderson, CPDT
Pawsitive Results, LLC
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Introducing Puppy Kindergarten!
at USC Sumter
The University of South Carolina Sumter contacted us about offering a puppy kindergarten class, so we are premiering Pawsitive Results Puppy Kindergarten September 2 at 7:30 p.m.  This will be a true puppy kindergarten, featuring socialization, handling exercises, puppy playtime, and lots of information to get your puppy off to a great start in life. To participate in the class, all puppies: - Must be no older than 16 weeks.
- Must have had two sets of vaccinations.
- Must be COMPLETELY friendly towards people AND other dogs.
There is always a risk of puppies catching diseases when you take them to a public location before they have completed their vaccination series. Studies have shown there is a greater chance of long-term issues, however, from a lack of early socialization and training. This is where a quality puppy kindergarten program can make a big difference in how your puppy develops into an adult dog. For more information, visit http://www.getpawsitiveresults.com/puppyk.htm. |
Class Schedule
Now taking registration for all classes.
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What is Rally for Fun?
During this class, you'll get an introduction to the sport of Rally. In Rally, you and your dog enter a ring and follow a course. Throughout the course there are signs, each with an exercise you must perform.  Rally for Fun is taught by veteran Pawsitive Results assistant and Rally competitor Phyllis Beasley. We will cover both American Kennel Club (AKC) and Association of Pet Dog Trainer (APDT) rules. As the name implies, Rally for Fun will follow the Pawsitive Results tradition of having fun with your dog using reward-based training. This is an introductory course to Rally. So if you are a serious competitor, please know this class will not completely prepare you for the ring. In fact, you don't even need to want to compete to enjoy this class. If you enjoy fun activities with your dog, then this is the class for you! This will be the only Rally for Fun class offered this year, so get your registration in today! |
On the Road
Going on a summer vacation and taking Fido along? Whether you're just taking a quick road trip or you'll be away from home for a couple weeks, here are some tips for safe travels.
- Get your dog used to the car ahead of time. Don't wait until your vacation to find out your dog gets car sick, or is afraid of the car. Start by taking really short trips (even just around the block) and work up to longer times so Fido is comfortable in the car.
- Always make sure your dog is wearing a collar with a current ID tag! Too many dogs are separated from their owners while traveling and never make it home because they weren't wearing ID. If you have your cell phone with you at all times, put that phone number on the tag. If you will more easily be reached at a temporary number (such as your family's house) then consider getting a temporary tag. Or, put some masking tape on the collar and write that number on the tape with permanent ink.
- Bring copies of Fido's shot records.
- On a large index card, write or print on your computer, "Traveling with Pets! Please see glove compartment for details." Then tape the index card on the inside of the car window so people can see it from the outside. Should you be in an accident, this can help rescue personnel help your pets! You may not be able to speak for them if you are injured.
- Type an index card for each pet, and put it in the glove compartment of your car. Include:
- Your dog's name
- Age
- Breed/Sex
- Brief summary of your dog's personality, such as "Sweet, but shy around men."
- What your dog eats, including any supplements, such as "2 cups of Wellness kibble each day, 500 mg Vitamin C in the morning."
- Any health issues, such as "Recovering from hip surgery, back left hip."
- Any medications, including flea and tick prevention, such as "Currently on Frontline Plus for fleas/ticks, takes 10 mg of prednisone daily for allergies."
- Include your veterinarian's name and contact information.
- Include a close friend's name and contact information who will help with your pets in an emergency (clear it with your pal first!).
- You may want to include a statement such as, "In case of emergency, please take my pets to the nearest veterinarian or emergency clinic. All costs will be paid."
Your dog loves to be with you, so consider taking Fido along for the ride when you travel this summer. Just be sure to take a few precautions so you both can enjoy your vacation!
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 What Do You Want to See Here?
Do you have a general question about a dog training issue? Something about dogs or training you'd like to learn more about? Let me know! I may include it in an article for an upcoming issue.
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Check Your Dog's Eyes and Heart
The Sandlapper Golden Retriever Club is holding a fundraiser Eye/Heart Clinic Sunday, August 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Blythewood Animal Clinic in Columbia, SC. All breeds are welcome.
Ophthalmologist Dr. Charles Martin and cardiologist Dr. Gil Jacobs, both board-certified, will be conducting the screenings. The screenings are for Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) and Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) cardiology clearances.
The cost is $30 for eyes and $40 for hearts.
Preregistration and payment is required. You must preregister by August 12. For appointment times or more information, please contact Mary Williams at 803-735-0599.
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Volunteer With Your Pet!
Does your animal have what it takes to be a therapy animal? - Animals should love strangers at first sight. They should enjoy being touched all over their bodies by people they don't know.
- Dogs
should already be well trained. They must know sit, stay, down, come
and leave it. They should walk politely on leash without pulling. And,
of course, they shouldn't jump on anyone!
- Animals should be confident and behave in a variety of settings.
You and your pet could bring great joy to patients by visiting them in hospitals, nursing homes and other health care facilities. There's more to visiting, though, than just having a friendly Fido.
It's important to learn how to conduct visits safely and effectively, and to be covered by liability insurance. You can learn what it takes during the Delta Society Pet Partner Team Training course September 19 and 20 in Northeast Columbia. Workshop participants will be able to sign up for screening appointments to be held September 26. Delta Society is an international organization that educates people and registers human-animal teams for animal-assisted activities and therapy. Teoti is a licensed Delta Society Instructor and Evaluator, and will be teaching this two-day course. Keep in mind, dogs are not the only ones eligible for Pet Partner registration. Delta Society registers all domestic animals who can successfully pass the screening with their human partners. So if you have a very sweet, social kitty or bunny at home, consider volunteering with him, too. |
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About Pawsitive Results, LLC
Pawsitive Results, LLC offers reward-based group dog training classes in Lexington and West Columbia, SC. Owner Teoti Anderson is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT), author and public speaker.
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