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Greetings!
 I found out some of you had formatting issues with the last newsletter, depending on your e-mail program. My apologies! I figured out what went wrong and have fixed the problem. In this issue, you'll find some gift recommendations for your holiday shopping list, some holiday safety tips, an update on how the H1N1 flu can affect your pets and information about Pawsome Radio. We're gearing up for some exciting classes in 2010, including a brand new Puppy Kindergarten! We've made some changes to the schedule to make room for the new class, please see the article in this issue for details. I wish you and your families a safe and happy holiday. Please give your dogs cookies from me! Teoti Anderson, CPDT
Pawsitive Results, LLC
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Introducing Puppy Kindergarten!
During the first 16 weeks of a puppy's life, you will build a foundation for your puppy's future. Puppyhood is the BEST time to prevent aggression and fear problems later in life. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to safely socialize your puppy until after he has received all his vaccinations.
Pawsitive Results is launching a puppy kindergarten class to address these very concerns. A true puppy kindergarten class doesn't teach lots of obedience exercises. Instead, it teaches your puppy that the world is a friendly, safe place -- and it teaches puppy owners how to properly deal with common puppy challenges. We are thrilled to be able to offer this new quality Pawsitive Results class, backed by our proven expertise in canine behavior.
- This class will only be offered at the Lexington location so we can properly disinfect a dedicated room just for this class. Your puppy's health is a priority to us!
- Puppies must be between 8 and 16 weeks old.
- Puppies must be under veterinary care and have all applicable vaccinations.
- A new class will start about every four weeks, so you won't have a long wait to begin!
- All puppies must be completely friendly towards people and other dogs.
- The class includes supervised puppy playtime. Puppy play partners will be carefully matched for similar size and play styles to ensure a safe, positive experience.
We will cover how to properly socialize your puppy, to get him comfortable with different people and places. You'll learn handling techniques and how to control puppy nipping. We'll cover housetraining, grooming and nutrition. You'll learn how to prevent serious problems, such as growling over food and toys. All using our modern, scientific methods.
When you bring a puppy home, it's the start of your journey together. Make sure you start off on the right path! Find out more about our Puppy Kindergarten class.
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Class Schedule
In 2010, we will be dedicating the Lexington location to our Puppy Kindergarten class. This will allow us to hold the class in a dedicated, disinfected room. We will also be able to begin a new session about every four weeks so puppies have more chances to get started before their critical socialization window closes.
This change means all other classes will be held at our West Columbia location. Every session will feature a Family Manners I class at 7:30 p.m.. We will alternate a Family Manners I class at 8:30 p.m. with our advanced classes -- Family Manners II and III and Rally for Fun -- during alternate sessions. If you'd like to plan ahead, please check out the 2010 schedule.
Class sessions are all six weeks. Class size is limited, so please register early!
Learn how to register for class.
Lexington - Lexington Leisure Center
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. - Puppy Kindergarten
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 8:30 p.m. - Puppy Kindergarten
West Columbia - Tri-City Leisure Center
Thursday, February 4, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. - Family Manners I
If this class fills, we will hold an 8:30 p.m. Family Manners I class.
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Pawsitive Stocking Stuffers
Are you shopping for the nice dogs and people on your list? Here are some items we think are really pawsitive!
Christmas Dog Collars by Pecan Pie Puppies
Check out the Happy Howlidays collection! Bright, festive collars with poinsettias and gardenias for your girls, and striking tartan plaids for your boys.
Pecan Pie Puppies also has collars for every season of the year. Each collar is handmade by Ryan Dawkins. (Some of you may remember Ryan from classes. She's Quincy's and Mona Mae's mom.)
Books, Magazines and the Movie of the Year
Need a gift for folks who love to read? Of course, we hope you'll consider one of Teoti's books. Here are some other ideas for a dog lover's library:
- The Other End of the Leash by Dr. Patricia McConnell
- Angel by My Side by Mike Lingenfelter
- Play With Your Dog by Pat Miller
- Reaching the Animal Mind by Karen Pryor
For a year-long treat, consider a magazine subscription. Teoti is a columnist for Modern Dog magazine, a great lifestyle magazine for modern dogs and their companions. Other good choices include Bark magazine, a literary guide to life with dogs, and The Whole Dog Journal, which covers all aspects of dog care and training.
My absolute favorite movie this year was Pixar's "UP." It's heartwarming with wonderful animation ... and it features dogs! You can see a great clip here. (I think Logan may be related to Dug!) UP is now available on Blu-Ray and DVD.
Toys
Logan and Finian give these dog toys four paws up:
- Kong Wubba and Snugga Wubba
- Nylabone Dura Chew Plus for Powerful Chewers
- Premier Busy Buddy Tug-a-Jug and Tennis Tug
- Nina Ottosson's Interactive Puzzle Toys -- The Brick and The Tornado
Treats
My boys are not very picky when it comes to treats, but I am. Here are some healthy treats for your canine friends:
- Cloud Star Farmstand Treats -- sweet potato, carrot, apple
- Sam's Yams Sweet Potato Chews (I like the Big Boyz, even for Finian. He's a small dog, but a real power chewer.)
- Wellness Wellbites
- Zuke's Mini Naturals
Gifts from the Heart
If you simply can't decide what to get someone this year, how about giving a donation in his or her honor to a pet charity? Local favorites are Cullens Archangel Rescue, SC Greyhound Pets of America, Project Pet and the Humane Society. National favorites include The Delta Society and the Morris Animal Foundation Cure Canine Cancer Fund.
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Pawsome Radio
I was delighted to be interviewed by Barry Rosenberg for his Internet podcast radio program, Pawsome Radio. You can listen to the interview here.
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H1N1 and Your Dog
There is a reported case of two dogs infected with the H1N1 flu virus in China. You can read more about it here. There have been confirmed cases of cats contracting H1N1 flu from their families. How do you keep everyone at home safe?
If your family has the flu, please follow healthy practices. Wash your hands thoroughly and often with soap and water to avoid spreading disease. For tips, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site.
If you have any concerns about H1N1 and your pet, please consult your veterinarian.
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Holiday Safety
With all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, make sure you take a few minutes to keep Fido safe.
Be careful of holiday plants. Poinsettias and mistletoe, for example, are poisonous to dogs (and cats).
Keep your dog away from alcoholic beverages. It's not funny if Fido gets drunk. Dogs can easily get alcohol poisoning, fall into a coma and even die if they drink alcohol.
Keep Fido clear of dangerous decorations. Tinsel, ribbons and garlands can cause intestinal obstructions if your dog eats them.
Your dog may not understand the difference between his tennis ball and that shiny ball on the tree, so prevent Fido from accessing the tree if he's interested in chewing the tree or its decorations. Dog tails can also wreak havoc on a decorated tree -- one mighty wag and TIMBER!
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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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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, author and public speaker.
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