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Greetings!
 Is it spring yet? I'm ready for some warm weather! Keeping busy keeps me warm, however, so things have been quite toasty lately. I was honored to be interviewed by the New York Times for an article about running with your dog. Long-time friend Pia Silvani, the Director of Training and Behavior for St. Huberts Animal Welfare Center, also interviewed me for her wonderful podcast on Petlife Radio. (Click on Teacher's Pet, then Your Outta Control Puppy). WIS-TV in Columbia also recently asked me to be part of its Sunrise News program to discuss Pit Bulls, safety, and how breed-specific legislation is not a solution. For those of you who have completed Family Manners I, note that we are offering the popular Family Manners II this March session! And don't forget our Puppy Kindergarten for pups ages 8-16 weeks. In this issue, you'll find information about a new book (I'm a contributing author), recent study results about spaying and neutering perceptions in the South, the AKC's top breeds for last year, and an introduction to our new assistant instructor, Ryan Dawkins. Give your dogs cookies from me! Teoti Anderson, CPDT-KA
Pawsitive Results, LLC
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 New Book! Top Tips from Top Trainers
TFH Publications, Inc. has just released a great new book packed with tips from trainers from the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT). I was honored to take part in this exciting project by contributing to the content.
The book features 1,001 tips from APDT trainers, from everyday problem solvers to cool ideas and timesavers. Topics are arranged from A-Z. All tips feature dog-friendly, positive methods.
You can find the book at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
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Class Schedule
Puppy Kindergarten is off to a great start! Puppy owners are learning how to make life easier living with a puppy, and puppies are learning important socialization skills. We've also got the popular Family Manners II in this session. This class is not offered every session, so sign up now!
Class sessions are all six weeks and meet once per week. Class size is limited, so please register early! Learn how to register for class.
Lexington - Lexington Leisure Center
Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. - Puppy Kindergarten
West Columbia - Tri-City Leisure Center
Thursday, March 25, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. - Family Manners I -- FULL
Now taking names for waiting list in case of cancellations.
Thursday, March 25, 2010 at 8:30 p.m. - Family Manners II
Prerequisite: Family Manners I
Please note: Advanced classes are only held in West Columbia, but not held every session. If you'd like to plan ahead, please check out the 2010 future class schedule. |
Study Offers Insight Into Why People Don't Spay/Neuter Pets
PetSmart Charities recently revealed results from a study that focused on pet adoption and spaying and neutering pets. The study showed that when it comes to spaying and neutering, Southerners fall behind the rest of the country.
According to the study, more than one in three owners who recently acquired dogs or cats had not spayed or neutered their pets. Younger adults and those living in the South were the least likely to have their pet spayed or neutered.
Between 10 and 20 percent of respondents had a litter of dogs or cats, with the highest reason being "it was an accident."
So what stops folks from spaying or neutering pets? The study found that most dog and cat owners grossly underestimated the number of animals euthanized each year in shelters. While the estimated number is actually 4 million per year, many guesses fell far below this number. This indicates more education is needed as to the problem.
There was also confusion about when to spay or neuter. Men were more likely than women to have misconceptions about when this procedure can be performed. Younger adults, and participants in the South and North, were also more likely to believe a female dog must have a first heat before spaying.
The top reasons why people said they did not spay or neuter was because their animals were too young, the procedure was too expensive, and they "hadn't gotten around to it." Do you know people like this? Help educate them.
Too Young -- Encourage the person to talk to his or her veterinarian. Spay and neuter surgery has come a long way in recent years, with safer anesthesia and techniques. Veterinarians can advise on when to get the procedure done.
Too Expensive -- Many cities offer free or low-cost spay and neuter clinics. Check with your local Humane Society.
Haven't Gotten Around To It -- The shelters are full of "accidental puppies" who often are euthanized due to a lack of homes available. This is not an accident that just "happens" -- this is completely preventable.
You can download a copy of the complete study here. For information you can share on the benefits of spaying and neutering, visit the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Web site.
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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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Introducing Ryan Dawkins
Please welcome Ryan Dawkins as the newest assistant to join the Pawsitive Results team!
Ryan is the proud owner of four
rescue dogs, and there are usually one or two foster dogs hanging around as
well. She is an APDT and Prescription Paws member, and she is a Delta Society
Pet Partner with her Pit Bull, Quincy (that's his sweet face pictured with Ryan, above).
Ryan
has rescued or fostered more than 20 dogs over the last six years, and can be
regularly found picking stray dogs up off the side of the road. She also blogs
about her love of all things canine and is a tireless Pit Bull advocate.
We're happy to have Ryan on board!
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Voted Most Popular
The American Kennel Club (AKC) has released its annual list of the most popular breeds registered with the organization. For the 19th year in a row, the Labrador Retriever topped the list. Here are the top 20 breeds for 2009: - Labrador Retrievers
- German Shepherds
- Yorkshire Terriers
- Golden Retrievers
- Beagles
- Boxers
- Bulldogs
- Dachshunds
- Poodles
- Shih Tzu
- Miniature Schnauzers
- Chihuahuas
- Rottweilers
- Pomeranians
- Doberman Pinschers
- German Shorthaired Pointers
- Pugs
- Shetland Sheepdogs
- Boston Terriers
- Maltese
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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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