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Greetings!
 | Finian and Teoti
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October means the first kiss of fall ... Halloween ... and signups for the last class sessions of the year. Fall always seems extra busy at Pawsitive Results, and this year is no exception.
I went to Japan last month to speak at a dog trainers' conference. Closer to home, I just got back from Atlanta, GA, where I gave two workshops at the Association of Pet Dog Trainers Annual Educational Conference and Trade Show. I also attended so many great sessions, my brain is full of new ideas for classes!
In this issue I'll share about my Japan trip, offer tips for making Halloween a more pleasant experience for your dog, and give information on how to be prepared in case you ever need to evacuate your home.
Give your dogs cookies from me!
Teoti Anderson, CPDT-KA
Pawsitive Results, LLC
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Trip to Japan
 | Teoti at the Zenkoji Temple grounds in Nagano, Japan.
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In September, I traveled to Tokyo, Japan, to speak at the annual educational conference of the Japanese Association of Pet Dog Trainers. This was my second trip to the JAPDT, and I was honored to have been invited back!
I gave four presentations during the three-day conference -- Building a Better Therapy Dog, Training Small Dogs, Helping Clients Survive Their Canine Teenagers and Creating a Successful Classroom Experience. The audience was a mix of dog trainers, veterinary technicians and veterinarians.
Everyone was so gracious, and it was great to exchange ideas with fellow trainers from a different country. We have a lot in common! The trainers in Japan are embracing reward-based training methods. The JAPDT also made me an honorary member, which was quite an honor!
After the conference I took a few days to explore Nagano with friends. I wish I'd had more time for sightseeing! The entire trip was a great experience and I hope to go back. The hardest part was re-adjusting my body's time clock when I returned. Tokyo is 13 hours ahead of Eastern Time!
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Class Schedule
Register now for the last classes of the year! Pawsitive Results will take its annual break in January, so these will be the last classes until February 2011.
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, November 9, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. - Puppy Kindergarten -- Now taking registration!
West Columbia - Tri-City Leisure Center
Thursday, November 18, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. - Family Manners I -- Now taking registration!
Thursday, November 18, 2010 at 8:30 p.m. - Family Manners II -- FULL. Taking names in case of cancellations.
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Be Prepared!
You never know when you may have to evacuate your home due to a disaster. Unfortunately, by the time a disaster strikes, it's too late to prepare! Are you ready to leave with your pets in an emergency?
Here are some tips to help. You can find more at www.ready.gov and at the Animals in Disasters page of the Disaster Information Management Research Center.
- Keep at least three days of food and water per pet in airtight containers.
- Keep an extra supply of any medications your pet takes in an airtight container. Check it regularly to ensure it hasn't expired.
- Make sure each pet has a well fitting collar with ID and current contact information.
- Keep crates or carriers handy so you can grab them in a hurry. Make sure your pets are comfortable in them ahead of time!
- Take pictures of you and your pets together. This will help with identification just in case you are ever separated. Keep them in your evacuation kit.
Make a plan for if you need to evacuate. If you go to a public shelter, know that it may not allow your pets inside. Learn what local hotels will accept pets, and what kind. Remember, some hotels will only accept small pets or do not allow certain breeds. You don't want to evacuate to a hotel only to learn it won't accept you!
Depending on the disaster, you may not be able to evacuate locally. Contact friends or family in nearby states and see if they would be willing to take you and your pets in case of emergency.
It's easy to put off disaster planning. We always hope we won't need it! But please take some time to prepare now, to help you and your pets be safer when the unexpected happens.
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Things That Go, "Boo!"
With Halloween just around the corner, all the little goblins are getting ready to come to your door and ask for treats. Is your dog ready?
If your dog is already nervous with strangers coming to the house, or frightened of children, then Halloween night can be especially terrifying. Do your dog a favor, and keep him away from the scary event.
Put your dog in his crate or in a room away from the front door. Give him a yummy food-stuffed toy, such as a Kong or Twist 'n' Treat. Turn on the TV or radio, or put on a soothing CD to help mask the noise.
Even a dog who normally loves kids might be frightened of children dressed in costumes. If you see signs that your dog is getting nervous -- lip licking, turning his head or body away, whining, getting clingy, shying away from visitors -- then remove him from the action immediately.
Halloween is supposed to be a fun holiday, so make sure your dog thinks the evening is a treat, and not a cruel trick!
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DogFancy Interviews Teoti
Check out the November issue of DogFancy! I was interviewed by writer Denise Flaim for her article, The First Year, about puppy development from birth to 12 months.
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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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