 |
Greetings!
 | | Finian & Teoti |
March greetings! Spring is in the air (and so is the pollen!) and classes are underway at Pawsitive Results.
We're expanding classes in Irmo, adding Puppy Kindergarten in addition to our Family Manners I. If you've been waiting for Family Manners II, now's your chance to sign up!
In this issue of Pawsitively Speaking, you'll learn the top 10 pet poisons reported by the Pet Poison Helpline. Has anyone ever told you your dog couldn't be trained because he was a certain breed or mix? Here you'll find my views on breed prejudice.
Also, St. Patrick's Day is coming up. If you want your canine friend to share in your revelry, please be careful! Some dogs will not enjoy the crowds as much as you will. If folks are drinking, it could also get too rowdy to be safe for your dog. Watch your dog carefully for signs of stress. Depending on where you live, you may also have to contend with the weather. Right now it's pretty warm in South Carolina, so dogs can overheat even in March. If you're in an area of the country with ice or snow, be extra careful to check your dog's paws for injury or clinging ice.
As always, thank you for your support of Pawsitive Results! Please give your dogs cookies from me. Teoti Anderson, CPDT-KA, KPA-CTPPawsitive Results, LLC
|
Class Schedule
We are expanding our services to Irmo, including Puppy Kindergarten! Learn how to register.
Puppy Kindergarten
Friarsgate Park, Irmo
Beginning April 3, start any Tuesday! Class is at 7 p.m.
Now taking registration!
Family Manners I
Friarsgate Park, Irmo
Class begins Tuesday, April 3 at 8:00 p.m. (If this class fills, we will hold an 8:30 p.m. class.)
Now taking registration!
Tri-City Leisure Center, West Columbia
Class begins Thursday, May 3 at 7:30 p.m.
Now taking registration!Family Manners IIThis class is not offered every session, so register today! Tri-City Leisure Center, West Columbia Class begins Thursday, March 22 at 8:30 p.m. Still spots left! Private LessonsWe offer a variety of training packages in the convenience of your home. Choose from Puppy Head Start, Housetraining Help, Family Manners, Behavior, and Competitive Rally Coaching. Times not work for you? Check out our future schedule. |
Top 10 Pet Poisons
Has your dog ever chewed or eaten something dangerous? I remember almost having a heart attack when I realized my previous Labrador had eaten an ant bait trap! (He ended up ok, thank goodness.)  According to the Pet Poison Helpline, here are the top 10 poisons they get called about: - Chocolate
- Insect bait stations
- Rodenticides (i.e. mouse and rat poison)
- Fertilizers
- Xylitol-containing products (i.e. sugar-free gums and candies)
- Ibuprofen
- Acetaminophen
- Silica gel packs
- Amphetamines
- Household cleaners
If your pet eats something dangerous, don't take a chance. Please call your veterinarian right away. If your vet's office is closed, call your community's after-hour emergency clinic. You can also call the Pet Poison Helpline or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Be aware that calls to these poison centers do have charges, but they could be well worth them if they save your pet's life! |
|
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 Professional Dog Trainer, author and public speaker.
|
|
|
Breed Is Not An Excuse
A former student contacted me recently, looking for assistance in finding a trainer in her new location. She had contacted a local trainer but had concerns about the trainer's comments about her mixed breed dog, which is likely a terrier mix. The trainer had told her that terriers were very hard to train, and although they would try, she shouldn't have high expectations. What did I say to this? Rubbish!
It's a myth that certain breeds can't be trained. Often times, I think it's used as an excuse. "Oh you can't tell this dog anything, it's a (fill in the blank)." This is usually a sign of problems with the person doing the training, not the dog. If you have a difficult student, you just have to be a better teacher.
It's true that breeds have characteristics that make them unique. Retrievers enjoy putting things in their mouths. Herding breeds love to chase. Hounds love to sniff the ground. This doesn't prevent them from being trained, especially if you use modern, scientific methods. You just have to understand the dog enough to find what motivates him.
You can also channel those characteristics into useful behaviors. My Labrador Retriever, Logan, helps me carry laundry and bring in the groceries. You can teach your hound to track down a family member. And here's a fun video of putting a Border Collie to good use herding friends for St. Patrick's Day -- to the pub!
We use clicker training in our classes. Per Karen Pryor, these techniques follow the scientific laws of learning and work on any animal with a nervous system. That pretty much covers all your breeds right there!
Breed prejudice comes in many forms. Anyone who has a Pit Bull, German Shepherd, Rottweiler or Doberman is probably used to people assuming their dogs are vicious. You simply can't paint a breed with that broad a brush. I've met dangerous Rottweilers and dangerous Cocker Spaniels. It depends on the individual dog.
While some love to promote myths, there are some who strive to portray a more realistic view. In March, I was delighted when WACH-TV News asked to interview me about Pit Bulls. Kudos to WACH-TV for not spreading more hysteria about this misunderstood breed!
When you are researching the origins of your dog, make sure you are using reliable sources. A good place to try is your breed's official rescue group. Each official American Kennel Club (AKC) breed has a rescue organization. (If you have a mixed breed, just contact each one!). Breed rescue folks know the best traits of your dog and the bad, and they can often give you a realistic picture of what you can expect. |
|
