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Newsletter
  March 2010
Letter from the Executive Director
Debi and Riley
Happy Spring to All,
Please join Austin Dog Alliance, Dogadillo and 20 other rescue groups in our first annual "Spring Rescue Rally" on Saturday, March 6 at the Hill Country Galleria.  Even if you are not looking to adopt a new dog, come out, stop by to 'say hi' and watch some demonstrations and meet dogs of all breeds and ages.   
Besides preparing for the Rescue Rally, your ADA team has been busy preparing a grant proposal to Impact Austin.  We are trying to secure start up funding for an afterschool enrichment program for children with autism.  Our project will use our wonderful pet therapy dogs to facilitate communication, motor skill and socialization enrichment activities.  We are collaborating with the University of Texas Autism Project in hopes that our findings will lead to scientific documentation of the benefits of using dogs to teach autistic children.  Currently, most autism teachers will agree that dogs are a benefit, but very little scientific, documented studies have been published.  Help us win - if you know anyone on the Impact Austin voting committee, please tell them how wonderful we are!
Sincerely,
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Debi Krakar, CPDT
Executive Director, Austin Dog Alliance
Note:  Keep up to date with all the latest happenings on our Facebook page.  We post pictures and updates almost daily.  To see current pictures on our Facebook page follow the link.
Spring Rescue Rally 
Saturday, March 6 from 1 - 4 at Hill Country Galleria  
Emergency Vet logoDogadillo and Austin Dog Alliance would like to invite you to the "Spring Rescue Rally" on Saturday, March 6th from 1 PM - 4:00 PM.
The Hill Country Galleria Amphitheater (Hwy 71 at RR 620)
4000 Galleria Pkwy
Austin, Texas 78738

This fun, free and dog-friendly event will include the following rescue groups: 
  
American Boston Terrier Rescue
Austin Aussie Rescue
Austin German Shepherd Rescue
Austin Pets Alive 
Austin Sheltie Rescue
Ay Chihuahua Rescue 
Cocker Spaniel Rescue of Austin 
From The Heart Animal Rescue
German Shepherd Rescue Central Texas
German Shorthair Pointer Rescue Group 
Greyhound Pets of America/Central Texas 
Happy Endings Dog Rescue
Heart of Texas Lab Rescue 
Homeward Bound Dog Rescue 
Humane Society of Williamson County
Italian Greyhound Club of America
Maltese Rescue Group
PAWS Shelter and Humane Society
Texas Airedale Rescue
Texas Alaskan Malamute Rescue 
Weimaraner Rescue of Texas
 
All day activities include:

  Games
  Crafts
  Face Painting
Presentations will include:

  Agility demonstration - 1:30
  Dr. Seuss with Bow Wow Reading Dogs - 2:30
  Bow Wow Workout demonstration - 3:30
  Dancing with the Canine Stars - 2:00 and 3:00
Bow Wow Workout Photo Contest Winners
Thank You to all who entered...

Daniela Abrantes with 'Around Austin'  - 1st Place

Forpaws with 'Mountaineers' and Maria Tase with 'Got Wheels Go Ride' for 2nd and 3rd.
Training Tip of the Month 
by Debi Krakar, CPDT 

Exercise, exercise, exercise.  With the cold and wet weather, many dogs are not getting enough exercise.  Dogs who do not get enough exercise will bark, pace, eat your couch, chew your shoes, take the trash out of the can, chase the cat, chase the kids, start games or fights with your other dogs in the house and in general just cause more trouble. 
 
If your dog is causing trouble in the home, try doubling his exercise.  Chances are, you will notice an improvement in behavior on the days the dog gets enough exercise.   As a point of reference, most large young adult dogs need at least an hour of fast paced walking everyday.  The high energy ones will need more and may need a "job" such as pet therapy, agility, or other sports.

Foster Team Training - FREE 
Saturday, March 13 from 2:00 - 3:30 at Austin Dog Alliance


Our foster program is designed to buy time for shelter dogs and to help them find a perfect family. We rely solely on foster homes to care for the dogs while they await their new family.

 

If you are interested in fostering, please join us as Su Tu, CPDT provides an afternoon of training on Integrating a foster dog into your home;  the first two hours and the first two weeks.  Your knowledge on integrating a foster dog will be very valuable to our adopters as you help them transition the dog to their own home.   

 

Please RSVP to our Adoption Support Volunteer, Debby Hylton at [email protected]. 

Fetching Art Benefit Event
Saturday, May 8 from 7 - 10 PM at Austin Dog Alliance

It's an art party, art auction, and wine tasting all rolled into one exciting benefit. Enjoy some gourmet appetizers or perhaps a glass of wine as you view the incredible art created by artists from the greater Austin area. You'll even get a chance to design your own unique pieces at our creativity table. No event would be complete without music, especially in the music capitol of the world, so we'll have some talented musicians ready to take your song requests. 

 

Fetching Art tickets will be $25.00 if purchased before the event and $35.00 at the door.

 

If you are an artist and would like to donate one of your pieces to the auction, please email Su at [email protected]. We would love to showcase your work! All pieces must be received by May 1st.

 

We are also looking for a few donations as well:

 

         Flowers for the event

         Low cost printing (tickets, flyers, signs, banners)
         Gift certificates or items for dog, wine, & art-themed baskets
Upcoming Training Classes
And Summer Camp for Kids and Teens
Aussie puppyWe are pleased to announce our training class schedule for the early Spring season.  All classes are taught using positive training methods by  Certified Professional Dog Trainers (CPDT). We now offer SUNDAY classes.  See our website for class times. 
Summer Camps - This year we are offering an Advanced Skills, Tricks and More camp for our older teen campers.  We are also offering more options for our K9 Juniors, ages 6 - 8.  Camps will sell out.  Register early to ensure a spot for your child. 
Bow Wow Workouts - Punch Card -- Are you interested in having fun while getting fit? Personal Trainer Jen Andrew from Green Feet Fitness and your dog training team from Austin Dog Alliance will guide you thru a fun way for you and your dog to get fit.
We are using a punch card system for this class. All punch cards are valid for 60 days.  Class meets at 8:45 AM on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.  We meet outside if it's a beautiful day, inside if cold or wet. 
5 class punch card @ $75
10 class punch card @ $125
20 class punch card @ $180
Puppy Manners I - The moment you bring your puppy home he starts learning what it means to be a dog in your home. A rewarding relationship with your dog should last a lifetime and is shaped through socialization and your ability to guide your dog to interact appropriately with others in your home and your community. Your puppy will learn sit, down, leash walking, leave it, drop it, stay, come, roll over and spin. 
 
- The focus of this course is teaching your dog to be calm and well behaved both inside and outside the home. We emphasize bonding with your dog and using positive rewards (treats, praise, petting, toys) as incentive to learn new skills. Students are also taught how to interpret their dog's body language to better understand how to approach new situations.
 

Advanced Dog Manners II - Take your training to the next level.  Learn to work with your dog in distracting environments and in off leash situations. 
 
Dog Manners for Deaf Dogs - This is a class specifically designed for DEAF dogs! In addition to the material covered in our regular Dog Manners I class, you will learn how to communicate with your deaf dog using sign language.
 

Pet Therapy Class - This class will prepare you for volunteering in a variety of pet therapy environments with your dog and the Delta Society Pet Partner Evaluation.  This evaluation covers the Canine Good Citizen skills plus 11 temperment skills.  Dogs must enjoy handling by strangers, have strong obedience skills and be friendly around other dogs prior to enrollment.   Daytime classes available.
 
For more information and to register, please see our website at AustinDogAlliance.org or call the Training Center at 335-7100. 

Stretch it Out -- Help Your Dog Stay Fit

Submitted by Anderson Mill Animal Clinic
dog stretch
For many of our dogs, especially as they age, joint degeneration, muscle atrophy, loss of flexibility and subsequent pain are all too common. Considering that conventional options for treating pain and arthritis are limited, it is important to seek out natural ways to increase our pup's longevity and minimize their pain.  Think of your dog's body as a complete system.  For optimal functioning, all parts must be in balance.  To keep your dog fit, flexible and feeling great, remember that movement is how the body heals.  

Pay attention to your dog's habits to discern what she needs to feel great.  Does she get up slowly?  Resists going up and down stairs?  Seems down in the dumps?  Lure her out of the doghouse!  Coax her off the couch!  Get her moving!  Dogs maintain, and even improve, mobility and range of motion of the joints with just a few minutes of stretching and massage each day.  Remember when it comes to health, mobility and pain management, consistency-not intensity-is key.  Use these exercises on a regular basis:
    See More......  
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Austin Dog Alliance
is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, with the mission of making dogs an integral part of our community through the use of science-based training methods and the human-canine bond. This special bond improves the lives of families and benefits the community through hospital and nursing home visits, reading dog programs, and educational programs that enhance the self-esteem of our children.
 
Austin Dog Alliance is funded by the revenue generated from our training classes and donations by individuals and corporations.  All donations are tax deductible.  Please donate today!
In This Issue
Spring Rescue Rally
Photo Contest Winners
Training Tip
Foster Team Training
Fetching Art
Training Classes
Help Your Dog Stay Fit
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Dog of the month:

Border Collie


"Grady"

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I'm a 1 year old male who loves to play.  I'm very smart and eager to learn.