It's been quite the summer here at the Austin Dog Alliance Training Center. We hosted 9 sessions of summer camp for children ages 6 - 14. In all our sessions, we taught how to read dog body language and how to "listen" when the dog is signaling that they are nervous or frightened. We stressed positive interactions and respect, both to other campers and their dog partner. The campers bathed and groomed their dogs, taught the dogs basic skills, tricks and agility, visited the vet, learned to dance with their dog, visited dairy queen and the park, made new friends and had a great time.
Our camp for children with high functioning autism was successful and a learning experience for us all!
I won't say it was easy, in fact, on some days we had as many volunteers on the floor as campers. But what a joy it was to interact with children who see the world in a whole new perspective. For some of our campers, it was their first camp experience. WOW. What an honor it was to make such a difference.
So as summer comes to a close, we start to think about new dog training classes, launching our afterschool autism enrichment program, matching new Bow Wow Reading Dog teams with schools and planning our biggest event of the year, Paws in the Park.
Thanks to all of you who support our work in so many ways. Together, we are making a difference.
Sincerely,
Debi Krakar, CPDT
Executive Director, Austin Dog Alliance
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| Do you still have time for a quick getaway?
Submitted by Judy McCarthy, Happy Dog Pet Sitters |  Those Doggone vacations can be great for you, but what about Fido?
If you decide to hire a professional to take care of your beloved pet while you're away, you have the option of boarding your dog at a kennel or hiring a reliable pet sitter for the job. Either option is viable, with pros and cons to both. Your best choice has to do with finding the highest comfort-level for both you and your dog.
Ask Yourself a Few Questions:
- Will my dog do well in a kennel?
- What kind of kennel?
- Will my dog do better at home?
- Will my dog like a sitter?
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| Paws in the Park - 2010 | 
Do you hear the rumblings already? That is the approaching stampede of thousands of paws and feet and a few wheels headed toward the Cedar Park Regional Medical Center campus for year number 4 of a Pawsitively Fun time!
Costume Contest and Parade
Austin Dogs Got Talent Contest
Pawsport Adventure for Kids
Demonstrations, Games for Kids and Dogs
Story Time, Crafts, Music and More
Over 50 Dog Rescue, Health, Pet, and Community Vendor Booths
and an activities schedule.
If you already know you want your business or nonprofit to be in front of 4,000+ pet lovers?
Download Sponsorship Packet here. |
| Training Tip of the Month -- Eliminate unwanted Jumping
by Jill Marie Carter, CPDT |  This month's Training Tip comes from Jill Carter who recently joined our instructor team. Jill became interested in dog training as a shelter volunteer at the Austin Humane Society in 2001 and gained Professional Dog Trainer Certification in 2004.
Since then, Jill has trained at Stay N Play Pet Ranch and has participated in training courses and workshops with a number of notable trainers, such as, Pat Miller, Jean Donaldson, Kathy Sdao, Roger Abrantes, and Nicole Wilde. Her experience includes group classes for dogs and puppies and individualized private lessons, as well.
As a bilingual second grade teacher who is very comfortable working with kids, Jill enjoys having children participate in her dog training classes. This Fall she is teaching Dog Manners I on Monday evenings. Big warm welcome to Jill.
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Upcoming Training Classes
|  Puppy Manners I (ages 7 weeks - 15 weeks) and Dog Manners I & II (16 weeks and older) classes are held on a regular basis during the day (Wednesday mornings), evenings, Saturdays and Sundays. Please check our website for availability and registration.
All of our training classes meet at 12129 RR 620 N in NorthWest Austin. Unless otherwise noted, classes are 6 weeks in length for one hour each class. Highlights of some of our offerings are listed below.
Pet Therapy Seminar - We have a waitlist of schools and hospitals that would be delighted to have pet therapy teams visit. Bring your well trained and friendly dog to the seminar for a mini-assessment of your readiness to begin volunteering as a team. August 7th and October 9th at 1:30 pm with Carolyn Honish, CPDT , Delta Society Evaluator and Instructor
Pet Therapy 6 week Class - This class will prepare you for volunteering in a variety of pet therapy environments with your dog. This class is unique in that we are not just going to refine your dog's obedience skills, but we are also going to help you and your dog become a team and feel confident in a variety of challenging situations. Our pet therapy classes are taught by proffesional dog trainers who are also Delta Society Pet Partner Instructors and Evaluators.
Class is offered on Saturday Mornings (8/14), Tuesday Evenings (9/7) and Wednesday Mornings (9/8). Barking and Growling Dog Class - Does your bark or growl at other dogs while out for a walk. These dogs are often called reactive. Learn what's triggering your dog's response and how to control it. Learn about leadership, getting your dog's attention with distractions and improving your basic skills such as leash walking and stay when out in public. Every Sunday starting starting August 15th at 3:30 pm with Sandra Nelson, CPDT. Class size is very limited.
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 1 class, you will learn how to communicate with your deaf dog using sign language. In this course, you will also learn about the special care involved with owning a deaf dog.
Every Saturday starting August 28th at 10:00 am with Carolyn Honish, CPDT PLUS, two more opportunites to have some great fun with your canine companion!
Freestyle Canine Dancing - You and your dog will learn some cool dance moves and tricks. This introductory course has a focus on bonding and having fun with your dog as well as starting you on the path to competition, if that is your goal.
Every Wednesday starting September 8th at 6:15 pm with Marilyn Nichols
Tricks, Tricks and More Tricks - Learn dozens of new tricks to impress your friends. Training and having fun are great for bonding with your dog.
Every Wednesday starting September 8th at 7:30 pm with Marilyn Nichols OR
Every Sunday starting September 19th at 2:15 pm
with Elizabeth Smith, CPDT |
| Ideas on Fostering Dogs
Submitted by Dianne Martin
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Once upon a time, I was a cat foster coordinator. That meant I had to scramble to find foster homes whenever the shelter got an influx of kittens or find a place for a scared adult cat that wasn't doing well in the shelter. I also had to coordinate the mobile adoption days back when email and cell phones weren't that common. Keeping connected via phone tag was time consuming and difficult. Nowadays technology really helps to expedite the rescue and fostering and adoption process, which is great! But I still frequently call upon the tools and lessons learned from past fostering and adoption successes.
Here are a few ideas that still work well:
Communication (read more...)I especially appreciated my foster parents who kept in touch with me, letting me know what was going on with their fosters, if they had room for more, and if they could make the adoption days.
Cooperation (read more...)The next thing that helped me out was the foster parents that showed up on adoption days and liked finding new homes for their foster pets.
Know your foster dog's personality (read more...)I take a little time with the dog getting to know him or her while letting the dog settle in at my house.
Write a fun bio (read more...)I tell a story in the dog's voice: "Hi, I'm Bud. I love running around after a tennis ball. I don't like cats. I LOVE little kids that want to pet me."
Work on the photos (read more...)A clear photo and especially a close-up of the dog's face really helps to get them adopted more quickly. An eye-catching photo really is worth a thousand words! And if the first photos aren't great, no worries, keep trying. With our website, it is very easy to change out the photos as you get better and better ones.
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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 positive, 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! |
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| Contact Us | | Board of Directors
Executive Director
Romp N Run Ranch
Leadership Team
Adoption Application Managers
Adoption Support and Newsletter
Pet Therapy Volunteer Coordinator
Office Manager
Mary Pomeroy
Intake Team Leader
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Red Hot Opportunity
of the month:
"Maisy"
I don't like to brag...but it's not bragging if it's the truth :) !
I'm straight-up Awesome! Read all about me here! |
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