Does your dog jump up when you come home? Dogs jump to get closer to your face - to them, it's a pleasant greeting! If your dog is knocking you off your feet, try asking him to sit, and say hello to him only while his butt is planted on the ground. Make sure not to pet or talk to your dog while he's jumping or putting his paws on you, or he'll keep doing it!

Most shampoos can be diluted at least 50/50 with water to make them last longer. To help your dog's fur lather up properly, give her a rinse and massage the water into her coat before you apply the shampoo. Rinse thoroughly after every bath to prevent shampoo residue from making your dog itchy.

Hello! I'm Dragon! I just moved to the Bay Area, and I'm exploring all that it has to offer for an adventurous pup like me. I'll be sharing info on a fun place to go with your dog every month.

If you and your human are looking for a more rigorous hike to get your blood moving, the Mission Peak Trail in Fremont is waiting for you! It is a winding but easy-to-follow path climbing up the mountain, and the view of Fremont on one side and the Sunol Regional Wilderness on the other is worth the two or three hours it will take you to climb. The trail allows dogs on leash.

Be aware that there are cattle grazing along the trail and ground squirrels scurrying -- I really wanted to chase them! Also make sure your human packs water for you both.

For more information, see the official East Bay Regional Park District brochure at: http://www.ebparks.org/files/EBRPD_files/brochure/mission_peak_text.pdf  

Log on to our Flicker site and see stacks of great pictures of dogs having fun at Metro Dog

Click Here for Our Flicker Site 

Freedom No-Pull Harness from Wiggles Wags and Whiskers solves some of the problems people and dogs have had with the Easy Walk. Both harnesses help you move your dog through ergonomic designs that are effective and painless.  

 The Wiggles Wags and Whiskers Freedom no-pull harness incorporates a patented martingale loop on the back of the harness which tightens gently around your dog's chest to discourage pulling and a second attachment point on the front for power steering. Included with the harness is a special leash that attaches to both giving you excellent stopping and steering power.

The harness costs a little more but it is made in USA (North Carolina) from very strong materials. It comes in many colors and the velvet strap is very nice.The harness is  backed with an industry leading Chewing Warranty- Wiggles, Wags and Whiskers will replace up to two chewed straps for free, no questions asked, for just the cost of shipping.

Happy Anniversary, Betts!

A day-training success story.

A year ago, Metro Dog accepted Betts, a 1-year old boxer, into our social day care program.  Her parents recently had adopted her from a rescue organization, and all they knew about her history was that she had been bred at least once before.  Most likely abandoned, she was picked up as a stray wandering the streets.

Betts passed our initial social assessment, pending a trial day. She had some awkward/poor behaviors that we needed to observe more before accepting her fully as a social day care dog. She started day care in January 2010; we had concerns about her high excitement level around dogs, poor greetings, and  over-sniffing other dogs, so we tried slow introductions with dogs picked just for her.  Despite our efforts, she soon failed our social day care program.  She was unpredictable and unsure of how to interact with dogs, and would get overwhelmed. Betts was in no way aggressive, but her awkward social skills were so poor that other dogs did not know how to react to her.  It was clear that social day care was not for Betts. 

Her parents understood their dog's issues, but wanted to know what options existed for continued care. Their goal was to have Betts be able to socialize with other dogs, and asked what they, and we, could do to work with her.  We offered to create a personal day-training program for Betts that would be delivered by Metro Dog Academy trainers while Betts was at Metro Dog for care.  After careful consideration, as this was no small commitment of time and resources, they enrolled Betts into Metro Dog's Private Day-Training School.

To date, Betts has completed a year of twice-weekly training sessions, two group classes with her parents -  Kim Moeller's "Growly Dog" and Rally O Obedience with Joanna Czaja. Through a dedicated training program set by Janette Marie Rael, CTC, the focused work of our team of trainers and the dedication of her parents, Betts has blossomed.  She can easily be re-focused when she is walking on leash, and regularly socializes and plays with other dogs.

It took a tremendous amount of work and wasn't without setbacks along the way. But with patience and commitment, Betts has achieved the goals laid out in her program, which utilized only positive reinforcement training methods - Metro Dog does not believe in any other way. See her below with some of her buddies - a year ago, this would have been impossible. Congratulations, Betts!

Betts with some of her friends: Bear, Aruga, Ouzo, Honey, Beatrix, Shatska and Zola

 CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

New Years Special!  Register before March 1st and receive 25% off Classes and Workshops! 

Basic Training 

Basic Manners

6 week class $200

March 5th -April 16th (skip Mar. 26th)   

Saturdays at 2:30PM 

For those who need to start at square one.  This class is appropriate for dogs of all ages.    

Puppy Primer

60 minute workshop $30

first Saturday of every month at 11:30 

Learn about Socialization, housebreaking, mouthing and everything else you will need to be successful with your pup.  

Continuing Education Workshops 

Leash Manners

60 Minute Workshop  $30

Second Saturday of Every Month Beginning March 12th at 11:30 

Work on the techniques and practice keeping your dog focused on leash walks. This workshop is the foundation for our upcoming Solano Strolling Series  

Reliable Recall

60 Minute Workshop $30    

third Saturday of Every month 11:30AM

Don't trust your dog offleash?  This workshop will teach you all you need to know about staying safe and motivating your dog.

Fun Workshops and Classes 

Silly Dog Tricks  

60 minute workshop S35 

February 13th at 12:30PM  

Repeats every second Sunday of every month 

There are always new tricks to learn!  All dogs love attention 

and treats!   

Flyball 

6 week class $200  

March 3rd to April 7th 7:30-8:30PM 

Does your dog loves to run and jump? Flyball is a fast paced game that teaches great recall skills. Join two seasoned competitors to learn the fundamentals of flyball. At the end of six weeks, your dog will quickly go over 4 jumps, retrieve a ball from a spring-loaded box and race back to you. Please bring a short leash, your dog's favorite toy or treats and don't forget your running shoes! All breeds and mixes are welcome!

Intro to Rally O

6 week class $200    

Feb. 20th - Mar. 27th at 5PM

Learn the sport of Rally Obedience, which features a fun, ever-changing obstacle course of signs prompting you to use your obedience skills. This class will teach your dog to heel at your side, which has the benefit of making walks with your dog easier and more enjoyable, and will brush up your basic manners. 

Advanced Rally O

6 week class $200

Feb. 27th - April 3rd at 6:30PM  

The next step in Rally O. Learn off-leash control, improved focus, and more precise, snazzier performance of the rally tricks. Take your obedience to the next level!

 

Intro to Agility

6 week class $200

 TBA 

Whether you are wanting to compete with your pup or looking to do something exciting and new, this class will teach you all you need to know about agility.

Intermediate Agility

6 week class $200

 TBA  

Polish off those newly learned agility skills in this class!  

Special Programs

Leash Monster

6 week class  $300

Winter class is full. Will repeat this summer

This class is for dogs who are reactive on leash.  You will work with highly experienced trainers and learn how to handle and manage your leash reactive pup.