Greetings!
Welcome to the Monthly Bark Report, The Dog Squad's first email newsletter. Patrick Gibbons and Steve Bettcher are now entering their 6th year of business as The Dog Squad and we want to provide you with useful and timely information about dogs and dog training. We will be sending out our newsletter about once a month and will cover such topics as Dog Training Tips, Dog Safety Alerts and Topics, Rescue Organizations and what they are doing, Dog Squad's Special Events, New Programs, Equipment and Specials. We will also feature an owner and their dog monthly. If there are topics you wish to have us cover in future newsletters please contact us at info@dogsquad.biz. |
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Training Tip - Teaching a Long "Stay" 
For many people teaching their dog to stay is a real challenge. When teaching any command or trick to your dog break it down into small steps and build it slowly.
The "Stay" is really an unnecessary command since it can be implied with the "Sit", "Down" or "Place" commands. If you ask your dog to "Sit" you are asking her to "Sit" and to continue to "Sit" until released, making a "Stay" redundant. If you want to add the "Stay", do so but we feel it is clearer and easier for the dog to understand one command. For example if you command your dog to "Sit" and she stands just repeat the command, "Sit". You don't have to say "Stay" or "No", just command "Sit". This is a much clearer way of communicating what you want your dog to do.
When breaking down a "Stay" there are three essential building blocks that are necessary to accomplish it. First there is "Time". This is the time your dog can stay in a Sit, Down, or Place command. Second there is "Distance". This is the distance you can move away from your dog while she stays in a commanded position. And third there is "Distractions". While distracting your dog with other dogs, squirrels, cats, balls, toys, noises, etc. he will continue to hold the commanded position.
With that being said, put your dog on a leash at your heel side; command him to "Sit", then pivot in front, facing your dog just a few feet away. Stand still and count silently to 5, then move back to heel position and praise your dog. Move your dog into a heel then stop and sit your dog and repeat the exercise. Add a few seconds each time. Repeat this until you can reach 2 or more minutes without your dog moving. When you have achieved 2 minutes then start adding distance a foot at a time. As you add distance you may have to cut back on the time. The first time you get to the end of your leash you may have to cut your time to 30 seconds or less. Cut the time as you add distance and once you can get to the end of your leash then start adding time again. When you can get 2 or more minutes at the end of a 6 foot leash then you can start adding distractions. However, when you add distractions you might have to cut both time and distance and then start the process of rebuilding. At any point during this process if your dog has problems with staying in the commanded position then back up one step or two and start rebuilding. Sometimes you might have to go all the way back to the beginning but the rebuilding process usually takes only a few repeats to get back to where you were.
The process in a nutshell is as follows: Increase Time, then Distance, then add Distractions. As you add one variable decrease the other until you can do all three at a specified Time, Distance and Distraction.
Sessions should be short, about 10 to 15 minutes and repeated multiple times through-out the day. If you stick with this process you should have the foundation for a "Stay" within a few weeks.
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Northern California Weimaraner Rescue 
Northern California Weimaraner Rescue (NCWR) is a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to the overall welfare of Weimaraners. We strive to rescue, rehabilitate and place abandoned or neglected Weimaraners whose families can no longer provide or care for them.
NCWR attempts to educate prospective and current owners about the breed and responsible pet ownership, while working cooperatively with animal shelters and individuals. While in NCWR care, Weimaraners receive routine medical care, are spayed or neutered and are evaluated by an NCWR volunteer for placement in the most suitable, permanent, loving home.
We also offer ongoing assistance to adopting families to help overcome behavioral and training problems. Our goal is for every Weimaraner to become a beloved, contributing family member.
NCWR gratefully acknowledges and recruits volunteer help throughout the entire process. Our work is only possible because of caring individuals and tax-deductible donations.
One hundred percent of all donations to NCWR go to the care, rescue, veterinary attention and other essential items, including administration and documentation for rescued Weimaraners.
For more information on how to adopt a Weimaraner go to
Up Coming Events:
Saturday, April 17, 2010 9 AM to 4 PM
Sunday, May 2, 2010 9 AM to 4 PM
Tony LarRussa's ARF Animals on Broadway, Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek
Saturday, June 5, 2010 7 AM to 2 PM
Sacramento SPCA Doggy Dash, William Land Park, Sacramento
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Owner and Dog of the Month - Karen and Kali 
Hi, I am Karen Rippey the owner of Kali, a 5 year old King Shepherd. My husband Mike and I joined The Dog Squad in 2005, when she was 5 ½ months old. When we sent for her, we knew she was going to be a very large dog (about 120 lbs.) Due to a fall and multiple injuries, Kali was a lot stronger than I could handle or train. My choices were to find a type of dog training that would require no upper body strength or get rid of Kali, so my vet recommended The Dog Squad.
Steve came out and evaluated Kali, we signed up right then and there. Many of you have seen the before/after video of Kali's evaluation, as Steve uses it as a demo tape.
Training with Dog Squad has not only been great for Kali but for me as well. I have met many wonderful people and forged some fantastic friendships (Kali has many dog friends also). A few years back 3 of us Dog Squad friends, decided to take a pet therapy class, with 2 of us going on to get our certificates and start our pet visits. The pet therapy class, showed which dogs were able to be around strangers, some with walkers, wheelchairs, crutches, strange sounds and strange looking things. The class showed which dogs had the temperament to be around a lot of different people and things. We did our final check out at a care home in Berkeley where the dogs visited people not only with the above equipment but that were bedridden.
Kali visits 2 care homes a week and brings joy to numerous people.
She is very careful around people who have injuries (like amputations) and gets in close to the ones who don't for a good scratch or petting. It is amazing that she can tell the difference. Kali brings such joy to so many people. They tell us stories of the dogs they had growing up or the pets they left behind when they had to move into the care homes. Some of the residences call her by their dogs names all the while giving her the gentle rub on her head or back that shows just how much they miss their pets. Kali has been asked to add on a couple more care homes.
Having Kali in our lives has been a blessing. Since I no longer work, it seems as though all this was meant to be; from getting Kali before I was ready, finding the Dog Squad, the pet therapy class that we got involved in, the homes we visit, all the wonderful people we have met...it has all added up to help give my life new meaning, a new direction.
Karen Rippey |
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New Service Being Offered
Remote Collar Starter Program 
We are introducing a new program for clients who want to get started with remote collar training and want just the basics. The program includes the following:
- One Private In-home lesson (1 hour)
- A Dogtra 300M E-Collar
- An Instructional DVD, "Just Right!: A Step-By-Step Guide to Remote Collar Dog Training"
The price is $380 + Sales Tax
We are offering a $20 discount for clients who have already trained with The Dog Squad. |
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New Email Alert System for Park Classes
We have a new email alert system to notify clients on the status of a Park Class for weather cancellations or scheduled cancellations due to a scheduled event, holiday, emergency or other reasons.
To sign up for these email alerts go to "Update Profile/Email Address" link at the bottom of this newsletter and click. When at the update page select "Park Class Alert". You will then be sent email Alerts when there is a class change.
Weather cancellations will only be sent at 8 AM on the day of the class. If you do not receive a Park Class Alert canceling a class then the class is being held as usual. |
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Dublin Class is Temporarily Closed
The city of Dublin Parks and Community Services has told us that we cannot run our classes at the Dublin Sports Complex or any Dublin City Park. We are going to try and negotiate getting a Use permit and will keep you updated on our web site. In the meantime we be coming up with an alternative site for the Sunday 10:30 AM slot.
We are sorr for any inconvenience this may cause you but we will find a solution soon.
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We hope you enjoyed our first Newsletter and would like your feed back. Emai us at info@dogsquad.biz for article requests and questions for our future Bark Report. |
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Sincerely,
Steve Bettcher
Patrick Gibbons
The Dog Squad |
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$100 Discount on
a System Installed Before Feb. 28, 2010
Call for a Free Quote and Consultation
877-632-DOGS |
Photo Gallary
Susan Kirchner
Skeeter
The Thilgen Family
Stella & Gus
The Wiells
Shayna
The Houlettes
Henry
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