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Playful Pooches And Parents Dog Training 
The Place for You and Your Dog to Succeed! |
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My vision and mission statement: to coach owners and dogs to live better together in harmony and balance |
 Dear Great dog owners,
This time of year is a good time to think about giving thanks. First I'm thankful for all the great dog owners who trust me with their dog's training. It's my passion to give you the best training for you and your dog to live in harmony and balance. Second, I'm thankful for all the great referrals. It means a lot to me in many ways. Third, I'm thankful that I get to do what I love: helping people and dogs. I look forward to each day, each class, each dog and owner.
I'm also thankful for my core businesses who refer clients to me every day: Anderson Twp Family Pet Center, Animal Ark, Animal House, Ali's Paw Prints and many vets and groomers. I couldn't do it without you. I'm also thankful for the foster moms, dads, families, mentors and volunteers who faithfully foster dogs (and cats) day in and out. They bring them to training classes and practice with the fosters dogs all on their own time. Speaking of which, that's Tyke to the right. Our newest classmate and foster dog from Sheltered Paws and the SPCA. David and Roxanne Engle volunteered to foster him in their home and bring him to classes. He's up for adoption and is very smart, trainable and friendly. We are even teaching him to sneeze.
On a sad note, the Seslers lost Lillie a couple weeks ago. She was in a couple different classes of mine and I''ll miss her little Aussie self. Our sympathy goes to the Sesler family.
Also Debi Wetzel who you will read about later with her dog Rhodie lost her brother last week. Our sympathy goes out to her also. What a week for her.
Be sure to read the info about the core businesses at the bottom of the newsletter. It changes from newsletter to newsletter as their businesses have sales and specials. And be sure to patronize them whenever possible. They appreciate your business. Also be sure to forward this newsletter to friends and family that might
enjoy it.
Have a great Thanksgiving with you and yours,
Lydia McCarthy
Playful Pooches and Parents Dog Training
513-939-dogs
P.S Remember the Closed for Holidays dates: Thanksgiving Monday Nov 23 thru Sunday Nov 29, Christmas Thursday Dec 24 thru Sunday Dec 27, New Years Thursday Dec 31 and Friday Jan 1 (my apologies to those who did not hear about them in time) |
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 Big Congrats!
First I have to congratulate Snickers and Hailey. Both got their AKC Star puppy and graduated 10 weeks of puppy school. I forgot them last time. They are both so cute: Snickers so laid back and sweet and Hailey sweet and petite-who could forget them?
Here are more awesome achievements:
AKC Star Puppy:Drover, Boo, Murphy, Xena, Frieda, Winnie, Guinness, Olive, Chandler, Scooter, Cherrio, Mojo, Copper
AKC Canine Good Citizen Award:Sylar, Tucker, Micah, Sonny, Ranger, Buster, Chloe
(Good tries and honorable mention: Buddy the beagle, Moe and Jasmine)
Puppy Grads: Drover, Boo, Murphy, Xena, Frieda, Winnie, Guinness, Olive, Chandler, Rocco, Scooter, Cheerio, Copper
Adult Class Grads: Ted T. Bear, Coco, Sylar, Micah, Sonny, Ranger, Chloe
Special congrats to Rhodie from my class. He entered a dog show and here are his standings:
Here is what he did during the Seminole Dog Fanciers Dog Show
For the Rhodesian Ridgebacks:
Thursday, November 12 Puppies 6-9 months of age RRidgebacks
He placed SECOND PLACE, his brother placed first.
Friday, November 13 Puppies 6-9 months of age RR
He placed SECOND PLACE again, his brother came in first
Saturday, November 14 Puppies 6-9 months of age RR
SWEEPSTAKES for RR puppies 6-9 months FOURTH PLACE and won $3.12
The dog show, he placed FOURTH PLACE, his brother came in third
Sunday, November 15 Puppies 6-9 months of age RR
SWEEPSTAKES for RR puppies 6-9 months SECOND PLACE and won $9.36
In the dog show he placed THIRD PLACE and his brother came in fourth.
He also got his Canine Good Citizen. He also sustained an injury there (boy those shows can be rough) but is recovering nicely. Great work Rhodie, Mom and Dad. |
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He's just not that into you
(or Relationship Building 101) |
 Training your dog is actually relationship building. You work together as a team to achieve goals. Your dog looks to your for direction and praise. It takes time, patience, and rewards. Rewards can be food, toys, praise, access to the outdoors, dogpark or car. The more you work with your dog, the deeper the relationship. We have something we want (sit, down, wait, stay) from him, we have something he wants from us (reward of some type).
Actually the more we have what they want and have them work for it, the more they look to us as the giver of all good things. Sage (my shepherd) has to sit and wait before he goes out. He knows the door won't open unless he does this. It only takes a second but he looks at me, sits, waits and I open the door. (maybe he thinks I'm the doorman, ha, ha)
The more you work with your dog, the deeper the relationship. The more you teach him the positive (what you do want him to do) and reward, the more he will look to you for everything. The more you use negative (what you don't want him to do) the less attention you will get. He will be afraid of you and will not even pay attention to you.
Dogs that have free access to the outdoors (doggie doors), free access to food (left down all day), free access to any furniture, have no need for a leader anyway. They have all they need and can get it without doing anything so they don't really need us. Eventually you can give them free access but beginning with a new pup or dog, you need to be in charge of all of these things. They just need to do a simple command for them and this builds attention, focus and a better relationship. |
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Wait a Second |
 Wait is one of the most popular, owner loved commands I teach. Second only to maybe Leave it. Clients ask "Isn't that the same as Stay?' It is the same only shorter. Wait is a couple seconds while I go through the door, get out of the car, put your food down or put a collar or leash on. Dogs learn the difference quickly. By teaching your dog the command of Wait, your Stay command will be better, longer and more dependable. Your dog will learn if you say Stay, it might be a while. And if you say Wait, it will be short.
One reason to teach Wait is that the pack leader should go through the doors first. It's not an absolute and sometimes I permit my dog to go through first but in general they should wait for you to go through. A second reason is safety. You don't always know what's on the other side, or if you have a firm grip on the leash, or if someone is pulling in the parking spot right next to you. A third reason is manners. It's just good manners to wait at the door. Nothing is more annoying than seeing a dog dragging it's owner all over the place and out the door they go, dog in lead.
Wait is taught very much like Stay but it's shorter in duration. And if your dog gets up before you and tries to get through the door, use your body to block him, have him sit and wait again. You can always use the door also by shutting it again till he waits. If you have him wait at every door, pretty soon it's just a good habit. |
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Aromatherapy |
 You may see me in class putting lavender oil on dogs and wonder why. Aromatherapy works on dogs as well as people. Think about their noses and how much better their sense of smell is than ours. Funny though it doesn't work on cats.You can get lavender oil or any essential oil from most health food stores. A great website to check out is www.greenhopeessences.com They have mixes of different essential oils for different pet issues. An new one is Pack Leader which I'm anxious to hear more about.
Another one is Rescue Remedy. You can put it in your dog's water, food, apply a few drops on your finger and put directly on dog's tongue or put on the dog's ears. Check it out at www.rescueremedy.com/pets/ It also contains essentials oils. I have also found Motion Ease to be effective. It is for people with motion sickness but some dogs have benefited from it as well. It is applied on the ears and can be purchased at most drug stores.
Another aroma to check out is DAP which stands for dog appeasing phereomone. It comes in a oil diffuser, collar or spray. It emits the calming scent of a mama dog (you don't smell it but your dog does). It has helped many a dog with separation anxiety, car sickness, general anxiety and other maladies. You can purchase it at many pet stores or your vet. You can also check online for it. |
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New Classes in Development |
 I'm in the process of developing two new classes for after the first of the year. I would love your input and interest level. Send me an email at playfulpooches@msn.com The first one is based on the requests I receive for therapy dog training. Owners and dogs that graduate from my classes that want to get their dogs certified to visit retirement homes, schools and etc are unsure where to go to get additional training. I am designing a 5 or 6 week course to help you get your dog certified for Therapy work. There is such a great need for this and so many are interested in doing it. It would include a couple field trips. I am not an evaluator for Therapy dogs so at the end of class, I will give you referrals to where to get tested. The prequisite for this class is that they have to have passed the Canine Good Citizen test.
The other class is Adventure Trails. We will be in local parks actually walking the trails in the woods. We will go in most weather except ice, sleet and pouring rain. We will train along the way and even play some games or scent tracking. It will also be 5-6 classes and will either be every week or every other week. I think it would be great fun.
I'm also thinking about a beginning tracking class sometime in the spring. Let me know if you are interested so I can gauge the interest level and go forward with it. It should be lots of fun. |
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Winter Training Project |
 Winter is fast approaching. And so is the ice, snow, sleet, extreme cold. This winter season plan a winter training project. Pick a behavior of your dog's that you don't like and train a behavior you do like. Or pick a behavior or trick that you'd love your dog to learn. Focus on it thru the winter season. That's not to say you put all other training aside. But make this one priority and work on everyday. By spring you and your dog will have it perfected. Some suggestions might be: waiting at the door when company comes, staying on a mat or bed while you eat, retrieving an item and bringing it back. You can even teach your dog to sneeze. Make it fun and keep it light. I think mine might be scoping out the foot trails with Sage to prepare for the Adventure Trails class. He has only been on foot trails once before so it will be good practice for him and preparation for our class for me. Happy Winter Training! |
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Yuck, the flu... |
 It's also that time of year-the flu season. No one wants to be sick. I myself am not a good patient. If you are sick or feel sick, please for your sake and ours, don't come to class. Or at least warn us so we can stay back. Same with your dog. If he is sick, please don't bring him to class. For two reasons- one his immune system is low being sick and he could catch a secondary illness or two he could give it to the other dogs. There is always next week. If you have an issue that can't wait, call me or email me and I will help you that way. With the scare of H1N1 this year, we have to be more careful than ever. | |
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Please Patronize These Great Businesses
and remember they all sell gift certificates for your shopping convenience!
Anderson Twp Family Pet Center and Chowder's Legacy Boutique
A great new chew-antlers! If your dog hasn't tried them, you are in for a surprise. Dogs love 'em and they last a long time. They have different sizes for your different sized dogs. Give 'em a try. Go Bengals! They also have Bengal attire so you and your dog can show your team spirit and cheer the Cincinnati Bengals on to victory this season. Be sure to get your holiday boarding reservations in now to avoid the rush and last minute headache. Don't forget to get your dog (or cat) groomed for the holidays. They have great groomers just waiting to spruce your pet up. He will look good and so will you. They do a great job here. They aim to please. Book your appointment at the spa today. If you would like to subscribe to the Family Pet Center's NEW newsletter, send an email to dmeyerrenke@yahoo.com subject: Subscribe me to your newsletter. Be the first to get one. Don't forget the Doggie Day Care. They can always use more campers and you can use a rest. Gift Certificates available. ***And a BIG Thanks to all the people behind the scenes that get the training room ready and set up my chairs. You are the greatest!
513-231-7387
6666 Clough Pike
Cincinnati, Ohio 45244
Animal Ark Pet Resort
Book early for your holiday reservations. Your canine or feline (yes they board cats in a wonderful cat condo room-and also other small animals) will get the best of care while you are away. Walks, playtime and Frosty Paws available for a small fee. Why not have your small dog check out our Small Dog Party that happens every Tuesday and Thursday? A special room is set up just for the small guys (and girls), they have great fun and a ton of toys and friends to romp away the day. Call now for your FREE evaluation. It's a party just for the small ones. They also have Camp Animal Ark for the rest of you. They have so much fun every day. Just ask me, I work there several hours a week. We party on Friday afternoons with music, training and treats. Treat yourself and your dog by checking into Doggie Day Care at Camp Animal Ark. Free evaluations, just call 589-3313 and set it up. Sign up today. Wonderful, professional and friendly groomers available 7 days a week to pamper your pet. Holiday bookings are filling up so call now. Gift Certificates available.
513-825-7387
2150 Struble Rd
Cincinnati, Ohio 45231
Animal House
Pet Rabbits aren't just for Easter anymore. They have lots of rescued rabbits looking for a nice home. They make good pets and they have everything you need to get set up. Lots of puppies to choose from,too. They have a four and a half month old Yorkie Poo and a Toy Poodle that need a good home. Adorable pups just waiting for a forever home. Don't wait till Christmas to get your pup. That's not a good time but now is before all the festivities start. Stop in and see all the pups. They also have a Great Pyrenees mix that is 8 months old that was returned. There is no room for him there as he is big already. Call for more info on him. Lots of kittens also up for adoption. And as a reminder-they do not get any puppies from puppy mills. Other places do. Knowledgeable staff can help with everything from purchase to care and more. Check out their fish and reptiles, too. They're really neat! Gift Certificates available.
513-931-6139
7869 Hamilton Av
Cincinnati, Oh 45231
Ali's Paw Prints
Looking for a unique custom portrait of your pet? I think you will be pleasantly surprised by Ali's Paw Prints! Based off of a original photo of your pet, a vector style custom portrait printed on a stretched canvas with a custom creative background is created. Ali's Paw Prints make great gifts as well as an awesome piece of art for your home. Order early for holiday prints. Great Christmas gift idea for that hard to shop for person in your life. Check out Ali's Paw Prints today! Gift Certificates available.
10% Discount for all of Playful Pooches and Parents past and current students. When placing order mention discount code: playful pooches.
Ali Toerner
Playful Pooches and Parents Dog Training
Give thanks for the great pet you have.Gift certificates available.
Email: playfulpooches@msn.com
Phone: 513-939-dogs
Cell: 513-503-9703 |
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Congrats!
He's just not that into you
(or Relationship Building 101)
Wait a Second
Aromatherapy
New Classes
Winter Training Project
Yuck, the flu
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