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 help owners and dogs to live
better togeher in harmony and
balance. |
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Christmas 2009
Here it is again, Christmas upon us already. Where did the year go? Are you and your dog where you thought you'd be a year later? Are you and your dog on target with your goals? If you aren't where you want to be, join the crowd. Life gets in the way of dog training, it just does. But don't give up. You owe it to your dog to keep trying and help him be the best dog he can be.
One of my favorite movies is A Christmas Story. I'm not sure why but we watch it numerous times over the Christmas season. Another one is the 1951 version of A Christmas Carol. Love that old b/w crackly movie and the moral also. My other favorite is "It's a Wonderful Life". I love that one.
Here's a thought to ponder: per Eric Letendre www.theamazingdogtrainingman.com only 3 things matter in dog training 1. Get and keep your dog's attention 2. Teach your dog using positive reinforcement 3. Repetition That's it. Pretty simple isn't?
It's not too late to make an end of the year donation or Christmas gift to any of the great dog shelters or rescues in our city. Wonderful volunteers make it possible to take in thousands of unwanted cats and dogs every year. They save them from a terrible life or worse and match them up with a human that loves them and gives them a wonderful life. Help out if you can.
FYI: I will be closed Thursday Dec 24th through Sunday Dec 27th and Thursday Dec 31st through Friday Jan 1st.
Weather alert: If inclement weather is approaching or is here at the time of your class, you can call my voice mail or cell to see if class is called off. I will post the announcement first on the message. If I don't cancel class but the weather is bad where you are, use your good judgement as to whether to come to class. There is always next week.
Have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Lydia
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Enjoy Christmas with your dog safely! Tips and hints to enjoying the holidays with your dog
 One of my first tips is exercise, exercise and more exercise. A tired dog is a good dog. Walks are important even if it is freezing, bundle up and do it. If you can't, walk inside at a pet store, hardware store, feed store, Pro Bass Shop. Hire a dog walker.
Doggie Day Care is another great way to tire them out. They can play all day with their friends while you work or shop. Some are even open on Saturdays.
Keep your dog's routine as close to regular as possible. They thrive on routine and messing it up can cause them stress and anxiety. Keep to their regular food. Resist the urge to share all the holiday goodies with them. Their tummies can't take it.
Watch the holiday decorations around puppies and adolescent dogs. It's all new to them and they don't know it can hurt them. They don't know that some of the decorations have been in your family for years and you'd like to keep them. It's all just interesting and fun for them. And it all goes in their mouths so just be extra careful. You don't want to spend Christmas Eve in the Doggie ER. |
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Awesome Achievements! Congrats to all
 Buddy the beagle and Moe from STAF graduated from 20 weeks of training. Both tried valiently for their Canine Good Citizen but missed by a dog hair. Next time you'll get it for sure! That's Moe to the right. He's still looking for his forever home. He's older so his chances aren't as good but he's devoted and loves to just lay around and hang out with you and plus he's had 20 weeks of training. Check him out!
Eight great puppies passed their AKC Star Puppy: Riley, Teddy, Walter, Oliver, Sophie, Corky, Snuggles and Oreo. Great work pups and owners. Walter the westie also graduated puppy class. Way to go, Walter and mom! Oliver the chihuahua just graduated puppy class this past Sunday in his little snowman t-shirt. How cute!
Corky (a brittany in my puppy class) and her Dad are practicing quail hunting. From what I hear, Corky shows great promise and is even surprising Dad with what she can do. Go Corky!
We had some great trips to the Pro Bass Shop recently. We are so proud of Hershey, Stanley and Happy. Fancy and Sabrina graduated at the Pro Bass Shop and even got their picture with Santa. Walter had his second trip with my training class there and did even better than ever. He charms every one.
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My dog's lost-what do I do? Help finding your lost dog
 Nothing is more terrifying than having your dog lost. The moment you know he is gone, start the search and rescue effort. First, call the SPCA and let them know in case they find him. Second, start looking in all his favorite spots. Gather neighbors and friends and even dog friends of your dog. He may hear or smell them and come out from where he is. Take a favorite toy and treats.
Third, make posters like the one in the picture. Post them everywhere starting closest to your home. Try to include a picture so people know exactly who they are looking for.
Fourth, put a lost dog notice in www.petfinders.com, enquirer on line, and craig's list. They will all let you put in a lost dog ad for free. Fifth, call your vet and vets close by. Sometimes people will take them there or call them if they have a rabies tag.
Sixth, don't give up. If all hope seems lost, you can hire a pet detective. Jim Burns is a local pet detective that can help. |
 Teach your dog to wave
Start by teaching "paw" or "shake". This is easy. Just hold your treat and clicker at your dog's eye level while he is sitting. Use your other hand to tap the back of one paw gently. This causes him to shift his weight and his paw will lift up. Grab it and say "Good paw". After a few times, Say "paw" as you grab it. After a few more repetition, you may only have to put your hand towards him and say "paw" and there it goes.
Now once he is doing "paw", you can teach wave. Lift your hand like you are going to take his paw and don't take it. He will raise his paw up. He just "waved". Click and treat. Now give it a name like "wave" or "see you later" or anything cute. |
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Christmas Wish List My Top 10 list
 1. I wish every puppy got the chance to attend puppy classes at a young age. This would so help to reduce the number of unwanted dogs in the shelters. 2. I wish all dog owners would use positive training on their dogs. They would learn to better understand dog behavior and communication with their pet.
3. I wish dog owners would have more fun with their dogs and not look at them as another possession or a lawn ornament.
4. I wish there would be no more dogs chained outside their whole lives. That's not a life, it's an existence.
5. I wish more schools would teach safety around dogs in classes. This would greatly reduce the number of dog bites that happen to kids, which is the majority of dog bites.
6. I wish we had a Dog Education van that educated and trained people about their dogs instead of the SPCA just finding and catching dogs. Instead of repeat offenders, we could educate and train in a positive way. This is being done in a number of cities started by trainer Sue Sternberg. See www.suesternberg.com/00wheels.html 7. I wish choke chains and prong collars would fade away and give way to a gentler more educated way to train. When you learn more about dog behavior and communication, those tools become obsolete.
8. I wish more forever homes for shelter and rescue dogs. Not that I'm against breeders, there's a place for them but there are literally thousands of great dogs waiting for their special person in our local shelters and rescues.
9. I wish for more volunteers in the shelters and rescues. Even if you only volunteer a couple times a month, the dogs (and cats) benefit greatly and so will you. And you can learn more about dog behavior and training than anywhere else. And so many dogs to practice on.
10. I wish for peace on earth. Just had to add that one. Peace in our families, neighborhoods, cities and the world. How can that happen? Be the peaceful one. In this world of chaos and confusion, be the peaceful one. | |
Please patronize these fine businesses. All of them sell gift certificates for that hard to buy person on your Christmas list.
Anderson Twp Family Pet Center and Chowder's Legacy Boutique
Stop in for all your pet Christmas shopping, you might even find something for the humans on your list. They have thoughtfully chosen food, treats, supplies and more. Get your dog groomed for the holidays. There's still time for an appointment for his holiday do. See Tom or Kelly for all your grooming needs. Tom might even sing you a Christmas carol if you ask. 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
Four little Christmas kittens looking not for their mittens but for their forever home.They are up for adoption. Seven weeks old. Look to be a Persian mix and are up to date on shots. Adoption fee $100. Nail trims are just $8.00, no appointment necessary. Call first though to make sure groomers are in. H.A.R.T. rescue is accepting Christmas donations here under their tree. Any dog toys, treats, leashes or etc would be sincerely appreciated as would monetary donations. Small Dog Play time Tuesdays or Thursdays 12pm to 6pm only $10.00. Free evaluation. 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. Gift Certificates available.
513-825-7387
2150 Struble Rd
Cincinnati, Ohio 45231
Animal House
Adopt your Christmas Rabbit here. $19.95 or free with cage purchase. They make great pets. Akita mix 4-5 months female-stop in and see her. She's a talker and a looker. Puppies of all kinds: boxer mix, golden retriever, chow mixes and beagle mixes. Stop in and see all the pups. 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
Here is a great idea for your favorite canine or feline, a unique custom portrait of your pet. You will be pleasantly surprised by Ali's Paw Prints! Based off of an 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. 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
Have the merriest Christmas ever!
Gift certificates available.
Email: playfulpooches@msn.com
Phone: 513-939-dogs
Cell: 513-503-9703
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