Dear great dog owners,

 

Summer is almost over. Can you believe it? Wow-how time flies when you're having fun. This summer has been fun with my park classes, my training classes in the garage location (temporarily) and the great if not hot weather. I've also had computer problems which is not so fun. Still working out the kinks in the printer so you may have to get handouts by email. Maybe that's better because the dog won't chew it up.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Encouraging you to keep training,

 

Lydia 

 

P.S. Please note: no classes Saturday Sept 4, Sunday Sept 5 and Monday Sept 6 for Labor Day Holiday.  

Nine new AKC star puppies: Kahlua, Muffin, Bentley, Inge, Sandy , Bella, Mittens, Maddie and Gracie. New Therapy Dog In Training Class Graduates: Hailey, Buckwheat, Lotus, and Madeline. Class Graduates: Sophie graduated with sister Winnie and Mom in attendence ,Layla, Henry, Inge, Bentley, Roxy, Sandy, Kahlua. New Canine Good Citizens: Sampson, Joe, Annie, Chandler and Olivia. Congrats Teams! I'm so proud of all of you. *Picture is of Lotus who lost his sister Anni to cancer last week. You have big shoes to fill little brother.  

I saw the phrase "energy flows where attention goes" and it wasn't about dog training but it well could be. Where and what is your dog paying attention to? That's where all his energy is going. Moment by moment.  Where are your  dog's eyes? Follow them and you will know where his attention is going. That way you have a chance to turn his attention to you when you need it. Some things are going to get his attention and keep it. Things like squirrels, birds and for some dogs-people and other dogs.

 

Watch where he's watching and call his attention back to you quickly if it is one of his attention keepers. Exercises like "watch me" and "leave it" are good for this. You have just a few seconds to get his attention sometimes before he sets it on the object of his desire. Practice in low distraction first-rewarding greatly, then higher distractions-rewarding very greatly.

 

Once you have his attention, keep it with you by walking on quickly, playing a game or with a toy, or a training command (like down stay-my favorite). Pretty soon YOU will be the object of his desire because you are so fun. 

I'm an ice cream fiend. Not just any ice cream but Turkey Hill, Mayfield, The Goodie Shop and Graeter's. And turtle sundaes from UDF-they're the best. Dogs like ice cream, too. You can give them a tiny bit of yours but you need to watch ingredients(artificial sweetners, food colorings, chocolate, nuts and etc...) But they do make doggie ice cream and dogs love it. Frosty Paws and Sweet Spots (they come in 2 delicious flavors available only at the Family Pet Center) are just two. You can also make it at home for you DIY'ers. Get some yogurt (I think Greek yogurt would make the best), some peanut butter and a little honey. Add some fruit (no grapes or raisins) and a biscuit, freeze in cups or ice cube trays and there you go. Yummy frozen treats for your favorite pooch. So while you enjoy your Turkey Hill Southern Lemon Pie ice cream (my very fav), your dog can cool off with his very own home made ice cream. He will love you for it. 

The answer to this is no. Can all dogs learn to swim? Maybe. But don't assume your dog knows how to swim. In and around water dogs should be supervised just like kids. On a boat they should wear life jackets just like people. They make doggie life jackets. You can find them online or at the Anderson Twp Family Pet Center. And even if they can swim, don't assume they know how to turn around while swimming. They might just keep on swimming right across Lake Cumberland. Right, Kimber? She's a swimming visla that could not at first turn around while swimming but she learned quick.

 

If you are heading to the beach with your dog, bring a 20 ft lead line. That way you can always reel them back in. That way undertows and sudden sink holes won't get the best of them. Have fun and be safe in the water with your best canine buddy. 

Dogs love having their own kind around. And it's lots of fun having more than one. But it is also ALOT of work. Two dogs are like the work of four. Four dogs are like the work of ? Try seven. Each one needs special time both cuddling and playing with the owners. Each one needs some training time by themselves. So you can see the work involved.

 

The upside is that they tire each other out, sleep together, play together and have company all day while you are at work or school. Finding a compatible buddy can also be a challenge since they will be spending alot of time together. Generally opposite sexes make good buddies but that's not always the case. Size and breed does not have to be the same either. Very odd couples can make the best of friends.

 

The more dogs you have the more important it is that they have some training. People that come to your door don't want to be attacked by a dog pack. The more dogs you have the more important it is that the humans are the pack leaders. You and your family don't want to be attacked by a dog pack. Spend some time training each individually and spend some time training them as a team. You will be amazed what your team can do with just a little training.