|
Happy Easter Everyone! |
|
|
|
|
My Vision and Mission Statement To coach owners and dogs to live better together in harmony and balance |
|
Dear valued customers,
Happy Easter to you and yours! I will be closed Friday April 22, Saturday April 23,and Sunday April 24 to celebrate the holiday. Other upcoming closures-Mother's Day Sunday May 8th and Memorial day weekend Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
Update on Park classes-Mondays at Otto Armleter and Tuesdays at Triple Creek. Still waiting for the light to last and the rain to stop. I'm thinking maybe after Mother's Day but I will let you know. I can't wait, I love the park classes.
Board and Train-I do some Board and Train. I'm not a big fan because dogs are easy. I can train your dog but can you keep it up at home? That's the hard part. And also the bonding of constant training is valuable for you and your dog. It makes them want to be with you more than anything in the world. When clients go on vacation, sometimes I work with their dogs on certain issues or just to keep up their training. I can do that but usually prefer to do that at the Animal Ark as I live 5 minutes away and can be there every day.
Therapy Dogs in Training classes are going well. They are almost done with their visits and ready to go get tested. Go teams! I may run another class this summer. It depends on some other classes filling up (or not). I will keep you posted if my schedule frees up and I can do another one sooner. It is so much fun to visit the residents and brighten their day. The dogs bring joy and happiness to so many.
MIssin' my peeps. If you've missed a few classes, come on back, we miss you. You have more to learn and experience with us so come on back. We can't wait to see you again!
Have a wonderful Easter,
Lydia McCarthy |
|
|
Congrats Awesome Dogs and Owners
Graduates: Thor CGC, Daisy CGC, Layla, Parker, Jaycee, Petunia (good luck in your new home!), Cooper, Belle, Redford
AKC Star Puppies: Fairway, Oscar, Alvy, Penny and Jaycee
Canine Good Citizen: JC CGC, Thor CGC, Daisy CGC, Penny CGC |
|
Shocking, isn't it? My Rant on Shock Collars
Newest trend in dog training. Hurt your dog to teach your dog? They say it doesn't hurt them. Really? Then why use it? There are so many other great methods out there. It just doesn't make sense. (And I'm not talking about invisible fence collars either) It's been called "the lazy man's training tool and the quickest way to ruin anything natural or instinctual in your dog." (Virgil Holland) If you keep it positive, work with your dog every day, use rewarding rewards, incorporate what you are learning into everyday life, and DO THE WORK, your dog will have the best training ever! I recently heard about this Shock collar phenomenon and they charge tons of money to hurt your dog. Is this training? Not in my opinion. You can read more in my blog www.thedogteacher.blogspot.com Just say no to SHOCK collars. And save yourself hundreds and hundreds of dollars (one trainer charges $1200). Just do the work-you can do it! |
|
Teaching "Go to Place (or mat or bed)"
This has alot of uses.
Teaching your dog to go to his bed ,mat or place is easy and is useful for many situations. You can tell him to go to his place instead of begging at the table, mugging guests at gatherings, giving you some space while on the computer or watching a movie.
First tell him "down" on his mat. Click and treat. Practice this a few dozen times. Then start to say "go to your mat and lay down" while stepping a few steps away and pointing to his mat. Click and treat. Practice a few dozen times. Then step a few more steps away and point to his mat and say "go to your mat and lay down". Make him stay there for 10 seconds then click and treat. Then a few more seconds till he can stay there a minute or more. You can keep adding to the minutes and also while adding distractions. Soon your dog will go to his place while you eat, answer the door or work on the computer. What a good dog!
|
|
Louisa Up for Adoption with Wags and Whiskers Rescue
 Louisa is a rescue dog with Wags and Whiskers Rescue. She is staying at the Animal Ark (thanks so much, guys) and I am doing some training with her. She was afraid of people and dogs. Thanks to the great staff at Animal Ark and some of my clients, she is friendlier with people and we are trying with dogs. She is 15 months and a brindle German Shepherd mix. When she knows and loves you, she really loves you. She loves the water hose, bubbles and walks. She is curious about cats and doesn't mind the vacuum cleaner. And LOVES car rides. If you know anyone that would want to adopt or foster her, give me a call and I'll get you in touch with the rescue. She is a great dog and would make a great companion for someone. She needs a little work but who doesn't? |
 Save The Animals Foundation
STAF (Save the Animals Foundation) is on Redbank Rd and is a great no kill shelter with TONS of great volunteers. See their website at www.staf.org I have been teaching a class on Sunday mornings there for the shelter dogs and most times we have 12+ dogs and volunteers. On a sad note, we lost a classmate there last week-Randy. A grand old chow-chow that got to show off his sit for the class the week before he died. He and his mentor were so proud and so were we all. Rest in peace Randy. On a good note-all are doing great and improving all the time. Redford (pictured above) is a graduate. See what a little volunteer time on a Sunday morning will do? |
|
Dig This! Help for diggers It's that time of year. Spring in all its glory-and mud. Lots of dogs like to dig in the spring for various and sundry (and dirty) reasons. There are lots of things you can try if you don't want your yard to look like a bomb field. First, make sure your dog gets lots of exercise and play and is not bored. That's one of the reasons dogs dig. Second, fill the holes up and cover them with your dog's doodoo. That's right. Dogs won't dig where they potty. Third, put a big rock in the hole they dug. They can't dig there anymore but watch out because they may find another spot. Fourth, fill the hole and then spray some bitter spray on top (or cayenne pepper or something else disgusting). Lastly, if you have room you can make your dog his own dig spot in the back of the yard. When he digs in the other parts of the yard, redirect him and praise him for digging in his own dig spot. Or you can just let him help you dig holes for all your plants and trees. Give that dog a job! |
|
Love The One You're With It's Important
 I know we've all lost dogs we've dearly loved. And you never forget those one of a kind, once in a lifetime soul mates (mine was Oreo). And you don't have to ever forget them but when you get a new dog, take the time to know, bond and love THIS dog. It won't act like your old dog, bark like your old dog, behave (or not) like your old dog. It can't live up to the beloved pal we lost. BUT we can love him/her for who they are and enjoy them and know them in a whole new different way. Maybe your last dog was easy to train and this one seems like a dumb dora (that's what I called Sage at first-sorry if your name is Dora). Or your last dog walked off leash for miles with you and this one runs away at the first chance. Find things that this new dog is good at that you can do together. Or take a moment to teach them some tricks or commands that show off their natural talents. You owe it to yourself, your new dog and your beloved soulmate that you lost. It's a whole new world with a whole new dog. Have fun with him/her and enjoy them in a whole new way. Your beloved old pal would wag his tail in approval I'm sure. |
|
|
Here are the many ways to reach me:
Phone: 513-939-dogs (3647
Website: www.playfulpoochesandparents.com
Email: playfulpooches@msn.com
Blog: www.thedogteacher.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
|
|
