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Trainer's Corner
 Break the Boredom!
Brian Moore, Trainer, Lucky Dog South
Dogs can get bored with certain activities just as humans can, and training is no exception. You may notice your dog losing interest in your training routine and not responding to normal motivational tools, such as treats. Sit and stay are important commands to teach, but by increasing the challenge, changing commands and situations, you keep her interested.
Remember to change your training session locations. Go outside vs inside, the kitchen vs the living room. Increase the distractions your dog works with. Have another dog present, or have people walk in and out of the room while you are training. In real life your dog may be required to obey commands with a lot going on around her. Make sure she is able to do that - it could save her life.
Intermediate obedience classes present a greater challenge. Agility training is a super way to keep a high energy dog entertained and exercised. Agility is also great fun for both dog and owner! Sign up for a "Buddy Hike" that Lucky Dog offers beginning at the end of May, and well into the fall. What a great way to spend quality time with your dog, and practice her trail manners around other dogs!
No matter what direction your dog's training takes, keep it interesting. If you're bored, your dog probably is too. If you're frustrated, your dog probably is too. Take breaks and have some fun, or rest if your dog seems tired or confused.
Remember that Lucky Dog has a whole team of trainers to help you and your dog with training goals and fun activities!
For more information on Buddy Hikes or Agility Training Call Lucky Dog South at 527-9663, or visit us at www.bealuckydog.com
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| Contact Us |
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4401 Mark Dabling Blvd
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80907
719-599-9663
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Did You Know.....?
That your friends can sign up to receive our Newsletter right on our website home page?
That our Newsletter is now archived? Click on "Archive" below the sign up block on our website home page.
That outdoor cameras are coming soon to both Lucky Dog locations? Weather permitting we will have our cameras up within the next week or so!
"I didn't know that!"
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"Lucky" The Assess-A- Dog!
Here's a dog that leads a life of service, and sometimes danger! "Lucky" is our very own, and very well behaved "assess-a-dog". Lucky assists our trainer Angie Neal with dog assessments during her one-on-one training sessions. Lucky has all the smell of a real dog, in fact, he smells like intact males, puppies, intact females, females in season - you name it! He is freshly scented every time he has an encounter with another dog. What exactly does Lucky do? Here are just a few examples:
He helps - people requiring assistance dogs, especially children and old folks, how to give their dogs signals without confusing them. He has taught many people the correct way to handle their dogs, including a 6 year old blind girl and an adolescent boy with arthritis.
He assists - in the evaluation of aggressive dogs, and reactive dogs with leash frustration. During these sessions he evaluates the "thresholds" of the real dog. Thresholds are the amount of space/distance between a dog and a stimulus where a dog is calm, vs becoming aggressive. Lucky bravely stands by to get the stuffing knocked out of him if the real dog becomes aggressive!
He "walks" by peoples houses - when Angie is called in to help a family whose dog barks at the windows when other dogs are passing by.
He evaluates - rescue dogs when a family is not sure the dog is good with other dogs or children.
He sits - quietly while Angie shows dog owners how to adjust Gentle Leaders and Easy Walk Harnesses.
Dogs do think Lucky is real because he is shaped like, and smells like a real dog. He even wears keys that jingle like a real dog's tags! Lucky is used as a demo dog when the risk of using a real dog is too great. He eats very little, works for free and never complains! Lucky is a great asset to our training team!
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The Summer Time Blues
This is the first of four articles we will publish in our Newsletter to remind dog owner's of summertime related dog problems.
The most dangerous condition a dog may experience in the summer is heat injury, so we'll begin there. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are distinct possibilities if a pet is subjected to high temperatures in poorly ventilated areas, including cars (even with the windows cracked open), sheds, or other enclosures. Dogs dissipate body heat by panting, not sweating, and rapid panting causes increased loss of water and carbon dioxide. If the dog is stressed by high temperatures and humidity and poor ventilation, his circulatory and respiratory systems can be overtaxed. Heat Stroke is the most common and most likely to be fatal. Symptoms are: panting; staring; warm, dry skin; extremely high fever (106 degrees or higher); rapid heart rate, vomiting and collapse.
Treatment - Immerse the dog in cold water. If no tub is handy, spraying the dog with the hose is the next best action. Ice packs applied to the head and neck may also help. This condition is life threatening so get to your vet immediately after lowering your dog's temperature.
Heat exhaustion is less serious and generally follows heavy and prolonged exercise in intense heat. This condition develops more slowly than heat stroke, and the treatment is the same. After cooling your pet get him to the vet immediately!
NEXT MONTH: Traveling with your dog.
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Focus On the Breed
The Beagle
 Often thought of as an "all American" breed, the beagle actually has roots in England. This small, compact hound was not introduced into the US until the 1870's, and was mostly used for hunting hares. The beagle comes in two varieties based solely on size; 13 inches or smaller in height or 13 to 15 inches in height. The average beagle weighs 20-40 pounds.
Wonderful with children, the beagle has become a favorite family dog due to it's size and temperament. The beagle can be a challenging dog in many ways, however. They love to chew, particularly on shoes, they tend to try digging to China via the backyard, and they can be hard to control outside their own home. Very curious and adventuresome, they tend to follow their noses to the exclusion of all other stimulus. This can be quite aggravating to the beagle owner calling his dog and watching him trot off down the street!
Beagles don't bark, they bay, a sound relished by some, and detested by others. If you don't like the bay, don't own a beagle!
Field work is the forte of the beagle, and this active little dog relishes activities of all sorts.
A tough, loving, although stubborn little companion, it's not hard to understand why the beagle is an American family favorite!
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Great Employees!
Narciso Ortibez (Ivan)
Ivan has been a dog guardian at Lucky Dog Central since November of 2006. Ivan has two children, Linda, 2 years and Isaac, 9 months. He has been married to his wife Melissa for 4 years.
Ivan is a real dog lover who enjoys painting, ceramics, and playing with his children. His favorite Lucky Dogs are Fenway and Kate, and if he could have a dog at home right now it would definitely be a Rottweiller!
Ivan is a great asset to the Lucky Dog team, and is very highly thought of by his fellow workers and all of our "lucky dogs!"
"In a perfect world, every dog would have a home,and every home would have a dog."
-Unknown
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Dog Moms Are Mothers Too!
With many women waiting until later in life to start a family, dogs are satisfying the nurturing instinct for some modern couples. Our dog friends are pampered, dressed up, taken for rides in strollers, attend daycare and go just about everywhere with us. We are a nation of dog lovers and we're not afraid to show it!
This Mother's Day, reward a good dog mom with a card, dinner or some flowers. Have her dog's paw print signature on the card, and let that special dog mom know she's appreciated. After all, I'm sure our dogs DO appreciate us - it's not their fault they are banned from the Hallmark store! Oh, and watch those flowers. Unlike human children the four-legged ones have a habit of eating them.
Debi Ropes-Stevenson
General Manager, Lucky Dog Resorts
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Good news Bulldog fans! The bulldog has broken into the top 10 list for the first time since 1935, displacing the Miniature Schnauzer from the final spot! There are 157 breeds recognized by the AKC, the largest purebred dog registry. (We're sure our logo "Woof" had something to do with the increased popularity of the bulldog!:)
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| Save 10% |
On any bag of doggy treats by Natural Balance or Merrick Dog Foods!
Coupon Good at Any Lucky Dog Resort |
| Offer Expires: May 31, 2008 |
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