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Greetings!
Children are almost ready to go on break for the summer, but your dogs can take classes all summer long with Pawsitive Results! Advanced students -- now is the time to sign up for Family Manners III. It's the only time we'll offer this class this year! Family Manners III is a five-week session, with three classes in West Columbia on Thursday evenings and two Saturday field trips. You will get to practice your skills out about town! The class starts June 27 so sign up today. Please visit the website for details. Also in this issue, you'll find an update on our new phone number, an Ask the Trainer question on preparing your dog for therapy work and our continuing article on how to add another dog to your family. Please give your dogs cookies from me,  | Teoti, Sawyer, Finian & Logan
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Teoti Anderson, CPDT-KA, KPA-CTPPawsitive Results, LLC
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Class Schedule
It's never too late to train your dog! Start today with Pawsitive Results!
Friarsgate Park, Irmo
Class begins Tuesday, June 4 at 7:00 p.m.
Tri-City Leisure Center, West Columbia
Class begins Thursday, June 6 at 7:30 p.m.
Now taking registration!
Tri-City Leisure Center, West Columbia
Class begins Thursday, June 27 at 8:30 p.m.
Now taking registration!
Please note: This class is a five-week session, with three classes at the Leisure Center and two Saturday field trips.
Times not work for you? Check out our future schedule.
We offer a variety of training packages in the convenience of your home. From getting puppies off to a great start to helping with fear and aggression, call us for private lessons.
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Adding to the Family ... Part 2 You've carefully weighed all the pros and cons and you've decided to add another dog to your family. How should you introduce your new family member to your existing dog? How will your existing dog cope? Here are some tips on making the transition easier. - Make sure the dogs get along before you bring the new one home. While it's not unusual for there to be occasional tension between the dogs for the first couple of weeks, you will save yourself a lot of heartache by making sure the dogs can be friends right up front.
Introduce the dogs on neutral territory. You want both dogs to be friendly and social, not aggressive or fearful. Get a professional opinion and assistance if needed. If introductions go badly, never force it. This just may not be the right dog for your family.
- With the excitement of the new addition, don't forget your existing dog. Make sure he or she gets plenty of attention. Try to keep to your dog's regular routine as much as possible to make the transition less stressful.
- Don't let either dog pester the other one to the point of annoyance. For example, if you're bringing a puppy into a home with an older dog, don't let the puppy annoy the older dog so the dog gets upset. Some dogs may also feel overwhelmed by an exuberant new dog. If your existing dog seems to avoid the new dog, stops eating or starts exhibiting behavioral issues, then call a professional trainer for assistance.
- Do not leave the dogs together, unattended, until everything has settled down and it is clear the dogs will be good friends. This may take several weeks, and that is ok. You don't want to come home from work only to find dogs that need emergency medical care because they got into a fight!
In general, remember to take things slowly. You will be all excited at your new addition, but remember that it's taking your existing dog by surprise. With careful observation, management and patience, your new dog can fit right in.
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About Pawsitive Results, LLC Pawsitive Results, LLC offers reward-based group dog training classes in Irmo and West Columbia, SC., as well as private lessons. Owner Teoti Anderson is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and author who also gives popular workshops across the country to dog trainers and pet owners.
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In the News
Teoti Anderson was a guest on Richland Radio on WGCV in Columbia, SC May 17. She talked about positive training techniques and shared information about Pawsitive Results classes and private lessons.
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Pawsitive Results Has a New Phone Number!
We've updated our phone system! Unfortunately, we were not able to transfer our phone number to the new service. So please make note of our new phone number: 803-334-0174
Our new service has caller ID, so we are better able to get accurate phone numbers when folks call and leave messages. Previously, we sometimes had issues when people would call on their cellphones and the messages would break up ... usually when someone recited his or her phone number! We look forward to this new phone system helping us stay in touch with you better! |
Ask the Trainer
Q: I would love to take my dog into nursing homes and hospitals and help bring cheer to patients. How do I prepare my dog to be a therapy dog? 
A: If your dog is a young puppy, the most important thing you can do is properly socialize him. Introduce him to a variety of people. Take him to different places, but do it safely if he hasn't had all his shots yet. Make sure each experience is a positive one for your puppy. Proper socialization will help your puppy grow up to be a social, confident adult dog.
Most therapy registration organizations do not train dogs, but people. So you will need to train your dog some basic behaviors, such as sit, down, coming when called, stay, walking nicely on leash and leave it. Work in different locations so your dog learns to perform in different environments. Therapy dogs need to be confident, well-trained and social with everyone. Dogs that "take a while to warm up" to people are not good candidates, as the activity needs to be fun for them, not stressful. For more information on the local Pet Partners affiliate group, Prescription Paws, visit the website at www.prescriptionpaws.org.
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