Happy Birthday Mac!

Mac's birthday today! One year old. Yea Mac. Got him a Quatro bone and a 16 Squeaker Duckie. He ate the bone straight away even though he hasn't been eating his food great the last couple days. I think it's the heat. Just ordered some rack cards for Playful Pooches and Parents Dog Training. See them in a location soon near you. Featuring Mac!

Summer already?

April was my last post? No way. Does time ever slip by? Wow, it's summer already. Park classes in full swing. New location for puppy classes-Dog Day Every Day Doggie Day Care in West Chester. My neighbor's dog Simba passed away this week. 13 year old Malamute. Love the Malamutes! And my client's dog Toby the rottweiler passed away suddenly from osteosarcoma. Didn't know much about that till now. Cancer of the bone and works from the inside out. I'm sad for them. Both of them. It is so hard to lose one you love so much. Newsletter coming out soon. I'm working on it. And working on a new computer so I can blog more and send out my Newsletter more. Yea!!!!!!

Catching up

Way too long since I've updated this blog. Lots of changes. Mac is bigger. Somewhat better but working on nail grinding and come when called. Also acting like an adolescent clown. New location-formerly at Animal Ark now classes at Clippard Park in Colerain Twp. Having lots of fun there until today when we had to cancel because of rain, thunderstorms and lightning. Possible indoor training location in West Chester. Working on that with my friend Susanne.

Surprise visit last night at class by my former foster Louisa. So good to see her and her mom. They really love her and she is thriving.

Lots of new puppies and dogs in class. Lots of learning, training and fun going on. Colaberating with my friend Kim for some new stuff to work on in class. Stay tuned. Keep positive. Keep training and having fun doing it. I am.

A New Year of Dog Training

Wow, a new year is got a good start already on me. Mac's training is going well but one thing he does not do-come when he's called. To his ears it sounds like-catch me if you can. It's frustrating and dangerous if he ever gets loose. Unlikely but it could happen. I am thinking long and hard on this one and have come up with some strategies for helping him learn. Firm and harsh? No way. Lots of treats and love-yes and yes. I want him to run fast as he can to me. Firm and harsh might make him come but slow and submissive. I want him happy and fast. So look at the ONE THING that's hard for your dog. Come up with new strategies and start the new year off and running.

And another thought-do I alpha roll him and make him submit? No way. It's stupid, harmful to you, your dog and your relationship. And dangerous. We have a fun, working relaionship not a master/slave relationship. Isn't that what you want in your dog too?

Catching up

Here's Mac-my new puppy. A puppy was not in my future but I was in the right place at the right time and so was he. He's 4 and 1/2 months old and a Shar Pei mix. We lost our Shar Pei mix-Baby Girl in August at 11 years old. We miss her so. It was a combination of missing her and adopting out Louisa my foster dog of 6 months. Mac has met tons of people and kids and dogs. Been to tons of classes and is the best little dog ever. Except for jumping in the Explorer. Hates it. I have to lift him and he gets heavier every day. Time to bring out the hot dog training.

Summer Update

Park classes going great. I love working outdoors. Got a rain cancel for Level 3. Long time since that happened. Lots of loss-my cousin's dog passed, a receptionist at the Animal Ark's dog passed, couple of long timers in Doggie Day Care at the Ark passed (Snickers and Trixie). So sad.

Level 2 class is grown to HUGE. I'm offering a free tutoring class from 5-6 at the Park for the next 3 Mondays to help out. I want to make sure everyone gets all the help they need. I hate to see owners give up. Or switch to a punishment type training because they've lost patience. There are many things we can try if you are running into difficulty but punishment is not it.

I'm incorporating some of the principles from Natural Dog Training into many of my classes. You can check them out at www.naturaldogtraining.com Very interesting. Works with our dog's drives and emotions. And ours. Check them out.

Need more puppies in class-tell all your friends and neighbors. Especially if you are a puppy class alumni. You know how much it helped you so tell all your new puppy owner friends and send them on over. Have a great rest of the summer, I can't believe it's almost over. Enjoy...

It's so hot!

Wow is it ever hot! If there is a heat emergency during the time of our park classes-consider the class cancelled. If it is just hot-no heat emergency-use your best judgement. I don't want dogs or people getting heat strokes. Seriously. There is always next week. We will be in the park probably till Labor Day. As long as the light holds out.