Tag Archives: Dogs

Pet Peeve #2

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It is 96 degrees and you left your dog in the car.
What were you thinking?
You said, “I left water in the car.”
I said, “It’s still too hot in the car for your dog, it can be 20-30 degrees hotter even with the windows down.”
You said, “I take care of my dog, my dog is my child, I love this dog.”
I said, “As one who trains, works and rescues dogs, you will kill this dog.”
You said, “Mind your own *%#! business.”
Next time… I think I will call animal control… this was animal cruelty.

WARNING… HOT CARS KILL HOT DOGS & CHILDREN!

Reducing Fear in Your Dog | The Bark

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Reducing Fear in Your Dog | The Bark.
Excellent article by Patrica McConnell in the The Bark magazine on Thunderstorms, Fireworks and more… well worth the read. Challenged some old training ideas with good scientific research.
Thought is was also appropriate for this Independence Day 4th of July and for all the summer thunderstorms.
For more thoughts on calming your dog feel free to send me a comment.
Kathy

Start on the right Paw – Puppy and Dog Training Classes!

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ImageWe are looking forward to beginning another series of  Puppy Socialization and Training Classes.
These classes are for puppies 10 weeks – approximately 5 months old and will meet twice weekly on Mondays and Thursdays for 3 weeks for a total of 6 classes.
Our Basic Obedience classes for the Family Dog who is above 6 months old begins the same night but a different time.
The Puppies will learn their basic obedience skills such as: sit, down and come. They will also learn some manners like walking (not pulling on a leash), waiting at the door, not jumping (on people, counters, furniture, etc.) leaving things alone like snakes, cats, socks, shoes and more. We will also cover various topics on problem solving like chewing, digging, potty training, crate training. Puppy class last 1 hour and 15 minutes each night and includes time for puppy playtime and learning socialization skills.
The Puppy classes qualify for the AKC S.T.A.R. puppy certificate program.
Family Dog classes teach basic manners and obedience skills. Family Dog class meets for 1 hour each night.
Both classes are taught by 2 long-time, experienced Certified Dog Trainers: Kathy Dunn and Cari Bowe with a combined training experience of over 45 years.
Positive training techniques are used based on the most update scientific animal behavior training techniques. Classes are held inside and space is limited so pre-registration is a requirement! Please email me for more information and registration forms at info (at) k9keltsdogtraining (dot) com.

Puppies… When to Start Training?

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I was in the checkout line of the grocery store when the subject of puppies came up. Someone was talking about their brand new puppy they just got. So of course, my ears perked right up, just like my Sheltie Dani Joy, anticipating a “treat” of a discussion.
One person in line just got a chocolate lab puppy, the young man bagging my groceries was talking about new Boston Terrier pups and the checker was talking about a poodle/schnauzer mix puppy.
“I love puppies and I love training puppies.” I said enthusiastically.
The checker questioned, “I heard you had to wait until they were 6 months old before taking a class.”
I commented on how you can never start to early for puppy training and that in the right conditions and settings you can actually have puppies begin a puppy class as early as 3-4 months.
Puppies NEED training and socialization as early as possible. However puppies also need protection from sickness and diseases because they haven’t had all their vaccinations yet. So what is a new puppy owner to do?
I would recommend private lessons with a positive reinforcement dog trainer for the puppy who hasn’t had their first two series of vaccinations. There is much you can do to enrich your puppy’s life and build a solid foundation of training and socialization skills.
Then I would recommend a carefully sanitized environment for a puppy class that is just for puppies. In the classes I offer with Cari Bowe, we sterilize the class room as well as require all puppies to be vaccinated with the first two series of vaccinations. We carefully screen our puppies before letting them participate in our class.
Then the fun begins with training, fun, games, puppy playtime and more with the puppies and their proud puppy parents!
I am so looking forward to classes beginning this January 2012. These classes are also part of the AKC S.T.A.R. puppy program. If you are interested in puppy classes, drop me a note for registration forms and information. If your puppy is still too young, consider having a couple of private lessons. Don’t wait until they are 6 months old or even older.
Teach your puppy good manners and get in his socialization skills early. You won’t regret it! Your puppy will go more confidently into the world and love you more for it!
One last thing, whether your pup is 6 months old or 6 years old… they are never too old for training and learning new tricks. I also offer obedience classes for the older dogs which are also beginning this January 2012.