Cabin Fever

January 2016

Paws Abilities Dog Training

Helping People Enjoy Their Dogs

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Class Schedule

Ask the Experts (us!)

Do you have a burning dog training or behavior question? Several of the Paws Abilities trainers will be available from 1:30-3:00pm this Saturday, January 30th, at the South Rochester Feed & Country Store to answer your questions. We'll also have free training handouts.

Stop by and say hello (with or without your pup), and pick up some special winter treats while you're there!

Richter

Puppy Social Club

Do you have a puppy? Do you want to make sure s/he gets off to the best possible start, and maybe win some prizes at the same time? Join the Paws Abilities Puppy Social Club!

Zuri

This club is open to all puppies under a year of age who've enrolled in or completed a Beginning Obedience class through Paws Abilities Dog Training. We encourage puppies and their people to engage in a variety of positive socialization experiences. Remember that exposure alone isn't socialization: your puppy should be having a good time. Report your socialization successes to the group to earn points and compete for monthly prizes!

Ryder

Want to learn more? Check out our Facebook group, the Club Rules, Point Information, and free Training Resources. I hope you'll join us!

Pepper shows off her "leave it" skills

Join the club now >

Ned

Current Point Standings for January:
1st: Ned and Sarala (377)
2nd: Ryder and Carrie (376)
3rd: Mabel and Anna (300)
4th: Zuri and Tara (261)
5th: Pepper and Jill (255)

(Prizes are awarded for 1st-3rd place at the end of each month. January's prizes include a $40 Clean Run gift certificate for the first place winner, a $10 Clean Run gift certificate for second place, and two bags of Blue Buffalo Tempting Turkey flavored training treats for third place.)

Mabel

Upcoming Seminars

Dogs & Storks

Dogs & Storks is a national program for expecting families with dogs. It is designed to help you plan and prepare for baby's arrival, specifically with your dog(s) in mind. Learn basic dog body language, how to handle the homecoming, critical safety tips, and much more. While Dogs & Storks does not take the place of basic obedience training classes nor a childbirth preparation class, it brings the missing elements of each together in one place. Make sure to get off on the right foot, decrease stress, and increase harmony in your home by preparing with Dogs & Storks.

Still not sure if this program is right for you? If you live with dogs and are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, a grandparent/aunt/uncle who has infants visit, a childcare provider, a childbirth educator, in the adoption process, or just care about infant & dog issues - this program is applicable and valuable. Even dog experts will be surprised with how much new information they'll walk away with!

Date: Sunday, April 24th, 12-2pm

Cost: suggested donation of $25 per family (1-2 adults). Got a big family or want to bring the nanny? We suggest an additional $5 per adult.

Location: Rochester Feed and Country Store at 5 SE 11½ Street in Rochester

Details: Workshops are for people only, so please plan on leaving your dog(s) at home. Metal folding chairs will be available, but you may wish to bring your [more comfortable] chair. The facility is heated but tends to be chilly, so we recommend dressing in layers!

Registration: Payment (cash or check) is collected at the event, however we ask that you pre-register so we can contact you should the workshop be canceled due to weather or illness.

Recommended Timing: You'll get the most by attending in the 1st or 2nd trimester of your pregnancy (or earlier) but it's never too late to learn!

Reserve your spot now >

Dogs & Toddlers

Dogs & Toddlers provides tools to help families with young children and dogs as they face the various ages and stages of baby's first three years. You'll learn how to prevent problems, implement realistic management methods, facilitate appropriate interaction, and much more. Developed by a mother, taught by a mother and geared towards real parents - all the material covered is designed to be relevant, valuable, and easy to implement.

Date: Sunday, April 24th, 2:30-4:30pm

Cost: suggested donation of $25 per family (1-2 adults). Got a big family or want to bring the nanny? We suggest an additional $5 per adult.

Location: Rochester Feed and Country Store at 5 SE 11½ Street in Rochester

Details: Workshops are for people only, so please plan on leaving your dog(s) at home. Metal folding chairs will be available, but you may wish to bring your [more comfortable] chair. The facility is heated but tends to be chilly, so we recommend dressing in layers!

Registration: Payment (cash or check) is collected at the event, however we ask that you pre-register so we can contact you should the workshop be canceled due to weather or illness.

Reserve your spot now >

Doggy Dynamics

What does normal dog play look like? Do different ages of dogs play differently? What's the best way to introduce new dogs to your family? What should you do if one of your dogs is a guarder? How do you break up a fight safely? What's the best way to handle leash aggression? How can you keep off-leash dogs from charging you on a walk?

We'll answer all these questions and more in this info-packed primer on the dynamics of living with multiple dogs.

Date: Sunday, February 28th, 7-9pm.

Cost: suggested donation of $20/person.

Location: Rochester Feed and Country Store at 5 SE 11½ Street in Rochester

Details: Workshops are for people only, so please plan on leaving your dog(s) at home. Metal folding chairs will be available, but you may wish to bring your [more comfortable] chair. The facility is heated but tends to be chilly, so we recommend dressing in layers. We'll be covering a lot of information in a short amount of time, so you may want to bring a notebook to jot down ideas!

Registration: Payment (cash or check) is collected at the event, however we ask that you pre-register so we can contact you should the workshop be canceled due to weather or illness.

Reserve your spot now >

Students Bark Back

"Excellent class. Very practical. The outdoor practice was extremely helpful. The structure, with each "game" building on the prior ones, was great. My dog and I learned a lot and the in-class support and encouragement much appreciated!" -Anonymous survey respondant reviewing their Leash Pullers Anonymous class with instructor Sara

"This was a great class because we were able to practice the skills learned in class out in the real world. Sarala held class in a nice variety of locations." -Julia B. and her Boxer Penny reviewing their Outdoor Adventures class with instructor Sarala

Julia and Penny

"The most helpful, humane and research-based instruction I've ever found. I tell everyone I know about you. Simple, effective steps and lots of time to practice in class. As usual Sara taught information to the people in between practice sessions. So very useful." -Claire S. and her Golden Retriever William reviewing their Leash Pullers Anonymous class with instructor Sara

"Though my dog already knew most of the commands, it was good for her to re-enforce some of the basic commands in a more social setting. The facility in Kasson was quite nice and accommodating, and the group dynamic was favorable. Julia did awesome job and created a fantastic atmosphere that was conducive to learning but also fun. Time flew. She is very competent and passionate about her work. I was specifically signing up for her class because of the positive experience we had with our previous dog. The class fully met my expectations and I can't think of things that you might do better." -Anonymous survey respondant reviewing their Beginning Obedience class with instructor Julia

"Julia was always ready to go with a full list of activities to do for the hour, and answered questions I had." -Anonymous survey respondant reviewing their Beginning Obedience class with instructor Julia

"Jackson and I enjoyed the reactive nose work class very much! We've been working on finding treats in both the house and in the backyard. I've been making it slightly more challenging as we continue. He does great and I'm pretty sure it's one of his new favorite activities :)." - Skye B. and her Golden Retriever Jackson reviewing their Reactive Dog Nose Work class with instructor Sara

"Provided a lot of reassurance and positive reinforcement for the humans which allowed me to gain significant confidence in myself which translates into confidence in my dog. Thanks very much." Wendy M. and her American Staffordshire Terrier Sebastian reviewing their Beginning Reactive Dog Rehab class with instructor Sara

"Kera and Carrie provided a safe, relaxed and comfortable place for learning and on-topic/interesting verbal discussions. I appreciate that you offer these classes for the reactive dogs, there are so many events, activities and places where they are not welcome." -Carla L. and her American Staffordshire Terrier Gabby reviewing their Reactive Dog Sports Sampler class with instructors Kera and Carrie

"Great instructors! Kind and passionate with both the dogs and owners!" -Anonymous survey respondant reviewing their Fearful Fidos class with instructors Kera and Carrie

"Made me feel like there was a light at the end of the tunnel!" - Brittany F. and her three dogs (Rex, Daisy, and Ozzy) reviewing their private training session with Sara

Rex

"I appreciate the well controlled environment. It is exactly what my dog needs right now. We can't get that anywhere else. Very supportive, very informative, very awesome instructors!" -Jennifer B. and her Australian Shepherd Jedi reviewing their Beginning Reactive Dog Rehab class with instructors Kera and Carrie

"Great class, will do another Outdoor Adventure class if it fits our schedule. Helps to get our dog calmer with outside environments, teaches how to work with her when she starts to shutdown." -Anonymous survey respondant reviewing their Outdoor Adventures class with instructor Sarala

"I liked the smaller class size." - Anonymous survey respondant reviewing their Beginning Obedience class with instructor Kera

"Loki loved the class! Sara, you are a combination of all of the best teaching practices in the professional dog journals. It is really great to have such a great instructor!" - Patti A. and her Siberian Husky Loki reviewing their Beginning Obedience class with instructor Sara

It's that time of year. It gets dark early. It's cold. The streets are icy. It's so tempting to come home from work and curl up in front of the fireplace. But then the tennis ball drops in your lap. Hopeful eyes gaze into your face as an ever-so-hopeful tag wags ever-so-slightly. You sigh, put your winter gear back on, and go out for a walk.

Chula

If this sounds familiar, you're not alone! Those of us with dogs are a pack apart. We know that while we might get out of the house everyday for work and errands, our dogs depend on us if they're to spend any time other than potty breaks outside of the four walls of their home. We also know that, while winter is not the best time of year for walking (unless you live with a Newfoundland or Malamute, in which case they're pretty sure winter is the best time for long walks!), dogs get cabin fever too. A cooped up, underexercised, bored pup will invent their own entertainment, with sometimes disastrous results.

If your dog is sic k of being stuck inside, here are some suggestions to beat the winter blues!

« Throw out the food bowl . Don't waste your dog's calories! Instead of feeding out of a boring old bowl, use his food to train tricks, encourage scavenging by hiding his food for a fun treasure hunt, or feed out of puzzle toys to engage his creative side.

« Bundle up for outdoor activity. Boots and coats can make a world of difference in your dog's comfort level. Many dogs don't like to wear clothes at first (especially boots), so introduce them positively to your dog. Simply put the clothing item on before treat or dinner time, and take it off as soon as your dog finishes eating. Before long, he'll be begging you to dress him up.

« Choose to chew. Chewing is a great physical activity for dogs! Rotate your dog's chew toys and provide snack chews every day to keep things interesting.

« Train the brain. Did you know that mental exercise wears dogs out more quickly than physical exercise? Enroll in a winter training class to keep your dog active, or work with him daily on new tricks and commands using some of our favorite healthy training treats. You can find a full list of our upcoming classes below!

Lakota and Mikko

Upcoming Class Schedule

Beginning Obedience - 6 weeks

Start your puppy or adult dog off on the right paw!

- Friday 1/29, 5:30pm with Carrie (Rochester - CLASS FULL

- Friday 1/29, 6:45pm with Katie (Rochester) - CLASS FULL

- Wednesday 2/3, 6:45pm with Linda (Rochester) - CLASS FULL

- Monday 2/22, 8:30pm with Sara (Woodbury) - 1 spot left!

- Thursday 2/25, 5:30pm with Julia (Kasson)

- Sunday 2/28, 11:00am with Kera (Rochester) - 1 spot left!

- Sunday 2/28, 12:15pm with Kera (Rochester)

- Monday 3/7, 9:00am with Shalise (Rochester)

- Wednesday 3/23, 6:45pm with Carrie (Rochester)

- Friday 3/25, 6:45pm with Katie (Rochester)

- Thursday 4/14, 6:45pm with Julia (Kasson)