Bark to School!

August 2016

Paws Abilities Dog Training

Helping People Enjoy Their Dogs

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Brags and Wags

Congratulations to all of our new title-earners and award-winners!

Allister, Piper, Cannon, and Maus

Agility Titles

CT-ATCH2 Charlotte owned by Shelly and Evan W. (Labrador Cross)(CPE)

Gunner CL2-H owned by Denise K. (Border Collie)(CPE)

Raena CL3-F owned by Shelly W. (Border Collie)(CPE)

Raena TG-N, TN-N owned by Shelly W. (Border Collie)(NADAC)

Richter ACT1 owned by Nicky W. (Doberman Pinscher)(AKC)

Canine Good Citizens

Gibs CGC owned by Kristy K. (Labradoodle)

Rio CGC owned by Kelly S. (Shetland Sheepdog)

Lure Coursing Titles

Richter CAA owned by Nicky W. (Doberman Pinscher)

Kapp, Geordie, and True

Nose Work Awards

Geordie owned by Kapp K. passed his Birch ORT (Border Collie cross)

Nugget owned by Julia B. passed his Birch ORT (German Shorthaired Pointer)

True owned by Kapp K. passed his Birch ORT (Border Collie)

Obedience Titles

Jade CD-C owned by Denise K. (Australian Shepherd)(CDSP)

Rally Obedience Titles

Allister RL2 owned by Laura M. (Corgi/Pit Bull cross)(WCRL)

Jade RL2X2 owned by Denise K. (Australian Shepherd)(WCRL)

Maus RLV owned by Laura M. (American Pit Bull Terrier)(WCRL)

Pantalaimon RLPX owned by Sara R. (Jack Russell Terrier cross)(WCRL)

Piper RLVX2 owned by Laura M. (Boxer)(WCRL)

Raena RL3 owned by Shelly W (Border Collie)(WCRL)

Raena, Shelly, and Charlotte

Trick Dog Titles

Murphy NTD owned by Michael H. (Poodle)

Penny NTD owned by Julia B. (Boxer)

Rosie ATD owned by Lindsay K. (Australian Shepherd)

Toby NTD owned by Maureen J. (Border Collie/Shetland Sheepdog cross)

Check out all of our Brags & Wags online!

Day Camp Information

Let us do the legwork for you!

Paws Abilities Day Camp is a unique dog training and socialization program run by certified professional trainers. We love teaching dogs and people, and are proud to offer the only humane, science-based, positive Day Camp program in the southeast Minnesota area! We will teach your dog quickly and effectively. In fact, we use the same proven reward-based training methods utilized in zoos, aquariums, and service dog training programs all over the world.

Cooper

Unlike traditional training "boot camps," where you may send your dog away for weeks or months, your dog will come home with you every night. You'll receive a personalized report card detailing your dog or puppy's activities from the day, and will have a chance to talk to your dog's trainer to receive daily updates and homework assignments to keep your dog's training on track. You'll learn as your dog learns, so that both of you can feel confident in your new communication!

Your dog or puppy will have a busy day and will come home tired (so you can enjoy a peaceful evening). Day Camp is broken up into three different activities: mental exercise (training time), physical exercise (which includes playtime with other dogs and people, walks, and field trips), and rest (quiet time in a crate or on a mat, including training to relax and settle after excitement). Each dog at Camp has their own customized training plan so that we can best accomplish your goals.

This is not a traditional dog daycare. We offer a structured socialization and training experience. Think of how much faster your dog will learn with a professional behind the wheel! We can "jump start" your training and get you and your dog on the fast-track to good behavior.

Bella on a field trip to Scheels

Here are some additional details about the program:

To qualify for day camp, your dog should be friendly with both people and other dogs and be comfortable in a crate. (Not quite there yet? Start with private training lessons to get your dog on track before enrolling in day camp!)
We have crates available, or you can bring your dog's own crate.
You will provide a mat or bed for your dog (so that we can teach them to "go to place"), and will bring your dog's breakfast with you every morning.
Dogs must be current on vaccinations, including rabies (for dogs over four months), distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus, and bordetella. Your dog or puppy must have a negative fecal examination before starting the day camp program.
Day camp spots are limited, as we only work with a small number of dogs at a time to ensure plenty of individual attention. First priority for spots will always go to current or returning students.

Drop off time: 7:30-9:00am

Pick up: 4:00-6:00pm (pick up times are scheduled during registration)

Location: 3155 Wellner Dr. NE, Rochester MN

Day camp runs Monday through Friday, excepting major holidays (there is no day camp on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, or Christmas). In the event of severe weather, camp will be closed when the Rochester Public School district closes schools.

Chewie

Upcoming program start dates:

~~June 13th~~ - program in progress! Check out our Facebook page for updates on our happy Campers.
June 27th (1 spot left)
July 11th (2 spots left)
July 25th (3 spots left)
August 8th (6 spots left)
August 22nd (6 spots left)
September 6th (6 spots left)

Reserve your spot by emailing us and filling out your dog's personalized profile. A 50% deposit is required to reserve your spot (we accept checks and PayPal), with the remaining 50% due on the first day of your dog's camp. Cancellations received at least two weeks in advance will receive a full refund.

Day Camp is a highly effective way to socialize and train your dog, but in order to maintain those good behaviors the owner must also be part of the process. We'll coach you as your dog learns so that you can be an active participant in your dog's training, (without having to do all the hard work by yourself)!

Max

We have two programs to choose from!

Puppy Head Start Program: for puppies under 16 weeks of age at the start of their program.

Two weeks of professional training and socialization, $600.00

Start your puppy off with the best paw forward! Your puppy's action-packed Head Start program will include:

Crate training (including wait while the crate door is opened and "kennel up" on cue)
Name recognition
Potty training assistance (we will reward all outdoor potties and provide a regular schedule)
Socialization
- Puppy playtime to learn about other dogs
- Positive exposure to walking on new surface, navigating obstacles, and listening to sounds such as thunder, fireworks, and city noises.
- Polite greetings with a wide variety of people.
Handling (teaching your puppy to enjoy having her collar touched, nails trimmed, ears cleaned, paws wiped, fur or teeth brushed, and more).
Positive introduction to a head halter or harness to instill good leash manners.
Sit for petting (instead of jumping up).
Gentle mouths (we will provide appropriate guidance to teach your puppy not to nip or bite in play, as well as redirection to a toy when she is excited).
Chew toy training (including introduction to a wide variety of puzzle toys and advice on your puppy's favorite toys, so that she learns to chew up her toys instead of your shoes).

Luna

Canine University Basic Obedience Program: for friendly dogs of any age who are already comfortable in a crate.

Four weeks of professional training and socialization: $1200.00

In this intensive learning program, we will teach your dog all of the manners he needs to be a polite member of society, including:

Name recognition (look at you when you say his name)
Sit and Lie Down on cue (and stay in place until you release him)
Sit and wait at doors
Automatically check in with you after going through doors
Crate training (including wait while the crate door is opened and "kennel up" on cue)
Indoor recall (come when called, even when playing with his dog friends)
Leave it (don't touch dropped food, leave garbage alone on walks)
Place (go to a mat or bed and stay there)
Polite leash manners (including positive introduction to a head halter or harness)
Socialization

Greet people politely (no jumping!)
Play with other dog friends
Positive exposure to new surfaces, obstacles, sights, smells, and sounds.

Spike

The Double-Whammy: combine the Puppy Head Start and Canine University Basic Obedience program, for a total of six weeks of professional training and socialization, for $1680.00 (a $120.00 savings).

Ready to enroll? Email us to reserve your dog's spot!

Jax on a field trip to a local pet store.

Social Puppy 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!

Lexy

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 or Sit Stay Relax. 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!

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

Join the club now >

Eva

Current Point Standings for August:

1st: Lexy the Shetland Sheepdog owned by Cheryl M. - 311 points!

2nd: Eva the American Staffordshire Terrier owned by Jessi M. - 230 points!

3rd: Murray the English Springer Spaniel owned by Lynette L. - 179 points!

4th: Sypha the Doberman Pinscher owned by Nicky W. (alias Shanoa D. on Facebook) - 177 points!

Murray and friends

This month, our theme is fish in honor of Sara's dog, Trout! Trout was abandoned in a trout farm in Missouri as a puppy, and came to Minnesota to find her new home. Little did I know that she would be staying with me forever when I initially agreed to foster her!

Trout now has her own Facebook fan club (Trout the Awkward Dog) and has taught me so much about patience and working with special needs dogs. She has some developmental delays due to a medical condition that prevented her growing brain from getting the nutrition it needed, but she does great in our household and is a very sweet girl.

This month, we're giving away two bags of Trout's favorite "stinkyfish" treats, as well as three copies of one of my all-time favorite dog books. I'm so glad that I read The Culture Clash before I got Trout, and credit it with giving me the patience and insight to adjust to her special needs with empathy and understanding instead of resorting to punishment when she didn't respond normally to training.

Trout shows off this month's prizes!

FIRST PLACE this month will win a copy of The Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson and a bag of Trout's favorite USA Salmon Snacks soft-n-chewy grain free dog treats.

SECOND PLACE will win a copy of The Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson.

We will also award prizes to two RANDOM winners, selected by random draw from among all of the point earners this month! One random winner will receive a copy of The Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson, and one will receive a new bag of Shrimp 'N Grits soft chews dog treats!

Any water-related posts will earn an extra 5 points this month! Whether your puppy is a regular fish like Pan or prefers to enjoy water from a safe distance like Trout, make sure to let us know anytime your puppy gets a chance to play near a pond, lake, river, creek, pool, puddle, hose, or sprinkler. Safety first! We'll award an extra 5 points for puppies who wear their life jackets in deep water or when aboard boats.

Sypha

Day Camp Graduates

Congratulations to all of our graduates!

Louie and Jordan. Louie graduated from Canine University on July 8th!

Hudson with trainers Sara and Katie. Hudson graduated from Canine University on July 8th!

Spike and Larry. Spike graduated from Puppy Head Start on July 11th!

John and Bella. Bella graduated from Canine University on July 22nd!

Nancy and Max. Max graduated from Puppy Head Start on July 22nd!

Mary and Cooper. Cooper graduated from Puppy Head Start on July 8th and Canine University on August 5th!

Luna and Steve. Luna graduated from Canine University on August 5th!

Tamara and Chewie. Chewie graduated from Puppy Head Start on August 8th!

Keep up the great work with your dogs! We loved working with all of you in Day Camp.

It's that time of year! The leaves are already starting to turn (already?!), and both kids and dogs are getting ready to head back to school. Whether your dog needs an obedience tune-up, a fun activity to get over home-alone blues after spending the whole summer with your kids, or you're ready to get a handle on some behavioral issues before the holidays arrive, we're here to help!

Our fourth quarter schedule (for classes in October, November, and December) will be posted online by the end of this month, so please keep your eye out for new options.

Upcoming Training Schedule

Lincoln and Jessica

Day Camp in Rochester

We offer two programs: Puppy Head Start and Canine University . Check out the lefthand column of this newsletter for more information!

Trainer Katie has put together a fabulous video showcasing some of the skills we teach in Day Camp: starring Jax, who had completed three of his six weeks of Camp at the time of this video! Check it out!

Kaia

Upcoming program start dates:

August 22nd (2 spots left)
September 6th
September 19th
October 3rd
October 17th
October 31st

Reserve your spot by emailing us and filling out your dog's personalized profile. More information can be found on our Day Camp webpage!

Thor

Beginning Classes

Beginning Obedience - 6 weeks

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

- Monday 8/22, 6:45pm with Tara (north Rochester)

- Tuesday 8/30, 8pm with Linda (north Rochester)

- Wednesday 8/31, 6pm with Laura (Woodbury)

- Wednesday 8/31, 6:45pm with Carrie (north Rochester)

- Thursday 9/1, 8pm with Katie (south Rochester)

- Monday 9/12, 5:30pm with Katie (south Rochester)

- Monday 9/12, 6:45pm with Katie (south Rochester)

- Tuesday 9/13, 6:45pm wiht Lauren (Rosemount)

- Thursday 9/15, 7:15pm with Carrie (Eagan)

- Thursday 9/22, 5:30pm with Julia (Kasson)

- Monday 9/26, 9am with Shalise (south Rochester)