Welcome to Paws for Praise
Greetings!
Please enjoy our Newsletter. We hope that 2013 will be kind to all our friends and their canine companions. Don't forget to check our upcoming class schedule - Basic II is back and so is Tricks Class. We have Rocket Recall and Polite Leash on the schedule this time, too. A dog that doesn't come when called isn't safe - learning this valuable skill can be so important.
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Each newsletter, in this space, I plan to post a few snippets of information on training, health, breeds, etc. Enjoy! Here's a really nice way to teach your dog to "drop" something out of its mouth, by our friend Chirag Patel, of Domesticated Manners:
Thanks, Anne |
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We Still Have Room ! EMAIL US IF YOU WANT TO COME TO:
FIRST GRADE FOR PUPPIES Puppy Kindergarten* *About vaccinations/training Open to puppies aged 8-17 weeks. Unlike some "big box stores" our hall is safely secured by a double door system, allowing us to provide proper socialization, and training, both on and off leash. 6 Weeks - $175 One orientation class without dogs, and five weeks of training. Next six-week sessions start: Group 1 - Thursday, January 24, 7-8 PM Group 2 - Tuesday, February 26, 7-8 PM
BASIC MANNERS I Your dog must be non-aggressive with both people and unfamiliar dogs to attend this group class. Dogs from 17 weeks and up are welcome. 6 Weeks - $175 One orientation class without dogs, and five weeks of training. Next six-week sessions start: Thursday, January 24, 8:15-9:15 PM
BASIC MANNERS II Prerequisite: Dogs in this class must have taken either our Puppy Kindergarten or Basic Manners Class. 6 Weeks - $175 Next six-week sessions start: Saturday, January 26, 9-10 AM
ROCKET RECALL Come when called every time! One orientation class without dogs, and four weeks of training. 5 Weeks - $165 Next six-week sessions start: Tuesday, January 22, 7-8 PMPOLITE LEASH WALKING CLASS Who's Walking Whom? One orientation class without dogs, and four weeks of training.5 Weeks - $165 Next six-week sessions start: Tuesday, January 22, 8:15-9:15 PM
TINY TYKES Adult dogs 25 pounds or less 6 Weeks - $200 One orientation class without dogs, and five weeks of training. Get on our waiting list. Classes will start in early Spring.
CLICKER TRAINING & TRICKS CLASS One orientation class without dogs, and four weeks of training. 5 Weeks - $175 Saturdays, 10-11 as soon as we have a minimum of six dogs signed up.
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THAT DIRTY LITTLE SECRET
HOUSE SOILING
Is your dog still soiling in the house after puppy hood?
Most cases of house soiling or urine-marking are due to inefficient house training, and not to any desire on the part of your dog to displease or "spite" you. The first thing you need to be certain of, before you begin to address the problem is to make sure that your dog has no health reason for this behavior. So, speak candidly to your vet about what's going on and ask that urinary tract or parasite issues be ruled out. Next, make sure that you clean the area where your dog has been "going" with an enzymatic cleaner, such as Fizzion, Petastic, or Nature's Miracle. If you aren't sure where all the spots are, using a black light is helpful. If the dog marks only in one area, you can temporarily close off access, by using baby gates or shutting doors. Supervision is absolutely the single highest predictor of success - so, watch the dog at all times when he is loose in the house. Tether him to your waist or crate him when you can't watch him, and keep him empty by taking him out to relieve himself often. There should be NO freedom granted whatsoever if the dog isn't "empty." Be sure that you are reinforcing the dog for correct behavior. When he urinates/defecates outdoors, praise and reward occasionally with a food treat that he loves as soon as he finishes. Say the words - "good pee" or "good poop" (or whatever your family decides are the words to use for those functions). Dogs learn what the words mean, and it shouldn't be long before Fido starts to pee when you say "Go pee." Don't scold, otherwise, your dog may simply learn that you are scary to pee in front of, and he'll try to hold it. If you get tired of waiting and take him back in, that's when you may find that he quickly found a place to hide from you so he could pee in safety - in the house. Not at all what you intended, right? Some vets recommend that, for anxious dogs, you use dog appeasing pheromone in the environment. If nothing seems to work, and your dog is anxious, your vet may decide on medication for your dog to treat the anxiety component. The good new is that if your dog's issue is simply insufficient house training, a very strict regimen undertaken for about three to four weeks, is usually enough to solve the issue. |
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YAPPY HOUR ANNOUNCEMENT
THERE WILL BE NO YAPPY HOUR ON JANUARY 27 DUE TO AN EVENT THAT PAWS FOR PRAISE STAFF ARE ATTENDING AT THE MSPCA.
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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IF YOUR VET PRESCRIBES NSAID'S FOR YOUR DOG
Just as with human medications, the meds used for pain management in dogs are not benign. The FDA has a page devoted to Veterinary Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Medications which you may want to read before the need ever arises. And, always be sure to ask your veterinarian about the particular medication being prescribed to your dog. Be an informed owner - what is the med for, what are the risks and benefits, and how should you monitor your dog for adverse effects?
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Don't forget to check the Resources page of our web site for more cool training information! |
Rest in Peace "Mikey" One of our first Yappy Hour players...gone but never forgotten.
We have a secret, you and I
that no one else shall know,
for who but I can see you lie
each night in fire glow?
And who but I can reach my hand
before we go to bed
and feel the living warmth of you
and touch your silken head?
And only I walk woodland paths
and see ahead of me,
your small form racing with the wind
so young again, and free.
And only I can see you swim
in every brook I pass
and when I call, no one but I
can see the bending grass.
Author Unknown
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Does Your Dog Pull on Leash? At Paws for Praise we have a two-pronged defense against this problem. First, we show you in a structured class environment, how to start to teach your dog to maintain a loose leash voluntarily. Our Polite Leash Walking Class has been expanded to five sessions, one orientation and four weeks of training. Next, if you need help transitioning your new skills to the real world, we recommend opting for some private sessions with our colleague, Jennifer Titus, from Jen's Happy Dog. |
| Dogs left alone outside are often the worst nuisance barkers. Boredom, fear, and loneliness, can all cause dogs to vocalize. Don't leave your dog alone - he may also be in danger from coyotes or thieves. |
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