Dog Training Club of Chester County Hosts Free Penn Vet Lecture, "Quality of ... - Media Newswire (press release)

(Media-Newswire.com) - On Sunday, January 30 the Dog Training Club of Chester County ( DTCCC ) will host a free, open-to-the-public lecture called ?Quality of Life: Getting Your Dog Involved,? featuring two veterinarians from the Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. Beginning at 2:00 PM, Dr. Cynthia Otto, associate professor of critical care, and Dr. Ilana Reisner, assistant professor of behavioral medicine at Penn Vet, will lend their advice and tips on how to keep a dog healthy and active throughout its entire lifetime.

In addition to the keynote lecture, DTCCC instructors and members will be conducting various demonstrations illustrating fun lifestyle dog activities in which any dog can participate with the appropriate training. Demos planned include dogs completing search and rescue tasks, positive puppy training, freestyle dog dancing and more.

According to Sabine Platten, DTCCC?s president and one of its 13 instructors, ?Dogs enjoy an active lifestyle and doing things with their family members. Training, whether for fun or competition, keeps a dog?s mind sharp, their bodies agile and reduces boredom, which often leads to inappropriate behavior.?

Who: Penn Vet, DTCCC, interested members of the public

What: Free lecture titled ?Quality of Life: Getting Your Dog Involved? featuring Drs. Cynthia Otto and Ilana Reisner of Penn Vet

Where: The DTCCC training facility, located at 880 Springdale Drive, Suite 100, Exton, PA 19341

When: Beginning at 2:00 PM, Sunday, January 30, 2011. Lecture ending at 4:00 PM and followed by dog training and sports demonstrations. Registrants are encouraged to bring dog toy or treat donations to be given to local animal rescue organizations that participate in DTCCC?s Rescue Liaison Program.

To Register: Registration is required as seating is limited. This lecture is appropriate for all ages, but participants are asked to not bring their pets. To register, call 215-898-1480

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LETTER: Professional dog training a worthwhile investment - Marblehead Reporter

To the editor:

I wanted to share an unfortunate event that occurred a few weeks ago.

I am, and have always been, a dog lover, owning two dogs of my own. Growing up with a Rottweiler, I can recall at 12 years of age being able to walk my dog around the neighborhood, having complete control over him, thanks to the wonderful dog training my father provided.

Two weeks ago, I was walking with my two dogs around my neighborhood to get fresh air and exercise. Luckily, my three young children happened to be in preschool and were not present on the walk, as I usually do take them with me as well.

As we were turning the corner onto Pickwick Road, a Wheaton terrier was charging toward us. At first, we thought it was a puppy walking to say hello, but as it got closer, the woman behind it shouted for us to “look out, it is coming to attack the dogs.” I was shocked and stood in front of my dogs as the dog approached, calling for the woman to get her dog. The Wheaton jumped on top of my dogs, attempting to bite their necks and ears, as they both yelped.

I was trying to pull this dog off, which had a retractable leash that was wrapped around the dogs. A woman stopped her car and got out to help. Three of us were able to separate the dogs, and the dog’s owner told me she was sorry, that she dropped the leash. I told her the dog was dangerous and should have more training, and thanked the bystander for helping us. I was also thankful that my children did not need to witness this.

I asked the owner her name, the dog’s name and address. She hesitated before telling me. When I got home, I called the dog officer with the info, and she told me that there was nothing I could do as the dog technically had a leash on and the dogs were not badly injured. She did inform me that the woman would be responsible for any vet bills.

I filed a complaint against the dog but am not sure what follow up there was, as I never saw the incident in the police blotter, and there were no phone calls to follow. Additionally, I never heard from this woman to offer an apology.

So, if you have a poorly controlled and aggressive dog, please do not use a retractable leash, keep control of your dog at all times and please pay for professional training.

Michelle Doran

Pickwick Road

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Pet Therapy - Pet advice by Sayville's own pet consultant - Sayville News

 

Have you resolved to do something for someone else in 2011? Maybe you and your dog can team up ? if your dog has the right temperament, he or she may be able to be a therapy dog! Therapy dogs are specially trained to provide comfort and affection to anyone in need: people in hospitals, retirement and nursing homes, special needs schools and more can all benefit.

Dogs of any size or breed can be a therapy dog. The single most important characteristic of a therapy dog is its temperament. A therapy dog must be patient, friendly, calm, confident, gentle, and comfortable in all situations. Therapy dogs are ?people? dogs; happiest when they are in contact with people (familiar or unfamiliar), petted and handled, albeit sometimes clumsily.

Therapy dogs are trained to allow unfamiliar people to make physical contact with them, and most recipients enjoy the contact! Children in particular enjoy hugging animals; adults usually enjoy simply petting the dog. The dog might need to be lifted onto, or climb onto, an individual's lap or bed when invited and should be able to sit or lie comfortably there upon command. Some therapy dogs contribute to the visiting experience by performing small tricks for their audience or by playing carefully structured games.

My friends Chris and Cynthia Buckley live in Colorado and have a gorgeous Goldendoodle named Custer who recently qualified as a therapy dog. Custer went through a rigorous training program through Pet Partners, which is sponsored by the national Delta Society and now regularly visits residents of a local senior living center. In addition to basic obedience, Custer learned not to react to loud noises, pulls on his tail or ears, or sudden movement. Custer?s calm temperament made him an ideal candidate for the program. Chris, Cynthia, and Custer trained for several months, and Custer passed the test last spring, earning his official Pet Partner?s Delta Registration status. As you can imagine, Cynthia and Chris are very proud of their dog, and happy that he brings joy into the lives of others.

If you think your dog might be a good candidate for a therapy dog or just want to learn more, Long Island Dog Directory (www.LIdogdirectory.com) is a good place to start, then click on the therapy tab for more info.

To contact Pam email: shihtzu58@optonline.net

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Trainer preaches manners for multi-mutt families - Pittsburgh Post Gazette

Having more than one dog can mean double the love, but it can also mean double the problems.

When North Side resident Debby McMullen became a multiple-canine owner, she couldn't find any information on how to deal with the daily issues of a multiple-dog household, including controlling mealtimes, sleeping arrangements and group training. So Ms. McMullen, now a professionally certified dog trainer, wrote a book.

"How Many Dogs?! Using Positive Reinforcement to Manage a Multiple Dog Household" (Tanacacia Press, $19.95) attempts to answer most questions a multiple-dog owner might come up with. The methods are tried and true and used on Ms. McMullen's "crew," which now number four, with an occasional rescue thrown in as well as many of her clients' animals.

She's been a professional trainer since 2002, when she started her dog training and consulting business, Pawsitive Reactions. Her current profession came about by accident. She volunteered at a local shelter where one of the trainers noticed that she had a particular talent with the more unruly pets. She found dealing with difficult canines to be exciting and challenging. Yes, she was bitten, but that happened early in her training career. The goal these days, she says with a laugh, is to not give the dog the opportunity or reason to bite.

She describes positive reinforcement training as a way to set guidelines. There are consequences, but they don't include punishment. Instead, the animal may be denied a treat or attention.

Every multiple-dog household has a different dynamic, she notes, but the training remains the same.

"It boils down to requiring manners and being the leader, not allowing a pushy dog to get away with stuff. It's also about teaching people how to set guidelines and what to do when a problem arises," she says.

The two most common issues Ms. McMullen is called about are aggression and fighting. Again, she stresses the establishment of manners.

"Dogs that have manners, and understand that's what gets them good stuff, tend to not push the other dogs around," she says.

She also advises not to play favorites: "Everybody gets stuff and nobody is more important than anybody else. When [the dogs] understand that, life is a lot easier."

While her book can answer many questions, there are times when a professional should be consulted. If the owner is worried about a human or another dog in the family, they should call in a professional. If they are afraid to walk the dog, they need help -- even if they go to a class.

"It's almost always the behavior of the human that can change what is going on. So often it's such a minor adjustment," she says.

And often the problem can be addressed quickly by a professional.

What does she want readers to take away from her book?

"I want them to be able to quickly thumb to a chapter when they have an issue. If their biggest issue is feeding time, they can go to that chapter. If they have an issue with walking, they can go to that chapter. ... I would have liked one of these when I was accumulating dogs."

Ms. McMullen specializes in multiple-dog issues and provides in-home training that includes basic manners, behavior modification, advanced training and therapy-dog training. She also offers puppy selection guidance and has given advice and consulted on adding another pet to a multiple-pet household. On occasion she gives classes. Her website is www.pawsitivereactions.com.

First published on January 22, 2011 at 12:00 am

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Dog at funeral home surprise to some, comfort to most - Lancaster Eagle Gazette

CHILLICOTHE -- Terry Palmer remembers it well -- the moment that validated his decision to allow, of all things, a dog into his funeral home.

Palmer was making funeral arrangements for a family, and when one of the family members started to cry, the dog walked over to the woman and gently laid its head in her lap.

In that moment, Wilson, a therapy dog in training, offered the sort of solace only an animal could provide, Palmer said.

That's why the yellow Labrador retriever has been a fixture at Fawcett, Oliver, Glass and Palmer Funeral Home since his arrival this past September.

"He adds an extra dimension to what we do," Palmer said. "We notice that families are more relaxed with him around."

Palmer said it's important for a funeral home to feel like a home, not a mortuary, and Wilson helps accomplish that.

During visitations, he joins Palmer at the door where mourners appreciate his understated greetings.

"He doesn't rush to approach people, and I think they like that," Palmer said.

And yet, it's not uncommon to find kids tugging on Wilson's fur or grown men, dressed in suits, sitting on the floor and petting him.

"We tell them (families) we have a therapy dog in training and ask if it's alright. We have not had a single family say 'no,'" said Kim Palmer, Terry's daughter-in-law and Wilson's main handler.

"We've received several thank-you letters that specifically mentioned him," said Jon Palmer, Kim's husband.

Terry Palmer said the three of them first discussed the idea of introducing a dog into the funeral home environment a couple years ago.

"The kids took it and really ran with it," he said.

Jon and Kim Palmer were recent mortuary school graduates last fall when they first saw Wilson at the Ross County Humane Society and Animal Shelter.

"It was by chance that we ran across him, and he just had that look," Kim said.

"He came to work the very next day," Jon said. "He's been here pretty much every day since."

Like so many rescue dogs, Wilson was underweight and skittish when the Palmers adopted him. A previous owner had neglected him and left him to fend for himself in the outdoors, they said.

Thanks to a steady diet, liberal doses of affection and some obedience training, Wilson still is a little skittish, "but he's coming out of his shell," Kim said.

Wilson is docile when he needs to be, but he hasn't abandoned his canine tendencies. He occasionally chases his tail and likes to get wound up before crashing for a nap.

"He has a job, but it's very important for him to be a dog," Kim said.

As part of his therapy dog training, Wilson goes once a week to area nursing homes. He's now in obedience training and is slated to start an intensive therapy dog program in April. He should be certified by July, Jon said.

Being a funeral home dog puts Wilson in exclusive company. The Palmers said they know of one in Oxford and several in northern Ohio.

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Phoenix hoping to squash conflict between dog owners at park - Arizona Republic

by Connie Cone Sexton - Jan. 26, 2011 10:40 AM
The Arizona Republic

City officials are hoping to squash squabbles between dog owners at Los Olivos Park in central Phoenix.

There is a growing conflict between dog owners with leashed animals and those without, said Ken Vonderscher, a Phoenix deputy parks director. A city ordinance has allowed for off-leash sport dog training at non-dog parks such as Los Olivos, 2802 E. Devonshire Ave., near Indian School Road. But not everyone at the park has heeded ordinance requirements.

Dog owners who want to have their pet off-leash at a non-dog park must show a certificate of title and a certificate of graduation from a "nationally recognized obedience training organization." Dogs also must show the ability to come back to their owner on command.

Vonderscher said police have responded to problems at the park, but he doesn't know of any citations. He said there have been problems at some other city parks, as well.

On Thursday, the Phoenix Parks and Recreation board is expected to consider a six-month "leash-only" period for all dogs at Los Olivos to allow time to educate people about the ordinance. The board meets at 5 p.m. in City Council Chambers, 200 W. Jefferson St.

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Valda the German Shepherd puppy begins police dog training at RAF Linton-on-Ouse - The Press, York

10:17am Wednesday 26th January 2011

A FOUR-legged crimefighter has started training in York to be part of a national Ministry of Defence security team.

Valda, a German Shepherd puppy, is based with the MoD police operational support unit at RAF Linton-on-Ouse and is taking her first steps towards becoming a fully- operational police dog.

While training on the base, she will work with her handler, PC Phil Bieda, and get used to meeting new people, travelling to unfamiliar places, and experiencing new and noisy environments.

PC Bieda said: “She loves making new friends and people here are getting used to seeing her out and about around the base with me.

“She’s proving very popular, and it really helps her training when people come and say hello, and she loves the attention of course.”

The Ministry of Defence Police is a civilian police force funded by the MoD to protect military bases from terrorism, criminal activity and illegal trespass. All its 3,500 officers have full constabulary powers, and are fully firearms trained.

In May, Valda will return to the MoD police dog training centre in Essex to complete her training before being sent to an MoD site in the UK.

The unit covers the North of England and Scotland in a variety of specialist roles, and can be called upon to provide support across the UK if needed.

Inspector Gordon Bruce said: “The operational support unit can be called in to support all military units and bases across the UK, but we have also been called in to help the civilian police on a number of occasions. “The specialist dog teams perform a vital role, not just in guarding but in specialist searches and Valda will become a vital team member when she finishes her training.”

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Christine's canine chums help her out - Knutsford Guardian

12:40pm Wednesday 26th January 2011

A WOMAN who has struggled with her mobility since having a hip replacement operation has all the help she needs thanks to her dogs.

Christine Stubbings has two loyal companions in Rocky and Kaos, her German Shepherds, who are father and son.

The Allostock resident, who runs the Knutsford Dog Training Club, had a hip replacement operation more than a year ago when her nerves were damaged, causing her foot to drop.

Christine still wears a splint and uses a stick to help her to balance when she walks.

But Rocky, 10, and Kaos, six, have made her life a lot easier by bringing Christine everything she needs from garden tools to the TV remote.

Christine, of Princess Avenue, said: “To be in this condition is really quite exasperating when I have been so active all my life.

“However, my dogs have not just helped me physically but mentally as well as they just accept every day as it comes and often give me plenty of occasion to laugh. They do all sorts of things.”

To contact Knutsford Dog Training Club, call 01565 722927.

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The Canine Center readies for class - KVUE

by AMY JOHNSTON/KVUE News

kvue.com

Posted on January 22, 2011 at 1:09 PM

Updated Saturday, Jan 22 at 6:24 PM

Looking to set your pup straight? A new full-service dog training facility celebrated its grand opening this weekend. The Canine Center in Southwest Austin hopes to fill a void left behind when acclaimed trainer Lee Mannix died this summer.

We visited the new expanded facility to check out their first class of puppies Saturday.

“I would say the methods they use here are a lot more in line with what I feel is not cruel,” clients Devon and Jessica Donald said. “And frankly, it works. It’s not force feeding them treats.”

The Donalds’ dog is the family’s second to train at the Canine Center. The couple said they want to feel safe taking their dogs around the city –which is exactly what the center’s owners want clients to figure out.

“Austin is so dog friendly that the more social skills your pet has, the more take them out,” Co-Owner Shari Elkins said. “The happier they are, the less problems you have at home.”

Elkins and Jane Del Ray regrouped after the previous owner, Lee Mannix, died last summer. They started the new business and expanded its services.

For instance, if the dog happens to hit a plateau during training, the center also offers a tutoring program where owners can drop off their pets when they go to work, and the dog will be trained during the day.

The center’s services range from basic puppy classes to competitive-level agility and scent training. The owners can even help you pick out a pet.

“If people would just invest a little bit of time in the basics, people would have the pet they want to take everywhere,” Del Ray said.

The center has 18 acres, with eight kilometers of specially prepared trails and several training sites.

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Keep your dogs busy and happy - San Antonio Express

Dear Cathy: I enjoy reading your column each week and always find new ideas or thoughts.

I wonder if there is some central listing for dog trainers in San Antonio? My two standard poodles are 4 and 7 and know basic obedience, but I would like to find some mentally challenging exercises for them. After their walk, their day doesn't have much to offer. I'd like to keep them busier all day long.

Harriet Christian

Dear Harriet: It's great, Harriet, that you walk your dogs daily. Dogs love walks.

Unfortunately, there is no central listing for dog trainers in San Antonio. Dog trainers may work at pet stores, kennels and animal shelters. Humane societies and pet stores will likely offer basic obedience and sometimes canine good-citizen classes. Kennels may offer obedience, canine good-citizen classes and agility classes. So you will have to call around to see what each place offers.

Training is great, but here are a few more things you can do to entertain your dogs.

First, play games with your dogs, such as fetch and hide-and-seek. For hide-and-seek, ask your dog to “sit” and “stay,” and then hide somewhere in the house or yard. Call your dogs' names and wait for them to find you. They will love this game, but more important, it reinforces their “sit,” “stay” and “recall” (coming when they are called) commands.

Second, find people who like to play games with their dogs, such as flyball. Several local clubs will come up during an Internet search.

Third, give your dogs lots of toys. It's mentally stimulating for dogs to chew — that's why they do it so much!

Finally, if your dogs are well-behaved, take them to the dog park, pet store or doggie day care a few times a month. Adding field trips to their routine can help alleviate boredom.

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School Spotlight: Dogs are New Glarus students' best friends - Madison.com

PAMELA COTANT | For the State Journal madison.com | | Posted: Monday, January 24, 2011 1:00 pm

NEW GLARUS — When teacher Christine Douty brought in a dog as therapy for her special needs students, she didn’t imagine where it would lead and the impact it would have on the entire New Glarus Middle School.

As an example, when the golden lab, Rudy, has wandered outside of her classroom on occasion, other students have brought it back.

“It is something we kind of jointly all look after,” said Douty, who thinks the experience contributes to a community feeling in the school.

Douty started bringing her family dog to school because she thought it would help her students with self-esteem. Students who struggle with communication skills can form bonds with a dog. In addition, dogs can provide a real life reason to work on academic skills when they are used for a reading program and students keep track of the animals’ expenses.

As fringe benefits, Douty said the dog “automatically increases social status” for her students and allows them a chance to be on the giving end of help rather than on the receiving end.

One of her former students, Kegan French, who is now in ninth grade but continues to work in the dog program, started working with Rudy, who eventually was certified as a therapy dog through an organization called Therapy Dogs International. Then he started taking it to a local nursing home called the New Glarus Home to visit with the residents.

Later a program was started at the New Glarus Elementary School, where Kegan would read books to the students and they would read to the dog.

Then a year ago, Kegan’s parents bought him his own dog, Duchess, a black lab and springer spaniel mix, and she went to the elementary school. At the same time, third grade teacher Michelle Arnett continued to use Rudy in her classroom.

At the beginning of this school year, Arnett applied for and received a grant through the New Glarus Excellence in Education Fund and had her own family dog, a Pekingese named Beverly, join the training program in Douty’s room. The grant allowed for the hiring of a trainer, Chad Fahey, who owns Charlie’s Bark Park in Belleville, and now he is working with three of Douty’s students to train the dogs.

The students also continue to go to the nursing home once a week.

One student working with the dogs, sixth-grader Cole Steiner, said he has enjoyed getting a better understanding of the dogs and being an example of how to treat the animals with respect.

For seventh-grader Bradley Bartels, a highlight was wearing a Santa hat and visiting the nursing home with Beverly because he said he likes “bringing joy to other people with the dogs.”

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For the Perfectly Trained Dog - Just Open the Box - Benzinga

This week sees the launch of a new concept in dog training. Your Clever Dog (http://www.yourcleverdog.com) is a professional range of DVD based dog training sessions - containing everything needed to train the perfect obedient and loving pet, all in one neat box.

(PRWeb UK) January 10, 2011

This week sees the launch of a new concept in dog training. Your Clever Dog (http://www.yourcleverdog.com) is a professional range of DVD based dog training sessions - containing everything needed to train the perfect obedient and loving pet, all in one neat box.

The sets are produced by Devon based Smartdreamers Productions Ltd in association with the acclaimed pet behaviour counsellor Sarah Whitehead of The Clever Dog Company. Each one of Your Clever Dog training sets contains a DVD (approx. 40 minutes long), a training manual, a clicker (one of the most effective training devices) plus a special training tool that works alongside the DVD. Each box in the set is dedicated to a specific training problem. Unlike other training DVDs which simply give instructions Your Clever Dog includes everything needed to train your dog effectively and quickly.

All six training sets in the Your Clever Dog series have been endorsed by the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) and together cover all the most common dog training problems. Issues dealt with range from basic training, puppy biting and house training to the more specific challenges dogs often face such as coming when called, pulling on the lead and jumping up when over excited. These are all common problems for pet owners and it is important to tackle each specific area appropriately. With the professional advice and guidance provided by Sarah Whitehead in the DVDs and training manuals, pet owners will see positive results in as little as just 15 minutes. The DVDs contain filmed footage of real life untrained family dogs and the results seen are shown in real time.

With over 20 years experience as a professional trainer Sarah Whitehead now reveals to pet owners the tricks of the trade and proves that gentle, modern, and kind training is the most effective way to achieve results.

Each training set costs just £19.95 plus postage and included on each of the DVDs is a ‘bonus behaviour session', as well as a guide to training a cute trick that any dog owner will be proud of. Your Clever Dog training sets can be ordered directly from the distributors website at http://www.yourcleverdog.com where visitors will also find a wide range of helpful information, tips and advice on training your dog.

Your Clever Dog training sessions show just how easy it is for anyone to train their dog in a kind and ethical way. Sarah's unique style of training produces highly impressive results no matter which breed or how nervous the dog may be.

Find out more by visiting http://www.yourcleverdog.com

# # #

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prwebyourcleverdog/01/prweb4947254.htm

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Dogs, owners enjoy obedience show with Longs Peak Dog Training Club - Greeley Tribune

Camber, a Bernese mountain dog, looked in agonizing temptation at the silver bowl that Alice Gordon, her owner, carried in front of her. Inside was a cold slice of pizza meant to distract Camber from listening to Gordon's commands.

If she broke her stay, Camber would lose her chance at placing in the great beginnings course of the Longs Peak Dog Training Club's obedience and rally show Saturday at Island Grove Regional Park. The annual exhibition licensed by the American Kennel Club concludes Monday.

Throughout the weekend, roughly 125 dogs compete each day in exercises ranging from simple heeling techniques — walking beside their owner — to extended stay commands and jumps.

No request, however, was as agonizing as the one that Camber endured as she anticipated the release word that would allow her to run for the pizza — a command that she was one of the first dogs to hear.

The great beginnings course was created by show judge Carole Evans, a seasoned dog trainer from Franktown, who wanted to create a course that was practical and challenging. What evolved from her idea was a course made up of heeling, retrieving and a grand finale: the delivery of pizza.

“Your dog should be able to stay while you do something that you would normally do in the house,” Evans said. For example, keep its nose out of the oven while dinner is cooking.

Gordon, of Fort Collins, said she tries to spend five to 10 minutes every day working with each of her two dogs. The other is another Bernese named Dash. Regardless of their performance, she is a ready recipient of a few slobbery kisses and prepared in turn to give some tummy rubs at the end of the course. Gordon said the most satisfaction in dog training comes from the bond created with her pets.

“When your dog learns something new, it's a big high,” Gordon said. “It still blows my mind that dogs can do some of these things.”

In a different, intermediate-level course, which also tested the dogs' patience, 13 dogs sat in a row as their owners told them to stay. The owners then turned to leave the course, disappearing behind a curtained corner and waited for five minutes before approaching their dogs again. Every dog managed to keep its paws in line, but with the release command their tails wagged fiercely with the rest of their bodies, smacking into human legs and crashing playfully into other competitors.

Susan Yonemura said she came with her poodle, Layla, for the competition and for the camaraderie she finds with other dog trainers and owners.

“It's an incredibly supportive community,” Yonemura said. She recalled an obedience show in which she and Layla had finally passed on to the next level.

“There was a breakout of applause and hugs,” Yonemura said with a tear in her eye. “I never really expected it.” The show will continue through Monday at Island Grove Regional Park, 14th Avenue and A Street, from 8:30 a.m. until about 2 p.m. Each day, about 100 dogs and owners will participate, with most hailing from the northern Colorado area, said Judy Jaspers, who volunteers with the Longs Peak Dog Training Club to organize the event.
The event is free and open to the public.

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Blogger profile: Rachel Baum - Albany Times Union

Age: 54

Where were you born and raised? Trumbull, Conn.

Where do you live? Delmar

Why? I love the small-town feel with sidewalks and older homes, being able to walk to Four Corners, a great library, dog park, coffee shop, everything we need so close by.

Family? Two daughters both in grad school, one in London and the other in Evanston, Ill. My partner Rick is an architect. We have 3 dogs: Todd, a 9-year-old Pomeranian mix; Nellie, a 15-year-old cairn terrier, and new to us is Rosalita, an 11-year-old Chihuahua. Todd and Rosalita are both from the Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society shelter.

What did you study in college? I went to college and grad school at night and worked full time during the day as a librarian. My undergraduate degree is from the University of Houston in Texas. My graduate degree is from the University of Michigan.

What's your work? For the past four years, I've been the owner of Bark Busters Home Dog Training. I work with people and their dogs in their homes (and offices) to help with behavioral issues like separation anxiety, barking, aggression, jumping on people, housebreaking, counter cruising, you name it.

Blog: http://blog.timesunion.com/bark/

How long have you been blogging? It will be 2 years this March!

Personal website: http://dogtrainingupstateny.com

On Twitter: @BarkUpstateNY

What started your interest in dog training? Dogs are fascinating. Think of it. This is an animal that we live with, even sleep with. A completely different species that communicates with us, and us with them, sometimes successfully, sometimes not. I love helping people learn to communicate better with their dogs. I learn something new from dogs every day.

Scariest training incident? I always ask people to let their dogs greet me at the door the way they normally would any stranger. I'm almost always barked at or jumped on, or both, and that's fine. Once, I was greeted by a 130-pound male bull mastiff who tackled me. Usually I'm on my game and prepared for the onslaught, but this guy was brute force. Thankfully, he kept his teeth to himself.

Have you ever been bitten? Only once. By a four-pound Yorkie.

Cesar "The Dog Whisperer'' Millan. Yay or nay? He's done incredible work getting people to see pitbulls and American Staffordshire terriers in a positive light. That said, my training style is not to ever get physical with a dog. Millan is very physical. He also gets bitten, even though I assume his shows are edited for television.

January is "National Train Your Dog Month.'' Why don't more dog owners take training seriously? I think most people assume they can do it themselves. They remember growing up with a dog, and their parents never hired a trainer. How hard can it be, right? The reality is, we're not born knowing how to communicate with a different species. It's like learning a foreign language. You have to be taught, and you have to practice.

Whose blog(s) would you love to read? (Pick modern day and/or historical figures): Ernest Shackleton, while he was on the Endurance expedition.

Have you ever refused to work with a dog? I've never turned down a dog, but I HAVE turned down a person. Once, I went to someone's home for a lesson, and he stood and debated and yelled at me the whole time, so I politely excused myself. Some people just can't be trained.

Your favorite dog breed? I'm pretty partial to pitbulls, though. They are sweet, smart and affectionate.

What book or books are you reading? "Good Old Dog" by Dr. Nicholas Dodman. He is a Tufts University professor and veterinarian. I took a course with him last year. And "The Flying Carpet" by Richard Halliburton, who was an adventurer and writer during the early 1900s.

What's on your iPod? "The List" by Roseanne Cash, but I admit I downloaded "Teenage Dream" by that guy on "Glee.''

Favorite local blogger? "Outdoors'' by Gillian Scott and Herb Terns is refreshing and always fun, but for practical matters, I also read Joe Keegan's "Home Restoration.'' My house is 100 years old; Joe gives me inspiration to transform it into my own little piece of heaven.

Favorite movie? "Out of Africa."

Favorite dinner? Anything at Curry House or Shalimar.

Favorite article of clothes? Tony Lama cowboy boots.

Your hero? Amelia Earhart. She's why I got my pilot's license. If I wasn't a dog trainer, I would have been a cargo pilot.

Best dog name, ever: It's a tossup between Howie Mandel and Happy Gilmore. No lie.

Best free advice for dog owners? Most behavior issues happen because the dog isn't exercised enough. Give a dog a good run. Every day.

Blog: http://blog.timesunion.com/bark/

Personal Web site: http://dogtrainingupstateny.com

On Twitter: @BarkUpstateNY

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A dog's life suits Andy down to the ground... - Craven Herald

12:20pm Sunday 16th January 2011

Search-and-rescue dog trainer Andy Colau could be heading for the history books.

He has just started training his fifth mountain rescue search dog – and, if he succeeds, he believes he could be the first member of the Search and Rescue Dog Association (Sarda) to achieve the feat.

However, it is still early days. Belle will have to complete at least two years of training and then there is no guarantee she will make the grade.

“Training a search-and-rescue dog is time-consuming and quite daunting,” said Andy, a part-time lecturer at Craven College and a part-time electrical contractor. “There are only 35 Sarda dogs in the whole of England.”

Andy, who lives in Stainforth, began training Border collies more than 30 years ago – and his interest almost came about by accident.

A keen mountaineer and potholer, he was a member of the Clapham-based Cave Rescue Organisation, and saw an advert on the centre’s noticeboard asking for volunteers to sit on Ingleborough and wait to be found as part of a dog training exercise.

“I didn’t think I would be found, but while I was sitting there, this collie called Gwen came out of nowhere. I was intrigued and I decided to try training search-and-rescue dogs myself. Three weeks later, I got my first dog. She was advertised in the Craven Herald as ‘free to good home, sheepdog-type bitch with spotted legs’.”

That first dog was Corrie. He then trained Corrie’s daughter, Gael, and their exploits were filmed over two years for the BBC documentary Search Dogs Of The Summits. Both Corrie and Gael searched for survivors after terrorists blew up a Pan Am plane over Lockerbie in 1988.

“It was a big learning curve for everyone involved,” said Andy, who subsequently launched K9 Search and Rescue to train dogs specifically for UK disasters.

He even trained one of his dogs, Fionn, to search for people trapped under collapsed buildings. “This was frowned on by some mountain rescue teams because up to that point, Sarda was the only dog rescue team recognised.”

His third mountain rescue dog was Gael’s daughter, Rhona, who helped to search for missing tourist Jeffrey Hodgson on the island of Ibiza in 2001. Sadly, they had been looking in the wrong place and his body was found 18 months later.

Rhona went missing in 2003 and her body was found in quicksand at Helwith Bridge five months later.

It was in Rhona’s memory that Andy started training Tara, who is still an active search and rescue dog at the grand age of nearly ten.

“After that I vowed never to train another search dog, and give up my life as a volunteer mountain rescuer and spend more time with my wife, Jennifer. But, I just couldn’t do it – I am still fit and capable.”

So now the household has a new member, Belle, who was bred by a hill shepherd and trainer on the slopes of Blencathra, near Keswick.

Andy, who is also a member of the Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association, attended 25 Sarda callouts last year.

“I may be in my 60s, but I am very happy being out there in the dark, snow and cold. These days I usually have a navigator and we have Satmap which pinpoints your position to within an inch and very powerful LED lighting. It is much easier than it used to be.”

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Dog training classes available at Schuylkill Mall - Republican & Herald

Nicole O'Malley, Mountain Top, trains her dog, Bria.

Steve Eckert, co-owner of Brierwood Kennels, trains Bella, owned by Cathy Guzick, Pottsville, at a dog obedience class at the Schuylkill Mall, Frackville.

FRACKVILLE - The Schuylkill Mall is going to the dogs.

Brierwood Kennels is holding dog training and obedience classes in the space next to Bath and Body Works and Wednesday six dogs got a chance to hear "good boy" from their owners.

Amy and Steve Eckert, the kennel owners, have been training dogs of all varieties for many years.

"Learning how to train dogs is something you acquire through the years by going to seminars and shows and training your own dogs," Steve Eckert said. "Unfortunately, some people say they will train your dog and do not always use positive reinforcement. We train the dogs with the owners because, let's face it, the owners have to put in the effort or it isn't going to work."

The Eckerts had several dogs of their own in attendance at the class Wednesday. Their dogs have been featured on Animal Planet's "Dogs 101," in advertising and have even dabbled in animal acting, most recently on stage at the Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre.

The couple said the Schuylkill Mall is the ideal place for the class, with its accessibility to routes 81 and 61 and people's familiarity with the shopping center.

"Everyone knows where the Schuylkill Mall is," Amy Eckert said. "We thought it would be the perfect place and Elaine (Maneval, mall manager) was kind enough to work with us. We volunteer with Hillside SPCA and have done many fundraisers here and they have always welcomed us."

The Eckerts said they will work on basic manners and any problems the dogs may have, such as jumping, pulling on the lead or aggression.

"I would say the number one problem we hear from owners is pulling. The next would be jumping up," Amy Eckert said.

Wednesday's class was the foundation class. The dogs learned the basics, such as walking with the owner and to sit and stay.

As the dogs performed to satisfaction, belly rubs re-enforced the behavior.

Bella, a 10-month-old boxer/beagle mix owned by Tom and Cathy Guzick, Pottsville, attended Wednesday's class because of jumping.

"We want to break her of that," Cathy Guzick said.

Troy Maurer, Sacramento, brought his dog, Trulie, to increase her self-confidence.

"I got her from Hillside and I want her to be my companion, to take her on walks and boating. I just think she needs more self-confidence and self-assurance," Maurer said. "I feel dogs are misunderstood. I think Trulie is shy, although she looks like she is aggressive. I think she needs a little training to help her along."

Steve Eckert said they will use tunnels and other props to build a dog's confidence.

"Each dog is motivated differently and it may take a little to figure out how a dog learns. There is no single method," Eckert said. "Also, some characteristics are specific to the breed of dog, so some behavior you may be able to control but not eliminate."

He said that any dog, no matter what the age, can learn the basics of obedience.

Amy Eckert said she believes if more dogs receive basic training skills, less would be taken to shelters.

"We hear all the time about people who brought their dogs to the shelter because of behavior. You have to be willing to work with your dog and teach him the behavior you expect. Studies have shown it is 60 percent less likely that dogs will be taken to the SPCA if they have training on them," she said.

The couple also said in an age of easy lawsuits, dog owners benefit from professional training.

"Also, your vet will love you if he can examine your dog while he is in stand/stay," Amy said.

The classes cost $150 for a 6-week group session and $35 for private lessons.

New classes will form as people are interested.

The Eckerts plan to run the program at the Schuylkill Mall until the end of March, but are willing to expand if there is interest.

INFOBOX

What: Dog and puppy training and obedience class

Where: Schuylkill Mall, Frackville

Trainers: Steve and Amy Eckert, Brierwood Kennels, Pottsville

Cost: $150/6 week group class $35 for private session

For more information or class times, call 544-9663 or e-mail muttlover25@yahoo.com

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URBANANIMAL: Tips for finding a great dog trainer - insideTORONTO.com

Dear UrbanAnimal,

My 12-year-old son and I are getting a puppy in February and I'm looking for a good dog training school in Toronto. Do you have any recommendations?

Alissa

Hi Alissa,

It wasn't that long ago when dog trainers were rare commodities, even in a city as large as Toronto.

When I adopted my first puppy in 1994, the Internet was in its infancy. In fact, it really didn't exist. Training a dog was considered unnecessary, I suppose, aside from house training, "sit," and "down."

High-achievers went for extras such as roll over and play dead. But the rest of us flew by the seat of our pants, relying on advice from friends and relatives only when absolutely necessary.

My own pants, by the way, featured rips courtesy of my pup's claws when she jumped on me (which was often) and shredded hems thanks to her habit of using me as a pull toy.

A nice lady at my local library became my new best friend during those first few months. She shared my interest in dogs and introduced me to the writings of Barbara Woodhouse and the Monks of New Skete. Woodhouse and the Monks were really the only game in town at that time and, although the two sources often contradicted each other, they gave me enough information to train my pup to stop jumping on people. Well, most of the time.

Those books also piqued my interest in wanting to work with a live dog trainer so I asked my veterinarian to recommend someone, just as you're doing, Alissa.

My vet frowned, rubbed his brow and said, "There used to be a trainer somewhere around here. I think he moved, though."

I polled the small band of dog owners at the local park, but like my vet they were unable to recommend a local trainer mainly because they didn't know of any.

Nowadays, it's not "Are you going to a dog training class?" but rather "Who's your dog trainer?"

Dog training schools have popped up in great numbers over the years and while that's a good thing their proliferation has caused too many choices and too many questions.

You want the experience to be worthy of your time and money and your son will want to be involved, too. And what about puppy? Which training method would be best for him?

First, look for a trainer who uses the words "positive reinforcement", which will tell you he uses positive techniques designed to gently compel pup to follow the owner's directions. Treats and toys are used as motivation, along with lots of upbeat encouragement and constructive advice. Keep away from a trainer who yells, shakes pup's scruff, frighten him (or you!), forces pup onto his back (also called "alpha rolling"), or advocates the use of collars or other tools that are designed to frighten pup into submission.

Some of these moves and tools can cause injury or, at the very least, may create a pup who will distrust you. Building trust between you and your dog is important and it can be severely compromised with negative early experiences.

Ask other dog owners in your neighbourhood, your veterinarian and staff at your local pet supply store to suggest a few trainers. Before bringing your new puppy home, choose two or three training schools and ask if you can sit in on a class as a spectator. If the human students are smiling and the dogs are enjoying themselves while real progress is being made, you've found a good school for you, your son and your pup.

Afterward, ask the trainer about upcoming classes, fees and time schedules, and if the school requires proof of specific vaccinations prior to allowing your pup entry into any particular class.

Some schools insist on a written health clearance and proof of vaccinations from a veterinary, all of which will dictate when your pup can start training.

Currently, anybody can set up shop as a dog trainer and there are no licensing requirements in Canada. A good place to start your search would be to contact the Canadian Association of Professional Pet Dog Trainers (CAPPDT) at 1-877-SIT-STAY, or visit their website to view a list of trainers according to region at www.cappdt.ca/trainers.

Good luck, Alissa! I hope you find the perfect school for you, your son and your puppy.

Email jacque-newman@rogers.com with a question, comment or suggestion.

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Dental hygiene is important for pets - Dentistry IQ

Vet Jennie answers your questions about pet care in this weekly advice column, created in partnership with the Bahrain Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BSPCA). We will also be highlighting each week some of the animals in the BSPCA sanctuary, in the hope of finding each of them a loving home.

Question: How often should my dog's teeth be cleaned? Is it something that I can do at home or does it need to be done professionally?

Answer: Dental hygiene is as important to pets as it is to people. Daily tooth-brushing in pets is widely practised throughout the world and does wonders at helping maintain the health of their teeth.

Tooth-brushing is, however, something that your pet needs to get used to and requires specialised toothpaste and toothbrushes, which are readily available in Bahrain. There are also specialised chews and food available that are designed to aid pets' dental hygiene.

In order to start tooth-brushing, a soft toothbrush and a pet-specific toothpaste is required. Do not use human toothpaste. Finger brushes work very well in training your pet to accept tooth-brushing.

Initially you want to get your pet used to the taste of the toothpaste by letting them lick it off your finger. Then get them used to you placing this against their gums and gently rubbing. When they are used to that, then you can introduce the toothbrush - start with just a few teeth and gradually increase the number as they get used to the procedure.

You only need to brush the outside surface of the teeth as the inside is kept relatively clean by the tongue's movement.

While tooth-brushing and dental treats will help keep your pet's teeth clean, they will not clean teeth with plaque build-up already present. Plaque is a hard layer that builds on the surface of the teeth that is often accompanied by foul breath and requires professional cleaning under general anaesthesia.

It is more common for cleaning to be required in older animals, so pets over seven years old should have regular dental check-ups with a vet to assess their dental health. In certain small breed dogs, such as Yorkshire Terriers, this may be required much younger.

Jennie works at Dr Nonie Coutts Veterinary Surgery. Please send questions to vetquestions4bspca@gmail.com

BSPCA's dog of the week is Blanca

Breed: Local mixed

Colour: Cream

Sex: Female

Age: Approximately five months

Neutered: No

Blanca is a real sweet and gentle girl with a huge appetite for love. She enjoys running, playing, taking walks and would be the perfect family companion. Blanca is intelligent and can be easily trained. She has had all her vaccinations and is ready to go home with you.

BSPCA's dog of the week is Shadow

Breed: Cross mix

Colour: White and grey

Sex: Female

Age: Approximately four months

Neutered: No

Shadow is one sweet, loving girl. She is an incredibly kind temperament, playful, energetic and would be well-suited in a family with children. Shadow has loving, soft brown eyes and big ears. She will capture your heart immediately. Come in today to meet her.

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Professional Puppy Training - Patch

View full size Ann Greene, A Tail Above, uses bitter spray on the leash to break a chewing urge by puppy Raine. Your photos, videos & PDFs: Add

“I have an amazing job,” said Ann Greene of A Tail Above. “I act as a benevolent leader when training my own dogs and others.”

Greene is a certified professional dog trainer who works in Annapolis and surrounding areas. The dogs she trains range from puppies to mature dogs with behavior issues. Classes are held in Greene's dog training room that was once an apartment in her Severn home.

Patch was invited to attend a puppy training class with a new client, Raine, a 10-week-old chocolate Labrador retriever. The Kellners of Bowie adopted Raine after their other chocolate lab passed away.

The family had a good experience with their other dog without any formal training. Yet, they opted to get training for Raine. Puppy training classes cover a lot of topics including review of basic commands, collars, leashes, crate training and much more. The Kellners clearly had been working with Raine, who promptly responded to the “come” command on the first time from Greene.

“Establishing a 'look' from your dog when you call [his or her] name is an important step for further training,” said Greene, while instructing the Kellner family.

A look consists of a dog making eye contact when called to receive more direction. This can be especially important when mastering more focused training for agility or other disciplined programs for dogs.

One of the biggest complaints that puppy owners have is chewing — some pups will chew shoes, the leash or furniture. Greene was able to demonstrate an effective way to teach dogs the "out" command, used to tell dogs to take something out of their mouths. A bitter apple spray, which is harmless for dogs and non-toxic, usually discourages continued mouthing. While using the spray, the command is repeated to provide association for the dog and is followed by either praise or a treat.

“Alternate between food rewards and praise to mix it up,” suggests Greene.

Raine was chewing on her leash during the class when she should have been learning a loose leash walk. With the Kellners' permission, Greene applied the spray to the leash and Raine quickly stopped chewing it.

Greene recommends the use of treats during a training session to help keep the stress levels of the dog lower and for families to be consistent with the commands that are used.

In addition to classes, Greene hits the road and locations vary depending on the training plan. She has run training sessions in local dog parks, Main Street in downtown Annapolis, and on boat docks. 

A Tail Above even offers a residency program for intense training with Greene, followed by a “go home” training session that teaches the dog owners how to reinforce what the dog has learned and another session a week later to keep the dog and owner on track.

For more information on dog training by A Tail Above, call 410-774-4575.

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Petco offers potty-training seminar - Saugus Advertiser

Imagine a Christmas gift that has accidents on the carpet, chews up brand new shoes or barks incessantly.

This is exactly what some people get when they get a new puppy.

Thankfully, Petco has designed a free training seminar for new pet owners for precisely this reason. With January being the top month for dog training due to holiday gifts, Petco is launching The National Potty Training Seminar for dogs and puppies, which will take place next month at more than 1,000 Petco stores, including the Saugus franchise at 682 Broadway.

Petco encourages owners to bring their furry friends to the seminar, which will cover the proper way to potty train a dog, as well as provide helpful hints to make a loving bond between owner and pet.

Petco spokeswoman Lisa Knowles gave a sneak peek at what type of advice is in store for attendees.

“The dog trainer will talk about some basic supplies that can help families get started,” Knowles said. “We suggest purchasing a crate, which can be the family’s best friend, as dogs won’t soil where they eat and sleep.”

In addition, owners will learn about how long to keep the pet in the crate at a given time, as well as what type of food to feed dogs and how often to take them for a bathroom break.

Knowles explained animals, like humans, are not perfect and accidents can and do happen. The key is to understand this and to never reprimand the pet after the accident takes place.

The seminar is not only designed for new pet owners, but existing ones as well. Knowles said the most important thing to remember is that things can change, even if the traditional methods for potty training were not effective.

The dog trainer will explore new methods of potty training for these pet owners, and explain how to improve the relationship and bond that they currently hold with their pet.

Knowles noted it is especially challenging for working families who receive pets as gifts, as they often return to work immediately following the holidays.

In this case, it is crucial that the potty training continues — even if that means getting a pet sitter or coming home on your lunch break to take the pet outside, Knowles said.

Knowles added keeping the pet on a regular routine is essential for successful training.

Another important tip is to remain patient and positive with your pet, as the potty training process can take up to 18 months.

Many owners become frustrated and negative after a certain period of time, which can stifle the process and essentially damage the bond you have with your pet. By engaging in positive reinforcement and offering rewards, dogs ultimately learn faster, Knowles said.

While the one-day training is extremely helpful, everything cannot possibly be learned in that short of time, Knowles said. Thus Petco encourages animal lovers to sign up for a six-week training course, which will explore the techniques in a more in-depth manner.

The training seminar will be offered at the Saugus Petco at 1 p.m. on Jan. 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30.

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Today is the Day for FREE Training Advice! - VillageSoup Belfast

New puppy? Does your dog pull when walking? Well, today at the Loyal Biscuit Co. we are  holding a FREE Ask The Trainer event from 10-2!

Marie Finnegan, owner of K-9 Training Solutions in Thomaston, will be in the store to answer your questions about general dog training, behavior modification, socialization, and responsible pet ownership. This is a fantastic opportunity to get some FREE TRAINING ADVICE! Dogs on leash are welcome, but please ask first about bringing an agressive dog into the store.

The Loyal Biscuit Co. is an award-winning pet supply boutique and self-serve dog wash located at 442 Main St., Rockland. We are proud supporters of the Camden - Rockport Animal Rescue League and the Humane Society of Knox County. Find us online at http://www.loyalbiscuit.com/ or www.facebook.com/loyalbiscuit or call us at 207-594-5269.

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Dangerous dog owners offered training by expert - Uxbridge Gazette

Jan 10 2011 By Dan Coombs

Dog trainers Graham Popham and Linzi Follett, with one of their charges

IN RECENT months the Gazette has reported on a series of dog attacks around Hayes, Hillingdon, West Drayton and Ruislip, with fellow dogs killed and owners taken to hospital.

With the debate raging whether it is the pets themselves or their owners who should be made responsible, DAN COOMBS met up with Graham Popham, a dog behaviour trainer, who has set up classes in response to the attacks...

FOR many it is their worst fear, taking their dog out for a walk only to see it attacked and destroyed in front of their eyes, by a more aggressive and vicious breed.

This was exactly what happened to two women walking in Court Park in Hillingdon in October, while in November in Eastcote a greyhound was killed by a Japanese Akita off its lead while in the street.

Graham Popham, of Iver Lane, Cowley, has over 27 years experience working with dogs and their owners, and is keen to pass on his knowledge to new owners.

"It is all about ignorance, and I want to put a dent in this. It is about teaching the owner to be responsible and to spend time with their dogs from an early age. I have seen dogs destroy families, and even cause break-ups. Each dog has a character, you have to find that and bring it out."

Graham's business, Acot Dog Training, has operated for the past few years offering just one to one classes. Since the spate of dog attacks he has been inspired to set up 'puppy socialisation' classes, beginning this January, allowing dedicated time for them to interact with other dogs and their owners in a safe environment at a young age.

The classes will be held at St Laurence Church Hall, in Church Road, Cowley, with the help of his dog training colleague Linzi Follett.

"Of late there have been real problems, one of our friends dogs was attacked and it was a really horrible thing to happen, the dogs and owner responsible just walked off and were never caught. People buy dogs for status. Wouldn't they rather train it and show off how well behaved it is?

"I would encourage people to call me and I will offer advice, I have learnt how to read dogs and it is not an easy art to learn. The first 24 weeks are very important in a dogs life, they are very much a blank canvas and you have a chance to mould them. But there is no short term fix, bonding and learning with your dog is a long term experience.

"Dogs are so much more hyperactive now, they get such good food, filled with nutrition, and so much protein, you rarely see a sick dog. Children also need to be taught how to act around dogs, if I was young and the dog bit me I'd get a clip round the ear because it would mean obviously I had done something wrong to upset it."

To tackle the issues of youths owning dogs for status, Graham says he would like to see opportunities set up with the police to teach them how to be responsible.

"If the police wanted me to, I would take on the challenge. I expect there are many other trainers who feel the same way."

Linzi Follett, a trainer who works with Graham, has a campaign website called 'Be Puppy Farm Aware' and is keen to push the message out that puppy farms are cruel in the way they rear the dogs, and do lasting damage, meaning they can find it difficult to settle into a normal home.

Graham said: "Whatever you do you must go to a reputable breeder, puppy farm dogs are allowed to run riot, and some of these do not lose the traits they pick up. They are often more aggressive and more nervous."

Graham's puppy socialisation classes begin on January 17. To find out more call 01895465368 or visit www.acotdogtraining.co.uk

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Dawn Sylvia-Stasiewicz: Obama's Dog Trainer Dies at 52-years-old - Gather Celebs News Channel

The animal lover who trained Bo for the Obama family, Dawn Sylvia-Stasiewicz, has passed away at 52-years-old. It was reported that she was admitted at Fauquier Hospital, where she went into a coma and then died of respiratory distress.

She trained animals for many of Washington's political elite, including the families of the late senator Edward M. Kennedy and President Obama. Dawn actually worked with the Obama family dog for months before she found out who its intended owners were. She was only asked, “To observe whether the dog would be suitable for a very busy family with two young daughters.”

Dawn Sylvia-Stasiewicz was happily married to Paul Stasiewicz, an Alexandria dentist. Before her death she wrote a book with Larry Kay, “The Love That Dog Training Program," which was released in 2010.

She truly loved her work and loved being surrounded by animals. At one point in her life, she had three infant children, five dogs, two ferrets, two talking parrots, four Siamese cats, several rabbits and hamsters, and one snake. What a full house, can you even imagine?

Please provide details below to help Gather review this content. If it is found to be inappropriate and in violation of the Gather Terms of Service, action will be taken.Please select the part of the post you are reporting.Please select why you are reporting this content.Please enter a description.

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The Dog Training Secret Offers an Entire Webpage of Puppy Training Tips - Your-Story.org (press release)

UNITED STATES, Idaho (January 2011) – The Dog Training Secret offers a webpage devoted entirely to puppy training tips. These tips have been tried and tested by dog training experts.

The webpage which hosts puppy training tips discusses the various aspects involved in training. The Dog Training Secret focuses on how to potty train your puppy and teach basic commands. However, there is an emphasis on correct training techniques. An owner who uses the correct puppy training techniques will have more success with one’s puppy.

The puppy training tips found on the website begin with discussing the importance of positive reinforcement. This reinforcement can come in the form of a treat or a pat on the head. Puppies will respond to positive reinforcement and will intentionally seek out more reinforcement. Therefore, the dog will repeat the behavior which earned the reward.

The Dog Training Secret experts strongly believe in positive reinforcement and recognize that negative actions do not achieve positive results. In fact, many puppies that experience negative reinforcement, such as being locked up, thrown outside, or even smacked, tend to become shy and introvert dogs. These dogs are skittish around others and may develop other bad habits out of nervousness. These bad habits could include digging and barking.

The webpage contains other important puppy training tips such as being consistent. Consistency is vital to puppy training because it reinforces what the dog is supposed to do. This helps puppies learn appropriate behavior faster while feeling safe and secure in the home. Feeling safe will allow the puppy to trust the owner which will influence the results of the training.

The Dog Training Secret stresses the importance of the owner establishing the role of leader quickly. This entails taking care of the puppy on a regular and consistent basis. A puppy will follow a leader and the training process will be much easier with the owner as the leader. Puppy training tips on this webpage discuss how the owner can ascertain this role.

Puppy training tips on The Dog Training Secret’s website include other aspects of training. The things mentioned here are important because they increase the success rate of training. However, more detailed puppy training tips can be found regarding leash training, potty training, nipping, barking, and many other topics. Dog training videos are even offered by the dog experts with The Dog Training Secret.

Contact:

The Dog Training Secret

http://www.thedogtrainingsecret.com

888-258-6135

Author: thedogtraining

This author has published 1 Press Releases so far. More info about the author is coming soon.

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Off Leash Dog Training - WSLS.com

Dawn Snyder of Off Leash Dog Training and her dog Minya joined us with some great advice for transitioning a new member of the family. (more) By
Published: December 28, 2010 » 0 Comments | Post a Comment

Some of you might have gotten a new dog or puppy for the holidays and are wondering how to make the transition smooth for both you and the new addition.

Dawn Snyder of Off Leash Dog Training and her dog Minya talked about the best way to introduce a new puppy or dog into the family, what to do if you already have another dog, and what kind of boundaries you need to set right from the start.

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Animal Services boss pushes for mandatory dog training courses - Global Regina

CALGARY – Calgary’s head of animal services is known worldwide for his work in Calgary, boasting the lowest dog bite ratio in North America.

While most dogs and owners in the city are well behaved and responsible, a new trend has animal services Chief Bill Bruce worried.

The number of serious dog bites in 2010 nearly doubled over the previous year and there were more attacks in homes.

“In most cases the dog knew the person who it was they bit,” says Bruce.

“It was either a neighbour or a family member and we’re seeing an increase of bites inside the home which is troubling.”

Bruce feels the increase is a result of poor training.

“What we have to do is change the way people are managing dogs.”

Bruce wants to change the punishment for minor incidents like chasing or nipping, before they escalate into something more.

He suggests that on top of or instead of a fine, owners may have to take mandatory dog training.

“We look at opportunities when the dog is at the first level of just chasing a threatening behaviour – that’s a good opportunity to get in and correct it,” says Bruce.

Professional dog trainers agree.

Trainer Alison Stephens says owners often don’t recognize early signs of aggression until it’s too late.

“There’s lots we can do to help owners recognize body language, trigger points – maybe they can intercept that, redirect it with a behaviour they would prefer instead of reacting after the fact.”

Dog owners like Theresa Gerritsen say anything to reduce confrontations is welcome.

“Training is never a bad idea for a pet owner. You can’t really do enough it’s a constant thing you do throughout the dog’s entire life.”

In addition to more training, the proposed bylaw changes include new definitions and fines for different levels of aggression.

The proposed dog bylaw changes will be unveiled this spring.

There are over 200,000 licensed dogs in Calgary. Last year only 158 aggressive incidents were reported.

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Two local success stories in one! - CisionWire (press release)

Despite the gloomy economic conditions of the last year, two local companies have been able to report continued growth, and are working together successfully.

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VIDEO: Tailwaggers Offer Dog Training in New Lenox - Patch

View full size Tailwaggers leader Pat Woicek talks to visitors during an open house Saturday. She's with her two black Russian terriers, Nush and Risky. Your photos, videos & PDFs: Add

Sit. Stay. Grab a snack.

Those were the suggestions at a Will County 4-H Tailwaggers open house Saturday to people interested in joining the club and getting obedience training for their dogs. The Tailwaggers moved its training to the Stone City Kennel Club in New Lenox this year, and training sessions officially begin next week.

Because of scheduling issues, the Tailwaggers sought help from Stone City, and ended up getting to use its facility for free.

"We had some free times and said it would be a good thing," said Karen Simmons of the Stone City Kennel Club. "We try to keep the building busy. We’re very proactive about education and we like to encourage kids to get involved. It gives them some responsibility with their pets."

Training sessions are held from 1 to 3 p.m. every Saturday from January through July. They're offered for free to 4-H club members; an annual membership costs $23.

Participants also have the chance to join in other Tailwaggers activities, such as dog show competitions. For example, there's a junior dog judging event next month at the Chicago International Kennel Club Dog Show, and each child gets two free tickets.

"We have kids working their dogs from the ages of 8 up," said Tailwaggers leader Pat Woicek. "We have everything from little bitty dogs, great big dogs. We run the gamut of brand new, just learning kids and dogs to ones who have been around a while."

At the open house, children who have already been through training showed off what they learned, include some vocal and hand-directed commands. One of them, Jaecee Burkart, 17, said she's been with the Tailwaggers since she was 10.

"It takes a lot of patience and dedication," she said. "When you get a puppy it’s hard to handle them, but you bring them here and you learn a lot."

Training starts at 1 p.m. Saturday and goes through July. Besides being happy and bringing you and your dog, the Tailwaggers say you'll need a training collar with no tags on it and a 6-foot leash. For more information, contact Pat or Wayne Woicek at 708-481-1313 or patwoicek@ameritech.net.

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Happily, his life's gone to the dogs - MassLive.com

SOUTHAMPTON - James Helems, of Gunn Road, is happy to say that in the last five years, his life has gone to the dogs. The man that five years ago owned a construction company and took his dog to the occasional obedience class now spends all his free time training dogs, teaching people how to interact with dogs and doing his best to make sure that dog owners know how to keep their dogs happy, healthy and safe.

Helems, 46, said that he'd always dreamed of being a dog trainer, but imagined it wouldn't happen until after he retired from the construction business. He estimated that it was in 2006 that he started getting really involved in dog training, taking any classes that he could find on agility, tricks and dog sports.

A few years later, he found himself teaching the classes, not taking them.

"I planned on getting into dog training when I retired, but I starting getting customers referred to me, so I ended up starting much earlier than I planned," he said.

As part of Dog Pals, the dog training and entertainment business he started in 2010, Helems splits his time between training dogs and their owners and giving trick shows at events with his own well-trained Australian shepherds, Jake, Pyro and Ember. The three have a bag of tricks, including jumping through hoops or over their owner and even dunking a basketball in a dog-sized hoop.

Helems said that the dogs are like a part of the family, which also includes his wife, Deresa, 48, and sons Christoper, 26, and Michael, 17.

"The dogs are a huge part of our lives," he said. "They're spoiled - they even sleep in bed with us - but they're well-trained and they work for their living."

Now the dog trainer is branching out and has recently added a few more titles to his list of credentials, including Dog Scout troop leader, Doggone Safe educator and certified Red Cross Pet First Aid teacher.

Helems created Dog Scouts Troop 211 in November. Like Girl or Boy Scouts, Dog Scouts is a nationwide nonprofit organization with local troops that meet to have fun and earn badges, and Helems said he thought there were plenty of Western Massachusetts dog owners who would be happy to join.

"Dog Scouts is all about getting together with dogs and humans and just enjoying all the different things you can do with your dog," Helems said.

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Blogger profile: Rachel Baum - Albany Times Union

Age: 54

Where were you born and raised? Trumbull, Conn.

Where do you live? Delmar

Why? I love the small-town feel with sidewalks and older homes, being able to walk to Four Corners, a great library, dog park, coffee shop, everything we need so close by.

Family? Two daughters both in grad school, one in London and the other in Evanston, Ill. My partner Rick is an architect. We have 3 dogs: Todd, a 9-year-old Pomeranian mix; Nellie, a 15-year-old cairn terrier, and new to us is Rosalita, an 11-year-old Chihuahua. Todd and Rosalita are both from the Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society shelter.

What did you study in college? I went to college and grad school at night and worked full time during the day as a librarian. My undergraduate degree is from the University of Houston in Texas. My graduate degree is from the University of Michigan.

What's your work? For the past four years, I've been the owner of Bark Busters Home Dog Training. I work with people and their dogs in their homes (and offices) to help with behavioral issues like separation anxiety, barking, aggression, jumping on people, housebreaking, counter cruising, you name it.

Blog: http://blog.timesunion.com/bark/

How long have you been blogging? It will be 2 years this March!

Personal website: http://dogtrainingupstateny.com

On Twitter: @BarkUpstateNY

What started your interest in dog training? Dogs are fascinating. Think of it. This is an animal that we live with, even sleep with. A completely different species that communicates with us, and us with them, sometimes successfully, sometimes not. I love helping people learn to communicate better with their dogs. I learn something new from dogs every day.

Scariest training incident? I always ask people to let their dogs greet me at the door the way they normally would any stranger. I'm almost always barked at or jumped on, or both, and that's fine. Once, I was greeted by a 130-pound male bull mastiff who tackled me. Usually I'm on my game and prepared for the onslaught, but this guy was brute force. Thankfully, he kept his teeth to himself.

Have you ever been bitten? Only once. By a four-pound Yorkie.

Cesar "The Dog Whisperer'' Millan. Yay or nay? He's done incredible work getting people to see pitbulls and American Staffordshire terriers in a positive light. That said, my training style is not to ever get physical with a dog. Millan is very physical. He also gets bitten, even though I assume his shows are edited for television.

January is "National Train Your Dog Month.'' Why don't more dog owners take training seriously? I think most people assume they can do it themselves. They remember growing up with a dog, and their parents never hired a trainer. How hard can it be, right? The reality is, we're not born knowing how to communicate with a different species. It's like learning a foreign language. You have to be taught, and you have to practice.

Whose blog(s) would you love to read? (Pick modern day and/or historical figures): Ernest Shackleton, while he was on the Endurance expedition.

Have you ever refused to work with a dog? I've never turned down a dog, but I HAVE turned down a person. Once, I went to someone's home for a lesson, and he stood and debated and yelled at me the whole time, so I politely excused myself. Some people just can't be trained.

Your favorite dog breed? I'm pretty partial to pitbulls, though. They are sweet, smart and affectionate.

What book or books are you reading? "Good Old Dog" by Dr. Nicholas Dodman. He is a Tufts University professor and veterinarian. I took a course with him last year. And "The Flying Carpet" by Richard Halliburton, who was an adventurer and writer during the early 1900s.

What's on your iPod? "The List" by Roseanne Cash, but I admit I downloaded "Teenage Dream" by that guy on "Glee.''

Favorite local blogger? "Outdoors'' by Gillian Scott and Herb Terns is refreshing and always fun, but for practical matters, I also read Joe Keegan's "Home Restoration.'' My house is 100 years old; Joe gives me inspiration to transform it into my own little piece of heaven.

Favorite movie? "Out of Africa."

Favorite dinner? Anything at Curry House or Shalimar.

Favorite article of clothes? Tony Lama cowboy boots.

Your hero? Amelia Earhart. She's why I got my pilot's license. If I wasn't a dog trainer, I would have been a cargo pilot.

Best dog name, ever: It's a tossup between Howie Mandel and Happy Gilmore. No lie.

Best free advice for dog owners? Most behavior issues happen because the dog isn't exercised enough. Give a dog a good run. Every day.

Blog: http://blog.timesunion.com/bark/

Personal Web site: http://dogtrainingupstateny.com

On Twitter: @BarkUpstateNY

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Getting Pets Ready for Adoption - Patch

I don’t ask a lot from my dogs. Aside from our sanitation agreement (their job is placement; mine, removal), just walk calmly on the leash and leave my gym socks alone. That last rule seems to be in perpetual negotiation.

After an hour at the Pasadena Humane Society with two professional dog trainers, I left  a convert to this simple but significant message:

“Some behaviors you modify, and some you manage,” said Drew Marsden, Behavior & Training Supervisor. Modify aggression, jumping, anxiety. But  if Pumpkin always explores your trashcan, well here’s a thought: Move the trashcan. Or the gym socks.  

Getting pets adopted and making sure they stay adopted means new pet owners need to be able to manage their new family members.  That's where Marsden and Behavior & Training Technician Shelly Valdovinos come in.

They have lots of good advice for new and existing pet owners. Some common sense, some surprising.  Here’s a sample of a few specifics:

Dogs who pull on the leash:  Consider a harness or a gentle leader rather than a choke or prong collar. When used with anything but the most skillful hand, a choke chain shuts off the air passage -- the dog will only care about drawing the next breath.  Vary the walk, don’t always go to the same destination, particularly if that destination has a reward. Try “crazy walking,” constantly turning so your dog can never get up a good head of steam in any one direction.

Dogs who jump on people:  Turn your back, pay no attention. Attention rewards the behavior.  If that doesn’t work, and depending on the dog, you might try walking straight into him. Humans are not the only ones who need their space. This technique may take all the fun out of leaping on bipeds.

The “Velcro” dog:  When you leave the house and when you come back, are you making a big deal out of it? Don’t. That’s just telling your buddy there’s something very significant about departures and arrivals. Channel your inner Gary Cooper; come and go with a simple "So long," and "Hi there."

Dogs who are shy or fearful:  Make all your interactions a positive experience. Never speak harshly or impatiently. Dogs are extremely sensitive to body language – they notice everything -- the way we stand, gestures, facial expressions.

Pay attention to the signals you send. (Fear is one of the most common problems Marsden and Valdovinos encounter with new canine arrivals.  And one of the most surmountable. The video shows one technique to help build the dog’s sense of confidence and trust. This brindle boxer mix deeply mistrusts my camera, but really loves Marsden. See what he does.)

When deciding on a pet, base your choice on temperament, not looks. No matter how much the pup resembles your childhood Misty, coat, color, even breed tell only a small part of the story.

The trainers at the Pasadena Humane Society put in long hours to understand the behavior and needs of all their dogs. Every arrival goes through a series of tests (see other video) to determine such things as sensitivity to touch, playfulness, aggressions, compatibility with other animals. Prior to adoption, ask the shelter for their thoughts and experiences with the dog.

And keep in mind, when you adopt, there will be a period of adjustment. You have a new dog, but for the dog, everything will be new and strange.  As Marsden said, “Be realistic in your expectations. Don’t expect your perfect companion in one or two weeks. And with any animal, training is a life-long process, there’s no magic wand; it takes work and dedication.”

Oh, and a word about the felines. Valdovinos not only trains dogs, but cats as well. Her own cat will sit on command. “Here's the difference between working with  cats and dogs,” she said, “Perception. When training a cat, let him think it’s his idea.”

(Warning: The videos are fun, but LOUD.)

Every week Altadena Patch will highlight a pet with unusual abilities or a special one who is looking for a new home.

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