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Drug-sniffing dog joins sheriff's office - Portales News-Tribune

2011-11-22T17:36:00.000-08:00

The newest deputy at the Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office is going to help keep drugs off the county streets and highways, according to Chief Deputy Malin Parker.

Fram, a black Labrador retriever, just returned from two weeks of training in Spring Branch, Texas, with his new handler, Deputy Sonny Wilcox.

Wilcox said he and his canine companion went through on-site training, in which they searched for narcotics planted on specific sites, and off-site training.

“Everybody picks their own dog and you have to be certified with that dog,” Wilcox said. “It was a wild time but it was a good experience.”

Wilcox said the dog’s training is based off a toy with a ball attached to a rope and the dog receives the toy only when he does what he is supposed to do.

“Their whole drive is that tiny ball,” Wilcox said. “Everything I tell him to do, he does and it’s all because of that little ball ‘cause he knows he gets it if he does it right.”

Wilcox said the dog has already helped make three narcotics arrests in his first week.

Parker said the county sheriff’s office has been in need of a narcotics canine since they retired their last canine deputy about eight months ago.

He said U.S. 70, which runs through Roosevelt County, also runs through counties which are High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA).

“We’re a HIDTA bordering county, so it makes it likely that drugs can come through here,” Parker said. “It’s a resource (the dog) we haven’t had provided to us in the past and it was very needed.”

Parker said the dog was purchased for the law enforcement office by the district attorney’s office with a government grant.

“At the time, the Roosevelt County office was the only agency in our area that was without a canine, so we offered them assistance to bring an additional resource to the county with the goal of taking down drug traffickers and violent suspects,” District Attorney Matt Chandler said. “It’s a win-win for both law enforcement and the community.”

Parker said the dog will be also be used for narcotic searches outside the county.

“It’s just going to give us an added resource with narcotics detection and apprehending violent persons,” Parker said. “It’s just a great resource to have.”

Wilcox said he went into law enforcement with the intention of being a canine handler.

“I’m really grateful they gave us money to buy him,” Wilcox said. “Hopefully, Fram and I can pay them back ten-fold by taking some drug traffickers off the street.”

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Parenting Anew, at a Puppy's Beck and Call - New York Times

2011-11-22T14:03:00.000-08:00

When the dog owner turned I immediately recognized him as Leon Panetta, the former chief of staff to President Clinton and soon-to-be-named director of the C.I.A. and, later, secretary of defense. Here was one of the world’s most powerful men, and yet in the battle between man and canine, well, let’s just say he could have used reinforcements.

That scene came to mind as I read Jill Abramson’s “Puppy Diaries: Raising a Dog Named Scout.” Ms. Abramson, the executive editor of The New York Times, is a powerful journalist few would dream of discounting. She built her career as a hard-nosed investigative reporter with the ability, by her own account, to intimidate colleagues and sources alike. And yet, when it comes to her dogs, she pleads guilty to being a hopeless pushover.

She is such a pushover that as she and her husband, Henry, drive to meet their new dog, he summarily demotes Ms. Abramson, “replacing me as pack leader because I am neither calm nor assertive.”

The author confesses that her husband’s assessment was “harsh but fair,” considering how horribly she had spoiled her first dog, a West Highland terrier named Buddy, cooking him gourmet meals of rosemary-dusted chicken and wild Alaskan sockeye salmon and forgiving him for all sorts of doggie infractions.

“The Puppy Diaries,” based on a popular online column Ms. Abramson wrote for The Times from July 2009 to May 2010, is her account of the first year with a beautiful but predictably high-energy golden retriever. The book is a worthy addition to the crowded so-called dogoir genre, primarily for the candid glimpse it offers into the softer, personal — yes, even cuddly — side of one of the world’s most influential opinion shapers.

It is no secret that the best dog books are not about the dog at all but rather about the powerful ways in which canines and people intersect. They explore the human condition and how dogs can enrich and elevate it.

At its core, “The Puppy Diaries” is not Scout’s story so much as the tale of an empty-nester couple seeking meaning and fulfillment in the postparenting age. Even with her high-powered career, Ms. Abramson confesses to an emptiness since the departure of her two grown children. She and Henry appear to have a strong marriage, and yet something is missing.

As the book opens Ms. Abramson is enveloped by a deep depression after two life-altering events: the death of her beloved Buddy and a near-fatal accident in which Ms. Abramson was run over by a truck while walking near Times Square, requiring months of rehabilitation.

Into this “severe case of midlife blues” arrived Scout. For Ms. Abramson, a puppy was the perfect remedy.

“Besides looking for any excuse to inhale that irresistible puppy smell, I felt a reflexive urge to cover the top of Scout’s soft head with kisses,” she writes. Ms. Abramson makes up “lullabies with silly lyrics” to coax Scout to sleep. She marvels at Scout’s “sultry, flirtatious look” and compares her to “a canine version of Veronica Lake, down to her blond, silky fur.”

Ms. Abramson is beyond smitten. No wonder she has a hard time saying no.

She and Henry pour themselves into their four-legged child with all the neurotic attentiveness of new parents. They dote, they obsess, they rearrange work schedules for puppy kindergarten. They consult trainers and run up hefty bills at Petco, even as they roll their eyes at the Manhattan pampered-pet set and the boutique businesses (doggie hospice, anyone?) that serve them.

They become devotees of the clicker training approach to behavior modification, which relies exclusively on positive reinforcement. Scout figures out pretty quickly that this means she can strain against her leash with impunity, to her owners’ dismay.

For all the couple’s angst over Scout’s transgressions, the dog is typical of her breed, eager to please and with an easy disposition. Like all puppies, she chews shoes and table legs, urinates on the bed, jumps on guests and steals food. But I can attest, as the owner of a retriever widely regarded as the world’s worst dog, that Scout’s antics are mere child’s play. Seasoned dog owners might grow impatient with the couple’s hand-wringing over such ho-hum misdeeds.

True to her reporter roots, Ms. Abramson absorbs everything she can find on dog training and interviews numerous experts (all of whom, not surprisingly, return her calls). Despite this, “The Puppy Diaries” is not a how-to book. It is amply researched and written with informed confidence, but the advice offered is strictly cursory.

Nor is it a humor book, even though rambunctious Scout provided plenty of opportunities. For example, one day on a walk through the couple’s TriBeCa neighborhood, Scout cannot resist the aromas wafting from a sidewalk cafe — and leaps onto a table and nearly into the meals of two diners, dragging Ms. Abramson along for the ride. On another occasion Scout destroys Henry’s eyeglasses on a day when he is stressed about a work deadline, leaving him prostrate on the floor, sobbing in utter defeat. All good fodder for comic relief, yet Ms. Abramson plays it straight, without a glint of humor. Part of me wished she had forgotten about her serious-journalist credentials and had a little more fun with these parts of the storytelling.

Ms. Abramson writes with intelligence and grace and never descends into the saccharine, steering clear of sappy land mines even as she celebrates the simple joys a dog can bring. Some readers will be looking for evidence to brand her elitist, but Ms. Abramson’s voice is bighearted and surprisingly down to earth as she and her husband forge a stronger bond with Scout at their side.

Dog lovers will enjoy this account of one couple’s efforts to raise a well-behaved pet. More important, “The Puppy Diaries” provides a fascinating insight into the private sensibilities of The Times’s top editor, the final arbiter of what ends up on the front page.

John Grogan is the author of “Marley & Me: Life and Love With the World’s Worst Dog” and the memoir “The Longest Trip Home.”

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The dog whisperer - Gisborne Herald

2011-11-22T10:27:00.000-08:00

A FORMER Gisborne woman with more than 35 years’ experience breeding, training and working farm dogs will be here for two training days next month.

Anna Holland spent three of her earliest years shepherding here at Manutuke and Matawai.

The farmer that employed her at Manutuke told her that she would have to go if he found a boy.

“He had been looking for a boy to help on the farm, couldn’t find one — I was staying with his sister helping on their farm — they talked him into taking me on. He said to me “Anna, if I find a boy, you’ll have to go”.

“I stayed for 2 years and he had no hesitation in replacing me with another girl.”

Anna says she was very fortunate in her introduction to farm dogs since she was born and raised in the heart of Auckland.

An uncle’s farm in Wairarapa was where she learned to ride a horse and saw first-hand how a well-trained and obedient dog handled stock.

“I cannot put a value on watching him with his dogs; it is who I am today.”

She left home at 17 to start a career working on the land — much to her parents’ horror.

Back in those days it was a definite handicap being a woman in the sheep farming industry.

“It was easy enough finding employment in the dairy or racing sector, but on a sheep property — nigh on impossible. Virtually all my jobs were the boss realising that I had a very capable team of dogs, and that I possessed stockmanship. This led to permanent work.”

She shepherded for 25 years before concentrating on training people with dogs.

Dogs and dog training have become her life. She wrote for Country-Wide for just over two years about the care and training of farm dogs and now writes similar articles for Young Country magazine and Rural News.

She also runs Teaching People Dog Training days throughout the country travelling with four to six quiet sheep in a horse-float, two to three dogs and a toy poodle called Fifi.

The training days are limited to 35 people so bookings are essential.

She encourages all ages and experience.

“I’ve had people as young as early teens through to a number of people 65-plus.”

People do not take their own dogs.

“I demonstrate with one or two untrained dogs and then with two trained dogs. I take people through all the stages from puppy to trained dog and encourage questions.”

She has run 28 Teaching People Dog Training days altogether and says they were all huge successes.

The Gisborne training days run from 9am to 4pm at Matawai on September 18 — contact Adriana (06) 862 1553) for details — and at Wairoa on September 20 —contact Kirby (06) 837 5627). The training includes a booklet that covers everything people have seen in the day.

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Talking Dogs: Be a dog's best friend - MiamiHerald.com

2011-11-22T07:21:00.000-08:00

One of the simplest, most successful means to teach a dog to be well-behaved and to maintain a great relationship is to always, always be the "good guy." Before any formal, positive training begins, your dog should understand that everything he enjoys in life is provided by you and that close to you is always the safest place to be. These two uncomplicated concepts become the foundation for a great relationship between dog and human.

For your dog to grasp the first concept, you must be able to recognize what he considers to be the positive perks in his world. Some can easily identify the most obvious - the dog loves to chase the ball, enjoys a good scratching behind the ears and is clearly pleased when we put down the food bowl. Not so obvious may include going in or out a door, having access to the room you are in and taking a walk around the block. The more things you can identify as positives in the dog's eyes, the more you have to work with. In addition, effort should be put into teaching the young dog to enjoy things that he may not, without exposure, find rewarding on his own. For example, taking the time to teach a dog to fetch a ball, catch a Frisbee, tug on a toy or enjoy a playful game of "I'm gonna getcha!" gives the owner a larger variety of reward options when higher levels of training begin.

Gaining and maintaining easy control begins with providing your dog with the perks he enjoys only when his behavior is that which you like and wish to encourage. Long before formal training begins, you can simply choose to open a door for your dog to go in or out of when he keeps all four paws on the floor, is quiet and is patient. The same goes for putting down the food bowl. As you repeat this process, a pattern begins to emerge, which the dog grasps quickly - things he wants and enjoys in life are given to him when he is calm, silent and still.

The second concept is paramount in having a great relationship with the dog: You must be trustworthy, and safe to be around. It is impossible to maintain this kind of relationship if you are a punisher. Physical corrections - spanking, muzzle grabs, collar or scruff shakes, leash pops, alpha rolls, etc., define the human as a person to be wary of, and being close to that person may result in correction. This doesn't mean, of course, that the dog will never get close to the human again; dogs are eternal optimists, after all. But it does break down the trust, and the perceptive dog may choose to move away from the human when the person's behavior is disturbing. In addition to losing trust, this puts the human at a huge disadvantage when the dog is off leash.

Dog owners seem to be under the impression that if the dog does something "wrong," or doesn't obey a command, that it must be punished. The modern dog trainer, relying on scientific studies and extensive research into modifying behavior in any animal species, knows that it is far more effective to simply withhold something the dog favors.

Lisa Moore's pet-behavior column appears once a month on the Weekly Pet Page. Write to her in care of LifeStyles, The Modesto Bee, P.O. Box 5256, Modesto 95352.

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Should I be allowed to bring my dog to work? - Telegraph.co.uk

2011-11-22T03:18:00.000-08:00

When asked recently about herbal flea collars, you ended up suggesting conventional flea treatment. Like many people I know, I despise modern medicine. I love my cats and I don’t want to pollute their bodies with chemicals. How can I have their needs addressed with only natural products? Are there vets who specialise in herbal treatments?

MM, Gloucestershire

You’ll be pleased to learn that there’s a growing body of vets who use herbal medicines to treat their patients – both for pets and for farm animals.

If you visit the website of the British Association of Veterinary Herbalists (www.herbalvets.org.uk), you’ll find nationwide listings of vets with a particular interest in this area.

We have two terriers, a father aged nine years and his three-year-old daughter. When left at home, on our return they’ve started to bark, rising into a crescendo of howling. The noise is unbearable! They’ve also begun to do this when visitors arrive. They get plenty of long walks so it’s not boredom. How can we stop them from doing this?

AS by email

Your dogs have learnt to react to these exciting situations by barking. You now have to take time to teach them to respond in a calmer way.

Do lots of practice of going out very briefly, and then coming back in and getting the dogs to sit for a treat. Do this over and over again, going away for such a short period that they don’t have a chance to get worked up enough to bark. Then gradually lengthen the time that you are away.

The idea is that they will learn that the response that gets them the most reward is to sit quietly when you get back. You should do the same type of training with them to change their reaction to visitors; get someone to pretend to be a visitor, and as they arrive, get the dogs to sit down quietly in front of you, in exchange for treats. The same “visitor” should come and go multiple times so that the dogs gradually learn the new behaviour.

We have a 13-year-old Border terrier who is fit and has three walks a day. She can comfortably manage two or three miles but gets very tired on a longer walk. She goes everywhere with us and as we are keen walkers I was wondering whether I could get a comfortable rucksack to put her in to manage a longer walk. Any ideas?

TM, Norfolk

A wide range of unusual dog carriers is available at www.canineconcepts.co.ukwww.canineconcepts.co.uk. There’s a selection of dog rucksacks for small dogs such as Border terriers, from a basic version for less than £20 to a more deluxe version, with more rigid support, padding and pockets, for over £40.

You’ll need to introduce the concept gradually to her, rewarding her for staying calm and relaxed. Many dogs soon learn to love being carried on their owners’ backs. The website also sells push-along pet strollers, bicycle baskets designed for small dogs, and dog trailers for cycling, walking or jogging with your dog in tow.

Cowpox: an old virus that still causes problems

SB from Shropshire has asked me to warn readers about the cowpox virus. Her 13-year-old cat is a prolific hunter and he picked up the infection during the summer. It was not diagnosed immediately; it was only as the sore, bald areas grew worse that the correct diagnosis was made.

Cowpox is an ancient disease that has never been fully eradicated, and it carries the risk of in-contact humans picking up a nasty infection. Cats catch it from rodents.

If your mouse-catching cat develops an odd skin problem, you may wish to remind your vet about this rare but worrying viral skin disease.

Read Pete’s regular animal themed blog at hereSend pet problems to pete.wedderburn@telegraph.co.uk. We regret that he cannot answer all letters personally. All sick animals should, of course, be taken to a vet

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Cardinal Chirp: American Pit Bull Terrier: The Quest to Save a Breed - my.hsj.org

2011-11-21T22:24:00.000-08:00

Featured photo is Star from Happy Pit Bull, http://www.happypitbull.com/ - Sunday, October 16, 2011 By Hannah GearhartAdvertising

If you were to walk down the toy aisle in a store, what would you see? On the far end of a shelf, a set of plush dogs would sit, their large, bright eyes pleading. Sifting through the pile, you would find tiny Chihuahuas, fluffy Pomeranians, lovable Beagles, and the “gentle giants” – German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, and Golden Retrievers. If you stopped to really think about it, what wouldn’t you find? Would you find the happy pit bull with its tongue sticking out of its mouth in an eager greeting? Of course you wouldn’t, but have you ever stopped to wonder why one of the world’s best breeds has no plush representation?

The term “pit bull” is only relative – there is no such breed as a pit bull. Formally, the term refers to the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier, but it may also extend to the American Bull Dog and Bull Terrier. Informally, however, anything from a Boxer to a Rottweiler may be labeled a pit bull, as very few people can actually make distinctions between what is a pit and what is not. Although it may not seem like a big deal, mislabeling these breeds can actually be fatal – especially for real pit bulls.

Many people know pit bulls as those dogs in the news that are at the center of dog-fighting rings or are always attacking weak, defenseless children. However, a vast majority of people do not know – or care not to acknowledge – much more about the breeds that encompass pit bull status. For instance, it is a little-known fact that the American Pit Bull Terrier was the nation’s mascot during World Wars I and II, and one of the most famous of military dogs, Sergeant Stubby, was a Bull Terrier mix that singlehandedly apprehended a German spy and warned his unit of impending poison gas and artillery attacks. Additionally, many pit bull breeds have been used as police, therapy, search and rescue, service, and companion dogs for years. Pit bull breeds have also been media stars, including Petey from The Little Rascals and Hercules from the upcoming Animal Planet movie Santa’s Dog.

Despite all these examples of positive pit bulls, however, there still remains an unfounded and unnecessary prejudice against these breeds. Today, very few people will even consider adopting a pit bull breed, and these animals are left to die alone in shelters. In fact, the negative pit bull image has spread so much that even the upstanding members of the pit bull community are finding it hard just to survive. All across our country, states and communities are passing breed-specific legislation – more often than not aimed only at pit bulls – which outlaw the ownership of “pit bull-type dogs.” Here in our own state of Ohio, the Ohio Revised Code 955 states that all vicious dogs – defined as those who have previously attacked and seriously injured another dog or person, or those belonging to any pit bull breed – “must be confined on the owner's property by means of a locked fenced yard, a locked dog pen that has a top, or some other locked enclosure that has a top,” and owners must have at least $100,000 in liability insurance coverage. In addition to this, many cities, from Cincinnati to Mansfield, ban pit bulls altogether, while other cities limit the number of pit bulls a person or rescue can own.

If pit bulls make such wonderful dogs, then why do so many fear them, and why have they been banned in so many places? Perhaps the greatest reason that pit bulls have such a fearsome reputation is the fact that so many misconceptions about them exist. It is commonplace for one to list pit bulls’ “locking jaws” as a reason why they are dangerous. However, functionally, there is absolutely no existing difference between the jaws of a pit bull and the jaws of any other dog breed. In fact, studies by Dr. Brady Barr have shown that not only do pit bulls not have functionally unique jaws, but they also lack a greater jaw pressure than other dogs; under the studies, American Pit Bull Terriers were found to have a lower pressure per square inch (PSI) than both German Shepherds and Rottweilers.

In case this does not suffice to show that pit bull breeds are not any more vicious or powerful than any other dog breed, statistics compiled by the American Temperament Test Society, Inc. further show the volatility potential in any breed. The statistics, which can be found at http://www.atts.org/, are determined through tests in several categories: Behavior Toward Strangers; Reaction to Auditory, Visual, or Tactile Stimuli; and Self Protective or Aggressive Behaviors. According to the website, the test “focuses on and measures different aspects of temperament such as stability, shyness, aggressiveness, and friendliness as well as the dog’s instinct for protectiveness towards its handler and/or self-preservation in the face of a threat,” and any given dog will fail the test if he or she exhibits unprovoked aggression, panic without recovery, strong avoidance, or any combination of the three. With this said, it should be noted that the average passing rate of all 30,876 dogs tested between 2010 and 2011 was 83%. Pit bull breeds, however, far outshined this mark, with APBTs receiving an 86.4% and Staffordshire Bull Terriers and American Staffordshire Terriers earning 89.7% and 84.2%, respectively. Referring back to our example of dogs featured in plush toys, the APBT surpasses each one on the test, with the exception of Labrador Retrievers, who scored 92.4%. Although some of these breeds’ scores are arguably comparable, it should be noted that APBTs did, indeed, outscore German Shepherds (84.4%), Beagles (80.6%), Golden Retrievers (84.9%), Chihuahuas (71.1%), and Pomeranians (75.8%). Other notable breeds underscoring pits were some of America’s favorite breeds – Collies (79.9%), Yorkshire Terriers (82.5%), Portuguese Water Dogs (77.8%), Saint Bernards (83.7%), and Shetland Sheepdogs (68.1%) – creating a surprising feat for the notoriously “aggressive” pit bull breeds.

In light of all this evidence in favor of the companionability of pit bulls, there are still other issues with which we must deal in order to break through the typical pit bull stereotype. Firstly, we must look to the owners of pit bulls, many of which have created and continue to create the image of the pit bull as unruly, savage, and volatile. Pit bulls, like any other dog, look to their owners for guidance; if sufficient guidance is not provided, then, obviously, these dogs will not be functional members of society. Innately, pits bulls are highly intelligent dogs that will train easily, but they are also playful, energetic, and strong. If proper outlets are not provided for the dogs, or if they are not trained adequately, they, just as in the case of any other poorly trained or inadequately supervised dog, will find their own outlets. For this reason alone, it is very important that owners of pit bulls – as well as owners of any other dog breed – ensure that they give their dogs the proper attention and training that they deserve, lest pit bulls further be labeled with undesirable characteristics.

Secondly, although pit bulls were bred as fighting dogs, it should be noted that they are not generally aggressive towards humans unless they were trained as such or were, at some time in their life, abused by humans. However, many pit bulls will show some level of aggression toward other dogs, especially if they are either unneutered or untrained. As stated by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (http://www.aspca.org/), aggression can occur on several levels, and one should not assume that there are only two options – either the dog shows dog aggression, or it does not. In reality, there are several different levels of aggression that should be considered; as defined by the ASPCA, these levels are as follows: Not dog aggressive at all; Tolerant (the dog usually shows no dog aggression, except in extreme circumstances); Minor Intolerance (the dog will not show aggression toward most other dogs, but it may in some cases be intolerant); Intolerant (the dog will not get along with most dogs, but there may be some exceptions, such as dogs with which they were raised); and Very Aggressive (the dog does not get along with most or all other dogs). As provided by the ASPCA, it is very important that owners understand how tolerant their dog is of others so that they can “manage their dog appropriately when around other animals.” Perhaps the best advice to combat the issue of intolerance, though, is provided by Pit Bull Rescue Central (http://www.pbrc.net/), who urges, “Never trust a dog not to fight. Dogs of any breed can exhibit intolerance toward other dogs.” While it is certainly true that any breed can be inclined to fighting, we should always remember that it is not commonly believed that any breed will fight; thus, it is very important for owners of pit bulls to prevent their dog from fighting – after all, even if a pit bull is only responding to an attack by another dog, it will be viewed as the guilty party.

Our previous two topics, the misconceptions of pit bulls and poor ownership, combine to give source to the third, and potentially most dangerous, reason why pit bulls receive a bad reputation: media coverage. If you were to do a news search for the term “pit bull” you would find an overwhelming amount of news stories detailing the horror stories where people – often children – were “mauled” by pit bulls or where pit bulls are menacing neighborhoods. However, it would take pages of sifting to find the stories of pit bull heroes who have saved their owners or neighborhood children, and rarely ever would you find the stories of owners who have been sentenced for abusing their pit bulls. In essence, these last two cases are equally as likely in theory, so what causes the huge discrepancy in what is and what isn’t reported? The simple answer is that reporters want to create a piece that people will want to read and respond to – and, in this case, reporting pit bull attacks definitely generates a lot of attention for them. Although many may claim that they just wish to educate the public, they themselves are not very educated on pit bull breeds, as they simply label all of these dogs as “pit bulls.” If you were to change your news search to the term “Staffordshire Bull Terrier,” you would meet any entirely different sight. At this moment, you would be bombarded with news stories of two current reports – one, of a Staffordshire Bull Terrier who was found dead in a suitcase, and the other, where a Staffordshire Bull Terrier was tied up and spray painted. As you’ll note, these terms did not show up under your search for “pit bull,” even though Staffordshire Bull Terriers are a pit bull breed. For several reasons, reporters neglect to label pit bulls by their specific breeds, and one of the most prominent reasons is that by labeling dogs individually, they would alter the statistics of pit bull attacks – there are three universal pit bull breeds, two sometimes pit bull breeds, and dozens of breeds that are often mistakenly categorized as pit bulls; therefore, if one were to break these into their individual components, each breed would have a significantly lower fatality attack rate. Yes, pit bulls do commit a high percentage of fatal attacks, but so would Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, and Labradors if we lumped them into a group with dozens of other breeds.

There is a more concrete reason why reporters do not state a specific breed, however – oftentimes, they simply do not know if the dog is a pit bull. As was mentioned above, there are dozens of breeds of dogs that we classify as pit bulls that are only mildly – if at all – related to the three primary pit bull breeds. So often, Rottweilers, Boxers, Bull Mastiffs, Presa Canarios, and countless other dogs are mistaken for pits when they absolutely aren’t. The fact is, just as humans often have trouble distinguishing the characteristics of people they have met only once or twice, they often lack the ability to choose an APBT from a Boxer. Perhaps the best example of this is the “Find the Pit Bull” online quiz hosted on Understand-a-Bull’s website (http://www.understand-a-bull.com/Findthebull/findpitbull_v3.html), which asks players to distinguish between twenty-six different breeds to find the one true APBT. Admittedly, most of us can’t find the ABPT for several tries, so how can we trust ourselves to indentify a dog we glimpsed in the fleeting of a few seconds as we watched in hysterics as someone we cared about was being attacked? In reality, we as humans are not the best judges and we have been incredibly biased by media portrayals of pit bulls, and these misinterpretations can lead to great breeds being destroyed.

As can be seen, there are very basic parts of our beliefs about pit bulls that, when it comes to the facts, just don’t add up properly. However, there is one last point that we’ve yet to cover – how we, as pit bull owners, reporters, and people in general, can help to combat the myths against pit bulls. To begin with pit bull owners, there is a great quote by Joe Stahlkuppe that sums up the sentiment perfectly – “An insecure person who wants only an aggressive dog to bolster some personal human inadequacy should never become an owner of one of these dogs. An uncaring or negligent person should not buy an AmStaff or an APBT (or any other dog for that matter).” If you own a pit bull, make sure that they are positive representations of what these great breeds can be, and ensure that they have proper attention and training.

The most basic part of reporting should help the media ensure that they do not unnecessarily contribute to the negative portrayal of these breeds – get the facts straight. Do not automatically assume that any dog attack is the result of pit bulls, and do not take someone’s word for it that the attacker was a pit bull, unless they have adequate proof. Most importantly, report both positive and negative pit bull stories – every breed has its positive qualities, and pit bull breeds should not be an exception in the media.

Finally, for the general public, leave your minds open, and judge each dog as an individual rather than solely based on its breed. Each and every breed, from the Chihuahua to the Golden Retriever to the American Pit Bull Terrier, has the potential to be vicious, but with adequate training, dogs of any breed can become the most loyal, lovely animals anyone has ever seen. If in the position to report an attack, be absolutely sure of a dog’s breed before you classify it as a “pit bull” – or any other breed, for that matter. Lastly, if you take only one thing away from all of this information, let it be a sense of responsibility that we each have to the pit bull – that we ensure that these “bully breeds” are not forgotten and left to dog fighters, animal abusers, and the ignorant among policy makers who would destroy the breeds in a heartbeat; without us, these breeds would be left to suffer at their hands, and the term “pit bull” would no longer be just relative – it would be obsolete.

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Britain desperately needs to tackle its dog control problems - The Guardian

2011-11-21T17:28:00.000-08:00

Merseyside police seized this pitbull terrier, trained for fighting, after an attack on a five-year-old child. Photograph: Merseyside Police/PA

Dangerous dogs are increasingly linked to worrying and persistent trends in antisocial behaviour, and so it's no surprise that so many of us up and down the country are concerned about the problem. Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, together with the RSPCA and Blue Cross have called for an urgent and overdue review of the existing failing dog legislation. Maybe, just maybe, with the recent appointment of Lord Taylor of Holbeach as the new government minister there could be a glimmer of hope that we will see some effective action.

Lord Taylor has promised to make any future legislation effective and enforceable in tackling the dangerous dogs issues that are so concerning us all. But as the problems around irresponsible dog ownership, stray and dangerous dogs intensify, and budgets get tight or, in the case of some local authorities disappear altogether, it may not be long before there is another serious dog attack on a member of the public, or even a young child.

This is not scaremongering. It is a sad but inescapable fact that a minority of people still continue to treat dogs irresponsibly, use them for the wrong things and care only about their personal status in their community or peer group. Battersea is on the frontline dealing with the repercussions of dog issues, as on average 17 stray, abandoned, abused, or dangerous dogs come through our doors every day.

We are the first to pick up the pieces for these dogs, but the pressures on us, as well as the police and local authorities, are mounting. For more than 150 years we have stood by our founding mission to aim never to turn away a dog or cat in need of our help. But as the stray and dangerous dog problem gets worse, our work becomes harder and harder.

What many people may not realise is Battersea takes in every type of dog, and not just those that are easy to rehome. So inevitably more and more of the dogs coming into the charity's rehoming centres have been so badly abused, or trained to be a dangerous "weapon" that it's too late to help them. Some of these dogs can't possibly be safely rehomed, and sadly we have to put them to sleep. At least most people recognise that the harsh reality is this is the only responsible option.

This is predominantly an urban problem and, like us, many of our local authority partners are struggling to cope with the growing stray and dangerous dogs problem. They are legally bound to accept stray dogs off the street when a dog is first spotted or brought to them but severe budget cuts mean they are having to put to sleep perfectly friendly and healthy stray dogs, before they ever reach rescue centres such as Battersea. And more and more strays remain on the street, presenting a potential risk to the public. Battersea is working with local authorities to help find solutions. We're encouraging them to share their kennelling costs with neighbouring local boroughs, but there is only so much we can do.

It would be simplistic to say these problems will go away if only the government would put its hand in its pocket and support inner city local authorities. But Lord Taylor must now take the lead and develop a national strategy to tackle dog control problems. If stray dog services were given a higher priority, we wouldn't have as many of the dog problems we see on our streets today.

New legislation is a must. You'd be hard pressed to find anybody who would disagree on that. And so animal charities such as Battersea will continue to argue that the existing dog laws need to be urgently updated and consolidated into a single effective piece of legislation to improve public safety and protect animal welfare so there are fewer dangerous dogs that have to be put to sleep.

We cannot afford to have a repeat of the kneejerk policymaking on dog control that happened 20 years ago, and Lord Taylor himself knows the government must get it right this time. We must deal with these problems now before we face another tragedy.

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Seven dogs in training to assist disabled - Daily Athenaeum

2011-11-21T13:53:00.001-08:00

Kristen Basham/The Daily Athenaeum

Service dogs in training demonstrate their ability to respond to the command “stay” at the West Virginia University Animal Sciences Farm Monday.

West Virginia University's Division of Animal and Nutritional Sciences has been working with Hearts of Gold, a service dog training program, to assist people with disabilities for the past five years.

Hearts of Gold trains and places dogs to help individuals with mobility impairment, post traumatic stress disorder and other health conditions.

Seven dogs are enrolled in the WVU program; five golden retrievers and two poodles.

Golden retrievers are used because of their friendly nature, while poodles make for good service dogs because they don't shed, said Lindsey Parenti, a behavior analyst and cofounder of Hearts of Gold.

"It's a two-year program and starts when the dogs are only eight weeks old," Parenti said.

Since the program got its start at the University in 2006, students have successfully trained and placed three dogs into full-time service.

Training requires the dogs learn more than 100 commands, including opening doors and turning on lights.

"Training the dogs can be really tough," said Anne Foreman, a doctoral behavioral analysis student who teaches the program. "Dogs really just want to play, and here we are telling them to be still and perfect."

Foreman said though most trainers are WVU students, the most important trait to have is simple.

"The best advice I can give on training dogs is to be patient and love dogs," Foreman said.

Parenti said though trainers have a passion for animals, the process isn't always easy due to funding and safety limitations.

"We have to rely on donations, so getting dogs suited to this isn't always easy," Parenti said. "Also, if a dog growls or snaps at a kid, it's immediately removed from the program."

For more information, visit www.humananimalbond.org.

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July is Dog Training Month - AnnArbor.com

2011-08-31T15:28:00.000-07:00

Posted: Mon, Jul 25, 2011 : 5:04 a.m. This is what agility training looks like.

Don Levitt

Hi and welcome to July!

A fun fact — did you know that July is dog training month? Based on that happy news, let’s use July as a checklist for you and your canine companion.

Do you take your dog out for regular walks? Twice a day?

Do you take your dog to training classes specific to its breed — finding a person who has sheep for the herding breeds and agility for high-energy dogs? Both of these activities channel the breed's natural instincts for herding. These activities also keep the dog focused-attentive to its handler.

The person who has a poodle might say, "They don’t need activities."

Wrong.

Did you know that I have seen poodles work in obedience training in the highest level of obedience? I have also seen a poodle work in obedience with its handler being in a wheel chair. These dogs are believed to come from retrieving backgrounds. They are smart and versatile.

Swimming anyone? Most dogs can swim. And it's not just the Labrador; I know of Labradors that are afraid of water and pit bulls that love to swim. A dog, like a human, can be taught to swim in a calm and gentle way.

Portuguese Water Dogs have tests for swimming. According to the American Kennel Club, the highest level of a training test is jumping off a boat and retrieving a net.

After all, these dogs were bred in Portugal to work. Their job is to help fishermen send messages between boats and, of course, retrieve fishing nets from the water. They were often “paid” with a ration of fish!

But let’s not forget the terriers. Terrier comes from the word Terra or earth. Yes there are earth dog trials where they pursue what they do best — "go to ground"! You don’t need me to tell you how they love to dig!

Did I mention the sled dogs? Malamutes, Siberian Huskies; all you have to do is watch the Iditarod and you know these dogs love to work.

My point is, all dogs were bred to do something, and it's important to understand a dog's breed — even if it is like my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, who prefers to sit on a lap.

A happy dog is one that is challenged. A well-exercised dog who is properly challenged is a pleasure to live with. A dog of any breed loves to work — just ask him!

Julia Levitt isa regular pets contributor for AnnArbor.com and the founder of In Harmony Dog Training (www.inharmonydogtraining.com) in Ann Arbor. She can be reached at julia@inharmonydogtraining.com or at 734-645-4707.

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Canada collars dog training series - C21Media

2011-08-31T12:22:00.000-07:00

Canada collars dog training series

Canada's Animal Planet will air reality series It's Me or the Dog in the country for the first time.

The series follows UK dog trainer Victoria Stilwell as she visits US families having trouble controlling their canines.

The 20-episode American version of the show will debut on Animal Planet in Canada on Tuesday August 2 and will then air on weeknights at 19.00 (ET).

The UK programme, produced by Ricochet, aired on Channel 4 and has since been sold into 20 territories by Outright Distribution.

Animal Planet in the US aired the first three British seasons before commissioning its own version, with Stilwell travelling across the Atlantic to take part.

Clive Whittingham
25 Jul 2011
© C21 Media 2011

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City Council Celebrates Dog's Heroics as a Cop, Family Pet - Patch.com

2011-08-31T07:37:00.000-07:00

Sponsored By ‹ Back to Article View full size Embed | Share Dani became the family pet when he retired. He was great with Sgt. Barry's children, Liam and Quin. Courtesy Santa Cruz Police

A police dog is put through months of training so it can track bad guys, sniff out drugs and find bombs. But it turns out those skills that make a K-9 officer so indispensable on the street come in handy at home, too.

Santa Cruz police Sgt. Warren Barry and his family know this first-hand.

Before he was promoted and stopped pushing a patrol car, Barry had one of the most coveted jobs in any police department: K-9 handler. He was teamed with Dani, a German shepherd, and for four years, the pair caught crooks.

But one of Dani's best finds wasn't on the job. Rather, it happened at home with the Barry family after the police dog retired in 2003, and Quin, the sergeant's daughter, had lost a toy in some ivy at their house. She was pretty upset.

Sgt. Barry recounted how Dani saved the day:

"Dani had been retired for a while, and Quin asked if I could have Dani look for it. I put Dani on a 'down' and simulated (that) I threw something into the ivy, and commanded Dani to search. Within a few minutes, he lay down, alerting me he found something. He located Quin’s toy. He was Quin’s hero."

On Tuesday afternoon, Dani will be a hero to all of Santa Cruz. The City Council is expected to proclaim July 26 "Dani Barry Day" in honor of the former police dog. Dani died two weeks ago at the age of 13.

"We're extremely touched and we're honored," Sgt. Barry said. "Dani was a huge part of our lives, and he was a dedicated police dog."

Dani's police career started in 1999 when the city purchased the Czech Republic-born dog, then 2, and assigned Barry as his handler. For Barry, it was a dream come true.

"It had been something that I had wanted to do ever since I had gotten hired by the police department," he said.

Barry had twice been rejected for a K-9 handler position, then took matters into his own hands by buying a German shepherd and starting the police dog training process. That seemed to tip the scales in his favor. Four months later, Barry was given Dani, and he sold the other dog.

It proved to be a good investment all around. Dani had a good average of catching bad guys, and once, at the end of a long swing shift, he nabbed a burglar who was breaking into the Barrys' garage.

The sergeant shared how the late-night capture went down:

One night I was coming home and I lived on the East side of Santa Cruz, and my house had alley access. Being in the K-9 unit and on-call, I had a take-home car. It was about 3 in the morning, and as I was pulling into my driveway I found a person attempting to get into my garage.
"I lit him up with my spotlight and yelled at the guy. Dani began to bark. The guy ran past the passenger side of my car north down the alley. I put the car in reverse; however, the alley is partially a dirt road, and dust was being kicked up. I could not see behind me. I went forward and began to put out on the radio what was going on. Other officers began to arrive and began looking for the person. I began to go into my neighbors' backyards, and I found the hat the person was originally wearing. I went back and pulled Dani from the car, and began a track. Using the hat as a starting point, Dani led me from the alley to the street down through front yards to a house where the suspect was hiding on a front porch. The subject was arrested and found to be in possession of items that were from a car that had been previously stolen."

Police K-9s, though property of the police department, live with their handlers. Sgt. Barry's family learned some of the German commands the dog obeyed, but Dani paid them little attention while he was on the police force.

Barry said after the dog retired "he mellowed out" and became the family pet. He had a special bond with Quin, who was just a baby when Dani joined the family. When she broke her arm badly and underwent surgery, the dog slept at the foot of her bed to make sure she was OK.

"Dani and Quin were extremely tight," Sgt. Barry said. "He was real protective of her. He always gave her a break."

His wife, Jana, and their 14-year-old son, Liam, also were close with Dani.

Two weeks ago, the family decided it was time to euthanize the dog. Dani's sight was fading, his hearing was gone and his hips were failing. Still, it was a hard decision, Barry said. Dani was their only dog.

"It's a pretty fresh wound," Barry said Tuesday.

Barry no longer is a K-9 handler for SCPD, though the department has two other police dogs on its force.

Barry said if his family gets another dog, he'll take the lessons he learned from Dani to train the new pet, and he suggests other dog owners do the same.

"You are really going to enjoy your dog a lot more when it's trained and obedient," Barry said. "Take the time to train with it. Spend time with it or go to a trainer. It'll increase the bond between you and the dog a lot.

"All they want is to be loved," he added.

The Dani Barry Day proclamation is on the 3 p.m. City Council agenda. Dani will be the first retired K-9 to be honored by the city.

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The force needs you - Midweek Herald

2011-08-31T02:41:00.000-07:00

One of Devon and Cornwall's police dogs undergoes specialist training.

Katy Griffin, Reporter Tuesday, July 19, 2011
10:37 AM

Devon and Cornwall Constabulary’s plea for puppy walkers.

THE growing success of Devon and Cornwall Constabulary’s puppy scheme has led to a call for puppy walkers in East Devon.

Devon and Cornwall Constabulary is casting a wide net to find willing walkers for its puppies, which are trained at the police’s Middlemoor headquarters in Exeter.

The dog school trains puppies from 12 months and once fully trained they will assist with tracking missing people, locating stolen property and chasing and detaining suspects.

However, before the puppies undergo their training they are reared in homes until their first birthday where they then embark on a 13 week training course.

All puppy walkers must have a settled family background, a secure garden and be willing to undertake daily exercise, grooming and care of the dog.

The puppies are placed with the walker at eight weeks of age and it is the responsibility of the walker to expose the dog to a variety of situations such as a bustling town centre, busy roads and rough terrain.

Throughout the year the puppy walkers receive training and socialisation advice from the dog training school and can attend weekly puppy classes.

The force also pays for any food and veterinary bills during the year.

Anyone interested can call the dog training school on (01392) 452410.

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Sportdog has a wide selection of dog control collars to give you more training ... - Newsbycompany (press release)

2011-08-30T22:56:00.000-07:00

While humans like us can shout, scream and talk to express ourselves, dogs can likewise use different vocalizations to communicate and express themselves. Barking, whining, and howling are only a natural thing for dogs to do. However, when it goes too extreme that you are getting frequent complaints from your neighbors, it may be considered to be a behavior problem. Most probably you have been thinking since then on how to stop dogs barking and how to effectively train him to be well-mannered, right? Well, worry no more as Sportdog frequently develops their lines of bark control collar to suit any specialized area and any location for dog training sessions.

Depending on the situation, dogs bark to signal one of the following stimuli: loneliness, hunger, thirst, excitement, fear, and need for toilet. Once barking becomes dictatorial might as well think of an effective way on how to stop dogs barking. Your pet might be overly barking because you “unintentionally” trained him to do so. When your dog barks and you get annoyed, you shoo him out of your sight. When he barks again, you open the door and let him in. When he barks yet again, he gets a treat. Then the cycle goes on and on. Now you see the picture. Dogs certainly know that when they bark, they will surely receive special attention, which is exactly what the dog wanted.

If you have meticulously examined the reason for yapping but you still need assistance on how to stop dogs barking, Sportdog products can help you correct your dog’s inappropriate behavior. A bark control collar is particularly designed for dog training purposes. Training collars are basically used for two main reasons: to help teach basic commands, and to help deal with problem behaviors. Apart from e-collars, the manufacturer also develops new pet accessories to help you in conducting dog training sessions easily.

New developments and inventions in a bark control collar give dog trainers and pet lovers more options than ever before. Sportdog has a huge selection of e-collars that include The Field Trainer Series, The SportHunter Series, The WetLandHunter Series, Specialty Gear, All Purpose Gear, and all of its accessories. Depending on the location where you want to train your dog, these collars are apparently your best choice when you want to impose pet obedience while teaching him new commands and correcting his undesirable behavior.

Most pet owners do not have the time to play with their pets. Through a lack of or out of frustration, masters would basically correct the behavior by yelling or hitting their dogs. Apparently, this is rather inhumane than using a bark control collar instead. Although Sportdog collars are there to help you stop dogs barking faster and more conveniently, make sure that you do not overuse the punishment system to a violent degree. For instance, you may adjust the level of punishment to a minimum once your dog has improved already until such time that your dog has learned to behave well.

Resource Box: So, how to http://www.dogmaster.co.nz/ stop dogs barking? Similar to picking a new item for your baby, when choosing a bark control collar you must go for the trusted brand— http://www.dogmaster.com.au Sportdog! You can freely visit our website for a vast array of pet products for your precious buddy.

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2 police officers, dogs to graduate from training Friday - Utica Observer Dispatch

2011-08-30T19:06:00.000-07:00

Two police officers and their canines will be graduating this week from a police dog school sponsored by the town of Webb Police Department.

Webb police Officer Trevor Tormey and his partner — K9 Timber, a nine month old German shepherd — completed the five week narcotics course that started June 27. They were trained in the discovery of marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and hashish.

Utica police Officer Christopher Faniglula and his partner — K9 Rex, a 2½- year old German shepherd — started their training for explosive detection June 20. They were trained in the discovery of both commercial and military explosives.

Both Faniglula and Rex previously had attended an eight-week patrol course. They learned obedience, tracking, agility, building and area searching and reasonable force. All courses were taught by Webb police Officer Anthony Sege.

Sege recently retired from the Oneida County Sherriff’s Office after working there for 25 years. He went to school for dog training in 1998 and offered these courses after being approached by the city of Utica and the town of Webb departments.

“Both places needed a dog school,” he said. “The town of Webb offered to sponsor the course to train the dogs in a matter of necessity.”

Tormey has been a police officer for five years. He said that he was interested in working with dogs after watching handlers and seeing the bond between them and their dog. He said that he has a good bond with his dog.

“In the beginning, it’s hard,” he said. “It’s kind of difficult because she’s young and a puppy. They want to do puppy things. It takes a lot of work to get her interest level up.”

Faniglula said working with dogs was one of the reasons he went into law enforcement. His department wanted a dog that it could use for explosive detection after it received a grant from homeland security.

“My department wanted a dog that would do the tracking and aggression work,” he said.

Graduation of the teams is at the town of Webb Police Station at 11 a.m. Friday in Old Forge. There will be demonstrations from both teams.

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Dogs train to save troops' lives - Today's THV

2011-08-30T16:01:00.000-07:00

Labrador Retriever

JONESBORO, Ark. (KTHV) -- Duck dog trainer Chris Akin's farm is full of eager young dogs, but not all are being trained to retrieve feathered fowls.

Akin is teaching dogs to find improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, to help save the lives of U.S. troops.

"The training is the same," Akin says. "We teach these labs to find ducks and now we switched some of our training to find explosives."

Akin says it takes a special kind of dog for this program.

"We have a bunch of dogs so we go through and say this dog goes in this bunch, this one goes here and this one goes in the special group," Akin says.

Akin says dogs in the explosive sniffing program are more hyper than most duck dogs but are still willign to learn.

"In the bomb dog situation, the way we use them now is let's say you and I were sneaking through a jungle and we come up on an Army Jeep about 200 yards away. We line this dog up send the dog all the way out to the jeep. When he gets there he can do a search pattern on the jeep so our troops don''t have to get close."

The military is asking for more of these specially trained dogs. In fact, at the end of last year, the Marines asked to double the amount of dogs that are trained to sniff out explosives.

For Akin and the fellows at Webb Footed Kennels that means more dogs and hoepfully safer troops.

"We call them troops but let's face it they're dads, they're brothers and sisters, they're sons and daughters, these people are family members to somebody. We got to keep them safe in every way we can."

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Following the monks's path to puppy training - HeraldNet

2011-08-30T11:28:00.000-07:00

This month, my 22-year-old daughter came home from her apartment 20 minutes away, and said she was spending the month at home and, here's the best part, getting a puppy.

Have you ever succeeded in talking a 22-year-old out of anything? I haven't either.

As we looked at breeds and their traits, I found several reasons why every dog from a German shepherd to a Chihuahua was not a good fit. After I rationalized how? 50 breeds were a terrible fit for her, she realized there was no point in trying to find the perfect dog with me.

I wasn't trying to help her find the right breed, I was trying to talk her out of anything with four legs and a tail.

She skipped the talking and went on to the buying. Could I please go with her to pick up her new Shiba Inu puppy? After our thoughtful conversations about each breed, she picked a puppy that is rated one of the top three most challenging to train.

I got in the car to pick up the puppy because she agreed to meet a total stranger at Deception Pass Bridge with hundreds of dollars in cash in her pocket. I went because we live in a crazy world, and it's never good to go to any bridge anywhere with hundreds of a dollars to meet a stranger.

As we drove to Deception Pass Bridge, I was thinking in my head about how my daughter really knows nothing about puppy training and how I trained all of our dogs. Just as I was thinking about what would be involved in puppy training, my daughter asked if I would teach her how to train the puppy.

She said, "Be my Obi-Wan Kenobe and I'll be your Anakin Skywalker. Show me what to do."

It was pretty to easy to imagine her taking on a puppy as long as she was fully willing to learn how to train the puppy. We picked up the puppy and then a crate, food, halter, leash, chewy things and toys.

I thought about the best book ever on dog training, it is called "The Art of Raising a Puppy" by the Monks of New Skete. The monks in?New York?are renowned for dog training at their monastery for the past 40 years.

People come for all over the world to learn how to train from the New Skete monks. At the end of June this year they released an updated version of the book. It's truly a great book, and their book "How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend" is one of my favorite books ever.

Together, my daughter and I read the New Skete monks' puppy training book. I watched her follow every single thing the monks suggested. I wasn't really needed. There is an art to parenting and knowing when to not say anything.

She and this puppy are a fine match. The Shiba Inu is highly intelligent, loyal and bold. These are things I would say about my daughter as well. She wanted a companion, a willing running partner and someone to protect her. This dog will be all that and more.

My daughter is devoting the time and energy to truly caring for her puppy and seems to understand the enormous dependency and responsibility. She'll be returning to her own place to live, well equipped to give her puppy everything it needs.

It was a great idea to spend a month together puppy training. All I really had to do was go for a drive to Deception Pass Bridge and read a wonderful book by the New Skete monks. She did the rest.

Sarri Gilman is a freelance writer living on Whidbey Island and director of Leadership Snohomish County. Her column on living with meaning and purpose runs every other Tuesday in The Herald. You can email her at features@heraldnet.com.

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How to raise a dog - Eagle Tribune

2011-07-26T11:38:00.000-07:00

July 3, 2011 The Eagle Tribune Sun Jul 03, 2011, 12:11 AM EDT

"The Art of Raising a Puppy" By The Monks of New Skete, $25.99, 341 pages

For more than 30 years, the Monks of New Skete have been among America's most trusted authorities on dog training, canine behavior, and the animal/human bond.

In their two now-classic bestsellers, "How to be Your Dog's Best Friend" and "The Art of Raising a Puppy," the Monks draw on their experience as longtime breeders of German shepherds and as trainers of dogs of all breeds to provide — brilliantly distilled—the indispensable information and advice that every dog owner needs.

This new edition of "The Art of Raising a Puppy" features new photographs throughout, along with updated chapters on play, crating, adopting dogs from shelters and rescue organizations, raising dogs in an urban environment, and the latest developments in canine health and canine behavioral theory.

— barnesandnoble.com

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HOW CAN WE BE SO CRUEL TO DOGS? - Express.co.uk

2011-07-26T06:44:00.000-07:00

The electronic collar has been called unfair and that reward methods are the kinder way to train

THE Kennel Club calls them ?cruel and outdated? and argues they inflict ?pain and fear?.

The RSPCA and the charity Dogs Trust says they are utterly ?unacceptable? while Beverley Cuddy, the editor of the magazine Dogs Today, has labelled them ?barbaric?.

They are referring to electric shock collars, which are used mainly on dogs for training purposes and which are, unbelievably, hugely popular across Europe and the US while an estimated 500,000 are in use in the UK.

Today the spotlight has fallen on these devices, which are widely available on the internet, after a dog owner in Wales became the first person to be prosecuted in Britain for using one. Since March they have been banned in Wales and this week Phillip Pook, a 48-year-old from the Vale of Glamorgan, was fined ?2,000 and ordered to pay ?1,000 costs for using a battery-operated collar to train his border collie Dougie.

Pook had used the collar to try to stop his pet jumping over a wall surrounding his property. Each time Dougie, who had repeatedly tried to escape, went near a specific fence the collar would emit an electric shock. The border collie was found wandering alone on a nearby beach wearing the illegal device and had been dubbed by local kennels as ?the dog with the shock collar?.

Chris Laurence, veterinary director of Dogs Trust

The RSPCA has welcomed Pook?s conviction and is now calling for the rest of the UK to follow Wales?s ban ? a move echoed by Beverley Cuddy. ?These collars are barbaric,? she says. ?It?s astonishing that these devices are available. If anyone was advocating their use on humans there would be a mass uproar but we?re using them on our best friend. It?s madness.?

A typical electric shock collar costs between ?50 and ?200, is made of heavy-duty plastic and contains a battery pack with two metal prongs which rest against the animal?s neck, ready to inflict a shock. Quite how painful this shock is could be open to debate. The Electronic Collars Manufacturers Association says the ?mild static stimulation that your dog feels is designed to be undesirable so your dog will avoid it, yet is totally harmless and humane.?

Rubbish, says Chris Laurence, veterinary director of Dogs Trust. ?That?s the standard manufacturer?s line but by definition these collars are painful. If they didn?t hurt they wouldn?t work ? you?re using something which is pretty strongly aversive to stop the dog doing something you don?t want it to do. I?ve actually tested out a collar on myself and I can assure you it?s painful.?

Cuddy agrees. ?You can set the level of shock on the collar but there are very high levels,? she says. ?The manufacturers say it?s nothing ? it?s like a static shock you get off a shopping trolley ? but it?s much more than that and the added problem is that dogs don?t understand where it?s coming from. All of a sudden they?ve got this awful pain and they don?t know why it?s happening.?

Broadly speaking there are three types of electric shock collar ? those used for boundary control (where the collar emits a warning beep if the pet gets too close to its boundary and if the dog ignores the sound and goes further it will be shocked), those which claim to stop the animal barking and remote control devices used at the owner?s discretion.

?With the second type a dog is shocked when it barks. The electric shock is set off by the noise but it also means that if a dog next to them barks they?ll still be shocked which is incredibly confusing for the animal,? says Cuddy. ?In the case of the remote devices, the owner presses a button when the dog does something the owner deems unacceptable and it?s given a shock but if you don?t want your dog to jump on the sofa, say, then train it not to using more humane methods.

?You don?t have to electrocute it. These collars can terrorise dogs. There are all sorts of horror stories of these things malfunctioning and the dog getting constantly shocked and burned on their neck. If these collars have to be used at all it should only be by a qualified dog handler and only if the alternative could result in the animal?s death ? where a dog is likely to be shot chasing sheep for instance.?

B OTH the RSPCA and the Dogs Trust advocate reward-based methods of dog training rather than such aversive methods as these collars. ?The use of electric shock devices is irresponsible and ineffective,? says the Dogs Trust.

?Under no circumstances do we condone the use of equipment or techniques that use punishment, pain or fear to train a dog. They are likely to compromise the welfare of dogs and may worsen behaviour. Every dog should be trained using kind, fair and reward-based methods.

?These are proven to be highly successful in modifying behaviour including aggression without subjecting dogs to cruelty. If a dog is barking excessively the first port of call should always be the vet so any medical issues can be ruled out. A dog could also be barking because he is frustrated, guarding, bored or scared, so to tackle the issue successfully it is important to understand why the barking is happening in the first place. We would recommend an owner visit a canine training and behaviour adviser to discuss the problem.?

One man who advocates the use of electric shock collars is Adrian Ward, the director of British Dog which supplies e-collars. ?People who are against these collars try to make out that owners use them as a way of cutting corners in training yet they are a last resort when an owner has used positive training methods, been to a trainer, behaviourist, breeder and vet to get advice on what to do when nothing has worked,? he says. ?We get referrals from vets because of the problem. I?ve used the collars on my own dogs as a last resort, believe me, not wanting to admit defeat in my own training. It?s an emotive issue because the word ?shock? paints a picture of the dog being in severe pain which is wrong.

?Some early shock collars were very uncomfortable ? but technology has moved on and the modern ?e-collar? is a lot more subtle but the stigma stuck. Most of my customers use the collar because their dog runs in the road, chases squirrels, foxes, rabbits, joggers, cyclists or small children. In my experience as a dog owner rather than as a supplier of training collars, the response from the dog is very quick and you hardly have to use the collar at all.

?There can be improvement in one or two days because they understand a bleep or vibration is followed by the tingling, prickly sensation that the dog doesn?t like and it soon stops whatever it is that you don?t want it to do rather than putting themselves in danger. Surely that is the best outcome??

Additional reporting: BONNIE ESTRIDGE

It?s not pleasant but it really does work

JAMES PUNTO lives in South London and owns a farm in Ireland. He trained his three-yearold boxer Sky to stop worrying sheep and running after horses by using an electronic collar on Sky in his local park. He says:

This was the only way to control the dog. The type of collar that I used had a vibrating action as the fi rst stage and if Sky didn?t stop chasing then the ?shock?certainly would have an effect. She was nearly trampled by two horses on our farm when she managed to get under a fence and into the fi eld ? she was obsessed with the horses.

It only took about a week of training for around 10 minutes a day, by the end of the week she responded totally to the pre-shock vibration and now she doesn?t need the collar at all. Is it barbaric? I?ve tried it on the back of my hand and it is not particularly pleasant but I could not describe it as barbaric in the least. I wouldn?t use it if it was.

All I can say is that Sky is no longer a danger to other animals, motorists ? if she should run in the road ? or herself. I?m sure there are other ways to train dogs involving treats, behaviourists or professional trainers but I can?t say that I found anything effective apart from the collar.

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Dog trainers; campaign ends in victory - Bournemouth Echo

2011-07-26T02:59:00.000-07:00

12:30pm Saturday 23rd July 2011

CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save a “friendly” dog training club near New Milton from possible closure are celebrating after winning a vital step towards staying open.

Loyal supporters of the Friendly Dog Club at Barton-on-Sea launched a campaign against New Milton Town Council’s plans not to renew the lease for the building – The Dog House – at Becton Lane.

Owner Angela Horsley said although she owns the building, she pays rent for the lease of the land that the building is on.

New Milton Town Council was originally proposing not to renew the lease when it ran out at the end of January 2012.

But at a meeting of the finance and general purposes committee on Tuesday evening councillors overturned the recommendation, granting the dog club a five-year lease.

Angela, who has been running for the dog club for 18 years said: “We’re absolutely delighted and it is really testament to all the work everyone has put in. I still can’t believe it. What was nice was that all of the committee was behind us and it was really just working out the details of the lease that dominated the debate.

“We must have had 200 letters of support and more than 300 signatures on petitions.

“The first hurdle is completed. Obviously there are details to be ironed out and the decision still has to be approved by full council.”

She added: “I just want to say thank you to everyone who supported us. Not just the individuals but the local organisations as well.

“It has been through campaigning and local people throwing their weight behind us that this was possible.”

A full meeting of New Milton Town Council will take place on August 1.

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Teeth bared at Pet Expo training demos - KVUE

2011-07-25T23:54:00.000-07:00

At the San Antonio Pet Expo held Saturday at Freeman Coliseum, the Activities and Agility Courses featured several dog-training demonstrations. Bite work, obedience training, tracking and search and agility demos were performed. The bar was set pretty high for all the pets in the audience.

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Police dog training to be held at school - Weston & Somerset Mercury

2011-07-25T19:16:00.000-07:00

The agreement will see the dogs training at the school

A SOMERSET school has announced it will be entering into a partnership with the police dog training unit.

The agreement between King Alfred School in Highbridge and Avon and Somerset Constabulary will see training sessions for the dogs, which are used to search premises and vehicles, held at the site.

Although most of the sessions will be held in the evenings and on weekends and school holidays, once a month the dogs will spend an afternoon in the school.

Headteacher Andy Owen said: “We are delighted to build on our strong relationships with the police and to act as a training base for the search dog unit.

“The presence of the search dogs will also act as a deterrent. We are unapologetic in that we have a zero-tolerance policy on drugs and that anyone bringing illegal substances onto the school site will be dealt with most severely”

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New Dog Training Website Provides a Wealth of Free Advice to Owners- Users ... - Emailwire (press release)

2011-07-25T16:15:00.001-07:00

(EMAILWIRE.COM, July 12, 2011 ) Los Angeles, Ca -- TheDogTrainingClub.com recently launched its website to bring dog owners all of the information they need to make dog training and care easy. With hundreds of helpful tips and articles, the site covers a wide range of topics including: breed specific training techniques, dog problem-solvers, general training, house training and dog breed information.

In the breed specific training techniques section, dog owners can browse through an alphabetized list of dog breeds to learn the proper methods specific to their pet.

Suzanne Dale with TheDogTrainingClub.com says when training a dog it is important to take into account their breed as all dogs do not respond to the same things.

?Many people approach dog training in a generic way,? said Dale. ?They believe the same training techniques will work for any dog. This is not the case.? She adds, ?All breeds have different characteristics and personality traits so you need to adapt and change your training style and methods to match.?

TheDogTrainingClub.com aims to help owners with their dog issues in the dog problem-solvers section. Here, owners can read extensive articles regarding common problems when training their puppy. Dog training tips include: separation anxiety causes and solutions, how to stop dogs from jumping up, how to overcome chewing issues, ways to cut back on barking, as well as helpful hints on putting an end to biting.

Besides covering common dog problems, TheDogTrainingClub.com offers insight into a vast array of additional dog training questions in its general training section. Topics addressed in this section include: obedience training tips, dog tricks, dog agility, how to be more in tune with a dog?s emotions, common training mistakes and more. The site even provides information regarding dog food, grooming and health.

To get more specific, TheDogTrainingClub.com recognizes house training as an imperative part of owning a dog and focuses directly on topics relating to this in its house training section. Dog owners can learn about crate training, housebreaking dos and don?ts and more.

In addition to providing dog training online, the new site offers standard information about a range of dog breeds to help current and potential dog owners learn more about their new best friend. This data gives a snapshot about the breed; typical size, lifespan and breed-specific needs; a brief history of the breed; caring requirements; health information; and how to tell what breed is right for the owner.

Suzanne Dale points out that if a breed is not currently listed on the site, visitors should check back as the site is updated regularly.

For more information or to learn how to make dog training and care easy, visit: http://thedogtrainingclub.com.

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Bhanu-trained pack of dogs to fight Naxalites - Times of India

2011-06-19T15:00:00.000-07:00

CHANDIGARH: Nine dogs of the Belgian shepherd breed from National Training Centre for Dogs and Animals (NTCDA) at Bhanu in Panchkula district will be helping paramilitary forces in battling Naxalites soon.

They have been trained not only to find enemies, but also prevent troops from getting caught in an ambush.

US and Israeli defence forces use this breed exclusively and one such dog was also part of the US navy seals' Operation Geronimo which led to the death of al-Qaida chief Osama Bin Laden. The breed is also called Belgian malinois. NATO troops had also used these dogs in Afghanistan and they proved extremely helpful in saving soldiers' lives.

The canines were imported in June 2010 by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police and their training started when they were 3 months old.

Sources said other forces like army and police and Border Security Force started training dogs only when they were 6 months old.

These Belgian shepherds passed from NTCDA a few days ago.

Chief dog trainer at the centre, deputy commandant Sudhakar Natarajan, said, 'The malinois have proved to be finest soldiers. They are able to sense the enemy in a 500-metre radius. This was a pilot project of ITBP. It was NATO that inducted these canines originally. Their deployment in anti-Naxalite operations would lessen casualties and boost our soldiers' morale,' Natarajan added.

The dogs are considered a force multiplier in that they can be used tactically. Sources said that the nine-month training of the dogs at the centre meant they could work in hot and humid conditions and help counter ambushes. Handlers of these canines are also specially trained.

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Therapy is for the dogs - Toronto Sun

2011-06-19T10:21:00.000-07:00

Dear John:

What do you think about dog psychologists? Me? Not so much. -RNT

Hi RNT:

If you're talking about someone who brings the dog into their office, sticks it on the couch and asks it if it hates its mother, then me not so much either. However, dogs are intelligent and anyone that has studied dog behaviour in its nuances and variations in breeds and individual dogs might consider themselves students of dog psychology. Dog psychologist? A little self-aggrandizing, I think.

There are dog trainers that call themselves "behaviourists," and earlier in my career when I thought such a thing would distinguish me from the run of the mill dog trainer, I embraced the term. After a while, I thought it was silly and so now I'm just a dog trainer that believes in ethology with a strong emphasis on field observation, and has done a fair amount of literature study.

There is a branch of veterinary science now that certifies veterinarians as behaviourists. I believe their intellectual focus is mistakenly inverted when compared to that of a good dog trainer, with much more theoretical and laboratory emphasis rather than field experience. In my experience, they seem to have a poor grasp of the real world of dogs and their owners. I'm sure there are exceptions, but when it comes to actually training a wide range of dogs, as of yet I haven't met one that seemed to know the difference between a scientific paper and a pee pad. They seem to think that saying "no" to a dog will ruin its self-esteem forever.

I recently learned of a new branch of the pet mental health services, and if anything has ever got anyone's goat, my goat was got. On the truck radio, there was a pet psychic. I almost ran into the ditch. If I hadn't been driving I would have called her to see if she could figure out what I was thinking. Vomit and the word charlatan would have figured prominently.

Outside of the world of fantasy, here is what you'll find good and bad as your advisory options: people who have owned a dog or a few dogs. Their advice is often unsolicited. There are the "ignore bad behaviour - reward good behaviour" all-positive trainers - often "certified" - who think they're training for obedience, but are actually not getting much past the trick level. Then there are balanced dog trainers that excel at obedience, teaching dogs to do practical things as if it was a job instead of a trick.

Then there are trainers that have personally trained a thousand or more dogs. They can consistently help teach a dog to stop doing something harmful to others or itself, or at least reduce the impact of the negative behaviour on the dog and dog owner's lifestyle. Or they can do what to me is the mark of a true professional: be honest and be able to explain why meaningful change isn't going to happen.

Over the years, people interested in becoming dog trainers have approached me. They emphasize how much they love dogs, working with dogs, reading about dogs, etc. That doesn't move me much. Loving dogs is easy. Whatever the other requirements, a good dog trainer must love people. Without that natural ability in the forefront, it won't matter what they call themselves.

Pawsitively yours,

John Wade

Johnwade.ca

John Wade helps dog owners through his books, workshops and telephone consultations. If you have a question email him at johnwade@johnwade.ca.

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Woofathon: A cool summer camp for your pet pooch - MyBangalore

2011-06-19T06:48:00.000-07:00

June 4, The Boom That Got Postponed - GhanaWeb

2011-06-19T02:30:00.000-07:00

Feature Article of Thursday, 16 June 2011

Columnist: Adu, Kwesi

By Kwasi Adu

At the launch of Nana Konadu Agyeman’s campaign for the flag bearership of the NDC on 4th May 2011, her supporting husband, ex-President Jerry John Rawlings made a speech. In the course of his speech, he said he would reserve his detailed speech until June 4 2011when he would give more details about how he came to the conclusion that “NDC started losing the 2012 election within the first week of the Mills’ administration, and lost it finally, eight months back” and why the NDC should “change the driver” in order to “rescue this country”.

June 4 came, and at their rally in Kumasi, ex-President Rawlings did not say anything new. The speech was an almost droll recycling of the same old harangues that he been busy at in the last two and a half years. The speech was full of contradictions and paradoxes, interspersed with anecdotes, which were unrelated to the issues he was repeating. At the end of his speech, I asked myself “where is the beef?” I could not find it. I was disappointed. I thought he was coming up with specific details of how the “greedy bastards” have amassed wealth, using the institutions of state. But low and behold, he once again, postponed his “boom to 8th July 2011 at the NDC Congress.

I will not be surprised, if on 8th July, he postpones the deadline again to 31st December 2011. Then again, it may also be postponed to another June 4. Like the Ya Naa tapes that he never revealed, or even the tapes about the serial murders of the women for which he was prepared to swear by Antoa Nyamaa, we might never know these details.

There was something that he said which convinced me that he is feeling sorry for himself. He stated that the PNDC, led by him, made a mistake by not identifying “intelligent, brilliant and smart people” to take over the reins of power from his administration. For somebody who says his political philosophy is the fight for integrity, commitment to the masses, and against corruption and abuse of power, the ex-President should by now be asking himself whether he really meant what he said. If he were to look back at 1982 he should take pen and paper and list the names of the young people with whom he was with in April 1980 and in 1982 and whom he quickly cast out into the outer darkness, (either killed or chased into exile). Has he, in 2011, heard or known of any of those people, whether any of them has been corrupt, or been “greedy”? He cannot point to one; even one.

Does he remember Napoleon Abdulai, Taata Ofosu, Nyeya Yen, Zaya Yeebo, Explo Kofi Nani, Michael Nunoo (Okpara), Shaibu Gariba, Sakkua Agambila, Seidu Bawumia, Aloysius Denkabi, Nicholas Atampugre, Joe Cudjoe and the early PDC and WDC guys, including the young trade unionists? Which of these has been corrupt? These were people, who for the eleven or so months that they worked with the PNDC, received no pay. The young men with him at the time ate once a day from the military cookhouse. In 1982, Napoleon Abdulai for example, deferred his education in the then Soviet Union to return to Ghana to contribute, without pay! Does he remember his bodyguards, (such as Cpl. Kwasi Boakye-Mensah [Tarkesh]) who were prepared to use their paltry wages to pay for his cigarettes? Where are they now? In 2011, he should look around him, and observe his newfound friends around him. Which of them goes on an assignment for him without asking for money? If this is the sort of “training” that he has given to his new “young” friends, why does he bemoan the possibility of NDC delegates being lured by cash to vote on 8th July at the NDC Congress?

So President Mills is not one of the “intelligent, brilliant and smart people”? Such penchant for insults is no longer surprising, but, coming from a person who expects the rest of the country to respect him is contemptible. The people who keep “advising” others to stop criticising Rawlings while approving of his language, should first turn their advice to Rawlings himself. He is the one who deserves that sort of advice.

If for near twenty years, he could not groom any ““intelligent, brilliant and smart people”?” to take over from him, what does he think Nana Konadu could achieve in a possible eight-year reign? In the darkness of his bedroom, when he is alone, ex-President Rawlings should admit that he has been a complete failure. In 1982, he threatened his then-young friends with death when they stood up and boldly told him that he was veering off-course. “You have the pen, but I have the gun,” he shouted at them. In 2011, those he threatened still have their pens, abut he no longer has the gun. At least, he can no longer shoot them and get away with it using his position as head of state.

In the course of his speech in Kumasi, he also stated that 8th July 2011 was going to be a “moment of truth”. There are only two possible truths that will occur on that day: either Nana Konadu wins or President Mills wins. However, for ex-President Rawlings, there would be only one truth: that is, Victory for Nana Konadu. He should ask himself, whether if the truth turns out to be a victory for President Mills, Rawlings and his wife will accept the “the will” of the delegates”. He appears so convinced that he warned that if President Mills “refuses to accept the verdict”, “the inevitable will happen.” What is that inevitability? He provides the answer in his following statement: “it is time to take over the party, the government and the country”. How is he going to do that if he and his wife lose on 8th July 2011? Would he go, as he put it, the equivalent of what happened in Egypt or Tunisia? He must make the inevitable happen.

It is a tragedy when a person does not realise it when he or she is sinking. Like the Shakespearean Macbeth, he does not believe that the woods of Birnam can possibly move towards his castle. The witches told Macbeth “Be lion-mettled, proud, and take no care of who chafes, who frets, or where conspirers are. Macbeth shall never vanquished be until Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill shall come against him”.

And even when he saw the woods of Birnam moving towards the castle, he took solace in the witches’ other prophecy that “Be bloody, bold, and resolute; laugh to scorn the power of man, for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth”. He believed this until Macduff, his fighting opponent, finally revealed to him that he, Macduff, was born by caesarean section rather than the natural way. (By the way, where did I lately hear the “BE BOLD” call?)

If ex-President Rawlings would be observant, he should be looking at the people around him today and determine their true thinking. Like Macbeth, the people around him today, when they smile at him, only show their bare fangs, with no feeling in the smile: And that those things that should accompany old age, such as honour, love, obedience, troops of genuine friends are completely missing. Instead, what he has are “Curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honour, breadth which the heart would deny”.

It is turning out to be a Shakespearean tragedy, with Lady Macbeth in tow. I recommend the book, Macbeth to anyone interested in the current going-ons.

Sometimes, ex-President Rawlings contradicts himself without realising it. Otherwise, why would he in one breadth say that the NDC could not be beaten in 2008 in spite of the monies that the NPP threw at them, yet in the same breadth, he thinks that the same NDC voters are going to be swayed with money to vote against his wife on 8th July?

Ex-President Rawlings would like people to believe that there were people who, in the cause of June 4 1979 and 31st December 1981 spilled their blood to save Ghana, and whose sacrifice should not be in vain. Can he name those people? Can he tell us how he rehabilitated them and their families in the twenty years that he was in power? Their memories are invoked only when ex-President Rawlings find himself in political trouble. Those who survived the fight on 31st December 1981 were either killed or chased into exile. Let me borrow this question from ex-President Rawlings: “Who born dog????”

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URBANANIMAL: Hyper dog needs patience, training and love - insideTORONTO.com

2011-06-18T22:54:00.000-07:00

Dear UrbanAnimal,

Robbie is a two-year-old mixed-breed dog that I adopted from a woman who had a baby and couldn't keep him any longer. She told me Robbie has always been a hyper dog, but she didn't have time to fix it. When she brought the baby home, Robbie became even more rambunctious and she couldn't handle dog and baby at the same time. I thought his problem was lack of attention and exercise and, because I'm semi-retired, I felt I could give him these things. As it turns out, after just two weeks of living with Robbie, I can't do anything with him either. I asked the original owner if she could take him back, but she refuses. She said he was "impossible." I don't want to send him to a shelter. Have you got any other ideas?

Caroline

Readers, I contacted Caroline to find out more about Robbie's life and discovered his original owner had bought him as a young puppy from a pet store. It was one of those "puppy in the window" scenarios that, unfortunately, continue to take place no matter how much education is available.

Robbie was her first dog and she couldn't resist. So without considering how a dog would fit into her life, she bought him, then left him in a crate while she went to work. As he grew larger, she put him in the backyard while she went to work. She didn't walk him, socialize him or pay much attention to him beyond feeding and complaining about his "hyper" behaviour.

Oh my goodness, where do I start?

It would be so nice to re-wind this story and start over. Can this dog be saved? Absolutely. But it will take time and patience.

In some ways, it's good that Caroline was able to obtain Robbie's background information because it helped her understand why he had been labelled with words such as "hyper" and "impossible." If she didn't know anything about his past, she'd only know this dog needed a new home.

On the other hand, knowing his history meant Caroline expected a hyper and impossible dog, so that's what she got. Robbie didn't come to her with a clean slate and he was unable to verbalize his side of story or tell her what he needed. Caroline has a big heart and would like to keep him, but she has no experience with dogs.

My first suggestion involved Robbie's physical health. I asked her to obtain all veterinary records from the previous owner then make an appointment with a veterinarian of her choice. The appointment would involve a health checkup along with advice on essentials such as proper diet, nail clipping and training.

To address my second suggestion, Caroline would ask the vet to recommend a professional dog trainer who would coach Caroline and Robbie on a one-to-one basis. With no previous training, I was concerned Robbie's exuberance wouldn't be welcome in a traditional class setting and that a behavioural assessment by an experienced trainer would be invaluable.

Robbie's new veterinarian checked him over and started him off with vaccinations, blood tests, a flea preventive product and a much-needed nail clipping. He also recommended a groomer and the names of local dog trainers.

Just one day after Robbie's veterinary appointment, Caroline had arranged interviews with two dog trainers and had even printed off a list of "Questions to ask a dog trainer" from the Internet.

Her last email to me was much like a mother whose child had learned to tie his shoelaces.

"Robbie is doing wonderfully. He's learning to walk on leash and today he sat at the curb before crossing the street. He did it twice so it's not just my imagination. The trainer thinks that Robbie is far from 'impossible' and I agree."

Another happy ending. No, that's wrong. It's not an ending. It's the beginning of a great relationship. Every day will bring new delights as they learn more about each other.

Congratulations, Caroline. Robbie needed someone who would work to understand his needs and you stepped up to the plate. I hope you have a terrific life together.

Email jacque-newman@rogers.com with a question, comment or suggestion. Visit weekly for more UrbanAnimal columns

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Rockport man walks for blindness cure - knox.VillageSoup.com

2011-06-18T19:10:00.000-07:00

Rockport — Ron Demers remembers the anxiety attack he suffered after a long-term genetic disorder robbed him of much of his sight.

"It got to me," he said. "...I just felt the whole world close in on me and I felt all alone all of the sudden."

Demers, 63, of Rockport was first diagnosed with Usher's Retinitis Pigmentosa when he was 22 years old. It is a slowly progressing genetic disorder that first causes night blindness and then tunnel vision.

His sight in his youth allowed him to live a completely normal life, but over the course of decades he watched his field of vision dwindle down to a smaller and smaller light at the end of the tunnel.

During the day, he said he can see shapes, but not make out detail. His particular condition also causes hearing loss over time.

Since that anxiety attack that sent him to the hospital, Demers said he has gone through the stages of grief and come to the point of acceptance. He is now putting his energy into doing something to help not only himself but others.

He has organized a VisionWalk to be held June 26 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Merryspring in Camden. The walk will raise money and awareness for The Foundation Fighting Blindness, supporting cutting-edge research to find the preventions, treatments and cures for retinal degenerative diseases. VisionWalks, held in 46 cities across the nation, have raised more than $15 million for sight-saving research since 2006.

Demers will walk with a group of people from his neighborhood as part of a team called the Clam Cove Clodhoppers. He said he invites anyone who wants to come and join in or make a contribution.

Demers said that even when he was young, he noticed he would bump into things and bang his feet, even though he thought his vision was normal.

When he was first diagnosed in his 20s, he said he thought of his blindness as being in the distant future. He said he decided back then to do as much as he could in life to be as successful as possible and prepare for the future. He said he wanted a nest egg to rely on.

He had a long career as a manager of engineering, first for Rubbermaid and later for American Tack & Hardware. He is originally from New Hampshire and spent 25 years in New York state.

In his 40s, his night vision became a problem for him, conflicting with his job, which required him to entertain customers in the evenings. He said he would spill glasses of drinks on the table during such meetings.

He also had incidents on the factory floor where he would trip over a pallet. Demers said some of the other managers in the business would laugh about it.

"I always joked about it, kept it lighthearted," he said.

However, he said he didn't discuss the situation often with other employees.

The condition caused him to miss quite a bit of work when he developed a macular hole in his right eye and needed surgery. For weeks after the procedure, he had to keep his head down at all times to keep the gas that was inserted in his eye from changing position. He had to sleep on his stomach and look at his feet whenever he was walking around.

All of his struggles with his vision were taking place against the backdrop of a changing economy. When the company he was working for decided to move its operation overseas to China around 2002, he decided to retire. He and his wife, Louise, moved to the Midcoast.

Demers said it was after he stopped working that the anxiety set in.

He explained that as an engineer he was always very methodical. He was used to planning every move out to the "umpteenth degree."

"And now, you're in a situation where you were helpless," he said. "You're not in control anymore."

He said he felt depressed and was literally shaking at times.

His advice to others going through the same thing is, "Talk to people. Find people you can talk to and express your feelings. Don't hold it in. Prepare yourself for the future."

Blindness can be very isolating. He said people sometimes don't know how to deal with you if you're blind. He said that when he is walking down the street with his wife, people will talk to her instead of him.

"It doesn't feel very good," he said.

He noted that his wife of 42 years, Louise, has to do a great deal for him. Since he can't drive, she has to take him places that are out of walking distance. She buys all of the groceries and does many of the other chores.

"She is my rock," he said. "She does it all. It's very tough for her."

He said he was grateful for the help of the Division for the Blind & Visually Impaired in the Rockland CareerCenter at the Breakwater Marketplace on Camden Street (1-800-432-1680 or 596-2600).

The organization provides help in training people how to safely navigate the streets with the use of a cane. They can also help in matching a person with the right guide dog.

Demers has been living and working with his dog, Axel, for two years. He said there are a lot of misconceptions about guide dogs and a lot of thought and time goes into matching a dog with a person. Dogs are selected not only for their abilities, but to match the personality of their owners.

The dogs are not only highly trained, but specifically bred to have certain qualities and be free of certain undesirable characteristics.

Axel, a Golden Retriever, seldom barks and understands about 30 words including "left," "right," "forward," and "back." However, communication is still limited. Demers cannot explain to the dog what the plan for his day is in advance.

"He's the pilot," Demers said. "I'm the navigator."

Demers explains, however, that Axel is not a pet. He's a working dog and his training requires maintenance.

He said people should never approach a working guide dog or try to pet it. He said people should leave the dog alone and let it do its work.

"I depend on him completely," he said. "He'll keep me from getting hurt."

Before he could have a guide dog, Demers received training with his cane. He said he was driven to a street and blindfolded so that he could not even use what little vision he has. He had to learn how to walk a distance, cross streets and then find the car again using absolutely no sight.

He said he uses a number of other senses that most people never think about. He can feel which side of his face the sun is on and which way the wind is blowing to maintain his sense of direction. He listens for the sound of traffic and even figures out where he is based on smell. For example, he said that going past a bakery, he can note the smell of bread and get his bearings.

Despite all of his struggles, Demers said he has come through it.

"I try to maintain a positive outlook on life," he said. "I look forward to every day."

To learn more about the VisionWalk and how to help, call Demers at 594-5458.

A similar VisionWalk is being held in Portland June 18 at Payson Park beginning at 9 a.m.

Visit VisionWalk.org for more information.

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Dog trainer to support clean water charity - Malvern Gazette

2011-06-18T14:16:00.000-07:00

2:20pm Tuesday 10th May 2011

A LOCAL dog trainer will be donating all the takings from her next course to a charity dedicated to providing clean water to people in poorer parts of the world.

Sue Harper specialises in teaching dogs to ignore livestock. With the support of the Malvern Hills Conservators, she runs six-week courses in a field near to the Downs Malvern College school, in Colwall.

With her next course starting on Sunday, May 22, she saw an opportunity to support a cause close to her heart.

“This year I intend to ask participants to make the £60 cheques for the course payable to Water Aid instead of to me,” she explained. “Having spent a month training dogs in a poor rural area of India I have become very aware of the burden women bear in many areas of the world walking miles carrying water.

“Water Aid is a charity committed solely to providing safe clean water. I am in the privileged position of following a career I love, living and working in this beautiful area which has close connections with, and an abundance of, free water.”

Water Aid has strong links with Malvern, as local supporters have raised thousands of pounds through the “Penny-a-Pint” initiative, which encourages people to make small donations when they draw water from springs and spouts on the hills.

For more information, or to enrol on the upcoming Teaching Dogs to Ignore Livestock course, call 01684 568067 or email sharperdogs@hotmail.co.uk.

View the original article here

The science and art of cadaver dog training - Waynesville Smoky Mountain News

2011-06-18T11:10:00.000-07:00

“A dog is an amazing thing,” says Orval Banks, smiling wryly and adjusting his faded gray ballcap.

He’s explaining the techniques he uses to train dogs, but really, he says, you don’t train a dog. It knows what it’s doing, and you’re just teaching it to communicate with you and teaching yourself to understand its subtle language. Because, you see, a dog is an amazing thing.

Banks runs a company called Southern Pride Search and Rescue Dogs, so he knows something about dogs.

He’s a wizened character, in plaid shirt and jeans, whose name often gets mistaken for Wilbur. He’s not sure why. He’s pretty soft-spoken but knows more than most in his field about what makes a good search dog.

“Train, train, train,” says Banks, chuckling slightly.

And he’s been training dogs now for more than 20 years. His dogs are cross-trained, both in search and rescue and what law enforcement refer to as search and recovery, when they’re looking for remains instead of people.

Rescue, though, says Banks, is his first job.

“I like to get them trained on finding the live people first because that’s a priority. Dead people are not going anywhere,” says Banks.

Still, though, recovery of remains are accounting for more and more of his calls these days, around 50 percent.

Banks isn’t a Haywood County native — he was born in Yancey County and moved around in his younger days — but he’s lived here now for 35 years, and it was 40 years ago that he got into search and rescue, mostly as a volunteer.

A few weeks ago, Banks helped out at a training day for cadaver dogs and their handlers held at Western Carolina University, though he’s loathe to use the word ‘cadaver,’ favoring the less abrasive ‘human remains detection.’

Unlike a lot of that crowd, and the cadaver dog world generally, he’s not from a law enforcement background. He keeps at it four decades later for the love of finding that which was lost.

“If you ever find a little four-year-old kid that’s been out there a couple of days and it’s getting dark, and the temperatures are about freezing, it makes it all worthwhile, you get kind of hooked on it,” says Banks.

And he’s good at it, too, which he puts down to the intensive amount of training that he does with his dog, about twice a week.

“There’s a lot of people that don’t train but once every two or three months and then wonder why they never find anybody,” says Banks. “Every time you go out with your dog, you learn something about your dog.”

The training at WCU was held at the school’s Human Identification Lab.

They used to call it the body farm, but now they stick to FOREST, which stands for Forensic Osteology Research Station. Basically, it’s a place for scientists to study how the human body deteriorates under certain conditions. And it’s only the second of its kind in the country, so when it offers a workshop for cadaver dogs, it’s a pretty popular draw.

They had to turn away 27 handlers who wanted to bring their dogs.

“They get the opportunity that they don’t ever get anywhere else, of letting their dogs see a full cadaver,” says Banks. “It’s good to expose the dog to that, to put everything in perspective to the dog, [to say], ‘OK, this is what you’ve been looking for the whole time.’”

And, says Paul Martin, who helped run the workshop, the scent of real people is different than what you can train on elsewhere.

“You have the ability to work with scents you’d never have the ability to do,” says Martin. He, unlike Banks, comes from a law enforcement background, but agrees with him that much of training is about learning the dog, and letting the dog learn the handler.

“Part of it is identifying the animal behavior patterns,” says Martin.

Banks agrees.

“The biggest problem is that a lot of handlers don’t train enough to be able to read their dogs. You’re teaching a dog and teaching yourself to communicate with each other. The dog knows what he’s doing. A lot of people think they’re teaching a dog to smell something dead,” said Banks, but they’re really learning to notice when the dog does.

According to Martin, things have changed in the field over the last ten years. Human remains detection, or HRD, is becoming more in-demand.

“The specialty has evolved over the last 10 to 15 years,” says Martin. “It’s such a complex field. We’re asked to find the one drop of blood, to find the remains that have been buried for 10 years, to find the remains that have been scavenged.”

And, like Banks said, half his work now is in HRD, because, he says, it’s just a lot harder to get lost these days.

“About 12, 15 years ago, we were at the peak, we were doing about 100 [search and rescue] callouts a year,” says Banks. “But people are starting to get GPS units, cell phones, and there’s getting to be so many people in the woods, you have to work at getting lost anymore.”

There are those now, he says, who are getting in to the field for the wrong reasons — for the prestige, for a certificate that they feel somehow validates their dog for breeding — but many, like himself, are in it to help.

And after 40 years of searching and 20 years with a dog by his side, he doesn’t think that’ll change anytime soon.

View the original article here

Utah club turns puppies into polished dogs - Salt Lake Tribune

2011-06-18T10:11:00.000-07:00

(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Brenda Bates works with her dog Dodge, during a dog training class, Wednesday, March 30, 2011. The Great Salt Lake Dog Training Club offers everything from puppy to advanced training for dogs at the National Guard Armory on Airport Road, in West Jordan. Utah club turns puppies into polished dogs By Tom Wharton

The Salt Lake Tribune

First published May 09 2011 01:01AM
Updated May 9, 2011 12:12PM West Jordan • The puppy that was so cute and cuddly when you brought her home a few months ago has suddenly turned into a biting, shoe-destroying, carpet-wetting, uncontrollable monster. And you are clueless as to what to do.

The Great Salt Lake Dog Training Club can help.

The nonprofit club and its volunteer staff have been helping humans train unruly dogs since 1964. The group offers classes for all abilities every Wednesday night at the West Jordan National Guard Armory. There are classes for puppies as young as 10 weeks old and some for older dogs that need to fine-tune their obedience skills.

In addition to the 150 members of the Training Club, each week about 20 volunteers show up to help train the dogs, said Wendy McCleery, training director. The $75 fee that owners pay to attend the classes goes to print instructions, rent the building and to put on competitive trials.

McCleery said the trails are open to all dogs, including mixed breeds that aren’t registered by the American Kennel Association. “Everybody can compete,” McCleery said. “They all earn the same obedience titles. There are tons of stuff for people if they really want to get into it.”

When classes are in session, the Armory resembles an organized dog circus. Puppies are in a fenced area in the corner where they learn to socialize with other dogs and are taught basic commands. Instructors offer tips on house training, biting and preventing dogs form jumping on people. Tip sheets with homework are given after each 45-minute session.

On the main floor, more advanced classes take place. Handlers put their dogs through various tests, some designed for competition, and others to simply teach the animals to obey basic commands and behave.

Some handlers and their pets sit on the side watching, which is more important than it looks. The exercise teaches the animals to be calm and disciplined in the face of multiple distractions.

The ultimate goal is to meld handler and pet into a team and to create a happy, healthy dog that respects the rights of other people and their pets.

“The thing I like best about the club is the way it caters to the general public and the way they train different skills,” said Deborah Nendell, who makes the drive from Grantsville to West Jordan each week. “There are no harsh corrections or militant training. Dogs progress at their own pace.”

Carole Ann Chamberlain, of West Jordan, took her soft-coated Wheaton Terrier to a recent class with the aim of training it to be a therapy dog for an assistant living center. She liked the club’s reasonable price and feels as though the classes have been successful.

Marilyn Williams, of Salt Lake City, is taking her fifth dog through the club’s training regime.

“I like the fact that it is community based,” she said. “Everybody gives and everybody learns. The socialization is incredible. Your dog gets exposure to different dogs, different people and different places. It makes them not be afraid.”

wharton@sltrib.com

Copyright 2011 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. blog comments powered by Disqus Pets » Classes offered for pooches of all abilities.

—

A doggone good time

The Great Salt Lake Dog Training Club offers classes every Wednesday at the West Jordan National Guard Armory, 7602 Airport Rd. Cost is $75 for an eight-week class. Here’s what you need to know:

Puppies » Must be at least 10 weeks old and have current shots. Dogs will learn to socialize, sit, lie, stay, not bite, heel and come when called.

Beginning obedience » For dogs 5 months and older. Covers the basics such as sit, stay, heeling and turns.

Intermediate obedience » Expands on what was learned in the beginning class and is more demanding. A Canine Good Citizen test is offered at the end of the eight-week class.

Advanced obedience » Prepares owners and pets for formal obedience trials with components such as watch, open and utility work including out-of-sight stays.

Ring Prep » This class teaches the finer points of presenting your dog to a judge and is for both AKC registered dogs purebred and mixed breed dogs.

More details » www.gsldtc.com; 801-942-1768 for a recorded message; or contact Wendy McCleery, 801-571-1768 or happytails8@comcast.net.

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URBANANIMAL: Hyper dog needs patience, training and love - insideTORONTO.com

2011-06-18T06:25:00.000-07:00

Dear UrbanAnimal,

Caroline

Oh my goodness, where do I start?

It would be so nice to re-wind this story and start over. Can this dog be saved? Absolutely. But it will take time and patience.

Just one day after Robbie's veterinary appointment, Caroline had arranged interviews with two dog trainers and had even printed off a list of "Questions to ask a dog trainer" from the Internet.

Her last email to me was much like a mother whose child had learned to tie his shoelaces.

Another happy ending. No, that's wrong. It's not an ending. It's the beginning of a great relationship. Every day will bring new delights as they learn more about each other.

Congratulations, Caroline. Robbie needed someone who would work to understand his needs and you stepped up to the plate. I hope you have a terrific life together.

Email jacque-newman@rogers.com with a question, comment or suggestion. Visit weekly for more UrbanAnimal columns

View the original article here

San Francisco SPCA Kicks Off Month-Long Chihuahua Celebration with "The Whole ... - San Francisco Chronicle (press release)

2011-06-18T06:08:00.000-07:00

San Francisco SPCA Kicks Off Month-Long Chihuahua Celebration with "The Whole Enchihuahua" on May 1 in Dolores Park Article:San Francisco SPCA Kicks Off Month-Long Chihuahua Celeb:/g/a/2011/04/22/prweb8337543.DTLArticle:San Francisco SPCA Kicks Off Month-Long Chihuahua Celeb:/g/a/2011/04/22/prweb8337543.DTL advertisement|your ad here SFGateHome of the San Francisco Chronicle

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more Press Releases San Francisco SPCA Kicks Off Month-Long Chihuahua Celebration with "The Whole Enchihuahua" on May 1 in Dolores Park

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More BusinessIn a lousy year for ratings, NBC finds its `Voice' 05.10.11Nielsen's top programs for May 2-8 05.10.11Lady Gaga to debut songs on online game FarmVille 05.10.11Gates: Clean energy won't be focus of foundation 05.10.11 San Francisco, CA (Vocus/PRWEB) April 22, 2011

The San Francisco SPCA has announced that it will offer free spay and neuter procedures for Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes for the entire month of May in an effort to curb overpopulation and abandonment of these adorable dogs.

To kick-off the month-long campaign, the SF SPCA is hosting, "The Whole Enchihuahua," for dogs of all breeds and sizes at Dolores Park on Sunday, May 1 from 1 to 4 pm. The SF SPCA will also continue the "Small Dog. Big Heart" campaign in May, which reduces the dog adoption fee to $100 for dogs under 20 pounds.

"Chihuahuas, unfortunately, are often victims of their own cuteness, leading many to buy a dog before they're necessarily ready to commit to proper animal care and training throughout the life of their pet, so the animals end up in shelters," said Dr. Jennifer Scarlett, DVM and Co-President of the SF SPCA. "Through 'The Whole Enchihuahua' campaign and our month-long promotion of free spay and neuter procedures, we are raising awareness of the importance of responsible pet guardianship."

"The Whole Enchihuahua" event will feature a number of fun activities, including:
A runway costume contest for dogs of all breeds and sizes from 2 to 3 pm. Participants will compete for prizes that include two round trip tickets on Virgin America, a two night stay at the Hotel Monaco and two tickets to Grub Crawl. Registration for the contest will occur at Dolores Park on the day of the event. $100 adoption fee special for dogs 20 lbs and under for dogs adopted from the SF SPCA. Along with a new best friend, each adoption includes a certificate for a Chipotle burrito. Additional dog adoptions from partner pet rescue organizations, including Animal Care and Control, Family Dog Rescue and Muttville. "Ask A Vet" session with Dr. Jeannette Goh, DVM and Director of the SF SPCA Spay/Neuter Clinic. Dog training advice from pet behavior expert Amy Kott. Delicious food from Off The Grid trucks and live mariachi music by Trio sol de America. A trivia prize wheel, face painting and much more.

The Chihuahua Meetup group of San Francisco will also participate in the event.

The Whole Enchihuahua is made possible thanks to the support of the following sponsors: 7x7, Off The Grid, San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department, Virgin America, BMW, KOIT, Kimpton Hotels, Grub Crawl, Chipotle and Trio Sol de America.

For more information about "The Whole Enchihuahua" and the month-long May promotion, visit sfspca.org/thewholeenchihuahua.

About San Francisco SPCA
The San Francisco SPCA is a community-supported, non-profit animal welfare organization dedicated to saving, protecting and providing immediate care for cats and dogs who are homeless, ill or in need of an advocate. The SF SPCA also works long-term to educate the community, reduce the number of unwanted kittens and puppies through spaying and neutering, and improve the quality of life for animals and their human companions. For more information, visit sfspca.org.

To volunteer with the SF SPCA, sign up online at sfspca.org/support/volunteer or please contact SF SPCA Volunteer Services at 415.554.3087for more information. To donate to the SF SPCA, visit sfspca.org/support/donate or call 415.554.3029.

###

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Fort Hood's star attraction: Entertainers, TV shows pay visits to base - Fort Worth Star Telegram

2011-06-18T03:02:00.000-07:00

By Jeremy Schwartz

Cox Newspapers

FORT HOOD -- The Dog Whisperer was running late -- autograph-seeking soldiers had slowed his exit from an on-post food court -- and the soldiers of the 178th Military Police Detachment were buzzing with anticipation.

Cesar Millan, whose show about training recalcitrant dogs is a cable TV favorite, had been at Fort Hood all week, filming an episode with Army families and visiting with troops.

The Army's hardened dog handlers and trainers, many of whom were veterans of deployments to Iraq, were eager to show the TV star around their military dog facility.

"I'm a dog trainer, so Cesar is like Michael Jordan for me," said Sgt. 1st Class Felix Cook, a gregarious kennel master whose wife came along with her camera. "We've had some celebrities here, but I told my wife, who I really want to meet is the Dog Whisperer."

Millan is just the latest celebrity to pass through the gates of Fort Hood.

In the past few months, Kiss frontman Gene Simmons has attended a deployment ceremony as part of his reality show Family Jewels, cast members from the FX show Sons of Anarchy joined a motorcycle safety ride, and the crew from ABC's Extreme Home Makeover built a house in Salado for a soldier wounded in the Nov. 5, 2009, mass shooting at the post and arranged a dream wedding with his fiancee.

Up next is a visit from country music star Billy Ray Cyrus and the filming of an episode of the Lifetime series Coming Home.

Ken Hawes, chief of the Army's Public Affairs Western Region office in Los Angeles, which serves as a liaison with Hollywood, said other posts also get regular visits.

"Each of our military installations is different and has a story to tell," Hawes said. "We use these entertainment shows to tell that story."

The Army offers Hollywood not just access to Army facilities but also technical assistance, equipment help and research for filmmakers, TV producers and documentarians working on military-based projects.

But the offer of help comes with some strings: The Army must approve scripts, and productions "must help increase public understanding of the Armed Forces and the Department of Defense" and "should help Armed Forces recruiting and retention programs," according to Defense Department policy. Army officials also review rough drafts, give advice to scriptwriters and suggest changes.

Hawes said that occasionally his office turns down requests.

"If we get a script that is not a positive portrayal of the troops and the filmmaker is adamant in not working with us," they pass, he said. "We're not going to help him tell an unfavorable story about the troops."

When it came to the Dog Whisperer episode, Army officials saw a chance to highlight Army families in a positive way. Throughout the week, Millan worked with a border collie mix named Patches, who was afraid of Army uniforms. And at the military dog training facility, he met dogs suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and the soldiers who bonded with them while at war. A three-man film crew trailed behind, capturing the moments for the American public.

Millan said he was happy to help soldiers and their families take better control of their pets.

"It's an honor to help people who helped me to live in this country," said Millan, who was born in Mexico. "To me, it's just something I want to do."

Looking for comments?

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Best Actress in Leading Role: Tess wins sheep dog honor - Agri News

2011-06-18T01:41:00.000-07:00

We'd finished up the first day of the herding clinic in a bit of a mess. Husband Ralph, herding dog in training Tess and I were fried. It had been a long day, and mostly good, but that bit about Tess getting tied up to the fence by the trainer in front of everyone for her vocalizing kind of sent us over the edge.

The next afternoon, on their fourth and final runs in the pen with the sheep, nearly all the dogs had progressed and it was really neat to see. One awed us all by the way he'd polished his natural talents over the two-day period. He was a textbook model: "Don't talk too much; just let him do his thing" was, as I recall, the trainer's main advice. Another seemed to never quite catch on to the actual herding concept and appeared destined for devoted pet-hood. Another, shy and inexperienced, was getting the hang of it!

And then there was Tess … Either due to exhaustion or some perverse sado-masochistic tendency (aimed at what, we will never know), her final run had about it that inimitably unpredictable dramatic flair that we had come to know, love and dread.

She proceeded around the pen in start-and-stop fashion, having to be verbally prodded at nearly every step, with what can only be described as a "deer-in-the-headlights" look out at us, virtually ignoring the sheep (as if she had never seen one before in her life) and stopping in front where I sat outside the pen. I tried to look away and pretend it wasn't happening, muttering "keep going" under my breath. But like a train wreck; you couldn't not look.

Though I feel I shouldn't assign human interpretation to this, I don't know when in my life I have ever before seen what so clearly seemed to be such a touching communication of: "What the bleep am I doing here? What are those creatures?? Get me out. Now! MOM!!! HELP!!!!!!!!!!!"

Was it performance anxiety? Fatigue? Rebellion? Her inner stand-up comic? Part of me was filled with the kinds of mixed emotions that I imagine any "parent" might feel. Disappointment that the dreams you had for your child will never materialize. Shock that you actually had those dreams. Horror at how pathetically your child did, anyway. Embarrassment about what the other parents will think. Concern that you might have shown your mortification. Delusion that maybe no one else noticed. Guilt about how you actually contributed to their feeling of failure. Worry that you might just have set up years of therapy for PTSD. Denial about how it didn't matter anyway. Indignation and defensiveness that there's actually nothing wrong with your child. AT ALL. Annoyance: "Toughen up, dammit."

Part of me was over-protectedly focusing on the glass half-full, not half-empty, like, "it's OK sweetie — you did so well on the traveling, but maybe you're just not meant to be a hard-core herding dog — maybe we need to take more trips. You're such a good little traveler, aren't you, sweet pea?"

And part of me was, quite simply, awestruck by her finely-honed and subtly perfected comedic debut. The bumblingly graceful physicality, the knowing self-deprecation, the impeccable timing, the clever wit, the humorous pathos, the endearing beauty, the charismatic stage presence, the connection with her audience. It was nothing less than a brilliant masterpiece — a rivetingly original improvisational riff on working dogdom. It was, in a word, stupendous.

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Day care for dogs - Weston & Somerset Mercury

2011-06-17T22:36:00.000-07:00

(click on image for larger view) Hillside Nursery, Wraxall, opening up new dog day care and training centre, Grace Brutto with her children Chloe and Jodie.

Vicky Angear
Friday, May 6, 2011
5:00 PM

Day care for dogs

A NEW day care and training centre for dogs is being set up in Wraxall.

Owners will be able to drop their beloved pets off with dog lover Grace Brutto who runs Hillside Nursery with her husband Graham and her cousin Sally Hunt.

Grace already has experience in dog training as she helps out with training camps at the Young Kennel Club and her two daughters also enter their border collies in numerous competitions including Crufts.

Grace said: “I have had a lot of people asking me to look after their dogs and we thought it would be an ideal setting to do it in.

“Our nursery has a beautiful setting and it’s a wonderful place for them to be well looked after and exercised.”

The new centre will be able to take up to eight dogs during the day. The owners will not be putting up any more buildings, but utilising existing buildings on site.

Grace said: “We are on the main commuter route into Bristol. A lot of people have said they will drop their dogs off on the way to work or to go shopping all day.

“I’m going to do a small amount of dog training as well. I train with rewards through play and titbits.”

Grace will be offering obedience and agility training, but owners will also be able to pop in if they have a minor problem with their pooches and would like some advice.

Grace and her family have run the plant nursery at the site for 40 years and are looking forward to expanding their business. They hope to have it up and running later this year.

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I never wanted to get a dog - Globe and Mail

2011-06-17T22:17:00.000-07:00

I never wanted a dog. I agreed to getting one, but in much the same way one would agree that it’s time to go to the dentist.

I’m not an avowed dog-hater. I quite like dogs, a fact I had to hide from my family. Growing up, I had dogs and loved them dearly. But these were small-town dogs living life “old-school.” They ran around the neighbourhood at will. We called them to the basement door to eat their bulk kibble mixed with – horrors – table scraps. “Walking the dog” simply meant one was walking somewhere and decided to call the dog to come along. Grooming meant taking turns with the kitchen scissors clipping and sawing off wads of hair with the dog flopped out on the lawn.

Twenty years later, living in Vancouver, life with a dog was a much different animal. I had moved next to the dog-walking centre of Pacific Spirit Regional Park, where for years I watched post-walk dirty dogs being rubbed down with towels before being put into cars. Dog spas, grooming parlours, doggie bakeries, raw-food stores and veterinarian clinics sprouted up through the city. This city-dog lifestyle appeared both foreign and excessive, and was certainly more than I could handle.

Despite what is said in advance, women do the brunt of the work in caring for a dog acquired after children have been on the scene a while. The contributions of all other family members are basically symbolic of participation but not reliably so. Nurturing my own small human pack was challenge enough, let alone with the addition of the hefty obligations that came with a canine creature these days. There was enough to feel remiss about; I was not prepared to add a dog to that list.

And so The Resistance began, lasting a good 10 years, becoming a feat of determination in itself. I nodded thoughtfully at the comment that no childhood would be complete without a dog. I suggested that my husband must be dreaming if, while our family consisted of a newborn, a couple of toddlers and a kindergartener, he was hoping we could get a dog. I swallowed hard when told once that I was selfish to not even consider getting one. I indoctrinated our children in the party line that “we could not possibly look after a dog properly,” a line they tried bravely to deliver with conviction. I smiled mechanically at the adorable new puppies my children’s classmates displayed in the schoolyard.

The defence stayed strong until my then eight-year-old daughter, for fun, wrote and illustrated her own dog-care manual, fit for distribution by the SPCA. This thing was unbelievable. Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan could consult this kid. My conviction wavered. Maybe I could handle it now – our youngest child was in kindergarten. Maybe I was being selfish. Maybe we could get a dog. The kids would love one so much.

As in all battles, hesitation was death. I gave in.

Our boxer puppy arrived, was adorable and, as predicted, was a ton of work. Maybe he sensed my lack of complete acceptance of him, or maybe he couldn’t have cared less. Regardless, he went on to become a strong-willed jumper, puller and ignorer extraordinaire. Training was a humiliating disaster: Our dog cared for neither treats nor approval. Here I was with six fairly co-operative children and one badly behaved dog. This struggle of the alpha female and her alpha dog seemed ridiculous.

Though I kept up the horrible sessions with a trainer and arranged for dog socialization with friends’ dogs in backyards and in parks, I avoided “dog people” – the ones who share ice-cream cones with their pet, make their own dog food and tell you their canine’s age in dog years. Dog people feel compelled to offer advice – long-winded, authoritative and conflicting advice.

So I took to walking my beast of burden in the dark of morning, before all the dog people were prowling about. These walks were a battle of him walking ahead or sitting and me stopping and waiting. There we were for months, angry woman cursing and sweating and strong-willed dog pulling and stopping, often in the pouring rain. We were not feeling the love.

But slowly something good started to happen. We gradually began to ignore each other. We relaxed in each other’s company. We gave up the struggle or forgot we were having one. We became Woman and Beast travelling together, even if only through the neighbourhoods and behind the schools. We became friends who read the paper together without talking. I walk, think, pray, make lists in my head; he trots alongside, pees, sniffs and snuffles. He doesn’t pull and I don’t stop.

A truce has developed between us and it’s a blessed relief. He’s still a nightmare when he sees a squirrel. I still holler ill-advised commands such as, “Cut it out, you idiot!” But mostly we walk along, almost contentedly.

He glances at me and I actually smile at him. He checks on me around the house. I pass him with a pat and a kindly “bad dog.” On occasion, he comes to sit on my foot, his acquiescence to being affectionate. He doesn’t look at me but rather stares in the direction I’m looking.

The other day, he stood beside me and leaned his head heavily against my leg. It was nice. I even talk to him now, almost like a dog person would.

I still curse the amount of work he is, although I expected that part. I just never expected to like him.

But I do.

He’s my dog.

Sue Dvorak lives in Vancouver.

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Heidi Klum: My kids are dog trainers - Musicrooms.net

2011-06-17T18:11:00.000-07:00

Heidi Klum’s baby daughter is training the family dogs. Heidi Klum

The German model raises four children with husband Seal - Leni, seven, Henry, five, Johan, four, and 20-month-old daughter Lou.

Heidi’s young brood have recently begun training their two new German shepherd dogs. The 38-year-old beauty explained her youngest is having the most fun teaching the new family pets how to “sit”.

"They're showing them how to sit!" she told US Weekly "Lou says, 'Freddy sit. Freddy sit. Freddy sit, sit, sit!' She says that all day long!"

Lou is following in the footsteps of her singer dad and likes to perform. Despite her creative nature however, Heidi insists she is very reserved and likes to “observe” the actions of her older siblings.

"[She] likes to dance, but she's very observant," Heidi explained. "She's very quiet. Like at the dinner table, she's not loud. The other kids are very loud and she kind of sits there and watches everyone. She's kind of sponging everything up, and I know she's memorising everything - it's going to come out soon!"

Heidi wants to open her kids’ eyes to the world around them. She’s adamant they should appreciate the luxuries they have, because not everyone is so lucky.

"Growing up in Beverly Hills, you live in a bubble," she explained. "So New York is great because you see a different way of living. They see people living on the streets and they ask a lot of questions. I'm honest with them and I tell them that not everyone lives the same way. Not everyone has a garden. Not everyone has a maid.

"I try not to overwork their little brains on subjects that maybe they shouldn't know about yet, but when they ask I tell them the truth."

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Fort Hood becomes a magnet for celebrities - Houston Chronicle

2011-06-17T17:42:00.000-07:00

FORT HOOD, Texas — The Dog Whisperer was running late hordes of autograph-seeking soldiers had slowed his exit from an on-post food court and the soldiers of the 178th Military Police Detachment were buzzing with anticipation. Cesar Millan, whose show about training recalcitrant dogs is a cable TV cult favorite, had been at Fort Hood all week, filming an episode with Army families and visiting troops.

The Army's hardened dog handlers and trainers, many of whom were veterans of deployments to Iraq, were eager to show the TV star around their military dog facility.

"I'm a dog trainer, so Cesar is like Michael Jordan for me," said Sgt. First Class Felix Cook, a gregarious kennel master whose wife came to memorialize the afternoon with her camera. "We've had some celebrities here, but I told my wife, who I really want to meet is the Dog Whisperer."

Millan is just the latest celebrity to pass through the gates of Fort Hood. In the past few months, Kiss frontman Gene Simmons has attended a deployment ceremony as part of his reality show "Family Jewels," cast members from the FX show "Sons of Anarchy" joined a motorcycle safety ride and the crew from ABC's "Extreme Home Makeover" built a house in Salado for a soldier wounded in the Nov. 5, 2009, mass shooting at the post and arranged a dream wedding with his fianc?e. Up next is a visit from Billy Ray Cyrus and the filming of an episode of the Lifetime series "Coming Home."

Celebrities also played a role in helping the post move on from the 2009 shooting, which left 13 dead and led to a postwide mental health campaign. In the weeks and months after the massacre, celebrities such as Dana Carvey, Gary Sinise, Chamillionaire and Vince Vaughn visited troops at Fort Hood in hopes of lifting spirits. Both the WWE and Ultimate Fighting Championship have staged splashy productions at the Army post .

Army public affairs officials said they've seen an increase in Hollywood interest in the Army in recent years. Ken Hawes, the chief of the Army's Public Affairs Western Region office in Los Angeles, which serves as a liaison with Hollywood, said other posts also get regular visits. "Each of our military installations is different and has a story to tell," Hawes said. "We use these entertainment shows to tell that story. "

The Los Angeles public affairs office traces its lineage to World War II, when acclaimed Hollywood producers and directors like Frank Capra produced propaganda films for the Army that were credited with speeding training efforts. Four years before directing "It's a Wonderful Life," Capra won an Oscar for his Army documentary "Prelude to War." Today, Army officials see the association with Hollywood as a way to boost morale and increase recruiting efforts.

"It's good for the troops. It's an opportunity to see a celebrity up close and personal," Hawes said. "And Americans get to see a little bit of an Army base. It's like a foreign entity to a lot of them."

The Army offers Hollywood not just access to Army facilities, but also technical assistance, equipment help and research for filmmakers, TV producers and documentarians working on military-based projects. Army officials also ensure accuracy, making sure military-themed movies or shows avoid Rambo-style exaggeration and get the details of military life right.

But the offer of help comes with some strings: The Army first must approve scripts, and productions "must help increase public understanding of the Armed Forces and the Department of Defense" and "should help Armed Forces recruiting and retention programs," according to Defense Department policy. Army officials also review rough drafts, give advice to scriptwriters and suggest changes.

Hawes said that occasionally his office turns down requests. "If we get a script that is not a positive portrayal of the troops and the filmmaker is adamant in not working with us," they pass, he said. "We're not going to help him tell an unfavorable story about the troops."

When it came to the "Dog Whisperer" episode, Army officials saw an opportunity to highlight Army families in a positive way. Throughout the week, Millan worked with a border collie mix named Patches, who was afraid of Army uniforms. And at the military dog training facility, he met dogs suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and the soldiers who bonded with them while at war. A s three-man film crew trailed behind, capturing the moments for the American public.

Millan said he was happy to help soldiers and their families take better control of their pets.

"It's an honor to help people who helped me to live in this country," said Millan, who was born in Mexico. "To me, it's just something I want to do."

"It's good for the Army," Fort Hood spokesman Chris Haug said. "It's personable. It touches the heart."

___

Information from: Austin American-Statesman, http://www.statesman.com

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NHS reforms: 'They didn't pause and they didn't listen' - The Guardian

2011-06-17T13:52:00.000-07:00

NHS reforms proposed by the coalition have provoked thousands and comments and advice from Guardian readers on the blog. Photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PA

Readers of the Guardian's NHS live blog have shared feedback on the government's plans for NHS reform and its listening exercise over the last three months. Since April they have discussed the impact of the reforms on social care, cancer patients, mental health services, GPs, nurses, abortion, medical training and more, offering their take on what "pausing" the bill would mean for the government and the political parties.

Concern about the effect of GP commissioning, perhaps the most popular topic of discussion on the blog, has ranged from debates on whether consortiums would create a conflict of interest for GPs faced with managing costs and patient care, to how GPs' relationships with secondary and tertiary services would be affected.

Support for consortiums involving nurses, hospital staff and patients has been present, with some readers arguing that the principles of GP commissioning are sound, given doctors' greater knowledge of the patients in their care. Uncertainty over how such consortiums would work in practice and slot into the existing network raised greater anxiety, however.

Thousands of comments have been left by readers, giving the overwhelming impression that they feel they have not been listened to in this process. Regular badger33 explained how primary care trusts (PCTs) struggled properly to consult frontline staff, while benmandel expressed widely held concerns that the role of the patient and relatives has been marginalised in the proposals.

Many commenters, including Leibowitz and onepairofhands, shared frustration about how the official listening exercise had been run, arguing that the reforms were insufficiently debated during the election and would be implemented from the top down.

Despite the "pause", many of our readers have shared accounts of changes already taking place, as reader cmoser explained. The pace of the change was a concern for many, including Watty145 and cfarrar, who wrote: "I have been through 12 structural reforms in the 30 years that I have worked for the NHS and all they do is distract from the real work of the NHS to deliver and improve health and health services." Or as PleaseSeeSense put it: "They didn't pause and they didn't listen."

NHS worker ces1 spoke for many on proposals to increase private provision: "My biggest concern is that the private sector just won't provide what the NHS does – and that no one has costed for everything the NHS provides currently."

Combined with cuts in funding to many specialist services, readers expressed fears that healthcare for those who need it most could be threatened. There was strong opposition to creating a tiered system for accessing healthcare – a prospect seen by many as an inevitable outcome.

Hundreds of readers have used the blog to share experiences as NHS patients and workers. Many have suggested where efficiencies could be brought in and changes made. Taken as a whole, it has been a valuable "listening exercise" for any government.

Steve Field GP, 51, is the man charged with leading the government's listening exercise as chair of the NHS Future Forum. The head of the Royal College of GPs from 2007-10, he was the first senior doctor to support Andrew Lansley's NHS reform white paper in 2010.

While head of the most controversial review dominating the political world, the Department of Health says that he continues to practise as a GP at Bellevue medical centre in Birmingham, where he is married with two children.

In one of his listening exercises he revealed that his wife was suffering from cancer and requires expensive drugs for her treatment.

Born in the West Midlands, he lists his hobbies as tennis, family and walking his flat coat retriever dog, Hattie.

Field practised in Droitwich Spa in the 1980s and gained an international reputation in healthcare education as medical dean for the NHS in the West Midlands.

He received a CBE for his services to medicine in the Queen's 2010 New Year honours list.

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Dog of war in bin Laden mission is breed apart - AFP

2011-06-17T13:39:00.000-07:00

Dog of war in bin Laden mission is breed apartBy Rob Lever (AFP) – 2 days ago

WASHINGTON — The raid that took down Osama bin Laden is thought to have involved one special operative -- a highly-trained military dog, part of an elite corps not to be confused with a family pet.

The US military has refused to confirm if a dog was involved in Monday's helicopter-borne mission deep inside Pakistan, but those familiar with military dogs said only an animal with special breeding and training could have taken part.

"Those dogs are trained to move with the teams. They can identify the friendlies from the non-friendlies at a high rate of speed," said Mike McConnery, owner of Baden K9, a Canadian-based breeding and training firm that provides dogs for elite military units in the United States and elsewhere.

The New York Times first reported that a canine choppered in with the 79 elite US forces for the operation in Abbottabad, 50 kilometers (30 miles) from Islamabad, where bin Laden was finally sniffed out after a decade-long manhunt.

US military officials said they could not discuss anything related to tactics, procedures or protocol, including the deployment of dogs.

"If there were a dog, and I'm not saying there was... We're not doing any interviews," said Major Wes Ticer, spokesman for Special Operations Command.

McConnery said even if he were familiar with any purported dog hero, he was muzzled, unable to discuss it for fear of revealing military tactics.

But he said that for a mission such as the one in Pakistan, a dog would need to have skills and training well above those canines already used in many law enforcement or rescue operations.

"They are much more than ball-chasing creatures, they are soldiers," he said.

It was most likely that any dog involved in the raid would have been either a Belgian Malinois or Dutch Shepherd, being among the few breeds with the right skills and temperament for such a mission.

German Shepherds have been used in the past for similar missions, he said, but few are available now with the right breeding and training for such a delicate mission.

"It would be a Malinois or Dutch Shepherd," McConnery said.

"They are dogs that can go from zero to 100 miles an hour in a second. They have catlike agility, and a high level of communication with the handler at a high level of stress... That's a totally different animal than what you see in law enforcement."

In the mission, McConnery said the elite dog could have been used "as a distraction and as a probe."

"If you see my dog coming, you can shoot my dog or you can shoot at me," he said. "If you shoot at my dog I will shoot you. If you shoot me, the dog will get you. This draws the attention of the bad guys and gives you a few seconds to make that entry."

Some media reports suggest the dog could have been a "combat tracker" trained to sniff out individuals, similar to the canines that tracked down Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein hiding in an underground hole.

The Times speculated that the dog used in Abbottabad could have been used to thwart any attempted escape from the fortified compound.

Master Sergeant and dog trainer William Gaskins told MSNBC that the 2,700 dogs used by the US military are a key component of the American fighting force.

"The dogs' sense of hearing is key," he said.

Sometimes "the first... to enter the building will be the dog," Gaskins added.

If the enemy puts explosives behind a door, the use of dogs "would allow the team to enter safely because the dog has swept that door before they enter."

Dogs have been used throughout history by military forces, and in the United States since the Civil War. The US Army Canine Corps was formed during World War II and grew to as many as 10,000 at the time.

Military war dogs -- MWDs -- include mostly German Shepherds, Dutch Shepherds and Belgian Malinois but also Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever and other sporting breed dogs have been used for some search missions, according to the Defense Department.

"The German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois have the best overall combination of keen sense of smell, endurance, speed, strength, courage, intelligence and adaptability to almost any climatic condition," a fact sheet says.

The US military has dramatically expanded the use of dogs in Afghanistan to sniff out lethal homemade bombs, which are the main cause of casualties among the NATO-led force.

"They are unsung heroes because every day they are out there, saving the lives of our troops," said Gerry Proctor, spokesman for the Lackland Air Force Base in Texas where most military dogs are trained.

McConnery said any dog accompanying the Navy SEALs would have had to be a member of a team, able to work with all the commandos, not just a single handler.

"If someone goes down, the dog still has to function," he said.

Because of their unusual characteristics, an elite military dog could not be transformed into a household pet, says McConnery.

"The dogs at this level could not become pets," he said. "We have had retired dogs come to live out their lives here at our facility, some go with the soldiers and become part of their families. They are not discarded by any means."

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Review by Bob Lane, MA - Metapsychology

2011-06-17T10:47:00.000-07:00

This sixty minute PBS program features Jennifer Arnold, founder of Canine Assistants, one of the country's leading service dog organizations. With the excellence that one expects from PBS a multi-faceted story develops with a mixture of science and art. We watch as the pups, bred at the Canine Assistants location, are born and start their lives with play and love; and then at about seven months begin the training which will allow them to flourish as service dogs for disabled persons. We meet several disabled people both adult and kids who when matched with their dog will benefit throughout the rest of their lives from the love and assistance provided by these animals.

On the way we learn about various disabilities (Ms. Arnold herself is an MS patient whose father arranged for her to have a service dog and as a result she opened Canine Assistants and devoted her life to providing service dogs to others), and about various dogs, and most importantly about the bond established between dog and recipient. We also learn that the exiting dog training paradigm that holds that the owner of a dog must establish control of the animal by becoming an "alpha dog" is not the only way to train a dog. Arnold prefers a system predicated on the notion that dogs have been created by humans as a species co-dependent on ours and hence they are animals who want and need human approval. The result of this approach is a lot of positive reinforcement using minimal movement cues to get the dog to perform the necessary tasks to help their human partners.

We track a few specific people as they are matched with a service dog, learn how to function with their dog in a two week session, and finally take their new partner home. One lad, Aiden, suffers from cerebral palsy and is wheel chair bound. He is a bright beautiful child who copes with his disability with acceptance and grace and looks forward to getting his assistant. His first dog does not work out (the dog bonds with Aiden's Mom) and he has to return for a second matching. His second dog becomes his partner and we learn that about nine out of ten initial matches do work out, but that on occasion there are difficulties that require a return.

One adult we follow is a Mr. Casey who returned safely from a tour in Iraq only to be injured in an automobile accident. His life is changed by his new dog and we watch as he meets his dog, trains with the dog, takes the dog home and reports that his life has been completely changed by the animal. The dog goes on walks with him, gets the mail, turns on lights, opens and closes doors, but most importantly provides new confidence and brings a dramatic change to Mr. Casey's attitude.

One of the most exciting moments comes when an epileptic's life is saved by her dog who somehow (no one knows just what it is dogs can sense) senses the approaching seizure and alerts the girl's parents. A scientist reports on research showing that some dogs can sense an oncoming seizure ten minutes before the EKG registers brain seizure activity. We watch as the recipients first get their dogs (the claim is that the dogs choose them), train with their dogs on site and in a hotel and then after two weeks of training go home with their dogs.

It is a heart-warming story of dogs and people showing the close bond between them and also high lighting the excellent work of the Canine Assistants and Jennifer Arnold, a loving and caring woman.

Bob Lane is an Honorary Research Associate in Philosophy and Literature at Vancouver Island University in British Columbia.

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Tyson: the Commons touch helped me to decide - Burton Mail

2011-06-17T10:38:00.000-07:00

NATHAN Tyson has revealed he spoke to former Derby County forward Kris Commons before he made the leap across the East Midlands divide from Nottingham Forest.

The 29-year-old striker signed for the Rams on Monday — following in Commons’ footsteps from the City Ground to Pride Park.

Tyson consulted Commons on the move — and the likely abuse he will suffer as a result.

He said: “I spoke to Kris a couple of weeks ago.

“He was very complimentary about the club and he made the decision a bit easier.

“I got his advice on it and went from there.” Commons, who left Derby to join Celtic in January for £300,000, suffered dog’s abuse from the Forest fans after joining the Rams.

Every time he went back to the City Ground, he was greeted by cries of ‘Judas’ — and much worse.

The 27-year-old also admitted he avoided going into Nottingham city centre after the move.

Tyson, too, expects to get the treatment from the Forest faithful when he first goes back in a Derby shirt — but is ready to take it.

He said: “Let’s be honest, it’s going to be boos all round.

“I’m probably going to get a very hostile reception and I will be prepared for that.

“If people want to shout abuse or whatever, I will take all that’s thrown at me.

“When it comes to family, that’s too far though. This is my job.

“Looking at what happened to Billy Davies, nothing is cast in stone in football and life - people move on.” However, Tyson, a friendly and approachable charachter, is open to talking to football fans he encounters in the street - of any allegiance.

He said: “I will give 100 per cent every time I am called upon on the pitch.

“I am not a bad person. The fans can stop me in the street for a chat - I am not ignorant or stupid.

“People can talk to me and I don’t mind that - it’s part of my job.”

Tyson, a pacy front-runner who has been lured to Pride Park by the promise of a central striking position, is also excited about working for Nigel Clough.

He said: “He played a big part in the move.

“Everything here ticks the boxes. I am coming to a point where I don’t want to be sitting on the bench and being an impact substitute.

“I hope to start and get into goalscoring form.” Rams chief executive Tom Glick says the club will sign two more strikers in the transfer window.

Frontman Nathan Tyson joined the Rams this week on a three-year contract after failing to agree a new deal with rivals Nottingham Forest.

Glick said: “We aren't finished yet and we expect to do two more pieces of business in the striking area during this transfer window.

“Hopefully both of these will be before pre-season training starts.

“Both would be permanent signings for the club, and while loans can be effective, we have identified two strikers who we want to sign as permanent additions.”

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Heat is a Killer: How To Keep Your Dog Hydrated While Training - Field and Stream (blog)

2011-06-17T07:02:00.000-07:00

by Chad Love

Summer isn't technically here yet, but the daytime high temperatures for my part of Oklahoma are beginning to approach cake-baking levels. That means all my dog training has shifted to an early-morning and late-evening schedule, for my comfort as well as the dogs' safety.

Heat is a killer, so as you train your dogs in the summer months, make sure they stay cool and well-hydrated. How important is water? In terms of safety and health, a whole lot more important than food, actually. A dog can lose 50 percent of his muscle and body fat, but if that same dog loses 10 percent of his water, he can die. Eighty percent of a dog is water, so in an average 50-pound dog, fully 40 pounds of that is water.

Here are a few interesting canine hydration facts and watering tips I learned from an informative seminar at this year's Pheasants Forever Pheasant Fest. The subject was canine hydration, given by Steve Ries of Native Performance Dog Food:

- An average 50lb. housedog needs about five cups of water a day, but with active dogs that jumps up to 12 cups.

- A housedog loses about 23 percent moisture from respiration and 70 percent from urine, while a hunting dog can lose up to 40 percent form respiration, five percent from feces and 55 percent from urine.

- A dog's breath is six percent moisture, so hydration is just as important in winter as it is in summer.

- Clean, fresh potable water is a must. You create dehydration issues by not keeping your dog water bowls clean and algae-free.

- When hunting or training, make your dog drink water often even if he doesn’t act thirsty (click here for a neat trick on how to do this).

- Use a consistent source of water for your dogs. There can be large variations in water quality and potability from one place to another, so when you travel for hunting or training, take the water your dog is used to. to avoid any issues.

- Rest and recovery. It may sound obvious, but give your dog plenty of time to rest and cool down between periods of activity.

On Friday, we'll discuss signs of water problems and what to do about it...

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Dog trainer born with gift of canine communication - My West Texas

2011-06-17T06:22:00.000-07:00

As Teresa Tuttle talks about her ability to communicate with and understand dogs, she pauses and says, "It's hard to explain, and it makes me sound crazy."

Tuttle's father wasn't a professional dog trainer, but she grew up watching him be able to communicate with the family dogs.

"My assumption was everybody could do it," she said.

As an 11-year-old, she remembered telling a friend not to approach a dog because she knew the dog would bite her. The dog wasn't growling, but something about its demeanor was like "a flashing neon light above his head that he was gonna bite." Ignoring Tuttle's advice, the little girl reached out to the dog and it snapped.

"It's just a flick of the ear or tail; it's a cock of the head or a relaxed face," she said. "I truly feel like I'm gifted. My dad had it; I have it. Everyone has their own quirks, this just happens to be mine."

Tuttle is a self-employed dog trainer and volunteer with the Permian Basin Obedience Training Club.

She began participating in agility competitions in 1996 after realizing her energetic 7-pound pomeranian, Kit, was able to jump and clear a 3-foot fence. She began to see the potential in her pet when she discovered the competitions on TV, and enlisted in a dog training class in Odessa.

She acquired the equipment necessary to train her dog: a teeter, dog walk, a-frame, tunnels, jumps and weave poles. The pair traveled to advanced seminars around Texas, and after three months were competing in agility trials. Soon, others were asking her to train their dogs for agility competitions, and she began giving group lessons. About 20-25 people in the Permian Basin participate in agility trials, Tuttle said.

Five years ago, a divorce led Tuttle to rethink her financial position, and she took a job as an administrative assistant at the Muscular Dystrophy Association's Midland office. She took time off from dog training to focus on her son who has special needs, and in April this year started giving classes again. She is starting off slow, having just finished her first novice class at an agility field located at the corner of Rainkin and County Road 150. Her classes meet once a week and reach capacity at six dog owners and their furry friends.

"I'm teaching the people to teach the dogs," Tuttle said. "Dogs are easy; people can be hard."

The only thing holding Tuttle back from going into dog training full time is the lack of benefits for self-employed professionals. She once got her hand caught in a leash and suffered a spiral break in her finger. The resulting surgery cost $3,000.

"That kind of stuff scares me," she admitted. "How do you pay for that if you don't have health insurance?"

As a volunteer, one of Tuttle's fortes has been working with dogs that have behavioral problems. She tends to work with dogs that have agression out of fear more than those with true agression, oftentimes accepting them into her home.

"I take them to a quiet environment where they don't feel threatened," she said. "We go through lots of chicken and treats. A dog that's willing to eat is not stressed and is capable of listening and learning."

She also does temperament evaluations, where she determines the personality of a dog by playing with it. By doing so, she's able to help ensure a rescue dog will be a good fit for a prospective family.

In addition to her two adult children, Tuttle has three furry family members in her rough coat border collie Spree, 7, golden retriever Caper, 6, and her recently rescued short coat border collie Kizzy, 7 months.

"That's my shoe eater," she said, nodding at Kizzy. Chewing is to be expected from puppies, Tuttle noted. On the other hand, she has lost a pair of blinds to a foster dog because of severe separation anxiety.

Tuttle has been working with Kizzy on what she currently is teaching her students. She leads the dog to put its nose to her hand and waits for Kizzy to push her hand back. That motion will transfer to the dog pushing necessary targets in agility events.

"Yes! Good girly," Tuttle exclaims when the dog follows through. She walks forward and backward; Kizzy follows perfectly in step, but still needs a little work walking on Tuttle's left side.

"Back, back, back," Tuttle repeats. "Awesome, that was perfect."

The key to getting a dog to do simple tricks like sitting, laying or rolling over is to reward the dog with a treat or cookie the moment the command is followed. Faulting more than a half-second might make the dog think you're rewarding it for a different behavior.

"If there's one thing you need to have working with dogs is patience," Tuttle said. She spends at least five minutes every morning and evening with Kizzy working on self control and obedience methods. Without obedience, she said, agility training becomes very difficult. In an average American Kennel Club agility competition, there are 18 to 21 obstacles for those in the "excellent," or top, division.

"I don't force; I shape," Tuttle said. "I want my dog to work with me as a team. You'll find out they're extremely intelligent if you just spend a little time with them."

If there was any indication Tuttle truly can relate to dogs, it's the way she's treated by cats.

"Cats don't like me," she said. "They will come out and find me, bite me, and go back to where they were hiding."

She gives a knowing look to her puppy, Kizzy, saying, "Cats are mean, aren't they? Cats are bad."

------

Sara Higgins can be reached at shiggins@mrt.com.

Teresa Tuttle can be reached through the Permian Basin Obedience Training Club, (432) 570-4335 or www.pbotc.com, or by calling (432) 638-7984.

View the original article here

Dogs hung from leashes during stay with Oshawa dog trainer: owners - Toronto Star

2011-06-17T02:37:00.000-07:00

2011/06/15 17:53:00

An Oshawa dog trainer faces additional charges of animal cruelty for the mistreatment of dogs in his care.

Durham police first charged Craig Wright, 42, in May with four counts of cruelty to animals. As a result of the same investigation, Wright now faces 19 more criminal charges, bringing the total to 23.

Wright is the owner of FACW K-9 Training and Rehabilitation Centre, at 199 Waterloo St. in Oshawa. In May, several pet owners came forward to police with complaints about the treatment of their dogs.

Owners of at least two dogs, including a miniature dachshund and a bulldog-Boston terrier, claimed their pets died after being in Wright’s care.

In May, the terrier’s owner told the Toronto Star that Wright claimed her dog had been hit by a car. Two other pet owners allege their dogs were never returned to them after staying in Wright’s facility.

Police have accused Wright of kicking the dogs, hanging them from their leases and allowing them to fight. The OSPCA removed several dogs from the training centre over safety concerns.

The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Animals has also laid three charges against Wright this spring. If convicted, the OSPCA charges carry a maximum penalty of two years in prison, a lifetime ban on caring for animals and $50,000 in fines.

Wright has been detained by police pending a bail hearing.

View the original article here

LISTINGS: Courses and Workshops - May 5 - May 12 - Sheffield Telegraph (press release)

2011-06-17T01:44:00.000-07:00

Published on Thu May 05 12:50:29 BST 2011

COURSES/WORKSHOPS

Mask-making Workshops, design and create your own masquerade and carnival masks with artist Sarah Jane Palmer, Bloc Space Studios, Eyre Lane, 90-minute sessions, Saturday, 10am- 4.30pm, Sunday, 10am-1pm (£4 adults, £2.50 children, proceeds to Bloc Project’s Arts in Education programme bringing contemporary arts to school children in Sheffield, Karen 0750 6192981).

Reptile and Amphibian Identification, Natural History curators Paul Richards and Alistair McLean provide an introduction to British reptiles and amphibians at workshop covering evolution and classification, Weston Park Museum, Sunday, 1pm–4pm (£20/ £18, book in advance on 2782649 or email paul.richards@museums-sheffield.org.uk).

Meet the Buyer, Peak District small arts and crafts producers can learn how to promote their products and find new outlets at event organised by the Peak District National Park’s Live & Work Rural programme, Bakewell Town Hall, Tuesday, 9.15am finishing with a buffet lunch allowing producers and buyers to network and share ideas (to take part, email liveandworkrural@peakdistrict.gov.uk or call 01629 816338 by April 28).

Painting with Plant - Paints and Twigs, in Hope, Derbyshire, Saturday, May 14 (01433 620350).

Monoprinting + Drypoint Printing from the Life Model Workshop, five-hour workshop with experienced tutor Rosemary Watson suitable for both beginners and experienced students with a friendly creative atmosphere providing an opportunity to explore aspects of the life figure through the techniques of monoprint and drypoint, Studio 22, Persistence Works , Brown Street, on Saturday, May 14, 11am-5pm (£40 + £9 models fee, pre-booking essential maximum of four participants, 2364930 / info@arosemarywatson.co.uk).

General + Drypoint Printmaking Workshop, three-hour workshop with Rosemary Watson suitable for both beginners and those with previous experience providing an opportunity to develop existing etched or drypoint plates and explore inking and printing techniques further or to learn and explore drypoint printmaking techniques, Studio 22, Persistence Works , Brown Street, on Saturday, May 21, 2pm-5pm (£20 including all materials, pre-booking essential maximum of four participants, 2364930 / info@arosemarywatson.co.uk).

German For Beginners, six week course to learn German in a relaxed and friendly environment, no prior knowledge required, all course materials provided, native speaker led. Bannerdale Centre, Carterknowle Road, Thursdays, 6.30pm - 8.30pm, starting May 12 (£59, 2587047 or 07805981343 or email totaldeutsch1@gmail.com)

Workshops with a Vintage Twist at the Button Tin, Needle Case & Pin Cushion Set, May 7, Home Sweet Home, learn how to re-cycle pretty fabrics and notions to make warm and cosy items from tea cosies to cushions, May 14, The Button Tin, Central Kiosk, High Street, Rotherham, 11am-4pm unless otherwise stated (£28, www.gemma-nemer.co.uk).

Running with Scissors, new workshops for crafty individuals, Origami Fabric Flowers, Friday May 6, Felt Jewellery, Saturday, May 21, Sock Monsters, Saturday, May 28, Mother and Baby Workshop, Saturday, June 18, Sewing Machines for Beginners, Saturday, June 25, Curtains for Beginners, Saturday, July 9, Meersbrook United Reformed Church, Chesterfield Road, Heeley (www.rwssheffield.co.uk or e-mail info@rwssheffield.co.uk).

Dressmakers Workshop, running classes in Dressmaking, Speed Tailoring, Textile Art, Soft Furnishings and Pattern Cutting, 10-week term, courses for beginners to advanced (Sheila Constance, 2846868 or email dressmakersworkshop@hotmail.com).

Women’s Construction Centre, Wall and Floor Tiling, seven weeks, Tuesdays, 6pm-9pm from June 7 (£84); Advanced Plumbing, six weeks, Wednesdays, 6pm-9pm from June 8 (£72); Advanced Plastering, seven weeks, Thursdays, 6pm-9pm from June 9 (£84); Car Maintenance, Five weeks, Tuesdays, 6pm-8.30pm from June 14 (£50); Courses for men and women in Electrics, four weeks, Wednesdays, 6pm-8.30pm starting June 8 (£35); Buckenham Street, Burngrave (2725360, text 07813126388 or email wicat2011@gmail.com).

BBC First Click Computer Courses for Beginners, friendly, informal classes (maximum of eight people) with expert tutor - designed specifically for novices, Croft House Settlement, Garden Street (details and booking: 2491460).

Talking Politics, eight-week WEA discussion-based course looking at current political issues and ideas UK and world-wide, St. Matthew’s Rooms, Carver St., Thursdays, 10am to noon, starting May 5 (£51 full/ £3 on means-tested benefits, or Working Tax Credit and household income under £15K, www.paulboizot.co.uk/courses.htm, 01904 621510).

WEA 10-week Creative Writing Courses, starting this week with tutor Liz Cashdan. Writing Workshop at Ecclesall Library, Tuesdays, 2.30pm-4.30pm; Writing for Children Workshop, The Workstation, Paternoster Row, Fridays, 10an-12 starting May 6 (enrol at first session, further details: 2368361 or lizcashdan@onetel.com).

Computer Courses, chance to join others and learn about using a computer and the internet, Totley Library, Thursdays, 10am-12 starting May 12, for beginners, Ecclesall Library, Thursdays, 1.30pm-3.30pm (booking essential, Nick 2662114, individual tuition also available) .

Know Your Sheffield History Trips, WEA course of nine local history trips and one illustrated talk, St Oswalds Church crypt or hall, Bannerdale Road (corner of Abbeydale Road) either Thursdays 1pm to 3.15pm or Mondays 7pm to 9.15pm starting May 5 and 9 (essential to receive programme details from Robin Fielder, 258 0575, £63/ concessions, £3 to some people receiving benefits, fee enquiries to WEA, 2423609.).

Digital Photography, eight week evening courses for beginners and intermediates, plus 1 to 1 lessons (www.greenfoxphotography.co.uk, email mail@greenfoxphotography.co.uk, 07758193741).

Courses in Neuro Linguistic Programming, an applied psychology that can enhance your life at work, rest and play (www.nlpsheffield.co.uk, Lynn Holmes, 0788 6255027).

Drawing Class with Gill Gathercole, small friendly group, Planet Pot, Hangingwater Road, Nethergreen, Mondays 1.30pm-3.30pm (places now available - running till June, book for six weeks at a time, 07941 013307).

Silver Jewellery Making Workshops, small groups, individual tuition, with Annette Petch in her studio at Manor Oaks, Saturday, May 21, 10am-4pm (£75 per person, book via email annette@annettepetchjewellery.co.uk or phone 07952 235985).

Nutrition Course, eight 2.5 hour modules covering diet and techniques with interesting facts and tips to improve health and well-being, and also pass on to friends and family, suitable for all, no previous knowledge required, Broomhill area, commencing May 7, 2pm-4.30pm (£225, workbook and attendance certificate provided., email clare@newlifenutrition.co.uk or call 07860788537 for more information).

Fertility: A Natural Approach to Conception, Nim Barnes, founder of the Foresight charity specialising in a successful pre-conception care programme, will be in Sheffield to talk about her belief that people should consider a safe and natural alternative to assisted conception and to encourage the very best health possible for conception and pregnancy, Riverside Cafe, Catchbar Lane, Hillsborough, Sunday, May 15, 1.30pm - 5.30pm. (£10 , email clare@newlifenutrition.co.uk, or call 07860 788537 to reserve a place).

Feeling Form, day of tactile experiences of shaping in clay some of the extraordinary forms and structures one can find in Nature, including the human body, at workshop in the series, Coming to Our Senses given by Constantin Court, Hiram Academy tutor, Freeman College, Sterling Works, Arundel Street, Sunday, May 16. 10am-5pm (£25/£20, book on 0797 490 6421).

Holiday Italian, five-week daytime language courses starting after Easter; fun informal classes, all materials provided, no previous knowledge required. Other levels also available (Sue McKenna , 07879 438848 or email info.italianlanguage@gmail.com).

Forget Me Not, series of workshops run by SA Heritage to help you write your own life story as a perfect legacy for the family, six two-hour sessions guiding you through a process to capture your personal life story in small friendly groups. Places available on course at Ranmoor Parish Centre , Monday, 9.30am-11.30am starting May 9, additional course due to start June 17 (Sara or Angela, 07890494235 or 2851325).

Print Workshops, beginners and experienced artists welcome, non-toxic etching, lino and woodcut, collagraph printing techniques, Mondays and Wednesdays, 6.30pm-9pm, Fridays, 9.30am--4pm, new Saturday class, Saturday, May 7, three places left (Half or full day sessions, prices begin at £16 per evening session, email peterpainterprint@btinternet.com, www.peterpainterprintmaker.com).

The Glass Fusing for Beginners, eight-week course learning to make beautiful decorative items like panels, dishes and jewellery using fused glass, open to all, Southey Green Primary School, Crowder Avenue, Southey Green, Tuesdays and Thursday, 6.30pm-9pm, also Mondays, 10am-12 (£63, concessions for people on benefits, limited spaces, contact Krishna 2323620).

Assertiveness for Parents of Children 2-11yrs, Parent Lifeline (Helpline for Parents) four-week course, Alpha House, Carver Street, Thursdays, 10am-12 noon from May 5 (£10, concessions available, includes the cost of the handbook, which participants keep, and tea or coffee & biscuits after each session, 2726575).

Beginners Internet Course for Adults, run by Tuition Extra in Crosspool in conjunction with the BBC First Click scheme. Bring your own laptop or use one of our computers, Thursday and Friday mornings (booking: Carolyn 2667007, email info@tuitionextra.co.uk, www.tuitionextra.co.uk).

Photography, for those interested in night time photography in and around the Sheffield area (Paul 07811 280838).

Lip Reading Classes, St Mary’s Church, Walkley, Mondays, 10am; Stocksbridge Library, Thursdays, 9.30am and 12 (2423609).

Dressmaking and Creative Development, includes soft furnishings, textile art, machine embroidery, pattern cutting, The Dressmakers Workshop, Wortley Road, High Green, Wednesdays and Fridays, 10am -12; Mondays and Tuesdays, 7pm -9pm (Sheila, 2846868).

RYA Day-Skipper and Yachtmaster, shorebased courses at Sheffield College (Bill Clay, 07771652123, email enquiries@sailnorth.co.uk for details, enrol online at www.sheffcol.ac.uk).

VHF Radio Course, one-day VHF-DSC course for yachtsmen to satisfy the RYA and Marine Radio Operators Short Range Certificate of Competence (2214304 or email enquiries@sailnorth.co.uk).

Day Workshops in Silver Jewellery Making, suitable for beginners and intermediates offering a chance to explore silver and take home some fantastic jewellery, small and informal groups in contemporary jeweller Jessica Elizabeth’s studio, situated alongside the Harley Gallery, Welbeck, near Worksop, 10am-4pm (£68 incl. materials, 07966031016, info@jessicaelizabeth.co.uk, www.jessicaelizabeth.co.uk).

Stained Glass Courses and Workshops, learn traditional and Tiffany stained glass taught by Martin McAssey from his home studio in Crosspool. Lessons are run with a maximum of four students ensuring a high level of individual tuition; classes are for beginners as well as more experienced students. Classes are available daytime, evenings and weekends (email glass@martinmcassey.co.uk, www.martinmcassey.co.uk, 2668382 / 0776 5890192).

Cycle Maintenance Courses, practical courses in cycle maintenance and repair for beginners to the more experienced learning over three or six evenings how to clean, lube, service and repair bikes. Maintenance courses run all year round and courses in wheelbuilding are also running. ReCycleBikes, Thirlwell Road, Heeley (2507717, email info@recyclebikes.co.uk or visit www.recyclebikes.co.uk for advice on which course suits you).

Sheffield Language School, friendly and supportive daytime language classes for intermediate and advanced speakers in French, Spanish and Italian, no exams, no pressure, just practise speaking and grammar in small group situations, Tapton Hall, (enquiries@sheffieldlanguageschool.com, 2583756, www.sheffieldlanguageschool.com).

Life Drawing, develop your drawing skills working from a nude model with support, Millennium Gallery, Fridays, 10.30am–12.30pm or 1.30–3.30pm to December 10. Suitable for all abilities (£6/£5.50, no need to book).

Say It with Colour, fine art classes to learn how to see and understand colour in acrylics and paint to express yourself and enjoy it, Hangingwater Studio, Nether Green Road, Wednesday mornings and afternoons, and now Tuesdays. 6.45-9pm. Also Teenage Art, Tuesdays, 4pm-6pm (Lena 07790 795025, www.sayitwithcolour.co.uk).

Creative Textiles Classes, led by textile artist Helen Sadler, experiment and have fun working with a range of materials, fabrics and threads, Ecclesall Parish Rooms, Ringinglow Road, Thursdays, 1pm-3pm (£42 for seven sessions, booking and info: 2962752 or email helensadler47@hotmail.co.uk).

Patchwork and Quilting Lessons, workshops and individual one-to-one tuition available in comfortable and homely studio surroundings, learn the basics as you create your quilt, pillow/cushion cover, wallhanging, bag, jacket or anything else that takes your fancy. Learn the skills for fabric preparation, accurate and safe rotary cutting, sewing 1/4” patchwork seams, traditional fabric piecing, foundation piecing, applique’, celtic and stained glass technique, squaring blocks and quilts, applying borders and binding, preparing quilt layers using block technique e.g. boards, machine quilting (2969200, 07789 365661, email: sylviagrayson@blueyonder.co.uk).

Furniture-making for Women, daytime and evening classes to learn how to use hand tools, power tools and machinery and design and make you own furniture projects, The Women’s Workshop, Sheffield City College, Granville Road (2602029).

Textile Art & Design, tutorials with Jean Golby in which students can learn how to work in voiles, felt, and metals, learn design using paint transfer, stamping fabric layering and burning using a soldering iron and patchwork cutting techniques, quilting and applique’ by hand and machine, Coterie Gallery & Fine Art Studio, Paces Campus, Pack Horse Lane, High Green, Tuesdays, 10am-12pm. Wednesdays, 10am-12 and 6pm-8pm (contact Jean on 2846571 or 07858 728721, email jeangolby@btinternet).

Business for Beginners, includes working out how much money you might make, how to sell and how to run your business, evening or daytime (Julie, 0800 0680897, julie@the-watershed.co.uk).

Metalwork and Jewellery classes, taught by Victoria Kershaw from her studio in Butcher Works (07973 679 062 or email info@victoriakershaw.com).

Greentop Circus Centre, Ongoing evening classes: Contemporary Dance, Mondays, 5.45pm-7.15pm; Beginners’ Trapeze, Mondays, 7.30pm-9.30pm; Youth Circus, Tuesdays, 5.30pm-8.30pm; Acrobalance Skill Share, Tuesdays, 8.30pm-10.30pm; Circus Skills, Wednesdays, 7.30pm-9.30pm; Intermediate Aerial, Thursdays, 7.30pm - 9pm; Acrobalance Skill Share, Fridays, 6.30pm-8.30pm; Youth Aerial, Saturdays, 9.30am-11am St Thomas Building, Holywell Road, near Meadowhall (2448828).

Adult Drama Classes, open to all levels, Ecclesall Parish Halls, Mondays, 7pm-9pm, (07904 339024, email: info@actonedramastudio.co.uk or visit our website: www.actonedramastudio.co.uk).

Drystone Walling for Beginners, one and two-day courses in groups of four with Will Husband, DSWA-approved instructor, walling tools, work gloves and safety goggles provided, Blackbrook Farm, off A57, Rivelin Valley, most weekends throughout the year, 9.45am-4.30pm (2304530, www.peakwalling.co.uk).

Bead Jewellery Workshops, Jencel run regular workshops through the year, either project based or for beginners, individual lessons also available (www.jencel.co.uk, email celia@jencel.co.uk, 2509565).

Scrapbooking and Cardmaking Classes, Craftangels, Sandygate Road, Crosspool, Fridays, 1pm-2.30pm (2667339).

Art Tutorials in Painting and Drawing, for beginners and improvers with artist Joanne Jenkins, small groups with individual support to develop technique and style, Coterie Fine Art Studio, Packhorse Lane, High Green, Tuesdays, 10 am- 12 and also 2pm - 4pm if sufficient numbers, and Thursdays, 6.30pm - 8.30pm (email joanne@coteriegallery.co.uk or call 07746718658).

Knit & Knatter, Dressmakers Workshop, Wortley Road, High Green, first Saturday of the month, 12-2pm (£3, 2846868 for info /bookings).

Knit and Natter, beginners welcome, St Mary’s Church Hall, South Road, Walkley, every Thursday, 12.30pm to 2.30pm (£2 including refreshments, 07960 512206).

Crystal Knitters Knit ‘n’ Natter, all ages welcome, for experienced knitters/Crochet and those wanting to learn, Crystal Peaks Library, meet weekly at Crystal Peaks Shopping Centre, Thursdays, 10am-12 (www.knitnnatter.co.uk, Sue 2470576).

Watercolour Art Class for Adult Beginners and Improvers, small friendly classes with lots of individual attention from experienced teacher Pamela Marshall who will demonstrate the basics as well as encouraging students to develop their own techniques, Beauchief, Tuesdays, 7pm-9pm, Wednesdays, 7.15pm-9.15pm, Thursdays 10am to noon (2748635, individual tuition by arrangement).

Say It With Colour, paint to express yourself and enjoy it. Hangingwater Studio, Fulton’s Yard, Nether Green, Tuesdays, 6.45pm-9pm (Lena 07790 795025. www.sayitwithcolour.co.uk).

Art Tuition, with qualified professional art teacher and artist Margaret Ellis, small groups, individual attention (2367380, www.margaret-ellis.co.uk).

Painting and Drawing Classes, for beginners and improvers. Also acrylic painting workshops run through out the year with Hazel, Totley area (2366031, hazel_lale@yahoo.co.uk).

Art Classes for Beginners, Coterie Gallery, Paces Campus, Packhorse Lane, High Green, every Wednesday (Joanne, 2330963, 07746 718658).

Creative Workshops, Encaustic Art, Printmaking, Silk painting, Mosaics and more, Fired Arts, Ecclesall Road (2670797 www.firedarts.co.uk).

Glass Workshops, for all ages with resident artist Tracy White at her studio in the stable block, Renishaw Hall (www.tracywhitejewellery.co.uk, 07910 453606).

Abbeydale Hall French Club, small self-help group meeting weekly to improve skills by listening to, translating and speaking French, welcomes new members, Bannerdale Centre, Cartnerknowle Road, Tuesdays, 7pm (2301992, 2817678).

Spanish Refresher Course, relaxed and friendly classes, reasonable prices, qualified and experienced tutor, Spring Lane S2, starting April 27 for ten weeks (Pete 07910 088203 or email birdpete@hotmail.com).

Spanish this Autumn?, student-centred groups, daytime or evening; at all levels, with fully qualified and experienced tutor (2331355; velero@tiscali.co.uk).

German Conversation, join friendly and social group to improve or top up your German, all abilities catered for, Norton College, Tuesdays, 7pm-8.30pm during term time (Alan Smith, 2257768).

German Private Tuition, experienced native German teacher offers one-to-one lessons for all levels, ages and purposes (Tamara 2584777 or 07986 111096).

Achtung!, private German language tuitition for those who need a hand with GCSE or A Level, want to brush up for a holiday, or learn from scratch (Tom, 07737446210).

Learn Italian, fun, informal classes taught by an experienced, professional tutor, Italian for Business also available (Sue 07879 438848).

Language Classes, Beginners / Intermediate / Advanced conversation / Holiday courses offered in Spanish, French, Italian, German, Greek, Mandarin, Russian in relaxed and friendly atmosphere with no exams, Thursdays, different levels between 6-9pm (Kirstie/Jo at Meadowhead School & Language College, 2372723).

Spanish Tuition, native Spanish speaker offers support in intermediate or advanced level Spanish. Also basic conversation ideal for holidays in Spain (e-mail djvilches@hotmail.com or 07521279861).

French and Russian, private tuition at all levels with highly qualified experienced teacher (07952 572823).

Private Maths and Science Tuition, by experienced tutor, all levels taught (Dr Dianna Talib 07765 430369).

Diploma course in Neuro Linguistic Programming, NLP is an applied psychology and an effective means of communication (details visit www.nlpsheffield.co.uk).

Baby and Child Life Saving Courses, do you know what to do if your child is choking or stops breathing? Courses for parents, grandparents and carers of babies and children can learn how to perform life saving techniques on two-hour courses in their own home, courses available evenings and weekends (01226 350908) or e mail easyasabc@sky.com).

Foil, one hour fencing courses for beginners from 11 years to OAPs welcome, national registered, CRB checked coaches, latest safety equipment. English Institute of Sport (Sheffield), Coleridge Road, Attercliffe, first Monday of the month, 7.15pm (just turn up or Howard 07990 556823, email yfence@aol.com. www.sheffieldswordclub.co.uk).

Dog Behaviour and Training, no harsh methods used, eight-week group courses for dogs and owners of all ages/abilities in small groups with qualified instructor, plus educational workshops, behaviour counselling and 1-1 problem solving at home and local area (www.peopleanddogs.co.uk, Victoria 2747665 / 07811031694).

Millhouses Dog Training Classes, small classes with 25 years experience; using simple techniques which are kind, fair and effective, to enable you to have a well mannered, happy dog that all can enjoy, St Andrews Hall, Nether Edge, Mondays and Wednesdays, 9.30am. and Tuesdays 5pm & 6pm; Bradway Community Hall, Mondays, 6.30pm (booking essential, Katie Patmore: 2962271 or Jane Pooley: 2303879, www.millhousesdogtraining.co.uk).

Dog Training Classes, for puppies and adult dogs, maximum of 10 dogs in the class, six week courses of one hour, friendly, fun and informative classes with ‘well behaved partners and children welcome, Trinity United Reformed Church, Ecclesall Road, Tuesdays and daytime Fridays (bookings and details from Rod Roberts 01623 482181/ 0795 7211299 or for Fridays, Polly Thomas 01623 482181/ 0795 8630391). Also Puppy School Classes, maximum of eight dogs, six weekly hour-long friendly sessions, Trinity United Reformed Church, Fridays (bookings and details from Yolande Bosman, 2509821 / 07932 417522). Further information: www.a2zdoginfo.com

Boney Fido Dog Training, tricks and fun and easy basics obedience, six week courses, St Augustine’s, Brocco Bank, Tuesdays, 7pm; Fulwood Scout Hut, Fridays, 7pm (booking essential, Liz or Dave, 2517148/ 07758 228529, www.boneyfidodogs.co.uk).

Wincobank Dog Training Club, teach gentle treat/ reward-based obedience training and socialisation for all dogs, young and old, pedigree or cross breed, junior handlers welcome accompanied by an adult, St Christophers Community Hall, Bellhouse Road, Shiregreen, every Wednesday, 7.30pm, eight-week beginners courses £25, three advanced classes available (2844255).

Presentation and Public Speaking Skills, learn to speak with clarity and confidence in meetings and seminars with private tuition for calming nerves, clearer voice and structuring ideas and information (£30 per hour/ £15 students, contact Carolynne Radcliffe, 2423425).

Age Active, Beginners Craft Class, sociable group that meets to practise all sorts of craft activities, Scout Hall, Trippet Lane, Tuesdays, 11am-1pm; Art Group, informal art class that meets to practise painting and drawing, Scout Hall, Trippet Lane, Fridays, 1pm-3pm (2766747).

Adobe Photoshop Photography Portrait Training Course, one-to-one private tuition with professional photographer, one-day intensive course aimed at those who want to develop professional editing skills and learn the inside secrets of producting images at an industry standard, other Adobe Photoshop courses available (www.studiodesignphotography.net, 01909 479828, info@studiodesignphotography.net).

Clinical Supervision Group, mixed group for practising qualified and registered art therapists; psychotherapists and counsellors: providing an opportunity for CPD (continuing professional development) through inter-professional learning by HPC registered art therapist, S10, Collegiate Crescent, Wednesdays (07973 353964 or e-mail: S.Hogan@derby.ac.uk).

Art Therapy Group, and one-to-one sessions by HPC registered art therapist with 20 years of clinical experience and supervisor status, S10, Collegiate Crescent, to be offered on Wednesday afternoons, (tel: 07973 353964 or e-mail: S.Hogan@derby.ac.uk)

Dressmaking Classes, run by Jo Owen, a designer with more than 30 years experience. Suitable for all abilities. Learn how to make patterns fit and create exclusive garments for yourself. Stitched Up and Fleeced Studio, Nethergreen Road, Thursdays, 1pm-3pm (£60 for six sessions, 2303030, joowen10@hotmail.com).

Acting & Drama Coaching, individual tuition for LAMDA exams, drama school entry, public speaking and presentation, with experience professional actress and practitioner, available for all ages (£15 per 30 mins/ £12 students, contact Anita Gilbert, 07736 778401).

Art Group, small, friendly group meets with tuition available if required, beginners welcome, in Botanical Gardens, Fridays, 1pm (2210678).

Life Coach Workshops, Coach Yourself to Success coming to Sheffield demonstrating how to use simple techniques that successful life coaches use in their lives (Tracy, 07986 855991, tracy@remedialtherapy.net).

CV Writing Master Classes, full day-events, enabling you to present your experience in the correct style of CV under guidance from a qualified tutor, courses held at professional venues in the Sheffield area (£89 includes refreshments, lunch and typing service of draft CV and covering letters, 3352664, email info@pbtraining.co.uk, www.pbtraining.co.uk).

Help with Websites, range of short courses to help you create or improve your web presence (Dave or Martin, thetrainingfoundry@shu.ac.uk, 2255888).

Craft Workshops, beginners and experience crafters are invited to join new weekly workshops, different topics each week (card, scrapbooking, cuttlebug, altered art), Quayside Crafts, (A & G Passenger Boats Ltd), Arch 16, Victoria Quays, Wharf Street, Mondays and Tuesdays, 10am to noon (2786314. www.sheffieldboats.co.uk).

American Patchwork and Machine Embroidery Classes, Coterie Fine Art Gallery, Packhorse Lane, High Green, day or evening Classes can be arranged; only small groups taken to ensure individual attention (Jean Golby, 2846571, 07748611816 or email jeangolby@btinternet.com).

Reflections on the Life of the Spirit, a life-enhancing course, a group exploration of the sacred texts of the Baha’i Faith, designed to help people discover their true spiritual purpose (Helen 07845 917675 or Phil and Rita, 2363758).

View the original article here

Dog Trainer's Secret to Success is Not Having Any (Secrets, That Is) - BusinessNewsDaily

2011-06-16T23:04:00.000-07:00

Can you really teach an old dog new tricks? Jonathan Klein thinks you can and he's not just talking about his four legged clients.

The Los Angeles-based dog trainer who has owned I Said Sit! School for Dogs more than 20 years, started the business as an in-home pet training enterprise. Today, his company occupies a state-of-the-art 5,000 square-foot facility in Los Angeles, that provides dog training, doggie day-care and short and long-term boarding.

Despite competition from other trainers, Klein has managed to differentiate himself from his competition using by capitalizing on two things: his alternative approach to dog training and his understanding that to really build a business, he needed to target his message to those who really wanted to hear it.

A natural talent

Klein was working in sales and marketing when he discovered his talents as a dog trainer after finding himself with an unmanageable puppy. He began to take training classes, where he he was a natural at it. After reading numerous books on the subject and taking several classes, he became a professional trainer. Klein believes it was his love of animals and his inherent connection with dogs that pulled him toward dog training as a career.

“It really was a case of finding my calling. Working in sales was a job. Training was my passion,” said Klein.

When he first started his business, Klein said there were so many in-home dog trainers in Los Angeles that it was practically a fad. However, he was able to stand out and distance himself from his competitors — many of whom were not well-trained and simply wanted to make some money — through his unique approach to dog training. He uses the ‘causative approach,” which uses praise and rewards to encourage positive behavior, but never uses punishment in response to negative behavior.

“What happens is that, while a dog may behave, it is doing so out of fear, which can then lead to a host of other problems,” Klein told BusinessNewsDaily. “And who really wants their dog to be afraid of them?”

Target marketing

Though his effective training method certainly helped, this was not the only advantage Klein had in getting his business off the ground. His strong sales and marketing background gave him an edge when it came time to advertise.

“I knew that it was going to be word-of-mouth, not marketing that was going to drive my business,” said Klein. “The more I concentrated on my work and delivered results, the quicker my reputation grew. To this day, it’s the calls I get from people who have been recommended that let me know I’m on the right track.”

By "word-of-mouth," however, Klein does not mean that he just sat back and waited for the phone to ring. Instead, he took a very targeted and thoughtful approach to how he spread the word about his business.

"At the beginning I did a lot of networking that was targeted to a niche of people – vets, groomers, pet stores, breeders – I wanted to get the most reach for my efforts," Klein said.
While he could have advertised to a broader audience, where, perhaps half of the people owned pets, he, instead focused on groups that had a larger concentration of pet owners.
His background in sales also helped.

"I figured that no matter what I did eventually, I was going to have to sell myself, my business, my field to somebody else," Klein said, explaining his reasons for entering the sales business. Now, even after 20 years in the business, he's still putting his sales skills to work, even just to convince his clients to use the training techniques he's taught them.

Sharing secrets

Sharing those training techniques is another part of the marketing puzzle for Klein. He believes that rather than guarding the his recipe for success, his role as trainer involves sharing his techniques and encouraging clients and potential clients to embrace them.

To this end, the company send out regular email newsletters and employs both Facebook and Twitter to disseminate his message.

Still, in spite of the fact that he's sharing his training methods, Klein finds that customers still need his help deploying them.

"I want to help people by giving as much information as much as I can," Klein said. "But, 9 out 10 times, if you have a dog problem, you need a professional."

That's where he comes in.

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Top health tips aren't as obvious as usual - Jackson Clarion Ledger

2011-06-16T22:43:00.000-07:00

It's become quite the norm to write about health ailments and receive calls from readers wanting me to diagnose them over the phone.

All I can ever do is refer them to those who hold degrees that give them the authority to diagnose.

My advice is not technical when it comes to leading a healthy lifestyle.

Some suggestions are commonly applicable to us all. The Mayo Clinic recently released its top 10 list on simple steps to improve health. They are not all obvious but depending on your health status, the tips are reasonable to achieve for most.

Here are a few in no particular order:

Forgive others: Yes, forgiving others improves mood and lowers stress. Holding on to grudges only makes life more miserable, and it certainly doesn't resolve the problem.

Get a pet: According to researchers, dog owners who have had a heart attack are more likely to be alive a year longer than if they did not have a dog. Dog owners are also less likely to be obese because of regularly walking their pets.

The researchers did not mention cats, but I hear they are great lounging buddies/stress relievers when they aren't being mischievous.

Pursue yoga and tai chi: Aerobic, strength training, core stability, flexibility and balance are types of exercises achieved through yoga and tai chi. Research shows they also help lower blood pressure and improve sleep.

Try volunteering: Nothing beats the blues like taking the focus off your own problems and lending yourself to help someone else. Volunteering promotes emotional and mental well-being.

Some of the other tips are the most common we hear about all the time - eat fruit daily, include more high-fiber foods in your diet and take daily brisk walks of at least 30 minutes .

Living a healthy, happy lifestyle doesn't have to be complicated. What I've observed is that even those constrained by health ailments tend to work harder at retaining or improving their health status.

Having a workout partner or health partner may do the trick. There's nothing like someone else holding you accountable.

View the original article here

Trainer prepares pets for Naperville therapy dog program - Chicago Sun-Times

2011-06-16T19:33:00.000-07:00

As a volunteer for nine years with the Animal-Assisted Therapy program at Edward Hospital, Wendy Yellin has seen firsthand how dogs can provide comfort and relief to hurting people. Although dogs may be ideal companions by nature, working in a hospital setting requires a level of obedience and focus that only comes with proper training. To prepare their canines, owners such as Yellin turn to longtime dog trainer Frank Brader. … Read More

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LISTINGS: Write Stuff, Talks/Lectures, Courses/Workshops - June 9 - June 16 2011 - Sheffield Telegraph (press release)

2011-06-16T18:10:00.000-07:00

Published on Thu Jun 09 13:34:35 BST 2011

COURSES/WORKSHOPS

Sheffield Writers Resource Centre, information and advice, Main Lending Library, Surrey Street, Wednesdays, 5.15pm-7.30pm (2734711).

Are You a Frustrated Poet?, for those who would like to develop skills and confidence and get useful and supportive feedback on what they are writing or else would like to learn to write, or learn more about poetry and poets, in a community-based daytime group (velero@tiscali.co.uk, 2331355).

Sheffield Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Group, Old Queens Head, Pond Street, first and third Monday, 7.30pm.

Sheffield Writers’ Club, fortnightly informal meetings where visitors are welcome to join poets, novelists, short story writers, etc around the table and read their own work or just listen to what others have produced, receive helpful advice and feedback from like minded people, Quaker Meeting House, St James’ Street, alternate Mondays 2pm to 4pm, (£2 per session including refreshments, 2668641).

Baby-friendly Book Group, reading group for grown-ups where babies are welcome meeting in the Hunter’s Bar/Greystones area every 4-6 weeks for a relaxed and informal discussion about a book chosen by members of the group. Next meeting: July 8, to discuss The Help by Kathryn Stockett (Rachel on 07941 454195 or at matthewandrachel@hotmail.co.uk).

TALKS/LECTURES

Risks, talk by Prof.Charles Stirling for Bradway Agewell Club, Castle Inn, Twentywell Road, Bradway, Tuesday, 10am ( £2.50 for non members including refreshments, 2369830).

Another Cruise- to Canada, talk by David Bishop to Wortley Probus Club for retired professional and business men and women in North Sheffield, Whitley Hall Hotel, Elliot Lane, Grenoside, Wednesday, 10.30 am (new members welcome, John Wade 2338542).

COURSES/WORKSHOPS

Economic Update - A Bank Of England Perspective, seminar sponsored by Rensburg Sheppards, organised by Pro Sheffield, the professional membership organisation promoting business networking and commercial collaboration, Copthorn Hotel, Bramall Lane, Tuesday, 11:45am-2pm (www.pro-sheffield.co.uk).Holding It Together, Parent Lifeline (Helpline for Parents) are introducing a new course to help parents who are divorced or separated and are anxious about the effect on their children which will include material on helping children, Thursdays, June 23 to July 15, 7pm-9pm (£5 fee covers all four sessions, 2726575, www.parentlifeline.org.uk).

Dressmakers workshop, two classes overlocking, June 16, Masterclass in Summer Pants, June 17 (Sheila Constance, 2846868 or email dressmakersworkshop@hotmail.com).

Print Classes in Sheffield, non-toxic etching, collagraph, wood and lino cut techniques available for beginners or more experienced artists, evening classes every Monday and Wednesday (£16), all or half day June 11, July 9, August 7; Summer schools, July 25-29, August 8-12 (www.peterpainterprintmaker.com, 07749216291, email peterpainterprint@btinternet.com).

Dressmakers Workshop, running classes in Dressmaking, Speed Tailoring, Textile Art, Soft Furnishings and Pattern Cutting, 10-week term, courses for beginners to advanced . New term starts June 20. Enrolling now (Sheila Constance, 2846868 or email dressmakersworkshop@hotmail.com).

Boney Fido Dog Training, 1-2-1 training and courses: Perfect Pups; Basic obedience (indoor & follow-on outdoor); Agility; Clicker, & Retrieving. Venues: Trinity Church, S11 Wednesdays; St Augustine’s, S11 Fridays; Sportsman Inn, S10, Saturdays (booking essential, call Liz 2517148, www.boneyfidodogs.co.uk.

Running with Scissors, new workshops for crafty individuals, Sewing Machines for Beginners, Wednesday, June 15, and Saturday, June 25, Felt Jewellery, Wednesday, June 22, Lino Printing with James Green, July 2, Curtains for Beginners, Saturday, July 9. Also workshops in Feltmaking, Bag Making, A-line skirt and Knitting for Beginners. Held at either Meersbrook United Reformed Church, Chesterfield Road, Heeley or the Crucible Theatre (www.rwssheffield.co.uk or e-mail info@rwssheffield.co.uk).

Women’s Construction Centre, Advanced Plastering, seven weeks, Thursdays, 6pm-9pm from June 9 (£84); Car Maintenance, Five weeks, Tuesdays, 6pm-8.30pm from June 14 (£50); Buckenham Street, Burngrave (2725360, text 07813126388 or email wicat2011@gmail.com).

Ceramics Workshops, Workshop 1, in which participants will learn how to take plaster casts from simple forms found in both natural and domestic environments and how to create plaster moulds from them which can later be used for slip casting, press moulding or hand building, suitable for both beginners and the more experienced, Saturday, June 18, 10am-4pm (£70 including all materials); Workshop 2, learning how to use plaster moulds (either from previous session or else supplied), casting in porcelain slip and press moulding or hand building in stoneware clay and, if suitable, fired for collection lateer, Saturday, July 2, 10pm-4pm (£80 including materials and firing). Both at Studio 18, Persistence Works, Brown Street (information and booking email hannewestergaard@googlemail.com).

Computer Courses, for beginners and more advanced learners at Totley Library. Subjects covered will include internet, email and more. Digital photography will also be covered for those who want to have a go (booking essential, Nick 2662114).

Digital Photography, eight week evening courses for beginners and intermediates, plus 1 to 1 lessons (www.greenfoxphotography.co.uk, email mail@greenfoxphotography.co.uk, 07758193741).

Courses in Neuro Linguistic Programming, an applied psychology that can enhance your life at work, rest and play (www.nlpsheffield.co.uk, Lynn Holmes, 0788 6255027).

Forget Me Not, series of workshops run by SA Heritage to help you write your own life story as a perfect legacy for the family, six two-hour sessions guiding you through a process to capture your personal life story in small friendly groups. Next available course at Ranmoor Parish Centre, starting September , 9.30am-11.30am (Sara or Angela, 07890494235 or 2851325).

Photography, for those interested in night time photography in and around the Sheffield area (Paul 07811 280838).

Lip Reading Classes, St Mary’s Church, Walkley, Mondays, 10am to noon; Stocksbridge Library, Thursdays, 9.30am to 11.30am and 12.15pm to 2.15pm (07717742483).