Christmas Puppies

Holiday Puppy family introduction not going so well? Potty training ...dog not seeming to get the drift of it? Gift Certificates are available ....private or group lessons.

MERRY CHRISTMAS! AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Labor of Love Therapy Dogs

Labor of Love Therapy Dogs

Paws for meeting the needs of challenged people.

Bicycle Dog Leads

Far Fetched Tales Agility recommend bicycle leash for

your dog. Distance between dog , bike tire, and rider is safe.

One of the better designs. Other similar systems cost between

$25 and up.

Pet Travel

Safe pet travel for the holidays. Best to place animals in their crates or harness with a seat belt accessory for their safety. Dogs in crates or seat belt harness will not interfere with the driver. Allow for periodic walks during your trip. Even though it is cold outside dogs still need access to water during your trip.

Always be considerate and take plenty of poop bags in order to clean up after your dog.
Safe Travels and Happy Holidays!

Dogs and cold weather

The doghouse should be elevated off the ground to prevent moisture accumulation and aid in warmth retention. Shelters should be well insulated or heated if possible. Proper size doghouse helps the dog build up and maintain body heat. The proper fit allows the dog just enough head room while sitting, and just large enough for the dog to lay down. Bedding of straw can be added for additional comfort.

Fresh water at this time of year for the outside dog is very important, even though temperatures are cool be sure your dog has access to water.

2010 DOCNA NATIONAL CHAMPS

Diablo Harley Boi

2008/2009/2010 DOCNA NATIONAL AGILITY CHAMPION

Jo Dee Honey Crunch Dancin Gal

2008/2009/2010 DOCNA NATIONAL AGILITY CHAMPION

Air Travel

Results of a survey from the Journal of American Veterinary Association French Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, Pekingese, Shih Tzus, and similar breeds are called Brachycephalic. Nasal passages of these breeds are compressed and have trouble breathing under the best circumstances. Obesity which is rampant among these breeds exacerbates the problem adding the stress of air travel. If you are planning to travel with one of these breeds of dog, please consult your vet before traveling.

HOW TO WATCH AGILITY

OBSTACLES
Three skill levels of classes are performed over a pre-determined sequence and number of obstacles. The obstacles are as follows:
A-Frame, Dog Walk, Teeter, Open tunnel, Closed tunnel, various jumps, weave poles (Open, Excellent only), and table. The brightly colored areas on the contact obstacles are safety zones for the dog. They must place at least one foot in this area, the only exception being the upside of the A-Frame.

The jumpers classes do not perform contact obstacles (A-Frame, table, teeter, dog walk). Dog/handler teams can therefore race through a course, composed primarily of jumps and tunnels, demonstrating a dog’s speed and jumping ability.

SCORING
The judge will signal penalties such as run outs, refusals, off course, break in sit or down on the table and elimination. Each class has specific scoring requirements and each height and class type have course completion time requirements. The more difficult the class (Excellent being the most difficult) the tougher the qualifying requirements. Above all the handler must not touch or correct the dog in anyway and the dog must not leave the course.

One Open Hand – Wrong Course (off course) – 5 point deduction in Novice (2 allowed), Open (2 allowed), Excellent (2 allowed), elimination in all JWW classes
One Closed Hand (fist) – Refusal / Run Out – 5 point deduction in Novice (2 allowed), Open (1 allowed), elimination in Excellent, Novice JWW (2 allowed), Open JWW (1 allowed), elimination in Excellent JWW
Two Fingers or a “T” made with Both Hands – Table Fault (2 point deduction in Novice, Open, Excellent)
Two Open Hands – Elimination in all classes

ENJOY!

DOCNA AGILITY NATIONALS GRAND JUNCTION

Be a part of Jo Dee competing for her National Agility Title for the 3rd year, by donating $4 towards a DOCNA National Bumper Sticker. Bumper Stickers are at Capco Tile and Stone Hwy 6 & 50, J & M Aquatics North Ave., and UPS Store Rimrock Plaza, Grand Junction.

Your support is most appreciated. DOCNA Nationals, Grand Junction,
September 23rd, 24th, 25th, and 26th, Mesa Fairgrounds.

Corgi Puppies

Harley and Jo Dee are soon to be parents, so we are starting to come up with some creative names for the new additions. Mary-Louise Barker ....Bettie Poops.....Virginia Woof....Iggy Pup....etc. Please send us your suggestions.

ABC College

Just graduated from ABC Animal Behavior College looking for the opportunity to exercise the degree I have just earned. My dream would be to exercise my knowledge through assisting either the handicap, learning disabled, or post traumatic stress disorder clients with training for their service dog.

Also looking to develop a program with youth organization who want to learn the sport of agility or basic obedience training.

Behaviour Problems-Puppy Classes-Private or Group Lessons-Seminars-Public Speaking

Dogs + Hot Cars= Tragedy

80 degrees outside, inside of the car 102 to 120 degrees even with the windows cracked. Car works like a green house, trapping the sun's heat. Dogs can only withstand a body temperature of 107 to 108 before suffering brain damage or even death.

Do not leave a dog in a car during the hot summer months.

Keep dogs cool with keeping the pads of their feet wet.

Allowing enough fresh drinking water and shade. Be sure water can not be spilled.

Keep a pool of fresh water for the dogs to have an opportunity to wet their bellies.

Blue Eyes

When a dog has two blue eyes, the dog has a greater opportunity of being deaf,

And the winner is!

This was not a fluke, these two are well matched pound for pound, and enjoy hours of fun. Looks like a game of smell my feet.

Object of the cat was to always place it's two front paws on this little fellows nose.

Agiltiy Conditioning

From the couch to the agility field in 60 seconds. Really? I have observed as I've toured the country side watching my fellow agility friends -Dog gets out of the car, into the kennel, and on the agility field. To prevent injuries it's best to warm up the dog with stretching exercises, walk the dog to warm up, and what do you do at home to condition your dog? Observation has been my dog runs in the yard, really? Without motivation most dogs will elect the couch potato theme under a shade tree. So I put my dog outside today, for 45 minutes of exercise under it's favorite shade tree. For an aerobic exercise plan designed for your dog, contact Pamela for a private consultation designed to assist you in gaining seconds on your next run.

Course Maps

What to do with all of those agility course maps that you've collected? Save them and file them under the Judges last name. Before you show under that judge again, you'll be able become familiar with that Judges course style and course traps.

POOCH PARADE

Have fun raising funds for a great cause with your canine friends. *For saftey reasons only _one dog per adult_

Study of Training Methods - Remote Collars

Schilder and van der Borg (2004) study using electronic (shock collars) Do they promote distress and fear? The authors observed two training groups for police service dogs one without the remote collar and one with (shock collars). Police dog training was stressful for both groups. (shock collars) showed more behaviors of stress and fear. (ears back, tongue flicking, and paw raising) during training and on walks outside of training. Study result is that electronic collars / remote training collars produced a by-product ....more stressful and fearful behavior.

Herron, Shofer, and Reisner (2009) study of owners seeking help for behavior problems of aggression. Those dog owners who handled aggression with more intimidating training methods (hitting, staring, and growling at the dog) elicited increased threats/aggression from their dogs.

Best response was for those owners/handlers offered a reward base training method. (Rewarding the dog for an alternate behavior.) Example: Dog is showing signs of stress or aggression, (dog loves to play ball) At the first sign of stress or aggression throw the ball you'll observe the dog changing it's behavior. Reward the dog for appropriate behavior always and often.

Thinking about using a shock collar / remote training collar / best to seek counsel from a professional dog trainer before pushing an aggressive or unrully dog beyond it's capabilities.

Salt Water Therapy Pool

Colorado Springs, Colorado
Paws N Tails Hydrotherapy pool

Salt Water therapy pool for dogs, some dogs are swimming for recreation while other dogs are working on an exercise program to assist in recovery from injury or to exercise to increase mobility.
Pool is kept at 90 degrees. Low impact form of exercise.

Harley over the dog walk and out to the weave poles!

Miracles of a Dog Trainer

Jesiah, 9 year old boy who because of his disability appears to be 7 years old, was assigned a therapy dog which did not work out. In order to keep his canine communication skills sharp for the arrival of his new therapy dog, Jesiah is working with agility dogs to build his confidence.
Jesiah's therapy dog is in training at the moment, I can hardly wait to have the experience of observing this wonderful dog in training. I was asked most recently how much money do you expect to make being a "dog trainer"? The 30 minute lesson working with Jesiah and seeing him improve.....what is the price of miracle?

Agility Course Maps

We've all been at an agility show and found that the registration table has run out of course maps. But alas technology is our friend....most of us have camera/phones simply take a photo of the posted course map for study. Run Clean!

Warning Signs

Signs that your pet might be in pain:

• Limping
• Trouble running, jumping, or climbing stairs
• Stiffness upon rising
• Cowering or growling when touched
• Unhappy or uncooperative behavior
• Decreased activity

Contact your vet for an exam if any of these symptoms are a factor.

Poison Information

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center 1-888-426-4435
National Animal Poison Control Center 1-800-548-2423
24 hour emergency hotline

Have the following information on hand:

Poison you believe your pet ingested.
Time since exposure
Breed
Age
Sex
Weight
Symptoms your pet is exhibiting


Acorns, Holly, Avocados, Caffeinated Foods and Drinks, Candles, Christmas Catus, Grapes, Raisins, Chocolate, Alcohol, Macadamia Nuts, Mushrooms, Poinsettia, and Yeast Dough. Some of the poisonous foods and plants around homes.

Montgomery Paints

Harley, Buster, and Jo Dee waiting for a horse to come by.

On our way to Colorado Springs tomorrow. Stopped by the El Pueblo Adolescent Treatment Community today.

We've played in the snow, mud, rain, and more mud!

Pueblo CO

Pueblo Animal Services wall of friendship. Paws for Life Animal Welfare is breaking ground on a new facility. Pet Paradise had some really large Koi. Really excited about meeting up with Ed and Irene Russell who own and operate "Luv "N" Care". Ed has attended the same ABC Behavior College that I am presently attending. Looking forward to meeting them both.

Canon City and Penrose

Buster performed the "Soft Exercise" in excellent form today at a surprise demonstration at All Star Pets 708 Main St. Canon City, CO . Also visited Four Mile Veterninary Clinic LLC., Fremont Veterinary Hospital, Kenline Vet, and for me a wine tour at the Holy Cross Abbey. http://www.abbeywinery.com/

The Canon Humane Society offered a wonderful selection of dogs and cats. Most impressed by the bloodhound and the 3 cattle dog puppies.

Adventure begins

Buster, Harley, and Jo Dee set out with me on a new journey today.

Practice Practice

Any trick or new training command should be repeated at least 20 times per day for the first week. Then repeat 10 times the next week, and the following week 5 times per day. When the dog fails to perform, go back to kindergarten 20 times per day and work forward.

Seminars

Booking Spring Seminar Tour starting March 23 rd to Penrose, Colorado Springs, and Denver.
Schedule fills fast.

Choking Dog

Perform a modified Heimlich Maneuver repeat the maneuver 1 to 3 times. If it is not successful after the first attempts, arrangements need to be made for getting the animal to medical care asap while the repeated maneuvers are preformed.

Be careful when removing objects from the dogs mouth and throat, dogs have tiny bones located at the back of their tongues.

Hold the animal around the waist so that the rear of the animal is close to you.

1. Place a fist just behind the ribs.
2. Compress on the abdomen 3 to 5 times with quick pushes.
3. Check the mouth to be sure object has been removed.

It's always best to still seek veterinary attention for the animal even if the object was removed.

Pamela at Good Time Adventures HIKE IT UP Oh what fun

Cleaned the area but still smell urine odor?

Cleaned the accident area with soap and water many times why do you still smell the urine odor from time to time? In a dry state urine salts have no odor. Anytime the urine salts are exposed to humidity or dampness they re-activate with a strong odor. So the next time your at your local pet store, purchase an odor remover product. I too use to just walk past these products, until I fully understood how the salt crystals will re-activate.

Importance of Heartworm Testing

Time to start loving your best friend with a heart worm test. Take a sample of the am stool sample to your vet for analysis.