awkwardlyamusing-blog

[awkwardlyamusing-blog]

A guide dog named Lucky

New Post has been published on http://doggietrainingclasses.com/a-guide-dog-named-lucky/

A guide dog named Lucky

People always ask me, “How could you give up the dog after a year of loving it?” The answer is easy. We gave up the dog so that a blind person could receive the dog. That joy was more than enough to compensate us for our loss. Plus, some of the dogs fail their training and if they do, they are offered back to the puppy walkers as a permanent pet. Our first guide dog, Topper, was a flunk-out and became our loving pet. He was a cat chaser, which is not a desirable trait. I will admit that I had become protective of Topper’s reputation and when they told me of his cat-chasing I angrily responded, “Well, what kind of cats do you have around here?”

Source link Train Your Dog

[awkwardlyamusing-blog]

Does Your Dog Need Swim Lessons?

New Post has been published on http://doggietrainingclasses.com/does-your-dog-need-swim-lessons/

Does Your Dog Need Swim Lessons?

In June, I took my cattle dog mix, Annie Oakley Tater Tot, to the Durango Off Leash Dog Park in Colorado, through which the Animas River runs. She had never shown much interest in water, and whenever she’d be near a lake or stream, stood just deep enough to get her paws wet.

But she followed a pack of dogs down to the river’s edge. It was running fast that day. What if she followed them in and got swept up by the current? Did she even know how to swim? If she slipped away, could I reach her?

As soon as I got back home, I did what a lot of my friends with young children do: I took her to a swim lesson.

This might sound like obsessive dog person overkill, but it’s a way to keep dogs safe if they are ever near water, said Dr. Jerry Klein, the chief veterinary officer of the American Kennel Club. He’s also been an emergency and critical care veterinarian for over 30 years and said the most common setting where dogs drown is in swimming pools, especially when the pool isn’t fenced in.

Dogs can drown in pools even if they know how to swim because pools may not have an easy way to get out, at least from a dog’s point of view. They can’t climb ladders, and if they can’t find the steps, they can panic and exhaust themselves.

Dogs, like people, can also get caught in fast streams, or in the ocean, particularly in riptides. There have also been concerns about dogs swimming in lakes or ponds with toxic algae blooms.

Not all dogs are going to be good at swimming either, Dr. Klein said. Dogs with short legs, like dachshunds, can have trouble paddling. Dogs with short snouts, known as brachycephalic breeds, like pugs and French bulldogs, may have a hard time breathing. Dogs with heavy coats, like komondors (which look like mops), can also be weighed down quickly in water, and stocky dogs like bulldogs can have trouble swimming because of the way their body weight is distributed.

Dr. Klein noted that there are exceptions, like Cherie, a French bulldog who won gold in both “medium dogs” and “best in the surf” at the World Dog Surfing Championships in August. He pointed out that all the surfing dogs he’s seen have been supervised and trained. “It wasn’t just letting them go in the water,” he said. And some dogs, even if they’re considered water dogs, like labs and retrievers, just might not be interested either. It depends on the dog, and how they’re introduced to the water.

Annie took her swim lesson with Opportunity Barks, a Philadelphia-area dog behavior and training school. I paid $48; the classes are available only during the summer months because they are held outdoors in an in-ground pool. Two trainers were present.

Hesitant dogs like Annie (and a Pomeranian named Alfred), started by being encouraged to stand on the top step on the pool’s underwater staircase, just getting their feet wet. If dogs made it onto the pool’s steps, they were then encouraged to swim to their owners, who were already in the water, or to follow treats or toys or Frisbees into the water. With a little nudge, Annie swam to me. I let her paddle on her own first, and then turned her around back toward the steps so she knew where to exit the water.

“You want to guide them in but also let them know that you can guide them out,” said Leigh Siegfried, the owner and training director at Opportunity Barks. I also plopped Annie on a raft and floated her around the pool, to get her more comfortable just being around water.

Dog can also learn to swim through bodies of water that slope gradually, like a lake or river. “Lakes are great because you can build interest,” said Ms. Siegfried. “They can wade or go ankle deep and freely exit.”

Dr. Klein also recommends kiddie pools to get dogs comfortable and interested in water if they’re too nervous to try that lake or stream.

Shannon Desjardins took her two French bulldogs, Edna and Stewie, to swim lessons at Avalon Ranch in Renfrew, Ontario, this summer.

Each dog was put into a life jacket and then placed into a pool. They swam toward the trainer, and then back to their owner, who was waiting for them on a dock.

“I wanted to make sure they could swim just in case they fell in the water,” she said. “Because of their squish faces and their actual build they don’t swim very well.” She also wanted them to get used to wearing the life jackets.

Each dog did well swimming, with Stewie being more encouraged to swim by chasing a ball thrown into the water, and Edna wanting to swim toward people. Ms. Desjardins took them back three weeks later for a follow-up. Stewie started going into the water himself, but Edna still wanted to be carried. “She kept coming back, to watch Stewie jump, so there is hope there too for a future water dog,” she said.

Six weeks after her lesson, Annie and I went back to Colorado, this time in Fraser. On a hot hike in the Arapaho National Forest, she stopped when our trail lined up with a shallow creek. She looked at the water, then back at me, then back at the water again. I walked down rocks toward the water and stood on the edge. She followed, then stepped around me into the water. She did it again the next time the path edged the creek. And then again. And again. When it was time to go, I had to bribe her with Cheez-Its to get her into the car, getting soaked myself in the process because she shook much of the creek off onto me. She just didn’t want to leave.

She didn’t swim — the creek wasn’t deep enough; but she wasn’t tentative about going in the water anymore. I wouldn’t be as worried about her if she followed a pack of dogs into deeper water. I would still put a life jacket on her if were ever to take her out on a kayak, but I wouldn’t worry so much about her going in. I just need to remember a towel next time.

Jen A. Miller is the author of “Running: A Love Story.”

Source link Dog Training

[awkwardlyamusing-blog]

Five Things to Know for Sept. 19 in Montgomery County

New Post has been published on http://doggietrainingclasses.com/five-things-to-know-for-sept-19-in-montgomery-county/

Five Things to Know for Sept. 19 in Montgomery County

It’s Thursday, Sept. 19. Here are five things to know in Montgomery County.

1. Chronic Disease Self-Management Peer Leader Training: Become a Certified Living Well- Chronic Disease Self-Management Peer Leader. The Living Well Chronic Disease Self-Management (CDSMP) is an evidence- based program that teaches community members with chronic illnesses how to better manage their symptoms and use new techniques for living well. This will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Holy Cross Resource Center in Silver Spring.

2. School Immunizations: To ensure all students have a chance to receive the necessary immunizations, the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will hold free clinics for children in grades 7-12 throughout this month. Students without Maryland required immunizations will not be able to attend school starting Monday, September 23.  Click here for more information about clinic schedules in the county.

3. Networking Event: Meet Your Legislators: The City of Gaithersburg Office of Economic Development and the Maryland Women’s Business Center invite you to attend a training and networking event with Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and other local legislators from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Kentlands Mansion [320 Kent Square Road in Gaithersburg]. This event will feature a round-table discussion facilitated by local legislative experts, followed by a networking reception. Click here for more information. 

On 9/19 meet local legislators to share your message about your business successes, needs and concerns while advocating for increased funding and support of women-owned small businesses. Register now! https://t.co/tBD79qgoG0 pic.twitter.com/i932z4JLhi

— marylandwbc (@marylandwbc) September 13, 2019

4. Parks, Party & Play -Bethesda Yappy Hour: From 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Elm Street Park [4600 Elm Street in Chevy Chase] there will be a pop-up dog park that will consist of a small dog and a large dog enclosure area for well-socialized dogs. Additionally, Bethesda restaurants will serve food, wine and beer. Entertainment will also be provided. Click here for more information. 

5. Job Searching in the Digital Age for Older Adults (55+): This presentation covers finding and applying for jobs online, social media for job seekers, tips & advice. This will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the Silver Spring Library on the 3rd floor in meeting room 2.  Click here for more information.

  For the latest news and events in Montgomery County, stay with MyMCMedia. We hope you will also follow MyMCMedia on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Source link Dog Training Information

[awkwardlyamusing-blog]

Caring for someone with Alzheimer's: Our guide and tips - Medical News Today

New Post has been published on http://doggietrainingclasses.com/caring-for-someone-with-alzheimers-our-guide-and-tips-medical-news-today/

Caring for someone with Alzheimer's: Our guide and tips - Medical News Today

Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s: Our guide and tips  Medical News Today

Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease can be both challenging and rewarding. Learn about tips to make it easier, as well as when to seek professional …

Source link Dog Training Tips

[awkwardlyamusing-blog]

Recommended TOYS - CHEWS. Keep your dog busy. Stimulate your dog with durable toys & healthy chews

New Post has been published on http://doggietrainingclasses.com/recommended-toys-chews-keep-your-dog-busy-stimulate-your-dog-with-durable-toys-healthy-chews/

Recommended TOYS - CHEWS. Keep your dog busy. Stimulate your dog with durable toys & healthy chews

Date: 2019-09-18 14:00:00

×

durabledogtoy #healthydogchew #healthydogtreat #strongdogtoy #durabledogtoys #strongdogtoys #healthydogchews #healthydogtreats #giveyourdogabone …

[awkwardlyamusing-blog]

Dog Gone Problems: How can we train our dog to go out the dog door and potty on his own? | Momaha.com

New Post has been published on http://doggietrainingclasses.com/dog-gone-problems-how-can-we-train-our-dog-to-go-out-the-dog-door-and-potty-on-his-own-momaha-com/

Dog Gone Problems: How can we train our dog to go out the dog door and potty on his own? | Momaha.com

Dog Gone Problems is a weekly advice column by David Codr, a dog behaviorist in Omaha. David answers dog behavior questions sent in by our readers. You can reach him at dogbehaviorquestions@gmail.com.

I just got a 5-month-old double doodle. He goes in and out the doggy door, which opens to a deck, by himself. I trained him in two days. He will go down the stairs into the yard to use the potty just fine. How can I train him to go out to potty all by himself? I’ve only had him three days, so hoping it will just take some time. I would love some tips to speed the process along.

Congrats on your new dog. Sounds like a smart one, which should make solving this problem pretty easy.

First off, you need to come up with a fun word that means to go outside. Dogs are the only animal on the planet who can read a human’s facial expressions, so coming up with a word that makes people smile and laugh can provide your dog with added motivation.

Next, have a family member or friend outside with a plethora of wonderfully stinky high-value treats your dog loves. I often use chicken liver.

With your dog and you inside near the dog door, have the person outside call your puppy by name. When your pup goes through the dog door, they should find this person right outside the dog door. When the pup is completely through the dog door, have them give him a treat and then say the command word after the treat goes into hi mouth.

Call your dog back inside, pet him under his chin and say sit. Have the person outside call the dog again, but this time move one step farther away from the door. Keep repeating this process for 10 treats, then have the humans swap places. When you go outside, stand where the other person was standing when they finished. Practice the routine for another 10 treats.

The next time your practice, the person should be at the same distance from the door as they were when they stopped last time. Maybe a few feet closer. Practice for another five to 10 treats.

At some point, when the dog is running through the door with glee, try saying the command word when the dog is inside with you and someone is outside waiting. If the dog goes through the door on his own, have the person on the other side give five treats in a row, saying the command word after each one. We call this a jackpot, and its a great way to reward a big accomplishment like responding to the command word.

Once you can say the command word and have the dog go out, you need to start providing the dog with things to discover and motivate him to stay outside and explore. You can leave a small trail of treats from where the person was standing to the grass the first time. The next time, leave another trail, but add a small pile of shredded cheese at the end of the trail (which should be in the grass).

The cheese promotes sniffing the ground, which is healthy and may lead to other exploring. The goal here is to provide motivation to go outside and progressively increase the length of the stay.

Practice this a few times, but keep moving the shredded cheese farther into the lawn — maybe one foot farther each practice. While you are doing this, use less treats for the trail, spacing the treats farther apart. At some point, you will stop with the trail and just leave some shredded cheese on the lawn for your dog to find.

You can also leave new toys outside, as well as chewy items like bully sticks, cows ears, etc. The idea is to leave good stuff outside for your dog to find, which gives him more incentive to go out and explore. With enough positive exposures, your dog will go out often looking for them and this should lead to going potty on his own as well.

Good luck and remember — everything you do trains your dog. Only sometimes you mean it.

Close

Despite being a senior cat at 10 years old, Baby is full of energy and mischief. Here, she dangles from a bannister in her house in Gretna.

Karen Windle, copy editor

We’re Bruce and Ernie (left). We love sneaking raw bacon off the kitchen counter, lounging around the house naked, er, without our collars and making friends with deer. (The deer *love* to play tag, but for some reason we’re always “it.”) 

Katy Glover, online editor

Buster can put a smile on your face like no one else, including those of neighbors who spot him dragging me along on a walk or run. Unfortunately, this high-energy guy recently has been sidelined by the doggie version of a torn ACL and subsequent knee surgery. He could use a little boost, so I’m nominating him for the OWH Pet Parade.

Julie Anderson, news reporter

At left is Clyde. He’s a dog. He’s 2 ½. He’s deaf. At right is Pieces. He’s a cat. He’s 13. He can hear. They would like very much for you to pick them!

Brad Davis, business editor

If you’re an avid reader of the World-Herald, maybe you’ve heard of Cooper. Features reporter Chris Peters has written about raising Cooper. Here he is on the custom pallet bed his mom built for him.

Chris Peters, features reporter

At left is Daisy. Her best friend is a reindeer, who comes to visit a few weeks each year. She complains a lot to the non-magical beings she lives with, for obvious reasons. At right is Diaz. He’s a handsome  boy who doesn’t care about that. He loves walks and belly rubs, all people, most dogs, one cat, and zero racoons and opossums. 

Rich Mills, copy editor

At the Ducey Farm in Dundee, we have the blackshirt gals who guard the back yard (Mary Stewart and Victoria Holt), and the chickens who help me garden (Brooklyn and Penny). They produce eggs and inspire pillows for the cutest and most fashionable dogs in the world (Phoebe, Gigi and cousin Tyson), who love to bark at the feral cats (Bunny and Butterscotch) who live outside and have matching tails!

Marjie Ducey, reporter

Gator likes eating snackies, expertly posing for pictures, getting floof everywhere and borking (not barking) at neighbor dogs.

Cory Gilinsky, features (and Sarah Jarecki, civilian)

Gracie the border collie and Beau the red heeler like long walks and frequent car rides, especially to drive-thrus that give treats. 

Deb Shanahan, metro desk editor, and Kent Sievers, photographer

Isabel doesn’t enjoy her humans (especially the little ones) a lot, but sometimes likes a good chin scratch. Mostly she enjoys being left alone to sit on top of the piano and watch the birds outside.

Kevin Coffey, music critic

Izzy is 6 months old. She likes to chase her tail (and often catches it), climb up couches (and people), and bother Zake. Zake is 15 years old and unsure of Izzy. After all, Izzy has the high ground.

Zach Tegler, copy desk

Jameson may be named after whiskey, but this five-year-old gal is all sweetness. At first skittish after being rescued from a farm in Oklahoma, now her favorite hobby is stealing hearts — and covers.​

Laurel Foster, online

We say Juni found us after my wife was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer. This little Havaton brings our family joy, love and snuggles every day.​

Jeff Robb, news reporter/data geek

Laika is, hands down, the happiest dog at the dog park. She is named after the heroic Russian cosmonaut dog, one of the first animals in space. Ciara loves to pray. When she joins our family in prayer, she sounds like Scooby Doo. She is fiercely loyal and protective.

Susan Szalewski, copy editor and news reporter

Lolo was adopted seven years ago in Louisiana. She’s a mutt, and we think she’s part nutria, otherwise known as a swamp rat.

Hunter Paniagua, digital sports coordinator

Minerva is a very hard worker. Two-year-old “Minnie” likes to spend her time cleaning, inspecting boxes and bird watching. (And looking adorable.)

Brandon Olson, digital content hub editor

Molly, a rat-terrier Chihuahua from NHS, loved everyone she met. She was an excellent high jumper and cuddler and gave us joy for 17 years. She died in April.

Betsie Freeman, features reporter

Nellie is a 10-year-old tabby cat who is more like 5 years old at heart. She enjoys sleeping in fresh, warm laundry, eating, chasing lasers and listening to stories with best friend, 4-year-old Sam.​

Ashlee Coffey, Momaha.com editor

This is Oliver. He has three legs and a bullet permanently lodged in him. (We didn’t put it there). He pretends like he’s surly and tough but deep down he’s very snuggly.

Roseann Moring, political reporter

Eighteen-year-old cat

Loves tuna, SBH and

A fireside nap

Sarah Baker Hansen, features, and Matthew Hansen, columnist

I’m Sasha. I was a stray in Oklahoma (where my ear was somehow torn) before a shelter rescued me & treated my heartworm. I just tested negative for heartworm, yay! I really like to play dead & get belly rubs!

Alia Conley, news reporter

Slugger, owned by the original Pet Parade Petitor in Chief and saved by Big Red Rescue in Omaha, chases his tail faster to his right than to his left. He ate a hole in the blinds to watch his owner come and go.

Steven Elonich, online editor

Toby is a 4-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback mix with a big personality. Given the protective tendencies of his breed, he’s very serious about watching over his property — and his owners. Until he isn’t.

Dave Elsesser, features editor, and RyAnne Elsesser

Toothpick loves biting bare legs, gazing longingly at birds outside and dipping his paw into bags of Spicy Nacho Doritos so he can lick off the Doritos dust (which his owners know is gross and bad but are powerless to stop). ​

Erin Duffy, news reporter

Boston Terriers, Willow, 8, and Dexter, 6, have a closet full of costumes, sweaters, scarves and even some pajamas. They only sit this nicely for photos because there are LOTS of treats involved – but really – they are crazy little puppies!

Tammy Yttri, copy desk chief

Nine years ago, we found Zed roaming the earth (it was a ruff life). He’s a good boy. He likes his toy lobster, pepperonis (which we call pupperonis) and keeping up with his fans at Zedwin.org. 

Graham Archer, digital editor

Hi, my name is Zeus, I an eight-year-old American Eskimo looking to get back in the game. They say I am fixed, but I think my only problem is you aren’t in my life. I love long walks and treats. I want someone to chase squirrels with.  Won’t you paw right?

Chris Machian, photographer

‘); }

Source link Train Your Dog

[awkwardlyamusing-blog]

Check out the 3 freshest new businesses to open in Chicago

New Post has been published on http://doggietrainingclasses.com/check-out-the-3-freshest-new-businesses-to-open-in-chicago/

Check out the 3 freshest new businesses to open in Chicago

Itching to hit up the newest businesses to open in Chicago? From a Caribbean restaurant to a fast food spot, read on for a rundown of the newest hot spots to open for business near you.

Jerky Jerk

Photo: Michael M./Yelp

A Tri-Taylor newcomer, Jerky Jerk is a Caribbean spot that’s located at 2253 W. Taylor St. The menu offers jerk chicken wraps, sandwiches and salads.

Kriser’s Natural Pet

Photo: Kriser’s Natural Pet/Yelp

Stroll past 453 W. Chicago Ave. and you’ll find the latest pet store and pet groomers spot to arrive in the neighborhood. Kriser’s Natural Pet has added a new location in River North. The chain has outposts in Illinois, Texas, California and Colorado. The spot offers dog training, dog daycare and vet services, according to the website.

McDonald��s

Photo: McDonald’s/Yelp

On the hunt for a new fast food spot? McDonald’s has opened its latest outpost, located in Brighton Park at 2844 W. 47th St. Stop by for some chicken nuggets or a cheeseburger.

This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we’re doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.

Source link Dog Training

[awkwardlyamusing-blog]

Comfort dog makes some service-dog handlers uncomfortable

New Post has been published on http://doggietrainingclasses.com/comfort-dog-makes-some-service-dog-handlers-uncomfortable/

Comfort dog makes some service-dog handlers uncomfortable

A dog who came to Spokane to provide comfort to people in distress is now drawing criticism from area service-dog handlers who say the animal has been aggressive and that its handlers have been unresponsive to their concerns.

Redeemer Lutheran Church brought Marie the Comfort Dog to Spokane a month ago from an Illinois training center, after working for two years to get the dog through Lutheran Church Charities.

Doug Weinrich, Redeemer’s minister of servant leader development, told The Spokesman-Review that Marie received more than 2,000 hours of training before Lutheran Church Charities sent Marie to Spokane, where she became the denomination’s first comfort dog in the Northwest.

Neither Lutheran Church Charities nor members of Redeemer’s 27-person comfort dog team responded to multiple requests for comment for this story.

After less than a month of service, Marie the Comfort Dog had several confrontations with other service dogs during sensory day at the Spokane County Interstate Fair on Tuesday.

The first sensory day was designed for individuals with disabilities and people who are sensitive to environmental factors. Resources were available in Bay 3 at the fairgrounds, including a booth for Marie.

Emily Vincent attended the fair specifically for sensory day and was accompanied by her service dog, Athena, and her 17-year-old daughter, who has Asperger’s syndrome.

They had been at the fair for about an hour when they decided to visit the resource booths.

“I didn’t even notice that there was a therapy dog on the right side,” Vincent said.

That’s when she heard a loud noise of a dog barking, growling and scrambling.

It was Marie lunging toward Athena.

Marie’s handlers attempted to calm her down but after about five minutes they “dragged” her out of the bay, Vincent said.

“It just sucks because I was there for my daughter,” Vincent said. “She can’t handle loud noises.”

Vincent left the fair a bit shaken almost immediately after the incident, but with the understanding that Marie would be removed from the fair, she said.

“I didn’t think it was an issue initially because I was told the dog was going to be removed,” Vincent said.

Holly Lytle, founder of the Isaac Foundation, was at her booth a few feet away.

While she didn’t see the incident occur she did see the aftermath. There was “just that upset dog sound and then the handlers took her out,” she said.

After a while outside, Marie was back at the booth with her handlers.

That’s when Laura Renz entered the area with her service dog, Little One, an 85-pound chocolate Labrador.

The fair isn’t something Renz would normally attend but “one of the reasons I went was to see Marie the Comfort Dog.”

“I heard some noises,” Renz said. “It sounded like a chair scraping on the floor.”

She later was told the noises were a low growl from Marie, but since Renz is hard of hearing she was unable to identify the sound.

Renz turned to head toward Marie’s booth.

“I approached and kept my service dog behind me because that’s protocol,” Renz said.

That’s when Marie tried to scramble at both Renz and her dog.

“I said, ‘Oh my god, what’s wrong with your dog?’ ” Renz recalled. “And the lady said she’s only dog aggressive not people aggressive.”

Marie was eventually removed, Renz said.

“I was shaking and I was pretty upset,” Renz said. “My dog didn’t react but I could tell he was shaken.”

Renz’s main concern was her service dog’s reaction.

“She’s my lifeline for balance and things,” Renz said. “It sets their training back.”

Throughout the incident, Renz said she tried to engage with Marie’s handlers.

“The lady didn’t care at all,” she said.

A few booths over, Lytle heard commotion for a second time. This incident was different, with fewer people around since it was late in the afternoon.

“The second person was wanting to engage the handlers during the situation,” Lytle said.

Renz then called fair security and the Spokane County Sheriff’s Department, which already had deputies stationed at the fair. The deputies asked bystanders including Lytle what happened before referring the issue to the Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service (SCRAPS).

“I would never want to see her put to sleep over this,” Lytle said.

Days later, Vincent is still dealing with the effects of the incident. Her service dog began showing signs of agitation and regression, which meant Athena can no longer work until she is evaluated by her trainer, Vincent said.

“She’s kept me from falling,” Vincent said. “I haven’t had any falls since she’s been working. It just sucks.”

A longtime local dog trainer, Carol Byrnes, acknowledged that an incident like this could take a service dog out of commission.

“We all feel great going out in public until we’re mugged, and then we see the world differently,” Byrnes said. “If it happens again and again it can certainly affect their job.”

A service dog goes through years of training both individually and with their handler before often being certified.

“A dog who has been carefully trained is monumental to these people,” Byrnes said. “Their sense of safety and security can be blasted by being attacked by another dog over and over again.”

Fair officials are still gathering information about the incident, said spokeswoman Erin Gurtel. Service dogs with identification are welcome at the fair, Gurtel said.

Both Vincent and Renz contacted authorities and Lutheran Church Charities. They also posted reviews on the Marie the Comfort Dog Facebook page, but all reviews on the page have since been removed.

Through Facebook, the women found Sally Schiller, who had a run-in with Marie at the Sept. 7 Out of the Darkness Spokane Walk for suicide prevention.

In a public Facebook post Schiller wrote, “All of a sudden their dog was growling, snarling, like it wanted to rip something or someone to shreds. They had to drag it out of the building snarling and growling. The man got in my face, telling me to keep my dog away, theirs is a puppy and just learning.”

Lutheran Church Charities is a national organization that trains and places comfort dogs as part of their charitable work.

Their comfort dogs receive a minimum of 2,000 hours of training; however, they are not technically service dogs because they work with multiple handlers and caregivers, Weinrich from Redeemer Lutheran said in a previous interview.

Redeemer Lutheran Church in Spokane Valley applied for Marie over two years ago and she had her official receiving-of-the-vest ceremony on Aug. 18.

Editors note: This story has been changed to clarify that service dogs are not required by the American with Disabilities Act to complete a certification. The Lutheran Church Charities training center is in Northbrook, Illinois.

Source link Dog Training Information

[awkwardlyamusing-blog]

Santa Barbara Humane Society Featured in Nationally-Broadcast Animal Adoption Show

New Post has been published on http://doggietrainingclasses.com/santa-barbara-humane-society-featured-in-nationally-broadcast-animal-adoption-show/

Santa Barbara Humane Society Featured in Nationally-Broadcast Animal Adoption Show

AnimalZone, the award-winning animal adoption series, is going national on Saturday, September 21 at 8 am with a one- hour special. The full list of television channels are listed on the website site: https://www.animalzone.org/copy-of-where-to-watch-1. The special will also be available on AnimalZone.org on the 21st.

Dogs and cats at selected shelters are profiled in the Adoption Corner including the Santa Maria Valley Humane Society, the Helen Woodward Animal Rescue Center in Rancho Santa Fe, the Cleveland Animal Protective League, the Kansas Humane Society, and the Santa Barbara Humane Society. We also hear some important information about animal shelters from Kerri Burns, executive director of the Santa Barbara Humane Society.

Featured in the special is Tamar Geller, the New York Times best selling author of The Loved Dog and Oprah’s personal canine coach. Monty Roberts, the horse whisperer,  discusses how a horse knows us through our eyes, hands and heartbeat. Larissa Wohl, the Pet Rescue Expert from Hallmark Channel’s Home and Family, invites us into her home to meet her four rescue pups. Sally Jordan of the Jordan Winery, introduces us to her rescue dogs that no one else would adopt. Mitch Telson, former president of Petco, talks about his Sulcata tortoises. Tennis Legend, Jimmy Connors, aces the adoption of dogs and explains when it comes to his animals, it’s love – love!

Also featured in the special is The Pet Psychic, Laura Stinchfield, who talks with a dog in training at the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, the Shah of Iran’s sisters’ pet cockatoo, Buddha, a horse from Disneyland and other four-footed friends. Jeffyne Telson of ResQCats takes us on a tour of the sanctuary and her newly arrived kittens. Wendy Domanski, a professional pet photographer, shares tips on how you can take great photos of your pet.  We also visit the Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo where inmates are working with dogs and training them to be therapy dogs for PTSD first responders and military veterans. A young boy named Julian explains his thoughts about animals and adopting them and Samatha Martin of the Amazing Acro-Cats, shows us some amazing tricks that she has taught her kitties. Animal lover Arthur von Wiesenberger, hosts the show.

About Santa Barbara Humane Society The Santa Barbara Humane Society, a private, local, nonprofit organization not affiliated with or funded by an national organization, provides a safe haven for homeless dogs and cats and serves the community with animal adoption services, a spay/neuter and vaccination clinic, humane education and outreach, dog training classes, and boarding services. We rely on the generosity of animal lovers to support our work. Visit sbhumanesociety.org, see Facebook and Instagram, or call (805) 964-4777, or visit us at 5399 Overpass Road, Santa Barbara.

Add to Favorites

Source link Dog Training Tips

[awkwardlyamusing-blog]

Jeff "Make it Suck" Gellman - WWJD (2019)

New Post has been published on http://doggietrainingclasses.com/jeff-make-it-suck-gellman-wwjd-2019/

Jeff "Make it Suck" Gellman - WWJD (2019)

Date: 2019-09-17 13:00:09

×

Yep Make it Suck. We aren’t talking about reaching a wanted behavior which we also have videos on. In those videos you will learn you don’t even correct the …

[awkwardlyamusing-blog]

Found! Rentals in Bethel That Love Your Dog as Much as You Do!

New Post has been published on http://doggietrainingclasses.com/found-rentals-in-bethel-that-love-your-dog-as-much-as-you-do/

Found! Rentals in Bethel That Love Your Dog as Much as You Do!

BETHEL, CT — Can you imagine moving into a new space that does not allow your best friend? Neither can we. That’s why these rentals in Bethel stands out!

Address: 25 Grand St, Bethel

Rent: $1,975 – $2,100 /mo

Square Feet: 1,000

Bedrooms: 2

Bathrooms: 1

Features: A spectacular 26 unit luxury apartment building located steps from the train station in downtown Bethel. These 2 and 3 BR units all boast stainless steel appliances, granite kitchens, great open floor plans, elevator access and a shared cozy club room. CT Magazine described Bethel as Fairfield County’s most walkable and user-friendly town. At the Grand, park your car and leave it, because whether its shopping, restaurants or the train, they are all only steps away!

This listing originally appeared on realtor.com. For more information and photos, click here.

Source link Train Your Dog

[awkwardlyamusing-blog]

All About Pets: Do you want a mature dog? | The Daily Courier

New Post has been published on http://doggietrainingclasses.com/all-about-pets-do-you-want-a-mature-dog-the-daily-courier/

All About Pets: Do you want a mature dog? | The Daily Courier

A few months ago, I wrote a column titled: Do you really want a dog? Because if you are not sure, it might be best to wait until you are sure. But another question may be, do you really want a puppy?

Puppies are wonderful for young families who have lots of energy and lots of time to devote to the training and care of a pup. They also might be great for someone who is a bit older, who might be retired, is home a lot and has the patience to raise and train a puppy.

What about that person who is retired, but does not want the hassle of dealing with a puppy? That perfect person could be fairly active, likes to hike in the woods or just wants a companion: A buddy who will get you up and walking in the morning and encourage other walks and activities during the day. A best friend who would love to be at your side, day and night, willing to protect you and demand your affection and attention in exchange for providing all the affection you might wish for.

Loving rides in the car, in no time at all, that guy would let you know that you are near the courthouse plaza or the dog park or a favorite trail through the woods, and a walk and smell adventure would be most welcome.

The various rescue organizations always have a number of older dogs available who are eager to give and receive lots of love and attention.

Terry Mitchel made a visit to the humane society a few months back and noticed this fellow huddled in the corner. She learned he was deaf and close to 17 years old. She knew that no one would take him, so now you can see Terry and Sly walking happily around the neighborhood. Such a lucky boy!

Older dogs that you might adopt will be housebroken and somewhat leash trained. But generally, some training is needed to help that new resident get acclimated to his new home and surroundings. A training class might be advisable. This would help with the bonding process – and a good opportunity to learn each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

If you already have a dog or cat in the household, it is very important to make sure that the new family member gets along with the present resident. The shelters can help you with an introduction. If you have had more than one pet and have recently lost one of them, a new older guy might be the perfect answer. Dogs who suddenly become an only dog are usually eager for a new friend.

Along with age, another factor in adopting is size. Some folks like a larger dog while some prefer those tiny cuddly creatures that are most comfortable on your lap. (But don’t be fooled. Those larger guys often would love to cuddle on your lap as well.)

But size is also an important consideration depending on your life style. If you are an active, adventurous person – or if young children are around frequently, you do not want a tiny little dog. Dogs around 20 pounds or more are hardy and will fit comfortably into most living situations.

Another consideration is coat or hair. If someone has allergies to pets or just plain does not want a heavily shedding dog, that is an important factor.

There are lots of dogs of various ages waiting at local shelters for a loving home. Do a little homework, study your wants, needs, schedule and lifestyle, and then make that trip to the shelter. You just might find yourself driving home with a best friend for years to come.

Christy Powers is a freelance writer whose passion is studying and writing about pet health, nutrition and training. She can be reached at cpowerspak@gmail.com.

Source link Dog Training

[awkwardlyamusing-blog]

U.S. bomb-sniffing dogs in Jordan dying from poor treatment

New Post has been published on http://doggietrainingclasses.com/u-s-bomb-sniffing-dogs-in-jordan-dying-from-poor-treatment/

U.S. bomb-sniffing dogs in Jordan dying from poor treatment

WASHINGTON — Bomb-sniffing dogs sent from the United States to its Middle Eastern ally Jordan are falling ill and dying because of poor treatment and negligence, a federal investigation has found.

A yearlong evaluation by inspectors at the State Department found that at least 10 such dogs in Jordan died between 2008 and 2016 from medical problems.

Even those who survive are suffering from “unhealthy conditions,” such as inadequate kennels, poor sanitation, and overwork.

Photos in the report, published last week, show emaciated dogs with ribs protruding from their sides.

Their nails are overgrown and their ears are home to ticks so engorged they have likely been feasting on the dogs for days.

In some facilities, there weren’t any dog bowls — the handlers fed the dogs by throwing food on the floor.

(Department of State Office of the Inspector General/Canine Validation Center)

For more than 20 years, the U.S. has sent bomb-sniffing and specially trained dogs to partner nations under an anti terrorism assistance program.

Despite spending “millions of dollars” training and dispatching the dogs, State Department officials failed to ensure their health and welfare, said the report, which was launched after a hotline complaint about the dogs’ treatment.

According to the report, the State Department’s loose regulation and lack of concrete policies were a big factor in the dogs’ mistreatment.

The State Department couldn’t provide investigators detailed information for the dogs in other partner countries besides Jordan, and there often aren’t any written agreements with the countries outlining how to care for the dogs.

This has led to persistent health problems in Jordan, the largest recipient in the program with 61 active bomb-sniffer dogs.

Other countries with fewer dogs include Thailand, Morocco, Indonesia, Bahrain.

A Jordanian official said an investigation into the dogs’ welfare was underway, and included “external assessors.”

“Jordan takes the welfare of its security working dogs very seriously,” the official said.

According to the report, the first dog to die in Jordan was Zoe, a 2-year-old Belgian Malinois.

She died from heat stroke in 2017 — a “terrible death” that was because of improper care rather than an accident, the report said.

The case of 2-year-old Athena, who was severely emaciated and ultimately sent back to the U.S. to recover in 2018, offers a glimpse into the dogs’ filthy living conditions — photos show dirt and feces all over her kennel floor and an empty water bowl.

(Department of State Office of the Inspector General/Canine Validation Center)

Even more damning is that concerns were raised as early as April 2016, when U.S. canine training staff visited Jordan for a welfare check.

The subsequent report noted the high death rate, lack of medical care, insufficient facilities, and that the dogs had “lost the will to work.”

Despite the 2016 findings and recommendations, more dogs were subsequently sent to Jordan, and the program continued to be funded.

Even when new measures were put in place, such as the deployment of full-time mentors from the U.S. to monitor the dogs in Jordan, the problems continued.

Two such mentors had been there at the time of Athena’s declining health, and they failed to either notice or intervene.

The report laid out five recommendations, including more frequent welfare checks and the creation of a written agreement with partner nations.

The State Department fully agreed to four of the recommendations — but did not agree to a suggestion to stop sending dogs to Jordan until there was a sustainability plan put in place.

Since the report’s publication last week, U.S. officials have demanded long-overdue action.

Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday, requesting more information and a briefing on the issue.

“It is important for Congress to know whether the (program) is operating effectively and efficiently and whether animals involved in the program are being treated according to the humane and ethical standards that the American people undoubtedly expect,” Grassley wrote.

AlertMe

Source link Dog Training Information

[awkwardlyamusing-blog]

5 Easy Ways to Boost Your Brain Health

New Post has been published on http://doggietrainingclasses.com/5-easy-ways-to-boost-your-brain-health/

5 Easy Ways to Boost Your Brain Health

Source: brain-1845962_1920 pixabay TheDigitalArtist

Brain supplements are big business. In 2015, the supplement market specifically targeted toward boosting brain health was worth an estimated 2.3 billion dollars. By 2024, that number is expected to increase by 500 percent, reaching an estimated 11.6 billion dollars.

More and more, people are turning to supplements to enhance their memory, alleviate depression and anxiety, increase their attention and focus, support longevity, and prevent dementia. Among the most popular of these supplements are carnitine, ginkgo, ginseng, fish oil, turmeric, and most recent to enter the market, CBD oil.

But do any of these supplements actually work?

Unfortunately, supplements are loosely regulated and good-quality research studies on their effectiveness are hard to come by. But the studies that have been conducted continue to find no evidence in support of their effectiveness. For example, a study published in The Lancet Neurology examined ginkgo biloba use among 2,854 older adults with memory complaints over the course of five years. In the end, the group who took ginkgo twice a day had the same number of Alzheimer’s cases as the group who took a placebo.

So rather than wasting your hard-earned money on ineffective supplements, try these five tips for boosting your brain health. Not only are they backed by science, but they’re also easy to do and cost way less than supplements (many are even free).

1. Think Fork, Not Pill

Supplements in pill form may be ineffective, but there are lots of benefits to adding them to your diet the natural way—through food. Research shows that better brain health is associated with a diet rich in green leafy vegetables, walnuts, berries, and fatty fish.

For instance, a 2012 study on thousands of adults found that those who took fish oil pills to get their omega-3s performed just as well on a short-term memory test and had just as many dementia diagnoses as those who took a placebo. But another study found that people who got their omegas the natural way—by eating a diet rich in fatty fish like salmon—did have a lower risk of dementia.

Certain vitamins and minerals do seem to be effective in boosting brain health, but you have to take them via a fork, not a pill (a great cookbook that includes recipes with brain-boosting ingredients is Fat for Fuel)

2. Get Your Sweat On

We all know exercise is great for your body, but it’s just as good for your brain.

A study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease found that a lack of exercise in older adults put their risk of developing dementia on par with adults who were genetically predisposed to the disease. So even if you are not genetically predisposed for dementia, you could be putting yourself at risk if you are leading a sedentary lifestyle.

But protecting against dementia isn’t the only benefit of exercise. Regular heart-increasing activity helps the brain work more efficiently, no matter your age or condition. And this doesn’t mean you have to hit the gym hard to boost your brain health. Less strenuous activities, like walking, yoga, tai chi, are also effective as long as they get your heart rate up. Skip counting steps and instead focus on getting a minimum of 150 minutes per week of elevated heart rate activity (this is where a fitness tracker like Fitbit comes in handy).

3. Train Your Brain

Your brain is like a muscle if you don’t use it, it’s strength will start to fade. Regularly exercising your brain—through the use of brain teasers, crossword puzzles, or learning a new language—is a great way to keep your brain in shape.

Now, not all studies support the effectiveness of brain training, but there are enough out there that do, suggesting this is a viable option (it also suggests we need a lot more studies conducted on this topic). For example, a 2018 study had healthy adults perform a training exercise that focused on attention, processing speed, visual memory, and executive functioning. One group performed this training exercise for 15 minutes per day, seven days a week, for three weeks. The other group skipped the training altogether. In the end, the brain-training group demonstrated significantly better attention and response times.

Instead of spending your free time mindlessly binging on Netflix, consider doing tasks that give your brain a workout.

4. Get a Pet

There are lots of studies showing how having a pet provides mental health benefits.

For example, a 2016 meta-analysis analyzed 17 academic studies and found that people with long-term mental health problems significantly benefited from owning a pet. As the researchers put it, “Pets provided a unique form of validation through unconditional support, which they were often not receiving from other family or social relationships.”

And another study conducted on children found that for children with a dog, 12 percent tested positive for anxiety, compared to 21 percent of children without a dog.

So the next time you need to boost your mood, spend some time with a furry friend.

5. Grab Zzzz’s

Sleep is arguably the most important and most underappreciated factor when it comes to brain health. We live in an age where CEOs, TV show hosts, and presidents brag about being able to function on just a few hours of sleep, but the data suggests that skimping on sleep is akin to starving your brain.

Study after study shows that getting seven to eight hours of sleep is necessary for all aspects of proper brain functioning, including memory, attention, learning, and creativity. You would never starve yourself of food before going to the gym. Why would you starve your brain by skimping on sleep?

Getting more sleep is easy, free, and essential for mental as well as physical health. If you take away one piece of advice from this post, it’s that you need to make sleep a priority and try to get seven to eight hours each night. For an excellent read on why sleep is important and how to get more of it, check out Matthew Walker’s book Why We Sleep.

And what if you absolutely can’t squeeze in more zzz’s? Try taking a nap. One study found that an hour-long midday nap boosted cognitive performance better than 200 mg of caffeine (equal to two espressos).

Source link Dog Training Tips

[awkwardlyamusing-blog]

Allan Ross Dog Training

New Post has been published on https://doggietrainingclasses.com/allan-ross-dog-training/

Allan Ross Dog Training

Date: 2019-09-16 17:51:12

×

Buster M. is a 4.9 year old AmStaff in his second week of Board and Train. He is shy and reactive to distractions. Here we practice a Cynosport Level 1 Rally …

[awkwardlyamusing-blog]

Fremont woman trains dogs to help people in need | Nebraska News

New Post has been published on http://doggietrainingclasses.com/fremont-woman-trains-dogs-to-help-people-in-need-nebraska-news/

Fremont woman trains dogs to help people in need | Nebraska News

FREMONT — Years ago, Edie Ronhovde had a student who didn’t really want to acknowledge that he had diabetes.

But somehow Ronhovde’s therapy dog Macy seemed to know when the student’s blood-sugar level wasn’t quite right, even though she wasn’t formally trained to detect the  situation.

“Macy would sit by him in the classroom and if she didn’t move, I knew his numbers were off. I’d have someone escort him to the office — and, sure enough, his numbers were off,” she said.

At the end of the year, the student had a message for Macy.

“You’re the biggest tattletale in the world, but I love you,” the student said.

The situation was just one example of how a certified therapy dog can help classroom students.

In May, Ronhovde retired after teaching for 25 years in the Fremont Public Schools system. But she and her husband, Mike, take their therapy dogs to see Nye Legacy residents. Mike takes his dog, Zoey, to Fremont High School, where he teaches math.

Edie Ronhovde also has served as a puppy trainer for a dog, which will be trained to help someone with epilepsy.

And this month, she’s planning to teach a K-9 Good Citizen Class, which already is full.

Ronhovde’s trek into therapy and service dog training began in 2016, when her friend, Anne Echtinaw, who teaches special education at Fremont Middle School, was bringing her goldendoodle, Winston, to class. Echtinaw told Ronhovde about Domesti-PUPS and said she’d gotten Winston certified.

Domesti-PUPS is a nonprofit organization, based in Lincoln, that provides therapy dogs, service dogs for persons with disabilities, and trained rescue dogs.

Ronhovde, who then taught math at Fremont Middle School, knows the subject can be stressful for students. She started reading articles and learning that dogs can be a good de-stressor in the classroom.

When Echtinaw, a trainer, offered to teach a K-9 Good Citizen Class for basic obedience, Ronhovde took the course with her mini-goldendoodle, Macy.

Ronhovde compares that first class to getting a learner’s permit and the second class — which involves more extensive obedience training — to getting a driver’s license.

If dogs and their owners pass the second class’s testing, they go through a probation period and must make 10 visits without any incidents. The dogs must be well-behaved and respond to the people they’re going to visit. After that, they can graduate.

The Ronhovdes are in Edu-PUPS, a Domesti-PUPS program expanded for educators, who can use the dogs to help students in various ways. The Domesti-PUPS website states that the dogs can bring a renewed excitement to the learning process and help students develop self-esteem and responsibility.

In her math classroom at Fremont Middle School, students who were getting stressed about an assignment or during a test knew that if they dropped their hand, Macy would come over and they could pet her — and that would help.

Students in Ronhovde’s class weren’t the only ones to benefit from Macy’s presence.

“We had lots of teachers visit during their planning time,” she said.

If a student was having a meltdown or someone in the office was having a rough day — and Ronhovde had time during lunch or a planning period — she’d bring Macy to help.

As part of their certification, the Ronhovdes also must make an outside visit once a month during the school year and twice a month in the summer.

So they take Macy and Zoey to visit the folks at Nye Legacy, which offers short-stay rehabilitation and traditional 24-hour skilled care.

“We visit everybody and even if they’re not a dog person, we stand at the door and say, ‘Hi,'” Ronhovde said.

The Ronhovdes meet people who are sad, because they had to leave their pets with family. Or residents show photos of pets that have been gone for years, but say how happy those pets made them.

×

You have run out of free stories. To continue reading, take advantage of our LOWEST offer yet!

‘); $(‘.lee-featured-subscription’).html(sFallBack); }

function lee_formatPackage(oService) try var bOnlyModal = true; var oSettings = lee_getPackageSettings(oService.HomeMembership); var newService = ; if(parseInt(oService.WebFeatureFG) === 2) return false; if(oService.WebStartPrice != ”) var custom = JSON.parse(oService.WebStartPrice); $.each(custom, function(k,v) newService[k] = v; );

if(bOnlyModal && newService.in_modal === ‘false’) return false;

newService.sort = parseInt((newService.sort) ? newService.sort : oSettings.sort); newService.title = oSettings.title; newService.level = oService.HomeMembership; newService.html = oService.WebOfferHTML; newService.disabled = newService.disable_purchase ? ‘disabled’ : ”;

var price = lee_formatPackagePrice(newService.start_price); newService.start_price = price.cost; newService.format_dollars = (price.format_dollars) ? price.format_dollars : ”; newService.format_cents = (price.format_cents) ? price.format_cents : ”; newService.start_at_rate = (newService.fixed_rate === ‘true’) ? ‘for the low price of’ : ‘starting at’;

if( !newService.term ) newService.term = ‘per month’;

if( newService.promotional_price && newService.promotional_price != ” ) newService.has_promotion_class = ‘has-promotion’; var promotion = lee_formatPackagePrice(newService.promotional_price); newService.promotional_price = promotion.cost; newService.promotional_format_dollars = (promotion.format_dollars) ? promotion.format_dollars : ”; newService.promotional_format_cents = (promotion.format_cents) ? promotion.format_cents : ”;

newService.action_button = ‘Sign Up’; if(newService.disabled === ‘disabled’) newService.start_at_rate = ‘Call us at’; newService.start_price = ‘877-760-6006’; newService.term = ‘to get started’; newService.action_button = ‘Call Today’;

window.lee_service_impressions.push( ‘id’: newService.level, ‘name’: newService.title, ‘price’: newService.start_price, ‘brand’: “journalstar.com”, ‘category’: ‘subscription’, ‘list’: ‘Block’, ‘position’: newService.sort );

return newService;

catch(e) if(window.console) console.warn(e); return false;

function lee_sortPackages(property) var sortOrder = 1; if(property[0] === “-“) sortOrder = -1; property = property.substr(1);

return function (a,b) var result = (a[property] b[property]) ? 1 : 0; return result * sortOrder;

function lee_getPackageSettings(sPackage) switch(sPackage.toLowerCase()) case ‘dob’: return title: ‘Digital Basic’, sort: 0; break; case ‘dop’: return title: ‘Digital Plus’, sort: 1; break; case ‘silv’: return title: ‘Silver’, sort: 2; break; case ‘gold’: return title: ‘Gold’, sort: 3; break; case ‘plat’: return title: ‘Platinum’, sort: 4; break;

function lee_replacePackageTokens(sPackage, oService, sCol) var hasPromotion = false; $.each(oService, function(k,v) if( k === ‘html’) v = v.replace(new RegExp(‘domain’, ‘gi’), ‘journalstar.com’) .replace(new RegExp(‘site_name’, ‘gi’), ‘JournalStar.com’) .replace(new RegExp(‘site_phone’, ‘gi’), ‘877-760-6006’);

sPackage = sPackage.replace(new RegExp(”+k+”, ‘gi’), v); ); if(sCol) sPackage = sPackage.replace(‘col’, sCol); return sPackage;

try { var oPackages = [], oFeatured = false, sHtml = ”, sTemplate = $(‘#lee-service-template’).html();

$.each(window.leeMembershipPackages, function(i, oService) var oService = lee_formatPackage(oService); if(oService) oPackages.push(oService); if(oService.featured === ‘true’) oFeatured = oService;

);

if(oPackages.length === 0) throw ‘No packages defined’;

oPackages.sort(lee_sortPackages(‘sort’));

if(!oFeatured) oFeatured = oPackages[0];

switch(oPackages.length) case 5: var sCol = ‘5ths’; break; case 4: var sCol = ‘3’; break; case 3: var sCol = ‘4’; break; case 2: var sCol = ‘6’; break; default: var sCol = ’12’; break;

$(‘#lee-services-modal’).addClass(‘packages_’+oPackages.length);

$.each(oPackages, function(i, oService) sHtml += lee_replacePackageTokens(sTemplate, oService, sCol); );

$(‘#lee-services-list .packages’).html(sHtml).promise().then(function(){ setTimeout(function() $(‘#lee-services-list .body’).each(function() if( $(this).prop(‘scrollHeight’) 0 && oFeatured ) $(‘.lee-featured-subscription’).each(function() var html = $(this).html(); if( !oFeatured.featured_button_text ) if(oFeatured.promotional_price) oFeatured.featured_button_text = oFeatured.promotional_format_dollars+oFeatured.promotional_price+oFeatured.promotional_format_cents+’ ‘+oFeatured.term; else oFeatured.featured_button_text = ‘Join for ‘+oFeatured.format_dollars+oFeatured.start_price+oFeatured.format_cents+’ ‘+oFeatured.term;

html = lee_replacePackageTokens(html, oFeatured); $(this).html(html); if(oFeatured.promotional_price) $(this).addClass(‘has-promotiom’); if( $(this).hasClass(‘show-after-loaded’) ) $(this).show(); );

catch (e) if(window.console) console.warn(e); lee_serviceError();

window.lee_fetched_services = true; );

Thanks for being a subscriber.

Sorry, your subscription does not include this content.

Please call 877-760-6006 to upgrade your subscription.

Source link Train Your Dog

[awkwardlyamusing-blog]

10th Annual Hot Diggity Dog Festival celebrates pups in Rockford

New Post has been published on http://doggietrainingclasses.com/10th-annual-hot-diggity-dog-festival-celebrates-pups-in-rockford/

10th Annual Hot Diggity Dog Festival celebrates pups in Rockford

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) —– Pets and pet owners mingled in the grass and pet vendors displayed merchandise and treats at the 10th annual Hot Diggity Dog Festival at Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden in Rockford.

Panama City Beach has been ranked as a dog-friendly tourist destination. (MGN)

The event was held in the fountain garden and is an opportunity for local vendors to sell pet supplies and treats, while others offered training sessions and special therapy groups.

Aside from shopping, crews from both the Rockford Police and Fire departments stopped by and Forest City Dog Training Club showed off live K-9 demonstrations.

Organizers say it’s a popular event because a lot of people treat their pets like members of the family.

“I think everybody just likes to get their dogs to meet other dogs. Everybody gets to make friends whether it’s the pets or the people themselves, it’s just a great time for people to get together and enjoy Klehm and enjoy each other’s company. There are several agencies with rescues and animals for adoption so we encourage everyone to come out and see that,” said Alex Mills.

Dogs also participated in a costume contest and for the kitty lover, adoption centers like Mending Hearts Rescue also offered cat adoptions for those looking to make a forever furry friend.

Source link Dog Training