Dog Training Workshops

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Training Classes for Positive Owner-Pet Relationships

Many Humane Societies offer affordable workshops and classes to help owners hone basic dog training skills, alter social issues or teach advanced tricks. Classes are a great way for dog owners to strengthen the relationships with their animals. Owners who participate in workshops will be able to read dog behavior, understand their dog's learning style and learn new training techniques to develop positive relationships with their pets.

See below to find a class that may be helpful to building a great relationship with your dog:

Basic Training Classes-Teach your dog to sit and stay when asked, to lie down on command, to walk on a loose leash, leave distractions alone and come when called.

Socialization Skills-Help your dog become comfortable socializing with other dogs and people, teach him house manners, house training and how to play well with others.

Shy or Feisty Dogs- There are many classes to help dogs who growl, bark ,lunge, are shy or uncomfortable around other dogs. Classes will help you manage or modify these behaviors around other dogs.

Agility Classes- Teach your dog the skills needed to participate in dog agility events. You will both learn learn jumps, running as a team, pole weaves and more.

Private Lessons for Aggressive Dogs-Your dog may need private consultations if he is showing signs of territorial issues, is aggressive or guards resources from people or dogs.

Puppy Playtime- Learn and practice puppy social skills with other people and new puppies. These classes are a great way to burn off extra energy.

Unique Classes:

Baby Behavior Class- If you are worried about the way your dog might behave with a new baby, The Boulder Humane Society offers a class to teach new parents to have safe and comfortable dog and baby interactions.

Dog Yoga Class- The Seattle Humane Societyoffers classes to "explore yoga, massage, stretching and relaxation techniques for you and your dog."

Therapy Dog Training- The Wisconsin Humane Society offers classes to help you and your dog become an animal therapy team so you can volunteer in local hospitals, nursing homes and schools.

Dog Sport Classes- The San Diego Humane Society teaches you and your dog the skills needed to compete  Flyball events. San Diego offers demonstrations by champion Flyball dogs before each class. 

Leather Dog Collar Company

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Many dog owners prefer leather collars to synthetic material since they last longer. The difficulty is in finding a durable, stylish leather collar for a reasonable price. 

Lennox Dog Collar Company based out of Colorado specializes in creating unique leather dog collars. Currently, The Lennox Dog Collar Company has four designs which are priced at $25.95 each.

For more information check out the website:

Pets On a Plane!

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Transporting your pet

Have you ever felt badly traveling with your pet, knowing he was in the cargo hold of a plane without supervision? Pet Airways has developed a service to alleviate the stress of transporting your pet.

Pet Airways is a pet airline that will fly your pet across the country in the main cabin, not in cargo. Pet Airways promises that your pet will never fly under the seat or as baggage again and will be taken care of throughout the flight by a trained attendant. The cabin temperature is controlled so there are no hot or cold weather conditions that would restrict travel.

Customers have the option to drop a pet off between 2 hours and 72 hours before the flight and Pet Airways will board your pet and provide bathroom breaks before the flight.

Travel arrangements can be booked online at PetAirways.com and owners can track their pet through the website

Cities Served

Pet Airways travels to and from the New York area(NJ,CT & Philadelphia), the Washington DC/Baltimore Area, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, and Ft. Lauderdale.

Fares start at $149.

Have you used Pet Airways? How was the experience?

If you need to board your pet while on vacation or if you can't fly your pet, be sure to check out Camp Bow Wow, the premier doggie day and overnight boarding camp. With over 150 locations nationwide you are sure to find a location near you, while at home or on vacation.

Healthy Paws Make Happy Dogs

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Dog Paw Care

Dog paws are made of tough skin which create traction and act to absorb the shock on the joints and bone from running and jumping. Although, paws are meant be tough they are still prone to injury.

Signs of Discomfort:

Dog paws become sensitive if there are cuts, lacerations, blisters, infections or objects stuck between paw pads. If your dog is limping, excessivly licking his paws, holding his leg off the ground be sure to check his paws. If you notice any of these behaviors gently lift his leg to check for the cause of the discomfort. 

It is always a good idea to place a muzzle on an injured dog before inspecting the affected part of his body. Even mild dogs may bite if he feels threaten by a touch.

Care for Paws:

Trim nails regularly to avoid pain or discomfort.  Ask your veterinarian to teach you the proper way to cut your dog's nails, or bring your pup to a groomer. 

Check paws for debris: After a long day of playing outside in the snow or mud be sure to remove packed snow or ice balls stuck in his paws. Make sure each paw is clean and free from mud or dirt to avoid discomfort.

Restrict licking: If the paw is bleeding try to restrict your dogs ability to lick his paws. An old sock or bandage should deter licking long enough to bring your dog to the vet.

Watch where you walk: Be sure to remove any sharp objects from your backyard to help avoid injury. When walking in public places determine if the surface is safe by asking yourself if you would walk barefoot in the same place. Hot pavement, broken glass and large gravel may damage paw pads.

Always check with your veterinarian before removing lodged debris or before treating serious paw wounds.

Dog Grooming Basics

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Groom your dog to maintain health and appearance

Grooming your dog is an important way to maintain your dog’s health and appearance. Clipping nails and frequent ear inspections help prevent in-grown nails and ear infection while dogs who are brushed often tend to have healthier and shinier coats.

Each time you groom your dog be sure to look at his skin for cut, red or dry skin, check for unusual smells that may point to infection and check his paws for abrasions or cuts.

Each dog breed has different grooming needs. Breeds with longer hair require more frequent brushing to prevent knotted or matted coats while dogs with short hair may need to be wiped down daily with a damp cloth.

Train your dog for grooming

It is much easier to groom an older dog if he was trained to enjoy being groomed as a puppy. Start grooming your dog when he is young in order to help him become comfortable and familiar with nail clipping, brushing and bathing. 

Brushing

  Many dogs enjoy being brushed as much as they like to be pet. Brushing your dog's fur removes dead hair and dry skin which makes the coat appear shinier and healthier. If you have a dog with long fur be sure to brush it a few times each week while dogs with short hair may only need to be brushed a few times each month.

Bathing

 Dogs can be bathed from once a week to once a month depending on how badly he needs a bath. Be sure to only use dog shampoo which is formulated to work specifically with the natural oils and should not dry out or irritate your dog's skin. Ask your veterinarian which shampoo might be best for your dog.

Nail Trimming

It is important to trim your dog's nails once a month. Be sure to ask your veterinarian to teach you how to correctly trim your dog's nails in order to avoid painfully cutting the nails too short.

Ear Care
 Dogs can easily develop ear infections since they have hair in and around their ears, they roll around in the dirt and floppy ears hold in bacteria. Although it is important to clean and inspect your dog’s ears, most dogs do not like ear cleaning and medicating. If you are uncomfortable taking care of your dog’s ears it may be best to bring him to your veterinarian.
 

Urban Dogs: The Tompkins Square Dog Run

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New York City Loves Dogs

I spent last weekend in New York City. After walking hundreds of blocks, visiting the best bookstores, wonderful art museums, amazing bakeries and popular music venues, my favorite time was the two hours I spent in a dog park speaking with urban dog owners. 

The moment I entered the small dog section of the dog run and sat down on one of the benches lining the dog run I was greeted by a variety of energetic and very well groomed terriers, dachshunds and french bulldogs. Dog owners were talking around a picnic table while their dogs sprinted from one side of the enclosure to the other.

In New York City there are over 1,700 parks, playgrounds and recreation areas across the five boroughs. Dogs runs exist within 60 of those parks and dogs are allowed in the majority of the park space. Each park has four area categories designated as no dogs allowed, dogs must be on a leash at all times, dog runs or designated off leash areas.

Tompkins Square Dog Run

Cities like New York are making it easy for urban dog owners to provide their pets with enough space to run around and socialize with other dogs.

I spent time in the Tompkins Square Dog Run in East Village. Tompkins Square was the first dog run in NYC when it opened in 1990  and is located on the edge of the public park.

There are two large fenced off sections, one for dogs under 25 pounds and the other for larger dogs, which are covered by decomposed granite sand. The fences around the dog park are lined with benches which are used equally by people as well as dogs. The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation provides hoses to wash your dog, three small dog baths, picnic tables and a shovel for easy waste removal. 

Social atmosphere

I was most impressed by the social atmosphere of the dog park. Inside the fences dog owners were watching their dogs make friends while meeting other dog owners. Park visitors were hanging on the fences around the dog run laughing as they watched the dogs play.

Many of the dog owners I spoke with said they look forward to the time they spend in the dog park. Many owners come multiple times each week, usually at the same time, and enjoy seeing the same dogs and people.

And, the dogs looked happy too.

If you go take note that the most crowded hours are Peak hours at the run:

Mornings - before 9am
After work - 5-7pm
Weekends (especially in the summer)

Pet's Effect on Health

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Volunteer With Your Dog for Pet Therapy 

Pets have a special ability to change our moods, motivate us to exercise and be social and to know when we need attention.  When we make him wag his tail by petting his fur, go running in the park, meet other dogs and their owners or feel the satisfaction of feeding him after a long day, it is easy to feel the positive impact he has on our life.

Pet therapy programs rely on the ability to harness the positive effects animals have on human emotions. Introducing dogs to patients has proven to help people deal with anxiety, the blues, loneliness and depression, especially in children's hospitals and elderly homes.

The New York Times published an article which looks at the effects dogs have on patients with different illnesses. The mother of an autistic boy named Milo claims that within a week of introducing Milo to the new family dog her son became calmer, more attentive and more verbal. The effects of the relationship are so apparent that the mother is considering decreasing the amount of medication her son takes.

Volunteer Your Time and Your Pet

Many people take time to bring their dog to visit hospital patients. If you would like volunteer with your pet visit you local humane society, professional dog trainer or local pet therapy organization for more information on how to become certified for animal assisted therapy. 

Click here, New York Times to read the article, " Exploring the Health Benefits of Pets."

Human Food Goes To The Dogs

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Feed Your Dog as You Would Like to Be Fed

Food is a major factor in determining health, longevity, appearance and energy level in humans as well as in dogs. And, just as you would change your eating habits to improve the way your feel, a change in your dogs diet can dramatically improve his health and happiness.

How to make nutritious and well balanced meals:

Keep it simple. By combining as few as three ingredients you can offer your pup a treat made with love, without the unecessary additives of commercially produced products.

Aim to feed your dog from all five food groups: Meat, vegetables, fruits, grains and dairy. It is important to find a balance between meat and vegetable intake since your dog's digestive system is designed to process protein from meat as well as from plant sources.

Veterinarian Approved Ingredients:

Meat- Try chicken, turkey, liver, bacon, lean hamburger or eggs. Also, try boneless fish.

Vegetables- Try to feed your dog a large variety of veggies in order to deliver the greatest spectrum of vitamins and nutrients.   

Approved vegetables include green peppers, carrots, sweet potato, green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, zucchini, yellow squash,  eggplant, canned tomatoes, kidney beans, spinach.

Carbohydrates-  Include cooked rice, macaroni, wheat flour, cornmeal and oats in your homemade doggie meals to offer substance and improve digestibility.

Cheese- Use occasionally as a treat. Try parmesean, cottage cheese, cheddar or jack cheese.

Avoid These Foods:

Onions- Which can cause diarrhea, vomiting and fever. Onions contain a large amount of sulfur which can destroy red blood cells and cause anemia in dogs.

Milk- Some dogs lack the enzyme, lactase, to break down lactose in milk. Without lactase, dogs cannot digest milk and may experience uncomfortable side effects as a result.

Raw Meat- Bacteria and parasites, including salmonella and tapeworm, are prevalent in raw meat. It is much safer to cook meat before serving it to your dog.

Chocolate- Theobromine is a particularly dangerous chemical to dogs which is found in chocolate. Steer clear of feeding any chocolate to your dog. It could be deadly.

Feeding your dog homemade meals and treats will give him a break from the same old dry or canned dog food as well as offering him a variety of nutrients, vitamins and minerals.

Check back to read about specific recipes for meals and treats you can make for your dog.

For more information visit:

K-9s Against Cancer - Walk for a Cure

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Walk to Raise Money for A Great Cause

K-9s Against Cancer is an annual 5K fun run/1-mile walk, which is open to humans and their canine companions. This family-oriented day of festivities will feature music, food, games, giveaways, and demonstrations. Net proceeds will benefit the Bow Wow Buddies Foundation, the Colorado State University Animal Cancer Center, and Susan G. Komen.

Introducing Your Puppy To a New Home

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Bringing Your Puppy Home

When you bring your puppy home for the first time it is important to be sensitive to the fact that he is leaving the comfort of his mother and family. Below are some tips for making the transition as easy as possible for your puppy.

Create a relaxed environment:

Bring your puppy home to a quite environment with as few people, loud noises or distractions as possible.

• Ask your friends come over one at a time to meet your puppy.
• Allow him to sleep. Waking a puppy to play may cause anxiety and restlessness. 
• If you have another dog, separate the puppy for a few days to allow him to adjust and become familiar with the surroundings on his own. Create barriers between the two until they have time to adjust to each other.

Commit time and attention:

It is important to help your puppy acclimate to his new home.

• Try not to leave your puppy alone for the first two weeks so you can begin to understand and manage his personality, temperament and fears. 
• Do not crate your puppy for more than four hours at a time. Puppies have short term bladder control.

Create a personal space for your puppy:

An indoor pen area will offer your puppy a comfortable sense of personal space as he adjusts to the new environment. Be sure the space has the following elements:

• Plenty of light- Set up the pen in the corner of a large well lit room so he doesn't feel cut off from the rest of the world.
• Comfortable bed-  A space where he can curl up to rest with his favorite soft puppy blanket.
• Toys- Your puppy won't need more than three toys. Make sure they do not have small pieces that could pose a choking hazard.
• A place to pee-  Try a pee pad or use a material that resembles outdoor materials.

 The most important thing you can do to make the tranistion easy for your new puppy is to offer love and attention. It is vital to  supervise your puppy to keep him safe and happy.

If you need to leave him alone for more than a few hours at a time, call a dog-sitter to help watch him while you are away.

Visit Camp Bow Wow's Home Buddies page for more information about in-home dog sitting services.