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Last updated Mon, Jan 30, 2023
Results - Pawformance Sports!Enhancements to our Awards and Schedule pages are done! Thanks for your patience...both are much easier to navigate now with the new links. I wish I would have added them years ago! My next project - a page with my pups including my Chelsea Golden Retrievers. Highlights of the wonderful seven generations of Goldens and their people I have known starting with my first "Chelsea" prefix litter in 1980!
A Message from Mary T.The Tracking and Retrieve (both outdoors) and PreAgility (indoors) specials will return in the spring. Most love doing all of these dog sports. Interested? Visit the Schedule Page or ask the instructor for more information.
Tracking joy! Lisa (Bud) E. and "Dakota", Doberman Pinscher (Tue. O&M One spring session), have found a new pastime! Dakota is a natural at tracking! Her first time away from her home, she went 220 yards with four turns at my place. Spot on the whole track! Dakota is not even interested in treats, she just wants to use her nose!
Aspirin pain relief products and Xylitol. Meds should be cleared with your veterinarian before giving. Note that Xylitol sweetner is very harmful to dogs and it may now be found in aspirin! It may cause a sudden release of insulin which then leads to a sudden drop of blood sugar. Be aware it is found in many products, check labels before letting your pet share snacks that are labeled for people. Please check with your veterinarian for a safe pain management.
Potty Training When It's Cold Outside! If weather warrants, put a coat or sweater on your pet! Most breeds will appreciate your thoughtfulness. I personally train all of my pups to go outdoors. This time of year... it's tough so consider your pet. Perhaps consider doing both in and out if you have a very young pup or a frail, sick or older pet that is in need of training. You may also consider training your pet to go indoors if you have several flights of stairs to reach an exit door. Better to have your pet go in an acceptable indoor area than to decide to relieve itself in random areas...
Training indoors? Be sure to put a cheap piece of vinyl flooring down and then use potty pads or newspaper on top of this flooring. Position it by the exit door you have chosen. When the weather subsides, then train your pet to go outdoors. Some trainers prefer to use litter systems and/or potty pads forever. You know your situation and living environment. Do consider if your pet may be traveling with you - and - cross training if possible so your pet is comfortable in a variety of environments.
If your pet is used to going indoors and you wish to transfer the potty area to the outdoors, plan ahead for a hopefully easy transistion. Be sure to shovel snow to the relief area and shovel down to grass. I do not recommend training to go on an adjoining deck as some pups may not leave this area and go in the designated potty area later if outdoors alone. Pick up any sticks and items that your pet may find interesting.
Simply get a 'sample' of pee and poo to take outdoors. Soak a paper towel with your pet's urine. Store in a ziploc bag by the exit door. When taking your pup out, pick up the soaked paper towel and put on the ground. Or place a soiled potty pad on the dirt or grass. With a little luck, your pet will make the connection and go. Remember not to praise until your pet is finished going (not when it begins) per discussion at class! Hurry back into the house and give a treat!
Traveling Tip! When traveling with your pet, it's best if your pet is comfortable on leash and able to potty away from home. For that reason, acclimating your pet to being on leash when relieving itself is a terrific idea. Some people never do this and their pet may resist going if leashed - so sad for the pup! Remember the 'how to do' tips shared at the end of your first class with me (if you stayed for same).
Slippery Outdoor Area? Use a pet-safe salt or substitue for safer footing. My go to if I don't have a pet safe melting product is a pail of sand to spread. Away from the house around barns and chicken areas, straw may be helpful. If straw is spread on ice, you may slip, so apply to rough areas or when there is a partial thaw.
Do keep your products somewhere where it/they will not get wet and freeze solid. Some people use regular clay cat litter - I have had pups that wanted to eat it - thus, I don't use it!
If walking your pet in an area where regular salt may be? Example - on sidewalks, roads and streets. There are special products you may purchase to provide your pet pad protection. I have used a dab of Vaseline on the bottom of feet which may keep the salt from burning.
Be sure to wipe off your pet's feet when you're back indoors. Even better, dip each paw in a small pail with warm water and towell dry. The "Steady" is helpful for doing this if you have taught it!
Pet edibles from China!! This is very old news, but many well known stores have chosen to still sell treats on their shelves coming from China. There have been documented cases of thousands of pets that have died or became seriously ill from digesting food with toxins found in them in our country alone. Be sure to check labels and discard anything with "China" on it!! I find it sad what greed can do to people in the trade that we assume care about our pets... Too much info to share here on this subject - Google and learn.
Important Link Here:
FDA Pet Food Recalls & Withdrawals
DIY Long Line
If you are in need of a long line, looping two leashes together will work. Or, to save money - you may make one! Simply purchase parachute cord for smaller pets or clothesline or boat cord for larger ones and simply add a bolt snap. Adding another bolt snap at 20+ +/- intervals if longer lines are needed will save time if your pet may get tangled is a concern. Using a harness on your pet instead of a collar is recommended and be sure to supervise!
If you prefer to keep your pet in a limited area, consider an over head cable to provide for exercise. Consider ample 'head' room for people when setting this up! Again, a harness may provide a safer connection than a collar. Supervision is important, too. Pets can get tangled and visiting animals - including children - may come on to your property. : )
Donating? Keep your money local and give to the agencies that actually use the vast majority of the funds for the animals. There are many 'businesses' and even some local non profits that are skilled at taking advantage of people that have a soft spot for animals. Heart-wrenching ads on television can attract you. There is one agency that receives much money which provides their admin staff annual salaries of not only six digit figures, but high multiple hundred thousand $ salaries. TAILS DOWN!
Please help to spread the word! Your referrals are most appreciated. Business cards are available for drop off at pet related businesses and veterinary hospitals. I do run into people almost every week that are not aware that I am running classes again. Please share when you can! Much of my business is word of mouth and spreading the word will help ensure I'm still running when you get a future pup, thank you!
Business cards are available! If you are able to put some on display at your pet's vet office, groomer or where you shop, please take some and help spread the word. The cards are on the trainers table at class. Being largely a referral business, a sincere thank you to those that help to spread the word. Doing so helps to ensure I will be teaching when you start your next future pet, thank you!
Enjoy your training journey! Puppy breath fades and your pet's face color will whiten much too fast...
My best, Mary T.
2022 Results & Pawformance Rendevous Titles & Honorifics!
AKC Canine Good Citizen
Joe G. & "Bruce" Doberman Pinscher, much training with George (and Marge) G.
Test pass on Dec. 8, 2022 with Joe at Sportsman's DTC in Warren. Congrats everyone!
AKC Canine Good Citizen with Therapy Pass
Maureen K.'s "Suki" - Labrador Retriever & Poodle mix.
No other information was provided. Congrats, Suki is a sweetheart!