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Last updated Mon, Jul 25, 2022
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 Retriever. Highlights of the wonderful seven generations of Goldens and their people I have known starting with my first "Chelsea" litter in 1980!
A Message from Mary T.The Tracking and Retrieve (both outdoors) and PreAgility (indoors) specials are available. 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!
On days when the heat and/or humidity is high, keep your pet(s) comfortable. Heavy exercise should be done when it is cooler, set the alarm for an earlier time and again later in the evening as needed. So sad to see pets outdoors with sign of too much heat - walking your pup outdoors midday with high temps and/or humidity is just not healthy.
Protect your pet from pad burns from hot pavement and asphalt! If the walking surface is too hot for your hand, it is too hot for your pet's feet!
Wading pools are a delight for most pets. Past personal experience, buy early as there are usually hard to find once the hot temps are regular. If your pup is unsure of what to do, get in with him or her and a few toys... fun for both! Be sure to drain the pool after use each day! Do not let water sit stagnant. Beside 'growing' germs, sitting water will attract 'skeeters'! Outdoor ponds can provide entertainment - but - also may be a hazard. Puddles may attract vermin and critters. Usually as the summer sun heats ponds and lakes, bacteria & other undesirables grow.
Algae blooms!!! Are danger zones - this year has been awful. Don't let your pet drink or swim in water with floaters. If the water is clean, still be diligent to keep your pet's skin healthy. After allowing a wade or swim, rinse or wash your pup. Typcially, mid to late summer bacteria and other hazards may become a problem.
After swimming or wading, I suggest using a mild dog shampoo (perhaps oatmeal based) diluted 50/50 with water to wash your pup after it has had some fun in a pond or lake. Be sure to rinse well with warm water - twice!! Do rinse under the feet and inbetween toes, too! A pup standing in soapy water and allowed out of the tub w/o rinsing the feet with clean water may develop issues later.
Inclement Weather Tips!
Thunder storm season! If your pet gets anxious when the weather is inclement, especially if thunder and lightning is happening, do not coddle. Many people make the mistake of over comforting and telling their pup that "It's OK" which may increase the pet's concern. With enough 'practice', it may lead to storm anxiety. Instead, let your pet be with you, be more matter of fact and reassure your pet that everything is fine w/o too much gush (even if your heart is breaking a little). Engage with an activity when possible. If your pet has to be alone, perhaps give it the 'special' large knotted, white rawhide bone when it needs to be crated. Also, close curtains and/or shades, keep lights on and the radio or TV on a little louder than usual.
Go outdoors with your leashed pet at potty time if there is a chance it may run off or climb a fence if startled. Many pets are surprised with sudden thunder claps and lightening, and may go into severe flight drive during during same. High winds and unexpected gusts may also spook pets! Remember to stay grounded so you do not increase anxiety issues your pet may have.
Some pets may be comforted wearing a baby or child size T-shirt. Since recommending same decades ago, 'thunder shirts' for pets are now on the market for the same purpose and are pricey! Using a tight fitting T is the same and save some $$s.
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.
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).
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. : )
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!
If you are training with us, thank you for joining. I hope training with your pet becomes one of your happiest things to do!
My best, Mary T.
2021 Results & Pawformance Rendevous Titles & Honorifics!
NOTE Shows and trials were cancelled in March 2020 due to COVID. While Results - Pawformance Sports! main concern is a happy, well behaved pet, some trainers do enjoy dog sports. Thus, we were so disappointed when C-19 changes were implemented. Several trainers had their pets ready for AKC Canine Good Citizen Tests, Rally-Obedience and Agility Jumpers trials. Offerings are beginning to open again. We are very much looking forward to shows and trials being fully open again!
Congratulations to Laurel C. and "Daisy" - Golden Retriever and Poodle mix on their AKC Canine Good Citizen pass at the Obedience Training Club of Greater Lansing (OTCGL) test in December 2021. They passed their AKC Tricks Dog Novice Title, too!
And a special thank you to Linda at OTCGL for coordinating this test. It is much work and her and the others that volunteer are appreciated! Results-Pawformance Sports made a donation was made to the club to put towards CGC supplies. The AKC does charge for same and when Results was last offering tests, the prices were climbing...
Happy News! Rescue volunteers Beth and daughter Jen H.'s latest Midwest Small Breed Rescue Result's class project has a new home. "Jagger" - Dachshund mix was in the January '22 Wednesday Obedience & Manners One class. Like so many the ladies take in, he had a rough start in life. He blossomed quickly and is now with a new family and another rescued dachshund to run with!
Past Midwest Small Breed Rescue pets in foster care that have attended Results classes with Beth or Jen are ""Eddie" - Poodle mix 4-21; "CoCo" - Dachshund mix 10-21 and "Joey" a Chihuahua and Rat Terrier mix 7-19. All four have been successfully placed for the long term! Kudos to you both for the volunteer work you do so well!