Therapy Dog Evaluation

We have scheduled another Therapy Dog Evaluation!

 Prerequisites: To sign up for a Pet Partners Team Evaluation, it is a requirement that you have either attended the in-person Pet Partners Handler Course, or completed the online Pet Partners Handlers Course.

Date: Saturday, 20th October, 2012 Time: Beginning at 10:30 AM [Assigned Times] Location: Taming the Wild Side (training facility), 9940 Calf Meadows Lane, Ft. Worth, TX 76126 Fee: $25 for each Team Evaluation Team Evaluators: Andy Germann and Jean Ann Jones.

To make an appointment, and for more information, please contact Jean Ann Jones at jeanannjones@hotmail.com or (254) 744-8240

Fall Hike!

It is time for the first Taming the Wild Side Fall Hike! It is October 13 at 9:00 a.m. We will hike the River Bottom and Marsh Boardwalk Trail at the Fort Worth Nature Center. This is a beautiful easy approximately 3 mile hike. Meet at the Training Facility at 9:00. Cost is $10.00 per family which will cover snacks, drinks and all other proceeds will be given to Basset Hound Rescue of North Texas! There is an additional $5.00 entry charge at the gate! **The hike is open to clients of Taming the Wild Side, if you are not a client and would like to attend that would be great upon evaluation of your dog. We will have 8 slots available, come and join the fun!! Sign up here!

Elfie!

Remember our video "Calming the Aggressive Dog Through Taking A Breathe"? When we filmed that video Elfie could not come out of her crate when I was there due to her aggression. Here is the next step in her training. She can now come out with me and without the muzzle. She is however, aggressive on a walk. She has not been walked in a long time because Margeret was afraid she could not handle her and that she would bite someone. We have desensitized her to the basket muzzle over the last 3 weeks and today was her their first walk together! The use of the muzzle is not a negative because Elfie associates it with training and rewards. She gets excited when she sees it! Our next step, is to begin helping her with distractions and people. Watch for the update!  

Elfie does not mind the muzzle, we have worked for several weeks with it before putting it on her. She connects the muzzle with training and rewards!

Body Language Page 2

One more page about body language with a video of a dog bite. Can you spot the warning signs before the bite? I highly recommend bookmarking to look back on if needed!
http://www.petprofessionalguild.com/DogBodylanguage

Facial Expressions

Want to learn a little bit more about body language that your dog may offer and what it means? Here is another nice outline describing some basic behavior to watch for. The better you get at watching for these behaviors the faster you will be able to help your dog!
http://dogtrainer.quickanddirtytips.com/dogs-facial-expressions.aspx

The Shocking Truth!

Haven't we thought this at times!! LOL!! Even my Basset Dixie listens pretty well but we have played lots of attention games!!

Teach Your Puppy to Play Tug of War

http://www.clickertraining.com/node/3620

Coconut Oil Benefits!

Wow look at all the benefits of coconut oil for your dog! It may even help with those hot spots!!!
http://dogingtonpost.com/benefits-of-coconut-oil-for-dogs/

Nice outline of the different types of aggression dogs may display and what causes it. In order to help and aggressive dog we must first find the triggers! http://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/the-10-types-of-canine-aggression

Fun Fact!

Hunters & fishermen while cooking their food over the campfire, (many foods were cooked breaded & fried) would fry up some breading to toss to the dogs to quiet them. Hence the name... Hush Puppies =)

Back To School!

This morning is Glacier's first day back at school! Yep he starts the READ program at Star Point School again today! Can't wait for the new kids to meet him!

A Breakthrough!

I had another session with Elfie this past week and she was able to come out of the crate for the first time and work with me one on one. Another step closer to building her confidence around people! She loves to train!!

Space is important!

This idea is really starting to catch on. Attaching a yellow ribbon to your leash is a wonderful idea if we get the word out on what it means and that is to give this dog space! The biggest problem on walks that I see are people who do not have their dogs under control and they want to walk them off leash. Ultimately what happens is their dog will run up to other dogs that are on leash and then an altercation starts. Somehow the off-leash people are usually the ones upset. Let me clarify, the on-leash people are doing it right! If your dog does not stay with you or will not recall back to you without visiting then your dog is not under control and should not be off leash. On leash people, do not let your dog visit other dogs that are on leash. Yellow ribbons would help remind people that some dogs just need space!

Do You Know What You Are Clicking?

5. Be aware of what RESPONSE you are rewarding each time you give out a cookie or toy.What did you click—did you see eyes? Did you want to see eyes when your dog is performing that skill? What did you intend to reinforce? Does the dog know? -Susan Garrett Are you going to click when this dog looks at you or when his paws hit the floor? When all four paws are on the floor, will you click stepping back from the plate, a sit or a sit and a look at you? What is your ultimate goal to have him sit and look at you or have him relax, lay down or even move to mat? Have a plan, know what your are clicking! -TTWS