Monday, March 25, 2013

$20.00 Off Spring Dog Training Special at PETCO Brooklyn Park

$20.00 off Spring Dog Training. Need a refresher - come join us for fun times.

Learn more about
We also have great classes
  • Fun with Fur Friend Retired Folk Classes
  • Fun with Fur Friends Classes for Veterans
  • Shy Dogs
  • Misunderstood Bully Breeds
We also offer FREE Puppy Socialization
  • Classes start at age 8 weeks if they have first set of vaccinations
Here is our autograph book for our store. If you've trained with Brooklyn Park PETCO come on in and write us a note to let people know you had a good time! We appreciate you business.


Turn your favorite photos into a photo book at Shutterfly.com.


Sunday, March 24, 2013

AKC Star Puppy - "STAR"ting off on the right paws

20 STEPS To Success: 

The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy® TEST

S ocialization Training A ctivity R esponsibility

7 OWNER BEHAVIORS:
  1. Maintains puppy’s health (vaccines, exams, appears healthy)
  2. Owner receives Responsible Dog Owner’s Pledge 
  3. Owner describes adequate daily play and exercise plan 
  4. Owner and puppy attend at least 6 classes by an AKC
  5. Approved CGC Evaluator 
  6. Owner brings bags to classes for cleaning up after puppy 
  7. Owner has obtained some form of ID for puppy-collar tag, etc.
5 PUPPY BEHAVIORS:
  1. Free of aggression toward people during at least 6 weeks of class
  2. Free of aggression toward other puppies in class 
  3. Tolerates collar or body harness of owner’s choice 
  4. Owner can hug or hold puppy (depending on size) 
  5. Puppy allows owner to take away a treat or toy
9 PRE-CANINE GOOD CITIZEN® TEST BEHAVIORS

  1. Allows (in any position) petting by a person other than the owner
  2. Grooming-Allows owner handling and brief exam (ears, feet)
  3. Walks on a Leash-Follows owner on lead in a straight line (15 steps)
  4. Walks by other people-Walks on leash past other people 5-ft away
  5. Sits on command-Owner may use a food lure 
  6. Down on command-Owner may use a food lure 
  7. Comes to owner from 5-ft when name is called 
  8. Reaction to Distractions-distractions are presented 15-ft away
  9. Stay on leash with another person *(owner walks away 15 steps)
Join us at PETCO - Brooklyn Park and get your puppy STARted!!!
Fun classes for the entire family.

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Canine Good Citizen Test - What should I expect from my dog?

Get Your First Dog Title
with AKC Canine Good Citizen


As of January 1, 2013, Canine Good Citizen® became an official AKC title thatcan appear on the title records of dogs registered or listed with AKC. Dog ownersmay list the suffix, “CGC” after the dog’s name.Since the program began in 1989, CGC has been considered an “award,”meaningthat it has not been listed on a dog’s title record.
View an actual test.
Then come to our classes to get your dog ready.



AKC’s Canine Good Citizen® (CGC)

Before taking the Canine Good Citizen test, owners will sign the Responsible Dog Owners Pledge

We believe that responsible dog ownership is a key part of the CGC concept and by signing the pledge, owners agree to take care of their dog's health needs, safety, exercise, training and quality of life. Owners also agree to show responsibility by doing things such as cleaning up after their dogs in public places and never letting dogs infringe on the rights of others.

After signing the Responsible Dog Owners Pledge, owners and their dogs are ready to take the CGC  Test.

10 Items on the Canine Good Citizen Test include:

  1. Accepting a friendly stranger This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly stranger to approach it and speak to the handler in a natural, everyday situation. The evaluator walks up to the dog and handler and greets the handler in a friendly manner, ignoring the dog. The evaluator and handler shake hands and exchange pleasantries. The dog must show no sign of resentment or shyness, and must not break position or try to go to the evaluator.
  2. Sitting politely for petting This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly stranger to touch it while it is out with its handler. With the dog sitting at the handler's side, to begin the exercise, the evaluator pets the dog on the head and body. The handler may talk to his or her dog throughout the exercise. The dog may stand in place as it is petted. The dog must not show shyness or resentment.
  3. Appearance and grooming This practical test demonstrates that the dog will welcome being groomed and examined and will permit someone, such as a veterinarian, groomer or friend of the owner, to do so. It also demonstrates the owner's care, concern and sense of responsibility. The evaluator inspects the dog to determine if it is clean and groomed. The dog must appear to be in healthy condition (i.e., proper weight, clean, healthy and alert). The handler should supply the comb or brush commonly used on the dog. The evaluator then softly combs or brushes the dog, and in a natural manner, lightly examines the ears and gently picks up each front foot. It is not necessary for the dog to hold a specific position during the examination, and the handler may talk to the dog, praise it and give encouragement throughout.
  4. Out for a walk (walking on a loose lead) This test demonstrates that the handler is in control of the dog. The dog may be on either side of the handler. The dog's position should leave no doubt that the dog is attentive to the handler and is responding to the handler's movements and changes of direction. The dog need not be perfectly aligned with the handler and need not sit when the handler stops. The evaluator may use a pre-plotted course or may direct the handler/dog team by issuing instructions or commands. In either case, there should be a right turn, left turn, and an about turn with at least one stop in between and another at the end. The handler may talk to the dog along the way, praise the dog, or give commands in a normal tone of voice. The handler may sit the dog at the halts if desired.
  5. Walking through a crowd This test demonstrates that the dog can move about politely in pedestrian traffic and is under control in public places. The dog and handler walk around and pass close to several people (at least three). The dog may show some interest in the strangers but should continue to walk with the handler, without evidence of over-exuberance, shyness or resentment. The handler may talk to the dog and encourage or praise the dog throughout the test. The dog should not jump on people in the crowd or strain on the leash.
  6. Sit and down on command and Staying in place This test demonstrates that the dog has training, will respond to the handler's commands to sit and down and will remain in the place commanded by the handler (sit or down position, whichever the handler prefers). The dog must do sit AND down on command, then the owner chooses the position for leaving the dog in the stay. Prior to this test, the dog's leash is replaced with a line 20 feet long. The handler may take a reasonable amount of time and use more than one command to get the dog to sit and then down. The evaluator must determine if the dog has responded to the handler's commands. The handler may not force the dog into position but may touch the dog to offer gentle guidance. When instructed by the evaluator, the handler tells the dog to stay and walks forward the length of the line, turns and returns to the dog at a natural pace. The dog must remain in the place in which it was left (it may change position) until the evaluator instructs the handler to release the dog. The dog may be released from the front or the side.
  7. Coming when called This test demonstrates that the dog will come when called by the handler. The handler will walk 10 feet from the dog, turn to face the dog, and call the dog. The handler may use encouragement to get the dog to come. Handlers may choose to tell dogs to "stay" or "wait" or they may simply walk away, giving no instructions to the dog.
  8. Reaction to another dog This test demonstrates that the dog can behave politely around other dogs. Two handlers and their dogs approach each other from a distance of about 20 feet, stop, shake hands and exchange pleasantries, and continue on for about 10 feet. The dogs should show no more than casual interest in each other. Neither dog should go to the other dog or its handler.
  9. Reaction to distraction This test demonstrates that the dog is confident at all times when faced with common distracting situations. The evaluator will select and present two distractions. Examples of distractions include dropping a chair, rolling a crate dolly past the dog, having a jogger run in front of the dog, or dropping a crutch or cane. The dog may express natural interest and curiosity and/or may appear slightly startled but should not panic, try to run away, show aggressiveness, or bark. The handler may talk to the dog and encourage or praise it throughout the exercise.
  10. Supervised separation This test demonstrates that a dog can be left with a trusted person, if necessary, and will maintain training and good manners. Evaluators are encouraged to say something like, "Would you like me to watch your dog?" and then take hold of the dog's leash. The owner will go out of sight for three minutes. The dog does not have to stay in position but should not continually bark, whine, or pace unnecessarily, or show anything stronger than mild agitation or nervousness. Evaluators may talk to the dog but should not engage in excessive talking, petting, or management attempts (e.g, "there, there, it's alright").
Equipment

OWNER TO BRING
  • All tests must be performed on leash (that is not a retractable!). 
  • For collars, dogs should wear well-fitting buckle or slip collars made of leather, fabric, or chain. Special training collars such as pinch collars, head halters, and electronic collars are not permitted in the CGC test. We recognize that special training collars such as head collars and no-jump harnesses may be very useful tools for beginning dog trainers, however, we feel that dogs are ready to take the CGC test at the point at which they are transitioned to equipment that allows the evaluator to see that the dog has been trained.
  • Body harnesses may be used in the CGC test. The evaluator should check to make sure the harness is not of a type that completely restricts the dog's movement such that it could not pull or jump up if it tried. 
  • Brush or comb
EVALUATOR PROVIDES
  • The evaluator supplies a 20-foot lead for the test. 
Encouragement IS Permitted
  • Owners/handlers may use praise and encouragement throughout the test. 
  • The owner may pet the dog between exercises. 
Not Permitted for the CGC Test
  • Food and treats are not permitted during testing, nor is the use of toys, squeaky toys, etc. to get the dog to do something. We recognize that food and toys may provide valuable reinforcement or encouragement during the training process but these items should not be used during the test. 

Failures – Dismissals
  • Any dog that eliminates during testing must be marked failed. The only exception to this rule is that elimination is allowable in test Item 10, but only when test Item 10 is held outdoors.
  • Any dog that growls, snaps, bites, attacks, or attempts to attack a person or another dog is not a good citizen and must be dismissed from the test.
 Join us at PETCO - Brooklyn Park for your Dog's First Title!


Friday, March 8, 2013

Bite Prevention - Help to Understand Your Dog

help you...
Understand Your Dog
  • An anxious dog might show a half moon of white in his eye or he may lick his lips or yawn. He may turn his head away or walk away. He wants to be left alone.
  • A dog that suddenly goes stiff and still is very dangerous and might be ready to bite.
  • A happy dog pants and wags his tail loosely. He may wag all over.
  • A dog with his mouth closed and ears forward and/or with his tail held high is busy thinking about something and does not want to be bothered.
Check to see if you KNOW what your dog is thinking... 
  • Green border - dog says "it's okay."
    (as long there is suitable adult supervision/permission)
  • Red border - dog says "stay away!"
    (even if it is your own dog or handler says it is OK to pet him)
Clipper is happy
Clipper doesn't want to share

Lola is telling you to stay away
Lola is happy


Shelby is calm and happy
Shelby is worried

Cricket is happy
Cricket is interested

Trevor is alert
Trevor is relaxed

Sam is alert to danger
Sam is happy

Kona is worried
Kona is happy

Lily is happy
Lily and her friends don't
want to share the couch

Blucher is happy
Blucher is worried

Jack is telling you to stay away
Jack is calm and happy

Savannah is happy
Savannah is telling you to stay away

Jubilee is happy
Jubilee is alert to danger


Bear is afraid
Bear is happy


Don't Miss Seeing These Stress Signals
at Liam J. Perk Foundation

FOR A FREE POSTER CLICK ABOVE

A dog does not need to
be vicious to bite.
All dogs have the capability of biting.
They will if they want to and
there is absolutely nothing you can do to stop it when it happens. 

Dogs can bite in .025 seconds. 
That's what people need to know.



 Help us prevent dog bites by learning your dog's signals. Dogs have feelings and emotions.  Sometimes just like you they don't want to be bothered. 

The same dog will have many signals that are called body language—some say "it's okay" and some say "stay away!"

 
Jodee Kulp, ABCDT has been a proud member of DogGone Safe Since 2009 


 This blog has been provided through the efforts of Better Endings New Beginnings