Bear A • German Shepherd pup at 9 months in Board & Train

Bear is a young male German Shepherd pup at nine months old in board and train. It took a while to get him to realize he's following me. He is an example of a dog that if you give him an inch he'll take a mile. Way too excited at pick up before I get the collar on. I can tell by the way he looks at counters and garbage cans as though they might provide something of interest to him that he has been there before. In stimulating areas he watches and tries to give a sniff to people passing by. He wants to bark at dogs he sees. He would like to join Evelyn for her lunch by getting around her to her food. He is smart and has learned if nobody is watching for a few seconds he can steal anything.

This is a working dog with lots of ball drive and food drive. He can do very nice obedience in areas of lower distractions. After spending time in the quieter Canine College we began to work on perfecting which is showing him that obedience is everywhere. Food preparation is full of activity including a washer, dryer and compressors along with tables of food and dogs going so me activity we provide at Best Friends American Pet Motel. We walked in the courtyard by barking dogs from Tails of Hope rescue.

The lobby was the most fun. Bear watched cats playing in the Young at Heart cat shelter in the lobby. He eventually did a long down with me 8 feet away watching hyper barking dogs check into the hotel and grooming. Bear has come a long way but it will take the continued practice guiding him in stimulating areas and showing him the way you want him to behave. Please continue in pet stores, parks, group classes and any other training you have in store for him. He's been bred to do whatever you want.

Rally•URO1 Sciroco's Freya vom Viersen CGC TT

Congratulations to Kathi and URO1 Sciroco's Freya vom Viersen CGC TT on their first experience in APDT Rally competition. In Schiller Park on Sunday January 24, 2010, they qualified in both trials they entered. A 201 out of 210 earned a third place and a 192 earned them a fourth place. Kathi works Freya in my advanced obedience class and my rally class and has had her work with me in board and train. Keep up the good work and I'll see you in class. Also congratulations to Champion V rated Precious Gems Axle vom Viersen.

Bella• St. Bernard at 9 months in first week of board & train

Bella is a very playful St. Bernard that I had the pleasure to work with for a week in board and train. She has good food and ball drive. At first she was a little shy but soon wanted me to take her out every time she saw me. We started in the Canine College where I also hold obedience and rally classes. She caught on quickly so we were able to spend time socializing and desensitizing around our 6 plus acre facility. We practiced in the courtyard with dogs barking and being walked. We worked in the main building which is full of people working, dropping off dogs to stay in the hotel, or into grooming department. I asked Bella to "sit" or "down" and watch the cats play in the Young at Heart shelter in our lobby. Being able to practice in real life situations builds confidence in the dogs I'm working around strangers and new things and a lot of fears and aggression goes out the window as they learn manners and increase thresholds in social situations.

Make Your Own Dog Treats

The best way to train your dog is through positive reinforcement, and of course a few yummy treats along the way! If you do not have time to come to our pet store located here inside Best Friends Pet Care you can make your own treats at home! Just remember with dog training a little treat goes a long way. Make sure to break the treats up so you can reward your dog every time with a little something.

PEAMUTT BUTTER BISCUITS

1/4 cup peanut butter

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 cup water

2 1/4 cups whole wheat flour

1 cup oatmeal

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl combine peanut butter, oil, and water. Gradually add flour, then oatmeal. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness and cut with a cookie cutter. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes. Makes 2 1/2 dozen.

Dog treat recipe from The Original Doggy Bone Cook Book By: Michelle Bledsoe

APDT Rally•Get ready for Cathi O.

Ribbons and trophies- she loves to earn them with her companions Jazzy CGC, RL1X(aoe) and Lefty CGC, RL1X(aoe). Jazzy is a female Shih-tzu mix and Cathi calls Lefty a Box-cat for Boxer/Cattle dog mix. He was a very shy dog that she volunteered with adopt a pet to foster. They lost a great foster home when she fell in love and decided Lefty still could benefit the most with her helping him adjust to life without being afraid.

Well last year they competed in 2 weekend trials, one in Shiller Park and one in Omaha, Nebraska. Aside from being titled in their first weekend of competition with high scores. Jazzy even took second place (even though competing with dogs in level 2 and level 3 rally) they were also listed in the National APDT Rally rankings for last year.

This year she has started off in Lafayette, Indiana and already gotten more points with Jazzy than she had earned last year. Go Cathi !!!!!!!!! There were 6 trials on Jan. 9&10, 2010

Trial 1: 209 2nd place

Trial 2: 210 3rd

Trial 3: 205 1st

Trial 4: 209 1st

Trial 5: 210 2nd

Trial 6: 208 1st

Lefty successfully passed 6 trials and took a 3rd and 4th place for the team! Cathi works in my intermediate/advanced classes on Tuesday @ 7pm and Saturday @10am and in the Rally Class @11am. I invite everyone and their family to come and view the class, without their dogs, of course.

Shiloh• 4 month Shih-tzu mix that had a blast in Board & Train

This is work? What a pleasure for me to spend time training this delightful Shih-tzu mix in board and train. Shiloh is a little over little over 4.5 months. In the first week we worked on basic commands, sit, down, watch (eye contact), heel, off & take it(starts with food held in hand, then progresses to food on my toy between her front feet. She will get it but must wait for each piece and for me to say , "take it." Once she understands the concept of "off" it applies to whatever I want her to leave alone and even eventually counter surfing, which will not be easy for Shiloh). I also include a "sit" in motion, which if practiced and a dog will not come, you just say, "sit" then walk over and pick them up. In group class we work on "down" in motion which can be used the same manner.

The first week we bond as I introduce the game of obedience in the Canine College. After this I introduce new things and try to use the tools we've developed to gently guide her in new situations. This is called perfecting. I have a stimulating food preparation area with food on tables, a washer, a dryer, a compressor and even dogs going on walks. I have a courtyard full of barking dogs and a retail store, a grooming facility, a Young at Heart cat shelter and even birds and small animals in our lobby area. Distractions? I have 6 acres to practice on and a block from a busy street.

Mom was quite impressed with the progress I had made and how happy Shiloh was while she worked with me. I'm a motivational trainer and my goal is to get the dogs working with their heads up, tail waggin' and as much eye contact as possible. My best reference is a dog that has spent time with me. When they see me they can't wait to get a chance to make me happy. I don't just give them food, I ask them to do things for me then I praise them for doing what I've asked. Thanks and hope to see Shiloh in class.

Winter Dog Tricks

As a dog trainer I would normally not reccomend this style of play. However this is just too funny! Click on the above photo to view Bailey and his tricks!

Chicagoland's Most Loveable Pet Contest

Click on the photo above to enter your pet! Only a few days left, the contest ends Sunday night. This contest is sponsored by Wellness Pet Food, and Lite FM radio.

Beckham • Miniture Schnauzer 7 months

Beckham is a delightful 7 month miniature Schnauzer. I had him for a week of board and train. At first he had issues with socialization and quite a few areas he was afraid to walk. We started by bonding while working on foundation obedience. Luckily he has great food drive which helped to distract him in worrisome situations. When dogs look at me and take food I find they are in a calm state and can absorb stimulation without wanting to avoid or go to flight. Initially he had issues with heaters, shadows, fans, almost anything new. The more we worked the more easily he was able to keep moving. By practicing the things that were new became old and I watched him go from being shy to quite the opposite. It is easier to calm him down now that he is moving forward. Some people think when their dog does not come that they are being disobedient but if you look at the bigger picture you might be standing next to something they are afraid to be near. I've seen where dogs will not come in after going potty if the dominant dog is inside first. Or the opposite when a dog will not potty outside because the dominant dog owns the yard. I do not see being submissive or shy as happy and it is our job to help a dog get over issues allowing for a happy and less fearful life. I think there are more bites by shy dogs that feel cornered than by aggressive dogs. By helping to socialize we can keep problems from occurring. I'm happy to say Beckham's owner plans to continue in the group classes.

National Train Your Dog Month

What a great way to start your new year off than to exercise with your dog. There is not a more rewarding form of exercise than training! Dog training gives you exercise, and a sense of accomplishment when you see what you and your dog can do together. The Association for Professional Dog Trainers, APDT, has declared January National Train Your Dog Month!
Best Friends Pet Care would like to encourage each and every one of you to join in the fun! From group training classes to private lessons, and even Rally and Canine Good Citizen. I offer plenty of fun filled options for you! I look forward to making some new friends this month! See you all soon.

2009 APDT Rally Rankings

CONGRATULATIONS!

Cathi Overend and her dog Jazzy have just made the APDT list of the 2009 National Rankings for RL1 Rally Obedience. This after only competing in 2 shows! A job well done Jazzy, we are proud! For those interested in Rally, please feel free to call me. Classes will be starting here at Best Friends Pet Care Saturday Jan. 9 at 11a.m.