A tired dog is a happy dog.  Don't let cold weather keep you from training!  Come take a class with us at Redfern and have a little fun with your pup.  Isn't that why you got a dog in the first place?

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Is a New Pup in Your Future????

It is never too early or too soon to start planning for a new pup (no matter the age) for your family!

This is the first of a 3-part article on preparing and choosing a new canine child for your family-and make no mistake, getting a new pup is like getting a new child whether you go the route of adopting an older rescue or adopting an 8-week old puppy.

Do the Work

Preliminary planning and decisions need to be made before you even START to look at new pups. The remaining 2 parts will deal with how to choose a reputable, responsible rescue group and how to choose a reputable, responsible breeder. While many of the characteristics of reputable, responsible breeders and rescue groups are the same (both should be motivated by the lifetime well-being of the dogs that they place), there are also different qualities to look for in each.

Make no mistake, different breeds have different temperaments and skills! So, take time to assess YOUR life!

Give thought to what you enjoy doing now and expect to enjoy doing in 12 years.
Include hobbies and travel plans.

Think about how much exercise you want to have as a part of your daily life.

Why do you want a dog? What do you want to do with your dog?
Write down a description of your perfect pup.

What does your family look like now and what do you expect it to look like in 12 years?

Do you plan to have an 'only' dog or do you enjoy having multiple pups?

What does your typical day look like? Are you home most of the time with only short trips out and about or do you have commitments that require you to be gone 6 hours or more at a stretch?

What does your home and yard look like and is it appropriate for a dog needing lots of exercise?

Decide whether you want to go the 'puppy' or the 'rescue' route.

Both puppies and older dogs have challenges adapting to your home. The challenges are just DIFFERENT.

Try to do some volunteering with a breeder and a rescue group so that you better understand the differences between the 2 routes. (Offer to puppy-hug for a breeder or to dog walk for a rescue or to staff an exhibit for a rescue!)

Research different types of breeds.

Remember all dogs, even mixed breeds, carry the genetics of what they were originally bred to do. Be sure that you understand the skills and personalities needed to accomplish the original purpose of the breeds that you are considering. (A West Highland Terrier WILL be very focused and active, a Labrador WILL put things in its mouth, and a Beagle WILL howl! You will need to do lots of training to teach control of those innate tendencies.)
Decide on the approximate size of your perfect pup when it is an ADULT dog. (A Bernese Mountain Dog will probably not do well in a small townhome with no yard!)

Be sure that you include research into what grooming needs your perfect pup will have. (Do you want 'wash & wear', visits to a groomer, lots of shedding, minimal shed
ding, etc.)
Take every opportunity that presents itself to interact with every dog that you meet. Ask questions of the owner. (What is the best/worst thing about your pup? How much formal training have you taken? What does your dog do if you are not playing with it?)

Stay tuned for Part 2- Choosing a Reputable, Responsible Rescue Group-in our next newsletter!

Betsy

And the Award Goes To... 
Our Students!

Congratulations to the following teams that have worked so hard together.  We recognize the work and effort that goes into working together.  Nicely done! 

Rally Novice--Sharon Sipple with Reese

Therapy Dog Internat'l--Lynn Kloske with Margo



Urban Canine 
 Cheryl Daily with Bentley
 Betsy Howell with Portia & Charm   
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Community Canine 
  Cheryl Daily with Bentley
  Betsy Howell with Portia & Charm
  
Canine Good Citizen
  Nicholas Bean with Stark
  Cheryl Daily with Bentley
  Margaret David with Tina
  Jen Hartman with Briggs
  Shelly Kunkel with Fletcher
  Judith Seitz with Bob
  Sharon Sipple with Reese
  Edward Smith with Anakin
  

            

STAR Puppy
   Allison Calderon with Blue                       
   Peter Dodge with Chica
    Kurt Easter with Maximus Bear
    Kylie Ebersole with Hope
    Hannah Finley with Tesla
    Terry Friesen with Chester
    Christopher Hunter with Piper
    Brenda Keller with Casey
    Robert Kelly with Ted
    Jackie Kennedy with Levi
    David & Kara King with Griswold
    Jean Labaloki with Peanut
    Karen Lavery with Lexi
    Pat Mailander with Zeus
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    Haleigh Minor with Arya
    Laura O'Neill with Sage
    Terra Phillips with Rumor
    Brady Pnacek with Pax
    Melissa Renfroe with Olive
    Abby Root with Fitz
    Susan Salerno with Rudy
    Deb Seneca with Gracie
    Rachel Seneca with Lucy
    Mike & Mia Silvetti with Gatling
    Judy Smith with Bella
    Matt Smoluk with Rory
    Anna Marie Sossong with Keeva
    Nichole Stehr with Willow
    Alyssa Thompson with Benson
    Christine Watts with Thunder

      
 
Dear Portia,

I don't get it! All of a sudden my toes are freezing when I go outside. What happened to the ground to make it SO cold?
                                  Hanna, the 3 month old

Dear Hanna,
This is your first winter-a time when everything gets really cold. Don't worry-in a couple of months it will be warm again! In the meantime, though, here are some tips you can share with your human family to make life more pleasant:
  • Your feet should be checked for ice balls when you come inside from playing/walking in the snow.
  • Be careful NOT to walk in the salt on streets or sidewalks. Salt can irritate the pads of your feet and is NOT good for you to lick off. Maybe you can suggest pet-friendly ice melts to your humans.
  • A little petroleum jelly or paw protectant on your pads will help if your feet are sore from salt/ice melt. OR you can try wearing booties!
  • Make sure you have lots of water inside to drink-outside water will freeze and you can become dehydrated.
  • Stay inside and toasty warm as much as possible. This is the time to snuggle up in a comfy dog bed.
  • If you get itchy from the dry heat, ask your human mom/dad to think about a humidifier to add moisture to the air.
  • It takes more energy to stay warm in the cold weather, so maybe your mom/dad will give you a little extra food.
  • This is not the time for a fancy new haircut-keep your fur to help you stay warm.
  • Stay away from puddles and NEVER drink from them-antifreeze (even in very small amounts) can cause seizures and death in dogs. NEVER drink any antifreeze and ask your people to keep it stored out of reach.
  • Eating too many snowballs will give you a tummy ache!
  • Dogs can suffer from hypothermia and frostbite-if you suspect either of these, you need to be taken to the vet!                                                                 Love, Portia

    PS  Still unsure?  Check out this link to see how cold is too cold!
     
CURRENT CLASS LISTINGS
Class Title Beginning Date/Time # Class Sessions
Come & Go
Jan 20 (Sat)
11:30 am
6
Introduction to Training Seminar
Jan 27 (Sat)
3:00 pm
1*
Nosework 2 / Intro to Odors
Jan 30 (Tues)
7:45 pm
4
Beginners Class
Jan 31 (Wed)
6:30 pm

7*
Advanced Manners
Feb 1 (Thur)
7:15 pm
4
(2/1, 2/8, 2/15, 2/22)

C.L.A.S.S. - BA
Feb 13 (Tues)
6:30 pm
6
Introduction to Training Seminar
Feb 17 (Sat)
3:00 pm
1*
Puppy Class
Feb 18 (Sun)
1:30 pm
7*
Beginners Class
Feb 18 (Sun)
2:45 pm
7*
Puppy/
Beginners Class

Feb 26 (Mon)
10:30 am
7*
Reactive Rover
Feb 26 (Mon)
6:00 pm
7*
Rally I - Obedience
Feb 26 (Mon)
7:45 pm 

6
Nosework - Buried Odors
Feb 27 (Tues)
7:45 pm
4
Advanced Manners
Feb 28 (Wed)
7:30 pm
4
(2/28, 3/7, 3/21, 3/28)
Nosework 2 / Intro to Odors
Mar 3 (Sat)
9:00 am

4
  Nosework I
Mar 3 (Sat)
10:15 am
6
Nosework - Exteriors
Mar 3 (Sat)
12:45 pm
4
K9 Sampler
Try agility, nosework, rally, tricks
 and C.L.A.S.S.
Mar 10 (Sat)
11:30 am
5
Introduction to Training Seminar
Mar 10 (Sat)
2:00 pm
1
Beginners Class
Mar 15 (Thur)
6:30 pm
7*
CGC/Therapy Dog Preparation
Mar 15 (Thur)
7:45 pm
5
Puppy Class
Mar 21 (Wed)
6:00 pm
7*
Nosework - Vehicles
Mar 27 (Tues)
6:00 pm
4
Introduction to Training Seminar
Mar 27 (Tues)
7:30 pm
1*
Puppy Class
Mar 31 (Sat)
9:00 am
7*
Outdoor Adventures
Mar 31 (Sat)
7:45 pm
6
Advanced Manners
Apr 3 (Tues)
7:15 pm
4
(4/3, 4/17, 4/24, 5/1)
IMPORTANT NOTE
All training classes denoted with an asterisk have a prerequisite of the
Introduction to Training Seminar.  This seminar is designed for trainers only, no dogs are permitted.
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NEW!  Seminar Series

  • Stress-Less Vet Visits - Tues Jan 23, 7-9 PM
  • Introduction to Scent Work - Sat Feb 24, 9 AM - 12 Noon
  • The Power of the Dog - Sat Feb 24, 1-4 PM
  • K-9 First Aid - Sat Mar 3, 2-5 PM
  • Stress-Less Vet Visits - Sat Mar 24, 2-4 PM
  • Introduction to Scent Work - Sat Apr 7, 3-6 PM
Seminars are $10 each and preregistration is required.
My Pup's Belly Hurts...

Does your best friend have an upset tummy?  Here's a few things to check before you head off to Google it.
  • Food change.  If you decide to try a new food for your dog, make certain you do it gradually by transitioning to the new food slowly.  Replace 1/4 of your pup's meal with the new food for a day or two, slowly switching to reduce tummy upset.
  • Too much food.  Think about how you feel when you overeat.  Yes, it tastes wonderful at the times, but later on you may not feel so great.  Follow your veterinarian's recommendation for feeding, and remember, if they are too many snacks during the day, Fido's food should be decreased accordingly.
  • Search the immediate area for chewed up plant leaves, destroyed toys and anything unusual that looks as though your dog may have had a taste.  Call your veterinarian if you find evidence of something strange your dog found and ate.  As a preventative, scan the room from Fido's height and relocate anything that may tempt him.
  • Stress.  Just like us, your dog can react to stress.  Take a look around and see what's happening.  Company?  New baby?  New pet?  Do your best to be consistent with your dog as always.  If you take charge and show Fido that everything is fine and there's no cause for concern, he'll be back on track in no time.

Need a few more tips?  Click here. 

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Want a Daytime Date?
    • Puppy/Beginners class starting 2/26.
    • Drop-In Nosework for dogs that have completed Introduction to NoseWork I starting 2/13. Cost will be $15 per session or $60 for a 5 session punchcard.

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Follow Your Nose!

The AKC titles Scent Work, opening up a whole new sport for your dog.  Training encompasses four areas:  container, interiors, exteriors and buried -  where pups have to find their scent under the soil.  How much fun is that?

Betsy Howell is an AKC Scentwork Judge, and she is also a certified nosework instructor through the National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW).   Check out our Introduction to Nosework classes. We have also scheduled our new drop-in Nosework classes (for dogs that have completed the Introduction class) at 10:30 am on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays monthly.  Call for more details.
Redfern Canines
717-979-0132
www.redferncanines.com
redfern@redferncanines.com