Beginner Grads!

Congratulations to Issy the Corgi, Esme the Visla cross, Violet the Spaniel cross and Jack the Dutch Shepherd! Fun class with some smart puppers in it! See you all in Intermediate!

Puppy Grads!

Rosie the border collie, Kona the malamute cross, Daisy the daschund, and Ginger the pug all graduated puppy class! Congratulations and hope to see you join us for the STAR puppy testing on April 30 at 6:00 pm!

Finnean's A Puppy Star

Doesn't he look proud wearing his fabulous AKC STAR Puppy Medal? Finnean is a Goldendoodle that is currently in Intermediate level classes! Go, Finnie, go!

New Canine Good Citizens

It's always a pleasure to graduate an advanced class. This group has done a great job, and their dedication is to be commended! Congratulations to Toby the mini-aussie, Bandit the Shepherd cross, Fritz the Giant Schnoodle, and Max the Beagle! Way to go, everyone!

Pugsley's STAR is here!

Thank you Connie, for sharing this precious photo of Proud Pup Pugsley and his AKC STAR Puppy medal! Pugsley is currently in Intermediate classes!
Star Puppy testing will be held once again on Thu. April 30 at 6:00 pm. The cost to participate is $10.00 and limited to 10 dogs so stop in and get your under-one-year old dog who has attended at least 6 classes signed up!

The Lost Grads

Woopsie - I discovered pictures from February graduates that didn't get posted! Breeanna the Brussels Griffon and Lil the Blue-Tick Hound both graduated beginner level class!

2 New Canine Good Citizens

Huge rounds of applause for these two! Kelsey and her Boxer mix "Lola", and Peggy's Keeshond "Carlos" both earned their CGC certificates this week!

Congratulations, Beginner Class Grads

We had 2 beginner classes graduate last week! Congratulations to everyone for all their hard work!

When Training the Dog Isn't the Issue

Although I wish training was always the answer, sometimes it's not. A former student's daughter was in asking for help with her dad's dog. Said dog, part rottweiler, part lab has taken playing with the kitties too far. As a puppy, playing with kitties was fun, and never too rough. At 2 yrs old now, the dog is playing too rough. When this young lady stopped by, it was with an injured cat in tow, on her way to WSU to try save it. They have 3 cats, 2 are de-clawed. The intact cat has NO problem whatsoever with Lady-dog; hiss-thwap game over, but the two declawed cats are extremely vulnerable, having no way to combat Lady when she plays too rough.
Training could cure the issue, however, the dogs OWNER is mentally challenged, and he doesn't see that his dogs behavior is a result of his tendency to spoil, coddle, and failure to discipline and excersize the dog. He brought her through beginner and intermediate classes, and bless his heart, he tries, but has a hard time being a consistent leader. Alpha attitude is a far cry away for him.
This is a tough situation. The young lady is concerned that this rough-housing could also include her toddler before long. See, she lives with her dad, in her dads house. It's HIS house, HE doesn't think anything is wrong and gets angry when approached about it. Emotions flare, a mother's concern for her child is a powerful thing but then a handicapped person's devotion to their canine companions is also powerful - especially when their beloved pet is painted with the "vicious dog" brush.
Unfortunately I don't have the answer daughter wishes to hear, because DAD is unwilling and possibly unable to deal with the problem. Not every home can have a cat and a dog. At this point, my suggestion was one she was unwilling to consider, and that is that as long as she's under dad's roof, perhaps the cats would be better off rehomed or possibly fostered until she can get her own house.
I don't have a magic training fix for every situation. Wish I did. The best I can do, I told her, is talk with Dad and see if I can say anything that will help him understand the gravity of the situation. I'm waiting now, to see if they come in for a chat. The most important thing in my mind is the grandson's safety, and perhaps Grand-dad will see that, if suggested by someone he respects and trusts outside the family.
How about keeping this family in your prayers for now, and we'll see what happens.

More March Graduates!

I have to say how proud I am of this class. First of all it started out FULL with 8 puppies. All 8 graduated, and THAT is amazing because usually someone drops out. The dedication and hard work these guys put in their pups is awe inspiring. Congratulations, and hope to see you guys in INTERMEDIATE!