Getting Your New Puppy Started on the Right Paw

Raise your hand if you're one of the thousands of people who got a puppy for the holidays. Congratulations on your new bundle of furry fun! However right now is the time to get started with your puppy's training. You don't want him using your house as a toilet, your children as chew toys, or your guests as a mobile bounce house. At Good Dog Camp we offer puppy consultations to help you and your pup get started out on the right paw for a great lasting relationship. The following topics and information are covered:

• House Training
• Play Biting
• Handling Exercises
• Socialization
• Appropriate Games and Toys
• Grooming
• Leadership Skills
• Waiting
• Walking on a leash
• The steps to take to continue your puppy's training
  

All consultations are in-home and last about 2hours. Contact us today for more information and to set up your puppy consultation appointment.

New Year's Resolutions for your Dog

If you're like many people you're ready to say farewell to 2009 and ring in 2010 with joy, and the anticipation of new things to come. Most of us have made some kind of resolution for the New Year, but do any of them include your dog? If not, consider some of these Fido inspired ideas.


~ Find a quality food for your dog. Feeding a good dog food will help keep your dogs coat shiny, their muscles strong and their weight in check.

~Schedule regular visits to your veterinarian.

~Set up a regular grooming schedule that includes brushing, bathing, teeth cleaning and nail trimming.

~Create a safer environment for your dog. Make sure household chemicals are not accessible to your dog.

~Make sure your dog is wearing their identification tags. Also consider having them microchipped.

~Take your dog to an obedience program. If you have a puppy it will help you get started on the right paw. If you have an older dog, it too will benefit from learning or refining some basic manners.

~Teach your dog at least one new trick a month.

~Exercise your dog. This might also help you reach one of your personal resolutions. According to a recent study dog owners get more exercise than people who have just a gym membership.

~Make a donation to your local animal shelter. This could be in the form of money, time or even some of your dogs old toys and leashes.

~Last but not least, have fun!!

If you need help maintaining Fido's resolutions please contact us at www.GoodDogCamp.com

~Woof~

Santa Paws

Are you looking for something fun to do with you pet this weekend? How about getting their picture taken for a good cause? That's right! Santa Paws will be visiting the North PetSmart this Sunday between 11-4. Not only will you get a photo of your pet, but you will also receive a cute frame it put it in and $5 of every photo sales goes to Paws and Claws Humane Society.
Please help Paws and Claws continue to help homeless animals in the Rochester area.

What I'm Thankful For

I have so much to be thankful for.

I have fantastic friends and family, food on my table and a roof over my head.

I am thankful for the kindness of strangers and the beauty of nature.

But most of all, I am thankful for my dogs.

I am thankful for a wake-up call with a cold, wet nose and for snuggling to keep me warm on chilly nights.

I am blessed by the fur that is permanently embedded in everything I own and the stray dog hairs that make their way into my lunch.

I am grateful for the tails that never stop wagging and the noses that never stop sniffing.

I am grateful for the eyes that stare longingly at my dinner plate when I eat dinner.

I'm reminded that a nail trim is due when I hear the click clack sound of paws on the floor and appreciate the forgiveness that is given after the dreaded task is done

I appreciate the barking that tells me a stranger is at the door or of the potential danger from squirrels and pedestrians

How could I forget the games of fetch, tug-o-war, sloppy kisses and feet that smell like Fritos?

I am grateful they come when called and stay where told.

I love how excited they are when I come in the house, even if I’ve only been gone for a moment.

I am in awe of their affection and unconditional love, no matter the kind of day I’ve had.

To the greatest dogs a girl could ask for…..Thank you!!

What are you thankful for?

Tips for Moving with Your Dog

Now that I've had a chance to settle into my new home I thought it would be appropriate to give you a few tips to help make your next move a little less stressful for your canine friend.


BEFORE you move:
~Take your time packing. It is less stressful for your dog if you pack your house over the span of a couple of weeks rather than in a panicked hurry. Make sure you leave some of your dog’s favorite toys out and pack them last.

~Maintain your dogs normal feeding and walking schedule.

~If possible, take your dog to your new house before you move in. This will help them get used to their new surroundings. Take them on regular walks in the new neighborhood so they can get used to the new sites and smells.

~Purchase id tags with your new address and license your dog in your new city.

~If your dog is not accustom to being in a crate (or doggy condo) you will need to get them used to it. This will come in handy for keeping your dog safe on moving day and for giving them boundaries in your new home. Some easy tips to acclimate your dog to their new condo are to feed them in it (with the door open), or give them their favorite toy or stuffed Kong. You can also practice obedience skills such as laying down when they go into their new condo.

If using a crate is not possible, you can always put your dog in a small room with their water dishes and toys. This will also keep them out of your way on moving day. Be sure to let the movers or your friends know that the dogs are in that room. You don’t want them getting out and possibly running away.




AFTER you’ve moved:
~Unpack your dog’s favorite toys and food and water dishes first. Having familiar things around them will help them be more comfortable in their new surroundings.

~Once again keep your dog in a doggy condo or small room, and consider giving them a stuffed Kong or their favorite chew toy. This will ensure that they are not underfoot or can get loose and run away. They will also have a positive association with their new environment.

~Even a dog that is housetrained may have accidents in a new home. Make sure you clean up accidents with an enzymatic cleaner such as Natures Miracle. Also consider putting your dog back on a remedial house training schedule by taking them out frequently and using a leash when you do so.

~If you need to leave your house, confine your dog to their doggy condo or a small room, this will make them feel more comfortable.

~And most importantly create a new schedule for your dog by taking them for walks and giving them lots of love and attention.

Coming Soon...

The time has come for me to take that step away from being the head trainer at Thats My Dog and move into my own. I am preparing to move to Rochester, MN and begin a new adventure running Good Dog Camp.
Please stay tuned as I give you updates on our move, adventures, and new dogs in Rochester, MN.

Thank you!!

Annalissa