Carolina Mountain Dog

Free "Stop the Barking" Session-Asheville, Feb. 25

Pet Behavior Aid will hold a free session to help dog owners deal with barking. If you tried everything you know to do do to stop your dog from barking so much, then this session is for you. Learn the different types of barks, what they mean, and creative ways to stop the barking.

The session will be held on Saturday, February 25 from 11 AM to 12 PM at Patton Avenue Pet Company, 1388 Patton Avenue (near Haywood Road), Asheville.

For more information, visit www.petbehavioraid.org or call (828) 707-0644. This session is sponsored by Pet Behavior Aid, an organization dedicated to to increasing the retention of companion animals in their homes in Western North Carolina.

Free Help for Fearful Dogs-Asheville, Feb. 11

Pet Behavior Aid will hold a free information session for owners of fearful dogs on Saturday, February 11, from 10 to 11:30 AM.

Topics include how to help your dog gain confidence, learning how to understand signs of anxiety and when to step in, how to prevent fear from becoming aggression, and fundamental techniques to help your "wallflower" blossom. The session will be held at the Asheville Humane Society Adoption and Education Center, 14 Forever Friend Lane, Asheville. Humans only, please.

For more information, visit www.petbehavioraid.org or call (828) 707-0644. This session is sponsored by Pet Behavior Aid, an organization dedicated to to increasing the retention of companion animals in their homes in Western North Carolina.

Photo credit: Image: Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

"Be My Valentine" Puppy Social-Asheville, Feb. 11

Join Pet Behavior Aid for a free Puppy Social on Saturday, February 11 from 9 to 10 AM at the Asheville Humane Society Adoption Center, 14 Forever Friend Lane, Asheville.

Mingle with other puppy parents and get your training questions answered by certified trainers will your puppy romps with other pups and meets new and different people. Doggie treat bags and human greats will be provided for all participants.

Puppies must be 9 - 20 weeks of age, in good health, with 2 sets of vaccinations and a rabies vaccine if 16 weeks or older. The puppy must be in home at least 10 days prior to coming to the social. For further information and to reserve a spot at the puppy social, call (828) 707-0644, or visit www.petbehavioraid.org for more details.

Free Help for Fearful Dogs, Asheville, Jan. 18

Pet Behavior Aid will hold a free information session for owners of fearful dogs on Wednesday, January 18, from 6 to 7:30 PM.

Topics include how to help your dog gain confidence, learning how to understand signs of anxiety and when to step in, how to prevent fear from becoming aggression, and fundamental techniques to help your "wallflower" blossom. The session will be held at the Asheville Humane Society Adoption and Education Center, 14 Forever Friend Lane, Asheville. Humans only, please.

For more information, visit www.petbehavioraid.org or call (828) 707-0644. This session is sponsored by Pet Behavior Aid, an organization dedicated to to increasing the retention of companion animals in their homes in Western North Carolina.

Photo credit: Image: Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

ReTail Scene: Patton Avenue Pet Company, Asheville

How many pet stores have a friendly, inviting front porch with a rocking chair, a huge pet mural in the parking lot, and a bark mulched dog park in the back, complete with red hydrant?

That's what you'll find at the new Patton Avenue Pet Company, 1388 Patton Avenue (near Haywood Road) in Asheville. This new breed of locally-owned pet supply store aims to be a resource center for Asheville's pet loving community, says owner/animal lover Jenna Yarosh (shown in photo with Penelope, one of her three dogs). Of course, pets are welcome inside, but dogs will find their own little piece of heaven in the fenced-in dog park at the rear of the store, which is located in a brightly painted house. The dog park has a little "pee garden" with a fire hydrant, dog toys, a bench for humans, and plenty of space for some off-leash play.

Inside the store, you'll find a complete assortment of top-notch nutritionally appropriate pet food, free of meat byproducts, artificial coloring, additives and perservatives, and with a minimum of fillers. Also on hand is a wide range of supplies, accessories, treats and other pet products. Some of these products, such as the line of pet potions from GoodJudy, are available exclusively at the store. Patton Avenue Pet Company even imports humanely sourced moose antlers -- known to be the best chew sticks for dogs -- directly from Alaska, so you can get them at a great price.

The store offers a companion animal lending library which sits over a cozy fireplace, actively seeks products from local community sources, and will periodically hold training classes and adoption events. Artwork from local artists graces the exterior and interior. The store's hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 10 AM to 6 PM, and Sunday, 11 AM - 5 PM (closed Monday). Visit http://www.pattonavenuepet.com/ or call (828) 505-8299 for more information.

Grand Opening on January 14
Stop by with your pets for the store's Grand Opening celebration on Saturday, January 14 from 12 to 4 PM. There'll be free samples, free nail trims, free behavioral and nutritional consulting, and a contest.

Free Puppy Social, Asheville, Jan. 14

Come to a free New Year's Puppy Social on Saturday, January 14 from 9 to 10 AM at Asheville Humane Society's Adoption and Education Center, 14 Forever Friend Lane, Asheville.

Mingle with other puppy parents and get your training questions answered by certified trainers while your puppy romps with other pups. Doggie treat bags and human treats provided for all participants. This is a FREE family friendly event, but space is limited!

Reserve your puppy’s spot today. Sign up at (828) 707-0644 or via email: info@petbehavioraid.org For more information visit www.petbehavioraid.org
Requirements:
-Ages 9-20 weeks of age
-Puppies must be healthy
-Must be in home at least 10 days prior to coming to social-Must have at least 2 sets of vaccinations
(copy of vet records required)
-Rabies vaccine is required (16 weeks and older)

This event is sponsored by Pet Behavior Aid, an organization dedicated to increasing the retention of companion animals in their homes in Western North Carolina.

Photo credit: Image: Timeless Photography / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Stop the Barking-Free! Asheville, Jan. 14

Pet Behavior Aid will hold a free session to help dog owners deal with barking. If you tried everything you know to do do to stop your dog from barking so much, then this session is for you. Learn the different types of barks, what they mean, and creative ways to stop the barking.

The session will be held on Saturday, January 14 from 11 AM to 12 PM at the Asheville Humane Society Adoption and Education Center, 14 Forever Friend Lane, Asheville. Humans only, please.

For more information, visit www.petbehavioraid.org or call (828) 707-0644. This session is sponsored by Pet Behavior Aid, an organization dedicated to to increasing the retention of companion animals in their homes in Western North Carolina.

Free Seminar for Dog Adopters-Dec. 6, Asheville

A free seminar, "Perfect Match: Choosing and Creating a Versatile Dog," will be held on Tuesday, December 6 from 6:30 to 7:30 PM in the Education Room at the Asheville Humane Society Adoption & Education Center, 14 Forever Friend Lane, Asheville. (Off Brevard and Pond Roads, behind Deal Volkswagen).

Topics covered will include:

* Reasons for adopting a dog 
* How a dog will change your life 
* Lifestyle and breeds: choosing a good match 
* True financial costs of adding a dog to the family 
* Basic, positive reinforcement for training good behaviors

 

The seminar will be conducted by Kim Stimpson, a positive change specialist and director of Building Me Up Communications and Opportunity Strategies. She facilitates self-designed programs that demonstrate powerful ways to create lasting change using positive methods. Her passion and dedication is to the use of positive reinforcement for win-win relationships. It is her belief that dog training begins with a mutually beneficial relationship and the ‘catch them being good’ theory. Reservations are preferred, but drop-ins are welcome. To reserve your spot, please email volunteer@ashevillehumane.org.

Free Happy Dog Healthy Dog Online Summit, Nov. 8-12

Many dogs spend quite a bit of time alone at home during the week and end up developing behavior issues out of anxiety, boredom and loneliness. A majority of dog owners report feeling guilty about it but don’t know  what to do. Unfortunately, leaving a dog home alone is a fact of modern-day life for dogs and their owners.

If you are one of those owners, you should find the "Happy Dog-Healthy Dog World TeleSummit" to be of great interest. This free online event focuses on dogs alone and their owners and it runs from Nov. 8 through Nov. 12. Sponsored by HappyDogConnections.com, the summit brings together a panel of expert dog trainers, behaviorists, wellness practitioners and veterinarians who will be participating via audio or video. Each speaker will be recorded and aired for 24 hours. You can listen to any or all of the speakers without charge. The event takes place entirely online. You can also purchase a VIP package that includes the recordings and transcripts for all of the speakers.

For more information or to register for this free event, just click here.

Search Dog Foundation Turns Shelter Dogs into Heroes

Here is a heartwarming video about "CNN Hero" Wilma Melville, the woman who founded the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation. This nonprofit organization trains dogs to be search-and-rescue specialists and matches up the dogs, many of who are from shelters, with a permanent handler. Since 1996, the group has trained 131 rescue teams around the country.  

AKC Agility Trials, Fletcher, May 27-29

Dog agility is a beloved sport by dogs, their handlers, and spectators. Now you have an opportunity to watch American Kennel Club agility trials, free of charge, from 8 AM to 3 PM each day on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, May 27, 28, and 29. Sponsored by the Blue Ridge Agility Club, the event will be held at the WNC Agricultural Center McGough Arena in Fletcher (across from the Asheville Regional Airport).

More than 400 dogs from throughout the Southeast will compete at various levels of difficulty, against each other on a timed basis. About 70 AKC registered breeds will compete in the trials.

Watch as dogs and their handlers navigate obstacle courses, everything from platforms to weave poles to tunnels. It's an experience you won't want to miss (but please leave your own dog at home).

For additional information about the trials and agility in general, visit the Blue Ridge Agility Club's website: http://blueridgeagility.com/

Photo: Blue Ridge Agility Club

Indognation - Dog Walking and Training

A recent article in the Asheville Citizen-Times likened Gary Strasburg to "WNC's dog whisperer," referring to the acclaimed Cesar Millan of Dog Whisperer fame, who manages to get just about any dog to be calm and obedient.

Gary runs a different kind of service for dog owners, combining training with off-leash hikes in the forest (but only after he gets to know and trust each dog in his care). Through his business, Indognation, Gary offers guided walks such as group adventures, solo runs, short leashed group jaunts, and short leashed solo strolls. His training sessions include "the reform hike," "solo rehab walks," day training and private training.

Gary is part dog behaviorist, part dog trainer, and part dog recreation director. You can learn more about what he can do for your dog by visiting the Indognation website or calling (828) 335-1140.

Free Help Sessions for Dog Owners

A new group called Pet Behavior Aid formed by professional dog trainers is offering "Help Sessions" at Asheville Humane Society's Adoption & Education Center beginning in April. The Adoption Center is located at 14 Forever Friend Lane in Asheville, behind Deal Motor Cars off Brevard Road. These sessions are free of charge and no pre-registration is required.

In the Dogs W.I.N. session (W.I.N. stands for "What Is Normal?"), attendees will learn about normal behaviors for dogs and how to provide appropriate outlets for natural behaviors. The Puppies W.I.N. session is especially for dog owners with puppies under 5 months of age.

Dogs W.I.N. will be held on Saturday, April 2 from 9 to 11 AM, and Thursday, April 21 from 7 to 9 PM. Puppies W.I.N. will be held on Thursday, April 7 from 7 to 9 PM, and Saturday, April 23 from 9 to 11 AM.

Pet Behavior Aid also holds Puppy Socials (pre-registration required), as well as puppy and dog training classes. For further information, visit the group's website: http://petbehavioraid.org/index.html

New! Asheville Doggie Guide in Kindle Format

The Second Edition of the Asheville Doggie Guide is now available as an eBook for Kindle for only $5.99. Kindle eBooks can also be viewed on an iPad or iPhone using the free Kindle app available in the Apple App Store.

The Asheville Doggie Guide, published by Carolina Mountain Dog in assocation with the Asheville Humane Society, is chock full of useful information for WNC dog lovers. Covering Buncombe and Henderson Counties, the guide is the most comprehensive up-to-date listing available of pet-friendly accommodations, adoption organizations, dog bakeries and boutiques, boarding facilities, dog-friendly campgrounds, doggie daycare, dog parks, emergency services, groomers, dog sitters, dog therapy, hiking trails, pet stores, veterinarians -- hundreds of listings with names, locations, phone numbers and website addresses.

The 160-page Asheville Doggie Guide includes a bonus section of material that represents the best of Carolina Mountain Dog. You'll find pages and pages of information reprinted from this blogazine listing favorite Canine Cruisin' locales, Pooch Paths and lots more.

Get the Kindle version of the Guide for just $5.99 here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004SHJEH6
Purchase the regular eBook edition (file download) or printed version here: www.ashevilledoggieguide.com.

Try this Technique if Your Dog Pulls

Leashed walks with your dog should be a pleasant experience. You shouldn't be pulled and tugged all over the place. Unfortunately, many leashes permit and actually encourage just that. The most common way to attach a leash to a collar is clipping it on, and that simply gives a dog license to pull. In fact, "flexis" -- those popular flexible, retractable leashes -- simply exacerbate the situation, because dogs think they can go off on their own.

There are alternatives, such as "gentle leaders," which attach to the dog's muzzle, or harnesses that go around the body. These may be effective, but they cost more and may take some additional training.

Here's a technique that could save you a lot of headaches and frustration. Take any ordinary leash with a handle, and instead of attaching it to your dog's collar, slip the leash through the handle (see photo). Then put it around your dog's neck. Move the leash high up on the dog's neck so you can keep it snug and handle it from above. Keep the leash fairly short as you walk.

What does this accomplish? The leash acts as a slip-leash, allowing you to have more control by applying upward pressure. It usually only takes gentle upward pressure with a shortened leash to get your dog to walk by your side. An occasional gentle tug lets your dog know that you are in control. Always maintain a calm demeanor, giving gentle corrections if the dog tries to get ahead of you. Pretty soon, your dog should understand what you want and the walk should be a lot more pleasurable.

This method is preferable to letting a dog pull horizontally on a leash, which essentially means the dog is controlling the walk and pulling you. It is a simple, easy way to stay in control and have a more enjoyable walk.

Spartanburg, SC Dog Knows 1,022 Nouns

A female border collie named Chaser, owned by Dr. John W. Pilley of Spartanburg, SC, has the largest vocabulary of any known dog -- 1,022 nouns -- according to The New York Times. 

 Dr. Pilley, a retired psychologist who taught at Wofford College, acquired Chaser in 2004 as a puppy. For four or five hours per day, he showed her an object, said its name up to 40 times, then hid the object and asked Chaser to find it. Chaser learned one or two new items a day and loved every minute of it. "She still demands four to five hours a day," Dr. Pilley told the Times. "I'm 82 and I have to go to bed to get away from her."

The vocabulary relates to physical objects, each of which is given a name the dog can recognize. Dr. Pilley had to buy hundreds of items, writing the name on each item with a permanent marker. Technically, the 1,022 words Chaser knows are all proper nouns. But she also recognizes phrases and can distinguish between "Fetch a Frisbee" or "Fetch a ball." Dr. Pilley even got Chaser to distinguish between three specific actions -- "pawing," "nosing" or "fetching" each object.

Dr. Pilley suspects Chaser could have learned more words, but he grew tired of teaching her when she reached 1,000 items. Now, he says, he is trying to teach Chaser some elementary grammar. "We are interested in teaching Chaser a receptive, rudimentary language," Dr. Pilley said, with the goal of developing methods that will help increase communication between people and dogs.

Chaser will be featured in a Nova episode on animal intelligence which airs on PBS on February 9. For more about Chaser, read the entire New York Times article here.

Photo: Cass Sapir/Nova Science Now

New in Asheville: The Dog Door

Certified dog trainer Kim Brophey recently opened The Dog Door at 15 B Broadway Avenue in Asheville.

The Dog Dor is a Behavior Center that offers professional dog behavior consulting services by appointment, as well as walk-in/private training, from 5 to 6:30 PM, Tuesday through Saturday.

The Dog Door also houses the new Doghugger Outfitters, which offers natural and eco-friendly dog supplies, toys, chews and treats, tools, collars/leashes, beds, crates, outdoor gear, and anxiety/hyperactivity treatments. The facility provides a dog welcome center/rest area and indoor lounge during store hours and runs puppy socials.

For more information, visit: www.dogisreal.com/

Top Ten Tips from the Crate Training Pros

A Guest Article by Jessica Bradford, DVM

Training your dog to use a crate is a very useful thing to do. It can help them with toilet training, it gives them a safe place when you have a noisy household, and it stops them chewing up your shoes when you aren’t looking!  It’s not difficult to crate train your dog, and to help you, here are my top 10 crate training tips.

1. Choose the right sized crate for your dog. It may look took big, and be more expensive than a smaller crate, but your dog isn't going to stay a puppy forever. It will save you money in the long term, because you won't have to buy a bigger crate when your dog is an adult.
2. Take your time. Dogs learn at different speeds. Don't rush your dog's training, and it will be less stressful for both of you. Most dogs get there in the end.
3. Use plenty of rewards when you are training your dog to go into their crate. They'll enjoy their training so much more because they have the chance to earn a delicious treat.
4. Make your dog's crate a pleasant place to be. Give them a soft bed (unless they are a chewer!) and put their favorite toys in there. Stuffed Kongs and similar toys will keep them occupied if they have to spend some time alone.
5. Put the crate in the busiest room in your home, so your dog feels like they are part of the action, even when they are crated. If you'r worried about the crate taking up extra space in the living room consider getting dog crate furniture. These crates take up no more room than an end table and actually serve as a piece of furniture.
6. Don't set your crate up next to the heater, or in the way of a cold breeze. Your dog will be more comfortable in the crate if they aren't too hot or too cold.
7. Never leave your dog unattended in their crate with a bone. There is the risk of the bone getting caught in their teeth, or even worse, in their throat. If you dowant to give your dog a bone, make sure you stay close by to keep an eye on them.
8. Look for strangulation risks. If you have curtains, don't put the crate in a position where the cords could dangle inside. Consider taking off your dog's collar while they are in the crate.
9. Feed your dog their meals in the crate, so they associate it with pleasant things and are happy to go in there. Keep an eye out for any spilled food as this could spoil and start to smell bad.
10. Lastly, never ever use the crate as a punishment, or yell and scream at your dog when they are in their crate. If they become anxious, you may have to go right back to the start and teach them to use the crate all over again. Not only that, your dog may become frightened of you, which is not good for your relationship.

Dr. Jessica Bradford is a small animal veterinarian with 20 years experience in private practice, and a contributing writer for www.wooddogcrate.com. She shares her life with four dogs, so she can see first hand the many benefits of crate training.