Since we have a Service Dog Training Class at Best Friend's, and this is one thing we can train someones dog to do for them if needed, I thought you might find this article interesting....
We've all seen the "I've fallen, and I can't get up!" commercials and chuckled, but what if you actually did fall and weren't able to get up? What if you couldn't even push a button to call for help? What would you do? That's the situation Scottsdale, Arizona resident Joe Stalnaker found himself in this past weekend, and thankfully someone else -- his dog -- was there to help him .
Joe suffered a head injury during military training ten years ago, and has had crippling seizures ever since. He adopted his dog Buddy at the age of just eight weeks, and trained the now 18-month-old German Shepherd to check on him and to press a button on the phone to dial 911 in case of an emergency. Over the weekend when Joe suffered a seizure that left him unable to move, Buddy made the call. Amazingly, this is the fourth time since Joe has owned him that he's managed this feat.
(If you do have a disability of some kind and have the need for a Service Dog to help you or someone you know even please give Best Friends Pet Care a call, (317) 841-8182. We CAN help you!)
Dog Calls 911, Saves Owner's Life
by Tim Stevens (RSS feed) — Sep 16th 2008 at 2:57PM
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Best Friends Adult level training class
Welcome to our Adult Class. I can't label this one a *basic* or beginners class because we do happen to have a few more advanced ones in this class as well. Those who are at an advanced level have taken our beginners class already and are working toward going off leash and to hand signals. Though mixing the levels may seems little unorthodox to some, I think it is a good thing because it gives all those beginners hope for their future as well! This was week 3 in this class, and as you can see Patrick is not exactly feeling stressed by all the learning he has to do.
With the beginners in this class they are working on step three to the heeling on leash work.
We also have been working on getting them to SIT and LEAVE IT. Brandi is doing his best to learn this for his mommy!
With week three they are also beginning to learn the DOWN command. Which is easier for some dogs then it is for others. Emma Grace looks like she has it down *pat*.
One of the other things that we begin with training on in week three is the DOOR MANNERS. With our beginning Adults it is done differently then our advanced students, but hey we all have to start some place!
In our advanced Adult class we have a few that are working off leash part of the time. Their commands are all being worked to switch from voice to hand signals. These are dogs that have taken a few classes with us already and are working their way to go as far as they can in their obedience. Hey a well trained dog makes for a happy dog! It makes the owners happy too as you can see by Bonnie as she works her dog Amber.
One of our advanced level Adults proves that even a pet with a slight physical disability can be as well mannered as any one else. Harley (owner by one of our customer service girls Caitlin) has a disability with his back legs. We make a few accommodations for this but otherwise Harley is keeping right up there with everyone else. So his SITS aren't perfectly straight...at least he
sits when told. We aren't trying to turn our pets into little furry robots anyway!
Each dog has its own rate of ability in the learning curve so one may pick up heeling faster then the next where one may learn to sit a lot faster. The important thing for each owner to remember is PATIENCE, LOVE, and COMMITMENT. It will get you through the worst days and keep you focused on the good ones. And face it, our pets all have brains, they have the ability to think for themselves and sometimes, even out think us! There WILL be good days and bad days with them. The best you can do for them is to not give up, focus on the bigger picture and keep working with them. Our methods here are tried and true. Once you've gotten your pet to the point of training you want to reach with them (with us the skies the limit!) both of you will be happy and better for it.
With the beginners in this class they are working on step three to the heeling on leash work.
We also have been working on getting them to SIT and LEAVE IT. Brandi is doing his best to learn this for his mommy!
With week three they are also beginning to learn the DOWN command. Which is easier for some dogs then it is for others. Emma Grace looks like she has it down *pat*. One of the other things that we begin with training on in week three is the DOOR MANNERS. With our beginning Adults it is done differently then our advanced students, but hey we all have to start some place!
In our advanced Adult class we have a few that are working off leash part of the time. Their commands are all being worked to switch from voice to hand signals. These are dogs that have taken a few classes with us already and are working their way to go as far as they can in their obedience. Hey a well trained dog makes for a happy dog! It makes the owners happy too as you can see by Bonnie as she works her dog Amber.
One of our advanced level Adults proves that even a pet with a slight physical disability can be as well mannered as any one else. Harley (owner by one of our customer service girls Caitlin) has a disability with his back legs. We make a few accommodations for this but otherwise Harley is keeping right up there with everyone else. So his SITS aren't perfectly straight...at least hesits when told. We aren't trying to turn our pets into little furry robots anyway!
Emma Grace has had some training already but her mom wanted a refresher course and for her to learn the things she hadn't learned yet so we can get Emma ready for her CGC testing. Go Emma Grace!
Each dog has its own rate of ability in the learning curve so one may pick up heeling faster then the next where one may learn to sit a lot faster. The important thing for each owner to remember is PATIENCE, LOVE, and COMMITMENT. It will get you through the worst days and keep you focused on the good ones. And face it, our pets all have brains, they have the ability to think for themselves and sometimes, even out think us! There WILL be good days and bad days with them. The best you can do for them is to not give up, focus on the bigger picture and keep working with them. Our methods here are tried and true. Once you've gotten your pet to the point of training you want to reach with them (with us the skies the limit!) both of you will be happy and better for it.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Have your pet trained while they board with us!
I'd like to introduce you to our Board and Train option. If you have specific *needs* you want your pet to learn or improve upon and you're going to be out of town for a week or two this is certainly something you need to consider. While you are gone leave your pet with Best Friends Boarding and let me work with them while you're gone.
At this time I'd like to introduce Beau Potter. He is one of our returning B&T boys. Beau has been coming to stay with us for a long time. He started off as a puppy and has grown with us through the years. His level of obedience work has grown under our tutelage as well.
Beau started off learning his basic commands on leash, but as you can see here Beau is now working off leash. He is truly good enough if the owners wanted, he would do excellent in Obedience Competition. Beau heels on and off leash, he will sit, lay down, and sit up again, on and off leash, by either voice command or by using hand signals. He will come when called........
And has learned to execute a perfect *finish* to his recall, off leash.
And off course it's not all hard learning here! When Beau completes his training sessions with me and has done well (as he always does for me) he gets a good old fashioned BELLY RUB! Ahhh yes...life truly IS good here at Best Friends Pet Care!
It has taken time and training for Beau to come as far as he has but it's all well worth the effort to have a well trained, nicely mannered pet. How far your pet can go will depend on how much time and training you want to invest in them.
At this time I'd like to introduce Beau Potter. He is one of our returning B&T boys. Beau has been coming to stay with us for a long time. He started off as a puppy and has grown with us through the years. His level of obedience work has grown under our tutelage as well.
Beau started off learning his basic commands on leash, but as you can see here Beau is now working off leash. He is truly good enough if the owners wanted, he would do excellent in Obedience Competition. Beau heels on and off leash, he will sit, lay down, and sit up again, on and off leash, by either voice command or by using hand signals. He will come when called........
And has learned to execute a perfect *finish* to his recall, off leash.
And off course it's not all hard learning here! When Beau completes his training sessions with me and has done well (as he always does for me) he gets a good old fashioned BELLY RUB! Ahhh yes...life truly IS good here at Best Friends Pet Care!
It has taken time and training for Beau to come as far as he has but it's all well worth the effort to have a well trained, nicely mannered pet. How far your pet can go will depend on how much time and training you want to invest in them.If you're going to be out of town for the up coming holidays, or any other length of time give Best Friend's a call. ( 317-841-8182) I'd be happy to discuss the Board and Train program we have here. It's one of our wonderful options in training that we have here.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Welcome to our Training Blog
I've been training with animals (dogs and horses) for many years. In my background I've trained dogs for myself and others for Obedience Competition, for Tracking, Water Rescue, Confirmation, Agility and more recently our Service Dog program.
With Best Friends, we hold an on going rotating basis of advancing levels in Obedience classes. We begin with our Puppy Kindergarten classes (which I happen to LOVE because the puppies never fail to make us laugh and feel good) and run up through Adult Basic 1 to several levels of Adult Advanced classes. The classes all run for 6 weeks and in them we learn things like Heeling on a leash (yyeaahh no more being dragged from here to Kingdom-Come!), sit, lay down, stay, come when called and we work on a Leave It command and on door manners. We also hold a question and answer period at the end of each class, where if you are having particular problems at home with your pets, I can give you ways of working to correct those at home. My job is mainly to teach YOU how to train your pets and to make sure you both are getting it all put together in the right way. I keep my classes to a smaller number so that I can work with each one of you individually to meet your pets specific needs/tasks. By the end of 6 weeks, if you and your pet work together you will have a great foundation to keep working on. Not to worry though, I never leave you at the door when class is done. Whether it's at the end of the night or the end of the 6 weeks, if you have problems call our center! I'm available to help with your issues.
I have a new class running now that has become a favorite of mine. It's our Service Dog class. For those who have a physical or emotional need for a companion animal to assist them in their daily tasks, we can help you to train your own dog. There are certain guidelines we have to follow in pets who can train to do this. For instance if you need help in getting out of your chair or bed a Maltese won't work. At the same time if you need more of an emotional assistant perhaps a Shibu Inu wouldn't be your best choice.
We have 3 dogs in the current class and we are into our 7th week of training. Not only are they learning to behave in public, but they are each learning specific tasks to help their owners. Keep a watch for us out in the malls and local restaurants. If you see is say Hi but please remember, a Service Dog in training is not to be petted!
If you find yourself with a new puppy, an older dog with obedience and manner issues or have the need for a Service Dog please feel free to come by our center at 8224 Bash Street, Indianapolis In and meet with me. If you prefer you can call (317)841-8182 and ask to speak to me. If I am not in feel free to ask when I will be in again or leave a message and I will call you back when I do come in.
If you would like to sit in on a class to see how they run please feel free, I always welcome visitors! Just call us ahead of time to find out about our class schedule.
With Best Friends, we hold an on going rotating basis of advancing levels in Obedience classes. We begin with our Puppy Kindergarten classes (which I happen to LOVE because the puppies never fail to make us laugh and feel good) and run up through Adult Basic 1 to several levels of Adult Advanced classes. The classes all run for 6 weeks and in them we learn things like Heeling on a leash (yyeaahh no more being dragged from here to Kingdom-Come!), sit, lay down, stay, come when called and we work on a Leave It command and on door manners. We also hold a question and answer period at the end of each class, where if you are having particular problems at home with your pets, I can give you ways of working to correct those at home. My job is mainly to teach YOU how to train your pets and to make sure you both are getting it all put together in the right way. I keep my classes to a smaller number so that I can work with each one of you individually to meet your pets specific needs/tasks. By the end of 6 weeks, if you and your pet work together you will have a great foundation to keep working on. Not to worry though, I never leave you at the door when class is done. Whether it's at the end of the night or the end of the 6 weeks, if you have problems call our center! I'm available to help with your issues.
I have a new class running now that has become a favorite of mine. It's our Service Dog class. For those who have a physical or emotional need for a companion animal to assist them in their daily tasks, we can help you to train your own dog. There are certain guidelines we have to follow in pets who can train to do this. For instance if you need help in getting out of your chair or bed a Maltese won't work. At the same time if you need more of an emotional assistant perhaps a Shibu Inu wouldn't be your best choice.
We have 3 dogs in the current class and we are into our 7th week of training. Not only are they learning to behave in public, but they are each learning specific tasks to help their owners. Keep a watch for us out in the malls and local restaurants. If you see is say Hi but please remember, a Service Dog in training is not to be petted!
If you find yourself with a new puppy, an older dog with obedience and manner issues or have the need for a Service Dog please feel free to come by our center at 8224 Bash Street, Indianapolis In and meet with me. If you prefer you can call (317)841-8182 and ask to speak to me. If I am not in feel free to ask when I will be in again or leave a message and I will call you back when I do come in.
If you would like to sit in on a class to see how they run please feel free, I always welcome visitors! Just call us ahead of time to find out about our class schedule.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
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