Location: Tuckahoe YMCA in Richmond VA, come to the back fields and you will see us!
Time: Testing begins at 10am and we will be done by 1pm.
What to bring: A brush for your dog, a leather or nylon lead, make sure your dog is wearing a flat buckle or slip collar, bags to pick up after your dog, water.
Cost: To take the test $10. If you pass and wish to send away for your certificate, the AKC charges $8
What is the Canine Good Citizen test?: This 10 part test is structured around the foundation of good manners the American Kennel Club feels your dog should have to be a healthy part of the community.
Memorial Day was first known as Decoration day. In May of 1868, flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetary.
“We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security, is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or the coming generations, that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided Republic. If other eyes grow dull, and other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remains to us.”
—General John Logan, General Order No. 11, May 5, 1868
It wasn’t until after World War One that the Southern states joined the Northern states in celebrating this day on the last monday of May. At that time, they changed the day from honoring those who died fighting in the Civil War, to honoring all Americans that fought in any war. In 1915, Moina Michael wrote the famous poem, In Flanders Field. She also then began wearing and selling red poppies in honor of service men who died during wartime. The poppy is still a symbol of honoring dead servicemen.
More recently, Memorial Day seems to represent the start of summer, a three day weekend that should be spent at the beach or with family and friends. It is a shame that we have moved away from the true meaning of Memorial Day. In 2000 a resolution was passed for a “National Moment of Rembembrance” It asks that at 3pm local time on Memorial Day for all Americans to “Voluntarily and informally observe in their own way, a moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to Taps.”
So this Monday especially, 25 May 2009 at 3pm, take a moment to remember the millions of men and women that sacrificed their lives to help make and keep America a country we should all be proud of. I will be sending out a silent prayer to all those lost in war. But also to all my friends that continue to serve in the United States Armed Forces in hopes that it keeps them safe. Thank you!
Dogs have been an important part of American Armed Forces since the civil war. I think they should be honored as well! Watching this will be how I spend my moment of remembrance…join me.
Follow Me Dog Training LLC wants everyone to have a safe and fun Memorial Day weekend. Have fun with your dogs and take a moment to be thankful and honor our countrymen.
Posted 1 year, 3 months ago at 9:59 am. Add a comment
But wait…this is a blog about dogs and dog training so where is the connection? Did you know that dogs can develop breast cancer as well?
According to Peteducation.com run by Doctor’s Foster and Smith, un-spayed female dogs are more susceptible to mammary tumors then females spayed before their first heat cycle. Male dogs can also develop mammary tumors but unfortunately for them it is usually aggressive and comes with a very poor prognosis. The vets at thepetcenter.com suggest you do a routine (once a month) check on your dog for mammary tumors and if you feel anything lumpy, make sure you point it out to your vet immediately so they can check it out.
Dogs are also being found to be a huge help detecting early stages of breast cancer. A dog’s nose has at least 20 times more olfactory receptors then humans do. Dogs have used their nose for all kinds of detection work. In 2006 a study was done to train 5 dogs to detect breast and lung cancer through breath samples.
“The scientists said dogs’ extraordinary scenting ability can distinguish people with both early and late stage lung and breast cancers from healthy people. The research, performed in California, was recently documented by the BBC in the United Kingdom, and is soon to be aired in the United States, researchers said.”
Dogs are also being used as therapy dogs for cancer survivors and those going through treatment. Providing people with much needed fuzz therapy and love, dogs can help survivors break through depression and rejoin the world. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, in 2007, introduced a group called Caring Canines to visit their breast and gynecologic cancer patients.
Breast Cancer affects everyone. It is hard to find someone that doesn’t know a friend or family member that has seen this cancer first hand. Follow Me Dog Training LLC hopes that a cure is found. While that is being worked toward, we hope that they continue to utilize dogs to help with detection and therapy.
Follow Me Dog Training LLC doesn’t train detection dogs, although we can teach you some cool games to get your dog using their nose more. Leinie and Pepper are not working therapy dogs although, Pepper has been visiting with my mom’s Irish Terrier Maggie (a therapy dog for more then 8 years) and provided great fuzz therapy. If you are interested in training your dog to be a therapy dog, Follow Me Dog Training LLC can help get your dog started along that route with training, clear communication, and CGC testing.
Follow Me Dog Training LLCoffers FREE evaluations and demonstrations at your home, with your dog. Contact us to set something up.
Posted 1 year, 10 months ago at 5:46 pm. Add a comment
When I was attending E4 at That’s My Dog! Inc, Leinie and I were able to stay with some friends of ours. They have three dogs. A wonderful black lab named Tio, A Belgian Malinois named Lager (a near a dear dog to our heart!) and a Jagdterrier named Emma.
Emma has a very special talent for digging holes. In-fact, having watched her in the act…focused and frenzied…I’d say she is a pro.
Emma has had boundless amounts of energy since the day I met her. I admit I was one of the people that helped my friends discover and adopt Emma. We knew her energy could match Tio and Lager’s and we weren’t wrong!
Jagdterriers or the German Hunting Terriers, were conceived between the two world wars, to compete against the American and British terriers…. check out this post by the Terrierman for more information. They were bred to hunt fox and larger animals like boar and badger. They could also function as a retriever, which blows my mind because it is a contradiction of jobs. Tenacious is just one word to describe the breed. Emma herself has been known to swing on the tail of a not so happy horse or two. I love this quote from www.Dog.com “This is a country dog, happiest out digging up some varmint ”
Emma uses her teeth, nose, and paws to dig as deep as she can. It is actually quite impressive to see her at work. She burns a lot of energy (both mental and physical) in her digging and comes into the house tired and muddy. I have never seen a dog actually bite and tear at the ground to get their hole deeper and wider.
Follow Me Dog Training LLC is usually helping clients teach their dogs how NOT to dig up their garden or back yard. Emma is lucky her owners are allowing her, as an energy release, to dig to her heart’s content and fulfill the deepest of Terrier desires. If like Emma’s owners you don’t mind encouraging a little digging make sure you teach your dog where they are allowed to dig, or build them a digging box to play in. Oh and if you get the chance to check out a earthdog competition or go-to-ground competition, I highly recomend it. You can find out more about these trials through the American Working Terrier Association.
If you don’t want your dog digging or exhibiting any other behaviors that might just be driving you nuts, contact Follow Me Dog Training LLC for a FREE demonstration and evaluation.
Posted 1 year, 11 months ago at 3:44 pm. Add a comment
Follow Me Dog Training LLC strongly believes in continuing education. That is why every year we have made the trip to Hazel Green, Wisconsin for a conference that Robin MacFarlane of That’s My Dog! Inc has hosted. The first 3 years I actually worked out at That’s My Dog! Inc and loved meeting dog trainers and professionals from all over the world through the E-cademy and the conference E-collarpalooza.
This year Leinie and I planned to go out to Wisconsin a few days early to visit Rhinelander, where dog trainer Sharon Larson lives. Sharon just finished building a training center that any dog trainer would love to work in. I last visited them when they barely had the roof on and now it is amazing. Rubber floors, room for a large group class, a Kinaesthetics room and a soon to be confidence course that leads out to the river.
Leinie and I played and trained and took full advantage of all the wonders of Rhinelander. Thanks to the Canine Coach of WI from Leinie and Follow Me Dog Training LLC for letting us participate in your puppy class and enjoy such a great facility!
Then we were off to Hazel Green WI, the home of That’s My Dog! Inc. This year’s presenters was the most incredible lineup Robin has hosted at E-collarpalooza. The incredible Dick Russell came all the way from Baton Rouge LA to show us his Large Field Socialization. Mare Potts with a fantastic flyball clinic. Pete Fisher from the Dogtra Team gave a presentation on the evolution of remote training collars and the influence the Dogtra Company has had on today’s trainers. George Cockrell amazed even the veteran trainers with his ability to teach tricks and showed off his Doberman, Tempest. (Leinie is already working on some of them and Follow Me Dog Training LLC is putting together a lesson plan for a tricks class!) Robin MacFarlane gave us in-site into working with different personalities in our clients. JT Clough, talked about marketing and the power of the Internet. All these people were pretty darn fascinating but honestly the kicker was having Gary Guller talk to us about his climb up Mount Everest. Gary was the first person to summit Mt. Everest with one arm. His story was phenomenal!!!
We learned a lot on our travels, caught up with some human and dog friends, and are happy to be back in the Richmond, Virginia area! To see more pictures of Leinie’s travels check out the Follow Me Dog Training LLC Myspace page.
Follow Me Dog Training LLC offers FREE evaluations and demonstations with your dog. Contact us today and see how we can “Lead you to Success”
Posted 1 year, 11 months ago at 8:56 pm. Add a comment
Tonight I sat with the three dogs (Leinie, Pepper and the Bouvier Reilly) and watched a classic movie from 1984.. Gremlins. At this point you may be asking why? Well, because it is a classic and it has a great dog in the cast! Also, Follow Me Dog Training LLC is training a Springer Spaniel named Gizmo and I’ve been thinking of the movie since we started working together.
Barney is an integral member of the Peltzer family. The family dog, the best buddy of Billy, and ok the neighbor wants to take him to the pound for destroying some Christmas decorations but still, he is a great dog! Then one day Billy’s father brings home Gizmo and the Peltzer family’s world changes, they realize they should have just stuck with the dog….life would have been easier.
“They might even replace the dog as the family pet.” This was said by Billy’s father when he sees that Gizmo has multiplied.
No way…never going to happen! Why…because Barney doesn’t turn evil when he eats after midnight, nor does he multiply when touched with water. Not to mention that Barney is a real dog in a movie filled mostly with puppets.
Barney’s real name is Mushroom. “Dante on the DVD commentary for “Gremlins” praises Mushroom as one of the best actors in the cast!” He was only in two films, Gremlins and the horror film Pumpkinhead as Gypsy.
This is what made him stand out in the movie for me:
Check out the great off leash “heel” Mushroom performed, not just on a street with cars and other distractions, but on a set with hundreds of extras and film crew…now that is focus!
Check out the use of a “place” command under Billy’s desk at the bank.
Mushroom did multiple tricks such as untying a knot, jumping off a desk onto a person and doing a fake bite on an actor.
He held multiple down stays with distractions.
At the end of the movie he went out the front door and sat on the porch steps…right on mark!
Most important for me though was that he is a dog in a horror film and he made it through the movie alive!!! Rumor has it that the script went through many versions and in a darker one, Barney was eaten by the evil Gremlins…I’m glad it was revised!
Lets review some of the commands that Mushroom did with perfection: heel, place, down, sit, wait, leave it, jump, walk backwards, and multiple movie tricks! All those commands your dog could do as well with some training!
Barney went “on vacation” through a good portion of the movie so that Ruby Deagle would leave him alone after saying: “I’ll catch the beast myself. He’ll get what he deserves, a slow painful death. Maybe I’ll put him in my spin-drier on high heat. ” Never a good thing to do to any dog!!! Don’t worry the Gremlins didn’t like her much either and in true horror movie fashion took care of Barney’s nemesis. When he returned, he took back his rightful place as the family pet.
So Mr. Peltzer learned to not bring home any new pets…especially ones named after the devil. Billy learned to appreciate his loyal companion, Barney. Barney wasn’t eaten by Stripe (the head Gremlin). Billy got the girl in the end and everyone had a good Christmas!
I got to see some fine acting done by Mushroom, have a few laughs at the Gremlins watching Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and the dogs slept through it all on their “places”.
You hopefully learned to keep an eye on any animal actors that might be in random movies that you watch. It takes alot of talent and skill to be a movie dog. The training needs to be fun and 100% distraction proof. There are alot of wonderful animal movies and dog actors out there….I might have to review another sometime.
Follow Me Dog Training LLC sets down rules of leadership for your interactions with your dog. Luckily none of those include keeping out of sunlight, not feeding after water and don’t give them any water. Your dog can be as well mannered as Barney, the character, and as talented as Mushroom, the dog,with good training and clear communication.
Contact Follow Me Dog Training LLC for a free evaluation with your dog! We’ll help your dog bring out their inner movie star!
Do you know what a Theriogenologist does? According to Merriam Webster Online, this is the definition of therionology:
Main Entry: the·rio·ge·nol·o·gy
Pronunciation: thir---j-näl--j
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural-gies : a branch of veterinary medicine concerned with veterinary obstetrics and with the diseases and physiology of animal reproductive systems
Right now all over the United States there are debates over legislation concerning Mandatory Spay and Neuter Laws (MSN). California, Chicago, and even in Virginia we are seeing battles between dog owners, breeders, trainers, fanciers, etc. against the uninformed about the issue of MSN.
Mandatory spay/neuter laws do not address the real problem….irresponsible owners. The issues of pet over population, and puppy mills will not be solved with MSN. The National Animal Interest Alliance has a wonderful policy statement on MSN:
In view of continuing campaigns that tout the benefits of mandatory spay/neuter legislation which have never been substantiated, the NAIA believes that it is time for a new and clear resolution to guide governmental efforts in solving pet-related problems. Therefore, we respectfully submit:
The Responsible Pet Owner’s Approach to Animal Regulation
WHEREAS, even the most sincere lawmakers can get swept along momentarily by well marketed but flawed ideas; and
WHEREAS, mandatory spay/neuter legislation has never succeeded anywhere in the US; and
WHEREAS, mandatory spay/neuter laws have generally led to increased costs for animal control agencies, as Santa Cruz, California encountered; and
WHEREAS, mandatory spay/neuter laws like the one proposed in Chicago penalize only the law abiding minority who actually license their pets; and
WHEREAS, similar legislation elsewhere has pushed good people out of the licensing system and reduced certainty regarding rabies vaccination rates; and
WHEREAS, top medical professionals and animal experts, such as the Illinois (www.isvma.org) and Chicago (www.chicagovma.org) veterinary associations, the American Kennel Club (www.akc.org) and Cat Fanciers Associations (www.cfainc.org), and moderate, fact-based animal welfare organizations such as the National Animal Interest Alliance (www.naiaonline.org) all oppose mandatory spay/neuter; and
WHEREAS, the veterinary scientific literature disputes claims that neutering dogs will diminish dog bites; and
WHEREAS, mandatory spay/neuter laws have proven unenforceable and generated constitutional challenges that are currently in the courts; and
WHEREAS, virtually everyone but outright criminals wants to eliminate dog fighting; and
WHEREAS, any system that makes the law abiding, responsible pet owners who license their pets accountable for the ones who don’t is inherently unfair and destined to fail; and
WHEREAS, modern learning theory and dog trainers teach that success only comes from 1) rewarding good behavior; 2) correcting bad behavior; and 3) never giving a command that cannot be enforced;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the city of [ ] vote NO on this new spay/neuter proposal and instead work with the law abiding pet experts in veterinary associations, kennel and cat clubs and national animal welfare groups to write effective, enforceable laws that will build rather than destroy community support for Animal Care and Control and respect for pet laws.
Further, NAIA recommends a serious look at NAIA’s Guide to Pet Friendly Ordinances and Model Ordinance: Pet Friendly Guide Model Ordinance
Together they offer methods for writing enforceable laws that build support for community animal control by rewarding responsible pet owners and applying meaningful penalties to problem owners.
But lets get back to theriogenology for a moment…. Just recently The American College of Theriogenologists posted their position on MSN. I really like the fact that they suggest that you not only consult your veterinarian as to what is right for YOUR dog but also that ultimately it should be YOUR decision whether to spay or neuter your dog. They also clearly state all the considerations good and bad for spay and neuter. Remember these people have focused their veterinary knowledge, experience and studies into one branch of veterinary work…reproduction!
——The American College of Theriogenologists and The Society for Theriogenology believe that companion animals not intended for breeding should be spayed or neutered; however, both organizations believe that the decision to spay or neuter a pet must be made on a case by case basis, and this decision should be made between the pet’s owner and its veterinarian, taking into consideration the pet’s age, breed, sex, health status, intended use, household environment and temperament. —–
—-The ACT and SFT do not believe that mandatory spay/neuter programs will significantly reduce the pet overpopulation problems, since most animals that are abandoned are relinquished because of behavior, health, economic and life changing conditions and not due to theirreproductive status.In fact, in some European Union countries where gonadectomy is illegal unless deemed medically necessary (such as Norway) there are no significant problems with pet overpopulation, indicating that the pet overpopulation problem that exists in the United States is due to cultural differences on the importance of pets, the responsibility of pet owners, and the ability of the government and national agencies to properly educate the public.Although both organizations believe that most companion animals should be spayed or neutered, the ACT and SFT also strongly believe that itis not in the best interest of the animals to produce legislation regarding medical treatments, Therefore, both organizations oppose mandatory spay/neuter programs. —-
Follow Me Dog Training LLC is opposed to Mandatory Spay/ Neuter Legislation. Follow Me Dog Training LLC encourages you to have a conversation with your veterinarian about spaying or neutering your dog. Follow Me Dog Training LLC wants you to be educated about all the facts concerning owning an intact canine, the benifits of spay/neutering and also the best possible time to perform this surgery on your dog. Both Pepper and Leinie have been spayed and neutered and this was the best course of action for my dogs for many well thought out and researched reasons. Because there is added behavioral responsibility in owning an intact dog, Follow Me Dog Training LLC , will encourage owners to spay or neuter their dog, but we will not tell you that you should do it or when it should be done! We believe in responsible owners that train their dogs to live in the world we have created and want to share with them.
Training your dogs, picking up after your dogs, educating friends and family about the joys of owning a dog and working to fight laws that may someday see the end of our companion animals are important aspects of dog ownership that everyone should be aware of. As a profesional member of the International Association of Canine Professionals, I agree with their Position Statement on Mandatory Sterilization of Dogs .
This weekend is the Dock Dogs 2008 World Championships in Stillwater Minnesota. This event is an invitational which means the best of the best high flying dogs will be in Minnesota this weekend.
What is DockDogs®?
DockDogs® is the independent governing and sanctioning body for regional, national, and international dock jumping performance sport for dogs. DockDogs® establishes the rules and standards of the sport, tracks and records results, and promotes the growth of its athletes, Teams, events, spectators, and sponsors.
Right now dogs of all ages (over 6 months) and all breeds can compete in 3 different categories: Big Air, Extreme Vertical, and Speed Retrieve. It is possible you have caught a few competitions on the Outdoor Channel, ESPN or at a river festival or outdoor festival. Locally you can catch DockDogs events by contacting Chesapeake DockDogs, or by checking out www.Dockdogs.com .
Leinie and I have a couple good friends..both dog and human, that compete in DockDogs. One of them is Sue Barnes of MyTDog in Des Moines IA. Sue’s German Shorthair Pointer, Tanner, is considered a veteran of the sport at 9 years old. Here are just a couple of his accomplishments: 2007 National Champion, Master Division- Tanner, 24′ 2″, 2007 National Champion, Veteran Division- Tanner, 23′ 1″, 2007 Gracie Award winner- #1 Ranked Veteran Dog, 2006 & 2007 Top GSP of the Year Award- #1 Ranked GSP
Doing any kind of sport with your dog starts out with a basic foundation of obedience and control through clear communication. Follow Me Dog Training LLC and Leinie have done some training in multiple sports including Dock Diving. Although Leinie never had the chance to compete, he has jumped into the pool with coaching from Sue Barnes and her team at the Dubuque Riverfest in 2006. We had a blast and continue to train for jumping on land and when we can find a dock, on water. It truly is a fun sport for both dog and handler.
McGruff the Crime Dog® was born on 1 July 1980. 2008 marks his 28th year of helping law enforcement agencies and communities across the United States ”Take a bite out of Crime!”
Working through television, comic books, print ads and live appearances, McGruff the Crime Dog® has helped make crime prevention second nature to many Americans. I remember the commercials on TV and apparently I’m not the only one. According to the National Crime Prevention Council blog:
A 2006 Harris Poll conducted about McGruff yielded some reassuring results. Close to 75 percent of adults recognized McGruff’s picture and more than 90 percent knew him when his name was mentioned. Teens showed strong recognition of McGruff too, with 79 percent knowing who he was without being prompted with his name. When prompted with his name, 92 percent of teens recognized McGruff.
Those are some pretty cool statistics! Law Enforcement agencies can’t do everything themselves and McGruff has been telling us for years to: Lock our doors and leave lights on when we are away, create communities where kids are safe and people look out for each other, Get involved and join your local Neighborhood Watch, don’t do drugs, stay away from bullies and avoid gangs.
McGruff has even changed with the times and through the National Crime Prevention Council he has helped kids “Take a bite out of cyber crime”. Internet safety is a much needed reality these days.
McGruff, along with teaching about personal and home safety, is also helping spread the word about identity theft, telemarketing fraud, cyberbullying, gun related violence and community preparedness.
McGruff was making a personal appearance at the Hanover Tomato Festival. He was hanging out with officers from the the Hanover Sheriff’s Department. So I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to have my picture taken with this dog! All Law Enforcement K-9’s are important and should be praised for the work they do. McGruff (one of the more famous Law Enforcement K-9’s) has been a fixture in American’s lives for a long time and I hope he continues to “take a bite out of crime” for many more years!
Follow Me Dog Training LLC can’t teach your dog how to fight crime, but we can teach them how to be valuable members of the community! For more information, contact us for a free evaluation with your dog.
Posted 2 years, 1 month ago at 5:54 pm. Add a comment
TV is becoming interesting again! So pull up a chair and sit down with your dog and watch the premier of Greatest American Dog on CBS, Thursday 10 July at 8pm et/pt.
12 teams of dogs and owners are going to be competing for $250,000. They have to live together and will be given challenges to test the dog’s learning and the owner’s teaching skills. They eliminate one dog and owner each week…the last one standing will be dubbed the Greatest American Dog.
Follow Me Dog Training LLC will be watching to see if we can pick up any new tricks for Leinie to learn. Of course in our world…Leinie already is the Greatest American Dog!
I think the best thing about this show will be showing different dogs and people TRAINING together! Remember training isn’t just about tricks or obedience, it is about a way of life. Learning to communicate with your dog, to build a bond of trust and control, and having fun all at the same time.
Follow Me Dog Training LLC offers FREE evaluations and demonstrations with your dog. Let us help you bring out the greatness in your dog!
Posted 2 years, 2 months ago at 7:28 pm. Add a comment
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