Frappy, Loki and Odin and their respective humans all had fun at Fido’s after Five at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. It was rainy…really rainy but we still managed to see a good portion of the Garden before becoming soaked through.
We were sad that the poor weather kept so many of our other four and two footed friends away but we had fun. During the first rain burst, we hung out in the tree house for awhile with a Weimaraner named Titanium.
Then we made a mad dash through the Asian Valley….
Then on to the Conservatory where we waited out another cloud burst. We really wish they did a Fido’s after Five in the fall when it wasn’t so hot for the dogs and we can really enjoy the Garden without the threat of a summer storm. Looks like they have alot of cool stuff going on all year. I have to say though I would love to take my dogs, a good book and some decent weather and sit under a tree for awhile. I can only imagine what it looks like when more things don’t look drowned out and wet!
Thanks Loki and Odin for sitting through the rain with us!
Follow Me Dog Training LLC wants you to feel comfortable taking your dog out to these very cool events. If your dog has some manners that could be worked on, or you would like to learn more about how to help them become respected members of doggie society, contact us for a FREE evaluation. WE work all over the Richmond Virginia area.
Posted 3 weeks, 6 days ago at 7:46 am. Add a comment
Follow Me Dog Training LLC took a poll at the beginning of the summer to see what our clients and dogs wanted to do for group class during the “Dog Days Of Summer” in Richmond Virginia. Unanimously they all decided that lessons at the James River, teaching the dogs to swim, would be the best use of our time.
We’ve turned a few dogs into fish and seen some dogs grow more confident each week. It has been a wonderful class. Follow Me Dog Training LLC wants to thank everyone for coming to these group classes and having fun. Not every dog (including those Labradors) know how to swim. You’ll notice in the pictures, Darcy with a life vest on, and you’ll see me helping some of the dogs in the water with a leash, or holding on to them.
So some lessons learned during group class this July:
If they sneak attack, two Boxers (Grady Beans & Tyson) can dunk Renée
Ni’cko the husky, swims much like an alligator stalking the shoreline
It is important to realize how much water your dog has had to drink and that they may need to pee 10 times once you get home.
“Everyone to the right!” means move to the right and stop with your dog. Then wait while an unruly dog and it’s owners pass by a line of 15 dogs well behaved and sitting for their owners! That is a very cool sight!
The James River is constantly changing and the dogs need help finding rocks to stand on and to not go too far out because of the current.
Having the ability to have our dogs off leash and under control is one of the coolest things ever!
Because Renée had to be in the water most of the time, a good portion of the pictures were taken by clients. Thanks to those that shared all the cool pictures!
Be careful in the heat everyone! Keep your dogs cool and provide them plenty of shade, air conditioning and fresh cold water!
Posted 1 month, 3 weeks ago at 3:28 pm. Add a comment
A group of dogs and their owners, all members of the Follow Me Dog Training LLC family descended on the Diamond. Frappy, Loki, Odin, Meadow, Tyson, Chloe, Kosmo, Penny, Melvin, Buddy, Annie, Darcey, Stella, Bella, Moose, Georgia, Molly (I know I am forgetting someone!)had a great time. Follow Me Dog Training LLC is very proud of all the dogs that showed up and made it a fantastic night!
I wish that Bark in the Park night was more often! We’ll keep an eye out for more dog friendly events and hope to have a crowd at them as well. Thanks everyone!
Chloe & Annie meet Nutzy
Tyson
Frappy was intently watching, when not licking the ears of the person in front of her
Near the end of the game, Frappy and I had the opportunity to chat with the owner of the Richmond Flying Squirrels, Lou Dibella. Lou was a very nice guy and we were so glad he chatted with us and told us about his little Rat Terrier.
Dog friendly opportunities are something to be treasured and we were so happy to see so many well behaved dogs at The Diamond on wed night. I’m looking forward to the next event.
Posted 3 months, 3 weeks ago at 9:15 am. Add a comment
Follow Me Dog Training LLC would like to introduce Frappuccino AKA Frappy to the Richmond VA area! Frappy was rescued from a shelter by our friends at the Georgia Dog Gym. She has been on our mind since July and we had the chance to go visit and see how she would do with Leinie and Pepper. We are really excited to have our very own Etowah River Dog…and that is what we are calling her because we really don’t know what she is or care…she’s just our dog! We do know that she is about a year old and has some very basic training, will come and sit a bit, loves her kennel/crate and enjoys a long car ride. Best of all though she is a very social dog both with people and animals!
Making the decision to bring a third dog into the family was very well thought out and planned for. Any dog, much less a third one should be an educational decision. Things to consider are time, space, money, socialization, size, breed, and love. Anything more than one dog is a handful, your whole schedule changes and I now need to be accountable for three different personalities, energy levels and ages of dogs. Even for a dog trainer this is going to be a big shift in my life.
Lucky for Follow Me Dog Training LLC, Frappy has Leinie to show her the ropes and help her become a great member of the family and the business.
Leinie and Frappy play very well together! Frappy is also very respectful of my older Irish Terrier, Pepper. So far so good!
Frappy has a lot of learning to do, but I have a feeling that Leinie and I will have a blast teaching her. And she will have a blast getting to know all the Follow Me Dog Training LLC clients and their dogs!
Stay tuned for updates on her progress and if you have any questions about bringing a dog into your home, whether it is a first second or third, contact us for an evaluation and we’ll lead you to success!
Posted 5 months, 4 weeks ago at 9:40 pm. Add a comment
The Siberian Husky was developed by the Chukchi people of northeastern Asia as an endurance sled dog, this breed has been shown via recent DNA research that it is one of the oldest breed of dogs.
In 1909, the first large numbers of these Chukchi dogs were brought to Alaska to compete in the long-distance All-Alaska Sweepstakes races, and the Alaskan dog drivers quickly recognized the ability of these huskies from Siberia.- Siberian Husky Club of America, Inc
Many people have heard of the story of a Siberian Husky named Balto who in 1925 led the sled dog team of Gunnar Kassen. Balto and his team were the last leg of a 674 mile journey to deliver diphtheria anti-toxin to Inuit children in Nome, Alaska. This journey is part of the now famous Iditarod Trail, or National Historic Trail.
This week actually marks the running of the “Last Great Race On Earth”, the Iditarod. They started in Anchorage Alaska on 6 March 2010 and have been making their way on the 1,161mile trail. Many of the sled dog teams still use Siberian Huskies.
The Siberian Husky is a working dog that loves to run! They need exercise and don’t really care what the weather is like!
They have a strong predatory instinct and they have the endurance to chase things down. On the whole they are extremely affectionate, alert and adaptable. They do however have a stubborn streak caused by their intelligence and their independent spirit. Training is highly recommended to help create an environment to keep them learning and tired!
There have been lots of movies that star Siberian Huskies: Iron Will, Snow Dogs, Eight Below and Balto are a few. One of my favorites is Eight Below. It was the first dog movie I watched really with a dog trainers “eye” and it was beautiful to see those dogs in action!
The Siberian Husky isn’t a breed for everyone. They are amazing dogs that need a job and they were bred originally for sled dog work. If you own a Husky be prepared to have a heavy duty exercise and training regime. Ultimately they can do any job, like any dog, but they are happiest being active.
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.
Sadly, yesterday a wonderful artist, craftsman and author took his own life. He’ll be met at the Rainbow Bridge by many dogs and cats that will thank him for his great works of art and his contribution to animals. This isn’t about the sadness of how he passed…just that we lost a wonderful artist.
Chances are good you have seen some of Stephen Huneck’s work. Or maybe you have picked up one of his ‘Sally’ books to read to your kids. Perhaps you have had the pleasure of visiting the Dog Chapel in VT. His prints always managed to put a smile on my face.
“The work of Stephen Huneck is like laughter; enriching to life and uplifting to the soul”. Boston Magazine
“At all Stephen Huneck Galleries dogs are welcome and there are always a good supply of treats on hand, a small gesture to thank dogs for all they give us”. -Stephen Huneck
Huneck’s artwork is held in both private and public collections, including at the Smithsonian Institution building in Washington, D.C., New York’s Museum of American Folk Art and the Contemporary Museum of Art in Sydney, Australia.
I do hope that the state of Vermont, or some wonderful dog people or something will be able to help the Huneck family keep Dog Mountain so they can continue to provide us with examples of Huneck’s work and so people and their dogs can still visit the Dog Chapel.
My favorite of his books is definitely My Dog’s Brain…it is about what is in his Lab, Sally’s brain, but really it is about every dog. Check it out and you’ll know what I mean.
Louis is a Chihuahua. He is a little dog with alot of attitude. 6 years of being spoiled rotten, bad decision making on his part, too much love, a biting habit, not enough exercise and being allowed to potty in the house contributed to his owners calling Follow Me Dog Training LLC for help.
Follow Me Dog Training LLC took Louis in for a board and train program at the beginning of December. Louis has made a bunch of tremendous changes since he has been here. He has had to change some habits and accept that he is not the leader. It isn’t his RIGHT to tell people where to go, where to sit, and who is going to touch him.
Right off the bat the first thing we did with Louis was start treating him like a dog. It is really easy to give a Chihuahua a home and assume that they can’t do much because of their size, that they should be spoiled and protected. Well that needed to change so I could get Louis to start thinking about his body, his teeth and his reactions. The AKC describes the Chihuahua temperament like this: “Alert, projecting the ‘terrier-like’ attitudes of self importance, confidence, self-reliance.” They do have an attitude that is for sure, and Louis lived up to this standard. So although a small dog, Louis started right off the bat going for a 45 minute walk with myself, Leinie and Pepper in the morning. What a change more exercise made in Louis! Not only did it help his behavior but it helped his housebreaking schedule!
Louis also needed to learn how to be handled. He was under the impression that only the people he could rule over could touch him. It took a bit of patience, trust building and consistency from me but he soon learned that affection only came when earned. No more furniture time, no more lap time, no more belly rubs until he accepted my putting a leash and collar on him without a fight. The evening when I leaned over my chair to him as he slept in his bed, and he rolled over and offered me a chance to rub his belly was a big step in the right direction. Before he would have never allowed it by attacking the hand, or demanded it from the people he loves. He will also let me pick him up and that is his biggest reward!
Louis is learning to enjoy the company of other dogs and the beauty of snoozing in a sunspot, not barking at the people outside or needing to be on the back of a couch. He attended group class this past weekend with 5 other dogs…all of them twice his size and were not used to having a little dog like Louis around. He did fantastic with his obedience and keeping up with the big dogs and was rewarded with a cuddle time afterward.
Right now Chihuahuas are a very popular breed. The movie Beverly Hills Chihuahua made them even more popular last year. Celebrities have chosen the Chihuahua for their small size also making them popular. In fact Chihuahuas are overrunning California right now!
Actress Katherine Heigle (Greys Anatomy) had her foundation help transport 25 adoptable Chihuahuas from LA to New Hampshire because they have so many in California!
The Dog Whisperer (Cesar Millan) has done numerous episodes on Chihuahuas that need rehabilitating. One such episode, Chihuahuas From Hell, was on this morning. I made Louis watch it with me so he would understand he doesn’t need to be like those dogs anymore!
Louis will be returning to his family very soon. Along with him, the owners will receive a new set of house rules, an exercise schedule, a house breaking schedule and a training schedule. I know they love their little dog because he has really grown on me while staying here. Part of loving him for his owners has to now include some structure in his life and a whole lot less spoiling!
Louis has proven to me that he can do so much more then be a little terrorist. He can sit at the doors, walk nicely, and be handled. I’m proud of this little Chihuahua!
If your dog is causing frustration in your household akin to what Louis was doing to his family, contact Follow Me Dog Training LLC for a free evaluation.
Hey all! It has been a wonderful and busy summer! We had a great summer of group classes, exciting private lessons and vacations to fun places. Follow Me Dog Training LLC admittedly was slacking on the blog front, we were out having fun with our clients and dogs instead! So lets do a little recap of the summer.
In June, Follow Me Dog Training LLC (see this blog post) warned everbody about leaving your dogs in hot cars! And in June Richmond, VA was rocked with the news that an older dog belonging to the CEO of the Richmond SPCA died after being left in a hot car for at least four hours. A tragic avoidable loss to the family. Communication in all aspects of dog ownership is incredibly important!!!!
In July, Michael Vick’s federal prison sentence expired and he was reinstated into the NFL. In August he signed a 2 year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. It made a sad day for dogs and I can imagine the Eagles lost a few supporters with this move.
In August, dogs showed up at Richmond’s, Careytown Watermelon Festival! Also, the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens held their “Fido’s After Five” event where leashed dogs were welcome. Melvin and Penny made an apperance and had a great time!
Many were cool enough to send me tales of their dog’s first swimming adventures in the James River or at the ocean!
It was a fun busy summer and we hope that you all took your dogs on vacation (and if you didn’t that they got to come stay with Follow Me Dog Training LLC!)
School starts for many kids in the next couple weeks making changes in schedules is on everyone’s mind. Don’t forget to schedule in time for your dog. Learning is an ongoing process for dogs so make sure you bring them out to group class, or set up another appointment (if you have some left in your program!) with Follow Me Dog Training LLC.
Cooler weather also means we get to take our dogs even more places, expect to see Leinie more with me as the temperatures drop…he doens’t do well in the heat!
Follow Me Dog Training LLC has alot of exciting things happening. We hope you join us on our adventures! If you are interested in learning more about training your dog, or would like to set up a time for a FREE evaluation, contact us today and we’ll see what goals you have!
Follow Me Dog Training LLC runs a group class for our clients that have completed at least three private lessons in the Successful Living program. Group class gives owner and dog the chance to be around other well mannered dogs from the Follow Me Dog Training LLC family. We work on a number of challenging exercises such as: confidence building, socialization, distance recalls with distraction, emergency sits and downs, games, walking with a pack of dogs and greeting exercises. Sometimes we work on things that are brand new to the dogs and owners and sometimes we work on things that may be a problem area for one or two of the dogs when they show up. One of the first questions asked when group class starts is “Is there anything specific that you all want to work on today?” So you can help dictate what we do in class, with Renée’s special twist to the learning process.
Group class is held regardless of the number of dogs that sign up. Sometimes we have 2 dogs, sometimes we have up to 10. All you have to do is give Follow Me Dog Training LLC a call and let us know you will be there.
The whole family is welcome, as they are during private lessons. The only thing we ask is that childeren are supervised and follow instructions about only greeting the dogs when told. We have some junior handlers that do a great job training their dogs!
Contact Follow Me Dog Training LLC for a free evaluation with your dog and find out more about the Successful Living program so your dog can come join the fun!
Posted 1 year, 1 month ago at 3:40 pm. Add a comment
