Follow Me Dog Training

10 years for Mechanicsville Animal Hospital

Mechanicsville Animal Hospital had it’s 10 year anniversary celebration today. Congrats to Dr. Jeff Kilgore and his staff for 10 years of service to Mechanicsville, VA cats and dogs! Follow Me Dog Training LLC was proud to be asked to have some space and be available to answer questions. Leinie had a blast showing off and apologizes for the noise his squeaky toy was making! Leinie is the best PR dog a company could have and he enjoyed meeting everyone (and a special thanks to Jeff for allowing him to jump in his lap).

Lots of dogs showed up for the “Dog Wash” Fundraiser that was being held to benefit the Hanover Humane Society. We saw big dogs and small dogs that came out of the back clean as could be. I hope that those clean dogs helped raise a good amount for the Hanover Humane Society.

There was also available information about the “Home Again” Microchip, a Purina nutritionist, local author Joanne Liggan, there was a booth with some cool treats and boutique stuff but I sadly don’t remember the company name (sorry!), a clown who was doing balloon animals and some face painting (no Leinie didn’t have his face painted but he got up in the chair and got some loving from the clown…he doesn’t have clown fear like me) and there was a Ukrops cake (YUM)and other good foods to nibble on.

It was great to meet and chat with Dr. Beadles and Dr. Schwartz and of course see Dr. Kilgore again. The staff were all fantastic and very helpful. Here’s to another 10 years of growth and service to Mechanicsville Animal Hospital and thanks for sharing your celebration with a fundraiser for the Hanover Humane Society!

If you are interested in creating clear communication with your dog, teaching them some basic manners like walking nicely or not jumping up on people, or are looking to do more with your dog because the Purina nutritionist said they might be a little overweight :)….contact Follow Me Dog Training LLC for a free demonstration and evaluation.

Spring has sprung!

Spring has hit the Richmond Virginia area with a fury. The flowers are blooming, the trees have green leaves again, the smell of fresh mulch is about, people have started cutting grass, and the weather is pleasant enough to leave the windows open all day and night. I saw all of this but knew for sure that spring was making it’s way across the United States when I received a phone call from my friend Sharon in Rhinelander Wisconsin. She always lets me know that spring has sprung when she has her first black bear come into her yard. Yes you read it right, I said bear. I like my signs of spring a lot better because it means I can run around my yard with the dogs without having to do a bear check first!

With spring and the nicer weather more people become motivated to go out and walk their dogs more. Leinie, Pepper and I see you in the parks, on the sidewalks and venturing all over the city. As you go out walking Follow Me Dog Training LLC hopes you remember to take some water along for your dog, enjoy the scenery as you walk and PLEASE PICK UP AFTER YOUR DOG!!!

There are some other things Follow Me Dog Training LLC would like for you to keep in mind when you are out with your dog.

• You may have the friendliest dog in the world, but that doesn’t mean that they should be allowed to go say hi to every dog they meet. I know a few dogs that find it very rude and will become defensive if a strange dog comes barreling up to them, possibly overly excited,  barking or growling and jam their nose into their face. Please don’t let your dog say hi to everyone without permission!
• Be careful if you walk your dog on a flexi (retractable) leash. They snap easily and can injure you or the dog. ( I was just last week in the park and saw a 15lbs dog do this and then had a fun game of chase for about 20 minutes with his owners and a few nice strangers) A retractable leash only gives the illusion of allowing your dog more exercise. It really gives them more space to not listen to you in and allows them to learn to not walk with you. There is a time and a place for a retractable leash, but personally Follow Me Dog Training LLC believes that teaching your dog to walk with you will create a closer bond and more reliable communication. 
• Be aware if your dog is playing in creeks or puddles…’tis the season for little parasitic friends to be found in these areas and your dog doesn’t need these kinds of friends.
• Should you take your dog down to the James River to swim, be sure to not let them swim in a popular fishing area. Dogs can easily become in-tangled in fishing line left in the water or a left over hook can cause alot of damage. Be aware of the current where your dog swims. Also, even though the James is fairly clean, it is always wise to wash or clean your dog off after their swimming adventure.

• Talk to your Veterinarian about preventative care for fleas and ticks. Check your dog over for ticks whenever you come in the house after an adventure.
• It is baby season for the wild animals. Please keep control of your dogs if you are out hiking. It is not good for your dog to chase wild animals, ever! Even if all squirrels are evil.
• Have fun and explore the Richmond Va area and all around, there is alot of history and natural wonders to learn about. Check with the park system first to make sure dogs are allowed and then take them along. Every dog enjoys an adventure!

Follow Me Dog Training LLC wishes everyone a happy spring. If you would like to learn more about adventuring with your dog, how to manage your dog on a walk with out it being a drag, or to teach your dog some manners that will help them out in public, please contact Follow Me Dog Training LLC for a FREE demonstration and evaluation with your family and your dog!

Words to consider

Leader- noun: A person or thing that leads. A guiding or directing head, as of an army, movement or political group.

Train- verb:  to develop or form the habits, thoughts, or behavior of (a child or other person) by discipline and instruction: to train an unruly boy. To discipline and instruct (an animal), as in the performance of tasks or tricks.

Communication- noun: The imparting or interchange of thoughts, opinions, or information by speech, writing, or signs.

Correction- noun: Something that is substituted or proposed for what is wrong or inaccurate. A quantity applied or other adjustment made in order to increase accuracy, as in the use of an instrument or the solution of a problem.

Learning- noun: The act or process of acquiring knowledge or skill. The modification of behavior through practice, training, or experience.

Rescue- verb: To free or deliver from confinement, violence, danger, or evil.

Positive- adjective: Showing or expressing approval or agreement; favorable.

Experience- noun: Knowledge or practical wisdom gained from what one has observed, encountered, or undergone.

Negative- adverb: Lacking in constructiveness, helpfulness, optimism, cooperativeness, or the like. 

Change- noun: The substitution of one thing for another.

Praise- noun: The act of expressing approval or admiration; commendation; laudation.

Method- noun: A procedure, technique, or way of doing something, esp. in accordance with a definite plan.

Love- noun: A feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child, or friend.

Stress- noun: Physiology. A specific response by the body to a stimulus, as fear or pain, that disturbs or interferes with the normal physiological equilibrium of an organism.

Play- verb: To exercise or employ oneself in diversion, amusement, or recreation.

Pressure- noun: A constraining or compelling force or influence.

Reward- noun: Something given or received in return or recompense for service, merit, hardship, etc.

Aggression- noun: Overt or suppressed hostility, either innate or resulting from continued frustration and directed outward or against oneself.

Exercise- noun: Bodily or mental exertion, esp. for the sake of training or improvement of health: Walking is good exercise.

Fun- noun: Something that provides mirth or amusement, enjoyment or playfulness.

Help- verb: To give or provide what is necessary to accomplish a task or satisfy a need; contribute strength or means to; render assistance to; cooperate effectively with; aid; assist.

Tool- noun: Anything used as a means of accomplishing a task or purpose: Education is a tool for success.

Habit- noun: An acquired behavior pattern regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary. A dominant or regular disposition or tendency; prevailing character or quality.

Confidence- noun: Full trust; belief in powers, trustworthiness, or reliability of a person or thing. Belief in oneself and one’s powers or abilities; self-confidence; self-reliance; assurance.

Dog- noun: A domesticated canid, Canis familiaris, bred in many varieties.

Thanks to http://dictionary.reference.com for the definitions found above.

Follow Me Dog Training LLC can help you understand how all these words are essential to having your dog become or remain a valuable member of your family. Dog training isn’t just a “last resort” when something goes wrong. It also isn’t just something you do with dogs that have bad behaviors. Dog training and teaching a dog to live in the domesticated world, we as humans live in, is integral to peace and harmony with a dog in your household. There are many methods, tools, languages and styles of dog training. Find the one that works for you and your family…but we guarantee that no matter what training you do, the words above will be a part of that training and knowing what they mean can help you understand what your trainer is helping you do with your dog. Dog Training is about forming a balanced relationship of communication, help and accountability between you and your dog.

Contact Follow Me Dog Training LLC if you are interested in a FREE demonstration and evaluation with your dog.