Up and coming events for Tara and Reccomendations...

So, I'm still home (I'm supposed to be away on vacation, but I have this horrible repspiratory/cold thing, yuck!).

Tara's upcoming schedule!

Puppy Playschool starts for her on Mon. May 23 at 6:30pm at Gemini! woo-hoo! I've never gotten to fully socialize a puppy before! I am so excited.

Here's the descip. from their webpage:

Puppy Playschool

A must for new puppy owners, Puppy Playschool is designed to help you get off to the right start with your new puppy. Early socialization is very important for your puppy's development. Each week, your puppy will romp off-leash to play with the other puppies and meet all the people. We also spend time discussing puppy issues and answering your questions about what's happening at home with your pup. Puppy Playschool covers topics like socialization and play, house training, crate training, chewing, puppy biting, fear issues, puppy management, and proper handling of a puppy. General information is also provided on feeding, health, grooming, and the stages of puppy development. We also discuss how to play with your puppy and we begin to work on coming when called and settle-down training. Responsible dog ownership tips are included as well.

I've assisted in the class before -- its puppy play - then handling -- puppy play -- practicing recalls -- puppy play -- talk about responsible dog ownership -- puppy play... you get the picture... : )

This kit also comes with the class:

The Ultimate Puppy Toolkit�

Your dog will be in heaven when you purchase the Ultimate Puppy Toolkit�, a set of how-to booklets related to the five essential subject areas of puppy raising. They cover the critical 9-week period between 8 and 16 weeks of age, starting when you bring your pup home. This is the decisive window of opportunity during which very high priority socialization activities must be completed with your puppy.

The Ultimate Puppy Toolkit� will help you stay creative and have fun while you tend to the important issues. When used along with our Puppy Playschool and Beginner Obedience classes, this kit provides a powerful approach to puppy raising.

I already have it and it is the best puppy kit/book I've seen yet!
Check it out on the web at Ultimate Puppy!

Next class we are signed up for, starting Tues. May 30, 6:00PM is:

Level One Beginner Obedience

Based on scientific principles, our programs stress positive reinforcement and reward, not punishment. We use non-choking collars and head collars for training equipment.

It is our belief that training and behavior modification should be safe, enjoyable, and successful for both the dog and the humans who love them.

It is for that reason that all of our classes use Clicker Training.

Great for dogs of any age, the Level One Beginner Obedience class is designed to help you get started on creating a well-mannered dog that is a joy to be around.

In this class, we introduce the first steps of basic training through positive reinforcement.

Fido Flex Plan Obedience Training Includes:

• Sit

• Down

• Coming When Called

• Targeting

• Loose Leash Walking

• On Your Mat

• Stays

• Coming When Called

• Bring

• Give

• Drop It

• Leave It

• Sit for Petting

• Greeting Other Dogs on Leash

• Playing with Your Dog

• Distraction Work

• Distance Work

• Duration Work

This Series Also Includes Tips For Dealing With:

• Barking

• Digging

• Biting

• Chewing

• Jumping

• Pulling on Leash

• Running Away

Woo-hoo! We will be doing the flex option which is for 16 wks and we can pick and choose which weeks we want to go, in other words it doesnt matter if we miss a wk here or there, but I don't think we will. Very exciting. And of course I will start working on this all with her right when she comes home, as I have assisted in both of these classes a number of times and very much know the drill. Hopefully she wil be a star pupil. : )

Can't wait, can't wait. We'll also do a few days of doggy daycare with her, maybe once every other wk or so. Here's what their site says about their daycare program:

Doggie Daycare

After a day at Gemini's Doggie Daycare, your dog will be just as tired as you are!

Our daycare is open 6:45am to 6:30pm Monday through Friday. Doggie Daycare is a great way for your pooch to pass the time while you're at work. Your dog plays with his friends, takes a nap, and goes out for bathroom breaks, all under the supervision of our staff. Yes, we do have indoor play areas for small dogs that can't tolerate the cold weather!

Making your dog's experience at Gemini fun is our main goal.

A Typical Day

Look how much fun we have at Daycare!

Drop off your pooch anytime after 6:45am. We'll get him settled into his new home, and once we find out more about your dog's personality, we'll start introducing him to other dogs one at a time, so that he won't be overwhelmed on his first day!

Once we find him a playmate or a group of friends, we'll take them out to our securely fenced play area for supervised group play. (And if he's a little nervous on his first day, we'll just pair him up with a human friend!) Our play yard is divided up into multiple areas so that we can send various groups outside at one time without mixing them all in together. Your dog plays with his friends and with our staff. He is usually out to play for about an hour at a time.

Once he is done playing, we bring him indoors and crate him again for his between-play nap. His nap time lasts about 30 minutes.

Your pooch will get plenty of bathroom breaks throughout the day.

We then take your dog back out to play with his friends again and we just repeat the same process throughout the day until you pick him up!

Each dog gets an afternoon snack of the Mother Hubbard Biscuit variety or you can pack his lunch and we'll feed him!

Pick up your pooch anytime you'd like. (Mind if we smooch your pooch goodbye?) Daycare officially closes at 6:30pm. Please note that if you are late, a $10 late fee applies.

Is Doggie Daycare for Us?
While you're gone all day, what does your pooch do?

Is he always ready for hours of play when you return home exhausted from a long day?

Does he whimper, cry, or bark at the door until you return? Does he leave you little presents or destroy the couch cover?

Have you been feeling guilty because you don't have enough time to spend with him? Then Doggie Daycare is for you!

My friend Casey works in daycare too, so she'll get to play with my puppy. She is about to be raising her first litter of border collies. Her site is here: Taklimakan Border Collies

And for all you soon to be/ or current puppy raisers out there, my top reading and preparation reccomendations for you are:

The Ultimate Puppy Toolkit

and

Before and After You Get Your Puppy, by Dr. Ian Dunbar

Happy Puppy Raising to all of us! : )