It was a very good year

Before addressing what is new for 2009, let's look back at 2008. Some wonderful dogs and their humans became therapy dog teams. A tremendous amount of work goes into this process, so once again, congratulations to:

Debbie and Dixie

Paul and Nana

Maggie and Duke

Susan and Humdinger will be testing early this year and there is no doubt in my mind they will succeed. Although Chloe is not a registered therapy dog, she gives her joyous all to everyone she meets. In addition to finished dogs, we have lots who are in the process of becoming the best they can be. Stay tuned for progress reports on Surrey, Lily, Willow, Anne, Emma, Maggie, Gracie, and Kato.

A note of gratitude to Paul getting us into Covenant Woods. Starting next week we will begin monthly group visits (three dogs right now). Paul and his Newfs paved the way by making residents and staff alike comfortable with big dogs in the facility. Tuesday night a Newf, a GSD, and a Lab will makes lots of folks smile. Thanks, Paul!

Finally, to each and every person who took one of my classes or invited me to their home for private consultations, thank you. Thank you for loving your dogs.

Murphy & Santa

A Country Christmas

Cooper and Cruiser are waiting for Santa with Jesse, the Lab. Thanks for the great picture, Holly!

Newest Graduates

Congratulations to Intermediate graduates Red, Lily, Mattie, Jesse and Kato - and their humans. Job well done! Surrey our Cattle Dog was there in spirit.

Dixie with Santa

Poochies with Santa

Send your dogs' pix with Santa and I'll post them. First to arrive is Jesse, one of my wild and crazy (and extremely loveable) Lab pals.

Dog Toy Warning

If you have a dog ball that has one hole in it, go find it right now and poke another hole in it. If it is a Four Paw's toy called the Pimple Ball, take it back to where you bought it or send it back to the manufacturer. Why? Because a dog can get his tongue stuck in it and the end result can be horrible. The following links tell the story.

Chai
Tails Magazine
Consumer Affairs

AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program

Program launched in November 2008

Enroll you and your puppy in one of my six-week basic training classes and ensure that your puppy will be an AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy. Classes will include valuable training tips for puppy owners – such as how to house train – and lessons on practical skills for puppies - such as coming when called. The program is open to all dogs (pure bred and mixed breed). Puppies can begin training as soon as they have the necessary vaccines and they can enroll in AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy at any point up until their first birthday.

"We want to do our part to make sure all puppies have a good life," says Dr. Mary Burch, AKC CGC Director. "Early training and socialization, along with teaching the owner the necessary skills, is the key to having a well-behaved, well-adjusted dog and ensuring that dogs don’t end up in shelters because of behavior problems."

At the end of your six-week class, I will administer the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy test. Upon passing, owners and their puppies will be enrolled in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program and will receive an AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy package which includes:

• A frameable certificate
• AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy medal
• AKC Puppy Handbook
• Discount enrollment in AKC Companion Animal Recovery
• Subscription to monthly e-mail newsletter that includes training tips

Download a brochure here.