APRIL Newsletter 2009
As a behavoural trainer of many years I am often asked a lot of questions. In this newsletter, I will endevour to answer some of the most asked about questions.
 I have a new puppy, When can I take it to puppy school?
Puppies should be in a good puppy school from 8 weeks of age. A good puppy school is a school run by trainers who only use reward based (operant conditioning) training. YOu must look for qualifications such as Delta Accredited Trainers. A vet nurse unless they have undergone further training such as the Delta Society Australia course are NOT trainers, they are vet nurses. A poorly run puppy school (unfortunately there are a lot of vet centres who don't work with trainers) will only set your puppy up to fail. You only pay for what you get, cheap is not always best.
Many vets now understand the importance of puppy classes from an early age. Socialisation (not just other puppies) is critical for your puppy but SO is educating you the owner.
We work with the latest scientific data available throughout the world and consult with behaviouralists and other specialists. We minimise the risk of infectious disease and coach you, the general public on understanding disease vs. socialisation. Both are important and what people don't realise is that Parvo influenza (the virus that concerns us the most) can be carried in off the street on your shoes and can live up to 36 hours. So wrapping your puppy up in cotton wool and not getting it out before it's fully vaccinated only leads to social misfits and heartache for the family attempting to cope with an out of control under socialised juvenile. We recommend your puppy should be mixing with well socialised vaccinated older dogs, visit friends for barbeques, visit places like the Pet Café’s, have car rides but do NOT go near dog parks or high dog traffic areas. These areas are out of your control in minimising risk as unvaccinated dogs may frequent both these areas.
I have an adult dog, it is too late to train. My dog is 3 yrears, 5 years, 10 years old?
It is never too late to train your dog. Better later than never. We often put up with incompatable behaviour because we just dont know how to fix it, or we cope with it for a while until we suddenly have just had enough.
Older dogs behaviour is just as changeable as is conditioning a puppy to work for you. With any modification program, the important thing to remember is the AMOUNT of work YOU do with your dog determins your success. This goes for all dogs.
Older dogs often have just been left to their own devises or have gotten away with lots before such as constant jumping, barking, dragging their owners around on a lead when out for a walk. Is this you? Are you shaking your head and laughing? Or are you groaning and going thats me. It does not matter. The important step you are making is not how old your dog is but how you can learn to change your dogs behaviour so that you have a more mutual relationship with your pet.
How long will it take to train my dog?
People how long is a piece of string? It is critical to note that one four week course is not enough to complete training. Training classes are a committment but so is training on a daily basis. Follow your instructors program, work diligantly and your dog will improve. Ensure you do follow up classes and courses and train train train.
In order to have a fully trained dog, on a general note you are looking at 12 months of solid work. Once your dog has learnt all the commands and works to the level you require, you must keep training for life!. That may not be every day as in formal training, but remember training is ongoing for life. If you dont allow your dog up on your bed, then you do, YOU are setting your dog up to fail. If you train then stop, just like any good course, if you dont keep implementing the structure you originally put in place, your dog and you will regress.
Stop looking at training as a chore, get out there and have fun with your dog everyday as you take it through its paces. After all, it needs to work too and the mental challenge helps keep your pets mind sharp and stops bordeom.
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SPECIAL APRIL OFFER
BOOK in for any class this month and recieve a $10 discount off your prepaid price.
Thats a saving of $20 when you prebook! click here for booking classes
Conditions
You must note on your application form in the comments section
"APRIL OFFER". Any class booked must be paid for 2 working days prior to class
commencing to recieve this offer payment must be in full. This offer expires the 30th April.
Classes booked in April for May and fully paid are subject to tis offer
STANDARD HYDRO BATH AVAILABLE TO POSITIVE RESPONSE VALUED CUSTOMERS!
1 Voucher – Single Use only
For use on any Sunday, valid until June 30th 2009
Every $50 spent in store at Cleveland Pet Café receives 1 Voucher.
Available to Positive Response Customers at Cleveland Pet Café Only!
Standard Hydrobath Conditions and Services Apply!
To redeem this offer please print off and take this voucher in to the pet
cafe. Click here for voucher
We have a lot of fun in our new agility classes. These classes are suitable
from puppies up to adult dogs. It caters for all levels of skills,
encourages learning in a safe enclosed environment with qualified trainers.
Teach your dog to weave through poles. Jump through tires and navigate our
tunnels. Fun for the whole family
These classes fill fast, to enroll in these courses click here for more
information Invisible Leash Course
Completed Advanced Puppy? Canine College 1 and or 2?
So your dog has done most of the training, works reasonably well on lead for
you . Our new course is designed to help teach you to remove training
equipment, work off lead and focus around heavier distractions.For more
information click here
Private Training
Not all issues can be resolved within a class situation. Positive Response
offers you the client, in-home customised training for you and your dog
where it matters the most. Home training is any issue you might have,
ranging from toilet training, home manners, modification programs and much
more.. For more information click here
Canine College 2
Click your way into training with our Canine College 2 course learning how
tricks can train your pet. Your dog will happily perform no matter what you
teach with this fun course. You do not have to have done another course to
join us in this class. For more information click here
BUY OR SELL
If you have second hand goods in good order you are looking to sell or give
away, such as crates, dog beds, play pens, then please send an email to us.
Your email must say Buy or Sell in the subject line and must include:
* What the goods are
* How much you want for them
* Your name and contact numbers (we are not selling these goods, you are)
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