puppy mills Archives

Are You Enrolled in a Canine Life and Social Skills Program?

Tuesday, February 7th, 2012 at 12:35 am  
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It looks like my pet parent is checking out the Canine Life and Social Skills Program to promote training using positive reinforcement. It has been been developed by the Association of Pet Dog Trainers to strengthen relationships between us dogs and our pet parents. I am all for that. Strong relationships are what keep us in our homes in spite of what we do…

Puppy with Pillow Stuffing

I Didn't Do It!

how we look (dirty & scraggly), or how much maintenance we require (annual vet visits).

This program is similar to the American Kennel Club’s S.T.A.R. Puppy Program

American Kennel Club Socialization Training Activity and Responsibility

Socialization-Training-Activity-Responsibility

and Canine Good Citizen Program in that life skills are taught and then tested by certified evaluators.

Recognition for a Canine Good Citizen

Are You Ready to Become a Canine Good Citizen?

 

 

 

 

 

 

The APDT C.L.A.S.S. program is based on input from both dog owners and non-dog owners, shelter workers and professional dog trainers. It is a 3-level evaluation for our pet parents to demonstrate our real-life skills and their basic knowledge of how to handle and care for us. The positive, reward-based training minimizes the chance that we will be punished and increases the chances of having fun with our pet parents.

We can earn a B.A., M.A., or Ph.D. certificate as we progress with our skills. An entire curriculum is available for use by shelters to either enhance their present programs or to create a new one. The dogs waiting for homes can be evaluated for no cost and then listed in the C.L.A.S.S. web site ins the “dogs for adoption” section…train ‘em up and match ‘em up! Fees for other dogs are only $5.00

The APDT designed C.L.A.S.S. with the needs of shelter dogs in mind. This makes the shelter dogs more adoptable.Knowing basic skills will increase the shelter pet’s chances of staying in their new home.  The marketing behind the C.L.A.S.S. program will attract people to these precious pets.

So ask yourself these questions:

  • Can you wait at the door?
  • Come when you are called?
  • Allow your leash to be attached?
  • Walk loosely on a leash and stare adoringly at  your pet parent?
  • Meet people nicely when you are out and about?
  • Leave the “untouchable” items untouched?
  • Wait for your food bowl to be placed in front of you?
  • Stay in one spot?
  • Settle down your wiggle butt?

If you can do these things, then you are ready to become a B.A. with C.L.A.S.S.

Have your pet parent study the rules and requirements in the Student Handbook. The components of Canine Life and Social Skills includes educating your pet parent in responsible dog ownership and positive reinforcement, assessing real-life skills, encouraging ongoing training, expanding the opportunities for those of us that are well-behaved and supporting shelters and rescues.

Scientific research has shown that we dogs do not behave “badly”; we just exhibit normal dog behaviors to get our needs met or to resolve conflict. We don’t feel guilty at all because we don’t know right from wrong. We just know what works and we figure out a way to get what we feel that we need.

Your pet parent will have to pass a multiple-choice test on dog information and ownership. They will learn how to relate to you by setting clear boundaries for you rather than confronting you with drama.

Positive, reward-based training works! How have your pet parents “trained” you?

Living in the moment,

Schatzi

Pet Companion to animal lover Amelia

The Allegany County Animal Shelter *Save A Pet* Vision for the Future

Wednesday, January 26th, 2011 at 2:52 pm  
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Thirty-eight years ago, an estimated 90,000 homeless pets were euthanized across the country every month. Gertrude Maxwell, through her Save-A-Pet website, has been credited with saving more than 70,000 dogs and cats since then. Her campaign included spaying, neutering and saving as many pets as possible.

Gertrude Maxwell died recently but her vision has ignited a firestorm in a small town in Western Maryland. Animal lovers were unhappy with the response from the Allegany County Animal Shelter staff, forcing change to happen. Volunteers were hoping that the shelter could become a no-kill shelter.  They have stepped forward to assist in pet care until new staff can be hired. Change is constant.  Some pets have been fostered and others have been adopted. Some volunteers have already burned out and others are frustrated…yet remain for the sake of the homeless pets.

Watch this pet video that was taken shortly after the upset to hear about the duties of animal-shelter  volunteers:

Living in the moment,

Schatzi

Pet Companion to animal lover Amelia

It’s About Time That Puppy Mills Reform

Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010 at 3:54 pm  
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Squeezed to the Limit

It’s about time that puppy mills reform their method of raising puppies and treating dogs. Missouri, with an estimated 3000 puppy mills, has long been known as the source of pet store puppies. My pet parent discovered Missouri, Oklahoma and Iowa as the source of puppies in a pet store back in the early 70′s.

The Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act was passed in Missouri but it will not take effect until November 2011. A whole year will go by with puppies living in nearly the same conditions as the large commercial dog breeders are given time to raise their standards.

Pet stores that claim to buy puppies from local breeders may do a better job of socializing the puppies once they are in the store. However, too often these puppies are placed in the store at too young an age to have learned important social skills from their mother and siblings. Rarely do pet store owners take these puppies home every night to socialize them with people and other environments. My pet parent has found that it is common for these puppies to suffer from separation anxiety and inappropriate bathroom habits.

Even on a smaller scale, any breeder who keeps pups in a garage or a barn with little food, water, space, exercise or the human touch needs to reform his ways. Puppies that are not raised properly, even minimally, tend to be turned into shelters and euthanized for poor health and lack of trainability.

Pet parents are the voice for puppies everywhere. Pups, empower your pet parents to keep on howling for better care and treatment of puppies everywhere.

Living in the moment,
Schatzi
Pet Companion to animal lover Amelia Johnson