If you want to receive a special race kit, you have only two more days to register for the Furry Friends 5K.
Early pickup
of the kits will be available on Friday, May 31 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
and Saturday, June 1 from noon to 5 p.m. at Running Free, 26 Church St.
S. Ajax (near corner of Hwy. 2 and Church). Please note that you will
still need to pick up your timing chip at the event.
If you want to wait to register at the event, you can, but an additional $5 will be charged.
Learn to Run With Your Dog
Now you can participate in "Learn to run with
your dog" sessions, in case you are running with your furry buddy.
Please contact Running Free in Ajax. We need at least 5 individuals!
Molly, a dog rescued by TAGS shares why she wants to participate:
Are you sometimes forgetful? You don't remember where you left your keys or wallet? We have an excellent candidate for keeping things in order for you: Boomer! Boomer believes that once you've touched something and left it in a different spot than usual, he has to make it his personal assignment to bring it back to you a.s.a.p. Just remember to close the lid on the laundry bin because with Boomer around, your clothes may never get to the washing machine!
Boomer came into TAGS care a year and a half ago from a Kentucky pound (just like Dixie, our January dog). We think that this handsome fellow had to spend his days as a guard dog before he was found him and put in the pound. Miraculously, he didn't end up having food- or toy-guarding issues; all he has is a little suspicion when meeting strangers. He will quickly overcome this feeling, though, once he realizes that you're one of the "good guys." In fact, if you know that you'll be meeting Boomer, don't even bother washing your face that morning. He will do it for you. He won't even be ashamed of cleaning your ears, nose or mouth. What can I say? He's a perfectionist!
In view of these qualities, he considers himself somewhat of a polymath who has already mastered "the boomerang skill" and cleaning skills and also has significant experience in interior design. He might change the order of the pillows on your couch so that it's more comfortable (for him to sit on, that is).
C'mon, throw it already!
Boomer's Hobbies
Boomer's energy level is medium to high, so he'll definitely appreciate a nice, tiring afternoon at the dog park, chasing the ball (remember, he's a retrieving champion). He won't put up a fight if another dog gets to the ball first but will stay alert and grab the ball the minute the other dog drops it.
Tricks
Boomer knows the basics like "sit" or "paw." He won't mind a treat here and there, either. If you adopt him, the adoption fee will include an eight-week follow-up workshop, in which you can both learn more. Once you have gained Boomer's trust, he is all about you and really just appreciates any attention you give him.
Walks
Yes, that's the spot!
He walks nicely even without the Gentle Leader. At the beginning of a walk, he might pull a little bit out of excitement, but he will quickly adapt to your pace after that.
Friends
Boomer is quite the ladies' man! He prefers the company of female dogs but doesn't mind males, either. He used to have some issues with fellow alpha males, but ever since one of our volunteers, Nick Iordanis, started training and socializing him, his dominance issues have been quickly fading away. It all comes down to his suspicion of anyone he doesn't know. He was probably an abandoned guard dog who is, in fact, now eager to learn proper social skills to fit in.
We recommend that Boomer go into a cat- and child-free environment so that he'll be able to get your full attention—although he views older children as people who could possibly throw his ball, and anyone who can do that for him he will love forever.
Boomer is all played out!
If you think Boomer may be the dog for you, don't hesitate to fill out an adoption application form so that you can meet him at our dog park!
Click on the icon below to like Boomer on Facebook:
I have had a few people recommend a certain
way of putting on our dog’s leash to reduce his pulling. Basically it's as
follows: run the leash along the dog’s back to its hips; wrap the leash around
the dog’s waist under its belly and loop the leash through itself to make a
slip tie (it has a special name but I can't remember what!). This technique has
worked wonders for us and results in much less pulling; however, my husband is
concerned about the pressure of the leash on our dog’s waist/hips. What is your
take on this technique? Do you recommend it?
Our certified trainer answered: To find out if that method of using a leash could harm
your dog, you should consult your veterinarian. However, there are many other
options available that will most certainly help you keep your dog from pulling.
One of the primary reasons people attend our classes is
to address a dog that pulls them off their feet or acts “aggressive” on leash.
If you haven’t yet taken an obedience class, you could start with that.
But there
are also great tools on the market to help you teach your dog how not to pull. Which
one is right for you is a personal decision.
I
have always used the veterinarian-developed Gentle Leader head halter.When the Gentle Leader first hit the market, it
was sold only through veterinarians and trainers, who would ensure a proper fit
for the dog. Now pet stores are selling them, and I have a concern that they
are not fit and used properly. The principle behind the Gentle Leader is simple:
control the head, control the dog.
Several
years ago, anti-pull harnesses hit the market. They offered a different
approach. Rather than using a halter-style, the harness was designed to cover
the dog’s body to reduce the dog from pulling. They work well, and I have never
heard of any issues with them. Again, remember these are special harnesses for
teaching dogs not to pull; they are not a regular-style harness, which will
make some dogs pull more.
Dusty pulls a lot less with this special type of harness
In the
old days, choke collars were used, and we were taught to “correct” the dog by
snapping the chain until the dog responded to our command. I would never use a
choke collar or a pinch collar! Why would we use tools that can harm our dogs
and that most pet owners do not use correctly?
So, ultimately, what is the goal? Most owners are happy to use the tool that eliminates the pulling—end of story. As a trainer, though, I ask, Is your dog
learning? Tools should be used to teach
your dog. And they must be used correctly. Walks are
opportunities for training, challenging and rewarding your pet. Make the most
of them!
If you have any questions concerning your pet, send us an email or ask it on Facebook or Twitter or in the comment section below.
Despite the weather getting colder and colder, make some time to exercise with your dog. When it's mild and calm outside (usually right after it snows), grab your jacket and your dog and get out of the house for some playtime!
Aside from the usual snowball throwing, there are other creative ways to tire the dog (and yourself) out.
1. Hide-'n'-seek. Dogs are just like kids: they love to play hide-'n'-seek. Hide somewhere and call your dog's name until he finds you. It's a good practice for his obedience training, too.
2. Play in the snow. Your dog will find it hilarious to see you lie down and make a snow angel next to him. He will probably want to help you, so watch out for his wet kisses and cold nose!
3. Run. Race to the park with your dog. Dogs love a challenge! They love to get their muscles moving, and they are surely in need of some exercise after being in the house all day.
4. Under the snow. If you have durable, water-repellent gloves, then grab a stick and shove it under the snow. Start moving the stick right under the surface of the snow level so that your dog can see the movement. He'll have great fun trying to catch the mysterious, hidden object!
5. Socialize. Arrange a play date with a friend who also has a dog. Dogs are social beings who like to spend time with fellow furry friends. Let them chase each other and play games while you catch up with your friend!
These simple games do not require any tools that you have to purchase. However, you should always make sure that your dog is warm enough during your playtime, especially if he has short hair. Also, check the roads beforehand to determine whether walking on them is safe for your dog (salt or ice can be dangerous). Have fun!
TAGS feels that it's important to always educate people about pets. It seems easy to own a dog or a cat, but there is much more to it. We can always improve ourselves to better understand our furry companions.
Chappie and Blossum (recently adopted) just graduated! Good job!
Hence, TAGS introduced a Dear TAGS section in the blog where you can send your questions about your dog's or cat's behaviour or any other topic that you might be interested in. Our certified trainers are ready to answer you! Submit your questions here.
TAGS is now officially back from the holiday vacation, which means that we are ready to launch our winter classes! Our first session starts on the 19th of January and is held in our dog park. Don't miss out—you can still apply by emailing us here or calling us at 905-263-TAGS (8247).
You'll learn how to read your dog's reactions and how to communicate with him more effectively. If you want to read TAGS-approved training tips, please click here.
TAGS will always make sure that your dog feels comfortable and never threatened while being trained. To find out why TAGS disassociates itself from punitive techniques, read this informative blog post.
We'll also have puppy classes at Pet Valu starting on March 7. These classes will be most suitable for puppies of 8-12 weeks, so if you own a newborn dog, you can already mark your calendar for this date! More info will be posted as the date approaches.
