Friday January 2, 2009

Dear Dog Owner,

Happy New Year from Dog Training In Your Home! As we begin 2009, many of us will make resolutions to upgrade our lives. This year, why not include your dog? This month we look at ways to upgrade your walk to efficiently expend both your dog's mental and physical energies, and we explore some locations to enjoy with Hadley. Do you have a favorite place to take Hadley? Let us know! We are always looking for new and exciting experiences to share with our community!

Best wishes for a fantastic 2009,
The Staff at Dog Training In Your Home

Walking Your Dog in 2009

If you are going to walk your dog, why not do it in a beautiful place? Why not change your routine and try different routes? Remember, it's not only you that will be bored if the walk is always the same! Check out the locations below to upgrade your walks in 2009!

Trail Walking: The Lowcountry has many walking trails available to you and your dog. Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission offers you several options where trails through the woods are well marked, and welcome to the canine members of our community. Many of these trails are even paved! Your dog will enjoy the experience of the new smells and sounds, the new animals, and new sites just as much as you! Would you like an added challenge? Stop every so often and have your dog do an autosit. See how long you can sit still and just enjoy your moment. When the trail is wide, let your dog have some extra leash and go with a control walk. Where they narrow, call them in for a heel! By the end, you'll both be more relaxed and ready to go home for a quiet evening.

Beach Walking: Many of our beaches allow dogs to be walked on leash. Some of them even have off leash hours! Why not take your dog to enjoy the coastline with you? Work on your control walk in the dunes to allow your dog to enjoy the feel of the loose sand between their toes. Work on heel in the packed sand. How close were you really keeping your dog? Turn around. Your footprints will tell you. Try to keep your dog within the width of a hand. Each time you try, remember to praise your dog when they do a good job!

City Walking: Why not take your dog on a walk in the city? Each of the local towns and cities offer their own charm. You can explore their downtown areas with Hadley. Try working on your autosit at street corners, and down stays while pausing on park benches. Downtown Charleston itself offers Battery Park with its views of both Rainbow Row and the harbor! Waterfront Park offers a seaside pier with swings to sit on to rest. Hampton Park has beautiful gazebos, shaded areas, and the paddock for the city police. Many local restaurants offer canine friendly eating, and many neighborhood parks offer proper canine clean up materials! If you would like to try something new, why not let your dog carry your water bottle, a ball, and other necessary goodies in a canine backpack? This adds to the physical and mental challenge to your dog while freeing your hands for easier leash work!

1. Walk Your Dog - Making a goal to walk your dog everyday will help you and your pet get into better shape. By using a control walk, you will be reinforcing your dog's place in the family.

2. Obedience Training - You know what to do, but are you being consistant? Resolve to spend 5-10 minutes every other day brushing up on your dog's obedience skills. While you are at it, come to a few tune-up classes and really flex your alpha muscles.

3. Annual Exam - Just like people, dogs need to have an annual check-up to make sure that everything is working properly and that there is nothing going on beneath the surface. Since symptoms can go unnoticed, a visit to your veterinarian's office might be the key to catching something early. If your pet has not seen a veterinarian in the last year consider making an appointment for its physical exam.

4. Socialization - If your dog isn't given the opportunity to be around other dogs, then problems can arise. You might notice barking when you are out for a walk when they see another dog. This can escalate into something more, so it's always a good idea to allow your dog to socialize with other pets as much as possible.

5. Helping a Rescue Organization- What a great New Years Resolution! Rescue organizations are always in need of volunteers, food and blankets, or monetary contributions. You can celebrate your dog by giving to an animal welfare organization.

Special Offers for Our Clients

With the new year comes many resolutions, we would like to help you out. During the month of January, we are offering 10% off any service we offer to any of our clients. You can use your 10% off on a one hour refresher session, or an updgrade to a bigger program.

For more details, email us at allison@betterdog.com or call us at 843.569.3022. We look forward to working with you in reaching your goals for your dog!

It's time for a New Year and a Healthier You! Charleston's premier healthcare providers and wellness based businesses have joined forces to create Total Health Fair, a health based initiative for the Charleston area. Total Health Fair will increase awareness of all forms of healthcare and healthy living opportunities that are available to all residents of the lowcountry.

Sixty healthy living businesses and several area non-profit organizations whose common goal is to make Charleston a healthier city will be represented at the event. Educational lectures, demonstrations, and activities for all ages will be ongoing throughout the weekend. This is a fabulous opportunity to learn about the wonderful and various ways you can maintain your health in and around Charleston.

Total Health Fair will take place at the Omar Shrine Convention Center in Mt. Pleasant from Friday, January 23, 2009 until Sunday, January 25, 2009. Tickets are $5 per person (children under 12 FREE) and can be purchased at the event. The first 250 attendees will receive free goodie bags at the door.

Please visit our website, www.CharlestonHealthFair.com for more information and to see the list of scheduled events for the weekend.