Drop In Conformation

The drop in conformation classes on Tuesday evenings at 7:00pm for all dogs and at 7:30pm for small dogs is scheduled to resume tomorrow night. The plan is that they will be held on December 1, 8 and 15, and then no class on December 22 or 29. However, attendance has been very low and if there are few people or no people this week, drop in conformation classes will be cancelled for December.

Please don't worry if this happens. Drop in classes, especially conformation slow way down around the holidays, so if this happens, it is ok, we will just pick up in January.

Drop In Conformation Classes

Because in the recent drop in attendance, there will be no drop in conformation classes for the next two weeks (November 17 or 24). We will resume classes on Tuesday, December 1.

There will also be no drop in conformation classes on December 22 or 29.

Have a great Thanksgiving everyone!

Massage Class

I still have a couple of openings for the Canine Massage class this Sunday at 11am. Please contact me if you are interested!

November 2009 Brave Heart to Heart Newsletter

I hope that everyone is enjoying the cooler, fall weather. Isn't it wonderful? Me and my dogs are loving it.

Some of our classes will be wrapping up for the end of the year, but I want to remind everyone that our drop in Monday classes are still in full swing. The drop in class is on Mondays at 6:30pm and is taught by Dawn Bushong. Dawn switches between rally and obedience each week, it's a great class to keep your dog working through the down times.

I am trying to get put together a one session Winter Games class too, so please let me know if you are interested and I will put you on the contact list. Winter Games will be a class to help people find things to do with their dogs during the rainy months. AND, it will, hopefully, be taught by a guest trainer and good friend of mine...... more to come.....

Have a great Thanksgiving everyone. Remember to keep your garbage put up to protect your dogs from getting into garbage that may have turkey bones or a lot of fatty food that could cause stomach upsets, obstructions or pancreatitis.

Dog of the Month

Tank Holthaus

Tank is a French Bulldog owned by Laura and Tim. Tank competes in conformation and comes to Braveheart's show dog classes and has also done our CGC class and our Real World class. Tank is a real sweetheart!

Howl-O-Ween

I hope everyone had a great Halloween. Check out the pictures from our annual Howl-O-Ween Party at http://www.braveheartdogtraining.net/halloween2009.html It was SO great to see everyone there!

Holiday Travel with Your Dog

I had a special request to write an article about holiday travel with your dogs which I think is a great idea. Here are some tips about travelling with your dogs, during the holidays or any time.

~If you are going to drive, consider travelling with your dog inside a crate in your car. It is much safer for dogs to be in crates in the car for a few different reasons. First, if you get into an accident, a crated animal is not going to be thrown like a loose animal would. If you do get into an accident and you are hurt, it is very likely that a loose dog will get out of the car and get lost or hit because ambulance drivers are going to have to tend to you and are not going to be able to deal with a loose dog. The other plus side is that you will have your crate with you for wherever you are visiting so you will have your dogs bedroom there for him or her to rest and relax in when you are out shopping or visiting with friends and relatives.

~If you are going to fly with your dog you have other things to think about. Those of you with small dogs (under 22 pounds) can fly with your dog with you, under the seat on many airlines. If you are going to fly with your dog under your seat, you will need to get them used to being inside a Sherpa bag. The Sherpa bag is, in my opinion, the best in cabin airline bag. It is roomy and has mesh on all sides. It is made for comfort for the animal. I have found that many of my dogs will just curl up and go to sleep in their Sherpas because they are right there, tucked in between your feet. If your dog rights in the Sherpa you can pack all their "stuff" like dog food, bedding, toys, treats, in their regular hard crate and check that as extra baggage so you will have all their stuff including crate with you for your trip. Larger dogs cannot fly under the seat and will have to be shipped with the cargo. You will have to decide if this is something you are comfortable with. My dogs travel with me in the cabin, but I have flown with client dogs in cargo (because this was what the dog's owner preferred and the owner was there too) and they did fine.

When you fly with your dog dont' feed them breakfast and don't give them a lot of water before you travel. Make sure they go potty before you get on the plane. Please do not drug your dogs with something like Acepromazine. This will not help them mentally if they are afraid, it will just make them unable to do anything. It's a better idea to try and desensitize them to the Sherpa bag and to riding around in it or in the crate in the car.

I know that Continental and American and Delta all allow dogs under the seat and in cargo. I have flown or had dogs shipped to me (when they came from out of state or out of the country) on these airlines and they did well. Southwest doesn't fly dogs at all.

~Bring plenty of your dogs food with you when you travel. You may not be able to find their brand in stores out of hte area and you don't want them to have to eat something that may upset their bodies.

~If your dog is ultra sensitive, you may have to bring your own water for him or her as well.

~I always carry Benebac which is an over the counter remedy for mild tummy upsets. I also have Benadryl on hand for any allergic reactions.

~Bring poop bags!! And, if you have a dog that is going to the snow or someplace really chilly bring them a coat to where so that they'll be comfortable. Desensitize to that too!

Have a great trip and good for you for bringing your dogs with you!

Play Groups

Effective this week we will be offering Puppy Play Groups in addition to our regular play groups. The puppy play groups will be for puppies that are 8 to 20 weeks and under 40 pounds. The Puppy Play Groups will be held on Wednesdays at 6:30pm and on Saturdays at 11am. Puppies will be permitted to say in the group until they outgrow it in size or play style.

BRAGS

Allison Ching's Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Remy was Best in Sweepstakes at the Swissie specialty in October. Way to go Remy!!

Marge McNabb's Ruby Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Rosie (handled by Vicki) was Reserve Winner's Bitch to a 5 point major at the Del Valle show in October. Yay Rose!!

Vicki's miniature Dachshund Carrot was Best of Variety out of the classes both days at Del Valle. She needs only 3 single points to finish her championship.

Dawn Bushong's German Shepherd Mix Penny was Best Mixed Breed in Show at the Mixed Breed Fun Match in October. Hooray for Penny!