Posts by Wendy Welch

(Re) Housetraining your adult dog

(Re) Housetraining your adult dog

February 15, 2018 | Comments Off on (Re) Housetraining your adult dog

[print-me] Remember that you and your new dog need some time to learn each other’s signals and routines. Even if he was housetrained in his previous home, if you don’t recognize his “bathroom” signal you might miss his request to go out, causing him to eliminate indoors. Therefore, for the first few weeks after you bring your new dog home, you should assume your new dog isn’t housetrained and start from scratch. Establish a Routine Take your dog out at the same times every day. For example, first thing in the morning when he wakes up, when you arrive home
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Puppy Socialization

Puppy Socialization

February 15, 2018 | Comments Off on Puppy Socialization

[print-me] In bringing home a puppy, you are also opening up a new world to that puppy. Getting it socialized with a wide variety of people, places, sounds and things will be huge in their development. It will help the puppy to be confident and unafraid as it approaches new and strange things throughout their life. The most critical socialization window occurs before the age of 12 weeks, and that window is considered to be closing by 5 months. The puppy will gain confidence quicker and easier if it is socialized during this time frame. Keep in mind that socializing
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Housetraining Your Puppy

Housetraining Your Puppy

February 15, 2018 | Comments Off on Housetraining Your Puppy

[print-me] Housetraining a puppy requires time, vigilance, patience and commitment. Following the procedures outlined below, you can minimize house soiling incidents, but virtually every puppy will have an accident in the house (more likely several). Expect this—it’s part of raising a puppy. The more consistent you are in following the basic housetraining procedures, the faster your puppy will learn acceptable behavior. It may take several weeks to housetrain your puppy, and with some of the smaller breeds, it might take longer. Establish a Routine Like babies, puppies do best on a regular schedule. Take your puppy outside frequently, at least
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Cat to Dog & Dog to Cat Introductions

Cat to Dog & Dog to Cat Introductions

February 15, 2018 | Comments Off on Cat to Dog & Dog to Cat Introductions

Many dogs and cats get along very well, especially if they’ve grown up with each other or have prior experience living with the other species. When bringing a new dog home to meet your resident cat, or bringing a new cat into your home to meet your dog, there are a few steps you can follow to make those introductions as successful as possible. First impressions are important, so you’ll want to set up introductions carefully so that both animals feel safe and have a pleasant experience getting acquainted with one another. Good canine candidates for living with cats: Puppies
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Dog-to-Dog Introductions

Dog-to-Dog Introductions

February 15, 2018 | Comments Off on Dog-to-Dog Introductions

Adding another dog to your household can bring you and your current dog more fun and companionship. However, it is important to realize that your current dog will need time to adjust to a new sibling. In the long run, things will probably work out fabulously, but in the beginning, it is very important to take a few extra steps to make everyone is comfortable with the new arrangement. This article provides some guidelines for smooth and safe introductions to ensure that your dogs’ relationship gets off to a great start. Maximizing the potential for a great relationship between your
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Bringing your new dog home

Bringing your new dog home

February 15, 2018 | Comments Off on Bringing your new dog home

[print-me] Congratulations on your new dog! Below is some need to know information that will help you transition your new dog into your home and family. The Initial Adjustment Period The First Three Days During the first 72 hours of having your new dog home he or she will be in a heightened state of stress. This is similar to the stress a person might have from getting a new job. Though it’s good stress, it’s still very stressful and consistency, stability and predictability are key to helping your new dog feel comfortable in his new home. During this time,
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Addyson: Birthday donation

Addyson: Birthday donation

February 11, 2018 | Comments Off on Addyson: Birthday donation

Addyson donated cat food, dog bones, and dog toys for her birthday. She was inspired to donate to HSHV because her family adopted their first dog, Yukon, from HSHV. Thank you so much Addyson for your donation and for providing Yukon with such a great home!
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Agility

Agility

February 11, 2018 | Comments Off on Agility

Agility is a fun, interactive sport for dogs of all breeds/types, sizes and ages. It builds and enhances your relationship with your dog, helps both of you communicate more effectively, increases attention span, focus, confidence and attentiveness; expends mental and physical energy for your dog; and so much more– all while both you and your dog have fun learning the agility apparatus. This class is for all levels where dogs learn to gain confidence on and master the obstacles in agility such as jumps, tunnels, chutes, tippy board, tire, weave poles, etc. The equipment is adjustable to meet the needs of
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Reactive Rover

Reactive Rover

February 11, 2018 | Comments Off on Reactive Rover

Do you have a dog that is PEOPLE-FRIENDLY, but exhibits on-leash reactivity, such as barking and lunging, when he or she sees other dogs?  Does your dog become stressed, uncomfortable, or over-aroused in the presence of other dogs, and do you have a hard time keeping your dog calm and focused when other dogs are around?  This may be the class for you! Reactive Rover classes will help you understand your dog’s reactivity, and will give you methods for managing and modifying it.  We solely use positive methods and work at each dog’s individual level, so that over time we
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Basic Manners

Basic Manners

February 11, 2018 | Comments Off on Basic Manners

Basic Manners teaches people how to maintain control of their dog through safe, positive, on and off leash handling.  Everyone has seen the dog who behaves in their home but struggles out in the real world when they see another person, dog or squirrel.  Basic class teaches handlers how to keep their dog focused and in control even the most highly distracting environments.  Basic class teaches people how to motivate their dogs to be excited to work for and with them in all situations. It’s the difference between having a dog who only listens when you have a treat or force them and
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