May/June 2022
Responsibilities
Its spring time and it feels like we are finally coming out of our winter hibernation. The weather is warming up, we are getting our lives (somewhat) back to normal and this is the time many of us get a new puppy. Puppies just make you feel alive; they are so cute, and so much fun to have. But with a puppy (or a more mature dog) comes a huge responsibility. You now have a new addition to your family and this is a full time commitment. It’s like having a baby in the house again, you have to keep your eyes open and ears tuned to everything they are doing and getting into. Yes, it’s a full time job, but it’s a job you can have a wonderful time doing if you put your heart, soul and mind into it. You just have to remember, it’s going to take a lot of time and patience, but I can guarantee you it will all be worth it.
Food, water, vet visits, shelter, and love are just part of being a pet owner, but what about training? You can’t expect your puppy or dog to join your family without some type of guidance, or assume your puppy or dog knows how to behave and what the rules of the house are. They have to be taught and that is where Bella’s K9 Academy comes into play. Once your puppy or dog has had all of the required shots you can sign up for classes and the two of you will learn together. So many owners have said they needed the training on “how to train their puppy or dog” almost as much as the dog did. It’s learning together, and having fun while you are doing it. How many times have you walked past someone with a well behaved dog and thought to yourself “I sure would love to have my dog behave like that”? And you can have that, but again, it takes time and patience and oh, let’s not forget, practice. Once you begin the classes you will have to continue with the work. As much as we would all love to wave a magic wand over our canines head and-Bam, you have a totally trained dog, that’s not going to happen. You have to put in the time and effort, but as you advance each week you will be amazed at the progress you are both making. And at the end of the 8 week class you will be amazed at how far you and your pet have come!
The Beginner Obedience classes are 8 weeks long, 1-1.5 hours long each week and you will get lesson sheets to take home each week to continue to practice what you have learned while in class. You will be work on the basics to start a good foundation-sit, stay, down, stand, come, heel, as well as your puppy/dog sitting still while a stranger approaches your dog to say hello. Once you have the basics down you can move on to Obedience Level 2 or Rally. There you will continue to work on the lessons you learned in Level 1 Obedience, polishing them off, but will also have other commands added into the bit more advanced class.
At the beginning of each class Bella will ask if anyone has questions or wants to discuss any issues they may be having. You’ll also get to meet new people, people who may be having some of the same problems with their puppy or dog that you are having with yours. Many new friendships have come from these classes, so you’re getting out of the house, meeting new friends and working with your canine companion. It’s a win-win situation all the way around!
If this sounds like something you think you and your pet would like to do, be sure to keep checking the schedule, it’s updated as soon as new classes are available. We look forward to seeing you and your pet in our upcoming classes, and if you are just starting on this journey, check back frequently, as the Level 1 Beginner classes fill up very fast.
Submitted by: Debbie Smith
August/September 2023 LOOK, LISTEN & LEARN You’ve been living with your new puppy or more mature dog since spring and summer is now here. Your new addition is getting bolder, into more things and your not sure where to turn. You’d love to be…