NOVADog Blog

January is National Train Your Dog Month, and NOVADog Magazine is here to help.

The Association of Pet Dog Trainers has designated the month of January as National Train Your Dog Month to bring awareness to the importance of socialization and training for all pets. January was selected as the perfect month because so many animals are adopted and brought home during the winter holidays.

NOVADog Magazine hopes to help families and their pets start the New Year off right with information on the behavior needs and training of their pets. Our local partners and dog training experts will share tips in a series of NOVADog Blog postings during the month of January.

HERE IS BLOG POST #5:

Bringing Home Your New Dog

by Brian Kerchner, Good Dog Workshop, LLC

No matter how excited you and your family are to greet your newest pack member, your goal is a calm, balanced pup. Here are the steps to head you in the right direction.

First, you need to establish yourself as Leader with your new dog using calm and confident energy. When you show your dog that kind of Leadership, he’ll respond with respect and trust—and that’s the first step to achieving a happy, healthy and balanced relationship with a dog.

Next is the most important part: the initial walk. Make it a long walk—the longer the better. The walk offers so many benefits to a dog: it releases energy which ultimately relaxes the mind and makes him more receptive to training; it strengthens the bond between you and your dog; and, it reminds him which end of the leash is the Leader and which end is the Follower.

Next, lead him around your yard. The size of the yard doesn’t matter. What’s important is that YOU, the pack Leader, are introducing him to his new surroundings, and make sure you explore his new environment with him. Letting him race around or sniff on his own at this point is allowing too much freedom too soon and will not reinforce his status as a Follower.

Lastly, when you enter your home with him, remind him he can only enter calmly. This is your “den” and he must be respectful of it.

Do all these steps with calm, confident energy and you’ll be off to a great start with your new dog.

About Good Dog Workshop: Brian Kerchner (pictured above with Morgan, Rose and Aston) founded Good Dog Workshop with one aim in mind: helping dogs. After years of seeing so many people struggle with their dogs’ behavioral issues, he recognized the need to help people understand and communicate with their dogs. In essense, to teach them to “Speak Dog”. Brian has been a student of dogs for many years. His interest in dog behavior combined with his passion to help dogs led him to volunteer with dog rescue groups where he has fostered and found homes for dozens of dogs and continues to evaluate dogs and provide in-home assistance to people who might otherwise have surrendered their dogs.

10% OFF your next Evaluation or Training Session. Need a review of some techniques you learned from us? Want to learn some advanced skills? Or maybe you have a new canine addition to your family. Whatever your behavior training need is, now is a great time to call Good Dog Workshop! Start off the New Year by making your relationship with your dog even better! To receive the discount, just mention NOVADog Magazine when you call to schedule your appointment. Contact Brian at 703.489.1319  or visit www.GoodDogWorkshop.com.

January is National Train Your Dog Month, and NOVADog Magazine is here to help.

The Association of Pet Dog Trainers has designated the month of January as National Train Your Dog Month to bring awareness to the importance of socialization and training for all pets. January was selected as the perfect month because so many animals are adopted and brought home during the winter holidays.

NOVADog Magazine hopes to help families and their pets start the New Year off right with information on the behavior needs and training of their pets. Our local partners and dog training experts will share tips in a series of NOVADog Blog postings during the month of January.

HERE IS BLOG POST #4:

Training for the Real World: Make Training a Way of Life

By Jenn Garan Guerriero of Big City Dogs (www.bigcitydogs.net)

So many people who make the effort to train their dogs think they need to spend an hour a day or more focusing on exercises. The truth is, every interaction you have with your dog you are in fact training—So make everything count.

Make your dog sit before feeding him/her, sit at doorways even when you are entering a dog park, sit at curbs before crossing the street, wait or stay on a stairwell until you pass by, down or place while you are preparing and/or eating your meals.

Anytime you pick up the leash, practice loose leash walking even if you are in a hurry. If you only require obedience during structured time slots, then your dog will master those skills only in those time lots and when you really need it he/she will fall short.

One of the biggest distractions for a dog on leash out for a walk is another dog. Many dog owners allow their dog to pull when they see another dog because of the over the top excitement the dog has. This may seem innocent in and of itself but can be dangerous for both you and your dog at any given time. Not all dogs are friendly nor want to be approached, and not all people are prepared for the sudden jolt.

In addition, dogs who struggle to get to another dog while the owner pulls back on the leash to try to control the dog can build so much frustration in a dog that eventually turns in to leash aggression. As a trainer, I like to teach impulse control and allow dogs to approach another dog only if given permission. I don’t want a dog to think any and every dog is a cue for them to engage.

I prefer them to take their cues from the handler. Once you know the other dog is friendly and you want to interact make sure your dog is under control before approaching. If they can show signs of control around another dog, the ultimate reward is to approach and engage. Control doesn’t happen on it’s own, you have to work at it.

Jenn Garan Guerriero of Big City Dogs brings City Wise common sense training to both owners and dogs. Her training is based on the specific needs of each family and their dog. With extensive experience of the city and life in urban environments, Jenn brings a strong foundation of comprehensive approaches matched with experience and learning from the University of City Life to help owners and their dogs to enjoy the very best of living together. Contact Jenn at www.bigcitydogs.net or 917.628.8015.

Receive a 10% discount on private training when you mention you saw this on the NOVADog Blog!

January is National Train Your Dog Month, and NOVADog Magazine is here to help.

The Association of Pet Dog Trainers has designated the month of January as National Train Your Dog Month to bring awareness to the importance of socialization and training for all pets. January was selected as the perfect month because so many animals are adopted and brought home during the winter holidays.

NOVADog Magazine hopes to help families and their pets start the New Year off right with information on the behavior needs and training of their pets. Our local partners and dog training experts will share tips in a series of NOVADog Blog postings during the month of January.

HERE IS BLOG POST #3:

Reward Appropriate Behavior

By Anne Davis, Rudy’s Friends Dog Training

Dogs have difficulty doing two things at the same time. If your dog is doing something you don’t like give him a more appropriate behavior. Find something that your dog does well and build on it. A great example of this is our reactive 11-year-old Lab, Rudy. We have glass in our front door and he lets us know if anything moves outside. I let him bark once or twice since that’s his job,  and then I ask him to sit. My voice is calm but the tone is urgent. Rudy usually sits quickly and then just quietly watches the distraction outside.

Does your dog jump on you when you come home? There’s an easy solution: Have several wonderful treats in your hand as you come through the door—which means you may need to keep a stash in your car or garage.

Calmly but quickly extend your hand with a treat out to the dog’s nose. This helps to keep him away from your body.

Try to have him sit and quickly reward. Repeat, repeat, repeat!

Make it happy and fun so now it’s a game. Your dog sees you and he sits.
The same technique can be used as you open the crate door. Quickly allow the dog to smell the treat and ask for a sit. Reward well and use lots of praise which reinforces the idea that good things happen when your dog responds to you.

Winter is a great time of year to concentrate on dog training. The holidays are over, many outdoor sports are on hold until spring and family routines are back on schedule. Rudy’s Friends is adding more Basic Manners classes to our calendar at Pro Feed in Vienna with sessions during the morning, evening and on week-ends. The groups are small, 4 dogs, so everyone gets lots of attention! Find out more at www.RudysFriendsDogTraining.com.

Anne Davis (pictured above with Rudy, Missie and Cooper) is a Certified Dog Trainer and owner of Rudy’s Friends Dog Training, which is rated “A” by the Better Business Bureau. She is also affiliated with the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, and the International Association of Canine Professionals. Contact her at www.RudysFriendsDogTraining.com or 703.395.9450.

January is National Train Your Dog Month, and NOVADog Magazine is here to help.

The Association of Pet Dog Trainers has designated the month of January as National Train Your Dog Month to bring awareness to the importance of socialization and training for all pets. January was selected as the perfect month because so many animals are adopted and brought home during the winter holidays.

NOVADog Magazine hopes to help families and their pets start the New Year off right with information on the behavior needs and training of their pets. Our local partners and dog training experts will share tips in a series of NOVADog Blog postings during the month of January.

HERE IS BLOG POST #2:

Slow Down and Be Quiet: A Strategy for Reactive Dogs

By Keri Putonen, Unleashed abilities

When a dog is in a heightened state of excitement or anxiety it is important for the handler to remain as calm and quiet as possible. This can be difficult. Our first reaction to an excited or reactive dog is to get excited ourselves. There are many dogs who are reactive to various things…other dogs, squirrels, the mailman, etc…

When I’m out walking my own dogs  I see people with reactive dogs who are jerking the leash and shouting at their dogs to “Sit!” or “Be Quiet” or Stop It!”.

Generally, the dog is completely ignoring the owner and the owners actions are only adding to the chaos. Next time, try waiting patiently, with a high-value treat in hand, for your dog to settle down.  As soon as your dog makes eye contact with you, reward, reward, reward.

Teach your dog that the sooner they settle down and look at you, the sooner they will get a delicious goodie. You will quickly notice that the time it takes for your dog to calm down will decrease.

Remember that your dog will mirror your energy. Take a deep breath, relax, and pay attention. Your dog will do what you want if you guide them gently and use the right motivation. Be drama-free. It’s so much nicer for you and for your dog.

Keri Putonen is the founder and lead trainer at Unleashed Abilities in Falls Church, VA. Contact Keri for more information or a consultation at 703-371-9800 or keri.putonen@unleashedabilities.com

*This blog posting is a supplement of NOVADog Magazine. Read the Destinations article, where writer Sophia Malakooti explores local indoor doggie swimming pools with her canine sidekick Lilo. (click here)

So you want to take advantage of one of the many local indoor swimming facilities for dogs that we listed in the Winter issue of NOVADog Magazine? But what if your dog is not that crazy about water in the first place? There are many health benefits of swimming for your furry friend, but if he is skittish around water you’ll want to take it slowly so as not to traumatize him even more. Brian Dove, Pet Care Director at Olde Towne Pet Resort, gives us some tips.

While most people assume dogs are natural swimmers or instantly comfortable in water, experienced dog handlers and pet care professionals know this is just not the case. “Some dogs do have a fear of the water,” says Dove. “Pet parents have to work with their dogs and encourage them around water to build their confidence.”

Dove, who has witnessed his fair share of dogs avoiding indoor swimming or any kind of water-related activity, says owners should not feel too immediately discouraged. “With a little time, encouragement, consistency and patience, water-fearing dogs can become far more at ease and experience less trepidation about swimming or water play.”

For families with H20-phobic canines, Dove shares the following tips for helping your pup adapt and overcome his or her fear of water:

1. Introduce bodies of water during regular walks. If you are able to walk your dog off leash in a park where there is a body of water, walk your dog towards the water and gently splash water their way. Encourage water play and stay positive to build their confidence.

2. Play water fetch. As your dog becomes more comfortable around water, try playing fetch by throwing a ball in the water. This will provide your dog with first-hand experience being in the water during a fun activity. Additionally, the fun play time will help to distract your doggie from his or her water phobia or discomfort.

3. Try a baby pool at home. This tip may not work well for larger dogs or breeds but for smaller dogs, it may work just fine. Simply, try helping your canine family member continue his or her water activity or water exposure at home using a baby pool. This allows your pet the opportunity to extend water play time from outdoors to indoors.

4. Use personal floatation device (PFDs). “PFDs are very important,” shares Dove. “You want to make sure your dog’s PDF is secure, comfortable and fits well around their chest.” The PDFs harness, adds Dove, allows you to quickly lift your dog in and around the water quickly, easily and as necessary. “If the dog begins to sink in the water, the harness allows for effortless retrieval of your pet.”

Ultimately, the most important factor in helping your dog overcome his or her fear of the water is building up their confidence. “If your dog refuses to get into the water, do not try to stress them,” shares Dove, who has seen many a dog owner become frustrated or want to give up. “You can’t force the dog to like or want to be in the water. It takes multiple times and gradual baby steps to get a dog feeling ready, willing and able to engage in water activity.”

Brian Dove is Pet Care Director of Olde Towne Pet Resort Dulles. For more than nine years, Olde Towne Pet Resort has provided Northern Virginia and Washington DC metro area canines and felines premier boarding, day camp and grooming services. For more information, please visit www.OldeTownePetResort.com or contact 703.455.9000.

January is National Train Your Dog Month, and NOVADog Magazine is here to help.

The Association of Pet Dog Trainers has designated the month of January as National Train Your Dog Month to bring awareness to the importance of socialization and training for all pets. January was selected as the perfect month because so many animals are adopted and brought home during the winter holidays.

NOVADog Magazine hopes to help families and their pets start the New Year off right with information on the behavior needs and training of their pets. Our local partners and dog training experts will share tips in a series of NOVADog Blog postings during the month of January.

HERE IS BLOG POST #1:

Socialization: The Greatest Gift You Can Give Your Dog

By Fur-Get Me Not (www.furgetmenot.com)

Socialization is the most important activity you can do for yourself and the greatest gift you can give your dog. A well socialized dog can learn and perform obedience cues in a variety of environments and different distractions. A dog that is good at responding to obedience cues in a familiar setting but not well socialized becomes unpredictable outside of his comfort zone and all the obedience training goes out the window.

Socialization is not only about exposing the dog to new environments, people, animals and objects and making it a good experience. It is a life-long commitment that also will allow your dog to experience a full life outside of your own four walls. It will help maintain a confident dog that can exert self-control and has the ability to think for himself and look for guidance from the owner when confused on what to do in a situation. A dog that you can bring anywhere.

TRAINING TIP BROUGHT TO YOU BY: The dog trainers at Fur-Get Me Not, 4140 S Four Mile Run Drive, Arlington, VA 22206.  Fur-Get Me Not offers puppy and group classes via a teaching structure called Levels Training. This allows each student to attend class at an individual pace as the same classes are offered a couple of times a week and gives ultimate flexibility to attend at different days or multiple times each week if so desired. Visit them at www.furgetmenot.com for more information.

SPECIAL EVENTS: Fur-Get Me Not is holding several events  and workshops this month. A great chance for you to get out and get involved with your dog! (www.furgetmenot.com for more information about each event!)

Ask the Trainer
Sunday, January 15th @ 1pm
FREE

AKC Canine Good Citizen Test
Sunday, January 29 @ 1pm

Canine Game Night Workshop
Monday, January 30 @ 8:30pm
$35
Learn other ways to build a better, more positive relationship with your dog, while having FUN at the same time!

Is your dog an angel?

(we know YOU think so!) Or could you use a few training tips? Maybe you have a counter surfer on your hands, or need just a few brush up tips on walking on a loose leash?

January is National Train Your Dog Month, and NOVADog Magazine is here to help.

Each year, hundreds of thousands of pets are turned into animal shelters because their owners couldn’t find a reliable resource to help them with their pets’ behavior problems. The Association of Pet Dog Trainers has designated the month of January as National Train Your Dog Month to bring awareness to the importance of socialization and training for all pets. January was selected as the perfect month because so many animals are adopted and brought home during the winter holidays.

NOVADog Magazine hopes to help families and their pets start the New Year off right with information on the behavior needs and training of their pets. Our local partners and dog training experts will share tips in a series of NOVADog Blog postings during the month of January.

Stay tuned for Blog post number one, blasting this week.

Are you hopping a plane, a train, going by automobile? If you are leaving town for the holidays and still need to arrange professional care for your pets, we are here to help!

Here’s a listing of all of our partners who still have openings for holiday pet care! Please visit their individual web sites and call or e-mail to find out more information. Don’t wait! The holidays are almost here!

Make sure to read the NOVADog article on holiday pet care for great tips and information from these and other partners! CLICK HERE TO GIVE IT A READ!

All Friends Pet Care (www.allfriendspetcare.com) has holiday pet sitting available in the Reston, Herndon, Sterling, Alexandria, Springfield, and Lorton areas.

Always There Pet Care (www.alwaystherepetcare.com) has holiday pet sitting available in Falls Church, and North Arlington.

Belly Rubs Pet Care (www.bellyrubspetcare.com) has holiday pet sitters available in Arlington, Sterling and Ashburn.

Blue Ridge Veterinary Associates (www.blueridgevets.com) has a large boarding kennel and can still take reservations for cats, dogs and all exotics. Full vaccines are required!   Staffed 24/7/365.   Contact MISTY, Kennel Manager for rates and details.

Dogtopia Locations (www.dogdaycare.com) in Woodbridge, Manassas, White Flint, & Herndon have holiday boarding spaces left. All dogs need to be evaluated prior to attending and up to date with shots. Schedule an evaluation by calling the location.

K9 Nirvana (www.k9nirvana.com) has ample availability for vacation visits in all service areas including: Fair Lakes, Centreville, Clifton & Burke, and limited availability for overnight stays.

Karing by Kristina (www.karingbykristina.com) has some availability in Alexandria and Arlington for holiday pet sitting. Plus they are able to host overnight stays in their Bed and Barkfast…only 3 spaces available though!

Passionately Pets (www.passionatelypets.com) can accommodate anytime visits (cats, etc) in the Lincolnia, Landmark, Cameron Station, Old Town, Fairlington, Annandale & Arlington areas, but has limited availability for visits that require a certain time frame (dogs). They are booked with overnights.

The Backyard Pack (www.thebackyardpack.com) in Lorton area has holiday boarding availability for new clients (5 spaces).

The Dog Eaze Inn (www.dogeazeinn.com) in Woodbridge is wait list only for Christmas boarding, but has boarding openings for New Year’s eve weekend.

The Next Best Thing Pet Care (www.thenextbestthingpetcare.com) still has a couple of spots open for holiday pet sitting in Fairfax City, Oakton, Fairfax Station, and Fair Lakes.

And please tell them that NOVADog sent you so they’ll take extra special care of you. Happy Howl-idays!

By Leah Fried Sedwick

Leah Fried Sedwick (third from the left), President of Olde Towne Pet Resort Dulles and Springfield, celebrates the Dulles grand ribbon cutting ceremony with staff and with Loudoun County's Chamber President, Tony Howard

As you can imagine, there’s a lot of business associated with the launch of a new pet resort. Everything from land selection and purchase and construction blueprints to marketing, hiring and training new staff and everything in between.


What often doesn’t get noticed, however, is the personal story behind all the business dealings, architectural diagrams and advertising blitz. For me, that personal story is highly centered around my dad who was the light of my life and the center of my galaxy. My dad passed away last year and his passing hit us all very hard and unexpectedly.


Whenever I think of my childhood, I have countless memories of my father sharing his love of dogs with me. Many a father-daughter walk evolved into a hearty discussion about dog breeds and their characteristics. And if I could not identify or recognize a certain dog breed? No problem. All I had to do was hit up my dad’s extensive dog book library. He had an actual room consisting of hundreds and hundreds of dog books — you could find most anything there from classic texts by Nobel Prize winning Austrian zoologist Konrad Lorenz, various veterinary medical text books and even 19-20th century dog novels as well.


My dad was the one who inspired the whole idea of our family’s first pet resort, which we opened in Springfield, Virginia, more than eight years ago. Before his passing, dad was the one who thought the timing was right to open a second location in the Dulles area of Loudoun County. Sadly, he did not make it to see us officially open our pet resort doors to the general public on October 1, 2011.

A canine guest enjoys playtime at Olde Towne Pet Resort's beautifully constructed indoor lap pool.

I can’t help but to think about how much my dad would have enjoyed seeing our second location come to rise. We had our pre-opening launch party on Thursday, September 28 which was quite fitting since that day also marked this year’s Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, which is always a time of hope and reflection.

Leah, her son and his best bud help cut the new Dulles resort's celebratory ribbon.

Undoubtedly, Olde Towne Pet Resort is my labor of love. While the opening of this second pet resort culminates years of work, it also represents a bitter-sweet celebration for my family. As my father and his favorite poet, Robert Frost, would be happy to see, Olde Towne Pet Resort is the junction of avocation and vocation—where both love and need meet.


Leah Fried Sedwick is President and founder of Olde Towne Pet Resort. For more than eight years, Olde Towne Pet Resort has provided Northern Virginia and Washington DC metro area canines and felines premier boarding, day camp and grooming services. For more information, please visit www.OldeTownePetResort.com.

Lucky dog Animal Rescue (http://www.luckydoganimalrescue.org/) is the NOVADog Magazine Wooftastic rescue of the month for October. You can directly help out dogs in their care, such as FLIRT (pictured above) an adorable Shepherd Mix puppy and all other Lucky Dogs, by purchasing a Wooftastic Deal, and signing up for Wooftastic deal e-mails! (50 cents from each e-mail sign up goes directly to Lucky Dog PLUS they get a portion of all deals sold during the month of October)

Make sure you are signed up by visiting here: http://www.novadogmagazine.com/wooftastic
Use code LUCKY when you sign up so that Lucky Dog gets the credit!

Do You Have Room in Your Heart for Flirt?

Flirt and her 10 siblings were abandoned with mom at a rural, high kill shelter in North Carolina. What an awful way to start out life . These cuties deserve so much more!

Flirt is looking for a loving forever home committed to positive training and socialization to ensure she grows into the wonderful adult she now has the opportunity to become.

She’s a fun playful gal. Flirt loves to play with her siblings and humans ans she LOVES her chew toys!

Flirt will fit in best with a really active family, with tons of love and attention to give her. Flirt is really looking forward to her own basket of toys, doggy bed and either a big back yard that she can gallivant and explore in or long doggie walks and some time in the dog park to play and make some K-9 friends.

Like most puppies, Flirt will need to work on her housetraining. Flirt will also need to go to obedience school, so she can grow into a well-socialized dog!

Flirt is with a foster at Lucky Dog Rescue. Find out more info about how to adopt her here: http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/20880799