Training at Alexandria Animal Hospital

09/17/2024

This is the last week to enroll in our final Puppy and Adult Manners classes of the year! Don't miss out on this opportunity! The next planned classes will be in the Spring of 2025.

09/12/2024

It was brought to my attention that I forgot to post the graduates of my Advanced Manners Class earlier this year!! I sincerely apologize to my students! You all worked so hard and made such amazing strides in training. I am SO PROUD!

09/10/2024

While Phlox has enjoyed her time off from demonstrating in class, she is excited to meet new friends in our next round of classes!! Did you get signed up? There is still time!

09/02/2024

Happy Labor Day!!! Stay cool in the heat!

08/31/2024

There are still spots available in our Basic Manners classes coming up in October! Message me for more information, or call the clinic at (765)724-3650 for enrollment!

08/29/2024

CONGRATULATIONS to our Puppy Socialization Class graduates! While this was a small class we got to cover some great topics!

08/26/2024

Unfortunately our Puppy Manners class is canceled tonight due to heat. Please look out for make up information in your email! Phlox says stay cool, keep hydrated, and find a big window!

08/19/2024

NEW CLASSES ENROLLING NOW!! Class will be going back to Thursday nights starting October 3rd. Puppy Class will be at 6:15pm and Adult Basic Manners at 8:30pm. Call the clinic to enroll by phone (765) 724-3650. Remember Puppy class fills quickly!

08/05/2024

Due to the heat and humidity combination we will not have the 7:15pm puppy manners class. Keep an eye on text & email on a reschedule date.

We WILL HAVE our Socialization class at 6pm.

08/01/2024

07/29/2024

We WILL proceed with classes tonight. Please be careful and bring water for your dog's!

07/29/2024

Looks like we have some storms on the way. Stay tuned for class updates! It is likely we will reschedule class, but it is Indiana. 🤷‍♀️ I will have an answer by 5pm!

07/03/2024

If your neighborhood isn't already blowing up with Fireworks, tomorrow is the day. Keep your pets in mind. It's not just dogs that can be fearful of loud fireworks and flashing lights. It is a good idea to bring outdoor pets inside temporarily if they are not used to fireworks. Also making sure all pets have a form of identification in the event they do get loose. Lastly, Have a Happy Independence Day! Be Safe!

06/28/2024

4th of July is fast approaching!! Make a plan for your pets (all species) today. Soothing pheromones, safe sanctuaries, calming music, and possibly calming medications all need planned out before hand.

06/27/2024

Don't forget about our Puppy Socialization Class enrolling now. This class is exclusively for puppies under 4 months of age. Puppies gain new experiences each week, and puppy parents can work through the new puppy woes. There is still space, call today!

06/20/2024

Puppy Manners class is FULL!!! In a record 4 days we have filled the class. If you are interested in this class still let us know, in case we can open up another class.
THANK YOU!!

06/18/2024

We got an update from AKC STAR Puppy Cash. He's so handsome!! Look at him and his loot!!! You can earn your puppy's STAR Puppy Certificate in our July class!

06/17/2024

Now ENROLLING!! We will be doing all things Puppy this summer! Puppy Socialization will be for our puppies under 4 months, and Puppy Manners for over 4 months. These classes fill quickly, call our office to pay by phone and ensure your spot! To register call (765)724-3650.

06/14/2024

Let's talk about this photo. It's cute, except it's not. I see a dog who cannot get up without telling the child to get off. How do you think a dog is going to do that?

The 7 Golden Toddler Dog Rules:
#1: If a dog walks away from you, you DO NOT FOLLOW.
#2: Always leave room for the dog to walk away from you.
---that right there is 90+% of dog bites eliminated---
#3: We do not climb on the dog.
#4: We do not grab or pull on the dog.
#5: We do not hit or throw anything at the dog.
#6: We do not touch the dog's food.
#7: We do not go into the dog's kennel.

I promise these are not overly difficult concepts for littles, nor will they rob a kid of their bond with the family dog. It will deepen that bond, while keeping everyone safe.

"Oh, it looks like Moose is walking away from you. She is saying she wants a break. Let's play with this instead!"

"It's Moose's dinner time! Let's give her space to enjoy her yummies."

"That is Moose's room(kennel) and only she is allowed to go in there."

"If Moose wanted a break, could she walk away from you right now? No she really couldn't. Let's move away from the play house. You can keep playing but now she can leave when she wants a break."

In conclusion, ***parent your child or your dog will do it for you, and you will not like how they do it.***

05/23/2024

Congratulations to our newest graduates! Our Adult and Puppy Manners classes graduated last week! I would also like to introduce our 5 NEW AKC STAR PUPPIES!!! All our teams made HUGE strides in their training. Our next Puppy Manners Class will be in July, keep an eye on announcements.

05/19/2024

05/16/2024

Did Thursdays not work for you? Check out our new schedule for our Advanced Manners/Canine Good Citizen Prep class!! This ADVANCED class is open to all previous students of AAH, and anyone with previous training. We will be meeting MONDAYS at 6:15pm June 3rd through July 8th. Message me for class information and enrollment! Deadline to enroll is May 22nd at 6pm (that's next week!).

05/14/2024

On Tuesday, May 14, Karen Pryor celebrates her 92nd birthday, a celebration that not only marks a milestone in her life but also serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring legacy she has crafted through her tireless advocacy for kindness and compassion. As we celebrate Karen's remarkable life and legacy, we reflect on her achievements as well as recommit ourselves to embodying her principles of putting kindness first! Read more: https://bit.ly/3QK1qiv

05/09/2024

There are still spots available in the Advanced Manners Class. This class is open to previous students and any teams with prior experience looking for more practice. We will be working toward all teams passing the American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen test at the completion of the class.

04/25/2024

NOW ENROLLING: Advanced Manners! This class is for adult dogs that have already been started in training and would like to advance and work toward being Canine Good Citizens! This class is end with an AKC Canine Good Citizen Test. Message me here for more information, or call our office at (765)724-3650!

04/11/2024

I have had some people ask about Scentwork/nose work for dogs. This is a great intro class!! Great exercise for your dog's mind, and bonding experience! Even if you are not interested in competing, this is a great opportunity!

Scent work class is back at Roos!

A new session of Intro to Scent Work will begin April 17th and run for 6 weeks. This class is perfect for anyone looking for an introduction to odor as well as discussion about trialing in AKC scent work. Registration is open now and spots are limited. Please visit the link below to register and contact the instructor, Hanna Brewer, with questions!

https://forms.gle/A2E6K3qX1USJHYXn9

04/10/2024

Dogs behave the way they do for many reasons. They do NOT do things deliberately to be stubborn or ‘naughty’, nor do they aim to assert control. Outdated mythologies and training methods have detrimental effects on well-being and strain the relationship between a dog and their caregiver.

🧬A dog's breed and genetic makeup can play a significant role in determining certain behavioural traits. Dogs have genetic predispositions and breed-specific tendencies that contribute to their behaviour.
Some breeds are predisposed to specific behaviours, such as herding, hunting, or guarding.

The environment in which a dog is raised and lives can profoundly impact their behaviour. Early socialisation, which involves exposing a puppy to a wide range of people, animals, and environments during their critical developmental period, is crucial for building confidence and shaping a dog's social behaviour to reduce fear or aggression.

Overstimulation can cause all kinds of unwanted behaviours as it overwhelms their senses and can lead to hyperactivity or erratic responses. For example, if a dog is exposed to loud noises, multiple people, and various stimuli all at once, or on a daily basis, they might exhibit excessive excitable behaviour, poor impulse control, become agitated and exhibit behaviours like jumping, barking, or pulling on the leash, as their senses are overwhelmed by the excessive input.

Previous experiences and learning consequences can influence a dog's behaviour. Traumatic experiences, in particular, can lead to fear, anxiety, or aggression.

How a dog is trained and educated by their caregiver or handler can significantly affect their behaviour. Consistent, positive reinforcement-based training can lead to desired behaviours, while harsh or inconsistent methods can result in confusion or fear.

A dog's health, including their physical and mental well-being, can influence their behaviour. Illness, pain, or discomfort can lead to changes in behaviour.

A dog's emotional state, including fear, anxiety, and excitement, can affect their behaviour. For example, a fearful dog may display unpredictable defensive reactive behaviours or might avoid any encounters and run away trying to hide. While a confident dog may exhibit playfulness and a relaxed demeanour.

A dog can become frustrated and destructive if their mental and physical needs are not met. This dog, full of pent-up energy and boredom, may become frustrated and exhibit poor impulse control. In their frustration, they might resort to destructive behaviours, such as chewing furniture, digging up the garden, or incessant barking. This destructive behaviour is often an expression of their frustration and an attempt to alleviate their built-up energy and mental stress.

The type of diet a dog receives can significantly influence their behaviour, with high-quality nutrition promoting better energy levels, mood, and overall well-being, while poor diet choices can lead to issues like irritability, hyperactivity, or digestive problems.

As dogs age, they may experience canine cognitive decline, which can manifest as changes in memory, learning, and behaviour. This condition can lead to increased confusion, disorientation, and altered social interactions in older dogs.

It is really important to understand that each dog is unique, and their behaviour can vary widely, even within the same breed. Dogs use body language, vocalizations, and other forms of communication to express their needs, emotions, and intentions. Understanding a dog's communication cues is essential for interpreting their behaviour.

04/05/2024

2 wonderful puppies completed their Puppy Socialization course! Both will be continuing with classes here at Alexandria Animal Hospital. We had lots of fun in this class.

03/28/2024

Only one more week to sign up for our Adult Manners class! Enrollment will end April 5th! Call (765)724-3650 to enroll!