Phil's Pup Camp

08/15/2024

Congrats to new AKC Canine Good Citizens Molly, Liberty, And Bette

08/07/2024

A person with a small dog uses this with some great results. Takes 2-3 months. Combined with training ..huge improvement

Help your dog shrug off the environmental stressors of daily life with Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements Calming Care Canine - Calming Dog Supplements. Including a proprietary use of a beneficial bacteria strain known as BL999 shown to help dogs maintain calm behavior, this calming aid for d...

08/01/2024

Top 10 Myths About Canine Behavior
July 23, 2024 • Dogs Student Veterinary Professional
By Christine D. Calder, DVM, DACVB

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1. Puppies should not leave the house until they are fully vaccinated.

The critical socialization period for puppies occurs from about three weeks to 14 weeks of age. This is a time in a dog’s life when they learn what is safe in their environment. They are also learning “doggie” social skills and what it means to live in the human world. Vaccinations are administered every three to four weeks until at least 15-16 weeks of age, which marks the end of this critical timeframe. If you wait until your puppy has received all vaccinations before exposing them to the world, your puppy may become more fearful as an adult and lack the necessary coping skills to live in the human world.

2. If your puppy has an accident in the house, rub their nose in it.

Housetraining is a process. Young puppies need to eliminate frequently, especially when they are active and playing. Never punish your puppy for having an “accident” in the house. Punishment only teaches your puppy that it is unsafe to eliminate in front of you. They do not instinctively understand that eliminating the inside is “bad” and the outside is “good”. It is your responsibility to guide them, supervise their actions, and reward them when they choose to eliminate outside.

3. My dog is afraid because they were abused.

See Myth #1. If your dog cowers and flinches every time you raise your voice or give the “you should know better” stare, chances are it was not abused but rather under-socialized. Genetics can also play a role in this behavior.

4. My dog is angry at me and just being spiteful.

Dogs do not possess the same level of critical thinking skills as humans. Dogs think in the moment, similar to how a toddler might. For dogs, it is not about long-term consequences, and they do not stay awake at night plotting their next move. Their actions are based on what works for them in the moment. Behaviors that caregivers may interpret as anger or spite are often motivated by anxiety, frustration, and fear instead.

5. My dog is jealous.

Just as with anger and spite, dogs do not experience jealousy, at least not to the level that humans do. Once again, it is more about the immediate moment and other basic emotions driving behavior rather than an ulterior motivation such as jealousy.

6. My dog is being dominant. I must show him who is Alpha.

Dominance in dogs has been debunked. The term “alpha” came from a study based on wolf behavior and is no longer used. Comparing dogs to wolves can often be misleading. Humans have significantly altered both the appearance and behavior of domesticated dogs. However, wolves do not adhere to an “alpha” structure; instead, they form a family unit that lives and hunts together, comprising a breeding pair (commonly referred to as mom and dad) and their offspring, which may include members from current and previous litters. The size of the pack varies depending on the availability of food in the area. Most conflicts are resolved without fighting to prevent injuries. If dogs are fighting or showing aggression, it is often due to social anxiety, not a desire to dominate. They act out because they do not feel safe.

7. Certain breeds learn differently than other dogs.

The process of learning is universal among animals. They learn through making associations and experiencing consequences as they interact with their environment. It is incorrect to label dogs, or certain breeds, as stubborn. Often, the issue lies with the human handler. Utilizing food as lures without providing reinforcements quickly enough or in the appropriate manner can lead to misunderstandings. It may seem as though your dog is stubborn when, in reality, the instructions provided are not clear or timely.

8. Shock collars and prong collars don’t hurt if you use them properly.

Some trainers advocate using “all the tools in your toolbox”, suggesting that you need to “correct” your dog when they make mistakes to teach them what they did was wrong. While it is true that these tools can be effective in the right hands, they are not necessary. The potential for negative side effects often outweighs the benefits. Research has shown that dogs can learn just as fast, if not faster, through positive reinforcement techniques rather than positive punishment and using aversive tools. Positive punishment involves adding something undesirable (like shock or pain) to stop a behavior.

9. My dog tried to bite me; I should contact a trainer.

Behavior issues can be complex, stemming from underlying medical conditions, emotional problems, or mental health issues. Therefore, it is advisable to start with a thorough examination by your veterinarian if your dog exhibits behavioral issues. In some cases, the next step might be to consult a veterinary behaviorist before considering a trainer. Contacting a trainer can be beneficial for teaching basic behaviors like sit, come, and walk nicely on a leash, but may not always be the best first step for addressing behavior problems.

10. My dog growled at me. I need to punish the growl.

One of the most important behaviors to reinforce rather than punish in dogs is growling. Growling serves as information, signaling that a dog feels uncomfortable in a situation. It is not an act of aggression but a form of communication. Address growling constructively by identifying and avoiding the actions that trigger it. Punishing a growl risks suppressing this warning signal, potentially leading to a bite without any preceding warning.

06/28/2024

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/28/us/olympics-gymnastics-therapy-dogs-mental-health.html?smid=nytcore-android-share

Beacon, a golden retriever, began working with U.S.A. Gymnastics last year as part of the organization’s efforts to transform the sport’s toxic culture. More dogs quickly followed.

06/13/2024

https://www.npr.org/2024/06/07/nx-s1-4994426/wild-elephants-individual-names

Forget names like "Dumbo"—wild elephants appear to have their own unique names that other elephants use while talking to them in low rumbles.

04/22/2024

Hello Canine Common members,

The Arlington Heights Police Department will be running a Lost Dog Awareness event at Melas park on Tuesday, April 23rd from 4pm – 5:30pm.

The Police will work with Lost Dogs Illinois and have dog chip readers on site to check and register dogs. I’ve attached the event flyer with all the information.

Have a good weekend!

Kevin Wollnik
Recreation Supervisor

Pioneer Park
Arlington Heights Park District
500 S Fernandez | Arlington Heights, IL 60005
d: 847.506.2734
[email protected] | ahpd.org

03/17/2024

New website. Thanks to my daughter Jenn at https://gildedgrid.com/ awesome. Thanks

A NEW KIND OF Design Agency – EMPOWERING Businesses WITH bespoke branded canva templates Let’s be real, what good are templates if they do not directly reflect the brand you worked so hard to build? We are not your typical agency. We are obsessed with the efficiency templates can bring the busin...

02/26/2024

Welcome to China’s Cat Island, where lucky strays wait for a new home

Ginger cats, tabby cats, cow cats, calico cats — the Shanghai streets are home to them all. Now animal advocates are getting creative to curb feral populations.

02/22/2024

Vivian St Pierre My almost 10 year old deaf Dane, Blue has me very worried because he is "leaking" blood from his butt.
His activity, and appearance is normal. He has been on a raw diet his whole life consisting of mostly chopped chicken backs. His eating and analysis of his p**p is normal. A**l glands were expressed with no abnormality. He has been on soft food (FreshPet) lately and BM is softer, larger and normal. More backstory: he was over 200 lbs about 9 months ago, but through dieting he has gradually come down to 180.
He has several fatty tumors, one on the under belly and one on each butt cheek and some skin tags.
For the past few weeks he leaves spots of blood on his bedding maybe a couple ounces daily. Originally, spots were brownish red, but now the spots are more bright red. I thought it must be coming from fatty tumors on butt cheeks by process of elimination (no jokes please) And the fatty tumor on his left cheek has beed getting smaller - used to about the same size as the right cheek. What can I do? I think he is too old for surgery.
We are going for a second opinion Friday, any thoughts or suggestions would be much appreciated!

Thanks,
Phil

02/22/2024

https://www.washingtonpost.com/home/2024/02/20/dog-walks-better-for-health/

Walks are about more than exercise — for dogs, only hanging out in a backyard is like reading the same book again and again.

02/14/2024

A great system that promotes loose leash walking!

The Buddy System

12/20/2023

Lost 'Woolly Dog' Genetics Highlight Indigenous Science
Meghan Bartels5-7 minutes 12/18/2023
December 18, 2023

4 min read

“Woolly dogs” that were kept by the Coast Salish peoples are now extinct, but researchers were able to see their importance written in the genome of the only known pelt

Artist illustration of a dog with upright ears and long white fur, similar in appearance to a samoyed breed dog
Full-body forensic reconstruction of a woolly dog based on a 160-year-old pelt in the Smithsonian’s collection as well as archaeological remains. The reconstructed woolly dog stands against a stylized background of a Coast Salish weaving motif from a historic dog-wool blanket. The portrayal of the weaving motif was designed under advisement of the study’s Coast Salish advisory group.

For millennia before Europeans colonized what is now called the Pacific Northwest, small, fluffy, white “woolly dogs,” known as sqwemá:y in one language of the Coast Salish peoples, roamed the coast. The animals were unlike any dog living today. Their hair was so luxurious that Coast Salish individuals used it to make functionally and ceremonially important blankets.

Only one known woolly dog pelt exists today. By analyzing its genes, scientists have now shown just how different these shaggy creatures were from the Yorkshire terriers and Newfoundland dogs that gallivant around modern neighborhoods. The woolly dog “wasn’t a dog as we know it,” says Debra qwasen Sparrow, a master weaver of the Musqueam First Nation. “And DNA has proved that.”

Sparrow is a co-author of new research published December 14 in Science that analyzes the fur of a woolly dog named Mutton, which is currently kept by the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. Mutton died in 1859, around the time when the tradition of tending woolly dogs was crumbling in the face of the Coast Salish peoples’ forced assimilation and decimation by European diseases. By the early 20th century, the animals had disappeared.

For part of the research, Sparrow shared recollections from her grandfather, who saw some of the last of the sqwemá:y as a young child. “My grandfather would tease a little bit and say it was kind of like they were our sheep,” Sparrow says. “We would herd them—they stayed in packs; we didn’t want them integrating with the other wild animals.”

A dog pelt photographed on a black background
The 160-year-old pelt of the woolly dog Mutton in the collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Credit: Brittany M. Hance/Smithsonian
The Coast Salish peoples often combined the dogs’ woolly undercoat with mountain goat hair and plant fiber to form a thick yarn that weavers then used to craft patterned blankets. They used the blankets in ceremonies and to stay warm, making the sqwemá:y a central part of society. “The relationship to those little dogs was a gift,” Sparrow says.

And the attention with which Coast Salish peoples tended to these animals is inscribed in Mutton’s genome, says Audrey Lin, a paleogeneticist at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and a co-author of the new research. “Dog breeds are in**ed in order to maintain a very specific phenotype,” Lin says. “There were signatures of that in his genome, which reinforced what we know culturally—that these dogs were kept by the Coast Salish and very carefully maintained for a very long period of time.”

The scientists’ analyses confirmed that Mutton’s lineage goes back about 4,800 years, Lin says. Although Mutton himself seems to have had a great-grandparent that was a European dog breed, the rest of his genome is distinct and includes several mutations affecting skin and hair that could help produce spinnable fur. “These gene variants, we didn’t see them in any other dogs that we had looked at,” Lin says. Intriguingly, some of these genes cause hair-related diseases or “woolly” hair in humans.

Mutton’s distinctive heritage, retained even as Europeans were encroaching on the Pacific Northwest, is particularly striking. “It just shows how devastating colonialism is,” Lin says. “This ancient tradition of keeping woolly dogs for possibly up to 5,000 years was just gone within a couple of generations.”

With the sqwemá:y now extinct, the Coast Salish relationship with them has become a mere memory. “Settler colonialism has impacted every human and nonhuman being and the relationships between those human and nonhuman beings,” says Kelsey Dayle John, a social scientist at the University of Arizona, who focuses on Indigenous studies and was not involved in the new research.

Sparrow hopes to renew that relationship, looking to create the first traditional blanket in more than a century. Without the sqwemá:y, she’ll have to find another dog whose hair she can spin. She’ll also need to retrace her ancestors’ steps in harvesting mountain goat hair and stripping stinging nettles, which will form the core of her yarn. After spinning the mixture together, she’ll dye it with diatomaceous earth, a crumbly sedimentary rock made of fossilized algae that keeps insects away. Sparrow says she also needs to build a new loom to weave the final blanket that can accommodate a yarn that behaves so differently from her usual wool.

“It’s leading me back to that place of wanting to get as close as I can to the originals,” Sparrow says of seeing science dig into the sqwemá:y and their importance to Coast Salish peoples. “What I want society to understand is the intelligence behind these women who were scientifically putting blankets together.”

12/20/2023

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/20/opinion/dogs-culture-wars.html?referringSource=articleShare

The world of dog training has fractured dramatically across ideological differences. It turns out no one is safe from the culture wars — not even your Shih Tzu.

12/02/2023

Could a Drug Give Your Pet More Dog Years?

Longevity drugs for our canine companions are moving closer to reality. They also raise questions about what it might mean to succeed.

11/30/2023

https://yourdogadvisor.com/dog-training-mistakes/

Training your dog to behave and follow commands isn’t always an easy task. No one is a perfect trainer, and you will certainly make some mistakes along the

11/26/2023

https://youtu.be/p1tz_msGpdo?si=cBKa_vgiVAxWdlVK

Dr Jones' Free Book... http://www.veterinarysecrets.comDr Jones shows you the TOP 7 Human Medications that are safe and effective for dogs.Share this video a...

11/23/2023

Joint Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics

The Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) has recently announced an update to the Joint Standards of Practice in conjunction with The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) and the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC).

The Joint Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics serve as a guiding framework for conveying a collective code of professionalism, skills, and values for all members of our esteemed industry. The update aims to further enhance this code, reinforcing the highest level of professional practice and ensuring that each member is held accountable to the most exacting standards.

Effective January 1, 2024, the three new sections added to the Joint Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics are:
Principle VII: Illegal Behavior

7.1 Shall not be convicted of cruelty, abuse, or neglect of animals or humans, crimes against humanity, or of violence against animals or humans.
7.2 Shall not engage in cruelty, abuse, or neglect of animals or humans, crimes against humanity, or of violence against animals or humans.
7.3 Shall not be convicted of crimes directly related to the responsible party’s professional qualifications.
7.4 Shall not engage in gross misconduct directly related to the responsible party’s professional qualifications.

Principle VIII: Cooperation in Matters Related to Ethical Complaints

8.1 Shall cooperate at all times from the inception of an ethical complaint through the completion of all proceedings regarding that complaint.
8.2 Shall not threaten or retaliate against any parties or witnesses to a good faith ethics complaint in which the [name of accountable party] is involved, both during the course of the complaint and after the completion of all proceedings.

Principal IX: Appeals

9.1 Any member who wishes to appeal a termination or sanction may do so in accordance with the Organization’s complaint process and/or bylaws or other organizational documents.

Click the learn more button below to view APDT’s entire code of professional ethics.
Learn More

11/11/2023

If you're thinking about getting a new dog, temperament test your potential pup to make sure it's a good fit for you and your family and your environment

11/07/2023

https://www.philspupcamp.com/sign-up new classes posted!!

Puppy or Obedience Class: Make sure your dog is size and age appropriate to socialize with similar dogs. Under five months or for a very small breed, choose the puppy class. Over five months or over 30 pounds, please choose the obedience class. Puppies must complete 2 rounds of puppy shots before th...

10/22/2023

PhilsPupCamp - Holidays/Halloween And Your Dog

Please check out these podcast for tips on how to get through holidays with your dog:
Holidays and Your Dog
The Language of Stress
Training a Calm Dog in Every Situation - Part 1
Training a Calm Dog in Every Situation - Part 2
Helping Your Shy Dog
Prepare Your Dog to Greet New People
Greeting Dogs The Safe Way

Halloween Safety Tips for Pet Owners
Halloween can be a frightening time for family dogs. Each Halloween, veterinarians nationwide see pet injuries that could have been avoided. Here are some ways we can protect pets:

* Walk your dog before trick-or-treaters start their visits. Keep a firm grip on the leash; many dogs are frightened by people in costumes.

* Find a secure place in your home to keep your dogs, especially if you're giving out candy to trick-or-treaters. Many dogs get loose when the door opens, and the presence of little (and big) costumed people often scares animals, increasing the chance dogs will run away or get hit by cars.

* Make sure your dog is wearing an up-to-date I.D. tag.

* Place a dog gate in front of your front door to block access in case someone accidentally lets your pet out of the place where he's confined. Many dogs will run after trick-or-treaters.

* If your dog has any aggressive tendencies, fear of loud noises, or a habit of excessive barking, place him in a quiet room as far away from your front door as possible at least a half-hour before trick-or-treaters arrive.

* Consider crating your pet, which can make him feel more secure and reduce chances of accidental escapes. Provide chew toys, a favorite blanket, a piece of clothing with your scent on it, or whatever comforts the animal. Play soft music or a recording of soothing sounds.

* If you want to have your dog near the door to greet visitors, keep him on leash. Pets can become very stressed by holiday activities and unwelcome interruptions in routine. A nervous dog might feel threatened and growl, lunge or bite.

08/25/2023

Learn to Lead – Like a Partner in a Dance
Once we approach behavior modification in this manner, we realize training is like a dance. When partners dance as a couple, one leads and the other follows. The leader decides which steps to perform and then guides his partner clearly so the partner can follow.

Training animals requires an understanding of the big dance and an ability to break the movements down into little steps. Little differences in movement can make big differences in behavior. We convey this to the animal through our body language and perfectly timed rewards. We set rules by rewarding good behaviors and removing rewards for inappropriate behavior. Good behavior will become a habit.

The use of punishment and an animal’s emotional state
Training also needs to address the underlying emotional state. If an animal is fearful, a leader who “dominates” will not change the emotions.

The use of force in training can cause animals to seem stubborn and willful when they are actually frustrated and confused. They will have little motivation to perform the commanded behaviors other than the desire to avoid fear and pain. Punishment does not take into consideration the motivation of the animal nor does it tell them what they should be doing. Instead, punishment just tells them what they should not be doing.
The purpose of force in most cases is to stop a behavior. Overall, force suppresses behavior only temporarily, especially when the animal is not rewarded for appropriate behaviors, nor does it address the underlying emotional state.

Humans fall back on punishment because it is easier to react in the moment to a problem than to think about how to prevent the problem instead. Instead, be proactive and remove the “punishment” crutch.
.Dr Sophia Yin

08/04/2023

Congrats to the new AKC Canine Citizens!! Well done!

06/30/2023

Prong collars primarily usually use positive punishment, which is just a way of adding something your dog doesn't enjoy to decrease how much they display a behavior. When a dog wearing a prong collar pulls on their leash, the collar tightens around their neck to cause irritation, annoyance, or, in some cases, pain.

06/14/2023

Beyond the Food Bowl

Laura Gendron, CPDT-KA, LFDM, FFCP
Raising behaviorally healthy dogs requires meeting both their mental and physical needs. When feeding a dog from bowls, many dog owners miss opportunities to meet these critical needs. Dogs are hardwired to scavenge, hunt, sniff, and dig for their food, and if not given the opportunity to do so, the results can be problematic. Behavioral issues such as counter-surfing, digging, excessive barking, and destructive behaviors can quickly arise. Here are five time-saving ways you can make sure your dog’s basic needs are met.
7678295
Food-filled puzzle toys are fun!

1. Puzzle Feeders: These types of toys require mental energy and physical output for your dogs. Start out easy to avoid frustration and encourage your dog to experiment with different types. Initially, reinforce your dog for any interest in the feeder, even if that means that treats need to “magically appear from the sky”. Purchased and DIY options exist, including the muffin tin hunt (kibble is placed in each muffin spot and covered by toys of different shapes and sizes), balls, and wobblers that dispense food when moved. Other types of feeders include actual puzzles to solve to gain access to food and remote treat dispensers requiring your dog to push buttons to access the food inside.
7678328
Muffin tins allow your dog to choose which toy looks the most fun.

2. Snuffling Games: Meeting your dog’s basic needs, these games give opportunities for your dog to scavenge, sniff, and their environment, lowering overexcitement and heart rates naturally. ​Many snuffling options are available such as hiding kibble in a rolled-up towel, in a basket with other items, or scattered in the yard for dogs to find. Snuffle mats can be purchased or crafted to hide or sniff out treats and are easy to transport.
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A food-filled ball.

3. Food-Stuffed Toys: Different than puzzle toys, food-stuffed toys often require more chewing and licking to get out the food. Because they are a little more challenging, dogs often need to spend more time removing the food, keeping them occupied and calmer. Make sure the access to food is easy at first so your dog does not get frustrated or give up too quickly. Over time, you can make the puzzle harder. Many commercial brands of these types of toys are available, or you can create your own. Food or treats frozen with water in plastic containers or ice cube trays are inexpensive ways to engage your dog. Great for use outdoors or in a safe haven, these treats can easily be popped out of the tray and given to your dog to satisfy chewing needs.
7678368
The sausage tree game lets your dog hunt for treats.

4. Hand Delivery: Hand-delivering food is a great way to reinforce desired behaviors in your dog and bond at the same time. Games like capturing desirable behaviors and kibble toss are both great ways to provide mental and physical exercise. For the kibble toss, wait for your dog to approach, mark the behavior. Toss a piece of kibble for your dog to chase after and eat. Repeat. You can change up the game and practice throwing the kibble in alternating directions once your dog learns the game. An alternative version would be to teach your dog how to “catch” food in their mouth. This often requires good aim and plenty of practice for both you and your dog.
5. Food Hunt: A food hunt, or a variation of hide and seek, requires your dog to use their nose to seek out treats. For this game, small piles of kibble or treats are hidden around the house for your dog to find. Start off easy with obvious hiding spots, but then increase the difficulty by using boxes, furniture, and other natural obstacles to place the food into. This is a great game to play outside as well. For dogs who like to climb, try the sausage tree game (created by Simone Mueller), where smelly treats are hidden partially up a tree, and they are then verbally encouraged to search for it. Rock walls also make great hiding spots when playing this game.

During these exercises and activities, it is important to always supervise your dog, not only for safety reasons but also to keep your dog engaged with you. Always start off easy to minimize frustration, and remember to have fun!
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06/01/2023

Thanks for being a fan of Phils PupCamp!

Some news that may be of interest………….

NEW!! Leash Walking Class at 6 PM on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, June 6 and 7, June 13 and 14, June 20 and 21 Great Price $150 (Dogs must not be aggressive)

Therapy Dog Class openings Saturdays at 12 noon! June 3rd -8 weeks! Great for practicing greetings

https://www.philspupcamp.com/calendar

[email protected]&ctz=America/Chicago" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?src=[email protected]&ctz=America/Chicago

If a quick response is needed please contact me by phone!

www.philspupcamp.com
[email protected]
(847) 224-9544

New classes are posted!

Infomation for Signing Up For PhilsPup Camp Classes
Make sure your dog is size and age appropriate to socialize with similar dogs: under five months or for a very small breed, choose the puppy class Over five months or for an extra large breed, choose the obedience class. Sorry, dogs that are reactive to dogs or humans will need private training.
For the advanced obedience class or the therapy dog class, see the prerequisites.
All classes are exclusively at March Animal Hospital in their training area in the basement
Classes start at the beginning ( #1) for your class.
If you have more than one dog, there must be one handler for each dog.
Sometimes there is a discount for multiple dogs in the same class or for people that are in the pet industry.
Note: There is no class on some holidays!
Life happens. Sickness? Vacation? Children in sports – No problem. Check for the class number you are going to miss. You can make up your class at another facility (sometimes that same week!), or take that class or multiple classes over at a future cycle.
For your most convenient day and time, note the lesson plan and location for that class.
Subscribe to the “Upto” calendar For weekly reminders by email or on your phone. Or click the link to see your monthly schedule on your web browser
Sign up!
After your sign-up is processed, you will receive a syllabus showing what to bring, class dates and a detailed lesson plan.

See where and when each class is held (subject to change):
Phils Pup Camp Classes Calendar Viewable by month in your browser. Details are visible inside each event

Subscribe to Phils Pup Camp Calendar:Get weekly calendar updates/notifications by adding your email address on my website

Sign up for a class!

Currently we follow all of the Illinois State and March Animal Hospital Guidelines, which include wearing masks when entering or leaving the facility. Masks in the training area are optional.

CLASS TIMES:
Begin with class #1. Take the class you missed at another location or during another cycle!

Puppy Class $175, 6 Weeks
Saturdays, Sundays 9-10 AM
Weeknights 6-7 PM or 7-8 PM

Obedience Class $250, 8 Weeks
Saturdays, Sundays 10:30 AM-11:30 PM
Weeknights 6-7 PM or 7-8 PM

CALENDAR:
Phil’s Pup Camp UPTO Calendar. Subscribe for weekly updates:
Calendar — Phil's Pup Camp

You can also subscribe to this calendar to see all classes:
Google Calendar Link

CLASS LOCATION:

March Animal Hospital
1000 E Central Rd.
North Brown door, Parking lot side of the building
March Animal Hospital - Google Maps

CLASS DETAILS
See information about each class

We address behaviors such as jumping and play biting. We have exercises for leash walking and relaxation. Class time is divided so that dogs have a chance to interact and play off leash, review last weeks homework, practice new behaviors, and finally additional play and Q and A!

PUPPY CLASS
Puppy class is for dogs under five months or under 30 lbs. In this class we will cover basic care, companionship, respect, and obedience, including recall, sit, down, look/watch me, leave it, walking on a loose leash, and stay/wait, using marker training for your puppy. After attending 6 classes, puppies take a test with the owners and are eligible for the AKC All Star Puppy Certificate and Ribbon!

OBEDIENCE 101 CLASS
Welcome to obedience class. In this class we will cover basic obedience using marker training for your dog. Basic obedience creates an important foundation for good companionship and respect between you and your dog.
1. Intro to Marker training, Recalls
2. Sit, Down Obstacle course
3. Look (watch me), Leave it
4. Obedience Walking, Play Walking
5. Stay, Wait, Trick Training
6. Practice with distractions
7. Dog to dog, dog to people greetings
8., Advanced Training Methods AKC Canine Good Citizen Practice Testing!
ADVANCED OBEDIENCE CLASS

This class takes you and your dog to a whole new level! Taught as an extension to the Puppy and Obedience Classes, we present challenging behaviors and distractions, testing your skills as a team! This fun class also helps dogs and owners through the difficult adolescent dog stage by motivating new exercises.
We Review previously discussed marker training and obedience training behaviors. Classroom and homework will include challenging recalls, crazy and unexpected distractions, new ways to address triggers and reactivity, unusual cues, sit and downs with motion, distance, and during recalls. Classes explain and demo off-leash walking and focused heeling, stay with distractions and challenges. We explain and promote tricks, greetings, place, bed, and concepts of nose work and agility make you a great dog/owner team

THERAPY DOG CLASS
Eight weeks $250
The Therapy Dog Class prepares the dog and the handler with the knowledge and obedience skills to be accepted as a therapy dog with Alliance of Therapy Dogs, or enter the Rainbow AAT Program. This class focuses on distractions, proofing and calming behaviors
The AKC Canine Good Citizen Test is offered.
We prepare the dog and owner for visits to public areas that are conducive to helping people emotionally and therapeutically.
Fine tuning obedience and people greeting skills, and teaching special greeting behaviors for dogs.
Handler education of unique protocols involved in therapy dog visits, for schools, libraries, nursing facilities, hospitals and rescue therapy.
Alliance of Therapy Dogs Test is offered.
Various places and times! People Parks, Dog Parks, Train Station, Outdoor Restaurant, and Elder Care Site Visits
PRIVATE TRAINING
$100 per session depending on distance. Call- 847-224-9544 for appointment, At your home
Minimally, two sessions, depending on issues can be effective for developing good behaviors. "One on One" intensive goal based instruction for you and your family!

WHEN, WHAT, HOW!:
Everyone involved in the training, including children, are welcome to attend. At least one handler per dog is required.
If you miss a class, You may make up the class at another location, or at later session at the discretion of the instructor
Bring to class a bill or receipt that your dog is up to date on vaccinations and has been cleared for interactions with other dogs by your veterinarian.
Bring cleanup bags for your dog. Your dog will need a name tag or microchip by week 6 to be eligible for the All Star Puppy Certificate.
Please have small easy to swallow treats-there is a great recipe on my website , and 4-6 foot non-retractable leash, and collar or harness. Please do not feed your dog before training!

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