Nassau Dog Training Club

01/24/2025

Recent tragedies remind us of the importance of being prepared for whatever Mother Nature has in store. The information below is from HomeAgain:

How to Protect Your Pet Before an Emergency Strikes

Whenever there is a hurricane, tornado, forest fire, earthquake or other natural disaster, the last thing you want to do is search for a pet‐friendly place to take shelter or gather your pet's necessary items. Over 400 natural disasters were reported around the world in 2021 (1) – don't wait for one to strike! Protect your pet by preparing ahead of time with these tips.

Have a Plan
One of the most important things you can do to prepare for a natural disaster is to have a plan. Create a checklist of the items you may need and keep your pet's emergency information in an easy-to-find location, like a wallet or purse. In the event your pet ever goes missing, you'll have all their information in one place. If you need inspiration for what to include in your checklist and wallet card, check out this Pet Disaster and Safety Checklist from the American Red Cross.

Additionally, make sure to gather any of your pet's medical papers and a list of their vaccinations. If your pet is injured, it's helpful to have these papers, especially if you're unable to see your primary veterinarian. Before a disaster strikes, it may also be useful to practice putting your pet in their carrier and running through a full evacuation with your family – including your furry friend! That way, if an evacuation is needed, your family is already familiar with your plan.

Find a Place to Take Shelter
Before any disaster heads your way, identify local evacuation shelters for yourself and your pet. Some animal hospitals offer pet healthcare services across the country – including free pet boarding during natural disasters.

Create a Pet Emergency Kit
Keeping a kit stocked and ready will allow you to evacuate quickly without forgetting any of your pet's important things.

Some items to include:

Prescriptions
Toys or comfort items
Any veterinarian prescribed medications to help keep them relaxed in stressful situations
Collar with updated tags
Leashes
List of hotels that are pet-friendly
Food, water, and treats
Water and food bowls
Doggy bags
List of their prescriptions/medications
A copy of their medical history and vaccinations
Know Where to Go in Case of an Injury
Despite preparation, accidents can still occur, and pets can get injured during the chaos. Before a natural disaster, research the closest local veterinary clinic to your home. If your pet takes any medication, don't wait until you are almost out of their prescription. Try keeping at least two weeks' worth on hand in case veterinary offices or pharmacies are closed.

Have Your Pets Microchipped
Microchipping is vital to a pet's safety during a natural disaster as they can get hurt, collars can get lost or their appearance can be altered in various ways. A study of more than 7,700 stray animals at various animal shelters showed that dogs without microchips were returned to their owners 21.9% of the time, whereas microchipped dogs were returned to their owners 52.2% of the time. Cats without microchips were reunited with their owners only 1.8% of the time, whereas microchipped cats went back home 38.5% of the time (2). By microchipping and registering with HomeAgain®, your pets can be easily identified and reunited with your family if you are ever separated during a natural disaster.

1.Annual number of natural disaster events globally from 2007 to 2021
2. Microchipping of Animals FAQ. (n.d.). Retrieved April 30, 2019

Send a message to learn more

01/20/2025

In class, we talk about sit, down and stay. At home, it would be very helpful if you knew "How To Teach Your Dog To Go to Their Place."
Our friends at the AKC provide a practical approach to teaching the skill, which is similar to crate-training and almost as important. Please read the article and watch the video. And yes, it might have been more helpful if they demonstrated with a dog that didn't already know the command, but perhaps you can video your efforts, and we'll share that also.

Teaching your dog to go to a specific place is helpful when you need them to stay in one place for a short period of time. Here's how from training experts.

01/13/2025

Congratulations to the Knox doggies! Nosy got his second leg in Standard with a 100 and V***n got her first leg with a 95. Super cool!

01/11/2025

You know your dog has done a good job when he winks at the camera while you're taking his picture. Congratulations to Nosy Knox on his first Standard leg!

01/11/2025

Recently asked for a list of the most important commands our dogs should know, we naturally provided what you'd expect (sit, stay, come, etc.). However, the AKC reminds us of the importance of a somewhat different set of essential commands that we need to master with our dogs in the event of an emergency. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/training-your-dog-for-emergency/.

When a natural disaster or other emergency hits, you and your dog will both need to be prepared. Training your dog for an emergency requires these skills.

01/06/2025

Our holiday party included games for the dogs and trivia for the humans. Everyone is a winner as far as we're concerned.

01/06/2025

Thank you for sharing your dog family members with us. We took some family pictures last month. Hope you enjoy them.

01/06/2025

The Burnside ladies had some great runs at SOTC's December Rally trials. Brooklyn got her Novice B Title and two legs. First and Third place with scores of 99 and 90. Sasha got two legs in Advanced B with an 87 and a First Place 99. Congratulations Pat, Brooklyn and Sasha! They sure had plenty to celebrate this holiday season!

12/03/2024

Last week we did CGC and Trick Dog testing. Congratulations to these dogs and their humans on all they accomplished!

12/03/2024

Congratulations to our beginners on a job well done!

11/28/2024

11/13/2024

SOTC is having two Rally trials on December 7. Check out the premium below. chrome-extensio://oemmndcbldboiebfnladdacbdfmadadm/https://static1.squarespace.com/static/62e834affe2283553b9de66c/t/6722df374e288778d24512be/1730338615935/2024+PREMIUM+FOR+RALLY+%281%29.pdf

Send a message to learn more

11/01/2024

Happy Halloween from the pups at NDTC!

10/28/2024

Barkfest is such a fun afternoon, especially when you get to spend it with friends! Congratulations to the Chianese family who won the Bissell Barkbath. The dogs will be extra squeaky clean when they are back in class. 😄🎃🐾👻

09/30/2024

Some of our trial volunteers: Liz, Susan, Ted, Jamileh, Michele, Steve and Pat. Camera shy: Barb, Susan, Ken and Dan. 🐾

09/30/2024

Our Obedience and Rally Trials, yesterday, at SOTC were a lot of fun and a tremendous success. It's always great to be getting together with our friends to play with our dogs.
We want to thank everyone who helped make that happen.
First and foremost, we thank our Obedience and Rally judge, Lynn Currie, who traveled a great distance to judge this weekend and who did so with joy and enthusiasm. A great judge makes even NQ'ing fun and a good learning experience. Lynn is a great judge.
We would like to thank our show co-chair Michele Calvosa for a well-run day -- as well as NDTC volunteers Liz Shannon, Patricia Burnside, Barbara Hernandez, Ken Smith , Susan Vogt Guidone, Steve and Sue Blei, Ted Scala and Dan Grier.
Proving the importance of having good friends, we also greatly appreciate the hospitality of the Suffolk Obedience Training Club and their members who helped, in particular president Judith Duck for inviting us back, Kit O'Donoghue, and Teri Nolan, who also served as trial secretary. We couldn't have pulled of a full day of trialing without your help and support.
We offer our heartfelt thanks to all our exhibitors and sincerest congratulations to everyone who qualified. Let's do it again next year!
Let's give a special round of applause to Club member Patricia Burnside and Sasha for their First Place in Rally Advanced with a score of 98/100. We are also so, so proud of Pat's puppy Brooklyn who titled in Beginner Novice with a score of 193/200. Brooklyn also got her first leg on Rally Novice.
Thank to everyone for sharing your dogs with us!
Gratefully,
Jamileh-Sofia diGuida
Show Chair

09/29/2024

There's no stopping the Burnside women! Pat, the proud handler, Sasha, second Novice leg and First Place with 193, and Brooklyn, second Beginner Novice leg and First Place with 195! We're so proud!