The Family Companion

08/21/2024

Our Hamburg Puppy Preschool graduates were awesome. Add in we again have two new Junior Trainers on staff! Go onward and do great things!

08/21/2024

These smiles say it all! Join us in congratulating our Hamburg Family Companion Graduates! Just simply incredible teams so deserving to be proud!

08/21/2024

Our Hamburg Graduate Class was super engaged. With just a couple of weeks to go they asked “…if we do all the work on our own could we stay late on graduation night and get evaluated for our Advanced Canine Good Citizen AND our Tricks Titles?” Our response was to be sure they knew the challenges ahead!!
Everyone you’re looking at is our first TRIPLE AKC Titled CGC / CGCA and TRICKS too! They deserve so much credit for their accomplishments!

08/20/2024

It seems impossible we are announcing our back to school schedules already. Please register early before your preferred slot is filled.

www.thefamilycompanion.com

Complete descriptions of classes are on our website. Williamsville and Snyder classes include our Graduate / AKC Canine Good Citizen prep classes which require graduation from our Family Companion Class.

Marcia coordinates all of our registrations. Please leave a message and/or send an email to:
Marcia Ritchie, Director of Training
Office: 716-592-0802
Email: [email protected]

WILLIAMSVILLE:
Calvary Lutheran Church - 575 Ayer Road - Williamsville 14221
Monday: starting September 9th
5:30Pm: Family Companion Class
6:30Pm: Puppy Preschool and Socialization Class
7:30Pm: Graduate Class / AKC CGC Prep

HAMBURG:
Ruff Relations Dog Daycare - 4501 Southwestern Boulevard - Hamburg - 14075
Tuesday: starting September 10th
5:30Pm: Family Companion Class
6:30Pm: Puppy PreSchool and Socialization Class
7:30Pm: Family Companion Class

SNYDER:
Fisher’s Friends Dog Daycare - 2171 Kensington Avenue - Snyder 14226
Wednesday: starting October 2nd
5:30Pm: Puppy Preschool and Socialization Class
6:30Pm: Family Companion Class
7:30Pm: Graduate Family Class / AKC CGC Prep

My passion for dog training started out in the late 70’s when I purchased my first dog out of college. Like many other instructors, it was due to owning a very difficult and challenging dog that led me down this path. At the same time, I was working at a veterinary hospital and was fortunate that ...

08/20/2024

The sadness is starting to sink in that we have just two weeks ahead of us on our Wednesday Walks in WNY! Elma Village Green Park was our last chance of the summer to get our feet wet! We could not be more proud of how great these companions get along together!

Next up we finish with our swing of the Northtowns at Tribute Gardens and our 2024 Commencement Ceremony in Elmwood Village!

08/18/2024

Mental stimulation for dogs is important to keep them happy and engaged at all ages, and it's simpler than you might think.

08/18/2024

17 Training Tips for First Time Dog Owners by Zazie Todd, PhD Click HERE for original post Getting a dog for the first time is a wonderful experience but also a hard one. Having a dog in your house is a lot of work, and many first-time dog guardians struggle in those early weeks and months. It takes...

08/15/2024

Today is National Check The Chip Day, stressing the importance of microchipping our pets, registering the chip and making sure each year that our information with the chip company is up to date. Also, did you know that although rare, a microchip can migrate? Upon your pets annual physical, consider asking your vet to scan your pet to insure their chip has not migrated. In the event your pet gets lost a migrated chip may not be detected. For more information see https://www.avma.org/events/national-check-chip-day

08/14/2024

Shake it…shake it off…

A recent study by two researchers in France looked at sniffing, pulse rate, and leash length on walks. Sixty-one dogs were taken on three separate walks, five minutes each walk, once with a 1.5m leash, once with a 5m leash, and once without a leash at all (walk order was randomized for each dog). Off-leash dogs sniffed the most, more than 3x as long as the dogs on short leashes. Dogs on long leashes spent nearly as much time as unleashed dogs sniffing, almost 3x as long as dogs on short leashes.

This study also found that sniffing resulted in lowered pulse rates, and the more intensely they sniffed, the more their pulse rates lowered. Pulse rate was also lowered when dogs “shook off” during walks on all leash lengths. The “shake off” behavior was often seen when the dog’s pulse rate was particularly high.

Read more about it below!

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1HX77kp2HBDiTxmq/?mibextid=Le6z7H

https://www.tuftsyourdog.com/everydaydogcare/giving-your-dog-time-to-sniff-on-walks-will-literally-soothe-his-heart/

What else can we learn about dogs from their walking behavior? Take your best friend on a Sniffari and see what you observe!

08/14/2024

Some owners think it's funny to watch their dog play with a laser pointer, but this game can be very frustrating for a dog. Here's other activities to try.

08/13/2024

Oh no! we just received the photos back from last weeks walk through Elmwood Village.
First of all a round of applause goes out to Logan as our newest staff member and a woohoo for his seventh birthday to boot!
For many dogs we recognize this environment is brand new and we are always sure to take it slow and easy. And it never hurts to make a stop at the Church to give thanks for our companions.
A special thanks to Tony Mauro and the staff at JT’s for always going the extra mile with an ice cold dessert as our final stop!

08/11/2024

Learning how dogs communicate with their tails is an important part of reading a dogs body language. A dogs emotions and how a dog feels can be conveyed thro...

08/10/2024

Prevent Pet Suffocation is excited to launch our latest Infographic with the data from our Pet Suffocation Survey!

Please share this important infographic with your family, friends, pet sitters, and dog walkers. Ask your vets, rescue groups, and pet shelters to post it on their social media sites and in their offices, etc.

To save the infographic, click on it, then right click, and choose "Save Image As". The infographic will be available to print off from our website soon. Sharing spreads awareness! Thank you!
www.preventpetsuffocation.com

08/10/2024

https://youtu.be/FCIOcu1-7oI?si=yEs6LhPzkBbt1p64

Many dog trainers know some dogs may not like to be hugged. Dogs show us this by their body language. In this dog behaviour video we look at lots of ways dog...

08/07/2024

Pssst… did you hear? 😱
We have now opened recreational swim up to all dogs (meaning your dog does not have to be a patient at our hospital)👏🏼🐶
Oh yea and…Yes your dog can bring there best friends! 🎉
Contact us today for more information or to schedule!! 📞
Can’t wait to see you there🐾

08/04/2024

Food & Drink You love a good ice cream cone and guess what...so does your pup. Show them some love with this sweet treat!

08/04/2024

It’s hard to believe we are into the final leg of our Wednesday Walks in WNY! Openings are still available:

August 7th: Elmwood Village
August 14th: Elma Village Green Park
August 21st: Isle View Park / Tribute Gardens
August 28th: Elmwood Village

Information and registration details follow in the comments…

08/02/2024

BURCHFIELD NATURE AND ARTS - CHAPTER ONE:
Yes our Wednesday Walks in WNY have expanded where we now need chapters! These groups are just incredible. It has truly become a friends and family weekly reunion! We are Blessed to spend these times together!

We just reached the halfway point!
NEXT STOP: Elmwood Village - THE CONCRETE JUNGLE!

08/02/2024

BURCHFIELD NATURE AND ARTS - CHAPTER TWO:
Yes our Wednesday Walks in WNY have expanded where we now need chapters! These groups are just incredible. It has truly become a friends and family weekly reunion! We are Blessed to spend these times together!

We just reached the halfway point!
NEXT STOP: Elmwood Village - THE CONCRETE JUNGLE

07/31/2024

HAPPY NATIONAL MUTT DAY!

Shhhh…we tell ours they are a mixed hybrid and truth is they are truly AKC Registered as All American companions!
P L E A S E show off for us and share their make up!

07/30/2024

Springville Dog Training Classes
Beginning August 8th
All Levels are Welcome
See comments with details to contact us!

07/28/2024

It's going to be a hot weekend so please be aware of your pets at all times‼️☀️💥‼️Please keep your pets home from the festivals today!! Keep them cool inside or in a shaded area, have plenty of cold water available at all times and PLEASE do not walk them during the hottest part of the day!
Stay cool everyone😎

07/28/2024

I love to spread word about dog friendly restaurants BUT…..
Not all dogs are appropriate for these venues. They need to be social & well trained. Stay tuned as we will be starting a class that trains for good manners in dog friendly environments. Interested in joining us? Call or email to hear more and reserve a spot for this program (a foundation class such as The Family Companion class is a prerequisite.

Local Pet Care is excited to bring you an incredible list of the very best dog-friendly restaurants, bars, and breweries in Buffalo, NY!

07/27/2024

Walks at Sprague Brook - Chapter Two! Everyone were just Rockstars on the second walk! We are so Blessed to be part of the incredible journey these companions are on with such awesome guardians!
Thank you walkers for sharing your journey with us!

07/27/2024

Our make-up classes at Sprague Brook were awesome! A special shout out to Betty Sue and Mike for leading the way on such an enriching Walk. We are so proud of these companions and their incredible guardians! Stay tuned - there was so much fun we need to post a chapter two for our later walk!

07/27/2024

Heat Advisory: Due to expected temperatures this weekend, pet owners should consider leaving their pets at home if attending events throughout the city like the Italian Festival on Hertel Avenue, the Irish Festival on the Outer Harbor, or the Buffalo Garden Walk.

07/26/2024

The second sessions of our summer group class schedules follow. Springville, Williamsville and Snyder classes include our Graduate / AKC Canine Good Citizen prep classes! Complete descriptions of classes are on our website.

To register please leave a message and/or send an email to:
Marcia Ritchie, Director of Training
Office: 716-592-0802
Email: [email protected]

SPRINGVILLE:
Springville First United Methodist Church - 474 East Main Street - Springville - 14141
Thursday: starting August 8th
4:30Pm: Family Companion Class
5:30Pm: Graduate Family Companion Class / AKC CGC Prep
6:30Pm: Puppy PreSchool Class
7:30Pm: Family Companion Class

WILLIAMSVILLE:
Calvary Lutheran Church - 575 Ayer Road - Williamsville 14221
Monday: starting September 9th
5:30Pm: Family Companion Class
6:30Pm: Puppy Preschool and Socialization Class
7:30Pm: Graduate Class / AKC CGC Prep

HAMBURG:
Ruff Relations Dog Daycare - 4501 Southwestern Boulevard - Hamburg - 14075
Tuesday: starting September 10th
5:30Pm: Family Companion Class
6:30Pm: Puppy PreSchool and Socialization Class
7:30Pm: Family Companion Class

SNYDER:
Fisher’s Friends Dog Daycare - 2171 Kensington Avenue - Snyder 14226
Wednesday: starting October 2nd
5:30Pm: Puppy Preschool and Socialization Class
6:30Pm: Family Companion Class
7:30Pm: Graduate Family Class / AKC CGC Prep

07/26/2024

What is it we do on our Wednesday Walks in WNY you ask? It’s all about frolicking, getting wet and creating smiles! All of the guardians and their companions weathered the rain at Tillman Wildlife as we explored a new world!

07/23/2024

There has been concern over the requirement of the CDC to return companion dogs back from Canada!
GREAT NEWS FOR THE BORDER CROSSERS!
They have significantly relaxed the importation requirements!

CDC issues regulations to control the entry of dogs into the United States from other countries. The

07/19/2024

WEDNESDAY WALKS IN WNY (WWW)
Summer crept up fast with two WWW completed. Week Three is July 24th exploring Tillman Wildlife Management Area!

Let’s answer the questions of “what will we be doing?” and “why are your WWW always filled up?” A partial answer to the first question is we reinforce loose leash skills and you can count on wonderful Parkour experiences at each WWW. The full response is best explained with pictures from past WWW. It’s said “a picture speaks a thousand words.” Our pictures speak loudly with THOUSANDS of words.

WWW are limited to six walkers at 5:30Pm and 7:00Pm at $25.00 per walk. Links for each location follow. Please schedule directly with your instructor, Gary Reitmeier, at:
[email protected]

LOCATIONS/DATES:
7/24: TILLMAN WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA, Clarence
Trails/Groomed/Water
(https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/83201.html)

7/31: BURCHFIELD NATURE AND ARTS CENTER, West Seneca
Trails/Groomed/Water
(http://www.burchfieldnac.org)

8/7: ELMWOOD VILLAGE, Buffalo - City/Urban
It’s rumored your companions will enjoy ice cold puppy skippy cups from a restauranteur at their final rest stop. WINK WINK!
(https://www.visitbuffaloniagara.com/neighborhood/elmwood-village/)

8/14: ELMA VILLAGE GREEN PARK, Elma
Trails/Paved/Water
** Concert on the Lawn: THE ILLUSIONS (classic rock) **
http://www.elmanewyork.com/attractions.html

8/21: ISLE VIEW PARK - TRIBUTE GARDEN, Town of Tonawanda
Groomed/Paved
(https://www3.erie.gov/parks/isle-view)

8/28: ELMWOOD VILLAGE, Buffalo
(https://www.visitbuffaloniagara.com/neighborhood/elmwood-village/)