A+ Dog Training

08/02/2024

07/31/2024

I tell my students this ALL THE TIME!

07/30/2024

[NOTE: This photo is just picture of a pond in the summer. NOT a picture of a pond with the toxin.] Cyanobacteria can have many different looks, including not being visible at all. Link to Kentucky Division of Water for more photos and information: https://eec.ky.gov/Environmental-Protection/Water/Monitor/Pages/HABS.aspx #:~:text=Harmful%20Algal%20Blooms%20Division%20of%20Water&text=A%20harmful%20algal%20bloom%2C%20or,skin%20in%20animals%20or%20humans.
"Death follows minutes to hours after exposure to a small amount of this toxin." As the weather gets hotter, ponds can start to have "algae blooms." The water itself can look like pea soup, or like green paint is spread on the surface of the water. Sometimes it is not visible at all. Some of these blooms are cyanobacteria, which can produce potent toxins. Dogs are exposed when they wade in the water and either drink the water directly, or lick it off themselves when they come out. There is no antidote; treatment is supportive and many dogs don't survive. If you believe your dog has been exposed, bathe him immediately. If he has any symptoms, bring him right in to a veterinarian. See comments for more information about signs and treatment. (Most ponds that look like this are not dangerous, but it is not possible to tell which ones are toxic and which ones aren't except by having the water tested; If in doubt, keep pets out.) Edited to add links to more pond phots.

07/23/2024

Thank you to Lindsey and Huck and Stefanie and Thori for participating in A+Dog Training's invited participation in Dell Webb's Yappy Hour obedience demonstration/presentation! Great turnout!

07/15/2024

CLASSES ARE CANCELLED FOR TONIGHT 7/15!
Stay safe everyone.

07/15/2024

I'm keeping an eye on the predicted bad weather anticipated tonight. Please check here or call before coming to class tonight.

07/13/2024

I will state this again and louder for those in the back:
#1 There is a leash law in McHenry County.
If your dog is off your property OR not under control ON your property (electronic fences can be breached), you are liable for a citation from animal Control. If your dog bites someone/another leashed dog unprovoked (that means the person or other dog does not antagonize/instigate the bite-walking down the street is NOT antagonistic) your dog will be deemed "dangerous" and will not be able to be off your property without a muzzle and it will need to be confined in a physical enclosure whenever on your property. This "label" CANNOT be reversed!
#2 You are NOT being a bad neighbor reporting a consistently loose dog. You might be saving a child or another dog from getting bit.
To those that say "my dog loves other dogs"; I say "until he doesn't".
They are DOGS! Not 4 legged humans.
Too many dangerous incidents lately to not remind everyone.

07/10/2024

Pet parent approved. Dog & cat adored. Flea-and-tick sprays powered by nature 🤩. It's all good.

07/10/2024

Update: internet back around 10am this morning. Patience please while i try to catch up with emails/phone calls.

Update: now it says will be restored by 5pm...ugh

Internet and phone out since yesterday evening. Scheduled to be back by 3pm today.

07/04/2024

3 more days to get in your votes for Best of the Fox!
Please help us obtain this award for the 7th year in a row!
We truly appreciate your support!

07/04/2024

Looks like a good solution to a problem.

07/01/2024

SUMMER TRAVEL SAFETY TIP. Please read, this is very important. And, in NJ, IT'S THE LAW. It is considered 'animal cruelty' and if you are pulled over, you could be fined $250 to $1,000. Yes, you read that right.

One of the most important things we can do for our pets is to ensure they are safely restrained when we travel with them by car. Would you let your kids bounce around your car unrestrained?

There are several reasons for this. First of all, restraining your pet is the same as you wearing a seat belt. It keeps you from flying around the vehicle and getting injured from the secondary impact during an accident. Restraint will protect your dog from sustaining possibly serious or fatal injuries should you get in an accident. Restraint will also keep your dog under control while you are driving, so you don't need to worry about them jumping in the front seat with you or obstructing your view.

Restraining your pet will also prevent your dog from getting out and running off if the door pops open due to the accident. Even the best trained dog will bolt from an accident scene and probably right into traffic.

Proper restraint will keep your dog safely in the car when you open the door when you reach your destination. Recently one of our volunteers was at the vet's office and another client almost lost their unrestrained dog when they opened the car door. The dog jumped out and ran off. They had to chase the dog around the parking lot (next to a very busy road) and were able to catch him. But if the dog was properly restrained, this would not have happened.

There are 2 different ways safely restrain your dog. One way is to use a travel crate, like this one in the photo. This is a heavy, impact-resistant crate. The hard plastic airliner type crates are a good option if an impact resistant crate like the one shown is cost prohibitive. A folding wire crate is better than nothing at all.

It is important that the crate be level and secured. You can level the crate in the back seat using a pool noodle or a rolled towel by the back of the seat. You can use a leash around a headrest, or a dog seat belt tether to keep the crate from moving around. The crate below is attached with ratchet straps to the tie down rings in the cargo part of the car. You should be able to push hard on the crate without moving it. This will help your dog feel more secure as well. A wiggling / sliding crate is upsetting for your pup.

The 2nd option is using a car harness and tether. The harness must be specifically made for use in the car, or it must have wide straps and the dog must not be able to get out of it. This could double as your walking harness that is escape proof. If they can slip out of a harness, then they can pop out during an accident. You can get a good car harness for under $50. You want the tether short enough so that they can sit or lay comfortably, and not so long they can move around too much. It should keep your dog pretty close to the seat, not able to move all over or jump onto the floor of the car.

Note that it is NOT SAFE to tether your dog using their collar only. If you get in an accident, this could cause serious or fatal injuries to your dog as their neck will take all the force of the impact. It could crush their trachea or break their neck.

Please, take the extra couple of minutes to make sure your dog is safely restrained in your car before you head out. It could literally save their life.

For those who don't think my information is accurate - here is a summary of vehicle restraint laws by state. Multiple web pages share the same information. This website mentions that your insurance claim could be denied - I am assuming for vet bills for your injured dog.
https://www.gopetfriendly.com/blog/state-laws-require-pets-to-be-restrained-in-vehicles/

06/29/2024

Way to go, Farmers Market of Bluffton! 👏🐾🐾 We'd love to see more of this.