Companion Synergy

08/20/2024

Positive reinforcement training enhances your relationship with your dog:

"So ditch dominance. Park the prong. Stop the shock. Use treats to train your dog. If you stick to reward-based methods only, you’ll have a dog who is happier, has better manners, and has a better relationship with you." Read more in my NEW post at Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/fellow-creatures/202408/more-treats-please-no-tugging-the-leash-in-dog-training

07/05/2024

On this beautiful day we here at Companion Synergy would like to acknowledge that we live in the best country in the entire world and we have the best customers. Have an Amazing Fourth of July!!!

07/03/2024

12/19/2023

While feeling a bit reflective, and thinking about what to write today, I went into the archives to see what I’d written this month ten years ago. I ran into this post, which I’d forgotten about, and decided it deserved to come out of moth balls, like some Christmas tree decorations stashed in t...

12/14/2023

Dogs chase things that move and are interested in noises and movement.

08/10/2023

After playgroup it’s one big nap time and sometimes cuddles are a necessity 

08/10/2023

Lenny is loving being around so many great dogs! What a happy boy

06/15/2023

Reposted from Caring for Rescued ex Street Dogs (as shared by unrelated organization, Rescued By Training)
・・・
What a great visual to help illustrate all the “normal” things that are around that your fearful dog may be sensitive to. When people tell me “there’s nothing for the dog to be scared of” I try to help them understand that maybe there aren’t things that we find scary but to a dog, maybe one who has never lived inside or with humans or in a busy place, there are plenty of things to be afraid of.

See the original post for a LOT more great information at
https://www.facebook.com/caringforstreetdogs/posts/pfbid02Adzodhu5YzirmcLtrw2q6r5PPLQzHE8NX8NMEdWvg1EPorpR1RPhmfc795LQB1pAl

01/06/2023

Before the week of rain we have been having we had a couple of fun shots!! Left to right Virginia, Poppy, & Moana

12/23/2022

Cool story!

https://www.facebook.com/100050152434108/posts/714587216889686/?mibextid=dDOYBg

Meet New York’s First Known Dog Walker. “Coming up Fifth Avenue last Friday morning was a pretty, trim-looking girl, who attracted the rather admiring attention of passers-by from the enjoyment she seemed to take in what was apparently a morning constitutional. It was a thoroughly uncomfortable day. A constant drizzle was falling, half rain and half sleet…She wore a trim little gray suit, with the skirt at ankle length. She had no umbrella and she walked freely and easily, her cheeks rosy with exercise and her hands free, except as she held a leash at the other end of which was a handsome Irish setter dog.

“The girl was apparently having more fun out of the walk than the dog. That was not surprising for what respectable and self-respecting hunting dog would like to be obliged to trot along Fifth Avenue. So the dog looked despondent and the girl happy for it was a matter of business with her, and she was being paid for it.”

According to The NY Times article in January 1899, an elderly lady of some wealth had gone to the Women’s Exchange to ask if anyone could be employed to “exercise my dog for me.” The unnamed girl answered the posting, making the tidy sum of $10 a month for an hour walk of the Irish Setter a day.

“Now the young woman’s mornings are all engaged wandering up and down Fifth Avenue exercising society pets… It is a good thing for the young woman. It is a blessing for the dogs, as it is the best thing they can get inside the city limits, and it is with great satisfaction to the fond owners of the dogs. So there is a new profession, and at least one woman is helping to support herself by means of it.”

For more profiles of people and the work that shapes their lives (past and present), sign up for my free newsletter Work/Craft/Life. https://nealbascomb.com/work-craft-life/



Text: New York Times
Photograph: DALL-E (AI generated photograph with prompt: 'Fashionable young woman walking an Irish setter in NYC in 1800s)

10/21/2022

Would like to welcome Nelly into the fold!!!! What a wonderful girl!!!!

10/21/2022

We would like to welcome Charlotte to Companion Synergy.

10/18/2022

A little humor on a Tuesday

10/14/2022

I went to go drop off Moana after playgroup, and was greeted by a snowman and a witch!! Scarlett looks amazing!!

10/14/2022

We love our fall time walks!!! The heat has gone and it’s nothing but cooler weather and beauty everywhere

10/03/2022

Rylah after running around with her friends

10/01/2022

Got to spend time with Charlotte, Bensons newest addition to the family. Had a lot of fun! Can’t wait to work with her, she is a LOVE!!!!

08/30/2022

https://outwardhound.com/furtropolis/water-safety/why-are-retractable-leashes-bad?utm_campaign=social-post&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&fbclid=IwAR3nKYs6vYH_P44tr5awtLyEU28apt_pHha95bObWwQwzU8zIq5mk00oy8E

A retractable leash might seem more convenient, but are there some reasons you shouldn’t use them? Read on to learn more about why retractable leashes might not be a good choice for you and your dog.

08/24/2022

Love me some poppy

07/02/2022

One happy dog!!!!! Rudie trying out the agility equipment. #

06/08/2022

Husky friends @ playgroup

06/08/2022

It has been such a pleasure to watch these two grow into such great pups and even better friends!!! I love what I do

05/19/2022

Good advice…

Dogs and cats who lose a housemate can experience grief the same way that we do. Here are 5 ways to help pets who are left missing your family's fur angel.
https://www.lapoflove.com/blog/pet-loss-support/helping-your-pet-cope-with-grief-and-loss-of-another-pet

05/18/2022

Now that the weather is getting warmer, our dogs will be encountering more children when out and about. This is a great article featuring my friend Jen Shryock of Family Paws. Great info about how to tell if your dog is uncomfortable with an interaction and also how to teach your kids to act with dogs.

Tails aren't for pulling

05/13/2022

Calypso is our newest puppy! She’s super smart and such a sweet girl.

04/23/2022

Such a handsome boy!!!! Joe always puts a smile on your face

04/12/2022

I couldn’t help my self, lol

04/11/2022

At Companion Synergy we are lucky to work with some of the best cats! Gus and Ashima enjoyed some great sunbeams this morning ❤️

04/08/2022

BRAIN UNDER CONSTRUCTION – DEALING WITH TEENAGE DOGS
Those cute, adorable puppies don’t stay that way for long and soon grow up to be adult dogs. It’s often the stage in between this period that owners find the most frustrating and wonder what on earth has happened to their pup’s lovely personality. Just like people, the stage between childhood and adulthood - those often-dreaded teenage years, can be exasperating. There’s a saying that I’m sure will resonate with many parents who have gone through the teenage years with their off spring - “Parents with teenagers understand why some animals eat their young!” Many dog owners are unaware that dogs also go through a teenage stage and are frustrated and unprepared for the changes this may bring. It’s a sad reality that this is the age that many dogs are surrendered to shelters as their owners no longer “like” the way their dogs behave.
The adolescent dog has to cope with surging hormones and a brain that is reorganizing itself. The most pronounced behavioural changes are usually seen between 6 to 12 months old. Although hormones play a huge part in the change in behaviour, the brain is also going through big changes as it develops and rewires itself. All of these changes may cause dogs to be easily distracted, finding it more difficult to learn and retain information and they may seem to have forgotten everything they’ve been trained to do. They may also begin to develop a need to be more independent and engage in more risk taking or excitement seeking behaviour.
Although this stage may be challenging, remembering that it’s just a phase and “this too shall pass”, makes it easier to cope with. Understanding, awareness, patience and consistency will help you both get through it.

04/02/2022

Whether you have had dogs your whole life or this is your first dog, bringing a puppy into a home with young children, comes with all sorts of challenges. The sharp teeth, constant mouthing, jumping, chasing kids, sleepless nights, stealing stuff, weeing and pooing all over the house – it’s a lo...