Romping Dogs Dog Training

30/06/2024

23/06/2024

Is your dog ready for the 4th? Make sure they’re chipped and if they will panic, call your vet for medication.

We are just two weeks away from Anderson Explodes, our July 3rd Celebration and Fireworks taking place at the Shasta District Fair and Event Center. Parking is $5.00. All your favorite vendors, a concert with Jeremy Ryan (formerly known as California Band) and an awesome Fireworks display by Fireworks America. Join us! The gates open at 5pm, concert at 730pm and the fireworks are at 10pm.

19/01/2024

Having a really strong "come" skill can save a life.

Bystanders called 911 after the 65-year-old Traverse City man fell through ice-covered Arbutus Lake.

06/01/2024

Rain day woe.

04/01/2024

Is puppy class important?

Are you expecting? A puppy, I mean! Are you expecting to add a puppy to your household this year? Are you excited? Maybe you’ve met the puppy’s mother, possibly some other relatives, even before the litter is born. You’re planning ahead as carefully as possible to be as ready as you can be on

25/12/2023

Christmas is an unusual day with lots of food, paper wrappings, and new people. Using baby gates, leashes, and brain activities to manage your dog keeps everyone safe and happy.

22/12/2023

What happens if your pet is naughty?
Keep the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center number handy: 1-888-426-4435.

20/12/2023

What’s beneath your tree? Twyla and Huck wish everyone a safe and yummy Christmas.

23/11/2023

Grab the thing you like the best and run around with it!
Happy Thanksgiving!

16/10/2023

Being a popular trainer does not make them a good trainer.

Dog trainers that use aversive training methods, including Augusto DeOliveira, also known as "The Dog Daddy," have caught the attention of concerned animal welfare groups, trainers, veterinary behaviorists, and pet owners. The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB) recently issued a stat...

13/09/2023

Just because a trainer has a high following doesn't mean they're actually safe.

10/09/2023

Do you know the signs of pain?

05/09/2023

First day back after a long weekend.

14/08/2023

Thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and overnight. Please be sure to secure your pets.

Weekly Fire Potential Forecast for
Aug. 14 to Aug. 17:

*** 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐛𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 & 𝐓𝐮𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐫𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ***

*Nighttime high based dry storms are possible in NW portions of the area late tonight through Tue morning.

*Strong winds will continue to be a hazard across the entire area through the event.

*Well above normal temps will continue area wide through Thursday.

* Flammable fuels (both live & dead) are found below elevations of 5000 ft.

Note that high fire dangers are also found in neighboring states, which could limit mutual aid resources.

Have you registered for CodeRed? Now is a good day to do it.
https://www.onsolve.com/landing/sign-up-for-codered-emergency-alerts/

14/07/2023

Real world dog etiquette.

I spend so much time working with people and their reactive or aggressive dogs, learning how to help them and work with them, but I also try to show people with NON reactive dogs learn how they can help them too. I truly believe if we work together as a collaborative society of dog lovers we can help every dog live their best life. Here are some things I try to teach every human and dog team, and I’ve actually found these are good preventative tools too.

1. Stop letting your dog have on leash greetings with other dogs. Even if they are friendly. Teach your dog when they are on leash you are the best thing they can focus on! This will minimize their conditioned excitement every time they see another dog and help them not pull, lunge or move towards a reactive dog who doesn’t want an interaction. Also, the more you do let your dog meet dogs on leash, the more frustrated and aroused your dog can get when they see them and then reactivity can develop. NO leash greetings all around is a much healthier way to teach your dog(s) that the world out there is great but you’re even better to focus on!

2. Silence your dogs tags. I started doing this a few years ago when we started camping. I realized that the jingling of my dogs tags walking was a huge trigger for many of the dogs in their campsite, and as a result, they would bark and scream profanity at my dogs walking. This made their walk stressful too. By minimizing the noise, I’ve greatly improved my dogs walks and I know I’ve also helped a lot of reactive dogs not get triggered for the umpteenth time that day.

3. Work on a bombproof recall. And then work on it some more. And then some more.

4. Only let your dog off leash in places that are allowed. Even if you think no one is there. Even if it’s just for a second. Just. Don’t. Do it. It’s not fair and it sets so many dogs and humans up to fail. Want a place to let your dog run? Look at Sniffspot.com

5. Respect muzzles, give me space vests, and people saying “no” It is super hard to take a reactive dog out in public and have confidence. The more we give space and respect the better these teams will do! Don’t make judgements or stare or insist on saying hello because you hope to be the exception. Just tell them they are doing a great job and keep going.

6. Don’t let your dog stare. This is a BIG one we work on in all our classes. We teach humans how to position their dogs so they don’t stare at other dogs. I work hard on teaching my dogs to not stare at other dogs on leash and you can too. This is more subtle than not leash greeting but it can be just as helpful. Teach your dog to acknowledge there’s a dog there, but then move on, or turn around and not face them. For many reactive dogs there is nothing more triggering than a goofy adolescent dog staring at them across the road. I swear they scream back “WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?!”

7. Confine and safely manage your dog in the car. Dogs hanging out of windows, barking and lunging in the backseat, or moving back and forth in the car are problematic because 1. It’s not safe and 2. It’s teaching THEM terrible behavior and 3. It’s very stressful for reactive dogs trying to walk down the road. My dogs are crated in the car; or tethered or use a calming cap to reduce their own stress and the stress of dogs that may walk past.

8. Offer to help. Ask the person what you can do to make it easier or help them? More space? Or moving back and forth? Or just continuing on your way. Some people struggle to find others with NON reactive dogs to practice with, so having help makes a big difference. Speak up if you see someone putting them down. Warn someone with an off leash dog that there’s a dog there that needs space. Help them the same at YOU would like it if it was you and your dog.

Reactive dogs are not broken: and they aren’t abnormal either. Reactivity honestly is now becoming more normal than NON reactive dogs, so we have to all work through this together. And it boils down to respect, understanding, courtesy and lots of reward based training.

We can do it gang.

-Helen St. Pierre

06/07/2023

If you're taking your dog hiking, bring your own water. "Because of the increased risk of contracting an illness, the National Park Service advises visitors to avoid contact with the water in Clear Creek within and around the Tower House Historic District, Clear Creek Picnic Area, and Coggins Flat as we continue to monitor water quality in the creek. "

Public Health Advisory Issued for Clear Creek in the Tower House Historic District

Whiskeytown, CA - To protect public health, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area monitors water quality regularly and collaborates with the Shasta County Environmental Health Division. This monitoring occurs every year from May to September and corresponds to our peak period of visitation. Recent water quality monitoring within the Tower House Historic District has detected elevated levels of E. coli in Clear Creek, posing an increased risk to recreational users of the creek. There have been no reports of illnesses.

At present, the park is collecting additional information to help county health officials and park managers better determine the level of risk to recreational users of Clear Creek. Because of the increased risk of contracting an illness, the National Park Service advises visitors to avoid contact with the water in Clear Creek within and around the Tower House Historic District, Clear Creek Picnic Area, and Coggins Flat as we continue to monitor water quality in the creek. This does not mean that access to the creek is closed, however the National Park Service is recommending against swimming or other recreational activities in Clear Creek until further notice.

E. coli is an indicator bacteria used to identify f***l pollution from human, pet, or wildlife waste. Most strains of E. coli are harmless, but elevated levels indicate that pathogens could be present and sicken swimmers and other users of the creek. You can help us keep our water clean and safe by abiding by the following:

DO NOT FEED WILDLIFE. Whiskeytown’s Canada geese mostly live off unnatural human food that visitors feed them. They also eat park litter and food scraps that are left behind. A single goose can defecate approximately one to three pounds per day.

DISPOSE OF ALL FOOD TRASH AND FOOD SCRAPS IN THE BROWN, BEAR-PROOF TRASH CANS. Please pick up food scraps after picnicking and never leave food unattended.

SHOWER BEFORE GETTING INTO THE LAKE OR CREEK AND PUT SWIM DIAPERS ON BABIES AND TODDLERS. A shower before swimming can help keep the waters clean. Putting swim diapers on babies and toddlers that are not yet “potty trained” can help protect water quality as well.

USE THE RESTROOMS PROVIDED. Going to the bathroom “in Mother Nature” at Whiskeytown can pollute the water. Please only go to the bathroom in official restrooms.

For media inquiries, contact Josh Hoines, Superintendent, at 530-242-3460 or [email protected].

14/06/2023

All behavior has a function.

There are a lot of different reasons for your dog's behaviour, intentional vindictiveness or naughtiness isn't one of them.

All behaviours have a function. They serve the individual in some way. Behaviours are the observable actions of any number of underlying environmental and internal processes. Assumptions are not only unhelpful, they are potentially damaging and neglect to address your dogs' reality.

Step back and take a moment to observe what your dog is telling you. If you need help, reach out to a certified and qualified professional.

04/06/2023

Plan ahead.

Today is the Day...

29/05/2023

“Whatcha doin’ today?”

20/04/2023

We have been chosen as one of The Best Dog Trainers in California of 2023 by Sniffspot! Thank you for your support and trust in us with your furry family members!

https://www.sniffspot.com/blog/dog-trainers/california

Find the best dog trainers in California with Sniffspot - see and get in touch with the winners of our dog training contest in 2023.

23/03/2023

It's National Puppy Day!
Show us your puppies!

19/03/2023

Rainy day dog woes.

13/03/2023

Are you prepared for a loose dog?

What do you do if an off-leash dog approaches you while you are walking a dog? Make a plan today, learn more.

26/02/2023

Rainy day woes.

23/02/2023

What do you do when there’s graupel falling from the sky? Twyla wanted a bone-in-mouth photo shoot.

15/02/2023

Huckleberry is now 11 months old. He’s grown into quite the handsome boy, but is still very much in adolescence. I can’t wait to meet the wonderful adult dog to come.

11/02/2023

Rainy Saturday morning feels.

11/02/2023

Friday nights.

09/02/2023

Dog Food Recall: Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EL Elemental (PPVD EL) prescription dry dog food

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/nestle-purina-petcare-company-voluntarily-recalls-purina-pro-plan-veterinary-diets-el-elemental-dry

Nestlé Purina PetCare Company is voluntarily recalling select lots of Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EL Elemental (PPVD EL) prescription dry dog food due to potentially elevated levels of vitamin D.