Reign-in Rover's Roaming

Today's TMJ 4 anchor Michelle McCrady invited Able and to demonstrate the keys to controlling your dog off-leash. Here are some of the tips I shared on Sunday, October 21, 2007.

OFF-LEASH TRAINING FUNDAMENTALS

• When your dog is leashed, use the leash to train, not to restrain.

• Practice hands-free control.

• Look for safe challenges in which you give and enforce commands when your dog least expects them.

• Don’t repeat commands or take obedience for granted.

• Find several ways to effectively correct bad behavior and congratulate great behavior.

• Anticipate problems and don’t take chances.

OFF-LEASH CONTROL QUIZ
Does your dog:
1. Listen when he gets around to it, or if there is nothing better to do?
2. Lose emotional control around guests, other dogs, children, rabbits, squirrels, or birds?
3. Does he get excited or fixated on his agenda, and strain at the leash or become hard to handle?
Yes responses indicate training weaknesses that must be remedied to achieve off-leash control.

Shame on you Ellen!

Hear my take on why Ellen Degeneres's sobs get NO sympathy from me. Tune in to "Your Family Pet" WRRD AM-540 The Word on Sunday at 3PM for my comments on why media and public opinion largely missed the mark on the fundamentals of rehoming pets. Also, I'll Talk to Dave Ratner on the benchmarks of topnotch petshops.

GRROW Event at Lapham Peak in Delafield Wisconsin

Talk about a successful fundraiser! Thanks to the diligent effort of a troupe of golden retriever fans, the Golden Retriever Rescue of Wisconsin was able to raise about $15,000 to help offset the medical expenses rehoming of unwanted dogs. Able, Obey, and I were there to talk about three things EVERY dog should know. Thanks to the many participants who gave our techniques a try.

Super tough costume contest competition

Paw Prints Across Your Heart in Greendale hosted a canine costume contest on Sunday and asked me to be one of the judges. I thought, "No problem. Perhaps a handful of dogs will participate and it will be a cinch to narrow the field to three winners."

By 1:30 contestants lined the sidewalk in front of the store with some of the most clever, adorable unique costumes I'd ever seen. This year there were about 30 entrants, next year Paw Prints may have to rent the Franklin Sports Complex.

Where's Amy?

Saturday, October 20, 2007
GRROW (Golden Retriever Rescue of Wisconsin) Benefit at Lapham Peak (Delafield)
At 1:15-1:45PM Amy shows you 3 things EVERY dog should know.

Sunday, October 21, 2007
WTMJ Channel 4 with Melissa McCrady
At 8:50AM, Amy shares the secrets of how teach your dog to listen off-leash (and not jeopardize his safety) AND where you can get a FREE microchip for your dog (should he slip away from you despite your best precautions).

Sunday, October 21, 2007
Pawprints Across Your Heart in Greendale
At 2:00 enter your dog in the costume contest. Amy is on the judging panel and is a sucker for sweet dogs who can show off a trick while in costume -- hint, hint!

Prefer 'positive' training techniques? Preview the results!

The virtues of using treats to train animals are well documented, but what about the drawbacks? Since a picture is worth a thousand words, checkout this video and watch it to the end.

Need a new career? Ben Kaplan shows you how to finance your education!

Ben Kaplan, The Scholarship Coach is a favorite guest on Your Family Pet. I know lots of listeners want to turn their passion for pets into cash. Ben offered his suggestions on "Your Family Pet" on Sunday September 30 and he is coming to Wisconsin. The great news is that you can see his motivating, dream expanding, roadmapping seminar for FREE! Don't miss it.

Date and Time:
Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2007
7:00-9:00 p.m.
TO REGISTER GO TO: http://www.scholarshipcoach.com/publish/root_category/stand-alone/home_page/feature_3/0_milwaukeetickets.php

Location:
Carroll College,
Shattuck Auditorium
100 N. East Ave.
Waukesha, WI 53186Ben Kaplan’s scholarship seminar is, quite simply, unlike any other event of its kind. With his unique blend of youthful energy, humor, audience involvement, dramatic skits, music, inspiration, and powerful paying-for-college action steps, you will be madly taking notes, internalizing key strategies and principles, and laughing all the way to the bank.

Amiable Dog Training October Newsletter

TUNE IN!
94.5 WKTI Talks with Amy Ammen

Thursday, Oct 4 at 7:15 a.m.
Whether you have a concern of your own or you just like to eavesdrop on conversations about crazy dog dilemas, tune in to WKTI FM94.5 on Thursday, Oct 4 at 7:15 a.m.
Amy Ammen, owner of Amiable Dog Training, ponders callers' canine conundrums on "Ask the Expert" with hosts Mathew, Erin, and AJ. "Mathew Blades in the Morning" WKTI

DRESS UP!
Halloween Costume Party at Yappy Hour

FREE Friday, October 26 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Amiable Dog Training 4343 S. 27th Street in Greenfield
-Prizes and special treats
-Parade of costumes
-Play & socialization
-$5 doggy nail trims
-FREE Home Again microchip available compliments of
Tuckaway Veterinary Clinic! ($10 registration fee; $14.95 annual membership)
Call (414) 289-7785 for more info
Please make sure your dog is properly vaccinated, parasite-free and has a 6' leash (no retractable leashes please)

COMPETE!
Halloween Costume Contest

Pawprints Across Your Heart 5686 Broad Street in Greendale
Sunday, Oct 21 from 1-4 p.m.
GiftsForPaws.com (414) 423-5800