Please visit me at www.dogclass.com

I'm no longer posting on this blog, but I am doing regular posts on my website www.dogclass.com.

Please check there for training information, Able the Dancing Chihuahua performances, Dog Class TV videos, group class schedules, and private training information.

See Able Spin, Skip, and Sway

Able the Dancing Chihuahua is on tour! This weekend he will perform on the Children's Stage at Fest Italiana on the Summerfest grounds in Milwaukee.

Monday he hits the road to visit the Fond du Lac Public Library. Here are the details as reported in an article on the fdlreporter.com.

"Able the Dancing Chihuahua" will give two performances on Monday, July 21, at the Fond du Lac Public Library, 32 Sheboygan St. Able will perform at 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. He dances with his partner and trainer, Amy Ammen. The program includes tips for children on how to stay safe around dogs. Although the shows are free, admission tickets are required. People can pick up free tickets at the children's desk at the library."

Then, Able is has a short, but well-deserved, vacation. He can't sit still for long though. On Wednesday, August 30, Able is off to the Tippicanoe Library for a 6:30 performance. Come and join the fun, or hire Able for your next event!

Fireworks Crashing Your Canine's 4th of July Celebration?

Fourth of July is no Independence Day for dogs who suffer noise phobias. The following is a topical article with tips to help your dog overcome his fear.

Saturday, June 28, 2008 (SF Chronicle)
Ways to keep the dog sane on July Fourth
Lynette Evans


One Fourth of July, my sister left her dog Sascha in the car while she and
her children sat on a Tahoe hillside to enjoy the fireworks show. Sascha,
a husky who hadn't been clued in on the celebration, dug a hole in the
backseat of the car in which to hide from the noise.
Amy Ammen, author of "Hip Ideas for Hyper Dogs" (Wiley; 2007), says dogs
can be trained not to be fearful of traumatizing noises. Coddling a
fearful dog, she says, will reinforce the dog's fearfulness rather than
eliminate it. You can prepare ahead, she says: "Take him to class,
establish basic skills, intentionally induce anxiety-provoking situations,
and apply the skills you've learned together."
Here are four tips from Ammen for making your dog more macho:
-- Don't coddle it when it's freaking out.
-- Give a command, such as "sit," and enforce it.
-- Keep the dog on a short leash and don't let it run.
-- Ask others to ignore it if it's freaking out.
And a reminder: Leave your pet at home Friday evening, securely indoors
where a neighbor's firecrackers won't cause it to bolt. Don't take it to a
fireworks display unless you want your auto trashed and your dog even more
traumatized. ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 2008 SF Chronicle

Uno at the Park

Who won Best in Show at Westminster Kennel Club this year? Who promotes the charity Angel on a Leash? Who will be throwing out the first pitch at the Brewer's game on July 12th at Miller Park? Who will get first pick of the seats in the Midwest Express skybox that night?

Of course, it's Uno, the Beagle! Is there anything he can't do? Come see for yourself.

Dog Owners Can Save Money

Dog owners are feeling the pinch. I talked about this on Animal Radio with Hal Abrams and Judy Francis. Listen to the full interview and check out the following tips.

Top Money-Saving Strategies for Dog Owners

Dog ownership can be prohibitively expensive – but it doesn’t have to be, according to nationally known dog-behavior expert Amy Ammen, host of Dog Class TV in Milwaukee. Wis.

The budget-conscious owner can save a bundle by being a smart shopper over the life of his or her dog, she said.

Selection
Look for a dog that’s available “free to a good home,” or adopt from a shelter with low adoption fees of, say, under $200 for a puppy or $100 for an adult.
Ask if the dog is up-to-date on medical basics such as vaccinations, worming, spaying or neutering. If not, factor these costs into the equation.
Inquire about freebies, such as collar, leash, bed, gates, dishes, kennel, food, even heartworm preventative.
Consider asking a professional to temperament-test the dog before making a commitment.

Training
Do not give your dog unsupervised freedom until he’s proven himself trustworthy.
Puppy-proof your home to keep temptations out of reach; you’ll avoid the need for replacing items as well as the potential for costly emergency surgery.
Speak with and observe a prospective trainer in action to avoid wasting money on training methods that you disagree with.
Go with group classes, using private lessons only as needed.
Don’t send your dog away for training; it’s expensive, and doesn’t teach YOU how to bring out your dog’s best behavior.

Services
When your vet recommends an expensive test or treatment, ask “Is this really necessary?” “Do I have to do it right away?” “What are the pros and cons?” “Is there a more conservative approach?”
Price-shop for medications if your vet will give you a prescription.
Learn to do maintenance grooming yourself between professional appointments.
Avoid dog day care. Instead, form a community with neighbors, coworkers and relatives.

Supplies
Don’t cut corners on food; avoid generic and grocery store brands.
Feed dry food to reduce waste and the tendency toward finicky eating habits.
Don’t feed treats at all.
If you must, offer chopped veggies, cereal or kibble.
Avoid cutesy, poorly constructed toys and equipment. Instead, choose sturdy and practical items.
For money-saving suggestions on training, quick energy burners, grooming and trouble-shooting tips, Ammen recommends consulting her book Hip Ideas for Hyper Dogs (Wiley, 2007).

Small Dog Class starts Sunday, June 8, 2008

Small Dogs, Big Potential!


This specialty class, taught by Amy Ammen of Amiable Dog Training, includes care and training for toy breed dogs and dogs under 15 lbs. at maturity. It starts Sunday in West Allis. Call to enroll -- 414-289-7785.

Dog Class TV Premiers in Milwaukee

From: Amy Ammen For immediate release
amyammen@dogclass.com May 16, 2008
414-213-5464



Dog Class TV To Help Owners
Control Loveable, But Unruly, Canines


Milwaukee, Wis. – A new canine television show featuring veteran dog trainer Amy Ammen will debut this month on MATA channel 14 and on U-Verse channel 99.
Dog Class TV will teach viewers how to train any canine to be “doggone great,” said Ammen, whose sixth book, Hip Ideas for Hyper Dogs, was released by Howell Books in 2007.
Dog Class TV segments include guest interviews, “Ask Obey” mailbag, “What Would Pavlov Do?” behavior tips, “Able’s Essentials” product reviews, and training secrets to help your dog get out -- and stay out -- of mischief.
The monthly series airs every Thursday at 4:30PM, Friday at 10AM, Sunday at 3:30PM, and Monday at 1PM. In the first episode, guest Marianne Anderson of Companion’s Rest Pet Cemetery talks with Ammen about how to decide when euthanasia is the humane course of action and ways to memorialize a beloved pet. In addition, Ammen discusses introducing a new pet to the household and selecting the right dog for your circumstances.
Ammen decided to launch Dog Class TV to help owners bring out the best in their dogs – and to entertain dog-lovers who are, for one reason or another, dog-less.
“I admire what Cesar Milan has done to publicize the importance of basic training,” she said. “People need to know there is someone with the same problem-solving capabilities in Milwaukee.”
This is not her first time teaching via television.
“I took a three-year break, but was eager to get back to doing a series,” she said. “There are a lot of people who want to have a fun-loving, healthy, obedient, enviable, and all-around great dog. But few realize that they have diamonds in the ‘ruff’ right at the end of their leashes. Dog Class TV will show them how to make the dog of their dreams a reality.”
Most people appreciate a well-behaved, dignified dog, Ammen added. “Many understand that dangling a treat in front of a dog’s face will produce neither a satisfactory relationship or the level of control required to keep a dog both happy and safe. What’s needed instead are training techniques that respect the dog’s intelligence, work quickly, and give owners a true sense of accomplishment. And that’s what Dog Class TV provides.”
Ammen has been director of Amiable Dog Training since 1982. In addition to training and writing on canine topics, she performs with popular children’s entertainer Able the Dancing Chihuahua.
MATA channel 14 and U-Verse channel 99 serve the city of Milwaukee and north-shore communities.
For details, including episode summaries, additional tips, links, and video clips – or to leave comments or questions – visit www.DogClassTV.blogspot.com