Looking to Adopt A Friend?
Look no further! Furry Friends Foundation is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization and all donations are fully tax-deductible. The all-volunteer no-kill shelter was founded in 1998, and has found homes for over 1,550 animals.
If you are unable to adopt an animal, but want to help, The Furry Friends Foundation needs you! Volunteers are needed to foster or exercise the dogs that are in desparte need of homes. Please check out http://www.furryfriendsfoundation.com to learn more about the wonderful organization in the heart of Chicago.
Posted on: April 30, 2003
Gentle Leaders
Is this collar right for you and your dog? Pulling on the leash is a very common problem dog owners face. The larger the dog, the harder they can pull.
Every day, owners surrender their healthy pets to shelters because of such behavioral problems, and many of those animals are put to death. In fact, experts say, behavior problems indirectly kill more dogs than parvovirus, distemper, heartworms and all other diseases combined.
That realization prompted two dog experts from Minnesota to invent the Gentle Leader head collar, which uses a dog's natural instincts to control behavior without choking.
Because of its unique and effective design, the Gentle Leader was named in July by the Smithsonian Institution as one of the world's 100 best inventions.
Designed by dog trainer Ruth Foster of Minneapolis and veterinarian Dr. Robert (R.K.) Anderson of Falcon Heights, the Gentle Leader is becoming a very popular tool and when properly fit, may feel like "power steering" for your dog.
No it is not and muzzle and your dog can do just about anything they can on a buckle collar, however, the pressure is on the back of the dog's head, rather than their throat. This collar needs to be fit correctly and owners should never jerk or pop your dogs head when wearing a Gentle Leader. I have fit many dogs with Gentle Leaders and have had great success. The collar is not for everyone and some dogs may never adjust to one. Success with a Gentle Leader works best when coupled with training to walk on a loose leash!
Posted on: April 24, 2003
When Should I Start To Train My Dog?
Start training your puppy or dog the minute you bring them home. Puppies are like little sponges and capable of learning so many new things. Begin teaching them what you expect right away by showing them what is right and wrong. They are not born understanding your rules and need gentle guidance from you along the way.
At one time, when most trainers used choke chains and prong collars, puppies didn't start classes until they were six months or older, because of the potential damage these collars could do to their tender tracheas from using forced based tools. Now that more and more trainers are using gentle, positive training methods, we have no fear of harming a young puppy, and we can start them at a very early age.
A great way to start is to join a puppy class where your puppy can learn valuable socialization and life skills that they will need for the rest of their lives! Anything Is PAWSible starts puppys classes every month, so you never have to wait more than a few weeks to get your puppy started. If you don't want to wait even that long, we can schedule one or two private sessions to get you started on the right path until classes begin.
Because let's face it, unless your dog is sleeping, there is training taking place!
Posted on: April 23, 2003
Legal Dog Beach Open
Montrose Beach is now the first legal dog beach open in Chicago. Montrose Beach has long been used by people and their dogs at times when use of the beach by others is minimal. Thanks to the Chicago City Council for changing the city ordinance and the Chicago Park District for providing a community process to follow - we now a Dog Friendly Area on Montrose beach.
The Chicago community can now use the beach to recreate in the way most important to us, exercising our pets in a beautiful setting; at the same time our presence makes the beach safer for everyone and discourages criminal and other unwanted behavior.
We must understand that a dog-friendly designation is a privilege, not an entitlement, and we are committed to use the opportunity to make the beach a cleaner, safer place for everyone.
For more information please check out http://www.mondog.org
Posted on: April 10, 2003