Let's hear it for the City of Mesa

Well, I am officially the dog trainer at Countryside Park:

Dog and Puppy Training Classes in Countryside Park
for Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe and Phoenix Arizona

Get more info on the Group Classes tab

dog puppy trainer positive reinforcement clicker TAGteach behavior modification socialization commands

Group classes are coming soon

My project to give dog and puppy group classes in Countryside Park (Mesa, Phoenix Arizona) has recently been accepted. I have an appointment to discuss the schedule and other details this coming Wednesday, which means I will have more details very soon.
This is an exciting new adventure for me, since most of my classes as private dog trainer have been indoors and at people's houses.

For the introduction of my project I am shrinking the fee by $20 dollars: my students will get 8 1-hour classes for $80. That is $10/hour. Sometimes you can't even get a dog walker for that fee.

I want to set Saturdays at 10 or at 9 for the first session (8 classes on consecutive Saturdays), but I'm open to suggestions.

The park is located here: 

 

Exercise and mental stimulation keep dogs sane and healthy

Obstacles are good for the athletic dog - Mesa Dog Training | Examiner.com

It's the lack of that extra exercise and mental challenge that drive some dogs to eating furniture and walls, barking excessively, chasing their tails up to no end, and to developing problems like excessive shedding out of stress or constant fighting.

Special Training Needs of Working Breed Dogs

I wrote this article on Examiner.com and my Facebook page.
Does your dog need extra training because of his breed? Here is a list of working breeds according to the AKC and my advice on what training is needed.

 

St. Louis saving dogs from heat exhaustion

Did you know that in St. Louis Missouri it is illegal to keep dogs tethered outside when the temperature reaches 90ºF?
I didn't but it makes me happy. I haven't seen anyone in Arizona leaving their pets leashed outside during the heat, but you never know, someone might.
Do we have to be compelled by law to be humane, let alone have common sense?

Keep Those Pets Out of the Heat - Ladue-Frontenac, MO Patch

Owned by a pet....

Owned by a pet....


There might not be a scientific basis for what a lot of us feel, we just know that being owned by a pet makes us feel alive and loved. It makes us complete.
I'm not talking about decorative dogs alone in the yard while the rest of the family goes about their life; I'm talking about a dog, a cat, a chinchilla, a bird, a weasel that lives inside, takes part of the family activities, shares the coach and

More doggie dental health on Examiner.com

Teach your dog to let you clean his teeth in 5 easy steps. - Mesa Dog Training | Examiner.com:

"How hard is for a kid to enjoy brushing his teeth? Now, multiply that by your credit score and you will get a pretty good idea of what a challenge it is to get dogs to like dental cleaning. Or at least let you try it."

Dog Dental Health article for Examiner.com

Use these 3 tips to do mouth cleaning while dog training - Mesa Dog Training | Examiner.com:

"Using many treats can speed up the training process but it can affect your dog (giving it a 'plus' size), his diet and the health of his teeth, since soft foods can overstay their welcome in a mouth and create tartar"

Dogs walk in the path of zen

Dogs walk in the path of zen:

"The walk was done, the energy burnt, the bully mellowed down to a thirsty boy. He walked away with his foster mom. I guess he forgot about me right there and then. Zen is like that. You live in the present, free from the categories people think you fit: he was no bully anymore, just a dog."

Seventh-grader girl to hold dog agility training camp for kids

http://www.vcstar.com/news/2011/jul/01/seventh-grader-to-hold-dog-agility-training-camp/

This is a good story about dog training, about people passionate for dogs and all the things they can do, like sports, obedience, socialization, you name it.