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For personal one-on-one training, we recommend Jody Mountfort with Doggie Dilemmas.

From Jody... I got started in dog training because I wanted to have a dog that people wouldn't mind being around. I started at Richmond Dog Obedience Club (R.D.O.C.) in 1992 with my first dog, Chase (who was very much like the Chase of today!) The club asked me to help with their instructor program. I didn't feel confident enough to be on my own, so I became an assistant & later an instructor. I was voted instructor of the year in 1999. I have put AKC titles on 3 dogs, as well as a Canine Good Citizen & Therapy Dog Certificate on my dog Blackey. I take Blackey to Lucy Corr Nursing Home for demonstrations for the patients there. Blackey and I also go to a number of other events with RDOC & the Chesterfield 4-H Clubs that I help with. I have attended various training seminars & programs through RDOC, the Richmond SPCA & Sue Sternberg. I still attend classes through RDOC. I have a number of excellent resources to call on for ideas and feedback when working with new or more complicated behavior issues. I became involved with dog rescue when I went to Chesterfield Animal Shelter to make a donation in Chase's memory when he passed away in 2000. I ran into some dedicated dog walkers there (David, Kathy, Kelley & Tommie) who asked me to help out. Boy O Boy I had no idea what I was getting into. I don't go to the shelter much anymore, but I have fostered at least one dog for HAPPE since then (and often more than that!), I still teach at RDOC, and also hold a Puppy class at Deer Run Animal Wellness Center. I also offer private in home lessons. My personal mission is to educate people on how to get their dog to behave well enough to not be banished to the backyard & so they will not end up at the pound! It takes very little time on our part & it is so worth it. Contact me to set up a session at 804-748-0127.

 

"I have loved having Jody to look to during the years I've been fostering dogs for HAPPE. I have attended a few classes with her, and she's helped me on the phone and by visiting at my house. The knowledge she shares helps you think like them instead of trying to make them think like you! She really loves working with dogs, and people, and it shows. " - Lisa, Proud Mommy of Zoey & BB

"Jody has been a lifesaver. From just attending a few of her training sessions, I have learned so much about what to do and even more importantly what NOT to do with my foster dogs. Jody is so easy to work with and her knowledge and insight of dogs helps to quickly resolve your doggie dilemmas!" - Kasey, HAPPE Volunteer & Foster Mom

To contact Jody to arrange a session, call 804-748-0127.

Your New Dog: A Few Dos and Don'ts by Jody Mountfort

DO 'S:

Give your dog a place to escape and be quiet, Crates are wonderful. They provide security & safety for all.

Let your dog have time to adjust to his new surroundings, let him explore & let him come to you, rather than you or your kids going to the dog.

Crate your dog when kids or adults will be making a lot of noise or moving around quickly; such as a party or kids playing in the yard, until he's adjusted to his new surroundings and people.

Caution children to move slowly & not run up to the dog or pull the dog by the collar.

Resist the urge to have everyone meet your new dog for the first few days.

DON'TS

Do Not give the dog a lot of commands (sit, down, come) that can be over whelming & put the dog on guard.

Do not let the kids feed the dog until he seems settled into his new surroundings.

Do Not let the kids run & play in the yard with the dog outside with them at first. Running,laughing,screaming can excite the dog too much & cause him to jump & nip at the kids. Even though he is playing it can be too rough for your children. If this happens CRATE the dog until he settles down. Don't let him back out with the kids!

DO not forget to have your dog's identification on him & by all means get him some training

And last but NOT least make sure your dog has been spayed or neutered.

 

HOUSETRAINING 101 by Cristiana LaGioia

Some general guidelines:

--Small dogs usually take longer to housebreak than larger dogs. This is because a small dog may look at one room as its territory, but may not consider a far-off room that way. A typical house is a biiig place to a toy poodle! Plus, their little bladders can't hold it as long.

--Puppies can generally "hold it" for their age in months, plus one hour. So a 4-month old puppy can reasonably be expected to hold it for 5 hours. This is when crated or sleeping! If your pup is actively motoring around the house, playing with you, he will need to go more frequently than that.

--A crate is your best friend for housebreaking a dog. When used in a reasonable manner, they provide your dog with a secure den area and a safe place for "time outs," if needed.

--A rigid schedule is the fastest way to housebreak a dog. The more your dog can count on specific potty-break times, the better.

--Remember when working with a puppy, that he is just a baby. It can take up to one year to housebreak some breeds! Don't expect miracles. The normal amount of time it takes for a dog to be reliably housebroken is around 6 months.

Common Problems

Many puppies are inadvertently trained to NOT pee outside. If your pup will play outside for a long time, then come in and pee, he has gotten the idea that inside is where he's supposed to pee. To fix this, take the pup outside on a leash. Give him a few minutes to pee/poop. If he doesn't, take him back inside and crate him, with no fuss or attention. After 10 or 15 minutes, take him back outside on leash and try again. Repeat until he pees outside. The more "practice" he gets peeing outside, the quicker he will learn to associate the outdoors with being the place to go.

If your puppy pees in the crate, the crate is probably too large. Your pup should have just enough room to stand up, turn around, and lie down. Any more space than that may be interpreted as one end being the potty, and the other end the "bedroom." If you've purchased a crate to fit the size of your adult dog, you can partition off the excess space with a divider (made for that purpose), or a box or similar object to block off the back.

Remember - BE PATIENT! Unless your dog has a medical problem, he can and will be housetrained. Happy training!

TIPS TO PREPARE YOU AND YOUR PET IN A DISASTER:

HAPPE has also put together a list of important
tips for all of us in case we are ever faced with a disaster:

1.collar with identification on it, make sure to include area code & an out
of town number in case phone lines are down.

2. a leash

3 a crate (just one more reason to have your pet used to being in a crate,
so they are not so stressed)

4. food , water & bowls ( collapsible if possible)

5 any medication

6. treats & toys

7. If you can NOT take your pet please be sure to untie him or let him out of
the crate, they at least have a chance that way.

Have these items already assembled in a bag with handles and keep nearby so it's not put together at the last frantic moments when you may not be thinking as clearly. If you are limited on space at least have a list available so you don't forget anything.

HOLIDAY SAFETY TIPS:

The holidays are a festive time for celebration, spending time with family & of course, indulgence! Keep in mind the following for pets to ensure they have a safe and healthy holiday too.

Halloween:

Keep your pets in a separate room during trick or treat. Too many strangers in unusual costumes may frighten a cat or dog.

Be sure your cat or dog doesn't dart outside when you open the door and if this happens, make sure they are wearing current identification.
Keep candy out of your dog and cat's reach. Chocolate can be toxic to dogs and tin foil and cellophane can be harmful if ingested.

Keep dogs/cats away from lit jack o lanterns. He/she could burn themselves or knock it over and catch fire.

Pranksters sometimes target animals, so keep them inside,

Don't dress your pet in a costume unless you know they like it. If you do, be sure the costume is safe, comfortable and doesn't restrict movement, vision, etc.

Keep wires and cords from electric lights away from your pet.

Thanksgiving and December Holidays:

Chocolate, poinsettias, and garland can all be dangerous if eaten by your pets.

Hide electrical wires that cats or dogs could chew or become entangled.

Place breakable ornaments on higher part of the tree.

Be sure to have your current phone number including area code on your pet's tag, (if traveling out of town you will want to also list your cellular phone.)

Keep your vet's number handy and take it with you if traveling. Pets add so much to our lives, be sure to protect theirs.

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