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Dog obedience classes will start soon in both Granite Falls and Montevideo, MN.

Our basic obedience classes are 7 weeks long. The first week is a lecture night only with no dogs allowed followed by 6 weeks of hands on dog training. Dogs of all ages are more than welcome to attend as long as the dog has a current rabies vaccination. Limited class size of 5 to 10 dogs allows for a more personal training session. Our classes not only work on the normal obedience commands such as sit, down, heel and stay, we also tackle common behavioral issues such as jumping on people, biting, barking and dominance.

Currently our classes are offered through the following groups. Please contact either office directly to sign up for any upcoming classes:

Schedule:

Yellow Medicine East Community Education  320-564-4084

Thursday nights 7pm-8pm
Raney Elementary Gym
February 10th – March 24th
**No dogs first class

Montevideo Community Education   320-269-5026

Monday nights 7pm-8pm
Sanford Elementary Gym
February 28th – April 11th
**No dogs first class

So you’ve done the research and your puppy is coming home. What an exciting moment! Often we bring our new bundle of fluff home and then realize that we don’t have what’s needed to take care of him or her. Being prepared makes it all that much easier and more exciting. Of course there’s a ton of products on the market that cater to animals lovers. Here’s a list of items to help you get started:

Crate: If the dog is staying in the house then you will need a dog crate (wire or hard plastic) for it to sleep in and be put in when you can’t watch it.  A crate can be an essential potty training tool. Buy a crate that will fit the dog once full grown but one that also includes a puppy divider. The divider should be placed in the crate so that the puppy has only enough room to stand up and turn around. Dogs don’t generally like to sleep in their own feces so keeping a puppy confined in a smaller space will aid in potty training.

Food and water bowls: These come in many shapes, sizes, colors etc. I personally prefer to have 2 separate bowls for food and water so that the water doesn’t make a mess of the food. I also personally like the metal bowls. Most dogs don’t like to pick up metal objects so they are less likely to chew on the bowls. Plus the metal comes clean easily and is dishwasher safe. I have 8 metal bowls in my house and all are over 8 years old and still looking great!

Collar: To begin with, an adjustable nylon buckle collar is best for a growing puppy. The collar should fit snuggly enough so that it can’t be pulled off over the ears. Check the fit often and adjust as the puppy grows. In smaller breeds one collar can last the dogs lifetime. In bigger breeds you may have to start with a smaller adjustable collar and then buy a larger one later. Do not buy a chain (choke) collar for your puppy. Chain collars are great for training when used properly and should only be used for training – never leave a chain collar on a dog while unattended.

Leash: Just like other dog equipment leashes come in a variety of styles and materials. Generally speaking a 6 foot leash is best. Nylon is the most common material and less expensive but a leather leash is best. Leather is very supple and will last a lifetime if cared for. It also won’t give you rope burn easily if the dog pulls away fast.  Buying a quality leather leash will cost a little more but in the end is a better investment. Whatever you buy remember to put it up and away from the puppy so they won’t chew on it.

Puppy food: It’s a good idea to ask your breeder what brand food the puppy is currently eating. Usually the breeder will give you a small amount to take home. If you decide not to feed the same brand then it’s best to mix the new and old foods together to acclimate the puppy to the change in diet.

Grooming tools: Look for brushes and combs that suit your puppy’s coat. The pet store should be able to recommend the right ones. Also buy a quality nail clipper right away. It’s easier to get a puppy used to grooming and nail clipping at a young age. Clipping nails once a week will keep them from getting out of hand. If you’re unsure about nail clipping, ask a vet or professional groomer for a demonstration. General grooming practices are key to good health and yet the most overlooked.

Toys: Puppies love to play and toys are great but keep a few things in mind. Stuffed toys are fun but watch that the puppy doesn’t rip the toy apart and swallow small pieces. Hard bones or chew toys should be large enough not to be swallowed. Don’t leave toys with the puppy while unattended. One of the few toys I will leave with my puppy when I’m gone is a Kong. It is super durable and with an added treat inside it will keep puppy busy for hours.

Clean up spray: Don’t forget a good cleaning spray for the occasional accident in the house. There are many to choose from, my favorite – Nature’s Miracle.
photo credit: psmckiernan

In this article, I’ll be speaking mainly about buying a purebred dog (buying and adopting mixed breed dogs can be very different).

When looking for a new puppy it’s good to do a little homework and ask questions before you bring it home. Often times we get so excited and just plain caught up in how cute the puppies all are that we forget to make sure it’s going to be the right puppy for our family.

First, make sure to find a breed of dog that’s suitable to your family and lifestyle. Most all puppies are cute when little but they don’t tend to stay that way. The biggest mistake generally made is not knowing what our new puppy will be like when they grow up. Take time to research what breeds you think you like. Know how big the breed should get. Does it shed a lot or need constant grooming? What’s the average energy level? What health concerns are there for the breed? What was the dog originally bred for (ie herding, hunting, etc.)? Answering these types of questions should give you great insight to the future you will likely have with your new pet. The American Kennel Club and your local library are good sources of breed information.

Once you’ve chosen a breed of dog it’s time to find a quality breeder. There are a lot of people out there trying to make money by breeding dogs. Some care about their dogs and breed good quality and some don’t. There are a number of  things to keep in mind and questions that you should ask a breeder:

• Is there a health guarantee? If so what are the details? If a health issue arises that is covered, what actions will be taken by the breeder?
• When and what shots were last given to the puppy?
• If both parents are on the property ask to see and interact with both. Temperaments are often inherited and/or learned from the parents.
• Ask for references from previous litters’ puppy owners
• If there is more than one puppy to choose from the one that is more outgoing is generally a better fit. The shy one sitting in the corner may tend to be more fearful growing up.
• It’s a good sign if the breeder is asking you questions about your family and intentions with the puppy. This shows the breeder is more interested in the puppy’s well being than just making a buck or two.
• Many breeders have a pet only placement policy which means the dog must be fixed within the first year and registration on the dog will be for pet status only. If the dog is bred the puppies would not be register able.

Doing a little research and asking a few questions before you bring your new puppy home will hopefully better prepare you for a wonderful new adventure with a great new dog.

Coming soon…Bringing home puppy – things to have and what to expect.