Fear Free Focus Pampered or Petrified: Nail Trims By Karen Becker, Ph.D, CPDT-KA, Fear Free® Certified |
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May 2023 Fear Free Focus By Karen Becker For many pups, nail trims are a breeze, but for others, not so much. Understanding Beau’s distress and monitoring for signs of FEAR, ANXIETY or STRESS (FAS) at nail trim time ensures future nail trims will be successful. When there’s a bad experience with a nail trim – the next time is more difficult. WHY IS NAIL TRIMMING SO SCARY? Grabbing Duchess’ foot without warning and placing a cold odd tool on her nails is a cause for her concern – especially if she’s never had a nail trim before. First, depending on how the paw is approached and picked up, she may be uncomfortable, painful, or just not able to get away. This is stressful for dogs and humans, alike. Duchess’ feet have dense touch receptors and may be ticklish! Lastly, that tool, whether it’s a nail clipper, a Dremel (nail grinder) or a nail file is new to them and may be scary – especially if it’s cold, shiny, or makes noise. Then, add in sights, sounds and sensations of the actual nail being trimmed: the new and possibly daunting sounds of the nail clippers, the startling squeezing of the nail by the clipper, or the alarming buzzing of the Dremel – for 16-18 nails! Further, if Beau’s nails are overgrown, the quick of the nail also grows out on long nails. Cutting that quick is terribly PAINFUL. Then, standing and moving is more difficult; let alone standing on 3 legs while one foot is being handled for the trimming. Therefore, if their nails are long, their feet may be more sensitive and painful. Good news: the quick of the nail stays back if nails are trimmed regularly. Bad news: nails need to be trimmed regularly, depending on how much “natural trimming” occurs from walking on cement, etc. WHAT ARE THE SIGNS of FEAR, ANXIETY and STRESS (FAS)? STOP if your dog shows any of these signs – consider seeking help from your trainer or taking a Handling class to choose a technique suitable for your dogs’ concerns) · Is showing NO interest in even the best treats and snacks · Snarls, growls, shows teeth, barking · Runs away or tries to hide · Freezes, doesn’t move at all, may have “whale eyes” · Is panting excessively, trembling, tail is tucked Continue reading by clicking the button below & look for a special offer |
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Join us in helping supply much needed spray cheese and peanut butter for our local shelters! Peanut butter, cheese spray, puzzle toys or treat dispensing toys (new or used) for the shelters - all of these products are used to keep the dogs happy and busy while waiting for their fur-ever home! Interested in getting a Licki Mat for your dog? They're great for keeping your dog busy and enriched while indoors. Click here to purchase one online. |
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Heather Huff, CPDT-KA Head Trainer Based out of our Warren location, Heather is a leading expert on reactivity in dogs. She has developed comprehensive, successful strategies for dogs with mild to extreme reactivity and aggression. Although she is based out of our Warren location, she also works at our Poland location and also does in-home private training. | | |
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Getting a new puppy? Just brought a new puppy home? Let the behavior experts at Dogsmartz help you with common puppy problems! This is a FREE class for anyone, whether you are taking a puppy class with us or not. This is a humans-only class for just one hour. Seminars are held on the first and last Saturdays of the month! The following is the time and location for our seminars: Saturday 5/6/23 at 10:30am in Poland Saturday 5/20/23 at 7pm in Warren Call to register! 330-707-4160 | | |
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1st Annual Golf Outing Taking place at Bedford Trails on May 27!! Every Dog Matters Rescue is accepting hole sponsors, teams, and any other donations. They are asking for the teams registration and payment at time of signing up. You can send money for teams and home sponsorship to their PayPal at everydogmattersrescue@gmail.com or mail money to 6329 Market St Youngstown, OH 44512. May 27th, 2023 2:00 PM Bedford Trails Golf Course 713 Bedford Rd Lowellville, OH 44436 | | |
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North Memorial Animal Hospital Charity Dog Wash Services available at the dog wash include: a bath, towel dry, cologne & bandana. No appointment is needed simply come out, have fun, and get a clean dog! July 29th, 2023 11:00-2:00 PM The event will have food trucks, a 50/50 raffle, a HUGE Chinese auction, and local vendors. We look forward to having an even bigger turnout than we have had in years past. Mark your calendars and come out for a great event! Anyone interested in becoming a vendor, please email: amanda@nmahonline.com
143 PA-18, New Wilmington, PA | | |
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Hope the Comfort Dog Hope is a Golden Retriever that is currently being trained by a dedicated team at Dogsmartz Unleashed to serve as a comfort dog to assist victims and witnesses of crimes for the Mahoning County Prosecutor, Gina DeGenova. Hope was rescued on Christmas Eve by the Healthy Hearts and Paws Project and was later adopted by Gena DeGenova on February 3, 2023. Jenny, the owner of Dogsmartz Unleashed, is donating the time to training her in order to make her a certified comfort dog. She is our student of the month for the hard work she continues to put in and her eagerness to learn. We are all so proud of her progress and are so honored to contribute our talents to a great cause. |
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This month's pick: Pineapple, Ham & Swiss Dog Treats
Ingredients 1/2 cup grated Swiss Cheese 1/2 cup cooked and chopped Ham 1/2 cup pureed Pineapple 1 teaspoon dried Cilantro 1 cup Brown Rice Flour
Instructions Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl until well combined. Knead dough into ball and roll onto a floured surface 1/2 inch thick. Cut with the cookie cutter of your choice and place on your prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese bubbles. Cool treats before giving to your dog and refrigerate any leftovers.
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This month's pick: JollyFlex Toys from Jolly Pets JollyFlex™ is material that can't be punctured and will not deflate. Even if your dog puts a hole in it, this toy will still keep its shape. The JollyFlex line is one of Jolly Pet's best selling line of products. |
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New Wilmington Classes Calling all New Wilmington, PA dogs Have you been to our new location yet? Sign up for one of our great classes, today!! Puppy Class - AKC S.T.A.R. * Thurs, 5/4 @ 5:45 PM * Sun, 5/21/2023 @ 1:15 PM Attention Please * Sat, 5/6 @ 12:00 PM Polite Greetings * Sat, 5/6 @ 1:30 PM Let's Walk * Sat, 5/6 @ 3:00 PM * Sun, 5/14 @ 10:45 AM Intermediate Obedience - Level 2 * Sun, 5/7 @ 2:30 * Wed, 5/10 @ 9:30 AM Beginner Obedience-Level 1 * Sunday, 5/14 @ 12:00 PM * Thurs 5/18 @ 7:00 PM * Wed, 5/24 @ 5:45 PM Get Control! * Tuesday 5/16 @ 5:45 PM * Sun, 5/21/2023 @ 10:45 AM Reactive Dog Class - Level 1 * Wed, 5/17 @ 7:15 PM Advanced Obedience- Level 3 * Sat, 5/20/2023 @ 10:45 AM Confidence Building - Level 1 * Sat, 5/20/2023 @ 4:00 Give us a call at: 330-707-4160 To reserve your spot! | | |
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Welcome Baby Program Having a baby? Did you know that bringing a new baby home can be incredibly stressful for a dog, especially one that has never lived with an infant? Having a dog that is stressed with a baby can create unnecessary stress for new parents. It is often assumed that dogs will simply accept a new baby; that is not the case for all dogs. It is the owner’s job to teach a dog how to behave appropriately around an infant. It is particularly important to begin work early in the pregnancy when possible to help prepare your dog for this life-altering experience. If you need this later in the pregnancy, we can help! Call for additional details! | | |
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Fearful and Shy - $190.00 Did you know that Dogsmartz works extensively with Fearful dogs? We offer many options for dogs that show fearful and shy behaviors. Check out our training classes specifically for these special pups 👇👇 Fearful and Shy Dog Class Levels 1 & 2 For work with meeting new people Sun, 5/7 @ 9:30 AM in Poland with Amber Thurs, 5/18 @ 7:15 PM in Warren with Heather C Wed, 5/31 @ 9:30 AM in Poland with Amber
Confidence building Levels 1 & 2 For fear of objects, surfaces, environments and noises Sun, 5/21 @ 5:30 PM in Poland with Jenny Sun, 5/21 @ 5:30 PM in Poland with Amber
Note: If your dog is afraid of people, start with Fearful and Shy dog class and then go from there! If your dog has either completed Fearful and Shy and is ready to move on or they are comfortable with people but nervous with other things, contact us to discuss the next best steps! If you'd like to see more classes on the schedule in your area, give us a call and we'll add them based on the amount of interest we receive! 330-707-4160 Classes repeat on same day and time every week for 6 weeks.
Limited to 4 dogs - so sign up now! | | |
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Intermediate Obedience - $139.00
Intermediate Obedience (Level 2) is a 6-week course for dogs that have either completed a beginner obedience class (at Dogsmartz or elsewhere) or have a foundation of basic skills working in lower-level distractions. This class is for those that want to improve their dog's skills working in higher-level distractions, increase duration and distance, and also improve skills.
Multiple Start Dates Coming Up: Tues, 5/2 @ 5:45 PM in Poland with Amber Sun, 5/7 @ 2:30 PM in New Wilmington with Stacey Wed, 5/10 @ 9:30 AM in New Wilmington with Jenny Wed, 5/10 @ 5:45 PM in Warren with April Fri, 5/12 @ 12:00 PM in Warren with Heather C Sun, 5/21 @ 12:00 PM in Hermitage with Matthew Wed, 5/24 @ 7:00 PM in Poland with Amber
Classes repeat on same day and time every week for 6 weeks. | | |
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Private Training Sessions Privates can be done for specific behavior issues such as but not limited to fear, anxiety, aggression or if basic training (obedience/manners) is desired. The initial private session is 90 minutes long. Based upon the information provided to us on our behavior history form, we will prepare a preliminary plan. Upon arrival, we will first observe the situation, implement management changes and teach new skills sets. After the visit, we will provide a typed Behavior Treatment Plan for you to keep and use as a blueprint to work from. For any behavior issues, we will also send letter to your Veterinarian (if you approve) to advise them of our observations and our plan moving forward. We will work closely with your veterinarian in cases that require this. The plan will be adjusted accordingly based upon our observations and may be further adjusted as we discuss progress in the weeks ahead. You will have access to us for the lifetime of your pet after your visit via phone, text or email for any questions and/or concerns. We request you provide us updates weekly or however often is needed via phone, email or text.
If you attend a private session at our facility, we do require your dog to be vaccinated with the following: Rabies, Bordetella, Distemper and a negative fecal.
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