Winter is Upon Us

Hi, Friends,

We're just about through the month of January and really, we've had a great winter so far. I know folks who enjoy snow sports haven't been too happy because we haven't had much snow, but this is Wisconsin. We still have a couple of months yet of winter. Snow always comes, sometimes later in winter and almost always in early spring. But for me, I've been thoroughly enjoying the winter we've had so far.

I just wrapped up my first 8-week session of winter classes. The next session of classes begins the week of February 6th. Please visit the Class Schedule page to view the list of all classes being offered and the times for those classes.

Also, watch for an upcoming article on "Bloat". Sadly, my 10 year old German shepherd, Mojo suffered an episode of Bloat on New Year's Day. I rushed him to the Milwaukee Emergency Center for Animals where an emergency gastropexy was performed on him. This surgery saved his life. Had I not known the early signs of Bloat, Mojo would have died within a matter of a couple of hours.

I had the privilege of interviewing the surgeon, Dr. Roz Elliott for the article I will be writing on this often fatal condition. I want to get the word out on how serious this condition is and to educate dog owners on the early signs of Bloat so their dogs' lives may be saved too.

I'm wishing all of my wonderful students and friends of Paws-A-Tive Choice a very Happy, Healthy and Safe 2012. And if you're looking for something fun to do with your pooch during these remaining winter months, join one of our many fun and family friendly dog training classes. Your dog will thank you for it!

Stay pawsative and train happy!

Kathy

Winter is Almost Here

Hey, Friends,

Thanksgiving has passed and now we're gearing up for the Christmas season. Not only are the holidays upon us, but so is the WINTER SCHEDULE here at Paws-A-Tive Choice. (Visit the Class Schedule page for details.)

Originally I was going to be back in Texas to teach for the winter, but the marvelous opportunity was given to me to stay here in Wisconsin and continue teaching dog training classes at my learning center in Union Grove.

Even though I am sad that I won't be having fun this winter with my students in Texas, I am very excited to keep the fun going with all of my dedicated Wisconsin students.

It has been such a thrill for me to reconnect with each of my wonderful students here. I feel honored to have the on going opportunity to train with them and their lovely dogs.

I'm working on some fun things for the winter that should help shake off those cold-weather blues. I will post more information on that later.

On December 16th at 6:30 p.m. I'm hosting a Cocoa & Cookies Holiday Pooch Party. This will be a fun evening of dog socialization and for their people to get together and enjoy sharing the holiday season with fellow dog-lovers. There will be cocoa and goodies for the party-attendees. Each person who would like to participate in the doggy-cookie exchange will go home with a bag of goodies for their pooch.

This Pooch Party is open for all dogs that are dog/people social. If your dog is shy, fearful, sensitive or reactive toward other dogs or people, this would not be the appropriate event for your canine companion to participate in. However, people are welcome to join in the fun and leave their pooch at home to relax in the comfort of their own home.

There is a $5 Pooch Party Fee for NON-ACTIVE Students of Paws-A-Tive Choice and no charge for currently active students. If you are interested in joining in this holiday fun, please contact me no later than Wednesday, December 14th as I will need a final count on participants for the doggy-cookie exchange. Email: softailkat@gmail.com

I'm looking forward to keeping the fun going here in Wisconsin!

Here's wishing you and yours a very Happy and Safe Holiday Season.

Kathy

Paws-A-Tive Choice

This Is Why I Love What I Do!

It's not easy residing in two different states. I have wonderful students in Texas and in Wisconsin. I wish there was a way to shorten the distance between the two states so I could see all of my students year round. But, I am very blessed to have the opportunity to teach at my beautiful learning center in Union Grove, Wisconsin during the summer and fall and during the cooler weather in Dripping Springs, Texas during the winter and spring.

I have to say I have the most loyal, patient students as well. They are always willing to wait for my return. Of course my Wisconsin students don't want me to go back to Texas and my Texas students don't want me to head up to Wisconsin. At least I can say that I feel very appreciated by each of them. They are the reason I do what I do! My students and their dogs bring so much joy to my life. I can't imagine doing anything else as a profession.

One of my Texas students just sent me this lovely letter sharing her thoughts about the K9 Scent Work-Fun class she took with her Standard poodle, Bella earlier this year. She wanted me to share this with all of my web readers.

Thank you, Kimberly for taking the time to express your enjoyment of training with me. You and Bella make a great team.

_____________________________________________________

Hi Kathy,

Hope you are missing us here in the blistering heat…LOL  We miss you, and can’t wait for your return!

I wanted to take time to thank you so much for the K-9 Scent Work-Fun class that Bella and I were so lucky to participate in. I’m not sure who had more fun, Bella, the other dogs or me! Rig, my better half of course would laugh every night on our way home asking that very question.

What a great activity for us to participate in during my convalescence. You were right; this is definitely a sport for all ages and physicality of our canine buddies and human friends alike. And what FUN we had, the term Pure Joy definitely applied for me!

Bella, who loves to play, was going through a tough time with losing her companion in December and then her mommy getting sick in January. She really needed that extra stimulation she received and enjoyed with K9 Scent Work.

Bella, finding the "hide"It was absolutely thrilling to watch how quickly Bella and all of her other buddies caught on to the sport.  What a beautiful thing to experience when you actually see their little minds working for the goal. How they tune everything and everybody out, and are so intent on what they need and want to do. They didn’t even mind the over excited human, clapping her hands, and awing for their finds!

I thoroughly enjoyed experiencing the different reactions of each dog when they picked up the scent of their hide, or how they knew ok, got this one where’s the next one! And let's not forget to mention how the excitement level would increase as we progressed through our training. It was like, well I have a job to do, let's getter done! Especially Phoebe, she was one hard gal to fool! (Phoebe was a Labradoodle in the class.)

Your love and passion for what you do shines through, and we were completely blessed to find you. Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication! I can’t wait for Scent Training 201 when you return from Wisconsin.

Warmest Affection,

Bella, Kimberly and Rigaud

Spring Into Summer at Paws-A-Tive Choice

Hello, Friends,

It's that time of year again when we're kicking off summer fun for you and your dog at Paws-A-Tive Choice in Union Grove, WI.

The class schedule has been set. (Please visit the Class Schedule page to view classes offered and times for each class.) All classes begin the week of May 23rd, so if you want to jump start your summer fun, enroll NOW. Class size is limited with only a few openings left for each of the classes. Enrollment deadline is Friday, May 20th.

If you are interested in registering for a class, please email me at: softailkat@gmail.com or call me at: (262) 994-3487.

I'm so looking forward to having fun with all of my students and sincerely welcome all of you new students to the Paws-A-Tive Choice family.

If you're looking for something new to do with your canine pal, enroll your dog in the K9 Scent-Work Fun class. This is a brand new class being offered at Paws-A-Tive Choice. This is a sport that any breed of any age can enjoy. The dogs use their natural ability to smell in order to search for a scent, (food) in the introductory class. In advanced classes, the dogs learn how to search for a particular odor. The dogs love this game and their people have a great time watching their dogs do what comes naturally, SNIFFING! (Please visit the Services and Classes page to read about the class descriptions.)

Classes offered: Agility (Beginner through Advanced); K9 Good Neighbor Program (Adult doggy manners, based on the AKC Canine Good Citizen criteria); K9 Scent-Work Fun and Puppy-Love Beginner Puppy class.

Private lessons are also available if the class time of your choice does not fit your schedule, or your dog has special needs. Call me and I'll happily work with you to help you and your dog achieve a harmonious relationship and be successful each step of the way.

Let the games begin!

Until next time, be well and train happy!

Kathy

K9 Scent Work - It's a Fun Game

Phoebe searching boxesAnother Paws-A-Tive Choice student shared her experience about the K9 Scent Work-Fun class with her dog, Phoebe. I am thrilled my students have enjoyed this class. There is a lot more to come. The fun is just beginning!

"I didn’t know what to expect when Kathy mentioned rolling out her new class, K9 Scent Work-Fun. The information Kathy provided stated this was a new sport and is a fun game for the dogs to use their keen sense of smell. All the dogs in our class have so much personality and really enjoyed their turns at the game. They are so smart and I like to think each one knew they were entertaining all of us pooch parents.

My 4 ½ year old dog,  Phoebe has so much energy to Phoebe finds the hide under the laundry basketbegin with; this was a great way for her to release her energy while figuring out where the treasure-treat was hidden. It was also comforting to see Phoebe become more confident putting her cute little head into the boxes and objects each week, since she was pretty timid at the beginning. We play the game at home and she just loves it!

Allison rewards Phoebe for finding the hideI appreciate Kathy giving us the opportunity to try out this new and special class. Kathy does all the hard work to study, stay on top of everything that’s going on in her field, prepare and create an environment where our dogs and us can just have fun."  Allison Verstappen