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a non-profit whose goal is to help keep dogs out of shelters
by educating and supporting their humans
www.yourdogsfriend.org  |  yourdogsfriendinformation@gmail.com

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WINTER WEBINARS 

Register for webinars at https://yourdogsfriend.org/free-workshops/
All webinars are at 2:00pm, Eastern time in the US.

THIS Sunday, Dec 18: Advice for Adopters & Puppy Parents

Saturday, Jan 7: "My Dog Won't Listen to Me!" - Building Focus & Attention For The Real World

Sunday, Jan 15: Advice for Adopters & Puppy Parents

Sunday, Jan 22: Life With Small Dogs - The Joys & Challenges

Saturday, Feb 4: Caring for Your Dog Through 5 Stages of Your Dog's Lifespan - Things You Can Do Along the Way to Facilitate Lifelong Health and Comfort

Sunday Feb 19: Advice for Adopters & Puppy Parents

Saturday, Feb 25: Understanding Family Dog Mediation

If you missed our first winter webinar on Dec 3, Enrichment to Meet Your Dog's Specific Needs, you can catch it at https://youtu.be/Aumb7MBlOmM
 
Here's our winter webinars flyer with descriptions and speakers. Please share our webinars on neighborhood list serves and virtual newsletters.
 

CLASSES
Read the class descriptions and check for prerequisites before registering for class. Have questions about which class to choose? Email Nicole!

Online Classes - Join us from anywhere!
If you aren't sure about online classes, this comment from a recent student might help: â€śI wasn’t sure what to expect from the video format, but it was great–very organized and personalized. The different modes of learning (eg, videos, discussion, lecture, real feedback on practice) are highly effective and keep class interesting.”

First Things First with Your New Rescue: Thursdays, 7:15 - 8:15 pm ET, rolling enrollment
Help your newly adopted dog transition to life with your family. Teach your dog how to relax and feel safe; build trust right from the start; learn which training skills to prioritize; train beginning skills for polite leash walking and coming when called; and understand how to develop routines and set up your home to make things easier for both you and your dog. This is a perfect class for dogs that might be overwhelmed by an immediate basic class or when a basic class isn't immediately available.

Control Unleashed: Wed, Jan 4 - Feb 22, 6:30 - 7:30 pm ET
Learn foundation behaviors and pattern games, developed by trainer and author Leslie McDevitt, to help dogs focus and relax. Although this class is good for all dogs, these techniques are especially effective for dogs that have trouble focusing in stimulating environments, struggle with over-arousal (jumping up, leash-biting, nipping, etc), or are reactive, fearful, anxious, or worried.


Separation Anxiety Class
- Level 1: Sun, Jan 8 - Feb 12, 2:00 - 3:15 pm ET
- Level 2: Sun, Jan 8 - Feb 12, 3:30 - 4:45 pm ET

Does your dog struggle when left alone? Do you return to destruction, a stressed-out dog, or accidents in the house, even though when you are home, none of that happens? Are your neighbors complaining about your dog’s barking or crying? We will show you how to address the variety of issues that can create this complicated problem and how to build your own plan to work to reduce your dog’s anxiety.

TTouch Methods to Calm Your Dog: Sun, Jan 8 - 22, noon - 1:00 pm ET
Learn the basics of body work, wraps, and movement exercises that can help your dog feel more calm and balanced - 
 whether you have a shy, fearful, sound sensitive or anxious dog facing every day challenges; an easily distracted dog with trouble focusing; or an elderly dog dealing with aging issues. These methods will benefit your dog long after class when you use them at home, leading one student to call this class "the gift that keeps on giving".

Love the Leash: End the Tug of War: Fri, Jan 13 - Feb 17, 4:00 - 5:00 pm ET
This class focuses on communication and collaboration between you and your dog, and will include fun connection games, as well as instruction and practice in handling skills. You’ll learn ways to  loosen the leash and walk together in harmony. 

Reactive Dog Class: Thurs, Feb 9 - Mar 16, 7:30 - 8:45 pm ET
Does your dog lunge, bark, growl, or overreact to dogs, people, or other stimuli?  Our online class will teach you how to handle the difficult situations that arise when you live with or walk a reactive dog. 


In-Person Classes - At our training center or outside in Rockville, MD

Intermediate Manners: Thursdays, 8:00 - 9:00 pm, rolling enrollment
Take your training to the next level with real-life applications. If your dog already knows the basics, this class will offer new challenges and more practice with other dogs in sight! 

Please see Basic MannersAdolescent ClassPuppy KindergartenPuppy 1st GradePuppy 2nd Gradeand Puppy Party schedules here! Other classes are still being added tool

Better Safe Than Sorry: 10 Holiday Pet Hazards

by Dr. Karen Becker - Dec 16, 2013
http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets


Story at-a-glance
  • The holidays are a joyous time, but the season does bring its own set of dangers for pets. Keep your furry family member away from these items to ensure a merry holiday for all.
  • If you think your pet has been harmed by or consumed one of these items, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) immediately.

1. TABLE SCRAPS: Resist the urge to feed holiday table scraps to your dog or cat, and make sure your pet doesn't gain access to tables or counter tops loaded with edible goodies. Rich, fatty foods can cause everything from mild indigestion to a serious case of pancreatitis in susceptible pets. Turkey bones and any cooked bones are also a no-no because they can splinter or break apart, puncturing or blocking internal organs.

2. CHOCOLATE & BAKED GOODS MADE WITH XYLITOL: The chemical in chocolate that is toxic to dogs and cats is the obromine, a caffeine-like compound. The darker the chocolate, the more the obromine it contains, so be especially careful when using baker's and semi- sweet chocolate. Xylitol, a sugar substitute (also known in 2021 as birch sugar), is very often used in sugar-free baked goods (in addition to a number of other products). Xylitol is very dangerous for dogs. Even a small amount can cause vomiting, lethargy, loss of coordination, seizures, and liver failure.

3. HOLIDAY PLANTS: Nothing says Christmas like a beautiful poinsettia or some mistletoe around the house. Unfortunately, there are many holiday plants that are toxic for cats and dogs. So before you pick up that festive holiday greenery at the local market, make sure it's safe for your pet. Visit the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants page to learn which plants to avoid. Or opt for silk or plastic greenery instead.

4. ADULT BEVERAGES & TIPSY ADULTS: Your pet should never ingest alcoholic beverages. Liquor, beer and wine can make your furry, feathered or finned family member quite ill, causing vomiting, diarrhea, disorientation, lethargy, lack of coordination, difficulty breathing, tremors, seizures, coma, and even death. We also recommend you keep your pet a safe distance from over-imbibing guests. If the celebration is getting lively, it's your cue to remove your pet to a safe, quiet location in your house.

5. TINSEL & RIBBONS: These shiny holiday decorations look wonderful, but they can cause serious health issues for your cat or dog. Never wrap tinsel or ribbon around your pet's neck — it poses a choking hazard. And if swallowed, tinsel, ribbon and other decorations can cut up the digestive tract and cause intestinal obstruction.

6. ELECTRICAL CORDS: Some pets love to chew electrical cords, so all those colorful holiday lights strung up around the house mean additional hazards. Chewed electrical cords can cause burns in and around your dog's or cat's mouth, difficulty breathing, seizures, and cardiac arrest. Place electrical cords, wires and batteries out of your pet's reach to prevent a potentially deadly electrical shock or burns from a punctured battery. To protect pets, turn off and unplug lights when you aren't home.

7. CANDLES: Candles are very popular holiday décor, but make sure to never leave lighted candles unattended. Use appropriate holders that prevent candles from being knocked over by curious pets. Take care when using scented candles, especially the food- scented variety, that the smell doesn't encourage your dog or cat to sample the goods.

8. CHRISTMAS TREES: Pet owners should play it safe by securing their Christmas tree. Screw a hook into the wall or ceiling and run string or fishing line around the tree trunk and fasten it to the hook. This will anchor your tree and prevent it from being tipped or pulled over by your cat or dog. This technique will also keep water at the base of the tree from spilling. Stagnant tree water can harbor bacteria, so prevent your pet from drinking it. And don't add fertilizer to the water.

9. HOLIDAY EXCITEMENT: Holiday activities may be exciting
for the two-legged members of your family, but constant visitors and the hustle and bustle of the season can be confusing and stressful for your pet. Dogs and especially kitties can become overwhelmed and over-stimulated just as children do. New Year's celebrations can be a special problem, so keep your pet a safe distance from confetti, streamers, noisemakers and other dangers. Make sure your companion has her own safe, quiet space to retreat to in your home. Stock it with fresh water, a few treats and toys, and comfy bedding.

10. LOSS OF DAILY ROUTINE: Around the holidays, when there are a million extra things to do, it's easy to slip out of your daily routine. Meal times change, bedtime changes, daily exercise becomes sporadic or goes out the window altogether, and often, pets are left alone at home for many hours while the rest of the family shops and attends holiday gatherings. Dogs and cats need a consistent daily routine to keep stress levels down and maintain good health. As much as possible during the holidays, you should try to maintain your pet's normal daily feeding, sleeping and exercise routine.

This article was brought to you by Dr. Mercola.
Join the Mercola healthy pet site to receive Dr. Becker's free pet updates:
http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets


For more holiday tips, read our article, "The Holidays With Your Dog". Whole Dog Journal also has a helpful article with winter safety tips, "Winter Warnings for Your Dog".


You can register once for Amazon Smile at http://smile.amazon.com/ch/20-5148687, a free extension that will automatically turn your Amazon purchases into Amazon Smile donations. Just choose Your Dog's Friend as your favorite charity! We appreciate your support.
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