Take any dog, spend enough time with him, and you will no doubt find out something wonderful and special about him. All of the dogs we work with are great in their own unique way, and every month we will decide on one (or maybe two!) who has made a great improvement in any area, has done something brilliant or outstanding, or whose owners have dedicated enough time and consistency to progress training faster than usual.
December 2011
Meet Gracie, our dog of the month for December 2011! We first met Gracie at our drop-in puppy classes, and to be able to watch her grow and learn and become such a star has been an absolute joy! After earning her puppy class lvl 1 certificate, Gracie moved on to Basic Obedience class. This happy lab puppy has been blowing us away with her steady improvement and amazing recalls from distraction. None of this could have been possible without her dedicated, consistent owner taking training seriously and committing to both physical and mental exercise. Great work, both of you!
November 2011
Meet Kevin, the Blue Heeler our Dog of the Month for November 2011! This young dog is full of energy and always on the lookout for a new way to please you. Of course, he wasn't always so eager to work and play training games. Without enough exercise high energy dogs like Kevin can become whirlwind nightmares of jumping, nipping, and extreme leash pulling. Fortunately for Kev, he was just a tad misunderstood. Once he caught up on some much needed exercise, he proved to us that he was more than willing to learn and work and follow the rules us humans present. Kevin you smartie pants, we see great things for you in the future!
October 2011
Meet Harley, our dog of the month for October 2011! Harley used to spend 12 hours a day locked in his kennel, until he was rescued by his current family. With so little exercise, and so little of the world to be seen, its no wonder Harley had a few issues he needed to work on in his new home. This energetic, upbeat little guy could make anyone smile. He just needed daily exercise, training games, and consistent rules while he settled in and got comfortable with his new family. Harleys biggest problem was bolting, running away and not coming when called! Having no roadsense, this was obviously something that needed immediate attention. Harleys family remained dedicated to training, and we are extremely happy to announce that Harley has now been able to run offleash at the dog park! now coming back when called is fun - great work Harley and family!
September 2011
Meet Diesel, our dog of the month for September 2011! Diesel is a high energy, happy go lucky guy who unfortunately developed a bit of a negative association with certain new dogs he was meeting. Our first couple sessions focused on impulse control and creating a positive experience for Diesel, building trust and giving him a way to look to his family for 'help' when he felt he needed it. What a lucky boy, to have two super dedicated owners who have clearly been consistent and doing their best to create positive experiences! With a little help Diesel is learning how to greet other dogs appropriately, and walk past and remained focused on his handler! He really is such a sweet boy, and so smart! Within our first 3 sessions Diesel had accomplished so much and was so eager to please. Good boy Diesel, keep it up!
August 2011
Tessa hasn't had it easy - At an early age this happy go lucky girl needed an operation on one of her back legs. Then she couldn't run and play for months while she healed, even though all she really wanted to do was burn off all that energy and play with some other dogs while she was at it! As anyone might imagine, Tessa took all that unused energy and frustration and became a time bomb of an overexcited dog, that exploded at every greeting of new people and while walking past people or dogs on her walks! She was just TOO big, and too excited to say hello. Luckily Tessa has a very loving and dedicated owner. She sent Tessa to us for 25 days, where she recieved daily exercise and playtime with the other dogs, along with training in the house and on walks. When her owner took her home, she was sure to stick to the plan and keep up the training. We are so proud of Tessa and her family and all the progress they have made so far - we've had numerous people comment on 'what a different dog' she is! Even though her leg will sometimes limit how much exercise she recieves, we believe Tessa will pull through with her new manners and learn to focus that extra energy on chew toys and training games!
July 2011
Meet Winston, our dog of the month for July 2011! Winston has some excellent obedience skills, (not to mention some awesome tricks!) thanks to the consistency and dedication to training from his owners. He joined in our Basic Obedience Group Class not just to practice these skills around new dogs and people - but because he needed to build some confidence around these new people as well. Winston can be a little nervous when he meets a 'stranger'. He is now learning to trust and be comfortable around new 'friends' again, and has blown us away with the leaps he has made since first class - choosing to greet new people on his own! Awesome! Keep up the great work Winston and Family, we've seen the potential and we know you're going to achieve your goals!
June 2011
Meet Allstars dog of the month for June 2011, Jade! This happy girl came all the way from Venezuela when she was about 8 weeks old, to a wonderful family who is dedicated to keeping her and her sister happy and healthy! Jade has been making good strides with her training, catching on quickly to recall games and revealing her endless potential! Keep up the great work Jade and family!
May 2011
Makado is Allstars Dog of the Month for May 2011! Makado is so excited when he sees another dog, that he tends to get a little vocal! While walking on the leash, the tension on his collar had turned this happy excitement into frustration. After only a few sessions, Makado proved you CAN teach an old dog new tricks! (he is 11, but you might mistake him for 2!) Makado has been practicing walking calmly around other dogs on leash, and also on greeting other dogs appropriately. An amazing day at the dog park, and an exciting time at Mill lake, Makado is making progress and showing us what a star he can be!
April 2011
Reggie is our Dog of the Month for April 2011! This little french bulldog has come a long way since we first met him. From gaurding toys, to waiting for his turn to play - Reggie is doing better and better each day with leaving bad habits behind and forming good ones! April was a great month for Reggie, but the improvements haven't stopped here - keep it up little guy!
March 2011
Meet Sadey, our Dog of the Month for March 2011! Sadey is a sweet 6 month old Boxer, full of energy and always eager to play and learn. She was a little over the top with her enthusiasm towards other dogs, but during her stay with us and daily socialization she quickly developed a new set of manners! Both with dogs, and people! This bright young girl did amazingly well with her basic obedience, proving to us that she is well on her way to becoming an allstar! Go Sadey Go!
February 2011
Toby is such a happy guy, always eager to learn and do his best for his family! He wasn't always this happy though, Toby was rescued from a life that began with a few years stuck out on a chain. The wonderful people of A Better Life Dog Rescue found him the perfect match though, with his new family Gayle and Adrian. Toby was seeing so many new things in the world when he first came to his new home, and at first he had little self control over his excitement about it all. With the help of his dedicated new family, over the months Toby has completed Basic and Intermediate group obedience classes, and boy did he do great! In February I met with Gayle and Toby for a lesson in walking on a loose leash... In a one hour session he and his best pal figured out how to communicate and transfer their loose leash walking from class over to their everyday adverntures. You are full of potential Toby, (and family!) and thats why you're our dog of the month for February 2011! We can't wait to help you with your goals for a future in therapy dog work! Way to be an Allstar, boy!
December 2010
 When Sam first started his obedience sessions and hikes with us, he was a happy go lucky young dog full of too much excitement and not enough self control. He just needed some good communication, and now that he knows what we want, he is doing his best to make us happy and keep that bubbly puppy energy in check! Sam is still that happy go lucky boy, having fun with his obedience training and pack hikes.. He just has a whole lot more manners and self control now. Good boy! Not all of the credit goes to Sam though, thanks to his whole family and their time and consistency with ongoing exercise and training, he has made these great improvements, and is Allstars Dog of the Month December 2010! October 2010
 Zoey has been a part of our hiking pack for a long time now, and has certainly had her ups and downs since the first day we started working with her. Zoey was bred to hunt, and needed a job! She had so much energy, and was spending it doing things she shouldn't have been doing. Some dogs make amazing progress quickly, others take a little more time and attention to detail. This dog was a handfull, and if anyone deserves an applause its her whole family for deciding to stick it out with her and work on her problems instead of simply getting rid of her. Other dogs wish they had such a great family! With consistent new rules, and tons of exercise Zoey has shown so much progress this month! Her first group hike she had to be muzzled, because she was so fearfull and reactive.. Many months later, she now runs with the other dogs, bumps into them, and even has started playing with and chasing a few of the regular dogs! In addition to this, she is sticking closer to the group and her recall is really shaping up. Thats why she is Dog of the Month, October 2010! Great work Zoey, and great work Randy for keeping up with her and making sure she gets her hikes with us to burn off all that energy! August 2010
 Mila and Jasmine are Allstars K9 Trainings Dogs of the Month August 2010! From the beggining to the end of Group Basic Obedience, these two and their owners did excellent and made some fantastic progress! Because of their owners dedication to training, practice, and being consistent, Mila and Jasmine are on their way to becoming Allstars! Keep up the great work, and keep having fun with it! June 2010
 Meet Mia, Allstars K9 Trainings Dog of the Month, June 2010! Mia has shown steady progress since she began her training, and with the excellent consistency and commitment of her owner she has one of the best sit/stays in her class. Shes only lived with her new owners for about a month, and already has a great recall and enjoys off leash hikes. Yes, Mia is an allstar! but lets give some of that credit to the dedication of her owner as well! Keep up the good work Mike and Mia, you make a great team. April 2010
 Lexi is Allstars K9 Trainings first Dog of the Month, April 2010! Thanks to her owners consistency, and commitment to training between sessions, Lexi is learning quickly and shows promise in soon becoming a K9 Allstar! Keep up the excellent work and dedication to educating this awsome dog! | January 2011
 We met Mickey when she was only 3 months old! She is growing up so fast, and building her confidence around all kinds of other dogs. She is happy to play with anyone willing, but also understands when she needs to give some space. Mickey has made huge improvements on her 'car rides' with the other dogs to the trails, content to sit and relax until her name is called to leave the vehicle. She joins us every Tuesday on our group hikes, and is a great role model for new young dogs joining the hike! Great job Mickey, you are growing up into an Allstar and that's why you are Dog of the Month January 2011. November 2010
 Since her first walk with us and the pack, Kodi has been the life the party! After being passed between many homes in a short amount of time, Kodi finally found her forever home with owners Julie and Moneca. Well known for their efforts and fundraising for the FVHS and SAINTS, its no surprise that these animal lovers were ready and willing to do anything they could to get Kodi on the right track to a more calmer, balanced life. After attending a group basic obedience class with us, Kodi continues to come on our group hikes twice a week. Her owners understand the need for exercise, and are devoted to keeping up with her walks as well as taking her on their own little outdoor adventures and car rides while collecting donation boxes. Kodi was at first quite a bit to handle on the walks, getting in everyones faces with her excited 'lets play play play!' attitude, becoming much too intense when other dogs ran past her. She is now learning that in order to play, she must be calm first, and keep it less intense. I am happy to report she had her second calm and well mannered walk just last week! Good job Kodi, you made Dog of the Month November 2010! With a little more time and consistency I can see more big improvements just around the corner. September 2010
 Wabi has come a long way in a short time, and thats why she is Allstars K9 Trainings dog of the month, September 2010! Wabi was a little unsure of other dogs not too long ago, and seemed to think she had make a big fuss and protect her owner whenever she walked near another dog on the leash. There was even a question of possible aggression! It didn't take long though for Wabi to turn herself around, she just needed a little socialization to learn that other dogs are no big deal! Her owner Linda deserves some credit too, for letting go of her fears and learning how to be calm and confident in order to help Wabigon. Wabi now walks nicely past other dogs on the leash, not paying them any attention!! Great work Wabi! July 2010
 Buddy is Allstars K9 Trainings Dog of the Month, July 2010. Buddy does great running with the pack off-leash, and is always happy and friendly as can be! His recall is steadily improving, and he is always checking in to see where the rest of the group is at. Buddy is fast to befriend dogs that are usually skiddish or unsure of other dogs. He gives them their space when they need it, and is ready to play and be pals in an instant. Thank you Buddy for being a social, happy-go-lucky guy, and more thanks to his owner for understanding the importance of excerise and socialization. Great dogs don't happen without great owners! May 2010
 Maggie is Allstars K9 Trainings Dog of the Month, May 2010! Maggie is learning to open and close doors in order to assist her owner at home. Her eagerness to please and perform is incredible! Thanks to her owners consistency with rules and dedication to helping her dogs learn and grow, Maggie is on her way to becoming a K9 Allstar! |
