" Spring is the time of plans and projects." — Leo Tolstoy.
Comings and Goings
Hellos and Goodbyes
This has been a season of saying hello and goodbye in our house!
First came a hello to 2 rescue Cavaliers! Robbie and Peggy were 7 year old littermates who lost their human parents to Covid and no one in the family could care for them so they were taken in by Cavalier Rescue, USA and spent about 2 months with us.
Next came a goodbye to our sweet chocolate girl Edie (Redfern’s Premier Special Edition) who was almost 12 years old. Somehow the house just doesn’t feel the same without her there to greet us with her ever-wagging tail!
Next came another goodbye—Robbie (Blenheim) found a wonderful new home with 2 Aussie siblings and a new human mom who will work with him, teach him some doggy manners, and hopes to do therapy visits and scent work competitions with him.
And about a week later, cuddle-bug loving Peggy (tri-color) found a new home with a Lab sister and a new mom and dad that are looking for a love bug to fill the hole left by a Cavalier they lost last fall.
Many times people ask me how I deal with letting my pups go and I usually say it is like letting your child leave for college—you shed a few tears for yourself but know that this is the ‘RIGHT’ thing for the pups! And I know that every time I lose a little bit of my heart with one of my pups, they leave a little bit of their heart with me.
So…. Goodbye sweet Edie—you are now pain-free and running joyfully. Goodbye handsome Robbie—you will make a wonderful therapy dog and bring lots of smiles to others. Goodbye loving Peggy—you will fill your new home with love and affection and snuggles. I know I will see all of you again someday!
Betsy
New Season:
New Classes
Puppy Travels
This is the perfect class for the in-beween time, following your first puppy class, and before Advanced Manners. Puppy Travels is designed to build self-confidence and reinforce all the behaviors you learned in puppy class, Puppy Travels starts with your first class at the training center, and subsequent classes are out and about in the community. It's the perfect time to practice skills in the real world, with the benefit of a dog trainer by your side. Register here.
Please note: dogs must be UNDER 9 months of age at the start of the class.
AKC Fit Dog
The AKC Fit Dog program is 3 levels of courses, in 6 week blocks, designed to help to keep you and your dog in top condition. The beginning exercises are excellent for keeping any dog healthy through paying attention to correct posture, balance, strengthening, and flexibility. We will encourage you to be active with your pup through Redfern Canine’s Fit Dog Club walks and other activities. Registerhere.
Please note: Dogs must have completed an Advanced Manners or other obedience class at Redfern. They should be able to focus and work on the exercises with their owner in a class situation without being distracted. Dogs should also be healthy with no issues related to legs, back or neck (or have appropriate written clearances from your vet) to participate.
Parkour
Known also as Urban Agility, Parkour was originally a sport designed for humans which has crossed over to the canine world with great success.Dog Parkour teaches dogs and their humans how to safely navigate Environmental Features (EF’s) such as logs, benches, narrow spaces, rocks, etc. After learning the basics, the class will travel locally to try out their skills in everyday situations! Great confidence builder for worried pups or dogs. Click herefor more information.
Please note: Prerequisites include a Redfern Puppy/Beginner class, Advanced Manners, and one OTHER Redfern class or instructor approval.
For more information, and to register, visit our website.
Get Ready for
Day Camp!
Redfern's Kidz 'n K9s Day Camp is back and better than ever, but we only have 6 slots available! Want to encourage some quality play time for both kiddos and dogs? You've come to the right place. With 2 weeks of camp, one beginner and one advanced, we have everything you need to keep everyone entertained and happy, all while learning new skills. Interested? Click below to register.
And we think you're awesome. Teamwork involves coordination, trust and respect for each other, something every team has demonstrated here at Redfern. Well done, everyone!
Congratulations to all of our wonderful student teams! Check out all the details here.
April 17-23 : National Pet ID Week
Consider this your gentle reminder to make certain your dogs have ALWAYS have proper identification.
Ideally, your dog will have a microchip that can't be lost or damaged. These are easily obtained through your local vet, entailing a minor procedure to embed the chip. For pups heading in to be spayed or neutered, it's the perfect time for a two-fer.
Other identification choices include collar tags. Make certain the typeface chosen is easy to read and contains relevant information such as the pup's name, your name and a phone contact.
Dogs in PA must have a license through your local municipality. While you can obtain a new license annually, it is far easier, and more economical, to simply purchase a lifetime license and mark one more thing off your to-do list.
Please be proactive with your dog's safety. An ounce of prevention goes a long way.
Spring Into Action:
Sign Up for Classes Today!
Don't be late for a very important date! With your dog for Spring classes at Redfern. Sign up now and let your training spring-forward!
Classes are filling as quickly as they are posted. Head on over to the website now and schedule some fun for you and Fido. You'll be glad you did!
Coffee Grounds:
Good for Gardens, NOT for Dogs
As gardening season heads into full swing, we wanted to share information that can help to keep your dogs safe and healthy.
Local coffee shops are offering customers bags of used coffee grounds to sprinkle on the garden. While coffee grounds may perk up your posies, they are toxic to dogs. With their enhanced sense of smell, the grounds may smell good to our pups, but the resulting gastric distress, including vomiting, diarrhea and possibly even seizures, should make every dog owner think twice before using. Click here to learn more about caffeine toxicity.
Trainer Talk: Victoria Lichtenwalner
Victoria & Lily
Last issue, we introduced you to Victoria Lichtenwalner, who has been working alongside Betsy Howell for the past five or six years informally, and as a Redfern trainer for the past two.
In advanced studies now, and pursuing a degree in animal behavior, Victoria brings an interesting perspective, and we wanted to share one of her recent papers about best training practices. We thought you might be interested as well. Read all the details here.
Portia's Piece:
Missing Edie
We're missing Edie at our house. It doesn't seem right to not have a chocolate lab in our pack. Not just any labrador. Edie.
She wasn't one for pictures. Mostly, she was all business in the business of therapy. Edie knew what to do, and when to do it. As the years passed, her silky brown fur grew gray around her muzzle and eyes. Her ears, always a problem these past few years, still acted up. But she was always the same loving, hard-working therapy dog that she'd been for years. Even in retirement, her spirit never aged.
We like to think of her now as part of a therapy pack, in a different place. She's met up with old friends, like Julie, and has most likely touched noses with Fern, the girl that started it all!
We all miss you, Edie. Until we meet again.
Portia
April 10th is Hug Your Dog Day!
Never underestimate the power of touch. Give your pup a hug, or a high five, or a "good dog!" It'll do you both good. Want to learn more? Read all about it here.
