The DogSmith® Palm Beach Launches First Free Puppy Socialization Classes

Palm Beach FL, November 2009 – The DogSmith announces free puppy socialization classes on Jupiter Beach.
The DogSmith is dedicated to responsible dog ownership and educating dog owners on the many benefits of positive reinforcement training as the alternative to punishment based techniques. To further this mission each DogSmith offers free monthly puppy classes to help new dog owners establish the foundation for successful lifetime pet dog ownership.
The DogSmith of Palm Beach County will hold its first two sessions at 9 am on Saturday November 21st and December 5th.
Rachel Williams, DogSmith owner, said “we have chosen the dog beach as the ideal location for two reasons, to support The Friends of Jupiter Beach and, if we can expose the puppies to the beach environment when they are young it will help encourage owners to include their dogs in their beach outings and this will ensure the dogs receive both physical and mental exercise throughout their lives.”
The Puppy socialization classes will focus on teaching owners, of puppies 24 weeks or younger, the essentials of housetraining, crate training, bite inhibition and responsible dog ownership. The course will also include information for owners on canine communication so they can identify stress indicators and socially rude behaviors.
Each attendee will receive a copy of the DogSmith Socialization booklet and handouts on how to crate and house train your puppy. Register on line at www.888DogSmith.com Fetch a Free Dog Training Class


About The DogSmith
The DogSmith Franchise Services Inc. is a Florida based company whose mission is to enhance the lives of pets and their owners, support and assist animal shelters and rescue organizations and provide affordable and professional care to family pets. To learn more about The DogSmith visit www.888DogSmith.com or call 1-888-364-7648

Parties for the Doggies

According to Darlene Dunn, staff writer at http://www.wpbf.com, 6% of Dog Owners throw their pets a party. To ready more click here

http://www.wpbf.com/pets/13755336/detail.html
Just as people parties can be an embarrassment without the right combination of guests, food and games so can doggie parties. Doggie fights, urine stains, bored guests and poor nutrition will ensure a dog party goes wrong. To save you from the shame of a party gone wrong we have the solution.
Your local DogSmith can plan, organize and supervise your Doggie Party, so you and all your guests can relax and have fun.
We are the quintessential Doggie Party Organizer. As certified Dog Trainers and or Pet Care Technicians we can oversee your Doggie Party so it is fun and safe for all. We have a selection of Doggie Party Themes and price ranges

Contact your local DogSmith at www.888dogsmith.com or call Rachel@ 561-271-3033.
or email rwilliams@888dogsmith.com

Pet Friendly Cars

Honda is introducing a pet friendly car in their 2010 line up. This would be the car of choice for DogSmith Dog Trainers and Pet Care providers. Not only does the car provide all the amenities to make a dog comfortable but also offers some very important safety features. The DogSmith key mission is to ”do no harm” and we emphasize a ‘holistic’ approach to dog training and pet care by attending to the physical, emotional, and environmental well being of pets in our care. DogSmith Dog Trainers and Pet Sitters are responsible for collecting and delivering pet dogs from and to their homes having enjoyed a DogSmith Dog Romp, Canine Slumber Party or a DogSmith Dog Park Romp so this car is a fantastic tool for doing just that.

The Honda company press release states that the “The Honda Element lineup expands for the 2010 model year with an all-new ’Dog Friendly™’ pet accommodation system designed to improve safety, comfort and convenience for dogs and their owners alike”.

Vicki Poponi, Assistant Vice President of Product Planning for American Honda says “The new Dog Friendly Element takes that concept to a whole new level with specially designed features for dogs and their owner. The Dog Friendly equipment is intended to accommodate the secure transportation of a dog in the cargo area within a nylon-webbed car kennel.”
In daily operation the car kennel helps prevent a dog from interfering with the driver in traffic by keeping the pet properly restrained and out of reach of the driver. In the event of a frontal collision, the kennel is intended to help restrain the dog behind the rear seats, reducing the chance for the pet to be injured – or to injure human occupants during a crash.

The Dog Friendly equipment enhances pet comfort by providing a soft floor surface for the dog’s legs and paws along with a dedicated fan and a spill resistant water source. Convenience is improved for owners with an integrated ramp, easy to clean surfaces and a full suite of matching Dog Friendly accoutrements.

Major components of the dog friendly Element include:
o A soft-sided cargo area car kennel made from seat belt-grade netting;
o A cushioned pet bed in the cargo area with an elevated platform;
o A 12V DC rear ventilation fan;
o Second-row seat covers with a dog pattern design (matches the bed fabric);
o An extendable ramp (stores under the pet bed platform);
o All-season rubber floor mats with a toy bone pattern;
o A spill-resistant water bowl; and
o Dog Friendly exterior emblems (driver’s side and rear).

Features of the Dog friendly Honda element can be found here
http://automobiles.honda.com/element/dog-accessories.aspx

For all your Training and Pet Care needs www.dogtrainingpalmbeach.com
or call 1-888-dogsmith (364-7648)

The DogSmith MIssion, Vision, and Values

The DogSmith exists to enhance the lives of pets and their owners by improving their relationship and the quality of the life they share, through;

1. providing professional support and training to Pet Dog owners.
2. supporting and assisting animal shelters and rescue organizations to minimize the number of unwanted animals.
3. offering affordable and professional care to family pets so that pet ownership is never a burden.

The DogSmith Vision:

Every DogSmith will work toward a world where people and their pets live together to the mutual benefit of each. Through our efforts, skills and training, we can significantly reduce the number of unwanted pets and provide abused, neglected, and abandoned pets an opportunity to find their “forever home”.

The DogSmith Key Values:

* Do no harm.
* Emphasize a ‘holistic’ approach to dog training and pet care by attending to the physical, emotional, and environmental well being of pets in our care.
* Support, through our Canine Rescue Resources programs, humane societies, animal shelters and rescue organizations.


Contact Rachel Williams
Rwilliams@888dogsmith.com
www.888dogsmith.com
561-271-3033

Your Local DogSmith Palm Beach County Dog Trainer,

Your local DogSmith, a Certified Dog Trainer can offer you a selection of different training services

Private Dog Training Classes - Private lessons are suitable for dog owners who, due to time constraints or certain dog behavioral issues, do not find class training a viable option.

Group Training Courses - DogSmith Dog Trainers offer a minimum of 11 different Dog Training group classes to meet the needs of you and your dog.

DogSmith Dog Training Board & Train Packages - Your dog can stay in the home of a Certified Dog Trainer and will receive a minimum of 2 hours training each day. The remainder of the dog’s time will be spent with the Dog Trainer managing their new and unwanted behaviors through interaction and play and enjoying a family environment.

Latch Key Dog Training - While you are on vacation a DogSmith Certified Dog Trainer can care for your dog in your home and train your dog. Alternatively a DogSmith Certified Dog Trainer can visit your home daily or on an agreed schedule to train your dog.

To learn more about our training services visit us on the web at www.888dogsmith.com

Call 1-888-DogSmith (364-7648)

Or call your local DogSmith Rachel Williams Cell 561-271-3033

The DogSmith Palm Beach County Florida. Servicing the following areas –Jupiter, Juno Beach, Tequesta, Jupiter Inlet Beach Colony, Jupiter Island, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Riviera Beach, Lake Park, Palm Beach Shores, West Palm Beach, Palm Beach, Lake Worth, Greenacres, Palm Springs, Wellington,

Keep your pets safe this holiday season

There are many new things happening around the house during the holiday season, visitors coming and going, new scents from holiday decorations, yummy edibles around the house and road trips to grandma. As pet parents, getting ready for the holiday season, you need to be aware of potential hazards the holidays may present to your furry family members so you can keep them safe.

Much like what we know about proper nutrition for ourselves, what we should and should not feed our pets during the holiday season is usually a matter of common sense. Chocolate is a big No No. The ASPCA notes that as little as ¼ ounce of baking chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, hyperactivity and increased heart rate with a dog weighing 10 pounds. Dogs should never eat chocolate, period. Less sweet chocolate is more toxic than milk chocolate as it contains seven times more theobromine, a substance similar to caffeine. In general, all snacks and deserts intended for humans should be kept away from your pets.

Any change in diet can give your pet an upset stomach so don’t feed your pooch table scraps, left over food or allow them access to a particularly smelly garbage bin for those known to roam kitchen counters or trash areas. Be especially careful with turkey bones which can choke your dog or lodge in their intestines.

Holiday decorations, such as Christmas trees, Lilies, Holly Berries and Mistletoe, can also be dangerous to pets if ingested. In fact, even allowing your pet access to the Christmas tree water can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Christmas tree water bowls can contain tree fertilizers and the water, if left stagnant, can hold bacteria.

Also, remember that over the holiday season the family environment changes. We become hyperactive super heroes rushing from shopping to school play to home, achieving 27 hours of work in 24. Our living space becomes stuffed with strange objects, flashing lights, noisy toys and lots of stress. Try as best you can to maintain your pet’s normal schedule, keep feeding times the same and commit to their daily exercise routine. Also, be realistic about your animal’s normal behavior. If Fido is a chewer, you may have provided an irresistible chew toy for them by leaving large bright items under your tree. Or, if your feline friend is likes to climb furniture, your Christmas tree may serve as a tempting launching pad for a full frontal attack on your child’s new remote control helicopter hovering nearby.

Make time for your pet, remember they are family members too and this can be a great time of year for them with a little care and planning.

Niki Tudge is the owner and founder of The DogSmith, America’s Dog Training, Dog Walking and Pet Care Franchise. To learn more about joining the DogSmith visit http://www.888dogsmith.com/franchise.html Niki achieved her Canine Behaviorist Diploma in England and Dog Obedience Training Diploma in the US. Niki is an Endorsed member of the National Association of Dog Obedience Trainers and a professional member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and The Association of Animal Behavior Professionals. Niki is also certified by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. You can reach Niki via email at NTudge@888dogsmith.com or www.888DogSmith.com

Contact your local DogSmith 561-271-3033

The DogSmith Arrives in Palm Beach County,Florida

The DogSmith, a national Dog Training, Pet Sitting, Dog Walking and Pet Nutrition Franchise, opens in Palm Beach County.

Jupiter FL – The DogSmith Training Center, proudly announces the certification of Rachel Williams as the Palm Beach County DogSmith certified Pet Dog Trainer and Behavior Analyst.

The DogSmith (Smith; noun – one who expertly works at something specified, used in combination; such as blacksmith, locksmith and wordsmith) is the nation’s only full service pet care franchise offering a wide variety of individually tailored Dog Training, Pet Sitting and Dog Walking services which can be customized to suit individual needs and schedules.

Rachel Williams and her partner Cornelius Kruger opened their DogSmith business because they say, "We believe that if everyone who owns a companion animal puts just a little time and effort into training their dog, both the pet and the owner's lives will be greatly enhanced by making their relationship stronger. A dog should be a joy and never a burden to any family".

Williams stresses that The DogSmith offers services which provide a new level of dog training, in-home pet care, dog walking and pet nutrition. The DogSmith pet care program is unique in that it is managed by certified dog trainers and pet care professionals. Because of this their level of understanding and expertise concerning your pets is unmatched in the pet care industry. “Pet sitting requires specialized skills and every DogSmith staff member is a fully certified Pet Care Technician, qualified to look after aging dogs or pets with special needs” says Williams. Families will also benefit from having someone look after their home while their pet is being cared for.

For additional information on The DogSmith contact Rick Ingram by phone on 1.888.364.7648 or by email at ringram@888dogsmith.com. You can also visit their website at http://www.888dogsmith.com.

The Direct Correlation Between Diet and Behavior Problems in Animals

Many studies have shown the direct correlation between diet and academic performance in children to the point that no one questions that a good diet equates to improved grades. Though less scientific research has been done on the relationship between nutrition and dog training, there is ample anecdotal evidence that the relationship between eating and performance is no less true and what research that has been done is convincing enough that dog trainers and behaviorists should not ignore the connection.

An animal’s diet affects its ability to learn because its diet impacts the efficiency of its brain, especially the efficiency of the body’s neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are electric chemical secretions that transfer instructions from cell to cell. There are several different types of neurotransmitters and they each have a different effect on the behavior of the animal. The dog produces neurotransmitters with the help of important nutrition obtained through its normal diet. Dopamine and serotonin are two key neurotransmitters. Dopamine is used by the dog’s body to help coordinate motor skills, attention, reinforcement and reaction time and it has an impact on the brain’s mood area where “good feelings” originate. Serotonin helps regulate arousal levels and helps regulate moods and the sensation of pain.

If animals have a poor quality or inadequate diet, especially if they are malnourished, the body becomes stressed. Dogs can actually become undernourished even if it receives ample quantities of food if they are fed a low quality diet. Poor quality foods use Ingredients like corn and fillers which can decrease the level of serotonin in the brain because of low tryptophan and high tyrosine. The body needs tryptophan to help manufacture serotonin and dopamine while tyrosine inhibits the manufacture of serotonin. It is also important that an animal is fed a high quality and nutritionally complete diet to ensure all essential amino acids are available to the body. Amino acids influence synthesizing neurotransmitters. If neurotransmitters become imbalanced then the chemical balance in the brain is affected which in turn affects the animal’s mood, impulses, reactivity and impulse control.

Dog Trainers need to understand that if the neurotransmitters are transferring too much dopamine then an animal can become agitated, impulsive and over reactive. On the other hand, if dopamine levels are too low an animal can become under reactive. Likewise, too little serotonin can result in anxious behavior, obsessions and difficulty in learning and can also reduce an animal’s impulse control. Low impulse control can lead to frustration. When animals are frustrated they are less able to inhibit aggression. Studies show that reduced levels of serotonin can actually increase aggressive behavior.

So when training a dog, especially when consulting on a behavioral problem, always consider the whole dog, a holistic approach. Consider its diet, environment, general health and any other factors that may influence its behavior. And by ensuring that your client is fed a high quality food you can reduce that possibility that diet is working against you.

Written by Niki Tudge, DogSmith.

Is your dog eating a balanced natural diet take the test www.superiorfoodforpets.com

or Contact Rachel Williams 561-271-3033