3 Winter Seminars to help make 2015 the "Year of the Dog"

Conneaut Lake Bark Park will again offer educational seminars for dog owners.  Seminars are open to the public and are held at the Dog House at the Bark Park.  Seminars give the pet owner an opportunity to better understand the commitment and responsibility of owning a dog.  Information about the seminars in January, February and March is listed below.  Because of limited space, pre-registration is required. Seminars are held on the Bark Park property at the new Dog House. To register call the Dog House at 814-382-2267, or Sue at 814-382-2478 or email petcem23@windstream.net. All Bark Park seminars are open to the public

Popular Doggie Massage Seminar Returns January 17th

The first Bark Park seminar for 2015 will be held on Saturday, January 17th , and is entitled Doggie Massage. This seminar is appropriate for pets of all ages. Pet massage promotes socialization, trust and bonding between the owner and the dog. Pup-pies learn owners can touch all parts of the body in a gentle way. Older pets often benefit from the relaxation and muscle warming. Athletic pets can enjoy a sports massage before and after exercise. The sessions will be given by Carol Redlawski from Erie. There will be two identical sessions, each 1 ½ hour long, one beginning at 9:00 am and the other at 10:30 am. Each session is limited to 10 participants with their dog. The cost for the seminar is $9.00 and includes coffee and donuts with lots of fun and laughter. Dogs are definitely invited to attend this seminar.

Dogs 101, Bark Park Seminar February 28^th

The seminar offers a great opportunity for the dog owner to find out answers to those puzzling problems on dog ownership.  Topics will include curbing bad doggie behavior, crate issues, behavior warning signs, proper play, leash aggression, socializing your dog, and most any other questions presented by those in attendance.  This is a two hour seminar, 9:00 am – 11:00 am. and will be held at the Dog House at the Bark Park on Foust Road.   The cost is $9.00 and includes plenty of coffee and donuts.  

First Aid for Dogs, a Practical Approach, March 21st

First Aid for Dogs, a basic first aid class for dog owners, will be held at the Bark Park on Saturday, March 21^st, from 9:00 am  – 12:00.  Coffee and donuts will be provided.  This class will give the dog owner some basic information on dealing with various medical emergencies including CPR, bleeding, poisoning, respiration, pulse, temperature, etc.  Class participants will receive the Dog First Aid Book which includes a reference guide and CD.  Cost of the class which includes the book is $28.00  and will be taught by an American Red Cross instructor but will not include certification for participants. 

Top 5 Bark Park Events for June 2014

Top 5 Bark Park Events for June, 2014 

1.       Goods and Services Auction  - Even though this event is not scheduled until  Sunday, June 29th, at 1:30 at the Bark Park, we need everyone’s help to make this a big, successful  Bark Park community event.    This is a great opportunity for Bark Park members, pet therapy handlers, and everyone who has a dog to get involved in a fun community event.  Everyone has a talent, something they can do, a hobby, and favorite pastime.  Now you can share that special talent with others and help the Bark Park raise money to continue with community events, for improvements to the outside Bark Park property, to support community events,  for educational programs, etc.   A member of Paws Hand Delivered or the Bark Park  Board of Advisors will be calling all Bark Park members and PHD members to ask for a donation of a service or even the donation of an item. In addition, you must come to the event and see what bargains are available.  We already have people donating to paint a room, take people on a champagne pontoon boat ride around the lake, a kayak trip on the Geneva swamp, piano lessons, or admission for four to Splash Lagoon just to name a few.    A list of all items to be auctioned will be available the first week of June so we need your donation of a service or item as soon as possible.  If you already know of something to donate, just send me an email at petcem23@windstream.net and we can finalize the information.  So, get involved with this fun event.  And remember, be sure to come to the event and see who bids on the service you are donating, or come and see what bargain you can try to win or be entered in a few special drawings during the event.    For more information, contact Sue at 814-382-2478  .

     

2.        Community Flea Market – Clear out all those items in the attic and cellar that you are no longer using and purchase a table at the Community Flea Market, June 7th, at the Bark Park.  The cost is $12.00 for a table 18’x20’.   If you don’t want the hassle of having your own table, donate your items to the Bark Park table.  Donations can be dropped off every day at the trailer located behind the Dog House.  Finally, come and join the fun and find that hidden treasure waiting for you to discover.  Hours are 8:00 – 2:00, $.50 per person admission fee, refreshments available to purchase.

3.       Canine Carnival – Re-scheduled for June 7th, and will occur at the same time as the Community Flea Market.  General information and schedule available online here.

4.       Training classes begin outdoors at the Bark Park on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 3+4.  Contact Katara Peters, Groovy Pooch training,  at 814-763-5968 for more information and to sign up.

5.       Lure cursing is coming to the Bark Park on Sunday June 22nd.  Dock diving is also scheduled for that day.   Every dog is welcome to try this exciting dog performance sport.  More information will be available online or contact Melanie at the Dog House, 814-382-2267. 

Sadie, the Therapy Dog

Sadie

People seem to come to Therapy Dog work through different channels and for different reasons.

When my husband and I married 36 years ago, our wedding gift to each other was a Cocker Spaniel puppy that we named "Gus". It didn't take long until we were a multi-dog household. All I had ever known as a kid was having dogs as pets. Jim and I had wonderful dogs with great personalities.

About 15 years ago, we were given a yellow Labrador puppy. Her owners couldn't handle her so they decided to "give her to Deb and Jim". Her name was Sadie. She was the most difficult dog we have ever owned.

Sadie and Debbie Ski Jorring

Her biggest problem was food aggression. Also, she was so hyperactive that her eyes were always dilated and I actually had to teach her that she could be still for a while. Of course, on the "up" side, she was never tired and could do things for a very long time. I taught her to Ski Jor, which is pulling a cross country skier. She loved it because she could run forever.

I looked for a dog training school and found Attaboy Dog Obedience in the yellow pages. I signed Sadie up and she excelled in obedience. The owner/operator told me about a local small therapy dog program called "Paws Hand Delivered". We tested for it and Sadie completed the test perfectly.

When you do have a therapy dog, it is important that you know your dog. The most important thing during your visits is your dog, his/her comfort, and safety. Therapy Dogs are not robots. Some don't like certain facilities, some don't like children, and some only want to visit when they feel like it. Even though Sadie was a therapy dog, the food aggression didn't disappear. If we were visiting and a patient asked to feed the dogs, we left the room immediately.

Sadie was an exceptional therapy dog. She would carefully step among cords and tubes to let someone pet her and then cautiously back out, never making a misstep. She would approach people slowly and make sure that nothing was disturbed during her visit. She amazed me when we visited the skilled nursing areas where the patients are seriously ill.

Sophie

By now, I was totally hooked on therapy dog work so we also joined a hospice program. Again, Sadie was quiet and soft when visiting people. And I had my new dog, Sophie, a Brussels Griffon, tested. Now I had two therapy dogs.

I had worked for many years in Human Services. Now I was impressed by how much I could help people by working through my dogs. The patients could talk about dogs they used to have and happier times they remembered. The softness of the dogs eased sore hands and tiny dogs could be held like children. When holding Sophie one evening, a lady said that it had been many years since she had held a dog.

Therapy Dog work takes you out of yourself. It's not about you. It is about the patient and your dog and you are the facilitater. And in coming outside of yourself, you actually gain more than you ever thought you could.

If you have a dog with good manners that interacts nicely with people, you may want to consider having your dog tested to be a Therapy Dog. There will be testing on June 16, 2012, at the Conneaut Lake Bark Park. You can also contact the Bark Park for information on what the test is like and what you need to know beforehand.

Sadie and Sophie are no longer with us. Now Bunny and Abu are my therapy dogs and Opie and Isaac are "in the wings" to become therapy dogs. This is something I want to do for a very long time.

Sadie

Debbie Myers

You also might be interested in:

• www.skijornow.com
• Therapy Dogs, Inc.

The Importance of Socializing Your Dog: Dogs Need Friends, Too

Copper & Henry at the
Conneaut Lake Bark Park 2012

Dogs need continued socialization throughout their lives.  Many dog owners, by attending training classes,  have taken the first step in socializing their dogs.  

With the Conneaut Lake Bark Park, owners have an opportunity to continue to provide opportunities for their dogs to socialize and play with other dogs of similar temperament and size, while providing a place where their canine companion can participate and play safely with other dogs. 

Conneaut Lake Bark Park Play Groups 

The Bark Park will work with pet owners and attempt to find groups of dogs that can play together.  The Bark Park encourages all owners to consider bringing their dog to the bark park and joining a play group. 

 At present we have a group that meets during the morning hours and another group that primarily meets in the late afternoon or week-ends.  Both of these groups regularly using the bark park have been the larger and sometimes the “crazier” dogs.  Dogs of all sizes and breeds can definitely benefit from regular play time with dogs of similar size and temperament. 

The Bark Park would like to work with all dog owners from puppies to older dogs to establish group play times at the park.  For more information about our Play Groups, contact Sue Anderson at petcem23@windstream.net

Need some help understanding how to socialize your dog?

Local Dog Trainer, Katara Peters, offers Puppy through Advanced Obedience Training.  Katara also  assists in Temperament Testing at the Bark Park.  We encourage you to enroll your dog in an obedience class in your area.  Interested in talking to Katara?  You can contact her at groovypooch@windstream.net.

Here are some helpful links:

• Socializing the Adult Dog
• Continuing Socialization for the Adolescent Dog
• Are They Having a Good Time
• Before You Go to the Dog Park

We welcome you and your dog to Come, Sit, Stay! at the Conneaut Lake Bark Park very soon!  Check out our 2012 Dog Friendly Events at our website http://www.conneautlakebarkpark.com/events.html.

~Sue Anderson