Agility is a terrific way to channel your dog’s energy and enthusiasm. We’ll work on teaching you and your dog to negotiate tunnels, chutes, weave poles, jumps and contact obstacles such as the dog walk and pause table. If you’re not sure whether your dog is ready for agility training, our Basic Manners or Puppy Kindergarten classes are a great place to start.

Our agility classes are taught by JoAnna Sidote. This class is suitable for beginning trainers as well as those whose dogs have been introduced to agility obstacles. Classes are held at Twelve Pines Stable in Athens, five minutes from Richland Avenue on Route 33 South.

photo credit: mister b 1138

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The oft-given advice to ignore a dog who’s feeling fearful may not be correct. But, like most emotions, fear and its resulting behavior can be complex to address from a behavioral standpoint.

Read for yourself and see what you think — Dr. McConnell promises to write more on the topic, and several folks are offering good advice for thunderstorm phobia in the meantime.
photo credit: broxtronix

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Our group classes are the perfect way to get started with a new dog, puppy, or just to brush up on your dog’s skills. Many common behavior problems can be solved with the creative application of obedience training.

Don’t miss out — register now for puppy training and socialization, agility and basic obedience classes. Click here for class descriptions!

Athens, Ohio

Puppy Kindergarten*: June 9 at 6 p.m.

Basic Manners: June 9 at 7 p.m.

Agility for Fun: June 15 at 6:30 p.m.

*Puppies must be 5 months or younger.

Questions? Contact us using the form below, or call 740-797-7503.

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It’s the simplest way to alter the way your dog interacts with you, with the least effort on your part.

If your dog is already on the 15-minute feeding schedule, pat yourself on the back, go grab some kibble and a clicker, and get to work on Charging The Clicker. If your dog turns up his nose at the idea of dinner as a reward, the 15-minute feeding schedule will work wonders.

What to do:
1. Check with your vet about feeding requirements. Most dogs will survive on the low end of the bag of kibble’s feeding recommendations with no ill effects, but if in doubt, ask your veterinarian. If you’re feeding substantially more than the low end suggestion, and your vet says it’s OK, cut back to the recommended amount over a period of days.
2. Pick up your dog’s food bowl. The days of filling the bowl in the morning and leaving it out all day are over. (”But he likes to eat overnight/while I’m gone/etc.!” Exactly… your dog is determining the food’s value, not you.)
3. Set a timer… for 15 minutes! (Or 20, if you’re feeling guilty.) Then, set out the normal portion for that meal. Whatever is still there after 15 minutes is picked up and returned to the bag. Do NOT save the uneaten portion for the next meal. The regular portion is set out at the next meal.

That’s it! Your dog may not eat at first, but soon he’ll realize there’s an expiration date on the food bowl, and it’s determined by YOU.

Soon you’ll see a happy, engaged response when you reach for the food bag, indicating that your dog views his kibble as a valuable resource. And once you control the resources, you can control the dog.
photo credit: mrdorkesq

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photo credit: janiejonesmt

So you’re ready to get your next puppy, and have done your research in choosing a breeder. Or maybe you’re about to pluck a puppy from a shelter or rescue out of a litter that arrived with its mother. Of course you will want to know as much about your new puppy’s upbringing as possible, and when purchasing from a breeder, this includes meeting the sire and dam in person. As puppies aren’t ready to be placed into their new homes until eight weeks or so, that should leave you plenty of time to visit with the litter and parents, when possible.

Here’s what to watch for in the sire and dam of your new pup:

• Are they friendly? By friendly, we don’t mean tail wagging and sniffing and jumping all over you. That’s arousal. We mean, is the dog eager to be held, petted by you or interested in playing a game with you after an initial greeting? Or does he or she wander off and ignore you? (Or worse, stay in a corner and bark?) A dog with little social reaction to humans often won’t tolerate handling. If the dog is interacting in a gentle, attentive way with the breeder or foster person but not you, that’s fine — so long as the dog isn’t actively avoiding you or displaying overt signs of aggression, such as barking or growling.
• Do they live in the house? If either the sire or dam lives primarily outdoors, or in a kennel, beware. There’s usually a reason the breeder or foster parent doesn’t want the dog in the house — regardless of what he or she tells you.
• Are they mature? An immature sire or dam (younger than 2 years) may have hidden health problems that haven’t yet surfaced. When buying from a breeder, be sure the stock has been health tested for diseases common to the breed, and that the breeder’s contract covers the pup for inherited diseases for a minimum of two years.
• Do they appear to be in good health? Of course you will take your new puppy to the vet almost immediately after bringing him or her home, but picking a puppy whose sire or dam is ill or in poor condition means your pup’s immunity may also be compromised.
• Do you like the parents? Listen to your gut — if something seems off about either parent, or you find yourself worrying about either parent’s behavior, look elsewhere. While training and environment certainly play a part, your puppy will inherit traits from both parents! Don’t feel pressured to take a puppy whose parents you wouldn’t take home.

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Pre-payment — cash only – is mandatory to be scheduled for an appointment.

Financial assistance with spay/neuter cost is offered to animals owned by Athens County residents, who also have qualifying proof of low income as defined by the Ohio Pet Fund. A copy of qualifying proof must be left with ACHS, originals will not be accepted.

Regular clinic prices are available to anyone who would like to utilize the clinic. Registration is still required.

Please see the ACHS website at www.athenshumane.petfinder.com for information on prices, requirements for qualifying proof of low income, and proof of residency documents that must be shown for financial assistance.

Rabies vaccinations are mandatory. If your pet is up-to-date with their rabies vaccination, please bring a copy of verification to leave with ACHS, so that the pet will not have to receive the vaccination again.

For additional information, messages may be left at the end of the ACHS recording by calling (740) 592-6047.

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Update: This puppy has been returned to her owner. Thank you to all who assisted in her safe return.

Please call with any information!

The incident happened on Friday, Feb. 27 in The Plains, Ohio. Maggie is a six month old puppy stolen from her house in The Plains (near the high school). Maggie is a carmel colored, boxer/chow/pit mix, who is fairly lean. (Her photo resembles a Weimeraner or Vizsla).

Maggie and the family’s older cattle dog were in the front yard, and the family was in the house when the incident occurred. They went outside to see why the dogs were barking and saw a teenaged girl carrying Maggie to a car. An older woman was in the driver’s seat. They took off in an avocado green Mercury Mountaineer.

They couldn’t get a full read of the license plate, but it contains the letters C and U and the number 1 - Ohio plates. The Athens County Sheriff has been alerted.

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Boomer has been adopted! Thank you and stay tuned for future adoptable dogs!

We’re working with Pound Rescue of Athens to train Boomer, a 5-month-old mixed breed puppy from the Athens County Dog Shelter. Boomer is attending our Basic Manners class and is learning how to sit, lay down, walk on a loose leash, come when called, stay and more! He’s available for adoption to the right home.

To learn more about adopting Boomer, and to see more pictures, visit our Adoptions page.

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If you are thinking about getting a puppy, or already have a puppy, be sure to download your copy today.

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Local pets will have an opportunity to strut their stuff in this year’s most pet-acular Halloween fashions during the University Mall’s Pet Halloween Costume Contest at 1 p.m. The entry fee is $5 and half of the proceeds will benefit the Athens County Humane Society. All dogs, cats and other small animals are welcome. Prizes will be awarded. Applications to enter the contest can be picked up at the University Mall in the main entrance. Event day registration also accepted.

Trainers from Best Pets Dog Training LLC will be available to answer your dog or puppy training questions from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. A cat behaviorist will also be on-site to answer questions and give tips on how to introduce your new cat to your household, other pets, etc., and how to stop unwanted kitty behaviors. Local pet groomer Courtney Tuck will also be in attendance to offer guidance and information about grooming.

Athens County has many cats that are looking for a “forever home.” Adoptable cats can be viewed at the ACHS Petfinder site and some will make an appearance at the event dressed in Halloween attire.

As Halloween nears and the weather gets colder, kitten season is fortunately coming to an end. Everyone has heard of the dog days of summer, but you are probably not familiar with kitten season. According to The Humane Society of the United States, “Kitten season is the time of year when cats give birth, flooding animal shelters across the nation with homeless litters. Kitten season starts in early spring and runs through fall, lasting from March to November.”

Kitten season places a lot of strain on humane societies and poses many challenges for staff members, volunteers, and cats in their care. Resources such as food, space, and money are always limited especially during kitten season when shelters are often filled to capacity.

Fortunately you can help support the Athens County Humane Society and possibly adopt a cat too. If you are looking for a four-legged companion who will stay by your side through thick and thin, then you will definitely want to come to the Athens County Humane Society adoption event sponsored by the University Mall and WOUB on Saturday, Oct. 25.

Friends of the Dog Shelter (Athens County) will also be at the event with a few of their adoptable dogs. If you intend to adopt a cat please bring a carrier for safe transportation to your home. No cats will be permitted to leave the event without a carrier.

If you wish to volunteer with ACHS, you will be able to sign up during the event. For additional information: Visit the ACHS website at athenshumane.petfinder.com, e-mail adopt@athenshumane.org (Subject: Adoption Event) or call (740) 592-6047 and leave a message.

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