PRIME SEASON
The best for bowser Man’s best friend should be treated as such. Sean McCarthy
For many dog owners, their pet is a valued member of the family, and in most cases caring for a canine includes investments in training, grooming, and regular checkups with their veterinarian. If you think that owning a dog doesn’t require devotion and responsibility then you’re probably barking up the wrong tree. “The breed of dog you’re looking for needs to fit your lifestyle,” says Eric Letendre, who has been training dogs for more than 25 years and owns Eric Letendre’s Dog Training in Westport. “If you’re an active family or individual who likes things such as hiking, you may want a Border Collie or German Shepherd. A laid-back person may be more interested in a dog that doesn’t require a lot of exercise such as a Labrador or a Doberman.”
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S ou th C oast P r ime T imes
Two of the primary elements to owning a dog are training and grooming. “Training makes a lot of difference in the behavior in a dog,” says Paula Andrade, co-owner of Pawlissa’s Pet Care in Westport, with Melissa Sumner. “With a trained dog I won’t have to worry about anything – she’s lovely and stable because of her training. When someone gets a puppy the first six months are very
training in the first six months can be pivotal to the development of a dog. “Training makes a huge difference,” Andrade says. “Taking a puppy to places where dogs are allowed such as a busy parking lot on a leash or standing at the end of your driveway where there’s traffic, and giving them a treat, you can teach them to be street savvy. Teach them to respond well to strangers – you don’t want
“It’s really enjoyable when you can help somebody straighten out problems with their dog ” important. If you just get a puppy and have it in your backyard and you don’t socialize it or train it then it’s not going to be able to handle certain situations. An adult dog that hasn’t been socialized could get into a grooming shop and they might freak out or get stressed or poop unless they know what to expect and they’re familiar with the situation.” Andrade recommends Eric Letendre’s Training School in Westport and says that
J a nuary /F ebruary 2021
them to be jumping or being obnoxious around strangers.” But Letendre claims that you can always teach an old dog new tricks. “It’s really enjoyable when you can help somebody straighten out problems with their dog,” Letendre says. “A frustrated little pet that runs around the house chewing your shoes and pooping on the floor are able to be taught commands that they’ll have for the rest of their life.
