Working to Improve the Health and Wellbeing of Our Beloved Pets, Dara Forleo 7 How to Choose the Right Dog for You and Your Family, Paula Bergeron

Working To Improve The Overall Health And Well Being Of Our Beloved Pets One Stylists At A Time!

Dara’s Paw Spaw in Peter-borough, New Hampshire has been transformed into the first holistic pet grooming academy in the US. The Whole Pet Grooming Academy is recognized by the state of NH as a secondary career school. Dara Forleo and Katie Heikkila collectively, have more than 40 years grooming and business experience. With a focus on the latest techniques and products, theirs is a labor of love and commitment as they are continually seeking proven grooming industry techniques. The curriculum offered at the academy will ensure that students understand the compassionate approach to pet grooming and care. Students will learn to take the “whole” pet into consideration, including health and nutrition, as well as hairstyles and grooming needs. Students will learn to create a stress free, restraint free, and cage free grooming shop as an alternative to the assembly line grooming which is the common practice of the industry. Rounding out the training is learning the importance of communication with the pet parents Future students Timmy & Morgan working on a Standard Poodle Guernsey. about any health or behavior concerns, as well as instruction on working with other industry professionals and working with their local community as business owners. The academy offers 7 pet professional diploma programs including the first state recognized diploma for professional pet sitters and dog walkers. 10 individual certificate courses and 22 workshops focusing on continuing education for other professional groomers. The professional diploma programs offered range from 27 to 236 credit hours include canine grooming, feline grooming, groomer assistant, and the pet sitter and dog walker. The programs include all start-up equipment needed to begin a career as a pet stylist.

Certificate Courses:

Feline Stylist Assistant Feline Stylist Canine Stylist Assistant Intermediate Canine Stylist Advanced Canine Stylist Business and Facility Management Pet Sitting and Dog Walker Basic First Aid Pet First Aid and CPR Nutrition

Diploma Programs:

Canine Stylist Novice Stylist Professional Pet Sitter and Dog Walker Professional Pet Stylist Assistant Professional Feline Stylist Professional Canine Stylist Professional Pet Stylist

Part of the student training will include presenting a current event within the grooming industry, product review, blog article, or demonstrate a new technique or trick learned from exploring on-line groomer resources. Students will be asked to attend a Chamber of Commerce event, meet other local business owners and veterinarians, attend a dog show and/or trade show if in their training period. During the terms students could be asked to help with planning a community event to help educate pet owners, create an educational pamphlet, write a simple business plan of running their day, and start a business plan for their own business.

How to Choose the Right Dog For You and Your Family!

Paula Bergeron - Grafton, NH

There are many things to consider when adding a dog to your family. Too often bringing home a dog centers on an emotional impulse that can lead to frustration, stress, and in some instances the difficult decision to give up that dog you thought you wanted so much. Whether you choose to purchase, adopt, or rescue a dog the first step is not looking at different dogs, it is looking at yourself and your family. Begin a discerning process by looking inward and deciding what level of commitment you are prepared to give to this new member of your family.

We all want to think that we could handle any dog. We envision giving them the exercise they need, loving them into good behavior, and easily facilitating good dog and human interactions without changing our basic daily routine. These visions are not only unrealistic but impossible in some cases. Dogs require more than love, they need instruction to learn good behavior, supervision to establish good social skills, and they always require some change in our daily routine.

It is challenging to face reality. You might need to admit that you enjoy quiet weekends at home not active outdoor activity. You might realize that you have very limited time due to a busy career and or that having an active family means you spend most evenings and weekends at children’s activities. You may discover that the funds necessary to deal with vet care or emergencies are just not in your present budget. Although it can be difficult to face self evaluation it is a crucial step to ensure that not only will you be happy with your dog, but that your dog will be happy living with you.

Here are a few of the many questions you should ask yourself before you look at a single furry face.

What is your motivation for get-

ting a dog? Do you want a running partner or someone who warms your feet while you read by the fire? Do you want

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to give your children the experience of a loving constant companion or do you want a dog who is more independent and can tolerate some time alone.

How much time do you have to

give to your dog? This is not about how much time can you spend with your dog, that is what your dog gives to you, I mean how much time do you have to focus on your dog whether it be in training, giving structured exercise, grooming, playing, or attending to what ever special needs your dog may have, or develop.

How much money are you willing to put aside for the continuing care

of your dog? Some breeds need more vet care than others, large breeds are more expensive to feed, rescue dogs often need intensive training. There are routine vet visits, grooming, dental care, dog walking services and the inevitable carpet cleaning. Think about what tools you will need to keep your dog safe such as fencing options, leashes, crates, collars, and good nutrition.

What level of activity do you enjoy

each day? Be honest with yourself here. If you enjoy a good walk each day and that is it, know that most dogs need two 20 to 40 minute walks a day. High energy dogs need more than two walks a day, they need jobs, tricks to learn, mountains to hike, and rain and snow to romp in. Refrain from thinking I will get a dog and get into shape… that can lead to resenting an active dog. Match your dog to your level of energy now.

What level of experience do you

have living with dogs? Is this your first dog or have you had dogs all of your life? Have all of your dogs been relatively easy to train, or have you already been down the path of obedience or behavioral rehabilitation?

If you have no experience with dogs but have a good amount of time to dedicated to your dog a puppy can be a great choice. If you choose to get a puppy from a breeder you can predict to some degree the level of your dogs energy, temperament, grooming needs and health care. You will spend a great deal of time shaping your puppy’s behavior and it can be an amazing experience. It takes a strong constitution to adopt a senior pet because you are truly giving these dogs a home for their golden years which means you will need to deal with end of life issues sooner rather than later. It is a wonderful service to give a senior dog a good home and is one of the rare situations where I categorize the adoption as a true rescue.

If you have some experience with dogs or are willing to spend time and effort to learn about dog behavior then you may be in a good position to adopt a rescue dog. I distinguish the idea of a rescue dog from an adoption because I think of adoption as getting a dog who has had a stable life and for some reason is needing a new home, a rescue dog is taking on a dog who has behavioral issues, These dogs need a high level of commitment are not for everyone. True rescue dogs need rehabilitation which includes training, a great deal of structure, exercise, a basic understanding of dog behavior, and the dedication it takes to help them become good citizens of the canine and human world.

Owning and living with a dog is a wonderful privilege, and not one to be taken lightly. If you are willing to realistically look at yourself and make a list of what you can give to a dog before you make the list of what kind of dog you want it will pave the way to finding the companion of a lifetime. Enjoy the journey!

The gang at Good Dogma waiting for spring.

If you have a bit more experience you might try to get a puppy from a rescue organization. Always be aware that when you adopt a puppy from a rescue you may encounter additional health issues or behavioral needs as this puppy may have been abandoned, taken from his/ her mother too early, or encountered unhealthy environments before getting to the rescue. Don’t misunderstand, rescue puppies can be amazing but you as an owner need to be aware that taking on any rescue adoption almost always requires a higher level of commitment to care and behavior than purchasing a puppy where you know the breeder and have confidence in the good care of the mother, the father and the new litter.

If you have no experience, and not enough time or energy for a puppy I recommend adopting an older dog. There are many senior dog rescue groups and often these dogs have been relinquished for reasons other than behavior. An older dog tends to be calmer, and more content to sit with you and go for the daily walk.

Paula Bergeron and the gang at Good Dogma embrace a holistic approach to bringing balance to your dog’s behavioral issues. Exercise, training, relaxation, grooming, play socialization and energy healing are incorporated into your dog’s routine. www.GoodDogma.com