With so many blogs out there these days it is hard to keep them all straight.  So I am going to share with you all the blogs that On The Ball K9 Training LLC is on.  First would the one you are reading now, wordpress.  This blog is probably the one that I try and keep updated the most.  Next would be My Space.  This blog is probably the second most updated one.  It is great to keep in contact with old & current friends!

The 2 newest blogs that we are on is Dogster under the name of Mason’s Modi, Major & Pilot & Dognamic.   

Here is some information about Dognamic (right from the website):

Dognamic the most advanced FREE social network for dogs & their owners. Join our digital dog park™ to make new friends, post pictures, upload videos, share stories, use forums, write blogs, sell products, post events, or browse members via the dog matrix™ by breed, color, age , location, and even mood. This is a free service that was designed so all dog owners around the world would have one place to share their love of their furry friends and have a support system if their dog became missing. In todays global economy, dognamic™ was created so dog owners and dog care takers could communicate with multiple tools to socialize and keep each other informed on issues like dog food, toys, treats, dog products, training, puppy care, medications and dog accessories. Hear real feedback and a pool of advice can be shared from others to make the life with our dogs the most eventful and longest available.Free dog amber alert™ system for dogs By dropping your dog amber alert™ into Missing Mode, all members within a set distance from your zip code will be notified via our dog amber alert™ ticker system running on every members page [like a news ticker on your TV set] and our sister site dogamberalert.com. As a member, you will be able to create a “virtual” Vflyer so if your dog becomes MISSING - members click on your dogs “MISSING Flyer” - print it out themselves and help with the search instantly. Our goal is to build the largest online social network of dogs in the world by developing the most advanced creative communications network available.

Check us out on all the blogs

OK so since the last post at the end of April, it snowed 2 1/2 feet, I went to Phoenix AZ to warm up for 18 days, & it still hasn’t warmed up yet.  Well OK, it has warmed up compared to what it was but it is still 50 degrees and windy!  When is it ever going to stop blowing?  I guess I can’t complain too much, at least it is not snowing!!

On The Ball K9 Training LLC has been busy helping people & their dogs live a happier, more balanced life.  We attended the Dog Day at the Park Strip on Sunday June 1, 2008 & watched the Alaska Dogs Gone Wild Flyball demonstration. We also visited the Scoop the Poop & Scooper Trooper booths & Modi got to play with her friend Klute.

We have also held a playtime at Arctic Tails Training Center.  This playtime is not a training session, it is just time for your dog to play and socialize with other dogs.  If you are interested in attending one of the play times, please contact me for dates and times.

If you are interested in training or would like more information about living a more balanced life with your canine companion, please feel free to contact us to schedule your FREE demonstration with YOUR dog!

On April 19, 2008 my husband and I along with some new friends walked in the MS walk here in Anchorage.  Our team, Team On The Ball K9, had a goal of $2000 to raise for this years walk.  Well we didnt raise as much as we had hoped for but we did raise over 64% of our goal.  The total amount raise for Team On The Ball K9 was $1271.00!!!!

We want to thank everyone who donated and helped us get one step closer to a cure.

On April 19, 2008 I will be participating in the MS walk here in Anchorage.  This walk helps raise money for research into a cure for MS.  For those of you who dont know what MS or Multiple Sclerosis is, you can get more information about it at the National MS Society website.  Here is just some breif information on MS. MS is a chronic, unpredictable neurological disease that affects the central nervous system, it is NOT contagious and is not directly inherited, most people with MS have a normal or near normal life expectancy & the majority of people with MS do NOT become severely disabled. 

I have started Team On The Ball K9 & our goal is to raise $2000 this year.  We would love to have everyone come out and join us for the walk.  If you click on Team On The Ball K9 you can join our team or just make a donation. Anything will help!

On The Ball K9 Training is proud to announce that we are now offering a board & train program.  This program is geared towards owners who either don’t have the time or are not capable of setting the basic foundation for their dog.  During the board & train your dog will stay with us for a minimum of 2 weeks and we will address any behavioral issues you may be having as well as teach the dog basic obedience such as sit, down, come when called, walking on a leash and place. During the final days of the program you will then start learning how to maintain the training of your dog with one on one instruction from us.  This will be the transition stage for you to get prepared to bring your dog back into your home.  At the end of the program we will continue to offer follow up lessons in your home so you feel comfortable with the training that you & your dog have received.  We will also offer continual support by either phone or email if any questions or concerns arise. We want both you & your dog to live a happy, balanced life together.

If you are interested in our board & train program please feel free to contact us at 907-317-6588 or on the web at www.ontheballk9.com to check availability & pricing.

On November 7, 2007 I received the following email:

Hi,  I have a 6 year old Siberian Husky who is a sweetheart but does not listen when off leash and sees a wild animal.  If he sees a moose and is off leash he is gone after moose and there is nothing I can do to get him back until he is good and ready.  At this moment he is at Connor’s Bog dog park in the woods chasing a moose and has been after the moose for 4 hours and will not come.  I have gone back and forth trying to get him to come but he keeps chasing the moose.  Can you help with this?  He has run away to many times to count.  He always comes back, but in his own sweet time.  I don’t know how to train him to come back.  I appreciate your help. My name is Grace Loving, my dogs name is Baker. Thanks.  Grace

I contacted Grace to set up a free demonstration and evaluation of Baker.  When I first met Baker he was one of the most mellow dogs.  He didn’t try to jump up on me or run out the door when I came over.  While Grace and I talked about Bakers moose chasing problem, Baker just lay at our feet.  After the demo Grace decided to start Baker in the Major Learning Program.  This program covers basic manners as well as more advance obedience including off leash recalls, which is what Baker needed. 

Nov. 21, 2007 was Grace & Bakers first lesson.  I gave Grace very strict instructions to keep Baker on a leash every-time she took him outside until further notice.  At their 2nd lesson, Baker was doing very well coming to Grace (on a long line) when she called him. At this lesson I decided to teach Grace and Baker ”wait”!  Baker had been known to bolt out of the car when Grace would open the door and take off into the park to chase moose. At Bakers 3rd lesson and we decided to take him to the South Anchorage Sports Complex to test out his recall.  We got to the park and let Baker off the leash.  His recall was 100% but there was NO MOOSE!!!  Grace and I decided that at the next lesson we needed to take him someplace were there would be a possibility to run into a moose.  We decided to go to University Lake Park.

On Dec. 14th I met Grace at University Lake Park.  I got there early and as I was sitting in the parking lot waiting for Grace a big cow moose walked right in front of my car.  I knew this was going to be the ultimate test for Grace & Baker.  Once Grace arrived I let her know that there was in fact a moose at the park and to make sure that Baker “waits” before getting out of the car.  Grace, Baker & I headed into the park looking for the moose.  We crossed the bridge and down to the left was the cow moose eating some trees.  I told Grace that we are going to take Baker over towards the moose so I can see how he acts (up to this point I had not seen how he reacts to moose or other wild animals).  We walk towards the moose (Baker was on leash), he stopped and looked at the moose and then just turned away.  Grace thought that maybe he wasn’t responding in his normal way because he was on a leash.  I turned to her and said “take off the leash”.  Grace looked at me like I was crazy but took the leash off Baker.  Baker walked around sniffing, not really paying any attention to the moose.  Grace was amazed!!!  Baker had never left a moose alone.  I told Grace that we would walk around the park and come back to the moose.  After walking around the whole park and returning to the moose Baker still showed no interest.  Then the moose started to walk away.  Once the moose was moving Baker started to walk towards it and started barking.  Grace said OK here we go, this is normally how he acts.  I told Grace “call Baker to you.”  She turned and said “Baker come”  Baker turned and came right to her.  Grace was finally able to call her dog off the moose!!!

After 24 days of training and consistency from Grace, she is now able to call Baker off a moose at the park.  Grace and Baker are still learning and strengthening their bond.  Congratulations Grace and Baker,  Keep up the good work.

Have you been looking for a place that you can take your dog and let them run around with other dogs?  Some place secure, were you don’t have to worry about if the other dogs are aggressive?  Well let me tell you….last Thursday night I took Modi (my 5 1/2 month old Malinois) to Arctic Tails .  Arctic Tails offers play time on Thursday nights from 7pm to 8pm.  The great thing is, it’s indoors and it is FREE!!  You don’t have to stand out in the cold to let your dog socialize.  They have an area for big dogs and little dogs too.

There are some ground rules here unlike a dog park 1) Everyone is responsible for their dogs actions and 2) no aggressive dogs are allowed.  It would be best if your dog has been some what socialized with other dogs before bringing them.  This is not the place to bring a dog that has NO social skills.  If a problem arises with your dog you could be asked to leave.

I will be there with one of my dogs.  Stop by and say “HI”.  Hope to see you there!

On The Ball K9 will finally be able to hold group classes indoors.  Arctic Tails , Alaska’s Premium Pet Care Facility has agreed to let me use their indoor area to hold group class.  Now we will not have to have group class at the park on those really cold days and we will have a big enough area to work on the off leash recalls!!  I can’t wait to get the first class started.  We are going to have lots of fun!!! 

Group classes offered by On The Ball K9  are not open to the public and are only offered to those clients that sign up for the Major Learning program.  You can check out my website for more information or to set up a FREE demonstration with your dog.

Major finally got his chance to try out the new Everlasting Treat Ball that I purchased last week.  It kept him busy for about an hour before he got the treat out. 

Modi is still losing her baby teeth so it has worked very well to keep her occupied!

Anyone have any other suggestions for dog toys that help prevent boredom?