Why Buckle UP?

While most of us, spurred by safety concerns and government regulations, wear seat belts as a matter of course, we don’t always think about restraining our dogs when they’re our passengers. But going without a restraint poses dangers to dogs and drivers alike. In the event of a sudden stop or accident, a dog can become a flying projectile that can injure you, your passengers or be thrown through the windshield. Accidents do happen everyday.

In an accident, an unrestrained animal is dangerous to the human passengers as well. Even in an accident of only 30 mph, a 15-pound child can cause an impact of more than 675 pounds. A 60-pound dog can cause an impact of 2,700 pounds, slamming into a car seat, a windshield, or another passenger. Even if the animal survives, it can impede the progress of rescue workers for whom every moment is precious.

Unrestrained pets can also distract the driver, and cause an accident. Even pets that are normally well behaved could be frightened by something unusual and dive for the driver’s feet or lap. Following a car accident, an unrestrained pet could escape and be hit by another vehicle or cause another collision. A frightened dog may attack strangers who are trying to help.

For more information: www.BarkBuckleUp.com

Here’s a short video of Kobe and Shasta on the rocks at Fiesta Island park class. Wait till the end to see Shasta jumping from rock to rock!

Here are a few fun videos from the Wags for Wishes event held in Chula Vista, CA. Kobe and Selene are having a BLAST on the Lure course.

Roxy and Shasta praciting Rally at our North Park group class. Roxy adopted Shasta from the San Diego Humane Society and has done ALL of her training. Roxy is doing an AWESOME job with Shasta, as you can tell from the video!

Atsuko and Venus just earned their Novice “A” Rally title this weekend! This video is Atusko, Venus and Mercury practicing at one of our park classes prior to the competition. Venus is the first Doberman and Mercury (her brother) the second. Lots of hard work and many hours of practicing by Atsuko and Venus has paid off. Stay tuned for more!

I’ll never forget the day I was introduced to the Sit Means Sit program.
Lou Ann Sherman came to my home to meet with me and tell me how the
program works. After demonstrating the remote collar and explaining the
positive reinforcement concepts of the using the collar we went outside
for a demonstration.
Two of my 3 dogs came outside and were in my fenced in front yard. Lou
Ann went to her SUV and came back with Max, one of her two boxers. With
Max she brought a small white stool and placed it on the ground in front
of my driveway. My dogs were barking and were a distraction for me, but
not for Max. Lou Ann gave the command “place” and Max climbed up on the
white stool and sat. I was “somewhat” impressed, but I assumed that Max
must be pretty use to strange dogs barking at him when Lou Ann did this
type of demonstration. Lou Ann never raised her voice and spoke in
little more than a whisper.
However, what did impress me was when my cats came home to see what all
the fuss was about and Max laid eyes on the cats. Lou Ann reinforced
with him that he was to “place” and “place” is exactly what Max did. My
cats are the bullies of the neighborhood and routinely jump out of
hiding to scare neighborhood dogs, including a black lab who lives next
door. My cat Smokey decided that Max needed to be jumped at and went
right up to his nose. Every muscle in Max’s body was ready to lunge
after Smokey, but he held his ground and stayed his place. Lou Ann
explained that both Max and his sister Selene are not very fond of cats
because of being teased by their neighborhood cats. It took everything
Max had not to go after Smokey or Rocky.
Next, Lou Ann brought Selene over and had her place, sit, down and come.
Like Max, Selene really would have liked to snack on Smokey or Rocky,
but she did exactly as she was commanded. Within the first 3 minutes of
Lou Ann’s demonstration I was sold on the Sit Means Sit program.
Since 1978, my husband and I have owned seven dogs. We have participated
in other obedience training programs with our dogs. We both love
animals and have always said we wanted a dog we could bring anywhere
with us. Thanks to Lou Ann and the Sit Means Sit training program,
Jasper, my Standard Poodle, can go anywhere with me. He is the model
canine citizen I’ve always wanted.
~ Myra A. Kosak

This is Jack and Harley at Sunset View Park. Harley is just five months old and this was his first attempt at jumps and the tunnel - also only his third park session! Jack has made dramatic improvements - as you can tell from the letter below from Bill.

In May 2005, I acquired Jack (a Jack Russel Terrier) through my cousin. Jack was
approximately 4 months old found wandering the streets of El Cajon, CA.; needless to say
an exhaustive search was made to reunite him with his original owners.
As time past, Jack was proving to be more than just a hand full. Coupled with his high
energy, a mind of his own, not willing to obey commands and most serious was his display
of being dog aggressive, walking with him on leash was a total nightmare.
After 2 1/2 years, I had to do something to gain control and channel his energy. My
brother referred me to Sit-Means-Sit and I enrolled Jack in Oct 2007. Within 2 days he
responded to the “Come” command with auto sit showing eagerness that I thought I would
never see from him.
Today Jack is a changed dog and I am very pleased to have him within my household.
Bill Indalecio

So, there is hope for any and every dog! If you would like to join in the fun at any of our park classes, contact Lou Ann Sherman at 619 847-8040.