Austin, TX. – Sit Means Sit Austin classes not only include dog training and behavioral problem solving, but they’ve now added a ‘Check Your Pet’ feature to their group classes on behalf of Chase Away K9 Cancer!

Chase Away K9 Cancer launched the official ‘Check Your Pet Day’ to help pet owners be more aware of what is going on with their pet and the value of early detection.  The official ‘Check Your Pet’ day takes place on the 14th of every month.

Chase Away K9 Cancer (http://www.chaseawayk9cancer.org/) is a grassroots campaign, which funds canine cancer research and awareness efforts.  The campaign was founded by Cera Reusser with support from friends and the DockDogs® community in 2006 after she lost her Labrador Retriever, “Chase,” to cancer.

Sit Means Sit™ has joined forces with Chase Away K9 Cancer to help raise awareness and be proactive in fighting this dreadful disease that kills so many of our beloved pets.  In the Sit Means Sit™ Group Classes, on the 14th of every month, the Trainers and their Clients will be checking all of their dogs for lumps, bumps and anything abnormal.  This will include looking inside their mouth and ears, places that pet owners may not check regularly when they are simply petting or hanging out with their pooch.

Bobby Pablico, owner of Sit Means Sit™ Anthem, Nevada and a certified Pettech Instructor held the first group class that incorporated ‘Check Your Pet’.  “The most eye-opening thing happened in the very first class, a very surprised client found a lump on his dog“, said Pablico.  “This reinforced that this awareness education is critical”.

10 Common Signs of Cancer in Small Animals:

1. Abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow
2. Sores that do not heal
3. Weight loss
4. Loss of appetite
5. Bleeding or discharge from any body opening
6. Offensive odor
7. Difficulty eating or swallowing
8. Hesitation to exercise or loss of stamina
9. Persistent lameness or stiffness
10. Difficulty breathing, urinating, or defecating

(Provided by the American Veterinary Medical Association)

Many people are familiar that the founder of Sit Means Sit™ is Fred Hassen, but what they may not know, is that Sit Means Sit™ was also formed with his amazing Pit Bull, “Maddy”.  Together, “Maddy” and Fred developed Sit Means Sit™ into a nationally recognized company.  “Maddy” was well known for her videos and also winning a National Championship event.  “Maddy” was lost to cancer at the age of 6.  Sit Means Sit™ shares a special connection with Chase Away K9 Cancer from these grassroots of when “Maddy” and Fred began their endeavor.

Video of Event:

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About Sit Means Sit™

Founded and Created by Fred Hassen in 2006, Sit Means Sit™ is a dog training system that has evolved into the largest U.S. based dog training company. The gentle training methods offer a high level of obedience to the pet owner and create a happier dog. Headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, this innovative obedience training company has over 50 locations throughout North America and Australia. You can find Sit Means Sit™ on the web at http://www.sitmeanssit.com/.  For more information on Chase Away K9 Cancer, visit www.chaseawayk9cancer.org.

Doggone Safe is a non-profit organization dedicated to dog bite prevention through education, and dog bite victim support. Doggone Safe member Troy Pfeifer is making the “Be a Tree” educational programs available in Austin, TX. The “Be a Tree” program is an innovative and interactive dog bite prevention education program aimed at primary grade children. Half of all children are bitten by a dog by the time they are 12 years old. Dog bites are considered to be a serious public health problem by the American Veterinary Medical Association and by the Canada Safety Council. Most bites are by the family dog or other dog known to the child and can be prevented through education. Both children and adults can benefit from understanding dog body language and knowing how to act in situations involving dogs.

The “Be a Tree” program is available in communities across Canada and the US and is delivered by Doggone Safe presenters, veterinary technicians, dog trainers, dog behaviorists, public health nurses, emergency medical services personnel, animal control officers, police officers, teachers and humane educators. Presenters use a teacher kit produced by the company Doggone Crazy! which contains large format photographs showing dog body language signs. The script is written on the back of each photograph for convenient reference. The kit also contains games and activities and can be supplemented with learning materials such as coloring books, paint sheets, a story book, poster, stickers, bookmarks and fridge magnets. These materials can be branded with a sponsor’s logo to allow local companies to become involved with community dog bite prevention.

“The Be A Tree program is fun and terrific. The kids and teachers loved it”, said Jennifer Shryock – Dog Bite Prevention Educator and Dog Behavior Specialist – Family Paws – North Carolina.

“I believe your program [Be a Tree] is the best dog bite prevention program available”, said Sherri Utter – Retired Elementary School Teacher, Animatch Volunteer – Quebec.

Children learn to read dog body language and how to act safely around dogs by looking at large format photographs and by playing interactive games. The Be a Tree program is unique in its use of several different teaching strategies, its focus on physical activity and its emphasis on positive messages. Instead of telling children “don’t do this and don’t do that”, the Be a Tree program empowers them with the knowledge they need to make safe decisions based on the body language and the actions of the dog and the situation at hand. The central message of the program is “Be a Tree” (stand still and quiet and don’t look at the dog) if a strange dog approaches or any dog is causing concern or becoming too frisky.

“Experts agree that public education has an important role to play in reducing dog bite risk to children, and the Be a Tree program is one of the ways Doggone Safe is contributing”, said Joan Orr, president of Doggone Safe.

Doggone Safe is well regarded in the humane education community and all materials were created and reviewed by experts. The Be a Tree program is endorsed by The Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians (OAVT) and Doggone Safe bite prevention educational materials are used in the programs of many humane societies and by dog bite prevention educators across the US and Canada.

The Be a Tree program is available in Austin, TX through Troy Pfeifer of Sit Means Sit Austin. Troy Pfeifer is an expert in dog training and offers group and private dog training and consulting services as well as the Doggone Safe education programs. For additional information about Doggone Safe or to get information about becoming a Be a Tree program sponsor please visit the Doggone Safe website at www.doggonesafe.com, call 1-877-350-3232 or email doggonesafeinfo@doggonesafe.com.

For information about booking or sponsoring the Be a Tree program or the Be a Doggone Smart at work program please contact Sit Means Sit Austin at 512-942-RUFF [7833] or email austin@sitmeanssit.com or visit us at http://austin.sitmeanssit.com.

About Doggone Safe

Doggone Safe is a non-profit corporation registered in Canada and Ontario, with offices in Canada and the US. Doggone Safe’s mandate includes dog bite prevention through education and dog bite victim support. Educational seminar programs offered by Doggone Safe are Be a Tree™ (for school-aged children), and Be Doggone Smart at Work™ (for workers who come into contact with dogs on the job)

About Sit Means Sit

Established in 2006, Sit Means Sit is the largest U.S.-based dog training company.  With its first location and corporate headquarters in Las Vegas, Nevada, Sit Means Sit has truly revolutionized dog training.  The company started franchising about a year ago, and there are now over 65 locations throughout the U.S., Canada and Australia, 40 of which are franchises.  Sit Means Sit has been featured on several media outlets including Animal Planet, the Outdoor Channel and ESPN.  For more information, call (702) 877-4581, toll free at (866) Sit-M-Sit (748-6748) or visit www.sitmeanssit.com.

Contact Information:

Troy Pfeifer, Sit Means Sit Austin
512-942-7833
austin@sitmeanssit.com
http://austin.sitmeanssit.com/
www.doggonesafe.com

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