(312) 618-9663

The “BARF” Diet is an acronym for Bones and Raw Food or Biologically Appropriate Raw Food created by Australian veterinarian Ian Billinghurst.  This diet is also known as a “Raw” diet for dogs.  This is going back to feeding dogs the way that their ancestors ate and the way that wild dogs eat.  Dogs are carnivores which means that their digestive system is designed to digest raw meat and use the enzymes and amino acids in meat to fuel their bodies.  When you are feeding your dog a raw food diet you are giving them fresh, unprocessed whole meat (not meat by-products) with live enzymes and amino acids still intact.  Cooking kills off the natural live enzymes that help an animal digest their food.

What are enzymes?  Enzymes are needed for every process in the body, especially digestion.  When food is cooked higher than 118 degrees then the live enzymes are destroyed.  There is a lot to read about this topic and I highly encourage further research.

Benefits of Enzymes:

* Enables the body to obtain nutrients from food
* Improves nutritional absorption and energy level
* Strengthens the immune system
* Decreases risks of degenerative diseases, cholesterol, plaque build up and toxins
* Increases T-Cell (cancer fighting cell) production
* Raises white cell blood count
* Strengthens the immune system
* Reduces hunger craving
* Promotes weight loss

Many commercial brands of food contain foreign chemicals to preserve the food, grains which are not useful for doggie nutrition, and “Fillers” to fill the dog food bag but provide little if any nutrition.  A lot of the meat used in dried dog food is the meat considered un-consumable by humans, meaning diseased meat or parts of an animals considered waste.  I encourage you to READ THE INGREDIENTS and do your own homework on dog food nutrition in addition to this article.  Keep in mind that cooked bones are not good for your dog as they can splinter in the dogs digestive system.  Please give them ONLY RAW BONES.

From my own personal experiences, we’ve been feeding our dogs a RAW food diet whenever possible for the past 3 years and they are doing great.  We have 4 dogs and we got into RAW food for our dog Bravo who has a sensitive stomach after we tried many brands of dry food.  His stool was loose on a dried dog food diet, poor guy.  He has the best looking firm stool when on a raw diet.  Bear prefers raw food and he will refuse dried food unless he’s really hungry.  Sophie loves fish, beef, pork, rabbit, venison, etc. but will not eat chicken.  Nikita is the opposite of Sophie and will eat chicken but will not eat fish.  We mix up the meat from time to time to give them different nutrients including liver and vegetables such as carrots, apples and juice pulp.  I also strongly believe in a RAW food diet for humans but our diets are quiet different than that of a dog and that’s an extensive topic for you to research on your own.  When I juice things like Kale I’ll give the left-over juice pulp to our dogs.  Things that are poisonous for your dog are chocolate, onions, grapes and raisins.

Sometimes it is not convenient to have a refrigerator or freezer full of meat as it can get messy.  We keep any raw meat in a glass bowl to prevent it from leaking on any food in the refrigerator and we keep the rest in the freezer.  We are lucky to have a backyard where we have plenty of grass space to feed them outside.  We do keep a high quality grain-free dried dog food available just in case we run out of the raw food or if it isn’t convenient to go shopping.

I notice our dogs are energetic, happy, have firm stool and they have beautifully shiny coats.  I encourage you to try different kinds of raw foods with your dog as they are just like humans and will not like certain foods and love others.

Feed your dogs for the purposes of nutrition.  The word nutrition means nutrients! Feeding with nutrition in mind should be the main goal.  You’ll see that when feeding a high nutrient diet, your dogs will eat less, obtain an optimal weight, promote a healthy immune system, clean your dogs teeth, and improve your dogs anal gland health among many other benefits.  It might seem like this diet will cost more initially but you will save money in the long run on having a healthy dog with fewer vet visits.

Hey Everyone!

Bring out your canine pals and join Sit Means Sit Dog Training for some fun, food and exercise at the 8th Annual “Mutt Strut”, benefiting Chicago Canine Rescue, this Saturday, October 8.

Stop by the Sit Means Sit Tent to see our top demo dogs, Nikita and Bravo in action.

Be outside, have some fun and support our friends at Chicago Canine Rescue!

See you there!

Click here to register for the “8th Annual Mutt Strut” Event!

8th Annual Mutt Strut Press Release:

Chicago, IL (October 5, 2011) – It’s that time of year when Chicagoans “strut” their stuff for charity at the 8^th Annual Chicago Canine Rescue Mutt Strut! On Saturday, October 8^th, dog lovers and their four-legged friends are invited for a 1.5 mile walk with their “mutt”, followed by a block party with food, entertainment and more! Proceeds from the event will benefit the Chicago Canine Rescue Foundation (CCR).

This event is open to all-ages and is the ultimate canine-friendly, end-of-the-summer stroll through Lakeview! Participants are invited to get some exercise, followed by a family block party (kids and dogs are FREE). After lunch, enjoy music, children’s activities, contests, raffles and visit with adoptable CCR dogs. Plus, check out special deals on both pet and human merchandise at neighborhood shops! Pet personality Steve Dale will be this year’s host and will kick off the walk as “Top Dog.” Special appearances by Melissa Forman of WCIU and Kye Martin of CLTV & WGN.

WHEN: Saturday, October 8^th shine only. Rain date is scheduled for October 30^th.

Registration Begins at 11am.

Walk and Block Party 12pm – 2pm.

WHERE: Lakeview along Newport Avenue (between Southport and Lakewood).

PRICE: $25/person – please register in advance at www.chicagocaninerescue.com.

Kids and dogs are FREE.

ALL PROCEEDS FROM THE MUTT STRUT EVENT WILL BENEFIT CCR

ABOUT CHICAGO CANINE RESCUE FOUNDATION

CCR was founded in 2001 to help find permanent, loving homes for homeless dogs in Chicago. In the past ten years, CCR has saved the lives of over 3,000 dogs, cats, kittens and puppies. CCR assists animals that are the MOST vulnerable in Chicago – the dogs and cats that are slated for euthanasia because they are too old, too young, too injured, have disabilities, or have simply been overlooked for too long by potential adopters at other shelters. Chicago Canine Rescue is moving to a new, larger location to be able to help more animals each year. Money raised from this event will help this new space become a nice temporary home for many animals in need.

For more information, please visit www.chicagocaninerescue.org.

To begin teaching an advanced “Watch” command as used in many of our Police K9 videos, you will first have to have some basic foundation skills in place.  Without a strong foundation your dog will slowly fall apart as they become unreliable and confused.  Instilling clear communication on the primary level is imperative to problem solving later on.  If your foundation is not there, you will not progress.

Building the foundation: You will need to teach your dog to stay in one spot.  Any of our many Sit Means Sit locations can help you through this process.  With green dogs we like to first begin by pairing this behavior with a physical boundary that is different from the surrounding area.  An elevated area or a “Place” is perfect.  Click Here for a video sample of the Place Command.  A physical boundary speeds up the learning process as it is an entity that the dog can physically see, instead of solely relying on a sound or verbal cue, e.g. “Sit”.  Other examples of readily availabe physical boundaries may include: A Kennel, a Curb, a Doorway or some other Entryway, a Tunnel, your lap, a Grass area, a Car, ect.

Turning Your Dog:  Once your dog is proficient at the “Place” command and understands it from many different angles, distances, and levels of distraction you can begin turning your dog.  The turn is important as we are harnessing our dogs energy and showing them that they can focus it in many different directions.  The easiest way to start this is to have the dog focus on you.  As distractions introduce themselves as they naturally do, it will be your task to keep your dogs attention on you.

Energy Tip: As you begin to master each level your goal will be to go back through and create more energy.  Without focus you won’t be able to harness Energy.  Energy is also Genetic as some dogs will fire up faster and to greater extremes than other dogs.  Energy= speed and flash!

The Switch: Once your dog can stay on a “place” and turn to target you we will introduce a second target.  This can be any item of your choice- a bite sleeve, a toy, a bumper, food, water, you name it!  Make it easy on yourself and pick something that your dog likes.  If the dog doesn’t understand that you have his favorite ball, than go ahead and throw it around for him.  Things that your dog desires will often carry enough value to make the ‘switch’ easy on you.  Your next step is to put the item on the ground in front of you while keeping your dog on his “Place”.  You can give added value to the item by moving or kicking it slightly.  When your dog naturally starts to look at the item you can release him from the place to receive his reward.  If through training you find you are losing desire, go back to playing with the toy or releasing for the food.  As the focus begins to switch from you to the new target item you will want to slowly move around behind the dog.  This whole process can take weeks, so be patient and if you get stuck, go back a step.

Good luck and have fun teaching your dog to “Watch”!

On May 14, 2011, head dog trainer, Darrel Hager married Amy Hendricks with 4 dogs standing up in the wedding. They met at a dog park, own 4 dogs together and run a dog business together and dogs helped to make their special day complete. Nikita was the cutest ring bearer! Everyone was complimenting on how well behaved the dogs were and how it added a special personal touch. Check it out…

If you also want dogs in your wedding then please call Sit Means Sit Chicago at (312) 618-9663.

Proofing is the part of training where you really dig in and teach the the parameters of each command or concept. Proofing a command will involve teaching a single command from different angles, with distance, around increasing distractions, and in different environments. Proofing is absolutely necessary for anyone who wants to enjoy a well behaved and confident dog.

Proofing “Sit”.
Does your dog Sit? Does he face you? Can you sit your dog and move away from him? Can you sit your dog while you continue to move around him? Can you sit your dog at a distance? Can you sit your dog while speaking with another person or while training a different dog? Can you sit your dog in water? Can you Keep your dog sitting while you touch them or reach near them? How about touching different parts of the dogs body?

So lets say that my dog understands “Sit” as: He must stop right where he is at, sit and continue sitting until given another command, or released. When told to sit he is expected to be attentive and face me unless told to face some other direction (to watch, mark, or guard). If any part of the command is not correct, I will repeat the command “Sit”. If the dog does not understand what kind of correction needs to be made, it is my job to show him.

For dog owners participating in a Sit Means Sit Program, or a similar attention based remote collar training program you will be learning to pair the collar with the command and of course to reinforce all of your expectations with it. Your expectation of “Sit” can be more or less detailed than that defined above.

Hugs and Kisses Sissy - Available

Sit Means Sit Dog Training in Chicago has teamed up with Animal House Shelter in Huntley once again.  Recently two pit bull mixes, Patsy and Sissy went forward with Sit Means Sit’s 3 week board and train program!  Upon finding their forever homes, these dogs will come with Lifetime Group dog training classes.  Patsy is dog and people friendly but timid with men.  She has gotten a lot better but could use a permanent home to boost her confidence.  Patsy’s nick name is “Muscles”.  Sissy is very people friendly!  She gives out lots of kisses and Loves to play tug.  Sissy prefers to be the only dog, but can be around other dogs if she is monitored.  In her past time she enjoys sitting on the back of the couch and watching the birds.  They are both lovely dogs and are trying hard to find a family!  Please call before March 27th to schedule a visit with either Patsy or Sissy at our Chicago Sit Means Sit Home Office at: 312-618-9663.

Sweet Patsy HAS BEEN APOPTED!

Jessie - Available

Jessie from Animal House Shelter has also gone through Sit Means Sit’s 3 week board and train.  She also comes with unlimited lifetime group dog training classes.  Jessie prefers to be the only dog and is a snugglepants once she is done greeting you with lots of kisses.  Jessie has gone on lots of runs with Sit Means Sit trainer, Amy and her other dogs Bear and Sophie while training and is a good 3 mile running companion.  She has the potential to get along with another dog that she feels comfortable with.  Please call Animal House Shelter to visit with Jessie @ 847-961-5541.  She is such a sweet dog, it’s really a shame that she’s been in a shelter for over 3 years.  Please ask the trainers any specific dog questions that you may have.  Patsy, Sissy and Jessie are also available for foster care.  Read Jessie’s full story.

Smooch Papillon - Available

Available Papillon, Smooch.  Smooch is our client’s dog’s daddy.  He’s a doll – very laid back, sweet and loving…He was born Jan 13, 2003.  He is looking for a new home because his owner’s are downsizing.  If you want a sweet beautiful dog then please email: Jillian Lane – goldengaitfarm@wonderwave.net

Our Chicago Dog training Protection Class is open to all “Unlimited” and “Board and Train” enrollments.
The Protection Dog Class is geared toward teaching you how to:

Control when and where your dog is using his or her mouth
Use of the “Place” Command
Energy management
Barking and Guarding on command
Advanced watching with remote directionals
Starting and Stopping your dog without loss of desire
Teaching on a toy and transition to equipment
Types of equipment (Tugs, Sleeves, Suites, hidden sleeves, muzzles)

To Join our next Protection Class please check the Online Schedule frequently. If you are not currently enrolled with Sit Means Sit please call 312-618-9663.

Some retrievers don’t have the drive and will never really develop the ability to retrieve. The ability to naturally retrieve is dependent on the dog’s genetic make-up and energy level. Low energy dogs tend to be completely happy hanging out and “being good”. Higher energy dogs can often be taught to learn games including picking up objects and returning to their owner. In some re-homing cases the previous owners never played with the dog, or didn’t know how, resulting in a dog that may have the drive to retrieve but it has not been developed.

A dog like this can be encouraged with quick movements and high pitched noises and you will often times encourage him or her to “chase” and grab an item. For some dogs, you may just need to find an introductory toy, a stuffed animal, a tennis ball usually something soft that the dog enjoys mouthing or chewing. As you spend time playing with this toy, try slipping in other objects and encouraging the dog in the same way that you did with the original toy. Over time you as your dog becomes comfortable with the game you can move from a stuffed animal to a tennis ball, and a tennis ball to a Kong or a rope tug. This process can take months so don’t get discouraged if your dog only seems to chase his “favorite” toy.