Puppy Training Academy

One of our beautiful students checking back in with us on the anniversary of his delivery to his new family. Isn't he beautiful?

On behalf of all of us at Puppy Training Academy, have a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving.

This is Chewy on the left and Shannon on the right, providing a good 'sit' behavior for KK, our eight year old handler

At The Puppy Training Academy, we know how important early socialization is. We expose our puppies and dogs to many of the traditions humans have both audible and visual. I took this opportunity to interact with our dogs in full Halloween costume in a positive, rewarding manner. With lots of wing flapping, I was the butterfly of doggie treats, delivering tasty morsels to all I got close to.

Just a little warning regarding the Xmas treat many stores are now starting to stock for dogs at xmas. Many of these so called treats end up with the dog "enjoy...ing" some time in a veterinary surgery over Christmas. The vast majority of these rawhide products and treats come from China. The chews are made from cattle or horse hides and their journey starts with the hides being soaked in a toxic sodium sulphide to remove the hair and fat. More chemicals are used in order to split the hide into layers which is then washed with hydrogen peroxide to give the white "pure" look and remove the rancid smell. Now comes the pretty festive colours and the glue to form cute shapes. On testing, these chews have shown traces of arsenic, mercury, chromium and formaldehyde. If that wasn't bad enough, they regularly cause intestinal blockages, poisoning from chemical residue and choking. The chews go slippery when wet and are near impossible to get hold of to save a choking dog. Leave them in the shop where they belong or if some well meaning person buys them for your dog put them safely away for later, then dispatch in the bin! Please be safe with your dogs!