A Better Dog 4U

06/06/2022

TRAINING STARSKY:
Proper exercise plays a huge role in training your dog!

Example: I walk Starsky between 1.5 and 2.0 miles every morning. Yesterday we had to cut that walk to about 1/2 (1 mile) because it rained us out early.

By evening it began to show. He started getting anxious and fidgety. This is the last thing you want to happen with a Husky or active larger breed dog. Luckily I was able to get him interested in doing some obedience and focus work and got him back under control.

NOTE: It is much easier to train your dog after you burn off all of the extra energy. The dog will be more relaxed and be able to concentrate better.

06/06/2022

Do you have room in your heart and home for Scarlett?

06/06/2022

06/05/2022

I'm looking for a total of (4) 10ft long x 6ft high dog kennels panels. (see photo).

If you know of anyone locally that has any for sale or that they want to get rid of, please let me know. (must be in good condition, but I'll check out anything).

(I've been watching "Marketplace" and other "buy/sell sites" for about a month and haven't found anything.)

06/05/2022

Have a Great Sunday.

06/02/2022

How to Build Your Dog's Confidence Through Physical Challenge

Building Your Dog's Confidence is done in several ways. Our "Small Challenges Course" incorporates a series of physical and mental challenges and when used with other socializing techniques, a dog's confidence can grow greatly in a short amount of time.

Our "Small Challenges Course" teaches a dog to:
1. Learn the ability to problem solve
2. Learn to trust its handler (building a stronger bond)
3. Take and execute directions in a timely manor

These exercises also give the dog an outlet to burn energy. The course provides physical as well as mental stimulation. One hour on the "Small Challenges" course is equal to walking for the same amount of time.

If you would like to work on the course with your dog, just contact Abetterdog4u.com or call 319-270-1433 to schedule your session.

(Flash and his handler on the Small Challenges course.)

https://youtu.be/MqYtbxlmCV0

Building Your Dog's Confidence is done in several ways. Our "Small Challenges Course" incorporates a series of physical and mental challenges and when used w...

06/01/2022

05/30/2022

This Memorial Day remember and honor the men, women, and dogs of the armed forces who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and for our freedom.

🇺🇸🙏🐾

05/30/2022

Happy Memorial Day Everyone!

05/29/2022

Have A Wonderful Sunday Everyone!

05/28/2022

Remembering the "War Dogs" who gave their lives in the service of their masters and our country!

05/27/2022

I'd like to wish everyone a Happy and Safe Memorial Day Weekend!

ABD4U will be closed on Sunday and Monday. We'll see you next week!

05/25/2022

God Bless these volunteers and the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs. They are heading to Uvalde, Texas to help the children, the families and the community that has been devastated by the horrible and senseless killing of innocent kids/staff.

If you'd like to help, PLEASE consider making a donation to help out with their travel expenses.
Donate to K-9 Travel Fund: https://luthcc.org/UvaldeDeploymentK9

Eight LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Deploy in Less Than 24 Hours to Mass Shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.

Donate to K-9 Travel Fund: https://luthcc.org/UvaldeDeploymentK9

On Tuesday, May 24, nineteen young students and three adults have been killed, many injured, and hundreds of students traumatized when an 18-year-old suspect, a student at Uvalde High School, entered Robb Elementary School and began shooting until he was fatally wounded.

The same afternoon, Lutheran Church Charities was invited by Rev. Mark Tews of Trinity Lutheran Church in Uvalde, Texas, LCMS Texas District President Michael Newman, and Dr. Bill Hinz, Education Executive on the Texas District staff to bring the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses, to the shocked and hurting community that has been greatly impacted by this tragic event.

Bonnie Fear, LCC K-9 Crisis Response Coordinator, and the following LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Ministry teams are deploying today to be with the families, survivors, and all of the first responders who serve them:

LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dog Elijah (Our Redeemer – Wichita Falls, Texas) will arrive today and LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Abner (Bethany – Austin, Texas), Gabriel (Messiah – Houston, Texas), Joy (Gloria Dei – Houston, Texas), Miriam (Emmanuel – Kingfisher, Oklahoma), and Triton (Messiah – Plano, Texas) will arrive today, and Cubby and Devorah (Redeemer – Fort Collins, Colorado) will arrive on Thursday with more to follow in the coming days.

LCC's K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry never charge those we serve as we bring the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. We know that comfort is needed to help this shocked and devastated community and the first responders who serve them.

"For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." Isaiah 41:13

Elijah Comfort Dog
Miriam Comfort Dog
Abner Comfort Dog
Triton Comfort Dog
Gabriel Comfort Dog
Joy Comfort Dog
Cubby Comfort Dog
Devorah Comfort Dog

05/25/2022

DOG TRAINING TIP:
Is your dog "Going" in the house? Maybe it won't come when it's called. Does it constantly bark, chew up your furniture and destroy your house?

There is only ONE TOOL you need in order to fix it! That tool is .... A Rolled-Up Newspaper!

When anything like this happens, just take the tightly rolled newspaper firmly in your hand and HIT YOURSELF over the head with it a few times. Then ask yourself, "What am I doing wrong?"

If your dog is misbehaving, It's Not the Dog's Fault! It's because you haven't communicated what you expect from the dog clearly enough.

If you need help, I'd be glad to get you started in the right direction, keep you on track and show you how to have the dog of your dreams!

A Better Dog is Just a Click or Call Away!
319-270-1433
www.ABETTERDOG4U.com

05/22/2022

I'm one more step closer to having my fenced training yard done.

I spent about 4 hours this afternoon leveling just over 6 tons of top soil so I could have a flatter area for them.

Next Up: Fence posts!

05/22/2022

It's "Sunday Funnies" time again!
Have a Great Day, and don't spare the treats!

05/21/2022

Dogs Forever will be open TODAY with reduced hours from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

05/21/2022

Starsky wants to play & he's not taking NO for an answer!

05/20/2022

Today is National Rescue Dog Day.

Show us Your rescue dog!

05/19/2022

Please get your car dirty and then go to Canine Corner on June 12th to get it washed.

Come support our next fundraiser! Our Barks n' Bubbles Car Wash!!

Sunday, June 12th from 11-3 located at Canine Corner and Cats too !

Donation based drive thru style.

You can come volunteer with us, too! Click this link to check out our available shifts:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D48A5A82DAAFFC25-barks

05/19/2022

05/17/2022

PLLLEEEAASSEE ... SHARE THIS POST NO MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE! 💜🐾 We need to find her a great forever home!

In case you missed it earlier.... PLLLEEEAASSEE SHARE THIS POST NO MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE! 💜🐾

1,125. Can you take a guess on what that number means?🤔 Keep reading...

It's a number of total days (and it's probably missing a few) that Princess Scarlett has been at the shelter. Officially our longest resident, ever.😔

Scarlett was surrendered December 27th, 2017. She was with us about a year before she was adopted. She was returned March 27th, 2020, to absolutely zero fault of her own, and she's been here ever since. She's now eight years old and is the sweetest sassy senior whose spent almost half of her amazing life in the shelter.

🌟We think she'd prefer a home with NO other pets, after all, she IS a Princess. She for sure does not like cats - so no way man, and is very dog selective. She has a buddy at the shelter but he's a chill old dude. (They might be star crossed lovers..💙🤷‍♀️)🌟

🌟Princess Scarlett needs a fenced in yard with direct access from the home.🌟

🌟No young crazy kids, needs teenage age or older, and more of a quiet, calm environment. 🌟

She's seriously a hidden gem that needs your help sharing her with the world to shine. She's a GOOD GIRL!!!!

When she finds her forever home this year, because she will, just know that our volunteers are going to need visitation rights and updates because this girl? She's everyone's pseudo dog. She has our hearts, and our lives will change when she goes. We love her SO MUCH!! But she deserves to be in her forever home for the remainder of her years.

Please share this post far and wide no matter where you are. 💜🐾🙏

05/16/2022

I want to Thank All of You for your help in locating a "play slide" in the past week or so.

Thanks to your help I was able to purchase this 7 ft wave slide yesterday! It even fits my color scheme. ;)

Watch for it to become a part of the "Small Challenges Course" in the next month or so.

05/15/2022

It's Time Again for Your "Sunday Funnies"
Have a Great Sunday Everyone!

05/15/2022

Doing some "Porch Training" this evening.

05/12/2022

DOG TRAINING CLASSES

A dog training class is NOT the correct setting for your dog to learn. A training class is a place for humans to learn how to work with their dog.

A good trainer doesn’t just train dogs. That's only part of what we do. A good trainer teaches the dog owner how to teach and work with their dog. Your dog will never retain what it learns at a class if you don’t reinforce the training on at least a daily basis.

Training classes are often full of crazy excitement and distractions. Most normal dogs tend to either get overstimulated or just can’t concentrate when they are in this kind of environment. Your dog will only improve when you work with it in an environment where it can stay focused on the training. This is why I only train "In-Home" and with one dog at a time.

If you choose to enroll your dog in a training class, don’t go there expecting your dog to learn much of anything. The only real benefit a group class offers is that your dog can possibly get to socialize with a few new dogs.

Instead, go there to ask questions so you can be clear on what you need to do to properly train your dog. Listen very closely to the trainer. Your trainer should offer guidance on how to work with your specific dog. Practice the training in front of the trainer so you can get needed input about your technique.

Then go home and work with your dog in your home, your yard and in your neighborhood. Dogs learn much faster when they are in familiar surroundings. You can also control the distractions much easier.

Remember, the classroom is where you learn. Your dog learns at home and in the real world.

05/11/2022

THE HEAT IS BACK.

Don't leave your kids or pets inside a locked car. Rolling the windows down partially will NOT help.

05/11/2022

National Dog Day | Celebrating Dogs

National Dog Day | Celebrating Dogs

Love dogs? So do we! National Dog Day is recognized worldwide on August 26th annually. We celebrate all dogs and encourage adoption.

05/08/2022

Happy Mother's Day to all of you with 4 legged kids!

05/07/2022

If you happen to have or know someone that has a "Wave Slide" from an outdoor play set (like the one pictured) and you or they want to get rid of it cheap, I'd be interested in repurposing it into my "Small Challenges Course". They come in several lengths, and colors but I can use any of them.

Let me know or have them contact me.
Thanks,

05/07/2022

Be on the lookout in the Bowman woods area!

05/06/2022

NEW TRAINING OPTION:
Several of you have been a part of the "Soft Opening" of the "A Better Dog 4U, Small Challenges Course" And you have seen the benefit it can provide.

The "Small Challenges Course" is a series of small physical challenges that your dog must overcome by listening to you and following your instructions. As your dog completes each challenge, it's confidence will grow. This is not only because it is completing a physical challenge. It is also learning to trust you to get through things that it fears or is unsure of. Working together like this will help the bond between you grow stronger.

The course can be modified to help test the skill level of most any dog along the confidence scale.

Contact Now to reserve your sessions on the "Small Challenges Course"

05/02/2022

Eat a Pizza: Help the Dogs!

Hey!

We're partnering up with 🍕 Papa Murphy's Pizza 🍕 on Center Point Road NE! All order's on May 16th from 11-8pm that mention it's for Dogs Forever will have 20% of their meal's total donated back to us!

We need you to go RSVP NOW through the link directly below that you'll be supporting our dine-to-donate night fundraiser to secure our date. Then, mark your calendars to order on May 16th!

👇👇👇
https://www.groupraise.com/events/226005
👆👆👆

There are SO many ways to support on May 16th from 11am-8pm:

🍕Give them a call: 319-366-4252 (Tell them it's for Dogs Forever!

🍕Order online: Tell them at pickup or curbside pick that it's for Dogs Forever so they can make a copy of your receipt to add to our fundraising total!!
https://order.papamurphys.com/menu/papa-murphys-center-point

🍕Walk-in: 3335 Center Point RD NE - Tell them it's for Dogs Forever!

🍕Use a delivery app service: Door Dash, Grub Hub, Uber Eats - In comments/order notes/special instructions - Tell them it's for Dogs Forever!