K-9 LifeSavers

If you've ever been comfortable on the couch only to have cold feet and wished you could make your dog understand all you want is your slippers, here is your magic wand.

1. In an empty environment, place one of your slippers a short distance from your dog.  Point to the slipper and tell your dog to "fetch shoe." Reward him when he brings it back to you.

2. After several successful rounds, increase the challenge by putting the slipper out of site, or in another room and send your dog to find it

3. Once your dog is conditioned to retrieve one specific shoe, repeat the process with a different shoe.  Your dog will come to understand that "shoe" is any footwear that smells like you.

Trouble shooting:

• Your dog brings other objects (toys, clothes) instead of your shoe.  He's likely excited and remembers you want him to bring you something, but not quite sure what.  Do not except the object, but encourage him again to "fetch shoe."
• My dog brought me two different shoes - either be happy with you got or make it less confusing for your dog by keeping other shoes put away and the desired slippers in a specific place your dog knows to look for them.

If this sounds terrific, but you need a dog to do your fetching for you, we'd like you to meet Fenway. Fenway is a Beagle/Australian Shepard mix about 3 months old and full of love.  Fenway can't wait to get his teeth on your slippers, so if he's your man let us know!

One of the greatest joys for your dog is playtime, and if he actually plays with you, it's even better. Playing "fetch" seems to come naturally to many dogs like Gigi, but some need a little help in the right direction.  Here are some tips to get the game started:

1. Use a box cutter to make a 1-inch slit in a tennis bowl.  Show your dog as you drop a treat inside.
2. Toss the ball playfully and encourage the dog to bring it back to you by patting your legs, acting excited, or by running from him.
3. Take the ball from your dog and squeeze it to release the treat for him.  As he is unable to get the treat himself, he learns to bring the ball to you to get his reward.

Troubleshooting:

• If you dog seems to have little or no interest in chasing the ball, motivate him by activing excited and chasing the ball yourself.  Bat it around, bounce it off walls, or chase it yourself and make it a competition to see who can get there faster.
• If you dog goes after the ball, but doesn't bring it back to you, never chase him when he's playing keep-away.  Lure him back with a treat, or run away from him to encourage him to chase you.  You mau even want to keep a second ball around to get his attention.

Gigi is looking for a home that would love to play with her and teach her even more tricks!  She is a flat coated retriever, about 3 years old and just over 60 pounds. Gigi is well-mannered, both house broken and crate trained; she is super sweet and extremely affectionate.  If you'd like to play a round of catch with Gigi, please let us know!