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News

WINNER: kona's touch Wins National Train Your Dog Month Contest!
For the month of January, Laura Dorfman featured a series of blog posts, "At home with the dogs of kona's touch". Each story was an up-close and personal look at how a professional dog trainer handles day-to-day situations with her own dogs, even when emergency surgery for one pup put the whole family into a spin! Now the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) has named kona's touch the winner in the social media category for National Train Your Dog Month to promote the benefits of positive training and socialization.

kona's touch Tips in New Dog Training Book
Top Tips from Top TrainersLaura Dorfman offers expert dog training advice in "Top Tips from Top Trainers: 1001 Practical Tips and Techniques for Successful Dog Care and Training," a new book by the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. Available March 1, the book includes some tips from kona's touch, such as teaching your dog a solid wait before car trips so that he won't escape when opening car or crate doors on the road or at rest stops.
Order your copy here >> Top Tips from Top Trainers

Dog Trainer Laura Dorfman in Natural Dog Annual Magazine 2011
Have his back.
"Make sure that any encounter your dog has with another dog, child, or adult goes well. For example, if a child starts roughly patting your dog on the head — which many dogs dislike — explain to the child that your dog prefers having his chest gently scratchedor having his back stroked.

"If a dog and person approach you in a way that makes you or your dog uncomfortable, walk in another direction or ask the person not to approach. If your dog shows any sign of discomfort — trying to move away from the person or dog, or displaying a close-mouthed, tense facial expression — end the encounter immediately. 'Letting your dog know that you have his back can be reassuring for your dog,' Dorfman says."

Excerpted from "Take Your Dog Out and About: by Susan McCoullough, Natural Dog Annual 2011. The Natural Dog® annual is a fun, informative guide that helps owners give their dogs healthier, greener lifestyles.

Multi International Organizations Speak Out Against Aversive Dog Training
Positive training is the preferred method by many industry organizations. Most notably, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) has taken a stand against dominance and recommends that veterinarians no longer refer clients to any trainer or behavior consultant who coach or advocate dominance hierarchy theory and the subsequent confrontational training the follows from it.

Pet Food Recalls
In response to the national pet food recall, we are dedicated to keeping our canine-loving clients informed.

January 2008 : photography exhibit
Laura Dorfman curates an exhibit at Heartwood center for body mind spirit
 Evanston, IL

July 2007: "Shelter Dogs Running" photography exhibit
Heartwood center for body mind spirit
Evanston, IL

June 2007: Mach Morsels from Dr. Julie Mayer
Introducing Mach Morsels (click for PDF) — canine sports nutrition designed by Dr. Julie Mayer of Integrative Pet Care, who was named one of Chicago's Best Vets by Chicago Magazine.

Other Resources

Betty in Guatamala

 
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