Stitch recommends: Tailored Dog Training

If you and your canine friend live in the SF East Bay Area and are looking for an excellent dog trainer, look no more!

Stitch and trainer Ally

Stitch's trainer, Ally, provides private, hour-long dog training sessions, either at your home or at a local park. Her rates are very reasonable and she trains dogs of all ages, sizes, breeds, and temperaments.

Why do we like her so much? Because we have seen Ally in action. She's very gentle, but she's also very authoritative - the dogs respond to her really well! I saw Ally work with a reportedly "difficult" and "problematic" chocolate lab, who responded to her commands as if the lab had been doing them for years. I also saw proof of Ally's effective training methods in her own dogs, two very well-behaved border collies who often assist her in demonstrations for class.

Ally uses positive reinforcement like treats and praises and works not just with the dogs, but with the dog owners as well. She really does tailor her training methods based on her clients' needs. Aside from training, Ally also lends her expertise on things like canine nutrition and addresses specific behavioral issues her clients may be facing with their dogs.

Now if you're into the technical stuff, here it is (info obtained from Ally's website):
Ally has her bachelor's degree in Animal Sciences with an emphasis on Animal Behavior.  She is a current member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), a certified evaluator for AKC's Canine Good Citizen Program and the STAR Puppy Program, and is also a certified trainer through a big-box pet store.

So if you're ready to sign up for private dog training lessons, I encourage you to contact Ally - ask her some questions and find out if she's the right fit for you and your pet.

For additional information, visit Ally's website, Tailored Dog Training (www.tailoreddogtraining.com).

Stitch recommends: Zuke's Z-Filets

I'm always in search of yummy, healthy treats for Stitch. He loves the occasional Milk-Bone and Beggin' Strips but we recently found a treat that both Stitch and his cousin, Boo, love! It was recommended by Ally, Stitch's trainer, whose doggies love them, too!

These delicious treats are Zuke's Z-Filets High Protein Dog Treats. They are dehydrated but very tender strips of chicken, beef, or venison and have tons of flavor (not that I've tried them, but I can definitely smell them and they smell delish!) So far, we've only tried the chicken, but we'll probably pick up a beef and venison at some point.

Zuke's Z-Filets use natural ingredients like rice flour, maple syrup, garlic powder and salt. They don't contain wheat, corn, and soy. Although, in the spirit of full disclosure, ingredients include phosphoric acid, sorbic acid (as preservative) and mixed tocopherols, which are "chemical compounds of which many have vitamin E activity," according to Wikipedia. Zuke's also donates a portion of its profits to the Dog and Cat Cancer Fund.

If you get a chance, pick one up today for your pet! They're usually carried by big-box pet stores like Petco and Pet Food Express, but you can also find them at REI or some of your local independent pet stores.