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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday April 12, 2008 - 11 Well-trained pet, responsible owner benefit all "Mind your manners" isn't just for parents teaching kids to be respectful of others, but also applies when taking care of pets. Knowing local by-laws and training your pet to respond to four commands is key to being the responsible owner of an urban dog. Most urban settings are home to a significant number of dogs. Local by-laws are important to the safe keeping and health of animals and the maintenance of a positive living environment for all residents. Town of Oakville dog by-laws include annual licensing, barking, running at large, poop scooping and the use of leash free parks. By-laws are enforced by Animal Protective Services Officers at the Oakville & District Humane Society contracted by the Town of Oakville. "When you live in an urban setting you rely on sidewalks and leash free zones to exercise your pet. A well-trained dog is an important part of being a good neighbour," noted Genevieve Hechtenberg, Animal Behaviour Coordinator at the Oakville & District Humane Society. We've all seen them. The dogs that bow, roll over, beg, and fetch slippers in response to a single request from their owner. Training has many positive results, including engaging the mind of your pet. Multiple abilities are great, but for the average urban dog mastering four are critical. S i t - S t a y. Heel. Leave it. Come. Each of these commands has a key place in dog training. Streets can pose dangers to animals and humans. Shared space for walkers, runners, roller bladers, skateboarders and, in some cases, bikers requires a dog to be kept under control. In Oakville, dogs are required to be on leash at all times. In order to keep them out of harm's way while traveling it is important to teach your dog the heel position; which keeps the dog under control at your side. When you approach a traffic light the dog should be trained to "Sit - Stay". This tells your dog to stop, sit and don't move until you give them the next command. Welltrained dogs will focus completely on you and what the next command will be, disregarding surrounding distractions that could send them into danger. "Dogs can be easily frightened by sudden loud noises, which may require an owner to respond quickly to prevent your pet from lunging or bolting," added PET OF THE WEEK: Dale is a wonderful cat who enjoys the company of dogs! For more information on available animals check out our website at www.oakvillehumane.ca. If you haven't had the opportunity to hear her perform before, do yourself a favour and come out to see this dynamic speaker... (who) "will have you in fits of laughter" Round up your girlfriends for Hechtenberg. "Using eye contact with your pet and keeping it focused on you instead of diversions is part of the training process." "Leave it" becomes an important command when you want your pet to ignore dangerous food scraps discovered on your walking route, a passer by, another dog, or another pet owner's poop that hasn't been scooped. Each poses a unique problem for your pet, but if told to "leave it" the dog is once again engaged by your command and will redirect its attention. You may want your dog to join you on errands, but tying up your pet outside of an establishment leaves it vulnerable to teasing and theft. If a dog becomes anxious and tries to break free you could find yourself calling the Humane Society. "Dogs running at large are brought into the Humane Society every day," noted Hechtenberg. "In most cases, it is preventable." Teaching the command "Come" is an important part of dog training. Without recall, training dogs that get loose will continue to run in the opposite direction of their owner. There is no motivation to return. Door dashers or an accidental broken leash can release your pet to potentially lifethreatening danger. The command "Come" could save your pet's life. A well-socialized, trained pet and an owner that follows the local by-laws are good neighbours. To find out more about the local by-laws and how you can teach your dog the four key commands, contact the Oakville & District Humane Society at 905-845-1551. Girls' Night Out! an unforgettable evening with Motivational Speaker & Humourist CARPET · ORIENTAL RUGS · VINYL · HARDWOOD · CERAMICS · CARPET · · ORIENTAL RUGS · VINYL · HARDWOOD · CARPET · ORIENTAL RUGS · VINYL · HARDWOOD · CERAMICS · CARPET · CARPET · ORIENTAL RUGS · VINYL · HARDWOOD · CERAMICS · CARPET · · ORIENTAL RUGS · VINYL · HARDWOOD Learning Traveller Summer Language Camps · Are you between 13 and 17 years old? · Do you love languages? · Do you want to meet other teens from around the world? CARPET & AREA RUG CLEARANCE Carpet HUNDREDS OF AREA Clearance RUGS Hard-wearing Berber Starting @ only $1.69 sq. ft. Nylon Plushes starting @ $1.99* sq. ft. Clearing HARDWOOD CLEARANCE Selected in stock colours starting @ only Carole Bertuzzi Luciani The "Moodivator" www/moodivator.ca If so, then join one of our Language Immersion Camps this summer and improve your practical language skills while meeting like-minded teens from other countries. Spanish · Costa Rica ­ San Jose · Spain ­ Malaga, Barcelona Italian · Italy ­ Lignano German · Germany ­ Potsdam, Munich French · France ­ Paris, Biarritz, Montpellier · Switzerland ­ Leysin, Montreux · Canada ­ Montreal Japanese · Japan ­ Kanazawa Chinese (Mandarin) · China ­ Shanghai Persian, Indian, Chinese, Designer, Silks, Samples and Discontinued Rugs $3.99* sq. ft. Super Special 48oz Hard Twist only $2.99 sq. ft. Elegant 8.3mm includes installation and underpad Warning! Excessive laughter could cause harm to your cheek and stomach muscles! Support a good cause while enjoying a hilarious evening with "Canada's best kept secret!" Wednesday, April 16, 2008 Doors open at 7:00 pm, Performance at 7:30 pm Location: Appleby College, Willis Hall 540 Lakeshore Road West Cost: $25.00 (cash or cheque or mastercard/visa) Light refreshments during intermission Date: Time: FUNDRAISER In 6 colours. Installed for only Plank Style Laminate $3.99* sq. ft. Additional 50% Off already low sale prices on... Discontinued Area Rugs, Designer Rugs & Samples, & one-of-a-kind Persian Rugs *Sale applies to in stock colours only. Offer good at the following locations. Outlet Store ­ Trafalgar Village 125 CROSS AVENUE Tickets are non-refundable Visit our website for more information www.learningtraveller.com Call 1-888-386-1411 MAKE LANGUAGES COME ALIVE! Huge Super Store ­ 228 King St. E. 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