News about Your Dog’s Friend

A Big Change for Our Website!

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Thank you for your continued support of Your Dog’s Friend, the non-profit that educates and supports dog parents.

You will notice a change in the registration process on our website. This change is a result of listening to your feedback on our current system and lots of research to find the best solution for an organization like ours.

dbpWe have decided on DogBizPro, a registration and payment system that was developed by a dog trainer for use by other dog trainers. It is very exciting because it has lots of features that you’ve wanted (as well as others to make life easier for our volunteer office staff).

Our new system will:

  • Save your information
  • Save your dog’s information
  • Save information for multiple dogs!
  • Show you the number of spaces available in class
  • Have better waitlists
  • Have enhanced security: DogBizPro’s server offers 128-bit encryption

Since DogBizPro is new to us, you will have to create a new account. Once you have entered information for yourself and your dogs, it will be saved forever! The only time you will need to enter additional information is for specialty classes like the Reactive Dog Class or Training by Design.

We’ve created a step-by-step document to walk you through registration. Click here to view the document and print it out. Remember, once you’ve registered yourself and added your dog(s), signing up for a new class will be as simple as a few clicks!

If you have a few moments, register for DogBizPro now so the next time you want to take a class at Your Dog’s Friend, you can sign up as easy as 1, 2, 3!

Free “Advice for Adopters” Workshop Tomorrow: April 12

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adopterworkshop-smallFREE Workshops

Other than “Advice for Adopters”, workshops are at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 6030 Grosvenor Lane in Bethesda, MD.  Go to https://yourdogsfriend.org/free-workshops/ for more information and to register.

Advice for Adopters – TOMORROW, Sat, April 12

Book Club – this time on CATS – Sat, April 26, 10:00 – 11:30am – Naughty No More – change unwanted (cat) behaviors through positive reinforcement by Marilyn Krieger, certified cat behavior consultant

“I Just Can’t Live Without You” – dealing with your dog’s separation anxiety – Sat, May 10, 1:30 – 3:30pm

Classes  

Go to https://yourdogsfriend.org/schedule-at-a-glance/ for more information and to register.
Classes are at 12221 Parklawn Drive in Rockville, MD.

NEXT Basic Manners I Classes:
Thurs, May 1 – June 5, 7:00 – 8:00pm
WEEKDAY Friday, May 2 – June 13, 10:30 – 11:30am (no class May 30)
Sun, May 4 – June 22, 3:35 – 4:35pm (no class (no class May 11 & 25)

Out & About: Sat, April 26, May 3, 10 & 17, 10:00 – 11:00am

TTouch Methods to Calm Your Dog: Sat, May 3, 1:00 – 4:00pm
(Join wait list. More space may open.)

WEEKDAY CGC Prep: Fri, May 2 – June 13, noon – 1:00pm (no class May 30)

WEEKDAY Doggy Dancing for Fun: Thurs, May 8 – June 12, 10:30 – 11:30am

Leash Manners: Sat, May 10, 1:00 – 3:00pm

Distracted Dog Class: Sat, May 10 – June 28. 3:20 – 4:35pm (no class May 24)

Summer Specials:

Trick Training: Sat, June 21 – July 19, 1:00 – 2:30pm (no class July 5)

WEEKDAY Kids & Dogs Summer Camp (8 – 13 years old):
Mon, June 23 – Fri, June 27, 1:00 – 4:00pm
Mon, Aug 18 – Aug 22, 1:00 – 4:00pm

We’re On The Radio! Saturday, 1/18 at Noon on 88.5 FM

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Photo by faceinthecrowd on Flickr

Photo by faceinthecrowd on Flickr

Your Dog’s Friend is on the radio! This Saturday’s “Animal House” (WAMU, 88.5) will have a feature on Your Dog’s Friend and adopters tips that were shared with the producer at our workshop last month. Interviewed was Founder Debra Ekman, and trainers Jeni Grant (www.trainyourbestfriend.com), Michelle Mange (www.rightstartmaryland.com/) and Sarah Stoycos (www.laughingdogacademy.com). Listen to “Animal House” this Saturday on WAMU, 88.5 from noon to 12:15pm. If you miss it, they will have a podcast available.

Get Free Tips for Surviving the Holidays with your New Dog

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jeniholiday

Who needs a scary stranger dressed as Santa to get an adorable holiday picture?  Not our trainer, Jeni! Check out this adorable picture of her pup.

Join us for our free ADOPTERS WORKSHOP this Saturday at our Rockville training center 11:45 am – 1:15 pm with trainers Jeni Grant,CPDT-KA and Lisa Arant.

The holidays can present special challenges to adopted dogs and knowing how to handle them can be the difference of a dog adjusting well to new family and being returned. Learn how to deal with common issues, prevent problems, and build a strong, trusting relationship. There will be time to discuss your individual concerns.

This workshop is without dogs. Anyone can come no matter how long you’ve had your dog or if you’re still looking. It is also open to foster, rescue, and shelter staff/volunteers.

Go to https://yourdogsfriend.org/free-workshops/ to register.

How to Reduce Your Dog’s Stress & Keep Everyone Safe During the Holidays

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Join a Free Phone Workshop with Jeni Grant, CPDT-KA (www.trainyourbestfriend.com; www.helpmyfearfuldog.com)

Wed, Dec 11, 8:00 – 9:30pm

Dial-in: 1-218-862-7200; Conference Code: 833973

Please call 5 minutes before the workshop.

Jeni Grant will lead a discussion on what you should know to help your dog through this holiday season. Special tips for fearful dogs, including dogs from puppy mills and hoarding situations. Sponsored by the Puppy Mill Rescue Support Group, but open to anyone. Join the group’s monthly phone workshops with Jeni too!

Build The Bond Between Your Child and Dog in Tricks & Games Class

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kiddogKids ages 8-13 love our Kids & Dogs classes (and our Summer Camp programs). We have spots remaining in our Kids & Dogs: Tricks & Games class starting this Friday 11/8.

Your child and your dog will both have fun and strengthen their bond in this class. Your child will love helping your dog run obstacle courses, go through tunnels and hoops, take small jumps, and show off tricks – while also learning how to train skills and understand dog language.

Our facility has dividers and hooks on the walls for leashes, so your child can safely train your dog with minimal distraction.

Learn more and sign up here.