Correction: Trial opening postmark date

We overlooked that July 4th was a holiday and listed the wrong date on the agility premium. The correct opening postmark date is Saturday, July 5.

The premium has been updated. Sorry for the confusion!

Just try and catch me!

I'm a Little Gemini Dog!

Some of our little doggies enjoy the morning sun today.



Ruby


Baylee




Dancer


Luke

Good dog!

Here's some happy news from Gemini Dogs trainer Paul Emerson, CPDT.

Congratulations to our newest AKC Canine Good Citizens!

• Jean Armstrong and Boo
• Nancy Basley and Deja Blu
• Amy Troncoso and Valrhona

Thank you to everyone who took the class, tested their dogs, and helped make the event a success.

And special thanks to all the Gemini Dogs staff who helped out and as always, thanks to my Ursli Corrina, Corrina, Where You Been So Long, CGC for her patient work being the test dog.

CPE Agility Trial premium is ready!

The premium for our annual outdoor summer CPE agility trial on Aug 23-24 is now available. Download it, print it out, and send it in fast! Opening postmark is July 5.

• Get the premium! (PDF)
  

We will be offering the following events: Standard, FullHouse, Snooker, Colors, Wildcard, Jackpot, and Jumpers.

Chris Otte Photography will be there again capturing all the action. See his photos from last year.

See you in August!

CGC Test on June 19

Does your dog have what it takes to be called a Canine Good Citizen? Take the test and find out! Go here for info on the CGC test and to register.

* CGC Test at Gemini Dogs
* June 19, 7PM

Not quite ready for the test? No problem! Sign up for our CGC and Therapy Dog Prep Course.

Hot weather tips for your hot dog!

It's supposed to be a scorcher this weekend, so take care of your pup!

Here are some helpful reminders from SMART.

• Never leave pets in a car, even with the windows down. The inside of a car can reach temperatures in excess of 150 degrees in a matter of minutes.
• If possible, pets should be kept indoors during excessive heat.
• If keeping a pet outside, make sure that pets have adequate shelter from the sun and plenty of fresh water at all times.
• Plan outside activities with your pets during the cooler parts of the day: early morning and evening. Limit the outside activity of your pets during the heat of the day.
• During hot weather, sidewalks and pavement radiate excessive amounts of heat and can be too hot for the pads of your pet's paws. Consider that if the sidewalk is too hot for you to walk barefoot, it is too hot for your pet to walk on.
• Allow access to the coolest part of your home. If you don’t have air conditioning, or you turn it off while at work, make sure your pet can get to a cool place, such as a basement.
• Take extra precautions in hot weather for dogs that are elderly, overweight or snub-nosed.
• Always have a disaster plan in place for you, your family, and your pets.
• Remember, YOU GO, THEY GO. If you are told to evacuate, take your pets with you. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS BEHIND.

Additional pet safety information can be accessed through partners of the State of
Massachusetts Animal Response Team.

Stop by and say hi at the Whisker Walk Sunday

Gemini Dogs will be at the Whisker Walk this Sunday at the Lancaster Fairgrounds, home of the Bolton Fair, and we'd love to have a few more join us.

We will have some agility equipment set up for dogs to try and would love it if some of our agility students would stop by and showed off their stuff. Let us know if you can help!

• E-mail or call Michelle (978-387-3663) if you'd like to help or run your dogs.
  

VESCONE teaches us some good stuff!

About 50 people and 10 dogs attended last night's Pet First Aid Workshop. The highly entertaining and informative talk was given by Dr. Amy Shroff of the Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center of New England (VESCONE) with help from Dr. Stacie Lipinski, Robyn Healer, and Alison Valenza.

The VESCONE Staff


Dr. Shroff stressed getting to know your dog's normal vitals now so that when he is sick, you will be able to tell the vet exactly what is wrong or different than normal. Doing this now can save you precious minutes later.

Ashley and her group got some hands-on practice with Tyler and Dash


Dr. Shroff discussed the different types of gum coloring ranging from healthy pink with black markings to potentially dangerous blue or white. She demonstrated how to find a dog's heart beat and pulse, how to apply a bandage, splint and tourniquet, how to transport an injured dog, and how to muzzle a dog using a necktie. She also covered emergency preparedness, as well as dog resuscitation and other topics.

Thank you all for coming and thank you especially to Cheryl Noroian for helping us coordinate this event with VESCONE. And we can't forget a very big Woof! to our main demo dog, Michiline, who happily obliged all of Dr. Shroff's requests!

Our main demo dog Michiline

Pet First Aid Workshop tomorrow

Wow! The response to this workshop has been phenomenal so we have added another 10 seats. Thank you everyone for your interest!

Remember, your registration fee goes directly to the Animal Rescue League.

If you haven't signed up yet, do it now! If you have, thank you and see you Tuesday night!

• Tuesday, June 3, 7-9 PM
  
• Sign up now

Puppy Playschool is in session!

Make sure your new puppy gets off on the right paw by attending our Puppy Playschool!

Early socialization is very important for your puppy's development. Each week, your puppy will romp off-leash to play with the other puppies and meet all the people.

We also spend time discussing puppy issues and answering your questions about what's happening at home with your pup.

Class is every Monday at 6:30 and includes The Ultimate Puppy Toolkit, a great resource for new dog owners. Sign up today!

Daycare & Boarding Open on Memorial Day - $5 off for US Vets

As always, we'll be open on Memorial Day (and every other holiday, in fact!), so feel free to drop off Fido for the day or overnight while you head over to Aunt Millie's annual cookout and family reunion.

• Just let us know ahead of time to reserve a spot!
• $5 off for all US military veterans. Thank you!
  

Nice job, Laurel and Faith!

(UPDATE) Congratulations to Gemini Dogs student Laurel Flax and her Husky, Faith, who received her Level 2 Rally Title this weekend! Woohoo!

• Get a head start on your Rally title by enrolling in our next Rally Obedience class!

Here's a note from proud Mom!

Here is a shot of Faith and me and the two judges (Cindy Nicotera and Sandi Ver Sprill) with all her ribbons!! She got 2 Legs in Level 1-B and 2 Legs and 2nd and 1st Place and a title in Level 2-A.

Her last Level 2 Leg was a 198 with no bonus points (I think she was channeling some other dog - perhaps a Golden or a Border Collie)!!!

Thanks,
Laurel

Riley in action!

Gemini Dogs agility student Leeann Karlsom sent us this note that her pooch Riley wrote to her instructor, Carolyn. Look at that form!

Hey Carolyn, look at me, my dad made me some jumps so I can practice at home. Now if mom would just put the camera down maybe she could get some practice in also. Love Riley

Another happy Gemini Dogs customer!

We recently received this great email from another happy Gemini Dogs customer, Melissa M. Her kids, Briggs and Tucker, stayed with us for a few days last week. She writes:

Hello-
I just wanted to say a quick Thank You! Briggs and Tucker stayed with you guys this week- my husband went in for some surgery on Tuesday and it was great to know that I didn't have to worry about the dogs while he was in the hospital. They came home happy, tired and clean. They love going to stay at Gemini and we will certainly keep bringing them back when we need a sitter!

Thanks- your operation is great! There are few other places I feel good about leaving them for several days at a time.

Keep up the good work.
Melissa M

Thanks for the kind words, Melissa. It was our pleasure!

I'm a New Gemini Dog!

Daycare staffer and soon to be college graduate, Sarah J. writes:

Here is a picture of me and my new dog Tejai. Tejai was a part of the Becker College Teaching Animal Program. Thru this program she learned Level 1 Obedience and some agility. We are now both graduates of the program as I am graduating Saturday with an Associates in Animal Care Management. I look forward to having her as part of my family.

Congratulations!

Happy grads Tejai and Sarah

I'm a Gemini Dog!

Training assistant Kim Lewis shared this funny photo of her dog, Maggie, with us this week:

Here's Maggie with a decoy caught on her butt and a real duck in her mouth!

I'm a Gemini Dog!

Email us a photo of your Gemini Dog and we'll add it to the Bark Blog!

Today's pup is Comet. Mom Becky B. writes:

Hi -

Thought you would like this picture of Comet! He loves his crate, but just prefers to be on it rather than in it!

Becky

Pet First Aid Workshop scheduled for June 3

Join us Tuesday, June 3 at 7 PM for a pet first aid workshop!

Taught by Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center of New England (VESCONE) and presented by the Gemini Dogs Disaster Animal Response Team, this 2-hour interactive workshop will help prepare you for most common pet emergencies.

Topics include how to:

• Set up a first aid kit
• Apply bandages and splints
• Locate your dog’s pulse
• Check your dog’s gums
• Obtain a temperature
• Safely transport your pet in an emergency situation
• And much more!

Note: This is a human-only event. We will have “stunt” dogs on hand for you to practice on, so please leave your pooch at home!

• When: Tuesday, June 3, 7-9 PM
• Where: Gemini Dogs large training room
• Cost: $20 per person
  
• Who: Humans only!
• How: Register online or by phone (978-486-9922).

Limited spots available. All proceeds will be donated to the Animal Rescue League.

Remember, the best way to handle any emergency with your pet is by being prepared!

CGC/Therapy Dog Class Starts Soon

If your dog has good manners, sign up for this CGC and Therapy Dog prep course!

The class focuses on practicing and perfecting the CGC Test Items, and will be followed by a CGC Test Night. The purpose of the program is to ensure that our your companion can be a respected member of the community.

• Sign up now or learn more about the course!
• Class begins May 15