High Desert Pets May 2014

High Desert Pet Services,Word Search Puzzle,

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HIGH DESERT PETSis published and copyrighted 2014

by the Daily Press, 13891 Park Ave., Victorville, Calif. 92392and the Desert Dispatch, 130 Coolwater Lane, Barstow, Calif. 92311

Publisher: Al FratturaEditor and Page Layout: Micki Brown, Special Sections Editor

Advertising Director: Angie CallahanCover Photo: Metro Creative Connection

D

Hesperia Animal Shelter Adoption Fees*:

Dogs: $80 / Cats: $50

Offering 2-for-1 Adoptions!

any dogs will chase a ball. Some will bring back a thrown ball. Fewer will bring the ball

back to the thrower. Fewer still will release the ball into a waiting hand.

In competition events dogs learn to retrieve in a different way. To be successful, consistency is required. Dogs have to stay in place until told to retrieve. The retrieval object, a compe-tition dumbbell, is thrown. After being told, the dog retrieves the dumbbell and brings it back to the trainer. The dog sits in front of the handler and holds the dumbbell until told to release. The dumbbell is then taken from the dog. The dog is then told to return to the original heal and stay position.

A great amount of training goes into creating a reliable retriever based on response to commands. This is differ-ent then play retrieve in which the dog may or may not bring the ball back to

the handler; may run around in circles, dropping or flinging the ball, may not bring it back close to the thrower, or the dog may drop the ball. The dog and handler may have fun with a play retrieve. A controlled retrieve takes more work and time to teach and learn, but if done well, both the dog and owner will enjoy the activity.

How do we teach our dogs a, competition, quality retrieve? First we must believe that our dogs can learn to retrieve. Individual dogs and particular breeds have an innate nature to fetch and hold objects. Their mouths are special tools which are more easily trained to retrieve efficiently. This is a given but does not mean that our little couch potatoes or giant hunters and guard dogs will not retrieve for us.

The retrieve is a complex behavior that is made up of manly small behav-iors. Teaching the retrieve requires that the dog understands who is in charge. The teacher needs to teach a series of behaviors that are complimentary and required in a competition retrieve. Dogs need to know “stays” and “recalls” to be reliable. The trainer needs to develop a directed focus in the dog. Trainers need to be very focused themselves. They need to provide continuous patience, be aware of end results and use of technique.

Teaching the retrieve is a step by step process. The “stay” must be reliable as dumbbells are thrown. Distracting sounds and movement cannot excuse a broken “stay.” Without a recall, returns are not reliable.

Next the dog needs to learn to hold an object in its mouth until told to release or give it up. Telling the dog to hold for seconds is gradually expanded in time. The dog should learn to sit and hold as well as move with the object in its mouth. Release happens when told to release.

Through the use of rewards or reward and force, the dog is taught to reach for the object. Once the dog learns to reach for the object, the trainer should very gradually increase the reach and fetch distance. As this distance is increased the object is gradually lowered to the ground. Up to this time the retrieval object has been

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DOGS

DHPP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $15.00Corona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10.00Bordetella . . . . . . . . . . . . $15.00Lyme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $30.00Rabies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10.00

ThursdayLOW COST

SPAY-NEUTER CLINICVaccinations Required

Surgical Procedure – NO CHARGE.Charges for anesthesia

and pain management only.Please call for appointment and details.

Low-CostVaccination ClinicThurs. 9am-6pm Sat. 8am-3:30pm

DiscountedPuppy/Kitten

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CATS

FVRCP/FeLv. . . . . . . . . . . .$30.00FVRCP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$15.00FeLv . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$15.00Rabies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$10.00

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lWe Love Pets!

760-403-7404 760-508-1194

Trainer and Teacher:BILL BOBROW 760-964-5101

[email protected]

DOG TRAINING CLASSES& PRIVATE LESSONS

• BEGINNING & ADVANCED• SMALL CLASSES

• PERSONALIZED INSTRUCTION

APPLE VALLEYKENNEL CLUB

Do you have a pet with an interesting story, history or special talent and would like it to be featured in a

future issue of High Desert Pets? If so, please send a photo and brief description of the pet and story, plus a contact

phone number to [email protected]. If selected, Daily Press Special Sections will write a story

and take photos of the pet to be featured on the cover.

ictor Valley Commu-

nity Services Council has been awarded $6000 in grant funding from Banfield Chari-table Trust to assist low income senior citizens in the High Desert in paying for veterinary care.

“It is our intent to assist seniors with necessary medical care for their pets that they would have otherwise forgone due to inability to afford. We want to help seniors keep their companion animals without the pressure of financial burden,” according to Midge Nicosia, executive director of Victor Valley Community Services Council.

The pro-gram can pay a limited supple-mental amount of veterinary bills directly to a veterinar-ian on a case by case basis. Assistance is for necessary medical treat-

ments such as shots, xrays, medication and general office visits that normally would not be affordable to a senior on a fixed income.

The income qualifications are based upon the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Those interested can contact the Victor Valley Community Services Council to see if they qualify at 760-243-9646.

— Submitted by Victor Valley Community Services Council

SHELTERS

• Apple Valley AnimalControl & Shelter

22131 Powhatan Rd., Apple ValleyPh: 760-240-7000; Ext. 7555for animal control/licenses;Ext. 7510 for the shelter.View adoptable animals atWebsite: www.applevalley.org

• Barstow Humane Society2480 E. Main St., BarstowPh: 760-252-4800Adoptions at the shelterand on weekends at Victorville PetSmart.

• Hesperia Animal Control Shelter 11011 Santa Fe Avenue East, HesperiaPh: 760-947-1700View adoptable animals atWebsite: www.highdesertinsider.com

• Victor Valley Animal Protective League (VVAPL) (The original

Shelter on Zuni Road) 21779 Zuni Road, Apple ValleyPh: 760-247-2102View adoptable animals atWebsite: www.vvapl.com

• San Bernardino CountyDevore Shelter

19777 Shelter Way, DevorePh: 909-887-8055or 800-472-5609

• San Bernardino CountyShelter — High Desert

19575 Bear Valley Road,Apple Valley (next to Dog’s Day Inn boarding and grooming facility)Ph: 760-961-7535Website: www.sbcounty.gov/acc

ADOPTION/ RESCUE GROUPS

• German Shepherd Rescueof the High Desertwww.gsrhd.com

E-mail: [email protected]: 760-565-8012.

• Mustang-Spirit Equine Rescue P.O. Box 290640Phelan, CA 92329E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.mustang-spirit.orgPh: 888-267-0196

• North Star Pet Assistance E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.localrescue.orgPh: 760-953-3557

• PAL Humane Society P.O. Box 3298,WrightwoodPh: 760-249-1237Fax: www.palhumanesociety.org

• Pets Forever Found Ph: 760-953-7140www.PetsForeverFound.orgAdoptions on Saturdays at Apple Valley PetSmart

• Tanya’s Adoption Network 4 Young Animals, Inc.

Ph: 909-522-3333P.O. Box 290254, Phelan, CA 92329

• Wee Bar None Ranch Pet Placement, Apple Valley Ph: 760-961-1859E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.wee-bar-none- ranch.petfinder.com

AFTER-HOURSEMERGENCY CLINICS

• Animal Emergency Clinic12180 Ridgecrest Road, Ste. 122, VictorvillePh: 760-962-1122Hours: Weekdays 6 p.m. to 8 a.m.; weekends noon Saturday through 8 a.m. Monday; holidays 24 hours

• Animal Medical Center15013 Main St., HesperiaPh: 760-947-6000Open seven days 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

High Desert Pet Services

et lovers are often ridiculed for their love affair with their pets but mostly I am sure they are

misunderstood. We speak a different language; caretakers that treat their animals like family. Dog lovers do com-municate with other dog lovers as if we do speak a different language. We may be speaking English but it’s foreign to those who don’t have this special bond and treat their pets as we do. My husband Tom says he believes our dog Abigail doesn’t know she’s a dog and as far as we’re concerned, we treat her as if she is one of our family.

The events that transpired in our quest to find a small dog while on a trip to visit the families of two of our grown children turned into quite an adventure.

“Abigail A Blessing”Plans had been made in the winter of

the year 2000 to spend the Christmas and New Year holidays in Texas with our son and daughter and our seven

granddaughters. Our childhood friends Bruce and Barbara were going to fly out to spend a few days over New Year’s as well. My husband Tom and I had

decided to purchase a Terrier puppy while in San Antonio, as they were less expensive there than in Southern California. After making arrangements to look at some Toy Fox Terriers, Tom and our daughter suggested I check out the local pound first, reminding me we had adopted all our many pets from the pound in the past. But the next day I found an ad for some twelve week old Wire Fox Terriers for sale; now this was wonderful. Some of you older folks may remember “The Thin Man” movie series starring, Myrna Loy and William Powell and Asta, their ever present pooch, a Wire Fox Terrier. Now I’m really dating myself; I fell in love with these Terriers a long time ago.

These pups cost way more than we had set aside to buy a pedigree dog so I began praying to God about this. “Lord, if this is coveting I do not want you to grant my wishes but if this is at all pos-sible I would dearly love one of these dogs”. I prayed that if it was God’s will for me to have this delight of my heart could he please make it possible in some

way.Three days before Christmas we had

word that our friend Bruce’s cancer had returned and he and Barbara would need to stay in California so he could begin treatments right away. We had celebrated the New Year with our dear friends since 1955 when our newborn sons were just one month old, being born three days apart. We decided to return home after Christmas to be with our friends to celebrate our many years long tradition.

Consequently, since we would not be staying longer as planned my husband said why not use the extra funds to purchase the Terrier puppy I wanted if they were still available. I made ar-rangements to go with my granddaugh-ter to look at the one remaining female the following day. Driving through the countryside on the rain drenched road we were a mile from our destina-tion when I began to get thoughts that I xshould not spend the money after

High Desert Pets Gallery

“Buddy” K. of Victorville

“Boots” M. of Victorville

“Cupcake” of Apple Valley

“Johnnie Cat” of Apple Valley

“Oreo” M. of Victorville

Brody and “Mya” of Hesperia

“Chico” of Apple Valley

If you have a cute photo of your pet and would like it to be considered for the gallery, please e-mail a

medium file size (500 kb or larger) JPEGto [email protected]. Be sure to include

Pets Galleryname and city in the body of the e-mail.

“Cracker” of Apple Valley

“Sheila” and “Molly” of Apple Valley

High Desert Pets Gallery

“Jax” S. of Hesperia

“Jesse” of Apple Valley

“Cujo” of Apple Valley

“Roxy” C. of Apple Valley

If you have a cute photo of your pet and would like it to be considered for the gallery, please e-mail a

medium file size (500 kb or larger) JPEG to [email protected]. Be sure to include

Pets Gallery in the subject line. Also include the pet's name and city in the body of the e-mail.

“Zach” and “Hannah” of Apple Valley

“Cracker” of Apple Valley

Jordyn and “Cracker” of Apple Valley

“Sheila” and “Molly” of Apple Valley

Animal & Plant Care Service

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all. It felt like this was not what God wanted and I felt it so strongly, to my ten year-old granddaughter’s dismay I turned around heading back the way we had just traveled. She was upset when I told her that it seemed God was not in agreement to what I was up to. She wanted to check out the pound in San Antonio but alas I told her we would wait on the Lord.

The Breeder of the dogs was out Christmas shopping when I called and I

talked to her Father and explained why I had changed my mind. Later as I was telling my daughter-in-law about my de-cision her telephone rang; the Breeder was calling me, seems her Father told her why I had changed my mind. She was calling to tell me that the 12 week-old puppy was beginning to bond with her and it would be better for the dog to bond with her new owner and since I seemed to truly want her and since it was Christmas time, she wanted to offer the puppy to me for a lesser cost as well. I had not left my telephone number and when I asked her how she was able to

call me she replied that she had caller ID and without it she would have been unable to reach me.

As all this was unfolding I could see why God cautioned me to wait and leave it to him and now I believed it was being confirmed that he indeed wanted me to have the delight of my heart. I have been crazy about dogs since I was a little girl and I remember how I thought how neat it would be some day to wake up on Christmas morning to find a little puppy under my Christmas tree. Now at the age of sixty-seven we picked up the newest

member of the Burchfield clan, Abigail A Blessing, on Christmas Eve.

Back home a few months later I sent in the necessary paperwork to regis-ter her name and pedigree. Now some might reflect on our experience in our search for a puppy and look on this as just coincidence. Some fellow believers may think that God doesn’t deal in the small things of our lives but Tom and I know better.

When we received her pedigree listing the ancestry of “Abigail A Blessing,” her father’s name was listed as “A Blessing From Above.”

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High Desert Pets Coloring Page

The Apple Valley Kennel Club is providing High Desert Pets with a regular coloring page sponsored by the Daily Press and Victor Valley Animal Protective League.

Students from Kindergarten through Grade 4 can submit colored pages for prizes by mailing them to Apple Valley Kennel Club, 8363 White Road, Phelan, CA 92371.

Winners will receive a variety of fun prizes. Contestants need to provide a contact phone number.For more information contact

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hand held. Once the object reaches the ground the hands needs to be removed from the object. The dog needs to reach down, pick up the object and bring it to the handler, releasing when told into the hands of the handler. Once accomplished, the retrieval object can be tossed inches and the dog told to retrieve. Inches becomes feet and distance is increased as needed

Training the retrieve requires rewards in the form of attitude, voice and/or treats. Force can be used. This force usually takes the form of opening jaws, pushing the retrieval object into the dog’s mouth, holding or tapping the underjaw as the dog holds the object. A common form of force involves and ear pinch as the dumbbell is pushed into the dog’s mouth. The release of the ear is immediate as the object enters the dog’s mouth and rewards follow immediately. The emphasis should be on the rewards. The great majority of competition

trainers use the ear pinch but I have seen effective results without it. Patience and timing are important in the use of force. The assistance of a successful professional trainer is always helpful. Patience is important as the above process will probably take months.

Rewards and trainer attitude make the process fun for the dog. Effective technique and patience makes the experience positive. Once learned, the retrieval can be used in many ways with different objects. Dogs learn patience and leaving the handler when told. Overall control is improved. Learning the retrieve can be the bases for teaching many new and interesting behaviors.

About the authorBill Bobrow has been training dogs

for over thirty years. During this time his dogs have earned fifteen titles that that have required the retrieval of objects. His students have also earned many such titles.