Santa was very good to all of our dogs this year! Pictured here is Cane from Beyond The Leash holding his very own stocking.

A few month’s ago, we sat down at Beyond The Leash to budget what we were spending on dog food and wanted to share our findings with you. With 7 of our own personal dogs, we averaged that we were spending approximately $350 per month on kibble. After factoring in supplements, we decided that spending close to $5,000 per year on our dogs’ diet probably wasn’t the most prudent idea in this economy.

As a result, we decided to switch all of the dogs over to a raw diet. Not only do they LOVE their new meals, this decision has also saved us large quantities of money and has cut down on the amount of waste in our yard a considerable amount! With premium kibble costing $1.50 per pound or more, we are able to save lots of money and feed our entire pack a raw diet for only $100 per month now! We highly recommend Adams Chapman Co for meat in downtown Boston for great meat prices and have been very happy so far supplementing their meat with The Honest Kitchen’s Thrive and Animal Essentials’ Seaweed Calcium.

We began feeding raw when turkey prices were so low around Thanksgiving. Here is what our bathtub looked like then.

Though we do realize that part of the reason this decision has proved to be SO cost effective for us is because we are feeding in bulk. We even purchased a separate freezer on Craigslist for $180 exclusively for our 30 and 40 pounds boxes of duck necks, chicken backs, etc. in order to have the required storage space. It is obvious that all of you don’t own as many dogs as us and understandable that you don’t want to go through all of that trouble. Not to mention, feeding raw can be a bit of a nauseating task at times. Don’t worry, we have a great option for all of your households as well, which is home cooking.

If a diet is healthier for your dogs and better for your wallets, why not at least try it out? The issue of all of the processed foods and vitamins that come along with feeding kibble is no longer a problem with home cooking your dog’s meal! Furthermore, because you are feeding a healthier diet, your dog isn’t excreting as much waste. Literally, you don’t have to clean up as much poop because your dog’s stool will likely be much smaller and should be very nicely formed. Sounds pretty nice, doesn’t it?

Of course you need to be careful of food allergies much like you have to be with any other diet and you want to ensure that your dog’s meal is well-balanced, but why not give it a whirl? All of us out there who are trying to cut costs and doing our best to set ourselves up for a financially successful 2012 have likely not thought of changing our dog’s diet to save money. We recommend you speak to your veterinary professional if you have questions about switching if and when you decide to make the leap, but there are also many great online resources to consult if you are merely trying to gather information in the meantime. Some of which include some nice blog posts about home cooking by Suzanne Clothier, an article in the New York Times published a year ago about cooking at home for your pets, and some informative books out by Dr. Billinghurst if you are considering feeding raw.

No matter what you decide, we wish you and your pets a very healthy and happy year. And if you happen to be looking for some fun new training ideas, check out our website for new class postings. We have scentwork, group obedience, and trick classes starting this month and plan to add Puppy Preschool, Recall Refresher, and K9ProFit courses early spring. If we can be of any service to you in 2012, don’t hesitate to set up an appointment at our Andover location. Call us toll free anytime at 866-957-DOGS(3647) or drop an e-mail to scott@beyondtheleash.com. We are excited about pursuing many new training and business goals this year and hope to be able to include you in them! Now, go find some great meat deals at your local grocery store and plug in your crock pots…

What an AMAZING fall it has been at Beyond The Leash! September was a very busy month. After hosting a successful French Ring Regional, we participated in the New England Pet Expo and ended the month by presenting a seminar near Buffalo, New York.

The New England Pet Expo was a huge success with an estimated 10,000 plus attendees! Our booth featured our pet dog training program as well as the famous DogTread treadmills. Their treadmills come in small, medium, and large sizes and are a fantastic way to keep your dogs conditioned during inclement weather, especially throughout the winter months, and are ideal for owners with limited time.

Dogs at the expo were able to give the DogTread treadmills a test drive, and the positive feedback was overwhelming. If you think one of these treadmills may be a nice fit for your household, check out Beyond The Leash’s website to find out more about this awesome product! Many of our current clients have decided to bring a DogTread into their own homes, and not only are they enjoying the physical perks, they are surprised at the mental benefits provided to anxious or hyper dogs as well.

And then to add to the excitement, on October 1st, Scott Williams, owner and lead trainer of Beyond The Leash dog training, presented an Introduction to Scentwork seminar at Southtowns Dog Training Club in Hamburg, NY. With nearly 20 working spots, we were able to get much accomplished with some of the area’s finest dogs. Handlers were able to experience firsthand many different approaches to detection work and see some of our own bed bug detection dogs demonstrating their skills.

While we are thankful for a wonderful fall, the weather tells us that winter is right around the corner. Our busiest season for Doggy Boot Camps is between the end of November and the beginning of January, so be sure to book sooner rather than later if you need quality care and results-based training for your furry friend over the upcoming holidays.  Contact Scott Williams at 866-957-DOGS(3647) or feel free to e-mail him at scott@beyondtheleash.com for more details. And lastly, we hope everyone has a safe and happy Halloween with their pooches this year. We’d love to see what kind of costume ideas you have come up with, so please feel free to post pictures of your dogs in costume on our facebook page by clicking here. Become a fan of Beyond The Leash today if you haven’t already!

The Patriot Ring Club is hosting its second trial this upcoming weekend in the field behind the West Boxford Library. Dogs from all across the nation as well as Canada will be competing in arguably the most difficult dog sport around. French Ring is comprised of obedience exercises, jump execution, and bite work and demands dogs with exceptional drive, unbelievable control, and true natural athleticism.

Four club members will be competing this weekend, including Scott Williams who created the club in spring of 2010. Williams also owns Beyond The Leash, a local dog training business that specializes in problem dogs.

The trial will be sanctioned by North American Ring Association (NARA). And judge Yves Billat is traveling in from France and decoys Matt Nieuwkoop and Eduardo Loyola will be coming in from Washington state and Puerto Rico all for this one day event! Spectators are welcome, but if you decide to join us, please leave your dogs at home. The address of the field is 188 Washington Street, Boxford, MA 01810. The trial will begin promptly at 9:00AM on Saturday, September 17th. To learn more about this trial or if you have questions about dog training, call 866-957-3647(DOGS) today!

I have just recently started taking Flyball classes at Gemini Dogs with my three year old Malinois Cane. He is a natural athlete and as long as I don’t rush the details of the foundation work, he will do great and have a lot of fun doing it.  I have high hopes for my dog Cane this year. Not only am I getting into the Flyball stuff, but I am continuing with his French Ring Sport training. I would like to enter him in a trial in Montreal, Canada in May. He will most likely compete at Ring 2 for the third time. He has already obtained the level of Ring 2 but he won’t be ready for Ring 3 by May. I am also continuing his Bed Bug detection work. Hopefully these activities along with walks in the woods will keep my dog busy enough to stay out of trouble.

There will also be a brand new class that I am developing for 2011. This will be another “drive-based” exciting activity for dogs that all dogs will enjoy. More details will follow soon.

For more info feel free to call 818-974-9354

Let’s enjoy our dogs in 2011!

Decoy Ian Gresh, of Cape Cod, takes a bite from one canine during an exercise at the Patriot Ring Club trial on Aug. 7 and Aug. 8.

North Shore Dog Training Blog – Competitors of various levels from all over the Northeast attacked, bit, and leaped around a course in Boxford for the first Patriot Ring Club French Ring Trial in Boxford, MA on Aug. 7 and Aug. 8.

And their owners had fun, too.

Credited with helping to expand the sport in New England, the French Ring Trial, sponsored by Scott Williams and Beyond the Leash, featured a range of competitors from the beginners to the highly skilled. However, competitors all showed their dedication to canines and the protection sport that tests a dogs instinct to bite, their ability leap and climb, and their overall obedience.

And dog trainer Scott Dunmore, who recently began practicing French Ring with his Malinois Vollie, said that obedience is always hard to maintain when your dog is excited about the attack.

“That’s the biggest challenge – control is the issue,” said Dunmore. “It’s definitely one thing to have control in your backyard, but it’s much harder during a trial.”

However, French Ring requires both the dog and the owner to be at the top of their game. The wrong command or just saying a command too many times will be of detriment to your team. Too much praise for you canine won’t help either.

PA resident Rick Rutt took his dog up to Boxford to compete in the French Ring trial. Rutt is also the president of the newly formed American Ring Sport Federation, a US organization governing French Ring that began in 2009.

Rutt said the ARF matches the strict set of rules and requirements that can be seen among trials in France, where the sport began. He said that the Patriot Ring Club trial was well-rounded showing of talent.

“I think there’s a good mix,” said Rutt about the range of ability in the competitors during the two-day trial.

Rutt said there is a clear sense of unity in French Ring when you can see that the dogs and owners enjoy themselves no matter how skilled they are.

“The thing that makes this sport great is when you have people that are doing it for fun and people that are experts,” said Rutt. “Everybody’s there for the sport and the dogs.”

Once a canine competitor passes a temperament test required to enter a trial, the dog can compete through three different “Rings” or levels of exercises.

The protection sport features significant biting exercises and therefore requires the use of decoys, or men in protective suits that can take a dog bite.

Decoy Ian Gresh, of Cape Cod, began working as a decoy for French Ring just six months ago. Gresh said there are many attributes that make a decoy effective – some more obvious than others.

“I guess you have to have a high pain tolerance,” Gresh said as he cooled off in the shade following a run with the last canine competing.

But he said that decoys must be in good physical shape. He said dogs can be running at speeds in excess of 30 miles per hour when attacking and you must know how to move in order to avoid injury.

“If you don’t bend your leg right, you can snap your ACL,” said Gresh.

He also added that you definitely need to love it.

“You have to have a big heart for it,” said Gresh.

For the trial, Williams flew in a French Ring judge from France, Pierre-Yves Secretain. Hailing from Normandy, France, Secretain said that competitors were up to snuff.

“It’s a very nice trial,” said Secretain. “I see very good dogs today.”

Final scores are below:

Ring1

Ring2

Ring3

Beyond the Leash currently offers Williams’ nationally recognized Doggy Boot Camp, obedience classes, and Nosework classes, which trains a dog’s ability to search with their nose.

New movement to strengthen the European-based sport in the US

North Shore Dog Trainers Blog – Amongst a groundswell of activity for a serious revival of authentic French Ring sport, dog trainer and Beyond the Leash owner Scott Williams is now part of a growing group of canine specialists that are taking the protection sport back to its roots.

For those that don’t know, French Ring is a fast-pace, exciting sport that tests a dog’s agility, obedience, and their ability to attack and detain human subjects, or decoys. Canines jump, leap, and climb their way through obstacles as well as challenge themselves with attack exercises, both biting and escorting.

Rick Rutt, president of the recently formed American Ring Sport Federation, said that French Ring enthusiasts began a new organization for the sport in the US after many became to realize that the current French Ring organization operated with less stringent rules than their European counterparts  . He said it’s encouraging that Williams will be hosting a French Ring trial in Boxford, Ma. on Aug. 7 and 8. It represents one more step in the movement that is bringing a more disciplined and challenging form of French Ring Sport to the North Shore and the East Coast.

“There hasn’t been a French Ring Club north of Boston for a really, really long time. It would be nice to make that a hot bed of French ring once again,” said Rutt.

Williams, a dog obedience specialist and an expert in the recreational activity of Nosework, has been operating a French Ring Club out of Boxford, MA since the spring and using the upcoming trial to bring enthusiasts of sport from around New England into one venue.

For one thing, Rutt said that the type of activity in Boxford is exactly what the revitalization of French Ring sport needs right now. One main goal of the American Ring Sport Federation is to make trials, or competitions, spread over many regions so that Ring Sport enthusiasts don’t have to travel far to compete.

“It just gives everybody the opportunity to train and trial in a much more concentrated area,” said Rutt. “It definitely is an asset to us.”

There are currently 15 clubs on the East Coast practicing under American Ring Sport Federation rules since promotion of the new organization began last year.

For dogs, French Ring sport is a game, but a game that they take very seriously, and it caters towards dogs with a strong “prey drive, ” including breeds such as the German Shepherd, Belgium Shepherd, and Malinois.

Williams’ French Ring trial will take place on Aug. 7 and 8 and will take place in the fields behind the West Boxford Library, located on Washington Street in Boxford.

Beyond the Leash currently offers Williams’ nationally recognized Doggy Boot Camp, obedience classes, and Nosework classes, which trains a dog’s ability to search with their nose.

Here are the top five dog breeds in the Boston area for 2009. As a side note, the Yorkshire terrier was kicked off Boston’s list since 2007 and the bulldog took its place with some other shifting involved (see the 2007 list below).

1.Labrador Retriever – “The Labrador Retriever is medium in size, strong, athletic, and well balanced. They are friendly, outgoing, and possess an extremely sweet personality. There are two types of Labrador: The American, which is tall and lanky, and the English, which is more thick and heavy. This sporting breed is adept at hunting and retrieving. Labrador Retrievers are revered as companions and highly respected for their loving nature.

This breed is highly intelligent, loyal, and deeply devoted. The Labrador Retriever is reliable, affectionate, and thrive on human companionship and attention. They are absolutely wonderful with children and get along exceedingly well with other dogs. They may be reserved with strangers and make good watchdogs. If this breed is left alone for extended periods of time without attention or stimulation they will become lonely, bored, and destructive.”

2. German Shepherd Dog – “The German Shepherd is a breed of classic beauty and possesses superior intelligence. They are highly adaptable, energetic, curious, strong, and dependable. This breed displays a magnificent appearance and is extremely agile with great stamina and endurance.

A member of the herding group, the German Shepherd is fearless, bold, hard working, and alert. They are esteemed for their loyalty, deep devotion, and courage. This breed thrives on human interaction from their family and does not like to be left alone for extended periods of time. German Shepherds are exceptionally wary of strangers. They will most generally get along with other household pets they have been raised with. This breed will attempt to perform the task of herding on anything and everything that moves. The German Shepherd is not recommended for the novice, apathetic, or sedentary owner.”

3.  Bulldog

“The Bulldog is moderate in size, heavy, and built low to the ground. They are strong, kind, amiable, and courageous. This breed is not vicious or aggressive and is quite dignified. They possess a passive demeanor and have a quirky sense of humor.

This breed is loyal, exceedingly affectionate, and deeply devoted to their family. The Bulldog is dependable, gentle, and does well in a home with children. They will get along with other pets they have been raised with but may be rude and try to bully strange dogs. They thrive on human attention and are dependent upon it for their happiness and well-being. The Bulldog has excellent guarding abilities but will only bark when absolutely necessary. This breed is very possessive of food and should never be fed in the presence of children or pets.”

4.  Boxer

“Boxers are lively, strong, and extremely loyal. They have an exceedingly high energy level. They carry themselves with pride, but are never arrogant. They have a stoic stance, and are intelligent, loving, delightful companions.

The Boxer is patient, dignified, and self-assured. They exhibit curiosity, but are wary of strangers. This breed is fearless and courageous if threatened. They are keenly alert and have a heightened sense of hearing, which make them excellent guard dogs. The Boxer adores children and other pets they have been raised with. They have an inordinate need for human companionship and do not like to be alone for extended periods of time. They are not well suited for a two career family. Insufficient attention may lead them into “bad” behavior in an attempt to be noticed.”

5. Golden Retriever

“The Golden Retriever is a gorgeous, large, and energetic breed. They are the world’s foremost family pet and companion. They are sturdy, well proportioned, and are well known for their hunting capabilities on land and in the water. The Golden is perceptive and agile.
Golden Retrievers are loveable, polite, and highly intelligent. They exude charm and confidence. They are sweet, eager to please, and devoted family companions. They do not do well if left alone for extended periods of time or they will become mischievous and destructive. They have a tendency to be overly exuberant and distractible. They are always gentle and patient with children. They are friendly with other pets. In fact, they are friendly with everyone. They tend to bark as a form of greeting. The Golden Retriever is not well suited for a two career family as they require an inordinate amount of human interaction and companionship.”

(All breed information and photos are from nextdaypet.com.)

Boston area’s top dogs in 2007

1. Retrievers (Labrador)

2. German Shepherd Dogs

3. Yorkshire Terriers

4. Retrievers (Golden)

5. Boxers

All ranking information taken from AKC.org and Factmonster.com.

For training information, please visit www.BeyondtheLeash.net or call toll free 866.957.3647

Beyond the Leash currently offers Williams’ nationally recongized Doggy Boot Camp, obedience classes, and Nosework classes, which trains a dog’s ability to search with their nose.

North Shore Dog Training Blog – North Shore dog trainer Scott Williams is offering his nationally-recognized Doggy Day Camp soon and he wants to remind dog owners that there are many outdoor activities in Essex and Middlesex counties that can serve as fresh and interesting ways to exercise with your dog. As summer grows near, these relatively low cost options are a great way to enjoy the weather as well as provide your dog with positive experiences that lead to better behavior.

Practice the “Come” command

Whether in your yard, a dog park, or while hiking, you can always practice the ‘come’ command with your canine. It gives you an excuse to leave the house and enjoy a nice summer day, yet it can also be a productive activity both your dog and you.

Have your dog swim and play fetch at a local pond

Visiting any local pond or swimming hole is a great way to spend time with your dog and allow them to practice fetching and swimming in one activity. It gives your dog a workout and reinforces structured commands as well.

Visit a dog park with your dog

Dog parks in general allow your dog to roam free and socialize with other dogs. Dog parks in Essex County and Middlesex County are few and far between but they can represent a trip to do something special with your pet. Pet owners can choose from Leslie’s Retreat Dog Park in Salem, MA, Lowell Dog Park in Lowell, MA, and Breakheart Reservation in Saugus, MA.

Go hiking with your dog

There are hundreds of miles of trails throughout many state parks in the Northeast region of Massachusetts. Hiking is obviously solid physical exercise that will also keep your dog occupied and happy. State parks with a variety of terrain and trails include the Georgetown-Rowley State Forests, Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsboro State Forest, Harold Parker State Forest, Bradley Palmer State Park.

Go camping

Whether for a family with a dog or a single dog owner, going camping with your canine can be a different outdoor experience. Here are a number of camping areas in the Northeast. Always double-check to ensure dogs are allowed.

Beyond the Leash currently offers Williams’ nationally recognized Doggy Boot Camp, obedience classes, and Nosework classes, which trains a dog’s ability to search with their nose.