Conference 7.286::canine

    I highly recommend the Hudson Animal Hospital, they have 3 Vets on
    duty, and may have added a 4th, they also have evening and Saturday
    office hours.
    
    Karen
    
    

    Especially For Pets, a pet store in Sudbury, has a very good obedience
    school right in the store.  The trainer's name is Laurie.  Call the
    store and find out when the classes start.  I just took one of my dogs
    through the program, and I thought it was very good.
    
    Cost is $125 for 7 classes; first class is people only.
    
    ****

    We have been very happy with Vetrinarian Beth Essington.  She works in
    the Hudson Animal Hospital.  It is located on 30 High Street, Hudson,
    MA and their number is 508-562-2868.  
    
    They give superb care to our dog and charge reasonable prices.  Even
    after being spayed at the hospital two weeks ago, my dog Pebbles (a
    Shih Tzu) was as happy as could be going back to the vets to have her 
    stitches out.  They are so kind to her she loves being there.  :)
    
    We went through the obedience training course held in Stow at Pet
    Source.  It was very convenient to Hudson (where we live) and the hours 
    worked out well for me.  Turned out to be a very good class.  Of course 
    the key to any of that training is to keep working at it after the class 
    is over.  (Easier said than done, at least for us.)
    
    Good luck with your new dog!
    
    Regards,
    
    Mary
    
                                                                         

    Here's another one for the  Hudson Animal Hospital. 
    
    

We went to Hudson Animal Hospital yesterday for the first check up. The staff
and the vets were great!  I am very impressed by their gentleness and patience

towards the dog. Thanks for all the great suggestions.


/Tina
[Posted by WWW Notes gateway]

re: -1

I took my pup there too and had similar experiences.  Thanks again for all those
that took the time to respond with recommendations.

Mrudula

    I sent mail to Tina but I haven't heard anything from her....so Tina,
    if you're reading this can you be more specific as to what you need
    help with (in regards to you new akita)?
    
    Carol.

    Charles River Dog Training Club meets in Weston Monday evenings. This
    is an AKC recognized obedience club.  They meet at the Field School on
    School Street which is off of Rte. 20.  A beginners class - six weeks
    is $65 or less.  Class size is limited to 20 dogs.  Suggest you bring
    your dog with you and watch a few classes to see if this is how you
    want to train.
    
    

    
    	We adopted an Akita/Shepard mix form Worc. Animal Rescue Leaque.
    Hercules is 9 weeks old and we named him that cause he looks big and
    chunky, but he's all hair. I have pictures of him wet (bath) and he is 
    all hair.:-)
    
    	I was wondering if there is a good obedience school around Gardner,
    Ma. (near Fitchburg, Leominster, Hubardston, etc) How much do classes go
    for and how long? 
    	What is a good age for him to go? I heard 4 months is a good time
    to start him with obedience class. We have a class schedule for August,
    the only time slot they have left, this is a free class offered by Pet
    Supplies of Fitchburg for dogs adopted from shelters.
    	Right now we are trying to train him, such as going outside to do
    his business. He does really well, a few accidents, mostly with peeing.
    But other then that he does good. He picks things up real quick. I
    heard Akitas are very smart dogs. 
    
    	Thanks,
    	Tom                       

    Tom,
    
    Akitas are smart, but most are VERY stubborn.  I would tell you to get
    Hercules into puppy socialization right away.  It's only going to make
    him/you/your family alot happier in the long run.  This will get him
    used to being around other dogs (both in play, and with you giving him
    commands) and it will get him used to being around other people.  It
    will also get him used to being in a class setting.  
    
    I personally don't know of any training facilities out your way.  But I
    would advise you to go watch any training class before you sign up. 
    You want to make sure that the instructor's methods are what you feel
    comfortable with and that the instructor devotes enough time to
    individuals and not just the group (so that no one in particular is
    getting all the attention or someone is falling way behind and trying
    to keep up).
    
    I can ask around my akita club about trainers in your area.  But puppy
    kindgergarten is a great place to start and most places offer a class
    that's pretty standard no matter where you go.
    
    Tina, where are you taking Yuki for puppy kindergarten?
    
    I can give you tons of advice on akitas.....feel free to contact me off
    line.
    
    Carol

    
    	Thank you Carol, and believe me, I will be talking to you off line.
    :-) This is our first dog and not like cats where they take care of
    themselves. 
    	Please do ask your club if there is a good school out near Gardner.
    I really appreciate it. We just want the pup to get along and obey us.
    We do know that this breed is very dominant and don't want any
    confrontations with other dogs or people. 
    	Thanks again,
    	Tom

	Tom, 
    
    	I tried to send you e-mail but got an error message.  So I'll post
    a trainer's name that was referred to me by another club member.
    
The trainer is Betty 508-343-0941. Reffered to by Sandy Madden (my trainer).

-Shelley
    	
    	I think she's in Leominster.  
    
    	Carol.