We have once again started our fall 10 week group class and it sure is fun seeing all of the new dogs and their owners! It is a great reminder of how far all of our graduates come each and every class. When we tell people they will be off leash in week eight the looks of terror are priceless. Congratulations to all of the past graduates and good luck to the current classes.

The beginning of the fall group class also reminds me of how important we are to our dogs. Without our steady and consistent leadership their lives really are not fulfilled. So many people in North America take for-granted the responsibilities of dog ownership and will give up on their dogs at the first sign of trouble, or make excuses for bad behaviour as a way of avoiding the process of fixing the problems. Please make sure you are the leader your dog has always dreamed of and they in turn will be the dog you have always dreamed of.

On a completely different topic Yesterday’s Herald Published a letter to the editor about banning dogs from condo’s because of irresponsible owners (Condo-Dweller Would Ban Canines). It was a really negative letter citing examples of dogs peeing in elevators, defecating in the hallways, and ruined lawns. It was the feature letter of the day! Be careful all of you Condo/Dog owners, it always seems that the squeaky wheel gets the grease - so if you disagree with banning dogs from Condos write a letter back to the Herald editors, maybe even include a few jabs about the lack of inner city parks that are dog friendly!

Tracie