The AnnaBlog Links
Contact Us
517.599.0995
600 South Capitol Ave.
Lansing, MI 48933
Newsletter
Sign up for our newsletter email:
Bookmark and Share

Support ICACS Humanitarian Awards Banquet

March 7th, 2010

On Thursday, March 11, 2010, the Ingham County Animal Control and Shelter (ICACS) Annual Humanitarian Awards Banquet Honoring those who made a difference in lives of the homeless animals. The honorees include Bryce and Kyle Billingslea, who rescued Howard the Combine Kitty, the entire Beebe family (Ralph, Sally, Ryan & Erin) who are receiving the highest honor at the Banquet, the Hope Award.  Young Ryan is also receiving the Humanitarian Teen Award for his  amazing 500 Volunteer hours of services to the shelter in one year!

Local rescue organization, Animal Placement Bureau, is receiving the Emmy Award, which is named after a young dog who ICACS tried to save, but was too badly starved.  Each year, ICACS also honors the memory of Emmy with Best Friends Fest, to raise awareness of animal abuse and neglect. The Outstanding Animal Welfare Organization of the Year award will be bestowed on The Kitten Nursery, located in Williamston. Many more citizens, companies, and organizations will be recognized for their outstanding humanitarian work with saving our animal friends in Ingham County.

The Banquet is at the Lansing Country Club on Moores River Drive. From 6-7 p.m., there will be a social hour and silent auction and dinner is at 7 p.m. The awards program starts at 7:30 at ends at 9 p.m. Tickets $35.00 per person and all proceeds benefit the Shelter’s Animal Care Fund. Call 517.676.8372 for tickets. If you cannot attend please sent a donation to the Shelter’s Animal Care Fund at the following address: INGHAM COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER · 600 CURTIS, MASON, MI 48854. And, ICACS is always looking for volunteers! Join the cause today!

  • Share/Bookmark

AnnaBelle’s is Pleased to Welcome Trainer Angie Falcsik!

March 3rd, 2010

For nearly 10 years, Angie Falcsik has been professionally dedicated to the training, rehabilitation, and rescue of dogs. But the roles of trainer, rescuer, and rehabilitator have been a large part of her life since she was a child. Angie’s life-long passion and the goal of her professional career is to educate people regarding responsible dog ownership and the realities involved in being a responsible dog owner. Angie has been professionally training dogs since 2002 and is an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. Through her classes, private in-home training, and rescue work, she has trained hundreds of dogs. In her own home alone, she has fostered and trained over 350 dogs!

Angie’s unique obedience class (Language and Leadership) focuses on pack leadership, body language, and positive reinforcement. Her classes involve the training the owner and family members and rehabilitating the dog. Angie’s method uses body language as well as voice commands to develop and establish an appropriate relationship between owner and dog. If your dog is not listening to you, chances are, your dog does not have sufficient respect for you. Angie will teach you how to become a pack leader and earn the necessary respect so that following your lead becomes second nature to your dog.

In Angie’s class, you will learn the importance of pack leadership, establishing rules and boundaries, along with an exercise regimen, and how to implement these essential aspects of responsible dog ownership into your lives. You and your dog will also learn the obedience basics such as heel, sit, wait, down, and come, as well as additional training/rehabilitation measures that are specific to your dog and family. While some basic training is essential for all dogs, Angie believes that not every technique works or is appropriate for every dog and family. Each dog and family is unique and Angie’s training philosophy and methods are designed to address and work with different family/dog situations and living styles.

Angie teaches “Language and Leadership” on Saturdays from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Sign up for Angie’s class now! Six week class is only $99! Current class term is Apr. 3 – May 8.

  • Share/Bookmark

AnnaBelle’s Pet Station Adding Staff, Introduces New Day Care Depot

February 25th, 2010

Downtown Lansing now has a place for the four-legged members of your family to spend the day: the Day Care Depot at AnnaBelle’s Pet Station.

The idea of the Day Care Depot is to help socialize dogs, especially high-energy breeds.  “Well-socialized dogs are happier, healthier and better-behaved,” according to the Day Care Depot website.

In addition to adding this new service, Annabelle’s has added more staff. “We’ve hired three new employees as well as eight interns from Michigan State University,” sayts Ann Andrews, a part-owner of Annabelle’s.

The Day Care Depot is available Tuesday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m. A variety of passes are available for sale, starting with a half-day pass, all the way up to a 20 day full-day pass.

Dogs are placed in play groups, limited to 12, based on size, temperament and play style. All dogs must have all their required vaccinations and be play-tested before being allowed to attend the Day Care Depot.

The service started on January 19th and the word is quickly spreading around town.  “We opened last Tuesday and we had nine dogs waiting for us,” says Andrews.

Annabelle’s Pet Station can be found at 600 Capitol Ave. in Downtown Lansing.

Source: Ann Andrews, AnnaBelle’s Pet Station

Writer: Daniel J. Hogan

All Photographs © Dave Trumpie

  • Share/Bookmark

Carol’s Corner – How to Reward Multiple Behaviors at the Same Time

February 20th, 2010

Dear Carol,

We have talked about rewarding Nemo as strangers approach. My concern is that I am also trying to work with him on not pulling the leash when we’re walking. You taught us to use leash corrections and/or frequently reward the dog for maintaining a slack leash. If I am rewarding him frequently for maintaining a slack leash, but also rewarding him when strangers approach, won’t the messages be mixed? Does rewarding him for keeping a slack leash diminish the excitement about a reward when strangers walk by?

Thanks, Niya


Dear Niya,

I wouldn’t worry about sending Nemo a mixed message when rewarding both a slack leash and when strangers approach. It is true you cannot shape for more than one aspect of a behavior at a time(a straight and fast sit, for example). However, once you are getting a reliably straight sit (by way of example), you can then begin to selectively reinforce the faster responses to shape for fast sits. Once the sits are straight and fast, you could then shape for another aspect of the behavior if you wished, i.e., straight, fast and with eye contact. You can however, reinforce more than one behavior when you train. If Nemo gets rewarded when the leash is slack as well as when people approach, both behaviors will become stronger. There is merit in your concern that rewarding Nemo for maintaining a slack leash could diminish his excitement for the reward when strangers walk by. If he is highly motivated by the reward, it shouldn’t be much of a problem. If that’s not the case, you may want to set up situations where you and Nemo are stationary and you’re only rewarding him as people walk past. The distance between Nemo and the passerby should be such that Nemo is comfortable enough to stay at your side and eat the reward. If Nemo tries to hide behind your legs or refuses the treat, you are too close. In time and with practice, you will be able to move closer to the approaching person while still keeping Nemo comfortable, as the rewards will have changed the way Nemo feels about the situation. There are other things that can be done to make Nemo more comfortable with people and I would be happy to discuss this further next term.

See you soon, Carol

Carol Hein-Creger
Director of Training
Canine Training Center

Carol Hein-Creger has been training dogs and their owners for over 30 years. She has trained thousands of people, including many local dog trainers. Carol is currently teaching at AnnaBelle’s Pet Station in downtown Lansing. Check out her her upcoming class schedule. Do you have a training question for Carol? Send an email to info@coolcitydogs.com with “Carol’s Corner” in the subject line or use the “Contact Us” form.

  • Share/Bookmark

Feelin’ the Love this Valentine’s Day – A Special Thanks to all of AnnaBelle’s Clients and Fans!

February 14th, 2010

We started AnnaBelle’s Pet Station for one reason – we LOVE dogs – our dogs, your dogs, show dogs, rescue dogs, all dogs! It was a long road to opening with many struggles and obstacles along the way (and in front of us still). Our plan was to open a full-scale, 24 hour training, grooming, day care, and overnight boarding facility, which required a massive renovation of our building. Our plan was derailed by the economic downturn and the credit market freeze. We had to rethink, reorganize, and regroup. We downsized our plans, did a small renovation, and with dogged determination and our mission in mind, we finally opened with dog training and grooming in March 2009. With master trainer Carol Hein-Creger of the Canine Training Center leading our training program, her assistant and professional handler Erinn Hadley in tow, and Dawn Pizzoferrato, clicker trainer extraordinaire, our expert training team was in place.

Robin Hiar, one of AnnaBelle’s owners, who graduated from the Michigan School of Canine Cosmetology in March 2009, was set to start her own grooming business from scratch. As anyone in the service industry knows, she had a big challenge in front of her – establishing a client base in a tough, competitive business and an even tougher economy. With the personality and perseverance first born in the hills of Kentucky, Robin showed her clients both her love of dogs and her talent for grooming.

The third piece started coming together in late 2009, when we began plans to move forward with the Day Care Depot. We wanted to offer something unique and different with our doggie day care – a program we each felt comfortable having our own dogs participate in. AnnaBelle’s Day Care Depot is not “all day play.” Rather, the dogs are matched in small play groups, with structured training and play activities, romp time, rest time, and outdoor walks. We soon put our day care team in place, with Dawn Pizzoferrato, certified dog trainer, and Stephanie Lamb, the Behavior Coordinator at the Capital Area Humane Society. Stephanie has extensive experience evaluating temperaments, successfully matching up play groups, setting up daily exercise and rest schedules, and preventing kennel stress. With Dawn and Stephanie, we had the perfect team in place to supervise our unique day care program. We also developed a dog behavior internship program for Pre-Veterinary Medical Students at Michigan State University. Our students are learning about dog behavior in the day care and training settings from the best trainers and dog behaviorists in the Lansing area. And our interns offer love, enthusiasm, and dedicated care to our canine clients. In January, 2010, the Day Care Depot opened for business.

We could not have come this far without the support of the local business community, Lansing-area dog lovers from all walks of life, and the dedication of every member of the AnnaBelle’s team! We are constantly amazed and heartened by the positive feedback we receive every day at the shop, during classes, on facebook and twitter, and most recently, in response to our nomination for Intuit’s Love a Local Business campaign. The love we receive from our loyal customers and clients makes the struggle all worthwhile and keeps us determined to make AnnaBelle’s a long term success. We just wanted to say thank you to our clients and customers and we will continue to do our very best to love and care for your beloved furry family members.

Furry hugs and wet kisses, AnnaBelle’s Pet Station

  • Share/Bookmark

AKC Rally – No Pedigree Required!

January 24th, 2010

All About Rally® from the American Kennel Club®:

“Rally is a sport in which the dog and handler complete a course that has been designed by the rally judge. The judge tells the handler to begin, and the dog and handler proceed at their own pace through a course of designated stations (10 – 20, depending on the level). Each of these stations has a sign providing instructions regarding the next skill that is to be performed. Scoring is not as rigorous as traditional obedience.

The team of dog and handler moves continuously at a brisk, but normal, pace with the dog under control at the handler’s left side. There should be a sense of teamwork between the dog and handler both during the numbered exercises and between the exercise signs; however, perfect “heel position” is not required. Any faults in traditional obedience that would be evaluated and scored as a one-point deduction or more should be scored the same in Rally, unless otherwise mentioned in the Rally Regulations. After the judge’s “Forward” order, the team is on its own to complete the entire sequence of numbered signs correctly.

Unlimited communication from the handler to the dog is to be encouraged and not penalized. Unless otherwise specified in these Regulations, handlers are permitted to talk, praise, encourage, clap their hands, pat their legs, or use any verbal means of encouragement. Multiple commands and/or signals using one or both arms and hands are allowed; the handler’s arms need not be maintained in any particular position at any time. The handler may not touch the dog or make physical corrections. At any time during the performance, loud or harsh commands or intimidating signals will be penalized.

Rally provides a link from the Canine Good Citizen® (CGC) program to obedience or agility competition, both for dogs and handlers. In addition, rally promotes fun and enjoyment for dogs at all levels of competition.

What is Rally?

AKC Rally is the new dog sport that is taking the nation by storm, a successful stepping stone from the AKC Canine Good Citizen® program to the world of obedience or agility. Rally offers both the dogs and handlers an experience that is fun and energizing. The canine team moves at their own pace, very similar to rally-style auto racing. Rally was designed with the traditional pet owner in mind, but it can still be very challenging for those who enjoy higher levels of competition.

A rally course includes 10 to 20 stations, depending on the level. Scoring is not as rigorous as traditional obedience. Communication between handler and dog is encouraged and perfect heel position is not required, but there should be a sense of teamwork between the dog and handler. The main objective of rally is to produce dogs that have been trained to behave in the home, in public places, and in the presence of other dogs, in a manner that will reflect positively on the sport of rally at all times and under all conditions.

Am I Eligible?

To be eligible to compete in AKC Rally trials, a dog must be:

Registered with the AKC or listed with the AKC Purebred Alternative Listing/Indefinite Listing Privilege (PAL/ILP) program, or a Foundation Stock Service (FSS) recorded breed that meets the eligibility requirements for competition.

6 months of age or older.

The Purebred Alternative Listing/Indefinite Listing Privilege (PAL/ILP)

Dogs of any breed recognized by the AKC that do not have registration papers or known parents may qualify for a Purebred Alternative Listing/Indefinite Listing Privilege (PAL/ILP). PAL/ILP dogs may participate in certain AKC events, such as obedience, agility, tracking, rally and many performance events. Photos are required to prove the dog is a registerable breed. The dog must be spayed or neutered. For more information about the PAL/ILP program, visit the PAL/ILP section on the AKC web site, or e-mail questions to PAL@akc.org.”

*Note:  The UKC (United Kennel Club) allows mixed breed dogs for either agility or rally, and some other performance based events: http://www.ukcdogs.com/res/pdf/2010AgilityRulebook.pdf; http://www.ukcdogs.com/res/pdf/2009RallyRulebook.pdf.

Want to learn more and get your dog involved in Rally?  Carol Hein-Creger of the Canine Training Center is offering a beginning Rally class, starting Feb. 23, 2010! Six week class is only $99. Sign up now – space is limited!

Carol Hein-Creger has been training dogs and their owners for over 30 years.  She has trained thousands of people, including many local dog trainers.  Carol is now teaching at AnnaBelle’s Pet Station in downtown Lansing.  Check out her her upcoming class schedule.

  • Share/Bookmark

Founding Furry Faces Grand Opening Discounts Available until Jan. 19th!

January 16th, 2010

AnnaBelle’s Pet Station introduces the Day Care Depot! Discounts on multi-day passes are available until January 19, 2010!

iStock_000009096232XSmallWhy doggie day care? Well-socialized dogs are happier, healthier, and better-behaved. With doggie day care, high energy dogs will get the exercise and activity they need. We can help shy dogs come out of their shell, without being stressed or overwhelmed. With additional activity, socialization, and training, your dog will be more content, less stressed and problem behavior can be reduced.

Why AnnaBelle’s Day Care Depot? AnnaBelle’s is the only Ingham County doggie day care provider where the dogs are assigned play groups by size, temperament, and play style. AnnaBelle’s day care program is unique in the Greater Lansing area because it provides a structured day for your dog, which includes group play time, snack time, dog training activities, and rest periods consistent with your dog’s need for “den” time; AnnaBelle’s day care clients are also taken for outdoor walks at least twice a day. Animal behavior specialists highly recommend structure and rest periods, rather than “all day play.”

AnnaBelle’s Day Care Depot also offers small play groups, so that all of our canine clients have the opportunity to interact with staff and with each other safely and in a low-stress environment. Our day care activities are supervised by Dawn Pizzoferrato, a certified dog trainer, Carol Hein-Creger, a master trainer with more than 30-years of experience, and Stephanie Lamb, who is also the Behavior Coordinator at the Capital Area Humane Society. All dogs must undergo play testing and approval by our training staff to participate in group play day care. Play testing will be available in advance of opening on Saturday, January 16, 2010, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

AnnaBelle’s offers competitive pricing, multi-day discount packages, and a special discount for training and grooming clients. Training students and grooming clients who drop their dogs off for day care on the same day as a training class in which they are participating or on the same day as an appointment for grooming services, receive a 10% discount off the regular price of Day Care Depot services.

Join AnnaBelle’s Founding Furry Faces!

For the Grand Opening of AnnaBelle’s Day Care Depot, we are offering special discounted pricing for all multi-day passes purchased on or before January 19, 2010:

playdate115 day pass: $99 (reg. $129)
10 day pass: $199 (reg. $229)
20 day pass: $349 (reg. $399)

5 half days pass: $49 (reg. $69)
10 half days pass: $99 (reg. $129)
20 half days pass: $199 (reg. $229)

All Founding Furry Faces will also receive a free pet portrait from Pizzoferrato Photography and their photos displayed in AnnaBelle’s training and day care play room. Pre-Grand Opening multi-day passes do not expire until July 19, 2010, regardless of date of purchase. Shortly, these passes will be available for purchase on-line, at AnnaBelle’s play-testing Saturday, or by calling 517.599.0995.

Day Care Depot Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, beginning January 19, 2010.

AnnaBelle’s Pet Station introduces the Day Care Depot! Our Day Care Depot Open House is January 11, 2010 from 5-7 p.m. and we open for day care services on January 19, 2010!

iStock_000009096232XSmallWhy doggie day care? Well-socialized dogs are happier, healthier, and better-behaved. With doggie day care, high energy dogs will get the exercise and activity they need. We can help shy dogs come out of their shell, without being stressed or overwhelmed. With additional activity, socialization, and training, your dog will be more content, less stressed and problem behavior can be reduced.

Why AnnaBelle’s Day Care Depot? AnnaBelle’s is the only Ingham County doggie day care provider where the dogs are assigned play groups by size, temperament, and play style. AnnaBelle’s day care program is unique in the Greater Lansing area because it provides a structured day for your dog, which includes group play time, snack time, dog training activities, and rest periods consistent with your dog’s need for “den” time; AnnaBelle’s day care clients are also taken for outdoor walks at least twice a day. Animal behavior specialists highly recommend structure and rest periods, rather than “all day play.”

AnnaBelle’s Day Care Depot also offers small play groups, so that all of our canine clients have the opportunity to interact with staff and with each other safely and in a low-stress environment. Our day care activities are supervised by Dawn Pizzoferrato, a certified dog trainer, Carol Hein-Creger, a master trainer with more than 30-years of experience and Erinn Hadley, an experienced professional handler and trainer. All dogs must undergo temperament testing and approval by our training staff to participate in group play day care. Temperament testing will be available in advance of opening on Saturdays, January 9 and 16, 2010, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

AnnaBelle’s offers competitive pricing, multi-day discount packages, and a special discount for training and grooming clients. Training students and grooming clients who drop their dogs off for day care on the same day as a training class in which they are participating or on the same day as an appointment for grooming services, receive a 10% discount off the regular price of Day Care Depot services.

Join AnnaBelle’s Founding Furry Faces!

For the Grand Opening of AnnaBelle’s Day Care Depot, we are offering special discounted pricing for all multi-day passes purchased on or before January 11, 2010:

playdate115 day pass: $99 (regular price $129)

10 day pass: $199 (regular price $229)

20 day pass: $349 (regular price $399)

Single day: $28

½ day: $15 (4 hours or less).

Pre-Grand Opening multi-day passes do not expire until July 11, 2010, regardless of date of purchase. Shortly, these passes will be available for purchase on-line or at AnnaBelle’s temperament testing Saturdays. Day Care Depot Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, beginning January 19, 2010.

Check our website regularly for more details about our Grand Opening Specials, purchasing multi-day passes, and the Day Care Depot Open House on January 11, 2009!

  • Share/Bookmark

Houdini (German Wirehair Pointer) is Ready for Adoption!

January 7th, 2010

Don’t let her name scare you! Houdini is a sweetie! Houdini is a German wirehaired pointer, black roan. She is only 4-years old and is already spayed. She has also been vaccinated, wormed, and is heartworm free.

Houdini is very sweet and playful. She also gets along well with other dogs and cats. Houdini has lots of energy and would do very well with a family with active kids to play with her. If you are interested in adopting Houdini, please contact Lori Sargent at  birddog@windsweptwires.net.

  • Share/Bookmark

Featured Rescue from Animal Placement Bureau!

December 20th, 2009

Reggie is a four year old Newfoundland (Landseer) mix who weighs 90 pounds.

Hiya, I’m Reggie!!! Are you looking for a guy to play with, and run with, and go to class with? Pick me, pick me!!! I’m going to obedience and agility, and I’m the star of the show! It’s important for incredibly cool guys like me to exercise their brains as well as their legs, dontcha know.

I’m crate trained, and should be crated when you’re not home, or if you can’t watch me. Sometimes, I forget what’s mine and what’s not – if I can reach it, it must be mine, right? So I need reminded what’s MY stuff.

My foster mom says I’ve got a great sense of humor. Sometimes, I’ll take a toy – or maybe something that’s not mine – and try to get you to play. Then, I’ll drop the something, and bounce around it and play bow – maybe IT will wanna play with me, ya think???

I need a home with a securely fenced yard – 6 foot, please. I’m a big guy, and ‘lil fences won’t stop me. My bestest friend is a 12lb shih tzu, but I don’t always know how big I am…so I’m not the best choice for ‘lil dogs or ‘lil kids. I’m also learning not to jump on people – I still need some work on THAT.

Foster mom’s note: Reggie will thrive in a nurturing home offering him a gentle hand, plenty of exercise and love.  Please fill out an application if you are interested in him. E-mail julemson@wmol.com for questions about Reggie.

  • Share/Bookmark

AKC Competitive Obedience – No Pedigree Required!

December 18th, 2009

CTC logoConsider taking obedience training with your dog to a whole new level. Enter the world of AKC obedience and help your dog realize its full potential by competing in obedience trials and earning obedience competition titles. AKC obedience trials demonstrate the usefulness of the dog as a companion to man. Obedience trials showcase dogs that have been trained and conditioned to behave well in the home, in public places, and in the presence of other dogs. AKC trials and tests allow exhibitors and their dogs to enjoy companionship and competition as they proudly earn AKC titles.

To be eligible to compete in AKC Obedience trials, a dog must be (1) Registered with the AKC; (2) Enrolled in the PAL (Purebred Alternative Listing)/ ILP program (a program for purebred dogs that cannot be fully registered with the AKC to participate in AKC events); (3) Be a member of a Foundation Stock Service® (FSS) recorded breed that meets the eligibility requirements for competition; or (4) Enrolled in the AKC Canine Partners program (A program for mixed-breed dogs to participate in Obedience).

537392769_KCgZm-M-1What is competitive Obedience? Demonstrating the usefulness of a dog as a companion to humankind, AKC Obedience is a sport with rules, regulations, judges, conditioning, training, placements and prizes. Dog and handler teams are judged on how closely they match the judge’s mental picture of a theoretically perfect performance as they execute a series of specified exercises. Accuracy and precision are essential, but the natural movement of the handler and the willingness and enjoyment of the dog are very important. Each level of obedience competition – novice, open, and utility – requires mastering a specific skill set, which increase in difficulty, before advancing to the next level.

The Novice Class demonstrates good canine companion skills such as heeling, both with and without a leash, coming when called, standing for a simple physical examination, and staying in both a sit and a down position with a group of dogs. In the Novice Class, dogs earn an AKC Companion Dog (CD) title after receiving a qualifying score under three different judges.

troimajorThe Open Class is more challenging as more exercises are done off leash and retrieving and jumping challenges are added. In the Open Class, dogs earn an AKC Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) title after receiving a qualifying score under three different judges.

The Utility Class, includes scent discrimination, directed retrieves, jumping and silent signal exercises, is the most challenging class. In the Utility Class, dogs earn an AKC Utility Dog (UD) title after receiving qualifying scores from three different judges.

Interested in training for competitive Obedience? Whether you and your dog have had no training or are advanced, we have an Obedience class to get you started. This term, which starts the first week in April, Carol Hein-Creger and Erinn Hadley of the Canine Training Center are offering Puppy Class, Beginning Obedience, Intermediate Obedience, and Novice Obedience. Sign up now and get started on the competitive track!

  • Share/Bookmark

Copy Protected by Chetan's WP-CopyProtect.