About Grisha Stewart

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  Where's the best place to adopt a dog?

  1 0 Here's a link about how to pick a rescue/shelter dog. It has a list of local shelters at the bottom. http://ahimsadogtraining.com/handouts/choosing-a-shelter-dog-hsus.html And here's another article, How *not* to pick a rescue dog: http://ahimsadogtraining.com/blog/2009/04/16/how-not-to-pick-a-rescue-dog/ Good luck! Any age of dog will bond with you and be happy to be in a good home. Grisha Stewart answered in Dogs 4 months ago Answer, comment & read 4 more answers »

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  How long does it take for dogs to adjust to new places?

  1 0 It can take a little while to get used to new places, but part of it is also training and what the family does to help the dog learn to relax there. My suggestion is that instead of jumping to legal measures, you leave a note on the door to let the people know that their dog is barking. Some people don't even know until their neighbors complain, because the dog doesn't bark until they're gone. Recommend that they see a trainer for help and be patient with the owners of this dog, if you can. Training can take time. Only good things, Grisha _________________________________ Grisha Stewart, M.A., CPDT, CTP Owner of Ahimsa Dog Training http://DoggieZen.com Author of "BAT for Reactivity" 902 NW 49th Street Seattle, WA 98107 Store Phone and Fax: (206) 706-0375 Phone when store is closed: (206) 364-4072 Award-winning training by professionals who care about people and dogs! Grisha Stewart answered in Dogs 6 months ago Answer, comment & read 5 more answers »

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  Keeping the dog after a break up

  2 0 I'm not a lawyer, and I don't know who the dog is better off with, but personally, I'd fight for custody. Does your dog have a microchip? If so, whose name is on that? Whose name is on the records at your dog's vet? All of that should help. Adam Carp is an animal lawyer and would be able to give you better advice. http://www.animal-lawyer.com/ I'd think it would be worth the peace of mind to pay him to give you advice on what to do, possibly even get a letter from him to the ex-boyfriend that all communication goes through your attorney. Only good things, Grisha _________________________________ Grisha Stewart, M.A., CPDT, CTP Owner of Ahimsa Dog Training http://DoggieZen.com Author of "BAT for Reactivity" 902 NW 49th Street Seattle, WA 98107 Store Phone and Fax: (206) 706-0375 Phone when store is closed: (206) 364-4072 Award-winning training by professionals who care about people and dogs! Grisha Stewart answered in Dogs 6 months ago Answer, comment & read 5 more answers »

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  Is it awkward to sit in a dog park without having a dog?

  2 0 Go to one of the bigger parks like Magnuson or Marymoor, so you can walk and get some exercise at the same time. I went to the dog park a lot before I got my dog. I used it as a way to figure out what I wanted. That said, if you are, indeed, a creepy guy, please don't go to the dog park. Grisha Stewart answered in Other - Pets 7 months ago Answer, comment & read 6 more answers »

• Comment on Grisha Stewart's answer…

  0 0 P.S. Ahimsa is in Ballard. We require volunteers commit to at least 6 weeks, usually 1-2 hours a week. Grisha Stewart commented about 1 year ago

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  I am looking for a place to volunteer to take care of dogs!

  1 0 Lots of good places to volunteer (the list the other person gave is good). We take volunteers at Ahimsa Dog Training (working with humans and their dogs in classes) and also if you are on the north end, I know a place in Edmonds that really could use some help. It's a shelter that doesn't give any environmental enrichment to the dogs and I think might accept a hand. Contact me via the Ahimsa contact form, https://ahimsadogtraining.com/contact.php Grisha Stewart answered in Dogs about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 3 more answers »

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  Crate training questions

  0 0 I agree on the 6 months rule of thumb. Another rule is that the number of hours puppies can be in their crates is their age in months, plus one, so a 4 month old puppy should spend no more than 5 months in the crate. The umbilical cord method (tethered to you when not crated) and also treats and a party for pottying outside is great! You can calmly say a cue, like "be quick" right before she pees, then reward after, and you'll eventually be able to ask her to go. Make sure your puppy has an easy way to ask to go out. If you have a lot of doors, or a big house, block off rooms. You can also hang a string of bells at the door and ring them yourself whenever you let the puppy out. Use the same door each time for potty breaks. Having two doors to go to can be confusing. p.s. I worry that you are asking here, because that may mean you aren't in puppy kindergarten class. Do make sure to sign up for one asap! Puppies should start socialization classes at about 10 weeks old. If you're in Seattle, Ahimsa Dog Training has ongoing classes, so you can sign up right now. Good luck! Grisha Stewart answered in Dogs about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 3 more answers »

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  Why is my dog a racist?

  1 0 Dogs are not PC, unfortunately. They need diversity training within the first 16 weeks to really understand that humans come in all shapes and sizes and colors and amounts of mobility. They also need to learn about different surfaces, breeds of dogs, species of animals, etc. Dog trainers call this process Puppy Socialization. If you had an 8 week old puppy, the answer would be to avoid the problem and come to puppy class. But you don't have a puppy, you have a dog. So your best bet is to get an experienced dog trainer/behaviorist to help your dog overcome his fear of what he sees as unusual. Here's another process you can use: http://willmydoghateme.com/dog-training-behavior/training-tuesday-bat-boy The idea is to help him learn that he's safe around them. Do NOT yell or 'correct' his growling. You'll just end up with a silent biter. Grisha Stewart answered in Dogs about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 6 more answers »

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  Can anyone suggest an affordable vet for my cat?

  0 0 I'm not a cat expert, but when dogs do that, it means that their anal glands, or anal sacs, are full. You can do a google search on how to empty them, or pay $10 for a groomer to do it. I'm squeamish and prefer the latter! Grisha Stewart answered in Cats about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 4 more answers »

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  Any dog boarding recommendations?

  2 0 There are several good boarding places in the area. When you meet with a place, see what they do to help the dogs avoid stress, whether the dogs are kept together or separate, etc. If they are together, how do they monitor play? Make sure it matches your philosophy. I like http://thinkspotdogs.com http://dogworksranch.com and http://caninecomfortcorner.com - to name a few. Good luck! Grisha Grisha Stewart answered in Dogs about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 3 more answers »

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