R&R Rescue ReaderVolume 6, Number 1 1st Quarter 2014

Most people consider the hardest part of fostering to be letting the dog go when that special forever home is found. Although foster families do bond with their dog, many foster parents have said it was easier to see them adopted than they thought. They knew when the dog came to them, he was staying just until his special forever family was found; it was the foster home’s job to get him ready. Seeing the joy on the faces of new adopters as they meet their special dog and the tail-wagging dog meet his/her new owners wipes away any question about the value of the work of a foster home. Those foster home parents also know without them there to take the foster dog, that dog would not have been saved. And since we check in on our adoptive dogs and their owners, if they request it, a foster home may hear from their doggie ‘kids’ in future updates. As one foster parent said, “It’s easier for me to see my dog leave for his new home than for me to look at his picture and know he was lost because there was no foster home to save him.” We agree.

If a foster home does indeed bond so well with their dog that they want to keep him, there is always a possibility they can adopt their foster dog. When that happens, the foster dog and home becomes a “failed foster,” however the word “fail” is hardly the case because the foster family adopts their dog and becomes the dog’s forever family. Those foster homes have worn the words “failed foster” with pride.

Fostering saves lives, it provides the means for rescue organi-zations to grow and give dogs a new chance or last chance for life. All it takes is a home willing to provide care, training and a secure, warm hospitable home for a dog while they wait for that special adopter to find them. Consider fostering, contact us for a Foster Application and give a dog an opportunity for a new life.

If fostering isn’t something you are able to do, there are many other ways you can help! Visit our website to learn more or to download a Foster Application: http://carolinasrescue.com/Fostering_Volunteering.html Email: Foster@carolinasrescue.com

How Important are Foster Homes to

a Rescue? Without them,

we're a sinking ship!

Foster homes keep our rescue ship afloat! Without them, we are SUNK and so are the needy dogs in shelters awaiting rescue.

Foster homes are the life-blood for any rescue – really they are the most critical step in rescuing a dog. When our rescue com-mits to take a dog: 1) the shelter is contacted and the dog is pulled, 2) the rescue transports the dog to a vet for shots, a well-ness checkup, heartworm testing, fecal testing and any needed supportive meds, then, 3) it’s off to the rescue’s foster home.

But if there is no foster home ready for the new dog, the rescue is unable to pull him/her – there’s no home waiting for the dog after the vetting – so even though the foster home is #3 on this list, it’s really #1 – first there must be a foster home waiting for that dog. Without it, he/she cannot be pulled, no matter how urgent or how much time the dog has left in the shelter. It becomes a life and death situation for that dog and can be his last chance. The clarion call from a foster home – “I’LL TAKE HIM/HER” – is the vital first step, then the process is underway. Foster homes are essential to the success of any rescue organization; they not only enable the rescue to pull an urgent dog but also provide the means for a rescue to grow and expand to help other deserving dogs. More foster homes = more saved dogs.

When we consider which dog to pull, we look through our foster homes list to find the best fit between that dog and our available foster homes. In order to know the best place for a rescued (soon to be foster) dog, our foster home applicants begin the foster home process by filling out our Foster Application providing in-formation about their home, other two- and four-legged family members there and the type of dog the foster home thinks would best fit their situation. We don’t overload a foster home with too many foster dogs since fostering and training takes time; we want it to be a good experience for both the foster dog and the foster home. Our rescue covers all vet and medical needs of the dog as well as providing monthly flea and heartworm preventa-tives as long as the dog is in the foster home.

How to Teach a No Fail RecallBy Kristie Allen, CPDT , The Learning Canine

The Learning CanineKristie Riche Allen – CPDT • Summerville, SC

thelearningcanine@gmail.com • 843-607-1227www.thelearningcanine.com

Kristie Allen with The Learning Canine is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer based out of a Summerville, SC, certified in Animal Behavior, Learning Theory, Behavior Modification, Obedience, and The Power of Positive Reinforcement, among other things. In addition to being very knowledge-able and successful at what she does, Kristie is also a true friend of rescues and rescue dogs. Over the years, she has graciously allowed several R&R foster dogs to attend her Lucky Dog U classes in an effort to help them become stel-lar canine citizens! If you live in the Tri-County area, please look her up!

Rescue Reader 1st Quarter 2014 Page 2

� Welcome�

to�TLC!

“I have been working with dogs and their owners for many years and there is nothing which satisfies me more than to see a happy dog and a happy owner! My mission is to help you and your dog enjoy many happy years together.” - Kristie Riche Allen, Certified Pet Dog Trainer

several weeks, and you cannot take any shortcuts, or stray away from the program.

You will need a long leash (30-foot tracking leashes are available at pet stores) or clothesline for weeks 3-6. Measure and mark off each foot with a magic marker on the leash or line. If your dog is over 1 year of age use “Here Now” instead of “Come” in the following instructions.

Weeks 1 & 2: The Learning PeriodSay “(Your dog’s name), COME” to your dog no more and no less than 3 times per day each day and only when all of the following applies:

1. You are 100% certain your dog will come to you:

• You are inside your house and the dog is no more than 3-6 feet away, or

• You are inside your house and the dog is on leash for you to reel him in if necessary, no more than 5-10 feet away from you, or

• You are inside your house and your dog happens to already be heading toward you.

2. You are prepared to IMMEDIATELY reward him with 3 huge rewards EACH TIME when he gets to you.

Example 1: A small bowl of macaroni & cheese + then a 5 minute game of fetch + then a new peanut butter stuffed Kong toy

Example 2: 10 dime-sized pieces of hot dog given one right after the other + then a 3 minute tug-o-war game + then an immediate walk around the block

Example 3: A small pop-top can of cat food + then a dog biscuit in small pieces given one at a time in quick succession + then a new smoked bone or bully stick

Having a reliable recall on your dog is arguably the most important command you can teach him or her. It could literally be a lifesaver. But it can also be one of the most difficult things to teach. It takes a lot of patience, con-sistency, determination...and patience! This article is for those of you with the patience and the determination to work on your dog’s recall. It’s a program that takes

Continued on page 8

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Welcome the Newest Members of the R&R Board of Directors!Please welcome the newest mem-bers of the Carolina ACD R&R Board of Directors. Scott Campbell and Bar-bara Pierce both joined us in Octo-ber 2013 and we are so grateful to have them “on Board!” Scott and Bar-bara have been long-time support-ers of R&R, fostering, transporting, and helping in other ways as well.

Our 2013 – 2014 Board of Directors: Ellen Beasley, PresidentAdoption Coordinator Janet Broome, Vice PresidentFoster Coordinator, IntakeLaurey McElroy, TreasurerDogs in Need, Intake, TransportLeah Scarborogh, SecretaryFundraising CoordinatorScott Campbell, DirectorFoster Home CoordinatorBarbara Pierce, DirectorAdoption Follow-up Coordinator

Join the R&R Team!If you know us, you know we’re always on the hunt for volunteers to help us in our efforts to rescue and place our

ACDs, most often with things like call-ing references, doing home visits,

transporting, and of course fostering! But there are many other jobs going on behind the scenes that most people don’t realize. And

we could sure use your help! If you’ve always wanted to put your special tal-ents to good use, and have some time to spare for a good cause, let us know!FundraisingOur standard adoption fee is $175, but the average cost to R&R for each foster dog is much higher than that. In addi-tion, we have operating expenses like insurance, website hosting, and office supplies. How do we make up the dif-ference? Fundraising, of course! Here are just a few ways you can help:Craft and jewelry making, writing grant requests, soliciting corporate donations, online store assistance, help manning our booth at events.Creative/Graphic DesignWebsite maintenance, graphic design (quarterly newsletter, merchandise design), copywriting (quarterly news-letter, Petfinder write-ups)

If you’re interested in helping us out with any of these tasks, email us at info@carolinasrescue.com.

Raleigh Pet and Horse ExpoCarolina ACD R&R participated in Raleigh’s second Pet and Horse Expo at the NC State Fairgrounds in March. Our booth was filled with our usual fundraising wares such as Lupine col-lars and leashes, crate blankets, party

collars, treats and chews, as well as an information board about Australian Cattle Dogs and our rescue. Our weekend was successful, raising $398 which will help cover veterinary costs and supplies for our current fos-ters. In addition to fundraising we were able to network with local dog trainers and other vendors who offered their services to our rescue.We met many new friends and visited

with many old friends including a for-mer foster mom, several gracious and longtime donors and even an adopter who adopted from us in 2008. It was a great weekend and we look forward to participating next year!

Join us on Facebook!If you’re on Facebook, come on over and Like our page! We post regular up-dates on our new and adopted fosters, alumni updates, as well as posts when we are in need of assistance with home visits, transporting and such. And if you ever have anything you’d like us

to share on our page (like photos and updates on your R&R furkids!), just In Box us!

EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!News, Updates, and Announcements

About Emmett Looking for a Disc Dog? Then Emmett might be your boy!

My name is Emmett and I am looking for my very own throwing partner! I am one very happy boy when I am catching a disc! And I am very good at it too! That’s because I LOVE it! I can run very fast and I will jump 8 feet in the air to

catch one! I’ve even gone to some competitions and shown off my skills and I did pretty good!

I have a lot of other great things going for me too. First of all, I am adorable! I am also very sweet and am very attached to my person. I try very hard to do what is asked of me and I am a fast learner.

When I meet new people, I can be shy but once I get to know you I am ok. I do know that the people at places like Petsmart are very nice, they give me treats!

One thing you should know about me is that I am very protective of my things and do not share very well with other dogs. And sometimes other dogs make me nervous and upset, es-pecially when they get in my face.

I am hoping to be adopted by someone who is very experienced with Australian Cattle Dogs, has no children or other dogs and is big on obedience. I need lots of structure and consistency, and someone to always make sure I know what the rules are.

Emmett turned two years old in December 2013. He is being fostered in Anderson, SC.

See Emmett’s latest disc comp on YouTube!

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Featured Fosters!Our Miss Maggie is a soft and fluffy girl with beautiful markings, a gentle disposition, and very unique eyes. Not much is known of her life before she was dropped in the overnight box at the county shelter in Johnson City, TN

in November 2013. But her sweet face and loving eyes captured our hearts!

Maggie is an easy-going girl, very intelligent, and has a fun amount of spunk and indepen-dence! She is very alert and we are pretty certain that it would be easy (and fun!) to teach her new things.

When it comes to playtime, Maggie has spunky bursts of energy and will run and play with her foster mom and the other dogs in her foster home out in the yard. At the same time, she is not opposed to a soft bed or snuggling up on the couch. She enjoys taking leisurely strolls, having her back rubbed, and she really loves her treats! She is also known to get down on the floor with you and do some yoga!

Maggie gets along well with other dogs and cats, and is house trained. She travels well in the car, is good in new environments and with new people. Maggie would be a great dog for just about anyone and any family. If you are looking for a sweet companion, one who will be by your side for the rest of her years, Maggie is your girl!

We think Maggie is around 8 years old. She is being fostered in Charleston, SC.

About Maggie Looking for an easy-going companion? Meet Maggie!

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Welcome to R&R! Meet our Current Foster Kids!Visit our Petfinder page for information!

Anna Bailey Charlie Daisy Emmett

Count Skip TugMaggie Mick

Forever Home!Rescue Reader 1st Quarter 2014 Page 6

Our Recent Adoptions!

Bandit Beamer Chelsea Drover Dundee

Langley Outback TagEgan Foxy

Upcoming EventsRescue Reader 1st Quarter 2014 Page 7

October 6th - 11th

2014 ACDCA National SpecialtyMurfreesboro, TN

Carolina ACD R&R will be attending the 2014 Australian Cattle Dog Club of America’s National Specialty! And we will have our fundraising booth up and running during the festivities!

This is the biggest ACD event of the year, so if you are planning on attending, stop by and see us! For more info and to keep up with details, visit

http://acdcanationalspecialty.org/

November 13th - 16th

Greater Monroe Kennel Club - Speedway Classic of the Carolinas

Cabarrus Arena and Event Center Concord, NC

The Speedway Classic is when we have our famous annual raffle! We are accepting raffle item donations. Please contact us if you have an item to donate. And keep an eye out for ticket sales in early Fall!

Rescue Reader June 2011 Page 3Rescue Reader 1st Quarter 2014 Page 8

Example 4: Dinner + then a new toy + then an immediate romp at the park

Use your imagination. Use anything he really loves including his regular meals, walks, games or any treats you normally give him “for free.” Re-wards must be given IMMEDIATELY, quickly, and in quick succession with lots of verbal praise so that he knows he is getting these rewards just for coming to you from 3-5 feet away. Your dog’s response time is directly af-fected by the quantity & quality of the rewards, so don’t be stingy! You say “come” 3x per day x 3 rewards each time = 9 total rewards per day. Some of these 9 can be the same reward but they must all be highly prized by your dog.

3. You will praise the dog continually “atta boy atta boy!” the entire time he is heading toward you. Your enthusiasm level will be the same for these short distances as it would be if your dog had run out onto the road, chas-ing a squirrel, and when you called him he immediately screeched to a halt, turned on a dime and raced back to you.

4. You NEVER put your dog into a sit, a down, or a stay before calling him. Rather, you try to call him when he’s not looking at you.

5. Your dog does NOT know that you have treats, food, games, a walk, or anything special planned.

6. You NEVER say “come” to your dog any other time than during these 3x/day. You NEVER command “come” more than once per trial (however while he is actually coming you do praise him with “atta boy atta boy”).

7. You NEVER “cheat” by moving to higher levels of difficulty during these first 2 weeks.

8. If your dog EVER does not come IMMEDIATELY during these weeks, de-crease the distance to the level he will come for another day or two, then try to add another foot again.

Weeks 3 & 4: More Learning

• Each day, pick 3 of the following exercises, making sure to do each one sev-eral times during this 2 week period (Remember, points 2-7 above still ap-ply):

• Inside your house, off leash, you call him from 7 feet away. Reward as in weeks 1 & 2. Add 1 foot per trial as long as he keeps coming each time.

• Inside your house, off leash, your dog is 5 feet away and someone stands next to your dog and calmly talks to him. Call him and reward as in weeks 1 & 2. Add 1 foot per trial as long as he keeps coming each time.

• Inside your house, on leash, you call him from 12 feet away. Reward as usual. Add 1 foot per trial as long as he keeps coming each time.

• Outside your house, on leash, with no distractions (in your yard or right in front of your house, after a walk), you call him from 3 feet away. Reward as usual. Add 1 foot per trial as long as he keeps coming each time.

• If your dog EVER does not come IMMEDIATELY during these weeks, de-crease the distance to the level he will come for another day or two, then try to add another foot again.

Week 5: More Learning!

• Each day, pick 3 of the following exercises, making sure to do each one several times during this 2 week period (Remember, points 2-7 above still apply):

• Inside your house, someone holds a biscuit or toy in front of your dog and you call him from 5 feet away. Reward him with 3 really great things as in the past weeks. Add 1 foot per trial as long as he keeps coming each time.

• Inside your house, someone stands with your dog, praises your dog very enthusiastically and you call him from 5 feet away. Reward as usual. Add 1 foot per trial as long as he keeps coming each time.

• Inside your house, you call him from 15-20 feet away. Reward as usual. Add 1 foot per trial as long as he keeps coming each time.

• Inside your house, you call him from a place that he cannot see you but less than 10 feet away. Reward as usual. Add 1 foot per trial as long as he keeps coming each time.

• Outside your house on leash, no distractions, you call him from 15 feet away. Reward as usual. Add 1 foot per trial as long as he keeps coming each time.

• Outside your house on leash you call him from 5 feet away while someone else is standing with him praising him (no sit, stay, down required for this praise please). Add 1 foot per trial as long as he keeps coming each time.

• Outside your house on leash you call him from 5 feet away while other peo-ple and dogs are a minimum of 30 feet away. Reward as usual. Add 1 foot per trial as long as he keeps coming each time.

• Outside your house off leash (in fenced area) you call him from 5 feet away AFTER he is done sniffing, peeing, playing, barking at the dog next door, etc. Add 1 foot per trial as long as he keeps coming each time.

Week 6: Still More Learning!

• Each day, pick 3 of the following exercises, making sure to do each one several times during this 2 week period (Remember, points 2-7 above still apply):

• Inside your house, someone holds a biscuit or toy in front of your dog and you call him from 10-15 feet away. Reward him with 3 really great things as in the past weeks. Add 1 foot per trial as long as he keeps coming each time.

• Inside your house, someone stands with your dog, praises your dog very en-thusiastically and you call him from 10-15 feet away. Reward as usual. Add 1 foot per trial as long as he keeps coming each time.

• Inside your house, someone stands with your dog, holds very good treats in front of your dog and plays and praises your dog very enthusiastically. You call him from 10-15 feet away. Reward as usual. Add 1 foot per trial as long as he keeps coming each time.

• Inside your house, you call him from 25 feet away. Reward as usual. Add 1 foot per trial as long as he keeps coming each time.

• Inside your house, you call him from a place that he cannot see you from 15-20 feet away. Reward as usual. Add 1 foot per trial as long as he keeps coming each time.

• Outside your house on leash, no distractions, you call him from 20-25 feet away. Reward as usual. Add 1 foot per trial as long as he keeps coming each time.

• Outside your house on leash you call him from 10-15 feet away while some-one else is standing with him praising him (no sit, stay, down required for this praise please). Reward as usual. Add 1 foot per trial as long as he keeps coming each time.

• Outside your house on leash you call him from 10 feet away while other people and dogs are a minimum of 20 feet away. Reward as usual. Add 1 foot per trial as long as he keeps coming each time.

• Outside your house on leash you call him from 15 feet away while someone else holds a biscuit in front of him. Add 1 foot per trial as long as he keeps coming each time.

• Outside your house off leash (in fenced area) you call him from 8-10 feet away BEFORE he is done sniffing, peeing, playing, barking at the dog next door, etc. Add 1 foot per trial as long as he keeps coming each time.

• Outside your house off leash (in fenced area) you call him from 15 feet away AFTER he is done sniffing, peeing, playing, barking at the dog next door, etc. Add 1 foot per trial as long as he keeps coming each time.

• Outside your house off leash (in fenced area) you call him from 8-10 feet away BEFORE he is done sniffing, peeing, playing, barking at the dog next door, etc. Add 1 foot per trial as long as he keeps coming each time.

Post 6-weeks of Training

• Try to use your recall command only when you really need it - Shouting “Come! Come!” over and over to your dog simply dilutes the power of the command.

• If you continue to reinforce with great praise and rewards, your dog’s recall will continue to be reliable.

• If you reinforce a little or just sometimes, his recall may deteriorate over time.

• If you do not reinforce at all, his recall will deteriorate.

• Why not reinforce for each recall? It could, after all, save his life, and it gives you a great way to reward your dog while keeping him in “continuing educa-tion”.

• On the day that your dog heads into the street after a squirrel and you don’t have any rewards on you, it’ll work as if you did.