Pet parents should get ready to sharpen their pencils Americas best-loved pet insurance provider, Petplan, is dishing a textbooks worth of training tips in a new YouTube series premiering September 2. Whether a dog (and trainer!) is just getting started or is ready to learn some new tricks, these school-themed videos offer instruction on mastering good behavior while safeguarding the pets health and safety.

Each video in the series centers on a different scholastic subject everything from Learning the ABCs to Gym Class and features both a veterinarian and a certified professional dog trainer. Petplan Chief Veterinary Medical Officer Dr. Jules Benson introduces each piece with helpful health information, and CPDT Nicole Larocco-Skeehan, founder of Philly Unleashed, demonstrates each tip with a helping paw from her wonderdog, Uluru. By the end of the series, pups will be ready to graduate with top honors for being a paw-fect pupil!

The Back to School Training Series includes:

Training 101 Training is an essential part of pet parenting but how do pet parents get started? This video paw-fect for aspiring and seasoned trainers alike offers a primer on using positive reinforcement for effective training and advice on what to stock in a training toolkit. (Hint: One of them is totally free, and every pet parent already has it!)

Learning the ABCs Before dogs can read, they have to learn the alphabet! The three core commands introduced in this video Sit, Stay and Come are easy for both trainer and dog to master. And its a good thing, too, since these will form the foundation of good behavior and more advanced training commands down the road. Need another reason to practice them? They can literally be lifesaving.

Gym Class Exercise regimens get boring if theyre not fun, so teaching new tricks can be an exciting way to sneak in a workout. These three commands Sit Up, to build core strength; Spin, to stretch lateral muscles; and Take a Bow, to strengthen the spine also build brain power, and (bonus!) double as fun party tricks!

Recess Good behavior is especially important in social settings, where jumping on visitors, stealing food and begging can land furry friends in hot water or worse, the veterinary hospital. But with practice and patience, teaching a few simple commands can turn the class clown into the pride of the picnic, and save that sandwich from getting gobbled!

Field Trip Training isnt left at the door when its time for a field trip in fact, it can be more important than ever! By learning to teach four commands Sit, Heel, Leave It and Drop It in places with increasing levels of distraction, pet parents can help furry friends focus, and stay healthy and safe no matter where they go. (Which will come in handy when that pesky squirrel streaks by!)

Tune in to Petplans YouTube channel on September 2 to tap into the curriculum and boost the whole familys training IQ just in time to go to the head of the class!

ABOUT PETPLAN Petplan is more than a pet insurance company. We’re dedicated to providing pet parents with the support, resources and tools they need to keep their pets not just survivingand thrivinginto their old age. Simply put, we aim to be the kind of company that will make our pets proud.

Petplan is the only pet insurance company to have been included on Forbes magazines list of 500 fastest-growing, privately held companies in America for two years in a row. Petplans fully customizable dog insurance and cat insurance policies provide comprehensive coverage for all hereditary and chronic conditions for the life of the pet as standard.

Petplan pet insurance policies are underwritten by AGCS Marine Insurance Company in the U.S. and by Allianz Global Risks US Insurance Company in Canada. The Allianz Group was rated A+ by A.M. Best in 2012. For more information about Petplan pet insurance, visit http://www.gopetplan.com, read the Petplan Vets for Pets blog, or call 1-866-467-3875.

Make the pups know who’s in charge

Hunting the right hound

Some of the oldest breeds of domestic dogs are the speedy sight hounds. Today the slow, prodding bloodhound is usually used by law enforcement to track renegades or missing persons.

Made up of guardians of livestock and property, police dogs, sled dogs and rescue dogs, these workers come in all shapes and sizes, from the standard schnauzer to the great dane.

Both routinely in the top five breeds, the labrador retriever and the golden retriever together account for nearly one-quarter of the more than 1 million dogs registered with the akc every year.

Very bright and rather determined breeds such as rottweilers, dobermans and akitas have become extremely popular, even trendy. The instinct to herd in some of them can be strong in these breeds even if most of these are now plain companion dogs that have never even seen a sheep. That’s part of the fun. Their individual skills, original purposes and temperaments are almost as varied as their origins.

The world’s most popular breed of dog is no breed at all. Mixed breeds, random breeds, mongrels, mutts or curs – call them what you will, they make up the majority of the worldwide dog population.

The anatomy of a canine

Like all mammals, the canid family is able to control body temperature through various physical functions. Called thermoregulation, this ability allows canids to thrive in all types of climates, from the subarctic to the sahara. Coat. Even the size of a canid’s ears plays a part in temperature control. You might as well read the information about it. Such hot-weather species as the fennec fox, a tiny african desert dweller, sports oversized ears to maximize heat loss. The arctic fox, on the other hand, has minuscule ears to minimize the effects of the frigid weather in its northern homeland.

The ears of wild canids, like wolves and foxes, come in only one shape: natural. Among the most common varieties are the erect or pricked ears sported by many of the more wolf-like breeds, such as german shepherd and basenjis, and by semi-domestic canids, such as dingoes and new guinea singing dogs. Most hound dogs feature hanging or pendant ears, while many terriers have semi-erect button ears in which the tips fold over and hang in a v-shape, partially covering the opening.

But among domestic dogs, selective breeding has produced a number of different ear types, each with its own names, courtesy of dog breeders, fanciers and kennel clubs.

Why the help?

You will learn the whys and hows of the following situations: barking all the time – halt this annoying habit and preserve silence! Digging in your yard – learn the easiest and most effective way to stop your dog from destroying your yard! Jumping up on people -learn the fastest way to teach your dog to stop jumping on everyone they see!

Escaping – does your dog always seem to find a way to escape or run away from his pen or house? Learn how to stop this frustrating and dangerous habit! Constantly whining – does your dog whine for food or whenever he/she is put up? Finally, be able to stop this! Going to the bathroom inside – finally be able to teach your dog to stop this habit.

It doesn’t matter how old your dog is! Pulling on the leash – do you feel like your dog walked you when you get back from walking your dog? Learn how to teach your dog to stop pulling on the leash! Chewing on everything – finally, be able to stop your dog from chewing on and destroying everything you own!

Biting people – does your dog nip or bite at other people? Learn how to stop this scary habit! Eating feces – does your dog eat feces? Learn how to stop this disgusting habit! Running out the door – does your dog bolt out the door as soon as it is opened? Finally, be able to stop this!

Proper training techniques – learn the proper and correct training techniques so your dog will clearly understand commands and enjoy learning new ones. Over 10 fun tricks for your dog – learn over 10 tricks both you and your dog will love. Including sit, stay, come, fetch, stop, shake, speak, kiss, lie down, and more. Please visit the website listed below for more information.

Colorado State University-Global Campus (CSUGlobal.edu) is proud to announce it has donated $ 10,000 to non-profit organizations in the communities of its dedicated employees as part of its Community Relations Grant program.

In addition to the incredible contributions our staff members make to our university and its students, they are actively involved in a wide variety of activities that make a big difference to their families, neighbors, and communities at large, stated CSU-Global President, Dr. Becky Takeda-Tinker. We created the Community Relations Grant program to give them the opportunity to accomplish even more, and truly recognize their hard work and efforts.

CSU-Global staff memberslocated in Colorado and across the U.S.nominated local charity events and organizations for the grants, and the universitys Community Relations Committee selected 12 deserving non-profits to receive funds in support of their causes. This years recipients were:

The Gathering Place – a daytime drop-in center for women, children, and transgender individuals who are experiencing homelessness and poverty. First Tee of Denver – provides the opportunity to children to have a fun, engaging sport alternative. Sprout City Farms – works with communities to create sustainable farms that meet the food access and educational needs of surrounding residents. Larry Silver Memorial Golf Tournament – raises money to support children and families dealing with cancer. Commanders Youth Sports – provides athletic opportunities to kids that promote sportsmanship, leadership, community, team effort, and life skills. Literacy Coalition of Colorado – promotes and fosters adult literacy in Colorado through professional development, volunteer training and referrals, and other projects. Westernaires – encourages self-respect, responsibility, and leadership in children through horsemanship and family participation. Judis House – helps children and families who are grieving the death of a loved one find hope and healing. Big Brother Big Sister Colorado – provides children facing adversity with strong and enduring one-to-one relationships that will change their lives for the better. Colorado Pug Rescue – works to improve the welfare and quality of life of homeless pug dogs. Elevation Blueprint – provides affordable English, financial education, computer literacy, and technology advancement classes to people in need. Life is Better Rescue – creates a better life for animals facing euthanasia.

As a state university dedicated to making a positive impact, we look forward to continuing to expand our involvement in the communities and lives of our students, faculty, and staff in Colorado and beyond, continued Dr. Takeda-Tinker. Congratulations to all of this years grant recipients.

Email Outreach(at)CSUGlobal(dot)edu for more information about this years Community Relations Grant program or recipient organizations. More information about Colorado State University-Global Campus 100 percent online bachelors degree and masters degree programs is available at CSUGlobal.edu, or by calling 800-920-6723. Class start every four weeks.

About Colorado State University-Global Campus Colorado State University-Global Campus (CSU-Global) was created by the Colorado State University System Board of Governors in 2007 as the first 100 percent online state university in the United States. CSU-Global is focused on facilitating adult success in a global marketplace through career-relevant education including bachelors degree completion and masters degree programs. Embracing the land grant heritage as part of the Colorado State University System, CSU-Global sets the standard for quality and innovation in higher education through its expert faculty trained in working with adults in an online learning environment, and through its dedication to student retention, graduation and workplace success. Visit CSUGlobal.edu or call 1-800-920-6723 for more information.

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Just as every new human member of a household must be trained to behave properly, so must dogs. Everyone in the household is better off if the dog conforms to the behaviour expected of it. That applies to the dog, too. By nature, your dog wants your approval. It wants to please you (most of the time, anyway!). But it cant do that without being taught what you expect of it. During your dogs life you may decide to teach it to perform all manner of impressive tricks and tasks. Those are optional. But the following types of training should be considered as absolutely essential for every dog owner. TOILET TRAINING If your dog spends any time indoors, toilet training is an absolute necessity for very obvious reasons! Toilet training is often a time of trial and stress for everyone involved. But be patient, use the proper training techniques, and theres sure to be a happy outcome. Start when the dog is young about 3 to 4 months of age. Any earlier, and your puppy probably wont yet have sufficient bowel and bladder control. And if you start later, the training period is likely to take much longer. When you begin the training, start by confining the puppy to a fairly restricted area a single room, the length of a tethered lead, or even a crate. As your puppy begins to learn that business is to be conducted outside, you can gradually expand the area that its allowed to roam. Here are a few tips for effective toilet training: Regular mealtimes. Keep your puppy on a regular feeding schedule during toilet training. That means no snacking between meals! If its not mealtime, food shouldnt be available to the dog. Offer frequent potty opportunities. Give your pup plenty of opportunities to take care of business outside. Go outside first thing in the morning, and then every 30 to 60 minutes throughout the day. And also take your puppy outside after it wakes from a nap or finishes a meal. Familiarity breeds comfort. Take your dog to the same spot outside every time. Your dog will recognize its scent and more readily do its business. Stay out with your dog. When you take your dog outside for a potty break, stay with it until it has taken care of business, or until it becomes obvious that it doesnt need to just yet. Dont just turn the dog out in the yard by itself. Praise success! When your doggie does its duty, praise it! Offer a treat, or something the dog really enjoys, like a walk. OBEDIENCE TRAINING Teaching your dog basic obedience is also a necessity. While an obedient dog is a pleasure to be around, the opposite is also true a disobedient dog can be a real pain! You can take your dogs training to a much higher level if you choose to, of course. But at the very minimum, your dog should learn to respond to the following basic commands: Sit. This basic command helps you to keep control of your dog no matter the situation, and is a good command to teach first. Drop. This teaches your dog to instantly drop whatever is in its mouth. (Could save your dog from harm if it ever picks up something dangerous or toxic.) Stay. Teaches your dog to remain still, calm, and in one place. Heel. Teaches your dog to stay close to you as you walk, with or without a lead. Come. Teaches your dog to immediately come to you upon your command. You should begin to teach this command to your puppy as soon as it recognizes its name. This command could potentially help you protect your puppy from harm. There are a number of dog-training methods available for teaching your dog these commands, but the Australian Veterinary Association recommends positive reinforcement as the best method. Positive reinforcement rewards wanted behaviour rather than punishing unwanted behaviour. This method of training makes learning more enjoyable for your dog, and will help to strengthen the bond between you and your pet. START WITH THE BASICS Teaching your dog the basic commands of obedience will make your household a much more pleasant place. Your dog