Team Dog! St. Louis

Do you tweet? Follow us on Twitter for constant updates!

2009-12-03T08:28:00.000-08:00

Be sure to follow us on Twitter for constant updates, news flashes & training tips. www.twitter.com/teamdogstl

2009 Christmas Special

2009-12-03T07:52:00.000-08:00

75% off gift certificates for the first 2o new clients in December! Email casey@teamdog.com for our Christmas flyer.

1-888-STL-DOGS

http://www.stldogservices.com/

Team Dog! STL moves into Illinois...

2009-10-13T17:28:00.000-07:00

We are happy to announce that while still serving the greater St. Louis area, we now are also able to offer our training services to the Metro East. Collinsville, Fairview Heights, O'Fallon, Shiloh, Belleville, Mascoutah, Freeburg, Millstadt, Maryville, Glen Carbon & Scott AFB are just a few that are in our featured area. Please call us at 1-888-STL-DOGS with any questions or for further information. We look forwad to hearing from you Illinois!!

Team Dog! STL participates in the Mascoutah, IL. Homecoming Parades- 2009

2009-08-06T09:24:00.000-07:00

On August 1st and 2nd, the Team Dog! gang participated in the annual Mascoutah Homecoming parades that seem to get larger every year. All clients who joined us along with their dogs did a fantastic job! The weekend was a complete success as Team Dog! STL showed off their stuff while passing out over 1500 flyers to onlookers impressed with how the dogs executed during the craziest of distractions! The overall feedback from the thousands of people was simply amazing!

Watch for Team Dog! STL in a parade near you! Video footage of the past parade can be seen at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaCoR2anpOE

Team Dog! STL adds two new members to the team!

2009-07-08T12:59:00.000-07:00

Hillary Wolfe, of Creve Couer, MO. and Bo Harrison, of Belleville, IL. have joined the Team Dog! STL team to assist in offering great training services to a broader region.

Both Hillary and Bo come from different backgrounds and are certified through different schools, but have the love of dogs and satisfaction of the owners atop their lists. Both individuals have completed studies in "Intro to Team Dog! STL- Training Approaches & Theories," a 6 week hands on course necessary to come aboard and offer the same level of training at the same level of client satisfaction.

Hillary, provides private lessons to the West County area while Bo covers the Southwestern Illinois region. For further info. on either new trainer, call us toll free at 888-STL-DOGS or contact them directly at:

Hillary- 314-619-3106

Bo- 618-322-7899

Investigation still underway in death of 7 show dogs

2009-07-08T12:58:00.000-07:00

Surviving dog returns home, investigation still underway
By Kim Bell
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
07/03/2009
ARNOLD, Mo. -- Of the eight show dogs left overnight in a hot van in Jefferson County, the only one to survive is now back home with her owners.That dog, a Siberian Husky named Cinder, miraculously survived being left in a van June 22 where authorities fear temperatures could have reached 120 degrees.
OUR EARLIER STORY
Seven show dogs die after handler leaves them in van in Jefferson CountySeven of the show dogs -- many big breeds with thick coats -- perished from heat stroke. They had been left in the van, parked next to a driveway, at about 1 a.m. June 22 after returning from a dog show in Iowa. Their handler, Mary Wild of Arnold, was asleep in her mother's home on Kroeck Lane. The dogs weren't discovered until hours later -- although the exact timeline is in dispute.All of the details of the investigation aren't yet known, including how many hours elapsed before the dogs were found. Capt. Ralph Brown of the Jefferson County sheriff's office said Wednesday that detectives were wrapping up their investigation and would "be generating a very descriptive report" to be forwarded to County Prosecutor Forrest Wegge.As for the survivor, Cinder, she had bounced back from a critical stage in the early days. Early on, Dr. Laura Ivan, the House Springs veterinarian whom Wild brought the dead and dying dogs to, had worried Cinder might need to be euthanized. Cinder was vomiting blood and in kidney failure. But the Husky was put on intensive IV fluids and antibiotics, and within four days, those kidney values had turned around. She finally went home early this week, on Monday, a full week after the incident."Her kidney values returned to normal, and she should have, overall, a pretty great prognosis," Ivan said.Ivan thinks Cinder, the smallest dog in the van, may have survived because of the placement of her portable kennel in the van. "She was near where they had a door open," Ivan said.No autopsies were ever performed on the dogs, fearing that the body decomposition would have altered accurate results, Ivan said.Ivan's office still has the bodies of two goldens. The other dogs have been cremated and those ashes returned to their owners.Meanwhile, breeders and dog owners active in the show circuit have talked about this case nearly nonstop on their Internet bulletin boards, some lambasting Wild, the handler, for a careless, deadly action and others defending her as someone who has devoted her life to caring for dogs and that this "one bad decision has likely cost her everything she loves."Wegge, the prosecutor, would consider two possible charges in the case. Animal neglect is defined by Missouri law as the failure to provide adequate care. Animal abuse is "purposely, intentionally or recklessly causing injury or suffering to an animal." A first offense is a misdemanor. If Wild were convicted of either crime, she would lose privileges with the American Kennel Club.Wild was paid to care for the dogs, board them and present them at dog shows. They spent the weekend at a dog show in Iowa, then returned to Wild's home near Arnold early on the morning of June 22, about 1 a.m. Wild was accompanied on the weekend dog show in Iowa by a junior handler, a 16-year-old girl who lives with her parents in Leavenworth, Kan.That teen-age junior handler is the one who told police about the dogs' deaths. She contacted the sheriff's department the next day.The junior handler's mother said Friday that her daughter is devastated by what happened. "She has been through a horrifically tragic event," the mother said.The junior handler, who had been participating in dog shows since the age of 13, had only been with Wild for a month and was traveling with her for experience, not being paid.Wild's attorney, Bradley Dede of St. Louis, declined comment on the case because it was an ongoing investigation.According to one account of the incident, Wild decided not to unload the dogs because the garage was too hot, she told police. She instead kept the dogs in their kennels in the van, parked it near the driveway underneath a tree, left a door open and set up fans. Wild told police she checked on them at 4 a.m., and they were fine, then again at 6:30 a.m. to find five unresponsive but breathing. The vet, who disagrees with that timeline, thinks the dogs couldn't have been found until closer to 8:30 a.m. because they first contacted her for help at 9:08 a.m.Ivan has since talked with Wild's mother, who has been a long time client of Ivan, and learned that there was a frantic attempt to revive the dogs. The mother claims they yelled at the junior handler to wake up, and she was rushing to get her shoes on. "Open the damn doors, there's no ventilation," they yelled.Several of the dogs were winners with bright future in the show ring. One of them, an Akita named Jersey, was the top female Akita in the country. Another dog that died, a male golden retriever named Ringo, had done very well at the weekend show. He won best in breed and best in group. It was his first time shown as a champion, said his owner and breeder, Nancy Gratiot of Stoughton, Wis.kbell@post-dispatch.com 314-340-8115Ringo, a golden retriever bred and owned by Marc and Nancy Gratiot of Stoughton, Wisc., is shown here in his final photograph from June 21, 2009. The champion dog had just won group and best of breed at a show in Ohio. The next day, he died after being left in a hot van by his handler, Mary Wild (wearing pink shirt). Ringo is also known as "Ch. Nalyn's Private Stash."

Team Dog! STL discusses fireworks and their effects on dogs with Fox 2's John Pertzborn

2009-07-08T12:47:00.000-07:00

On July 3rd, 2009, Casey Ray & Bo Harrison of Team Dog! STL visited the Fox 2 studios to discuss fireworks and their effects on your dog. To inquire more about this interview or to receive tips on what to work on to prepare for next year, call 1-888-STL-DOGS or 618-322-7899. As always, get full information on the Team Dog! website at http://www.teamdog.com/

New School For Dog Trainers Coming To St. Louis

2009-06-04T12:07:00.000-07:00

If all goes as planned and the proper paperwork is in place, in January of 2010, we will be opening up the "Institute for Canine Knowledge,"- Ray's School of Dog Training. The location of the school will be at 7550 Old Lemay Ferry Road, Barnhart, MO. 63012.

The 10 week curriculum will be well rounded with the ultimate goal having graduates ready to either join a team or go to work for themselves in this multi-billion dollar industry.

Please call 1-888-STl-DOGs for further information.

Team Dog! STL visits Fox 2 Studios

2009-06-04T11:45:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, May 28th, Team Dog! STL again visited the Fox 2 studios and was interviewed by the morning show's Kevin Steincross. Susan Solovic, CEO of SBTV.com also joined the interview on surviving the economic recession.

To see the full interview along with Team Dog's Ezra doing a trick or two, visit http://www.fox2now.com/news/morningshow/

Team Dog! STL goes mobile!

2009-03-17T13:11:00.000-07:00

For instant information on all services that Team Dog! STL has to offer, simply text the word 'K9' to 68247.

Team Dog! STL puts on remote collar seminars

2009-02-10T08:43:00.000-08:00

TEAM DOG! Seminar
“St. Louis’ Premier Dog Training Service”

Have you ever wondered how to properly use a remote training collar? Do you have a dog that shows you no respect and does what he wants at will?
When used properly by an educated owner, the results are second to none and you can get to your goal in ¼ of the time. Some participants find they can “heel” their dog off leash after just one seminar! Yes, in a matter of six hours!
Remote collar training is vastly becoming the training tool of choice among leading professionals within the field.

A Team Dog! remote collar seminar provides six full hours of hands on learning in a reality based scenario, question & answer segments to address the tasks at hand, a catered lunch and informative handouts to bring the highest quality of education to those in attendance. Participants will learn a basic skill set of obedience exercises, as well as problem solving and an increased understanding of canine learning.
If you are interested in either hosting a workshop seminar or attending one, pleas please call us toll free at 1-888-STL-DOGS or email Casey@TeamDog.com for more more information.

Team Dog! STL Moves Locations

2009-02-10T08:23:00.000-08:00

In an effort to better accomodate the dogs and offer more services to our clients, Team Dog! has moved to the beautiful country in Barnhart, MO. Located at 7550 Old Lemay Ferry Road, our property sits on 3 acres that is set up with the canines in mind. From treadmills, to a swimming pool, to a large fenced pasture, exercise for the dogs is never an issue.

We also now offer 4 play yards for our boarding and daycare clients. For information on any new happenings with Team Dog! or to reserve a weekend getaway for your dog, please call us at 1-888-STl-DOGS.

St. Louis Dog Training-www.TeamDog.com

2008-07-24T19:52:00.000-07:00

Team Dog! STL is St. Louis’ premier dog training service, achieving training goals with greater clarity and higher levels of finesse than ever before. Our instruction on how to incorporate dog psychology, natural pack instincts and our obedience methods, has created our training philosophy that can meet the needs of the everyday dog owner.
Technology has advanced to give us options and the ability to fine tune the equipment in real time. With our techniques, dogs are able to have freedom much faster than with traditional training, and are therefore spending less time in the gray area of confusion, increasing the time to go out and just have fun! While the principles of conditioning behavior are the same as with traditional methods, the tools are evolving, and therefore, so are our methods.
Team Dog! STL serves the entire greater metro St. Louis area. Our results are second to none and have drawn the attention of the local media. We’ve had the opportunity to discuss Team Dog’s training philosophy on Fox 2’s Morning Show, The Monica Adam’s Health & Fitness Show on KMOX, The Craig Cornett Morning Show on 93.7 The BULL, and with Bo Matthews, DJ for WIL 92.3 FM. Katy Kruse from KSHE 95 has even been known to throw out the occasional comment about Team Dog!
Teaching proper obedience opens up the lines of communication between you and your dog creating endless possibilities. Why not teach your dog how to learn? A trained dog is a happy dog! Call 888-STL-DOGS or email Casey@TeamDog.com for a free demo & evaluation today. We look forward to being of service to you and helping you unleash your dog’s full potential!

St. Charles Dog Training-www.TeamDog.com

2008-07-23T16:24:00.000-07:00

Pit Bulls in need of Rehab and good homes.

2008-06-19T07:03:00.000-07:00

Fight dogs hope for new home here
By Tim Townsend
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
06/19/2008
Eight pit bulls seized in a 2007 raid on a Spokane, Wash., dog-fighting operation are on their way to St. Louis to be rehabilitated and, if all goes well, find new homes.Nancy Hill, director of the Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service, or SCRAPS, said her organization put the dogs — seven females and one male — on a climate-controlled van called the Best Friends Freedom Train about 10:30 St. Louis time Wednesday morning.She estimated that the Great Eight, as they were dubbed in Spokane — Hope, Justice, Rita, Callie, Fatty, Zita, Gorda and Chewie (the male) — would arrive at Stray Rescue of St. Louis about 4:30 p.m. today. Hill said her organization settled on Stray Rescue after a long, nationwide search "because they have a great reputation for working with these kinds of animals."Hill said two men were arrested in April 2007 after Spokane County officials found the dogs with battle scars, and in February, both men were convicted of animal fighting and keeping an illegal kennel.

The Spokane case was tried in the shadow of the national uproar resulting from former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick's participation in a dogfighting operation. Vick was sentenced last year to 23 months in federal prison. Utah-based Best Friends Animal Society — which is transporting the Great Eight from Washington to St. Louis — took in 22 of Vick's pit bulls. Randy Grim, founder of Stray Rescue on 18th Street in St. Louis, said he would evaluate the animals, and based on what he found, begin looking for homes for them. Grim said Stray Rescue had taken in 50 to 100 dogs that had been used for fighting.Both Hill and Grim said rescued fighting dogs were often good with people because the dogs were used to being handled. It's other animals — especially other dogs — they typically have problems with. Grim said he would work with an animal behaviorist and a veterinarian to determine the care each dog would need.He said he hoped the most well-adjusted dogs could be adopted within the next two weeks. Those with more significant behavioral problems will have to be rehabilitated before being placed in a home. "These dogs are not the monsters people think they are," said Grim. "Maybe the Great Eight will be an opportunity to show people that these dogs shouldn't be feared, but pitied since they're the ones that are victims of a crime."ttownsend@post-dispatch.com 314-340-8221

Team Dog! STL on FOX 2

2008-06-10T08:23:00.000-07:00

Ezra and I had a short interview on Fox 2's morning show on Monday, June 9th. For all interested in seeing it, click on the link below:

http://www.myfoxstl.com/myfox/pages/InsideFox/Detail?contentId=6726415&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=5.2.1

Team Dog! STL Group Class

2008-06-03T11:18:00.000-07:00

Team Dog! STL is now offering a group class on Wednesdy evenings. The location is at the Schnucks on Jungermann Road at Hwy 94. Classes will be from 6:30-8:00 for a duration of five weeks. Leash and collar instruction will be taught as well as remote collar instruction. Fees for the class are $350 with a remote collar included or $150 w/o a remote collar.

Come join the fun and learn in a group environment. Please contact me at casey@teamdog.com or call directly to 636-234-5357 for more info.

Look forward to seeing you out there~

New Forum For St. Louis Dog Enthusiasts

2008-04-03T15:37:00.001-07:00

We've taken our info. to a new spot. If you'd like to join the network, come visit us at http://www.caseyray.iforums.us/ Be sure to get registered and tell the group a little about yourself. Feel free to share your questions and experiences. Our goal is to build this forum and have it become a major resource for anything and everything dog related!

Stop by and say "Hi!"

1-888-STL-DOGS - Team Dog! St. Louis

2008-02-20T15:30:00.000-08:00

Team Dog! "Out & About" -Dog Training Around the St. Louis Area.

2008-02-17T10:23:00.000-08:00

With Spring around the corner, it's time to start getting our Saturday "Out & About" group class together. This is an advanced off leash class that meets at different locations around the St. louis metro area(local malls, dog friendly coffee shops, Busch stadium, dog parks, etc.) Meeting twice a month,our main focus will be getting together and having fun with our dogs. While that is the main goal, plenty of emphasis will be put on taking our dogs to yet another level. The tentative date to start is May 3rd from 10:00 am to 11:30-12:00 pm, meeting at the Chesterfield Mall.

There is no charge for this group class and participants will receive a Team Dog! t-shirt to wear on class days. This class is only open to previous and current clients, so those of you just starting out, why not make this your goal? To have your dog(s) trained with off leash reliability by May 1st. Those of you that have been through training with us already know actually how easily that can be achieved!

As of now, we have approximately a dozen dogs and owners who want to participate so it should end up being a great time for all invloved. I look forward to building on that dozen from now until the beginning of May.

Any previous or current clients who are interested, please email me at casey@teamdog.com for any further information or visit www.caseyray.iforums .us for a current schedule.

Dog Training Questions and/or Advice

2008-01-21T12:25:00.000-08:00

I've been getting calls and emails asking for training advice and tips for common behaviors seen in our dogs. While I encourage everyone to implement a training program into their everyday lives so you can bring forth your dog's full potential, I understand that not everyone has the means of doing so. Even though every dog is different in personality and energy level, and the training approach varies depending on the dog, I'm going to open this blog to anyone who would like to post their training concerns. With the information being put out here, I can send people this direction to read about a question that has already been targeted. So, on that note, feel free to post any training or behavior modification questions to this blog and I'll be checking in periodically to give appropriate feedback.

Leadership Skills-How to Promote Yourself to Pack Leader Status

2008-01-19T11:02:00.000-08:00

Team Dog! St. Louis is now offering a 2 hour consultation that is targeted at teaching dog owners how to master their pack leader skills. In your home, we'll show you how to set the proper rules, boundaries and limitations enabling you and your dog to coincide in the same household. We'll cover dog psychology, what leadership means to a dog, how to achieve leadership through controlling a dogs resources and what state of minds to nurture, and NOT nurture, in our pets. Contact us at 888-STL-DOGS or visit www.TeamDog.com for more information on this new and successful in home consultation.

Housebreaking Issues-Getting Your Puppy Off On The Right Paw!

2008-01-19T10:46:00.000-08:00

With Christmas behind us, I'm getting a lot of calls and emails from dog owners who are experiencing difficulties with getting their new puppy housebroken. Unfortunately, every time your puppy is succesful in relieving themselves indoors, it makes it that much harder to reach your goal of having a puppy that consistently goes to the bathroon outdoors.
Some time ago, I had created a housebreaking tip sheet and a mock potty schedule for clients who weren't having the best of luck in getting the results they thought they would. As I have access to these documents, I'm willing to send them to anyone who may be in need of assistance. Simply email me at Casey@TeamDog.com and I'll get them right out.

Until next time...

"Dog Training Tip of the Week"

2007-11-10T06:04:00.000-08:00

New in 2008, I will be periodally posting the "Dog Training Tip of the week." Check back weekly to read the new blogs.

Team Dog's Board & Train Lifetime Guarantee

2007-11-10T05:47:00.000-08:00

Not only does the training work, it lasts! We’re so confident in our training, that we guarantee free follow-up for the life of your dog! Today, not much comes with a lifetime follow-up guarantee, but that is exactly what we are offering on our training of your dog!
How can we do it? Simple. Not many clients ever need to employ our guarantee, because our training is unusually effective, and it lasts! When we return your happy dog to you, he/she will be well behaved. In a 90-minute orientation, we will show you how to maintain your dog’s excellent behavior. Follow our instructions, and it is highly unlikely that you will experience a loss of training!
What if I do experience a loss of training? Just call us at no charge. Telephone behavior consultations are free for the life of your dog. It is rare for us to receive such a call because our training and orientation are so effective, but most issues can be resolved easily over the phone!
What if a phone call does not solve my problem? In the rare event that you are not satisfied with your dog’s behavior after a telephone consultation, we will simply book a no-charge appointment with you to bring your dog to our home. If you need us to come to you, a nominal mileage charge may apply.
What if my dog really needs further training after that? If an in-person appointment does not resolve the issue, simply bring your dog back to our home and we will work with your dog until we have fixed the problem. No training charges will apply, but if your dog overnights with us, a nominal boarding fee will apply on a per night basis. If you don’t have time to come and drop off your dog, we will pick him/her up and deliver him/her back to your home, although a mileage charge may apply.
Will my dog ever misbehave again? Dogs will be dogs. Remember, they have free will. No form of dog training can guarantee that your dog will never, ever do a naughty behavior again. However, our approach is effective and long lasting! We are able to guarantee follow up assistance for your dog’s lifetime…if you ever need it. Most clients do not!
What exactly does the guarantee cover? The guarantee covers all of the training issues that we originally established together and put in writing with our Training Agreement when we signed your dog up!