Dog Talk with Trainer Sue!
*All classes are arranged, managed and conducted by Susan Jordan.

* The Chewed Slipper is not liable for any injury before, during or after any class and is in no way accountable for cancellations or  missed classes.

* All fees are payable directly to Susan Jordan.

Private Sessions With Susan Jordan

Your dog is an individual and as such Susan will develop a fully customized program which will empower you as a pup-parent and give your dog the confidence it needs to be a happy, well adjusted dog! Susan will explore the dietary, behavioral, emotional and physical requirements of your dog and will work on training both ends of the leash. By employing the guaranteed techniques of leading industry experts, you can be assured that you and your dog are in the hands of a compassionate, gentle and effective trainer. 

First Session includes phone consultation and history of dog, evaluation of client, handouts, research-based positive dog-centered training techniques from the best in the Dog Training industry.  Another key benefit to Susan's service is  as-required phone and email follow up and guidance.  Given the schedules of today's busy families, it's great to know that Susan will work within your time limitations and preferences.  

Flexible and incredibly affordable, too!

$40/hour (taxes included)

for appointments within Central Halifax,
Dartmouth, Bedford and Sackville.
(*additional fees for travel outside Metro Halifax)

Get started now, call Susan at 499-7569
email trainersue@thechewedslipper.com













For Susan's Philosophy & History
plus her Recommended Reading List
double click on the white squares
 
Trainer Policy

The trainer will not permit the use of choke or prong collars in any class. Halties/gentle Leaders may be used only after consultation with the Trainer. Regular leash means a flat leash - no "Flexies"/retractable leashes, please. Training treats suggested are small (soft are best) morsels of a valued reward given to build and reinforce a correctly demonstrated behaviours.
Classes are open to all breeds. For Agility, dogs with socialization concerns may participate after private consultation / management considerations with the Trainer.

Contact Details:  902-499-7569 trainersue@thechewedslipper.com
To register or reach Trainer Susan Jordan for questions call or email
   499-7569
TRAINER SUE TESTIMONIALS

Cookie is making great progress.… You do wonderful work.  We all appreciate you. (Patricia, Professor at SFX)

Thelma & I want to thank you for spending the time with us yesterday. You certainly know your dogs and what makes them tick.
(Mike , Account Executive )

By the way, Jerome's confidence with handling Oliver spiked dramatically after the class last weekend! He's gone from not wanting to be the handler to feeling comfortable going to the class with Oliver alone!  He was impressed with the class and you.  Thank you!
(Heather , Marketing Consultant)

Thanks for the information, Susan. You'll be very proud of us - Molly is doing "down" very well now. I can't tell you how much we are enjoying and learning from our sessions with you. It really makes us feel like responsible pet owners. (Alison)

Thank you so for much for your insight and advice today; it is already paying dividends. Deirdre and I just had our first evening meal with no dog under the table or the chairs! In fact, Brigus spent the entire meal "settled" on his mat! Unbelievable!! No repeated commands, no breaks from the stay...this is freakish!!!!! It's quite obvious you know what you're doing! Thank you so much for starting us on the road to becoming the owners we want to be. (Robert, Canadian Armed Forces)

Your knowledge and passion for dog training really came through in the presentation. You have a real talent for engaging your audience. (Katriona, NS Department of Labour)

Susan has helped me become a responsible dog, a dog that understands and obeys commands the first time. It’s so much fun. I can’t wait for our next meeting. I am a satisfied puppy. (Nikki – with help from her human!)

Dog Talk with Trainer Sue!

SPRING is here - time to rise, shine and work on the Basics!!

by Susan M. Jordan on 05/11/11

I'M BACK!! (At least for a while!)

My first hip replacement is completed and I've just been given the official 'go-ahead' to start working, driving and walking - carefully. How I've missed all my dogs, pups and pup-parents!!

Watch for upcoming dates of "Tune-up" classes for Reliable Recall & Walking On A Loose lead, as these are some important skills needed with all our dogs to safely enjoy the approaching outdoor season. I also have several articles and new information to share with everyone regarding nutrition, vaccines and training that I gathered during my first convelescence. I will add them slowly over the next few weeks for everyone to read!

Cool "Hint" for dog owners looking for a quality treat (to use for training, hiding pills or just 'lovings' times.....) that isn't too big or filling - Frozen green beans have the crunch and flavour many dogs enjoy. They are a safe dietary addition for dogs who tend to be a bit "chunky" in the mid-section! On the warmer days (if we ever get them!!), they are also a small cool nibble in a dog's mouth. (The only drawback is that they don't travel well in your pocket - HA!!) 

Got questions - call me at (902) 499-7569.

Yours in dogs, Trainer Sue

Winter Wisdom!

by Susan M. Jordan on 01/19/11

Here it is...the 'Blah' part of winter - most of us either want to go south or just go into hibernation. Thanks to the great staff and boarding facilities at The Chewed Slipper, some of you can go south, but none of us dog owners get to hibernate!! Today's comments are all about dealing with winter and the safety issues we need to remember for our canine friends. (After all, this is Nova Scotia and weather is always a "hot" topic. We get a variety of systems along the coast and it can vary from day to day.)

Cold! Our dogs are at risk in the extreme cold. They can suffer from hypothermia and frostbite. On very cold days (including the windchill factors), keep your walks short and use a jacket for thin coated dogs (DO acclimatize them to wearing this first). The first symptom of hypothermia is shivering - when you see your dog (or yourself) doing this, head for home!! Frostbite usually affects a dog's paws, ears, tail and/or genitals. Signs include being cold to the touch and/or pale or bluish in colour. If you suspect frostbite, gently massage the area and call your vet (but never run it under warm water as this can increase the damage to the affected skin cells).  Toe "snowballs" are a problem that can contribute to walk discomfort. Check the hair between the toes and keep it trimmed (or visit Tanya at Vanity Fur for help). Check the length of their nails, as they can cause the toes to spread and create snow buildup if they are too long. If your dog has a big batch of "toeballs" when you get home from a walk, you can use a hair dryer to help melt the snow....pulling them off is very uncomfortable for your dog! Remember the middle-aged and older dogs may be less thrilled about the cold weather as it can trigger their arthritis and aggrevate the symptoms.

Chemicals: Both home owners and the City use chemicals to aid in keeping the roads and walks free of ice, but there are health risks to our dogs. When a dog walks on or ingests/licks melt chemicals or road salt, they can suffer from skin irritations, stomach upset and nervous symptom disorders. To combat these worries, I suggest you always wipe their paws when you return from a walk. To protect the pads and repel absorbtion/drying from the salt, try applying a thin layer of vasoline or baby oil to the pads before you leave the house. This acts as a barrier to the chemicals and keeps the pads soft and flexible. (For those of you who want to try dog booties, take your time and really acclimatize the dog to wearing them. I am not a big fan, as they are easily lost and quite costly compared to the alternatives!) Two of the most worrisome chemicals this time of year are antifreeze (its sweet taste attracts dogs & cats) and windshield wiper fluid. (Did you know that just one ounce of antifreeze can destroy the kidneys in a labrador retriever?!) Keep your pets away from these toxins with proper storage. Clean up any suspicious puddles from under your cars, especially on a garage floor.

Food: Because we all tend to be less active this time of year, you need to watch your dog's caloric intake. Too much food, or too many treats of the wrong type can cause weight gain (hard on their hearts & hips) all the way up to pancreatitis. A partial list of dangerous foods to absolutely avoid includes chocolate, onions, grapes/raisins, coffee/coffee beans, macadamia nuts, alcohol (you can have all you want) and yeast dough. Dangerous plants that enter our homes include mistletoe, pointsettias, holly and lilies (Easter, too).

Road Trips/Walks: Going for an outing to break up the boredom is fun, but heads up on two thoughts.....never leave your dog in a running car just to "pop into the store for a second" - it's an easy target for theft (loss of car & dog) and the carbon monoxide is just as dangerous for your dog as it is for you! Don't leave the dog for long periods of time in a cold car - remember that ol' hypothermia! If you are walking in areas with lakes and running water/tides, keep a close eye on your dog. The majority of the time, the ice is not safe and your dog can fall through. (Obviously if it won't support the dog, then it won't support you and you are in a world of trouble at that point.) On a positive note, HRM has opened up more fields during the winter and there are more places to go that are approved with your dog for a romp and some socialization. (Don't forget about the great Socials at TCS, too!)

That's all for now - stay warm, stay safe and enjoy winter - it's here to stay for a while longer! Yours in dogs, Trainer Sue

Got questions or concerns - call me at (902) 499-7569 or email me!   

 

Welcome !

by Susan M. Jordan on 01/07/11

Welcome Dog Owners (a.k.a. Dog Parents!) to the first post on the Trainer Sue Blog. Through this, I hope to offer you interesting articles, training help, new information & research and even some humour in dealing with the unique world of our canine friends. If there is sometihng in particular you would like to have addressed on this page, drop me a line and let me know - I'll do my best to answer it here or call you to chat in person!

For those who are asking, I will soon be starting a new cycle of classes for both Puppies (7 weeks - 4 months) and those challenging Teens (4 months - 2 years); start dates will be in January. Please be a little patient with me as I iron out the dates and times.

The CBC Radio recently aired a three-part series on our furry friends.They spoke with the current industry training leaders, including Jean Donaldson, Patricia MacConnell, Suzanne Clothier and several others. To listen to this interesting series, please click HERE

I am a "nubie" at this blogging, so (with a LOT of help from Nicolle) I hope to make these posts more exciting and visual to keep you entertained and informed. After all, as I always tell you - dog training should be fun!!

Best wishes to all your family members (2-footed and 4-footed) for 2011! Talk to you soon!   Trainer Sue