Woof News - July 2025
- Melissa Brady
- Aug 13
- 6 min read
We finally made it to summer!!! School is out, vacation plans are made and time to have some fun in the sun!
Everyone wants to bring the dog to the beach, and we love to watch them swim in the pool. Keep in mind the amount of time your dog is swimming as well as how much water intake they are getting. There have been so many reports of dogs ingesting too much water, making them sick or even worse. Swimming is good exercise for sure, but it is hard work so do not over do it for dogs who are not fit!!
Keep watch for signs of heat exhaustion as well. Heavy panting, ears back, eyes glazed and even vomiting or diarrhea. Rest your dog often if you are working them. Kiddie pools are good for the dogs to rest in or cooling mats for dogs who do not like the pool. If your dog is panting hard do not let them drink until it has slowed down. You want to be mindful of bloat. And of course, remember that feeding your dog when he is panting hard is not good either. A good rule of thumb I use is to feed the dogs an hour after play or work when they have calmed down and they do not play or work until an hour after they eat.
Some exciting news for this year!
K9 Fit For Life’s book is published and available for your purchase. This is a great resource for the family who needs training help, or a great gift for someone bringing home a new dog. You will find this book on Amazon and Barnes and Noble, as well as in some local pet boutiques and bookstores.
Here are the links for the book:
I added a canine consultation program for those who may not need a training program but need expert advice about their dog. I have already started helping families across the country. (This will be an online service)
K9 Fit for Life is revamping the website and will have an on-line store with all my affiliated companies that I buy and recommend products from as well as selling K9FFL merchandise. This will launch in August.
Canine massage- back by popular demand. I will start my program back up in September.
K9 Fit For Life is expanding!! I will make a big announcement on this mid-July! Keep watch for amazing news.
K9 Fit For Life In-Home Basic Obedience Program
If you feel that you would like to do your foundation work at home where there are no distractions, and it is truly a one-on-one experience then this is the perfect way to do it. You will learn obedience; leadership and it also gives me a chance to see how your home environment is set up so that perhaps I can help make things a little less complicated for you and your pup. There is no age limit. This is strictly obedience foundation training. Dogs must be friendly and have no behavioral issues prior to taking these lessons. This is a 6-week program. For more information on this or other services or to schedule the Meet and Greet please contact me.
Other Services K9 Fit For Life Offers:
Consultation online- for questions or concerns about your dog to get expert advice outside of the training program.
Online basic obedience class- for people who prefer not to have a trainer in their household or cannot make it out to a training facility. This is great for people who do not live in the area my area or across the country.
Puppy Prep- Let me help with choosing the right dog for your family and help in preparing for the dog’s homecoming.
One-on-one Advanced obedience training
E collar training
Leash walking
Canine Massage- Starting back up in September
Training on the Trails with Mel
This is a class for advanced pups who are well mannered out in public who have been through at least our basic obedience training class and are ready to do some work with distractions on the trails. This meet up will be once a month on a different part of the rail trail throughout the Hudson Valley. For 30 minutes we will be doing some fun fitness/obedience training and the last 30 minutes will be a 30-minute pack walk all together. This class is $15.00 per dog. Please bring doggy bags and water for your dog. All dogs must be on leash and easily controlled. This class is attendance and weather permitting. Signups will begin two weeks before each class date. Please call to sign up so I know how many are showing up that day.
August 23 – 9 am in Millerton. We will meet on the grass across from the diner.
K9FFL Seminars and Meetings
Meet the Trainer- Come meet me, with or without your dog. Stop by and say hello and see how I can help you. I would also love to see all my supporting clients! This is a free event.
Millerton, NY- Held in July 27- Millerton Rail Trail in town (on the grass across from the diner) 11am to 1pm
Just for Fun Spotlight:
Have you ever thought about how much fun it may be to compete in a sport with your dog? Whether it is nose work, trick class, barn hunt, rally, lure coursing, frisbee, weight pull or dock diving, I can recommend amazing trainers to teach you. These sports are fun for the whole family, and it is a great way to meet dog people like you. Be a part of a club and see how much your dog will love it!
Tails & Trails
offers a safe and friendly Doggy Day Camp in Millerton, NY. All the dogs are assessed before starting and they have structure, unlike most daycares. They do things like free play indoors and outdoors, training sessions and snuggle time. This is sure to keep your pooch busy during the day while you are at work or just running some errands. They will have openings for large and small dogs who fit into the program.
They also offer advanced group training classes in Millerton, NY. Classes fill up fast and limited spots.
For more information or to reserve your camp spot, please contact Cassie Brewer. 845-591-1984
K9 Aqua Sports Club
a highly recommended club to teach you and your dog all about dock diving and disc. Toby and Nikki are passionate and patient about teaching you and watching you succeed. You can contact them via email at k9aquasportsclub@gmail.com.
Hudson Valley Lure Coursing
is also highly recommended if you are looking for a sport that your dog can really stretch his legs in.
Hudson Valley Flyball
Flyball is a dog sport in which teams of dogs race against each other from the start to the finish line, over a line of hurdles, to a box that releases a tennis ball to be caught when the dog presses the spring-loaded pad, then back to their handlers while carrying the ball. Classes are being taught in Poughquag NY and Harwinton CT. Join the Facebook group HudsonValleyFlyball and join in the fun!
Please contact Kathy at 845-656-1437
You can find all club information on Facebook and upcoming events on our Facebook page or our monthly emails.
Ledgewood Boarding
If you are looking for a place to board your animals or get a grooming, look no further. Ledgewood Boarding is the perfect place for feathered or furry friends. For the dogs, they have many packages that include a trail walk on the farm, bedtime snacks, individual playtime, and canine enrichment games. Your dog will feel like he is at home under the care of the Ledgewood boarding family. They book up fast, so take a tour and get your reservation booked quickly.
K9 Fit For Life Woof Highlights:
I would like to highlight the achievements of all K9FFL pups. If your pup has received an award, completed a program, or took place in a competition, let me know about it so we can share these in the celebration! I also highlight the pups on my Facebook page and Instagram page.
In June we had two K9FFL pups graduate the basic obedience program. This little cobberdog rocked the obedience and this little Malinois/Sheperd nailed it. Let’s hear it for Hedwig and Charlie! We also had one pup who graduated from the leash walking program. This pup was severely reactive to some people and all dogs. With a lot of work, she now is walking on leash like a champ. Hooray for our little girl Piper!!
Thank you all for the continued support throughout the last 10 years and I hope to see you soon on the Trails!!
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