Category Archives: Adoption

Suzanne Clothier’s CARAT Seminar 1.1 Introduction

Posted on September 28, 2012 by Marika S. Bell

Clothier’s three-day seminar was an introduction to her new assessment tool, the Clothier Animal Response Assessment Tool. The introduction covered the pre-requisites to learning how to use CARAT. Particularly the need for the assessor to know how to observe, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption, behaviour, Communication | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment


Nella! Dog of the Week!

Posted on April 29, 2012 by Marika S. Bell

Let me introduce you to Nella. She is a LARGE Boxer and like all boxers she plays hard. Unlike some dogs, however, she knows how to calm down. I have been working with her regularly on her basic obedience and … Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption | Tagged , , | Leave a comment


Coco! Dog of the Week!

Posted on March 25, 2012 by Marika S. Bell

Coco has been hanging around the SPCA looking for a how for the past few months. She is a great dog to have with other dogs! She gets along with all sorts, even the dogs that are a little too … Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption | Tagged , | Leave a comment


Piglet and Dusty! Dogs of the Week!

Posted on December 25, 2011 by Marika S. Bell

A very special Dogs of the Week! post today because, well… it’s Christmas! These two puppies have been at the SPCA in Newtown since they were 8 weeks old and are very deserving little gals. Piglet definitely lives up to … Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption | Tagged , | Leave a comment


Dogs and Children

Posted on December 20, 2011 by Marika S. Bell

A lot of my friend these days are getting pregnant and I have been asked by quite a few of them how to introduce their dog to their baby. Certainly a stressful question for new parents. How will my dog … Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption, Communication, Training Methods | Tagged , , | Leave a comment


Izzy! Dog of the Week!

Posted on December 18, 2011 by Marika S. Bell

I think Izzy might be one of the best dogs in the category of “overlooked”. My guess is that she gets overlooked because of her stocky build and mastiff face. Please don’t let those physical features be her downfall, she … Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption | Tagged , | Leave a comment


Do No Harm…

Posted on November 29, 2011 by Marika S. Bell

‘Do No Harm’ is a good motto for life really. But  in this context specifically, for dog training. So much harm is being done by society against dogs. Some more jaded people may say, “Why should we worry about animals … Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption, Animal Welfare, Equipment, learning, Training Methods | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment


Lizzie! Dog of the Week!

Posted on October 23, 2011 by Marika S. Bell

Normally a small Jack/Sausage dog cross like Lizzie wouldn’t need much help finding the right home but Lizzie is a special case. She has some particular needs that only a very special home can offer. Lizzie is playful, outgoing, gets … Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption | Tagged , , | Leave a comment


Havana! Dog of the Week!

Posted on October 9, 2011 by Marika S. Bell

Looking for a dog like a black lab, but smaller? Havana is your answer! She is a petite looking thing with a firecracker personality. I just started working with her on her walking skills and conditioning her to a head … Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption | Tagged , | 1 Comment


CJ! Dog of the Week!

Posted on October 2, 2011 by Marika S. Bell

CJ is an old hand at the SPCA, and it is certainly time for him to find his forever-home.  CJ is a fantastic dog to train with, he is confident without being pushy and he loves to learn and interact … Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption | Tagged , | 2 Comments