She:kon! I am very excited to be part of the Indian Time family! Each week I will be giving advice on various pet topics, announcing pet events in our area or even highlighting our pets and youth. I hope you enjoy this column and find it interesting. If you ever have questions feel free to email info@indiantime.net and we will try to answer your question in the column the next week. So let’s get started with a little information about me. I have been a veterinary technician for a very long time, almost 20 years! I have worked in small animal practices and also worked for the USDA for 7 years, which was working with farm animals such as cows and sheep, and I also worked in the animal control field. I love my job and enjoy giving advice to pet owners, from behavior issues to nutrition and fleas and ticks. I have two cats of my own and recently volunteered at the famous Iditarod race in Alaska!

My first tip; training and obedience classes. All dogs should have a basic training class. It helps you bond with your dog, but also helps your dog become a more well-rounded well-behaved part of your family. Dog socialization is a big part of these classes as well; even puppies can take these classes. You can train your puppies at a young age using positive reinforcement such as clicker training. Providing treats while training is a great way to start. Dogs are very eager to learn. So if you are considering getting a dog or already have one, get into a class. Remember it’s never too late to teach an old (or new) dog, new tricks!