Do you and your dog both dread toe-nail trims? Then why not give your dog the opportunity to give themselves a pedicure on their own by making it into a simple trick? By taping some sandpaper to a plywood board or something similar, you can create a canine nail file! It is easy to train a dog to swipe their paw on the sandpaper, and as they do so, they will end up filing their own nails. Doing a few swipes a day a couple times a week can keep nails from getting unmanageable, and reduce how frequently you need
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Posts by Wendy Welch
How to get your dog to file his own nails (part 2)
(Did you miss Part 1?) We show you how to train your dog to file their own nails by swiping at a sandpaper board… and while it is often relatively easy to teach the dog to file their front paws, teaching them to swipe with their rear feet can be a little more challenging. So we like to introduce a little environmental help! Sit on a chair, couch, footstool, etc. and prop your nail file board up at an angle in front of you. Have your dog in front of you and the board. Use a food lure to have
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Why we use the training method we do
HSHV has long been an advocate for positive reinforcement-based training methods, and new research continues to support that this is the most effective approach. A new study has found that dogs trained from a variety of cues – including coming when called when off-leash – responded more reliably and faster when trained using positive reinforcement than when dogs were trained the same behaviors using aversive devices, such as shock collars. Read more about the study here.
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Augusta Township Supervisor Sentenced for Animal Cruelty
Ann Arbor, MI (July 30, 2020 — On Monday, July 27, Augusta Township Supervisor Brian Shelby and his wife Tammy, were sentenced two (2) years’ probation for animal cruelty. Judge Swartz of Michigan’s 15th Judicial District Court issued the ruling following an investigation from the Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV) in 2018, resulting in the rescue of 71 animals from neglectful conditions at the Shelby residence. On May 25, 2018, HSHV in collaboration with the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Department, seized 37 cats, nine dogs, 13 chickens, 10 exotic birds and two peacocks— many of whom were in need of
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Welcome to HSHV’s TNR Blog
July 6, 2020 – Hello everyone. We are glad that you have made it to HSHV’s new TNR blog. We hope to use this as an outlet to convey new and useful information regarding TNR, both to better educate the general public on the usefulness of TNR, and also to provide useful information to those who are actively working to help our community cats. We have a wealth of knowledge from the people surrounding HSHV’s TNR program, including our medical team and our multiple trappers who have been TNR’ing for years, and we want to share that information. Our goal
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Humane Society of Huron Valley ranked in top 3% of Charities
Ann Arbor, MI (June 23, 2020) — The Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV) was awarded a ninth straight topmost 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator. Only 3% of evaluated charities have received more than eight consecutive 4-star ratings. Charity Navigator says HSHV outperforms most other charities in America. “We are honored to receive Charity Navigator’s highest rating again,” says Tanya Hilgendorf, HSHV’s CEO. “This distinction reflects our accountability to all our supporters and commitment to remain true to our mission to promote respect and compassion, to protect from needless suffering and to help ensure loving,
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Report Community Cat Colonies
Please report any colonies you are aware of, to help HSHV monitor cat colonies to help us better understand and care for our county’s community cats. None of your personal information will be shared and we do not publish specific addresses. How much does HSHV charge for TNR? HSHV offers TNR as a community service to support both our area’s free roaming felines and their caretakers. For this reason, we charge only what it costs to cover the costs of services. Costs are as follows: In county TNR Service – spaying/neutering, distemper vaccination, rabies vaccination and a flea
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HSHV & Tiny Lions cat café reopening to the public with added safety measures
Beginning Wednesday, June 17, the Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV) and their Tiny Lions lounge and adoption Center will reopen for limited public visitation. “While we continually offered essential services including pet food assistance, intake of stray animals, and emergency veterinary care during the shut down, we’re delighted to see more of the animal-loving community again and safely allow people to enjoy the benefits of animal interaction and vice-versa,” says Tanya Hilgendorf, HSHV’s CEO. “HSHV takes the health and safety of our human visitors, employees and volunteers very seriously,” says Hilgendorf. “We are following guidelines from the CDC, state
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Identifying Responsible Breeders
How to identify responsible, caring breeders: Meet breeder in person at the location the dogs are housed and bred – no off-site, roadside, or parking lot meetings Ability to see the conditions the puppies – and their mother – are housed in Conditions should be clean, spacious, and temperatures appropriate for the specific dog breed – not crowded or caged continuously Dogs should be provided with nutritious food, bedding, and toys as appropriate Research the breeder beforehand – a quick Google search of their name for news articles or negative reviews can help you identify bad actors Ask what happens
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Humane Society Offers Virtual Class on Co-Existing With Coyotes
May 11, 2020 (Ann Arbor, MI) – Have you spotted a coyote in your neck of the woods lately? You’re not alone. Coyotes are highly adaptive and can thrive anywhere, including in wilderness, suburban, and urban areas. And they are an essential part of a healthy ecosystem, controlling rodent populations – and thus rodent-and tick-borne diseases like Lyme and Hantavirus – and protecting crops. As the Michigan DNR points out, homeowners can take basic steps to discourage coyotes from their properties, and there are many ways for us to coexist peacefully with them. “There is so much misinformation and hostility
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