Our philosophy

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=120 BGCOLOR="#C0C0C0" TEXT="#080000"> <div>  <IMG SRC="1280e0f0.gif" border=0 width="14" height="15" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#990080" FACE="Comic Sans MS" ><A HREF="id3.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Which plan is for you?"><U>Group or private</U></A></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="_"><U><IMG SRC="1464d4a0.gif" border=0 width="77" height="74" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A>  <IMG SRC="12b0e0f0.gif" border=0 width="14" height="15" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#990080" FACE="Comic Sans MS" ><A HREF="id2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Class Schedule"><U>Class Schedule</U></A></FONT></div> <bR> <div>  <A HREF="id39.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="School Pictures"><U><IMG SRC="1290e0f0.gif" border=0 width="14" height="15" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#990080" FACE="Comic Sans MS" ><A HREF="id39.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="School Pictures"><U>Pictures</U></A></FONT> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=360 BGCOLOR="#DDDDDD" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>Our philosophy</I></div> <div> At Southern Tails we believe that humans who choose to live and love a canine should take the initiative to learn the basics of their canine culture.  After all, you are bringing a canine into your home not another human.  It is  unfair to expect a member of the canine species to automatically understand our verbal language and strange culture.  It is a huge mistake to take a chance and wait to see how your new pup or adult dog will interact with you, the other humans in your family, and your home environment.  Sadly enough, that is exactly what many humans do when they bring a new dog into their family.  It is unjust to begin a dog's life with their new family with a 'let's see how it does' attitude.</div> <div>  The pound is packed full of truly wonderful dogs that were brought there by humans who thought their dogs were too obnoxious, too over powering, too out of control, too big, ( <B>No dog is too big to live in a house</B>)  and a gizzillion other reasons that their dog did not live up to.  Dogs are programmed to learn, not to exhibit good canine manners by osmosis. </div> <div>  </div> <div>  Dogs are pack animals.  It is important to teach them from your very first meeting that the adult humans in the family 'pack' are the leaders. That is the first thing they are looking for the instant that you meet.  Simple positive everyday interactions with your dog will teach it this important concept and keep in tact throughout your dog's life.  To start a  communication line between the two species you must teach your dog a few simple words.  We will teach you how to use these behavior words in your everyday life to communicate what you want from your dog.  Now you can tell your dog what you want from it, instead of yelling or punishing it for not understanding what you want.  You will learn how to redirect any unwanted behavior to the behavior you desire.  </div> <div> We  will teach you how to teach your dog to focus on you, and to respond to command words. Then we will gradually add minor and eventually major distractions while you ask for that word.  We will create scenarios during the class, so that you can practice getting your dog to respond correctly and reliably to your commands. Before you know it, you will have mastered learning a common language that will bridge the communication gap between the two species.  We will teach you how dogs see humans from their point of view.  Communication is the key to a strong loving human/canine relationship.  Every single class will include canine behavior knowledge.  Obedience words are not enough to communicate your desires or your love to your dog.  Learning the language of dogs is the only way.  From the Best Puppy Class to all the obedience-acting-dog sports classes, you will be amazed at how much your relationship will grow and strengthen from coming to dog school.  </div> <bR> <div>  Dog school is no longer for 'problem dogs.'  It is for all dogs.  Taking classes is fun for both the humans and the canines.  We strive to make all our courses both fun and educational. </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> "Dogs are not almost human</div> <div>  and I know of no greater insult to the canine race</div> <div>  than to describe them as such."  Author: John Holmes</div> <bR> <div> These pictures were taken September 30, 2006 at the Southern Women Show in Greensboro.</div> <div> This was Rory Thomas's big debut, demonstrating good canine manners to the audience. </div> <div> We performed our obedience and trick demonstration prior to the Canine Fashion show </div> <div> exhibiting fashions created by Ginny Wilsey of Classy Sassy Paws. </div> <div> The models for the fashions were rescue dogs from our area.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="802" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 220 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="29fd4d20.jpg" border=0 width="212" height="210" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="2a118d20.jpg" border=0 width="280" height="210" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="2a318d20.jpg" border=0 width="280" height="210" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 34 ><NOBR><div> Entering, Sit/Stay/Look ---------------------------------Go-to-heel</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="675" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 220 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="2b024d20.jpg" border=0 width="292" height="210" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="2ac9ed20.jpg" border=0 width="158" height="210" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="2a718d20.jpg" border=0 width="280" height="210" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 42 ><NOBR><div> Rory, where are my glasses?       </div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="157"><div> Rory, hearing applause for the first time </div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> Chillin' after the show.</div> <bR> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div>                   I am looking forward to working with you and your canine companion,</div> <div> Sincerely,</div> <div> Ally Thomas</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>