We finished up our first series of classes… we have learned the rudiments of spins, twists, circles, backing up, coming forward, jumping through a hoop.
We will be starting our next class March 15th… stay tuned for more interesting stuff.
At the present, I need to figure out how to keep all four of Dani’s paws on the floor… she is so happy and excited.
Now, everytime I listen to music I am thinking I wonder if this will work for a routine.
Tag Archives: Dog Commands
Dancing with My Dog Dani Joy
Last Tuesday evening a few of us with our dogs met at Shasta Dog Training to begin our class learning “Canine Freestyle” also known as “Doggie Dancing”. This is actually a competitive dog sport in which dog and handler work together as a team doing tricks and fancy maneuvers all choreographed to music.
However, Dani Joy and I are just learning so we can have some shared fun times. Last week we went over basic training skills: using a clicker, positive reinforcement and using a target/touch stick. We also learned how to do some spins and having the dog walk towards me in a straight line in front of me.
This week we have added having the dog backing up in front of us in a straight line and circling around us. We also reviewed the “wait” command and how to use it with other commands.
There are five dogs in the class: Toy Aussie, McNab, Scottish Deerhound, Kerry Blue Terrier and my Sheltie.
It is so fun to watch the different personalities of each of these dogs and their own individual learning styles, flares, temperament as well as the varying sizes.
It is so nice to be a student and not be the dog trainer once in awhile, especially when you have a great teacher!
So far, Dani Joy and I are doing quite well. I wouldn’t say we are proficient in any way. We are still learning, but we are having lots of fun. Who knows maybe someday we may do a demo 🙂
In the meantime, in your own community look into signing up for a Canine Freestyle class and learn to dance with your dog too!
My Dog Training on the Move…
I am beginning a new phase in my dog training world. Monday, October 4th, will be my last class I am teaching at Petco.
I am now currently working and teaching dog classes at Shasta Dog Training & Pet Boarding with Cari Bowe. We are currently in the middle of teaching Puppy Classes and Family Dog Training Classes on Wednesday nights and a brand new “ARF” (Agility, Rally Obedience & Fun/Freestyle) class on Thursday nights.
Soon I will also be joining Susan and Ken Welch owners of Pro K9 Academy and the National Institute of Diabetic Alert Dogs. My primary job duties will be training up and coming service dogs in basic obedience for people with diabetes.
All I can say is WOW!
At the same time, I will be leaving some great friends at Petco… but since that is where I buy my pet supplies, I expect to stop in and say hello once in awhile.
I also look forward to continuing my work with various dog rescue groups and expanding my private training opportunities. I just renewed my AKC CGC evaluator registration so I will continue to offer Canine Good Citizenship Testing, Classes and the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program.
So… stay tuned for upcoming classes, training opportunities and more doggie stuff.
No Such Thing as a Perfect Dog
I was recently reading some posts in response to a column written in the local newspaper. The column mentioned the joys and trials of bringing home an adopted dog and the opinions and posts of the readers showed a lack of awareness and education concerning dogs in general so these are my thoughts in response to that article and the subsequent posts of the readers.
According to most statistical research the #1 reason dogs are in shelters, rescues and euthanized is due to behavioral problems. However the belief that all shelter/rescue dogs have problems is erroneous thinking. Likewise thinking all dogs coming from breeders are without problems is also erroneous. Many dog behavior problems can be solved through positive reinforcement techniques, exercise, training and dog sport activities.
It is important to remember ALL dogs are unique individual beings with unique individual personalities, so one training method does not fit all dogs or all people. We would never suggest that all children, all ages, all circumstances should be educated and disciplined the same. It is also important to realize dominating, punishment techniques have been long out-dated with children and yet we still maintain some erroneous punishment techniques with dogs.
It is important for all of us to become educated and more informed. Having a dog is a responsibility and a privilege. Come. Sit. Stay. Learn about the wonderful world of dogs. Be a responsible dog owner. Your best friend is counting on you.
Paws-ibilities Unleashed – Celebrating the Dogs in Our Lives
Don’t Miss A Dog-Gone Good Time!
PAWSIBILITIES UNLEASHED “Celebrating the Dogs in Our Lives”
Flyball, Agility, Frisbee and other Dog Sport Demonstrations
Meet a Variety of Popular and Rare Breed Dogs
Find Out if Your Dog is a “Canine Good Citizen”
WHO: Hooked on Dogs, K9 Kelts Dog Training and Shasta County’s Dog-Loving Community joins together at PAWSIBILITIES UNLEASHED and the AKC in Celebrating the Dogs in Our Lives and AKC’s Responsible Dog Ownership Day.
WHAT: This Event is FREE to the public and for all dog enthusiasts:
- Exciting and Informative Demonstrations: Flyball, Frisbee Dogs, Agility, Canine Freestyle (Doggie Dancing), Rally Obedience, AKC Canine Good Citizenship Test, Clicker Training, Search & Scent Games, Earth Dogs, Jack Russell Races, Schutzhund, Weight Pulling, plus various vendors, booths and other activities.
- “Meet the Breeds”- Meet both popular and rare dog breeds
- Canine Good Citizen® (CGC) testing – how well mannered is your dog? Take a 10-step test for AKC CGC certification
- Chances to win Raffle Prizes
WHERE: Anderson River Park (Moose Grove), Anderson, CA
WHEN: Saturday, September 25th, 2010
TIME: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
All proceeds benefit S.A.F.E., a 501c3 Non Profit for Spay/Neuter Funds for Low-Income Families.