Here it is already December. Time flies when you are having fun.
I am busy as ever enjoying my new dog training jobs. Yes, I am still working for Cari Bowe at Shasta Dog Training and I am also working for Pro K9 Academy and the National Institute of Diabetic Alert Dogs.
Cari and I just finished up another AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Class with 10 playful puppies. What a blast! We ran a new format of twice-a-week classes for a total of 6 classes. It was great to see those puppies progress to walking on a loose leash, doing sits, downs, coming when called, not jumping, leaving forbidden objects alone and all around good manners. We look forward to offering more classes in January.
Since I began working for Pro K9/Ntl Inst. of Diabetic Alert Dogs, we have placed 4 dogs already and several more will be going out hopefully by Christmas. These dogs are awesome! They are consistently alerting when a diabetic person has low and/or high blood sugar, including going with kids to school, riding in the backseat of a car, waking up owners in the middle of the night and more!
On a sad note… my much loved Sheltie, Patrick Ryan, crossed over the Rainbow Bridge at the end of November. I miss him terribly. Some days are sadder than others, especially when I got the email from Petco of a birthday reminder for him. He would have been 11 years old. I still have my Sheltie, Dani Joy and my Italian Greyhound, Skippy. They both are still as spunky and spoiled as ever.
On a more upbeat note, I finally got my graduation certificate from the Animal Behavior College and I graduated with honors and “officially” I am a Certified Dog Trainer.
Tag Archives: Dogs and …?
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.
Another Dog… Almost… Not Quite… Good Thing!
I need another dog like I need another case of the swine flu! Of course one of the possible side effects of the meds I am on or perhaps the swine flu is delirium or halucinations! So what was I thinking when I looked at an email sent to me that I usually just pass along to people who might need a dog, but instead happened to take a look at one of the dogs… her name is Janice… her face reminded me of my Megan… so… in spite of how horrible I feel, I go down to the County Animal Shelter to take a look… my best friend Dee is driving! The whole time we are discussing how we can’t afford it, it’s not the right time, maybe one of our friends can take her until after the first of the year when finances MIGHT be better (fat chance!), will really work with Patrick and his dementia and Skippy and all his neurosis and Dani Joy always feeling left out because the other two are so demanding! Where would I fit another dog crate in my room? What about vaccinations, heartworm meds, spaying, etc…
Well… she is past due to be euthanized.
Well… she is only 35-40 lbs.
Well… she is chocolate lab and border collie.
Well… she is very sweet, gets along with all animals including cats and knows some obedience
Well… I got my mind back just in time and we went home without the dog.
In the meantime… YOU CAN FIND HER AT PETFINDER.COM along with many other dogs at the Shasta County Animal Shelter who need a home. Janice has been in there since July! So pray she finds a home soon!