As for me, I spent three days in Long Beach in January to attend Clicker Expo. Clicker Expo is a huge, clicker training conference. There are many quality speakers offering lectures throughout the three days. I saw some great speakers including Kay Laurence (great dog trainer from England), Ken Ramirez (multi species animal trainer very well known for his marine mammal work), Michelle Pouliot (champion canine freestyle trainer). Since one of my goals is to teach canine freestyle, and I am taking Michelle's online course it was great to meet her in person. I also met Victoria Stillwell from it's me or the dog which was a lot of fun. In this business, continued education is so important and I take every opportunity to see this talented people and improve my skills and knowledge.
DOG OF THE MONTH
Mimi Krist
Mimi is a sweetheart of a girl who has taken our beginning class and also our Canine Good Citizen class! Mimi belongs to Pat and as a team they both just passed the certification test so that Mimi can do therapy dog work! Great job!
UPCOMING CLASSES
Rally On!, Wednesday, February 9, 7:30pm,6 weeks,$150,Instructor Dawn Bushong
Rally is a fun, relatively new dog sport that emphasizes teamwork and communication as dogs and handlers navigate a course of varied and interesting obedience exercises. This class will teach you and your dog how to perform a wide variety of Rally exercises, how to read the Rally signs, and how to string the signs together into full Rally courses. You will learn Rally exercises from both APDT and AKC, as well as the similarities and differences in rules and scoring between these two venues. Rally is great fun whether you are interested in competing or just looking for a new and challenging activity to try with your dog.
Clicker Conformation, Friday, February 4, 12:00pm, 5 weeks, $150, Instructor Vicki Ronchette
This course will help people wanting to get started with clicker training their show dogs. We will work on teaching the dogs to stack, gait and accept examination. While this is a class to teach conformation or show ring behaviors, dogs need not be show dogs to enroll. This class will help dogs learn to accept handling and everything worked on is appropriate for pet dogs as well.
Marshmallows, Thursdays, March 17, 6:00pm, 5 weeks, $150, Instructor Vicki Ronchette
Is your dog shy or uncomfortable around certain things? Is he or she nervous of new people? Then this class is for you! This class is designed especially for shy dogs. The goal will be to teach owners of shy or fearful dogs to understand their dogs behavior and body language and how to help their dogs become more comfortable with different things. We will work on some manners and obedience behaviors while also learning to help dogs cope in a new environment.Confidence Building Class, Thursdays, March 17, 7:00pm, 5 weeks, $150, Instructor Vicki Ronchette
This class is all about building confidence in dogs through choice. Using the seeking system in dogs (searching, investigating, exploring and experimenting) we build confidence by setting up situations that encourage seeking that the dog learns is rewarding and reinforcing which encourages more confidence and seeking. This class is a great next step for many of our "Marshmallows" graduates looking for the next step in their dogs journey to confidence and security. This class is limited to 5 dogs per session and to dogs that can be safely left in the car during the other dog's runs as dogs are worked individually (one at a time), which makes it a great choice for dog reactive dogs as well.
Lectures on the Lawn
These informative one hour lectures are held at Dublin Creek Kennels in the training yard. Chairs, blankets (in case it's chilly), hot chocolate, tea or coffee are all served. The Lectures on the Lawn are designed to be informative, affordable and relaxing. The cost is $20 per person, people only please, no dogs. Please see the following Lecture on the Lawn schedule. Contact Vicki to register.
Friday, March 4, 6:30-7:30pm, Crossing Over from Traditional Training to Positive Reinforcement
As a crossover trainer, I will explain the differences between traditional, correction based training and positive reinforcement training. I will talk about how they both work, how they are different and why I prefer positive reinforcement methods after having done both.
Friday, April 1, 6:30-7:30, Why do dogs do that?
Do you ever wonder why dogs do some of the puzzling things that they do? This lecture will address some of those things and give you insight into why dogs do those things.
Friday, May 6, 6:30-7:30, An Introduction to Canine Body Language
Dogs communicate with body language. In this lecture, we will take a look at canine body language to give you an idea of what your dog is trying to communicate with his or her body language.
Drop In Conformation
Tuesdays, 7:00pm, All Breeds
Tuesdays, 7:30pm, Small Breeds
Wednesdays, 12:00pm, All Breeds
The Wednesday evening drop in conformation has been canceled until further notice.
BRAGS!
Congratulations to Mimi Krist who became a therapy dog! Yay Mimi!
Congrats to Beckham Pitchford (an English Cocker, who is owner handled by mom Debbie) who has picked up several points including a win at San Mateo and one day at Cow Palace! Go Beckham!
Congrats to Splash Bay (a beagle, who is owner handled by mom Jessica Bay) who picked up several RWB to majors awards! Good going Splashie!
Congrats to Allie Copen (a French Bulldog, owner handled by mom Michele) already a Grand Champion who got BOB and a group pull in January!
Please remember to let me know about your brags so that I can put them in the newsletter!
