Braveheart Dog Training: April Newsletter

Welcome Spring! It is hard to believe that it's already April. I have some exciting things to share with all of you. As always, thank you so much for your ongoing confidence and support of Braveheart Dog Training.

Class Locations
As some of you may have noticed, I am no longer teaching classes in Dublin or offering board and train services out of Dublin. I am no longer affiliated with the kennel in any way. Don't worry, I am still offering In-Home Day Training services in Dublin. And, I still do classes in Castro Valley, less than 10 minutes from Dublin, as I have for many years.

Bird/Parrot Training and Behavior Consulting
Most of you know that I have lived with birds almost as long as I have lived with dogs. I love birds and have lived with birds for many years. I have a strong interest in bird training and behavior modification and have been working towards offering bird/parrot training, behavior consulting, enrichment and cage set up services for several years now. In January 2013, I began to offer this service officially. Please keep this in mind if you are a bird owner or have friends who may need help with with birds.

DOG OF THE MONTH

Riley (Ruby Cavalier), MuShu (Pekingese) and Glory (Black and Tan Cavalier) are owned, loved and trained by Susan Moorse. All three of them have taken many classes with Braveheart! Susan's dogs became automatic Braveheart students when Susan adopted MuShu from Vicki several years ago. We love having the Moorse dogs in our classes!

Positive Training for Show Dogs Online Course
Over the years, I have received many requests to create an online course to help people learn to train show dogs using positive reinforcement methods. I have finally done it! The course is set to start on April 8. Please visit my website here to learn more and register.

Positive Training for Show Dogs Seminar
I will be doing a two day seminar in Lynnwood, WA on June 15 and 16, 2013. Please visit this website to learn more and register.

New Classes
Who Knows?
A couple of months ago I introduced a new class that I would be offering called Who Knows? The Who Knows? class is a one session class in which we will focus on a specific issue or training concept. With the Who Knows? class, I will not announce the topic until just before the class and in some cases, not until the class itself! It is a grab bag class. You don't know what you will get, which could be a fun surprise!
Flash Classes
Another new concept that I came up with are Flash Classes. These are simply one session classes in which we will focus on a specific issue or training concept, much like the Who Knows? class. The difference is that the Flash Classes will be announced much farther in advance than the Who Knows? class which may be announced with short notice and little planning! The first Flash Class will be held on April 18 in San Leandro from 6-7pm. The topic for that class will be "targeting". The cost is $20. Please contact me if you would like to register.

I used to offer one session classes all the time and people really liked them. The truth is that I had sort of forgotten about them, but I had a couple of requests so I thought I would bring them back! Keep your eye on the calendar, Facebook and the blog for upcoming Who Knows? and Flash Classes.

A Day With The Trainer
In March, I went to Ohio to the Animal Behavior Center to spend two days training birds, one on one with Lara Joseph. Lara is a highly respected bird trainer, behavior consultant and enrichment expert. Her work with parrots, birds of prey and corvids is well known and highly regarded. This program is unique in that you get to train one on one with Lara and work on whatever you choose. This is very different than most of the continued education programs which are usually seminars, lectures or workshops.

I had the time of life there and learned so very much. I highly recommend this program to anyone interested in learning more about working with birds or other animals. Lara is not only a fantastic, highly skilled and amazing trainer but also a wonderful host who I now consider a good friend. Here are a few of my favorite pictures from my trip:

Training Suki, blue fronted amazon to recall to me: