Wednesday, June 12, 2013
No drop in conformation...
There will be no drop in conformation class on Wednesday, July 3 or Tuesday, July 30.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Next Tuesday's Conformation Class At Park
Next weeks Tuesday night drop in conformation class will be held at Washington Manor Park on Zelma Street in San Leandro.
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Charlie
Some of you know that 6 weeks ago I adopted a 20 year old, male, White-fronted Amazon parrot from a rescue organization. This is the same species that my beloved Merlin, who passed away 2011 was. I was told that Charlie was looking for a home with a man and preferred men. Even though my husband, Rick is not comfortable with birds and would never want a bird of his own, I wanted to meet him. You really just never seen WFA and I was shocked and excited. I made arrangements to meet Charlie.
The rescuer had told me that Charlie lived with a man who adored him for 15 of his 20 years. That the man took Charlie everywhere and then passed away. The man's wife couldn't handle Charlie and turned him over to rescue. He went to a home with a couple and was attached to the man, but then the woman developed allergy problems and had to rehome Charlie. She told me that Charlie simply prefers men, will step up for men, but not for women. She explained that he was "stick trained" though and that she and other women could move Charlie from place to place with a stick. Also, if Charlie flies off and lands on the ground, he is willing to step up to her to be "rescued".
I asked her to show me Charlie with the stick training. It was clear right away that he wasn't comfortable with the stick. He would move as far away as possible with the stick. He wasn't really "stick trained", he would just eventually get on it once he got sick of trying to escape it. I asked her to put it away.
I wasn't able to hold Charlie that day, but I made the decision to adopt him anyway. He wasn't downright aggressive with women, just not his preference. I can live with that.
Fast forward six weeks. Charlie loves Rick and Rick loves Charlie. Rick holds Charlie every day and can pick him up, scratch his head and put him away for me when I can't get him. He has told me he loves Charlie.
I have been working on training with Charlie. He has stepped up for me so many times I lost count. Sure, he steps up for my husband much more readily and the relationship that he has with Charlie comes much easier, but who cares? I am 100% willing to do some investing in my relationship with this parrot. He also steps onto a stick for me, but I have not yet progressed to moving the stick, he has just stepped up with the stick remaining still and in position.
So, why, do you think that after at least 15 years of refusing to step up for women, does Charlie step up for me? The reason that my relationship is progressing with Charlie this way is that 1) I am training him with positive reinforcement. This means that I use food to reinforce good behavior but also that pairing of food with me contributes to Charlie having a good feeling about me, 2) Whenever Charlie does step up, I do NOT remove my hand from where he is standing so he always has the choice to go back to where he was and feel safe and 3) I do not force, pressure or push Charlie, at all, ever. When I am working with him, he always has plenty of space to move away. This part is really the key. He is learning that I will not "make him" do anything. I respect his choice and his wishes. I listen to him when he says, "I'd rather not" or "Not now" and for that reason, he is comfortable spending time with me and offering to step up when he is ready and comfortable.
When working with an animal that is worried, fearful, concerned or uncomfortable, the most important thing that you can do, besides pairing the scary thing with something good, is to let them choose. Give the animal some control of their body and give them some choice. The power of choice goes a very long way.
The rescuer had told me that Charlie lived with a man who adored him for 15 of his 20 years. That the man took Charlie everywhere and then passed away. The man's wife couldn't handle Charlie and turned him over to rescue. He went to a home with a couple and was attached to the man, but then the woman developed allergy problems and had to rehome Charlie. She told me that Charlie simply prefers men, will step up for men, but not for women. She explained that he was "stick trained" though and that she and other women could move Charlie from place to place with a stick. Also, if Charlie flies off and lands on the ground, he is willing to step up to her to be "rescued".
I asked her to show me Charlie with the stick training. It was clear right away that he wasn't comfortable with the stick. He would move as far away as possible with the stick. He wasn't really "stick trained", he would just eventually get on it once he got sick of trying to escape it. I asked her to put it away.
I wasn't able to hold Charlie that day, but I made the decision to adopt him anyway. He wasn't downright aggressive with women, just not his preference. I can live with that.
Fast forward six weeks. Charlie loves Rick and Rick loves Charlie. Rick holds Charlie every day and can pick him up, scratch his head and put him away for me when I can't get him. He has told me he loves Charlie.
I have been working on training with Charlie. He has stepped up for me so many times I lost count. Sure, he steps up for my husband much more readily and the relationship that he has with Charlie comes much easier, but who cares? I am 100% willing to do some investing in my relationship with this parrot. He also steps onto a stick for me, but I have not yet progressed to moving the stick, he has just stepped up with the stick remaining still and in position.
So, why, do you think that after at least 15 years of refusing to step up for women, does Charlie step up for me? The reason that my relationship is progressing with Charlie this way is that 1) I am training him with positive reinforcement. This means that I use food to reinforce good behavior but also that pairing of food with me contributes to Charlie having a good feeling about me, 2) Whenever Charlie does step up, I do NOT remove my hand from where he is standing so he always has the choice to go back to where he was and feel safe and 3) I do not force, pressure or push Charlie, at all, ever. When I am working with him, he always has plenty of space to move away. This part is really the key. He is learning that I will not "make him" do anything. I respect his choice and his wishes. I listen to him when he says, "I'd rather not" or "Not now" and for that reason, he is comfortable spending time with me and offering to step up when he is ready and comfortable.
When working with an animal that is worried, fearful, concerned or uncomfortable, the most important thing that you can do, besides pairing the scary thing with something good, is to let them choose. Give the animal some control of their body and give them some choice. The power of choice goes a very long way.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
No Drop In Conformation Classes Next Week
There will be NO drop in conformation classes next Tuesday or Wednesday following the Woofstock show cluster.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
June Newsletter
June? Already? How is that possible? Summer is coming up on us quickly, isn't it? Just a few reminders about Summer and the warmer weather. Please remember NOT to take your dogs with you on car trips on warm days, even if you don't think you will be in a store long or if you think it's not that hot. The temperature in the car, even on warm days can get dangerously hot.
Also, please remember to be careful when taking your dog out for a walk on a hot day. Hot pavement is painful for a dog's pads, just as it is for our feet. If it would be too hot for your feet, it is too hot for your dog's feet. I was recently at a street fair when it was very hot out. I saw many dogs there and noticed a Chihuahua standing on the hot, black pavement, hopping back and forth trying to avoid the heat. I pointed out to his owners, that were looking at a vendor booth, that his feet were burning. Thankfully, they didn't realize he was hurting and quickly picked him up.
Finally, be careful not to let your dog overheat if out for a walk. This is particularly dangerous for brachycephalic (flat faced) breeds such as Frenchies, Boxers, Bostons, Pekes and Pugs, among others. Consider walking early before it gets hot out or later, after the sun has gone down.
DOG OF THE MONTH
Jesse is a sweet and adorable Akita who is owned, loved and handled by Theresa Manchester. Jesse comes to Braveheart conformation training and has also done our Strength, Balance and Body Awareness classes. He is actively competing in rally, runs in races with Theresa and is being shown in conformation as well.
UPCOMING CLASSES
Three's Company, San Leandro, Tuesday, June 25, 5 weeks, $200
Small Dog Beginning Obedience/Manners, Castro Valley, Monday, July 8, 6:30pm, 6 weeks, $150
Fun with Training and Tricks, Castro Valley, Monday, July 8, 7:30pm, 6 weeks, $135
Beginning Obedience/Manners, Castro Valley, Saturday, July 13, 9:00am, 6 weeks, $150
Puppy Preschool, Castro Valley, Saturday, July 13, 10:00am, 6 weeks, $150
Fun with Agility, Castro Valley, Saturday, July 13, 11:00am, 6 weeks, $150
I will also be offering Clicker Skills, Real World, Strength Balance and Body Awareness, Canine Freestyle and more! Just working it out on the schedule, so keep checking back.
A WORD ABOUT REFERRALS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
I get asked for recommendations for pet care providers on a regular basis. Over the years, I have met and worked with some of the best trainers. I founded a positive dog trainers and behavior group in the East Bay and network with some of the best trainers around. When I refer to another trainer (or dog walker, or daycare, or kennel, or groomer) know that, unless I tell you otherwise, this is a person or business that I know personally, trust and feel comfortable with. When making a decision to refer, I look at several things including whether or not they use positive reinforcement methods, their knowledge base and skill set, how they work with and treat animals, how well they manage the animals in their care, how reliable and honest they are. I look at the feedback that I receive from people I have referred to them. I also consider how they work with and treat people, not only their clients but also colleagues and other people in general. If I am not comfortable with how someone treats colleagues, employees or clients, I will not refer to them. I will not refer to someone or to a business whose ethics I would question in any way. If I don't have a referral for you, I will go to someone that I trust to get one for you and let you know that this is not someone I know. I take giving out referrals and recommendations very seriously. I will always do my best to people my clients and their animals in the hands of safe, caring, skilled providers.
Also, please remember to be careful when taking your dog out for a walk on a hot day. Hot pavement is painful for a dog's pads, just as it is for our feet. If it would be too hot for your feet, it is too hot for your dog's feet. I was recently at a street fair when it was very hot out. I saw many dogs there and noticed a Chihuahua standing on the hot, black pavement, hopping back and forth trying to avoid the heat. I pointed out to his owners, that were looking at a vendor booth, that his feet were burning. Thankfully, they didn't realize he was hurting and quickly picked him up.
Finally, be careful not to let your dog overheat if out for a walk. This is particularly dangerous for brachycephalic (flat faced) breeds such as Frenchies, Boxers, Bostons, Pekes and Pugs, among others. Consider walking early before it gets hot out or later, after the sun has gone down.
DOG OF THE MONTH
UPCOMING CLASSES
Three's Company, San Leandro, Tuesday, June 25, 5 weeks, $200
Small Dog Beginning Obedience/Manners, Castro Valley, Monday, July 8, 6:30pm, 6 weeks, $150
Fun with Training and Tricks, Castro Valley, Monday, July 8, 7:30pm, 6 weeks, $135
Beginning Obedience/Manners, Castro Valley, Saturday, July 13, 9:00am, 6 weeks, $150
Puppy Preschool, Castro Valley, Saturday, July 13, 10:00am, 6 weeks, $150
Fun with Agility, Castro Valley, Saturday, July 13, 11:00am, 6 weeks, $150
I will also be offering Clicker Skills, Real World, Strength Balance and Body Awareness, Canine Freestyle and more! Just working it out on the schedule, so keep checking back.
A WORD ABOUT REFERRALS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
I get asked for recommendations for pet care providers on a regular basis. Over the years, I have met and worked with some of the best trainers. I founded a positive dog trainers and behavior group in the East Bay and network with some of the best trainers around. When I refer to another trainer (or dog walker, or daycare, or kennel, or groomer) know that, unless I tell you otherwise, this is a person or business that I know personally, trust and feel comfortable with. When making a decision to refer, I look at several things including whether or not they use positive reinforcement methods, their knowledge base and skill set, how they work with and treat animals, how well they manage the animals in their care, how reliable and honest they are. I look at the feedback that I receive from people I have referred to them. I also consider how they work with and treat people, not only their clients but also colleagues and other people in general. If I am not comfortable with how someone treats colleagues, employees or clients, I will not refer to them. I will not refer to someone or to a business whose ethics I would question in any way. If I don't have a referral for you, I will go to someone that I trust to get one for you and let you know that this is not someone I know. I take giving out referrals and recommendations very seriously. I will always do my best to people my clients and their animals in the hands of safe, caring, skilled providers.
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