Drop In Conformation Classes!

Since many of you travel quite a ways to attend my conformation classes, I have decided to add a Wednesday 12:30pm class.  So, we will have a Wednesday, 12:00pm class and a 12:30pm class. You may still use your discount cards and the same offer will apply to people staying for the second half hour. Whether you pay cash or use a discount card for the first class, the second class will be just $5 cash if you wish to stay with your dog or switch dogs. I will try this for a bit and see how it goes. If there is interest, I will continue it. If not, I will drop it at some point.

Also, there will be NO classes on Tuesday, February 22 or Wednesday, February 23 following the four days of shows in Santa Clara.

The Dog Who Came When Called - Emergency Recall Class Scheduled!

We just scheduled an Emergency Recall class for Wednesday, February 23, 6:30-8:00pm.  This one time workshop will be held at Dublin Creek Kennels.  The cost is $45 and includes a booklet.  Please contact me to register.

February BraveHeart to Heart

Can you believe it's already February?  I know, me neither!  Time flies!  There is a lot going on with Braveheart and I hope that you will all find some new exciting activities to do with your dogs through our classes!  Take a look at the class offerings and see what fits best for you and your dog!

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!

Rally On!

Don't forget our new Rally On! class for Rally starts on Wednesday, February 9 at 7:30.  The class is $150 for 6 weeks, each class is 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours long!  Email braveheartdogs@gmail.com to register!

Clicker Conformation, Rally, Marshmallows and Confidence Building classes starting soon!

Just a few reminders!

We have a 6 week Rally On! class starting on Wednesday, February 9 in San Leandro.  This class is open to both beginner and advanced rally people!  Check it out!

I have a 5 week Clicker Conformation class starting on Friday, February 4 in San Leandro. 

I have scheduled the next Marshmallows class for March 17 in Dublin.  And, I will be offering the brand new Confidence Building class for the first time also starting on March 17.  The Confidence Building class is open to puppies and dogs of all ages.  It will compliment your regular puppy class nicely, but should not be done instead of a basic puppy class!

Please contact Vicki at braveheartdogs@sbcglobal.net if you are interested in registering for any of these classes.

Rally is back!!

Rally is back!!!  The new class, which starts on Wednesday, February 9, at 7:30pm  will now be a 6 week course, with each session being 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours long.  It will be open to beginners and advanced rally enthusiasts and will cover both AKC and/or APDT rally!  Cost is $150.  This class is still taught by Dawn Bushong who has put multiple obedience and rally titles on her dogs!  Email Vicki to register!

Happy New Year Everyone!

Happy New Year Everyone!!  I am looking forward to the New Year and introducing some new classes and programs and revamping some of our ongoing ones!  I hope to see you all in class!

UPCOMING CLASSES
Beginning Obedience/Manners, Dublin, Saturdays, January 8, 9:00-10:00am - still has openings!
Puppy Preschool, Dublin, Saturdays, January 8, 10:00-10:50am - still has openings!
Fun with Agility, Saturdays, January 8, 11:00-11:50am - still has openings!

Intro to Odor, San Leandro, Fridays, January 14, two classes, 6:00-7:30pm and 7:30-9:00pm - still have openings!

Please contact me if you are interested in signing up for any of these upcoming classes!

Drop in conformation starts up again this week as well!

DOG OF THE MONTH

"Beckham" is an English Cocker Spaniel owned by Debbie and Joey Pitchford who attends our conformation classes!  Just starting out Beckham already has several points and a major win to his credit!  He is owner handled (and groomed!) by Debbie.  He also made an appearance in my show dog DVD!  Beckham is a sweet, outgoing and gorgeous boy and we love having him in class!



BRAGS
Marge McNabb's Cavalier King Charles Spaniel "Gabby" (handled by Vicki) was WB and BOW at the San Mateo show!

Kristen Masar's Samoyed "Madden" got his first points going WD and BOW at the San Mateo show!

Debbie Pitchford's English Cocker "Beckham" was WD and BOS at the Salinas KC show!

Cheryl Hawthorne's Leonberger "Roxy" finished her Championship!

Vicki's 13 year old Dachshund "Ivy" finished her Field Championship at the GGDC Field Trials in December!

Jackie's French Bulldog took BOB the Sunday at Stockton, BOB and a group 4 that Monday owner handled!  Long Beach Thursday he went BOB again and then got a group 4!!!  THEN he got BOB at the Eukanuba.  Also last week at San Mateo we got BOB and a group 3 on Thursday...

Congratulations to all of you!  You deserve it for all of your hard work and dedication!  

Please let me know your brags so that we can share them with others on the blog!