January Newsletter

Happy New Year!  2013.  All I can say is "time flies", but I think we are having fun, right?  The new session of classes all started up this week and it is nice to get back into the swing of things.

WHAT'S NEW FOR THE NEW YEAR?
I am pretty excited about some of the things I have planned for 2013.  For one thing, the brand new Fun with Training and Tricks started this week and was so much fun.  It is my latest creation and has skill building, manners training practice, tricks, music, the whole enchilada really.  I dig it!  Keep an eye out for that one in Spring, as I am sure many of you will really enjoy it.  Also, my first ever Strength, Balance and Body Awareness class is scheduled to start on February 7.  I am excited to report that the class is full, but don't worry, it is another new class that is here to stay.  Also, I will be continuing to offer Canine Freestyle classes which is one of my favorite classes to teach.  The dogs and owners alike seem to really enjoy this class.  And, of course, for you agility diehards, Fun with Agility will return in the Spring at Dublin Creek Kennel.

Our Tuesday evening and Wednesday noon Drop In Conformation classes are back up and running too.  So, if you are preparing for a show or getting a new puppy started for the ring, drop on by!  If you are new to showing, you might want to do a private session first to learn the ropes before diving into the group class. Yvonne's Drop In Nose Work class on Wednesday nights and our small dog play groups are back too!  Be sure to let me know if you want to be on our nose work drop in conformation invitation list.  This is a great way to keep your dog working in between classes.

As always, to keep up with all of our classes and events, visit our website at www.braveheartdogtraining.com. Last year, our website received a much needed makeover, and I think you will find that it is easier to navigate and find the information you need.

You can also get updates and information on our Braveheart Dog Training Facebook page.  Simply "like" our page and you will receive our updates.

BIRD AND PARROT TRAINING AND BEHAVIOR CONSULTING
I am really excited to share that after years of preparation, training and hard work, as of January 2013, Braveheart now offers bird and parrot training and behavior consulting.  Most of you know that the only thing that comes close to rivaling my love of dogs is my love of birds and parrots.  I share my home with several birds and have had birds almost as long as I have lived with dogs.  I am really exciting to be adding this service to our offerings.  Check out our  Bird and Parrot page on our website.

CONTINUED EDUCATION
In case you don't already know, I believe very strongly in continued education and skill development.  I feel that in order to be my best it is critical that I continue to learn and hone my skills.  So far, I have two big continued education plans for this year.  First, I will be attending Clicker Expo in January.  Clicker Expo is a three day long, animal training conference.  I am excited not only to learn but also to see my trainer friends from around the world, who I usually just get to correspond with via email, Facebook and sometimes online courses.  Second, in March I will be attending TWO days of personal, one on one training with Lara Joseph a highly respected bird/parrot trainer in Ohio.  I am so excited about both of these huge learning opportunities and intend to report back on how they go.

DOG OF THE MONTH

Spirit Rosenberg is our dog of the month!  Spirit and her owner Elisa have taken several classes with Braveheart and comes to us for conformation training/coaching.  Next up for Spirit is our Strength, Balance and Body Awareness class!  Of course we know we will always see her in our conformation classes and at the dog shows as well!

Monday Night Castro Valley Classes to Start on January 7

Correction to my earlier post, the Castro Valley classes, Small Dog Beginning Obedience Manners and Fun with Training and Tricks is actually starting on January 7, NOT January 14!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

December Newsletter

Wow, I can't believe that 2012 is coming to an end!  Another year gone by, just like that.  2012 has been a good year for me and Braveheart.  I was able to complete my Certified Nose Work Instructor training and certification.  I also have moved much closer to my goal of offering parrot behavior consulting.  I began offering Canine Freestyle classes and have dove deeper into freestyle with Dickens, my Cavalier.  A lot of great things happened this year for me.  I think that the only really bad thing that happened in 2012 was the devastating loss of my beloved African Grey parrot, Ivan which indeed was a horrible, painful thing that I won't soon recover from.  I am extremely grateful to all of you for making my business and classes a success.  I feel very fortunate to have been able to earn your trust and confidence and appreciate you allowing me to work with you and your dogs and for passing my name on to others who may need help with their own dogs.

What's In Store For 2013
I am excited to be working on some new things for next year.  One of the things that I am excited about is offering the new class I am designing called Fun with Training and Tricks.  This class is replacing my Monday night, Castro Valley Intermediate class which needed a makeover.  This class will still help people and dogs improve their training skills and practice the basics at a more advanced level, but will incorporate some other elements that will make it a bit more fun and exciting!

I am also developing another new class that will focus on body awareness, core strengthening, proprioception and balance.  This class will be great for dogs that compete in a dog sport such as conformation, agility or freestyle, but also for overweight or older dogs or any dogs that need to learn body awareness.  I have already started writing the curriculum and ordering new equipment for this class.  This class should be ready to go in late January or early February.  Look for it!

Christmas Eve Point Isabel Walk
As we have done for the past several years, Rick and I will be going to Point Isabel to walk the dogs on Christmas Eve morning.  We love to see Braveheart clients and friends and get the dogs out to walk before all the holiday festivities begin.  We will be meeting in front of Mudpuppies on Christmas Eve morning at 10am.  Please join us.

DOG OF THE MONTH

This month, we actually have two DOGS of the month!  Casey and Holly are Cavaliers that are loved by Joanne and Paul!  Casey comes to Braveheart for conformation handling classes and little Holly has attended a variety of classes including Puppy Preschool, Marshmallows and Conformation classes.  Just adore Cavaliers and love having these little ones in our classes!

Christmas Donations Needed
This holiday season we are collecting donations for the Tri-Valley Haven, which operates a 30-bed confidential domestic violence shelter and a 16-bed homeless shelter. They are in need of new/never opened items for kids, teens and adults. If you would like to donate an item, stop by anytime to drop them off (items cannot be wrapped) no later then 12/8. Please call if you have any questions! Thank you and Happy Holidays!

Upcoming Classes
Small Dog Beginning Obedience/Manners, Castro Valley, Monday, 1/14/13, 6:30-7:30pm
Fun with Training and Tricks, Castro Valley, Monday, 1/14/13, 7:30-8:15pm

Continuing Nose Work, San Leandro, Fridays, 1/11/13, 6:30-8:00pm, with Yvonne Chohan

Beginning Obedience/Manners, Castro Valley, Saturdays, 2/2/13, 9:00-10:00am
Puppy Preschool, Castro Valley, Saturdays, 2/2/13, 10:00-10:50am
Canine Freestyle, Castro Valley, Saturdays, 2/2/13, 11:00-11:50am

Tuesday night drop in conformation classes will resume on 1/8/13.
Wednesday noon drop in conformation classes will resume on 1/9/13.
Wednesday night drop in nose work classes will resume on 1/9/13.
Small dog playgroup will resume on 1/9/13.

Christmas With Dogs
Just a few reminders about the holidays with your dogs!
1. Remember to keep boxes of candy and chocolate up and away from your dogs.  Chocolate is toxic to dogs as is macadamia nuts, raisins, grapes and onions.
2. Christmas ornaments, especially round glass balls, can look like toys to dogs.  Be sure to watch young dogs around the tree!
3. Tinsel can be very dangerous to animals.  Don't let your cats or dogs eat it!
4. Take the garbage out often when you are doing holiday cooking.  Turkey meat, bones and other good smelling trash may be very tempting to your dogs.
5. Use baby gates and or crates to contain dogs during the holidays when people are coming and going in and out of your house often.  This is especially important if you have guests that are not pet owners and not used to having to watch the door for animals.

Have a great Christmas and New Years everyone!  See you in 2013!

Paco Collar making class December 4

Braveheart is hosting a Paco Collar making class on Tuesday, December 4 at 7pm in Berkeley. Please contact me if you would like to attend. Cost is $112.50 and you get to take home an awesome Paco collar that you make yourself!! Great for yourself but would also make an amazing Christmas gift!

No drop-in conformation next Tuesday

There will be no drop-in conformation class next Tuesday, November 20.  There will be class on the 27th and then no class again until January 8.

Tuesday and Wednesday Drop-in Conformation Class Schedule

There will be NO Wednesday, drop-in conformation class for the rest of the year.  Attendance has been low and it will drop less as the holidays approach.  This class will resume on Wednesday, January 9, 2013.  There will be no Tuesday night, drop-in conformation class from December 4 - January 1, 2013.  This class will resume on Tuesday, January 8, 2013.