Upcoming Flash Classes

UPCOMING FLASH CLASSES:
Distance, Duration and Distractions, Thursday, 9/26, 6:30
Rally-O, Saturday, 10/5, 12:00pm
RSVP to me if you would like to attend.

September Newsletter

Summer is already winding down and it's back to school time.  Why not make it back to school for your dog too?  Check out our list of class offerings below.  Also, remember to keep your eye on the website as I have added a new class called Brain Benders and will be offering Winter Games again in Fall as well!

DOG OF THE MONTH

Classy is this months dog of the month, but this honor belongs to all of the dogs of Hana Shih Tzu!  Bonnie and Liz have been bringing their beloved Shih Tzus to our drop in conformation classes for quite a while now.  We met after my mother in law got her Shih Tzu, Joi from them several years ago.  I love all of the dogs that Bonnie and Liz bring to class, and have an especially good time being a part of the new puppies getting started on their training.  There is not much more therapeutic than playing with Shih Tzu puppies!


UPCOMING CLASSES
Small Dog Beginning, Castro Valley, 9/16, 6-7pm, 6 weeks, $150
Beginning Obedience, Castro Valley, 9/21, 9-10am, 6 weeks, $150Puppy Preschool, Castro Valley, 9/21, 10-10:50am, 6 weeks, $150
Distance, Duration and Distractions Flash Class, 9/26, 6:30-7:30pm, 1 session, $20
Three's Company, San Leandro, 10/2, 6-6:45pm, 5 weeks, $200
Rally Flash Class, San Leandro, 10/5, 12-1pm, 1 session, $20Intermediate Obedience, Thursday,  10/10, 6-6:50pm, 4 weeks, $125

ANNUAL HOWL-O-WEEN PARTY
Mark your calendars for October 25, 6:30-8:30pm for Braveheart's Annual Howl-O-Ween Party!  This year will be extra special since we will also be celebrating our 10 year anniversary!  More food, more prizes, more fun!  Costume and trick contest!  Dog and people friendly dogs welcome!

BEHAVIOR CASES
As I have mentioned before, I have cut back on my class offerings due to my back problems.  Because of this change, I have been taking on more behavior cases.  I have always offered private lessons and behavior consults, but had been referring a large portion of those to colleagues, just because I didn't have the time, but also because I needed a break from taking them.  It may not seem like it, but working behavior cases can be very tiring and a lot of work.  For each consult I do, I have to meet with the client, create a training/behavior modification plan, problem solve, create a consult report and then offer support and cheerlead the client.  I love doing it, but it can be tiring, particularly if you hit a string of really challenging cases.  So, while it can be very rewarding work, it can also create burnout.  I love that I have such a solid and reputable referral system in place should I need to refer clients on when I need to.  

The reason I am sharing this with you is that it reminded me of something I want to encourage in my clients. If your dog or bird is exhibiting a behavior problem, it is best to seek help as soon as you realize that something is off.  Remember that we all get better at things we practice and it is no different with behavior problems that we wish didn't exist.  Animals get better with practice so we do not want them practicing problematic behaviors, which is why it is so important to get them help as soon as possible.

If your animal is exhibiting any behavior that is dangerous to you, other people, other animals or the animal himself, such as aggression, fears or phobias, please seek help and do not try to correct the behavior on your own.  Many things can get worse with incorrect handling or methods.  


SHOW LIKE A PRO! CONFORMATION/HANDLING WORKSHOP WITH VICKI RONCHETTE AND SUZY OLSEN

Mark your calendars for November 2 and 3, 2013 for our Show Like a Pro workshop!  Vicki Ronchette and Suzy Olsen are teaming up to bring you an informative and fun weekend of conformation training!  For more information, click here!

Two Flash Classes Added!

I just added two Flash Classes to the calendar. Flash classes are one session classes that focus on a specific topic. They are one hour long and $20. You will need to RSVP to let me know you are coming. 
Thursday, September 5, 6:30-7:30pm - All Tricked Out! 
Thursday, September 26, 6-7pm - Distance, Duration, Distractions

August Newsletter

I hope that everyone enjoyed a great 4th of July and are having a wonderful Summer.  We have been lucky to have some, not too extreme weather which makes the season much more manageable.

As you have noticed, I have been reminding people often about being careful to not leave their dogs in their cars on warm days, but also to not walk your dog on hot pavement.  Please continue to spread the word and protect your own dogs as the Summer begins to wind down.

DOG OF THE MONTH

Charlotte is a sweet, adorable and loving 10 month old Chesapeake Bay Retriever.  Charlotte has been a Braveheart student since she was a little puppy and just graduated from our Three's Company class.  She is shown here, being trained by her 6 year old owner, Sophie.





UPCOMING CLASSES
Real World, San Leandro, Thursday, 8/8, 6-6:50pm, 4 weeks, $125
Small Dog Beginning, Castro Valley, 9/16, 6-7pm, 6 weeks, $150
Beginning Obedience, Castro Valley, 9/21, 9-10am, 6 weeks, $150
Puppy Preschool, Castro Valley, 9/21, 10-10:50am, 6 weeks, $150
Intermediate Obedience, Thursday,  10/10, 6-6:50pm, 4 weeks, $125

CLASS CHANGES
Many of you may have noticed that I have started to cut back on some of my classes. I have even had to drop some classes. The reason for this change is that I have been suffering with back problems for a long time and my back can no longer handle me standing for more than an hour or so at a time. This makes doing multiple classes very difficult and causes me pain for days afterwards most of the time. While I am still working on different ways to take care of my back and avoid further injury and pain, I also now realize, partly due to conversations with my doctors and physical therapist, that I have to start removing things from my life that cause me to stress my back. I will continue to offer both group classes and private instruction, but will be cutting back on classes.  So, if you don't see a particular class on the schedule that you are used to seeing, this is why.  It is a difficult change for me to make, but it is necessary. Thank you all for your understanding and support.

CAMPING WITH YOUR DOG
This past weekend, I went on a quick, overnight camping trip with my dog, Jenny.  This particular trip was a group trip hosted by the Golden Gate Basset Rescue group, for which I am a volunteer.  Jenny loves going and hanging out with all of her Basset buddies and all the hounds seem to have a wonderful time.  Our trip inspired me to share some tips for camping with your dog.

• Be sure to make sure that wherever you are going to camp allows dogs!  Believe it or not, there are many campgrounds that don't allow dogs.  This is critical to know before heading off on your trip!
• As unfair as it is, some campgrounds have a "not allowed breed list".  I have been to campgrounds that did not allow certain breeds, but did allow others.  Be sure your dog's breed isn't on the list.
• Some campgrounds allow dogs, but only in certain areas.  For instance, at the lake that I went to, dogs are welcome at the campgrounds, but not in the swimming areas.  So, if you are going to be swimming, you would need to have someone to stay at camp to sit with the dog.
• Some dogs are defensive or uncomfortable about being tethered or leashed, as it allows other animals or people to wander up.  Figure out the best way to contain your dog at camp.  I usually bring a short leash, a longer line (not a flexi) and at least one exercise pen.  
• Never leave your dog unattended at camp.  Whether on a tie down, tether or in a pen, someone should be with your dog at all times.
• Never leave your dog "out" at night.  
• Consider that you may need to be extra careful about parasite protection as many camping areas have ticks, mosquitos and other creepy crawlers.
• If it's hot out, do not leave your dog in direct sun without shade, in the car or in the tent, where temperatures will rise.
• Be sure to watch your dog carefully around a campfire.
• Be sure that your dog is secure in your tent.  I have been to events where dogs have let themselves out of tents during the night!  
• Don't forget to bring your dog's food, treats and even your own water if your dog has a sensitive gut.
• Be sure to keep the garbage up so your dog doesn't get into it!

Some pictures of Jenny from our recent trip:

Some Bassets playing.  Notice the ex pens up to create a "yard".  The hounds were only in this area with people and completely supervised.

Jenny enjoys hanging out at our campsite.

Jenny is a happy camper!

For the first time, we camped in our car!  I borrowed the cabana tent for my Honda Element from a friend and Jenny and I slept in there.  It was surprisingly comfortable!  I thought that if Jenny REALLY tried, she may be able to somehow get out of the tent, so I tethered her during the night inside my car.

No Drop In Conformation Class on July 30

Just a reminder that there is NO drop in conformation class next Tuesday evening.  Instead, Braveheart is hosting a collar making class at Paco Collars in Berkeley!  Please contact me if you would like to join us there!

Play Mate Match Ups Now Available for Braveheart Students

Play Mate Match Ups are now available! Bear with me as I figure out the best way to offer you this and figure everything out, as it may take me a few tries to come up with the best way to do things. 

Here is how it will work. If you are interested in getting your dog on my play mate list, you email me with this information:
Your Name
Your Dog's Name
Breed
Age
Gender
Whether or not the dog is spayed/neutered
Your dog's most successful past playmates
Your dog's not-so-good past playmates
Your location
Your email

I will maintain a list and I will put you in contact with other Braveheart students that I feel would be a good match for your dog. I will not put dogs on the list that have a history of people or dog aggression. I will not list dogs that I do not know personally. I will not assume liability for these play sessions. It will be up to you, the owners to decide if the match up is a good one and if the dogs are good candidates to interact together.

I decided not to simply put a up a list because, 1) I do not want just aanyone to be able to contact people, without knowing their dog and 2) I think that I may be able to help in determining the best matches.

So, we will start with this. If you want to get your dog listed, email me at braveheartdogs@gmail.com with this information. Please be sure to email, not message me. Please be sure to list ALL the information, even if you feel I know your dog. To save time, I plan to cut and paste the information from emails as I compile the list.

July Newsletter

It's Summertime and it's already heating up!  Please remember to be careful and thoughtful of your dogs during the hot weather.  Never, ever leave your dog in a parked car even in warm weather.  The heat inside a car can rise very quickly.

Also, please remember to be careful about walking your dog during the Summer.  For some dogs, particularly the flat faced breeds the heat is more than uncomfortable, it can be dangerous.  Walk your dog during the early morning or in the evening after the sun has gone down.  Be sure to make sure that pavement is not too hot for your dog's pads.  If the pavement is too hot for your feet, it's too hot for your dog's feet.

Finally, did you know that the 5th of July is the busiest day of the year at animal shelters?  Many dogs end up in shelters after the fourth because of the panic that some dogs experience with fireworks.  The loud fireworks can upset dogs to the point of them being so afraid that they are even able to escape areas where they usually seem secure.  Please be very careful with your animals this 4th of July.

-Keep your dogs and cats inside on the 4th.
-If you have a dog that is very noise sensitive or phobic, stay home with them.
-Have the TV on and keep the volume turned up to drown out some of the noise.
-Consider a Thundershirt for dogs that are very worried about the noise.
-Go outside with your dog, even in your yard, during fireworks and around the 4th.
-Do NOT leave your dog outside and go out.

DOG OF THE MONTH

Jagger is a 10 month old male standard Poodle.  He has been a private Braveheart client for some time and recently completed both our Three's Company class and our CGC class.  He is owned and loved by his mom Jan, who is working hard to raise this beautiful boy right.  We are happy to have them in classes!

ONLINE CLASS

Want to learn to train your show dog but don't have the time to attend classes?  Consider taking our Positive Training for Show Dogs Online Course.  The next session starts on July 8!  Visit this link for more information!

UPCOMING CLASSES

Small Dog Beginning Obedience/Manners, Castro Valley, Monday, July 8, 6:30-7:30pm, 6 weeks, $150

Fun with Training and Tricks, Castro Valley, Monday, July 8, 7:30-8:15pm, 6 weeks, $135

Beginning Obedience/Manners, Castro Valley, Saturday, July 13, 9-10am, 6 weeks, $150

Puppy Preschool, Castro Valley, Saturday, July 13, 10-10:50am, 6 weeks, $150

Fun with Agility, Castro Valley, Saturday, July 13, 11-11:50am, 6 weeks, $150

3 Ds Flash Class, San Leandro, Thursday, July 11, 6-7pm, 1 session, $20

In this one session flash class we will focus on introducing distance, duration and distractions to trained behaviors.

Tricks! Flash Class, San Leandro, Thursday, July 18, 6-7pm, 1 session, $20

Real World, San Leandro, Thursday, August 11, 6-6:50pm, 4 weeks, $125

Join us as we visit local parks in the area to sharpen our training!

Three's Company, San Leandro, Tuesday, August 13, 6-6:45pm, 5 weeks, $200