Three Questions

When working, playing or training your dog, ask yourself these great questions:


1.What can I learn from my dog today about dogs and training?
2.How can I tune into my dog’s energy and use it in teaching him (or her) how to obey me?
3.Is there anything my dog’s behavior can teach me about myself so that I can become a better trainer or owner?

They can help you be a better training partner for your dog. Try it!

(taken from Lee Charles Kelley-trainer)

Health issues-darn it.

Recent health issues have kept me too busy with tests (Ct scan, MRI, PET scan), doctor visits, surgery and such. And my computer is dying. I need a new hard drive and busy trying to obtain one. So sketchy posts till everything settled down. The good news is that I feel fine and only cancelled two nights of classes. Actually I'm working on reformating my classes on Nov 1. New stuff and prices coming soon so watch my website for more info. Exciting stuff.

Run in with a Park Ranger

Class interrupted by a Park Ranger last night. Came huffing and puffing over like he wanted to arrest the bunch of us. Like we were drug dealers or something. Offense: Dog off leash. Technically correct because one dog's leash got badly tangled in the other dog and the best way to undo it was to unclip the dog, hold his collar, untangle the dog and reclip. Park Ranger was nasty and said there is no warning at this park just a $140 citation and did we want to risk it?

Are you kidding me? We were not practicing with dogs off leash. We NEVER do. They are always under our control at all times. And heck, we are training our dogs, not like the other 100's of dogs at the park with little to no training. MANY times during class people cut through the field where we are training with THEIR dogs off leash. And I have seen many, many dogs entering and leaving the dog park with dogs off leash.

So what did we do? We just said "Okay, thanks." and let him walk off. Seems like a fight not worth fighting because we knew we were not in the wrong and he was just in a very bad mood that night. Maybe he had a bad night or has a bad life, who knows. Just better to walk away from that one. Eh?

Juno the police dog

No, this isn't her picture but I always picture police dogs as german shepherds. I just had to write something about this because I just saw it first hand at Walmart on Sunday. Guy left his boxer in his truck on a hot afternoon with windows just inches down and boxer was suffering. Walmart employees-uncaring and useless. Passerbys-concerned and upset. Now a policeman leaves his partner in a hot car. I don't know the circumstances and I know he's gotta feel horrible. She trusted him with her life and would have given her life for his and he let her down. I went home tonight and hugged all my dogs and told them I loved them.

I know I felt horrible when my Oreo died and I did all I could possibly do for him at the time. It's never easy to lose a best friend but this was avoidable. I wonder if he could have just put her in a down stay OUTSIDE the car. Wouldn't she be trained to do that? They get SOOO much training I wouldn't believe she couldn't do that. Or why couldn't he take her with him to the door of the people's house or whereever he was? Or even quickly tied her leash to the steering wheel or seat and shut the door on it? I guess we could ponder it forever but the bottom line is we lost one of the city's finest.

Facebook

Be sure to check out my Fan page for Playful Pooches and Parents Dog Training. I'm trying to post graduates of my classes. I've had over 1500 owners and dogs come through my classes so I'm sure I can't post everyone but I'm going through old pics and trying to pull them and post them. If you are a graduate and have a picture, email it to me and I'll post it. And check out our adventures each day in training class. Lots of fun and learning too!

Internet Blues

That's me since Thursday. Internet connection is down and men from Bell have been working dilegently on the corner near my house to try to bring it up to stay. Maybe the latest effort will work. It is holding up production-my blog, facebook entries, my newsletter and checking and returning emails. So if it looks like I've been away, no, not me, Cincinnati Bell! Maybe I can return to a happy face soon. : )

Feast or Famine

Saturday had just 2 pups and owners for 3 classes total. It was in Anderson so that's a long drive, gas money and etc.... Today I had 10 dogs and owners for 4 classes at the Animal Ark. It's 5 minutes away, I could almost walk. Something not right here. My Park class on Mondays is well attended (if it's not too hot). I think it has a lot to do with space, noise, comfortable surroundings. Of course there are things we can do at the park we can't do in Anderson and things we can do at Anderson and not at the park. But all in all, I may transition to the Park for half the year and the other half indoors. I think it can work and could save money at the same time. Hmmmmm.