So – here’s what’s coming up:

Hoo boy – March flew by and here it is half way through April. Classes at the Barrier Islands Center are rocking – 8 in Basic Obedience, 7 in Intro to Nose Work, . . . → Read More: April and May doings around Dogville]]> I have no idea how to put in a “find us on FB link” so here’s our FB link: More information at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eastern-Shore-Dog/187679051266077.

Hoo boy – March flew by and here it is half way through April. Classes at the Barrier Islands Center are rocking – 8 in Basic Obedience, 7 in Intro to Nose Work, and 4 in Intro to Odor. And everyone is doing just dandy!

So – here’s what’s coming up:

• April 18, Thursday, 630p. Mind Your (Veterinary) Manners, Atlantic Animal Hospital. Free – limited to 6 dogs, one hour. Your veterinarian is your dog’s friend – why not teach your dog to be friendly and comfortable when visiting his doctor’s office? Spend an hour with me, and we’ll work on positive reinforcement techniques and proper manners while in the office. Please contact Atlantic Animal Hospital directly for participation, 757-302-0345. Get on the waiting list if there’s no room this month, it is WELL worth your time. 

• NW1/Nose Work Travel Class - Practice nose work skills with us up and down the Shore at locations and times posted weekly; you join us for the ones that work for you. Great if you are practicing in preparation for an ORT or NW1 trial, or just want to hang out and have fun with your dog. Cost $20/session. Pre-requisite: Introduction to Odor. Please contact Beth Ann for more information.

May brings several events:

• Saturday, May 11 (rain date May 18): Dogs on the Farm 11a – 3p, Barrier Islands Center. This is an all-inclusive event for your family and your dog. $30/dog, and associated people are free. We’ll have participant gift bags for all dogs, a mini-greetings workshop, obedience point-to-point, nose work demo, vendors, Island Creamery ice cream and wraps (served up by Machipongo Trading Company), a kissing booth for photography of you and your dog – and more. This event will benefit the Eastern Shore SPCA, and is hosted by the BIC, Eastern Shore SPCA and Eastern Shore Dog.

• Saturday, May 25: Art and Music on the Farm, Barrier Islands Center. Although not strictly a dog event, this is a dog friendly facility, so well-behaved dogs are welcome. Let your dog spend time with you as you shop the art, enjoy the music, and socialize with friends.

Lots to do – must go and prepare!

I’m certified by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) as a “knowledge-assessed” dog . . . → Read More: why I stay “certified”]]> This is the time of year when I assure I’m meeting the standards to be recertified as a Professional Dog Trainer, so I thought I’d share a little about this process with you, and how I feel about my certifications.

I’m certified by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) as a “knowledge-assessed” dog trainer.  Certification is a form of credentialing, and means I’ve met the criteria and standards to be designated as having professional-level competence in dog training. Many professions require certifications (or licenses) – including veterinarians, adult literacy tutors, government auditors, airplane mechanics, public school teachers, and architects.

To get certified, I met a minimum number of dog training hours, took and passed a (3 hour, grueling) written test, and completed an application process that included my education, experience, and references from another dog trainer, a veterinarian, and a client. To stay certified, I continue to train dogs, continue my education through approved classwork, and periodically re-apply to demonstrate I’m still meeting the standards set by CCPDT.

In the last year or so, I’ve also completed the classwork, dog training hours, and written test to become certified as a K9 Nose Work Instructor, through the National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW). If you and your dog attended nose work classes with me, you’ve probably filled out a class evaluation form, and your dog might have been videotaped. To meet certification requirements for this specialized designation, I also trained my own dog to recognize birch and pass an Odor Recognition Test. (Go Bodhi!)

Certification is completely voluntary in the dog-training world, so why do it?

One reason is that I’m a big believer in continuing education, one of the requirements of recertification. I have a BS in Biology, MS in Biology, an MA in Leadership and Liberal Studies, 12 hours of accounting, an adult literacy tutor certificate, and am 3 hours short of a certificate in Logistics Management – in addition to the two dog certifications. Everything in that list except the biology degrees was pursued because I had things I wanted to learn and do – only the biology degrees were required for my career as a forensic ornithologist.

Another reason is that being certified puts me in contact with other certified trainers, and access to their expertise. It’s fun to learn new ways to coach you, train your dog, and have more adventures together.

Finally, my CPDT-KA and ANWI/CNWI certifications show you that I’m willing to learn new things, like you do when you sign up for a class. It’s not always comfortable to learn new things – after all, as adults we are typically competent and quick at most things we do. Subjecting ourselves to new methods and ideas can be …uncomfortable. I want you to know that I know how you feel – to stay certified, I have to learn and demonstrate new techniques, which doesn’t always feel good – until I get good at them. In other words, you can be sure I “feel your pain.” I hope this makes me a more sensitive instructor. Still a slightly flippant smart-aleck, but hopefully more sensitive to you and your needs.

Hugs and belly rubs – Still Certifiable :),

Beth Ann

February brings opportunity for more practice with your dog!

BUT – Katie wants to please her owner. So today I saw her go and find the ball, touch the ball, and look toward her owner/handler, Alice. Alice yelled “yayyyyyy!”

That’s all it took. Katie, who was adopted and . . . → Read More: Katie Brown Morehouse]]> Katie doesn’t want play with a ball. She’s chocolate labrador retriever that doesn’t want to retrieve.

BUT – Katie wants to please her owner. So today I saw her go and find the ball, touch the ball, and look toward her owner/handler, Alice. Alice yelled “yayyyyyy!”

That’s all it took. Katie, who was adopted and had baggage when she arrived at Alice and David’s house – she went and found the ball, touched the ball, and picked up the ball.

Your dog wants to please you. You can use this to help your dog enjoy its wonderful life and have fun. Happy Christmas, Beth Ann.

This is your gift to your dog: play with that toy.

Play the . . . → Read More: Happy Holidays – your dog wants to play with you.]]> Your dog has a favorite toy. No – seriously, I’d bet on it. A real favorite – one that when it shows up he goes nuts for. One that he chews on, hovers over, drops in your lap and then stares at.

This is your gift to your dog: play with that toy.

Play the way he wants. Grab the toy – toss it. Hide the toy. Act like you love the toy – can’t live without it- your dog will love it more because you do. You are his favorite person in the world – what could be better than his favorite person playing with his favorite toy?

Now, push it. Say “wait” and put his paw on the toy. If he starts to move his paw, say “uh huh – wait!” Grab the toy from under his paw, reward your dog by tossing the toy to him. Who needs food or a treat when you have your dog’s favorite toy as a reward?

It’s so easy to please some people – like me. I like watching my dogs have fun and learn.

It’s so easy to please some dogs – wait – make that any dog. Just let him have fun, his way, with his favorite toy.

It costs very little to please your dog – he just wants you to show that you know him. Give him this gift, and give it to yourself.

Ho – ho – ho – Beth Ann