"I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive." -- Gilda Radner
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By esdog, on December 20th, 2012 Hello again -
Pretty exciting news about class offerings in January at the Barrier Islands Center. In our Sunday classes, we’ve filled both the Introduction to K9 Nose Work® and the Introduction to Odor class! Anyone who has seen the nose work dogs searching knows this is fun for the dogs and the handlers. I’m really looking forward to these classes.
Also, there may be only one position left in the Basic Obedience class that starts Sunday, January 6 at 11a – and most of the dogs are young so it will be another group of AKC STAR Puppies on the Shore – happy, happy.
So – the Barrier Islands Center has made a Saturday morning slot available to the Dogs on the Farm program. Here’s the scoop:
Basic Obedience
Learn the fundamentals of companion obedience and how to communicate with your best friend. Your dog will learn mouth manners (take it, leave it, get it, drop it), control behaviors (sit, down, stay) and safety behaviors (wait, recall). We’ll also work on polite leash walking and more, and add games and tricks to keep your dog engaged and learning. No pre-requisite – this is where your dog’s education starts!
Class starts Saturday, January 5, 11a. 6 weeks, $120. Limit: 8 dogs.
Pre-registration is required, please email me to reserve your “Spot” for either the remaining position on Sunday, or the new class on Saturday. Can’t wait to see you there!
BA
By esdog, on November 27th, 2012 Hey!
Join us this January for the continuing “Dogs on the Farm” program at the Barrier Islands Center. There’s something for everyone, including Basic Obedience and two levels of K9 Nose Work®.
Pre-registration is required, please email me to reserve your “Spot.”
Basic Obedience
Learn the fundamentals of companion obedience and how to communicate with your best friend. Your dog will learn mouth manners (take it, leave it, get it, drop it), control behaviors (sit, down, stay) and safety behaviors (wait, recall). We’ll also work on polite leash walking and more, and add games and tricks to keep your dog engaged and learning. No pre-requisite – this is where your dog’s education starts!
Class starts Sunday, January 6, 11a. 6 weeks, $120. Limit: 8 dogs.
Introduction to K9 Nose Work®
The next fun activity for dogs is here on the Eastern Shore! Nose Work is a new activity and sport, based on detection dog training techniques. Help your dog rediscover his ability to follow scent to its source. Any dog can do it, regardless of training and social skills. Dogs are crated between runs, and work one at a time on boxes to develop consistent “hunt drive” and focus. Your dog will be introduced to container, interior and exterior searches, as well. No prerequisite.
Class starts Sunday, January 6, 12:30pm. 6 weeks, $120. Limit: 6 dogs.
Introduction to Odor
Teach your dog to search for specific (non-food) scents and challenge your dog’s ability to drive to odor source. After basic exercises, your dog will be able to solve new scent problems, including interiors, exteriors, and vehicle searches. This class prepares your dog for the Odor Recognition Test, competition, and our Traveling Nose Work Practice Group. Pre-requisite: Introduction to K9 Nose Work. Your dog should be familiar with box work and searches using primary reinforcers.
Class starts Sunday, January 6, 2pm. 6 weeks, $120. Limit: 6 dogs.
By esdog, on November 23rd, 2012 For me, the winter season is marked by two beautiful bookends – Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day. What could be better than 3 months that start with gratitude and end with love?
This is the time to refresh and re-energize – take stock and make plans. It’s the time to set goals, develop a schedule for the new year, and prepare for What’s Next. Typically, as my closest friends know, I rest, write and think during the winter months. Peggy, one of my oldest – wait – longest-term? friends knows this about me and has remarked “you always like being quiet on holidays.” I got used to being alone while I was in Oregon for winter holidays, and turned it to my advantage. Naps, note-taking, and Chinese food in Ashland – I just mooched around and thought about what I wanted to do the next year. I got so habitualized to it that it took my sister-in-law Amy to show me it’s ok to just do the family thing when I moved back east. But I still use Thanksgiving as the day to start my winter rest and rebirth.
So – as you think about the new year, take a look at what you’ve accomplished, and where you want to go. Include your dog…why not? Your dog is a big part of your life! If not, why not just get a stuffed animal, right? Your dog can help you exercise more, learn new things, meet new people. While you are training your dog, your dog can be your coach.
Happy Beautiful Bookends – xo BA
By esdog, on November 4th, 2012 Today at Historic Onancock School, three classes of dogs and their people made dog training a worthwhile endeavor.
Basic Obedience dogs Juneau, Jenny, Hanah, Ringo, Lola and little Iggy Pop – they all learned “Leave It” and some dogs even went so far as leaving a treat in plain sight, not daring to touch the temptation. We started Loose Leash Walking with leash management – the handlers all hung in there as we juggled leash, dog, clicker, and treats. And then recall – everyone took the first steps toward building this life-saving behavior. Juneau the Princess posed, Hanah stood in front of her handler (a major event), Ringo circled his herd of one, Iggy grew legs this week. Jenny’s handler, new to the class, did a great job. Lola was the perfect demo dog. Everyone got what they needed and showed improvement. Dreamy.
Intermediate Obedience – we moved into the basement cafeteria at the School. Two dogs, Simba and Harley, typically on top of it all, weren’t crazy about the stairs. Then somehow, miraculously, they worked it out – probably because their handlers were patient, loving, calm and consistent – and never forced the dogs but instead allowed them to go at their own pace. Chumbley and Teagan rocked the house with their first steps in heel. Lily and Brewster performed the perfect “stand” at side. Corduroy and Wally gave up their barking as they got down to work. Henry, Hoppe and Rosebud demonstrated their “stays” – each watching their handlers carefully, showing just how important the relationship is in a successful working team. The dogs worked hard and were exhausted by class end. Dreamy.
Nose Work – the two little guys tore it up! Melvin (completely deaf and blind in one eye) can hardly contain himself when he realizes the search is on – he found primary rewards (stinky treats) at heights three times his height on a windowsill. His “cousin” Leo sniffed out challenge after challenge, solving scent problems that included primary rewards behind a pilon, above his head on a shelf, and even atop a pumpkin. Most amazing, the Historic Onancock School is still decked out for the Haunted School House – yet these two Sniffing Soldiers just kept working, undistracted by the spider webs, gravestones and paper bats and cats. Plus – both dogs are ridiculously intent on their work and we laugh the whole time watching them – they absolutely race to the scent. Laughing and watching dogs do what they do best….dreamy.
Thank you, thank you from the Dog Trainer to today’s stars at the Onancock School. You made my day.
By esdog, on October 24th, 2012 Soon I’ll be posting the proposed classes for 2013…do you believe we’re talking about 2013 already? In any case, I’ve had interest in Basic Obedience, Intro to Nose Work and Continued Nose Work (Interiors, Exteriors and Vehicles). Let me know what you have on your mind and I’ll toss it into the mix. Thanks! BA
By esdog, on September 18th, 2012 Hey – great opportunity for socializing your four-legged family member (and others in your family, if they need it :) ): The Eastern Shore SPCA (our local no-kill shelter in Onley) is again hosting the “Best Friends Walk Together Pet Walk” on Saturday October 6, 9a at the Gazebo in Onancock.
I’m crushed I can’t be there this year – there’s a costume contest, adoptable dogs, and some pretty cool pets show up. In the past I’ve walked a dog for the SPCA that later was adopted (see “Cujo Has Mojo“) by two time SPCA adopters, the lovely Conquest sisters. Last year I got to walk my own dog – a rare occasion for me since I’m usually seen with other people’s dogs in public (and as a result, it shows on my poor dogs).
Anyway – don’t forget to practice “safe” greetings (don’t let your dog touch noses with others you and he don’t know) and join the crowd for a great cause. You can gather pledges or just make a small donation. Why not bring a bag of puppy food or some kitty litter, while you’re at it?
Walk on!
Beth Ann
By esdog, on September 7th, 2012 Natalie Rinker-Good, owner of Shore Angels Therapy Dogs, can now certify your qualified dog for therapy visits to hospitals, nursing homes, and schools. Natalie is a tester/observer for Therapy Dogs Inc. (TDInc.) a national organization that provides registration, support, and insurance for members who are involved in volunteer animal assisted activities.
Natalie owns two certified therapy dogs herself. Luca, 6 year old male Beagle, and Blanca, 2 year old female German Shepherd Dog, make regular visits to Heritage Hall, RSMH and participate in the Books & Barks R.E.A.D. Program with Cape Charles Christian School. Didi and I were part of the READ program last year – Natalie showed us the ropes and made both of us comfortable with the process.
Do you think you and your dog might like to get involved? Any dog that likes people and has a good disposition is eligible to be tested and evaluated to become a therapy dog. Formal training or passing an AKC Canine Good Citizen test is not required. Natalie will evaluate your control of your dog with a loose leash, your team’s canine-human interaction, canine-canine behavior. Since people will be touching your dog, Natalie will evaluate how your dog responds to being handled.
There is no fee for this service. It’s highly recommended you shadow a trained team on a therapy visit first to make sure you and your dog have an enjoyable and meaningful experience.
If you would like to be a therapy team member, call Natalie (757-678-6098) with Shore Angels Therapy Dogs for more information. Your dog needs a job – this one is really special.
By esdog, on August 30th, 2012 Bodhi and I are off to K9 Nose Work Camp in the Poconos this weekend. This is an NACSW event, and puts me one step closer to my certification. Nope, I’ve never spent the weekend in a heart-shaped bed with a man, but this will be the second time Bodhi and I will spend four nights in a kids’ bunkhouse at a camp in the Poconos.
I never would have believed it, but it’s a blast to spend time with 70 other dogs and their handlers for a few days. I get to learn instead of teach, be coached instead of coach, and just hang out with other people who love their dogs. The food is amazing and it’s all about the dogs. And the food. :)
Bodhi, my little shy-guy, loves the time and grows more independent as his nose work experience grows. We share a bunk, take walks by the lake – it’s a Match.com moment for a woman and her dog.
Have a great Labor Day weekend, and I’ll check in with you soon. Maybe I’ll post a few pics of Nosey-Nose (Bodhi) on FB, we’ll see. We might be too busy having fun to take pictures of us having fun.
xo BA
By esdog, on August 27th, 2012 Here’s the schedule of classes for the autumn sessions at HOS and beloved BIC. You’re invited!
Historic Onancock School – Saturday classes
Cost: $130
- Basic Obedience – starts October 13, 12:30p
- Intermediate Obedience – starts October 13, 2p
- Introduction to K9 Nose Work – starts October 13, 3:30p
Barrier Islands Center – Sunday classes
Cost: $110
- Basic Obedience – starts October 7, noon
- Intermediate Obedience – starts October 7, 1:30p
- Introduction to K9 Nose Work – starts October 14, 3p
All classes are 6 weeks long, pre-registration is required. Check out the class descriptions at the Class Offerings tab.
Questions? Ready to register? Please send an email to Beth Ann to hold your place.
By esdog, on August 17th, 2012 Check out Events at the Eastern Shore Dog facebook page for upcoming classes at Barrier Islands Center and the Historic Onancock School. There’s something for everyone, and every dog.
Aren’t I hip? facebook!
BA
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