K-9 Solutions Dog Training, Inc.: I love my job

Friday, May 4, 2007

I love my job

This is what I did today.

I evaluated a litter of 8 week old Chow Chow puppies. Some of them are coming to stay with me for some training and socialization before they head to their new homes.

The girls.

The boys. How cute are they?

This is Pippa. She is a springer spaniel client originally from England. Would you believe this is where she went and what she did when I wasn't interacting directly with her? She did not read the springer handbook apparently. VBG (They are usually much more active than this when awake.)

This cutie is Baxter. He is a labradoodle. (lab/poodle cross) Most of the doodles have a curlier coat than this. Though you can't see them in the pics, he only has some whiskers and a few furnishings on the legs. (The whiskers are adorable I must say.) He is learning some basic obedience and puppy manners.

And here is Duke, the prison dog, wearing a cone of shame. He decided to pull his neuter sutures out and had to go back to the vet to get them re-done. Silly boy! Now he is having some tummy issues so he is back at the shelter until he stops er, being so "messy".

Poor guy!

Here are a few cute pics of Dash. It looks like he will be going to a home in Mass if everything checks out. I wish he was going to be closer to us so we could visit. At least he will be in Red Sox territory. He will have a Boston Terrier brother to play with. :-)

Caught in the act! He isn't allowed toys on the couch but he occasionally tries. I snapped the pic as he was trying to act casual about it. (Kong? I don't see a kong??)

No comments:

Post a Comment

My Story

In 1992, after serving for 6 years in the United States Marine Corps, I decided to settle down in my hometown in Mid-Coast Maine. I got my first dog, (as a bona-fide adult) an akita, and joined the local kennel club. I also joined akita rescue and learned alot about the breed. In turn I began helping educate others. This taught me how important training is for ALL dogs. Thus began my (unofficial) foray into the world of dog training.

I worked for a few years at a local veterinarians office and then began working at our local humane society. While there I saw many dogs being given up for simple training issues. About that time the kennel club began looking for a new trainer to teach group obedience classes. I decided I might be able to handle that challenge once I had more official training of my own.

MY TRAINING:

I found an excellent trainer to mentor with and in October of 2001 after a year of hands on training and study I completed my apprenticeship under Lloyd Williams of Bear Brook Kennels. During that apprenticeship, in addition to learning all the basics, I got to assist in the training of police dogs in narcotics, tracking and cadaver dogs with the medical examiners office.

Not only did I learn how to be a dog trainer, more importantly, I learned how to teach owners how they could communicate more effectively with their dogs. I consider that training just the beginning in my canine education. I continue to attend seminars and keep current through reading about recent advancements in dog training methods. I am a former member of The Association of Professional Dog Trainers.

My training was sponsored by The Humane Society of Knox County and The Mid-Coast Kennel Club of Maine.

MY METHODS:

I use positive reinforcement methods whenever possible during training sessions. Positive reinforcement helps make the training experience more enjoyable for both the dog and owner, producing a better learning environment. I also utilize hand signals in my training which is very useful with deaf dogs as well as hearing ones. My methods include lure/reward and marker training. (with or without a clicker depending on owner preference)

MY GOALS:

My goal in training is to help pet owners develop a better relationship with their dogs. Many times that includes teaching about canine communication and behavior. I also like to help dogs stay out of the shelters and in their homes whenever possible. Training for those unruly dogs can make that a reality for some families.

MY OTHER JOBS:

I am currently the trainer for the HSKC's K-9 Corrections program. I also work as a receptionist at a local veterinary hospital.

MY FAMILY:

I am happily married and the mother of two fabulous children.

Dog Training and Behavior Seminars Attended

11-09 Self Control and Focus Games with Dee Ganley CPDT/CABC/CDBC
6-09 Dog to Dog Aggression with Patricia McConnell PhD
7-08 Debunking the Dominance Myth in Training with Jean Donaldson
6-08 PitBull Education Seminar with Drayton Michaels
3-08 Aggression and Canine Compulsion Disorders with Dr. Nicholas Dodman
4-07 How to Talk Dog with Sarah Kalnajs
6-06 Understanding Canine Body Language with Trish King
4-06 Aggression in Dogs 2 Day Seminar with Brenda Aloff
10-05 Play with Me and Feisty Fidos with Pia Silvani CPDT,CABC
2005 Canine Communication, Meet your Match and and Intro to "Safer" Training with Emily Weiss PhD