Exciting news & play time too

I keep forgetting that I have some REALLY exciting news for me to share. (I get sidetracked easily sometimes. To much blog post material and so little time!) I have been invited to become a regular contributor to www.dogstardaily.com/ 's blog. Dog Star Daily is a fabulous site that has all kinds of great FREE training articles and videos of positive reward method training. I am joining the ranks of some of my favorite peers like Dr. Ian Dunbar, Patricia McConnell PhD and Dr. Nicolas Dodman just to name a few. They have MANY fantastic knowledgeable contributors. I am very excited to be part of such a wonderful site. Please check it out and pass it on to anyone in need of good training advice. Remember it's FREE!
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This sweet face belongs to Louisa. She is one of the shelter dogs we worked with today.



When I say we I mean my apprentice Jen and I. Jen is studying to be a dog trainer through the Animal Behavior College and I am her Mentor Trainer. ( http://www.animalbehaviorcollege.com/ ) It is an online program for people that want to learn to become dog trainers. I really like the fact they require a hands on portion and it isn't just a home study course. Everyone learns differently, but I think working under another trainers supervision is very important when starting out in the training field. I like the fact that it is a positive method based program as well.
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The school also requires their students to do time at an animal shelter as a volunteer. Shelters are always looking for warm bodies to help out so it is a win/win for everyone as I see it. Especially the dogs who need the hands on time. There are many ways to become a dog trainer, this is just one option. Whatever your choice I believe it is important to get hands on training under your belt with another trainer before hanging your business shingle. It is unfortunate that anyone can say they are a dog trainer with no actual experience beyond training their own dogs. It is an unregulated field remember. This is why finding out more about your trainer before you trust your dogs training to them is very important.

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Jen also runs a rescue shelter in Kentucky out of an elementary school she and a friend bought off ebay. Yes you really can find ANYTHING on ebay. Here is their website: http://www.cleanslateanimalrescue.com/ She is also studying animal nutrition. Here is a link to her dog blog: http://thedog-ma.blogspot.com/ She is an incredible person and I am having alot of fun working with her.

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Louisa says "Wanna play?"

A snippet of her playing on video. Thankfully our shelter is pit bull friendly.

Another shelter dog Fizzy.

She also loves to play. I don't know about you but I could watch dogs playing all day long.

For more info on them go to: http://www.humanesocietyofknoxcounty.org/

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Here is Missy and Jenny during some couch time.

Can't see Jenny you say? Here is a close up.

She does this ALL the time. Yes it is a wonder she doesn't suffocate. Fortunately for her we watch out where we sit now. Silly girl!