K-9 Solutions Dog Training, Inc.: Tag I'm it!

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Tag I'm it!

My fellow trainer and new friend Nancy of A Dog's Life blog has tagged me in a Crazy 8 challenge. This tag asks me to come up with and share 8 little known facts and tidbits my readers do not already know about me.

1) When I was a young teen I wanted to be a nun. Turns out not being Catholic was a great hinderance to the plan.

2) After high school I wanted to study music and become a member of an orchestra had college been an affordable option for me. I played Tenor sax and had a heavy interest in the flute. Unfortunatly I lacked talent for any hope of a scholarship.

3) I started flute lessons 2 years ago. It's never to late to learn and to do what you love. (I still lack talent however.)

4) After I got home from my time in the military I looked into becoming a dental technician. I couldn't afford the schooling. (which worked out much better for me in the long run in my opinion)

5) I was horse crazy as a kid and rode my bike miles to volunteer at a horse for hire riding stable to get free riding. I learned to ride out of books. I still love horses and would love to take carriage driving lessons one day.

6) I have a wooden spike signed by James Marsters. He played the vampire "Spike" on the Buffy and Angel series. I also own a Harry Potter time turner necklace and a Star Trek engineering uniform with rank insignia I bought at a ST convention. Yes I am the uber dork you always read about.

7) I met my husband in jail. He was a police officer, I was a corrections officer. We are an excellent pair.

8) My favorite piece of furniture is my cherry wood Jensen Tina 2 double treadle spinning wheel.

Not all that exciting but there you have it. Trainers are people too! I have been out of the loop so long and am behind in my blog reading so I am not going to tag anyone specifically. (even though I am supposed to tag 8 other bloggers) If you read this and want to participate feel free. You may say you were tagged by me.

Check out the cute photo ad I came across.

Is it not just to adorable? It is for a clicker training apprentice program. While I am not specificly a clicker trainer myself, I am definately a fan of Karen Pryor. Her principles are the foundation of all current positive method training today. Great photo!

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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