K-9 Solutions Dog Training, Inc.: Support your local shelters!!

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Support your local shelters!!

We are glutons for punishment so we did another float. This time for the Maine Lobster Festival parade. Here are just a few of the photos I took before the parade.

We updated some of our signs. This is cat litter boy.

I love the back!

Check out our new volunteer mobile! Our awesome volunteer co-ordinator Joan Vargas not only thought up the idea but volunteered her own smart car for it. Yay for volunteers!!

It rocks!

A shelter that covers 22 towns needs all the help it can get! Visibility is important!

It is quite the attention getter.

Advertising that helps the shelter too!

Before the parade.

Fenway our superstar! Thanks to Heidi of The Loyal Biscuit for being a good sport and helping show off what shelter dogs can do! (She got to ride in the truck being the star and all.)

Our "pitch in to help" pool.

Yay!!

Side 1.

Side 2.

Our sign maker did an incredible job!!

We had alot of info we wanted to get out to the public.

I think we did a great job. We even have some ideas for next time! Thanks to everyone who helped out. Making signs, walking with the signs, collecting donations during the parade, handing out dog biscuits with wish lists and volunteer help cards to the crowd, driving the car/truck, walking with the banner. SO many hands together can get alot accomplished!!! When it comes to supporting your local shelter remember that every little bit helps.

6 comments:

teri said...: Great Job!! Looks like it was a lot of fun...I am sorry I missed it!; August 7, 2010 at 7:49 PM
Kaitlin Jenkins said...: Wow the float looks great. I always love to see people helping out their local shelters!; August 8, 2010 at 3:50 PM
jen said...: SO COOL!

I adore litter boy!; August 9, 2010 at 11:13 AM
lin said...: Our shelter and friends group walked in the local July 4 parade. We had cute decorations, but I have to say yours are cleverer!; August 9, 2010 at 9:05 PM
Marie said...: Thanks everyone. Lin feel free to borrow the ideas. (Unless you're in our area. VBG); August 9, 2010 at 9:20 PM
Stephanie said...: This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.; August 10, 2010 at 4:51 PM

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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