K-9 Solutions Dog Training, Inc.: Walker makes a friend and my 1st razzy award

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Walker makes a friend and my 1st razzy award

Walker did great at the boat show today. He made a new friend named Price and they played together a lot. (Price is also available for adoption at HSKC.) He went back to the prison quite exhausted. We also found out that Walker IS food possessive with another dog around. This is excellent information to find out before his adoption. We can warn potential adopters so it isn't a deal breaker for anyone. (which will hopefully prevent him bouncing back) I can also give tips for management and come up with a behavior modification protocol to change the behavior if he does go into a home with another dog.

It was a beautiful day and we collected a lot of money for the shelter. I even learned how to run the dog tag machine. I also had one of the most amazing chocolate chip cookies and a quadruple chocolate ice creme cone. Yum!!

And now for my FIRST EVER Razzy award!!

The only down part of the day was our neighbor in the booth next to us. I am so mad about it I could just spit. But that is unlady like so I shall use my only superpower and blog about it instead. I am not sure if she was the gallery owner but the booth she was in belonged to the Franciska Needham Gallery. Just after I arrived at the shelters booth to help out she loudly pronounced that we had "Excessive signage" and that it was "Poorly done". Wow, how truly tactless! First if we were in her way at all there are nicer ways to ask us to move our stuff. (which we did anyhow to be polite) And how incredibly rude for an "Art" person to tell us our signs are not nice considering a volunteer painted them and did what we think is an incredible job! (They were the same signs we had on our float for the parade.) Pardon us, a non-profit organization, for spending our money on things like food for the animals and vet care instead of professionally made signs. What were we thinking?? Then later she walked by with another person and we over heard her say that this was the art tent and she had "No idea why we were there." Ummm we were there because that's where the event organizers put us. Sorry if that downgraded your property. So for your efforts and kindness today lady the Razzy goes to you.

Yes I feel a little better now.

Thank you to Maine, Boats, Homes & Harbors for not only giving us space at the event but matching ALL donations this week. Bravo to you for being so supportive!!!

3 comments:

blogdog said...: Talk about rude! She just lost another visitor to that gallery. Just goes to show you that not all bitches are of the canine variety...; August 16, 2010 at 12:50 PM
Jen said...: I still can't get over that woman! She clearly doesn't know who she's messing with, though - midcoast Maine is a small community that LOVES its dogs... Dissing the Humane Society really is not the best way to make a good impression around here!; August 16, 2010 at 3:17 PM
Marie said...: I guess it takes all kinds. She probably figures it doesn't matter and won't affect her business to be rude to us peons. I hope Karma bites her in the ass.; August 16, 2010 at 8:47 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