Dog Training Begins.... Again!

I am soooo woefully behind again on blogging. I've never in my life really kept a journal, and now we know why. ;)

I just wanted to share with you all that Mako and I have started a dog training series with dog's best friend, Nikki Ivey, our favourite dog trainer! Nikki has designed a new dog certification that she wants us all to kick in to gear, so these classes we're taking will end with Mako's test to become a certified Real Life Rover! It's a newer version of a Canine Good Citizen certification, if you've ever heard of that. We're going to work pretty hard over the next 8 weeks to be sure he passes his test, because that would be so awesome to be a part of history! Plus that means he'll finally be listening to me outdoors... LOL. You can check it out on Nikki's website: www.dogspeak101.com

I'm telling you though, this is so much fun. Nikki also has seminars that teach you how dogs communicate, and it's amazing the things you'll notice in other dogs and when you're at the dog park once you've been through her seminar and seen the video examples of the behaviours. You wouldn't believe how much you've been missing all these years!

I've also recently gotten Mako a couple of new collars from our new best friends. Lindsay and Taylor have a company called Pattern & Paw, and Lindsay actually makes dog collars and harnesses and leashes, and cat stuff too! If you're looking for a new collar that is much more interesting than those mono-color ones you can find in the stores, and that are very reasonably priced, you can check them out here: www.patternandpaw.com

~Gwen

Dog Training

OMG, I have to tell you, I had the best time last night!!

You're going to laugh at me, I know, but I went to a dog training seminar, led by a new friend of mine, Nikki Ivey. It... was... AWESOME!! Her new organization is called DogSpeak. She's just so passionate about dog training and the positive reinforcement techniques, AND she can talk about it in an educating and just lovable way. I know, I'm gushing, but I can't wait for the next one.

I met Nikki about a year and a half ago when she had her own indoor facility where I would take Mako for occational dog socialization nights. It was a big warehouse sized space with padded floor puzzle pieces, so they weren't playing directly on cement (have you heard a dog's head hit the cement when wrestling with another dog? It's heart-sinking scary.) She closed the facility to focus on other passions she had, namely her Search and Rescue organization TERRA, and helping another facility get their dog day care going strong. She's done a wonderful job with both (Note: she also started TN's Metro SAR before starting TERRA), and I've recently touched base with her again. I can't wait to see and learn more about dog training and truly understanding the amazing relationship one can have with their pet when you finally understand each other.

So, for anyone who owns a dog, whether you think you have issues or not, about anything, check out her website and Yahoo! Group. The website talks about how to understand your dog's language and how to train a dog with humane, and efficient, techniques to have good manners around the house and beyond. The Yahoo! Group is a forum where you can ask questions and receive notifications of upcoming seminars and events.

http://dogspeak101.com/

and

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/DogSpeak101/

Check it out!! Her next seminar is:

Dog-Dog Interactions

9:00am - 12:00pm

classroom lesson

1:30pm - 3:30pm

dog park work with the dogs!!

~Gwen