July 15, 2010 Graduating Class…..

Introducing the newest A+ Dog Obedience School’s (@ Denia Recreation Center) Graduating class….

Thank you all for being a part of this class!  I Loved getting to know you and your dogs.  So sorry again for not bringing the Graduation caps for the photos!! 

This was a fun, yet challenging class, due to its large size.  We started with 10 dog/handler teams and ended with 8.  Because of the fact that most of my classes are filling to maximum capacity I have decided to lower the class cap to 8 dog/handler teams per class.

Lastly, remember: If you don’t use it, you lose it, so keep practicing with your dogs!! You’ve all begun a great step toward a good ongoing relationship with your best friend!!  Keep up the GOOD work!!

~Angie~

www.AngieK9Trainer.com

Dog Scouts of America….

…..meeting THIS Saturday in Arlington, TX:
When:  Saturday, July 24th  2:00-4:00pm

Where:  Woodland  West   Church  of Christ gym, 3101 W. Park Row,  Arlington  (if you use an internet map, be sure to put in WEST Park Row or you’ll end up on the opposite side of town).  The gym is on the north side of the church building and you’ll want to park in the east parking lot.    

 

What:  Training can be fun – Learning Games to play with your dog, presented by Traci Betts

 

What to bring:  your favorite dog, treats your dog will enjoy (extra yummy, soft, small-sized), clicker, a mat, and $3 toward gym rental fee. 

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We have decided that it is helpful to send out “pre-meeting” info for those that are new to the troop in an effort to cut down on the time we spend on announcements at the beginning of troop meetings…. so if you’re not an old hat to troop meetings, read on….

 

What to expect at the troop meeting :   

   

Bandana Alerts - This is something that has been used at the summer camps for years and something we have started doing at our local troop meetings, as well.  If your dog has a message you want her to relay to the others, you might want to put her in one of the “alert bandanas”.   There is a blue bandanas with the little bones on it.  This bandana means, “I have food allergies.  Please don’t feed me!”   There is also a yellow bandana that means, ”I don’t appreciate having dogs in my space, so please have your dog give me some distance.”   And the multi-colored striped bandana means, “I don’t appreciate humans coming right up to me like we’re old buddies.  Please don’t reach to pet me without asking my human first.”   We will have these bandanas with us at the meeting. They are simply meant to be a reminder that a dog needs a little more space or has a medical condition people need to be aware of.   If you think one of these applies to your dog, please ask for one when you arrive and have your dog wear it during the meeting.

   

Poop prize drawings -  In Dog Scouts, we reward positive behavior, which means for the humans, too.  If you are able to show that you have at least two baggies with you at the meeting, indicating that you are prepared to pick up after your dog in public, then you will be included in a drawing at the beginning of the meeting where we draw for cash & valuable prizes (….okay, we draw for prizes) to reward the humans for being responsible dog owners!  So don’t forget to pack your plastic baggies - as always!!   

 

Items for sale - We have new custom DSA logo Karen Pryor i-clicks - which are clickers that are much easier to click than the traditional clickers – and aren’t as loud, either.   AND now they have the DSA logo & website on them!  They are really good for those of us who have a hard time handling a leash, a clicker and treats at the same time!  They are $3 each.  We have wrist coils for $2 each.   

   

We also have sets of the dog painting note cards.  Each card has the scanned image of one of the paintings from 13 of our troop dogs and each card has the doggie artist pictured on the back with a little ‘something about the artist.’  The note cards are sold in packs of 13 card/13 envelopes for the low price of $12. 

 

 See you at the meeting!

A+ Dog Obedience School Newest Graduates {Denton, TX Dog Trainer}

These next couple of graduates are from the newest type class I am offering, semi private group classes (for more info check out: www.AngieK9Trainer)


I really enjoyed working with you all, keep up the good work you have begun with your dogs. I hope to see and hear from you all in the future.

~Angie~

Dog Scouts March Meeting

Mark your calendars – March’s troop meeting is scheduled for Sunday, March 28 at 2:00 pm.  Get your game faces on because next month will be none other than…. Doggie Winter Olympics 2010!!!!   Doggie Olympics are always a big event so everybody plan to be there!

For more info please contact Mart & Cindy at  dogluvurz@prodigy.net 

Have some fun for me!!

~Angie~

Denton’s Newest Doggie Graduates {Denton Texas Dog Trainer & Photographer}

A great BIG YAY!!!  To my most recent Graduating class. 

Thank you all for participating in my class.  I throughly enjoyed getting to know you and your fur babies.  Don’t forget, if you don’t use it you lose it, so keep practicing.  We all missed Joan & Cody last night too.

~Angie~

PS,  Angie loves comments!!

Please & Thank You!!

We expect this all the time from our 2 legged children, why shouldn’t we expect the same from our 4 legged ones?!??  It’s called being polite, human children can do it & so can non-human ones!!

Parents set rules for their children, and although the kids might not like the rules, they respect their parents for having set them.  Generally, children abide by their parents’ wishes in order to win approval.  In effect, compliance is an opportunity for children to earn coveted items or privileges.  For example, children are taught to say “please”, and in return, they may be granted such things as a favorite snack, a new toy, or the chance to stay up late.

Why is it that people have no qualms about setting guidelines for their children, yet they feel guilty doing the same for the family dog?  For instance, Rusty nudges his owner’s arm for a pat, causing his owner to spill a drink.  Yet, the owner reaches out and pats Rusty anyway while saying, “It’s okay, boy.  You didn’t mean it.”  Or Rusty admires the potato chips his owner is munching, so he whines and stares with those big, sad eyes until his owner gives in and shares the whole bag.  Then at bedtime, Rusty jumps in uninvited, and his owner moves over.  Each time, the owner thinks he’s spoiling his pet, but the dog’s perspective is vastly different.  Dogs don’t comprehend feeling spoiled.  Rather, the dog believes he controls his owner, not the other way around.

As pet owners, we’ve all probably said, “This dog is stupid.  He just won’t listen to me.”  Not true!  Dogs are not stupid.  Often, they just don’t respect us as their leaders.  Why should they if we constantly console them and fulfill their every need without ever asking for anything in return?

So what can owners do?  It’s simple!  Begin by insisting that the dog say the canine equivalent of “please”, which is merely to sit before a need or wish is granted.  If the dog nudges you for a pat, tell him to sit.  If the dog doesn’t respond, it’s important that you don’t repeat the command.  Instead, help the dog into the sit position (by luring him), and then reward him with an ear scratch.  If it’s doggy dinnertime, fix the meal but have the dog sit before you put the bowl. down.  If you feel like sharing your chips, make the dog sit before you hand them over.  The dog wants to get up on the bed, and you like him there?  Have him sit, then call him up.

If all family members, including children (with parental assistance at first), are consistent with this simple rule, your dog will be on his way to becoming a well-behaved companion, and he’ll have a more positive attitude about the rest of his training.

  Remember, respect is a powerful training tool!

Taken in part from Lori Mauger

~Angie~

Dog Scout Meeting Info……

…….Details: 

When:  Saturday, Feb. 13.  We will meet at 1:30pm to do a group hike at the park.  If you want to skip the hike and just come for the meeting, it will start at 2:30pm

Where:  River Legacy Park at the Legacy Pavilion (directions attached)

What:  We will have a special treat this month.  Sarah Helber with the DFW Tracking Club (http://www.dfwtc.org/) will be doing a presentation on tracking.  This will be a great opportunity to introduce you and your dog to a new activity that you both might find you really enjoy and want to get involved in!

What to bring:  your favorite dog, a lawn chair, treats/something to keep your dog settled during the presentation (presentation will likely run about 90 minutes or so), and some towels as your dog likely may have muddy feet at the end of the day since we’re to get more rain next week.  You may also want to bring your buddy some drinking water.

 

For more information please contact Mart &/or Cindy: dogluvurz@prodigy.net or Cindy’s cell # 817-821-5826

 

**NOTE**  There may be weather issues next week that may call for us to make some adjustments!

 

Have fun!!

~Angie~

Dog Scouting Opportunity!!!

This is a COOL Dog Scouting Opportunity!!  Try it before you buy it, if you will…

Dog Scout Class/ work on Dog Scout certification – we have decided to have another get together outside of troop meetings for folks who are new to DSA.  This will not be a regular meeting, but will get a gathering of folks who want to learn about DSA and start their dogs working on their Dog Scout certification.  Anyone who wants their dog to become a Dog Scout must attend a Dog Scout Class.  We generally offer these in troop meetings a couple of times a year, but since we’ve had several new members join, we’ve decided to offer an additional opportunity to attend the class and work on the Dog Scout certification.  We will be practicing at this gathering, and will do check-offs as time allows.  If you have already sat thru a Dog Scout Class and just need to work on checking-off behaviors for the Dog Scout certification, come on out.  We plan to have Mart giving the DS class and Nancy & I will work with people/dogs who have already started working on their certification.  Once those in the class are finished with the class, they will start working on check-offs as well.  Note: you may use treats while working on training the behaviors (we’re all about positive reinforcement!!) but treats are not allowed when the dog is actually taking the test.  Also be aware that choke collars are not allowed.  Testing must be done on a flat or limited slip collar.  Head collars or harnesses may be worn but cannot be used in any way to “direct” the dog.  (we are all about positive training!!)  We will plan this meeting for Saturday, Oct. 17 at 10:00 AM at the parking lot by the wildflower area of River Legacy Park(where we met for the Sept. troop meeting).  Directions are attached.  Bring:  a lawn chair & lots of good treats (may also want to bring water for your dog).

 

And October meeting FYI…..

October Troop Meeting/ Fall Swim Party:  our fall swim party will be on Sunday, Oct. 32 (also known as Nov. 1   from 2-4 pm at Cotton Creek Club in Fort Worth.  We will be sending out more details as we get a little closer.  This is a OFF-LEASH event.  If your dog would not do well in this environment, please plan to sit it out.  Otherwise, we will be planning for a beautiful fall day for our doggies to swim! 

 

Let me know if you are interested in either of these cool dog opportunities & I will hook you up with the troop leaders!!

 

~Angie~

Dog Scouts Troop Meeting Info

As you know I talk a lot about this organization in my classes, I wanted to pass along meeting information for those of you who would like to check it out.  The troop leaders are Mart & Cindy, let me know if you would like any additional information.  Sorry this is such short notice, in the future I will post this info earlier.

For the troop meeting Saturday, we will be having the Dog Scout class and work on the Dog Scout test for those humans who have not yet been in on a Dog Scout class and for the dogs who have not yet passed their Dog Scout certification.   For those that are already Dog Scouts, we will be working on the Manners badge, and work some on the Sign Language badge, too, as time permits as these were the top two badges voted for.

 So…. details in a nutshell….

August Troop Meeting Details:

When: Saturday, August 22, 2009  2:00 – 4:00 pm  

Where: Woodland West Church of Christgym, 3101 W. Park Row, Arlington (if you use an Internet map, be sure to put in WEST Park Row or you’ll end up on the opposite side of town).   Park in the east parking lot.  The gym is on the north side of the church building.  If you get lost: Cindy’s cell 817-821-5826.

What:  Dog Scout Class (i.e. What is Dog Scouts all about and how can my dog become a Scout?) for the new folks;  working on Manners & Sign Language merit badges for the existing dog scouts.

What to bring:an exercised dog, $2 gym fee, lawn chair or seat cushion, lots of good yummy treats, clicker, an interest in trying something new.  Please also plan to print and bring the check-off sheet for whatever badge you are working on (see attachments) and also bring your Sign Language hand-out (5 pages showing the signs) if you received one previously or print it from the website:  http://dogscouts.org/Badges-_other.html

~Angie~

Wish I Could Go!!!!

Dog Day at the Rangers Game June 28 

Have Fun!!!!

~Angie~