We have some really exciting plans for the new year and thought we could take this week's blog to tell you about a few of them! Some are already being implemented while others are still in the planning stages, but our plan is to have all these ideas up and running sometime this year! I hope our new ventures help us continue to strengthen your relationship with your dog!
New Classes Being Offered
Reactive Rover Classes- This is our current "baby" and boy am I excited about it! This new group class is designed for dogs who are overreactive around other dogs, but can be adapted for many triggers. Your dog may be reactive for several reasons, or a combination (Overexcited, Afraid, Overstimulated, Improperly Socialized, Bad Experiend, etc)
So what would a class full of reactive dogs look like? Well,the class is definitely set up very carefully, the dogs all have their own "pods" that are visual and physical barriers. The beginning of the class is about improving your relationship with your dog (building more trust and leadership from you), impulse control and focus. The dogs come out of their pod one at a time to "work" and will not begin working around another dog (a neutral dog) towards the end of the class.
I KNOW this is a class many dog owners in Topeka desperately need and am thrilled to be offering it! If you think your dog might be in need of a Reactive Rover class, please contact me to set up an assessment!
Intro to Dog Sports (Coming Summer 2013!)- Many of my clients are eager to take another class after they finish up their basic obedience classes but find it hard deciding which of my "extra curricular" classes they would enjoy most with their dog. So I am putting together a class that is going to introduce you to several different dog sports (showcasing one each week), to help you decide which sport you would like to spend an entire class focusing on! This class is definitely in the early planning stages but will *probably* include Agility, Scent Work, Treiball, Flyball, and Rally. If this is a class that would interest you, please let me know, your input may be used as I plan the class!
Level 2 Agility (Coming March 2013!)- For those of you who have taken my Intro to Agility class, you could call this your sequel! We will be spending a good amount of time mastering the entire process of the Teeter, getting professional at Weaving 6 poles, and solidifying your dog's contact obstacle behaviors. We will also begin sequencing obstacles and stretching that reward!
So what would a class full of reactive dogs look like? Well,the class is definitely set up very carefully, the dogs all have their own "pods" that are visual and physical barriers. The beginning of the class is about improving your relationship with your dog (building more trust and leadership from you), impulse control and focus. The dogs come out of their pod one at a time to "work" and will not begin working around another dog (a neutral dog) towards the end of the class.
I KNOW this is a class many dog owners in Topeka desperately need and am thrilled to be offering it! If you think your dog might be in need of a Reactive Rover class, please contact me to set up an assessment!
Intro to Dog Sports (Coming Summer 2013!)- Many of my clients are eager to take another class after they finish up their basic obedience classes but find it hard deciding which of my "extra curricular" classes they would enjoy most with their dog. So I am putting together a class that is going to introduce you to several different dog sports (showcasing one each week), to help you decide which sport you would like to spend an entire class focusing on! This class is definitely in the early planning stages but will *probably* include Agility, Scent Work, Treiball, Flyball, and Rally. If this is a class that would interest you, please let me know, your input may be used as I plan the class!
Level 2 Agility (Coming March 2013!)- For those of you who have taken my Intro to Agility class, you could call this your sequel! We will be spending a good amount of time mastering the entire process of the Teeter, getting professional at Weaving 6 poles, and solidifying your dog's contact obstacle behaviors. We will also begin sequencing obstacles and stretching that reward!
Puppy Agility- I am SO excited about this idea, what's more fun than cute little puppies doing Agility?! Although it is important to note that puppies are not going to be ready for ALL the demands agility brings to their still growing bodies, so we will be introducing them to some foundational ideas and NOT be getting them on very much agility equipment. These foundation skills will be taught in mini sessions after their puppy obedience classes. These skills will be much easier to instill at a young age and will help get them ready for an Intro to Agility class after their Intermediate lessons.
Even if you are not considering Agility training eventually, these mini sessions will help socialize your dog to noise and movement and build their confidence, what puppy wouldn't benefit from that?! This will be a session offered after my beginner/puppy classes. Owners can opt in for five 20 minute sessions after their puppy class each week for a one time cost of $21! Making the 7 week puppy class + 5 weeks of puppy agility $120. Please let me know when you sign up for your beginner class that you would like to be enrolled in Puppy Agility!
Even if you are not considering Agility training eventually, these mini sessions will help socialize your dog to noise and movement and build their confidence, what puppy wouldn't benefit from that?! This will be a session offered after my beginner/puppy classes. Owners can opt in for five 20 minute sessions after their puppy class each week for a one time cost of $21! Making the 7 week puppy class + 5 weeks of puppy agility $120. Please let me know when you sign up for your beginner class that you would like to be enrolled in Puppy Agility!
Public Education
Monthy Behavioral Seminars to benefit Saving Death Row Dogs- The second Saturday of every month I will be speaking on a training or behavior topic at a one hour seminar. The seminars are designed to help educate SDRD's current fosters and to help raise funds for this local rescue group. If you are a current SDRD foster, there is no cost for you to attend. Otherwise, the seminars are a $15 donation to SDRD. Here is a list of the topics I will be covering in the first half of the year:
Children's Education Seminars- We will be partnering with Saving Death Row Dogs to go into local schools and educate children on Dog Safety, the importance of Spaying/Neutering your pet, and Adoption.
Staying Connected
Also new in 2013, we now have a calendar up on our website of upcoming classes, seminars, and public events so check it out! We have also added an option to pay for your classes/lessons online via paypal.
Finally, we are now active on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, and Pinterest so keeping up with what we are offering has never been easier!
Let us know how we can help you and your best friend in 2013!
Finally, we are now active on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, and Pinterest so keeping up with what we are offering has never been easier!
Let us know how we can help you and your best friend in 2013!
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