Newsletter 2009 Summer Edition

Congratulations for a job well done to Carolyn Clark and staff at The Centre for Applied Canine Behaviour
on winning two awards for the #1 dog training facility in the Kanata and Stittsville area.

image: Loose Leash Walking Classes

Loose Leash Walking – a 3 week program
Class length:   45 minutes for 3 weeks
Start Date:   Thursday July 23
Time:    7:45 pm

Carolyn Clark has always believed in continuing education for herself and the staff at Carolark. Attending conferences and hosting seminars plays such an important role at the Centre. Carolyn, staff and alumni had the opportunity to attend Clicker Expo, Don Hanson's seminar on Bach flower remedies and the annual educational seminar with Canadian Association of Professional Pet Dog Trainers.

Carolyn Clark and staff member Nicky Barham attended the Clicker Expo in Providence, Rhode Island on March 27-29, 2009. Clicker Expo was developed by Karen Pryor and includes top notched trainers from around the world.

The conference is held for trainers and teachers and newcomers to get together to hear presentations and share ideas. Always on the cutting edge of training and teaching, it is a richly rewarding experience.

"Can you imagine hundreds of clicker trainers together in one location for a weekend?

This was my first foray into the dog-training conference world and my reward to myself for graduating from the Karen Pryor Academy in February. The energy the whole weekend was amazing.

On March 26th Carolyn and I made the trek to Providence, Rhode Island to participate in Clicker Expo. Clicker Expo is a semi annual event hosted by one of the premier people in the field of clicker training, Karen Pryor author of "Don’t Shoot the Dog" and the soon to be released "Reaching the Animal Mind".

We left Ottawa at around 7 am on Thursday morning arriving at the Delta hotel just before supper after a thankfully uneventful ride. At the check-in line Carolyn introduced me to 'the first of the greats' Jenn and Steve White (Tracking Specialists) and Jesus Rosales-Ruiz (Professor from the University of North Texas who researches clicker training and its effects)……..I felt like a teenager at a rock concert, getting to meet the band!

Karen Pryor Academy Graduates were given a special badge so they could be identified throughout the conference. Thursday night was pretty low key for me; I felt an early night was in order. This was going to be a jam packed few days.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday were workdays; each day was packed with hardly a moment to spare from 8 in the morning until 5.30 at night.

Our brains were crammed with knowledge, who knew there was so much stuff out there on clicker training! More than 14 different presenters, some lecturing on more than one topic. The majority have produced books, papers or DVD's on positive training, its methods and effects. People had flown in from all over the world to participate, Sweden, U.K., Mexico. Wow! Clicker training really is world wide and I am part of this movement.

Each day began with a plenary session after which we divided off into our various lectures for 2 hours, many lectures were accompanied with labs later the same day, where we were able to practice and hone our newly acquired skills. Carolyn and I made a point of taking different lecture/labs so that we could bring the knowledge back to the staff at Carolark who had been unable to attend.

The skills and knowledge of all the presenters was absolutely top notch. Watching Morten Egvedt and Cecilie Koste from Sweden present Back Chaining and Skills for Top performance in OTCh was truly amazing, the precision and skill they have trained into their performance dogs is almost unbelievable. Of course when we had to do the lab it became rather a comical event as all the humans struggled with back-chaining a series of behaviors we had drawn from a hat. Another excellent way to make new friends!

Each day we attended lectures and participated in labs ranging from Kongs, Business Software, Running a Business, Nutrition, Developing cueing skills, Learning theory, Dealing with Aggressive Dogs, Freestyle, Scenting, Back Chaining, Skill Building, Shelter dogs, Puppies, Training plans, Analyzing Data, Shaping, Targeting, Service Dogs, Modifier Cues, Non Food reinforcements, The Broken Click, The Poisoned Cue, Scenting and Detection.

KPA graduates were treated royally and even had a private lunch with Karen Pryor and the academy staff to personally get our feedback on the course, meet other grads and faculty. We were able to give information to prospective grads as well as form lasting friendships as we networked with others who have completed the course.

During the brief gaps between sessions (and if we ate lunch really fast) we were able to browse the trade show and purchase related books and material on a huge variety of positive training products.

In the evenings we were able to participate in the formal dinners, or as we chose, go to a local restaurant. This was a wonderful time for networking and talking training techniques with people from all over the US and Canada.

I have now been bitten by the bug for doggie conferences and will definitely attend more. I love the camaraderie of the other 'like minded' trainers, and know the enthusiasm and knowledge I bring back will last a lifetime."

On April 4th and 5th a Bach flower remedy seminar was held at Carolark. Don Hanson is a Director of Behaviour Counseling and Training. Don assists guardians and their pets on a wide range of behavioral problems. During the one and half day seminar the 38 remedies were discussed and we were informed on how the remedies worked. Remedies are used to help balance the emotions and bring about a state of balance and are successful with people and pets. Participants divided into groups and were given case studies to discuss and recommend a remedy to assist the pet. It was an excellent and informative presentation.

During the long weekend in May Carolyn Clark, Nicky Barham and several alumni of Carolark attended the Canadian Association for Professional Pet Dog Trainers educational conference in Fredericton, N.B.

It was a busy three days jam-packed with presentations, workshops and fun activities in the evening.

Sean Senechal presented on Animal Sign language. Sean’s goal is to teach AnimalSign to animals to enhance their relationships and service careers. And to promote the practical use of signing animals in their personal and professional lives, aiding humans and animals.

Dr. Jean Dodds had a very informative presentation on vaccines, immunity, thyroid and behaviour in dogs.

Carolyn Clark and Brenda DeJong playing the spoons at the "Down Home Kitchen Party"

The evenings consisted of a down home kitchen party and a terrific lobster supper at the Legion. It was a fun and educational weekend. The Fredericton conference committee did a fantastic job organizing the event.

Summer should be arriving soon.
Please follow these tips for a healthy, happy summer with your canine friend.

In ten minutes or less the temperature inside the car can reach dangerously high temperatures causing heat stroke, permanent brain damage or death.

Excessive panting

Salivation

Vomiting

An anxious or staring expression

A fast pulse rate and high body temperature

Immediately immerse your animal in cool (not icy) water or pour cool water over him. You can also put an ice pack on your animal’s head.

Take your dog to your veterinarian or the nearest animal emergency clinic for medical treatment.

Dogs need exercise, but it is best if you take them in the cooler early morning or evening hours. And keep in mind that the pavement gets very hot and can burn their paw pads.

Provide outside dogs with cool drinking water and access to a fully shaded area. When away from home, carry water for your dog and give him small amounts frequently.

Dogs may become less tolerant of excessive handling when they are hot, and parents should let children know that their pet may not want to play.

Do not allow your dog around a pool unless he is supervised. Many dogs accidentally drown each year across the country.

Check your dog regularly for fleas and ticks, which are more common in hot weather.

Plant food, fertilizers and pesticides are more widely used in summer. Use only pet-safe products and keep your dogs on your property so they will not be exposed to harmful products that neighbors have used.

Keep your veterinarian's phone number handy so you can call immediately if you suspect your dog or cat has ingested something poisonous.

Heartworm is a potentially deadly but preventable parasite that is spread by mosquitoes. Check with your veterinarian to see if your dog should be on a heartworm preventative.

Protect all your pets from the noise and flash of fireworks. It frightens animals and many get lost each July 1st. Bring your pets inside and make sure they are wearing identification.

Keep current identification on your pet. No one plans for their dog or cat to become lost, but accidents do happen. Your pet's ID tags or microchip ID are the best way to ensure that your companion animal will be safely returned to you.

"A gentle, respectful and effective approach to the care and training of our animals."

TTouch gives you new tools for improving your animal's behavioral and physical problems. Learn a form of caring touch that promotes well being. Experience the physical and emotional benefits of TTouch.

A hands-on workshop (pet included) is planned for early September 09. Call the office 613-591-3277 if you would like to be on the notice list.